Linkage Mapping and Identification of Candidate Genes for Cold Tolerance in Rice (Oryza Sativa L.) at the Bud Bursting Stage.

Rice is highly sensitive to low temperatures, making cold stress a significant factor limiting its growth, especially during the bud bursting stage. To address this, an RIL population derived from a cross between cold-tolerant and cold-sensitive rice varieties was used to identify nine QTLs linked to cold tolerance under temperatures of 4 ℃, 5 °C, and 6 ℃ using a high-density genetic map. One candidate gene, LOC_Os07g44410, was identified through gene function annotation, haplotype analysis, and qRT-PCR, with two main haplotypes (Hap1 and Hap2) showing distinct phenotypic differences.

Ablation of slow activation areas in addition to pulmonary vein isolation improves the maintenance of the sinus rhythm in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation.

Background: Slow activation areas, characterized by decreased conduction velocities in the left atrium, are commonly observed in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (PeAF). However, it remains unclear whether the ablation of slow activation areas combined with pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) improves clinical outcomes in these patients.

Methods: This single-center retrospective study included patients who underwent catheter ablation for PeAF.

Remodeling tumor microenvironment by versatile nanoplatform orchestrated mechanotherapy with chemoimmunotherapy to synergistically enhance anticancer efficiency.

Solid tumors (particularly the desmoplastic ones) usually harbor insurmountable mechanical barriers and formidable immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME), which severely restricted nanomedicine-penetration and vastly crippled outcomes of numerous therapies. To overcome these barriers, a versatile nanoplatform orchestrated mechanotherapy with chemoimmunotherapy was developed here to simultaneously modulate tumor physical barriers and remodel TME for synergistically enhancing anticancer efficiency. Dexamethasone (DMS) and cis-aconityl-doxorubicin (CAD) were co-hitchhiked into phenylboronic acid functionalized polyethylenimine (PEI-PBA) carrier, and further in situ shielded by aldehyde-modified polyethylene glycol (PEG) to form CAD/DMS@PEG/PEI-PBA (CD@PB) nanoparticles (NPs).

Spatiotemporal evolution characteristics and attribution analysis of hepatitis A in mainland China.

This study aimed to analyze the epidemiological characteristics and spatiotemporal clustering of hepatitis A in mainland China from 2004 to 2019 and to evaluate the practical impact of integrating hepatitis A vaccines into the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI). Spatial and temporal autocorrelation and spatiotemporal scanning statistics were used to perform spatial and temporal characterization to quantify the spatial similarity or degree of aggregation of geographic data, and Geographical and Temporal Weighted Regression (GTWR) models were used to reveal spatial and temporal heterogeneity in the relationships between variables to test for spatial and temporal outbreaks of disease and other factors, such as socio-economic factors. Spatially, the incidence rates exhibited a west-high and east-low spatial differentiation, with the High-High (HH) clusters predominantly located in the western regions, maintaining stability butgradually diminishing.

High-efficient nanoemulsions separation by surface manipulation of sands.

Oil-in-water (O/W) nanoemulsions, prevalent in the cosmetics, pharmaceutical, and petroleum industries, present significant threats to aquatic ecosystems and human health upon their inadvertent release into the environment. However, the nanoscale droplet size and robust interfacial film of nanoemulsions confer exceptional stability, rendering their separation a formidable challenge. Developing an economical and efficient method to remove nanoemulsions is crucial, offering a cost-effective and energy-saving alternative to traditional techniques.

Comprehensive mapping of somatotroph pituitary neuroendocrine tumour heterogeneity using spatial and single-cell transcriptomics.

Background: Pituitary neuroendocrine tumours (PitNETs) are common intracranial tumours that are highly heterogeneous with unpredictable growth patterns. The driver genes and mechanisms that are crucial for tumour progression in somatotroph PitNETs are poorly understood.

Methods: In this study, we performed integrative spatial transcriptomics (ST) and single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) analysis on somatotroph tumours and normal pituitary samples to comprehensively characterize the differences in cellular characteristics.

Multi-omics analysis reveals that agaro-oligosaccharides with different degrees of polymerization alleviate colitis in mice by regulating intestinal flora and arginine synthesis.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a common chronic disease with a complex etiology, characterized by body weight loss, intestinal barrier damage, and an imbalance of intestinal flora, posing a significant threat to people's health. In this work, we studied whether safer natural active agaro-oligosaccharides (AOSs) benefit mice with IBD and elucidated their underlying mechanisms. The findings indicated that oral administration of agarobiose (A2), agarotriose (A3), and agarotetraose (A4) contributed to alleviating body weight loss and colon shortening, as well as enhancing IL-10 levels while reducing IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α.

Comparative analysis of the mutational landscape and evolutionary patterns of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma metastases in the liver or peritoneum.

Background: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) often presents with liver or peritoneal metastases at diagnosis. Despite similar treatment approaches, patient outcomes vary between these metastatic sites. To improve targeted therapies for metastatic PDAC, a comprehensive analysis of the genetic profiles and evolutionary patterns at these distinct metastatic locations is essential.

Extract of Phyllanthus emblica L. fruit stimulates basal glucose uptake and ameliorates palmitate-induced insulin resistance through AMPK activation in C2C12 myotubes.

Background: The fruit of Phyllanthus emblica L., a traditional medicine in China and India, is used to treat diabetes mellitus. Its water extract (WEPE) has demonstrated hypoglycemic effects in diabetic rats, but its mechanisms on glucose utilization and insulin resistance in skeletal muscle remain unclear.

Intelligence Mindsets Trajectory Profiles among Chinese Elementary School Students: Associations with Changes in Academic Achievement from Grades 4 to 6.

Early adolescence is a critical period for the development of children's intelligence mindsets, which play a significant role in academic achievement. However, existing research predominantly employs variable-centered approaches, which fail to capture individual differences in mindset-achievement relations. This research addresses this gap by adopting a longitudinal person-centered approach to explore the joint developmental trajectories of growth and fixed mindsets among early adolescents.

Computational model-based hemodynamic comparisons of traditional and modified idealized models of autologous radiocephalic fistula.

Autologous arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is a commonly used vascular access (VA) for hemodialysis, and hemodynamic changes are one of the main factors for its failure. To explore the effect of geometry on the hemodynamics in the AVF, a modified model is built with a gradual and smooth turn at the anastomosis and is compared with the traditional model, which has an abrupt sharp turn at the anastomisis. Transient computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations were performed for the comparison and analysis of the hemodynamic fields of the two models at different stages of the pulse cycle.

Optimization of Extraction and Purification of Flavonoids from Stigmaless Floral Residues of L. and Their Stimulatory Effect on Glucose Uptake In Vitro.

Saffron, the dried stigma of L., is a renowned spice and medicinal herb. During its production, a significant amount of floral residues, rich in bioactive compounds, are discarded as agricultural by-products.

Conjugation-Broken Dimer Acceptors Enable High-Efficiency, Stable, and Flexibility-Robust Organic Solar Cells.

Dimer acceptors in organic solar cells (OSCs) offer distinct advantages, including a well-defined molecular structure and excellent batch-to-batch reproducibility. Their high glass transition temperature (T) aids in achieving an optimal kinetic morphology, thereby enhancing device stability. Currently, most of dimer acceptor materials are linked with conjugated units in order to obtain high power conversion efficiencies (PCEs).

Dual NIR-channel fluorescent probe for detecting ONOO in vitro and vivo.

As one of endogenous reactive oxygen species (ROS), peroxynitrite (ONOO) performs various functions in both pathological and physiological mechanisms. In this work, an optical and near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent probe (NX), which based on 3-dihydro-1H-xanthene and 2-dicyanomethylene-3-cyano-4,5,5-trimethyl-2,5-dihydrofuran (TCF) group was designed and prepared to detect ONOO. This probe revealed an obvious optical and a fluorescent response when ONOO was present and it exhibited higher selectivity over other ROS.

Adult craniopharyngioma concomitant with unruptured intracranial aneurysms: incidence, risk factors, and treatment strategies.

Objective: Concomitant unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIAs) in patients with craniopharyngioma (CP) pose a challenge for surgical management. This study presents the largest known single-institution case series to investigate the incidence of UIA in CP patients, with the aim of exploring the potential risk factors for the occurrence of UIA in CP patients and proposing treatment strategies.

Methods: The authors retrospectively reviewed the records of 289 adult CP patients treated in their department between January 2020 and August 2022.

The impact of heterotopic ovarian tissue transplantation with varied volumes on reproductive endocrine function in oophorectomized rats.

Background: This study aimed to investigate the effects of different volumes of ovarian tissue transplantation on the reproductive endocrine function of rats after oophorectomy.

Methods: Female rats were selected to establish a castration model and then underwent different volumes of ovarian tissue transplantation. Group I served as the sham operation group.

Differences in the Development of Mathematics Motivation within and across Socioeconomic Status: Do Early Adolescents' Failure Beliefs Matter?

Interest in socioeconomic differences in academic motivation has been longstanding. However, previous research has often treated both low- and high-SES students as homogenous groups. This study aims to address this gap by investigating the developmental trajectory profiles of mathematics motivation during early adolescence, with a focus on variations within and across SES groups.

Engineering Porosity and Functionality in a Robust Twofold Interpenetrated Bismuth-Based MOF: Toward a Porous, Stable, and Photoactive Material.

Defect engineering in metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) has gained worldwide research traction, as it offers tools to tune the properties of MOFs. Herein, we report a novel 2-fold interpenetrated Bi-based MOF made of a tritopic flexible organic linker, followed by missing-linker defect engineering. This procedure creates a gradually augmented micro- and mesoporosity in the parent (originally nonporous) network.

Ethnobotanical studies on rice landraces under on-farm conservation in Xishuangbanna of Yunnan Province, China.

Background: A complex interaction and mutual influence exists among landscapes, cultures, and landraces, with rice culture being a typical embodiment of this relationship. The conservation of landraces operates alongside preserving traditional practices. The Xishuangbanna region stands out as a hub for the genetic diversity of landraces, boasting rich genetic resources.

Ratiometric dual-emitting thermometers based on rhodamine B dye-incorporated (nano) curcumin periodic mesoporous organosilicas for bioapplications.

This study explores the potential of combining periodic mesoporous organosilicas (PMOs) with a fluorescent dye to develop a ratiometric thermometry system with enhanced stability, sensitivity, and biocompatibility. PMOs, ordered porous materials known for their stability and versatility, serve as an ideal platform. Curcumin, a natural polyphenol and fluorescent dye, is incorporated into PMOs to develop curcumin-functionalized PMOs (C-PMO) and curcumin-pyrazole-functionalized PMOs (CP-PMO) hydrolysis and co-condensation.

Gut microbiota composition and metabolic characteristics in patients with Craniopharyngioma.

Background: Emerging evidence suggests that the gut microbiota is associated with various intracranial neoplastic diseases. It has been observed that alterations in the gut microbiota are present in gliomas, meningiomas, and pituitary neuroendocrine tumors (Pit-NETs). However, the correlation between gut microbiota and craniopharyngioma (CP), a rare embryonic malformation tumor in the sellar region, has not been previously mentioned.