Comparative chloroplast genome analyses provide new insights into molecular markers for distinguishing Arnebiae Radix and its substitutes (tribe Lithospermeae, Boraginaceae).

Background: Arnebiae Radix has long been used in traditional medicine for its pleiotropic properties. However, distinguishing Arnebiae Radix from its substitutes or closely related species has been challenging due to limited phenotypic characteristics.

Purpose: We aimed to identify the molecular markers for distinguishing Arnebiae Radix from its confusion species.

Electric Demulsification Membrane Technology for Confined Separation of Oil-Water Emulsions.

Demulsification technology for separation of oil-water (O/W) emulsions, especially those stabilized by surfactants, is urgently needed yet remains highly challenging due to their inherent stability characteristics. Electrocoalescence has emerged as a promising solution owing to its simplicity, efficacy, and versatility, yet hindered by substantial energy consumption (e.g.

Three-dimensional visualization technology for guiding one-step percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopic lithotripsy for the treatment of complex hepatolithiasis.

Background: Biliary stone disease is a highly prevalent condition and a leading cause of hospitalization worldwide. Hepatolithiasis with associated strictures has high residual and recurrence rates after traditional multisession percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopic lithotripsy (PTCSL).

Aim: To study one-step PTCSL using the percutaneous transhepatic one-step biliary fistulation (PTOBF) technique guided by three-dimensional (3D) visualization.

Development and validation of a nomogram for predicting lymph node metastasis in early gastric cancer.

Background: Lymph node metastasis (LNM) significantly impacts the treatment and prognosis of early gastric cancer (EGC). Consequently, the precise prediction of LNM risk in EGC patients is essential to guide the selection of appropriate surgical approaches in clinical settings.

Aim: To develop a novel nomogram risk model for predicting LNM in EGC patients, utilizing preoperative clinicopathological data.

Association of lipid-lowering drugs with gut microbiota: A Mendelian randomization study.

Background: The gut microbiota can be influenced by lipid metabolism. We aimed to evaluate the impact of lipid-lowering medications, such as proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors, Niemann-Pick C1-Like 1 protein (NPC1L1) inhibitors, and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMGCR) inhibitors, on gut microbiota through drug target Mendelian randomization (MR) investigation.

Methods: We used genetic variants that were associated with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in genome-wide association studies and located within or near drug target genes as proxies for lipid-lowering drug exposure.

Chloroplast Genomes Evolution and Phylogenetic Relationships of species.

sensu lato () includes approximately 100 species that are mainly distributed in arid and semi-arid regions. species are ecologically valuable for their roles in windbreaking and sand fixation. However, the taxonomy and phylogenetic relationships of the genus are still unclear.

Development and validation of a deep learning model for predicting gastric cancer recurrence based on CT imaging: a multicenter study.

Introduction: The postoperative recurrence of gastric cancer (GC) has a significant impact on the overall prognosis of patients. Therefore, accurately predicting the postoperative recurrence of GC is crucial.

Methods: This retrospective study gathered data from 2813 GC patients who underwent radical surgery between 2011 and 2017 at two medical centers.

Solar-driven abnormal evaporation of nanoconfined water.

Intrinsic water evaporation demands a high energy input, which limits the efficacy of conventional interfacial solar evaporators. Here, we propose a nanoconfinement strategy altering inherent properties of water for solar-driven water evaporation using a highly uniform composite of vertically aligned Janus carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The water evaporation from the CNT shows the unexpected diameter-dependent evaporation rate, increasing abnormally with decreasing nanochannel diameter.

Historical climate change and vicariance events contributed to the intercontinental disjunct distribution pattern of ash species (Fraxinus, Oleaceae).

The Northern Hemisphere temperate forests exhibit a disjunct distributional pattern in Europe, North America, and East Asia. Here, to reveal the promoter of intercontinental disjunct distribution, Fraxinus was used as a model organism to integrate abundant fossil evidence with high-resolution phylogenies in a phytogeographic analysis. We constructed a robust phylogenetic tree using genomic data, reconstructed the geographic ancestral areas, and evaluated the effect of incorporating fossil information on the reconstructed biogeographic history.

Utilizing novel Escherichia coli-specific conserved signature proteins for enhanced monitoring of recreational water quality.

Escherichia coli serves as a proxy indicator of fecal contamination in aquatic ecosystems. However, its identification using traditional culturing methods can take up to 24 h. The application of DNA markers, such as conserved signature proteins (CSPs) genes (unique to all species/strains of a specific taxon), can form the foundation for novel polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests that unambiguously identify and detect targeted bacterial taxa of interest.

An online survey on public awareness of drug clinical trials in inland cities of northern China.

Objective: The aims of this survey were to investigate the public awareness of drug clinical trials (DCTs) and willingness to participate the DCTs, and provide references for propaganda and science popularization of DCTs.

Methods: A self-designed questionnaire named "an online survey questionnaire on public awareness of DCTs" was used to conduct an online survey from January to March 2022. The demographic characteristics and the response of participants to the awareness and willingness to participate the DCTs were collected.

Associations of hearing loss and structural changes in specific cortical regions: a Mendelian randomization study.

Introduction: Previous studies have suggested a correlation between hearing loss (HL) and cortical alterations, but the specific brain regions that may be affected are unknown.

Methods: Genome-wide association study (GWAS) data for 3 subtypes of HL phenotypes, sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), conductive hearing loss, and mixed hearing loss, were selected as exposures, and GWAS data for brain structure-related traits were selected as outcomes. The inverse variance weighted method was used as the main estimation method.

Mechanism research on digital inclusive finance promoting high-quality economic development: Evidence from China.

This article aims to precisely evaluate the catalytic impact of digital inclusive finance on economic growth, enhance the implementation of policies pertaining to digital inclusive finance, and foster high-quality economic development. Based on China's provincial panel data and the digital inclusive finance index from 2011 to 2021, this research investigates the influence of digital inclusive finance on high-quality economic development and the associated underlying mechanisms. The findings suggest that digital inclusive finance exerts a notable spatial impact on high-quality economic development.

Phylogenomics reveal as a hybrid between and (Salicaceae).

High levels of intra-specific polymorphism and frequent hybridisation make it difficult to define species and correctly apply their scientific names. L. is a challenging genus with plentiful natural and artificial hybrids.

Identification of potential microbial risk factors associated with fecal indicator exceedances at recreational beaches.

Background: Fecal bacterial densities are proxy indicators of beach water quality, and beach posting decisions are made based on Beach Action Value (BAV) exceedances for a beach. However, these traditional beach monitoring methods do not reflect the full extent of microbial water quality changes associated with BAV exceedances at recreational beaches (including harmful cyanobacteria). This proof of concept study evaluates the potential of metagenomics for comprehensively assessing bacterial community changes associated with BAV exceedances compared to non-exceedances for two urban beaches and their adjacent river water sources.

Assessment of crAssphage as a human fecal source tracking marker in the lower Great Lakes.

CrAssphage or crAss-like phage ranks as the most abundant phage in the human gut and is present in human feces-contaminated environments. Due to its high human specificity and sensitivity, crAssphage is a potentially robust source tracking indicator that can distinguish human fecal contamination from agricultural or wildlife sources. Its suitability in the Great Lakes area, one of the world's most important water systems, has not been well tested.

A circadian clock gene-related signature for predicting prognosis and its association with sorafenib response in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), one of the highest causes of cancer-associated death, has effective treatments, especially for patients with advanced HCC. Circadian rhythm participates in several important physiological functions, and its chronic disruption results in many disordered diseases, including cancer. However, the role of circadian rhythm in the overall survival (OS) of patients with HCC remains unclear.

Co-delivery of dimeric camptothecin and chlorin e6 via polypeptide-based micelles for chemo-photodynamic synergistic therapy.

Background: The integration of photodynamic therapy with a chemical drug-delivery system has displayed great potential in enhancing anticancer therapy. However, the solubility and non-specific biodistribution of both chemotherapeutic agents and photosensitizers continue to pose challenges that hinder their clinical applications.

Method: A polypeptide-based nanoscale drug delivery system was fabricated to address the prementioned issues.

Inhibition of ferroptosis alleviates chronic unpredictable mild stress-induced depression in mice via tsRNA-3029b.

Depression is a common mental illness. Ferroptosis is a form of cell death that may be responsible for neurological disease, but the role of ferroptosis in depression remains unclear. tRNA-derived small RNA (tsRNA) is an emerging non-coding small RNA, making it an important medium for studying neurological diseases.