Epidemiology and Antimicrobial Resistance of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia in China, 2014-2021.

Introduction: Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is an opportunistic pathogen associated with various nosocomial infections and is known for its intrinsic multidrug resistance. This study aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the epidemiology and resistance patterns of S. maltophilia in China from 2014 to 2021.

Chimeric Peptide-Engineered Polyprodrug Enhances Cytotoxic T Cell Response by Inducing Immunogenic Cell Death and Upregulating Major Histocompatibility Complex Class I.

Tumor-specific cytotoxic T cell immunity is critically dependent on effective antigen presentation and sustained signal transduction. However, this immune response is frequently compromised by the inherently low immunogenicity of breast cancer and the deficiency in major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I) expression. Herein, a chimeric peptide-engineered stoichiometric polyprodrug (PDPP) is fabricated to potentiate the cytotoxic T cell response, characterized by a high drug loading capacity and precise stoichiometric drug ratio, of which the immunogenic cell death (ICD) inducer of protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) and the epigenetic drug of decitabine (DAC) are condensed into a polyprodrug called PpIX-DAC.

Associations of Serum Manganese, Zinc, Copper, and Selenium Concentrations With Autism Spectrum Disorders in Chinese Children: A Case-Control Study.

Imbalances in several trace elements related to antioxidant function may lead to autism spectrum disorder (ASD)-related physiological dysfunction. Nonetheless, contradictory results have been found on the connection between these elements and ASD, and studies of their joint effects and interactions have been insufficient. We therefore designed a case-control study of 152 ASD children and 152 age- and sex-matched typically developing (TD) children to explore the individual and combined associations of manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), and selenium (Se) with ASD.

Acoustic Exaggeration Enhances Speech Discrimination in Young Autistic Children.

Child-directed speech (CDS), which amplifies acoustic and social features of speech during interactions with young children, promotes typical phonetic and language development. In autism, both behavioral and brain data indicate reduced sensitivity to human speech, which predicts absent, decreased, or atypical benefits of exaggerated speech signals such as CDS. This study investigates the impact of exaggerated fundamental frequency (F0) and voice-onset time on the neural processing of speech sounds in 22 Chinese-speaking autistic children aged 2-7 years old with a history of speech delays, compared with 25 typically developing (TD) peers.

Convergent Total Synthesis of Ixabepilone and Its Analogues Enabled by Highly Efficient Asymmetric Hydrogenations.

The convergent total synthesis of ixabepilone and its analogues in a 13-step longest linear sequence is reported. The crucial chiral centers at challenging C3-O, C8-C and C15-N positions on the scaffold of the ixabepilone were installed via highly efficient asymmetric hydrogenations (up to 95% yield and up to 99% e.e.

A tripartite transcriptional module regulates protoderm specification during embryogenesis in Arabidopsis.

Protoderm formation is a crucial step in early embryo patterning in plants, separating the precursors of the epidermis and the inner tissues. Although key regulators such as ARABIDOPSIS THALIANA MERISTEM LAYER1 (ATML1) and PROTODERMAL FACTOR2 (PDF2) have been identified in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, the genetic pathways controlling protoderm specification remain largely unexplored. Here, we combined genetic, cytological, and molecular approaches to investigate the regulatory mechanisms of protoderm specification in Arabidopsis thaliana.

The diagnostic value of two-dimensional ultrasound Su-RADS combined with shear wave elastography for benign and malignant lesions of the gastric wall.

Objective: This study explored the value of stomach ultrasound reporting and data system (Su-RADS) and two-dimensional shear wave elastography (2D-SWE) in the diagnosis of benign and malignant lesions of the gastric wall, evaluating the feasibility of combining the two methods for the diagnosis of gastric wall lesions.

Methods: 113 patients with gastric wall lesions were examined after oral gastric ultrasound contrast agent, and the grades of the gastric wall lesions were classified according to Su-RADS. Moreover, 2D-SWE was performed to measure the E value of the lesions.

Combined effect of triglyceride-glucose index and atherogenic index of plasma on cardiovascular disease: a national cohort study.

The triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index and the Atherogenic Index of Plasma (AIP) are both predictors of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). However, their combined and individual contributions to CVD risk are not well understood. This study evaluate the joint and individual associations of the TyG index and AIP with CVD events in middle-aged and older Chinese adults.

A preliminary study of further attempt at the development, testing and application of an auxiliary equipment for electronic colonoscopy.

Colonoscopy is a valuable tool for colorectal cancer screening and health checkups, with increasing utilization annually. Assisted entry is a standard procedure during electronic colonoscopy. In China, most clinically assisted colonoscopy procedures involve a nurse directly applying abdominal pressure to the patient's abdomen.

Data-driven assessment of well stimulation in unconventional gas reservoirs.

Unconventional gas reservoirs, characterized by their complex geologies and challenging extraction conditions, demand innovative approaches to enhance gas production and ensure economic viability. Well stimulation techniques, such as hydraulic fracturing and acidizing, have become indispensable tools in unlocking the potential of these tight formations. However, the effectiveness of these techniques can vary widely depending on the specific characteristics of the reservoir.

A novel conformable fractional-order accumulation grey model and its applications in forecasting energy consumption of China.

Accurate forecasting of energy consumption demand is crucial to optimize resources and achieve sustainable development goals. However, the energy system is affected by many factors, which are complex and highly uncertain. Therefore, a novel grey model (IBCFGMP (1,1,N)) is proposed, integrating multiple optimization techniques such as background value optimization, initial condition optimization, fractional-order accumulation optimization, and grey action quantity optimization.

Detection of methicillin resistance of Staphylococcus aureus in vitreous humor using MALDI-TOF MS and Fc-MBL@FeO enrichment.

Endophthalmitis is a serious infectious eye disease that causes permanent vision loss. This study developed a method for rapid identification and drug resistance analysis of pathogens in vitreous humor. After short-term rapid culture, 30 Staphylococcus aureus isolates were enriched and purified from the vitreous humor using Fc-MBL@FeO, and then identified by MALDI-TOF MS.

Diagnostic value and immune infiltration characterization of WTAP as a critical m6A regulator in liver transplantation.

Background: RNA N6-methyladenosine (m6A) regulators are essential for numerous biological processes and are implicated in various diseases. However, the comprehensive role of m6A regulators in the context of liver transplantation (LT) remains poorly understood. This study aimed to illustrate the relationship between m6A regulators and ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) following LT.

Effects of TGase on the rheological behaviors, structural properties and molecular forces of cowpea protein isolate and cowpea albumin gels.

The effects of TGase on hardness, water holding capacity (WHC), molecular forces, structural properties, microstructure and rheological behaviors of TGase-induced cowpea protein isolate gel (T-CPIG) and cowpea albumin gel (T-CPAG) were investigated. TGase significantly increased the hardness of gels and the most stable three-dimensional network structures were formed by adding 20 U/g and 28 U/g. Not only the non-network structure proteins of gels and free sulfhydryl groups were fewer but also the β-fold and β-angle relative contents were higher than cowpea protein isolate (CPI) and cowpea albumin (CPA).

Nucleolar protein PEXF controls ribosomal RNA synthesis and pluripotency exit.

Maintenance and exit from pluripotency of embryonic stem cells (ESCs) are controlled by highly coordinated processes of protein synthesis and ribosome biogenesis (RiBi). ESCs are characterized by low rates of global protein synthesis and high levels of RiBi. Transient reduction of RiBi is a characteristic molecular event during the exit from pluripotency, of which the regulatory mechanism is unclear.

Accurate prediction of pollution and health risks of iodinated X-ray contrast media in Taihu Lake with machine learning and revealing key environmental factors.

Iodinated X-ray contrast media (ICM) are commonly detected at considerable concentrations in aquatic environments. The long-term pollution trends in ICM at the whole lake/river scale have not yet been investigated; therefore, the risks associated with ICM and the influences of environmental factors remain understudied. Herein, the occurrence and distribution of ICM in the surface water of Taihu Lake were comprehensively investigated.

The impact of maximum cross-sectional area of lesion on predicting the early therapeutic response of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis.

Background: Early evaluation of culture conversion after 6-month treatment of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is vital for outcome prediction. This study aims to merge the maximum lesion cross-sectional area observed via computed tomography (CT) imaging during treatment to predict therapeutic response.

Methods: We retrospectively involved MDR-TB patients who completed 6 months of treatment from two hospitals.

OsWRKY49 on qAT5 positively regulates alkalinity tolerance at the germination stage in Oryza sativa L. ssp. japonica.

Integrated genome-wide association study and linkage mapping revealed genetic basis of alkalinity tolerance during rice germination. The key gene OsWRKY49 was further verified in transgenic plants. With the widespread use of the rice direct seeding cultivation model, improving the tolerance of rice varieties to salinity-alkalinity at the germination stage has become increasingly important.

Transcoronary study of biomarkers in patients with heart failure: Insights into intracardiac production.

Aims: Biomarkers are pivotal in the management of heart failure (HF); however, their lack of cardiac specificity could limit clinical utility. This study aimed to investigate the transcoronary changes and intracardiac production of these biomarkers.

Methods: Transcoronary gradients for B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and five novel biomarkers-galectin-3 (Gal-3), soluble suppression of tumourigenicity 2 (sST2), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP-1), growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15) and myeloperoxidase (MPO)-were determined using femoral artery (FA) and coronary sinus (CS) samples from 30 HF patients and 10 non-HF controls.

Carbon Felts Uniformly Modified with Bismuth Nanoparticles for Efficient Vanadium Redox Flow Batteries.

The integration of intermittent renewable energy sources into the energy supply has driven the need for large-scale energy storage technologies. Vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFBs) are considered promising due to their long lifespan, high safety, and flexible design. However, the graphite felt (GF) electrode, a critical component of VRFBs, faces challenges due to the scarcity of active sites, leading to low electrochemical activity.

Non-Targeted Metabolomics Analysis Reveals Metabolite Profiles Change During Whey Fermentation with .

Whey fermentation could produce bioactive substances with immunomodulatory effects, metabolic syndrome modulation, and antioxidant properties, thereby imparting functional characteristics to products and facilitating the development of novel foods with health-promoting potential. A non-targeted metabolomics approach using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) was employed to investigate changes in the metabolite profiles of whey fermented by strain KM812 over varying fermentation durations. The findings demonstrated a progressive enrichment of metabolites over time.

Characteristic Polyphenols in 15 Varieties of Chinese Jujubes Based on Metabolomics.

Background: Jujube is a homologous herb of medicine and food, and polyphenols are key in determining the functional effects of jujubes.

Methods: In this study, characteristic polyphenols in 15 varieties of Chinese jujubes were investigated based on untargeted metabolomics.

Results: The results showed that a total of 79 characteristic polyphenols were identified in the 15 varieties of Chinese jujube, and 55 characteristic polyphenols such as syringetin, spinosin and kaempferol were reported for the first time.

Unveiling Metabolic Crosstalk: -Mediated Defense Priming in Pine Needles Against Pathogen Infection.

Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), particularly spp., are pivotal in enhancing plant defense mechanisms against pathogens. This study aims to investigate the metabolic reprogramming of pine needles induced by csuftcsp75 in response to the pathogen P9, evaluating its potential as a sustainable biocontrol agent.

Vacuum suction catheter semi-rigid ureteroscopic laser lithotripsy for impacted upper ureteral stones: randomised controlled trial.

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of an upgraded integrated vacuum suction catheter in semi-rigid ureteroscopic laser lithotripsy (VC-URSL) compared to traditional methods for treating impacted upper ureteral stones.

Patients And Methods: This prospective, randomized controlled trial was conducted from September 2022 to March 2024 at a single center, enrolling 95 patients aged 18 to 70 years with a single radiopaque impacted upper ureteral stone. Participants were randomized into two groups: the VC-URSL group used an integrated vacuum suction catheter featuring a stainless steel stabilizing tube and a narrowed distal end to prevent obstruction, while the T-URSL group underwent standard ureteroscopic lithotripsy without vacuum assistance.