A geospatial dataset of lichen key attributes in the Earth's three poles.

In the Antarctic, Arctic, and Tibetan Plateau-recognized as the Earth's three poles characterized by extremely harsh environments-lichens prevail in the ecosystem and play crucial roles as pioneer species. Despite their importance, studies investigating the spatial distribution patterns of lichen attributes are scarce due to a lack of appropriate datasets. To bridge this gap and enhance our understanding of the growth preferences of lichens in these areas, here we present a geospatial dataset encompassing key attributes of lichens, such as color type and growth form, for over 2800 lichen species and 170,000 in-situ lichen records.

A chromosome-level genome assembly for the paramylon-producing microalga Euglena gracilis.

Euglena gracilis (E. gracilis), pivotal in the study of photosynthesis, endosymbiosis, and chloroplast development, is also an industrial microalga for paramylon production. Despite its importance, E.

Prediction of intravenous immunoglobulin retreatment in children with Kawasaki disease using models combining lymphocyte subset and cytokine profile in an East Asian cohort.

Objectives: For children with Kawasaki disease (KD) at high risk of developing coronary artery lesions and requiring retreatment with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), the availability of accurate prediction models remains limited because of inconsistent variables and unsatisfactory prediction results. We aimed to construct models to predict patient's probability of IVIG retreatment combining children's individual inflammatory characteristics.

Methods: Clinical manifestations and laboratory examinations of 266 children with KD were retrospectively analysed to build a development cohort data set (DC) and a validation cohort data set (VC).

HBV DNA polymerase upregulates the transcription of PD-L1 and suppresses T cell activity in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: In HBV-associated HCC, T cells often exhibit a state of functional exhaustion, which prevents the immune response from rejecting the tumor and allows HCC to progress. Moreover, polymerase-specific T cells exhibit more severe T-cell exhaustion compared to core-specific T cells. However, whether HBV DNA polymerase drives HBV-specific CD8 T cell exhaustion in HBV-related HCC remains unclear.

The Potential Role of Genic-SSRs in Driving Ecological Adaptation Diversity in Plants.

, a xerophytic shrub genus widely distributed in northern China, exhibits distinctive geographical substitution patterns and ecological adaptation diversity. This study employed transcriptome sequencing technology to investigate 12 species, aiming to explore genic-SSR variations in the transcriptome and identify their role as a driving force for environmental adaptation within the genus. A total of 3666 polymorphic genic-SSRs were identified across different species.

HBV DNA polymerase regulates tumor cell glycogen to enhance the malignancy of HCC cells.

Background: The essential function of HBV DNA polymerase (HBV-DNA-Pol) is to initiate viral replication by reverse transcription; however, the role of HBV-DNA-Pol in HBV-associated HCC has not been clarified. Glycogen phosphorylase L (PYGL) is a critical regulator of glycogenolysis and is involved in tumorigenesis, including HCC. However, it is unknown whether HBV-DNA-Pol regulates PYGL to contribute to HCC tumorigenesis.

Percutaneous Endoscopic Lumbar Discectomy for Calcified Lumbar Disc Herniation: A Retrospective Cohort Study, Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Calcified lumbar disc herniation (CLDH) is a subtype characterized by calcification, leading to increased surgical complexity. Percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (PELD) is a minimally invasive technique, but its effectiveness and complications in CLDH patients remain to be fully evaluated.

Objective: To assess the effectiveness and complications of PELD in treating CLDH patients.

PKCζ phosphorylates VASP to mediate chemotaxis in breast cancer cells.

Breast carcinoma (BC) is one of the most common malignant cancers in females, and metastasis remains the leading cause of death in these patients. Chemotaxis plays an important role in cancer cell metastasis and the mechanism of breast cancer chemotaxis has become a central issue in contemporary research. PKCζ, a member of the atypical PKC family, has been reported to be an essential component of the EGF-stimulated chemotactic signaling pathway.

Prognosis and outcome of intrauterine treatment of fetuses with critical congenital heart disease.

Background: Intrauterine valvuloplasty is an innovative therapy, which promotes ventricular growth and function in some congenital heart diseases (CHDs). The technique remains challenging and can only be performed in a few centers. This study aimed to assess the feasibility and mid-term outcomes of fetal cardiac intervention (FCI) in fetuses with critical CHD in an experienced tertiary center.

Synergistic effect-triggered fluorescence quenching enables rapid and sensitive detection of alkaline phosphatase.

The development of biosensors mediated by synergistic quenching effect is of great significance for rapid and accurate clinical diagnosis. Hence, we prepared a cyan-emitting fluorescent Si dots for alkaline phosphatase (ALP) detection through the synergistic quenching effect of inner filter effect (IFE) and photo-induced electron transfer (PET). Si dots were prepared by microwave-assisted method, which displayed high quantum yield (28.

Characteristics and outcomes of fetal ventricular aneurysm and diverticulum: combining the use of a new technique, fetal HQ.

Objectives: Congenital ventricular aneurysms or diverticulum (VA/VD) are rare cardiac anomalies with lack prenatal evaluation data. The present study aimed to provide the prenatal characteristics and outcomes from a tertiary center and the use of new techniques to evaluate the shape and contractility of these fetuses.

Methods: Ten fetuses were diagnosed with VA or VD, and 30 control fetuses were enrolled.

Predictive value of fetal echocardiographic parameters in surgical strategy for Tetralogy of Fallot.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate whether fetal echocardiographic parameters were predictive of the postnatal surgical treatment required for fetuses with Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF).

Methods: The fetal echocardiographic and postnatal clinical data of all cases of prenatal TOF at Xinhua Hospital from 2016 to 2020 were reviewed. Patients were categorized based on the operation type, and cardiac parameters were compared between groups.

Precipitation and temperature regulate species diversity, plant coverage and aboveground biomass through opposing mechanisms in large-scale grasslands.

Introduction: Although the relationships between species diversity and aboveground biomass (AGB) are highly debated in grassland ecosystems, it is not well understood how climatic factors influence AGB directly and indirectly plant coverage and species diversity in large-scale grasslands along a topographic gradient. In doing so, we hypothesized that climatic factors would regulate plant coverage, species diversity and AGB due to maintaining plant metabolic and ecological processes, but the relationship of plant coverage with AGB would be stronger than species diversity due to covering physical niche space.

Methods: To test the proposed hypothesis, we collected data for calculations of species richness, evenness, plant coverage and AGB across 123 grassland sites (i.

Congenital aortocaval fistula combined with patent ductus arteriosus in an infant: a case report.

Congenital aortocaval fistula (ACF) is a rare cardiac malformation. While it can occur in combination with patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), this has not been reported. In this case, a 1-year-old infant had a heart murmur found in a routine physical examination, and PDA was revealed by transthoracic echocardiography and abdominal ACF was detected by three-dimensional coronary artery computed tomography.

Novel compound heterozygous mutations in a familial case of primary ciliary dyskinesia.

Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is a rare genetic disorder characterized by motile ciliary dysfunction and impaired ultrastructure. Despite numerous studies, the genetic basis for about 30% of PCD cases remains to be elucidated. Here, we present the identification and functional analysis of two novel mutations in the gene encoding coiled-coil domain-containing protein 40 (CCDC40), which are found in a familial case of PCD.

Stability and asynchrony of local communities but less so diversity increase regional stability of Inner Mongolian grassland.

Extending knowledge on ecosystem stability to larger spatial scales is urgently needed because present local-scale studies are generally ineffective in guiding management and conservation decisions of an entire region with diverse plant communities. We investigated stability of plant productivity across spatial scales and hierarchical levels of organization and analyzed impacts of dominant species, species diversity, and climatic factors using a multisite survey of Inner Mongolian grassland. We found that regional stability across distant local communities was related to stability and asynchrony of local communities.

Probiotic-Based Bacteriocin: Immunity Supplementation Against Viruses. An Updated Review.

Viral infections are a major cause of severe, fatal diseases worldwide. Recently, these infections have increased due to demanding contextual circumstances, such as environmental changes, increased migration of people and product distribution, rapid demographic changes, and outbreaks of novel viruses, including the COVID-19 outbreak. Internal variables that influence viral immunity have received attention along with these external causes to avert such novel viral outbreaks.

Expression and characterization of heparinase II with MBP tag from a novel strain, Raoultella NX-TZ-3-15.

The enzymes are biological macromolecules that biocatalyze certain biochemical reactions without undergoing any modification or degradation at the end of the reaction. In this work, we constructed a recombinant novel Raoultella sp. NX-TZ-3-15 strain that produces heparinase with a maltose binding tag to enhance its production and activity.

Promotes Growth and Antioxidants Accumulation as a Potential Next-Generation Prebiotic.

, a single-celled microalga with various trophic growth styles under different cultivation conditions, contains nutrients, such as ß-1,3-glucans, essential amino acids, fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. It has recently attracted attention as a new health food. Among them, ß-1,3-glucans, paramylon of , is an insoluble dietary fiber and is well known as an immune booster, attenuator of obesity and diabetes, reducer of acute liver injury, and suppressor of atopic dermatitis, and other chronic inflammatory disorders.