No evidence for sex-differential transcriptomes driving genome-wide sex-differential natural selection.

Sex differences in human transcriptomes have been argued to drive sex-differential selection (SDS). Here, we show that previous evidence supporting this hypothesis has been largely unfounded. We develop a method to test for a genome-wide relationship between sex differences in expression and selection on expression-influencing alleles (expression quantitative trait loci [eQTLs]).

Ground-based simulation of laser link acquisition for inter-satellite laser interferometry.

Laser link acquisition and pointing technique is one of the essential techniques for the inter-satellite laser interferometry for space-based gravitational waves detection and next-generation Earth gravity measurement missions. The first step of building up inter-satellite laser link is using an acquisition camera to capture the inter-satellite laser beam signals within a pre-scanning uncertain cone. Subsequently, high-precision angle measurement technology, namely differential wavefront sensing, is used to achieve a high pointing precision required.

Flavokawain A suppresses the malignant progression of neuroblastoma in vitro depending on inactivation of ERK/VEGF/MMPs signaling pathway.

Background: Neuroblastoma (NB), the most common extracranial solid tumor in children, is featured by high malignancy and poor prognosis. Flavokawain A (FKA), a novel chalcone isolated from the roots of the kava plant, has been identified to exert the tumor-inhibiting properties in various cancers. The present study was formulated to tell about the anticarcinogenic effects of FKA against NB and to thoroughly elucidate the intrinsic molecular mechanisms.

Molecular Copper-Anthraquinone Photocatalysts for Robust Hydrogen Production.

The development of robust and inexpensive photocatalysts for H production under visible light irradiation remains a significant challenge. This study presents a series of square planar copper anthraquinone complexes (RN)CuL (R = ethyl, L = alizarin dianion (CuAA); R = -butyl, L = purpurin dianion (CuPP), (2-hydroxyanthraquinone)formamide dianion (CuAHA)) as molecular photocatalysts to achieve high long-term stability in visible-light-driven H production. These complexes are self-sensitized by the anthraquinone ligands and serve as proton reduction photocatalysts without additional photosensitizers or catalysts.

Transcriptome Profiling Identifies Plant Hormone Signaling Pathway-Related Genes and Transcription Factors in the Drought and Re-Watering Response of .

, usually referred to as a "living fossil," is widely planted in many countries because of its medicinal value and beautiful appearance. Owing to ginkgo's high resistance to drought stress, ginkgo seedlings can even survive withholding water for several days without exhibiting leaf wilting and desiccation. To assess the physiological and transcriptomic mechanisms involved in the drought stress and re-watering responses of , ginkgo seedlings were subjected to drought treatment for 15 d (D_15 d) and 22 d (D_22 d) until they had severely wilted, followed by re-watering for 3 d (D_Re3 d) to restore normal growth.

The battle of the sexes in humans is highly polygenic.

Sex-differential selection (SDS), which occurs when the fitness effects of alleles differ between males and females, can have profound impacts on the maintenance of genetic variation, disease risk, and other key aspects of natural populations. Because the sexes mix their autosomal genomes each generation, quantifying SDS is not possible using conventional population genetic approaches. Here, we introduce a method that exploits subtle sex differences in haplotype frequencies resulting from SDS acting in the current generation.

Metagenomic next-generation sequencing promotes diagnosis and treatment of Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia in non-HIV infected children: a retrospective study.

Background: Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) excels in diagnosis of infection pathogens. We aimed to evaluate the performance of mNGS for the diagnosis of Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) in non-HIV infected children.

Methods: Totally 36 PJP children and 61 non-PJP children admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit from March 2018 to December 2021 were retrospectively enrolled.

Fluorinated chlorin chromophores for red-light-driven CO reduction.

The utilization of low-energy photons in light-driven reactions is an effective strategy for improving the efficiency of solar energy conversion. In nature, photosynthetic organisms use chlorophylls to harvest the red portion of sunlight, which ultimately drives the reduction of CO. However, a molecular system that mimics such function is extremely rare in non-noble-metal catalysis.

Safety and Efficacy of Paxlovid in Pediatric Intensive Care Unit Patients with COVID-19.

Introduction: Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir/ritonavir) has received endorsement from several guidelines for treating COVID-19 in adults, but its use in children is still uncertain.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of paxlovid in pediatric patients in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU).

Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on children with COVID-19.

Study on TPD Phasemeter to Suppress Low-Frequency Amplitude Fluctuation and Improve Fast-Acquiring Range for GW Detection.

A phasemeter as a readout system for the inter-satellite laser interferometer in a space-borne gravitational wave detector requires not only high accuracy but also insensitivity to amplitude fluctuations and a large fast-acquiring range. The traditional sinusoidal characteristic phase detector (SPD) phasemeter has the advantages of a simple structure and easy realization. However, the output of an SPD is coupled to the amplitude of the input signal and has only a limited phase-detection range due to the boundedness of the sinusoidal function.

Pyridinethiolate-Capped CdSe Quantum Dots for Red-Light-Driven H Production in Water.

The utilization of low-energy sunlight to produce renewable fuels is a subject of great interest. Here we report the first example of metal chalcogenide quantum dots (QDs) capped with a pyridinethiolate carboxylic acid (pyS-COOH) for red-light-driven H production in water. The precious-metal-free system is robust over 240 h, and achieves a turnover number (TON) of 43910±305 (vs Ni) with a rate of 31570±1690 μmol g h for hydrogen production.

Incidence, outcome, and prognostic factors of prolonged mechanical ventilation among children in Chinese mainland: a multi-center survey.

Objective: To evaluate the incidence, outcome, and prognostic factors of prolonged mechanical ventilation (PMV) in children in Mainland China.

Methods: A prospective study was conducted in 11 pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) from May 1, 2021, to April 30, 2022. All pediatric patients on mechanical ventilation meeting the criteria for PMV were included in the study.

Evidence Construction of Chuankezhi Injection Against Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Systematic Review and Network Pharmacology.

Objective: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic respiratory disease with high prevalence, morbidity, and mortality. Chuankezhi (CKZ) injection, a Chinese patent medicine, has been commonly used for treating COPD. This study evaluated the clinical efficacy of CKZ injections in COPD patients and explored potential underlying mechanisms by integrating meta-analysis and network pharmacology.

Application of Developmental Regulators for Enhancing Plant Regeneration and Genetic Transformation.

Establishing plant regeneration systems and efficient genetic transformation techniques plays a crucial role in plant functional genomics research and the development of new crop varieties. The inefficient methods of transformation and regeneration of recalcitrant species and the genetic dependence of the transformation process remain major obstacles. With the advancement of plant meristematic tissues and somatic embryogenesis research, several key regulatory genes, collectively known as developmental regulators, have been identified.

E-Band InAs Quantum Dot Micro-Disk Laser with Metamorphic InGaAs Layers Grown on GaAs/Si (001) Substrate.

The direct growth of III-V quantum dot (QD) lasers on silicon substrate has been rapidly developing over the past decade and has been recognized as a promising method for achieving on-chip light sources in photonic integrated circuits (PICs). Up to date, O- and C/L-bands InAs QD lasers on Si have been extensively investigated, but as an extended telecommunication wavelength, the E-band QD lasers directly grown on Si substrates are not available yet. Here, we demonstrate the first E-band (1365 nm) InAs QD micro-disk lasers epitaxially grown on Si (001) substrates by using a III-V/IV hybrid dual-chamber molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) system.

Organocatalytic Atroposelective Construction of Pentatomic Heterobiaryl Diamines through Arylation of 5-Aminoisoxazoles with Azonaphthalenes.

An efficient catalytic asymmetric Michael-type reaction of azonaphthalenes with 5-aminoisoxazoles has been developed. The reaction was based on the utilization of a chiral phosphoric acid as the catalyst, delivering a large panel of axially chiral heterobiaryl diamines in generally good yields with excellent enantioselectivities. The gram-scale reaction and postmodification of the chiral product demonstrated their potentials in the synthesis of chiral catalysts and ligands.

Formulation development of a stable influenza recombinant neuraminidase vaccine candidate.

Current influenza vaccines could be augmented by including recombinant neuraminidase (rNA) protein antigen to broaden protective immunity and improve efficacy. Toward this goal, we investigated formulation conditions to optimize rNA physicochemical stability. When rNA in sodium phosphate saline buffer (NaPBS) was frozen and thawed (F/T), the tetrameric structure transitioned from a "closed" to an "open" conformation, negatively impacting functional activity.

The Spatial Niche and Influencing Factors of Desert Rodents.

Resource partitioning may allow species coexistence. Sand dunes in the typical steppe of Alxa Desert Inner Mongolia, China, consisting of desert, shrub, and grass habitats, provide an appropriate system for studies of spatial niche partitioning among small mammals. In this study, the spatial niche characteristics of four rodents, , , and , and their responses to environmental changes in the Alxa Desert were studied from 2017 to 2021.