Objectives: To facilitate earlier diagnosis of autoimmune rheumatic diseases (ARDs), we aimed to 1) develop START, a novel multimedia-based symptom appraisal tool for ARDs and 2) pilot test START among established ARD cases and non-ARD controls.
Methods: We developed START using a social cognitive theory-based theoretical framework and consensus-based lists of ARDs and manifestations from our previous work. START was revised through reviews by an expert panel of rheumatologists and cognitive debriefing interviews (CDIs) with patients newly referred for assessment of ARDs.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a debilitating autoimmune disorder characterized by chronic inflammation and joint damage. Despite advancements in treatment, complete remission remains elusive. In this study, we introduce a novel lipid nanoparticle formulation co-delivering hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and siRNA targeting TNF-α (si) using microfluidic technology, marking the first use of such a combination for RA therapy.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPlant immunity is largely governed by nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat receptor (NLR). Here, we examine the molecular activation and inhibition mechanisms of the wheat CC-type NLR , a previously proposed candidate for the resistance gene. Though recent studies have identified as the true gene, Yr10 remains an important NLR in understanding NLR-mediated immunity in wheat.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAs advancements in autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) technology unfold, the role of underwater wireless sensor networks (UWSNs) is becoming increasingly pivotal. However, the high energy consumption in these networks can significantly reduce their operational lifespan, while latency issues can impair overall network performance. To address these challenges, a novel mixed packet forwarding strategy is developed, which incorporates a wakeup threshold and a dynamically adjusted access probability for the cluster head (CH).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFLithium-ion batteries represent a significant component of the field of energy storage, with a diverse range of applications in consumer electronics, portable devices, and numerous other fields. In view of the growing concerns about the safety of batteries, it is of the utmost importance to develop a sensor that is capable of accurately monitoring the internal temperature of lithium-ion batteries. External sensors are subject to the necessity for additional space and ancillary equipment.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSolid-liquid lubrication systems have been widely used to enhance tribological behaviors. Alongside offering exceptional lubrication and wear-resistance performance, the active control of the tribological behavior of lubrication systems in accordance with service conditions is equally critical. To achieve this goal, accurately monitoring the condition of the lubrication system is fundamental.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIndustrial robotic arms are often subject to significant end-effector pose deviations from the target position due to the combined effects of nonlinear deformations such as link flexibility, joint compliance, and end-effector load. To address this issue, a study was conducted on the analysis and compensation of end-position errors in a six-degree-of-freedom robotic arm. The kinematic model of the robotic arm was established using the Denavit-Hartenberg (DH) parameter method, and a rigid-flexible coupled virtual prototype model was developed using ANSYS and ADAMS.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIn this paper, a novel particle filter based on one-step smoothing is proposed for nonlinear systems with random one-step delay and missing measurements. Such problems are commonly encountered in networked control systems, where random one-step delay and missing measurements significantly increase the difficulty of dynamic state estimation. The particle filter is a nonlinear filtering method based on sequential Monte Carlo sampling.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe hydrate blockage avoidance performance of two anti-agglomerants (coconut amidopropyl dimethylamine, propylene bis (octadecylamidopropyl dimethylammonium chloride)) and their mixtures with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) was tested in a high-pressure rocking cell apparatus. The effect of gas-liquid ratio, water content and PVP concentration were analyzed. A method for evaluating the kinetic inhibiting and anti-agglomerating performance of hydrate inhibitors was established.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe photocatalytic oxidative coupling of methane (OCM) on metal-loaded one-dimensional TiO nanowires (TiO NWs) was performed. With metal loading, the electric and optical properties of TiO NWs were adjusted, contributing to the improvement of the activity and selectivity of the OCM reaction. In the photocatalytic OCM reaction, the 1.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFGrazing intensity is one of the crucial anthropogenic activities on alpine grasslands. However, how grazing intensity affects soil microorganism diversities and their co-occurrence networks in alpine steppe remains uncertain. We carried out a controlled grazing experiment (null grazing, CK; moderate grazing, MG; and heavy grazing, HG) on a typical alpine steppe in the Lhasa River Basin, Central Tibet, China.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCurrent stress sensors for microsystems face integration challenges and complex signal decoding. This paper proposes a real-time uniaxially sensitive stress sensor. It is obtained by simple combinations of bar resistors using their sensitivity differences in different axes.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIn this study, we aim to enhance the internal quantum efficiency (IQE) of AlGaN-based ultraviolet (UV) light-emitting diodes (LEDs) by using the short-period AlGaN/GaN superlattice as a tunnel junction (TJ) to construct polarized structures. We analyze in detail the effect of this polarized TJ on the carrier injection efficiency and investigate the increase in hole and electron density caused by the formation of 2D hole gas (2DHG) and 2D electron gas (2DEG) in the superlattice structure. In addition, a dielectric layer is introduced to evaluate the effect of stress changes on the tunneling probability and current spread in TJ.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: The low molecular weight glutenin subunits (LMW-GS) of wheat have great effects on food processing quality, but the resolution of LMW-GS and the scoring of their alleles by direct analysis of proteins are difficult due to the larger number of expressed subunits and high similarity of DNA sequences. It is important to identify and classify the LMW-GS genes in order to recognize the LMW-GS alleles clearly and develop the functional markers.
Methods: The LMW-GS genes registered in GenBank were searched at NCBI, and 593 genes with complete coding sequences were obtained, including 146 , 136 , and 311 .
Background: The gene family of myelomatosis (MYC), serving as a transcription factor in the jasmonate (JA) signaling pathway, displays a significant level of conservation across diverse animal and plant species. Cotton is the most widely used plant for fiber production. Nevertheless, there is a paucity of literature reporting on the members of MYCs and how they respond to biotic stresses in cotton.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFatty acids (FAs) are a group of organic compounds that are regulated by polygenic and environmental factors and affect the taste, nutritional value, and quality of meat. Lamb meat is rich in FAs required by the human body, which has directed more attention to sheep research and meat production. The fatty acid-binding protein 4 () gene is considered a candidate gene that can affect FA composition in livestock.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFeed efficiency (FE) is a crucial trait in pig production that influences both economic viability and environmental sustainability. The jejunum, an essential organ for nutrient absorption, plays a significant role in determining FE by affecting how pigs process and utilize feed. To explore the genetic and regulatory mechanisms behind FE, we conducted an integrative multi-omics study using RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and ATAC sequencing (ATAC-seq) on pigs with high and low FE.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFGeniposidic 4-isoamyl ester (GENI) with anti-aging effects is a new iridoid glycoside derivative from Ellis found in our previous study. In this study, to indicate whether this compound has anti-Alzheimer's disease (AD) effect, the galactose-induced AD mice and naturally aging mice with AD were used to do drug efficacy evaluation. Furthermore, the Western blot, small interfering RNA (siRNA), drug affinity responsive target stability (DARTS), cellular thermal shift assay (CESTA), liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS-MS), adenosine 5'-monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) mutants and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) analysis were utilized to clarify the mechanism of action and identify target protein of this molecule.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPlants frequently encounter relatively low and fluctuating potassium (K) concentrations in soil, with roots serving as primary responders to this stress. Histone modifications, such as de-/acetylation, can function as epigenetic markers of stress-inducible genes. However, the signaling network between histone modifications and low-K (LK) response pathways remains unclear.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTo evaluate and compare the effectiveness of prediction models for Argentine squid trawling grounds in the Southwest Atlantic high seas based on vessel position and fishing log data, this study used AIS datasets and fishing log datasets from fishing seasons spanning 2019-2024 (December to June each year). Using a spatial resolution of 0.1° × 0.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: To explore the influence of respiratory infections on the onset of Henoch-Schönlein Purpura (HSP) in children, along with exploring potential underlying mechanisms.
Method: The present study conducted a statistical analysis on renal involvement indicators in 296 children with HSP who came to the Children's Hospital of Zhejiang University, as well as the IgA levels in 400 children with respiratory infections and 400 children with HSP.
Results: Compared with the control group, children with HSP exhibited a significant increase in urine red blood cell count, urine microalbuminuria, and urine protein/creatinine ratio (P < 0.
Background: Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is caused by reduced expression of survival motor neuron (SMN) protein. Previous studies indicated SMA causes not only lower motor neuron degeneration but also extensive brain involvement. This study aimed to investigate the changes of brain white matter and structural network using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in children with type 2 and 3 SMA.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMoiré superlattices in two-dimensional stacks have attracted worldwide interest due to their unique electronic properties. A typical example is the moiré ferroelectricity, where adjacent moirés exhibit opposite spontaneous polarization that can be switched through interlayer sliding. However, in contrast to ideal regular ferroelectric moiré domains (equilateral triangles) built in most theoretical models, the unavoidable irregular moiré supercells (non-equilateral triangles) induced by external strain fields during the transfer process have been given less attention.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCell Death Discov
January 2025
Environmental pollution represents a significant public health concern, with the potential health risks associated with environmental pollutants receiving considerable attention over an extended period. In recent years, a substantial body of research has been dedicated to this topic. Since the discovery of ferroptosis, an iron-dependent programmed cell death typically characterized by lipid peroxidation, in 2012, there have been significant advances in the study of its role and mechanism in various diseases.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIron-carbon (Fe-C) based biofilters have shown significant advantages in treating mariculture wastewater by facilitating the mixotrophic heterotrophic nitrification-aerobic denitrification (HNAD) process. However, the effects of Fe-C materials and varying carbon-to-nitrogen (C/N) ratios on N removal and C reduction performance remain insufficiently explored. This study demonstrated that the Fe-C biofilter (R-Fe) achieved significantly higher NO-N removal efficiency (65.
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