Host-Induced Gene Silencing of the -Methyl Transferase Gene Enhanced Maize Aflatoxin Resistance.

Maize is one of the major crops that are susceptible to infection and subsequent aflatoxin contamination, which poses a serious health threat to humans and domestic animals. Here, an RNA interference (RNAi) approach called Host-Induced Gene Silencing (HIGS) was employed to suppress the -methyl transferase gene (, also called ), a key gene involved in aflatoxin biosynthesis. An RNAi vector carrying part of the gene was introduced into the B104 maize line.

Trends and cross-country inequalities in global burns burden among children and adolescents: A population-based study from 1990 to 2021.

Background: Burns among children and adolescents represent a significant global health burden, leading to substantial morbidity and disability. This study aimed to analyze the trends in burn incidence, prevalence, and years lived with disability (YLDs) from 1990 to 2021, and to project future trends to 2035, highlighting global and regional disparities.

Methods: We utilized data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) database covering 204 countries and territories.

Deep learning-enabled filter-free fluorescence microscope.

Optical filtering is an indispensable part of fluorescence microscopy for selectively highlighting molecules labeled with a specific fluorophore and suppressing background noise. However, the utilization of optical filtering sets increases the complexity, size, and cost of microscopic systems, making them less suitable for multifluorescence channel, high-speed imaging. Here, we present filter-free fluorescence microscopic imaging enabled with deep learning-based digital spectral filtering.

Prediction of postoperative stroke in patients experienced coronary artery bypass grafting surgery: a machine learning approach.

Background: Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery has been a widely accepted method for treating coronary artery disease. However, its postoperative complications can have a significant effect on long-term patient outcomes. A retrospective study was conducted to identify before and after surgery that contribute to postoperative stroke in patients undergoing CABG, and to develop predictive models and recommendations for single-factor thresholds.

Heterogeneous blood pressure treatment effects on cognitive decline in type 2 diabetes: A machine learning analysis of a randomized clinical trial.

Aim: We aimed to identify the characteristics of patients with diabetes who can derive cognitive benefits from intensive blood pressure (BP) treatment using machine learning methods.

Materials And Methods: Using data from the Action to Control Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes Memory in Diabetes (ACCORD-MIND) study, 1349 patients with type 2 diabetes who underwent BP treatment (intensive treatment targeting a systolic BP <120 mmHg vs. standard treatment targeting <140 mmHg) were included in the machine learning analysis.

Aromatase inhibitors for short stature in male children and adolescents treated with growth hormone: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Whether the addition of aromatase inhibitors (AIs) to recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) could yield additional benefit for short stature is controversial. We aimed to assess the effects of combined AIs and rhGH versus those of rhGH alone for short stature using a meta-analytic approach. The PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane library electronic databases were searched systematically for eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from inception until December 2021.

Unlocking regeneration potential: harnessing morphogenic regulators and small peptides for enhanced plant engineering.

Plant genetic transformation is essential for understanding gene functions and developing improved crop varieties. Traditional methods, often genotype-dependent, are limited by plants' recalcitrance to gene delivery and low regeneration capacity. To overcome these limitations, new approaches have emerged that greatly improve efficiency and genotype flexibility.

The role of the interplay between macrophage glycolytic reprogramming and NLRP3 inflammasome activation in acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Acute lung injury (ALI)/acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a severe respiratory condition associated with elevated morbidity and mortality. Understanding their complex pathophysiological mechanisms is crucial for developing new preventive and therapeutic strategies. Recent studies highlight the significant role of inflammation involved in ALI/ARDS, particularly the hyperactivation of the NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain-associated protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome in macrophages.

Diabetes in China part 2: prevention, challenges, and progress.

During the past 40 years, the prevalence of diabetes in China has increased from less than 1·0% in 1980 to 12·4% in 2018, an increase in line with the rapid growth of the nation's economy. To address such a burden, the Healthy China 2030 initiative and subsequent Action Plan, including a diabetes prevention and control campaign, were launched. A shift from a disease-centred approach to a health-centred approach and from treatment to prevention is the core of the Action Plan and diabetes management in China.

Diabetes in China part 1: epidemiology and risk factors.

The prevalence of diabetes in China is rapidly increasing. China now has the largest number of people living with diabetes worldwide, accounting for approximately one-quarter of the global diabetes population. Since the late 1970s, China has experienced profound changes and rapid economic growth, leading to shifts in lifestyle.

Investigating wavelength dependence of near-threshold harmonics with different atoms and laser intensities: from analysis of an expanded quantum trajectory Monte Carlo model.

We present an investigation of the wavelength dependence of near-threshold harmonics (NTH) in different atoms and laser intensities. Similar to the previous research [Phys. Rev.

A Li-Rich Fluorinated Lithium Zirconium Chloride Solid Electrolyte for 4.8 V-Class All-Solid-State Batteries.

Chloride solid-state electrolytes (SEs) represent an important advance for applications in all-solid-state batteries (ASSBs). Among various chloride SEs, lithium zirconium chloride (LiZrCl) is an attractive candidate considering the high natural abundance of Zr. However, LiZrCl meets the challenge in practical ASSBs because of its limited ionic conductivity and instability when paired with high-voltage cathodes.

Association of systolic blood pressure variability with cognitive decline in type 2 diabetes: A post hoc analysis of a randomized clinical trial.

Background: We aimed to explore the association between visit-to-visit systolic blood pressure variability (BPV) and cognitive function in individuals with type 2 diabetes.

Methods: We performed a post hoc analysis of the Action to Control Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes Memory in Diabetes (ACCORD-MIND) substudy. A total of 2867 diabetes patients with ≥3 BP measurements between the 4- and 20-month visits were included.

Exploring Angiotensin II and Oxidative Stress in Radiation-Induced Cataract Formation: Potential for Therapeutic Intervention.

Radiation-induced cataracts (RICs) represent a significant public health challenge, particularly impacting individuals exposed to ionizing radiation (IR) through medical treatments, occupational settings, and environmental factors. Effective therapeutic strategies require a deep understanding of the mechanisms underlying RIC formation (RICF). This study investigates the roles of angiotensin II (Ang II) and oxidative stress in RIC development, with a focus on their combined effects on lens transparency and cellular function.

Subclassification of obesity for precision prediction of cardiometabolic diseases.

Obesity and cardiometabolic disease often, but not always, coincide. Distinguishing subpopulations within which cardiometabolic risk diverges from the risk expected for a given body mass index (BMI) may facilitate precision prevention of cardiometabolic diseases. Accordingly, we performed unsupervised clustering in four European population-based cohorts (N ≈ 173,000).

A smartphone-integrated deep learning strategy-assisted rapid detection system for monitoring dual-modal immunochromatographic assay.

This study focuses on the integration of a custom-built and optimally trained YOLO v5 model into a smartphone app developed with Java language. A dual-modal immunochromatographic rapid detection system based on a deep learning strategy for smartphones was developed for grade determination and predicting the concentration of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). Innovative distance-type quantum dot microsphere fluorescent immunochromatographic chips enable semi-quantitative analysis by naked eye, and conventional colloidal gold nanoparticle colorimetric strips were also prepared.

A simple and efficient method for betalain quantification in -expressing plant samples.

The reporter system has demonstrated great potential as a visible marker to monitor gene expression in both transiently and stably transformed plant tissues. Ectopic expression of the reporter leads to bright red pigmentation in plant tissues that do not naturally accumulate betalain. Unlike traditional visual markers such as β-glucuronidase (GUS), luciferase (LUC), and various fluorescent proteins, the reporter system does not require sample sacrifice or special equipment for visualizing the gene expression.

Dihydrotestosterone induces reactive oxygen species accumulation and mitochondrial fission leading to apoptosis of granulosa cells.

Dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which has significant androgenic activity，is a major player in follicle development and ovary function in females. However, an excess of androgens may result in increased follicular apoptosis with adverse effects on female fertility. This study aimed to explore the mechanism by which DHT induces apoptosis in human ovarian granulosa cells (GCs).

Salicylhydroxamic acid containing structural adhesive.

The feasibility of utilizing salicylhydroxamic acid (SHAM) as a new adhesive molecule for designing structural adhesives is investigated in this study. SHAM-containing polymers were prepared with a hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) or methoxyethyl acrylate (MEA) backbone and mixed with polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF). PVDF was included to increase the cohesive property of the adhesive through hydrogen bond (H-bond) formation with the adhesive polymers.