Development of an individualized dementia risk prediction model using deep learning survival analysis incorporating genetic and environmental factors.

Background: Dementia is a major public health challenge in modern society. Early detection of high-risk dementia patients and timely intervention or treatment are of significant clinical importance. Neural network survival analysis represents the most advanced technology for survival analysis to date.

Occurrence rate and species and subtypes of Cryptosporidium spp. in pet dogs in Yunnan Province, China.

Background: Cryptosporidium spp. is a ubiquitous, globally distributed intestinal protozoan infecting humans and at least 260 animal hosts. Due to close human contact with pet dogs and identification of zoonotic Cryptosporidium species and subtypes in these animals, dog health is not only a veterinarian issue but also a public health issue.

Insights into the seasonal characteristics of single particle aerosols in Chengdu based on SPAMS.

To investigate the seasonal characteristics in air pollution in Chengdu, a single particle aerosol mass spectrometry was used to continuously observe atmospheric fine particulate matter during one-month periods in summer and winter, respectively. The results showed that, apart from O, the concentrations of other pollutants (CO, NO, SO, PM and PM) were significantly higher in winter than in summer. All single particle aerosols were divided into seven categories: biomass burning (BB), coal combustion (CC), Dust, vehicle emission (VE), K mixed with nitrate (K-NO), K mixed with sulfate and nitrate (K-SN), and K mixed with sulfate (K-SO) particles.

Occurrence and genetic characterization of Enterocytozoon bieneusi in pet dogs in Yunnan Province, China.

Enterocytozoon bieneusi is the most common microsporidian species in humans and can affect over 200 animal species. Considering possible increasing risk of human E. bieneusi infection due to close contact with pet dogs and identification of zoonotic E.

Characterization of summertime single aerosol particles in Chengdu (China): Interannual evolution and impact of COVID-19 lockdown.

To investigate the interannual evolution of air pollution in summer and the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on local pollution in Chengdu, China, single aerosol particles were continuously measured in three summer periods: the regular period in 2020 (RP2020); the regular period in 2022 (RP2022); and the lockdown period in 2022 (LP2022). It was found that, from RP2020 to RP2022, the mass concentrations of PM, PM, SO and NO decreased by 25.6 %, 24.

PACT inhibits the replication of SARS-CoV-2 through the blockage of GSK-3β-N-nsp3 cascade.

The protein activator of protein kinase R (PKR) (PACT) has been shown to play a crucial role in stimulating the host antiviral response through the activation of PKR, retinoic acid-inducible gene I, and melanoma differentiation-associated protein 5. Whether PACT can inhibit viral replication independent of known mechanisms is still unrevealed. In this study, we show that, like many viruses, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) hijacks GSK-3β to facilitate its replication.

Long-term effects of rewetting and drought on GPP in a temperate peatland based on satellite remote sensing data.

Rewetting previously drained peatlands restores the critical function of peatlands as long-term carbon storages and sinks currently threatened by climate change and additional human-induced disturbances. Understanding and projecting the restoration process by rewetting, however, currently face a pressing challenge, the lack of consistent and gap-free records of important carbon cycling indicators of peatlands such as the gross primary production (GPP) over long term. In this study, we reconstructed the GPP in a rewetted peatland called Zarnekow (Fluxnet-ID: DE-Zrk) in Germany from 2000 to 2020 by combining long-term satellite observations and limited-term tower-based eddy covariance (EC) measurements based on Random Forest regression models.

Comparative Study on Recognition Models of Black-Odorous Water in Hangzhou Based on GF-2 Satellite Data.

To improve the ability of remote sensing technology in recognizing black-odorous water bodies in Hangzhou, this study analyzed the typical spectral characteristics of black-odorous water in Hangzhou based on measured spectral data and water quality parameters, including the transparency, dissolved oxygen, oxidation reduction potential, and ammonia nitrogen. The single-band threshold method, the normalized difference black-odorous water index (NDBWI) model, the black-odorous water index (BOI) model, and the color purity on a Commission Internationale de L'Eclairage (CIE) model were compared to analyze the spatial and temporal distribution characteristics of the black-odorous water in Hangzhou. The results showed that: (1) The remote sensing reflectance of black-odorous water was lower than that of ordinary water, the spectral curve was gentle, and the wave peak shifted toward the near-infrared direction in the wavelength range of 650-850 nm; (2) Among the aforementioned models, the normalized and improved normalized black-odorous water index methods had a higher accuracy, reaching 87.

Genome-Wide Analysis of the Indispensable Role of Non-structural Proteins in the Replication of SARS-CoV-2.

Understanding the process of replication and transcription of SARS-CoV-2 is essential for antiviral strategy development. The replicase polyprotein is indispensable for viral replication. However, whether all nsps derived from the replicase polyprotein of SARS-CoV-2 are indispensable is not fully understood.

ORF8 protein of SARS-CoV-2 reduces male fertility in mice.

As one of the most rapidly evolving proteins of the genus Betacoronavirus, open reading frames (ORF8's) function and potential pathological consequence in vivo are still obscure. In this study, we show that the secretion of ORF8 is dependent on its N-terminal signal peptide sequence and can be inhibited by reactive oxygen species scavenger and endoplasmic reticulum-Golgi transportation inhibitor in cultured cells. To trace the effect of its possible in vivo secretion, we examined the plasma samples of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) convalescent patients and found that the patients aged from 40 to 60 had higher antibody titers than those under 40.

Reverse genetics systems for SARS-CoV-2.

The ongoing pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused severe public health crises and heavy economic losses. Limited knowledge about this deadly virus impairs our capacity to set up a toolkit against it. Thus, more studies on severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) biology are urgently needed.

Oxidative stress transforms 3CLpro into an insoluble and more active form to promote SARS-CoV-2 replication.

3CLpro is a key proteinase for SARS-CoV-2 replication and serves as an important target for antiviral drug development. However, how its activity is regulated intracellularly is still obscure. In this study, we developed a 3CLpro protease activity reporter system to examine the impact of various factors, including nutrient supplements, ions, pHs, or oxidative stress inducers, on 3CLpro protease activity.

Genome-wide analysis of protein-protein interactions and involvement of viral proteins in SARS-CoV-2 replication.

Background: Analysis of viral protein-protein interactions is an essential step to uncover the viral protein functions and the molecular mechanism for the assembly of a viral protein complex. We employed a mammalian two-hybrid system to screen all the viral proteins of SARS-CoV-2 for the protein-protein interactions.

Results: Our study detected 48 interactions, 14 of which were firstly reported here.

Correlation analysis of land surface temperature and topographic elements in Hangzhou, China.

In addition to human activities, this study found that topography is also an important factor affecting land surface temperature (LST). In this paper, based on Landsat 8 OLI/TIRS remote sensing images, a radiative transfer model was adopted to retrieve the LST, and a maximum likelihood method was used to remove artificial environmental interference factors, such as water bodies and built-up lands. This paper aims to analyze the influence of topographic factors, such as elevation, slope, aspect and shaded relief, on the LST of Hangzhou.

Contribution of diacylglycerol lipase β to pain after surgery.

Background: Metabolism of the endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) yields arachidonic acid (AA), the precursor to proalgesic eicosanoids including prostaglandin E2 (PGE). Diacylglycerol lipase β (DAGLβ) is an enzyme that synthesizes 2-AG and its inhibition reduces eicosanoid levels and produces antinociceptive effects in models of inflammatory pain. Here we test whether inhibition of DAGLβ produces antinociceptive effects in a model of postoperative pain.

Fatty-acid-binding protein inhibition produces analgesic effects through peripheral and central mechanisms.

Background Fatty-acid-binding proteins (FABPs) are intracellular carriers for endocannabinoids, N-acylethanolamines, and related lipids. Previous work indicates that systemically administered FABP5 inhibitors produce analgesia in models of inflammatory pain. It is currently not known whether FABP inhibitors exert their effects through peripheral or central mechanisms.

Female Mice are Resistant to Fabp1 Gene Ablation-Induced Alterations in Brain Endocannabinoid Levels.

Although liver fatty acid binding protein (FABP1, L-FABP) is not detectable in the brain, Fabp1 gene ablation (LKO) markedly increases endocannabinoids (EC) in brains of male mice. Since the brain EC system of females differs significantly from that of males, it was important to determine if LKO differently impacted the brain EC system. LKO did not alter brain levels of arachidonic acid (ARA)-containing EC, i.

Defects in fatty acid amide hydrolase 2 in a male with neurologic and psychiatric symptoms.

Background: Fatty acid amide hydrolase 2 (FAAH2) is a hydrolase that mediates the degradation of endocannabinoids in man. Alterations in the endocannabinoid system are associated with a wide variety of neurologic and psychiatric conditions, but the phenotype and biochemical characterization of patients with genetic defects of FAAH2 activity have not previously been described. We report a male with autistic features with an onset before the age of 2 years who subsequently developed additional features including anxiety, pseudoseizures, ataxia, supranuclear gaze palsy, and isolated learning disabilities but was otherwise cognitively intact as an adult.

piRNA-associated germline nuage formation and spermatogenesis require MitoPLD profusogenic mitochondrial-surface lipid signaling.

The mammalian Phospholipase D MitoPLD facilitates mitochondrial fusion by generating the signaling lipid phosphatidic acid (PA). The Drosophila MitoPLD homolog Zucchini (Zuc), a proposed cytoplasmic nuclease, is required for piRNA generation, a critical event in germline development. We show that Zuc localizes to mitochondria and has MitoPLD-like activity.

Genome-wide analysis of protein-protein interactions and involvement of viral proteins in SARS-CoV replication.

Analyses of viral protein-protein interactions are an important step to understand viral protein functions and their underlying molecular mechanisms. In this study, we adopted a mammalian two-hybrid system to screen the genome-wide intraviral protein-protein interactions of SARS coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and therefrom revealed a number of novel interactions which could be partly confirmed by in vitro biochemical assays. Three pairs of the interactions identified were detected in both directions: non-structural protein (nsp) 10 and nsp14, nsp10 and nsp16, and nsp7 and nsp8.

Functional characterization of syncytin-A, a newly murine endogenous virus envelope protein. Implication for its fusion mechanism.

Trophoblast fusion in placenta is an important event for preservation of a healthy pregnancy. This process takes place throughout the pregnancy and is crucial for the formation of syncytiotrophoblast layer. Syncytin-1 and syncytin-2 are strong candidate regulators of fusion from retroviral origin.

Bovine PrPC directly interacts with alphaB-crystalline.

We used a bovine brain cDNA library to perform a yeast two-hybrid assay with bovine mature PrP(C) as bait. The screening result showed that alphaB-crystalline interacted with PrP(C). The interaction was further evaluated both in vivo and in vitro with different methods, such as immunofluorescent colocalization, native polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis, and IAsys biosensor assays.