Nanoscale chestnut soil pore characteristics changes induced by non-growing season precipitation in a temperate grassland.

Changes in precipitation patterns during the non-growing season can affect soil moisture storage in temperate grasslands. However, there is a lack of comprehensive understanding regarding how these changes influence microscale soil pore characteristics and nutrient cycling in the context of climate change. Therefore, we carried out a 3-year artificial precipitation experiment during the non-growing season, along with N adsorption experiments of soil pore distribution and surveys of soil nutrient content.

Integrating Network Pharmacology and In Vitro Experimental Verification Revealing Bushenhuoxue Recipe Against Intrauterine Adhesions via PI3K-AKT Signaling Pathway.

We aimed to investigate therapeutic effect of Bushenhuoxue recipe in intrauterine adhesions (IUA) and explore the underlying molecular mechanism via integrating network pharmacology and in vitro experimental verification. The active compounds and gene targets of Bushenhuoxue recipe were screened in the TCMSP database and the IUA-related genes were identified using GeneCards database by the keyword "Intrauterine adhesions". Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis were conducted to reveal the underlying molecular mechanism of Bushenhuoxue recipe treating IUA.

Autocrine motility factor receptor promotes the malignancy of glioblastoma by regulating cell migration and invasion.

Objective: One of the important causes of death in cancer patients is malignant metastasis, invasion, and metastasis of tumor cells. Metastasis is also the most basic physiological characteristics and pathogenesis of various tumors. Previously published studies have suggested that autocrine motor factor receptor (AMFR) is the key regulator of tumor cell migration and invasion.

AGEs promote atherosclerosis by increasing LDL transcytosis across endothelial cells via RAGE/NF-κB/Caveolin-1 pathway.

Objective: To elucidate the mechanism whereby advanced glycation end products (AGEs) accelerate atherosclerosis (AS) and to explore novel therapeutic strategies for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

Methods And Results: The effect of AGEs on low-density lipoprotein (LDL) transcytosis across endothelial cells (ECs) was assessed using an in vitro model of LDL transcytosis. We observed that AGEs activated the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) on the surface of ECs and consequently upregulated Caveolin-1, which in turn increased caveolae-mediated LDL transcytosis and accelerated AS progression.

The suitability of isotopic methods in identifying water sources of a shallow-rooted herbaceous plant in a desert steppe.

Isotopic methodologies have gained prominence in investigating the composition of plant water sources; however, concerns regarding their suitability and reliability in diverse environments have emerged in recent years. This study presents a comparative analysis of root, soil, and liquid water (precipitation, dew, and groundwater) samples obtained from a desert steppe using isotope ratio infrared spectrometry (IRIS) and isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS). The objective was to evaluate the applicability of these techniques in discerning the water sources of Stipa breviflora, a shallow-rooted herbaceous plant species.

Tracking Carbon Flows in China's Iron and Steel Industry.

Accurately tracking carbon flows is the first step toward reducing the climate impacts of the iron and steel industry (ISI), which is still lacking in China. In this study, we track carbon flows from coal/mineral mines to end steel users by coupling the cross-process material and energy flow model, point-based emission inventory, and interprovincial trade matrices. In 2020, ISI emitted 2288 Tg of CO equivalent (COeq, including CH and CO), 96% of which came from energy use and 4% from raw material decomposition.

Diagnostic Value of the Combination of Ultrasonographic Optic Nerve Sheath Diameter and Width of Crural Cistern with Respect to the Intracranial Pressure in Patients Treated with Decompressive Craniotomy.

Background: The monitoring of intracranial pressure (ICP) and detection of increased ICP are crucial because such increases may cause secondary brain injury and a poor prognosis. Although numerous ultrasound parameters, including optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD), width of the crural cistern (WCC), and the flow velocities of the central retinal artery and middle cerebral artery, can be measured in patients after hemicraniectomy, researchers have yet to determine which of these is better for evaluating ICP. This study aimed to analyze the correlation between ICP and ultrasound parameters and investigate the best noninvasive estimator of ICP.

Relationship between Cholesterol-Related Lipids and Severe Acute Pancreatitis: From Bench to Bedside.

It is well known that hypercholesterolemia in the body has pro-inflammatory effects through the formation of inflammasomes and augmentation of TLR (Toll-like receptor) signaling, which gives rise to cardiovascular disease and neurodegenerative diseases. However, the interaction between cholesterol-related lipids and acute pancreatitis (AP) has not yet been summarized before. This hinders the consensus on the existence and clinical importance of cholesterol-associated AP.

Scavenger receptor a mediates glycated LDL transcytosis across endothelial cells to promote atherosclerosis.

Glycated low-density lipoprotein (G-LDL) is an established proatherosclerotic factor, but the mechanism is not completely understood. In vitro, we evaluated the uptake and transcytosis rates of N-LDL and G-LDL in endothelial cells and the uptake and transcytosis rates of G-LDL were much higher than those of N-LDL. Then, using small interfering RNAs, the receptor mediating G-LDL uptake and transcytosis was screened among eight candidate receptors, and the mechanism of the receptor regulation was thoroughly examined.

Non-linear correlation between amylase day 2 to day 1 ratio and incidence of severe acute pancreatitis.

Background: This study aimed to assess whether the amylase day 2/amylase day 1 ratio was associated with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP).

Methods: We retrospectively enrolled 464 patients with acute pancreatitis. Serum amylase was measured on admission (day 1) and 24 h later (day 2).

Pollution characteristics of soil heavy metals around two typical copper mining and beneficiation enterprises in Northwest China.

In order to investigate the situation of heavy metal pollution in the heavy metal industry in Gansu Province, a large copper mining province, two large and typical copper mining and beneficiation enterprises with differences in topographic features, climatic conditions, and soil types were selected as the target of this study based on similar ore types and beneficiation processes. Around these two enterprises, geochemical baselines of the six heavy metals were established, while the degree of local soil heavy metal pollution and potential hazards to humans were assessed based on statistical analysis, single-factor and multi-factor index analysis, and health risk evaluation models. In addition, Spearman's correlation analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis were used to explore the intrinsic association between each heavy metal in the two mining industries to reveal the pattern of soil heavy metal pollution in the copper mining and beneficiation industry and to propose targeted measures to improve and prevent soil heavy metal pollution.

Crystal Structure and Noncovalent Interactions of Heterocyclic Energetic Molecules.

Nitrogen-rich heterocyclic compounds are important heterocyclic substances with extensive future applications for energetic materials due to their outstanding density and excellent physicochemical properties. However, the weak intermolecular interactions of these compounds are not clear, which severely limits their widespread application. Three nitrogen-rich heterocyclic compounds were chosen to detect their molecular geometry, stacking mode and intermolecular interactions by crystal structure, Hirshfeld surface, RDG and ESP.

VCAM-1-binding peptide targeted cationic liposomes containing NLRP3 siRNA to modulate LDL transcytosis as a novel therapy for experimental atherosclerosis.

Background: Activation of NLRP3 inflammasome accelerates the formation of atherosclerotic plaques. Here, we evaluated the effects of inflammation on the expression of the NLRP3 inflammasome in endothelial cells (ECs).

Methods: The effect of TNF-α on transcytosis of LDL was measured.

Usefulness of Random Forest Algorithm in Predicting Severe Acute Pancreatitis.

Background And Aims: This study aimed to develop an interpretable random forest model for predicting severe acute pancreatitis (SAP).

Methods: Clinical and laboratory data of 648 patients with acute pancreatitis were retrospectively reviewed and randomly assigned to the training set and test set in a 3:1 ratio. Univariate analysis was used to select candidate predictors for the SAP.

A Comparison of XGBoost, Random Forest, and Nomograph for the Prediction of Disease Severity in Patients With COVID-19 Pneumonia: Implications of Cytokine and Immune Cell Profile.

Background And Aims: The aim of this study was to apply machine learning models and a nomogram to differentiate critically ill from non-critically ill COVID-19 pneumonia patients.

Methods: Clinical symptoms and signs, laboratory parameters, cytokine profile, and immune cellular data of 63 COVID-19 pneumonia patients were retrospectively reviewed. Outcomes were followed up until Mar 12, 2020.

Deacetylation of Caveolin-1 by Sirt6 induces autophagy and retards high glucose-stimulated LDL transcytosis and atherosclerosis formation.

Background: Atherosclerosis (AS) is the basis of diabetic macrovascular complications. The plasma low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particles transcytosis across endothelial cells (ECs) and deposition under the endothelium is the initiation step of AS. We previously reported that high glucose inhibits the autophagic degradation of Caveolin-1 and promote LDL transcytosis across ECs, which in turn accelerates atherosclerotic progression.

An NF-κB-responsive long noncoding RNA, PINT, regulates TNF-α gene transcription by scaffolding p65 and EZH2.

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are central regulators of the inflammatory response and play an important role in inflammatory diseases. PINT has been reported to be involved in embryonic development and tumorigenesis. However, the potential functions of PINT in the innate immune system are largely unknown.

Age-related changes of human serum Sirtuin6 in adults.

Background: Aging is a natural life process and with an aging population, age-related diseases (e.g. type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), atherosclerosis-based cardiovascular diseases) are the primary mortality cause in older adults.

Multidimensional Analysis of Risk Factors for the Severity and Mortality of Patients with COVID-19 and Diabetes.

Introduction: Diabetes is one of the most common comorbidities of COVID-19. We aimed to conduct a multidimensional analysis of risk factors associated with the severity and mortality of patients with COVID-19 and diabetes.

Methods: In this retrospective study involving 1443 patients with COVID-19, we analyzed the clinical and laboratory characteristics and risk factors associated with disease severity in patients with COVID-19 with and without diabetes.

Salidroside-Mediated Autophagic Targeting of Active Src and Caveolin-1 Suppresses Low-Density Lipoprotein Transcytosis across Endothelial Cells.

Subendothelial retention of apolipoprotein B100-containing lipoprotein, such as low-density lipoprotein (LDL), is the initial step of atherogenesis. Activation of autophagy exhibits beneficial effects for the treatment of atherosclerosis. In our previous study, we demonstrated that hyperglycemia suppressed autophagic degradation of caveolin-1, which in turn resulted in acceleration of caveolae-mediated LDL transcytosis across endothelial cells and lipid retention.

Algorithm developed for dynamic quantification of coal consumption for and emission from rural winter heating.

Coal-dominated winter heating practices in China are largely accepted to be a leading cause of winter haze in the region though the amount of coal for heating is actually much lower than for power generation or industrial process. However, little is known about how the total rural coal weight in a region could be attributed to real time (e.g.

[Emission Characteristics of IVOCs from the Combustion of Residential Solid Fuels and the Impact of Burning Temperature].

Intermediate-volatility organic compounds (IVOCs) are important precursors of secondary organic aerosols that have received much recent attention; however, there is a lack of emission data for IVOCs from combustion sources, especially for residential solid fuel combustion. In this study, two bituminous coals with different geological maturity (XZ and LW) and two biomass types (rice stalk and pinewood) were tested at seven temperature points (300-900℃ with an interval of 100℃) using a quartz tube furnace together with a dilution sampling system. The results showed that the averaged emission factor for IVOCs from biomass combustion[(483±182) mg·kg] was 2.