A comparative study of Twin-Block and van Beek Headgear-Activator on the three-dimensional morphology of the upper airway in growing children with mandibular retraction in skeletal class II malocclusion.

Objectives: To compare the variations in the upper airway of children with skeletal Class II mandibular retrognathism treated with van Beek Headgear-Activator (vBHGA) and Twin-Block (TB) appliances.

Materials And Methods: 40 children were involved in this retrospective study and divided into two intervention groups: the vBHGA group and the TB group, each comprising 20 individuals with an average age of 11.13 years.

Identification, annotation and toxicity estimation of organic pollutants in human serum via non-target analysis.

Environmental organic pollution causes a threat to the ecological environment, constrains social development and can also potentially harm human health. We applied non-target analysis to screen organic pollutants from the serum of 89 individuals, identifying 67 pollutants in the categories of industrial intermediates, plasticizers, surfactants, pharmaceuticals, pesticides, and exogenous pollutant metabolites. The detection rate of chemicals for industrial use (50.

Characterization of the complete mitochondrial genome of the rice bean (Vigna umbellata).

Background: Rice bean (Vigna umbellata), an underrated legume crop, demonstrates strong adaptability to poor soil fertility and has significant potential to enhance global food security. It is valuable both as a vegetable and fodder crop due to its high protein content, essential fatty acids, and micronutrients. Despite the sequencing of a high-quality genome of rice bean, its mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) sequence has not yet been reported.

Digital symptom management interventions for people with chronic kidney disease: a scoping review based on the UK Medical Research Council Framework.

Background: Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a growing global health issue with a complex symptom phenotype. It negatively impacts patients' health-related quality of life and increases healthcare utilization. While digital health interventions offer promising avenues for improving symptom management in CKD, understanding their development, validation, and effectiveness is crucial for clinical application.

Defect-Mediated Energy Transfer Mechanism by Modulating Lattice Occupancy of Alkali Ions for the Optimization of Upconversion Luminescence.

The performance optimization of photoluminescent (PL) materials is a hot topic in the field of applied materials research. There are many different crystal defects in photoluminescent materials, which can have a significant impact on their optical properties. The luminescent properties and chemical stability of materials can be effectively improved by adjusting lattice defects in crystals.

Overexpression of TAF4B Promoted the Proliferation of Undifferentiated Spermatogonia in Cattleyak In Vitro.

As the hybrid between cattle and yak, cattleyak is a typical male sterile mammal, and the underlying mechanism for its spermatogenic arrest is still unclear. In this study, the coding region of cattleyak TAF4B gene was cloned by RT-PCR and analysed by bioinformatics. To investigate the effects of TAF4B on cellular proliferation and differentiation, an expression vector was generated and introduced into undifferentiated spermatogonia (UDSPG) of cattleyak.

Multifunctional Composite Separator Based on NiS/NiSe Homologous Heterostructure Polyhedron Promotes Polysulfide Conversion for High Performance Lithium-Sulfur Batteries.

The shuttle effect significantly hinders the industrialization of high-energy-density lithium-sulfur batteries. To address this issue, NiS/NiSe homologous heterostructure polyhedron (HHP) composite separators were developed to immobilize polysulfides and promote their swift conversion. An in-situ visualization symmetrical cell was specifically designed to show the rapid polysulfide adsorption capability of NiS/NiSe HHP, while the electrolyte-separator interfacial contact behavior was simulated to elucidate the mechanism of action of the composite separator in affecting the homogeneous nucleation of lithium metal surfaces.

Role and mechanism of Actein on condylar bone metabolism in APOE deletion-induced osteoporotic mice.

Aims: To investigate the effects of Actein from Cimicifugae Rhizoma on condylar bone and cartilage in APOE deletion-induced osteoporotic mice, and to preliminarily explore the underlying mechanism.

Methods: Sixty 8-week-old female mice were used, which underwent APOE and ovariectomy procedures, followed by oral administration of Actein (15 mg/kg) and Atorvastatin Calcium (AC, 3 mg/kg) for eight weeks. Body weight, uterine weight, and systemic indexes related to bone metabolism and lipid metabolism were assessed in each group.

Ethyl Isopropyl Sulfone Modulating to Achieve Stable High-Voltage Electrolyte for Lithium-Ion Batteries.

The demand for efficient large-scale energy storage necessitates high-energy-density batteries, making research on high-voltage electrolytes particularly important. In this article, ethyl isopropyl sulfone (ES), which has a high dielectric constant, is added to traditional carbonate-based electrolyte solvents and analyzed. Based on calculated and analyzed results, different proportions of ES are added to the conventional carbonate-based electrolyte.

Mitigating Capacity and Voltage Decay in Li-Rich Cathode Via Dual-Phase Design.

High-capacity O3-type lithium-rich manganese-based (LRM) materials exhibit significant structural instability and severe voltage decay, which limit their practical applications. In contrast, the O2-type LRM materials demonstrate remarkable structural stability despite offering lower capacity. In this study, a composite material, O3@O2-LRM is designed, by coating the main structure of O3-type LRM with a minor amount of O2-type LRM to combine the high capacity of the O3 phase with the superior stability of the O2 phase.

CALR3 defects disrupt sperm-zona pellucida binding in humans: new insights into male factor fertilization failure and relevant clinical therapeutic approaches.

Study Question: Do biallelic deleterious variants of Calreticulin 3 (CALR3) cause fertilization failure (FF), resulting in male infertility in humans?

Summary Answer: Biallelic mutations in CALR3 were identified in two infertile men from unrelated families and were shown to cause FF associated with failed sperm-zona pellucida (ZP) binding.

What Is Known Already: In male mice, the Calr3-knockout has been reported to cause male infertility and FF. However, the mechanism behind this remains unclear in humans.

Multifunctional Cross-Linking Composite Binder Enables the Stable Performance of Si-Based Anodes for High-Energy-Density Lithium-Ion Batteries.

The intrinsic volumetric stress during cycling is the main obstacle for developing Si-based materials as high-energy-density lithium-ion battery anodes. Elastic binders have been demonstrated as an efficient approach to alleviate the stress of Si. Herein, we design a tough 3D hard/soft polymeric network (LPTS) using lithiated poly(acrylic acid), silk sericin, and highly branched tannic acid.

Adenylate kinase phosphate energy shuttle underlies energetic communication in flagellar axonemes.

The complexities of energy transfer mechanisms in the flagella of mammalian sperm flagella have been intensively investigated and demonstrate significant diversity across species. Enzymatic shuttles, particularly adenylate kinase (AK) and creatine kinase (CK), are pivotal in the efficient transfer of intracellular ATP, showing distinct tissue- and species-specificity. Here, the expression profiles of AK and CK were investigated in mice and found to fall into four subgroups, of which Subgroup III AKs were observed to be unique to the male reproductive system and conserved across chordates.

Association of short-chain fatty acids and the gut microbiome with type 2 diabetes: Evidence from the Henan Rural Cohort.

Background And Aims: Human studies about short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), the gut microbiome, and Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) are limited. Here we explored the association between SCFAs and T2DM and the effects of gut microbial diversity on glucose status in rural populations.

Methods And Results: We performed a cross-sectional study from the Henan Rural Cohort and collected stool samples.

Dietary branched-chain amino acids intake and new-onset hypertension: a nationwide prospective cohort study in China.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between dietary branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) and the risk of developing hypertension.

Methods: A cohort study of 14,883 Chinese adults without hypertension at baseline with were followed for an average of 8.9 years.

Landscape of RNA pseudouridylation in archaeon Sulfolobus islandicus.

Pseudouridine, one of the most abundant RNA modifications, is synthesized by stand-alone or RNA-guided pseudouridine synthases. Here, we comprehensively mapped pseudouridines in rRNAs, tRNAs and small RNAs in the archaeon Sulfolobus islandicus and identified Cbf5-associated H/ACA RNAs. Through genetic deletion and in vitro modification assays, we determined the responsible enzymes for these modifications.

Integrated Analysis of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substance Exposure and Metabolic Profiling of Elderly Residents Living near Industrial Plants.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are widely used in industrial production, causing potential health risks to the residents living around chemical industrial plants; however, the lack of data on population exposure and adverse effects impedes our understanding and ability to prevent risks. In this study, we performed screening and association analysis on exogenous PFAS pollutants and endogenous small-molecule metabolites in the serum of elderly residents living near industrial plants. Exposure levels of 11 legacy and novel PFASs were determined.

Longitudinal skeletal growth and growth plate morphological characteristics of chondro-tissue specific CUL7 knockout mice.

Background: 3 M syndrome is first reported in 1975，which characterized by severe pre- and postnatal growth retardation, skeletal malformation and facial dysmorphism. These three genes (CUL7, OBSL1 and CCDC8) have been identified to be respond for 3 M syndrome, of which CUL7 is accounting for approximately 70%. To date, the molecular mechanism underlying the pathogenesis of 3 M syndrome remains poorly understood.

Association of the short-chain fatty acid levels and dietary quality with type 2 diabetes: a case-control study based on Henan Rural Cohort.

Evidence of the relationship between fecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) levels, dietary quality and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in rural populations is limited. Here, we aimed to investigate the association between fecal SCFA levels and T2DM and the combined effects of dietar quality on T2DM in rural China. In total, 100 adults were included in the case-control study.

Microbiota and Metabolite Profiles in the Feces of Juvenile Sika Deer () from Birth to Weaning.

The gut microbiota establishment in young ruminants has a profound impact on their adult production performance. However, the critical phase for the succession of the gut microbial composition and metabolic profiles of juvenile sika deer still needs to be further investigated. Here, we analyzed the fecal microbiota and metabolites of juvenile sika deer during the birth (D1), transition (D42), and rumination (D70) periods based on 16S rRNA sequencing and gas chromatography-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC-TOF-MS).