Effects of soil water on fungal community composition along elevational gradients on the northern slope of the Central Kunlun Mountains.

Soil fungi are essential to ecosystem processes, yet their elevational distribution patterns and the ecological mechanisms shaping their communities remain poorly understood and actively debated, particularly in arid regions. Here, we investigated the diversity patterns and underlying mechanisms shaping soil fungal communities along an elevational gradient (1,707-3,548 m) on the northern slope of the Central Kunlun Mountains in northwest China. Results indicated that the dominant phyla identified across the seven elevational gradients were and , displaying a unimodal pattern and a U-shaped pattern in relative abundance, respectively.

Efficient removal of cationic malachite green using co-pyrolyzed corn straw biochar-montmorillonite composites.

New efficient and sustainable methods for the removal of malachite green (MG) from environmental media are needed. In this study, corn straw was co-pyrolyzed with montmorillonite under a variety of conditions (400, 500, 600, and 700 °C and 10-40 wt% montmorillonite), without any use of toxic chemicals, to produce a series of biochar-clay composites. Characteristics of the composites that make them promising contaminant sorbents include a uniform lamellar-particle micromorphology, enhanced mesoporous structure and surface area (53.

Analysis of partly bio-derived nonionic polyethylene glycol-based rheology modifiers by comprehensive two-dimensional liquid chromatography.

Rheology modifiers (RMs) are polymeric molecules providing rheological control of formulations, which are important in product application, shelf-life, and aesthetic perception. Bio-derived polyethylene glycol (PEG)-based RMs thicken formulations through nonionic-associative thickening where at least two hydrophobic end groups from a RM molecule interact with other hydrophobic groups of other RM molecules or ingredients in the formulation to form an associative network. We report a comprehensive two-dimensional liquid chromatography (2D-LC) separation of partly bio-derived PEG-based RMs in size exclusion chromatography (SEC) × reversed-phase liquid chromatography (RPLC) mode for the separation of RM components based on both molecular weight distribution and end group hydrophobe distribution.

Association between gynecological disorders and insomnia and depression trajectories: a longitudinal study of middle-aged women.

Background: Insomnia and depression often receive inadequate attention regarding their association with common menopausal gynecological disorders (GDs), and there is a lack of longitudinal epidemiological evidence. Furthermore, the specific disorders that exhibit the strongest correlation with depression, as well as the potential mediating role of insomnia, remain poorly understood.

Methods: Using data from the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN) spanning 1996 to 2008, this study analyzed a sample of 2217 racially diverse premenopausal women (aged 42 to 53 at baseline).

Potential roles of cigarette smoking on gut microbiota profile among Chinese men.

Background: Cigarette smoking is posited as a potential factor in disrupting the balance of the human gut microbiota. However, existing studies with limited sample size have yielded inconclusive results.

Methods: Here, we assessed the association between cigarette smoking and gut microbial profile among Chinese males from four independent studies (N total = 3308).

Study on a compact pulse forming line-Marx type high voltage pulse generator.

High power pulse generators are moving in the direction of compact, solid-state, and stable working in a relatively long time. In this paper, a compact pulse forming line-Marx type high power pulse generator, based on a ceramic pulse forming line and a spark gap switch with carbide modified graphite electrodes, is studied numerically and experimentally. Specifically, a ceramic based pulse forming line with high relative permittivity was used to achieve long pulse duration in a limited dimension.

Vitamin D Deficiency and Associated Factors in Children: A Multicenter Study of 21,811 Samples in Southern China.

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (VDD) in children/adolescents in extreme southern China.

Methods: This multicenter, cross-sectional study included 21,811 children aged 0-18 years from 18 districts in Hainan Province, using a multistage stratified random sampling method from January 2021 to March 2022.

Results: Serum 25(OH)D levels decreased with age (p trend <0.

Hydrogel loaded with cerium-manganese nanoparticles and nerve growth factor enhances spinal cord injury repair by modulating immune microenvironment and promoting neuronal regeneration.

Background: Spinal cord injury (SCI) treatment remains a formidable challenge, as current therapeutic approaches provide only marginal relief and fail to reverse the underlying tissue damage. This study aims to develop a novel composite material combining enzymatic nanoparticles and nerve growth factor (NGF) to modulate the immune microenvironment and enhance SCI repair.

Methods: CeMn nanoparticles (NP) and CeMn NP-polyethylene glycol (PEG) nanozymes were synthesized via sol-gel reaction and DSPE-mPEG modification.

A coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulation on the mechanical and thermal properties of natural rubber composites reinforced by fullerene nanoparticles.

Context: The influence of fullerene C60 on the mechanical and thermal properties of natural rubber was systematically investigated using coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations. The tensile results demonstrate that systems with longer NR chains exhibit reduced tensile strength. Moreover, the addition of C60 nanoparticles significantly enhanced the mechanical properties, with Young's modulus, yield strength, and tensile strength increasing by approximately 24.

BIOTIC: a Bayesian framework to integrate single-cell multi-omics for transcription factor activity inference and improve identity characterization of cells.

Understanding cell destiny requires unraveling the intricate mechanism of gene regulation, where transcription factors (TFs) play a pivotal role. However, the actual contribution of TFs, that is TF activity, is not only determined by TF expression, but also accessibility of corresponding chromatin regions. Therefore, we introduce BIOTIC, an advanced Bayesian model with a well-established gene regulation structure that harnesses the power of single-cell multi-omics data to model the gene expression process under the control of regulatory elements, thereby defining the regulatory activity of TFs with variational inference.

hsa_circ_0021727 facilitates esophageal squamous cell carcinoma progression by stabilizing GBX2 mRNA through interacting with EIF4A3.

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) has high mortality. The role and regulatory mechanism of hsa_circ_0021727 (circ_0021727) in ESCC remain largely unknown. This study focused on the undiscovered impact of circ_0021727 on cell cycle progression, apoptosis, and angiogenesis of ESCC.

Molecular and structural basis of a subfamily of PrfH rescuing both the damaged and intact ribosomes stalled in translation.

In bacteria, spontaneous mRNAs degradation and ribotoxin-induced RNA damage are two main biological events that lead to the stall of protein translation. The ubiquitous trans-translation system as well as several alternative rescue factors (Arfs) are responsible for rescuing the stalled ribosomes caused by truncated mRNAs that lack the stop codons. To date, protein release factor homolog (PrfH) is the only factor known to rescue the stalled ribosome damaged by ribotoxins.

First report of brown spot disease caused by on in Guangxi of China.

Disocatus ackermannii, commonly referred to as Orchid Cactus, is a striking succulent belonging to the Cactaceae family. Its unique appearance and captivating characteristics make it a sought-after addition to gardens and courtyards beautification. In June 2023, 20-30% of D.

Differences in growth, ionomic and antioxidative enzymes system responded to neutral and alkali salt exposure in halophyte Haloxylon ammodendron seedlings.

Soil salinity and alkalinity severely suppress plant growth and crop yields. This study compared the effects of neutral and alkaline salt exposure, both individually and mixed, on metal content and morphophysiological responses in halophyte Haloxylon ammodendron. Our results showed that alkaline salt exposure more considerably inhibited the growth and photosynthesis of H.

Efficacy and safety of Anlotinib in combination with gemcitabine and cisplatin as a first-line treatment for recurrent or metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma: A single-arm clinical trial.

The effectiveness and safety of combining anlotinib with gemcitabine and cisplatin in the first-line treatment of recurrent/metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma (R/M NPC) have not been definitively established. This research seeks to investigate the potential benefits and risks of utilizing this combination therapy in the first-line management of R/M NPC. The research involved 22 individuals diagnosed with R/M NPC and who had not undergone any previous treatment.

Synergistic high-entropy phosphides with phosphorus vacancies as robust bifunctional catalysts for efficient water splitting.

High-entropy phosphides (HEPs) have garnered increasing interest as innovative electrocatalysts for water splitting, highlighted by their distinctive catalytic activity, elemental synergy, and tunable electronic configuration. Herein, a novel electrode comprising CoNiCuZnFeP nanocubes with rich phosphorus vacancies was fabricated through coprecipitation and phosphorization two-step method. The synergistic interaction among metal elements and the modulation of the electronic configuration by phosphorus vacancies augmentation enhance the catalytic performance for both the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER).

YTHDF2-mediated mA modification of ONECUT2 promotes stemness and oxaliplatin resistance in gastric cancer through transcriptionally activating TFPI.

Aims: Chemoresistance results in poor outcomes of patients with gastric cancer (GC). This study aims to identify oxaliplatin resistance-related cell subpopulations in the tumor microenvironment (TME) and decipher the involved molecular mechanisms.

Methods: Through single-cell RNA sequencing, a unique ONECUT2TFPI GC cell subset was identified in the oxaliplatin-resistant TME.

Clinical prediction model for progression from henoch-schönlein purpura to nephritis in pediatric patients.

Objective: To identify independent risk factors for Henoch-Schönlein purpura nephritis (HSPN) in pediatric patients.

Methods: This study enrolled 180 pediatric patients (90 with HSP, 90 with HSPN) hospitalized at the 940th Hospital of the Joint Logistics Support Force of the Chinese People's Liberation Army from December 2022 to October 2023, with a follow-up of at least six months. Clinical data were collected at the time of the first onset of HSP.

Bidirectional role of neutrophils in tumor development.

Neutrophils, traditionally considered as non-specific components of the innate immune system, have garnered considerable research interest due to their dual roles in both promoting and inhibiting tumor progression. This paper seeks to clarify the specific mechanisms by which neutrophils play a bidirectional role in tumor immunity and the factors that influence these roles. By conducting a comprehensive analysis and synthesis of a vast array of relevant literature, it has become evident that neutrophils can influence tumor development and invasive migration through various mechanisms, thereby exerting their anti-tumor effects.

A self-gelling hemostatic powder boosting radiotherapy-elicited NK cell immunity to combat postoperative hepatocellular carcinoma relapse.

Liver resection represents a main curative treatment for patients with early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but there is a rather high incidence of postoperative HCC relapse, which severely shortens long-term survival time. Currently, no standard adjuvant strategies are available for preventing HCC relapse in clinical practice. Impaired natural killer (NK) cell anti-tumor immunity has been disclosed as a crucial root of HCC relapse, indicating that reinstating NK cell anti-tumor immunity may show promise to curb HCC relapse.

Using hyperspectral reflectance to detect changes in photosynthetic activity in leaves as a function of decreasing soil water content.

Application of hyperspectral reflectance technology to track changes in photosynthetic activity in () remains underexplored. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between hyperspectral reflectance and photosynthetic activity in the leaves of in response to a decrease in soil water content. Results demonstrated that the reflectance in both the visible light and near-infrared bands increased in conjunction with reduced soil water content.

Factors influencing adherence to home based pulmonary rehabilitation programme by high risk patients awaiting lung surgery: mixed methods study.

Objective: Preoperative home based pulmonary rehabilitation (HPR) can reduce postoperative complications in lung surgery patients. This study aimed to investigate the level of adherence to a preoperative HPR programme in high risk patients awaiting lung surgery, and factors influencing adherence.

Design: A mixed methods explanatory sequential design consisting of a quantitative questionnaire survey and a qualitative interview study.

Exploring the role of moxibustion robots in teaching: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Artificial intelligence has gradually been used into various fields of medical education at present. Under the background of moxibustion robot teaching assistance, the study aims to explore the relationship and the internal mechanism between learning engagement and evaluation in three stages, preparation before class, participation in class, and consolidation after class.

Methods: Based on the data investigated in 250 youths in university via multistage cluster sampling following the self-administered questionnaire, structural equation model was built to discussing factors of study process about moxibustion robots.

Integrative analysis of Ewing's sarcoma reveals that the MIF-CD74 axis is a target for immunotherapy.

Background: Ewing's sarcoma (EwS), a common pediatric bone cancer, is associated with poor survival due to a lack of therapeutic targets for immunotherapy or targeted therapy. Therefore, more effective treatment options are urgently needed.

Methods: Since novel immunotherapies may address this need, we performed an integrative analysis involving single-cell RNA sequencing, cell function experiments, and humanized models to dissect the immunoregulatory interactions in EwS and identify strategies for optimizing immunotherapeutic efficacy.