Photosynthetic Electron Transport in Winter Wheat: Responses to Low-Temperature and Weak-Light Condition.

Spring low temperatures are a serious natural threat to wheat production in the Huang-Huai wheat region, and they are often accompanied by weak light environments during the day. To elucidate the response patterns and adaptation mechanisms of winter wheat leaves to low-temperature and weak-light environments, we simultaneously measured prompt chlorophyll a fluorescence, delayed chlorophyll a fluorescence, and modulated 820 nm light reflection; moreover, we analyzed the effects of low temperature and weak light treatment for different duration (2 h and 4 h) on the donor-side activity of photosystem II (PSII), the degree of PSII unit dissociation, the efficiency of light energy absorption and capture by PSII, electron transfer to Q and PSI terminal, PSI activity and cyclic electron transport activity in isolated wheat leaves under controlled conditions. The results, which were corroborated using the three methods, revealed that in low-temperature and weak-light environments, the degree of PSII unit dissociation, and the efficiency of light energy absorption, capture, and electron transfer to Q decreased, while the donor-side activity remained unaffected.

Predicting hepatitis C infection via machine learning.

Objective: HCV infection is frequently asymptomatic, with current diagnosis relying mainly on costly and less accessible HCV RNA testing. While HCV-Ab and biochemical markers exhibit suboptimal diagnostic performance, whether machine learning can enhance their accuracy remains unclear.

Methods: This study is a retrospective study, which included data from 179 patients whose HCV-Ab levels were greater than 1.

FTO regulates the proliferation and apoptosis of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells through m6A demethylation modification.

Background: To investigate whether FTO-mediated N6-methyladenosine (m6A) demethylation affects the proliferative/apoptotic phenotype of mouse pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs).

Methods: The hypoxia model of PASMCs was established to examine changes in FTO protein expression and m6A modification levels. Cell transfection, m6A expression profiling, mRNA stability testing, and protein-RNA binding assays were used to explore the effects of FTO and its downstream target, CACNA1d, on PASMC proliferation and apoptosis.

Dwell time and group delays in complex media.

We analyze the dwell time and group delays of electromagnetic waves during transmission and tunneling through complex media, which are non-Hermitian and dispersive. We show that the dwell time, group delays of reflection and transmission, and Dicke times are no longer equal, even though the structure remains mirror symmetric. An additional contribution from the dissipative response of the complex media - termed the energy loss time - must be taken into account.

Changes in epidemiological and clinical features in children before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic in Shanghai, China.

Non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the epidemiology of respiratory pathogens. Following the relaxation of these measures, a notable increase in (Mp) pneumonia incidence among children was observed. To comprehensively analyze the impact of NPIs on the patterns of Mp infections in children, we assessed changes in the epidemiology and clinical features of Mp infections in Songjiang District, Shanghai, before, during, and after the pandemic.

Genome MLST scheme for tracing genetic diversity and multidrug resistance of food animal-derived .

is an important food-borne anaerobic bacterium that can cause chronic disease in humans and animals. The complex toxins that it produces can cause diarrhea, necrotizing enteritis, and even death. This study aimed to evaluate the presence of antibiotic resistance genes and determinants of toxin production in various strains of , derived from different geographical locations and animal sources, through whole-genome sequencing (WGS) and bioinformatics analysis.

Risk factors of low bone mass in young patients with transfusion-dependent beta-thalassemia.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of low bone mass and associated risk factors among children and adolescents suffering from transfusion-dependent beta-thalassemia (TDT).

Methods: In this study, a total of 389 children and adolescents with TDT (236 males and 153 females), treated between January 2015 and December 2024 in the Department of Hematology at the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, were selected. Subjects were categorized into those with normal bone mass and those with low bone mass based on bone mineral density assessments.

Triglyceride-Glucose-Based Anthropometric Indices for Predicting Incident Cardiovascular Disease: Relative Fat Mass (RFM) as a Robust Indicator.

: The triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index is a recognized marker for cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk linked to insulin resistance. Combining TyG with anthropometric indicators (AIs) may improve risk prediction, but the comparative value of different AIs, including novel ones like Relative Fat Mass (RFM), is unclear. This study aimed to identify which combination of TyG and AIs has the strongest association with incident CVD in a middle-aged and elderly Chinese cohort.

Epidemiological characteristics and genotype distribution of human papillomavirus infection in Yangpu district, Shanghai, 2020-2024.

Objective: To analyze the positive rate and genotype distribution of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in Yangpu District, Shanghai, and to provide a scientific basis for the prevention and treatment of cervical cancer and related diseases.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on HPV genotyping data from 19,142 outpatients, inpatients, and health examinees at Shanghai Shidong Hospital from 2020 to 2024. Overall infection rate, genotype distribution, age-specific positivity, and annual trends were evaluated.

Insights into the mechanism of METTL3-mediated m6A methylation in silicon dust-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition.

Silicosis is an occupational lung disease caused by long-term inhalation of silica dust. Its characteristic pathological manifestation is progressive pulmonary fibrosis. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays an important role in the occurrence and development of silicosis fibrosis, and N6-methyladenosine (m6A), as an important form of RNA modification, is closely related to the expression and regulation of multiple genes in the process of fibrosis.

Space-time acoustic coding metasurfaces with scattering reduction characteristics.

In recent years, constructing space-time joint modulation acoustic metasurfaces with harmonic manipulation capabilities to achieve excellent scattering reduction within three-dimensional (3D) space has remained a significant challenge. Here, space-time acoustic coding metasurfaces (STAMs) with harmonic manipulation in 3D space are demonstrated, which consist of two types of sub-wavelength unit cells. By changing acoustic impedance of proposed unit cells, the phase difference between these unit cells can maintain 180° in the operation frequency.

Global, regional and national burden of HIV/AIDS among individuals aged 15-79 from 1990 to 2021.

Background: HIV/AIDS persists as a global health challenge despite significant advancements in antiretroviral therapy (ART). The transformation of HIV into a chronic condition, coupled with regional disparities and evolving epidemiological trends, necessitates an updated analysis of the disease burden.

Methods: We conducted a comprehensive analysis of HIV/AIDS burden among individuals aged 15-79 years from 1990 to 2021 using the latest data from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2021 database.

Teleost IgM+ plasma-like cells: beyond antibody secretion.

Upon antigen encounter, B cells start a differentiation process toward antibody-secreting cells (ASCs), initially plasmablasts, and eventually long-lived plasma cells. All these ASCs specialize in secreting important amounts of antibodies and usually lose other functionalities of naïve B cells. This differentiation process is scarcely characterized in teleost fish, in which B cells have been shown to share many functional and phenotypic characteristics of mammalian B1 innate subsets.

IL-21 signaling promotes IgM B cell proliferation and antibody production via JAK/STAT3 and AKT pathways in early vertebrates.

IL-21 is a type I cytokine that is produced by activated CD4 T cells and has a significant impact on the growth, survival, and functional activation of B lymphocytes. While IL-21 has been identified in several teleost fish species, its function and associated mechanisms focus on teleost fish B cells remain largely unknown. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of IL-21 (OnIL-21) on IgM B cells from Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), as well as the intracellular signaling transduction pathway involved.

The role of intrapartum ultrasound combined with free position delivery in the management of abnormal fetal positions during labor.

Objective: To investigate the effectiveness of combining intrapartum ultrasound with free maternal positions in managing abnormal labor, specifically focusing on its impact on delivery outcomes.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 176 cases of abnormal labor progression in women who attempted vaginal delivery at our hospital from June 2021 to May 2022. Among these, 88 cases were diagnosed with abnormal fetal positions using a combination of intrapartum ultrasound and vaginal examination, and these patients were guided to adopt free maternal positions (experimental group).

Effects of superfine grinding stem on the texture and quality of dough for steamed bun.

(TF) stem accounts for about 10% of the whole mushroom, and most of them are dumped without utilization. To effectively utilize the waste, the effects of fine grinding and superfine grinding technology on the processing characteristics and physicochemical properties of stem powder (TFSP) were investigated, and the effects of TFSP on the quality of steamed bun were analyzed. The findings indicate that the specific surface area of superfine stem powder (STFSP) is 1.

Additive interaction of pre-pregnancy BMI and assisted reproductive technology on the risk of pregnancy-induced hypertension.

Objective: To explore the combined effect of pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) and assisted reproductive technology (ART) on the risk of pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH).

Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 3,220,103 women with singleton pregnancies from the National Vital Statistics System database for 2021. The outcome was the occurrence of PIH.

Mbnl1-mediated alternative splicing of circMlxipl regulates Rbbp6-involved ChREBP turnover to inhibit lipotoxicity-induced β-cell damage.

Background: Diabetes, a global epidemic, is the leading cause of mortality globally. The aim of this study is to get better understanding of pathophysiology of diabetes.

Methods: Palmitic acid (PA)-treated β-cells, db/db mice and high fat diet (HFD)-fed mouse model of type 2 diabetes were established.

CXCL12/CXCR4 Axis Promotes the Chemotaxis and Phagocytosis of B Cells through the PI3K-AKT Signaling Pathway in an Early Vertebrate.

Chemokines play crucial roles in the regulation of immune cell migration and development. The CXCL12/CXCR4 axis has been extensively studied in mammals, but its regulatory mechanism in teleost fish remains unclear. In this study, we used Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) as a teleost model to investigate the mediation of the CXCL12/CXCR4 axis in IgM+ B cells.

The relationship between metabolites and gout: a Mendelian randomization study.

Background: Gout is closely tied to metabolism, yet there is limited evidence on how metabolites may cause or prevent the condition.

Methods: This study utilized a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to evaluate the causal relationship between 1,400 serum metabolites and gout. We primarily employed the inverse variance-weighted (IVW) method to estimate causal effects, supplemented by MR-Egger regression, weighted median, simple mode, and weighted mode for comprehensive evaluations.

Nrf2 Ameliorates Atrial Fibrosis During Antithrombotic Therapy for Atrial Fibrillation by Modulating CYP2C9 Activity.

Anticoagulant therapy can significantly reduce the incidence of stroke and peripheral embolism events in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Although warfarin is widely used as an anticoagulant drug, a wrong dose can lead to increased risks of bleeding or blood clots. The aim of this study was to assess whether nuclear factor-erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) can improve the efficacy of warfarin through the regulation of cytochrome P450 family 2 subfamily C member 9 (CYP2C9) using a rat model of AF.

Efficacy of a lytic bacteriophage vB_EcoM_SQ17 against Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Enterotoxigenic E. coli biofilms on cucumber.

Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7 (EHEC O157:H7) and Enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) have been found to readily develop biofilms on cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.), presenting a significant risk to the safety of ready-to-eat vegetables.

Miniaturized and High Volumetric Energy Density Power Supply Device Based on a Broad-Frequency Vibration Driven Triboelectric Nanogenerator.

The widespread vibration is one of the most promising energy sources for IoT and small sensors, and broad-frequency vibration energy harvesting is important. Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) can convert vibration energy into electrical energy through triboelectricity and electrostatic induction, providing an effective solution to the collection of broad-frequency vibration energy. Also, the power supply in constrained and compact spaces has been a long-standing challenge.

Assessing the efficiency of UAV for pesticide application in disease management of peanut crop.

Background: Effective utilization of plant protection UAVs in peanut cultivation management necessitates a comprehensive grasp of how application volume rates and pesticides influence peanut leaf spot and rust control. This study aimed to compare the effects of application volume rates and pesticides on droplet deposition, disease, leaf retention rate and peanut yield. A T20 plant protection unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) sprayer was used to apply four various pesticide doses.