Trend of Mortality Due to Congenital Anomalies in Children Younger Than 5 Years in Eastern China, 2012-2021: Surveillance Data Analysis.

BACKGROUND: As one of the leading causes of child mortality, deaths due to congenital anomalies (CAs) have been a prominent obstacle to meet Sustainable Development Goal 3.2. OBJECTIVE: We conducted this study to understand the death burden and trend of under-5 CA mortality (CAMR) in Zhejiang, one of the provinces with the best medical services and public health foundations in Eastern China. METHODS: We used data retrieved from the under-5 mortality surveillance system in Zhejiang from 2012 to 2021. CAMR by sex, residence, and age group for each year was calculated and standardized according to 2020 National Population Census sex- and residence-specific live birth data in China. Poisson regression models were used to estimate the annual average change rate (AACR) of CAMR and to obtain the rate ratio between subgroups after adjusting for sex, residence, and age group when appropriate. RESULTS: From 2012 to 2021, a total of 1753 children died from CAs, and the standardized CAMR declined from 121.2 to 62.6 per 100,000 live births with an AACR of -9% (95% CI -10.7% to -7.2%; P<.001). The declining trend was also observed in female and male children, urban and rural children, and neonates and older infants, and the AACRs were -9.7%, -8.5%, -8.5%, -9.2%, -12%, and -6.3%, respectively (all P<.001). However, no significant reduction was observed in children aged 1-4 years (P=.22). Generally, the CAMR rate ratios for male versus female children, rural versus urban children, older infants versus neonates, and older children versus neonates were 1.18 (95% CI 1.08-1.30; P<.001), 1.20 (95% CI 1.08-1.32; P=.001), 0.66 (95% CI 0.59-0.73; P<.001), and 0.20 (95% CI 0.17-0.24; P<.001), respectively. Among all broad CA groups, circulatory system malformations, mainly deaths caused by congenital heart diseases, accounted for 49.4% (866/1753) of deaths and ranked first across all years, although it declined yearly with an AACR of -9.8% (P<.001). Deaths due to chromosomal abnormalities tended to grow in recent years, although the AACR was not significant (P=.90). CONCLUSIONS: CAMR reduced annually, with cardiovascular malformations ranking first across all years in Zhejiang, China. Future research and practices should focus more on the prevention, early detection, long-term management of CAs and comprehensive support for families with children with CAs to improve their survival chances.

Case report: Acquired resistance to crizotinib from a MET Y1230H mutation in a patient with non-small cell lung cancer and KIF5B-MET fusion.

Background: The c-met proto-oncogene (MET) serves as a significant primary oncogenic driver in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and has the potential to fuse with other genes, such as KIF5B, although it occurs infrequently. Only a limited number of reported cases have examined the clinical efficacy of crizotinib in patients with KIF5B-MET gene fusion, with no known data regarding acquired resistance to crizotinib and its potential mechanisms. In this report, we present the clinical progression of a female patient diagnosed with NSCLC and harboring a KIF5B-MET gene fusion. Case description: The patient initially exhibited partial response to first-line crizotinib treatment, albeit for a short duration and with limited efficacy. Subsequent disease progression revealed the emergence of a secondary MET mutation, specifically MET Y1230H, leading to acquired resistance to crizotinib. Conclusion: The reporting of this case is imperative for informing clinical practice, given the uncommon occurrence of NSCLC with MET fusion, displaying responsiveness to MET tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy, as well as the emergence of the secondary Y1230H alteration as a potential resistance mechanism.

Impact of wildfire ash on skin and gut microbiomes and survival of Rana dybowskii.

Climate change and human activities escalate the frequency and intensity of wildfires, threatening amphibian habitats and survival; yet, research on these impacts remains limited. Wildfire ash alters water quality, introduces contaminants, and may disrupt microbial communities, impacting gut and skin microbiota; however, the effects on gut and skin microbiota remain unclear. Rana dybowskii were exposed to five concentrations (0 g L-1, 1.25 g L-1, 2.5 g L-1, 5 g L-1, and 10 g L-1) of aqueous extracts of wildfire ashes (AEAs) for 30 days to assess AEAs' metal content, survival, and microbiota diversity via Illumina sequencing. Our results showed that the major elements in ash were Ca > K > Mg > Al > Fe > Na > Mn, while in AEA they were K > Ca > Na > Mg > As > Al > Cu. A significant decrease in amphibian survival rates with increased AEA concentration was shown. The beta diversity analysis revealed distinct shifts in microbiota composition. Notably, bacterial genera associated with potential health risks showed increased abundance in skin microbiota, emphasising the potential for ash exposure to affect amphibian health. Functional prediction analyses revealed significant shifts in metabolic pathways related to health and disease, indicating that wildfire ash exposure may influence amphibian health through changes in microbial functions. This study highlights the urgent need for strategies to mitigate wildfire ash impacts on amphibians, as it significantly alters microbiota and affects their survival and health.

Proteomic profile of tissue-derived extracellular vesicles from benign odontogenic lesions.

BACKGROUND: Benign odontogenic lesions (BOLs) can cause severe jaw bone defects and compromise the quality of life of patients. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are well-established and versatile players in mediating pathophysiological events. EVs in the interstitial space (tissue-derived EVs or Ti-EVs) possess higher specificity and sensitivity in disease-related biomarker discovery. However, the role of Ti-EV-loaded proteins in mediating the development of BOLs has remained untapped. Herein, we aim to explore the contribution of Ti-EV-loaded proteins to the development of BOLs. METHODS: Samples were obtained from 3 with dental follicle, 3 with dentigerous cyst (DC), 7 with odontogenic keratocyst (OKC), and 3 patients with ameloblastoma (AM). Tissue-derived EVs were then extracted, purified, and validated using ultracentrifugation, transmission electron microscopy, and western blotting. Proteins from Ti-EVs were analyzed using LC-ESI tandem mass spectroscopy and differentially expressed proteins were screened, which was then validated by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence assays. RESULTS: The protein profile of Ti-EVs in each group was mapped by LC-MS analysis. The top 10 abundant proteins in BOL-derived Ti-EVs were COL6A3, COL6A1, ALB, HIST1H4A, HBB, ACTB, HIST1H2BD, ANXA2, COL6A2 and FBN1. Additionally, unique proteins in the Ti-EVs from various lesions were identified. Moreover, focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and myeloid differentiation primary response 88 (MyD88) showed higher expressions in Ti-EVs derived from OKC and AM, which were confirmed by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence staining. CONCLUSIONS: Ti-EVs containing FAK and MyD88 might be related to the development of OKC and AM, which can be potential therapeutic targets.

Analysis of the acoustoelectric response of SAW gas sensors using a COM model.

Surface acoustic wave (SAW) gas sensors based on the acoustoelectric effect exhibit wide application prospects for in situ gas detection. However, establishing accurate models for calculating the scattering parameters of SAW gas sensors remains a challenge. Here, we present a coupling of modes (COM) model that includes the acoustoelectric effect and specifically explains the nonmonotonic variation in the center frequency with respect to the sensing film's sheet conductivity. Several sensing parameters of the gas sensors, including the center frequency, insertion loss, and phase, were experimentally compared for accuracy and practicality. Finally, the frequency of the phase extremum (FPE) shift was determined to vary monotonically, and the range of selectable test points was wide, making the FPE an appropriate response parameter for leveraging in SAW gas sensors. The simulation results of the COM model were highly consistent with the experimental results. Our study is proposed to provide theoretical guidance for the future development of gas SAW sensors.

A fundamental study on postmortem submersion interval estimation by metabolomics analyzing of gastrocnemius muscle from submersed rat models in freshwater.

In forensic practice, determining the postmortem submersion interval (PMSI) and cause-of-death of cadavers in aquatic ecosystems has always been challenging task. Traditional approaches are not yet able to address these issues effectively and adequately. Our previous study proposed novel models to predict the PMSI and cause-of-death based on metabolites of blood from rats immersed in freshwater. However, with the advance of putrefaction, it is hardly to obtain blood samples beyond 3 days postmortem. To further assess the feasibility of PMSI estimation and drowning diagnosis in the later postmortem phase, gastrocnemius, the more degradation-resistant tissue, was collected from drowned rats and postmortem submersion model in freshwater immediately after death, and at 1 day, 3 days, 5 days, 7 days, and 10 days postmortem respectively. Then the samples were analyzed with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to investigate the dynamic changes of the metabolites. A total of 924 metabolites were identified. Similar chronological changes of gastrocnemius metabolites were observed in the drowning and postmortem submersion groups. The difference in metabolic profiles between drowning and postmortem submersion groups was only evident in the initial 1 day postmortem, which was faded as the PMSI extension. Nineteen metabolites representing temporally-dynamic patterns were selected as biomarkers for PMSI estimation. A regression model was built based on these biomarkers with random forest algorithm, which yielded a mean absolute error (± SE) of 5.856 (± 1.296) h on validation samples from an independent experiment. These findings added to our knowledge of chronological changes in muscle metabolites from submerged vertebrate remains during decomposition, which provided a new perspective for PMSI estimation.

Constructing an Asymmetric Covalent Triazine Framework to Boost the Efficiency and Selectivity of Visible-Light-Driven CO2 Photoreduction.

The photocatalytic reduction of CO2 represents an environmentally friendly and sustainable approach for generating valuable chemicals. In this study, a thiophene-modified highly conjugated asymmetric covalent triazine framework (As-CTF-S) is developed for this purpose. Significantly, single-component intramolecular energy transfer can enhance the photogenerated charge separation, leading to the efficient conversion of CO2 to CO during photocatalysis. As a result, without the need for additional photosensitizers or organic sacrificial agents, As-CTF-S demonstrates the highest photocatalytic ability of 353.2 µmol g-1 and achieves a selectivity of ≈99.95% within a 4 h period under visible light irradiation. This study provides molecular insights into the rational control of charge transfer pathways for high-efficiency CO2 photoreduction using single-component organic semiconductor catalysts.

Waist subcutaneous soft tissue metastasis of rectal mucinous adenocarcinoma: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Rectal mucinous adenocarcinoma (MAC) is a rare pathological type of rectal cancer with unique pathological features and a poor prognosis. It is difficult to diagnose and treat early because of the lack of specific manifestations in some aspects of the disease. The common metastatic organs of rectal cancer are the liver and lung; however, rectal carcinoma with metastasis to subcutaneous soft tissue is a rare finding. CASE SUMMARY: In this report, the clinical data, diagnosis and treatment process, and postoperative pathological features of a patient with left waist subcutaneous soft tissue masses were retrospectively analyzed. The patient underwent surgical treatment after admission and recovered well after surgery. The final pathological diagnosis was rectal MAC with left waist subcutaneous soft tissue metastasis. CONCLUSION: Subcutaneous soft tissue metastasis of rectal MAC is rare, and it can suggest that the tumor is disseminated, and it can appear even earlier than the primary malignant tumor, which is occult and leads to a missed diagnosis and misdiagnosis clinically. When a subcutaneous soft tissue mass of unknown origin appears in a patient with rectal cancer, a malignant tumor should be considered.

Research progress on insect visual electrophysiological techniques.

Insect visual electrophysiological techniques are important to study the electrical characteristics of photoreceptor cells and visual neurons in insects, including electroretinography (ERG) and microelectrode intracellular recording (MIR). ERG records the changes of voltage or electric current in the retina of insects in response to different light stimuli, which occurs outside the cell. MIR records the changes in individual photoreceptor cells or visual neurons of an insect exposed to different lights, which occurs inside the cell. Insect visual electrophysiological techniques can explore the mechanism of electrophysiological response of insects' vision to light and reveal their sensitive light spectra and photoreceptor types. This review introduced the basic structure and the principle of ERG and MIR, and summarized their applications in insect researches in the past 20 years, which would provide references for elucidating the mechanism of light perception in insects and the use of insect phototropism to control pests.

An all-optical multidirectional mechano-sensor inspired by biologically mechano-sensitive hair sensilla.

Mechano-sensitive hair-like sensilla (MSHS) have an ingenious and compact three-dimensional structure and have evolved widely in living organisms to perceive multidirectional mechanical signals. Nearly all MSHS are iontronic or electronic, including their biomimetic counterparts. Here, an all-optical mechano-sensor mimicking MSHS is prototyped and integrated based on a thin-walled glass microbubble as a flexible whispering-gallery-mode resonator. The minimalist integrated device has a good directionality of 32.31 dB in the radial plane of the micro-hair and can detect multidirectional displacements and forces as small as 70 nm and 0.9 µN, respectively. The device can also detect displacements and forces in the axial direction of the micro-hair as small as 2.29 nm and 3.65 µN, respectively, and perceive different vibrations. This mechano-sensor works well as a real-time, directional mechano-sensory whisker in a quadruped cat-type robot, showing its potential for innovative mechano-transduction, artificial perception, and robotics applications.

Combating infections from drug-resistant bacteria: Unleashing synergistic broad-spectrum antibacterial power with high-entropy MXene/CDs.

The growing resistance of bacteria to antibiotics has posed challenges in treating associated bacterial infections, while the development of multi-model antibacterial strategies could efficient sterilization to prevent drug resistance. High-entropy MXene has emerged as a promising candidate for antibacterial synergy with inherent photothermal and photodynamic properties. Herein, a high-entropy nanomaterial of MXene/CDs was synthesized to amplify oxidative stress under near-infrared laser irradiation. Well-exfoliated MXene nanosheets have proven to show an excellent photothermal effect for sterilization. The incorporation of CDs could provide photo-generated electrons for MXene nanosheets to generate ROS, meanwhile reducing the recombination of electron-hole pairs to further accelerate the generation of photo-generated electrons. The MXene/CDs material demonstrates outstanding synergistic photothermal and photodynamic effects, possesses excellent biocompatibility and successfully eliminates drug-resistant bacteria as well as inhibits biofilm formation. While attaining a remarkable killing efficiency of up to 99.99% against drug-resistant Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, it also demonstrates outstanding antibacterial effects against four additional bacterial strains. This work not only establishes a synthesis precedent for preparing high-entropy MXene materials with CDs but also provides a potential approach for addressing the issue of drug-resistant bacterial infections.

A benzimidazole-appended double-armed salamo type fluorescence and colorimetric bifunctional sensor for identification of MnO4- and its applications in actual water samples.

The symmetrically double-armed salamo type fluorescent sensor BMS, incorporating benzimidazole units, was designed and synthesized. Showcasing remarkable specificity and responsiveness to MnO4- within a DMSO:H2O (V/V = 9:1, pH = 7.2) Tris-HCl buffer medium, it enabled dual-channel detection of MnO4- through fluorescent and colorimetric changes. Critical experimental parameters, including detection and quantification thresholds (LOD and LOQ) along with binding affinity constants (Ka), were calculated using the Origin software. A rational interaction mechanism between BMS and MnO4- was deduced, based on fluorescence titration, Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry (ESI-MS), Ultraviolet-Visible Spectroscopy (UV-Vis), Infrared Spectroscopy (IR), Stern-Volmer plots, and Density Functional Theory (DFT) computations. Additionally, the sensor BMS was applied to monitor MnO4- in real water samples. Advancing its practical utility, BMS was fabricated into test strips for the selective detecting of MnO4-.

Nrf2 expression, mitochondrial fission, and neuronal apoptosis in the prefrontal cortex of methamphetamine abusers and rats.

Methamphetamine (MA), a representative amphetamine-type stimulant, is one of the most abused drugs worldwide. Studies have shown that MA-induced neurotoxicity is strongly associated with oxidative stress and apoptosis. While nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), an antioxidant transcription factor, is known to exert neuroprotective effects, its role in MA-induced dopaminergic neuronal apoptosis remains incompletely understood. In the present study, we explored the effects of MA on the expression levels of Nrf2, dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1), mitofusin 1 (Mfn1), cytochrome c oxidase (Cyt-c), and cysteine aspartate-specific protease 3 (Caspase 3), as well as the correlations between Nrf2 and mitochondrial dynamics and apoptosis. Brain tissue from MA abusers was collected during autopsy procedures. An MA-dependent rat model was also established by intraperitoneal administration of MA (10 mg/kg daily) for 28 consecutive days, followed by conditioned place preference (CPP) testing. Based on immunohistochemical staining and western blot analysis, the protein expression levels of Nrf2 and Mfn1 showed a decreasing trend, while levels of Drp1, Cyt-c, and Caspase 3 showed an increasing trend in the cerebral prefrontal cortex of both MA abusers and MA-dependent rats. Notably, the expression of Nrf2 was positively associated with the expression of Mfn1, but negatively associated with the expression levels of Drp1, Cyt-c, and Caspase 3. These findings suggest that oxidative stress and mitochondrial fission contribute to neuronal apoptosis, with Nrf2 potentially playing a critical role in MA-induced neurotoxicity.

Engineering marine phospholipid nanoliposomes via glycerol-infused proliposomes: Mechanisms, strategies, and versatile applications in scalable food-grade nanoliposome production.

This study presents a novel approach using polyol-based proliposome to produce marine phospholipids nanoliposomes. Proliposomes were formulated by blending glycerol with phospholipids across varying mass ratios (2:1 to 1:10) at room temperature. Analysis employing polarized light microscopy, FTIR, and DSC revealed that glycerol disrupted the stacked acyl groups within phospholipids, lowering the phase transition temperature (Tm). Krill oil phospholipids (KOP) proliposomes exhibited superior performance in nanoliposomes formation, with a mean diameter of 125.60 ± 3.97 nm, attributed to the decreased Tm (-7.64 and 7.00 °C) compared to soybean phospholipids, along with a correspondingly higher absolute zeta potential (-39.77 ± 1.18 mV). The resulting KOP proliposomes demonstrated liposomes formation stability over six months and under various environmental stresses (dilution, thermal, ionic strength, pH), coupled with in vitro absorption exceeding 90 %. This investigation elucidates the mechanism behind glycerol-formulated proliposomes and proposes innovative strategies for scalable, solvent-free nanoliposome production with implications for functional foods and pharmaceutical applications.

Cerebral endothelial cells mediated enhancement of brain pericyte number and migration in oxygen-glucose deprivation involves the HIF-1α/PDGF-ß signaling.

The present study focused on whether hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1α) and platelet-derived factor-beta (PDGF-ß) are involved in the crosstalk between brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs) and brain vascular pericytes (BVPs) under ischaemic-hypoxic conditions. Mono-cultures or co-cultures of BVPs and BMECs were made for the construction of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) model in vitro and then exposed to control and oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) conditions. BBB injury was determined by assessing the ability, apoptosis, and migration of BVPs and the transendothelial electrical resistance and horseradish peroxidase permeation of BMECs. Relative mRNA and protein levels of HIF-1α and PDGF-ß, as well as tight junction proteins ZO-1 and claudin-5 were analyzed by western blotting, reverse transcription quantitative PCR, and/or immunofluorescence staining. Dual-luciferase reporter assays assessed the relationship between PDGF-ß and HIF-1α. Co-culturing with BMECs alleviated OGD-induced reduction in BVP viability, elevation in BVP apoptosis, and repression in BVP migration. Co-culturing with BVPs protected against OGD-induced impairment on BMEC permeability. OGD-induced HIF-1α upregulation enhanced PDGF-ß expression in mono-cultured BMECs and co-cultured BMECs with BVPs. Knockdown of HIF-1α impaired the effect of BMECs on BVPs under OGD conditions, and PDGFR-ß silencing in BVPs blocked the crosstalk between BMECs and BVPs under OGD conditions. The crosstalk between BMECs and BVPs was implicated in OGD-induced BBB injury through the HIF-1α/PDGF-ß signaling.

Six unprecedented 2-(2-phenethyl)chromone dimers from agarwood of Aquilaria filaria.

Six new dimeric 2-(2-phenylethyl)chromones (1-6) were successfully isolated from the ethanol extract of agarwood of Aquilaria filaria from Philippines under HPLC-MS guidance. Compounds 1-6 are all dimers formed by linking 5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-2-(2-phenylethyl)chromone and flindersia 2-(2-phenylethyl)chromone via a single ether bond, and the linkage site (C5-O-C8'') of compound 2 is extremely rare. A variety of spectroscopic methods were used to ascertain their structures, including extensive 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic analysis, HRESIMS, and comparison with literature. The in vitro tyrosinase inhibitory and anti-inflammatory activities of each isolate were assessed. Among these compounds, compound 2 had a tyrosinase inhibition effect with an IC50 value of 27.71 ± 2.60 µM, and compound 4 exhibited moderate inhibition of nitric oxide production in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW264.7 cells with an IC50 value of 35.40 ± 1.04 µM.

An unusual highly sensitive dual-channel bis(salamo)-like chemical probe for recognizing B4O72-, sensing mechanism, theoretical calculations and practical applications.

A bis(salamo)-like chemical sensor H3L ((1E,3E)-2-hydroxy-5-methylisophthalaldehyde O,O -di(3-((((E)-(2-hydroxynaphthalen-1-yl)methylene)amino)oxy)propyl) dioxime) was constructed. H3L is capable of recognizing B4O72- in H2O/DMF (1:9, v/v) solution by both fluorescent and colorimetric channels, bright green fluorescence was turned on when B4O72- was added to H3L and changed from colorless to yellow in natural light. The detection limit was 3.21 × 10-8 M. The identification has good anti-interfering ability, quickly responsive time (5 S) and broad pH detecting range (pH = 5-12). The mechanism of action was determined by 1H NMR titration, infrared spectrometry, HRMS spectra and further elucidated by theory calculations. The fluorescence imaging of bean sprouts and spiked recovery assays of actual water samples demonstrated the practical use of sensor H3L for the detection of B4O72-, which is expected to have applications for the detection of B4O72- in plants and the environment.

Three-dimensional finite element analysis on stress distribution after different palatoplasty and levator veli palatini muscle reconstruction.

OBJECTIVES: To establish a three-dimensional finite element model of the upper palate, pharyngeal cavity, and levator veli palatini muscle in patients with unilateral complete cleft palate, simulate two surgical procedures that the two-flap method and Furlow reverse double Z method, observe the stress distribution of the upper palate soft tissue and changes in pharyngeal cavity area after different surgical methods, and verify the accuracy of the model by reconstructing and measuring the levator veli palatini muscle. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Mimics, Geomagic, Ansys, and Hypermesh were applied to establish three-dimensional finite element models of the pharyngeal cavity, upper palate, and levator veli palatini muscle in patients with unilateral complete cleft palate. The parameters including length, angle, and cross-sectional area of the levator veli palatini muscle etc. were measured in Mimics, and two surgical procedures that two-flap method and Furlow reverse double Z method were simulated in Ansys, and the area of pharyngeal cavity was measured by hypermesh. RESULTS: A three-dimensional finite element model of the upper palate, pharyngeal cavity, and bilateral levator veli palatini muscle was established in patients with unilateral complete cleft palate ; The concept of horizontal projection characteristics of the palatal dome was applied to the finite element simulation of cleft palate surgery, vividly simulating the displacement and elastic stretching of the two flap method and Furlow reverse double Z method during the surgical process; The areas with the highest stress in the two-flap method and Furlow reverse double Z method both occur in the hard soft palate junction area; In resting state, as measured, the two flap method can narrow the pharyngeal cavity area by 50.9%, while the Furlow reverse double Z method can narrow the pharyngeal cavity area by 65.4%; The measurement results of the levator veli palatini muscle showed no significant difference compared to previous studies, confirming the accuracy of the model. CONCLUSIONS: The finite element method was used to establish a model to simulate the surgical procedure, which is effective and reliable. The area with the highest postoperative stress for both methods is the hard soft palate junction area, and the stress of the Furlow reverse double Z method is lower than that of the two-flap method. The anatomical conditions of pharyngeal cavity of Furlow reverse double Z method are better than that of two-flap method in the resting state. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This article uses three-dimensional finite element method to simulate the commonly used two-flap method and Furlow reverse double Z method in clinical cleft palate surgery, and analyzes the stress distribution characteristics and changes in pharyngeal cavity area of the two surgical methods, in order to provide a theoretical basis for the surgeon to choose the surgical method and reduce the occurrence of complications.

Rice straw ash and amphibian health: A deep dive into microbiota changes and potential ecological consequences.

Rice straw is burned as a result of agricultural practices and technical limitations, generating significant volumes of ash that might have environmental and ecological consequences; however, the effects on organisms have not been researched. Amphibians depend on their gut and skin microbiomes. Ash exposure may cause inflammation and changes in microbial diversity and function in frogs' skin and gut microbiota due to its chemical composition and physical presence, but the implications remain unclear. Rana dybowskii were exposed to five aqueous extracts of ashes (AEA) concentrations for 30 days to study survival, metal concentrations, and microbial diversity, analyzing the microbiota of the cutaneous and gut microbiota using Illumina sequencing. Dominant elements in ash: K > Ca > Mg > Na > Al > Fe. In AEA, K > Na > Ca > Mg > As > Cu. Increased AEA concentrations significantly reduced frog survival. Skin microbiota alpha diversity varied significantly among all treatment groups, but not gut microbiota. Skin microbiota differed significantly across treatments via Bray-Curtis and weighted UniFrac; gut microbiota was only affected by Bray-Curtis. Skin microbiota varied significantly with AEA levels in Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria, and Firmicutes, while the gut microbiota's dominant phyla, Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, and Proteobacteria, remained consistent across all groups. Lastly, the functional prediction showed that the skin microbiota had big differences in how it worked and looked, which were linked to different health and environmental adaptation pathways. The gut microbiota, on the other hand, had smaller differences. In conclusion, AEA exposure affects R. dybowskii survival and skin microbiota diversity, indicating potential health and ecological impacts, with less effect on gut microbiota.

Deep-Learning Density Functional Perturbation Theory.

Calculating perturbation response properties of materials from first principles provides a vital link between theory and experiment, but is bottlenecked by the high computational cost. Here, a general framework is proposed to perform density functional perturbation theory (DFPT) calculations by neural networks, greatly improving the computational efficiency. Automatic differentiation is applied on neural networks, facilitating accurate computation of derivatives. High efficiency and good accuracy of the approach are demonstrated by studying electron-phonon coupling and related physical quantities. This work brings deep-learning density functional theory and DFPT into a unified framework, creating opportunities for developing ab initio artificial intelligence.