RAD18 O-GlcNAcylation promotes translesion DNA synthesis and homologous recombination repair.

RAD18, an important ubiquitin E3 ligase, plays a dual role in translesion DNA synthesis (TLS) and homologous recombination (HR) repair. However, whether and how the regulatory mechanism of O-linked N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) modification governing RAD18 and its function during these processes remains unknown. Here, we report that human RAD18, can undergo O-GlcNAcylation at Ser130/Ser164/Thr468, which is important for optimal RAD18 accumulation at DNA damage sites. Mechanistically, abrogation of RAD18 O-GlcNAcylation limits CDC7-dependent RAD18 Ser434 phosphorylation, which in turn significantly reduces damage-induced PCNA monoubiquitination, impairs Polη focus formation and enhances UV sensitivity. Moreover, the ubiquitin and RAD51C binding ability of RAD18 at DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) is O-GlcNAcylation-dependent. O-GlcNAcylated RAD18 promotes the binding of RAD51 to damaged DNA during HR and decreases CPT hypersensitivity. Our findings demonstrate a novel role of RAD18 O-GlcNAcylation in TLS and HR regulation, establishing a new rationale to improve chemotherapeutic treatment.

Combined multi-omics approach to analyze the flavor characteristics and formation mechanism of gabaron green tea.

Gabaron green tea (GAGT) has unique flavor and health benefits through the special anaerobic treatment. However, how this composite processing affects the aroma formation of GAGT and the regulatory mechanism was rarely reported. This study used nontargeted metabolomics and molecular sensory science to overlay screen differential metabolites and key aroma contributors. The potential regulatory mechanism of anaerobic treatment on the aroma formation of GAGT was investigated by transcriptomics and correlation analyses. Five volatiles: benzeneacetaldehyde, nonanal, geraniol, linalool, and linalool oxide III, were screened as target metabolites. Through the transcriptional-level differential genes screening and analysis, some CsERF transcription factors in the ethylene signaling pathway were proposed might participate the response to the anaerobic treatment. They might regulate the expression of related genes in the metabolic pathway of the target metabolites thus affecting the GAGT flavor. The findings of this study provide novel information on the flavor and its formation of GAGT.

Configurational Entropy Strategy Enhanced Structure Stability Achieves Robust Cathode for Aluminum Batteries.

Rechargeable aluminum batteries (RABs) are an emerging energy storage device owing to the vast Al resources, low cost, and high safety. However, the poor cyclability and inferior reversible capacity of cathode materials have limited the enhancement of RABs performance. Herein, a high configurational entropy strategy is presented to improve the electrochemical properties of RABs for the first time. The high-entropy (Fe, Mn, Ni, Zn, Mg)3 O4 cathode exhibits an ultra-stable cycling ability (109 mAh g-1 after 3000 cycles), high specific capacity (268 mAh g-1 at 0.5 A g-1 ), and rapid ion diffusion. Ex situ characterizations indicate that the operational mechanism of (Fe, Mn, Ni, Zn, Mg)3 O4 cathode is mainly based on the redox process of Fe, Mn, and Ni. Theoretical calculations demonstrate that the oxygen vacancies make a positive contribution to adjusting the distribution of electronic states, which is crucial for enhancing the reaction kinetics at the electrolyte and cathode interface. These findings not only propose a promising cathode material for RABs, but also provide the first elucidation of the operational mechanism and intrinsic information of high-entropy electrodes in multivalent ion batteries.

Sustainable Coating Based on Zwitterionic Functionalized Polyurushiol with Antifouling and Antibacterial Properties.

Zwitterionic polymer coatings facilitate the formation of hydration layers via electrostatic interactions on their surfaces and have demonstrated efficacy in preventing biofouling. They have emerged as a promising class of marine antifouling materials. However, designing multifunctional, environmentally friendly, and natural products-derived zwitterionic polymer coatings that simultaneously resist biofouling, inhibit protein adhesion, exhibit strong antibacterial properties, and reduce algal adhesion is a significant challenge. This study employed two diisocyanates as crosslinkers and natural urushiol and ethanolamine as raw materials. The coupling reaction of diisocyanates with hydroxyl groups was employed to synthesize urushiol-based precursors. Subsequently, sulfobetaine moieties were introduced into the urushiol-based precursors, developing two environmentally friendly and high-performance zwitterionic-functionalized polyurushiol antifouling coatings, denoted as HUDM-SB and IPUDM-SB. The sulfobetaine-functionalized polyurushiol coating exhibited significantly enhanced hydrophilicity, with the static water contact angle reduced to less than 60°, and demonstrated excellent resistance to protein adhesion. IPUDM-SB exhibited antibacterial efficacy up to 99.9% against common Gram-negative bacteria (E. coli and V. alginolyticus) and Gram-positive bacteria (S. aureus and Bacillus. sp.). HUDM-SB achieved antibacterial efficacy exceeding 95.0% against four bacterial species. Furthermore, the sulfobetaine moieties on the surfaces of the IPUDM-SB and HUDM-SB coatings effectively inhibited the growth and reproduction of algal cells by preventing microalgae adhesion. This zwitterionic-functionalized polyurushiol coating does not contain antifouling agents, making it a green, environmentally friendly, and high-performance biomaterial-based solution for marine antifouling.

Tannic Acid-Induced Gelation of Aqueous Suspensions of Cellulose Nanocrystals.

Nanocellulose hydrogels are a crucial category of soft biomaterials with versatile applications in tissue engineering, artificial extracellular matrices, and drug-delivery systems. In the present work, a simple and novel method, involving the self-assembly of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) induced by tannic acid (TA), was developed to construct a stable hydrogel (SH-CNC/TA) with oriented porous network structures. The gelation process is driven by the H-bonding interaction between the hydroxyl groups of CNCs and the catechol groups of TA, as substantiated by the atoms in molecules topology analysis and FTIR spectra. Interestingly, the assembled hydrogels exhibited a tunable hierarchical porous structure and mechanical moduli by varying the mass ratio of CNCs to TA. Furthermore, these hydrogels also demonstrate rapid self-healing ability due to the dynamic nature of the H-bond. Additionally, the structural stability of the SH-CNC/TA hydrogel could be further enhanced and adjusted by introducing coordination bonding between metal cations and TA. This H-bonding driven self-assembly method may promote the development of smart cellulose hydrogels with unique microstructures and properties for biomedical and other applications.

Efficacy and safety of ERCP in patients with situs inversus totalis: multicenter case series and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in patients with situs inversus totalis (SIT) is rarely understood due to its rarity. Patient position and endoscope manipulation were the main concerns in published case reports. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of ERCP in SIT patients. METHODS: Patients with SIT who underwent ERCP were enrolled in nine endoscopic centers in China. ERCP procedural details and complications in SIT patients were retrieved from electronic medical record. The data was retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: From 2011 to 2021, totally 14 patients with SIT undergoing ERCP were identified. The mean age was 56.8 years old and the male-female ratio was 5:2. The main indication for ERCP was common bile duct stones (13/14, 92.9%). All procedure were performed by experienced endoscopists. 21.4% (3/14) of patients were under regular position (prone), while 78.6% under modified position (supine, left or right lateral). Difficult cannulation was occurred in 71.4% (10/14) of patients. The rate of successful cannulation was 85.7% (12/14). Complication occurred in 3 patients (3/14, 21.4%), including 1 bleeding, 1 pneumonia and 1 acute myocardial infarction. No post-pancreatitis or death happened. Compared to patients in modified position, those in prone position had numerically less successful cannulations (66.7% vs. 90.9%) and higher adverse events (33.3% vs. 18.2%). CONCLUSIONS: ERCP in patient with SIT is challenging even for experienced endoscopists, modified patient positions might have potential benefits concerning more successful cannulations and less complications. More case experiences are need for comprehensive understanding of ERCP in patients with SIT.

Uniform Deposition of Li-Metal Anodes Guided by 3D Current Collectors with In Situ Modification of the Lithiophilic Matrix.

The lithium (Li)-metal anode is deemed as the "holy gray" of the next-generation Li-metal system because of its high theoretical specific capacity, minimal energy density, and lowest standard electrode potential. Nevertheless, its commercial application has been limited by the large volume variation during charge and discharge, the unstable interface between the Li metal and electrolyte, and uneven deposition of Li. Herein, we present a 3D host (Cu) with lithiophilic matrix (CuO and SnO2) in situ modification via a facile ammonia oxidation method to serve as a current collector for the Li-metal anode. The 3D Cu host embellished by CuO and SnO2 is abbreviated as 3D CSCC. By increasing interfacial activity, lowering the nucleation barrier, and accommodating changes in volume of the Li metal, the 3D CSCC electrode effectively demonstrates a homogeneous and dendrite-free deposition morphology with an excellent cycling performance up to 3000 h at a 1.0 mA cm-2 current density. Additionally, the full cells paired with Li@3D CSCC anodes and LiCoO2 cathodes show good capacity retention performance at 0.2 C.

Covalent immobilization of recombinant Citrobacter koseri transaminase onto epoxy resins for consecutive asymmetric synthesis of L-phosphinothricin.

Transaminase responsible for alienating prochiral ketone compound is applicable to asymmetric synthesis of herbicide L-phosphinothricin (L-PPT). In this work, the covalent immobilization of recombinant transaminase from Citrobacter koseri (CkTA) was investigated on different epoxy resins. Using optimum ES-105 support, a higher immobilized activity was obtained via optimizing immobilization process in terms of enzyme loading, coupling time and initial PLP concentration. Crucially, due to blocking unreacted epoxy groups on support surface with amino acids, the reaction temperature of blocked immobilized biocatalyst was enhanced from 37 to 57 °C. Its thermostability at 57 °C was also found to be superior to that of free CkTA. The Km value was shifted from 36.75 mM of free CkTA to 39.87 mM of blocked immobilized biocatalyst, demonstrating that the affinity of enzyme to the substrate has not been apparently altered. Accordingly, the biocatalyst performed the consecutive synthesis of L-PPT for 11 cycles (yields>91%) with retaining more than 91.13% of the initial activity. The seemingly the highest reusability demonstrates this biocatalyst has prospective for reducing the costs of consecutive synthesis of L-PPT with high conversion.

Application value of magnetic resonance hydrography of the inner ear in cochlear implantation.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the application value of magnetic resonance (MR) hydrography of the inner ear in cochlear implantation. METHODS: 146 patients were enrolled. MR hydrography and spiral CT examinations for the intracranial auditory canal were performed before surgery, and all imaging results were statistically analyzed in order to explore the application value of MR hydrography of the inner ear in cochlear implantation. RESULTS: 146 patients (292 ears) were examined. Among these patients, 13 were diagnosed with abnormal vestibular aqueducts (20 ears) by MR hydrography, while five were diagnosed with this disease by CT; 15 patients were diagnosed with inner ear malformation (19 ears) by MR hydrography, while 11 were diagnosed by CT (four were misdiagnosed); five patients were diagnosed with internal acoustic canal stenosis (eight ears) by MR hydrography, while two were diagnosed by CT (three were misdiagnosed); and four patients were diagnosed with cochlear fibrosis (five ears) by MR hydrography, while four were diagnosed by CT (four ears). The correct rate of diagnosis was 77.40% (113/146) based on CT, while the rate was 93.84% (137/146) based on MR hydrography. CONCLUSIONS: MR hydrography imaging technique can be applied to the preoperative evaluation of cochlear implantation, providing accurate and reliable anatomic information on the inner membranous labyrinth and nerves in the internal acoustic canal and an accurate basis for the diagnosis of cochlear fibrosis and nerve development. This has a guiding significance for the selection of treatment schemes.

Application value of magnetic resonance hydrography of the inner ear in cochlear implantation

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE This study aims to investigate the application value of magnetic resonance (MR) hydrography of the inner ear in cochlear implantation. METHODS 146 patients were enrolled. MR hydrography and spiral CT examinations for the intracranial auditory canal were performed before surgery, and all imaging results were statistically analyzed in order to explore the application value of MR hydrography of the inner ear in cochlear implantation. RESULTS 146 patients (292 ears) were examined. Among these patients, 13 were diagnosed with abnormal vestibular aqueducts (20 ears) by MR hydrography, while five were diagnosed with this disease by CT; 15 patients were diagnosed with inner ear malformation (19 ears) by MR hydrography, while 11 were diagnosed by CT (four were misdiagnosed); five patients were diagnosed with internal acoustic canal stenosis (eight ears) by MR hydrography, while two were diagnosed by CT (three were misdiagnosed); and four patients were diagnosed with cochlear fibrosis (five ears) by MR hydrography, while four were diagnosed by CT (four ears). The correct rate of diagnosis was 77.40% (113/146) based on CT, while the rate was 93.84% (137/146) based on MR hydrography. CONCLUSIONS MR hydrography imaging technique can be applied to the preoperative evaluation of cochlear implantation, providing accurate and reliable anatomic information on the inner membranous labyrinth and nerves in the internal acoustic canal and an accurate basis for the diagnosis of cochlear fibrosis and nerve development. This has a guiding significance for the selection of treatment schemes.

RESUMO OBJETIVO Este estudo visa investigar o valor da aplicação da hidrografia por ressonância magnética (RM) do ouvido interno no implante coclear. MÉTODOS Cento e quarenta e seis pacientes foram inscritos. Os exames da hidrografia por RM e do CT espiral para o canal auditivo intracraniano foram executados antes da cirurgia, e todos os resultados da imagem foram analisados estatisticamente, a fim de explorar o valor da aplicação da hidrografia por RM do ouvido interno no implante coclear. RESULTADOS Centro e quarenta e seis pacientes (292 ouvidos) foram examinados. Dentre esses pacientes, 13 foram diagnosticados com aquedutos vestibulares anormais (20 ouvidos) pela hidrografia por RM, enquanto cinco pacientes foram diagnosticados com esta doença pelo CT; 15 pacientes foram diagnosticados com malformação do ouvido interno (19 ouvidos) pela hidrografia por RM, enquanto 11 pacientes foram diagnosticados por CT (quatro foram diagnosticados erroneamente); cinco pacientes foram diagnosticados com estenose de canal acústico interno (oito ouvidos) pela hidrografia por RM, enquanto dois pacientes foram diagnosticados por CT (três foram diagnosticados erroneamente); e quatro pacientes foram diagnosticados com fibrose coclear (cinco ouvidos) pela hidrografia por RM, enquanto quatro foram diagnosticados por CT (quatro ouvidos). A taxa correta de diagnóstico foi de 77,40% (113/146) com base no CT, enquanto a taxa foi de 93,84% (137/146) com base na hidrografia por RM. CONCLUSÕES A técnica de imagem da hidrografia por RM pode ser aplicada à avaliação pré-operatória do implante coclear, que pode fornecer informações anatômicas precisas e confiáveis sobre o labirinto membranoso interno e os nervos no canal acústico interno, além de uma base exata para o diagnóstico da fibrose coclear e do desenvolvimento do nervo. Isso tem um significado orientador para a seleção de esquemas de tratamento.

Use of Planning Training Courses and Activities to Enhance the Understanding of Eco-Community Planning Concepts in Participatory Planning Workshop Participants: A Case Study in Taiwan.

In recent years, in order to make community planning content closer to people's life needs and psychological expectations, and to obtain the support of the people, "citizen participatory planning" and "community-engagement" have become two important strategies of the community planning process. In this study, an indigenous people participatory planning workshop was conducted with the support of government funds, and pre-training and post-training questionnaires were completed by the participants of the planning training of the citizen participation planning. Through questionnaire analysis, this study obtained data of the participants' cognitive status related to community planning and analyzed the basic background of the participants in order to determine the effectiveness of the planning training. According to the results of this study, most of the participating citizens had a basic understanding of the "community environment", "the relationship between ecological knowledge and community planning", and "community identity" before the training. Moreover, the research results also confirm that planning training can effectively enhance participants' understanding of community planning, spatial planning, planning tools, planning laws, and the environment of the community. Additionally, planning training also contributes to the implementation of participatory decision-making and the promotion of public support for planning content. However, it is necessary to obtain a more comprehensive understanding of the needs of participants, and to make appropriate adjustments to the planning training courses and activities in order to obtain stable training effectiveness and build the basic ability of citizens with respect to participatory planning.

RNA-splicing factor SART3 regulates translesion DNA synthesis.

Translesion DNA synthesis (TLS) is one mode of DNA damage tolerance that uses specialized DNA polymerases to replicate damaged DNA. DNA polymerase η (Polη) is well known to facilitate TLS across ultraviolet (UV) irradiation and mutations in POLH are implicated in skin carcinogenesis. However, the basis for recruitment of Polη to stalled replication forks is not completely understood. In this study, we used an affinity purification approach to isolate a Polη-containing complex and have identified SART3, a pre-mRNA splicing factor, as a critical regulator to modulate the recruitment of Polη and its partner RAD18 after UV exposure. We show that SART3 interacts with Polη and RAD18 via its C-terminus. Moreover, SART3 can form homodimers to promote the Polη/RAD18 interaction and PCNA monoubiquitination, a key event in TLS. Depletion of SART3 also impairs UV-induced single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) generation and RPA focus formation, resulting in an impaired Polη recruitment and a higher mutation frequency and hypersensitivity after UV treatment. Notably, we found that several SART3 missense mutations in cancer samples lessen its stimulatory effect on PCNA monoubiquitination. Collectively, our findings establish SART3 as a novel Polη/RAD18 association regulator that protects cells from UV-induced DNA damage, which functions in a RNA binding-independent fashion.

Polη O-GlcNAcylation governs genome integrity during translesion DNA synthesis.

DNA polymerase η (Polη) facilitates translesion DNA synthesis (TLS) across ultraviolet (UV) irradiation- and cisplatin-induced DNA lesions implicated in skin carcinogenesis and chemoresistant phenotype formation, respectively. However, whether post-translational modifications of Polη are involved in these processes remains largely unknown. Here, we reported that human Polη undergoes O-GlcNAcylation at threonine 457 by O-GlcNAc transferase upon DNA damage. Abrogation of this modification results in a reduced level of CRL4CDT2-dependent Polη polyubiquitination at lysine 462, a delayed p97-dependent removal of Polη from replication forks, and significantly enhanced UV-induced mutagenesis even though Polη focus formation and its efficacy to bypass across cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers after UV irradiation are not affected. Furthermore, the O-GlcNAc-deficient T457A mutation impairs TLS to bypass across cisplatin-induced lesions, causing increased cellular sensitivity to cisplatin. Our findings demonstrate a novel role of Polη O-GlcNAcylation in TLS regulation and genome stability maintenance and establish a new rationale to improve chemotherapeutic treatment.

Using ultra-sensitive next generation sequencing to dissect DNA damage-induced mutagenesis.

Next generation sequencing (NGS) technologies have dramatically improved studies in biology and biomedical science. However, no optimal NGS approach is available to conveniently analyze low frequency mutations caused by DNA damage treatments. Here, by developing an exquisite ultra-sensitive NGS (USNGS) platform "EasyMF" and incorporating it with a widely used supF shuttle vector-based mutagenesis system, we can conveniently dissect roles of lesion bypass polymerases in damage-induced mutagenesis. In this improved mutagenesis analysis pipeline, the initial steps are the same as in the supF mutation assay, involving damaging the pSP189 plasmid followed by its transfection into human 293T cells to allow replication to occur. Then "EasyMF" is employed to replace downstream MBM7070 bacterial transformation and other steps for analyzing damage-induced mutation frequencies and spectra. This pipeline was validated by using UV damaged plasmid after its replication in lesion bypass polymerase-deficient 293T cells. The increased throughput and reduced cost of this system will allow us to conveniently screen regulators of translesion DNA synthesis pathway and monitor environmental genotoxic substances, which can ultimately provide insight into the mechanisms of genome stability and mutagenesis.

CD4+ T cell responses in Balb/c mice with food allergy induced by trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid and ovalbumin.

The rapid increase in atopic diseases is potentially linked to increased hapten exposure, however, the role of haptens in the pathogenesis of food allergy remains unknown. Further studies are required to elucidate the cluster of differentiation 4 positive (CD4+) T cell response to food allergy induced by haptens. Dendritic cells were primed by trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) as a hapten or ovalbumin (OVA) as a model antigen, in a cell culture model. BALB/c mice were sensitized using TNBS and/or OVA. Intestinal Th1/Th2 cell and ovalbumin specific CD4+ T cells proliferation, intestinal cytokines (interleukin­4 and interferon­Î³) in CD4+ T cells were evaluated. TNBS increased the expression of T cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain­4 and tumor necrosis factor ligand superfamily member 4 in dendritic cells. Skewed Th2 cell polarization, extensive expression of interleukin­4, reduced expression of interferon­Î³ and forkhead box protein P3 were elicited following concomitant exposure to TNBS and OVA, with reduced regulatory T cells in the mouse intestinal mucosa, whereas a Th1 response was detected when challenged by TNBS or OVA alone. This data suggests that TNBS, as a hapten, combined with food antigens may lead to a Th2 cell response in the intestinal mucosa.

Changes of immunocytic phenotypes and functions from human colorectal adenomatous stage to cancerous stage: Update.

It is believed that chronic inflammation as seen in patients with ulcerative colitis significantly increases the colorectal cancer (CRC) risk and functions as the main driving force for the development of colitis associated CRC. Recently, increasing evidences suggest that inflammation is also involved in the processing of sporadic CRCs that mostly develop from the preformed adenomas through a long-term progression. Within the adenoma/CRC tumor microenvironment, high dense immunocytes with significant phenotypic and functional changes have been observed. These cells might produce high level of inflammatory mediators and then affect the adenoma-cancer transition. In this review, we summarize the update on altered phenotypes and inflammatory mediators within the tumor microenvironment from the adenomatous stage to the cancerous stage, and discuss the significance of inflammatory mediators as biomarkers in predicating the progression from the premalignant adenoma lesion to the sporadic CRC lesion and the potential as therapeutic targets.

KAP-1 is overexpressed and correlates with increased metastatic ability and tumorigenicity in pancreatic cancer.

This study aimed to investigate the role in metastasis and prognostic value of KAP-1 in pancreatic cancer (PC). The expression of KAP-1 was analyzed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting, and immunohistochemical staining in 91 human PC tissue samples. Capan-2 cells were transfected with a lentiviral vector expressing KAP-1 (Capan-2/KAP-1) or the empty vector (Capan-2/vector); cell migration and invasion were assayed in vitro using Transwell migration and wound-healing assays, and in vivo using a xenograft model in nude mice. KAP-1 was found to be overexpressed in human PC, and the expression of KAP-1 correlated with clinical stage. Overexpression of KAP-1 increased the invasion and migration of Capan-2 cells in vitro. Furthermore, overexpression of KAP-1 promoted the growth and metastatic ability of PC cells in a xenograft model in nude mice. Moreover, overexpression of KAP-1 induced the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in PC cells both in vitro and in vivo, as indicated by increased expression of mesenchymal markers such as vimentin and decreased expression of E-cadherin. This study indicates that KAP-1 may promote metastasis in PC by regulating the EMT and suggests that KAP-1 may have potential as a predictor of metastasis in patients with pancreatic cancer.

[Study on specificity of acupuncture effect of Shenmen (HT 7) and Daling (PC 7)].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of acupunture at Shenmen (HT 7) and Daling (PC 7) on different cerebral functional regions by Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), and discuss the relative specificity of effect of these two acupoints. METHODS: Ten healthy right-handed volunteers were enrolled in this research. Under the scan of fMRI with the pattern of "rest-stimulation-rest-stimulation-rest", acupuncture stimulation was given at Shenmen (HT 7) and Daling (PC 7) on the right side, and all the data were analyzed with Matlab software and SPM5 package to observe the activated cerebral regions. RESULTS: The activated brodmann areas by acupuncture at Shenmen (HT 7) were mainly BA10 BA13, BA47, BA22 on the left side and BA40 BA44 on the right side, while the activated areas by acupunoture at Daling (PC7) were BA46, BA47, BA22 BA10. BA45 on the left side and BA44 BA9, BA6. BA40 on the right side. CONCLUSION: The activated cerebral functional regions of acupuncture stimulation at Shenmen (HT 7) and Daling (PC 7) are not exactly the same, which indicates that the acupuncture effects of the two acupoints are specific. With the same activated areas of language and cognitive function, the Shenmen (HT 7) specializes in emotion control while the Daling (PC 7) could active the autonomic nerve function area.

Passenger thermal perceptions, thermal comfort requirements, and adaptations in short- and long-haul vehicles.

While thermal comfort in mass transportation vehicles is relevant to service quality and energy consumption, benchmarks for such comfort that reflect the thermal adaptations of passengers are currently lacking. This study reports a field experiment involving simultaneous physical measurements and a questionnaire survey, collecting data from 2,129 respondents, that evaluated thermal comfort in short- and long-haul buses and trains. Experimental results indicate that high air temperature, strong solar radiation, and low air movement explain why passengers feel thermally uncomfortable. The overall insulation of clothing worn by passengers and thermal adaptive behaviour in vehicles differ from those in their living and working spaces. Passengers in short-haul vehicles habitually adjust the air outlets to increase thermal comfort, while passengers in long-haul vehicles prefer to draw the drapes to reduce discomfort from extended exposure to solar radiation. The neutral temperatures for short- and long-haul vehicles are 26.2 degrees C and 27.4 degrees C, while the comfort zones are 22.4-28.9 degrees C and 22.4-30.1 degrees C, respectively. The results of this study provide a valuable reference for practitioners involved in determining the adequate control and management of in-vehicle thermal environments, as well as facilitating design of buses and trains, ultimately contributing to efforts to achieve a balance between the thermal comfort satisfaction of passengers and energy conserving measures for air-conditioning in mass transportation vehicles.