A study on the correlation between physical fitness index and executive function in Chinese adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the relationship between physical fitness index and executive function in Chinese adolescents, and to provide a reference for improving the development of executive function in Chinese adolescents. METHODS: From September to December 2023, 5336 adolescents aged 13 to 18 years were selected by stratified whole cluster random sampling method in six regions of China for physical fitness and executive function tests. The relationship between adolescent physical fitness index and executive function was analyzed using t-test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation, and logistic regression. RESULTS: The correlation coefficients between adolescents' physical fitness index and inhibitory control reaction time were all 0.00094, p > 0.05; the correlation coefficients between adolescents' physical fitness index and working memory (1-back, 2-back) reaction time were -0.13 and -0.093, respectively, p < .05; the correlation coefficients between adolescents' physical fitness index and cognitive flexibility reaction time were -0.17 and -0.18, p < .05. Logistic regression analyses showed that 1-back, 2-back, and cognitive flexibility were significantly and positively correlated with physical fitness index in Models 1, 2, and 3 (all p values less than.01). The coefficients of inhibitory control were not significant in all three models (p > .05), and there was no significant relationship with physical fitness index. CONCLUSION: The physical fitness index of Chinese adolescents has a significant positive correlation with working memory and cognitive flexibility, but not with inhibitory control, i.e. the higher the physical fitness index, the better the working memory and cognitive flexibility.

An Experimental Study on the Influence of Different Cooling Methods on the Mechanical Properties of PVA Fiber-Reinforced High-Strength Concrete after High-Temperature Action.

High-strength concrete (HSC) has a high compressive strength, high density, excellent durability, and seepage resistance, but its deformation ability is weak. Adding fibers can improve the physical and mechanical properties of HSC. Additionally, the HSC structure may face the threat of fire. In the process of fire extinguishing, the damage mechanism of high-temperature-resistant concrete is complicated due to the different contact conditions with water at different locations. Hence, it is essential to conduct pertinent research on the behavior of fiber-reinforced HSC with different cooling methods after high-temperature action. In this paper, polyvinyl alcohol fiber (PVA fiber) was selected to be added into the HSC to carry out high-temperature experimental research, so as to explore the apparent changes, failure pattern, and mass loss rate of the fiber-reinforced HSC using different cooling methods and analyze the influence of its residual compressive strength and flexural strength. The test results suggest that, with the increase in heating temperature, the color of the specimen's surface transitions from dark blue-gray to white, and the quantity of surface cracks on the specimen gradually rises. The mechanical strength gradually decreases as the heating temperature increases. At a consistent heating temperature, the mechanical strength initially rises, and then falls with an increase in fiber content. The maximum compressive strength and flexural strength were achieved at PVA fiber contents of 0.2% and 0.3%, respectively. For different temperatures and fiber contents, the mechanical strength after natural cooling is generally higher than that after immersion cooling. In addition, X-ray polycrystalline diffractometry (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) tests were conducted to analyze the compositional alterations and microstructure of the fiber-reinforced HSC following high-temperature exposure, accompanied by an explanation of the factors influencing the alterations in the physical and mechanical properties. Therefore, the findings of this study can serve as a valuable reference for the utilization of HSC in engineering structures and contribute to the advancement of HSC technology.

Integrative genomic analysis reveals cancer-associated mutations in patients with ophthalmic tumors.

OBJECTIVE: Apart from the role of the retinoblastoma gene, the genomic events associated with poor outcomes in patients with ophthalmic tumors are poorly understood. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 48 patients with six types of ophthalmic tumors. We searched for high-frequency mutated genes and susceptibility genes in these patients using combined exome and transcriptome analysis. RESULTS: We identified four clearly causative genes (TP53, PTCH1, SMO, BAP1). Susceptibility gene analysis identified hotspot genes, including RUNX1, APC, IDH2, and BRCA2, and high-frequency gene analysis identified several genes, including TP53, TTN, and MUC16. Transcriptome analysis identified 5868 differentially expressed genes, of which TOP2A and ZWINT were upregulated in all samples, while CFD, ELANE, HBA1, and HBB were downregulated. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analysis indicated that the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)-Akt and Transcriptional misregulation in cancer signaling pathways may be involved in ophthalmic tumorigenesis. CONCLUSIONS: TP53 is clearly involved in ophthalmic tumorigenesis, especially in basal cell carcinoma, and the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway may be an essential pathway involved in ophthalmic tumorigenesis. RUNX1, SMO, TOP2A, and ZWINT are also highly likely to be involved in ophthalmic tumorigenesis, but further functional experiments are needed to verify the mechanisms of these genes in regulating tumorigenesis.

Realm of hepatitis E: Challenges and opportunities.

Hepatitis E virus (HEV), responsible for widespread viral hepatitis, infects approximately 2.3 billion individuals globally, with a significant mortality burden in Asia. The virus, primarily transmitted through contaminated water and undercooked meat, is often underdiagnosed, particularly in immunocompromised patients. Current HEV treatments, while effective, are limited by adverse effects, necessitating research into safer alternatives. Moreover, HEV's extrahepatic manifestations, impacting the nervous and renal systems, remain poorly understood. This study underscores the imperative for enhanced HEV research, improved diagnostic methods, and more effective treatments, coupled with increased public health awareness and preventive strategies.

Generating complex vectorial optical fields via surface lattice resonances.

Vectorial optical fields (VOFs) with extra degrees of freedom hold promise for many photonic applications. However, current methods to generate VOFs are either bulky in size or exhibit limited functionalities. Here, we demonstrate a tunable VOF generator by exciting plasmonic surface lattice resonances (SLRs) with axial symmetry. By meticulously arranging bilayer circular arrays with opposite handedness, we achieve a high Q-factor of 103 via just a few particles despite the general belief that too small array size suppresses the SLRs. This work presents tunable complex VOFs with distinct inhomogeneous spatial polarization distributions, which may enable various applications in integrated and polarization optics.

Comparative Field Evaluation and Transcriptome Analysis Reveals that Chromosome Doubling Enhances Sheath Blight Resistance in Rice.

Rice sheath blight, caused by Rhizoctonia solani Kihn (R. solani), poses a significant threat to rice production and quality. Autotetraploid rice, developed through chromosome doubling of diploid rice, holds great potential for enhancing biological and yield traits. However, its resistance to sheath blight in the field has remained unclear. In this study, the field resistance of 35 autotetraploid genotypes and corresponding diploids was evaluated across three environments from 2020 to 2021. The booting stage was optimal for inoculating period based on the inoculation and analysis of R. solani at five rice growth stages. We found autotetraploids generally exhibited lower disease scores than diploids, indicating enhanced resistance after chromosome doubling. Among the 35 genotypes, 16 (45.71%) displayed increased resistance, 2 (5.71%) showed decreased resistance, and 17 (48.57%) displayed unstable resistance in different sowing dates. All combinations of the genotype, environment and ploidy, including the genotype-environment-ploidy interaction, contributed significantly to field resistance. Chromosome doubling increased sheath blight resistance in most genotypes, but was also dependent on the genotype-environment interaction. To elucidate the enhanced resistance mechanism, RNA-seq revealed autotetraploid recruited more down-regulated differentially expressed genes (DEGs), additionally, more resistance-related DEGs, were down-regulated at 24 h post inoculation in autotetraploid versus diploid. The ubiquinone/terpenoid quinone and diterpenoid biosynthesis pathways may play key roles in ploidy-specific resistance mechanisms. In summary, our findings shed light on the understanding of sheath blight resistance mechanisms in autotetraploid rice.

Photoelectrochemical Solution Gated Graphene Field-Effect Transistor Functionalized by Enzymatic Cascade Reaction for Organophosphate Detection.

Solution Gated Graphene Field-Effect Transistors (SGGT) are eagerly anticipated as an amplification platform for fabricating advanced ultra-sensitive sensors, allowing significant modulation of the drain current with minimal gate voltage. However, few studies have focused on light-matter interplay gating control for SGGT. Herein, this challenge is addressed by creating an innovative photoelectrochemical solution-gated graphene field-effect transistor (PEC-SGGT) functionalized with enzyme cascade reactions (ECR) for Organophosphorus (OPs) detection. The ECR system, consisting of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and CuBTC nanomimetic enzymes, selectively recognizes OPs and forms o-phenylenediamine (oPD) oligomers sediment on the PEC electrode, with layer thickness related to the OPs concentration, demonstrating time-integrated amplification. Under light stimulation, the additional photovoltage generated on the PEC gate electrode is influenced by the oPD oligomers sediment layer, creating a differentiated voltage distribution along the gate path. PEC-SGGT, inherently equipped with built-in amplification circuits, sensitively captures gate voltage changes and delivers output with an impressive thousandfold current gain. The seamless integration of these three amplification modes in this advanced sensor allows a good linear range and highly sensitive detection of OPs, with a detection limit as low as 0.05 pm. This work provides a proof-of-concept for the feasibility of light-assisted functionalized gate-controlled PEC-SGGT for small molecule detection.

Septins function in exocytosis via physical interactions with the exocyst complex in fission yeast cytokinesis.

Septins can function as scaffolds for protein recruitment, membrane-bound diffusion barriers, or membrane curvature sensors. Septins are important for cytokinesis, but their exact roles are still obscure. In fission yeast, four septins (Spn1 to Spn4) accumulate at the rim of the division plane as rings. The octameric exocyst complex, which tethers exocytic vesicles to the plasma membrane, exhibits a similar localization and is essential for plasma membrane deposition during cytokinesis. Without septins, the exocyst spreads across the division plane but absent from the rim during septum formation. These results suggest that septins and the exocyst physically interact for proper localization. Indeed, we predicted six pairs of direct interactions between septin and exocyst subunits by AlphaFold2 ColabFold, most of them are confirmed by co-immunoprecipitation and yeast two-hybrid assays. Exocyst mislocalization results in mistargeting of secretory vesicles and their cargos, which leads to cell-separation delay in septin mutants. Our results indicate that septins guide the targeting of exocyst complex on the plasma membrane for vesicle tethering during cytokinesis through direct physical interactions.

IDH1-mutant metabolite D-2-hydroxyglutarate inhibits proliferation and sensitizes glioma to temozolomide via down-regulating ITGB4/PI3K/AKT.

The heterogeneous molecular subtypes of gliomas demonstrate varied responses to chemotherapy and distinct prognostic outcomes. Gliomas with Isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) mutation are associated with better outcomes and are more responsive to temozolomide (TMZ) compared to those without IDH1 mutation. IDH1-mutant gliomas elevate D-2-hydroxyglutarate (D-2HG) levels, with potential dual effects on tumor progression. Limited research has explored the potential anti-glioma effects of D-2HG in combination with TMZ. Clinical data from over 2500 glioma patients in our study confirms that those with IDH1 mutations exhibit enhanced responsiveness to TMZ chemotherapy and a significantly better prognosis compared to IDH1 wild-type patients. In subsequent cellular experiments, we found that the IDH1-mutant metabolite D-2HG suppresses Integrin subunit beta 4 (ITGB4) expression, and down-regulate the phosphorylation levels of PI3K and AKT, ultimately inhibiting cell proliferation while promoting apoptosis, thereby improving glioma prognosis. Additionally, we have demonstrated the synergistic effect of D-2HG and TMZ in anti-glioma therapy involved inhibiting the proliferation of glioma cells and promoting apoptosis. Finally, by integrating data from the CGGA and TCGA databases, it was validated that ITGB4 expression was lower in IDH1-mutant gliomas, and patients with lower ITGB4 expression were associated with better prognosis. These findings indicate that ITGB4 may be a promising therapeutic target for gliomas and D-2HG inhibits proliferation and sensitizes glioma to temozolomide via down-regulating ITGB4/PI3K/AKT. These findings drive theoretical innovation and research progress in glioma therapy.

Exploring the therapeutic potential of Nelumbo nucifera leaf extract against amyloid-beta-induced toxicity in the Caenorhabditis elegans model of Alzheimer's disease.

Introduction: Alzheimer's disease (AD) represents a critical global health challenge with limited therapeutic options, prompting the exploration of alternative strategies. A key pathology in AD involves amyloid beta (Aß) aggregation, and targeting both Aß aggregation and oxidative stress is crucial for effective intervention. Natural compounds from medicinal and food sources have emerged as potential preventive and therapeutic agents, with Nelumbo nucifera leaf extract (NLE) showing promising properties. Methods: In this study, we utilized transgenic Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) models to investigate the potential of NLE in countering AD and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. Various assays were employed to assess paralysis rates, food-searching capabilities, Aß aggregate accumulation, oxidative stress, lifespan under stress conditions, and the expression of stress-resistance-related proteins. Additionally, autophagy induction was evaluated by measuring P62 levels and the formation of LGG-1+ structures, with RNAi-mediated inhibition of autophagy-related genes to confirm the mechanisms involved. Results: The results demonstrated that NLE significantly reduced paralysis rates in CL4176 and CL2006 worms while enhancing food-searching capabilities in CL2355 worms. NLE also attenuated Aß aggregate accumulation and mitigated Aß-induced oxidative stress in C. elegans. Furthermore, NLE extended the lifespan of worms under oxidative and thermal stress conditions, while concurrently increasing the expression of stress-resistance-related proteins, including SOD-3, GST-4, HSP-4, and HSP-6. Moreover, NLE induced autophagy in C. elegans, as evidenced by reduced P62 levels in BC12921 worms and the formation of LGG-1+ structures in DA2123 worms. The RNAi-mediated inhibition of autophagy-related genes, such as bec-1 and vps-34, negated the protective effects of NLE against Aß-induced paralysis and aggregate accumulation. Discussion: These findings suggest that NLE ameliorates Aß-induced toxicity by activating autophagy in C. elegans. The study underscores the potential of NLE as a promising candidate for further investigation in AD management, offering multifaceted approaches to mitigate AD-related pathology and stress-related challenges.

RBM15 Protects From Myocardial Infarction by Stabilizing NAE1.

RNA-binding proteins play multiple roles in several biological processes. However, the roles of RBM15-an important RNA-binding protein and a significant regulator of RNA methylation-in cardiovascular diseases remain elusive. This study aimed to investigate the biological function of RBM15 and its fundamental mechanisms in myocardial infarction (MI). Methylated RNA immunoprecipitation sequencing was used to explore the N6-methyladenosine (m6A) difference between MI and normal tissues. Our findings showed the elevated level of m6A in MI, and its transcription profile in both MI and normal tissues. RBM15 was the main regulator and its overexpression attenuated apoptosis in cardiomyocytes and improved cardiac function in mice after MI. Then, we used one target NEDD8 activating enzyme E1 subunit and its inhibitor (MLN4924) to investigate the impact of RBM15 targets on cardiomyocytes. Finally, the enhanced m6A methylation in the presence of RBM15 overexpression led to the increased expression and stability of NEDD8 activating enzyme E1 subunit. Our findings suggest that the enhanced m6A level is a protective mechanism in MI, and RBM15 is significantly upregulated in MI and promotes cardiac function. This study showed that RBM15 affected MI by stabilizing its target on the cell apoptosis function, which might provide a new insight into MI therapy.

Compact hard x-ray flash radiography device based on wire-shorted low-impedance rod pinch diode.

A rod pinch diode (RPD) is a feasible load configuration to generate a high-brightness, small-size hard x-ray radiation source. In this paper, the radiography performance of a wire-shorted low-impedance RPD on a compactly designed table-top driver (WRPD-1) is demonstrated for the first time. The driver consists of four high-power discharge branches connected in parallel, with each branch consisting of two metal-film capacitors and one multigap field-distortion switch in series. The four branches are triggered synchronously to generate a fast-rising current pulse: the inductance of the load section at the short circuit is ∼10 nH, and the short-circuit current amplitude is ∼325 kA at ±90 kV charging voltage, with a 10%-90% rise time of 110 ns. With a low-impedance RPD shorted by an 18-µm-diameter aluminum wire, a quasi-spherical x-ray focal spot with diameter <0.6 mm (width of the half-maximum grayscale) and a pulse duration of ∼25 ns (half-width of the radiation pulse) is obtained at ±70 kV charging voltage, and the imaging resolution excels 10 lp/mm under 1.56× magnification. According to the transmission-absorption x-ray spectrum estimation, the average emitted photon energy is ∼30 keV with a distinct peak in the 10-15 keV range that corresponds to the L-lines of tungsten, and the total energy of photons >10 keV reaches ∼1.16 J. The present results show that the device can serve well for the flash radiography diagnosis and potentially as an efficient light source for dynamic x-ray diffraction.

Effect of spin-lock frequency on quantitative myocardial T1ρ mapping.

OBJECTIVES: To use T1ρ mapping to assess myocardial fibrosis and to provide a reference for future clinical application, it is necessary to understand the factors influencing T1ρ values. This study explored the influence of different spin-locking frequencies on T1ρ values under a 3.0-T MR system. METHODS: Fifty-seven healthy subjects were prospectively and consecutively included in this study, and T1ρ mapping was performed on them in 3 short-axis slices with three spin-lock frequencies at the amplitude of 300 Hz, 400 Hz, and 500 Hz, then nine T1ρ images were acquired per subject. Four T1ρ-weighted images were acquired using a spin-lock preparation pulse with varying durations (0 msec, 13.3 msec, 26.6 msec, 40 msec). T1ρ relaxation times were quantified for each slice and each myocardial segment. The results were analyzed using Student's t-test and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) methods. RESULTS: Mean T1ρ relaxation times were 43.5 ± 2.8 msec at 300 Hz, 44.9 ± 3.6 msec at 400 Hz, and 46.2 ± 3.1 msec at 500 Hz, showing a significant progressive increase from low to high spin-lock frequency (300 Hz vs. 400 Hz, p = 0.046; 300 Hz vs. 500 Hz, p < 0.001; 400 Hz vs. 500 Hz, p = 0.043). In addition, The T1ρ values of females were significantly higher than those of males (300 Hz, p = 0.049; 400 Hz, p = 0.01; 500 Hz, p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: In this prospective study, myocardial T1ρ values for the specific CMR setting are provided, and we found that gender and spin-lock frequency can affect the T1ρ values. CRITICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: T1ρ mapping could supersede late gadolinium enhancement for detection of myocardial fibrosis. Establishing reference mean values that take key technical elements into account will facilitate interpretation of data in disease states. KEY POINTS: This study established myocardial T1ρ reference values for different spin-lock frequencies. T1ρ values increased with spin-lock frequency, but numerical differences were minimal. Females had higher T1ρ values than males at all frequencies.

Analyzing the effect of blue-blocking lenses on color vision tests using the chromaticity coordinate method.

Significance: Blue light with wavelengths of 380-445 nm can harm the retina, leading to the development of blue-blocking lenses (BBLs). Understanding whether BBLs affect color vision test outcomes and color discrimination ability is crucial for people in color-associated jobs. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of BBLs on color vision tests and analyze color discrimination using mathematical models of color spaces. Approach: Six pseudoisochromatic (PIC) tests and two Farnsworth-Munsell (FM) tests were conducted to assess participants' color vision. Friedman signed rank test was used to compare the outcomes of the Farnsworth-Munsell 100-Hue Tests (FM 100-Hue Tests) between the BBLs and ordinary lenses groups. The CIE color difference formula and a spectral illuminometer were employed to evaluate the color differences with and without BBLs. Results: All subjects showed normal outcomes in all PIC tests and Farnsworth-Munsell Dichotomous D-15 Tests (FM D-15 Tests). There were no significant differences between ordinary lenses group and BBLs groups in FM 100-Hue Tests. In the color space, the effect of BBLs on each color light was equivalent to a translation on the CIE 1931 chromaticity diagram with minor distortion. Since BBLs do not disrupt the continuity of the chromaticity diagram, or cause different colors to appear the same, they do not lead to color confusion. However, colors with short wavelengths exhibited more changes in color difference when wearing BBLs. Conclusions: BBLs do not impair the wearer's ability to discriminate colors or perform color vision tests accurately. However, BBLs can cause color differences especially in the recognition of blue hues.

Establishment of an ovarian cancer exhausted CD8+T cells-related genes model by integrated analysis of scRNA-seq and bulk RNA-seq.

Ovarian cancer (OC) was the fifth leading cause of cancer death and the deadliest gynecological cancer in women. This was largely attributed to its late diagnosis, high therapeutic resistance, and a dearth of effective treatments. Clinical and preclinical studies have revealed that tumor-infiltrating CD8+T cells often lost their effector function, the dysfunctional state of CD8+T cells was known as exhaustion. Our objective was to identify genes associated with exhausted CD8+T cells (CD8TEXGs) and their prognostic significance in OC. We downloaded the RNA-seq and clinical data from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases. CD8TEXGs were initially identified from single-cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq) datasets, then univariate Cox regression, the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO), and multivariate Cox regression were utilized to calculate risk score and to develop the CD8TEXGs risk signature. Kaplan-Meier analysis, univariate Cox regression, multivariate Cox regression, time-dependent receiver operating characteristics (ROC), nomogram, and calibration were conducted to verify and evaluate the risk signature. Gene set enrichment analyses (GSEA) in the risk groups were used to figure out the closely correlated pathways with the risk group. The role of risk score has been further explored in the homologous recombination repair deficiency (HRD), BRAC1/2 gene mutations and tumor mutation burden (TMB). A risk signature with 4 CD8TEXGs in OC was finally built in the TCGA database and further validated in large GEO cohorts. The signature also demonstrated broad applicability across various types of cancer in the pan-cancer analysis. The high-risk score was significantly associated with a worse prognosis and the risk score was proven to be an independent prognostic biomarker. The 1-, 3-, and 5-years ROC values, nomogram, calibration, and comparison with the previously published models confirmed the excellent prediction power of this model. The low-risk group patients tended to exhibit a higher HRD score, BRCA1/2 gene mutation ratio and TMB. The low-risk group patients were more sensitive to Poly-ADP-ribose polymerase inhibitors (PARPi). Our findings of the prognostic value of CD8TEXGs in prognosis and drug response provided valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms and clinical management of OC.

DEB-TACE versus cTACE for unresectable HCC with B1-type bile duct invasion after successful biliary drainage: A propensity score matching analysis.

BACKGROUND: Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is the standard treatment for intermediate-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Given the lack of specific recommendations for conventional TACE (cTACE) and drug-eluting bead TACE (DEB-TACE) in patients having unresectable HCC with tumor infiltrating the common hepatic duct or the first-order branch of the bile ducts (B1-type bile duct invasion; B1-BDI) after biliary drainage, we retrospectively compared the safety and efficacy of DEB-TACE with cTACE in this patient population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using data from five tertiary medical centers (January 2017-December 2021), we compared complications, overall survival (OS), time to progression (TTP), and tumor response rate between patients having unresectable HCC with B1-BDI who underwent DEB-TACE or cTACE after successful biliary drainage. X-tile software calculated the pre-TACE total bilirubin (TBil) cutoff value, indicating optimal timing for sequential TACE after drainage. Propensity score matching (PSM) was performed. RESULTS: The study included 108 patients with unresectable HCC (B1-BDI) who underwent DEB-TACE and 114 who received cTACE as initial treatment. After PSM (n = 53 for each group), the DEB-TACE group had a longer TTP (8.9 vs. 6.7 months, p = 0.038) and higher objective response rate (64.2% vs. 39.6%, p = 0.011) than did the cTACE group, although OS was comparable (16.7 vs. 15.3 months, p = 0.115). The DEB-TACE group exhibited fewer post-procedural increments in the mean albumin-bilirubin score, TBil, and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), along with a significantly lower incidence of serious adverse events within 30 days (hepatic failure, ALT increase, and TBil increase) than the cTACE group (all p < 0.05). The pre-TACE TBil cutoff value was 99 µmol/L; patients with higher values (>99 µmol/L) had poorer OS in both groups (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: DEB-TACE is safe and effective after successful biliary drainage in unresectable HCC with B1-BDI, potentially better than cTACE in terms of liver toxicity, TTP, and ORR. Lowering TBil below 99 µmol/L through successful drainage may create ideal conditions for sequential TACE.

[Spatial and Temporal Scale Effects of Landscape Pattern on Riverine Nitrogen and Phosphorus Nutrients in the Qingshan Lake Watershed].

The influences of landscape pattern on water quality are dependent on spatial-temporal scales. However, the effects of landscape composition, landscape configuration, and landscape slope metrics on seasonal water quality at different spatial scales remain unclear. Based on the total nitrogen, total phosphorus, nitrate-N, and ammonium-N data from 26 sampling sites in the Qingshan Lake watershed, this study coupled landscape pattern analysis, redundancy analysis, and partial redundancy analysis to quantify the spatiotemporal scale effects of landscape pattern on riverine nitrogen （N） and phosphorus （P） concentrations. The results showed that： ① The explanatory ability of landscape pattern at the sub-watershed scale on riverine N and P concentrations was 6.8%-8.4% higher than that at the buffer scale, and this effect was more obvious in the dry season. ② At the sub-watershed scale, the percentage of forestland and the interspersion and juxtaposition degree of residential land had a greater influence on riverine N and P concentrations. At the buffer scale, the slope of farmland and residential land and the aggregation degree of forestland patches were the key factors affecting riverine N and P concentrations. ③ The contribution rate of landscape configuration to riverine N and P concentration variations （20.1%-36.5%） was the highest. The sensitivity of the effect of landscape configuration on riverine N and P concentrations to seasonal changes was the highest, and the effect of landscape slope on riverine N and P concentrations had the highest sensitivity to spatial scale changes. Therefore, landscape pattern-regulated non-point source pollution should be considered from a multi-scale perspective. These results can provide scientific basis for the formulation of landscape pattern optimization measures aiming at non-point source pollution control.

Effectiveness and Influencing Factors of Home-Center-Based Cardiac Rehabilitation as a Transitional Strategy for Acute Myocardial Infarction Patients.

Currently, providing patients, particularly those with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), with comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation (CR) has been challenging because of the inadequate availability of medical resources in developing countries. To ensure balance between disease instability and early rehabilitation, strategies for facilitating professional and comprehensive CR opportunities for patients with AMI must be explored.A prospective cohort study was carried out on 1,533 patients with AMI who were admitted to a tertiary hospital between July 2018 and October 2019. Following the principle of voluntarism, 286 patients with AMI participated in home-center-based CR (HCB group), whereas 1,247 patients received usual care (UC group). The primary endpoint of this study was the occurrence of cardiovascular events at 30 months after AMI. Moreover, the study analyzed factors that influence participation rate and effectiveness of the CR model.After analysis, a significant difference in the occurrence of cardiovascular endpoints between the HCB group and the UC group was observed (harzard ratio, 0.68 [95%CI, 0.51-0.91], P = 0.008), with participation in home-center-based CR being an independent influencing factor. Multivariate regression analysis revealed age, gender, smoking history, triglyceride levels, and ejection fraction as independent factors that influence participation rate. Female gender, peak oxygen uptake per kilogram body weight, and ventilation/carbon dioxide production slope were identified as factors that affect the effectiveness of the CR model.In the context of developing countries, this study demonstrates that the home-center-based CR model is efficient and analyzes factors that influence participation rate and effectiveness of the model. These findings provide practical insights for further development of CR programs.

Unveiling the Role of SlRNC1 in Chloroplast Development and Global Gene Regulation in Tomato Plants.

RNC1, a plant-specific gene, is known for its involvement in splicing group II introns within maize chloroplast. However, its role in chloroplast development and global gene expression remains poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the role of RNC1 in chloroplast development and identify the genes that mediate its function in the development of entire tomato plants. Consistent with findings in maize, RNC1 silencing induced dwarfism and leaf whitening in tomato plants. Subcellular localization analysis revealed that the RNC1 protein is localized to both the nucleus and cytoplasm, including the stress granule and chloroplasts. Electron microscopic examination of tomato leaf transverse sections exposed significant disruptions in the spatial arrangement of the thylakoid network upon RNC1 silencing, crucial for efficient light energy capture and conversion into chemical energy. Transcriptome analysis suggested that RNC1 silencing potentially impacts tomato plant development through genes associated with all three categories (biological processes, cellular components, and molecular functions). Overall, our findings contribute to a better understanding of the critical role of RNC1 in chloroplast development and its significance in plant physiology.