A single-cell sequence analysis of mouse subcutaneous white adipose tissue reveals dynamic changes during weaning.

Adipose tissue development begins in the fetal period, and continues to expand after birth. Dysregulation of adipose tissue during weaning may predispose individuals to lifelong metabolic disorders. However, the developmental remodeling of adipose tissue during weaning remains largely unexplored. Here we comprehensively compare the changes in mouse subcutaneous white adipose tissue from 7 days after birth to 7 days after weaning using single-cell RNA sequencing along with other molecular and histologic assays. We characterize the developmental trajectory of preadipocytes and indicate the commitment of preadipocytes with beige potential during weaning. Meanwhile, we find immune cells unique to weaning period, whose expression of extracellular matrix proteins implies potential regulation on preadipocyte. Finally, the strongest cell-cell interaction during weaning determined by the TGFß ligand-receptor pairs is between preadipocytes and endotheliocytes. Our results provide a detailed and unbiased cellular landscape and offer insights into the potential regulation of adipose tissue remodeling during weaning.

Integrated transcriptome and microRNA analysis reveals molecular responses to high-temperature stress in the liver of American shad (Alosa sapidissima).

BACKGROUND: Fish reproduction, development and growth are directly affected by temperature, investigating the regulatory mechanisms behind high temperature stress is helpful to construct a finer molecular network. In this study, we systematically analyzed the transcriptome and miRNA information of American shad (Alosa sapidissima) liver tissues at different cultivation temperatures of 24 â„ƒ (Low), 27 â„ƒ (Mid) and 30 â„ƒ (High) based on a high-throughput sequencing platform. RESULTS: The results showed that there were 1594 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 660 differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs) in the LowLi vs. MidLi comparison group, 473 DEGs and 84 DEMs in the MidLi vs. HighLi group, 914 DEGs and 442 DEMs in the LowLi vs. HighLi group. These included some important genes and miRNAs such as calr, hsp90b1, hsp70, ssa-miR-125a-3p, ssa-miR-92b-5p, dre-miR-15a-3p and novel-m1018-5p. The DEGs were mainly enriched in the protein folding, processing and export pathways of the endoplasmic reticulum; the target genes of the DEMs were mainly enriched in the focal adhesion pathway. Furthermore, the association analysis revealed that the key genes were mainly enriched in the metabolic pathway. Interestingly, we found a significant increase in the number of genes and miRNAs involved in the regulation of heat stress during the temperature change from 24 °C to 27 °C. In addition, we examined the tissue expression characteristics of some key genes and miRNAs by qPCR, and found that calr, hsp90b1 and dre-miR-125b-2-3p were significantly highly expressed in the liver at 27 â„ƒ, while novel-m0481-5p, ssa-miR-125a-3p, ssa-miR-92b-5p, dre-miR-15a-3p and novel-m1018-5p had the highest expression in the heart at 30℃. Finally, the quantitative expression trends of 10 randomly selected DEGs and 10 DEMs were consistent with the sequencing data, indicating the reliability of the results. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, this study provides some fundamental data for subsequent in-depth research into the molecular regulatory mechanisms of A. sapidissima response to heat stress, and for the selective breeding of high temperature tolerant varieties.

Eutrophication impacts the distribution and functional traits of viral communities in lakes.

Viruses play a crucial role in aquatic ecosystems by regulating microbial composition and impacting biogeochemical cycling. While the response of viral diversity to the trophic status has been preliminarily explored in lake ecosystems, there is limited integrated exploration of the biogeography of viruses, host associations, and the auxiliary metabolic genes (AMGs), particularly for plateau lakes. Therefore, this research investigated the viral biogeography, virus-host association, and AMGs in the surface waters of 11 lakes varying in trophic levels (eutrophic and oligo-mesotrophic) in the Yunnan-Guizhou plateau region of China. A total of 73,105 viral operational taxonomic units were obtained from 11 samples, with 84.8 % remaining unannotated at the family level, indicating a predominance of novel viruses within these lakes. The most abundant viral family was Kyanoviridae (24.4 %), recognized as a common cyanophage. The vast majority of cyanobacteria and several eukaryotic algae were predicted as hosts for the viruses, with a lytic lifestyle predominating the life strategy of these cyanophages, implying the potential influence of the virus on algae. The viral community structure significantly correlated with both trophic status and the bacterial community. The structure equation model analysis revealed chlorophyll a was the primary factor affecting viral communities. Moreover, numerous AMGs linked to carbon metabolism, phosphorus metabolism, sulfur metabolism, and photosynthesis were found in these lakes, some of which showed virus preference for the trophic statuses, suggesting a vital role of the virus in driving biogeochemical cycling in the lake crossing different nutrient levels. In addition, a restricted presence of viruses was found to infect humans or harbor antibiotic resistance genes in the lakes, suggesting a subtle yet potential link to human health. Overall, these findings offer insights into the response of viral communities to eutrophication and their potential role in biogeochemical cycling and controlling algal propagation.

An appearance quality classification method for Auricularia auricula based on deep learning.

The intelligent appearance quality classification method for Auricularia auricula is of great significance to promote this industry. This paper proposes an appearance quality classification method for Auricularia auricula based on the improved Faster Region-based Convolutional Neural Networks (improved Faster RCNN) framework. The original Faster RCNN is improved by establishing a multiscale feature fusion detection model to improve the accuracy and real-time performance of the model. The multiscale feature fusion detection model makes full use of shallow feature information to complete target detection. It fuses shallow features with rich detailed information with deep features rich in strong semantic information. Since the fusion algorithm directly uses the existing information of the feature extraction network, there is no additional calculation. The fused features contain more original detailed feature information. Therefore, the improved Faster RCNN can improve the final detection rate without sacrificing speed. By comparing with the original Faster RCNN model, the mean average precision (mAP) of the improved Faster RCNN is increased by 2.13%. The average precision (AP) of the first-level Auricularia auricula is almost unchanged at a high level. The AP of the second-level Auricularia auricula is increased by nearly 5%. And the third-level Auricularia auricula AP is increased by 1%. The improved Faster RCNN improves the frames per second from 6.81 of the original Faster RCNN to 13.5. Meanwhile, the influence of complex environment and image resolution on the Auricularia auricula detection is explored.

The health implications of cumulative exposure to contextual (dis)advantage: Methodological and substantive advances from a unique data linkage.

Deleterious neighborhood conditions are associated with poor health, yet the health impact of cumulative lifetime exposure to neighborhood disadvantage is understudied. Using up to five decades of residential histories for 4,177 adult participants in the Survey of Health of Wisconsin (SHOW) and spatio-temporally linked neighborhood conditions, we develop four operational approaches to characterizing cumulative neighborhood (dis)advantage over the life course. We estimated their associations with self-reported general health and compared to estimates using neighborhood (dis)advantage at time of study enrollment. When cumulative exposures were assessed with the most granular temporal scale (Approach 4), neighborhood transport constraints (OR = 1.21, 95% CI: 1.08, 1.36), residential turnover (OR = 1.20, 95% CI: 1.07, 1.34), education deficit (OR = 1.17, 95% CI: 1.04, 1.32), racial segregation (OR = 1.20, 95% CI: 1.04, 1.38) and median household income (OR = 0.85, 95% CI: 0.75, 0.97) were significantly associated with risk of fair or poor health. For composite neighborhood disadvantage, cumulative exposures had a stronger association (OR = 1.05, 95% CI: 1.02, 1.08) than the cross-sectional exposure (OR = 1.03, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.06). Single point-in-time neighborhood measures underestimate the neighborhood and health relationship, underscoring the importance of a life course approach to cumulative exposure measurement.

Immune response regulation by transduced mesenchymal stem cells with decorin gene on bleomycin-induced lung injury, fibrosis, and inflammation.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary fibrosis is a pathological hallmark of lung injury. It is an aggressive disease that replaces normal lung parenchyma by fibrotic tissue. The transforming growth factor-beta-mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 3 (TGF-ß1-Smad3) signaling pathway plays a key role in regulating lung fibrosis. Decorin (DCN), a small leucine-rich proteoglycan, has a modulatory effect on the immune system by reversibly binding with TGF-ß and reducing its bioavailability. Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy is a new strategy that has an immune-modulatory capacity. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to introduce a new therapeutic approach to harness remodeling in injured lung. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Bone marrow MSCs were isolated and transduced by decorin gene. Lung injury was induced by bleomycin and mice were treated with MSCs, MSCs-decorin, and decorin. Then, oxidative stress biomarkers, remodeling biomarkers, bronchoalveolar lavage cells, and histopathology study were conducted. RESULTS: Reduced catalase and superoxide dismutase increased due to treatments. Elevated malondialdehyde, hydroxyproline, TGF-ß levels, and polymorphonuclear cells count decreased in the treated groups. Additionally, the histopathology of lung tissues showed controlled inflammation and fibrosis. CONCLUSION: Transfected decorin gene to MSCs and used cell therapy could control remodeling and bleomycin-induced lung injury.

ULI-ssDRIP-seq revealed R-loop dynamics during vertebrate early embryogenesis.

R-loop, a chromatin structure containing one RNA:DNA hybrid and one unpaired single-stranded DNA, plays multiple biological roles. However, due to technical limitations, the landscapes and potential functions of R-loops during embryogenesis remain elusive. Here, we developed a quantitative and high-resolution ultra-low input R-loop profiling method, named ULI-ssDRIP-seq, which can map global R-loops with as few as 1000 cells. By using ULI-ssDRIP-seq, we reveal the R-loop dynamics in the zebrafish from gametes to early embryos. In oocytes, the R-loop level is relatively low in most regions of the nuclear genome, except maternal-inherited rDNA and mitochondrial genome. The correlation between R-loop and CG methylation dynamics during early development is relatively weak. Furthermore, either up- or down-regulation of global R-loops by knockdown or overexpression of RNase H1 causes a delay of embryonic development with dramatic expression changes in zygotic and maternal genes. This study provides comprehensive R-loop landscapes during early vertebrate embryogenesis and demonstrates the implication of R-loops in embryonic development.

Identification method for a fractional-order system in terms of equivalent dynamic properties.

In this paper, we introduce an efficient method for identifying fractional dynamic systems using extended sparse regression and cross-validation techniques. The former identifies equations that fit the data with varying candidate functions, while the latter determines the optimal equation with the fewest terms yet ensuring accuracy. The identified optimal equation is expected to share the same dynamic properties as the original fractional system. Unlike previous studies focusing on efficiently computing fractional terms, this strategy addresses dynamic analysis from a data perspective. Importantly, in the proposed method, we treat the fractional order as a variable to account for its impact on the dynamic properties of the identified equation. This treatment enables the identified equation to successfully capture dynamic behaviors when the fractional order changes. We validate the effectiveness of the method using three classical fractional-order systems as well as an energy harvesting system. Interestingly, we find that, although the identified equations do not contain non-local terms like the original fractional-order systems, they exhibit the same stochastic P-bifurcation phenomena. In other words, we construct an equivalent equation without memory properties, sharing the dynamic properties with the original system.

A Clustering Approach for Atmospheric Phase Error Correction in Ground-Based SAR Using Spatial Autocorrelation.

When using ground-based synthetic aperture radar (GB-SAR) for monitoring open-pit mines, dynamic atmospheric conditions can interfere with the propagation speed of electromagnetic waves, resulting in atmospheric phase errors. These errors are particularly complex in rapidly changing weather conditions or steep terrain, significantly impacting monitoring accuracy. In such scenarios, traditional regression model-based atmospheric phase correction (APC) methods often become unsuitable. To address this issue, this paper proposes a clustering method based on the spatial autocorrelation function. First, the interferogram is uniformly divided into multiple blocks, and the phase consistency of each block is evaluated using the spatial autocorrelation function. Then, a region growing algorithm is employed to classify each block according to its phase pattern, followed by merging adjacent blocks based on statistical data. To verify the feasibility of the proposed method, both the traditional regression model-based method and the proposed method were applied to deformation monitoring of an open-pit mine in Northwest China. The experimental results show that for complex atmospheric phase scenarios, the proposed method significantly outperformed traditional methods, demonstrating its superiority.

Implementing a completely autotrophic nitrogen removal over nitrite process using a novel umbrella basalt fiber carrier.

The completely autotrophic nitrogen removal over nitrite (CANON) process is significantly hindered by prolonged start-up periods and unstable nitrogen removal efficiency. In this study, a novel umbrella basalt fiber (BF) carrier with good biological affinity and adsorption performance was used to initiate the CANON process. The CANON process was initiated on day 64 in a sequencing batch reactor equipped with umbrella BF carriers. During this period, the influent NH4+-N concentration gradually increased from 100 to 200 mg·L-1, and the dissolved oxygen was controlled below 0.8 mg L-1. Consequently, an average ammonia nitrogen removal efficiency (ARE) and total nitrogen removal efficiency (TNRE) of ∼90 and 80% were achieved, respectively. After 130 days, ARE and TNRE remained stable at 92 and 81.1%, respectively. This indicates a reliable method for achieving rapid start-up and stable operation of the CANON process. Moreover, Candidatus Kuenenia and Candidatus Brocadia were identified as dominant anammox genera on the carrier. Nitrosomonas was the predominant genus among ammonia-oxidizing bacteria. Spatial differences were observed in the microbial population of umbrella BF carriers. This arrangement facilitated autotrophic nitrogen removal in a single reactor. This study indicates that the novel umbrella BF carrier is a highly suitable biocarrier for the CANON process.

The diagnostic value of serum exosomal SNORD116 and SNORA21 for NSCLC patients.

PURPOSE: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a widespread and serious global malignancy. This study aimed to examine the clinical relevance of serum exosomal SNORD116 and SNORA21 as novel diagnostic biomarkers for NSCLC. METHODS: Serum exosomes from 226 healthy controls and 305 NSCLC patients were isolated by ultracentrifugation. Characterization of exosomes was conducted by qNano, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Western immunoblotting. RT-PCR revealed snoRNAs that were differentially expressed. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to assess the diagnostic performance. RESULTS: In NSCLC patients, the levels of serum exosomal SNORD116 and SNORA21 were significantly reduced compared to those in healthy controls (P < 0.0001 for both). ROC curves showed AUC values of 0.738 and 0.761. By combining SNORD116 and SNORA21 with traditional blood biomarkers CYFRA21-1 and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), the AUC increased to 0.917. Moreover, these two exosomal snoRNAs distinguished between patients with metastatic NSCLC (n = 132) and those with non-metastatic NSCLC (n = 173) significantly (P < 0.0001 for both). The ROC curves gave AUC values of 0.743 and 0.694, respectively. The combined analysis raised the AUC to 0.751. The diagnostic power of these two exosomal snoRNAs combined with CYFRA21-1 and CEA increased to 0.784. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that serum exosomal SNORD116 and SNORA21 can be used as potential promising non-invasive diagnostic biomarkers for NSCLC.

Higher homocysteine and fibrinogen are associated with early-onset post-stroke depression in patients with acute ischemic stroke.

Background: Post-stroke depression (PSD) is a well-established psychiatric complication following stroke. Nevertheless, the relationship between early-onset PSD and homocysteine (Hcy) or fibrinogen remains uncertain. Methods: Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients who met the established criteria were enrolled in this study. Early-onset PSD was diagnosed two weeks after the stroke. The severity of depressive symptoms was assessed by the Hamilton Depression Scale-17 items (HAMD-17), with patients scored ≥7 assigned to the early-onset PSD group. Spearman rank correlation analysis was employed to evaluate the associations between Hcy, fibrinogen, and HAMD scores across all patients. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to investigate the relationship between Hcy, fibrinogen, and early-onset PSD. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis was ASSDalso performed to detect the predictive ability of Hcy and fibrinogen for early-onset PSD. Results: Among the 380 recruited patients, a total of 106 (27.89%) patients were diagnosed with early-onset PSD. The univariate analysis suggested that patients in the PSD group had a higher admission National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score, modified Rankin Scale score (mRS), Hcy, and fibrinogen levels than patients in the non-PSD group (P<0.05). The logistic regression model indicated that Hcy (odds ratio [OR], 1.344; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.209-1.494, P<0.001) and fibrinogen (OR, 1.57 6; 95% CI 1.302-1.985, P<0.001) were independently related to early-onset PSD. Area under curve (AUC) of Hcy, fibrinogen, and Hcy combined fibrinogen to predict early-onset PSD was 0.754, 0.698, and 0.803, respectively. Conclusion: This study indicates that Hcy and fibrinogen may be independent risk factors for early-onset PSD and can be used as predictive indicators for early-onset PSD.

Development of a novel staging classification for Siewert II adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction after neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

BACKGROUND: Stage classification for Siewert II adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction (AEG) treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) has not been established. AIM: To investigate the optimal stage classification for Siewert II AEG with NAC. METHODS: A nomogram was established based on Cox regression model that analyzed variables associated with overall survival (OS) and disease-specific survival (DSS). The nomogram performance in terms of discrimination and calibration ability was evaluated using the likelihood-ratio test, Akaike information criterion, Harrell concordance index, time-receiver operating characteristic curve, and decision curve analysis. RESULTS: Data from 725 patients with Siewert type II AEG who underwent neoadjuvant therapy and gastrectomy were obtained from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed that sex, marital status, race, ypT stage, and ypN stage were independent prognostic factors of OS, whereas sex, race, ypT stage, and ypN stage were independent prognostic factors for DSS. These factors were incorporated into the OS and DSS nomograms. Our novel nomogram model performed better in terms of OS and DSS prediction compared to the 8th American Joint Committee of Cancer pathological staging system for esophageal and gastric cancer. Finally, a user-friendly web application was developed for clinical use. CONCLUSION: The nomogram established specifically for patients with Siewert type II AEG receiving NAC demonstrated good prognostic performance. Validation using external data is warranted before its widespread clinical application.

MRI versus Dual-Energy CT in Local-Regional Staging of Gastric Cancer.

Background Preoperative local-regional tumor staging of gastric cancer (GC) is critical for appropriate treatment planning. The comparative accuracy of multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) versus dual-energy CT (DECT) for staging of GC is not known. Purpose To compare the diagnostic accuracy of personalized mpMRI with that of DECT for local-regional T and N staging in patients with GC receiving curative surgical intervention. Materials and Methods Patients with GC who underwent gastric mpMRI and DECT before gastrectomy with lymphadenectomy were eligible for this single-center prospective noninferiority study between November 2021 and September 2022. mpMRI comprised T2-weighted imaging, multiorientational zoomed diffusion-weighted imaging, and extradimensional volumetric interpolated breath-hold examination dynamic contrast-enhanced imaging. Dual-phase DECT images were reconstructed at 40 keV and standard 120 kVp-like images. Using gastrectomy specimens as the reference standard, the diagnostic accuracy of mpMRI and DECT for T and N staging was compared by six radiologists in a pairwise blinded manner. Interreader agreement was assessed using the weighted κ and Kendall W statistics. The McNemar test was used for head-to-head accuracy comparisons between DECT and mpMRI. Results This study included 202 participants (mean age, 62 years ± 11 [SD]; 145 male). The interreader agreement of the six readers for T and N staging of GC was excellent for both mpMRI (κ = 0.89 and 0.85, respectively) and DECT (κ = 0.86 and 0.84, respectively). Regardless of reader experience, higher accuracy was achieved with mpMRI than with DECT for both T (61%-77% vs 50%-64%; all P < .05) and N (54%-68% vs 51%-58%; P = .497-.005) staging, specifically T1 (83% vs 65%) and T4a (78% vs 68%) tumors and N1 (41% vs 24%) and N3 (64% vs 45%) nodules (all P < .05). Conclusion Personalized mpMRI was superior in T staging and noninferior or superior in N staging compared with DECT for patients with GC. Clinical trial registration no. NCT05508126 © RSNA, 2024 Supplemental material is available for this article. See also the editorial by Méndez and Martín-Garre in this issue.

Longitudinal associations between family functioning and generalized anxiety among adolescents: the mediating role of self-identity and cognitive flexibility.

BACKGROUND: Generalized anxiety (GA) is showing a high prevalence among adolescents nowadays; investigations on influencing factors and potential mechanisms are important to inform intervention development. The present two-wave study investigated the ways in which family functioning predicted GA six months later among adolescents, by considering the mediating role of self-identity and cognitive flexibility. METHODS: Adolescents were recruited from 27 randomly selected classes in two secondary schools in Chongqing and Fujian Province, China. Survey questionnaires assessing family functioning, self-identity, cognitive flexibility and GA were obtained from 1223 adolescents (Mage = 13.14, SD = 1.35) at two time points of the 6-month interval. RESULTS: The association between family functioning (T1) and GA (T2) was significant (r= -0.152, p < 0.01). Self-identity and cognitive flexibility sequentially mediated the relationship between family functioning (T1) and GA (T2) (with the indirect effect = -0.005, 95% CI = -0.007~ -0.002) after controlling for age, gender, and GA at baseline. Cognitive flexibility also showed a significant and direct mediating effect (with the indirect effect = -0.008, 95% CI = -0.012 ~ -0.005). CONCLUSION: Findings indicated that family functioning can be a protective factor of GA, and self-identity and cognitive flexibility act as a crucial role in the association between family functioning and GA. Future studies should adopt more time points and long-term follow-up assessments using more robust approaches to improve the reliability of the study findings. Findings may offer some implications that building a harmonious, open and warm family and guiding adolescents to develop self-identity as well as more flexible cognitive style could be helpful to prevent and cope with anxious emotion.

Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol, Cardiovascular Disease Risk, and Mortality in China.

Importance: Limited evidence supports the association between low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and mortality across different atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk stratifications. Objective: To explore the associations between LDL-C levels and mortality and to identify the optimal ranges of LDL-C with the lowest risk of mortality in populations with diverse ASCVD risk profiles. Design, Setting, and Participants: The ChinaHEART project is a prospective cohort study that recruited residents aged 35 to 75 years from 31 provinces in mainland China between November 2014 and December 2022. Participants were categorized into low-risk, primary prevention, and secondary prevention cohorts on the basis of their medical history and ASCVD risk. Data analysis was performed from December 2022 to October 2023. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary end point was all-cause mortality, and secondary end points included cause-specific mortality. Mortality data were collected from the National Mortality Surveillance System and Vital Registration. The association between LDL-C levels and mortality was assessed by using Cox proportional hazard regression models with various adjusted variables. Results: A total of 4 379 252 individuals were recruited, and 3 789 025 (2 271 699 women [60.0%]; mean [SD] age, 56.1 [10.0] years) were included in the current study. The median (IQR) LDL-C concentration was 93.1 (70.9-117.3) mg/dL overall at baseline. During a median (IQR) follow-up of 4.6 (3.1-5.8) years, 92 888 deaths were recorded, including 38 627 cardiovascular deaths. The association between LDL-C concentration and all-cause or cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality was U-shaped in both the low-risk cohort (2 838 354 participants) and the primary prevention cohort (829 567 participants), whereas it was J-shaped in the secondary prevention cohort (121 104 participants). The LDL-C levels corresponding to the lowest CVD mortality were 117.8 mg/dL in the low-risk group, 106.0 mg/dL in the primary prevention cohort, and 55.8 mg/dL in the secondary prevention cohort. The LDL-C concentration associated with the lowest all-cause mortality (90.9 mg/dL vs 117.0 mg/dL) and CVD mortality (87 mg/dL vs 114.6 mg/dL) were both lower in individuals with diabetes than in individuals without diabetes in the overall cohort. Conclusions and Relevance: This study found that the association between LDL-C and mortality varied among different ASCVD risk cohorts, suggesting that stricter lipid control targets may be needed for individuals with higher ASCVD risk and those with diabetes.

Relationship and mechanisms between internet use and physical exercise among middle- and younger-aged groups.

The "Internet Plus" era has established a closer connection between sports and individuals. This study used data from the 2018 China Family Panel Studies and focused on the middle- and younger-aged population aged 15 to 59 years. Employing a negative binomial regression model, this study empirically analyzed the impact of Internet use on physical exercise and its internal mechanisms among this population. The findings revealed that (1) Internet use significantly promoted physical exercise in the middle- and younger-aged population, with the frequency of physical exercise increasing to 1.549 times the original value; (2) The positive effects of the internet on physical exercise outweighed the negative effects, with online learning and entertainment enhancing physical exercise and online socialization limiting it. Specifically, online learning and entertainment increased the frequency of physical exercise among the middle- and younger-aged population by 0.063 and 0.018, respectively. Online socialization reduced the frequency by 0.023; and (3) The influence of internet use on physical exercise varies; significantly, it positively affects the exercise frequency among individuals over 35 years old and shows a positive correlation with employment status, including both employed individuals and those out of the labor market. The positive role of Internet use in encouraging physical exercise participation among the middle- and young-aged groups should be valued and enhanced.

Investigation of film Physical properties under various starch thermal treatments with emphasis on Retrogradation effects.

This study investigated the changes in the physical properties of cornstarch-based films as they were retrogradely aged at different temperatures. Using a casting method, the films were fabricated, and their effects on the mechanical properties, thermal stability, barrier properties, and essential properties were analyzed. With prolonged aging and retrogradation periods, reductions in film thickness, solubility, water content, and water vapor permeability of 5.35%, 9.92%, 29.61%, and 20.94%, respectively, were observed. In addition, the surface roughness decreased by 44.46% for Rq (root-mean-square roughness) and 45.61% for Ra (arithmetic average roughness), while the elongation at break decreased by 72.64%. Conversely, the tensile strength, maximum degradation rate, and maximum degradation temperature increased by 116.98%, 99.5%, and 3.21%, respectively. These results provide a fundamental understanding of the changes that occur in the properties of cornstarch-based films during aging and retrogradation.

Quantitative Assessment of Acute Intracranial Clot and Collaterals on High Resolution Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

INTRODUCTION: There has been an increasing demand for imaging methods that provide a comprehensive evaluation of intracranial clot and collateral circulation, which are helpful for clinical decision-making and predicting functional outcomes. We aimed to quantitatively evaluate acute intracranial clot burden and collaterals on high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (HR-MRI). METHODS: We analyzed acute ischemic stroke patients with internal carotid artery or middle cerebral artery occlusion in a prospective multicenter study. The clot burden was scored on a scale of 0-10 based on the clot location on HR-MRI. The collateral score was assigned on a scale of 0-3 using the minimum intensity projection from HR-MRI. Uni- and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to assess their correlation with clinical outcome (modified Rankin Scale >2 at 90 days). Thresholds were defined to dichotomize into low and high score groups and predictive performances were assessed for clinical and radiologic outcomes. RESULTS: Ninety-nine patients (mean age of 60.77 ± 11.54 years) were included in the analysis. The interobserver correlation was 0.89 (95% CI: 0.77-0.95) for the clot burden score and 0.78 (95% CI: 0.53-0.90) for the collateral score. Multivariable logistic regression analysis demonstrated that the collateral score (odds ratio: 0.41, 95% CI: 0.19-0.90) was significantly associated with clinical outcomes. A better functional outcome was observed in the group with clot burden scores greater than 7 (p=0.011). A smaller final infarct size and a higher diffusion-weighted imaging-Alberta Stroke Program Early Computed Tomography Score were observed in the group with collateral scores greater than 1 (all p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: HR-MRI offers a new tool for quantitative assessment of clot burden and collaterals simultaneously in future clinical practices and research endeavors.

Biocontrol potential and growth-promoting effect of endophytic fungus Talaromyces muroii SD1-4 against potato leaf spot disease caused by Alternaria alternata.

BACKGROUND: Alternaria alternata is the primary pathogen of potato leaf spot disease, resulting in significant potato yield losses globally. Endophytic microorganism-based biological control, especially using microorganisms from host plants, has emerged as a promising and eco-friendly approach for managing plant diseases. Therefore, this study aimed to isolate, identify and characterize the endophytic fungi from healthy potato leaves which had great antifungal activity to the potato leaf spot pathogen of A. alternata in vitro and in vivo. RESULTS: An endophytic fungal strain SD1-4 was isolated from healthy potato leaves and was identified as Talaromyces muroii through morphological and sequencing analysis. The strain SD1-4 exhibited potent antifungal activity against the potato leaf spot pathogen A. alternata Lill, with a hyphal inhibition rate of 69.19%. Microscopic and scanning electron microscope observations revealed that the strain SD1-4 grew parallel to, coiled around, shrunk and deformed the mycelia of A. alternata Lill. Additionally, the enzyme activities of chitinase and ß-1, 3-glucanase significantly increased in the hyphae of A. alternata Lill when co-cultured with the strain SD1-4, indicating severe impairment of the cell wall function of A. alternata Lill. Furthermore, the mycelial growth and conidial germination of A. alternata Lill were significantly suppressed by the aseptic filtrate of the strain SD1-4, with inhibition rates of 79.00% and 80.67%, respectively. Decrease of leaf spot disease index from 78.36 to 37.03 was also observed in potato plants treated with the strain SD1-4, along with the significantly increased plant growth characters including plant height, root length, fresh weight, dry weight, chlorophyll content and photosynthetic rate of potato seedlings. CONCLUSION: The endophyte fungus of T. muroii SD1-4 isolated from healthy potato leaves in the present study showed high biocontrol potential against potato leaf spot disease caused by A. alternata via direct parasitism or antifungal metabolites, and had positive roles in promoting potato plant growth.