TC-14, a cathelicidin-derived antimicrobial peptide with broad-spectrum antibacterial activity and high safety profile.

Cathelicidins, a major class of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), hold considerable potential for antimicrobial drug development. In the present study, we identified a novel cathelicidin AMP (TC-33) derived from the Chinese tree shrew. Despite TC-33 demonstrating weak antimicrobial activity, the novel peptide TC-14, developed based on its active region, exhibited a 432-fold increase in antimicrobial activity over the parent peptide. Structural analysis revealed that TC-14 adopted an amphipathic α-helical conformation. The bactericidal mechanism of TC-14 involved targeting and disrupting the bacterial membrane, leading to rapid membrane permeabilization and rupture. Furthermore, TC-14 exhibited a high-safety profile, as evidenced by the absence of cytotoxic and hemolytic activities, as well as high biocompatibility and safety in vivo. Of note, its potent antimicrobial activity provided significant protection in a murine model of skin infection. Overall, this study presents TC-14 as a promising drug candidate for antimicrobial drug development.

Contribution of the alternative pathway on spring rejuvenation of alfalfa.

Alfalfa often suffers from low temperature during spring rejuvenation, so it is important to improve the cold tolerance of alfalfa leaves for its smooth rejuvenation, and the alternative pathway (AP) could effectively improve the plant's tolerance. In this study, the contribution of AP on spring rejuvenation of alfalfa was investigated in Xinmu No.4 and Gannong No.5 with different fall dormancy levels. Though the protein and AP capacity were decreased during the rejuvenation, the ratio of AP/TP were increased in two alfalfa varieties, compared to those in alfalfa before overwintering. This indicated that AP had positive response to alfalfa rejuvenation. The limitation of AP significantly affected the leaf length, leaf width and growth rate of greening alfalfa, showing that AP played an important role in alfalfa rejuvenation. Inhibition of AP resulted in a significant decrease in Pn, Ci, Gs and stomatal structure deformity, suggestion that AP affected photosynthesis by influencing stomatal development during rejuvenation. AP reduces oxidative damage to PSII core protein repair in alfalfa leaves and optimizes photosynthesis by up-regulating NADP-MDH activity, decreasing the accumulation of excess reducing power in the chloroplasts, and by increasing SOD and POD activities and decreasing the accumulation of hydrogen peroxide. The higher proportion of AP keeps it more tolerant to low temperature for rejuvenation in Xinmu No.4 with a lower fall dormancy level.

Step-cut osteotomy for cubitus varus deformity with application of patient-specific instrument in children: a preliminary report.

PURPOSE: The step-cut osteotomy has been recognized as a valuable approach for addressing cubitus varus deformity, albeit one that necessitates technical proficiency. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of the modified step-cut osteotomy technique in conjunction with patient-specific instruments by clinical and radiological assessment. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of patients who underwent modified step-cut osteotomy with the use of patient-specific instruments in conjunction with Kirschner wires fixation for the correction of cubitus varus deformity between April 2016 and April 2022. Follow-up was performed for a minimum of two years, during which pre-operative and post-operative clinical and radiological parameters were compared. RESULTS: Fifteen patients were enrolled in this study. The mean pre-operative humeral-elbow-wrist (HEW) of the affected side was -21.7° (ranging from -14° to -34°), while the normal side was 9.4° (ranging from 5° to 15°). The post-operation HEW of affected side was 9° (ranging from 4° to 16°). There was no significant difference between the normal side and affected side after operation (p = 0.74). Pre-operative range of motion in the affected side was 130°, while the post-operative range of motion was 132°. Fourteen patients (93.3%) were pleased with the overall appearance of their elbow. None lazy-S deformity was observed in these cases. There were no major complications. CONCLUSION: The modified step-cut osteotomy technique, utilizing patient-specific instrument in conjunction with Kirschner wires fixation was found to be a safe, reliable, and technically easy procedure for correcting cubitus varus deformity.

CircUGP2 Suppresses Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma Progression via p53 Signaling Through Interacting With PURB to Regulate ADGRB1 Transcription and Sponging miR-3191-5p.

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is the second most common primary liver cancer and its prognosis remains poor. Although growing numbers of studies have verified the involvement of circular RNAs (circRNAs) in various cancer types, their specific functions in ICC remain elusive. Herein, a circRNA, circUGP2 is identified by circRNA sequencing, which is downregulated in ICC tissues and correlated with patients' prognosis. Moreover, circUGP2 overexpression suppresses tumor progression in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, circUGP2 functions as a transcriptional co-activator of PURB over the expression of ADGRB1. It can also upregulate ADGRB1 expression by sponging miR-3191-5p. As a result, ADGRB1 prevents MDM2-mediated p53 polyubiquitination and thereby activates p53 signaling to inhibit ICC progression. Based on these findings, circUGP2 plasmid is encapsulated into a lipid nanoparticle (LNP) system, which has successfully targeted tumor site and shows superior anti-tumor effects. In summary, the present study has identified the role of circUGP2 as a tumor suppressor in ICC through regulating ADGRB1/p53 axis, and the application of LNP provides a promising translational strategy for ICC treatment.

[Clinical anatomy of the free latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap and its application in the restoration of giant defects of the head and neck].

PURPOSE: To investigate the feasibility and effect of free latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap in the reconstruction of giant head and neck defects. METHODS: Free latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap on the cadaver was simulated dissected, and measured by Image-Pro Plus 6.0 to assess the feasibility of repairing giant head and neck defects. Between May 2011 and September 2022, seven patients with giant head and neck defects of different causes repaired with the latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: The diameter of the initiating thoracodorsal artery was (4.03±0.56) mm, and the mean lengths of the arteriolar and venous pedicles of the latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flaps obtained from human specimens were (85.5±10.5) mm and (104±4.2) mm, respectively. Among 7 patients, 5 cases had scalp defects, the remaining 2 cases had neck defects. There were no substantial postoperative problems in the donor site, and all seven latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flaps were successfully transplanted. CONCLUSIONS: For the treatment of considerable head and neck deformities, the latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap is an optimal muscle flap due to its abundance of tissue, enough length of vascular pedicles, and sufficient venous drainage.

Comparison of Optical Properties and Fracture Loads of Multilayer Monolithic Zirconia Crowns with Different Yttria Levels.

Multilayer monolithic zirconia, which incorporates polychromatic layers that mimic natural tooth gradients, offers enhanced aesthetics and functionality while reducing debonding risks and improving fabrication efficiency. However, uncertainties remain regarding the fracture characteristics of multilayer monolithic zirconia crowns under occlusal loading, whether composed of uniform or combined yttria levels. The current study investigated how variations in yttria levels and thicknesses affected the optical properties and fracture loads of multilayer monolithic zirconia. Samples of multilayer monolithic zirconia in the Vita A1 shade were used, while employing 3Y (SZ) and 4Y + 5Y (AZ) yttria levels. The optical properties, including the color difference (ΔEWS) and translucency parameters (TP00), were measured using a digital colorimeter. The fracture loads were analyzed using a universal testing machine, and fractured surfaces were examined under a stereomicroscope. Statistical analyses assessed the impacts of the yttria levels and sample thicknesses on the optical properties. The ΔEWS values of SZ ranged 3.6 to 4.0, while for AZ, ΔEWS at 0.5 mm was 3.9 and <2.6 for other thicknesses. The TP00 values decreased with an increased thickness, with AZ generally exhibiting greater translucency than SZ. In the fracture load investigations, SZ (>1600 N) generally exceeded AZ (>1260 N), with fracture loads notably increasing with thickness, particularly for premolars (SZ > 3270 N, AZ > 2257 N). SZ predominantly exhibited partial and complete fractures, whereas AZ showed fewer non-fracture categorizations. Complete fractures began with dense, irregular cracks that extended outward to reveal smooth surfaces, while premolars subjected to higher loads exhibited concentric ripple-like structures. Partial fractures revealed radial textures indicative of areas of stress concentration. In summary, higher yttria levels were correlated with increased translucency, while variations in the fracture loads primarily stemmed from differences in the tooth position or thickness. Overall, multilayer monolithic zirconia incorporating combined yttria levels of 4Y + 5Y (AZ) offered high translucency, precise color matching, and substantial fracture resistance, rendering it highly suitable for aesthetic and functional dental applications.

Integrated metabolomic and transcriptomic analysis reveals the effects and mechanisms of Jinqi Jiangtang tablets on type 2 diabetes.

BACKGROUND: Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is one of the major metabolic diseases and poses a serious challenge to human life and global economic development. Jinqi Jiangtang Tablets (JQJT) is effective in ameliorating the effects of T2DM, but the mechanism of JQJT is unclear. PURPOSE: This study integrated metabolomics and transcriptomics to reveal the mechanism by which JQJT improves T2DM. METHODS: The T2DM mouse model was established, and the effects of JQJT on improving T2DM were evaluated by determining the levels of blood lipids, fasting blood glucose (FBG), insulin metabolism and hepatic lipid accumulation in mice after JQJT administration for 8 weeks. Serum metabolites were detected using ultra-performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole time-of-flight-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS) technology, and mouse liver differential genes were detected using transcriptomic technology. Correlation analysis was used to extract metabolites and RNA with correlations, and potential pathways were enriched and constructed using the common pathway analysis function of MetaboAnalyst 5.0. Finally, the expression of key target proteins and genes was verified by Western blot (WB) and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) to further elucidate the mechanism by which JQJT improves T2DM. RESULTS: JQJT reduced FBG and lipid levels, improved insulin resistance (IR) and hepatic lipoatrophy in mice. A total of 35 differentially abundant metabolites were identified by metabolomics, and 328 differential genes were detected by transcriptomics. The integrated metabolomics and transcriptomics results suggested that JQJT may ameliorate T2DM mainly by regulating glucose and lipid metabolic pathways. WB and PCR results showed that JQJT regulates the insulin signaling pathway, involved in fatty acid metabolism, glycogen synthesis and catabolism. CONCLUSIONS: JQJT improved IR in T2DM mice by regulating the insulin signaling pathway, improving glycogen synthesis and glycolysis, and increasing hepatic triglyceride and fatty acid metabolism.

Coronavirus disease 2019-related myocarditis genes contribute to ECMO prognosis.

BACKGROUND: Acute myocardial injury, cytokine storms, hypoxemia and pathogen-mediated damage were the major causes responsible for mortality induced by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related myocarditis. These need ECMO treatment. We investigated differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in patients with COVID-19-related myocarditis and ECMO prognosis. METHODS: GSE150392 and GSE93101 were analyzed to identify DEGs. A Venn diagram was used to obtain the same transcripts between myocarditis-related and ECMO-related DEGs. Enrichment pathway analysis was performed and hub genes were identified. Pivotal miRNAs, transcription factors, and chemicals with the screened gene interactions were identified. The GSE167028 dataset and single-cell sequencing data were used to validate the screened genes. RESULTS: Using a Venn diagram, 229 overlapping DEGs were identified between myocarditis-related and ECMO-related DEGs, which were mainly involved in T cell activation, contractile actin filament bundle, actomyosin, cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase activity, and cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction. 15 hub genes and 15 neighboring DEGs were screened, which were mainly involved in the positive regulation of T cell activation, integrin complex, integrin binding, the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, and the TNF signaling pathway. Data in GSE167028 and single-cell sequencing data were used to validate the screened genes, and this demonstrated that the screened genes CCL2, APOE, ITGB8, LAMC2, COL6A3 and TNC were mainly expressed in fibroblast cells; IL6, ITGA1, PTK2, ITGB5, IL15, LAMA4, CAV1, SNCA, BDNF, ACTA2, CD70, MYL9, DPP4, ENO2 and VEGFC were expressed in cardiomyocytes; IL6, PTK2, ITGB5, IL15, APOE, JUN, SNCA, CD83, DPP4 and ENO2 were expressed in macrophages; and IL6, ITGA1, PTK2, ITGB5, IL15, VCAM1, LAMA4, CAV1, ACTA2, MYL9, CD83, DPP4, ENO2, VEGFC and IL32 were expressed in vascular endothelial cells. CONCLUSION: The screened hub genes, IL6, ITGA1, PTK2, ITGB3, ITGB5, CCL2, IL15, VCAM1, GZMB, APOE, ITGB8, LAMA4, LAMC2, COL6A3 and TNFRSF9, were validated using GEO dataset and single-cell sequencing data, which may be therapeutic targets patients with myocarditis to prevent MI progression and adverse cardiovascular events.

Conversion or reversion of interferon gamma release assays for Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Interferon-gamma release assays (IGRA) are widely used for diagnosis of latent tuberculosis infection. However, with repeat testing, IGRA transformation (conversion or reversion) may be detected and is challenging to interpret. We reviewed the frequency of and risk factors for IGRA transformation. METHODS: We screened public databases for studies of human participants that reported the frequency of IGRA transformation. We extracted study and subject characteristics, details of IGRA testing and results. We calculated the pooled frequency of IGRA transformation (and transient transformation) and examined associated risk factors. RESULTS: The pooled frequency of IGRA conversion or reversion from 244 studies was estimated at 7.3% (95% CI 6.1-8.5%) or 22.8% (20.1-25.7%), respectively. Transient conversion or reversion were estimated at 46.0% (35.7-56.4%) or 19.6% (9.2-31.7%) of conversion or reversion events respectively. Indeterminate results seldom reverted to positive (1.2% [0.1-3.5%]). IGRA results in the borderline positive or negative range were associated with increased risk of conversion or reversion (pooled OR: conversion, 4.15 [3.00-5.30]; reversion, 4.06 [3.07-5.06]). BCG vaccination was associated with decreased risk of conversion (0.70, 0.56-0.84), cigarette smoking with decreased risk of reversion (0.44, 0.06-0.82), and female sex with decreased risk of either conversion or reversion (conversion, 0.66 [0.58-0.75]; reversion, 0.46 [0.31-0.61]). CONCLUSIONS: IGRA conversion is less common than reversion, and frequently transient. Research is needed to determine whether individuals with reversion would benefit from tuberculosis preventive treatment. Re-testing of people with indeterminate results is probably not indicated, since indeterminate results seldom revert to positive.

A new species of the genus Hebius (Squamata, Natricidae) from Yunnan, China.

A new species of the genus Hebius Thompson, 1913 is described from Yingjiang County, Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province, China, based on molecular and morphological evidence. It can be distinguished from its congeners by the following set of characters: (1) dorsal scale rows 19-17-17, feebly keeled; (2) ventrals 146-151; (3) nasal complete, nostril in the middle of the nasal; (4) supralabials 9, the fourth to sixth in contact with the eye; (5) infralabials 10-11, the first 5 touching the first pair of chin shields; (6) preoculars 2; (7) postoculars 3; (8) temporals 3, arranged in two rows (1+2); (9) maxillary teeth 31, the last 4 slightly enlarged, without diastema; (10) tail comparatively long, TAL/TL ratio 0.334 in the male; (11) dorsolateral series of irregular orange or ochre yellow blotches, extending from the neck to the posterior part of the tail; and (12) venter pale orange, tips of ventrals with subrectangular black blotches. All Hebius specimens were strongly recovered as monophyletic, in which Hebiustaronensis (Smith, 1940) and Hebiusvenningi (Wall, 1910) were monophyletic as sister to the Yingjiang County specimens. According to the p-distance of cytochrome b, the new species differs from its congeners by 9.7-15.4%.

A conserved GRAS-domain transcriptional regulator links meristem indeterminacy to sex determination in Ceratopteris gametophytes.

Most land plants alternate between generations of sexual gametophytes and asexual sporophytes. Unlike seed plants, fern gametophytes are free living and grow independently of their sporophytes. In homosporous ferns such as Ceratopteris, gametophytes derived from genetically identical spores exhibit sexual dimorphism, developing as either males or hermaphrodites. Males lack meristems and promote cell differentiation into sperm-producing antheridia. In contrast, hermaphrodites initiate multicellular meristems that stay undifferentiated, sustain cell division and prothallus expansion, and drive the formation of egg-producing archegonia. Once initiating the meristem, hermaphrodites secrete the pheromone antheridiogen, which triggers neighboring slower-growing gametophytes to develop as males, while the hermaphrodites themselves remain insensitive to antheridiogen. This strategy promotes outcrossing and prevents all individuals in the colony from becoming males. This study reveals that an evolutionarily conserved GRAS-domain transcriptional regulator (CrHAM), directly repressed by Ceratopteris microRNA171 (CrmiR171), promotes meristem development in Ceratopteris gametophytes and determines the male-to-hermaphrodite ratio in the colony. CrHAM preferentially accumulates within the meristems of hermaphrodites but is excluded from differentiated antheridia. CrHAM sustains meristem proliferation and cell division through conserved hormone pathways. In the meantime, CrHAM inhibits the antheridiogen-induced conversion of hermaphrodites to males by suppressing the male program expression and preventing meristem cells from differentiating into sperm-producing antheridia. This finding establishes a connection between meristem indeterminacy and sex determination in ferns, suggesting both conserved and diversified roles of meristem regulators in land plants.

Self-nanomicellizing solid dispersion: A promising platform for oral drug delivery.

Amorphous solid dispersion (ASD) has been widely used to enhance the oral bioavailability of water-insoluble drugs for oral delivery because of its advantages of enhancing solubility and dissolution rate. However, the problems related to drug recrystallization after drug dissolution in media or body fluid have constrained its application. Recently, a self-nanomicellizing solid dispersion (SNMSD) has been developed by incorporating self-micellizing polymers as carriers to settle the problems, markedly improving the ability of supersaturation maintenance and enhancing the oral bioavailability of drug. Spontaneous formation and stability of the self-nanomicelle (SNM) have been proved to be the key to supersaturation maintenance of SNMSD system. This offers a novel research direction for maintaining supersaturation and enhancing the bioavailability of ASDs. To delve into the advantages of SNMSDs, we provide a concise review introducing the formation mechanism, characterization methods and stability of SNMs, emphasizing the advantages of SNMSDs for oral drug delivery facilitated by SNM formation, and discussing relevant research prospects.

A Pt nanoenzyme- and BODIPY-loaded nanoscale covalent organic framework for relieving intratumoural hypoxia to enhance photodynamic therapy.

Herein, we report a composite COF material loaded with a Pt nanoenzyme and an organic photosensitizer BODIPY, synthesized via a stepwise post-synthetic modification. The obtained Pt@COF-BDP nanoparticles can efficiently and continuously convert H2O2 to O2, thereby increasing the efficiency of single-linear oxygen production and achieving efficient tumor inhibition.

Construction of Toxoplasma gondii SRS29C nucleic acid vaccine and comparative immunoprotective study of an SRS29C and SAG1 combination.

Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular protozoan parasite that infects all nucleated cells except the red blood cells. Currently, nucleic acid vaccines are being widely investigated in Toxoplasma gondii control, and several nucleic acid vaccine candidate antigens have shown good protection in various studies. The aim of this study was to construct a nucleic acid vaccine with Toxoplasma gondii SRS29C as the target gene. We explored the nucleic acid vaccine with Toxoplasma surface protein SRS29C and the combined gene of SRS29C and SAG1 and evaluated its immunoprotective effect against Toxoplasma gondii. To amplify the gene fragment and clone it to the expression vector, the recombinant plasmid pEGFP-SRS29C was constructed by PCR. Eukaryotic cells were transfected with the plasmid, and the expression of the target protein was assessed using the Western blot method. The level of serum IgG was determined via ELISA, and the splenic lymphocyte proliferation ability was detected using the CCK-8 method. The percentages of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were measured by flow cytometry. Mice were immunised three times with single-gene nucleic acid vaccine and combination vaccine. Splenic lymphocytokine expression was determined using ELISA kits. The mice's survival time was monitored and recorded during an in vivo insect assault experiment, and the vaccine's protective power was assessed. The outcomes showed that PCR-amplification of an SRS29C gene fragment was successful. The 4,733-bp vector fragment and the 1,119-bp target segment were both recognised by double digestion. Additionally, after transfection of the recombinant plasmid pEGFP-SRS29C, Western blot examination of the extracted protein revealed the presence of a target protein strip at 66 kDa. The test results demonstrated that the IgG content in the serum of the pEGFP-SRS29C group and the co-immunization group was significantly higher than that of the PBS group and the empty vector group. The IgG potency induced by the co-immunization group was higher than that of the pEGFP-SRS29C group and the pEGFP-SAG1 group, the number of splenic lymphocyte proliferation number was higher than that of the PBS group and the empty vector group. The CD4+/CD8+ T ratio was higher than that of the PBS group and the empty vector group. The expression of IFN-γ and TNF-α in the splenocytes of the pEGFP-SRS29C group and the combined immunisation group was significantly higher following antigen stimulation. In the worm attack experiments, mice in the PBS and empty vector groups perished within 9 days of the worm attack, whereas mice in the pEGFP-SRS29C group survived for 18 days, mice in the pEGFP-SAG1 group survived for 21 days, and mice in the co-immunization group survived for 24 days. This demonstrates that the constructed Toxoplasma gondii nucleic acid vaccine pEGFP-SRS29C and the combined gene vaccine can induce mice to develop certain humoral and cellular immune responses, and enhance their ability to resist Toxoplasma gondii infection.

METTL3 promotes the osteogenic differentiation of periosteum-derived MSCs via regulation of the HOXD8/ITGA5 axis in congenital pseudarthrosis.

Background: Congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia (CPT) is a dominant health challenge in pediatric orthopedics. The essential process in the development of CPT is the limited capacity of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) derived from CPT to undergo osteogenic differentiation. Our research aimed to elucidate the role and mechanism of methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3) in the osteogenic differentiation process of CPT MSCs. Methods: The osteogenic differentiation medium was used to culture MSCs, and the detection of osteogenic differentiation was performed using Alizarin Red S and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) assays. Gene or protein expression was assessed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), Western blot, or immunofluorescence (IF) staining. The m6A modification of Homeobox D8 (HOXD8) was verified by methylated RNA immunoprecipitation (MeRIP) assay. Interactions between METTL3 and HOXD8 or HOXD8 and integrin alpha 5 (ITGA5) promoter were validated by the luciferase reporter gene, RIP, and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays. Results: METTL3 overexpression enhanced CPT MSCs' osteogenic differentiation. METTL3 stabilized the HOXD8 in an m6A-dependent manner. Moreover, the overexpressed ITGA5 up-regulated the CPT MSCs' osteogenic differentiation. Further, HOXD8 could transcriptionally activate ITGA5. METTL3 increased the transcription of ITGA5 via HOXD8 to enhance the osteogenic differentiation of CPT MSCs. Conclusion: METTL3 promoted osteogenic differentiation via modulating the HOXD8/ITGA5 axis in CPT MSCs.

Nonlinear time effects of vegetation response to climate change: Evidence from Qilian Mountain National Park in China.

Vegetation responses to climate change are typically nonlinear with varied time effects, yet current research lacks comprehensiveness and precise definitions, hindering a deeper understanding of the underlying mechanisms. This study focuses on the mountain-type Qilian Mountain National Park (QMNP), investigating the characteristics and patterns of these nonlinear time effects using a generalized additive model (GAM) based on MODIS-NDVI, growing season temperature, and precipitation data. The results show that 1) The time effects of climate change on vegetation exhibit significant spatial variations, differing across vegetation types and topographic conditions. Accounting for optimal time effects can increase the explanatory power of climate on vegetation change by 6.8 %. Precipitation responses are mainly characterized by time-lag and time-accumulation effects, notably in meadows and steppes, while temperature responses are largely cumulative, especially in steppes. The altitude and slope significantly influence the pattern of vegetation response to climate, particularly in areas with high altitudes and steep slopes. 2) There is a significant nonlinear relationship between vegetation growth and both precipitation and temperature, with the nonlinear relationship between precipitation and vegetation being stronger than that with temperature, particularly in the western and central regions of the park. Different vegetation types exhibit significant variations in their response to climate change, with deserts and steppes being more sensitive to precipitation. 3) Precipitation is the primary driver of vegetation change in the QMNP, particularly for high-elevation vegetation and herbaceous vegetation. The complex temporal patterns of vegetation response to climate change in the QMNP not only deepen the understanding of the intricate relationship between regional vegetation and climate variability but also provide a methodological reference for global studies on vegetation responses to climate change.

Ultrastructural insights into cellular organization, energy storage and ribosomal dynamics of an ammonia-oxidizing archaeon from oligotrophic oceans.

Introduction: Nitrososphaeria, formerly known as Thaumarchaeota, constitute a diverse and widespread group of ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) inhabiting ubiquitously in marine and terrestrial environments, playing a pivotal role in global nitrogen cycling. Despite their importance in Earth's ecosystems, the cellular organization of AOA remains largely unexplored, leading to a significant unanswered question of how the machinery of these organisms underpins metabolic functions. Methods: In this study, we combined spherical-chromatic-aberration-corrected cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET), scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) to unveil the cellular organization and elemental composition of Nitrosopumilus maritimus SCM1, a representative member of marine Nitrososphaeria. Results and Discussion: Our tomograms show the native ultrastructural morphology of SCM1 and one to several dense storage granules in the cytoplasm. STEM-EDS analysis identifies two types of storage granules: one type is possibly composed of polyphosphate and the other polyhydroxyalkanoate. With precise measurements using cryo-ET, we observed low quantity and density of ribosomes in SCM1 cells, which are in alignment with the documented slow growth of AOA in laboratory cultures. Collectively, these findings provide visual evidence supporting the resilience of AOA in the vast oligotrophic marine environment.

Net-432-Gb/s/λ PS-PAM transmission based on advanced DSP and single DAC for 400†G/λ IM/DD links.

The escalating surge in datacenter traffic creates a pressing demand for augmenting the capacity of cost-effective intensity modulation and direct detection (IM/DD) systems. In this Letter, we report the demonstration of the single-lane 128-GBaud probabilistically shaped (PS)-PAM-20 IM/DD transmission using only a single digital-to-analog converter (DAC) for a net 400 G/λ system. Based on the advanced digital signal processing (DSP), we achieve net bitrates of up to 437 Gb/s for optical back-to-back and 432 Gb/s after the 0.5-km SSMF transmission in the C-band with 128-Gbaud PS-PAM-20 signals. This work is the latest demonstration on ultra-high-order PS-PAM signals achieving net bitrates exceeding 400 Gb/s despite symbol rate limitations. Notably, to the best of our knowledge, the realized net information rate ([net bitrate]/[symbol rate]) of 3.37 marks a new achievement within the domain of 400 G/λ IM/DD systems, with promising implications for enhancing bandwidth efficiency in the upcoming 1.6-Tb Ethernet scenario.

LncRNA HOXA­AS2 is a prognostic and clinicopathological predictor in patients with cancer: A meta­analysis.

Elevated expression of long non-coding RNA homeobox A cluster antisense RNA 2 (lncRNA HOXA-AS2) is known to have prognostic value in various solid tumors. The present meta-analysis aimed to comprehensively quantify its prognostic significance across a wider spectrum of malignancies and to provide an updated synthesis of evidence that could refine prognostic models. To achieve this aim, multiple databases were carefully searched for lncRNA HOXA-AS2-related articles published in the past 10 years. Hazard ratios (HRs) or odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to demonstrate the prognostic value of lncRNA HOXA-AS2 using Stata 15.0 software. The function of lncRNA HOXA-AS2 was inferred from its associations with key clinical outcomes such as lymph node metastasis, distant metastasis, tumor stage and tumor size, which may reflect its role in tumor biology. In the present systematic review and meta-analysis of 454 patients across 7 studies, it was found that high lncRNA HOXA-AS2 expression was significantly associated with a shorter overall survival (OS) time in patients with cancer (HR=2.14; 95% CI, 1.40-3.27; P<0.001). High lncRNA HOXA-AS2 expression was also associated with lymph node metastasis [odds ratio (OR)=2.06; 95% CI, 1.07-3.99; P=0.032], distant metastasis (OR=2.11; 95% CI, 1.15-3.88; P=0.016), advanced tumor stage (OR=2.71; 95% CI, 1.50-4.89; P=0.001) and larger tumor size (OR=2.02; 95% CI, 0.86-4.78; P=0.006). However, no significant association was observed with age (OR=1.00; 95% CI, 0.63-1.59; P=0.991) or sex (OR=1.55; 95% CI, 0.72-3.34; P=0.258). In conclusion, elevated expression of lncRNA HOXA-AS2 was significantly related to poor clinical outcomes in various cancer types, such as osteosarcoma, non-small cell lung cancer and papillary thyroid carcinoma, a finding that was further confirmed by the present study. Specifically, the potential of lncRNAHOXA-AS2 as a biomarker in assessing tumor stage, metastasis risk and OS in patients was demonstrated. However, the results of the present study also indicated that the expression of lncRNA HOXA-AS2 was not significantly associated with age or sex, suggesting its role in cancer progression might be independent of these factors. This insight may direct future research to place more focus on the relationship between lncRNA HOXA-AS2 and specific cancer types and clinical characteristics.