Highly Efficient and Unsupervised Framework for Moving Object Detection in Satellite Videos.

Moving object detection in satellite videos (SVMOD) is a challenging task due to the extremely dim and small target characteristics. Current learning-based methods extract spatio-temporal information from multi-frame dense representation with labor-intensive manual labels to tackle SVMOD, which needs high annotation costs and contains tremendous computational redundancy due to the severe imbalance between foreground and background regions. In this paper, we propose a highly efficient unsupervised framework for SVMOD. Specifically, we propose a generic unsupervised framework for SVMOD, in which pseudo labels generated by a traditional method can evolve with the training process to promote detection performance. Furthermore, we propose a highly efficient and effective sparse convolutional anchor-free detection network by sampling the dense multi-frame image form into a sparse spatio-temporal point cloud representation and skipping the redundant computation on background regions. Coping these two designs, we can achieve both high efficiency (label and computation efficiency) and effectiveness. Extensive experiments demonstrate that our method can not only process 98.8 frames per second on 1024 ×1024 images but also achieve state-of-the-art performance.

A Metric of Societal Burden Based on Virus Succession to Determine Economic Losses and Health Benefits of China's Lockdown Policies: Model Development and Validation.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic had a profound impact on the global health system and economic structure. Although the implementation of lockdown measures achieved notable success in curbing the spread of the pandemic, it concurrently incurred substantial socioeconomic costs. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to delineate an equilibrium between the economic losses and health benefits of lockdown measures, with the aim of identifying the optimal boundary conditions for implementing these measures at various pandemic phases. METHODS: This study used a model to estimate the half-lives of the observed case fatality rates of different strains. It was based on global infection and death data collected by the World Health Organization and strain sequence time series data provided by Nextstrain. The connection between the health benefits and economic losses brought by lockdown measures was established through the calculation of disability-adjusted life years. Taking China's city lockdowns as an example, this study determined the cost-benefit boundary of various lockdown measures during the evolution of COVID-19. RESULTS: The study reveals a direct proportionality between economic losses due to lockdowns and the observed case fatality rates of virus strains, a relationship that holds true irrespective of population size or per capita economic output. As SARS-CoV-2 strains evolve and population immunity shifts, there has been a notable decrease in the observed case fatality rate over time, exhibiting a half-life of roughly 8 months. This decline in fatality rates may offset the health benefits of maintaining unchanged lockdown measures, given that the resultant economic losses might exceed the health benefits. CONCLUSIONS: The initial enforcement of lockdown in Wuhan led to significant health benefits. However, with the decline in the observed case fatality rate of the virus strains, the economic losses increasingly outweighed the health benefits. Consequently, it is essential to consistently refine and enhance lockdown strategies in accordance with the evolving fatality and infection rates of different virus strains, thereby optimizing outcomes in anticipation of future pandemics.

Occurrence, distribution characteristics and exposure assessment of perchlorate in the environment in China.

Recognizing the extent of perchlorate pollution in the environment is critical to preventing and mitigating potential perchlorate harm to human health. The presence and distribution of perchlorate in Chinese environmental matrixes (water, atmosphere, and soil) were systematically investigated and comprehensively analyzed, and cumulative perchlorate exposure at the regional level was assessed using a combined aggregate exposure pathway method. The results showed that perchlorate is ubiquitous in the environment of China with significant regional differences. The total perchlorate exposure levels in each region of China ranked as South China > Southwest China > East China > North China > Northeast China > Northwest China. Although the average exposure dose of 0.588 (95 %CI: 0.142 -1.914) µg/kg bw/day being lower than the reference dose of 0.70 µg/kg bw/day, it was observed that the intake of perchlorate in some regions exceed this reference dose. Oral ingestion was the primary route of perchlorate exposure (89.97-96.57 % of the total intake), followed by dermal contact (3.21-9.16 %) and respiratory inhalation. Food and drinking water were the main sources of total perchlorate intake, contributing 52.54 % and 31.12 % respectively, with the latter contributing significantly more in southern China than in northern China. In addition, perchlorate exposure from dust sources was also noteworthy, as its contribution was as high as 23.18 % in some regions. These findings will improve understanding of the perchlorate risk and serve as a critical reference for policymakers in crafting improved environmental management and risk mitigation strategies in China and other nations.

Outcomes of endoscopic submucosal dissection versus esophagectomy for poorly differentiated superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: A 10-year cohort study.

BACKGROUNDS: The efficacy of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) to treat poorly differentiated superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SESCC) is unclear. AIMS: To exploring the efficacy and prognosis of ESD treatment poorly differentiated SESCC compared with esophagectomy. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted, the data of poorly differentiated SESCC patients who received ESD or esophagectomy from Jan 2011 to Jan 2021 were analyzed. Overall survival (OS), disease-specific survival (DSS), recurrence-free survival (RFS), and procedure-related variables were compared between ESD and esophagectomy group. RESULTS: 95 patients underwent ESD, while 86 underwent esophagectomy. No significant differences were found between the two groups in OS (P = 0.587), DSS (P = 0.172), and RFS (P = 0.111). Oncologic outcomes were also similar between the two groups in propensity score-matched analysis. For T1a ESCC, the rates of R0 resection, LVI or nodal metastasis and additional therapy were similar between ESD and esophagectomy groups. But for T1b ESCC, the rates of positive resection margin and additional therapy were significantly higher in ESD group than those in esophagectomy group. CONCLUSIONS: ESD is a minimally invasive procedure that has comparable oncologic outcomes with esophagectomy for treatment poorly differentiated T1a ESCC. However, ESD is not suitable for poorly differentiated T1b ESCC, additional surgery or radiochemotherapy should be required.

Comparative metabolomics combined with genome sequencing provides insights into novel wolfberry-specific metabolites and their formation mechanisms.

Wolfberry (Lycium, of the family Solanaceae) has special nutritional benefits due to its valuable metabolites. Here, 16 wolfberry-specific metabolites were identified by comparing the metabolome of wolfberry with those of six species, including maize, rice, wheat, soybean, tomato and grape. The copy numbers of the riboflavin and phenyllactate degradation genes riboflavin kinase (RFK) and phenyllactate UDP-glycosyltransferase (UGT1) were lower in wolfberry than in other species, while the copy number of the phenyllactate synthesis gene hydroxyphenyl-pyruvate reductase (HPPR) was higher in wolfberry, suggesting that the copy number variation of these genes among species may be the main reason for the specific accumulation of riboflavin and phenyllactate in wolfberry. Moreover, the metabolome-based neighbor-joining tree revealed distinct clustering of monocots and dicots, suggesting that metabolites could reflect the evolutionary relationship among those species. Taken together, we identified 16 specific metabolites in wolfberry and provided new insight into the accumulation mechanism of species-specific metabolites at the genomic level.

Unrevealing the therapeutic potential of artesunate against emerging zoonotic Babesia microti infection in the murine model.

Babesiosis, a zoonotic blood protozoal disease, threatens humans and animals and is difficult to treat due to growing antimicrobial resistance. The study aimed to investigate the therapeutic efficacy of artesunate (AS), a well-known derivative of artemisinin, against Babesia microti (B. microti) using a murine infection model. Male BALB/c mice (6 weeks old; 15 per group) were chosen and randomly divided into 1) the control group, 2) the B. microti group, and 3) the B. microti + artesunate treatment groups. AS treatment at 2 mg/kg, 4 mg/kg, and 8 mg/kg of body weight significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the B. microti load in blood smears in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, AS treatment mitigated the decrease in body weight and restored the normal state of the liver and spleen viscera index compared to the B. microti-infected group after 28 days. Hematological analysis revealed significant increases in RBC, WBC, and PLT counts post-AS treatment compared to the B. microti-infected group. Furthermore, AS administration resulted in significant reductions in total protein, bilirubin, ALT, AST, and ALP levels, along with reduced liver and spleen inflammation and lesions as observed through histopathological analysis. AS also elicited dose-dependent changes in mRNA and protein expression levels of apoptotic, proinflammatory, and anti-inflammatory cytokines in the liver compared to the control and B. microti-infected groups. Immunolabeling revealed decreased expression of apoptotic and inflammation-related proteins in AS-treated hepatic cytoplasm compared to the B. microti-infected group. AS also in dose-dependent manner decreased apoptotic protein and increased Bcl-2. Overall, these findings underscore the potential of AS as an anti-parasitic candidate in combating B. microti pathogenesis in an in vivo infection model, suggesting its promise for clinical trials as a treatment for babesiosis.

Effects of different nitrogen application rates and picking batches on the nutritional components of Lycium barbarum L. fruits.

Lycium barbarum L., commonly known as wolfberry, is not only a traditional Chinese medicine but also a highly nutritious food. Its main nutrients include L. barbarum polysaccharide, flavonoid polyphenols, carotenoids, alkaloids, and other compounds, demonstrating its wide application value. This study investigated the effects of nitrogen application on the accumulation of the main nutrients and metabolites in wolfberry fruits under three different nitrogen application rates, namely, N1 (20% nitrogen (N) reduction, 540 kg·ha-2), N2 (medium N, 675 kg·ha-2), and N3 (20% nitrogen increase, 810 kg·ha-2,which is a local conventional nitrogen application amount.). Additionally, due to continuous branching, blossoming, and fruiting of wolfberry plants during the annual growth period, this research also explored the variation in nutritional composition among different harvesting batches. The contents of total sugar and polysaccharide in wolfberry fruit were determined by Fehling reagent method and phenol-sulfuric acid method, respectively;The content of betaine in fruit was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography,and the flavonoids and carotene in the wolfberry fruits were determined by spectrophotometry. Analysis of data over three consecutive years revealed that as nitrogen application increased, the total sugar content in wolfberry fruits initially decreased and then increased. The levels of L. barbarum polysaccharides, total flavonoids, and total carotenoids initially increased and then decreased, while the betaine content consistently increased. Different picking batches significantly impacted the nutrient content of wolfberry fruits. Generally, the first batch of summer wolfberry fruits had greater amounts of total sugar and flavonoids, whereas other nutrients peaked in the third batch. By employing a broadly targeted metabolomics approach, 926 different metabolites were identified. The top 20 differentially abundant metabolites were selected for heatmap generation, revealing that the contents of L-citrulline, 2-methylglutaric acid, and adipic acid increased proportionally to the nitrogen gradient. Conversely, the dibutyl phthalate and 2, 4-dihydroxyquinoline contents significantly decreased under high-nitrogen conditions. The remaining 15 differentially abundant metabolites, kaempferol-3-O-sophorosid-7-O-rhamnoside, trigonelline, and isorhamnosid-3-O-sophoroside, initially increased and then decreased with increasing nitrogen levels. Isofraxidin, a common differentially abundant metabolite across all treatments, is a coumarin that may serve as a potential biomarker for wolfberry fruit response to nitrogen. Differentially abundant metabolites were analyzed for GO pathway involvement, revealing significant enrichment in metabolic pathways and biosynthesis of secondary metabolites under different nitrogen treatments. In conclusion, a nitrogen application of 675 kg·ha-2, 20% less than the local farmers' actual application, was most beneficial for the quality of four-year-old Ningqi 7 wolfberry fruits. Consumers who purchase wolfberry-dried fruit for health benefits should not consider only the first batch of summer wolfberry fruits. These results offer a broader perspective for enhancing the quality and efficiency of the wolfberry industry.

Optical enhancement mode 2 improves the detection rate of gastric neoplastic lesion in high-risk populations: A multicenter randomized controlled clinical study.

OBJECTIVES: Detection of early neoplastic lesions is crucial for improving the survival rates of patients with gastric cancer. Optical enhancement mode 2 is a new image-enhanced endoscopic technique that offers bright images and can improve the visibility of neoplastic lesions. This study aimed to compare the detection of neoplastic lesions with optical enhancement mode 2 and white-light imaging (WLI) in a high-risk population. METHODS: In this prospective multicenter randomized controlled trial, patients were randomly assigned to optical enhancement mode 2 or WLI groups. Detection of suspicious neoplastic lesions during the examinations was recorded, and pathological diagnoses served as the gold standard. RESULTS: A total of 1211 and 1219 individuals were included in the optical enhancement mode 2 and WLI groups, respectively. The detection rate of neoplastic lesions was significantly higher in the optical enhancement mode 2 group (5.1% vs. 1.9%; risk ratio, 2.656 [95% confidence interval, 1.630-4.330]; p < 0.001). The detection rate of neoplastic lesions with an atrophic gastritis background was significantly higher in the optical enhancement mode 2 group (8.6% vs. 2.6%, p < 0.001). The optical enhancement mode 2 group also had a higher detection rate among endoscopists with different experiences. CONCLUSIONS: Optical enhancement mode 2 was more effective than WLI for detecting neoplastic lesions in the stomach, and can serve as a new method for screening early gastric cancer in clinical practice. CLINICAL REGISTRY: United States National Library of Medicine (https://www. CLINICALTRIALS: gov), ID: NCT040720521.

Heterozygous Spink1 c.194+2T>C mutation promotes chronic pancreatitis after acute attack in mice.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Mutations in genes, including serine protease inhibitor Kazal-type 1 (SPINK1), influence disease progression following sentinel acute pancreatitis event (SAPE) attacks. SPINK1 c.194+2T > C intron mutation is one of the main mutants of SPINK1，which leads to the impairment of SPINK1 function by causing skipping of exon 3. Research on the pathogenesis of SAPE attacks would contribute to the understanding of the outcomes of acute pancreatitis. Therefore, the aim of the study was to clarify the role of SPINK1 c.194+2T > C mutation in the CP progression after an AP attack. METHODS: SAPE attacks were induced in wildtype and SPINK mutant (Spink1 c.194+2T > C) mice by cerulein injection. The mice were sacrificed at 24 h, 14 d, 28 d, and 42 d post-SAPE. Data-independent acquisition (DIA) proteomic analysis was performed for the identification of differentially expressed protein in the pancreatic tissues. Functional analyses were performed using THP-1 and HPSCs. RESULTS: Following SAPE attack, the Spink1 c.194+2T > C mutant mice exhibited a more severe acute pancreatitis phenotype within 24 h. In the chronic phase, the chronic pancreatitis phenotype was more severe in the Spink1 c.194+2T > C mutant mice after SAPE. Proteomic analysis revealed elevated IL-33 level in Spink1 c.194+2T > C mutant mice. Further in vitro analyses revealed that IL-33 induced M2 polarization of macrophages and activation of pancreatic stellate cells. CONCLUSION: Spink1 c.194+2T > C mutation plays an important role in the prognosis of patients following SAPE. Heterozygous Spink1 c.194+2T > C mutation promotes the development of chronic pancreatitis after an acute attack in mice through elevated IL-33 level and the induction of M2 polarization in coordination with pancreatic stellate cell activation.

Mechanisms of the effect of fertility policies on the labor-capital income gap.

This paper investigates the impact mechanism by which an incentive-based fertility policy may reduce the labor income share. First, the specific paths through which this impact mechanism is realized are analyzed using the production function. It is found that an incentive-based fertility policy triggers high savings, which implies more, cheaper, and more readily available capital to be invested in production. A distribution system that earns income based on factor contributions results in more gains for capital than labor, i.e., a lower share of labor income and a wider income gap between labor and capital. Second, the impact mechanism includes three theoretical hypotheses. They are that an encouraging fertility policy is negatively related to labor income share; this relationship is valid provided that the study subject is in a closed economy; and that capital intensification is a mediator variable of fertility policy affecting labor income share. Finally, to further corroborate the impact mechanism in this paper, a Hansen threshold panel model is applied to verify that the effect of fertility policy on labor income share has a threshold effect. This indicates that the effect of the former on the latter changes significantly before and after the change in fertility policy, confirming the existence of an impact mechanism. The established literature has paid little attention to the impact of incentivised fertility policies on the labour income gap. Using capital intensification as the mediating variable, this paper demonstrates the existence of the former effect on the latter. In view of this, under the encouraged fertility policy, this paper proposes specific measures to enhance the labor income share in order to narrow the income gap between labor and capital.

Real-World Light Field Image Super-Resolution Via Degradation Modulation.

Recent years have witnessed the great advances of deep neural networks (DNNs) in light field (LF) image super-resolution (SR). However, existing DNN-based LF image SR methods are developed on a single fixed degradation (e.g., bicubic downsampling), and thus cannot be applied to super-resolve real LF images with diverse degradation. In this article, we propose a simple yet effective method for real-world LF image SR. In our method, a practical LF degradation model is developed to formulate the degradation process of real LF images. Then, a convolutional neural network is designed to incorporate the degradation prior into the SR process. By training on LF images using our formulated degradation, our network can learn to modulate different degradation while incorporating both spatial and angular information in LF images. Extensive experiments on both synthetically degraded and real-world LF images demonstrate the effectiveness of our method. Compared with existing state-of-the-art single and LF image SR methods, our method achieves superior SR performance under a wide range of degradation, and generalizes better to real LF images. Codes and models are available at https://yingqianwang.github.io/LF-DMnet/.

Essential role of lattice oxygen in hydrogen sensing reaction.

Understanding the sensing mechanism of metal oxide semiconductors is imperative to the development of high-performance sensors. The traditional sensing mechanism only recognizes the effect of surface chemisorbed oxygen from the air but ignores surface lattice oxygen. Herein, using in-situ characterizations, we provide direct experimental evidence that the surface chemisorbed oxygen participated in the sensing process can come from lattice oxygen of the oxides. Further density functional theory (DFT) calculations prove that the p-band center of O serves as a state of art for regulating the participation of lattice oxygen in gas-sensing reactions. Based on our experimental data and theoretical calculations, we discuss mechanisms that are fundamentally different from the conventional mechanism and show that the easily participation of lattice oxygen is helpful for the high response value of the materials.

Self-expandable metallic stents may be more efficient than balloon dilatation alone for esophageal stricture after circumferential endoscopic submucosal dissection: a retrospective cohort study in China.

INTRODUCTION: Self-expandable metallic stents (SEMSs) can be used to treat esophageal stricture after circumferential endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), but its efficacy and placement timing remain to be determined. In this study, the treatment time and number of dilatations were compared between the SEMS placement group and the balloon dilatation (BD) group to clarify the efficacy and placement time of SEMSs in the treatment of esophageal stricture after circumferential esophageal ESD. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study. Patients with esophageal stricture after circumferential ESD between January 2015 and January 2020 were included. Data on the patients' demographic characteristics, esophageal lesion-related factors, esophageal stricture occurrence, and measures taken to treat the stricture were collected. The primary outcome was the treatment time, and the secondary outcome was the number of dilatations. RESULTS: The total number of dilatations was 30 in the SEMS group and 106 in the BD group. The average number of dilatations in the SEMS group (1.76 ± 1.64) was significantly lower than that in the BD group (4.42 ± 5.32) (P = 0.016). Among the patients who underwent SEMS placement first had a shorter treatment time (average 119 days) than those who underwent BD first (average 245 days) (P = 0.041), and the average number of dilatations inpatients who underwent SEMS placement first (0.71 ± 1.07) was significantly lower than that in the patients who underwent BD first (2.5 ± 1.54). CONCLUSION: SEMSs were more efficient in the treatment of esophageal stricture in a cohort of patients after circumferential esophageal ESD.

Wolfberry genome database: integrated genomic datasets for studying molecular biology.

Wolfberry, also known as goji berry or Lycium barbarum, is a highly valued fruit with significant health benefits and nutritional value. For more efficient and comprehensive usage of published L. barbarum genomic data, we established the Wolfberry database. The utility of the Wolfberry Genome Database (WGDB) is highlighted through the Genome browser, which enables the user to explore the L. barbarum genome, browse specific chromosomes, and access gene sequences. Gene annotation features provide comprehensive information about gene functions, locations, expression profiles, pathway involvement, protein domains, and regulatory transcription factors. The transcriptome feature allows the user to explore gene expression patterns using transcripts per kilobase million (TPM) and fragments per kilobase per million mapped reads (FPKM) metrics. The Metabolism pathway page provides insights into metabolic pathways and the involvement of the selected genes. In addition to the database content, we also introduce six analysis tools developed for the WGDB. These tools offer functionalities for gene function prediction, nucleotide and amino acid BLAST analysis, protein domain analysis, GO annotation, and gene expression pattern analysis. The WGDB is freely accessible at https://cosbi7.ee.ncku.edu.tw/Wolfberry/. Overall, WGDB serves as a valuable resource for researchers interested in the genomics and transcriptomics of L. barbarum. Its user-friendly web interface and comprehensive data facilitate the exploration of gene functions, regulatory mechanisms, and metabolic pathways, ultimately contributing to a deeper understanding of wolfberry and its potential applications in agronomy and nutrition.

Research progress on the PEGylation of therapeutic proteins and peptides (TPPs).

With the rapid advancement of genetic and protein engineering, proteins and peptides have emerged as promising drug molecules for therapeutic applications. Consequently, there has been a growing interest in the field of chemical modification technology to address challenges associated with their clinical use, including rapid clearance from circulation, immunogenicity, physical and chemical instabilities (such as aggregation, adsorption, deamination, clipping, oxidation, etc.), and enzymatic degradation. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) modification offers an effective solution to these issues due to its favorable properties. This review presents recent progress in the development and application of PEGylated therapeutic proteins and peptides (TPPs). For this purpose, firstly, the physical and chemical properties as well as classification of PEG and its derivatives are described. Subsequently, a detailed summary is provided on the main sites of PEGylated TPPs and the factors that influence their PEGylation. Furthermore, notable instances of PEG-modified TPPs (including antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), interferon, asparaginase and antibodies) are highlighted. Finally, we propose the chemical modification of TPPs with PEG, followed by an analysis of the current development status and future prospects of PEGylated TPPs. This work provides a comprehensive literature review in this promising field while facilitating researchers in utilizing PEG polymers to modify TPPs for disease treatment.

Recent Advances on Selenium Nutrition and Keshan Disease.

Keshan disease (KD) is a type of endemic cardiomyopathy with an unknown cause. It is primarily found in areas in China with low selenium levels, from northeast to southwest. The nutritional biogeochemical etiology hypothesis suggests that selenium deficiency is a major factor in KD development. Selenium is important in removing free radicals and protecting cells and tissues from peroxide-induced damage. Thus, low environmental selenium may affect the selenium level within the human body, and selenium level differences are commonly observed between healthy people in KD and nonKD areas. From the 1970s to the 1990s, China successfully reduced KD incidence in endemic KD areas through a selenium supplementation program. After years of implementing prevention and control measures, the selenium level of the population in the KD areas has gradually increased, and the prevalence of KD in China has remained low and stable in recent years. Currently, the pathogenesis of KD remains vague, and the effect of selenium supplementation on the prognosis of KD still needs further study. This paper comprehensively reviews selenium deficiency and its connection to KD. Thus, this study aims to offer novel ideas and directions to effectively prevent and treat KD in light of the current situation.

A viral movement protein targets host catalases for 26S proteasome-mediated degradation to facilitate viral infection and aphid transmission in wheat.

The infection of host plants by many different viruses causes reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and yellowing symptoms, but the mechanisms through which plant viruses counteract ROS-mediated immunity to facilitate infection and symptom development have not been fully elucidated. Most plant viruses are transmitted by insect vectors in the field, but the molecular mechanisms underlying virus‒host-insect interactions are unclear. In this study, we investigated the interactions among wheat, barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV), and its aphid vector and found that the BYDV movement protein (MP) interacts with both wheat catalases (CATs) and the 26S proteasome ubiquitin receptor non-ATPase regulatory subunit 2 homolog (PSMD2) to facilitate the 26S proteasome-mediated degradation of CATs, promoting viral infection, disease symptom development, and aphid transmission. Overexpression of the BYDV MP gene in wheat enhanced the degradation of CATs, which leading to increased accumulation of ROS and thereby enhanced viral infection. Interestingly, transgenic wheat lines overexpressing BYDV MP showed significantly reduced proliferation of wingless aphids and an increased number of winged aphids. Consistent with this observation, silencing of CAT genes also enhanced viral accumulation and reduced the proliferation of wingless aphids but increased the occurrence of winged aphids. In contrast, transgenic wheat plants overexpressing TaCAT1 exhibited the opposite changes and showed increases in grain size and weight upon infection with BYDV. Biochemical assays demonstrated that BYDV MP interacts with PSMD2 and promotes 26S proteasome-mediated degradation of TaCAT1 likely in a ubiquitination-independent manner. Collectively, our study reveals a molecular mechanism by which a plant virus manipulates the ROS production system of host plants to facilitate viral infection and transmission, shedding new light on the sophisticated interactions among viruses, host plants, and insect vectors.

Ubiquitous occurrence of 1,4-dioxane in drinking water of China and its ecological and human health risk.

The occurrence and distribution of 1,4-dioxane was investigated in 280 source and finished drinking water samples from 31 Chinese cities, based on which its ecological and health risks were systematically evaluated. The findings demonstrated that 1,4-dioxane was detected in about 80.0 % samples with values ranging from n.d. to 7757 ng/L in source water and n.d. to 2918 ng/L in drinking water. 1,4-Dioxane showed limited removal efficiency using conventional coagulation-sedimentation-filtration processes (14 % ± 48 %), and a removal efficiency of 35 % ± 44 % using ozonation-biological activated carbon advanced treatment processes. Relatively higher concentrations, detection frequency and environmental risk were observed in Taihu Lake, Yellow River, Yangtze River, Zhujiang River, and Huaihe River mainly in the eastern and southern regions, where there are considerable industrial activities and comparatively high population densities. The widespread presence as by-products during manufacturing consumer products e.g., ethoxylated surfactants, suggested municipal wastewater discharges were the dominant source for the ubiquitous occurrence of 1,4-dioxane, while industrial activities, e.g. resin manufacturing, also contribute considerably to the elevated concentrations of 1,4-dioxane. The estimated risk quotients were in the range of <1.5 × 10-4 for ecological risk, <5.0 × 10-3 by oral exposure and < 5.0 × 10-2 by inhalation exposure for health risk, illustrating limited ecological harm to water environment or chronic toxicity to human health. For carcinogenic risk, 1,4-Dioxane presented a mean risk of 1.8 × 10-6 by oral exposure, which slightly surpassed the recommended acceptable levels of U.S. EPA (<10-6), and risk from inhalation exposure could be negligible. The pervasiveness in drinking water, low removal efficiencies during water treatment processes, and suspected health impacts, highlighted the necessity to set related water quality standards of 1,4-dioxane in order to improve water environment in China.

Renal-clearable nanoprobes for optical imaging and early diagnosis of diseases.

Optical imaging has played an indispensable role in clinical diagnostics and fundamental biomedical research due to its high sensitivity, high spatiotemporal resolution, cost-effectiveness, and easy accessibility. However, the issues of light scattering and low tissue penetration make them effective only for superficial imaging. To overcome these issues, renal-clearable optical nanoprobes have recently emerged, which are activated by abnormal disease-associated biomarkers and initiate a pharmacokinetic switch by undergoing degradation and eventually releasing signal reporters into urine, for simple imaging and sensitive optical in vitro urinalysis. In this review, we focus on the advancements of renal-clearable organic nanoprobes for optical imaging and remote urinalysis. The versatile design strategies of these nanoprobes are discussed along with their sensing mechanisms toward biomolecules of interest as well as their unique biological applications. Finally, challenges and perspectives are discussed to further advance the next-generation renal-clearable nanoprobes for in vivo imaging and in vitro urinalysis.

Molecular Dynamics Simulation Combined with Near-Field Electromagnetic Analysis for Ultrashort-Pulsed Light-Induced Plasmonic Nanobubbles.

Ultrashort-pulsed light-induced nanobubbles gain great attention in research fields such as cancer therapy, optical imaging, and drug delivery. However, the mechanism governing the nucleation and growth of nanobubbles remains controversial. In this study, a molecular dynamics simulation combined with near-field electromagnetic theory is developed to investigate the influence of the localized surface plasmon resonance effect (LSPR) on nanobubble nucleation under various time-length pulsed light and to reveal the energy transfer differences during the nanobubble generation process. The results show that when silver nanoparticles (NPs) are irradiated by a 5 ps shorter-pulsed light, the temperature of the water layer adjacent to the nanoparticle surpasses that of the nanoparticle itself and reaches the spinodal temperature. This leads to nanobubbles' rapid nucleation at approximately 20 ps, which is 80 ps earlier than that irradiated by a 100 ps longer-pulsed light. Comparatively, during longer-pulsed light irradiation, a slower increase in both the temperature of the silver NPs and the water layer results in delayed nucleation of nanobubbles. Therefore, the plasmonic nanobubbles (PNBs) were observed around in 74 and 100 ps when irradiated by 50 and 100 ps longer-pulsed light, respectively. Moreover, the result indicates that the LSPR-induced enhanced electric field by shorter-pulsed light (5 ps) is 2.1 × 1010 V/m, which can accelerate the motion of water molecules surrounding silver NPs, resulting in rapid generation of nanobubbles. However, the intensities of the resonant electric field drop to 5.6 × 109 and 5.0 × 109 V/m when the duration times of pulsed light are 50 and 100 ps, respectively. These results indicate that the energy transfer mechanism of plasmonic nanobubbles (PNBs) under ultrashort-pulsed light irradiation might be very different from that of thermally mediated nanobubbles (TNBs). This work provides new insights into understanding the generation of PNBs induced by ultrashort-pulsed light.