Mental fatigue mediates the relationship between qi deficiency and academic performance among fifth-grade students aged 10-13 years.

Background: Health has effects on children's academic performance. Qi deficiency is generally used to assess an individual's health in the Chinese traditional medicine theory. This study explores the effects of qi deficiency on children's academic performance and examines whether mental fatigue mediates these effects. Methods: A total of 550 students aged 10-13 in fifth-grade were surveyed in a big primary school in Sichuan Province in November 2023 using paper-pencil-based questionnaires. Qi deficiency and mental fatigue were assessed, and exam scores in Chinese and Mathematics were recorded. Pearson's correlation and linear regression analyses were used to test the mediation model and hypotheses. Results: The fifth-grade students had mild qi deficiency (M = 2.09) and a mild state of mental fatigue (M = 2.38) on a five-point Likert scale. The average exam scores in Mathematics and Chinese were 70.07 and 74.44 points out of 100, respectively. Qi deficiency was associated with Mathematics scores (r = -0.37, p < 0.01) and Chinese scores (r = -0.30, p < 0.01), and mental fatigue (r = 0.47, p < 0.01). Furthermore, mental fatigue was associated with Mathematics scores (r = -0.46, p < 0.01) and Chinese scores (r = -0.34, p < 0.01). Linear regression analyses showed that qi deficiency significantly predicted Mathematics scores (ß = -0.26, p < 0.01), Chinese scores (ß = -0.19, p < 0.01), and mental fatigue (ß = 0.41, p < 0.01). When qi deficiency was controlled for, mental fatigue significantly predicted Mathematics scores (ß = -0.28, p < 0.01) and Chinese scores (ß = -0.17, p < 0.01). Conclusion: The mediation model and hypotheses were well supported, indicating that mental fatigue mediated the influence of qi deficiency on academic performance of fifth-grade students. Furthermore, the mediation effect of mental fatigue on Mathematics scores was a little stronger than that on Chinese scores.

Noninvasive diagnosis of interstitial fibrosis in chronic kidney disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: Researchers have delved into noninvasive diagnostic methods of renal fibrosis (RF) in chronic kidney disease, including ultrasound (US), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and radiomics. However, the value of these diagnostic methods in the noninvasive diagnosis of RF remains contentious. Consequently, the present study aimed to systematically delineate the accuracy of the noninvasive diagnosis of RF. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic search covering PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases for all data available up to 28 July 2023 was conducted for eligible studies. RESULTS: We included 21 studies covering 4885 participants. Among them, nine studies utilized US as a noninvasive diagnostic method, eight studies used MRI, and four articles employed radiomics. The sensitivity and specificity of US for detecting RF were 0.81 (95% CI: 0.76-0.86) and 0.79 (95% CI: 0.72-0.84). The sensitivity and specificity of MRI were 0.77 (95% CI: 0.70-0.83) and 0.92 (95% CI: 0.85-0.96). The sensitivity and specificity of radiomics were 0.69 (95% CI: 0.59-0.77) and 0.78 (95% CI: 0.68-0.85). CONCLUSIONS: The current early noninvasive diagnostic methods for RF include US, MRI, and radiomics. However, this study demonstrates that US has a higher sensitivity for the detection of RF compared to MRI. Compared to US, radiomics studies based on US did not show superior advantages. Therefore, challenges still exist in the current radiomics approaches for diagnosing RF, and further exploration of optimized artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms and technologies is needed.

Establishment and Application of a Radiation Dose Rate Model for Nuclear Medicine Examinees.

Introduction: Traditional methods for determining radiation dose in nuclear medicine include the Monte Carlo method, the discrete ordinate method, and the point kernel integration method. This study presents a new mathematical model for predicting the radiation dose rate in the vicinity of nuclear medicine patients. Methods: A new algorithm was created by combining the physical model of "cylinder superposition" of the human body with integral analysis to assess the radiation dose rate in the vicinity of nuclear medicine patients. Results: The model accurately predicted radiation dose rates within distances of 0.1-3.0 m, with a deviation of less than 11% compared to observed rates. The model demonstrated greater accuracy at shorter distances from the radiation source, with a deviation of only 1.55% from observed values at 0.1 m. Discussion: The model proposed in this study effectively represents the spatial and temporal distribution of the radiation field around nuclear medicine patients and demonstrates good agreement with actual measurements. This model has the potential to serve as a radiation dose rate alert system in hospital environments.

Soil moisture and soil organic carbon coupled effects in apple orchards on the Loess Plateau, China.

A large number of economic forests, especially apple orchards (AOs) in the Loess Plateau region of China, have been planted to develop the local economy and increase the income of farmers. The two main constraints preventing AOs on the Loess Plateau from developing sustainably and producing a high and steady yield are soil moisture content (SMC) and soil organic carbon (SOC). Nevertheless, little is currently known about the contributions of roots to these changes in the soil profile and the temporal modes of the SMC-SOC coupled effects. In our research, we analyzed the dynamic changes in SMC and SOC in AOs of various years in northern Shaanxi Province, as well as the coupled relationship between the two, and attempted to describe the function of roots in these changes. Research have shown: (1) As the age of the AOs increased, the SMC continued to decline throughout the 0-500 cm profile, especially at depths of 100-500 cm. SMC depletion mainly occurred in AOs aged 20 years (30.02%/year) and 30 years (31.18%/year). (2) Compared with abandoned land (AL), all the AOs except for the 6-year-old AO showed a carbon sequestration effect, and the carbon sequestration effect increased with age. The carbon sequestration rate of the 12-year-old AO was the highest and then decreased with age. Both surface and deeper soils showed better carbon sequestration, with a large amount of SOC being sequestered in deeper soil layers (> 100 cm). (3) The coupled effects of SMC and SOC varied with age and depth. The SMC in the deeper layers was significantly negatively correlated with SOC. Root dry weight density (RDWD) was significantly negatively correlated with SMC and significantly positively correlated with SOC. Path analysis suggested that SMC directly affects SOC at different soil depths, and regulates SOC by affecting RDWD, but these effects are significantly different at different depths. Therefore, we propose that management of AO should focus on the moisture deficit and carbon sequestration capabilities of deeper soils to ensure the sustainability of water use in AOs and the stability of agricultural carbon sequestration on the Loess Plateau.

Electrical Control Grain Dimensionality with Multilevel Magnetic Anisotropy.

In alignment with the increasing demand for larger storage capacity and longer data retention, the electrical control of magnetic anisotropy has been a research focus in the realm of spintronics. Typically, magnetic anisotropy is determined by grain dimensionality, which is set during the fabrication of magnetic thin films. Despite the intrinsic correlation between magnetic anisotropy and grain dimensionality, there is a lack of experimental evidence for electrically controlling grain dimensionality, thereby impairing the efficiency of magnetic anisotropy modulation. Here, we demonstrate an electric field control of grain dimensionality and prove it as the active mechanism for tuning interfacial magnetism. The reduction in grain dimensionality is associated with a transition from ferromagnetic to superparamagnetic behavior. We achieve a nonvolatile and reversible modulation of the coercivity in both the ferromagnetic and superparamagnetic regimes. Subsequent electrical and elemental analysis confirms the variation in grain dimensionality upon the application of gate voltages, revealing a transition from a multidomain to a single-domain state, accompanied by a reduction in grain dimensionality. Furthermore, we exploit the influence of grain dimensionality on domain wall motion, extending its applicability to multilevel magnetic memory and synaptic devices. Our results provide a strategy for tuning interfacial magnetism through grain size engineering for advancements in high-performance spintronics.

Emerging role of lncRNAs as mechanical signaling molecules in mechanotransduction and their association with Hippo-YAP signaling: a review. / LncRNAsåœ¨æœºæ¢°è½¬å¯¼ä¸­çš„ä½œç”¨åŠå ¶ä¸ŽHippo-YAPä¿¡å·è½¬å¯¼çš„å ³è”.

Cells within tissues are subject to various mechanical forces, including hydrostatic pressure, shear stress, compression, and tension. These mechanical stimuli can be converted into biochemical signals through mechanoreceptors or cytoskeleton-dependent response processes, shaping the microenvironment and maintaining cellular physiological balance. Several studies have demonstrated the roles of Yes-associated protein (YAP) and its homolog transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ) as mechanotransducers, exerting dynamic influence on cellular phenotypes including differentiation and disease pathogenesis. This regulatory function entails the involvement of the cytoskeleton, nucleoskeleton, integrin, focal adhesions (FAs), and the integration of multiple signaling pathways, including extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), wingless/integrated (WNT), and Hippo signaling. Furthermore, emerging evidence substantiates the implication of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) as mechanosensitive molecules in cellular mechanotransduction. In this review, we discuss the mechanisms through which YAP/TAZ and lncRNAs serve as effectors in responding to mechanical stimuli. Additionally, we summarize and elaborate on the crucial signal molecules involved in mechanotransduction.

The influence of early diet quality on the mental health of college students: the mediation effects of height and qi-deficiency.

Background: In China, the prevalence of mental health issues among college students is a significant concern in society. This study aims to investigate the impact of early dietary quality on the psychological well-being of college students and elucidate the underlying mechanisms through which these effects occur, specifically focusing on height and qi-deficiency as mediators according to Chinese traditional medicine (CTM). Methods: A total of 655 college students were surveyed in October 2023 using paper-pencil-based questionnaires at four second-tier universities in Sichuan Province. The assessment included mental health, height, and qi-deficiency. Pearson's correlation and linear regression analyses were employed to examine the mediation model and test the hypotheses. Results: The college students exhibited acceptable levels of early diet quality (M = 3.72) and mental health (M = 3.63), while also presenting mild qi-deficiency symptoms (M = 2.25). Their average height was measured at 164.61 cm. Early diet quality demonstrated significant associations with mental health (r = 0.38, p < 0.01), height (r = 0.32, p < 0.01), and qi-deficiency (r = -0.32, p < 0.01). Mental health displayed correlations with height (r = 0.32, p < 0.01) and qi-deficiency (r = -0.49, p < 0.01). The results of linear regression analyses revealed significant associations between early diet quality and mental health (ß = 0.31, p < 0.01), height (ß = 0.21, p < 0.01), as well as qi-deficiency (ß = -0.26, p < 0.01). Furthermore, when early diet quality was included in the regression model, both height (ß = 0.21, p < 0.01) and qi-deficiency (ß = -0.35, p < 0.01) emerged as significant mediators in the relationship with mental health. Conclusion: The mediation model and hypotheses were strongly supported, demonstrating that early diet quality exerted an influence on the mental health of college students through two distinct pathways: height and qi-deficiency. Moreover, the mediating effect of qi-deficiency was found to be more pronounced than that of height in the relationship between early diet quality and mental health among college students.

An all-in-one tetrazine reagent for cysteine-selective labeling and bioorthogonal activable prodrug construction.

The prodrug design strategy offers a potent solution for improving therapeutic index and expanding drug targets. However, current prodrug activation designs are mainly responsive to endogenous stimuli, resulting in unintended drug release and systemic toxicity. In this study, we introduce 3-vinyl-6-oxymethyl-tetrazine (voTz) as an all-in-one reagent for modular preparation of tetrazine-caged prodrugs and chemoselective labeling peptides to produce bioorthogonal activable peptide-prodrug conjugates. These stable prodrugs can selectively bind to target cells, facilitating cellular uptake. Subsequent bioorthogonal cleavage reactions trigger prodrug activation, significantly boosting potency against tumor cells while maintaining exceptional off-target safety for normal cells. In vivo studies demonstrate the therapeutic efficacy and safety of this prodrug design approach. Given the broad applicability of functional groups and labeling versatility with voTz, we foresee that this strategy will offer a versatile solution to enhance the therapeutic range of cytotoxic agents and facilitate the development of bioorthogonal activatable biopharmaceuticals and biomaterials.

Nutritional support during the first week for infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia and respiratory distress: a multicenter cohort study in China.

BACKGROUND: Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a major complication affecting the survival rate and long-term outcomes of preterm infants. A large, prospective, multicenter cohort study was conducted to evaluate early nutritional support during the first week of life for preterm infants with a gestational age < 32 weeks and to verify nutritional risk factors related to BPD development. METHODS: A prospective multicenter cohort study of very preterm infants was conducted in 40 tertiary neonatal intensive care units across mainland China between January 1, 2020, and December 31, 2021. Preterm infants who were born at a gestational age < 32 weeks, < 72 h after birth and had a respiratory score > 4 were enrolled. Antenatal and postnatal information focusing on nutritional parameters was collected through medical systems. Statistical analyses were also performed to identify BPD risk factors. RESULTS: The primary outcomes were BPD and severity at 36 weeks postmenstrual age. A total of 1410 preterm infants were enrolled in this study. After applying the exclusion criteria, the remaining 1286 infants were included in this analysis; 614 (47.7%) infants were in the BPD group, and 672 (52.3%) were in the non-BPD group. In multivariate logistic regression model, the following six factors were identified of BPD: birth weight (OR 0.99, 95% CI 0.99-0.99; p = 0.039), day of full enteral nutrition (OR 1.03, 95% CI 1.02-1.04; p < 0.001), parenteral protein > 3.5 g/kg/d during the first week (OR 1.65, 95% CI 1.25-2.17; p < 0.001), feeding type (formula: OR 3.48, 95% CI 2.21-5.49; p < 0.001, mixed feed: OR 1.92, 95% CI 1.36-2.70; p < 0.001; breast milk as reference), hsPDA (OR 1.98, 95% CI 1.44-2.73; p < 0.001), and EUGR ats 36 weeks (OR 1.40, 95% CI 1.02-1.91; p = 0.035). CONCLUSIONS: A longer duration to achieve full enteral nutrition in very preterm infants was associated with increased BPD development. Breastfeeding was demonstrated to have a protective effect against BPD. Early and rapidly progressive enteral nutrition and breastfeeding should be promoted in very preterm infants. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The trial was registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (No. ChiCTR2000030125 on 24/02/2020) and in www.ncrcch.org (No. ISRCTN84167642 on 25/02/2020).

Key oncogenic signaling pathways affecting tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes infiltration in hepatocellular carcinoma: basic principles and recent advances.

The incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) ranks first among primary liver cancers, and its mortality rate exhibits a consistent annual increase. The treatment of HCC has witnessed a significant surge in recent years, with the emergence of targeted immune therapy as an adjunct to early surgical resection. Adoptive cell therapy (ACT) using tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) has shown promising results in other types of solid tumors. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the intricate interactions between different types of TILs and their impact on HCC, elucidate strategies for targeting neoantigens through TILs, and address the challenges encountered in TIL therapies along with potential solutions. Furthermore, this article specifically examines the impact of oncogenic signaling pathways activation within the HCC tumor microenvironment on the infiltration dynamics of TILs. Additionally, a concise overview is provided regarding TIL preparation techniques and an update on clinical trials investigating TIL-based immunotherapy in solid tumors.

Growth trajectory of full-term small-for-gestational-age infants: a 3-year longitudinal study in China.

OBJECTIVE: Small-for-gestational-age (SGA) infants are at risk of impaired growth and developmental outcomes, even for those who were born at full term. The growth trajectory of full-term SGA infants remains unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the growth trajectory of full-term SGA infants from birth to 3 years old in East China. METHODS: Full-term SGA infants were followed up from birth to 3 years old. The weight and length were measured at 3, 6, 12, 18, 24, 30 and 36 months. Rate of catch-up growth and rates of growth deviations including short stature, emaciation, underweight, overweight and obesity, were calculated at different time points. Latent class analysis was applied to describe growth trajectories from birth to 36 months. RESULTS: A total of 816 full-term SGA infants were enrolled in this study and 303 had complete follow-up data at 3, 6, 12, 18, 24, 30 and 36 months. At 24 months, the rate of catch-up growth was 42.4% in girls and 48.6% in boys; while at 36 months, this rate was 43.3% in girls and 52.1% in boys. The latent class analysis identified two trajectories of weight and length in boys and girls. Girls showed different growth trajectories of weight since 12 months compared with boys. CONCLUSIONS: Our study reported a relatively low rate of catch-up growth in full-term SGA infants and has identified different growth trajectories of length and weight in boys and girls. We call for attention from health professionals on the growth trajectory of full-term SGA infants to eventually promote their health potentials.

WW domains form a folded type of nuclear localization signal to guide YAP1 nuclear import.

The nuclear translocation of YAP1 is significantly implicated in the proliferation, stemness, and metastasis of cancer cells. Although the molecular basis underlying YAP1 subcellular distribution has been extensively explored, it remains to be elucidated how the nuclear localization signal guides YAP1 to pass through the nuclear pore complex. Here, we define a globular type of nuclear localization signal composed of folded WW domains, named as WW-NLS. It directs YAP1 nuclear import through the heterodimeric nuclear transport receptors KPNA-KPNB1, bypassing the canonical nuclear localization signal that has been well documented in KPNA/KPNB1-mediated nuclear import. Strikingly, competitive interference with the function of the WW-NLS significantly attenuates YAP1 nuclear translocation and damages stemness gene activation and sphere formation in malignant breast cancer cells. Our findings elucidate a novel globular type of nuclear localization signal to facilitate nuclear entry of WW-containing proteins including YAP1.

Protein translation: biological processes and therapeutic strategies for human diseases.

Protein translation is a tightly regulated cellular process that is essential for gene expression and protein synthesis. The deregulation of this process is increasingly recognized as a critical factor in the pathogenesis of various human diseases. In this review, we discuss how deregulated translation can lead to aberrant protein synthesis, altered cellular functions, and disease progression. We explore the key mechanisms contributing to the deregulation of protein translation, including functional alterations in translation factors, tRNA, mRNA, and ribosome function. Deregulated translation leads to abnormal protein expression, disrupted cellular signaling, and perturbed cellular functions- all of which contribute to disease pathogenesis. The development of ribosome profiling techniques along with mass spectrometry-based proteomics, mRNA sequencing and single-cell approaches have opened new avenues for detecting diseases related to translation errors. Importantly, we highlight recent advances in therapies targeting translation-related disorders and their potential applications in neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, infectious diseases, and cardiovascular diseases. Moreover, the growing interest lies in targeted therapies aimed at restoring precise control over translation in diseased cells is discussed. In conclusion, this comprehensive review underscores the critical role of protein translation in disease and its potential as a therapeutic target. Advancements in understanding the molecular mechanisms of protein translation deregulation, coupled with the development of targeted therapies, offer promising avenues for improving disease outcomes in various human diseases. Additionally, it will unlock doors to the possibility of precision medicine by offering personalized therapies and a deeper understanding of the molecular underpinnings of diseases in the future.

Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Analysis of GATA Family Genes in Dimocarpus longan Lour.

GATA transcription factors, which are DNA-binding proteins with type IV zinc finger binding domains, have a role in transcriptional regulation in biological organisms. They have an indispensable role in the growth and development of plants, as well as in improvements in their ability to face various environmental stresses. To date, GATAs have been identified in many gene families, but the GATA gene in longan (Dimocarpus longan Lour) has not been studied in previous explorations. Various aspects of genes in the longan GATA family, including their identification and classification, the distribution of their positions on chromosomes, their exon/intron structures, a synteny analysis, their expression at different temperatures, concentration of PEG, early developmental stages of somatic embryos and their expression levels in different tissues, and concentrations of exogenous hormones, were investigated in this study. This study showed that the 22 DlGATAs could be divided into four subfamilies. There were 10 pairs of homologous GATA genes in the synteny analysis of DlGATA and AtGATA. Four segmental replication motifs and one pair of tandem duplication events were present among the DlGATA family members. The cis-acting elements located in promoter regions were also found to be enriched with light-responsive elements, which contained related hormone-responsive elements. In somatic embryos, DlGATA4 is upregulated for expression at the globular embryo (GE) stage. We also found that DlGATA expression was strongly up-regulated in roots and stems. The study demonstrated the expression of DlGATA under hormone (ABA and IAA) treatments in embryogenic callus of longan. Under ABA treatment, DlGATA4 was up-regulated and the other DlGATA genes did not respond significantly. Moreover, as demonstrated with qRT-PCR, the expression of DlGATA genes showed strong up-regulated expression levels under 100 µmol·L-1 concentration IAA treatment. This experiment further studied these and simulated their possible connections with a drought response mechanism, while correlating them with their expression under PEG treatment. Overall, this experiment explored the GATA genes and dug into their evolution, structure, function, and expression profile, thus providing more information for a more in-depth study of the characteristics of the GATA family of genes.

Identification and functional characterization of female antennae-biased odorant receptor 23 involved in acetophenone detection of the Indian meal moth Plodia interpunctella.

The Indian meal moth, Plodia interpunctella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), a globally distributed storage pest, relies on odors that are emitted from stored foods to select a suitable substrate for oviposition. However, the molecular mechanism underlying the chemical communication between P. interpunctella and its host remains elusive. In this study, 130 chemosensory genes were identified from the transcriptomes of 7 P. interpunctella tissues, and the quantitative expression levels of all 56 P. interpunctella odorant receptor genes (PintORs) were validated using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The functional characteristics of 5 PintORs with female antennae-biased expression were investigated using 2-electrode voltage clamp recordings in Xenopus laevis oocytes. PintOR23 was found to be specifically tuned to acetophenone. Acetophenone could elicit a significant electrophysiological response and only attracted mated females when compared with males and virgin females. In addition, molecular docking predicted that the hydrogen bonding sites, TRP-335 and ALA-167, might play key roles in the binding of PintOR23 to acetophenone. Our study provides valuable insights into the olfactory mechanism of oviposition substrate detection and localization in P. interpunctella and points toward the possibility of developing eco-friendly odorant agents to control pests of stored products.

DNA methylation regulates biosynthesis of tanshinones and phenolic acids during growth of Salvia miltiorrhiza.

DNA methylation plays a crucial role in the regulation of plant growth and the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites. Danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza) is a valuable Chinese herbal medicine commonly used to treat cardiovascular diseases; its active ingredients are tanshinones and phenolic acids, which primarily accumulate in roots. Here, we conducted a targeted metabolic analysis of S. miltiorrhiza roots at 3 distinct growth stages: 40 d old (r40), 60 d old (r60), and 90 d old (r90). The contents of tanshinones (cryptotanshinone, tanshinone I, tanshinone IIA, and rosmariquinone) and phenolic acids (rosmarinic acid and salvianolic acid B) gradually increased during plant development. Whole-genome bisulfite sequencing and transcriptome sequencing of roots at the 3 growth stages revealed an increased level of DNA methylation in the CHH context (H represents A, T, or C) context at r90 compared with r40 and r60. Increased DNA methylation levels were associated with elevated expression of various genes linked to epigenetic regulations, including CHROMOMETHYLASE2 (SmCMT2), Decrease in DNA Methylation 1 (SmDDM1), Argonaute 4 (SmAGO4), and DOMAINS REARRANGED METHYLTRANSFERASE 1 (SmDRM1). Moreover, expression levels of many genes involved in tanshinone and salvianolic acid biosynthesis, such as copalyldiphosphate synthase 5 (SmCPS5), cytochrome P450-related enzyme (SmCYP71D464), geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase (SmGGPPS1), geranyl diphosphate synthase (SmGPPS), hydroxyphenylpyruvate reductase (SmHPPR), and hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (SmHPPD), were altered owing to hyper-methylation, indicating that DNA methylation plays an important role in regulating tanshinone and phenolic acid accumulation. Our data shed light on the epigenetic regulation of root growth and the biosynthesis of active ingredients in S. miltiorrhiza, providing crucial clues for further improvement of active compound production via molecular breeding in S. miltiorrhiza.

Insights into the history and tendency of liver transplantation for liver cancer: a bibliometric-based visual analysis.

Research on liver transplantation (LT) for liver cancer has gained increasing attention. This paper has comprehensively described the current status, hotspots and trends in this field. A total of 2991 relevant articles from 1 January 1963 to 28 February 2023 were obtained from the Web of Science Core Collection. VOSviewer and CiteSpace software were utilized as bibliometric tools to analyze and visualize knowledge mapping. Between 1963 and 2023, the number of papers in the area of LT for liver cancer increased continuously. A total of 70 countries/regions, 2303 institutions and 14 840 researchers have published research articles, with the United States and China being the two most productive countries. Our bibliometric-based visual analysis revealed the expansion of LT indications for liver cancer and the prevention/treatment of cancer recurrence as ongoing research hotspots over the past decades. Meanwhile, emerging studies also focus on downstaging/bridging treatments before LT and the long-term survival of LT recipient, in particular the precise application of immunosuppressants.

Selectively Modulating Componential Morphologies of Bulk Heterojunction Organic Solar Cells.

Achieving precise control over the nanoscale morphology of bulk heterojunction films presents a significant challenge for the conventional post-treatments employed in organic solar cells (OSCs). In this study, a near-infrared photon-assisted annealing (NPA) strategy is developed for fabricating high-performance OSCs under mild processing conditions. It is revealed a top NIR light illumination, together with the bottom heating, enables the selective tuning of the molecular arrangement and assembly of narrow bandgap acceptors in polymer networks to achieve optimal morphologies, as well as the acceptor-rich top surface of active layers. The derived OSCs exhibit a remarkable power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 19.25%, representing one of the highest PCEs for the reported binary OSCs so far. Moreover, via the NPA strategy, it has succeeded in accessing top-illuminated flexible OSCs using thermolabile polyethylene terephthalate from mineral water bottles, displaying excellent mechanical stabilities. Overall, this work will hold the potential to develop organic solar cells under mild processing with various substrates.

Infection with 'Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus' improves the fecundity of Diaphorina citri aiding its proliferation: A win-win strategy.

The evolution of insect vector-pathogen relationships has long been of interest in the field of molecular ecology. One system of special relevance, due to its economic impacts, is that between Diaphorina citri and 'Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus' (CLas), the cause of the severe Asian form of huanglongbing. CLas-positive D. citri are more fecund than their CLas-negative counterparts, boosting opportunities for pathogens to acquire new vector hosts. The molecular mechanism behind this life-history shift remains unclear. Here, we found that CLas promoted ovarian development and increased the expression of the vitellogenin receptor (DcVgR) in ovaries. DcVgR RNAi significantly decreased fecundity and CLas titer in ovaries, extended the preoviposition period, shortened the oviposition period and blocked ovarian development. Given their importance in gene regulation, we explored the role of miRNAs in shaping these phenotypes and their molecular triggers. Our results showed that one miRNA, miR-275, suppressed DcVgR expression by binding to its 3' UTR. Overexpression of miR-275 knocked down DcVgR expression and CLas titer in ovaries, causing reproductive defects that mimicked DcVgR knockdown phenotypes. We focused, further, on roles of the Juvenile Hormone (JH) pathway in shaping the observed fecundity phenotype, given its known impacts on ovarian development. After CLas infection, this pathway was upregulated, thereby increasing DcVgR expression. From these combined results, we conclude that CLas hijacks the JH signalling pathway and miR-275, thereby targeting DcVgR to increase D. citri fecundity. These changes simultaneously increase CLas replication, suggesting a pathogen-vector host mutualism, or a seemingly helpful, but cryptically costly life-history manipulation.