Abstract Background Most cancer disability-adjusted life year (DALY) studies worldwide have used broad, generic disability weights (DWs); however, differences exist among populations and types of cancers. Using breast cancer as example, this study aimed to estimate the population-level DALYs in females in China and the impact of screening as well as applying local DWs. Methods Using multisource data, a prevalence-based model was constructed. (1) Overall years lived with disability (YLDs) were estimated by using numbers...

Abstract Background High myopia-related complications have become a major cause of irreversible vision loss. Evaluating the association between potential factors and high myopia can provide insights into pathophysiologic mechanisms and further intervention targets for myopia progression. Method Participants aged 12–25 years from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2001–2006 were selected for the analysis. Myopia was defined as spherical equivalent (sum of spherical error and half of the cylindrical error) of any eyes ≤-0.5 diopters....

Stepped wedge designs have uni-directional crossovers at randomly assigned time points (steps) where clusters switch from control to intervention condition. Incomplete stepped wedge designs are increasingly used in cluster randomized trials of health care interventions and have periods without data collection due to logistical, resource and patient-centered considerations. The development of sample size formulae for stepped wedge trials has primarily focused on complete designs and continuous responses. Addressing this gap, a general, fast, non-simulation based...

Abstract Background Maize rough dwarf disease (MRDD), caused by rice black-streaked dwarf virus (RBSDV) belonging to the Fijivirus genus, seriously threatens maize production worldwide. Three susceptible varieties (Ye478, Zheng 58, and Zhengdan 958) and two resistant varieties (P138 and Chang7–2) were used in our study. Results A set of ATP-binding cassette subfamily B (ABCB) transporter genes were screened to evaluate their possible involvements in RBSDV resistance. In the present study, ZmABCB15, an ABCB transporter family...

We demonstrate that reflectionless propagation of electromagnetic waves between two different materials can be achieved by designing an intermediate temporal medium, which can work in an ultra-wide frequency band. Such a temporal medium is designed with consideration of a multi-stage variation of the material’s permittivity in the time domain. The multi-stage temporal permittivity is formed by a cascaded quarter-wave temporal coating, which is an extension of the antireflection temporal coating by Pacheco-Peña et al [[1]...

Abstract Background In mammals, oocytes display compromised quality after experiencing a process of postovulatory aging. However, the mechanisms underlying are not yet fully understood. Here, we portrayed a protein expression profile of fresh and aging metaphase II (MII) mouse oocytes by means of four-dimensional label-free quantification mass spectrometry (4D-LFQ). Results The analysis of 4D-LFQ data illustrated that there were seventy-six differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) between two groups of MII stage oocytes. Fifty-three DEPs were up-regulated...

A stereo interplanting system with foxtail millet beneath chestnut trees is an effective planting method to raise the utilization of land in chestnut orchards, increase yields and improve quality of chestnut nuts. Consequently, exploration of genes involved in shade tolerance response in foxtail millet and breeding shade-tolerant varieties have become urgent issues. In this study, RNA-seq of leaf samples from two shade-tolerant varieties and three shade-intolerant varieties of foxtail millet at the booting stage was...

Abstract Background Non-inflamed tumors, including immune-excluded and immune-desert tumors, are commonly resistant to anti-PD-1/PD-L1 (α-PD-1/PD-L1) therapy. Our previous study reported the potent antitumor activity of anti-TGF-β/PD-L1 bispecific antibody YM101 in immune-excluded tumors. However, YM101 had limited antitumor activity in immune-desert models. MSA-2 is a novel oral stimulator of interferon genes (STING) agonist, which activates the innate immune system and may synergize with YM101 in overcoming immunotherapy resistance. Methods The dose-dependent effect of MSA-2 on STING...

Abstract Background Malnutrition is common in critically ill patients, but nutrition status in critically ill patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) has been poorly studied. Our study aimed to investigate the relationship between malnutrition risk and the occurrence and prognosis of AKI in elderly patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). Methods Data were extracted from the Beijing Acute Kidney Injury Trial (BAKIT). A total of 1873 elderly patients were included and compared according to...

Abstract Background Exosomes are deemed to be an important tool of intercellular communicators in cancer cells. Our study investigated the role of PRR34 long non-coding RNA antisense RNA 1 (PRR34-AS1) in regulating exosome secretion in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. Methods Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) analyzed the expression of PRR34-AS1. We assessed the function of PRR34-AS1 on the biological changes of THLE-3 cells and HCC cells. The downstream interaction between RNAS was assessed by...

Silicon bowtie structure based all-nonmetal metamaterial (ANM) terahertz device has been developed, which has comparable efficiency to that of their metallic counterparts, and better compatibility with modern semiconductor fabrication processes. Moreover, with the same structure but highly tunable ANM is successfully fabricated through integrating with a flexible substrate, it demonstrates large tunability over a wide frequency range. Such a device can be used in terahertz systems for numerous applications, and potentially be a promising substitute...

Abstract Background Protoporphyrin IX (Pp IX) is the primary pigment for brown eggshells. However, the regulatory mechanisms directing Pp IX synthesis, transport, and genetic regulation during eggshell calcification in chickens remain obscure. In this study, we investigated the mechanism of brown eggshell formation at different times following oviposition, using White Leghorn hens (WS group), Rhode Island Red light brown eggshell line hens (LBS group) and Rhode Island Red dark brown eggshell line hens (DBS group)....

Abstract Background Protoporphyrin IX (Pp IX) is the primary pigment for brown eggshells. However, the regulatory mechanisms directing Pp IX synthesis, transport, and genetic regulation during eggshell calcification in chickens remain obscure. In this study, we investigated the mechanism of brown eggshell formation at different times following oviposition, using White Leghorn hens (WS group), Rhode Island Red light brown eggshell line hens (LBS group) and Rhode Island Red dark brown eggshell line hens (DBS group)....

This study examines the influence of grandparenthood and grandparental childcare on loneliness among Chinese older adults. Using longitudinal data from a nationally representative sample of 9240 individuals from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), we applied logistic regression to examine the relationship between various grandparental statuses and loneliness with a focus on gender. The grandparental role is a protective factor for loneliness. Providing care to grandchildren was associated with a lower likelihood of...

Abstract Background In mammals, oocytes display compromised quality after experiencing a process of postovulatory aging. However, the mechanisms underlying are not yet fully understood. Here, we portrayed a protein expression profile of fresh and aging metaphase II (MII) mouse oocytes by means of four-dimensional label-free quantification mass spectrometry (4D-LFQ). Results The analysis of 4D-LFQ data illustrated that there were seventy-six differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) between two groups of MII stage oocytes. Fifty-three DEPs were up-regulated...

Abstract Background Esophageal carcinoma is the highly lethal cancer in the world, predominantly in some areas of East Asia. We previously reported that overexpression of cytoskeleton regulator Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein and SCAR Homolog (WASH) associates with poor prognosis of patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). However, the molecular mechanism and clinical significance involved in WASH overexpression have not been fully elucidated. Methods Bioinformatics analysis and luciferase reporter assay were used to predict and validate...

Changing the frequency of light outside the laser cavity is essential for fields that require precise frequencies such as optical communication, ultracold molecules and single photon sources. Frequency conversion is usually accomplished by nonlinear wave mixing. However, integrating a system with the required high-power optical pump onto a photonic chip is challenging. To achieve on-chip optical frequency conversion, we electrically tune a lithium niobate ring resonator to induce adiabatic frequency conversion. In this work, frequency...

Abstract Background Zoonoses are public health threats that cause severe damage worldwide. Zoonoses constitute a key indicator of One Health (OH) and the OH approach is being applied for zoonosis control programmes of zoonotic diseases. In a very recent study, we developed an evaluation system for OH performance through the global OH index (GOHI). This study applied the GOHI to evaluate OH performance for zoonoses in sub-Saharan Africa. Methods The framework for the OH index...

Abstract Background Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, is one of the most frequent gastrointestinal disorders worldwide. Although the actual etiology of IBD remains unclear, growing evidence suggests that CD4+ T cells-associated cytokines, including interferon (IFN)-γ, interleukin (IL)-10 and IL-17A, are crucial for the occurrence of IBD. It has been reported that there is a positive association between miRNAs and IBD development. In this study, we investigated the roles of hsa-miRNA-374b-5p(miRNA-374b-5p)...

Abstract Background Neuronal- and astrocyte-derived exosomes have been identified as an optimal source for screening biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, few studies focus on the bulk exosome population isolated from plasma of AD. This study investigated whether proteins in bulk exosomes can aid in the diagnosis of AD. Methods The plasma exosomes were collected by ultracentrifuge. Protein samples were extracted from exosomes. Cerebrospinal fluid levels of amyloid β (Aβ)42 and phosphorylated tau (P-tau)181 were...

Abstract Background Accompanied by the decline of physiological functions, the decrease of physical activity, and comorbidities, older adults are susceptible to sarcopenia because of accelerated loss of muscle mass. Resistance training is recommended by different clinical practice guidelines. However, most older adults have difficulty in taking recommended high-load resistance training programs, and there are limited exercise options form them. Baduanjin, a traditional Chinese mind-body exercise with relatively low intensity and simple movements, has the potential...

Abstract Background The typical clinical symptoms of allergic rhinitis (AR) are known to be associated with allergen exposure; however, the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. We wanted to gain a comprehensive view of the molecular mechanisms related to allergen exposure in a well-controlled mouse model of AR. Methods An OVA-induced AR model was developed. Two hours and 4 weeks after the last OVA challenge, AR symptoms and local immune responses were assessed. At the...

Abstract Background After emerging in China, the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) quickly spread to all parts of the country and became a global public health emergency. The Chinese government immediately took a series of protective and quarantine measures to prevent the spread of the virus, and these measures may have negative effects on behavior and psychological health. This study aimed to examine the associations between factors related to COVID-19 measures and mental health symptoms...

Abstract Background Tanreqing capsules (TRQCs) and Tanreqing injections (TRQIs) are widely used in the treatment of respiratory diseases. In this study, a simple, rapid, and sensitive liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) method was developed for simultaneous quantification of the main components of Tanreqing, which include chlorogenic acid, ursodeoxycholic acid, chenodeoxycholic acid, and baicalin, in beagle dog plasma to compare their pharmacokinetic parameters. Methods Plasma samples were pretreated with protein precipitation. Chromatographic separation was performed on...

The explicitness of expression or persuasion has been a critical subject of study in cross-cultural studies. The majority of cross-cultural comparisons in this respect, however, have been based on questionnaires and surveys. This study seeks to diversify the methods and validate the results with a corpus-based register analytical approach. Based on the United Nations General Debate Corpus (UNGDC) that comprises comparable multi-cultural speeches, a diachronic comparison (1970-2020) is made between the 2518 speeches (altogether 7,090,221...