Abstract Many degradation processes of cultural heritage objects are associated with unsuitable microclimatic conditions. One of the most ubiquitous deteriorations is the crystallization of salts in pores, which can accelerate the erosion rate of masonry historical relics. In this study, the microclimate of the burial tomb and exfoliation of sandstone in the Yongling Mausoleum of the Former Shu Dynasty in Chengdu were monitored for 1 year to determine the development of the degradation. We established...

Abstract Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) is an extremely malignant type of endocrine cancer frequently accompanied by extrathyroidal extension or metastasis through mechanisms that remain elusive. We screened for the CREB3 transcription-factor family in a large cohort, consisting of four microarray datasets. This revealed that CREB3L1 was specifically up regulated in ATC tissues and negatively associated with overall survival of patients with thyroid cancer. Consistently, high expression of CREB3L1 was negatively correlated with progression-free survival in...

Abstract Background Recently, Zika virus (ZIKV) re-emerged in India and was potentially associated with microcephaly. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying ZIKV pathogenesis remain to be explored. Results Herein, we performed a comprehensive RNA-sequencing analysis on ZIKV-infected JEG-3, U-251 MG, and HK-2 cells versus corresponding uninfected controls. Combined with a series of functional analyses, including gene annotation, pathway enrichment, and protein–protein interaction (PPI) network analysis, we defined the molecular characteristics induced by ZIKV infection in different...

Abstract Background Periodontal accelerated osteogenic orthodontics (PAOO) is a widely-used clinical procedure that combines selective alveolar corticotomy, particulate bone grafting, and the application of orthodontic forces. Different modifications of PAOO such as collagen-membrane coverage can better benefit patients from preventing displacement of grafts. Due to its stability, collagen-membrane coverage gradually gained popularity and became a widely-used procedure in traditional PAOO technique. Objectives To quantitatively investigate the radiographic changes of alveolar bone, periodontal soft tissue changes...

Abstract Background Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia duodenalis and Enterocytozoon bieneusi can cause important intestinal diseases in ruminants. However, data on the distribution of these three protozoan pathogens in Tibetan sheep are limited. Methods We collected 761 fecal samples from Tibetan sheep across four seasons in Qinghai Province, China, and screened the samples for Cryptosporidium spp., G. duodenalis and E. bieneusi using PCR-based sequence analysis of the genes encoding 18S ribosomal RNA, triosephosphate isomerase and the internal...

Abstract In vitro transcription (IVT) is an essential technique for RNA synthesis. Methods for the accurate and rapid screening of IVT conditions will facilitate RNA polymerase engineering, promoter optimization, and screening for new transcription inhibitor drugs. However, traditional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) and high-performance liquid chromatography methods are labor intensive, time consuming and not compatible with real-time analysis. Here, we developed an inexpensive, high-throughput, and real-time detection method for the monitoring of in vitro RNA...

Abstract In vitro transcription (IVT) is an essential technique for RNA synthesis. Methods for the accurate and rapid screening of IVT conditions will facilitate RNA polymerase engineering, promoter optimization, and screening for new transcription inhibitor drugs. However, traditional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) and high-performance liquid chromatography methods are labor intensive, time consuming and not compatible with real-time analysis. Here, we developed an inexpensive, high-throughput, and real-time detection method for the monitoring of in vitro RNA...

Abstract Background There is an annual increase in the incidence of invasive fungal disease (IFD) of the lung worldwide, but it is always a challenge for physicians to make an early diagnosis of IFD of the lung. Computed tomography (CT) may play a certain role in the diagnosis of IFD of the lung, however, there are no specific imaging signs for differentiating IFD of lung from bacterial pneumonia (BP). Methods A total of 214 patients...

Abstract Background Giant intracranial aneurysms (GIAs) are challenges for surgical treatment. Risk factors of postoperative stroke remain unclear. This study aims to investigate the predictors of postoperative stroke in GIAs and the impact of stroke on outcomes. Methods We performed a retrospective medical record review of patients with GIAs who received microsurgery at our institution between 2011 and 2018. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were carried out to identify risk factors for postoperative stroke. The clinical...

Abstract Background The liver plays crucial roles in sepsis and is one of the major targets for sepsis-related injuries. Ferroptosis, a newly emerged form of lytic cell death, has been implicated in sepsis related organ failure. Yes-associated protein1 (YAP1), a key regulator of the Hippo signaling pathway, may be involved in ferroptosis development. This study aimed to elucidate the role of YAP1 in septic liver injury through regulating ferroptosis, especially ferritinophagy-mediated ferroptosis. Results Cecal ligation...

Abstract Background Intrauterine inflammation (IUI) alters epigenetic modifications in offspring, leading to lung injury. However, the epigenetic mechanism underlying IUI-induced lung injury remains uncertain. In the present study, we aim to investigate the effect of IUI on lung development, and to identify the key molecule involved in this process and its epigenetic regulatory mechanism. Results Serpine1 was upregulated in the lung tissue of neonatal mice with IUI. Intranasal delivery of Serpine1 siRNA markedly reversed IUI-induced...

Abstract Background Glucoside natural products have been showing great medicinal values and potentials. However, the production of glucosides by plant extraction, chemical synthesis, and traditional biotransformation is insufficient to meet the fast-growing pharmaceutical demands. Microbial synthetic biology offers promising strategies for synthesis and diversification of plant glycosides. Results In this study, the two efficient UDP-glucosyltransferases (UGTs) (UGT85A1 and RrUGT3) of plant origin, that are capable of recognizing phenolic aglycons, are characterized in vitro. The two...

Abstract Background Glucoside natural products have been showing great medicinal values and potentials. However, the production of glucosides by plant extraction, chemical synthesis, and traditional biotransformation is insufficient to meet the fast-growing pharmaceutical demands. Microbial synthetic biology offers promising strategies for synthesis and diversification of plant glycosides. Results In this study, the two efficient UDP-glucosyltransferases (UGTs) (UGT85A1 and RrUGT3) of plant origin, that are capable of recognizing phenolic aglycons, are characterized in vitro. The two...

Abstract Background Metastatic melanoma has a high mortality rate and poor survival. This is associated with efficient metastatic colonization, but the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Communication between cancer stem cells (CSCs) and cancer cells plays an important role in metastatic dissemination. Whether cancer stem cells can alter the metastatic properties of non-CSC cells; and whether exosomal crosstalk can mediate such interaction, have not been demonstrated in melanoma prior to this report. Results The results revealed...

Although terror management theory has been widely studied, little research has empirically examined whether travel functions as a terror management mechanism. Thus, the present research investigated the influence of mortality anxiety on heritage tourism preference and heritage protection intention through two studies. Study 1 shows that as individuals’ general mortality anxiety increases, their tendency to search for meaning in life increases, which fosters their heritage travel preference and heritage protection intention. Study 2, using an...

Doping Cd element into perovskite materials is an effective strategy to improve the photoelectric property. However, the further discussion for carrier dynamic behavior in perovskites affected by Cd element remains not sufficient. In this research letter, based on steady and transient spectroscopy, it is found that adding Cd element into CsPbBr3 nanocrystals can enhance the activity of photo-generated carriers and accompany with the optimization of crystal structure. The former improves the carrier heating effect, which...

Doping Cd element into perovskite materials is an effective strategy to improve the photoelectric property. However, the further discussion for carrier dynamic behavior in perovskites affected by Cd element remains not sufficient. In this research letter, based on steady and transient spectroscopy, it is found that adding Cd element into CsPbBr3 nanocrystals can enhance the activity of photo-generated carriers and accompany with the optimization of crystal structure. The former improves the carrier heating effect, which...

Abstract Background Shotgun metagenomic sequencing has greatly expanded the understanding of microbial communities in various biological niches. However, it is still challenging to efficiently convert sub-nanogram DNA to high-quality metagenomic libraries and obtain high-fidelity data, hindering the exploration of niches with low microbial biomass. Results To cope with this challenge comprehensively, we evaluated the performance of various library preparation methods on 0.5 pg–5 ng synthetic microbial community DNA, characterized contaminants, and further applied different in...

Abstract No fully validated risk-stratification strategies have been established in China where colonoscopies resources are limited. We aimed to develop and validate a fecal immunochemical test (FIT)-based risk-stratification model for colorectal neoplasia (CN); 10,164 individuals were recruited from 175 centers nationwide and were randomly allocated to the derivation (n = 6776) or validation cohort (n = 3388). Multivariate logistic analyses were performed to develop the National Colorectal Polyp Care (NCPC) score, which formed the risk-stratification...

Abstract Background Adenosine is a potent immunosuppressant whose levels in the tumor microenvironment (TME) are often much higher than those in normal tissues. Binding of adenosine to its receptor A2aR activates a cascade of genes and leads to immunosuppression. In addition, immune checkpoint blockage markedly increases A2aR expression in T cells, which could dampen their anti-tumor response. Several A2aR antagonists are under clinical development, but with limited clinical benefit reported so far. These A2aR antagonists...

Abstract Background Cistanche tubulosa is an editable and medicinal traditional Chinese herb and phenylethanoid glycosides are its major components, which have shown various beneficial effects such as anti-tumor, anti-oxidant and neuroprotective activities. However, the anti-obesity effect of C. tubulosa phenylethanoid glycosides (CTPG) and their regulatory effect on gut microbiota are still unclear. In the present study, we investigated its anti-obesity effect and regulatory effect on gut microbiota by 3T3-L1 cell model and obesity mouse model....

Abstract Beyond detecting brain lesions or tumors, comparatively little success has been attained in identifying brain disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Many machine learning algorithms to detect AD have been trained using limited training data, meaning they often generalize poorly when applied to scans from previously unseen scanners/populations. Therefore, we built a practical brain MRI-based AD diagnostic classifier using deep learning/transfer learning on a dataset of unprecedented size...

Abstract Chimeric fusion transcription factors are oncogenic hallmarks of several devastating cancer entities including pediatric sarcomas, such as Ewing sarcoma (EwS) and alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (ARMS). Despite their exquisite specificity, these driver oncogenes have been considered largely undruggable due to their lack of enzymatic activity. Here, we show in the EwS model that – capitalizing on neomorphic DNA-binding preferences – the addiction to the respective fusion transcription factor EWSR1-FLI1 can be leveraged to express therapeutic genes....

Abstract Background The mental health of students is affected by COVID-19. We aim to evaluate the anxiety and depression symptoms among college students during COVID-19 pandemic, analyze the influence factors that contribute to college students’ anxiety and depression symptoms, and provide some suggestions for improving the mental health of college students. Methods With 179 college students participating, an online questionnaire consisting of a general questionnaire, Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7), and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) was...

Abstract Background Inflammatory response is an important characteristic affecting prognosis and therapeutic response in lower-grade glioma (LGG). However, the molecular subtypes based on inflammatory response are still under exploitation. Methods The RNA sequencing, somatic mutation, and corresponding clinical data from 1205 LGG patients were obtained from the TCGA, CGGA, and Rembrandt cohorts. Consensus clustering was performed to identify molecular subtypes associated with inflammation. Prognosis, clinicopathologic features, immune cell infiltration, and somatic mutation profile were compared...