Simultaneous determination of 28 illegal drugs in sewage by high throughput online SPE-ISTD-UHPLC-MS/MS

This study developed an online solid-phase extraction ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (Online-SPE-UHPLC-MS/MS) method for the analysis of 28 illegal drugs in sewage. To achieve this, 28 isotope internal standards (ISTDs) were added to 3 mL sewage samples, the pH was adjusted to 7-8 using hydrochloric acid or 20% ammonia water, followed by centrifugation, filtration, and analysis using UHPLC-MS/MS. The results indicated an excellent linearity of 1-300 ng L-1, and cotinine in the concentration range of 20-6000 ng L-1, linear correlation coefficient R2 > 0.995, with the limit of detection (LOD) of 0.01-6 ng L-1, and a limit of quantification (LOQ) of 0.1-20 ng L-1. The addition of three concentrates of low (2 ng L-1/40 ng L-1), medium (20 ng L-1/400 ng L-1), and high concentration (200 ng L-1/4000 ng L-1) demonstrated the matrix effect of the target compound between ± 22.0%. The extraction recovery was 70.0-119.4%, and a percent accuracy of 75.7-118.1%. Similarly, the intra- and inter-day precisions were 1.8-20.0% and 1.5-18.9%, respectively. The results cemented the sensitivity, accuracy, reliability, strong specificity, and reproducibility, which can be used to screen 28 illegal drugs in sewage for trace analysis.

Amplitude Analysis of the B^{0}→K^{*0}μ^{+}μ^{-} Decay

An amplitude analysis of the B^{0}→K^{*0}μ^{+}μ^{-} decay is presented using a dataset corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 4.7  fb^{-1} of pp collision data collected with the LHCb experiment. For the first time, the coefficients associated to short-distance physics effects, sensitive to processes beyond the standard model, are extracted directly from the data through a q^{2}-unbinned amplitude analysis, where q^{2} is the μ^{+}μ^{-} invariant mass squared. Long-distance contributions, which originate from nonfactorizable QCD processes, are systematically investigated, and the most accurate assessment to date of their impact on the physical observables is obtained. The pattern of measured corrections to the short-distance couplings is found to be consistent with previous analyses of b- to s-quark transitions, with the largest discrepancy from the standard model predictions found to be at the level of 1.8 standard deviations. The global significance of the observed differences in the decay is 1.4 standard deviations.

Comprehensive Analysis of Autophagy-Related Genes in Rice Immunity against Magnaporthe oryzae

Rice blast disease, caused by the fungus Magnaporthe oryzae, is a significant threat to rice production. Resistant cultivars can effectively resist the invasion of M. oryzae. Thus, the identification of disease-resistant genes is of utmost importance for improving rice production. Autophagy, a cellular process that recycles damaged components, plays a vital role in plant growth, development, senescence, stress response, and immunity. To understand the involvement of autophagy-related genes (ATGs) in rice immune response against M. oryzae, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of 37 OsATGs, including bioinformatic analysis, transcriptome analysis, disease resistance analysis, and protein interaction analysis. Bioinformatic analysis revealed that the promoter regions of 33 OsATGs contained cis-acting elements responsive to salicylic acid (SA) or jasmonic acid (JA), two key hormones involved in plant defense responses. Transcriptome data showed that 21 OsATGs were upregulated during M. oryzae infection. Loss-of-function experiments demonstrated that OsATG6c, OsATG8a, OsATG9b, and OsATG13a contribute to rice blast resistance. Additionally, through protein interaction analysis, we identified five proteins that may interact with OsATG13a and potentially contribute to plant immunity. Our study highlights the important role of autophagy in rice immunity and suggests that OsATGs may enhance resistance to rice blast fungus through the involvement of SA, JA, or immune-related proteins. These findings provide valuable insights for future efforts in improving rice production through the identification and utilization of autophagy-related genes.

FASN Inhibition Decreases MHC-I Degradation and Synergizes with PD-L1 Checkpoint Blockade in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) transformed the treatment landscape of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Unfortunately, patients with attenuated MHC-I expression remain refractory to ICIs, and druggable targets for upregulating MHC-I are limited. Here, we found that genetic or pharmacologic inhibition of fatty acid synthase (FASN) increased MHC-I levels in HCC cells, promoting antigen presentation and stimulating antigen-specific CD8+ T-cell cytotoxicity. Mechanistically, FASN inhibition reduced palmitoylation of MHC-I that led to its lysosomal degradation. The palmitoyltransferase DHHC3 directly bound MHC-I and negatively regulated MHC-I protein levels. In an orthotopic HCC mouse model, Fasn deficiency enhanced MHC-I levels and promoted cancer cell killing by tumor-infiltrating CD8+ T cells. Moreover, the combination of two different FASN inhibitors, orlistat and TVB-2640, with anti-PD-L1 antibody robustly suppressed tumor growth in vivo. Multiplex IHC of human HCC samples and bioinformatic analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas data further illustrated that lower expression of FASN was correlated with a higher percentage of cytotoxic CD8+ T cells. The identification of FASN as a negative regulator of MHC-I provides the rationale for combining FASN inhibitors and immunotherapy for treating HCC.

SIGNIFICANCE

Inhibition of FASN increases MHC-I protein levels by suppressing its palmitoylation and lysosomal degradation, which stimulates immune activity against hepatocellular carcinoma and enhances the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibition.

Fraction of χ_{c} Decays in Prompt J/ψ Production Measured in pPb Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=8.16 TeV

The fraction of χ_{c1} and χ_{c2} decays in the prompt J/ψ yield, F_{χ_{c}→J/ψ}=σ_{χ_{c}→J/ψ}/σ_{J/ψ}, is measured by the LHCb detector in pPb collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=8.16  TeV. The study covers the forward (1.5 Collapse

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First insights into the bioaccumulation, biotransformation and trophic transfer of typical tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) analogues along a simulated aquatic food chain

Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) analogues have been investigated for their prevalent occurrence in environments and potential hazardous effects to humans and wildlife; however, there is still limited knowledge regarding their toxicokinetics and trophic transfer in aquatic food chains. Using a developed toxicokinetic model framework, we quantified the bioaccumulation, biotransformation and trophic transfer of tetrabromobisphenol S (TBBPS) and tetrabromobisphenol A di(allyl ether) (TBBPA-DAE) during trophic transfer from brine shrimp (Artemia salina) to zebrafish (Danio rerio). The results showed that the two TBBPA analogues could be readily accumulated by brine shrimp, and the estimated bioconcentration factor (BCF) value of TBBPS (5.68 L kg-1 ww) was higher than that of TBBPA-DAE (1.04 L kg-1 ww). The assimilation efficiency (AE) of TBBPA-DAE in zebrafish fed brine shrimp was calculated to be 16.3%, resulting in a low whole-body biomagnification factor (BMF) in fish (0.684 g g-1 ww). Based on the transformation products screened using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatograph-high resolution mass spectrometry (UPLC-HRMS), oxidative debromination and hydrolysis were identified as the major transformation pathways of TBBPS, while the biotransformation of TBBPA-DAE mainly took place through ether bond breaking and phase-II metabolism. Lower accumulation of TBBPA as a metabolite than its parent chemical was observed in both brine shrimp and zebrafish, with metabolite parent concentration factors (MPCFs) < 1. The investigated BCFs for shrimp of the two TBBPA analogues were only 3.77 × 10-10 - 5.59 × 10-3 times of the theoretical Kshrimp-water based on the polyparameter linear free energy relationships (pp-LFERs) model, and the BMF of TBBPA-DAE for fish was 0.299 times of the predicted Kshrimp-fish. Overall, these results indicated the potential of the trophic transfer in bioaccumulation of specific TBBPA analogues in higher trophic-level aquatic organisms and pointed out biotransformation as an important mechanism in regulating their bioaccumulation processes. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATION: The internal concentration of a pollutant in the body determines its toxicity to organisms, while bioaccumulation and trophic transfer play important roles in elucidating its risks to ecosystems. Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) analogues have been extensively investigated for their adverse effects on humans and wildlife; however, there is still limited knowledge regarding their toxicokinetics and trophic transfer in aquatic food chains. This study investigated the bioaccumulation, biotransformation and trophic transfer of TBBPS and TBBPA-DAE in a simulated di-trophic food chain. This state-of-art study will provide a reference for further research on this kind of emerging pollutant in aquatic environments.

New insight into the bioaccumulation and trophic transfer of free and conjugated antibiotics in an estuarine food web based on multimedia fate and model simulation

The substantial utilization of antibiotics causes their "pseudo-persistence" in offshore environments. Published studies on antibiotic surveillance in food webs have primarily emphasized on parent forms; however, the compositions and concentrations of conjugated antibiotics in aquatic organisms remain largely unexplored. This study systematically examined the distribution characteristics and trophodynamics of free antibiotics and their conjugated forms in an estuarine food web. Total antibiotic levels differed insignificantly between the surface and bottom waters. The total mean values of free antibiotics in crabs, fish, shrimps, sea cucumbers, and snails varied from 0.77 to 1.4 ng/g (wet weight). The numbers and values of antibiotics rose in these biological samples after enzymatic hydrolysis. Conjugated antibiotics accounted for 23.8-76.9% of the total antibiotics in the biological samples, revealing that conjugated forms play a non-negligible role in aquatic organisms. More number of antibiotics exhibited bioaccumulation capabilities after enzymatic hydrolysis. In the food web, the free forms of anhydroerythromycin and conjugated forms of trimethoprim and ciprofloxacin underwent trophic dilution, whereas the free forms of trimethoprim and conjugated forms of ofloxacin underwent trophic amplification. The present work provides new insights into the bioaccumulation and trophic transfer of free and conjugated antibiotics in food webs.

Prevalence of hypertension among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients in China: a systematic review and meta-analysis

This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of hypertension in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) using the results of a regional study. The studies were reviewed using PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, China Biology Medicine, Wan Fang Data and Chinese Science Citation Database. After screening articles and data extraction, Stata V.16 was used for statistical analysis. This study was registered in the Prospective Register Systematic Reviews (CRD42020170649). A total of 2126 articles were identified, and nine papers were finally included. Random-effects modelling showed that the pooled prevalence of hypertension among Chinese patients with T2DM was 54% (95% CI 47 to 61%). Subgroup analysis showed that the prevalence in men (59.8%; 95% CI 49.0 to 70.7%) was higher than that in women (40.2%; 95% CI 29.3 to 59.2%). The prevalence in North China was higher than that in East China. The prevalence in institution-based settings (56%; 95% CI 48 to 64%) was higher than that in community-based settings (51%; 95% CI 34 to 69%). Appropriate preventive measures should be undertaken, such as health education, to control and reduce the risk of hypertension in diabetic patients and reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease.

Transcriptome data-based screening of potential host of genetic transformation for a blue-hued Bougainvillea transgene

Bougainvillea is a popular ornamental plant. Although Bougainvillea is abundant in germplasm resources, cultivars and flower colors, there is no rare blue colour varieties, due to the absence of delphinidin-based anthocyanins. This study analyzed the Bougainvillea leaf and bract transcriptome to select hosts of genetic transformation that would be suitable for the accumulation of delphinidin. A total of 36 gigabyte (GB) of raw data was obtained by transcriptome sequencing, with 4,058 significantly differentially expressed genes, including 1,854 upregulated and 2,204 downregulated genes. Annotation of these genes was performed using Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes databases. Through annotation, two CHS genes, one F3H gene, one DFR gene, and one F3'H gene involved in the delphinidin biosynthesis pathway were identified. The expression levels of these genes and total flavonoid content in the bracts of six Bougainvillea varieties were examined through quantitative real-time PCR and spectrophotometry, respectively. Through the comprehensive evaluation based on membership function method, the suitable host order for a blue-hued Bougainvillea transgene is Singapore White>Elizabeth Angus>Ratana Yellow>China Beauty>Orange King>Brilliant Variegata. Thus, Singapore White variety was the most appropriate transgene host for blue-hued Bougainvillea. The results of this study provide a reference for the directed breeding of blue-hued Bougainvillea.

Hot-Pressing Enhances Mechanical Strength of PEO Solid Polymer Electrolyte for All-Solid-State Sodium Metal Batteries

Poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)-based solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) are widely utilized in all-solid-state sodium metal batteries (ASSSMBs) due to their excellent flexibility and safety. However, poor ionic conductivity and mechanical strength limit its development. In this work, an emerging solvent-free hot-pressing method is used to prepare mechanically robust PEO-based SPE, while sodium superionic conductors Na3 Zr2 Si2 PO12 (NZSP) and NaClO4 are introduced to improve ionic conductivity. The as-prepared electrolyte exhibits a high ionic conductivity of 4.42 × 10-4 S cm-1 and a suitable electrochemical stability window (4.5 V vs Na/Na+ ). Furthermore, the SPE enables intimate contact with the electrode. The Na||Na3 V2 (PO4 )3 @C ASSSMB delivers a high-capacity retention of 97.1% after 100 cycles at 0.5 C and 60 °C, and exhibits excellent Coulombic efficiency (CE) (close to 100%). The ASSSMB with the 20 µm thick electrolyte also demonstrates excellent cyclic stability. This study provides a promising strategy for designing stable polymer-ceramic composite electrolyte membranes through hot-pressing to realize high-energy-density sodium metal batteries.

Simultaneous regeneration of activated carbon and removal of adsorbed atrazine by ozonation process: From laboratory scale to pilot studies

A novel treatment technique by coupling granular activated carbon (GAC) adsorption and ozone regeneration was constructed for long-lasting water decontamination. The GAC adsorption showed high performance for atrazine (ATZ) removal (99.9 %), and the ozone regeneration ensured the recyclability of GAC for water purification. The regeneration process was evaluated via several paths to assist the efficient adsorption process. Employing ozone micro-nano bubbles (O3-MNBs) for regenerating GAC showed superior performance compared to traditional ozone. Meantime, inhibiting the formation of bromate (BrO3-). ATZ adsorption process suffered from the pore-filling, hydrogen bonding effect and π-π EDA interaction. The surface phenolic hydroxyl group, carboxyl group and pyridine nitrogen benefitted the triggering of ozone to generate reactive oxygen species, and regenerate the GAC surface. The superior performance of the adsorption and regeneration process was verified via a long-term running by a pilot study. It significantly improved the removal of organic micropollutants, UV254 and permanganate index. Additionally, the intermittent O3-MNBs regeneration process resulted in efficient decontamination within the pores structure of GAC, which also effectively preserved the pore structure from destruction. For actual application, the cost of water production can be saved around 0.63 kWh m-3. This work proposed new ideas and theoretical support for economic water production.

Guillain-Barré syndrome: immunopathogenesis and therapeutic targets

INTRODUCTION

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is a group of acute immune-mediated disorders in the peripheral nervous system. Both infectious and noninfectious factors are associated with GBS, which may act as triggers of autoimmune responses leading to neural damage and dysfunction.

AREAS COVERED

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and its vaccines as well as flaviviruses have been associated with GBS, although a robust conclusion has yet to be reached. Immunomodulatory treatments, including intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIg) and plasma exchange (PE), have long been the first-line therapies for GBS. Depending on GBS subtype and severity at initial presentation, the efficacy of IVIg and PE can be variable. Several new therapies showing benefits to experimental animals merit further investigation before translation into clinical practice. We review the state-of-the-art knowledge on the immunopathogenesis of GBS in the context of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Immunomodulatory therapies in GBS, including IVIg, PE, corticosteroids, and potential therapies, are summarized.

EXPERT OPINION

The association with SARS-CoV-2 remains uncertain, with geographical differences that are difficult to explain. Evidence and guidelines are lacking for the decision-making of initiating immunomodulatory therapies in mildly affected patients or patients with regional subtypes of GBS.

A comprehensive overview of omics-based approaches to enhance biotic and abiotic stress tolerance in sweet potato

Biotic and abiotic stresses negatively affect the yield and overall plant developmental process, thus causing substantial losses in global sweet potato production. To cope with stresses, sweet potato has evolved numerous strategies to tackle ever-changing surroundings and biological and environmental conditions. The invention of modern sequencing technology and the latest data processing and analysis instruments has paved the way to integrate biological information from different approaches and helps to understand plant system biology more precisely. The advancement in omics technologies has accumulated and provided a great source of information at all levels (genome, transcript, protein, and metabolite) under stressful conditions. These latest molecular tools facilitate us to understand better the plant's responses to stress signaling and help to process/integrate the biological information encoded within the biological system of plants. This review briefly addresses utilizing the latest omics strategies for deciphering the adaptive mechanisms for sweet potatoes' biotic and abiotic stress tolerance via functional genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics. This information also provides a powerful reference to understand the complex, well-coordinated stress signaling genetic regulatory networks and better comprehend the plant phenotypic responses at the cellular/molecular level under various environmental stimuli, thus accelerating the design of stress-resilient sweet potato via the latest genetic engineering approaches.

Effect of reactor operation modes on mitigating antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and methane production from hydrothermally-pretreated pig manure

Numerous efforts have been made to enhance the performance of anaerobic digestion (AD) for accelerating renewable energy generation, however, it remains unclear whether the intensified measures could enhance the proliferation and transmissions of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in the system. This study assessed the impact of an innovative pig manure AD process, which includes hydrothermal pretreatment (HTP) and a two-stage configuration with separated acidogenic and methanogenic phases, on biomethane (CH4) production and ARGs dynamics. Results showed that HTP significantly increase CH4 production from 0.65 to 0.75 L/L/d in conventional single-stage AD to 0.82 and 0.91 L/L/d in two-stage AD. This improvement correlated with a rise in the relative abundance of Methanosarcina, a key methanogenesis microorganism. In the two-stage AD, the methanogenic stage offered an ideal environment for methanogens growth, resulting in substantially faster and higher CH4 production by about 10% compared to single-stage AD. Overall, the combined use of HTP and the two-stage AD configuration enhanced CH4 production by 40% compared to traditional single-stage AD. The abundance and diversity of ARGs were significantly reduced in the acidogenic reactors after HTP. However, the ARGs levels increased by about two times in the following methanogenesis stage and reached similar or higher levels than in single stage AD. The erm(F), erm(G), ant(6)-Ia, tet(W), mef(A) and erm(B) were the six main ARGs with significant differences in relative abundances in various treatments. The two-stage AD mode could better remove sul2, but it also had a rebound which elevated the risk of ARGs to the environment and human health. Network analysis identified pH and TVFAs as critical factors driving microbial communities and ARG proliferation in the new AD process. With the results, this study offers valuable insights into the trade-offs between AD performance enhancement and ARG-related risks, pinpointing essential areas for future research and practical improvements.

Chronic nickel exposure alters extracellular vesicles to mediate cancer progression via sustained NUPR1 expression

Cancer cells release extracellular vesicles (EVs) that participate in altering the proximal tumor environment and distal tissues to promote cancer progression. Chronic exposure to nickel (Ni), a human group I carcinogen, results in epigenetic changes that promotes epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT). Cells that undergo EMT demonstrate various molecular changes, including elevated levels of the mesenchymal cadherin N-cadherin (N-CAD) and the transcription factor Zinc finger E-box binding homeobox 1 (ZEB1). Moreover, the molecular changes following EMT induce changes in cellular behavior, including anchorage-independent growth, which contributes to cancer cells detaching from tumor bulk during the metastatic process. Here, we present data demonstrating that EVs from Ni-exposed cells induce EMT in recipient BEAS-2B cells in the absence of Ni. Moreover, we show evidence that the EVs from Ni-altered cells package the transcription factor nuclear protein 1 (NUPR1), a transcription factor associated with Ni exposure and cancer progression. Moreover, our data demonstrates that the NUPR1 in the EVs becomes part of the recipient cell proteomic milieu and carry the NUPR1 to the nuclear space of the recipient cell. Interestingly, knockdown of NUPR1 in Ni-transformed cells suppressed NUPR1 packaging in the EVs, and nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) demonstrated decreased EV release. Reduction of NUPR1 in EVs resulted in diminished EMT capacity that resulted in decreased anchorage independent growth. This study is the first to demonstrate the role of NUPR1 in extracellular vesicle-mediate cancer progression.

Visual conservation treatment dilemmas in neuroblastoma with bilateral blindness

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the clinical features, treatment strategies, and prognosis of neuroblastoma with bilateral blindness.

METHODS

The clinical data of five patients with bilateral blindness neuroblastoma admitted to Beijing Children's Hospital from April 2018 to September 2020 were retrospectively collected to summarize their clinical characteristics.

RESULTS

All patients were female and the median age at presentation was 25 (23, 41) months. The median intervention time from the onset of symptoms of bilateral blindness to the start of treatment was 10 (10, 12) days. All five cases were staged as stage M and grouped as high risk. Four cases were MYCN gene amplification and one case was MYCN acquisition. Five children were treated according to a high-risk neuroblastoma treatment protocol. Four children did not recover their vision after treatment, and one case improved to have light perception. All patients were effectively followed up for a median of 20 (12, 31) months, with three deaths, one tumor-free survival, and one recurrent tumor-bearing survival.

CONCLUSION

Neuroblastoma with bilateral blindness is rare in the clinic, mostly in children of young age, and is often associated with MYCN amplification and multiple metastases. Early hormone shock therapy and optic nerve decompression are beneficial for preserving the child's vision. A joint multi-disciplinary treatment may help in the formulation of treatment decisions. Achieving a balance between good visual preservation and survival within the short optic nerve neurotherapeutic window is extremely challenging.

Observation of Cabibbo-Suppressed Two-Body Hadronic Decays and Precision Mass Measurement of the Ω_{c}^{0} Baryon

The first observation of the singly Cabibbo-suppressed Ω_{c}^{0}→Ω^{-}K^{+} and Ω_{c}^{0}→Ξ^{-}π^{+} decays is reported, using proton-proton collision data at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 5.4  fb^{-1}, collected with the LHCb detector between 2016 and 2018. The branching fraction ratios are measured to be B(Ω_{c}^{0}→Ω^{-}K^{+})/B(Ω_{c}^{0}→Ω^{-}π^{+})=[6.08±0.51(stat)±0.40(syst)]%,B(Ω_{c}^{0}→Ξ^{-}π^{+})/B(Ω_{c}^{0}→Ω^{-}π^{+})=[15.81±0.87(stat)±0.44(syst)±0.16(ext)]%. In addition, using the Ω_{c}^{0}→Ω^{-}π^{+} decay channel, the Ω_{c}^{0} baryon mass is measured to be M(Ω_{c}^{0})=2695.28±0.07(stat)±0.27(syst)±0.30(ext)  MeV, improving the precision of the previous world average by a factor of 4.

Study on mechanical properties of interbedded rock masses with microcrack based on thermal-mechanical coupling

The mechanical properties of deep rock masses are significantly influenced by temperature and other factors. The effect of temperature on the strength of deep rock masses will pose a serious challenge to deep resource exploitation and engineering construction. In this paper, the thermal-mechanical coupling calculation model is established by particle flow code (PFC2D) to study the uniaxial compression response of rock masses with microcracks after temperature load. The strength of failure, microcracks, and strain was analyzed. The results show that: (i) When the soft rock thickness ratio Hs/H < 0.5, the displacement caused by the applied temperature is concentrated at the structural plane, and the contact force is concentrated at the end of the initial microcrack. When Hs/H ≥ 0.5, the displacement caused by the applied temperature is concentrated on both sides of the initial microcrack, and the contact force is concentrated in the hard rock area. (ii) The number of microcracks decreases with the increase of soft rock thickness under different working conditions. When the soft rock thickness ratio Hs/H < 0.5, the relationship curve between the number of microcracks and the vertical strain shows two stages of change. When Hs/H ≥ 0.5, the relationship curve between the number of cracks and the vertical strain changes shows three stages of change. (iii) When the soft rock thickness ratio Hs/H < 0.5, the failure strength decreases with the increase of soft rock thickness ratio at T = 100°C and 200°C. When T = 300°C and 400°C, the failure strength decreased first and then increased. When Hs/H ≥ 0.5, the failure strength increases with the increase of soft rock thickness at T = 200°C, 300°C, and 400°C. At T = 100°C, the failure strength decreases with the increase of soft rock thickness.

Enhanced Production of Λ_{b}^{0} Baryons in High-Multiplicity pp Collisions at sqrt[s]=13 TeV

The production rate of Λ_{b}^{0} baryons relative to B^{0} mesons in pp collisions at a center-of-mass energy sqrt[s]=13  TeV is measured by the LHCb experiment. The ratio of Λ_{b}^{0} to B^{0} production cross sections shows a significant dependence on both the transverse momentum and the measured charged-particle multiplicity. At low multiplicity, the ratio measured at LHCb is consistent with the value measured in e^{+}e^{-} collisions, and increases by a factor of ∼2 with increasing multiplicity. At relatively low transverse momentum, the ratio of Λ_{b}^{0} to B^{0} cross sections is higher than what is measured in e^{+}e^{-} collisions, but converges with the e^{+}e^{-} ratio as the momentum increases. These results imply that the evolution of heavy b quarks into final-state hadrons is influenced by the density of the hadronic environment produced in the collision. Comparisons with several models and implications for the mechanisms enforcing quark confinement are discussed.

Reconstruction of ENSO variability using the standardized growth index of a Tridacna shell from Yongshu Reef, South China Sea

El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is the strongest signal of global interannual climate anomaly and reconstructing past ENSO variations using high-resolution paleoclimate archives can improve our understanding of ENSO variability, as well as improve our ability to predict future climate changes. Here, a daily resolution standardized growth index (SGI) was established using a giant clam (Tridacna spp.) shell specimen MD2 (life span: 1994-2013 CE), collected from the Yongshu Reef, southern South China Sea (SCS). The cross-spectral and correlation analysis indicated that the SGI variation of MD2 was strongly influenced by ENSO variability on an interannual timescale. Tridacna spp. is in symbiosis with zooxanthellae, and its growth index is usually modulated by the photosynthetic efficiency of zooxanthellae. During the El Niño (La Niña) period, the convective anomalies stimulated in western Pacific would increase (decrease) the effective solar radiation on Yongshu Reef, and in turn influence the photosynthesis rate of zooxanthellae and enzyme activity for the calcification site and thus the SGI of giant clam MD2. The SGI can explain 54.7 % of ENSO variance, demonstrating the potential for Tridacna SGI in ENSO reconstruction. Compared with conventional ENSO reconstruction using high-resolution geochemical proxies, the method of giant clam SGI is rapid and economical.

Hosing of a Long Relativistic Particle Bunch in Plasma

Experimental results show that hosing of a long particle bunch in plasma can be induced by wakefields driven by a short, misaligned preceding bunch. Hosing develops in the plane of misalignment, self-modulation in the perpendicular plane, at frequencies close to the plasma electron frequency, and are reproducible. Development of hosing depends on misalignment direction, its growth on misalignment extent and on proton bunch charge. Results have the main characteristics of a theoretical model, are relevant to other plasma-based accelerators and represent the first characterization of hosing.

Abnormalities of retinal function in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients without clinical diabetic retinopathy detected by multifocal electroretinogram

OBJECTIVE

To study the changes of retinal function in type 2 diabetes mellitus(DM) patients without apparently diabetic retinopathy via multifocal electroretinogram.

METHODS

Thirty-six type 2 DM patients (72 eyes) without visible diabetic retinopathy were selected as the experimental group, and thirty-five healthy subjects (70 eyes) were selected as the control group. All subjects were underwent multifocal electroretinogram (mf- ERG).

RESULTS

Compared with the control group, the implicit time delay of the P1 wave in the first ring, third ring, fourth ring, and fifth ring of the experimental group was significant (t = -3.154, p = 0.004, t = -8.21, p = 0.000, t = -3.067, p = 0.004, t = -4.443, p = 0.000, respectively). The implicit time of the N1 wave in the fourth- and fifth-ring were also significantly delayed compared with the control group (t = -3.549, p = 0.001, t = 2.961, p = 0.005, respectively). Compared with the control group, the implicit time of the P1 wave and N1 wave in the temporal region of the experimental group were delayed (t = -2.148, p = 0.037, t = -2.834, p = 0.007, respectively). There were no significant difference between the experimental group and the control group of the temporal area in the amplitude density of P1 wave, N1 wave. There was no difference in the implicit time and amplitude density of the N1 and P1 waves in the nasal region between the experimental group and the control group. The multifocal electroretinogram complex parameters showed better specificity and sensitivity in the diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy.

CONCLUSION

The multifocal electroretinogram can detect abnormal changes in the retina of type 2 DM patients without visible diabetic retinopathy. The multifocal electroretinogram complex parameter is a potential indicator for the early diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy.

Injectable hydrogel with antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties for postoperative tumor wound care

Clinically, tumor removal surgery leaves irregularly shaped wounds that are susceptible to bacterial infection and further lead to excessive inflammation. Injectable hydrogel dressings with antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties have been recognized as an effective strategy to care for postoperative tumor wounds and prevent recurrence in recent years. In this work, we constructed a hydrogel network by ionic bonding interactions between quaternized chitosan (QCS) and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)-Zn complexes which were coordinated by EGCG and zinc ions. Because of the synergistic effect of QCS and EGCG-Zn, the hydrogel exhibited outstanding antimicrobial capacity (>99.9% inhibition), which could prevent infections caused byEscherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. In addition, the hydrogel was able to inhibit the growth of mice breast cancer cells (56.81% survival rate within 72 h) and reduce inflammation, which was attributed to the sustained release of EGCG. The results showed that the hydrogel was effective in inhibiting tumor recurrence and accelerating wound closure when applied to the postoperative tumor wounds. This study provided a simple and reliable strategy for postoperative tumor wound care using antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory injectable dressings, confirming their great potential in the field of postoperative wound dressings.