Making bridges between preclinical and clinical insights into age-related cognitive decline

With people living longer,the societal impact of age-related cognitive decline is becoming more pronounced(Crimmins,2015).Thus,it is increasingly important to comprehend the cognitive shifts linked to aging-whether they are physiological or pathological.

Emerging insights into the function of very long chain fatty acids at cerebellar synapses

Very long chain-saturated and-polyunsaturated fatty acids(VLC-SFA and VLC-PUFA, respectively) are a functionally important class of fatty acids containing 28 carbons or more in their acyl chain. They are synthesized by the elongation of very long fatty acids-4(ELOVL4) enzyme, expressed mainly in the brain, retina, skin, testes, and meibomian gland, where these fatty acids are found(Agbaga et al., 2008). Further, these organs exhibit tissuespecific VLC-PUFA and VLC-SFA biosynthesis and incorporation into complex lipids for specific functions. In the brain, skin, and Meibomian glands, the ELOVL4 mainly makes VLC-SFA, which are incorporated into complex sphingolipids. In the retina, the ELOVL4 makes VLC-PUFA that are incorporated into phosphatidylcholine, that are critical for visual function, while in testes and sperm, the VLC-PUFA are incorporated into sphingolipids that are critical for fertility(Yeboah et al., 2021).

Spatial analysis of the osteoarthritis microenvironment: techniques, insights, and applications

Osteoarthritis(OA)is a debilitating degenerative disease affecting multiple joint tissues,including cartilage,bone,synovium,and adipose tissues.OA presents diverse clinical phenotypes and distinct molecular endotypes,including inflammatory,metabolic,mechanical,genetic,and synovial variants.Consequently,innovative technologies are needed to support the development of effective diagnostic and precision therapeutic approaches.Traditional analysis of bulk OA tissue extracts has limitations due to technical constraints,causing challenges in the differentiation between various physiological and pathological phenotypes in joint tissues.This issue has led to standardization difficulties and hindered the success of clinical trials.Gaining insights into the spatial variations of the cellular and molecular structures in OA tissues,encompassing DNA,RNA,metabolites,and proteins,as well as their chemical properties,elemental composition,and mechanical attributes,can contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the disease subtypes.Spatially resolved biology enables biologists to investigate cells within the context of their tissue microenvironment,providing a more holistic view of cellular function.Recent advances in innovative spatial biology techniques now allow intact tissue sections to be examined using various-omics lenses,such as genomics,transcriptomics,proteomics,and metabolomics,with spatial data.This fusion of approaches provides researchers with critical insights into the molecular composition and functions of the cells and tissues at precise spatial coordinates.Furthermore,advanced imaging techniques,including high-resolution microscopy,hyperspectral imaging,and mass spectrometry imaging,enable the visualization and analysis of the spatial distribution of biomolecules,cells,and tissues.Linking these molecular imaging outputs to conventional tissue histology can facilitate a more comprehensive characterization of disease phenotypes.This review summarizes the recent advancements in the molecular imaging modalities and methodologies for in-depth spatial analysis.It explores their applications,challenges,and potential opportunities in the field of OA.Additionally,this review provides a perspective on the potential research directions for these contemporary approaches that can meet the requirements of clinical diagnoses and the establishment of therapeutic targets for OA.

Ageing-related bone and immunity changes:insights into the complex interplay between the skeleton and the immune system

Ageing as a natural irreversible process inherently results in the functional deterioration of numerous organ systems and tissues,including the skeletal and immune systems.Recent studies have elucidated the intricate bidirectional interactions between these two systems.

Ancient DNA unravels species identification from Laosicheng site,Hunan Province,China,and provides insights into maternal genetic history of East Asian leopards

DEAR EDITOR,The Laosicheng site in Yongshun County,Hunan Province,China,plays an important role in elucidating the animal population composition of the region prior to the middle Qing Dynasty(approximately 300 years ago).This site has yielded a substantial number of animal bones,11960 of which have been identified to the species level,serving as direct evidence of ancient animal populations(Hunan Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology,2018).

Insights from i-Tree Eco-efficiency Assessment Management of Urban Trees in Oxford,UK

In the era of stock development following the acceleration of urbanization,the revitalization of urban green space has assumed an increasingly significant role.Consequently,the management of urban trees has emerged as a critical focus of urban governance,contributing to the enhancement of livability in human settlements.This study offers a comprehensive analysis of the urban tree management system in Oxford,UK,identifying that its primary objective is to optimize and maintain a harmonious balance between human activities and the natural environment through the implementation of high-quality planting practices.The system emphasizes enhanced management practices and establishes a robust framework for the development of targeted policies and management regulations,utilizing i-Tree eco-efficiency assessment and real-time feedback mechanisms.China’s urban tree management is in its nascent stages,and there is an urgent need for the development of urban green space.By adopting the refined management assessment methodologies employed for urban trees in Oxford,UK,it is possible to enhance the ecological value of urban trees,which represent a significant green resource within cities,and contribute to the creation of more livable urban spaces.

INSIGHTS ON CHINA FROM THE TWO SESSIONS

China’s annual Two Sessions have again attracted worldwide attention.A close look at the Two Sessions always provides key insights on China.China is often accused of being undemocratic.In fact,however,China is democratic in practice except that its democracy differs from systems studied in the West or in general politics.China’s democratic process is worth studying.

An Exploration of Traditional Chinese Cultural Programs:The Construction of Rituals,Narrative Strategies,and Experiential Insights

In the context of the cultural development of the new era and the burgeoning spiritual demands of the people,there has been a remarkable surge in the proliferation of traditional Chinese cultural programs.The“Chinese Festivals”series,produced by Henan TV,standing out as an engaging TV program that showcases traditional Chinese culture,has rapidly captivated a diverse audience across different age groups,creating a rich,multi-dimensional,and cross-media cultural communication ecosystem.The program strategically selects symbolic elements by systematically categorizing and organizing traditional Chinese cultural symbols to create a rich cultural space.It employs cutting-edge scientific and technological methods to enrich viewer immersion,crafting media rituals with both temporal significance and a profound sense of media ritual.This approach boosts the program’s popularity and sets a benchmark for industry innovation.By fostering an interactive narrative between mainstream media and the public,the program continuously broadens the scope of the“story world,”fostering a harmonious and structured national cultural community through the creative interpretation of traditional Chinese culture and the evocative crafting of the aesthetic sensibilities inherent in Chinese art.It is worth noting that the phenomenon of aesthetic fatigue besets the development of this serial program.To address this issue and further improve the appeal of the program,a comprehensive approach is required to develop a cohesive narrative mode for the“story world.”This involves harmonizing the interplay between artistic endeavors and technological advancements,synchronizing sensory experiences with the foundational ritualistic elements,and enhancing the effectiveness of the media communication matrix to construct a brand of media culture that has social significance,aesthetic value,and economic profits in the new era.

Comparative Analysis of Machine Learning Models for Customer Churn Prediction in the U.S. Banking and Financial Services: Economic Impact and Industry-Specific Insights

Customer churn poses a significant challenge for the banking and finance industry in the United States, directly affecting profitability and market share. This study conducts a comprehensive comparative analysis of machine learning models for customer churn prediction, focusing on the U.S. context. The research evaluates the performance of logistic regression, random forest, and neural networks using industry-specific datasets, considering the economic impact and practical implications of the findings. The exploratory data analysis reveals unique patterns and trends in the U.S. banking and finance industry, such as the age distribution of customers and the prevalence of dormant accounts. The study incorporates macroeconomic factors to capture the potential influence of external conditions on customer churn behavior. The findings highlight the importance of leveraging advanced machine learning techniques and comprehensive customer data to develop effective churn prevention strategies in the U.S. context. By accurately predicting customer churn, financial institutions can proactively identify at-risk customers, implement targeted retention strategies, and optimize resource allocation. The study discusses the limitations and potential future improvements, serving as a roadmap for researchers and practitioners to further advance the field of customer churn prediction in the evolving landscape of the U.S. banking and finance industry.

美国科学教材FOSS、STC、INSIGHTS比较分析

FOSS、STC、INSIGHTS是在20世纪80年代末美国新一轮科学课程改革的背景下,在"2061计划"的推动下启动的三项科学课程研究项目,也是当下美国较为流行的三套小学科学课程教材。本文对三套教材的出台背景作简要介绍,并通过对三套教材的课程内容、教学资源、特点等进行对比,透视美国科学教育的特点及整体发展趋势。

美国Insights科学教育项目研究

美国Insights项目是由美国国家科学基金会(NSF)资助,旨在推进国家科学教育的三大科学教育项目之一,该项目开发的Insights课程是美国现行的一种小学科学课程。本文对Insights项目的出台背景、课程理念和课程体系和特点进行了分析。

美国Insights小学科学教育项目及其启示

Insights科学教育项目是美国第二次科学教育改革的重要成果，本文从中归纳了美国科学教育以主题单元统摄课程；以探究作为课程中心环节；鼓励学生亲历实验，为学生的“动手做”创造条件以及注重科学活动同多种知识领域的结合这四个特点。并结合我国小学科学教育的实践，提出改进建议。

Chromosome-scale genome assembly provides insights into the evolution and flavor synthesis of passion fruit (Passiflora edulis Sims)

Passion fruit(Passiflora edulis Sims)is an economically valuable fruit that is cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions of the world.Here,we report an~1341.7Mb chromosome-scale genome assembly of passion fruit,with 98.91%(~1327.18Mb)of the assembly assigned to nine pseudochromosomes.The genome includes 23,171 protein-coding genes,and most of the assembled sequences are repetitive sequences,with long-terminal repeats(LTRs)being the most abundant.Phylogenetic analysis revealed that passion fruit diverged after Brassicaceae and before Euphorbiaceae.Ks analysis showed that two whole-genome duplication events occurred in passion fruit at 65 MYA and 12 MYA,which may have contributed to its large genome size.An integrated analysis of genomic,transcriptomic,and metabolomic data showed that‘alpha-linolenic acid metabolism’,‘metabolic pathways’,and‘secondary metabolic pathways’were the main pathways involved in the synthesis of important volatile organic compounds(VOCs)in passion fruit,and this analysis identified some candidate genes,including GDP-fucose Transporter 1-like,Tetratricopeptide repeat protein 33,protein NETWORKED 4B isoform X1,and Golgin Subfamily A member 6-like protein 22.In addition,we identified 13 important gene families in fatty acid pathways and eight important gene families in terpene pathways.Gene family analysis showed that the ACX,ADH,ALDH,and HPL gene families,especially ACX13/14/15/20,ADH13/26/33,ALDH1/4/21,and HPL4/6,were the key genes for ester synthesis,while the TPS gene family,especially PeTPS2/3/4/24,was the key gene family for terpene synthesis.This work provides insights into genome evolution and flavor trait biology and offers valuable resources for the improved cultivation of passion fruit.

The chromosome-level quality genome provides insights into the evolution of the biosynthesis genes for aroma compounds of Osmanthus fragrans

Sweet osmanthus(Osmanthus fragrans)is a very popular ornamental tree species throughout Southeast Asia and USA particularly for its extremely fragrant aroma.We constructed a chromosome-level reference genome of O.fragrans to assist in studies of the evolution,genetic diversity,and molecular mechanism of aroma development.A total of over 118 Gb of polished reads was produced from HiSeq(45.1 Gb)and PacBio Sequel(73.35 Gb),giving 100×depth coverage for long reads.The combination of Illumina-short reads,PacBio-long reads,and Hi-C data produced the final chromosome quality genome of O.fragrans with a genome size of 727 Mb and a heterozygosity of 1.45%.The genome was annotated using de novo and homology comparison and further refined with transcriptome data.The genome of O.fragrans was predicted to have 45,542 genes,of which 95.68%were functionally annotated.Genome annotation found 49.35%as the repetitive sequences,with long terminal repeats(LTR)being the richest(28.94%).Genome evolution analysis indicated the evidence of whole-genome duplication 15 million years ago,which contributed to the current content of 45,242 genes.Metabolic analysis revealed that linalool,a monoterpene is the main aroma compound.Based on the genome and transcriptome,we further demonstrated the direct connection between terpene synthases(TPSs)and the rich aromatic molecules in O.fragrans.We identified three new flower-specific TPS genes,of which the expression coincided with the production of linalool.Our results suggest that the high number of TPS genes and the flower tissue-and stage-specific TPS genes expressions might drive the strong unique aroma production of O.fragrans.

High-quality de novo assembly of the Eucommia ulmoides haploid genome provides new insights into evolution and rubber biosynthesis

We report the acquisition of a high-quality haploid chromosome-scale genome assembly for the first time in a tree species,Eucommia ulmoides,which is known for its rubber biosynthesis and medicinal applications.The assembly was obtained by applying PacBio and Hi–C technologies to a haploid that we specifically generated.Compared to the initial genome release,this one has significantly improved assembly quality.The scaffold N50(53.15 MB)increased 28-fold,and the repetitive sequence content(520 Mb)increased by 158.24 Mb,whereas the number of gaps decreased from 104,772 to 128.A total of 92.87%of the 26,001 predicted protein-coding genes identified with multiple strategies were anchored to the 17 chromosomes.A new whole-genome duplication event was superimposed on the earlierγpaleohexaploidization event,and the expansion of long terminal repeats contributed greatly to the evolution of the genome.The more primitive rubber biosynthesis of this species,as opposed to that in Hevea brasiliensis,relies on the methylerythritol-phosphate pathway rather than the mevalonate pathway to synthesize isoprenyl diphosphate,as the MEP pathway operates predominantly in trans-polyisoprene-containing leaves and central peels.Chlorogenic acid biosynthesis pathway enzymes were preferentially expressed in leaves rather than in bark.This assembly with higher sequence contiguity can foster not only studies on genome structure and evolution,gene mapping,epigenetic analysis and functional genomics but also efforts to improve E.ulmoides for industrial and medical uses through genetic engineering.

The chromosome-level Hemerocallis citrina Borani genome provides new insights into the rutin biosynthesis and the lack of colchicine

Hemerocallis citrina Borani(huang hua cai in Chinese)is an important horticultural crop whose flower buds are widely consumed as a delicious vegetable in Asia.Here we assembled a high-quality reference genome of H.citrina using single-molecule sequencing and Hi-C technologies.The genome assembly was 3.77 Gb and consisted of 3183 contigs with a contig N50 of 2.09 Mb,which were further clustered into 11 pseudochromosomes.A larger portion(3.25 Gb or 86.20%)was annotated as a repetitive content and 54,295 protein-coding genes were annotated in the genome.Genome evolution analysis showed that H.citrina experienced a recent whole-genome duplication(WGD)event at~15.73 million years ago(Mya),which was the main factor leading to many multiple copies of orthologous genes.We used this reference genome to predict 20 genes involved in the rutin biosynthesis pathway.Moreover,our metabolomics data revealed neither colchicine nor its precursors in H.citrina,challenging the long-standing belief that this alkaloid causes poisoning by the plant.The results of our disruptive research are further substantiated by our genomic finding that H.citrina does not contain any genes involved in colchicine biosynthesis.The high-quality genome lays a solid foundation for genetic research and molecular breeding of H.citrina.

Whole-genome sequencing provides insights into the genetic diversity and domestication of bitter gourd(Momordica spp.)

Bitter gourd(Momordica charantia)is a popular cultivated vegetable in Asian and African countries.To reveal the characteristics of the genomic structure,evolutionary trajectory,and genetic basis underlying the domestication of bitter gourd,we performed whole-genome sequencing of the cultivar Dali-11 and the wild small-fruited line TR and resequencing of 187 bitter gourd germplasms from 16 countries.The major gene clusters(Bi clusters)for the biosynthesis of cucurbitane triterpenoids,which confer a bitter taste,are highly conserved in cucumber,melon,and watermelon.Comparative analysis among cucurbit genomes revealed that the Bi cluster involved in cucurbitane triterpenoid biosynthesis is absent in bitter gourd.Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the TR group,including 21 bitter gourd germplasms,may belong to a new species or subspecies independent from M.charantia.Furthermore,we found that the remaining 166 M.charantia germplasms are geographically differentiated,and we identified 710,412,and 290 candidate domestication genes in the South Asia,Southeast Asia,and China populations,respectively.This study provides new insights into bitter gourd genetic diversity and domestication and will facilitate the future genomics-enabled improvement of bitter gourd.

Morphological characteristics, anatomical structure, and gene expression: novel insights into gibberellin biosynthesis and perception during carrot growth and development

Gibberellins(GAs)are considered potentially important regulators of cell elongation and expansion in plants.Carrot undergoes significant alteration in organ size during its growth and development.However,the molecular mechanisms underlying gibberellin accumulation and perception during carrot growth and development remain unclear.In this study,five stages of carrot growth and development were investigated using morphological and anatomical structural techniques.Gibberellin levels in leaf,petiole,and taproot tissues were also investigated for all five stages.Gibberellin levels in the roots initially increased and then decreased,but these levels were lower than those in the petioles and leaves.Genes involved in gibberellin biosynthesis and signaling were identified from the carrotDB,and their expression was analyzed.All of the genes were evidently responsive to carrot growth and development,and some of them showed tissue-specific expression.The results suggested that gibberellin level may play a vital role in carrot elongation and expansion.The relative transcription levels of gibberellin pathway-related genes may be the main cause of the different bioactive GAs levels,thus exerting influences on gibberellin perception and signals.Carrot growth and development may be regulated by modification of the genes involved in gibberellin biosynthesis,catabolism,and perception.

New insights into the flotation responses of brucite and serpentine for different conditioning times: Surface dissolution behavior

The inadvertent dissolution of gangue minerals is frequently detrimental to the flotation of valuable minerals.We investigated the effect of conditioning time on the separation of brucite and serpentine by flotation.By analyzing the Mg2+concentration,relative element content,and pulp viscosity,we studied the effect of mineral dissolution on brucite flotation.The results of artificially mixed mineral flotation tests(with-10μm serpentine)showed that by extending the conditioning time from 60 to 360 s,a large amount of Mg2+on the mineral surface gradually dissolved into the pulp,resulting in a decreased brucite recovery(from 83.83%to 76.79%)and an increased recovery of serpentine from 52.12%to 64.03%.To analyze the agglomeration behavior of brucite and serpentine,we used scanning electron microscopy,which clearly showed the different adhesion behaviors of different conditioning times.Lastly,the total interaction energy,as determined based on the extended DLVO(Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek)theory,also supports the conclusion that the gravitational force between brucite and serpentine increases significantly with increased conditioning time.

Sodium iodate induced retinal degeneration: new insights from an old model

Studies on the selective retinal degeneration induced by sodium iodate （NaIO3） date back to 1941; Sorsby （1941） described the effect of intravenously injected NaIO3 solution on the rabbit retina. Since then, NaIO3-induced retinal degeneration has been described in different mammalian species including sheep, rabbit, rat and mouse with varying doses and routes of administration. At the present time,