Unveiling DNA methylation in Alzheimer’s disease:a review of array-based human brain studies

The intricacies of Alzheimer’s disease pathogenesis are being increasingly illuminated by the exploration of epigenetic mechanisms,particularly DNA methylation.This review comprehensively surveys recent human-centered studies that investigate whole genome DNA methylation in Alzheimer’s disease neuropathology.The examination of various brain regions reveals distinctive DNA methylation patterns that associate with the Braak stage and Alzheimer’s disease progression.The entorhinal cortex emerges as a focal point due to its early histological alterations and subsequent impact on downstream regions like the hippocampus.Notably,ANK1 hypermethylation,a protein implicated in neurofibrillary tangle formation,was recurrently identified in the entorhinal cortex.Further,the middle temporal gyrus and prefrontal cortex were shown to exhibit significant hypermethylation of genes like HOXA3,RHBDF2,and MCF2L,potentially influencing neuroinflammatory processes.The complex role of BIN1 in late-onset Alzheimer’s disease is underscored by its association with altered methylation patterns.Despite the disparities across studies,these findings highlight the intricate interplay between epigenetic modifications and Alzheimer’s disease pathology.Future research efforts should address methodological variations,incorporate diverse cohorts,and consider environmental factors to unravel the nuanced epigenetic landscape underlying Alzheimer’s disease progression.

Pretreatment and analysis techniques development of TKIs in biological samples for pharmacokinetic studies and therapeutic drug monitoring

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors(TKIs)have emerged as the first-line small molecule drugs in many cancer therapies,exerting their effects by impeding aberrant cell growth and proliferation through the modulation of tyrosine kinase-mediated signaling pathways.However,there exists a substantial inter-individual variability in the concentrations of certain TKIs and their metabolites,which may render patients with compromised immune function susceptible to diverse infections despite receiving theoretically efficacious anticancer treatments,alongside other potential side effects or adverse reactions.Therefore,an urgent need exists for an up-to-date review concerning the biological matrices relevant to bioanalysis and the sampling methods,clinical pharmacokinetics,and therapeutic drug monitoring of different TKIs.This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the advancements in pretreatment methods,such as protein precipitation(PPT),liquid-liquid extraction(LLE),solid-phase extraction(SPE),micro-SPE(μ-SPE),magnetic SPE(MSPE),and vortex-assisted dispersive SPE(VA-DSPE)achieved since 2017.It also highlights the latest analysis techniques such as newly developed high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC)and high-resolution mass spectrometry(HRMS)methods,capillary electrophoresis(CE),gas chromatography(GC),supercritical fluid chromatography(SFC)procedures,surface plasmon resonance(SPR)assays as well as novel nanoprobes-based biosensing techniques.In addition,a comparison is made between the advantages and disadvantages of different approaches while presenting critical challenges and prospects in pharmacokinetic studies and therapeutic drug monitoring.

Epistasis-aware genome-wide association studies provide insights into the efficient breeding of high-yield and high-quality rice

Marker-assisted selection(MAS)and genomic selection(GS)breeding have greatly improved the efficiency of rice breeding.Due to the influences of epistasis and gene pleiotropy,ensuring the actual breeding effect of MAS and GS is still a difficult challenge to overcome.In this study,113 indica rice varieties(V)and their 565 testcross hybrids(TC)were used as the materials to investigate the genetic basis of 12 quality traits and nine agronomic traits.The original traits and general combining ability of the parents,as well as the original traits and midparent heterosis of TC,were subjected to genome-wide association analysis.In total,381 primary significantly associated loci(SAL)and 1,759 secondary SALs that had epistatic interactions with these primary SALs were detected.Among these loci,322 candidate genes located within or nearby the SALs were screened,204 of which were cloned genes.A total of 39 MAS molecular modules that are beneficial for trait improvement were identified by pyramiding the superior haplotypes of candidate genes and desirable epistatic alleles of the secondary SALs.All the SALs were used to construct genetic networks,in which 91 pleiotropic loci were investigated.Additionally,we estimated the accuracy of genomic prediction in the parent V and TC by incorporating either no SALs,primary SALs,secondary SALs or epistatic effect SALs as covariates.Although the prediction accuracies of the four models were generally not significantly different in the TC dataset,the incorporation of primary SALs,secondary SALs,and epistatic effect SALs significantly improved the prediction accuracies of 5(26%),3(16%),and 11(58%)traits in the V dataset,respectively.These results suggested that SALs and epistatic effect SALs identified based on an additive genotype can provide considerable predictive power for the parental lines.They also provide insights into the genetic basis of complex traits and valuable information for molecular breeding in rice.

Exploring the Path of Shantytown Renewal Based on the Theory of Environment-behavior Studies: A Case Study of the Northwest Area of Saihantala in Baotou City

The application of environment-behavior studies plays an important role in studying the renewal of shantytowns.One of the most humane ways of renewal is designing and constructing the necessary urban spatial environment from the perspective of human daily behavior.Most of the shantytown renovation projects currently carried out in China are mainly focused on demolition and reconstruction,which not only incurs high costs but also damages the original social structure and economic model.During the process of shantytown renewal,it should improve the urban landscape,living environment,and life quality of residents,and ensure the daily life of shantytown residents without increasing their economic burden,and preserve the traces of urban development.In order to achieve this goal,it should explore the renewal strategies of shantytowns from the perspective of environment-behavior studies through behavior maps,on-site research,and literature review.Updating and design from a human perspective often achieve faster and better development;the renewal of shantytowns should be a bottom-up approach and start from a grassroots perspective,completing the renovation design through the composition of the population and behavioral patterns.

Genome-wide and candidate gene association studies identify BnPAP17 as conferring the utilization of organic phosphorus in oilseed rape

Phosphorus(P)is essential for living plants,and P deficiency is one of the key factors limiting the yield in rapeseed production worldwide.As the most important organ for plants,root morphology traits(RMTs)play a key role in P absorption.To investigate the genetic variability of RMT under low P availability,we dissected the genetic structure of RMTs by genome-wide association studies(GWAS),linkage mapping and candidate gene association studies(CGAS).A total of 52 suggestive loci were associated with RMTs under P stress conditions in 405 oilseed rape accessions.The purple acid phosphatase gene BnPAP17 was found to control the lateral root number(LRN)and root dry weight(RDW)under low P stress.The expression of BnPAP17 was increased in shoot tissue in P-efficient cultivars compared to root tissue and P-inefficient cultivars in response to low P stress.Moreover,the haplotype of BnPAP17^(Hap3)was detected for the selective breeding of P efficiency in oilseed rape.Over-expression of the BnPAP17^(Hap3)could promote the shoot and root growth with enhanced tolerance to low P stress and organic phosphorus(Po)utilization in oilseed rape.Collectively,these findings increase our understanding of the mechanisms underlying BnPAP17-mediated low P stress tolerance in oilseed rape.

The Islamic Studies in China:Research in the Field of History

A history of the Islamic studies in China,not only includes studies on world Islam,it also includes research on Islam and Muslims in China.Before the Reform and Opening Up,China did not achieve much in this field,since then,the research field of Islam and Muslim in China has been expanding and the results have been published,forming a new trend.In this field,scholars such as Jin Yijiu,Li Xinghua,Qin Huibin,Zhou Guoli,Sha Qiuzhen,Zhou Xiefan,Wu Yungui,and Yang Huaizhong have made the most outstanding achievements.Especially in the collation of reference books and historical materials,in the past 20 years,The Encyclopedia of the history of Islam,The Chinese Encyclopedia of Islam have emerged,and the Chinese and World Encyclopedia of Islamic Law and other important historical books have been published.This paper focuses on the field of historical research and divided into academic research history at home and abroad,which is discussed from several fields such as general history,special history,national history,and regional history.

Longitudinal Studies on Illness Perceptions in Cancer Patients: A Scoping Review

Objective:To conduct a scoping review of longitudinal studies related to disease perception in cancer patients and to provide a reference for the improvement of disease perception in cancer patients.Methods:Using the scoping method,PubMed,Web of Science,The Cochrane Library,Medline,CNKI,Wanfang Database,VIP Chinese Scientific and Technical Journals Database,and China Biomedical Literature Database were searched up to July 2023 for analysis and discussion of the included literature.Results:A total of 19 articles were included,distributed across 9 countries including China,the Netherlands,and the United Kingdom,with 8 articles published in China.The study subjects included patients with breast cancer,colorectal cancer,laryngeal cancer,lung cancer,esophageal cancer,and bladder cancer.The content covered dynamic changes in disease perception,the impact of disease perception,and the influencing factors of disease perception.Conclusion:The number of longitudinal studies on disease perception in cancer patients is gradually increasing and becoming more diverse.However,issues such as a small total number of studies,single research methods,and short observation periods persist.In the future,it is necessary to conduct in-depth longitudinal research on disease perception in cancer patients,expand the scope of research fields,and provide more comprehensive theories to guide clinical treatment and nursing practices,ultimately improving the treatment outcomes and quality of life for cancer patients.

In Vivo Studies and Flow Cytometric Investigation on Anticancer Potential of Selenium Nanoparticles Synthesized via Aqueous Extract of Clerodendron phlomidis

Nowadays,doctors and nutritionists recommend individuals incorporate selenium-rich foods such as nuts,cereals,and mushrooms into their regular diet to maintain fitness and overall health.Selenium nanoparticles(SeNPs)exhibit strong chemopreventive capabilities.The anticipations for SeNPs with enhanced and tunable bioactive activities have led to a keen interest in phytofabrication.In this study,the aqueous extract of Clerodendron phlomidis plant leaves was utilized for the synthesis of SeNPs.In traditional Indian medicine,this plant extract is recognized as a significant anti-diabetic agent.The flavonoids tetrahydroxylflavone,7-hydroxyflavanone,and 6,4’-dimethyl-7-acetoxy-scutellarein present in this plant leaf extract demonstrate excellent anticancer activity.These secondary metabolites exhibit the ability to reduce sodium selenite into SeNPs.At a concentration of 13μg/mL,the synthesized SeNPs effectively inhibited the proliferation of the HepG2 cell line.The results suggest that the SeNPs possess promising anti-cancer potential against liver cancer and can be considered as a therapeutic agent for liver cancer treatment.Additionally,the cell cycle arrest induced by SeNPs was further confirmed by the fluorescence-activated cell sorting(FACS)method,indicating that SeNPs could efficiently differentiate cancer cells from normal cells.Notably,it showed a significant improvement in diethylnitrosamine(DEN)-induced Swiss Wistar rat groups.This scientific investigation highlights the high anti-cancer potential of SeNPs,positioning them as a promising therapeutic agent for liver cancer treatment.

“Blind men and an elephant”:The need for animals in research,drug safety studies,and understanding civilizational diseases

Animal-based research and drug safety studies are essential to understanding the mysteries of nature and the long-term survival of humans.Due to the rapid increase in the global human population,conflict-and economically driven human migration,tourism-related activities,densely populated metropolitan areas,and local policies,humans will be affected by a multitude of novel disease-causing microorganisms and civilizational diseases.Despite disparities among countries,recent and planned changes in regulations concerning animal research and drug safety studies could have detrimental effects on both the animal research community and nations lacking sufficient social support systems.Based on existing scientific literature,I argue that we need animal research encompassing aspects such as animal development,behavior,drug safety studies,and for the understanding of future civilizational diseases.Depending on the nature of the research questions and local challenges,a suitable animal model organism should be made mandatory.

Genome-wide association studies reveal the genetic basis of amino acid content variation in tea plants

Tea is one of the most popular non-alcoholic beverages in the world,and free amino acids,especially theanine,make a major contribution to the umami taste of tea.However,the genetic basis of the variation in amino acid content in tea plants remains largely unknown.Here,we measured the free amino acid content in fresh leaves of 174 tea accessions over two years using a targeted metabolomics approach and obtained genotype data via RNA sequencing.Genome-wide association studies were conducted to investigate loci affecting the content of free amino acids.A total of 69 quantitative trait loci(–log10(P-value)>5)were identified.Functional annotation revealed that branched-chain amino acid aminotransferase,glutamine synthetase,nitrate transporter,and glutamate decarboxylase might be important for amino acid metabolism.Two significant loci,glutamine synthetase(Glu1,P=3.71×10^(−4);Arg1,P=4.61×10^(−5))and branched-chain amino acid aminotransferase(Val1,P=4.67×10^(−5);I_Leu1,P=3.56×10^(−6)),were identified,respectively.Based on the genotyping result,two alleles of CsGS(CsGS-L and CsGS-H)and CsBCAT(CsBCAT-L and CsBCAT-H)were selected to perform function verification.Overexpression of CsGS-L and CsGS-H enhanced the contents of glutamate and arginine in transgenic plants,and overexpression of CsBCAT-L and CsBCAT-H promoted the accumulation of valine,isoleucine and leucine.Enzyme activity assay uncovered that SNP1054 is important for CsGS catalyzing glutamate into glutamine.Furthermore,CsGS-L and CsGS-H differentially regulated the accumulation of glutamine,and CsBCAT-L and CsBCAT-H differentially regulated the accumulation of branched-chain amino acids.In summary,the findings in our study would provide new insights into the genetic basis of amino acids contents variation in tea plants and facilitate the identification of elite genes to enhance amino acids content.

A review of challenges and opportunities in micropillar compression studies in Mg alloys

This review paper provides an overview of the micropillar compression technique as applied to magnesium(Mg) and its alloys. It explores the influence of various factors, such as pillar size, shape, temperature, and strain rate on the mechanical properties of Mg.Additionally, the impact of alloying elements, aging, and precipitates in Mg alloys has been extensively examined, revealing their significant influence on mechanical performance. The study highlights the strength and strain hardening improvements in Mg with decreasing pillar size in micropillar compression. Furthermore, the role of precipitates as strengthening agents, affecting deformation mechanisms and overall mechanical response, is explored. These valuable insights are crucial for designing Mg-based materials with enhanced mechanical properties for advanced engineering applications.

Meta-analysis with zero-event studies:a comparative study with application to COVID-19 data

Background:Meta-analysis is a statistical method to synthesize evidence from a number of independent studies,including those from clinical studies with binary outcomes.In practice,when there are zero events in one or both groups,it may cause statistical problems in the subsequent analysis.Methods:In this paper,by considering the relative risk as the effect size,we conduct a comparative study that consists of four continuity correction methods and another state-of-the-art method without the continuity correction,namely the generalized linear mixed models(GLMMs).To further advance the literature,we also introduce a new method of the continuity correction for estimating the relative risk.Results:From the simulation studies,the new method performs well in terms of mean squared error when there are few studies.In contrast,the generalized linear mixed model performs the best when the number of studies is large.In addition,by reanalyzing recent coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)data,it is evident that the double-zero-event studies impact the estimate of the mean effect size.Conclusions:We recommend the new method to handle the zero-event studies when there are few studies in a meta-analysis,or instead use the GLMM when the number of studies is large.The double-zero-event studies may be informative,and so we suggest not excluding them.

Roles of Case Studies and Case Reports in US East Asian Medicine:A Narrative-Medicine Perspective

Recorded stories of the clinical encounter stretch back to ancient times.Throughout their history,these narratives have been called by different names,reflecting changes in format,function,and audience.This paper examines and explains the differences in two related forms of clinical writing as practiced by East Asian Medicine clinicians in the United States today-the case study and the case report.Each has its strengths and weaknesses;each is suited to different roles.The case study is ideal for education and the practice of narrative medicine,whereas the case report has played a vital role in propelling East Asian Medicine into the arena of modern scientific research.

Pharmacognostic and phytochemical studies as an invaluable approach for correct identification of medicinal plants:The case of Artemisia vulgaris L.substituted for Artemisia annua L.in Western Uganda

Background:Different parts of Artemisia vulgaris L.(A.vulgaris)are ethno-medicinally used as an emmenagogue and for the treatment of ailments such as malaria fever,ulcers,and cancer.However,anecdotal evidence shows that the plant is often substituted for Artemisia annua L.(A.annua)by herbalists in Western Uganda due to similarities in their morphology.Misidentification of medicinal plants and mislabelling of herbal products have been incriminated in toxicity and adverse health outcomes in traditional medicine practise.Because safety continues to be a major issue with the use of herbal remedies,it becomes imperative therefore that medicinal plants should be correctly identified.Methods:This study focused on investigating the macroscopic,microscopic,physicochemical characteristics and phytochemical composition of A.vulgaris leaves compared to A.annua to ease its correct identification.Results:The results showed that there are some colour differences between the leaves of the two species,with a close arrangement of microscopic features but different leaf constants.The leaves of the two Artemisia species had similar tastes,but their shapes and colours(greenish-yellow for A.annua and dark green for A.vulgaris)can be used by the local community to distinguish between them.The artemisinin content was higher in A.vulgaris leaves(1.72%)than in A.annua(1.43%),but the reverse was observed for the total flavonoid content.Conclusion:This observation could justify the change in the use of A.vulgaris by the indigenous community in western Uganda.Further studies should consider the pharmacognostic comparison of A.annua with other species in the genus Artemisia and the use of molecular techniques such as DNA barcoding.

A Review of Studies about Mongolian Patent Medicine Huhegaridi-9 (Qinggan Jiuwei Pills)

It has been applied for many diseases such as plague fever, cold cough, sore throat and so on. In order to better study Huhegaridi-9, this paper started from the production process of Mongolian Patent Medicine Huhegaridi-9. It analyzed and discussed the clinical application, chemical components and pharmacological research of Huhegaridi-9. It is expected to provide a reference for relevant researchers and workers.

Delivering Tram-Based Boulevards: Learning from Opportunities and Challenges in Three European City Case Studies

Increasing calls for zero-carbon cities invite transformative solutions for people and places within our cities around the world. Key to the transformation is cities and regions shifting in mobility away from fossil-fuel based car-oriented solutions. The paper investigates a range of case studies where “tram-based boulevards” have been planned or implemented to provide such opportunities. The case studies share a common broader policy objective: to transform the car-oriented or car-saturated areas to an intensified urban template based on a critical presence of dedicated mid-tier transit infrastructure and active transport. “Trams”, or mid-tier, mid-capacity transit when combined with Transit oriented development (TOD) along whole corridors can provide transformative pathways towards zero-carbon outcomes as well as multiple, strong urban benefits. However, many successful or instructive examples of this practice from non-English speaking countries, particularly in Europe, are underdocumented in the international literature. The paper addresses this gap by investigating opportunities and challenges evident in a range of European case studies. These are explored for insight towards policy learning particularly in New World cities seeking to transform into a zero-carbon and more transit-oriented template: How can decision-makers avoid repeating the identified pitfalls, and instead focus on emulating the successful approaches and outcomes? We conclude the need for recognition of the inherent synergies between transport and land use settings in any endeavour, and their translation into policy priorities in both fields of planning. We also conclude the importance of decision makers proactively identifying and critically appraising specific opportunities for change, concerning funding, technology, public opinion, stakeholder alliances or market dynamics, and capitalising on them at suitable moments in time.

A Survey of English Translation Studies of Lu You’s Poetry Based on the Data Analysis of Domestic Academic Journals (2001-2022)

This article presents a comprehensive analysis of the current state of research on the English translation of Lu You’s poetry, utilizing a data sample comprising research papers published in the CNKI Full-text Database from 2001 to 2022. Employing rigorous longitudinal statistical methods, the study examines the progress achieved over the past two decades. Notably, domestic researchers have displayed considerable interest in the study of Lu You’s English translation works since 2001. The research on the English translation of Lu You’s poetry reveals a diverse range of perspectives, indicating a rich body of scholarship. However, several challenges persist, including insufficient research, limited translation coverage, and a noticeable focus on specific poems such as “Phoenix Hairpin” in the realm of English translation research. Consequently, there is ample room for improvement in the quality of research output on the English translation of Lu You’s poems, as well as its recognition within the academic community. Building on these findings, it is argued that future investigations pertaining to the English translation of Lu You’s poetry should transcend the boundaries of textual analysis and encompass broader theoretical perspectives and research methodologies. By undertaking this shift, scholars will develop a more profound comprehension of Lu You’s poetic works and make substantive contributions to the field of translation studies. Thus, this article aims to bridge the gap between past research endeavors and future possibilities, serving as a guide and inspiration for scholars to embark on a more nuanced and enriching exploration of Lu You’s poetry as well as other Chinese literature classics.

Theoretical Transplantation into Translation Studies——An Analysis on the Pragmatic Application of Hofstede’s

The deepening process of globalization has given rise to restless cultural exchanges among people from different regions of the world through newspapers,books,and other written media.However,the significant differences in languages and cultures have become an insurmountable gap in intercultural communication.To lubricate cultural exchanges,new translation theories that focus on the transformation of different cultural concepts shall be introduced and adopted.This paper aims to extract applicable notions from Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions for pragmatic translation studies by laying emphasis on its pragmatic value through case study.By such theoretical transplantation,valuable suggestions are proposed to tackle cultural misunderstandings and conflicts encountered amid cultural exchanges.

The Islamic Studies in China-Research in Political and Social Fields

In the research of political and social fields,modern Islamic politics has evolved into three schools of nationalism,modernism and fundamentalism in the 20th century.The research in the field of contemporary Islam involves different countries,nationalities and different economic and political conditions.It is not only the research field of religion,but also has the characteristics of interdisciplinary academic frontier.From the perspective of academic research,these trends have attracted the attention and research of scholars inside and outside the church on Islamic political and social issues.Recently,there have been many problems related to Islam and the current international political life,as well as the research results of Islamic social thoughts and social movements.

翻译学归结论视角下Of Studies两个中译本比较研究

弗朗西斯·培根的说理性散文Of Studies论说了读书的作用、方法和好处,结构紧凑,语言说服力强。翻译学归结论认为,翻译本身具有关联性,“关联”为翻译的第一原则;同时,翻译使译语文本无限趋近于源语文本,使得两种语篇之间达到最大程度的对等,“趋同”为翻译的第二原则。本文从翻译学归结论的视角出发,选取流传较广的王佐良和曹明伦的译本进行对比分析,探讨王、曹两译本在词类转换、语态转换、增译法、减译法等翻译技巧的处理上所存在的异同,以期为后来译者提供借鉴之处,并丰富Of Studies中译本的研究视角。通过对比分析发现,两个中译本在意义传达、形式呈现、修辞对等方面,做到了源语文本和译语文本之间动态的对等,使原作者的意图符合目的语读者的期待,最大程度上趋近于原作,很好地体现了关联原则和趋同原则。