EMS-Mediated Mutagenesis in Marigold Seeds and Its Effects on Seedling Growth and Physiology

Marigolds(Tagetes spp.)are popular horticultural plants worldwide.The current study aimed to investigate the optimal mutagenic conditions for marigold seeds using EMS(ethyl methanesulfonate)mutagenesis.Different con-centrations and treatment times of EMS were applied to investigate their effects on the marigold seed germination rate,growth traits,antioxidant enzyme activities(i.e.,SOD and POD),and malondialdehyde(MDA)contents.Results indicated that with increasing the EMS treatment duration and concentration,the seed germination rate and growth treatments were reduced,accompanied by elevated MDA content.In addition,SOD and POD activ-ities initially correlated positively with the growth tratis at the lowest concentrations and shortest durations of EMS,but such relationship diminished beyond certain thresholds.The comprehensive analysis identified the opti-mal mutagenic conditions as 1%EMS treatment for 12 h,achieving a semi-lethal dose and enhancing stress-resis-tant components in seedlings.Thesefindings are pivotal for advancing genetic enhancement and germplasm innovation in marigolds.

Emergence of taurine as a therapeutic agent for neurological disorders

Taurine is a sulfur-containing,semi-essential amino acid that occurs naturally in the body.It alternates between inflammation and oxidative stress-mediated injury in various disease models.As part of its limiting functions,taurine also modulates endoplasmic reticulum stress,Ca^(2+)homeostasis,and neuronal activity at the molecular level.Taurine effectively protects against a number of neurological disorders,including stro ke,epilepsy,cerebral ischemia,memory dysfunction,and spinal cord injury.Although various therapies are available,effective management of these disorders remains a global challenge.Approximately 30 million people are affected worldwide.The design of taurine fo rmation co uld lead to potential drugs/supplements for the health maintenance and treatment of central nervous system disorders.The general neuroprotective effects of taurine and the various possible underlying mechanisms are discussed in this review.This article is a good resource for understanding the general effects of taurine on various diseases.Given the strong evidence for the neuropharmacological efficacy of taurine in various experimental paradigms,it is concluded that this molecule should be considered and further investigated as a potential candidate for neurotherapeutics,with emphasis on mechanism and clinical studies to determine efficacy.

GE 2100-IQ型DSA机故障分析与维修2例

0引言GE大型数字减影血管造影（digital subtraction angiography,DSA）机是目前临床应用的主流产品,因其使用量大和使用频率高,因此出现故障的概率也较高,特别是在冠状动脉造影的过程中治疗床和C臂的使用频率相当高,出现故障的风险增加。部分医院在没有配备工作站的情况下,DSA机的图像存储空间有限。

How to enhance agricultural plastic waste management in China?Insights from public participation

Agricultural plastics play a pivotal role in agricultural production.However,due to expensive costs,agricultural plastic waste management(APWM)encounters a vast funding gap.As one of the crucial stakeholders,the public deserves to make appropriate efforts for APWM.Accordingly,identifying whether the public is willing to pay for APWM and clarifying the decisions’driving pathways to explore initiatives for promoting their payment intentions are essential to address the dilemma confronting APWM.To this end,by applying the extended theory of planned behavior(TPB),the study conducted an empirical analysis based on 1,288 residents from four provinces(autonomous regions)of northern China.Results illustrate that:1)respondents hold generally positive and relatively strong payment willingness towards APWM;2)respondents’attitude(AT),subjective norm(SN),and perceived behavioral control(PBC)are positively correlated with their payment intentions(INT);3)environmental cognition(EC)and environmental emotion(EE)positively moderate the relationships between AT and INT,and between SN and INT,posing significant indirect impacts on INT.The study’s implications extend to informing government policies,suggesting that multi-entity cooperation,specifically public payment for APWM,can enhance agricultural non-point waste management.

GE aw2100型DSA故障分析与维修2例

0引言大型数字减影血管造影技术（digital subtraction angiogrography,DSA）是介入手术治疗的重要设备,在医院属大型贵重设备,需定期进行维护保养。维护保养做得好,出现故障的机会就少。在维护过程中及时发现问题并处理,能够避免大故障的发生。工程师应在设备安装时或维修过程中充分了解设备结构,通过学习DSA相关知识和医疗设备的原理对设备进行维护保养和维修[1]。

Gene expression,transcription factor binding and histone modification predict leaf adaxial-abaxial polarity related genes

Leaf adaxial-abaxial(ad-abaxial)polarity is crucial for leaf morphology and function,but the genetic machinery governing this process remains unclear.To uncover critical genes involved in leaf ad-abaxial patterning,we applied a combination of in silico prediction using machine learning(ML)and experimental analysis.A Random Forest model was trained using genes known to influence ad-abaxial polarity as ground truth.Gene expression data from various tissues and conditions as well as promoter regulation data derived from transcription factor chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing(ChIP-seq)was used as input,enabling the prediction of novel ad-abaxial polarity-related genes and additional transcription factors.Parallel to this,available and newly-obtained transcriptome data enabled us to identify genes differentially expressed across leaf ad-abaxial sides.Based on these analyses,we obtained a set of 111 novel genes which are involved in leaf ad-abaxial specialization.To explore implications for vegetable crop breeding,we examined the conservation of expression patterns between Arabidopsis and Brassica rapa using single-cell transcriptomics.The results demonstrated the utility of our computational approach for predicting candidate genes in crop species.Our findings expand the understanding of the genetic networks governing leaf ad-abaxial differentiation in agriculturally important vegetables,enhancing comprehension of natural variation impacting leaf morphology and development,with demonstrable breeding applications.

Biomimetic natural biomaterials for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine:new biosynthesis methods,recent advances,and emerging applications

Biomimetic materials have emerged as attractive and competitive alternatives for tissue engineering(TE)and regenerative medicine.In contrast to conventional biomaterials or synthetic materials,biomimetic scaffolds based on natural biomaterial can offer cells a broad spectrum of biochemical and biophysical cues that mimic the in vivo extracellular matrix(ECM).Additionally,such materials have mechanical adaptability,micro-structure interconnectivity,and inherent bioactivity,making them ideal for the design of living implants for specific applications in TE and regenerative medicine.This paper provides an overview for recent progress of biomimetic natural biomaterials(BNBMs),including advances in their preparation,functionality,potential applications and future challenges.We highlight recent advances in the fabrication of BNBMs and outline general strategies for functionalizing and tailoring the BNBMs with various biological and physicochemical characteristics of native ECM.Moreover,we offer an overview of recent key advances in the functionalization and applications of versatile BNBMs for TE applications.Finally,we conclude by offering our perspective on open challenges and future developments in this rapidly-evolving field.

Hi-Z fault location identification on low voltage distribution systems using IoT-based digital twin model computation

Distribution feeders carry and supply power to industrial,commercial and residential loads from the point where sub-transmission(33 kV level)ends after stepping down to suitable voltages,such as 11 kV and further down to 400/230 V.In recent times,high impedance(Hi-Z)faults on distribution systems are creating unique challenges to utilities both from operational and safety perspectives.Most of these Hi-Z faults occur at dis-tribution voltages of 15 kV or below,with the problem being worse at lower voltages.Hi-Z fault detection technologies emerged and were developed and incorporated on embedded platforms,such as relays,reclosers and sensors,which protect and monitor distribution systems.Although these technologies can detect Hi-Z fault on feeders,most of them cannot identify the exact location of the fault.Specifically,there is no solution available in literature for detecting Hi-Z fault location on low voltage(LV)circuits like 3-phase 4-wire 400 V distribution network.In this paper,we introduce a novel and a unique algorithm to identify the location of Hi-Z faults using proposed smart metres IoT data-based distribution system load flow and digital twin model representation of the network.Furthermore,a case study on the standard 33 bus LV system clearly depicts the func-tionality of the proposed algorithm.

Surface Water Processes in Coping with Anthropogenic Impact in a Coastal Eastern Mediterranean Region

Rivers are progressively being exposed to increased anthropogenic pollution stresses that are undermining their designated uses and affecting sensitive coastal areas. In this study, three adjacent eastern Mediterranean coastal rivers, Ibrahim, Kaleb and Beirut, were evaluated. Water quality samples were collected in dry and wet seasons from different sampling sites along the river from the source to the outlet which represent a gradient of increased urbanization. The spatiotemporal variability of the physio-chemical properties, heavy metals (Zn, Pb, Cu, Cr, and Cd) and organic matter (DOC) were statistically analyzed to better understand the contribution of point and nonpoint pollution sources. The three rivers (Beirut, Kaleb and Ibrahim) show a similar behavior in calcium and carbonate alkalinity due to the carbonate mineral weathering effect, so they are of calcium bicarbonate type due to their calcareous geological nature. The speciation of anions was affected by temporal variation. Moreover, it is obvious that the Beirut River has a different behavioral characteristic where the water is a sulfate type water with a preferable metal-OM complexation mainly with lead, zinc and copper, whereas Kaleb and Ibrahim are considered to be of a nitrate phosphate type with a preferable metal inorganic complexation, especially copper, that has a consistent behavior in both types of waters. This difference is attributed to the urbanization effect highly impacting the Beirut River.

Diffusion kurtosis imaging of microstructural changes in brain tissue affected by acute ischemic stroke in different locations

The location of an acute ischemic stroke is associated with its prognosis. The widely used Gaussian model-based parameter, apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC), cannot reveal microstructural changes in different locations or the degree of infarction. This prospective observational study was reviewed and approved by the Institutional Review Board of Xiamen Second Hospital, China(approval No. 2014002).Diffusion kurtosis imaging(DKI) was used to detect 199 lesions in 156 patients with acute ischemic stroke(61 males and 95 females), mean age 63.15 ± 12.34 years. A total of 199 lesions were located in the periventricular white matter(n = 52), corpus callosum(n = 14), cerebellum(n = 29), basal ganglia and thalamus(n = 21), brainstem(n = 21) and gray-white matter junctions(n = 62). Percentage changes of apparent diffusion coefficient(ΔADC) and DKI-derived indices(fractional anisotropy [ΔFA], mean diffusivity [ΔMD], axial diffusivity [ΔD_a], radial diffusivity ΔDr, mean kurtosis [ΔMK], axial kurtosis [ΔK_a], and radial kurtosis [ΔK_r]) of each lesion were computed relative to the normal contralateral region. The results showed that(1) there was no significant difference in ΔADC, ΔMD, ΔD_a or ΔD_r among almost all locations.(2) There was significant difference in ΔMK among almost all locations(except basal ganglia and thalamus vs. brain stem; basal ganglia and thalamus vs. gray-white matter junctions; and brainstem vs. gray-white matter junctions.(3) The degree of change in diffusional kurtosis in descending order was as follows: corpus callosum > periventricular white matter > brainstem > gray-white matter junctions > basal ganglia and thalamus > cerebellum. In conclusion, DKI could reveal the differences in microstructure changes among various locations affected by acute ischemic stroke, and performed better than diffusivity among all groups.

Combined endovascular-surgical treatment for complex congenital intrahepatic arterioportal fistula: A case report and review of the literature

BACKGROUND Congenital intrahepatic arterioportal fistula(IAPF) is a rare vascular malformation in infants that causes severe portal hypertension(PH) with poor prognosis if untreated. Currently, radiological embolisation is considered the first-line therapy for simple IAPF; however, it might be not resolutive for complex hepatic vascular lesions. When endovascular embolization is not sufficient to completely obliterate the IAPF, surgical intervention is needed, but it has been associated with severe morbidity and mortality in small children.Furthermore, indications are not defined.CASE SUMMARY We present the first case of a 6-month-old girl with trisomy 21 affected by a complex congenital IAFP, which caused severe PH, successfully treated with an endovascular-surgical hybrid procedure. The novel technique comprised a multistep endovascular embolisation, including a superselective transarterial embolisation of the afferent vessels and a direct transhepatic embolisation of the dilated portal vein segment, combined with selective surgical ligation of the arterial branches that supply the fistula, which were too small to be embolised.The complex IAPF was also associated with severe cholestasis and intra/extrahepatic biliary tree dilatation, which was successfully treated by a temporary biliary drainage. At 24-mo follow-up, the hybrid endovascularsurgical procedure achieved complete occlusion of the complex IAPF and resolution of the PH. A comprehensive review of the literature on congenital IAPF management, focussed on alternative treatment strategies, is also reported.CONCLUSION The combined radiological-surgical approach is a safe and effective treatment option for complex IAPF and avoids major invasive surgery.

Nonsense variant of ATP8B1 gene in heterozygosis and benign recurrent intrahepatic cholestasis: A case report and review of literature

BACKGROUND Benign recurrent intrahepatic cholestasis is a genetic disorder with recurrent cholestatic jaundice due to ATP8B1 and ABCB11 gene mutations encoding for hepato-canalicular transporters.Herein,we firstly provide the evidence that a nonsense variant of ATP8B1 gene(c.1558A>T)in heterozygous form is involved in BRIC pathogenesis.CASE SUMMARY A 29-year-old male showed severe jaundice and laboratory tests consistent with intrahepatic cholestasis despite normal gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase.Acute and chronic liver diseases with viral,metabolic and autoimmune etiology were excluded.Normal intra/extra-hepatic bile ducts were demonstrated by magnetic resonance.Liver biopsy showed:Cholestasis in the centrilobular and intermediate zones with bile plugs and intra-hepatocyte pigment,Kupffer’s cell activation/hyperplasia and preserved biliary ducts.Being satisfied benign recurrent intrahepatic cholestasis diagnostic criteria,ATP8B1 and ABCB11 gene analysis was performed.Surprisingly,we found a novel nonsense variant of ATP8B1 gene(c.1558A>T)in heterozygosis.The variant was confirmed by Sanger sequencing following a standard protocol and tested for familial segregation,showing a maternal inheritance.Immunohistochemistry confirmed a significant reduction of mutated gene related protein(familial intrahepatic cholestasis 1).The patient was treated with ursodeoxycholic acid 15 mg/kg per day and colestyramine 8 g daily with total bilirubin decrease and normalization at the 6th and 12th mo.CONCLUSION A genetic abnormality,different from those already known,could be involved in familial intrahepatic cholestatic disorders and/or pro-cholestatic genetic predisposition,thus encouraging further mutation detection in this field.

Tectonic evolution and accumulation characteristics of Carboniferous shale gas in Yadu-Ziyun-Luodian aulacogen, Guizhou Province, South China

The Yadu-Ziyun-Luodian aulacogen(YZLA) developed into being NW-trending in the Late Paleozoic,and was considered as an important passive continental margin aulacogen in Guizhou Province, South China. This tectonic zone is considered a large intracontinental thrust-slip tectonic unit, which has undergone a long period of development. It was ultimately determined in the Yanshanian, where the typical Upper Paleozoic marine shales were deposited. In 2021, Well QSD-1 was deployed in the Liupanshui area at the northwest margin of the aulacogen, and obtained a daily shale gas flow of 11011 m3in the Carboniferous Dawuba Formation. It thus achieved a breakthrough in the invesgation of shale gas in the Lower Carboniferous in South China, revealing relatively good gas-bearing properties and broad exploration prospects of the aulacogen. Being different from the Lower Paleozoic strata in the Sichuan Basin and the Yichang area of the Middle Yangtze, the development of the Carboniferous Dawuba Formation in the aulacogen exhibits the following characteristics:(1) The Lower Carboniferous shale is thick and widely distributed, with interbedded shale and marlstone of virous thickness;(2) The total organic carbon(TOC) content of the shale in the Dawuba Formation ranges from 1% to 5%, with an average of 2%, and the thermal maturity of organic matter(Ro) varies from 1% to 4%, with an average of2.5%, indicating good hydrocarbon generation capacity;(3) The main shale in the aulacogen was formed during the fault subsidence stage from the Middle Devonian to the Early Permian. Although the strong compression and deformation during the late Indosinian-Himalayan played a certain role in destroying the formed shale gas reservoirs, comparative analysis suggests that the area covered by the current Triassic strata has a low degree of destruction. It therefore provides good conditions for shale gas preservation,which can be regarded as a favorable area for the next exploration.

Medium effects on micropropagation and genetic stability of Citrullus lanatus oleaginous type

To regenerate adventitious shoots from the cotyledon proximal parts of Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. and Nakai ssp. mucosospermus (Fursa) oleaginous type, different concentrations of MS mineral elements, sucrose, 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and agar were tested. Shoot induction proved to depend on the interaction between levels of sucrose, BAP and MS mineral elements in the medium. The medium containing 3/2 strength of MS mineral elements, 35 g/l sucrose and 1 mg/l BAP solidified with 6 g/l agar allowed the production of numerous shoots without a callus phase. After 3 weeks of culture, 76.7% of the cotyledon proximal parts induced shoots with an average of 12.26 shoots per explant and a mean shoot length of 17.13 mm. The induced shoots were directly rooted and thus complete plants ready for acclimatization were obtained using a two steps procedure. Depending on the genotype, the shoot induction from cotyledon proximal parts ranged from 54% to 96%. Rooted plantlets were acclimatized and transferred to field, where they grew well, developed flowers and fruits like seeded plants. The assessment of the genetic stability of the in-vitro-regenerated plantlets by means of an Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP) analysis with the combination of 5 primers revealed no differences between regenerated plantlets and mother plants.

Epigenetic modulators for brain cancer stem cells: Implications for anticancer treatment

Primary malignant brain tumors are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in both adults and children,with a dismal prognosis despite multimodal therapeutic approaches.In the last years,a specific subpopulation of cells within the tumor bulk,named cancer stem cells(CSCs)or tumor-initiating cells,have been identified in brain tumors as responsible for cancer growth and disease progression.Stemness features of tumor cells strongly affect treatment response,leading to the escape from conventional therapeutic approaches and subsequently causing tumor relapse.Recent research efforts have focused at identifying new therapeutic strategies capable of specifically targeting CSCs in cancers by taking into consideration their complex nature.Aberrant epigenetic machinery plays a key role in the genesis and progression of brain tumors as well as inducing CSC reprogramming and preserving CSC characteristics.Thus,reverting the cancer epigenome can be considered a promising therapeutic strategy.Three main epigenetic mechanisms have been described:DNA methylation,histone modifications,and non-coding RNA,particularly microRNAs.Each of these mechanisms has been proven to be targetable by chemical compounds,known as epigeneticbased drugs or epidrugs,that specifically target epigenetic marks.We review here recent advances in the study of epigenetic modulators promoting and sustaining brain tumor stem-like cells.We focus on their potential role in cancer therapy.

How do nitrogen-limited alpine coniferous forests acquire nitrogen?A rhizosphere perspective

Background:Alpine coniferous forest ecosystems dominated by ectomycorrhizal(ECM)tree species are generally characterized by low soil nitrogen(N)availability but stabilized plant productivity.Thus,elucidating potential mechanisms by which plants maintain efficient N acquisition is crucial for formulating optimized management practices in these ecosystems.Methods:We summarize empirical studies conducted at a long-term field monitoring station in the alpine coniferous forests on the eastern Tibetan Plateau,China.We propose a root-soil interaction-based framework encompassing key components including soil N supply,microbial N transformation,and root N uptake in the rhizosphere.Results:We highlight that,(i)a considerable size of soil dissolved organic N pool mitigates plant dependence on inorganic N supply;(ii)ectomycorrhizal roots regulate soil N transformations through both rhizosphere and hyphosphere effects,providing a driving force for scavenging soil N;(iii)a complementary pattern of plant uptake of different soil N forms via root-and mycorrhizal mycelium-pathways enables efficient N acquisitions in response to changing soil N availability.Conclusions:Multiple rhizosphere processes abovementioned collaboratively contribute to efficient plant N acquisition in alpine coniferous forests.Finally,we identify several research outlooks and directions to improve the understanding and prediction of ecosystem functions in alpine coniferous forests under on-going global changes.

中国奥运、世博皆可做文章——《IT时代周刊》对话新任GE中国董事长兼CEO庞德明

面对中国市场的机遇和挑战．庞德明——通用电气中国有限公司新任董事长兼CEO．将如何动作。

Health and sanitary status in 1970 of Tubu nomads dwelling in Northeastern Niger

Background: The Tubu are nomadic people who live in remote parts of the central Sahara, primarily in the Tibesti massif(Chad), and in both Northeastern Niger and Southern Libya. All of these areas are close to become conflict zones. However, no data about the Tubu's health and sanitary status are currently available, which would be of major concern if humanitarian interventions would become required.Methods: In 1970, the "Mission Anthropologique Belge au Niger"(MABN) investigated a Tubu tribe named Broaya that lived at Seguedine and Djado on the northeastern rim of the Tenere desert. One hundred fifty-one adult volunteers answered an oral questionnaire and underwent a medical examination, followed by the collection of blood thin films and samples of urine and stool. The environmental fauna of medical importance was also studied.Results: Albeit 43 year-old, these results have not been previously published. The estimated age of death for fathers was approximately 56 years, and that for mothers was 60 years. On average, each married woman had had 4.7 children. The overall perinatal mortality rate was 232 ‰, the overall infant mortality rate was 153 ‰, and the overall child mortality rate was 99 ‰. The mean height was 164.1 cm and 157.4 cm, the mean weight was 50.1 kg and 47.9kg, and the mean blood pressure was 131/78 mm Hg and 127/75 mm Hg for males and females, respectively. The physical examination found 6 cases of blindness(4.0%). Five subjects presented with an elevated blood pressure(3.3%), and 5(3.3%) displayed an abnormal thoracic auscultation evocative of tuberculosis or of an acute lung infection. The abdominal examination and renal palpation found 5 large masses(3.3%), and 2 subjects had a palpable enlarged spleen(1.3%). The blood thin films were fixed in methanol and subsequently examined in Toulouse. The search for blood parasites was negative. The urine samples were centrifuged and then microscopically examined in the field. No blood-fluke eggs were found. The stool samples were mixed with a preservative MIF solution and then stored to be examined later in Toulouse. Three subjects(2%) passed E. histolytica/E. dispar cysts in stools, 16(10.6%) were parasitized with Giardia sp. and 4(2.65%) were parasitized with Hymelepis nana. Two specimens of scorpions captured in the camp were subsequently identified as belonging to the harmful genus Androctonus or Leiurus. An investigation into the freshwater fauna was conducted in the marshy ponds surrounding the ghost city of Djado, and no intermediate snail hosts for schistosomiasis haematobium were found. Numerous nymphs of Ceratopogonidae, which are possible vectors for arboviruses of veterinarian importance, were collected, as were larvae and nymphs from two anopheline species, Anopheles hispaniola and An. multicolor, which are not efficient vectors for malaria.Conclusions: Infection-related blindness and trachoma, along with acute pulmonary infections and probably tuberculosis were the major health burden in this tribe. The harsh dry and hot climate may explain the low prevalence of soil-transmitted protozoan diseases or helminthiases.

Effect of Drying Processes on the Texture of Silica Gels

Peculiar xerogels and aerogels constituted by a silica network, made of spherical fully dense silica particles having the same size, are investigated by adsorption of nitrogen at 77.4 K. Comparison of sorption data between materials dried via different methods, gentle drying at room temperature, alcohol supercritical drying and CO2 supercritical drying, shows that the specific surface area is associated to the particle sizes and necks established between them during drying and not to the sample density. The dissolution-redeposition of silica, which occurs in the alcohol supercritical drying process, induces a decrease of specific surface area and consequently an increase in the mechanical properties comparatively to CO2 supercritical drying. Investigating pore volume measurements as a function of dwell time, which is the interval of time allowing a pressure change of 0.01%, we corroborate that for compliant materials the full volume can not be detected because of capillary stresses. So the time required to perform correct measurements of the pore volume decreases with sample bulk density increase and elastic properties increase. All these experiments qualitatively corroborate the theory proposed previously.