Search Results (3,970)

α1-Acid glycoprotein (AGP) is a heavily glycosylated acute-phase protein whose N-linked glycan microheterogeneity plays an important regulatory role in pathophysiological processes. This review synthesizes decades of basic and clinical research, focusing on the five conserved N-glycosylation sites of AGP. Specifically, it summarizes disease-specific patterns of glycan remodeling in inflammation, cancer, and autoimmune diseases; discusses the molecular effects through which glycosylation modulates AGP conformation, receptor-binding properties, and downstream signaling pathways; examines disease-associated molecular fingerprints arising from site-specific glycosylation and their relationships with disease onset and progression; and highlights the translational potential of AGP glycosylation for early diagnosis, prognostic assessment, and targeted drug development. Current evidence indicates that most abnormalities in AGP glycosylation are associated with disease, whereas direct causal evidence for the involvement of glycosylation in disease progression remains incomplete. Important limitations also remain: the precise molecular mechanisms regulating AGP glycosylation under different pathological conditions have not been fully elucidated; experimental findings are inconsistent across cohorts and analytical platforms; and standardized analytical systems suitable for clinical application have yet to be established. By integrating the available evidence, this review provides a theoretical framework for advancing the translation of AGP glycosylation features into precision medicine. Full article

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is common after cardiac surgery. We assessed the association between the preoperative advanced lung cancer inflammation index (ALI) and postoperative AKI. This retrospective cohort included adults undergoing cardiac surgery from 2 January 2019 to 16 March 2026. The primary outcome was the first in-hospital AKI recorded within 168 h using stored Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes creatinine and kidney-replacement-therapy classifications. Among 11,890 adults, AKI was recorded in 3380 (28.4%). Each ALI doubling was associated with a lower adjusted AKI rate (hazard ratio, 0.83; 95% confidence interval, 0.80–0.86; p < 0.001); the fixed-horizon risk ratio was 0.86 (95% confidence interval, 0.83–0.88; p < 0.001). Adjustment for available preoperative shock, resuscitation, intubation, infective endocarditis, acute aortic disease, and catecholamine indicators attenuated the hazard ratio to 0.90 (95% confidence interval, 0.87–0.94). Association magnitude differed across mutually exclusive procedure categories (interaction p < 0.001). The coefficient constraints imposed by ALI were rejected, and the positive BMI association persisted with flexible modeling. Lower ALI was associated with more recorded AKI, but differential monitoring, residual confounding, and unsupported component constraints limit interpretation of the composite. Full article

Long-term continuous monocropping of foxtail millet (Setaria italica) in China has increased crop vulnerability to emerging diseases and threatens yield stability and grain quality. This practice may also influence inoculum carryover and host–pathogen interactions, making foxtail millet health a central issue for sustainable production. This study reports the first occurrence in China of a previously undescribed bacterial leaf disease of foxtail millet. Early symptoms are characterized by water-soaked lesions at leaf tips that spread basipetally along the veins and gradually desiccate as the tissue dehydrates. Koch’s postulates were fulfilled to isolate and identify the causal agent. Multilocus sequence analysis of three concatenated housekeeping genes (gyrB, infB, and rpoB) classified the pathogen as Pantoea ananatis. The isolate was further characterized for metabolic profile; its colonization pattern and spatial distribution within foxtail millet tissues were elucidated, revealing features of host–pathogen interaction. A high-quality de novo whole-genome assembly was generated, and candidate virulence determinants were identified by integrated genome annotation and cell wall hydrolase activity assays. This genomic resource is intended as a supporting tool for plant protection research, including disease surveillance, resistance breeding, and management. Collectively, this study represents the first report of P. ananatis causing bacterial leaf disease on foxtail millet in China. It clarifies the colonization and distribution of the pathogen in host tissues, reveales reveals its interaction characteristics with foxtail millet, and provided genomic resources to support research on foxtail millet health protection and plant protection under continuous cropping conditions. Full article

Non-structural carbohydrates (NSC) are important components of plant photosynthetic carbon products and play key roles in carbon allocation and stress adaptation. We hypothesized that elevational gradients and organ functional differences jointly shape NSC concentrations in Picea crassifolia. We measured NSC, soluble sugar, and starch in leaves, trunks, and fine roots at three elevations (2500, 2900, 3300 m) in the Qilian Mountains. NSC and its components decreased with elevation in all organs, while the soluble sugar-to-starch ratio increased. NSC concentrations ranked leaves > fine roots > trunks, and the relative distribution of starch shifted from trunks at low elevations to leaves at high elevations. Climate and soil jointly explained 79.70% of NSC variation, with the elevational-climate gradient being the dominant driver. These findings enhance understanding of carbon allocation strategies in alpine coniferous forests. Full article

Expansive soils pose a severe geotechnical hazard to infrastructure construction in the southern Shaanxi region of China. However, the combined effects of initial water content and dry density on the swelling characteristics of this regional soil, and particularly the temporal evolution of swelling, remain insufficiently quantified. The primary objective of this study is to quantify the effects of initial water content and dry density on swelling characteristics, and to characterize the temporal evolution of swelling in expansive soils from southern Shaanxi. In this work, a series of laboratory swelling tests were carried out using a WZ-2 swelling apparatus and a WG type triplex low-to-medium-pressure consolidometer to systematically investigate the swelling characteristics of expansive soils under initial water contents of 15–24% for the free swelling ratio tests and 14–22% for the swelling pressure tests, and dry densities of 1.50–1.65 g/cm³. The temporal evolution of the free swelling ratio and the variation characteristics of swelling pressure were analyzed, and the coupled influencing mechanisms of dry density and initial water content on the swelling properties were discussed. The results indicate that the free swelling ratio exhibits a distinct three-stage temporal evolution: rapid increase (0–10 min), decelerating increase (10–40 min), and onset of stabilization (after 40 min), with stable state reached after 100 min, with the rapid swelling phase contributing 65–75% of the total swelling. At a constant dry density, the free swelling ratio decreases with increasing initial water content, while the swelling pressure also decreases monotonically with increasing initial water content. At a constant water content, the free swelling ratio increases with increasing dry density, whereas the swelling pressure increases linearly (R² ≥ 0.87). The sensitivity analysis indicates that, within the investigated ranges, swelling pressure shows greater relative sensitivity to dry density than to initial water content, with sensitivity coefficients of 5.47 and 1.48, respectively. These findings demonstrate that dry density governs the swelling behavior of the tested expansive soil, while initial water content modulates the response within the investigated range. Full article

The narrow edible window period of kiwifruit poses significant challenges for the high-value fresh fruit industry. This study comparatively evaluated the effects of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP), melatonin (MT), and acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) on “Guichang” kiwifruit by analyzing their physiology, energy metabolism, and transcriptomic profiles. The results indicated that 0.5 μL/L 1-MCP, 1.0 mmol/L MT, and 2.0 mmol/L ASA were the optimal concentrations, all of which significantly inhibited ethylene production and respiration intensity. These treatments effectively maintained fruit firmness, vitamin C content, and high energy status by preserving ATP levels and the activities of H⁺-ATPase and Ca²⁺-ATPase while suppressing the activities of CCO, SDH, 6-PGDH, and G-6-PDH. Transcriptomic analysis and RT-qPCR verification revealed that these preservatives re-programmed key respiratory pathways, including glycolysis, the TCA cycle, the pentose phosphate pathway, and oxidative phosphorylation. MT exhibited transcriptomic responses highly similar to 1-MCP (sharing 13 KEGG pathways) and resulted in the lowest decay rate among treatments, whereas 1-MCP showed the strongest maintenance of core firmness. Our findings suggested that MT exhibited promising performance across multiple quality- and energy-related parameters and may serve as a potential alternative treatment for maintaining kiwifruit quality during the edible window period. Future studies should functionally validate the identified candidate genes and evaluate the effects of MT on sensory and flavor attributes under commercial storage and distribution conditions. Full article

Fibrosis is a major vision-threatening complication of neovascular retinal diseases, including neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) and proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). Although vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibition effectively suppresses vascular leakage and neovascularization, some patients still develop fibrosis and experience irreversible vision loss. Recent studies have identified multiple interconnected signaling pathways that contribute to fibrotic progression, highlighting the potential need for combination or multitargeted therapeutic strategies. This review summarizes the cellular origins of myofibroblasts, the molecular mechanisms underlying fibrosis, and recent advances in antifibrotic therapies. We particularly highlight the angio-fibrotic switch, mesenchymal transition, cellular stress responses, extracellular matrix remodeling, mechanotransduction, and emerging therapeutic approaches for ocular fibrosis. Relevant preclinical and clinical studies were identified through searches of PubMed and clinical trial registries. Full article

Cementite (Fe₃C) plays a key role in determining the mechanical performance of pearlitic and heat-resistant steels, where both its intrinsic elastic properties and interfacial bonding with ferrite are critical. In this study, first-principles calculations based on density functional theory were employed to systematically investigate the elastic anisotropy of orthorhombic Fe₃C and the interfacial stability of α-Fe/Fe₃C with three typical orientation relationships (Isaichev, Bagaryatsky, and Pitsch–Petch). The calculated elastic constants of Fe₃C satisfy the mechanical stability criteria and reveal pronounced anisotropic behavior, indicating strong directional dependence of its deformation resistance. Interfacial models with optimized lattice matching demonstrate that the Isaichev orientation exhibits the lowest lattice mismatch (~1.71%), the smallest interface energy (0.55 J/m²), and the highest work of adhesion (4.29 J/m²), suggesting superior thermodynamic stability and interfacial bonding strength. In contrast, the Bagaryatsky and Pitsch–Petch interfaces exhibit larger lattice mismatch and more pronounced local interfacial distortion, resulting in higher interface energies and reduced interfacial stability. These findings provide atomic-scale insights into the structure–property relationship of Fe₃C and highlight the critical role of orientation relationships in governing interface stability. The results offer theoretical guidance for interface engineering and microstructure optimization in high-performance steels. Full article

Objective: To systematically analyze the practical application and differences in vaccination compliance of two rabies post-exposure prophylaxis regimens based on real-world data, and to explore the associated influencing factors of vaccination compliance, aiming to provide evidence for optimizing vaccination strategies. Methods: Vaccination records of exposed individuals who received the freeze-dried human rabies vaccine (Vero cell) documented in the Hubei Provincial Immunization Information Management System from 1 January to 31 December 2024 were retrospectively collected to evaluate compliance with the five-dose (Essen) and four-dose (Zagreb) vaccination schedules. Good compliance was defined as completing the vaccination according to the schedule within the prescribed time frame. The evaluation included the vaccination compliance rate and the full-course vaccination rate. Factors associated with compliance were explored using univariate and multivariable analyses. Results: A total of 51,066 subjects were enrolled. The four-dose (Zagreb) schedule was associated with significantly higher vaccination compliance (77.1% vs. 72.0%, χ² = 94.913, p < 0.05) and full-course completion rates (85.2% vs. 82.4%, χ² = 38.251, p < 0.05), whereas the five-dose (Essen) regimen was associated with a higher rate of timely initial vaccination (81.7% vs. 78.1%, χ² = 61.602, p < 0.05). In the multivariable analysis, the four-dose (Zagreb) regimen was also associated with increased full-course completion (aOR = 1.49, 95% CI = 1.39–1.60) and better compliance (aOR = 1.52, 95% CI = 1.43–1.61), whereas in a pre-specified, descriptive exploratory model, it was associated with delayed first doses (exploratory aOR = 0.84, 95% CI = 0.79–0.89); this adjusted association should not be interpreted as a causal effect of regimen on timely initiation. Younger age, lower-limb wounds, high-security occupations, farming, passive immunization and non-winter exposure were associated with better full-course vaccination; adults aged ≥18 years, males, Han/Miao ethnicity, Grade III exposure and cat bites were associated with lower compliance (p < 0.05). Severe exposure, farmer/student/resident identity, passive immunization and spring exposure were associated with more timely initiation, whereas male sex, neck-and-above exposure and flexible work were associated with less timely initiation (p < 0.05). Conclusions: In this retrospective, non-randomized study, receipt of the four-dose (Zagreb) regimen was associated with modestly higher full-course completion (absolute difference: 2.8 percentage points) and better compliance (5.1 percentage points) than the five-dose (Essen) regimen. Conversely, it was associated with a lower rate of timely first-dose vaccination. As an observational study, these findings do not establish causal relationships. Therefore, immediate wound care, prompt vaccination, and appropriate administration of rabies immunoglobulin remain the principal clinical priorities. Full article

Background: An ambient-temperature eligibility criterion of ≥22 °C was treated as an operational lower boundary spanning moderate or mildly warm to hot conditions, not as a universal physiological threshold for heat stress. This systematic review and three-level meta-analysis evaluated acute carbohydrate–electrolyte (CHO-E) supplementation versus a water or non-caloric placebo during exercise at these temperatures. Methods: Following PROSPERO registration (CRD420261410953), five databases were searched to May 2026 for randomized controlled trials. Nested effect sizes were synthesized using three-level random-effects models (Hedges’ g), and certainty was evaluated with RoB 2 and GRADE. Results: A secondary omnibus synthesis included 32 effect sizes from 21 studies (N = 316) and yielded a small positive average estimate (g = 0.37, 95% CI: 0.21 to 0.53; p < 0.001; I² = 46.7%), although the 95% prediction interval crossed the null (−0.21 to 0.96). Primary outcome-domain analysis identified a positive average estimate for aerobic endurance (g = 0.45, 95% CI: 0.26 to 0.64), whereas evidence for anaerobic endurance, explosive power, and strength remained inconclusive. Post hoc threshold sensitivity analyses retained positive mean estimates after excluding trials at 22–25 °C (>25 °C: g = 0.41, 95% CI: 0.23 to 0.59) and at ≥28 °C (g = 0.36, 95% CI: 0.11 to 0.61), but both prediction intervals crossed zero. Neither ambient temperature nor exposure duration was a significant linear moderator. Conclusions: Acute CHO-E supplementation was associated with a small average performance difference, concentrated in aerobic endurance, within the specified ambient-temperature range. Because the trials compared treatments within the same environmental condition rather than hot with thermoneutral exercise, these results do not establish that CHO-E offsets heat-induced performance decrements. Full article

Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) is a promising renewable energy technology for remote islands, offshore platforms, and maritime infrastructure, yet its commercialization is constrained by low cycle efficiency, high auxiliary energy demand, and the engineering challenges associated with large-scale seawater transport. This study presents the integration and experimental evaluation of a 20 kW class containerized OTEC prototype using R134a in a closed Rankine cycle. The working fluid circulates within the power-generation module, while warm surface seawater supplies the evaporator and cold deep seawater is pumped through an insulated intake pipe to the container-mounted condenser. The prototype integrates a radial-inflow turbine, stainless-steel heat exchangers, circulation pumps, and a programmable logic controller-based control system. Land-based commissioning tests, conducted at initial warm-to-cold-water temperature differences of approximately 20–25 °C, produced a peak electrical output of 11 kW in one run and approximately 5 kW for 11 min in another. Sea trials in the South China Sea recorded a peak electrical output of 16.4 kW and a cumulative power-generation duration of 4 h 47 min across separate runs. These results document the integration and short-duration operation of the prototype under offshore conditions and identify priorities for improved control and longer-duration testing. Full article

Background/Objectives: Chronic neuropathic pain imposes a substantial burden on patients and society, and opioids are unsuitable for long-term use due to their addictive potential. To overcome this limitation, we encapsulated bupivacaine in PLGA nanoparticles to achieve sustained-release analgesia with reduced systemic toxicity. Methods: The analgesic efficacy was evaluated in rat models of chronic compression of the dorsal root ganglion (CCD) and chronic constriction injury (CCI). Nanoparticles were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for morphology and size, and X-ray diffraction (XRD) for dispersion. In vivo electrophysiological recordings, including action potentials from DRG neuronal somata and compound action potentials in the sciatic nerve, were performed to investigate peripheral analgesic mechanisms, while plasma bupivacaine concentrations were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Results: Bupivacaine nanoparticles significantly alleviated mechanical pain in both CCD and CCI rats, but had no effect on thermal pain. They selectively inhibited C-fiber conduction without affecting A-fibers. Importantly, plasma bupivacaine levels remained well below the corresponding toxic thresholds, indicating a favorable safety profile. Conclusions: These findings suggest that bupivacaine-loaded PLGA nanoparticles represent a promising long-term therapeutic option for chronic neuropathic pain management. Full article

Liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS), a fundamental biophysical process driven by multivalent weak interactions, regulates diverse cellular physiological functions. Ion channels are critical transmembrane protein complexes governing electrophysiological signaling, yet their phase separation characteristics remain largely uncharacterized. Here, we systematically assessed the phase-separation propensity of 140 human ion-channel proteins from the PhaSePred database, and 69 human ion channel proteins were predicted to have a high propensity for LLPS (prediction score ≥ 0.5). Based on the self-assembling phase-separating (PS-Self) and partner-dependent phase-separating (PS-Part) scores of the proteins, we classified ion channel proteins with a ratio (PS-Self/PS-Part) > 1 into the PS-Self group and those with a ratio < 1 into the PS-Part group. Ultimately, 37 proteins were predicted to tend toward PS-Self, and 32 to tend toward PS-Part. Moreover, PS-Self candidates exhibited higher hydropathy and pi–pi contact scores, whereas predicted PS-Part candidates showed higher IDR, LCR, and phosphorylation-associated scores. Experimental analyses identified intracellular regions of Ca_V1.2, Ca_V1.3, Na_V1.5, and K_Ca2.2 that formed dynamic condensate-like assemblies when expressed in HeLa cells. Our findings elucidate the phase separation classification and core structural domains mediating LLPS in key ion channels and providing a molecular basis for understanding the pathophysiological roles of ion channel phase separation in cardiac and neurological disorders and may inform the development of phase-separation-targeted diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. Full article

The Permanent Magnet Synchronous Mud Generator (PMSMG) serves as the primary power source for downhole power supply systems in oilfields that operate in high-temperature environments. Given that the PMSMG functions under complex conditions, precise rotor position information is of paramount importance. However, high-temperature mechanical position sensors are not only cost-prohibitive but also face significant challenges regarding lifespan and reliability. While sensorless control technology emerges as a promising alternative, it encounters estimation biases caused by temperature-induced parameter variations. To address these issues, this paper proposes a sensorless control strategy utilizing a super-twisting sliding mode observer (ST-SMO) integrated with phase-locked loop (PLL) parameter perturbation compensation. Two Linear Extended State Observers (LESOs) with distinct bandwidths are employed to estimate system disturbances, and a disturbance decoupling method is proposed to isolate perturbations specifically arising from parameter variations. A feedforward compensation mechanism, based on these parameter-induced disturbances, is introduced before the PLL loop filter. This approach corrects the phase detector zero-point at its source, ensuring that the PI regulator adjusts solely for the authentic phase difference. By circumventing complex parameter identification, this method significantly enhances the robustness and steady-state accuracy of position estimation across the entire speed range. Finally, simulation results validate the effectiveness of the proposed methodology. Full article

Background: Multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (MDR-KP) is a global health threat with limited treatment options. Comparative in vitro data for imipenem-relebactam (I/R) and ceftolozane-tazobactam (C/T) across diverse MDR-KP clinical populations remain limited. Methods: Susceptibility to I/R and C/T was determined by Etest. Whole-genome sequencing was used to identify sequence types, resistance genes, and virulence genes, with hypervirulent K. pneumoniae (hvKP) defined by genomic criteria. Results: A total of 312 nonduplicate MDR-KP clinical isolates, including 70.8% carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae (CR-KP), 56.7% difficult-to-treat resistant K. pneumoniae (DTR-KP), and 28.2% carbapenem-resistant hvKP (CR-hvKP), were retrospectively analyzed. I/R resistance was low across all subgroups (overall 3.8%, CR-KP 5.0%, DTR-KP 6.2%, CR-hvKP 2.3%) and across specimen types (0–9.6%; blood 3.8%). In contrast, C/T resistance was higher (overall 57.7%, CR-KP 79.2%, DTR-KP 91.0%, CR-hvKP 84.1%), with the highest rate in respiratory isolates (63.0%), followed by blood (57.7%) and urine (50.0%). Among extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing isolates, I/R and C/T resistance rates were 2.1% and 12.4%, respectively. Although C/T resistance was higher in hvKP than in classic K. pneumoniae in unadjusted analysis, hvKP was not independently associated with increased C/T resistance after adjustment. Instead, ST11, ST15, ST307, bla_KPC-2, and bla_NDM-1 were independently associated with C/T resistance. For I/R, bla_NDM-1 was associated with resistance. Conclusions: I/R was active across MDR-KP subgroups including CR-hvKP and DTR-KP. C/T worked mainly against ESBL-producers. These findings highlight the importance of resistance genotyping when interpreting susceptibility to these agents. Full article