Low Weight Research Articles

Scalable Synthesis of Degradable Copolymers Containing α-Lipoic Acid via Miniemulsion Polymerization.

A robust method is described to synthesize degradable copolymers under aqueous miniemulsion conditions using α-lipoic acid as a cheap and scalable building block. Simple formulations of α-lipoic acid (up to 10 mol %), n-butyl acrylate, a surfactant, and a costabilizer generate stable micelles in water with particle sizes <200 nm. The ready availability of these starting materials facilitated performing polymerization reactions at large scales (4 L), yielding 600 g of poly(n-butyl acrylate-stat-α-lipoic acid) latexes that degrade under reducing conditions (250 kg mol-1 → 20 kg mol-1). Substitution of α-lipoic acid with ethyl lipoate further improves the solubility of dithiolane derivatives in n-butyl acrylate, resulting in copolymers that degrade to even lower molecular weights after polymerization and reduction. In summary, this convenient and scalable strategy provides access to large quantities of degradable copolymers and particles using cheap and commercially available starting materials.

Regulation of Rice Grain Weight by Fatty Acid Composition: Unveiling the Mechanistic Roles of OsLIN6 by OsARF12.

Fatty acids play a putative role as second messengers of phytohormones and regulate the rice grain weight. However, the inner mechanism is still unclear and needs to be further studied. In this study, we identified that oleic acid (C18:1) negatively correlates while linoleic acid (C18:2) positively correlates with rice grain weight. Field trials showed that 1000-grain weight was significantly reduced when treated with the fatty acid synthesis inhibitor, Firsocostat S enantiomer (FSE), at the heading and flowering stages. RNA-seq analysis revealed that FSE affects grain weight by modulating processes, such as glycolysis, sucrose metabolism, and hormone signaling. Notably, FSE inhibited the expression of OsLIN6, which is responsible for transporting C18:1 to the phosphatidylcholine pool for C18:2 synthesis. Compared with the wild type (WT), the OsLIN6 knockout mutant exhibited a lower grain weight, an increased C18:1 content, and a decreased C18:2 content. Importantly, OsARF12 was shown to bind to the OsLIN6 promoter and activate its expression. In summary, this study highlights the crucial role of the fatty acid synthesis gene, OsLIN6, which was regulated by OsARF12, in rice grain weight determination, thus establishing the molecular link between fatty acid synthesis and auxin signaling.

C-Reactive Protein-to-Serum Chloride Ratio: A Novel Marker of All-Cause Mortality in Maintenance Haemodialysis Patients

Background and Objectives: hypochloremia is an emerging risk factor for mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease. The pathophysiological mechanisms of this finding are not very clear. Some studies suggest the influence of inflammation as a synergistic factor, so we set out to analyse the association of a novel C-reactive protein-to-serum chloride ratio (CRP/Cl−) with the prognosis of maintenance haemodialysis patients and to assess its relationship with fluid status and body composition measured by bioimpedance. Materials and Methods: the present work is a retrospective cohort study of maintenance haemodialysis patients from our chronic outpatient haemodialysis programme between 1 January 2022 and 31 December 2022. (n = 281). Survival time was collected for all patients and analysed using the Kaplan–Meier method. A Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to evaluate survival probabilities. Variables included in the model were selected using a stepwise selection procedure based on the corrected Akaike information criterion (AICc), which balances model fit and complexity. Results: during a median follow-up of 306 days, 34 patients died. Patients in the fourth quartile of the CRP/Cl− (&gt;0.118 mg/mEq) had higher overall mortality (log-rank test, p = 0.0011). In the Cox multivariate analysis, the variables significantly associated with higher mortality were higher modified Charlson index (MCI), lower body surface area (BSA), lower interdialytic weight gain (IDWG), and higher CRP/Cl− ratio. The latter variable was independently associated with higher overall mortality (adjusted hazard ratio = 1.027; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.000–1.055 p = 0.0469). Conclusions: Higher CRP/Cl− ratio values were associated with higher all-cause mortality in our maintenance haemodialysis patients.

Chorionicity and Psychomotor Development From Infancy to Childhood: The Japan Environment and Children's Study.

Twins lag behind singletons in their early psychomotor development, but little is known about how chorionicity affects this difference. We compared early psychomotor development in singletons, monochorionic (MC) twins and dichorionic (DC) twins. Our longitudinal data from the Japan Environment and Children's Study (JECS; see Appendix) included 98,042 singletons, 577 MC twins and 1051 DC twins representing the general Japanese population. Chorionicity was evaluated by ultrasound images and complemented by postnatal pathological examinations. Five domains of psychomotor development were evaluated at 6 time points from 6 months to 3 years of age using the Ages and Stages Questionnaires (ASQ-3). The data were analyzed using linear regression models. Twins lagged behind singletons in all areas of psychomotor development during infancy. This gap decreased over time but was still noticeable at 3 years of age. More than half of this difference was attributed to twins having lower birth weight and being born earlier in gestation. MC twins showed slightly delayed development compared to DC twins, but this difference was minor compared to the overall gap between twins and singletons. Twins delay singletons in their early psychomotor development, and this delay is not specific to MC twinning.

Clinical outcomes of edoxaban treatment in atrial fibrillation patients with high bleeding risk: insights from the ETNA-AF-China 1-year follow-up

Abstract Background In China and many other countries, anticoagulated atrial fibrillation (AF) patients with high bleeding risk often raises clinical concern; the optimal dose of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) preventing stroke/systemic embolic events (SEE) in those population remains unclear. Purpose To assess the effectiveness and safety of edoxaban treatment in Chinese AF patients with high bleeding risk, and to compare 60 mg vs 30 mg dose in this real-world registry. Methods ETNA-AF-China is a prospective, observational study conducted in 89 centres across Chinese Mainland enrolling AF patients receiving edoxaban. This subgroup analysis was based on 1-year follow-up data. Patients were categorized to high bleeding risk group who had a DOAC score ≥6 (age, creatinine clearance, underweight, history of stroke/TIA/SEE, diabetes, hypertension, antiplatelet use, NSAIDs use, history of major/critical bleeding, liver disease) at baseline, or moderate-to-low bleeding risk group meeting criteria of DOAC score &amp;lt;6. The safety, effectiveness, and composite outcomes were reported by comparison between patient subgroups using Cox proportional hazards models. Results Of 4883 patients with 1-year follow-up, 1534 (31.4%, 60 mg: n=518, 30 mg: n=1016) were identified as high bleeding risk and 3349 (68.6%) as moderate-to-low bleeding risk. As expected, patients with high bleeding risk were more often elderly (48.2% ≥80 years), had lower body weight, worse renal function, higher CHA2DS2-VASc score than those with moderate-to-low risk (Figure 1). In both high risk and moderate-to-low risk subgroups, patients receiving 60 mg edoxaban were younger, with better renal function, lower CHA2DS2-VASc score compared with 30 mg. Annualised event rates of major bleeding (HR 2.95, 95%CI 1.62–5.36), all cause death (3.42, 2.29–5.09), CV death (3.27, 1.52–7.04), major adverse cardiac events (MACE, 2.61, 1.69–4.02) and all NCOs were significant higher in patients with high bleeding risk compared with moderate-to-low risk (Figure 2). After multivariable adjustment, edoxaban dose of 60 mg other than 30 mg were associated with significantly lower rates of all cause death (adjusted HR 0.41, 0.18–0.90) and lower trend of NCO3 (0.51, 0.28–0.92) and NCO4 (0.51, 0.30–0.88) by composite of stroke/SEE, major bleeding and death events in high risk subgroup; no significant difference between edoxaban doses and stroke or bleeding outcomes with cumulative low event rates were observed. Conclusion In routine clinical care, AF patients at high bleeding risk faces worse outcomes of death events, MACE, as well as the composite outcomes over moderate-to-low risk patients. Among patients with high bleeding risk, edoxaban use showed effectiveness and safety with overall low incidence, and potential better survival, composite endpoint benefit could be associated with 60mg. Further investigation is ongoing.

Comparison of perinatal hospital services of women living in Roma settlements in Slovenia

Abstract Background Women living in Roma settlements in Slovenia had worse perinatal health indicators comparing with women from the rest of population. They gave more births in younger age and used fewer preventive services and later in pregnancy. Roma children had higher chances to be born earlier and with lower birth weight. We explored the differences in provided hospital services between pregnant Roma and the rest of female population in Slovenia. Methods We identified the female inhabitants of Roma settlements from the national registry of population and separated from the rest of the population data. Health indicators were provided from the national health register - Perinatal Information System for the years from 2018 to 2022. The frequency statistics, ANOVA and comparison of column proportion tests were used (p-value&amp;lt;0.005, 95% CI) to compare the differences in categories of services in those two groups. Results Statistically significant differences were found in several hospital services comparing treatments of pregnant females from Roma settlements comparing to the rest of female population. Women from Roma settlements had higher ratio of gynecologic history without remarks, fewer treatments and less prevention investigations in prenatal period and higher ratio of natural start of delivery. In addition, by Roma females was used less medication during delivery, less episiotomies and fewer caesarean section were performed. Conclusions There are significant differences in provision of hospital services between female inhabitants of Roma settlements and the rest of population. Some of them could be explained by younger average age of delivery in Roma, but additional research would bring more light in possible impact of socio-economic and cultural determinants on both the use and provision of health services. Key messages • There are differences in provided health services between Roma women and the rest of female population. In depth research of prenatal and hospital services would bring additional explanations. • Considering the health inequalities which start by birth, targeted and tailored actions to improve health of Roma women and their new-borns are appropriate and necessary.

Premature Rupture of the Membrane– Microbiological Assessment

Introduction: Premature rupture of membranes (PROM) refers to the breaking of the amniotic sac before the onset of labor. When this happens before 37 weeks of gestation, it is termed preterm (PROM). One critical aspect of managing PROM or PPROM is the microbiological assessment, as infection plays a significant role in the outcome for both mother and fetus. Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study was carried out in a private clinic at Dhaka from January 2023 to December 2023. A total of 50 pregnant patients (N=50) with PROM were enrolled in this study following the inclusive criteria. Data were collected in the predesigned data collection sheet. Data were analyzed statistical package for social science (SPSS). Result: Commonest organism 72% were no growth, 10% were streptococcus, 6% were candida, 2% were delivered alpha-hemolytic streptococcus, 2% were E. coli Conclusion: Premature rupture of membrane and chorioamnionitis may cause antagonistic maternal consequences linked to infection. Premature rupture of membrane indicated lower birth weight for infants. Proper antibiotics must be certain prophylactically for the anticipation of intra-partum infection in case of PROM. EWMCJ Vol. 12, No. 1&amp;2, January-July 2024: 75-79

Clinical outcomes in patients with unintended pregnancy after liver transplantation: A multicenter registry cohort study.

The consequences of unintended pregnancy in liver transplant (LT) recipients, a growing part of the high-risk obstetric population, remain unknown. To fill this gap, we conducted a retrospective registry cohort study to describe the risk factors, obstetric and neonatal morbidity, and graft outcomes associated with unintended pregnancy after LT. This study utilized the Transplant Pregnancy Registry International (TPRI) and included 565 pregnancies of LT recipients between 1967 and 2019 from 289 hospitals, primarily in North America. The primary outcome of acute cellular rejection (ACR) and secondary outcomes of graft loss, severe maternal morbidity, and neonatal composite morbidity were compared by pregnancy intention. The study population included 60.9% with intended pregnancies and 39.1% unintended pregnancies. Recipients with unintended pregnancy were more likely to self-report as Black race, to be younger, nulliparous, and have exposure to teratogenic immunosuppression. ACR was more common with unintended pregnancy (3.7% vs 1.2%, p=0.047). Unintended pregnancies had lower median birth weight (2806.6 vs 2948.4 grams, p=0.033). Unintended pregnancy was not associated with increased neonatal morbidity or severe maternal morbidity. These findings underscore the importance of family planning counseling, access to safe and effective contraceptive options, as well as multidisciplinary prenatal care in the growing population of reproductive-aged LT recipients.

Risk factors for procedure-related complications in very elderly patients undergoing atrial fibrillation ablation: analysis from the Japan Ablation Registry

Abstract Background As atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation procedures become increasingly prevalent, understanding the risks of procedure-related complications is crucial, particularly in the very elderly population, defined in this context as patients aged 80 years and above. This study aimed to identify risk factors for complications in this demographic. Methods We conducted a prospective analysis of 170,017 AF ablation procedures from the Japan Ablation Registry, covering 482 facilities between 2017 and 2020. The analysis focused on patients aged 80 or older (very elderly group, n=14,389). Multivariate analysis was employed to identify risk factors for procedure-related complications in the very elderly, incorporating factors that showed a p-value of less than 0.1 in univariate analysis. Results Procedure-related complications were observed in 3.62% of the very elderly group. The multivariate analysis (Model 1) identified significant risk factors were the initial procedure (OR 1.30, 95% CI 1.01-1.67, p=0.041), type of AF (OR 1.34, 95% CI 1.03-1.74), and body weight (OR 0.99, 95% CI 0.98-1.00, p=0.082). For further analysis, the type of AF was categorized into paroxysmal AF (PAF), persistent AF (PeAF) and long-standing PeAF. We included these categories, along with the initial procedure and body weight, into further multivariate analysis (Model 2), which revealed that long-standing PeAF (OR 1.34, 95% CI 1.03-1.74, p=0.032), initial ablation (OR 1.30, 95% CI 1.01-1.67, p=0.042) and body weight (OR 0.99, 95% CI 0.98-0.99, p=0.001) were independently and significantly associated with complications. Conclusion This study identifies initial procedures, low body weight, and long-standing PeAF as significant risk factors for procedure-related complications in very elderly patients undergoing AF ablation. These findings highlight the importance of careful patient selection and tailored procedure planning for these subgroups in the very elderly population.

Inhibition of ketohexokinase prevents fructose-induced insulin resistance and endothelial dysfunction in high fat and sucrose-fed mice via enhancing energy expenditure

Abstract Introduction Cardiovascular disease linked to fatty liver poses a significant threat to health. Consumption of high-fat diets (HFD) is known to trigger a cascade of health issues including obesity, diabetes and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). These conditions are exacerbated, with the addition of dietary sugar to high-fat diets (HFSD), resulting in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Studies have shown that fructokinase (ketohexokinase or KHK) knockdown protects mice from HFSD-induced NASH. Purpose This study focused on examining the temporal changes of metabolic perturbations, triggered by sugar consumption, particularly in the transition from fatty liver to cardiovascular disease. Methods C57/BL6 wild type (WT) and KHK-knockout mice were fed with HFD or HFSD for different durations between 6 to 20 weeks, to induce NAFLD and NASH. Western blotting and quantitative-PCR were carried out on tissues and isolated endothelial cells for protein and mRNA expressions, respectively. Glucose and insulin tolerance tests and whole-body energy measurements were performed at different time-points. Combined Laboratory Animal Monitoring System was used to monitor various parameters of energy expenditure. Functional interactions between endothelial cells and adipose tissues were carried out using an in-house Organ-On-a-chip technology. Endothelial function was studied by measuring isometric tensions in organ bath. Results KHK-deficient mice had significantly lower weight compared to WT littermates. Wild-type mice fed HFD and HFSD exhibited significant glucose intolerance, insulin resistance, and endothelial dysfunction compared to KHK-knockout mice. However, HFSD led to more severe outcomes compared to HFD, demonstrating differing temporal effects on glucose intolerance and insulin resistance. Interestingly, KHK-knockout mice were significantly protected from the effects induced by HFSD, as well as, such as increased body weight, fasting hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia and endothelial function. KHK-knockout mice exhibited significant increase in oxygen consumption and energy expenditure, both in HFD and HFSD-fed conditions. These data suggest that high energy-expenditure is one of the primary mechanisms, in reducing adiposity and body weight in HFSD-fed knockout mice. Notably, KHK-deficient mice were protected against sugar-induced fat accumulation, random hyperinsulinemia and significant impairment of endothelial function. Conclusions A novel finding in this study is that KHK ablation protects not only against HFSD-induced, but also HFD-induced pathologies via significantly enhancing energy expenditure. The results suggest that targeting KHK could potentially mitigate the development of fatty liver and cardiovascular diseases, induced by high calorie diets.

Cardiac risk confrontation in primary care as a teachable moment towards improved health outcomes

Abstract Background Urgent life events, such as acute coronary events, can evoke a teachable moment (TM) for lifestyle change. This study aims to investigate whether less urgent events, such as being confronted with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, can evoke a TM, what psychosocial factors are associated with it, and whether experiencing such a TM predicts improved health outcomes. Methods The study included 114 patients who were informed about their elevated cardiovascular risk during a primary care visit. Participants completed a survey assessing whether they experienced a TM and several psychosocial factors linked to experiencing it: perceived risk, affective impact, changed self-concept. Participants monitored their weight and blood pressure for six months using an at-home self-monitoring device. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were conducted to examine the associations between the psychosocial factors and the lifestyle change intentions with changes in blood pressure and weight. Results Of the participants, 55.3% experienced increased lifestyle change intentions. Lower risk perception ((B = -0.27; CI = -0.39-(-0.15)) and higher change in self-concept (B = 0.34; CI = 0.23-0.44) were associated with higher intention to change lifestyle. Higher risk perception (B = 0.23; CI = 0.06-0.42) and higher change in self-concept (B = 0.54; CI = 0.37-0.72) predicted a lower weight reduction at six months. A higher change in self-concept predicted a higher blood pressure reduction (B = -3.32; CI = -6.55-(0.09)). Lastly, a higher lifestyle change intention predicted bigger reductions blood pressure (B = -5.04; CI = -9.08-(-0.29)). Conclusions Results suggest that less urgent cardiac events, such as a confrontation with an increased cardiac risk, can be experienced as a TM that urges lifestyle change intentions and affects health outcomes. Risk confrontations in primary care therefore offer a unique opportunity to provide lifestyle counseling at the right moment. Key messages • A confrontation with an increased cardiac risk in primary care can be experienced as a teachable moment. • Experiencing a teachable moment after a cardiac risk confrontation in primary care affects health outcomes.

High-Temperature Steam Oxidation and Surface Microstructure Evolution of Fe13Cr6Al(1–4)Mo0.15Y Alloys

The current study investigated the microstructure evolution and anti-corrosion behavior of low Y doping alloys of Fe13Cr6Al(1–4)Mo0.15Y subjected to high-temperature steam (800 °C to 1300 °C). The results indicate that steam oxidation induces the growth of high-quality oxidation film that is thermodynamically driven, with rapid increases in the thickness from 800 °C to 1300 °C without film convolution and spallation. The film convolution and spallation were successfully suppressed through on-site formation of the high-temperature stable ternary crystalline phase (Y2Mo3O12) and decreasing of the thickness of α-Al2O3 oxidation film during the fabrication and oxidation scenario. The on-site steam oxidation rate has been significantly suppressed, with lower weight gain and less oxidizing film convolution than monolithic FeCrAlMo alloy, through the addition of a low concentration of Y.

Malnutrition in Guinea-Bissau: a country wide representative cross-sectional study

Abstract Background According to the WHO, malnutrition refers to deficiency, excess, or imbalance in a person’s intake of energy and/or nutrients. Children under five are especially vulnerable to malnutrition. The problem is widespread, but it is particularly prevalent in West African countries, where a prevalence of 30% stunting, 6.7% wasting and 2.4% overweight was described in 2022. In this study, we aimed to evaluate malnutrition in Guinea-Bissau (GB), a low-income country in West Africa. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study between May and June 2023 on a representative sample of 1608 children aged 6 to 59 months, who had access to health care in all 11 regions of GB. Nutritional status was assessed by evaluating weight for height/length, weight for age, height/length for age, and hemoglobin concentration was determined using a portable hemoglobin analyzer. Furthermore, semi-structured questionnaires were applied to children’s parents, including questions on sociodemographic and behavioral factors, such as ethnicity, parental literacy, health care, and dietary patterns. Results 802 boys and 806 girls were included in the study, with a mean age of 26 months. Malnutrition rates were comparable to those described in other West African countries. We found wasting rates of 8,3%, stunting rates of 24,3%, low weight rates of 17,4%, and overweight rates of 2,4% among children under five. Importantly, 55.9% of the children had anemia: 23.6% had mild anemia, 31.1% had moderate anemia, and 1.2% had severe anemia. Statistical analyses are underway to investigate factors associated with malnutrition. Conclusions An important challenge in global health is combating malnutrition in all its forms. The identified prevalence of malnutrition in GB is high and emphasizes the importance of developing strategies and policies with local authorities so that the Sustainable Development Goals and Global Goals of Nutrition can be achieved and health outcomes improved. Key messages • Collaboration essential: researchers, policymakers, healthcare, and local authorities must unite for targeted malnutrition interventions. • Sustainable development in GB hinges on addressing malnutrition among its children through concerted efforts.

A non-isolated converter of switching current stress in DC-DC converter for integrating PV and battery storage system

ABSTRACT High-gain DC-DC converters have seen significant adoption in renewable energy systems like Photovoltaic (PV), Fuel Cells (FC), and other systems. However, their effectiveness is increasingly tied to the availability of renewable resources. As Renewable Energy Sources (RES) typically generate electricity at low voltage levels, integrating high-gain DC-DC converters with RES is crucial for optimal performance. This paper introduces an innovative DC-DC converter design that achieves high gain and is specifically able to integrate smoothly with RES like PV systems and battery storage. The innovation of the proposed converter lies in its integration of conventional boost and buck-boost converters, enabling a high voltage gain while minimizing output voltage ripple and reducing switch current stress. Additionally, its unidirectional power transfer port allows efficient energy flow from solar PV or battery sources to the load, making it highly adaptable for managing fluctuating energy sources, a feature that distinguishes it from current modern converters. Its design simplifies architecture by combining traditional converter types, reducing the number of components, which leads to cost savings, lower weight, and improved reliability. Additionally, the design minimizes output voltage ripple and reduces switching current stress, enhancing the converter’s durability under variable operating conditions. The converter’s performance is evaluated through simulation and experimental studies, demonstrating a 96.3% efficiency and 5.5 times of voltage gain. The converter’s feasibility and effectiveness are validated under dynamic scenarios with varying solar irradiation, making it an ideal solution for clean energy generation systems, including hybrid energy generation setups. The proposed converter topology offers an auspicious solution for high-gain DC-DC conversion in renewable energy systems.

Integrating E-Scooters into Urban Transportation: Issues, Policies, and Opportunity for System Change

Consider a kick scooter with a broad and low floor, broad wheels, and cancellation if ride reassurance and satisfaction are your top priorities. Choose a kick scooter with big casters, a low deck, a low overall weight, exceptional bearings, preferable without being suspended, if efficiency and speed are priorities. No need to be a licenced driver. Use with little exertion. Electric scooters are friendly to the economy. zero noise disturbance. Brushless DC Motors, often known as BLDC, are a more recent invention with superior capability to DC brushed motors. In general, brushless motors are more powerful, run longer, are more energy-efficient, don't overheat as quickly, and are cleaner. An extremely common e-scooter choice is a brushed motor. The bare maximum motor power for an adult electronic scooter is 250 watts. This power allows a scooter to travel over flat terrain and slight inclines without discomfort. Motors of 400 to 500 watts should be taken into consideration by those who intend to push their scooters up severe inclines. Alternative: Battery Capacity (kWh), Range (km), Top Speed (kmph), and Price (in thousand rupees), Charging Time (hours). Evaluation Preference: Ola S1, TVS iQube Electric, Ather 450X, Hero Electric Photon, Bajaj Chetak, Okinawa Ridge Plus, Simple One, Bounce Infinity E1, Hero Electric Optima CX, Ampere V48. “From the result it is seen that Simple One and is got the first rank whereas is the Ather 450X got is having the lowest rank”4. “The value of the dataset for Drilling engineers in MOORA (Multi-objective Optimization on the basis of Ratio Analysis) shows that it results in Insect layer and top ranking”.

Design of Routing Algorithm for Communication of Power Wireless Sensor Networks Based on Improved Harmony Search

In this paper, a routing algorithm for the communication of power wireless sensor networks based on improved harmony search is proposed to reduce the communication routing delay and energy consumption of power wireless sensor networks. Firstly, according to the composition of communication routing delay and energy consumption of power wireless sensor networks, the delay model and energy consumption model are constructed respectively, and the objective function is constructed by assigning different weights. Then, artificial bee colony algorithm and Levy flight mechanism improved harmony search algorithm are adopted for solving the objective function. Experiment results reveal that the algorithm can meet different users’ different demands on delay and energy consumption. If the user needs low delay, set the low delay weight to 1 and the power consumption weight to 0, then the average delay is 7s, and the average power consumption is 3203J. When user demand is low energy consumption, set the delay weight to 0 and the energy consumption weight to 1, so that the average energy consumption is 2667J and the average delay is 15s, which can meet the needs of users.

Transcriptional and physiological plasticity of the green peach aphid (Hemiptera: Aphididae) to cabbage and pepper plants.

Defensive metabolites and nutrient restriction of host plants are 2 major obstacles to the colonization of insect herbivores. The green peach aphid (GPA) Myzus persicae (Sulzer) broadly colonizes plants with diverse nutritional and defensive traits. However, how GPA adapts to nutritional and defensive traits within different plants remains largely unknown. To elucidate this, we first investigated the performances and transcriptomes of GPA feeding on cabbage Brassica oleracea and pepper Capsicum annuum. The green peach aphid had lower weight and fecundity when feeding on cabbage than on pepper. The transcriptomic analysis found 824 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), and 13 of the top 20 Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways are related to nutrient metabolism, energy metabolism, and detoxification. Specifically, we found 160 DEGs associated with the metabolism of protein and amino acids, sugar and lipids, and xenobiotic substances, 86 upregulated in cabbage-fed GPA. Fourteen cathepsin B genes were strongly upregulated in cabbage-fed GPA, and were enriched in lysosome pathway and 2 dominated gene ontology terms peptidase activity and proteolysis. In addition, cabbage-fed GPA upregulated sugar and lipid digestion, while downregulated lipid biosynthesis processes. Furthermore, 55 metabolic detoxification enzyme genes were differentially expressed between GPA on 2hosts, and detoxification enzyme activities of GPA indeed changed accordingly to the host. Then, we found that cabbage has lower amino acids nutrition quality for GPA compared to pepper. Our results suggested that adjustment of nitrogen nutrient metabolism, sugar and lipid metabolism, and metabolic detoxification in a host-specific manner play crucial roles in the adaptations of GPA to different host plants.

Indole-3-Acetic Acid (IAA) and Sugar Mediate Endosperm Development in Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

The yield potential of large-panicle rice is often limited by grain-filling barriers caused by the development of inferior spikelets (IS). Photoassimilates, which are the main source of rice grain filling, mainly enter the caryopsis through the dorsal vascular bundle. The distribution of assimilates between superior spikelets (SS) and IS is influenced by auxin-mediated apical dominance; however, the mechanism involved is still unclear. In this study, the effect of auxin signaling on the grain filling of SS and IS was investigated in two large-panicle japonica rice varieties, W1844 and CJ03. Compared to SS, IS displayed delayed initiation of filling and a significantly lower grain weight. Furthermore, the endosperm development in IS remained stagnant at the coenocytic stage. The development of the dorsal vascular bundle in the IS was also slow, and poor sucrose-unloading was observed during the initial grain filling stage. However, the endosperm development in IS immediately started after the improvement of dorsal vascular bundle development. GUS activity staining further revealed that indole-3-acetic (IAA) was localized in the dorsal vascular bundle and surrounding areas, suggesting that the low IAA content observed in the IS during the initial grain filling stage may have delayed the development of the dorsal vascular bundle. Therefore, these results demonstrate that IAA may control sugar transport and unloading by regulating dorsal vascular bundle development, consequently affecting endosperm development in IS.

Efficacy and tolerability of subcutaneous repository corticotropin injection in refractory ocular inflammatory diseases

Abstract Background Repository corticotropin injection (RCI) has been suggested to exert immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects in ocular inflammation. The index retrospective study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of subcutaneous RCI in patients with active scleritis or uveitis. Main body Medical records of patients who were diagnosed with different types of active scleritis or uveitis and received RCI for more than six months at a tertiary eye center were reviewed. Patient characteristics including age, sex, comorbidities, clinical findings, treatment details, and adverse events were recorded. A total of 17 eyes of 17 patients were included. Median age was 43 years old and 53% of patients were male. Mean treatment duration was 25.4 ± 15.5 months. Indications for RCI therapy were scleritis (7 anterior and 1 posterior) (47.8%), panuveitis (17.4%), retinal vasculitis (17.4%), chronic/recurrent anterior uveitis (13%), and posterior uveitis (4.35%). RCI was initiated at a dose of 40 to 80 units 3 times weekly. Given the adequate control of inflammation, RCI was successfully discontinued in four patients (23.5%). Prior to RCI therapy, 14 (82.3%) patients were on oral prednisone at an average of 10 mg daily (range 2.5–40 mg), and two (11.7%) patients discontinued prednisone immediately before initiating RCI due to side effects. After six months of therapy, the prednisone dose was reduced in four (23.5%) patients to an average of 3 mg daily (range 1–5 mg) and was stopped in eight (53%) patients. Concomitant immunomodulatory therapies (IMTs) included mycophenolate mofetil (23.5%) and methotrexate (23.5%), and adalimumab (23.5%). Ten patients were on IMTs prior to using RCI, and during the course of treatment, IMT was stopped in two patients and reduced in one. Side effects included insomnia (23%), hypertension (11.7%), lower extremity edema (11.7%), hyperglycemia (11.7%), weight gain (11.7%), and infection (5.8%). Conclusion RCI may be considered as a potential therapy with acceptable tolerability for patients with non-infectious scleritis or uveitis.

RNA-seq and whole-genome re-sequencing reveal Micropterus salmoides growth-linked gene and selection signatures under carbohydrate-rich diet and varying temperature

This study was performed on Micropterus salmoides to determine growth-linked gene and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers under carbohydrate diet and varying temperature through RNA-seq and whole-genome re-sequencing. The results showed that growth-related genes were primarily enriched in the fat digestion and absorption signaling pathway, playing a role in lipid transport and metabolism. Fatty acid binding protein 6, bile salt-activated lipase-like, lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase 2, phospholipase A2, minor isoenzyme-like, and phospholipase A2, group IB (pancreas) were identified as the crucial genes. The differentially expressed genes between high and low temperatures were enriched in the pentose phosphate pathway, with carbohydrate transport and metabolism were most affected by temperature. Major facilitator superfamily domain containing 10, phosphogluconate dehydrogenase, fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase 1a, and spinster homolog 3 transcript variant X1(spns3) were the shared genes affected by temperature. From all the common genes, 10 growth-associated SNP markers were identified. The TT genotype at rs7781 was associated with lower body weight, while AA genotype at rs31434173 and CC genotype at rs31435313 showed positive correlation with body weight. Analogously, the GG genotype at rs31436887 and AA genotype at rs31438769 also found to characterize better growth performance. At low temperature, individuals with the AA genotype at rs11506587 and rs31435313 exhibited the slowest growth. For the genotypes labeled with rs11510589, the GG individual grew faster than the AA individual, whereas the opposite phenomenon occurred in these genotypes when labeled with rs11511314. The genotypes at rs32970704 and rs32967921 showed no growth correlation. The AA genotype at rs31435313 in spns3 had the slowest growth under a carbohydrate-rich diet regardless of the temperature. Our study presents candidate genes and SNP markers associated with growth influenced by carbohydrate and temperature, providing basis for the development of M. salmoides strain that better accepts carbohydrate diets at varying temperature.