Long-term retrospective assessment of a transmission hotspot for human alveolar echinococcosis in mid-west China

Background Human alveolar echinococcosis caused by infection with Echinococcus multilocularis is one of the most potentially pathogenic helminthic zoonoses. Transmission occurs involving wildlife cycles typically between fox and small mammal intermediate hosts. In the late 1980s/early 1990s a large focus of human AE was identified in poor upland agricultural communities in south Gansu Province, China. More detailed investigations in 1994–97 expanded community screening and identified key risk factors of dog ownership and landscape type around villages that could support susceptible rodent populations. A crash of the dog population (susceptible domestic definitive host) in the early 1990s appeared to stop transmission. Methodology/Findings We subsequently undertook follow-up eco-epidemiological studies based on human population screening and dog survey, in 2005/6 and in 2014/15. Our observations show a decrease in human AE prevalence, especially marked in the 11–30 year old age category. In 2015, although the dog population had recovered and in addition, forest protection and the reforestation of some areas may have favoured red fox (wild definitive host) population growth, there was no evidence of infection in owned dogs. Conclusions/Significance Those observations suggest that over decades socio-ecological changes resulted in a cascade of factors that exacerbated and then interrupted parasite emergence, with probable elimination of peri-domestic transmission of E. multilocularis in this area, despite the relative proximity of large active transmission foci on the eastern Tibetan Plateau. This study case exemplifies how anthropogenic land use and behavioural changes can modify emergence events and the transmission of endemic zoonotic parasite infections, and subsequently the importance of considering processes over the long-term in a systems approach in order to understand pathogen and disease distribution

Measurements of the Electron-Helicity Dependent Cross Sections of Deeply Virtual Compton Scattering with CEBAF at 12 GeV

We propose precision measurements of the helicity-dependent and helicity independent cross sections for the ep->epg reaction in Deeply Virtual Compton Scattering (DVCS) kinematics. DVCS scaling is obtained in the limits Q^2>>Lambda_{QCD}^2, x_Bj fixed, and -\Delta^2=-(q-q')^22 GeV^2, W>2 GeV, and -\Delta^21 GeV^2. We will use our successful technique from the 5.75 GeV Hall A DVCS experiment (E00-110). With polarized 6.6, 8.8, and 11 GeV beams incident on the liquid hydrogen target, we will detect the scattered electron in the Hall A HRS-L spectrometer (maximum central momentum 4.3 GeV/c) and the emitted photon in a slightly expanded PbF_2 calorimeter. In general, we will not detect the recoil proton. The H(e,e'g)X missing mass resolution is sufficient to isolate the exclusive channel with 3% systematic precision

A Blockchain Technique for Trade Credit Maintainability Using the Role of Information and Communication Technology

Recent advances in data analysis and processing methods can improve the ability of computational applications to perform complex steps of different tasks. With the progress of information and communication technologies (ICT), Blockchain-based complex data processing for transaction analysis and smart contract agreement has become a new research area in the fields of mathematics and computation. Stability of financial sector based on the ICT is a core component for growing the economics of medium and small enterprises. This stability brings the innovation to businesses productivity, while the management of information takes more prospective for improving the efficiency and more ways for innovating the business of products. In this study, we use the autoregressive distribution lag (ARDL) model with Blockchain-based complex data processing approach to emphasize the role of ICT in the field of trade credit maintainability. Actually, the ICT connects the industries in the entire world and makes business sectors that use its technologies be more advanced. Based on the ARDL model conducted on the records gathered from 2000 to 2019, the analysis concludes that the ICT-based complex data processing is a critical component of trade credit. The statistics of ICT are chosen based on the economy penetrations through the Internet and mobile phones. The causality exposed between the trade credit and ICT is bidirectional in nature. Also, it is found that the usage of mobile phones has a substantial influence on the business sectors, as a substantial amount of trading and business transactions are conducted over the phone. Therefore, the primary concern is the association between the Blockchain and trade credit, which is thoroughly discussed in this work. The trade credit improves the stability of financial sector and the Blockchain supports its maintainability by the role of ICT. The results of the study can help the business stakeholders and investors to estimate the marketing for future useful execution

Josephson coupled Ising pairing induced in suspended MoS2 bilayers by double-side ionic gating

Superconductivity in monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides is characterized by !sing-type pairing induced via a strong Zeeman-type spin-orbit coupling. When two transition metal dichalcogenides layers are coupled, more exotic superconducting phases emerge, which depend on the ratio of !sing-type protection and interlayer coupling strength. Here, we induce superconductivity in suspended MoS2 bilayers and unveil a coupled superconducting state with strong !sing-type spin-orbit coupling. Gating the bilayer symmetrically from both sides by ionic liquid gating varies the interlayer interaction and accesses electronic states with broken local inversion symmetry while maintaining the global inversion symmetry. We observe a strong suppression of the Ising protection that evidences a coupled superconducting state. The symmetric gating scheme not only induces superconductivity in both atomic sheets but also controls the Josephson coupling between the layers, which gives rise to a dimensional crossover in the bilayer.</p

Near‐Intrinsic Photo‐ and Electroluminescence from Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotube Thin Films on BCB‐Passivated Surfaces

Their outstanding electrical and optical properties make semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) highly suitable for charge transport and emissive layers in near-infrared optoelectronic devices. However, the luminescence spectra of SWCNT thin films on commonly used glass and Si/SiO2 substrates are often compromised by broadening of the main excitonic emission and unwanted low-energy sidebands. Surface passivation with a commercially available, low dielectric constant, cross-linked bis-benzocyclobutene-based polymer (BCB) enhances the emission properties of SWCNTs to the same level as hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) flakes do. The presence of BCB suppresses sideband emission, especially from the Y1 band, which is attributed to defects introduced by the interaction of the nanotube lattice with oxygen-containing terminal groups of the substrate surface. The facile and reproducible deposition of homogeneous BCB films over large areas combined with their resistance against common solvents and chemicals employed during photolithography make them compatible with standard semiconductor device fabrication. Utilizing this approach, light-emitting (6,5) SWCNT network field-effect transistors are fabricated on BCB-treated glass substrates with excellent electrical characteristics and near-intrinsic electroluminescence. Hence, passivation with BCB is proposed as a standard treatment for substrates used for spectroscopic investigations of and optoelectronic devices with SWCNTs and other low-dimensional emitters

Pharmacological therapy of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease-driven hepatocellular carcinoma

In light of a global rise in the number of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and obesity, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), now known as metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) or metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), has become the leading cause of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), with the annual occurrence of MASLD-driven HCC expected to increase by 45%–130% by 2030. Although MASLD has become a serious major public health threat globally, the exact molecular mechanisms mediating MASLD-driven HCC remain an open problem, necessitating future investigation. Meanwhile, emerging studies are focusing on the utility of bioactive compounds to halt the progression of MASLD to MASLD-driven HCC. In this review, we first briefly review the recent progress of the possible mechanisms of pathogenesis and progression for MASLD-driven HCC. We then discuss the application of bioactive compounds to mitigate MASLD-driven HCC through different modulatory mechanisms encompassing anti-inflammatory, lipid metabolic, and gut microbial pathways, providing valuable information for future treatment and prevention of MASLD-driven HCC. Nonetheless, clinical research exploring the effectiveness of herbal medicines in the treatment of MASLD-driven HCC is still warranted

Mitochondrial respiration defects in cancer cells cause activation of Akt survival pathway through a redox-mediated mechanism

Cancer cells exhibit increased glycolysis for ATP production due, in part, to respiration injury (the Warburg effect). Because ATP generation through glycolysis is less efficient than through mitochondrial respiration, how cancer cells with this metabolic disadvantage can survive the competition with other cells and eventually develop drug resistance is a long-standing paradox. We report that mitochondrial respiration defects lead to activation of the Akt survival pathway through a novel mechanism mediated by NADH. Respiration-deficient cells (ρ-) harboring mitochondrial DNA deletion exhibit dependency on glycolysis, increased NADH, and activation of Akt, leading to drug resistance and survival advantage in hypoxia. Similarly, chemical inhibition of mitochondrial respiration and hypoxia also activates Akt. The increase in NADH caused by respiratory deficiency inactivates PTEN through a redox modification mechanism, leading to Akt activation. These findings provide a novel mechanistic insight into the Warburg effect and explain how metabolic alteration in cancer cells may gain a survival advantage and withstand therapeutic agents

Genome-Wide identification and expression analysis of metal tolerance protein gene family in Medicago truncatula under a broad range of heavy metal stress

Metal tolerance proteins (MTPs) encompass plant membrane divalent cation transporters to specifically participate in heavy metal stress resistance and mineral acquisition. However, the molecular behaviors and biological functions of this family in Medicago truncatula are scarcely known. A total of 12 potential MTP candidate genes in the M. truncatula genome were successfully identified and analyzed for a phylogenetic relationship, chromosomal distributions, gene structures, docking analysis, gene ontology, and previous gene expression. M. truncatula MTPs (MtMTPs) were further classified into three major cation diffusion facilitator (CDFs) groups: Mn-CDFs, Zn-CDFs, and Fe/Zn-CDFs. The structural analysis of MtMTPs displayed high gene similarity within the same group where all of them have cation_efflux domain or ZT_dimer. Cis-acting element analysis suggested that various abiotic stresses and phytohormones could induce the most MtMTP gene transcripts. Among all MTPs, PF16916 is the specific domain, whereas GLY, ILE, LEU, MET, ALA, SER, THR, VAL, ASN, and PHE amino acids were predicted to be the binding residues in the ligand-binding site of all these proteins. RNA-seq and gene ontology analysis revealed the significant role of MTP genes in the growth and development of M. truncatula. MtMTP genes displayed differential responses in plant leaves, stems, and roots under five divalent heavy metals (Cd2+, Co2+, Mn2+, Zn2+, and Fe2+). Ten, seven, and nine MtMTPs responded to at least one metal ion treatment in the leaves, stems, and roots, respectively. Additionally, MtMTP1.1, MtMTP1.2, and MtMTP4 exhibited the highest expression responses in most heavy metal treatments. Our results presented a standpoint on the evolution of MTPs in M. truncatula. Overall, our study provides a novel insight into the evolution of the MTP gene family in M. truncatula and paves the way for additional functional characterization of this gene family

Inducing ferroptosis by traditional medicines: a novel approach to reverse chemoresistance in lung cancer

Lung cancer is the leading cause of global cancer-related deaths. Platinum-based chemotherapy is the first-line treatment for the most common type of lung cancer, i.e., non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but its therapeutic efficiency is limited by chemotherapeutic resistance. Therefore, it is vital to develop effective therapeutic modalities that bypass the common molecular mechanisms associated with chemotherapeutic resistance. Ferroptosis is a form of non-apoptotic regulated cell death characterized by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation (LPO). Ferroptosis is crucial for the proper therapeutic efficacy of lung cancer-associated chemotherapies. If targeted as a novel therapeutic mechanism, ferroptosis modulators present new opportunities for increasing the therapeutic efficacy of lung cancer chemotherapy. Emerging studies have revealed that the pharmacological induction of ferroptosis using natural compounds boosts the efficacy of chemotherapy in lung cancer or drug-resistant cancer. In this review, we first discuss chemotherapeutic resistance (or chemoresistance) in lung cancer and introduce the core mechanisms behind ferroptosis. Then, we comprehensively summarize the small-molecule compounds sourced from traditional medicines that may boost the anti-tumor activity of current chemotherapeutic agents and overcome chemotherapeutic resistance in NSCLC. Cumulatively, we suggest that traditional medicines with ferroptosis-related anticancer activity could serve as a starting point to overcome chemotherapeutic resistance in NSCLC by inducing ferroptosis, highlighting new potential therapeutic regimens used to overcome chemoresistance in NSCLC