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MicroRNAs (miRNAs), a class of endogenous, tiny, non-coding RNAs, are master regulators of gene expression among most eukaryotes. Intracellular miRNA abundance is regulated under multiple levels of control including transcription, processing, RNA modification, RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC) assembly, miRNA-target interaction, and turnover. In this review, we summarize our current understanding of the molecular components and mechanisms that influence miRNA biogenesis, homeostasis, and degradation in plants. We also make comparisons with findings from other organisms where necessary.

Existing tunable optical metasurfaces based on the electro-optic effect are either complex in structure or have a limited phase modulation range. In this paper, a simple rectangular metasurface structure based on a Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-PbTiO3 (PMN-PT) crystal with high electro-optic coefficient of 120 pm/V was designed to demonstrate its electrically tunable performance in the optical communication band through simulations. By optimizing the structure parameters, a tunable metasurface was generated that can induce a complete 2π phase shift for beam deflection while maintaining relatively uniform transmittance. Simulations further demonstrated the electrical tunability of the beam deflection direction and operating wavelength of the metasurface. This tunable optical metasurface, with its simple and easily fabricated structure, can promote the development and application of multifunctional and controllable metasurfaces. Its adjustable beam deflection direction and operating wavelength may find applications in fields such as optical communication systems and imaging.

Differentiating tuberculous pleural effusion (TPE) from non-tuberculosis pleural effusion remains a challenge in clinical practice. This study aimed to develop and externally validate a novel prediction model using the peripheral blood tuberculous infection of T cells spot test (T-SPOT.TB) to assess the probability of TPE in patients with unexplained pleural effusion. Patients with pleural effusion and confirmed etiology were included in this study. A retrospective derivation population was used to develop and internally validate the predictive model. Clinical, radiological, and laboratory features were collected, and important predictors were selected using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator. The prediction model, presented as a web calculator, was developed using multivariable logistic regression. The predictive performance of the model was evaluated for discrimination and calibration and verified in an independent validation population. The developed prediction model included age, positive T-SPOT.TB result, logarithm of the ratio of mononuclear cells to multiple nuclear cells in pleural effusion (lnRMMPE), and adenosine deaminase in pleural effusion ≥ 40 U/L. The model demonstrated good discrimination [with area under the curve of 0.837 and 0.903, respectively] and calibration (with a Brier score of 0.159 and 0.119, respectively) in both the derivation population and the validation population. Using a cutoff value of 60%, the sensitivity and specificity for identifying TPE were 70% and 88%, respectively, in the derivation population, and 77% and 92%, respectively, in the validation population. A novel predictive model based on T-SPOT.TB was developed and externally validated, demonstrating good diagnostic performance in identifying TPE.

Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is an extremely severe clinical syndrome, often associated with systemic inflammation, coagulation dysfunction, and fibrinolysis abnormalities. Fibrin degradation product (FDP), as a byproduct of fibrinolysis, is a crucial indicator reflecting the state of fibrinolysis. The objective of this study is to investigate the relationship between FDP levels and the 28-day mortality rate in patients with ACLF. We retrospectively enrolled 520 patients with hepatitis B virus-related acute-on-chronic liver failure (HBV-ACLF) who underwent artificial liver support system therapy and collected relevant clinical data at admission. Cox regression analysis was employed to investigate the relationship between FDP levels and the 28-day mortality rate, and the predictive value of FDP was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Among the 520 eligible patients, the 28-day mortality rate was 20.2%. The FDP levels of surviving patients were significantly lower than those of deceased patients [6.15 (3.23–10.97) vs. 16.98 (9.58–28.93), P  < 0.001]. Through multivariate Cox proportional hazards analysis, after adjusting for confounding factors, It was observed that for every 10 µg/mL increase in FDP levels, the risk increased by 12.8% [HR = 1.128 (95% CI: 1.044–1.219), P  < 0.001]. Compared to patients with low FDP levels (< 11.1 µg/mL), patients with high FDP levels (≥ 11.1 µg/mL) demonstrated a markedly higher mortality risk [HR = 3.222 (95% CI: 1.999–5.192), P  < 0.001]. Among various prognostic scores, the COSSH-ACLF score exhibited the largest area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC), comparable to that of FDP ( P  = 0.891), and its predictive performance was superior to that of FIB and D-dimer. Additionally, for patients who received three or more sessions of artificial liver support system therapy, those with high FDP levels had a significantly reduced 28-day mortality risk. Elevated FDP levels are associated with the 28-day prognosis in patients with HBV-ACLF. Moreover, undergoing multiple sessions of artificial liver treatment is associated with favorable survival outcomes for patients with high FDP levels (≥ 11.1 µg/mL).

The global prevalence of depression continues to rise, making it a leading cause of suicide. Although evidence-based treatments for mental disorders exist, over 75% of affected individuals in low- and middle-income countries lack access to care. Consequently, cost-effective exercise interventions are increasingly recognized as viable therapeutic options. However, conclusive evidence comparing the relative efficacy and acceptability of different exercise modalities for alleviating depressive symptoms remains lacking. Therefore, this study employed a network meta-analysis to directly compare the relative efficacy and acceptability of various exercise interventions for individuals with depression. Adhering to PRISMA-NMA guidelines, a comprehensive literature search was conducted across seven electronic databases (PubMed, Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, Embase, CNKI, MEDLINE, and Web of Science) to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) examining exercise interventions for depression.Studies meeting the predefined inclusion criteria were selected for analysis.Methodological quality and risk of bias of the included studies were evaluated using the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions (Version 5.1).The quality of evidence derived from the network meta-analysis was assessed using the Confidence in Network Meta-Analysis (CINeMA) framework. Network meta-analysis was performed using Stata software (version 17.0). The final analysis included 58 articles (encompassing 62 RCTs) with a total of 3,751 participants, evaluating three exercise categories: aerobic exercise, mind-body exercise, and resistance training. All three exercise modalities showed significantly greater antidepressant efficacy than control conditions (routine control, control condition, waiting list), with statistical significance ( P  < 0.05). Notably, mind-body exercise (SMD: -0.43, 95% CI [-0.82, -0.04], P  < 0.05) demonstrated superior efficacy in alleviating adult depression compared to aerobic exercise. The efficacy ranking for depression relief was: mind-body exercise (94.1%) > resistance training (81.0%) > aerobic exercise (63.9%). Regarding acceptability, the ranking was aerobic exercise (67.1%) > mind-body exercise (61.5%) > resistance training (39.3%). Subgroup analysis indicated that mind-body exercise consistently ranked highest in efficacy for depression intervention, regardless of intervention duration. Specifically, mind-body exercise ranked first across all durations: >4 to ≤ 8 weeks (86.9%), > 9 to ≤ 12 weeks (83.2%), and > 12 weeks (98.5%). Mind-body exercises demonstrated superior efficacy relative to other interventions for individuals with depression, yet its acceptability was marginally lower than that of aerobic exercise. Further rigorous studies are necessary to confirm this finding.

Polarity is an integral microenvironment parameter in biological systems closely associated with a multitude of cellular processes. Abnormal polarity variations accompany the initiation and development of pathophysiological processes. Thus, monitoring the abnormal polarity is of scientific and practical importance. Current state-of-the-art monitoring techniques are primarily based on fluorescence imaging which relies on a single emission intensity and may cause inaccurate detection due to heterogeneous accumulation of the probes. Herein, we report carbon dots (CDs) with ultra-sensitive responses to polarity. The CDs exhibit two linear relationships: one between fluorescence intensity and polarity and the other between polarity and the maximum emission wavelength. The emission spectrum is an intrinsic property of the probes, independent of the excitation intensity or probe concentration. These features enable two-color imaging/quantitation of polarity changes in lipid droplets (LDs) and in the cytoplasm via in situ emission spectroscopy. The probes reveal the polarity heterogeneity in LDs which can be applied to make a distinction between cancer and normal cells, and reveal the polarity homogeneity in cytoplasm.

Common-signal-induced synchronization of semiconductor lasers have promising applications in physical-layer secure transmission with high speed and compatibility with the current fiber communication. Here, we propose an ultra-long-distance laser synchronization scheme by utilizing random digital optical communication signal as the common drive signal. By utilizing the long-haul optical coherent communication techniques, high-fidelity fiber transmission of the digital drive can be achieved and thus ultra-long-distance synchronization is expected. Experiments were implemented with distributed feedback lasers injected by a random-digital phase-modulated drive light. Results show that high-quality synchronization can be achieved as the drive signal rate is larger than the laser relaxation frequency and the transmission bit error ratio is below a critical value. Chaos synchronization over 8191-km fiber transmission was experimentally achieved. Compared to traditional common-signal-induced synchronization using analog drive signal such as chaos, the distance is increased by 8 times, and complicated hardware devices for channel impairment compensation are no longer required. In addition, the proposed method does not sacrifice communication capacity like traditional methods which need a channel to transmit analog drive signal. It is therefore believed that this common-digital-signal induced laser synchronization paves a way for secure backbone and submarine transmission. Long-haul chaos synchronization of semiconductor lasers commonly driven by a digital optical fiber communication signal, which enables practical physical-layer encryption.

Macrophages exist in most tissues of the body, where they perform various functions at the same time equilibrating with other cells to maintain immune responses in numerous diseases including cancer. Recently, emerging investigations revealed that metabolism profiles control macrophage phenotypes and functions, and in turn, polarization can trigger metabolic shifts in macrophages. Those findings implicate a special role of metabolism in tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) because of the sophisticated microenvironment in cancer. Glucose is the major energy source of cells, especially for TAMs. However, the complicated association between TAMs and their glucose metabolism is still unclearly illustrated. Here, we review the recent advances in macrophage and glucose metabolism within the tumor microenvironment, and the significant transformations that occur in TAMs during the tumor progression. Additionally, we have also outlined the potential implications for macrophage-based therapies in cancer targeting TAMs.

• Calcium (Ca2+) is a second messenger for plant cell surface and intracellular receptors mediating pattern-triggered and effector-triggered immunity (respectively, PTI and ETI). Several CYCLIC NUCLEOTIDE-GATED CHANNELS (CNGCs) were shown to control transient cytosolic Ca2+ influx upon PTI activation. The contributions of specific CNGC members to PTI and ETI remain unclear. • ENHANCED DISEASE SUSCEPTIBLITY1 (EDS1) regulates ETI signaling. In an Arabidopsis genetic screen for suppressors of eds1, we identify a recessive gain-of-function mutation in CNGC20, denoted cngc20-4, which partially restores disease resistance in eds1. • cngc20-4 enhances PTI responses and ETI hypersensitive cell death. A cngc20-4 single mutant exhibits autoimmunity, which is dependent on genetically parallel EDS1 and salicylic acid (SA) pathways. CNGC20 self-associates, forms heteromeric complexes with CNGC19, and is phosphorylated and stabilized by BOTRYTIS INDUCED KINASE1 (BIK1). The cngc20-4 L371F exchange on a predicted transmembrane channel inward surface does not disrupt these interactions but leads to increased cytosolic Ca2+ accumulation, consistent with mis-regulation of CNGC20 Ca2+-permeable channel activity. • Our data show that ectopic Ca2+ influx caused by a mutant form of CNGC20 in cngc20-4 affects both PTI and ETI responses. We conclude that tight control of the CNGC20 Ca2+ ion channel is important for regulated immunity.

A colorimetric method is described for the determination of uric acid (UA). The assay is based on oxidative etching of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) by chloroauric acid (HAuCl 4 ). The presence of UA suppresses the redox reaction between AgNPs and HAuCl 4 because a competitive reaction occurs between HAuCl 4 and UA. This results in a color change of the solution from brown to yellow. In parallel, the absorbance is blue shifted from 477 to 428 nm. The method has a detection limit as low as 30 pM (at S/ N  = 3) and a linear response range that covers the 0.1 nM to 0.1 mM UA concentration range. The reliability of the method was successfully demonstrated by analyzing spiked serum samples. Graphical abstract Schematic representation of a colorimetric method for determination of uric acid (UA) based on oxidative etching of silver nanoparticles by HAuCl 4 .