HHU_QTP_Endorheic_Delineation_Classification_Dataset

This dataset provides a detailed delineation and classification of endorheic basins on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, which would be beneficial for ecological analysis. It includes tables (.xls, .xlsx, .csv, .txt) and shapefiles (.shp).</p

Stochastic modeling of <i>B. subtilis</i> competence.

<p>(A) The deterministic model of each circuit (see Eqs <a href="http://www.ploscompbiol.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pcbi.1004793#pcbi.1004793.e021" target="_blank">6</a> and <a href="http://www.ploscompbiol.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pcbi.1004793#pcbi.1004793.e022" target="_blank">7</a>) exhibits three dynamic regimes (excitable, oscillatory, and mono-stable), depending on the ComK induction rate <i>α</i>_<i>k</i>, which models stress level. (B) The stochastic model (see Eqs <a href="http://www.ploscompbiol.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pcbi.1004793#pcbi.1004793.e016" target="_blank">1</a>–<a href="http://www.ploscompbiol.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pcbi.1004793#pcbi.1004793.e020" target="_blank">5</a>) reveals the ensuing distribution of ComK levels in each of the three dynamic regimes (excitable, oscillatory, and mono-stable). The fraction of the distribution in the responsive state <i>f</i> (determined by the inflection points, see <a href="http://www.ploscompbiol.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pcbi.1004793#sec007" target="_blank">Materials and Methods</a>) is shaded. (C) Whereas the deterministic model exhibits sharp transitions between the dynamic regimes (dashed lines), the stochastic model exhibits a continuous dependence of <i>f</i> on induction rate. We see that for both circuits, stochasticity extends the viable response range (0 < <i>f</i> < 1) beyond the transitions predicted by the deterministic model, in both directions, by the factors given above the arrows (see <a href="http://www.ploscompbiol.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pcbi.1004793#sec007" target="_blank">Materials and Methods</a>). Parameters are as in [<a href="http://www.ploscompbiol.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pcbi.1004793#pcbi.1004793.ref016" target="_blank">16</a>] and are given in <a href="http://www.ploscompbiol.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pcbi.1004793#pcbi.1004793.s001" target="_blank">S1 Text</a>. In A and B, from left to right, the values of the control parameter are <i>α</i>_<i>k</i> = {0.072, 1.15, 36}/hour (native) and <i>α</i>_<i>k</i> = {0.036, 1.8, 36}/hour (SynEx). In A, from left to right, the initial conditions are ComK molecules and ComS molecules (native), and ComK molecules and MecA molecules (SynEx); in the excitable regime (left), the initial conditions are chosen to demonstrate the single, transient excitation.</p

Architectures and model parameters of the native and SynEx circuits.

<p>The top row summarizes the regulatory interactions, while the bottom row depicts the model details. (A) In the native circuit, ComK is produced with the induction rate <i>α</i>_<i>k</i> and activates its own expression with Hill function parameters <i>β</i>_<i>k</i>, <i>k</i>_<i>k</i>, and <i>h</i>. ComS is expressed at the basal rate <i>α</i>_<i>s</i> and is repressed by ComK with Hill function parameters <i>β</i>_<i>s</i>, <i>k</i>_<i>s</i>, and <i>p</i>. ComK and ComS are degraded at rates <i>λ</i>_<i>k</i> and <i>λ</i>_<i>s</i>, respectively, and, additionally, both compete for binding to the degradation enzyme MecA. MecA degrades ComK and ComS with maximal rates <i>δ</i>_<i>k</i> and <i>δ</i>_<i>s</i>, respectively, and with Michaelis-Menten constants Γ_<i>k</i> and Γ_<i>s</i>, respectively. (B) In the SynEx circuit, ComK is produced with the induction rate <i>α</i>_<i>k</i> and activates its own expression with Hill function parameters <i>β</i>_<i>k</i>, <i>k</i>_<i>k</i>, and <i>h</i>. MecA is expressed at the basal rate <i>α</i>_<i>m</i> and is activated by ComK with Hill function parameters <i>β</i>_<i>m</i>, <i>k</i>_<i>m</i>, and <i>p</i>. ComK and MecA are degraded at rates <i>λ</i>_<i>k</i> and <i>λ</i>_<i>m</i>, respectively, and MecA enzymatically degrades ComK with rate <i>δ</i>.</p

Stochastic oscillations persist outside the deterministic oscillatory regime.

<p>The deterministic oscillatory regime is defined by for the induction rate <i>α</i>_<i>k</i>. (A) At low induction rate , where the deterministic model predicts excitable dynamics, the stochastic dynamics are oscillatory. The oscillations arise from repeated noise-induced excitations. (B) At high induction rate , where the deterministic model predicts mono-stable dynamics, the stochastic dynamics are also oscillatory. The oscillations here arise because noise prevents damping to the mono-stable state (see the deterministic curves in the right panels). The effect is much stronger for the native circuit (notice that the left panel is 15 times outside the deterministically oscillatory regime) because, unlike in the SynEx circuit, one of the species, ComS, is at low copy number and therefore subject to significant intrinsic noise. The deterministic model is given in Eqs <a href="http://www.ploscompbiol.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pcbi.1004793#pcbi.1004793.e021" target="_blank">6</a> and <a href="http://www.ploscompbiol.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pcbi.1004793#pcbi.1004793.e022" target="_blank">7</a>, while the stochastic model is given in Eqs <a href="http://www.ploscompbiol.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pcbi.1004793#pcbi.1004793.e016" target="_blank">1</a>–<a href="http://www.ploscompbiol.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pcbi.1004793#pcbi.1004793.e020" target="_blank">5</a>. In A, the deterministic initial conditions are ComK molecules and ComS molecules (native), and ComK molecules and MecA molecules (SynEx). In B, the deterministic initial conditions are ComK molecules and ComS molecules (native), and ComK molecules and MecA molecules (SynEx). In the excitable regime (A), the initial conditions are chosen to demonstrate the single, transient excitation.</p

Schematic illustrating phenotypic heterogeneity and the effects of noise.

<p>(A) When all cells in a population exhibit either no response (left) or a high response (right), then the population is homogenous. In contrast, if individual cells exhibit a dynamic response (middle), this leads to a heterogenous population, with a fraction <i>f</i> of cells in the responsive state at any given time. (B) Intrinsic noise affects the dynamics of the response. Without intrinsic noise, the viable stress level response range is narrow as indicated by the black dashed lines since it is limited to deterministic dynamics. However, for the <i>B. subtilis</i> competence response, we find in this study that noise expands the viable response range: the range of stress levels over which <i>f</i> remains neither 0 nor 1. This expansion is illustrated by the blue dashed lines indicating the extent where <i>f</i>, solid blue line, remains between 0 and 1. <i>f</i> permits a heterogeneous population when between 0 and 1.</p

Effects of PM_2.5 and Its Components on Disease Severity in Patients with Schizophrenia and the Mediating Role of Thyroid Hormones

Studies have indicated the different effects of PM2.5 components on human health. However, specific components that influence the severity of disease in schizophrenia patients and their underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Therefore, a repeated measures study for schizophrenia was constructed based on Anhui Mental Health Center. We collected information, including demographics and thyroid hormones (TH) levels, on repeat admissions of schizophrenia patients during 2017–2020, assessing their illness severity by positive and negative symptom scales (PANSS). Concentrations from the nearest component monitoring station in the 3 months before admission were assigned as the participant’s exposure level. We assessed the effects of PM2.5 components individually and in combination on schizophrenia and explored the mediating role of THs. Results indicated that benzo[a]pyrene, sulfate, nitrate, chloride, ammonia, cadmium, chromium, lead, selenium, and thallium exposure were associated with increased PANSS scores, with more significant results observed in males. Mixed exposure to PM2.5 components was found to be associated with increased PANSS scores and decreased free triiodothyronine (FT3). Mediation analysis suggested that the reduction in FT3 might mediate the association between the PM2.5 components and PANSS scores. The findings emphasize the impacts of PM2.5 components on schizophrenia and the potential value of focusing on changes in THs

Dual-Targeted Metal Ion Network Hydrogel Scaffold for Promoting the Integrated Repair of Tendon–Bone Interfaces

The tendon–bone interface has a complex gradient structure vital for stress transmission and pressure buffering during movement. However, injury to the gradient tissue, especially the tendon and cartilage components, often hinders the complete restoration of the original structure. Here, a metal ion network hydrogel scaffold, with the capability of targeting multitissue, was constructed through the photopolymerization of the LHERHLNNN peptide-modified zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (LZIF-8) and the WYRGRL peptide-modified magnesium metal–organic framework (WMg-MOF) within the hydrogel scaffold, which could facilitate the directional migration of metal ions to form a dynamic gradient, thereby achieving integrated regeneration of gradient tissues. LZIF-8 selectively migrated to the tendon, releasing zinc ions to enhance collagen secretion and promoting tendon repair. Simultaneously, WMg-MOF migrated to cartilage, releasing magnesium ions to induce cell differentiation and facilitating cartilage regeneration. Infrared spectroscopy confirmed successful peptide modification of nano ZIF-8 and Mg-MOF. Fluorescence imaging validated that LZIF-8/WMg-MOF had a longer retention, indirectly confirming their successful targeting of the tendon–bone interface. In summary, this dual-targeted metal ion network hydrogel scaffold has the potential to facilitate synchronized multitissue regeneration at the compromised tendon–bone interface, offering favorable prospects for its application in the integrated reconstruction characterized by the gradient structure