Causal relationship between gut microbiota and pathological scars: a two-sample Mendelian randomization study

BackgroundPathological scars, including keloids and hypertrophic scars, represent a significant dermatological challenge, and emerging evidence suggests a potential role for the gut microbiota in this process.MethodsUtilizing a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) methodology, this study meticulously analyzed data from genome-wide association studies (GWASs) relevant to the gut microbiota, keloids, and hypertrophic scars. The integrity and reliability of the results were rigorously evaluated through sensitivity, heterogeneity, pleiotropy, and directionality analyses.ResultsBy employing inverse variance weighted (IVW) method, our findings revealed a causal influence of five bacterial taxa on keloid formation: class Melainabacteria, class Negativicutes, order Selenomonadales, family XIII, and genus Coprococcus2. Seven gut microbiota have been identified as having causal relationships with hypertrophic scars: class Alphaproteobacteria, family Clostridiaceae1, family Desulfovibrionaceae, genus Eubacterium coprostanoligenes group, genus Eubacterium fissicatena group, genus Erysipelotrichaceae UCG003 and genus Subdoligranulum. Additional sensitivity analyses further validated the robustness of the associations above.ConclusionOverall, our MR analysis supports the hypothesis that gut microbiota is causally linked to pathological scar formation, providing pivotal insights for future mechanistic and clinical research in this domain

Comment on “Quantitative biochronology of the Permian–Triassic boundary in South China based on conodont unitary associations” by Brosse et al. (2016)

Recently, Brosse et al. (2016) have proposed the use of conodont Unitary Associations Zones (UAZs) to substantially modify the biostratigraphy of the Permian–Triassic transition and to redefine the Permian–Triassic boundary (PTB). However, in our opinion, the UAZ analysis presented by Brosse et al. (2016) is based on unreliable taxonomic data sets with unjustified taxonomic re-assessments. No evidence shows that the UAZ approach improves the biozone biostratigraphy currently used to date the PTB

Long-term satellite observations show continuous increase of vegetation growth enhancement in urban environment

Urbanization shows continuous expansion and development, ushering in the co-evolution of urban environments and vegetation over time. Recent remote sensing-based studies have discovered prevalent vegetation growth enhancement in urban environments. However, whether there is a temporal evolution of the growth enhancement remains unknown and unexplored. Here we expanded the existing framework for assessing the long-term impact of urbanization on vegetation greenness (enhanced vegetation index, EVI) using long time series of remote sensing images and applied it in Changsha, the capital city of Hunan province in China. Results showed that vegetation growth experienced widespread enhancement from 2000 to 2017, and increased 1.8 times from 2000 to 2017, suggesting strong continuous adaptive capability of vegetation to urban conditions. Although the overall impact of urbanization was negative due to the replacement of vegetated surfaces, the growth enhancement nevertheless offset or compensated the direct loss of vegetated cover during urbanization in the magnitude of 28% in 2000 to 44% in 2017. Our study also revealed large spatial heterogeneity in vegetation growth response among various districts at different urbanization levels and found an emergent trend under the observed spatial heterogeneity toward an asymptotic maximum with urbanization, showing EVI converges to 0.22 in highly urbanized areas. We further found that the positive effect of urbanization on vegetation growth is a function of urbanization intensity and time, which implies that the effect of the urban environment on vegetation can be simulated and predicted, and can be verified in more cities in the future. Our study is the first to successfully quantify long-term spatial patterns on the co-evolution of urbanization and vegetation, providing a new understanding of the continuous adaptive responses of vegetation growth to urbanization and shedding light on predicting 24 biological responses to future environmental change

Data Governance in Multimodal Behavioral Research

In the digital era, multimodal behavioral research has emerged as a pivotal discipline, integrating diverse data sources to comprehensively understand human behavior. This paper defines and distinguishes data governance from mere data management within this context, highlighting its centrality in assuring data quality, ethical handling, and participant protection. Through a meticulous review of the literature and empirical experience, we identify key implementation strategies and elucidate the benefits and risks of data governance frameworks in multimodal research. A demonstrative case study illustrates the practical applications and challenges, revealing enhanced data reliability and research integrity as tangible outcomes. Our findings underscore the critical need for robust data governance, pointing to future advancements in the field, including the development of adaptive governance frameworks, innovative big data analytics solutions, and user-friendly tools. These enhancements are poised to amplify the utility of multimodal data, propelling behavioral science forward

Durability Investigation of Fiber-Reinforced Functionally Graded Concretes in Cold Regions

Introducing the differential design concept of functional gradient into mass concrete structures is a feasible design concept that can meet the requirement of crack resistance and internal hydration heat reduction for mass concrete in cold regions. This study analyzed functionally graded concrete’s long-term performance and durability behavior through experimental tests. Based on various concrete mix proportion designs, six concrete groups were selected to test. The shrinkage performance tests were conducted according to the specifications, and early crack resistance tests were also carried out. In addition, the crack development characteristics of concrete with different mix proportions were compared and analyzed, and the impermeability, frost resistance, and carbonation resistance tests were conducted. The test results show that concrete’s long-term performance and durability can be effectively improved by adopting the functional gradient concrete design. The functional gradient concrete adds an anti-freezing polycarboxylate superplasticizer, steel fiber, and polypropylene fiber. Therefore, it can better meet the actual needs of mass concrete structures in cold regions. The drying and autogenous shrinkage rates of mass concrete structures mixed with a composite water reducer were significantly reduced. As a result, this method effectively improved the microporous structure, reduced the loss of dynamic elastic modulus, and improved the anti-freezing performance of concrete of various strength grades. Furthermore, adding steel-like fiber and monofilament polypropylene fiber to the concrete outside the structure can improve the crack resistance of concrete and effectively inhibit the occurrence and development of dry shrinkage and early cracks. Therefore, it can better meet the actual needs of mass concrete structures in cold areas

Durability Investigation of Fiber-Reinforced Functionally Graded Concretes in Cold Regions

Introducing the differential design concept of functional gradient into mass concrete structures is a feasible design concept that can meet the requirement of crack resistance and internal hydration heat reduction for mass concrete in cold regions. This study analyzed functionally graded concrete’s long-term performance and durability behavior through experimental tests. Based on various concrete mix proportion designs, six concrete groups were selected to test. The shrinkage performance tests were conducted according to the specifications, and early crack resistance tests were also carried out. In addition, the crack development characteristics of concrete with different mix proportions were compared and analyzed, and the impermeability, frost resistance, and carbonation resistance tests were conducted. The test results show that concrete’s long-term performance and durability can be effectively improved by adopting the functional gradient concrete design. The functional gradient concrete adds an anti-freezing polycarboxylate superplasticizer, steel fiber, and polypropylene fiber. Therefore, it can better meet the actual needs of mass concrete structures in cold regions. The drying and autogenous shrinkage rates of mass concrete structures mixed with a composite water reducer were significantly reduced. As a result, this method effectively improved the microporous structure, reduced the loss of dynamic elastic modulus, and improved the anti-freezing performance of concrete of various strength grades. Furthermore, adding steel-like fiber and monofilament polypropylene fiber to the concrete outside the structure can improve the crack resistance of concrete and effectively inhibit the occurrence and development of dry shrinkage and early cracks. Therefore, it can better meet the actual needs of mass concrete structures in cold areas

Improved Fecundity in Northern China: A Secular Trend from 1980 to 2003.

This study aimed to assess the trend of human fecundity over time in China.This retrospective study was conducted in Tongliao, China. Couples who were married during the time period between January 1, 1981 and December 31, 2003 were considered eligible for this study. A total of 27,413 individuals provided valid information via house-to-house interviews. The 12-month cumulative pregnancy rate (CPR) and annual percentage change were used as the outcome measurements.There was a significant increase in the CPR over the five successive time groups. A break point in 1988 divided the entire study period into two distinct segments: 1981-1988, during which the CPR increased from 72.2% to 84.2%, and 1988-2003, during which the CPR increased from 84.2% to 87.2%.The findings were unlikely to be the result of biases, and could not be explained by increased medical treatment for infertility and changes in the prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases. Dramatic societal and behavioral changes due to the unique family planning policy and economic reform policies in China might have been the plausible reason for the results

Complex patterns of past and ongoing crustal deformations in Southern California revealed by seismic azimuthal anisotropy

We present a high-resolution P-wave azimuthally anisotropic velocity model for the upper and middle crust beneath southern California by a novel adjoint-state traveltime tomography technique. Our model reveals significant anisotropy variations between tectonic blocks that clearly reflect both past and current plate boundary deformation. In the shallow crust, seismic anisotropy is mostly controlled by the preferred alignment of microcracks related to the present N-S compressive stress; while at deeper depths (> ∼6 km), seismic anisotropy mainly records paleofabrics formed during the long-lived Farallon subduction and later extension that have not been fully reset by the present transform motion. Interestingly, our model demonstrates distinct fast axes beneath the western Transverse Ranges from its neighboring blocks, probably reflecting the large-scale vertical axis clockwise rotation of the block. In addition, we identify layered structures with distinct anisotropy features beneath the Salton Trough, which could be a result of the current transtension.Ministry of Education (MOE)National Research Foundation (NRF)Submitted/Accepted versionThis study was founded by the National Research Foundation Singapore and the Singapore Ministry of Education under the Research Centers of Excellence Initiative (04MNS001913A620 and 04MNS001953A620). PT was also supported by MOE AcRF Tier-2 (04MNP002073C230) and Tier-1 Grant (04MNP000559C230)

Comparison of Different Methods for RNA Extraction from Floral Buds of Tree Peony (<i>Paeonia suffruticosa</i> Andr.)

Tree peony (Paeonia suffruticosa Andr.), a species native to China, is one of the most important ornamental and medicinal plants. Like other tree species in temperate and boreal zones, the dormancy-activity transition of floral buds is critical for blooming time and fruit production. However, floral buds contain high levels of secondary metabolites, making the isolation of high quality RNA difficult. To obtain a method suitable for extracting RNA from floral buds of tree peony, we evaluated five different methods, including the cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-based methods, a modified SDS-TRNzol protocol, and two commercial kits (TRNzol and Qiagen RNeasy Plant Mini Kit). The modified SDS-TRNzol method was capable of efficiently removing polyphenols and other metabolites in floral buds. The isolated RNA was of high purity and integrity, as demonstrated by the the A260/280 ratio of approximately 2.0, and RIN values of more than 9.0. Gel electrophoresis analysis indicated that the extracted RNA had clear 28S and 18S ribosomal RNA bands without DNA contamination. The RNA isolated by this protocol was successfully used for downstream manipulations, such as RT-PCR, RACE, and real-time PCR. Together, the modified SDS-TRNzol protocol is an easy, efficient, and highly reproducible method for RNA isolation from floral buds rich in secondary metabolites