Driving Factors and Feasibility Analysis: China–Mongolia Collaboration on Climate Change under the Belt and Road Initiative Framework

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) offers great opportunities for China and Mongolia to collaborate on tackling climate change. However, few studies have focused on China–Mongolia collaboration on climate change under the BRI’s sustainable development framework; in particular, studies have neglected the factors and feasibility of collaboration. Focusing on China and Mongolia, this study first discusses the evolution of legislation in China and Mongolia in the context of dealing with climate change and then explores the factors that influence China–Mongolia collaboration on climate change mitigation from the perspectives of climate environmental governance and energy development at the domestic level. Subsequently, the paper analyzes the Paris Agreement to identify international factors that can influence climate change cooperation between the two countries. Finally, based on the results of this analysis, this paper identifies geopolitical relations, the energy supply, technology and investment, and the demand for a transition to sustainable development as the main driving forces for China and Mongolia to collaborate on climate change mitigation under the BRI. Finally, the paper concludes that collaboration between the two countries is highly feasible

Molecular diversity and functional dynamics in the central amygdala

The central amygdala (CeA) is crucial in integrating sensory and associative information to mediate adaptive responses to emotional stimuli. Recent advances in genetic techniques like optogenetics and chemogenetics have deepened our understanding of distinct neuronal populations within the CeA, particularly those involved in fear learning and memory consolidation. However, challenges remain due to overlapping genetic markers complicating neuron identification. Furthermore, a comprehensive understanding of molecularly defined cell types and their projection patterns, which are essential for elucidating functional roles, is still developing. Recent advancements in transcriptomics are starting to bridge these gaps, offering new insights into the functional dynamics of CeA neurons. In this review, we provide an overview of the expanding genetic markers for amygdala research, encompassing recent developments and current trends. We also discuss how novel transcriptomic approaches are redefining cell types in the CeA and setting the stage for comprehensive functional studies

Evolution of Hepatitis B Virus in a Chronic HBV-Infected Patient over 2 Years

Mutations in full-length HBV isolates obtained from a chronic HBV-infected patient were evaluated at three time points: 1 day, 6 months, and 31 months. While 5 nucleotides variation, and an 18 bp deletion of preS1 have been kept in during at least the first two years, C339T mutation occurring in the hydrophilic region of HBsAg and T770C that caused polymerase V560A substitution were the new point mutations found existing in sequenced clones of the 3rd time point. Internal deletion of coding region obviously appeared in the 3rd time point. The splicers included two new 5′-splice donors and three new 3′-splice acceptors besides the reported donors and acceptors and may have produced presumptive HBV-spliced proteins or truncated preS proteins. ALT, HBeAg and viral DNA load varied during the follow-up years. These data demonstrated the diversity of genomes in HBV-infected patient during evolution. Combined with clinical data, the HBV variants discovered in this patient may contribute to viral persistence of infection or liver pathogenesis

ROS release by PPARβ/δ-null fibroblasts reduces tumor load through epithelial antioxidant response.

Tumor stroma has an active role in the initiation, growth, and propagation of many tumor types by secreting growth factors and modulating redox status of the microenvironment. Although PPARβ/δ in fibroblasts was shown to modulate oxidative stress in the wound microenvironment, there has been no evidence of a similar effect in the tumor stroma. Here, we present evidence of oxidative stress modulation by intestinal stromal PPARβ/δ, using a FSPCre-Pparb/d <sup>-/-</sup> mouse model and validated it with immortalized cell lines. The FSPCre-Pparb/d <sup>-/-</sup> mice developed fewer intestinal polyps and survived longer when compared with Pparb/d <sup>fl/fl</sup> mice. The pre-treatment of FSPCre-Pparb/d <sup>-/-</sup> and Pparb/d <sup>fl/fl</sup> with antioxidant N-acetyl-cysteine prior DSS-induced tumorigenesis resulted in lower tumor load. Gene expression analyses implicated an altered oxidative stress processes. Indeed, the FSPCre-Pparb/d <sup>-/-</sup> intestinal tumors have reduced oxidative stress than Pparb/d <sup>fl/fl</sup> tumors. Similarly, the colorectal cancer cells and human colon epithelial cells also experienced lower oxidative stress when co-cultured with fibroblasts depleted of PPARβ/δ expression. Therefore, our results establish a role for fibroblast PPARβ/δ in epithelial-mesenchymal communication for ROS homeostasis

Semiconducting Metal Oxide Based Sensors for Selective Gas Pollutant Detection

A review of some papers published in the last fifty years that focus on the semiconducting metal oxide (SMO) based sensors for the selective and sensitive detection of various environmental pollutants is presented

Rising China’s Multipolar Diplomacy towards Latin America and the Caribbean: Challenges Ahead

Rising China has become an important promoter of changes for Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) since the late of 1990s, and it continues on doing so particularly after the global recession in 2008. From the Chinese perspective the world is in an irreversible transition towards ‘multipolarity’, and LAC is not an exception. In this regard, this article makes a comprehensive analysis of the recent China’s engagement with LAC and examination of China’s diplomacy in LAC, studies the case of China’s relationship with Venezuela, and claims that besides the opportunities, complexities and challenges existing in China’s multipolar diplomacy towards LAC in general. The expected result is to have a representative picture of these interactions of the countries involved, and grasp how to develop better relationship between LAC and China based on the multipolar diplomacy.China se ha convertido en actor promotor de cambios en Latinoamérica y el Caribe desde finales de los años noventa y ha tomado un papel más significativo en esta región sobre todo después de la recesión económica en 2008. Desde el punto de vista de la nación asiática el mundo se encuentra en una transición irreversible hacia un orden multipolar y Latinoamérica es parte de este proceso. Este artículo hace un análisis del reciente involucramiento de China con países de la región, la diplomacia que se ha implementado, así como se detiene a examinar con mayor detalle la relación que existe con Venezuela, de la misma manera asevera que la presencia de China ha traído oportunidades, complejidades y retos para el área, pero también podríamos estar hablando de la transición de Latinoamérica y el Caribe hacia un mundo multipolar.   El resultado esperado es tener una mejor fotografía de estas interacciones e interpretar las posibles direcciones en que los acontecimientos están guiando

Toward Intraoperative Breast Endomicroscopy With a Novel Surface-Scanning Device

New optical biopsy methods such as confocal endomicroscopy represent a promising tool for breast conserving surgery, allowing real-time assessment of tumor margins. However, it remains difficult to scan over a large surface area because of the small field-of-view. This paper presents a novel robotic instrument to perform automated scanning with a fiber bundle endomicroscope probe to expand the effective imaging area. The device uses a rigid concentric tube scanning mechanism to facilitate large-area mosaicking. It has a compact design with a diameter of 6 mm, incorporating a central channel with a diameter of 3 mm for passing through a fiber bundle probe. A bespoke bearing, an inflated balloon, and a passive linear structure are used to control image rotation and ensure consistent tool-tissue contact. Experimental results show that the device is able to scan a spiral trajectory over a large hemispherical surface. Detailed performance evaluation was performed and the bending angle ranges from -90° to 90° with high repeatability and minimal rotational hysteresis errors. The device has also been validated with breast phantom and ex vivo human breast tissue, demonstrating the potential clinical value of the system

Pelvic Congestion Syndrome – Findings on Multi-Detector Row Computerized Tomography: A Case Report

Chronic pelvic pain is a common gynecologic complaint, sometimes without any obvious etiology. We report a case of pelvic congestion syndrome with chronic pelvic pain. The diagnosis can be overlooked by clinical physicians but diagnosed using multi-detector row computerized tomography. This method seems to be an effective and non-invasive imaging modality

Development of a large area scanner for intraoperative breast endomicroscopy

Recent work on probe-based confocal endomicroscopy has demonstrated its potential role for real-time assessment of tumour margins during breast conserving surgery. However, endomicroscope probes tend to have a very small field-of-view, making surveillance of large areas of tissue difficult, and limiting practical clinical deployment. In this paper, a new robotic device for controlled, large area scanning based on a fibre bundle endomicroscope probe is proposed. The prototype uses a 2-DOF mechanism (-90 to +90 degrees bending on one axis, 360 degrees of rotation on a second axis) as well as a passive linear structure to conform to undulating surfaces. Both axes are driven by brushless DC servo motors with computer control, thus facilitating large field-of-view mosaicing. Experimental results have shown good repeatability and low hysteresis of the device, which is able to scan different surface trajectories (e.g. a spiral pattern over a hemi-spherical surface) with consistent tissue contact. Ex vivo human breast tissue results are demonstrated, illustrating a viable scanning approach for breast endomicroscopy