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Background: Sepsis, a critical infectious disease, is intricately linked to the dysfunction of the intracellular Golgi apparatus. This study aims to explore the relationship between sepsis and the Golgi apparatus using bioinformatics, offering fresh insights into its diagnosis and treatment. Methods: To explore the role of Golgi-related genes in sepsis, we analyzed mRNA expression profiles from the NCBI GEO database. We identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs). These DEGs, Golgi-associated genes obtained from the MSigDB database, and key modules identified through WGCNA were intersected to determine Golgi-associated differentially expressed genes (GARGs) linked to sepsis. Subsequently, functional enrichment analyses, including GO, KEGG, and GSEA, were performed to explore the biological significance of the GARGs.A PPI network was constructed to identify core genes, and immune infiltration analysis was performed using the ssGSEA algorithm. To further evaluate immune microenvironmental features, unsupervised clustering was applied to identify immunological subgroups. A diagnostic model was developed using logistic regression, and its performance was validated using ROC curve analysis. Finally, key diagnostic biomarkers were identified and validated across multiple datasets to confirm their diagnostic accuracy. Results: By intersecting DEGs, WGCNA modules, and Golgi-related gene sets, 53 overlapping GARGs were identified. Functional enrichment analysis indicated that these GARGs were predominantly involved in protein glycosylation and Golgi membrane-related processes. PPI analysis further identified eight hub genes: B3GNT5, FUT11, MFNG, ST3GAL5, MAN1C1, ST6GAL1, C1GALT1C1, and GALNT14. Immune infiltration analysis revealed significant differences in immune cell populations, mainly activated dendritic cells, and effector memory CD8+ T cells, between sepsis patients and healthy controls. A diagnostic model constructed using five pivotal genes (B3GNT5, FUT11, MAN1C1, ST6GAL1, and C1GALT1C1) exhibited predictive accuracy, with AUC values exceeding 0.96 for all genes. Validation with an independent dataset confirmed the differential expression patterns of B3GNT5, C1GALT1C1, and GALNT14, reinforcing their potential as robust diagnostic biomarkers for sepsis. Conclusion: This study elucidates the link between sepsis and the Golgi apparatus, introduces novel biomarkers for sepsis diagnosis, and offers valuable insights for future research on its pathogenesis and treatment strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diversified soil microbiomes are the key drivers of carbon fixation and plant residue decomposition in forest ecosystems. Revealing the elevation patterns of soil microbial carbon cycling in forests is essential for utilization of forest ecological resources. However, the soil microbial diversity and carbon cycle processes in Platycladus orientalis plantations across different elevations are still unclear. Here, we established a gradient with three elevations (118 m, 300 m, and 505 m) on the Beijing Ming Dynasty Tombs Forest Farm, which is located in Changping District, Beijing. The metagenomics method was applied to study the soil microbiome, with a special focus on the carbon cycle process at each elevation. We found the diversity and composition of the soil microbiomes significantly varied across the elevation gradients. The structure of bacteria and archaea was mainly driven by soil total potassium, pH and NH4+, but the eukaryota had no significant relationship with the environmental factors. The relative abundance of genes involved in microbial carbon fixation and decomposition of organic carbon were also significantly impacted by elevation, with the former showing increasing, u-shaped, or hump trends with increasing elevation, but the latter only showing hump trends. The rTCA cycle and 3-hydroxypropionate pathway were the dominant carbon fixation pathways in the Platycladus orientalis plantations. The elevation gradient shaped the microbial decomposition of plant-derived organic carbon by changing soil properties and, furthermore, led to soil organic carbon stock losses. These findings increase our understanding of soil microbial diversity and the carbon cycle across different elevations and provide a theoretical basis for the utilization of forest ecological resources to promote carbon sequestration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To study the influence of polypropylene (PP) fibers and glass fibers on the frost resistance of desert sand concrete (DSC), the fast-freezing tests were carried out to investigate the freeze-thaw damage law using the apparent damage, mass loss, and relative dynamic elastic modulus as indicators; Based on the mercury intrusion method (MIP) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the microstructure evolution was analyzed to reveal the mechanism of fiber frost resistance enhancement. Fit the freeze-thaw damage process of fiber reinforced DSC (FRDSC) and predict the frost resistance life. The results show that fibers can greatly improve the freezing resistance of DSC. The hybrid fiber had the highest enhancing effect, followed by PP fiber and glass fiber. The dynamic elastic modulus of the DSC with 0.15% PP fiber and 0.05% glass fiber is as high as 95%. The pore distribution ratio of FRDSC changes faster, but it is still better than that of reference DSC after freeze-thaw. PP fiber and glass fiber can play a full role in the micro and macro stages of crack development of DSC respectively. The freeze-thaw damage model has high fitting accuracy and the DSC mixed with fibers can significantly improve the service life of buildings in northern China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to improve the performance of desert sand concrete, polypropylene fiber (PF) and glass fiber (GF) were used to prepare desert sand concrete (DSC) with different fiber and volume content, and the basic mechanical properties, such as cube compressive, tensile and flexural strengths, were tested and studied. Based on the mercury injection method (MIP) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the evolution of pore structure and interface structure was analyzed. The mechanism of fiber toughening was revealed at the microscopic level. The results show that the slump of DSC decreases with the increase in fiber content. The slump of glass-fiber-reinforced DSC (GFRDSC) is smaller than that of polypropylene-fiber-reinforced DSC (PFRDSC). The strength enhancement of DSC by fibers is in the order of flexural strength > split tensile strength > compressive strength. The flexural strength of hybrid-fiber-reinforced DSC (HyFRDSC) (0.1% PF + 0.1% GF) is increased by 40.7%. Meanwhile, fibers can improve the toughness of DSC. The MIP results show that the porosity of HyFRDSC decreased by 50.01%, and the addition of fiber can effectively refine the large pore size. The SEM results show that the incorporation of PF and GF causes the formation of a uniform and dense structure between the fibers, cement and aggregate. The two can give full play to the crack-resisting and toughening effect in different loading stages, thus improving the macromechanical properties of DSC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Methomyl is a broad-spectrum carbamate insecticide that has a variety of toxic effects on humans and animals. However, there have been no studies on the toxicity of methomyl in female mammalian oocytes. This study investigated the toxic effects of environmental oestrogen methomyl exposure on mouse oocyte maturation and its possible mechanisms. Our results indicated that methomyl exposure inhibited polar body extrusion in mouse oocytes. Compared with that in the control group, in the methomyl treatment group, superoxide anion free radicals in oocytes were significantly increased. In addition, the mitochondrial membrane potential of metaphase II stage oocytes in the methomyl treatment group was significantly decreased, resulting in reduced mouse oocyte quality. After 8.5 h of exposure to methomyl, metaphase I stage mouse oocytes displayed an abnormal spindle morphology. mRNA expression of the pro-apoptotic genes Bax and Caspase-3 in methomyl-treated oocytes increased, which confirmed the apoptosis. Collectively, our results indicated that mouse oocyte maturation is defective after methomyl treatment at least through disruption of spindle morphology, mitochondrial function and by induction of oxidative stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ciliated protists are among the oldest unicellular organisms with a heterotrophic lifestyle and share a common ancestor with Plantae. Unlike any other eukaryotes, there are two distinct nuclei in ciliates with separate germline and somatic cell functions. Here, we assembled a near-complete macronuclear genome of Fabrea salina , which belongs to one of the oldest clades of ciliates. Its extremely minimized genome (18.35 Mb) is the smallest among all free-living heterotrophic eukaryotes and exhibits typical streamlined genomic features, including high gene density, tiny introns, and shrinkage of gene paralogs. Gene families involved in hypersaline stress resistance, DNA replication proteins, and mitochondrial biogenesis are expanded, and the accumulation of phosphatidic acid may play an important role in resistance to high osmotic pressure. We further investigated the morphological and transcriptomic changes in the macronucleus during sexual reproduction and highlighted the potential contribution of macronuclear residuals to this process. We believe that the minimized genome generated in this study provides novel insights into the genome streamlining theory and will be an ideal model to study the evolution of eukaryotic heterotrophs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vascular calcification is the transformation of arterial wall mesenchymal cells, particularly smooth muscle cells (SMCs), into osteoblast phenotypes by various pathological factors. Additionally, vascular transformation mediates the abnormal deposition of calcium salts in the vascular wall, such as intimal and media calcification. Various pathological types have been described, such as calcification and valve calcification. The incidence of vascular calcification in patients with diabetes is much higher than that in nondiabetic patients, representing a critical cause of cardiovascular events in patients with diabetes. Because basic research on the clinical transformation of vascular calcification has yet to be conducted, this study systematically expounds on the risk factors for vascular calcification, vascular bed differences, sex differences, ethnic differences, diagnosis, severity assessments, and treatments to facilitate the identification of a new entry point for basic research and subsequent clinical transformation regarding vascular calcification and corresponding clinical evaluation strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The heterodinuclear silver tetracarbonyl-iron anion was generated in the gas phase and studied by joint photoelectron velocity map imaging spectroscopy and quantum chemical calculations. The AgFe(CO)4− anion is characterized to be an 18-electron complex with the silver atom covalently bonded to the anionic tetracarbonyl-iron, an isolobal analogue of the methyl radical. The bonding analyses using a range of state-of-the-art quantum chemistry methods revealed a peculiar decentralized bonding situation, where the silver atom is covalently bonded to both the iron center and the vicinal carbon atoms in the form of an electron-sharing σ bond. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To develop and validate a radiomics predictive model based on multiparameter MR imaging features and clinical features to predict lymph node metastasis (LNM) in patients with cervical cancer. Material and Methods: A total of 168 consecutive patients with cervical cancer from two centers were enrolled in our retrospective study. A total of 3,930 imaging features were extracted from T2-weighted (T2W), ADC, and contrast-enhanced T1-weighted (cT1W) images for each patient. Four-step procedures, mainly minimum redundancy maximum relevance (MRMR) and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression, were applied for feature selection and radiomics signature building in the training set from center I (n = 115). Combining clinical risk factors, a radiomics nomogram was then constructed. The models were then validated in the external validation set comprising 53 patients from center II. The predictive performance was determined by its calibration, discrimination, and clinical usefulness. Results: The radiomics signature derived from the combination of T2W, ADC, and cT1W images, composed of six LN-status-related features, was significantly associated with LNM and showed better predictive performance than signatures derived from either of them alone in both sets. Encouragingly, the radiomics signature also showed good discrimination in the MRI-reported LN-negative subgroup, with AUC of 0.825 (95% CI: 0.732–0.919). The radiomics nomogram that incorporated radiomics signature and MRI-reported LN status also showed good calibration and discrimination in both sets, with AUCs of 0.865 (95% CI: 0.794–0.936) and 0.861 (95% CI: 0.733–0.990), respectively. Decision curve analysis confirmed its clinical usefulness. Conclusion: The proposed MRI-based radiomics nomogram has good performance for predicting LN metastasis in cervical cancer and may be useful for improving clinical decision making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The role of angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) as a key player in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) complicated with hypertension remains controversial. The present case-control study systematically investigated the association between gene the correct variation type in the angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) gene and type 2 diabetes mellitus complicated with hypertension in the Han population from the Inner Mongolia region, China. Method: Here, state which variants were analysis, including age, occupation, triglyceride, systolic, diastolic, sex, culture, marital status, smoking, alcohol, BMI (body mass index), SBP (systolic blood pressure), DBP (diastolic blood pressure), TG (triglyceride), TC (total cholesterol), HDL-C (high-density lipoprotein cholesterol), LDL-C (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol), FPG (fasting plasma glucose). Genomic DNA was extracted from samples from 202 type 2 diabetic patients with hypertension and 216 type 2 diabetic patients without hypertension. Results: Non-conditional regression analysis showed that in comparison with the TT genotype, the presence of the CC genotype for the T573 site of the AT1R gene increased the risk for diabetes mellitus complicated with hypertension by 3.219-fold (OR = 3.219, 95% CI: 1.042–9.941, P = 0.042). The results from multivariate linear regression analysis suggested the rs5182 polymorphism in the AT1R gene to be associated with diastolic blood pressure (P = 0.032). No other associations were found between the incidence of disease and the correct variation type at other sites of the AT1R gene. Conclusions: Our results suggest that the rs5182 polymorphism in the AT1R gene is associated with diabetes complicated by hypertension in the Han population of Inner Mongolia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ciliated protists (ciliates) are widely used for investigating evolution, mostly due to their successful radiation after their early evolutionary branching. In this study, we employed high-throughput sequencing technology to reveal the phylogenetic position of Synhymenia, as well as two classes Nassophorea and Phyllopharyngea, which have been a long-standing puzzle in the field of ciliate systematics and evolution. We obtained genomic and transcriptomic data from single cells of one synhymenian (Chilodontopsis depressa) and six other species of phyllopharyngeans (Chilodochona sp., Dysteria derouxi , Hartmannula sinica , Trithigmostoma cucullulus , Trochilia petrani , and Trochilia sp.). Phylogenomic analysis based on 157 orthologous genes comprising 173,835 amino acid residues revealed the affiliation of C. depressa within the class Phyllopharyngea, and the monophyly of Nassophorea, which strongly support the assignment of Synhymenia as a subclass within the class Phyllopharyngea. Comparative genomic analyses further revealed that C. depressa shares more orthologous genes with the class Nassophorea than with Phyllopharyngea, and the stop codon usage in C. depressa resembles that of Phyllopharyngea. Functional enrichment analysis demonstrated that biological pathways in C. depressa are more similar to Phyllopharyngea than Nassophorea. These results suggest that genomic and transcriptomic data can be used to provide insights into the evolutionary relationships within the "Nassophorea–Synhymenia–Phyllopharyngea" assemblage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rechargeable Li-O2 batteries have aroused wide concern due to the theoretically high value for specific energy density. However, exploring suitable catalysts holds the key to their development and commercialization. In this work, unprecedented waxberry-like hierarchical NiCo2O4 (NCO) nanorods deposited on carbon microspheres (CMs) (NCO@CMs) were synthesized by a hydrothermal method and heat treatment. When applied as the cathode catalysts, the Li-O2 batteries with NCO@CMs show a high initial discharge capacity of 6489.5 mAh g−1 and predominant coulombic efficiency of 93.7% at a current density of 200 mAg−1. Meanwhile, significantly prolonged cycle lifespan (over 90 cycles with a cutoff capacity of 1000 mAh g−1) and stable platforms have been maintained in the charge/discharge process. The improved electrochemical performance is attributed to the unique spatial structure of NCO@CMs which is favorable for the transport of Li+ and oxygen and provides more space for the deposition and dissolution of discharged products. The combination of the carbon base and the NCO nanorods can guarantee high conductivity and retain the structural integrity of the catalyst during the cycle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three-dimensional mesoporous boron-doped carbon microspheres (B-CMs) were synthesized through a facile impregnation-calcination method. The B atoms introduced plentiful defects into the surfaces of CMs and were mainly presented in the form of boron carbide, which increases the specific surface area of the composite material and endows it with enhanced catalytic activity. A rechargeable aluminum (Al-)-air battery with B-CMs catalysts exhibited low overpotentials and its effective discharge capacity reached 300 mAh g−1 at the current density of 50 mA g−1. The capacity of Al-air battery was maintained at 584 mAh g−1 after 30 cycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current therapies for Parkinson's disease (PD) only offer limited symptomatic alleviation but fail to hamper the progress of the disease. Thus, it is imperative to establish new approaches aiming at protecting or reversing neurodegeneration in PD. Recent work elucidates whether smilagenin (abbreviated SMI), a steroidal sapogenin from traditional Chinese medicinal herbs, can take neuroprotective effect on dopaminergic neurons in a chronic model of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) conjuncted with probenecid mice. We reported for the first time that SMI significantly improved the locomotor ability of chronic MPTP/probenecid–lesioned mice. SMI increased the tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) positive and Nissl positive neuron number in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc), augmented striatal DA and its metabolites concentration and elevated striatal dopamine transporter density (DAT). In addition, dopamine receptor D2R not D1R was down-regulated by MPTP/probenecid and slightly raised by SMI prevention. What's more, we discovered that SMI markedly elevated striatal glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) protein levels in SMI prevented mice. And we found that SMI increased GDNF and BDNF mRNA level by promoting CREB phosphorylation in 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridimium (MPP+) treated SH-SY5Y cells. The results illustrated that SMI could prevent the impairment of dopaminergic neurons in chronic MPTP/probenecid-induced mouse model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the main type of dementia and is characterized by progressive memory loss and a notable decrease in cholinergic neuron activity. As classic drugs currently used in the clinic, acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEIs) restore acetylcholine levels and relieve the symptoms of AD, but are insufficient at delaying the onset of AD. Based on the multi-target-directed ligand (MTDL) strategy, bis-(-)-nor-meptazinol (BIS-MEP) was developed as a multi-target AChEI that mainly targets AChE catalysis and the β-amyloid (Aβ) aggregation process. In this study, we bilaterally injected Aβ oligomers and ibotenic acid (IBO) into the hippocampus of ICR mice and then subcutaneously injected mice with BIS-MEP to investigate its therapeutic effects and underlying mechanisms. According to the results from the Morris water maze test, BIS-MEP significantly improved the spatial learning and memory impairments in AD model mice. Compared with the vehicle control, the BIS-MEP treatment obviously inhibited the AChE activity in the mouse brain, consistent with the findings from the behavioral tests. The BIS-MEP treatment also significantly reduced the Aβ plaque area in both the hippocampus and cortex, suggesting that BIS-MEP represents a direct intervention for AD pathology. Additionally, the immunohistochemistry and ELISA results revealed that microglia (ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1, IBA1) and astrocyte (Glial fibrillary acidic protein, GFAP) activation and the secretion of relevant inflammatory factors (TNFα and IL-6) induced by Aβ were decreased by the BIS-MEP treatment. Furthermore, BIS-MEP showed more advantages than donepezil (an approved AChEI) as an Aβ intervention. Based on our findings, BIS-MEP improved spatial learning and memory deficits in AD mice by regulating acetylcholinesterase activity, Aβ deposition and the inflammatory response in the brain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Because of their important roles in cellular functions, life activities, drug screening, and disease treatment, the development of efficient methods for monitoring protein-ligand interaction is essential. In this study, inspired by our previous studies on DNA conformation-selective fluorescent indicators, we developed a new sensing platform for monitoring protein-ligand interaction and detecting protein activity based on binding-mediated DNA protection and the dsDNA-lighted fluorophore, ethyl-4-[3,6-bis (1-methyl-4-vinylpyridium iodine)-9H-carbazol-9-yl)] butanoate (EBCB). The ligand was purposefully linked to the 3ʹ-terminal of a hairpin DNA probe to selectively bind with the target protein and protect the DNA from cleavage by exonuclease III. By virtue of EBCB's outstanding capacity to discriminate DNA conformation, the protein-ligand interaction could be effectively monitored through a fluorescence change in EBCB. A high fluorescence signal was detected when the hairpin DNA was protected in the presence of the target protein, whereas a much lower signal was observed in the presence of nontarget proteins. Our results demonstrated that the proposed strategy had high potential, such as high selectivity and relatively high sensitivity, for monitoring protein-ligand interaction and detecting protein activity. We believe these results will pave the way for applying dsDNA-lighted fluorophore EBCB as an effective signal transducer for DNA conformation transformation-mediated biochemical sensing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accumulation of extracellular β-amyloid (Aβ) is crucial for the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and the development of novel therapeutic agents that can both accelerate Aβ clearance and inhibit the subsequent pathological cascades is regarded as a promising strategy for AD management. In our previous study, we have constructed discoidal apolipoprotein E3-reconstituted high-density lipoprotein (ApoE3-rHDL) as an efficient nanoplatform that can penetrate the blood-brain barrier and accelerate Aβ clearance for a combination treatment of AD. To further improve its drug loading capacity, we hypothesized that spherical rHDL might serve as a more powerful nanocarrier if it has the same brain delivery and Aβ clearance abilities as the discoidal rHDL does. To evaluate the potential of spherical rHDL as a promising alternative for the combination therapy for AD, here, we investigated the effect of the shape of rHDL on its brain delivery, Aβ clearance, and anti-AD efficacy. We found that spherical rHDL had stronger Aβ-binding affinity than discoidal rHDL did, more effectively facilitated microglial uptake and degradation of Aβ1-42, achieved better brain distribution after intravenous administration, and more powerfully reduced Aβ deposition, decreased microglia activation, attenuated neurological damage, and rescued memory deficits in a mouse model of AD. Among the rHDLs evaluated, monosialotetrahexosyl ganglioside-incorporated spherical rHDL exerted the best effect. The findings of this study for the first time show a shape effect of an rHDL nanocarrier on its biological functions and suggest that a spherical lipoprotein-mimic nanocarrier may serve as a more efficient multifunctional nanoplatform for AD therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rate of bystander CPR is much lower in China than in developed countries. This survey was implemented to assess the current status of layperson CPR training, to analyze the willingness of bystanders to perform CPR, and to identify barriers to improving bystander CPR rates. The questionnaire included individual information, current status of bystander CPR training, and individual’s willingness and attitude towards performing CPR. There were 25.6% laypersons who took CPR training. The majority (98.6%) of laypersons would perform CPR on their family members, but fewer laypersons (76.3%) were willing to perform CPR on strangers. Most respondents (53.2%) were worried about legal issues. If laws were implemented to protect bystanders who give aid, the number of laypersons who were not willing to perform CPR on strangers dropped from 23.7% to 2.4%. An increasing number of people in China know CPR compared with the situation in the past. CPR training in China is much less common than in many developed countries. The barriers are that laypersons are not well-trained and they fear being prosecuted for unsuccessful CPR. More accredited CPR training courses are needed in China. The laws should be passed to protect bystanders who provide assistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the feasibility of using Spectral CT imaging with low contrast medium in abdominal CT angiography (CTA).Subjects and Methods: 70 consecutive patients (40 men, 42.6 ± 20.4 years; 30 women, 46.7 ± 18.8 years) with suspected abdominal focal lesions were referred to CTA exam. They were randomly assigned into two groups. Group A: 35 patients underwent conventional CT scan of Tube voltage 120 kVp, automatic current modulation with a Noise Index of 12, ASIR 30%, and injected with Iohexol (350 mgI/ml). Group B: 35 patients underwent Spectral CT Imaging, with Tube current of 600 mA, injected with Iodixanol (270 mgI/ml). The optimal mono-energy keV was achieved using the optimal contrast noise ratio in abdominal aorta at the renal artery level relative to the erector spine muscle. Both groups were injected with an injection rate of 3.5 ml/s, and a contrast volume of 1.5 ml/kg body weight. The Hounsfield units (HU) and noise of the bilateral renal arteries and muscle of both groups, as well as the optimal monochromatic image set of Group B were measured. Two radiologists assessed all images with a 5-points scale. CTDIvol and DLP were recorded. Data were analyzed using student t test.Results: The total iodine intake of Group B was 28% lower than that of Group A. The CNR of abdomen artery, celiac trunk, superior mesenteric artery, and renal artery in spectral group (at the best mono-energy of 53.0 keV) were higher than those in conventional CTA group (p < 0.001). The subjective image quality score of spectral CTA group was also rated higher than conventional CTA group (p < 0.001). CTDIvol, DLP, and effective dose of spectral group were all lower than conventional group, but there were no significant differences (p > 0.05).Conclusion: With 28% contrast medium reduction and reduced radiation dose, CT angiography using spectral imaging and lower concentration contrast agent provided better image quality than conventional CTA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Procymidone is a widely used fungicide in the prevention and treatment of fungal diseases on many crops in China. Part of the procymidone will enter the soil during the application process. Procymidone may exhibit environmental behavior diversity in different soils. Therefore, it is extremely important to clarify the environmental behavior of procymidone in soil for its environmental safety evaluation. Here, the degradation, adsorption, and mobility behaviors of procymidone in four typical types of Chinese soil were investigated for the first time. The half-lives of procymidone in the soils ranged from 14.3 d to 24.1 d. The degradation rates of procymidone in the soils were promoted by organic matter content, moisture content, and microorganisms. Furthermore, the degradation of procymidone on the soil surface was promoted by light. The desorption rates of procymidone in laterite soil, yellow brown soil, black soil, and chestnut soil were 27.52 ± 0.85%, 16.22 ± 0.78%, 13.67 ± 1.29%, and 7.62 ± 0.06%, respectively, which were contrary to the adsorption ability. The mobility order of procymidone in the soils was: laterite soil > yellow brown soil > black soil > chestnut soil, with the Rf values of 0.28, 0.22, 0.18, and 0.16, respectively. Three degradation products of procymidone were identified by liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole/time-of-flight mass spectrometry, and the degradation pathway of procymidone in the soil was speculated. The results will provide a theoretical basis for the removal of procymidone in the soil environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: As an insulin-dependent disease, type 1 diabetes requires paying close attention to the glycemic control. Studies have shown that mobile health (mHealth) can improve the management of chronic diseases. However, the effectiveness of mHealth in controlling the glycemic control remains uncertain. The objective of this study was to carry out a systematic review and meta-analysis using the available literature reporting findings on mHealth interventions, which may improve the management of type 1 diabetes. Methods: We performed a systematic literature review of all studies in the PubMed, Web of Science, and EMbase databases that used mHealth (including mobile phones) in diabetes care and reported glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) values as a measure of glycemic control. The fixed effects model was used for this meta-analysis. Results: This study analyzed eight studies, which involved a total of 602 participants. In the meta-analysis, the fixed effects model showed a statistically significant decrease in the mean of HbA1c in the intervention group: − 0.25 (95% confidence interval: − 0.41, − 0.09; P = 0.003, I2 = 12%). Subgroup analyses indicated that the patient's age, the type of intervention, and the duration of the intervention influenced blood glucose control. Funnel plots showed no publication bias. Conclusions: Mobile health interventions may be effective among patients with type 1 diabetes. A significant reduction in HbA1c levels was associated with adult age, the use of a mobile application, and the long-term duration of the intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The intermediate-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channel KCa3.1 was recently shown to control the phenotype switch of reactive astrogliosis (RA) in Alzheimer's disease (AD).Methods: KCa3.1 channels expression and cell localization in the brains of AD patients and APP/PS1 mice model were measured by immunoblotting and immunostaining. APP/PS1 mice and KCa3.1-/-/APP/PS1 mice were subjected to Morris water maze test to evaluate the spatial memory deficits. Glia activation and neuron loss was measured by immunostaining. Fluo-4AM was used to measure cytosolic Ca2+ level in β-amyloid (Aβ) induced reactive astrocytes in vitro.Results: KCa3.1 expression was markedly associated with endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and unfolded protein response (UPR) in both Aβ-stimulated primary astrocytes and brain lysates of AD patients and APP/PS1 AD mice. The KCa3.1 channel was shown to regulate store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE) through an interaction with the Ca2+ channel Orai1 in primary astrocytes. Gene deletion or pharmacological blockade of KCa3.1 protected against SOCE-induced Ca2+ overload and ER stress via the protein kinase B (AKT) signaling pathway in astrocytes. Importantly, gene deletion or blockade of KCa3.1 restored AKT/mechanistic target of rapamycin signaling both in vivo and in vitro. Consistent with these in vitro data, expression levels of the ER stress markers 78-kDa glucose-regulated protein and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein homologous protein, as well as that of the RA marker glial fibrillary acidic protein were increased in APP/PS1 AD mouse model. Elimination of KCa3.1 in KCa3.1-/-/APP/PS1 mice corrected these abnormal responses. Moreover, glial activation and neuroinflammation were attenuated in the hippocampi of KCa3.1-/-/APP/PS1 mice, as compared with APP/PS1 mice. In addition, memory deficits and neuronal loss in APP/PS1 mice were reversed in KCa3.1-/-/APP/PS1 mice.Conclusions: Overall, these results suggest that KCa3.1 is involved in the regulation of Ca2+ homeostasis in astrocytes and attenuation of the UPR and ER stress, thus contributing to memory deficits and neuronal loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive and irreversible neurodegenerative brain disorder, which is the most common form of dementia. Intensive efforts have been made to find effective and safe treatment against AD. Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEIs) have been widely used for the treatment of mild to moderate AD. In this study, we investigated the effect of Bis(9)-(−)-Meptazinol (B9M), a novel potential dual-binding acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitor, on learning and memory abilities, as well as the underlying mechanism in the APP/PS1 mouse model of AD. Methods: B9M (0.1 μg/kg, 0.3 μg/kg, and 1 μg/kg) was administered by subcutaneous injection into eight-month-old APP/PS1 transgenic mice for four weeks. Morris water maze, nest-building and novel object recognition were used to examine learning and memory ability. Aβ levels and Aβ plaque were evaluated by ELISA and immunochemistry. Results: Our results showed that chronic treatment with B9M significantly improved the cognitive function of APP/PS1 transgenic mice in the Morris water maze test, nest-building test and novel object recognition test. Moreover, B9M improved cognitive deficits in APP/PS1 mice by a mechanism that may be associated with its inhibition of the AChE activity, Aβ plaque burden, levels of Aβ and the consequent activation of astrocytes and microglia in the brain of APP/PS1 transgenic mice. Most of important, the most effective dose of B9M in the present study is 1 μg/kg, which is one thousand of the dosage of Donepezil acted as the control treatment. Furthermore, B9M reduced Aβ plaque burden better than Donepezil. Conclusion: These results indicate that B9M appears to have potential as an effective AChE inhibitor for the treatment of AD with symptom-relieving and disease-modifying properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]