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Rivers play a pivotal role in global carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) biogeochemical cycles. Urbanized rivers are significant hotspots of greenhouse gases (GHGs, N 2 O, CO 2 and CH 4 ) emissions. This study examined the GHGs distributions in the Guanxun River, an effluents-receiving subtropical urbanized river, as well as the key environmental factors and processes affecting the pattern and emission characteristics of GHGs. Dissolved N 2 O, CO 2 , and CH 4 concentrations reached 228.0 nmol L -1 , 0.44 mmol L -1 , and 5.2 μmol L -1 during the wet period, and 929.8 nmol L -1 , 0.7 mmol L -1 , and 4.6 μmol L -1 during the dry period, respectively. Effluents inputs increased C and N loadings, reduced C/N ratios, and promoted further methanogenesis and N 2 O production dominated by incomplete denitrification after the outfall. Increased urbanization in the far downstream, high hydraulic residence time, low DO and high organic C environment promoted methanogenesis. The strong CH 4 oxidation and methanogenic reactions inhibited by the effluents combined to suppress CH 4 emissions in downstream near the outfall, and the process also contributed to CO 2 production. The carbon fixation downstream from the outfall were inhibited by effluents. Ultimately, it promoted CO 2 emissions downstream from the outfall. The continuous C, N, and chlorine inputs maintained the high saturation and production potential of GHGs, and altered microbial community structure and functional genes abundance. Ultimately, the global warming potential downstream increased by 186 % and 84 % during wet and dry periods on the 20-year scale, and increased by 91 % and 49 % during wet and dry periods on the 100-year scale, respectively, compared with upstream from the outfall. In urbanized rivers with sufficient C and N source supply from WWTP effluents, the large effluent equivalently transformed the natural water within the channel into a subsequent "reactor". Furthermore, the IPCC recommended EF 5r values appear to underestimate the N 2 O emission potential of urbanized rivers with high pollution loading that receiving WWTP effluents. The findings of this study might aid the development of effective strategies for mitigating global climate change., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Treatment for anorexia nervosa (AN) remains challenging; there are no approved psychopharmacological interventions and psychotherapeutic strategies have variable efficacy. The investigation of evidence-based treatments has so far been compounded by an underdeveloped understanding into the neurobiological changes associated with the acute stages of AN. There is converging evidence of deficiencies in neuroplasticity in AN., Method: This paper provides an overview of neuroimaging, neuropsychological, molecular and qualitative findings relating to neuroplasticity in AN, translating these findings to the identification of novel biological and psychotherapeutic strategies., Results: Novel psychopharmacological approaches that may ameliorate deficiencies in neuroplasticity include medications such as ketamine, psilocybin and human recombinant leptin. Anti-inflammatory medications and brain-derived neurotrophic factor mimetics may emerge as potential treatments following further research. Psychotherapeutic strategies that may target neuroplastic deficiencies, as well as having wider effects on identity, include imagery rescripting, memory specificity training, cognitive remediation therapy, exposure therapies, narrative therapies, cultural interventions (e.g. music and arts therapies) and yoga/mindfulness-based interventions., Conclusions: Treatments specifically targeted towards mitigating the neurobiological sequalae of AN are warranted, and emerging neurobiological and neuropsychological research utilising longitudinal designs and large sample sizes, as well as initial feasibility studies, are necessitated to bolster translational efforts., (© 2023 The Authors. European Eating Disorders Review published by Eating Disorders Association and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

In this paper, an electrochemical biosensor based on a cadmium telluride/polypyrrole (CdTe/PPy) nanocomposite was developed for the detection of MUC1 with high selectivity and sensitivity. Results indicate that the CdTe/PPy nanocomposite is modified on the surface of the glassy carbon electrode (GCE), which affords a large surface area for immobilizing cap-DNA, ensuring its high selectivity and sensitivity. Next, CdTe-linked sig-DNA (MUC1 aptamer) was introduced, allowing the MUC1 aptamer to hybridize with cap-DNA. CdTe is a signal amplification element used to generate a differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) signal. Conceivably, target MUC1 detection was based on current signal change due to concentration change in the signal amplification element CdTe. In the presence of MUC1, the MUC1 aptamer specifically binds to MUC1, resulting in the release of CdTe-sig-DNA from the electrode surface and a decrease in peak current. Under optimized experimental conditions, the electrochemical biosensor is highly selective, sensitive, stable, and reproducible for MUC1 ranging from 0.1 nM to 100 nM with a detection limit of 0.05 nM (S/N = 3). Therefore, the electrochemical biosensor has potential applications in medical disease diagnosis.

The development of electrically-driven low-dimensional coherent light sources via highly-polarized polariton emission behavior has been extensively researched, but suffers from limited modulation of the exciton-photon coupling strengths. Herein, an electrically-biased near-infrared exciton-polariton light-emitting diode (LED), which includes a Ga-doped ZnO microwire (ZnO:Ga MW) and p-type GaAs substrate, is demonstrated. The well-designed LED structure is conducive to producing strong coupling between excitons and cavity photons, thus yielding highly-polarized light-emissions due to the optical birefringence in the ZnO:Ga MW microcavity. In particular, when the LED device is modified using Au&Ag alloy nanorods (AuAgNRs) with desired plasmonic properties, the electroluminescence (EL) performance is significantly boosted, especially the Rabi-splitting energy, which increases from 96 to 285 meV. The current-injection exciton-polariton emission from the LED undergoing a strong coupling regime is confirmed through angle-resolved EL measurements. This study exhibits a performance-boosted near-infrared exciton-polariton LED at room temperature, which provides a new scheme toward the realization of highly energy-efficient polariton coherent light sources. Further, the significantly lower density of polariton states induced by the incorporated metal nanostructures highlights a bright future of realizing ultralow-threshold polariton lasers much more feasibly, in comparison to conventional lasers based on narrow bandgap semiconductors.

Background: The n-back task is a widely used paradigm to assess working memory and is commonly applied in research on age-related cognitive decline. However, studies utilizing functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to explore this area are limited., Objective: This study aims to investigate age-related differences in brain activation during the n-back task using fNIRS., Methods: fNIRS data were collected from 18 elderly and 19 young participants while performing different n-back tasks. Brain activation patterns and peripheral performance were compared between the two groups., Results: Significant differences in brain activation patterns were observed between elderly and young participants. Under the 3-back condition, the older group exhibited reduced activation in brain regions adjacent to prefrontal cognitive areas compared to the younger group. Additionally, the older group's performance plateaued at the 2-back level, along with a decline in prefrontal activation., Conclusion: These findings may suggest potential markers for cognitive decline, providing a new target for future screening., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Zhu, Wang, Kan, Geng, Sui, Zhuang, Zhu, Wang, Zhu and Guo.)

The existence of heterogeneity has plunged cancer treatment into a challenging dilemma. We profiled malignant epithelial cells from 5 gastric adenocarcinoma patients through single-cell sequencing (scRNA-seq) analysis, demonstrating the heterogeneity of gastric adenocarcinoma (GA), and identified the CCKBR+ stem cell-like cancer cells associated poorly differentiated and worse prognosis. We further conducted targeted analysis using single-cell transcriptome libraries, including 40 samples, to confirm these screening results. In addition, we revealed that FOXOs are involved in the progression and development of CCKBR+ gastric adenocarcinoma. Inhibited the expression of FOXOs and disrupting cancer cell stemness reduce the CCKBR+ GA organoid formation and impede tumor progression. Mechanically, CUT&Tag sequencing and Lectin pulldown revealed that FOXOs can activate ST3GAL3/4/5 as well as ST6GALNAC6, promoting elevated sialyation levels in CCKBR+ tumor cells. This FOXO-sialyltransferase axis contributes to the maintenance of homeostasis and the growth of CCKBR+ tumor cells. This insight provides novel perspectives for developing targeted therapeutic strategies aimed at the treating CCKBR associated gastric cancer., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to ADMC Associazione Differenziamento e Morte Cellulare.)

Tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) silicon solar cells are rising as a competitive photovoltaic technology, seamlessly blending high efficiency with cost-effectiveness and mass production capabilities. However, the numerous defects from the fragile silicon oxide/c-Si interface and the low field-effect passivation due to the inadequate boron in-diffusion in p-type polycrystalline silicon (poly-Si) passivated contact reduce their open-circuit voltages (V OC s), impeding their widespread application in the promising perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells (TSCs) that hold a potential to break 30% module efficiency. To address this, we have developed a highly passivated p-type TOPCon structure by optimizing the oxidation conditions, boron in-diffusion, and aluminium oxide hydrogenation, thus pronouncedly improving the implied V OC (iV OC ) of symmetric samples with p-type TOPCon structures on both sides to 715 mV and the V OC of completed double-sided TOPCon bottom cells to 710 mV. Consequently, integrating with perovskite top cells, our proof of concept of 1 cm 2 n-i-p perovskite/silicon TSCs exhibit V OC s exceeding 1.9 V and a high efficiency of 28.20% (certified 27.3%), which paves a way for TOPCon cells in the commercialization of future tandems., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: Empagliflozin (EMPA) has demonstrated efficacy in providing cardiovascular benefits in metabolic diseases. However, the direct effect of EMPA on autophagy in obesity-related cardiac dysfunction remains unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to determine changes in cardiac autophagy during diet-induced obesity and clarify the exact mechanism by which EMPA regulates autophagic pathways., Methods: Male C57BL/6J mice were fed a 12-week high-fat diet (HFD) followed by 8 weeks of EMPA treatment. Body composition analysis and echocardiography were performed to evaluate metabolic alterations and cardiac function. Histological and immunofluorescence staining was used to evaluate potential enhancements in myocardial structure and biological function. Additionally, H9c2 cells were transfected with small interfering RNA targeting sirtuin 3 (SIRT3) and further treated with palmitic acid (PA) with or without EMPA. Autophagy-related targets were analyzed by western blotting and RT‒qPCR., Results: EMPA administration effectively ameliorated metabolic disorders and cardiac diastolic dysfunction in HFD-fed mice. EMPA prevented obesity-induced myocardial hypertrophy, fibrosis, and inflammation through the activation of SIRT3-mediated autophagosome formation. The upregulation of SIRT3 triggered by EMPA promoted the initiation of autophagy by activating AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and Beclin1. Furthermore, activated SIRT3 contributed to the elongation of autophagosomes through autophagy-related 4B cysteine peptidase (ATG4B) and autophagy-related 5 (ATG5)., Conclusions: EMPA promotes SIRT3-mediated autophagosome formation to alleviate damage to the cardiac structure and function of obese mice. Activated SIRT3 initiates autophagy through AMPK/Beclin1 and further stimulates elongation of the autophagosome membrane via ATG4B/ATG5. These results provide a new explanation for the cardioprotective benefits of EMPA in obesity., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Three ball-milling methodologies were developed to synthesize bespoke multi-metallic K-doped Cu-Fe/ZnO-Al 2 O 3 catalysts for the hydrogenation of carbon dioxide. The catalytic performance of the catalysts was benchmarked against their solution-based counterparts. The catalysts synthesized by ball milling are greener, showing smaller particles, with different selectivity towards oxygenate products.

Heterotopic ossification (HO), often arising in response to traumatic challenges, results from the aberrant osteochondral differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Nevertheless, the impact of trauma-induced inflammatory exposure on MSC fate determination remains ambiguous. In this study, the cellular diversity within inflammatory lesions is elucidated, comprising MSCs and several innate and adaptive immune cells. It is observed that quiescent MSCs transition into cycling MSCs, subsequently giving rise to chondrogenic (cMSC) and/or osteogenic (oMSC) lineages within the inflammatory microenvironment following muscle or tendon injuries, as revealed through single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), spatial transcriptome and lineage tracing analysis. Moreover, these investigations demonstrate that neutrophils and natural killer (NK) cells enhance transition of quiescent MSCs into cycling MSCs, which is also controlled by M1 macrophages, a subpopulation of macrophages can also stimulate cMSC and oMSC production from cycling MSCs. Additionally, M2 macrophages, CD4 + and CD8 + T lymphocytes are found to promote chondrogenesis. Further analysis demonstrates that immune cells promotes the activation of signaling transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) pathway and phosphoinositide 3 (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) pathway in MSC proliferation and osteochondral progenitors' production, respectively. These findings highlight the dynamics of MSC fate within the inflammatory lesion and unveil the molecular landscape of osteoimmunological interactions, which holds promise for advancing HO treatment., (© 2024 The Author(s). Advanced Science published by Wiley‐VCH GmbH.)

Type-A γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA A ) receptors are channel proteins crucial to mediating neuronal balance in the central nervous system (CNS). The structure of GABA A receptors allows for multiple binding sites and is key to drug development. Yet the formation mechanism of the receptor's distinctive pentameric structure is still unknown. This study aims to investigate the role of three predominant subunits of the human GABA A receptor in the formation of protein pentamers. Through purifying and refolding the protein fragments of the GABA A receptor α1, β2, and γ2 subunits, the particle structures were visualised with negative staining electron microscopy (EM). To aid the analysis, AlphaFold2 was used to compare the structures. Results show that α1 and β2 subunit fragments successfully formed homo-oligomers, particularly homopentameric structures, while the predominant heteropentameric GABA A receptor was also replicated through the combination of the three subunits. However, homopentameric structures were not observed with the γ2 subunit proteins. A comparison of the AlphaFold2 predictions and the previously obtained cryo-EM structures presents new insights into the subunits' modular structure and polymerization status. By performing experimental and computational studies, a deeper understanding of the complex structure of GABA A receptors is provided. Hopefully, this study can pave the way to developing novel therapeutics for neuropsychiatric diseases.

As a sport conducted in dynamically changing natural environments, orienteering places high demands on athletes' cognitive processing abilities and visual search efficiency. However, previous studies on orienteering have been primarily limited by the use of fixed stimulus materials on computer screens, which are unable to fully simulate authentic sports scenarios. To better understand the sports expertise of orienteering athletes in terms of their real scene image recognition performance and visual search characteristics, this study recruited 40 orienteering athletes, both experts and novices, as participants. By utilizing eye-tracking technology and setting observation points in real-world scenarios to conduct image recognition task tests, the ecological validity of the experiment was further enhanced. The results showed that the experts demonstrated a high level of accuracy and a short response time, with visual search characteristics including few saccade counts, low fixation frequency, concentrated fixation points, simple and clear fixation paths, and higher visual search efficiency. This study further reveals that long-term specialized training will lead to the formation of a unique cognitive structure related to the specific knowledge and long-term memory required by expert orienteering athletes, thereby promoting the development of expert advantage., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Microbial interactions are widespread and important processes that support the link between disease and microbial ecology. The gut microbiota is a major source of microbial stimuli that can have detrimental or beneficial effects on human health. It is also an endocrine organ that maintains energy homeostasis and host immunity. Obesity is a highly and increasingly prevalent metabolic disease and the leading cause of preventable death worldwide. An imbalance in the gut microbiome is associated with several diseases including obesity-related metabolic disorders. This review summarizes the complex association between the gut microbiome and obesity-associated metabolic diseases and validates the role and mechanisms of ecological dysregulation in the gut in obesity-associated metabolic disorders. Therapies that could potentially alleviate obesity-associated metabolic diseases by modulating the gut microbiota are discussed., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2024 The Authors.)

Immunoglobulin A nephropathy is a complex autoimmune disease with various underlying causes and significant clinical heterogeneity. There are large individual differences in its development, and the etiology and pathogenesis are still poorly understood. While it is known that immunobiological factors play a significant role in the pathophysiology of immunoglobulin A nephropathy, the specific nature of these factors has yet to be fully elucidated. Numerous investigations have verified that CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes are involved in the immunopathogenesis of immunoglobulin A nephropathy. Furthermore, certain data also point to γδT cells' involvement in the pathophysiology of immunoglobulin A nephropathy. By thoroughly examining the mechanisms of action of these T cells in the context of immunoglobulin A nephropathy, this review sheds light on the immunopathogenesis of the disease and its associated factors. The review is intended to provide reference value for the future research in this field and promising treatment clues for clinical patients., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest statement. None declared., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Society for Leukocyte Biology. All rights reserved. For commercial re-use, please contact reprints@oup.com for reprints and translation rights for reprints. All other permissions can be obtained through our RightsLink service via the Permissions link on the article page on our site—for further information please contact journals.permissions@oup.com.)

The increasing incidence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) poses a significant public health concern, prompting heightened attention to its treatment. Incretins, including glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide, are intestinal peptides released after nutrient intake, known for their hypoglycemic effects in diabetes management. Recent advancements highlight the promising outcomes of GLP-1 receptor agonists in reducing CKD risk factors and improving renal outcomes. The multifaceted functions of GLP-1, such as its anti-obesity, anti-hypertensive, anti-hyperglycemic, anti-lipid, anti-inflammatory, and endothelial function protective properties, contribute to its potential as a therapeutic agent for CKD. Although experiments suggest the potential benefits of incretin in CKD, a comprehensive understanding of its specific mechanisms is still lacking. This review aims to provide a detailed examination of current evidence and potential future directions, emphasizing the promising yet evolving landscape of incretin agonists in the context of CKD., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest None., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Fluorine (F) is a pivotal element in the formation of human dental and skeletal tissues, and the consumption of water and tea constitutes a significant source of fluoride intake. However, prolonged ingestion of water and tea with excessive fluoride content can lead to fluorosis, which poses a serious health hazard. In this manuscript, a novel turn-on fluorescent probe DCF synthesized by bis-coumarin and tert-butyldiphenylsilane (TBDPS) was introduced for detecting F - in potable water and tea infusions. By leveraging the unique chemical affinity between fluoride and silicon, F - triggers the silicon-oxygen bond cleavage in DCF, culminating in a conspicuous emission of yellow fluorescence. Validated through a succession of optical tests, this probe exhibits remarkable advantages in terms of superior selectivity, a low detection limit, a large Stokes shift, and robust interference resistance when detecting inorganic fluoride. Moreover, it can serve as portable test strips for on-site real-time identification and quantitative analysis of F - . Furthermore, the application of DCF for in-situ monitoring and imaging of F - in zebrafish and soybean root tissues proved its significant value for F - detection in both animal and plant systems. This probe potentially functions as an efficient instrument for delving into the toxic mechanisms of fluoride in physiological processes., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Obesity and its associated complications raise significant public concern, revealing gender disparities in the susceptibility to metabolic disorders, with females often displaying greater resistance to obesity-related metabolic disorder than males. Sestrin2 is a crucial protein involved in metabolism and energy balance. This study seeks to explore whether Sesn2 knockout (KO) exacerbates high-fat diet (HFD) induced obesity in female mice., Methods: Female mice with wild-type (WT) and Sesn2 KO were subjected to a 12-week regimen of normal diet or HFD. Using a Body Composition Analyzer, body composition was gauged. Biochemical assays encompassed glucose, lipid, and liver function measurements, alongside 24-hour urine albumin excretion. Echocardiographic evaluation assessed cardiac function. Histopathological analysis of key metabolic tissues (liver, kidney, and heart tissues) were conducted. Western blotting or qRT-PCR evaluated key proteins and genes linked to inflammation, mitochondrial, and lipid metabolism in adipose tissues., Results: In comparison to mice fed a regular diet, those on a HFD exhibited significant increases in body weight and fat mass. Notably, Sesn2 KO further aggravated obesity, showcasing the most pronounced metabolic anomalies: elevated body weight, fat mass, impaired glucose tolerance, and insulin sensitivity, alongside heightened levels of free fatty acids and triglycerides. Additionally, KO-HFD mice displayed exacerbated multi-tissue impairments, including elevated hepatic enzymes, increased urinary albumin excretion, compromised cardiac function, and accumulation of lipids in the liver, kidney, and heart. Moreover, adipose tissue showcased altered lipid dynamics and function, characterized by enhanced triglyceride breakdown and modified adipokine levels. Browning was diminished, along with decreased Pgc1α and Sirt1 in KO-HFD mice., Conclusion: Sesn2 KO exacerbates HFD-induced obesity and metabolic disorders in female mice. These findings underscore Sestrin2's novel role as a regulator of obesity in female mice., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Wide-bandgap perovskite solar cells (PSCs) toward tandem photovoltaic applications are confronted with the challenge of device thermal stability, which motivates to figure out a thorough cognition of wide-bandgap PSCs under thermal stress, using in situ atomic-resolved transmission electron microscopy (TEM) tools combing with photovoltaic performance characterizations of these devices. The in situ dynamic process of morphology-dependent defects formation at initial thermal stage and their proliferations in perovskites as the temperature increased are captured. Meanwhile, considerable iodine enables to diffuse into the hole-transport-layer along the damaged perovskite surface, which significantly degrade device performance and stability. With more intense thermal treatment, atomistic phase transition reveals the perovskite transform to PbI 2 along the topo-coherent interface of PbI 2 /perovskite. In conjunction with density functional theory calculations, a mutual inducement mechanism of perovskite surface damage and iodide diffusion is proposed to account for the structure-property nexus of wide-bandgap PSCs under thermal stress. The entire interpretation also guided to develop a thermal-stable monolithic perovskite/silicon tandem solar cell., (© 2024 The Author(s). Advanced Science published by Wiley‐VCH GmbH.)

Capacitance spectroscopy techniques have been widely utilized to evaluate the defect properties in perovskites, which contribute to the efficiency and operation stability development for perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Yet the interplay between the charge transporting layer (CTL) and the perovskite on the capacitance spectroscopy results is still unclear. Here, they show that a pseudo-trap-state capacitance signal is generated in thermal admittance spectroscopy (TAS) due to the enhanced resistance capacitance (RC) coupling caused by the carrier freeze-out of the CTL in PSCs, which could be discerned from the actual defect-induced trap state capacitance signal by tuning the series resistance of PSCs. By eliminating the RC coupling shielding effect on the defect-induced capacitance spectroscopy, it is obtain the actual defect density which is 4-folds lower than the pseudo-trap density, and the spatial distribution of defects in PSCs which reveals that the commonly adopted interface passivators can passivate the defects about 60 nm away from the decorated surface. It is further revealed that phenethylammonium ions (PEA + ) possess a better passivation capability over octylammonium ions (OA + ) due to the deeper passivation depth for PEA + on the surface defects in perovskite films., (© 2024 The Author(s). Advanced Science published by Wiley‐VCH GmbH.)

Background: Ketogenic diets are increasingly popular for addressing obesity, but their impacts on the gut microbiota and metabolome remain unclear. This paper aimed to investigate how a ketogenic diet affects intestinal microorganisms and metabolites in obesity., Methods: Male mice were provided with one of the following dietary regimens: normal chow, high-fat diet, ketogenic diet, or high-fat diet converted to ketogenic diet. Body weight and fat mass were measured weekly using high-precision electronic balances and minispec body composition analyzers. Metagenomics and non-targeted metabolomics data were used to analyze differences in intestinal contents., Results: Obese mice on the ketogenic diet exhibited notable improvements in weight and body fat. However, these were accompanied by a significant decrease in intestinal microbial diversity, as well as an increase in Firmicutes abundance and a 247% increase in the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio. The ketogenic diet also altered multiple metabolic pathways in the gut, including glucose, lipid, energy, carbohydrate, amino acid, ketone body, butanoate, and methane pathways, as well as bacterial secretion and colonization pathways. These changes were associated with increased intestinal inflammation and dysbiosis in obese mice. Furthermore, the ketogenic diet enhanced the secretion of bile and the synthesis of aminoglycoside antibiotics in obese mice, which may impair the gut microbiota and be associated with intestinal inflammation and immunity., Conclusions: The study suggest that the ketogenic diet had an unfavorable risk-benefit trade-off and may compromise metabolic homeostasis in obese mice., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Control of the porous structure and particle size is essential for improving the properties of polysilsesquioxane (PSQ) microspheres. Herein, using the strategy combining inverse suspension polymerization, two-step sol-gel- and polymerization-induced phase separation processes, micron-sized thiol-containing macroporous PSQ (TMPSQ) microspheres with controllable morphologies, adjustable particle diameters (4.9-17.3 μm), and pore sizes (40-3774 nm) were prepared. The morphology and size of the TMPSQ microspheres were characterized by SEM. The mercury intrusion method was employed to analyze the porous structure of the microspheres. The effects of the composition of the sol-gel disperse phase, the mass ratio of the sol-gel disperse phase to the oil continuous phase (WR W/O ), and the Span 80 mass content in the oil continuous phase on the morphology, particle diameter and pore size of the TMPSQ microspheres were investigated. Results indicated that the composition of the sol-gel disperse phase determines the morphology and porous structure of the microspheres, and WR W/O and Span 80 content have remarkable impacts on the morphology and particle size of the microspheres. This study is beneficial to the design and fabrication of functional PSQ microspheres with desired properties and promising application prospects.

Background: Eating disorders (EDs) are serious, often chronic, conditions associated with pronounced morbidity, mortality, and dysfunction increasingly affecting young people worldwide. Illness progression, stages and recovery trajectories of EDs are still poorly characterised. The STORY study dynamically and longitudinally assesses young people with different EDs (restricting; bingeing/bulimic presentations) and illness durations (earlier; later stages) compared to healthy controls. Remote measurement technology (RMT) with active and passive sensing is used to advance understanding of the heterogeneity of earlier and more progressed clinical presentations and predictors of recovery or relapse., Methods: STORY follows 720 young people aged 16-25 with EDs and 120 healthy controls for 12 months. Online self-report questionnaires regularly assess ED symptoms, psychiatric comorbidities, quality of life, and socioeconomic environment. Additional ongoing monitoring using multi-parametric RMT via smartphones and wearable smart rings ('Ōura ring') unobtrusively measures individuals' daily behaviour and physiology (e.g., Bluetooth connections, sleep, autonomic arousal). A subgroup of participants completes additional in-person cognitive and neuroimaging assessments at study-baseline and after 12 months., Discussion: By leveraging these large-scale longitudinal data from participants across ED diagnoses and illness durations, the STORY study seeks to elucidate potential biopsychosocial predictors of outcome, their interplay with developmental and socioemotional changes, and barriers and facilitators of recovery. STORY holds the promise of providing actionable findings that can be translated into clinical practice by informing the development of both early intervention and personalised treatment that is tailored to illness stage and individual circumstances, ultimately disrupting the long-term burden of EDs on individuals and their families., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Objective: To investigate the epidemiological characteristics of local visceral leishmaniasis in Beijing Municipality from 2021 to 2023, so as to provide insights into formulation of the visceral leishmaniasis control strategy., Methods: Epidemiological data of visceral leishmaniasis cases reported in Beijing Municipality from 2021 to 2023 were collected from the National Health Informatization Disease Prevention and Control Information System, and the epidemiological characteristics of local visceral leishmaniasis cases were analyzed using a descriptive epidemiological method. In November 2021 and 2023, 50 to 100 permanent residents were voluntarily selected within a 100 meter radius of sites where patients lived or acquired Leishmania infections, and venous blood was sampled for anti- Leishmania antibody testing. Venous blood was sampled from dogs for anti- Leishmania antibody testing in natural villages where patients lived or acquired Leishmania infections, or in districts where Leishmania infected dogs were reported. In addition, sandflies were captured with CO 2 mosquito traps and fine mesh nets in natural villages where patients lived or acquired Leishmania infections from May to September, 2021 and 2023, for sandfly species identification., Results: A total of 4 local visceral leishmaniasis cases were reported in Beijing Municipality from 2021 to 2023, with ages of 2 to 77 years, and acquiring Leishmania infections in Mentougou District (2 cases), Changping District (1 case), and Yanqing District (1 case). The anti- Leishmania antibody testing was all negative in 73 human blood samples and the sero-prevalence of anti- Leishmania antibody was 25.00% in 36 venous blood samples from domestic dogs in 2021, with a total of 4 520 Phlebotomus chinensi s captured. The sero-prevalence of anti- Leishmania antibody was 0.51% in 198 human blood samples and 13.58% in 243 venous blood samples from domestic dogs in 2023, with 16.10%, 25.00%, 17.78% and 3.13% sero-prevalence in dogs sampled from Mentougou District, Changping District, Yanqing District and Haidian District, respectively ( P = 0.011), while a total of 1 712 Ph. chinensis were captured, including 1 421 female sandflies (86.54%)., Conclusions: The prevalence of local visceral leishmaniasis was low in Beijing Municipality from 2021 to 2023; however, there is a risk of further spread in the epidemic foci. Intensified visceral leishmaniasis surveillance and control is recommended.

Benthic freshwater cyanobacteria have the potential to produce toxins. Compared with more extensively studied plankton species, little is known about the impact of harmful benthic cyanobacteria on aquatic organisms. As demersal fish are usually in direct contact with benthic cyanobacteria, it is important to understand their interactive effects. This study investigated the physio-chemical responses of two demersal fish (Xenocypris davidi and Crucian carp) after exposure to benthic Oscillatoria (producing cylindrospermopsin, 2 × 10 6  cells/mL) for 7 days. Interestingly, benthic Oscillatoria had less adverse effects on X. davidi than C. carp. The two demersal fish effectively ingested Oscillatoria, but Oscillatoria cell sheathes could not be fully digested in C. carp intestines and led to growth inhibition. Oscillatoria consumption induced oxidative stress and triggered alterations in detoxification enzyme activities in the X. davidi liver. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione reductase (GR) activities significantly increased in the C. carp liver, but catalase (CAT) and detoxification enzymes glutathione S-transferase (GST) and glutathione (GSH) activities were insignificantly changed. This suggested that C. carp may have a relatively weak detoxification capacity for toxic Oscillatoria. Oscillatoria ingestion led to more pronounced liver pathological changes in C. carp, including swelling, deformation, and loss of cytoskeleton structure. Simultaneously, fish consumption of Oscillatoria increased extracellular cylindrospermopsin concentration. These results provide valuable insights into the ecological risks associated with benthic cyanobacteria in aquatic ecosystems., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Cancer remains a significant challenge in the field of oncology, with the search for novel and effective treatments ongoing. Calycosin (CA), a phytoestrogen derived from traditional Chinese medicine, has garnered attention as a promising candidate. With its high targeting and low toxicity profile, CA has demonstrated medicinal potential across various diseases, including cancers, inflammation, and cardiovascular disease. Studies have revealed that CA possesses inhibitory effects against a diverse array of cancers. The underlying mechanism of action involves a reduction in tumor cell proliferation, induction of tumor cell apoptosis, and suppression of tumor cell migration and invasion. Furthermore, CA has been shown to enhance the efficacy of certain chemotherapeutic drugs, making it a potential component in treating malignant tumors. Given its high efficacy, low toxicity, and multi-targeting characteristics, CA holds considerable promise as a therapeutic agent for cancer treatment. The objective of this review is to present a synthesis of the current understanding of the antitumor mechanism of CA and its research progress., Competing Interests: The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2024 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)

Objective: We present the protocol of a feasibility randomised controlled trial (RCT) of intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) for young people with anorexia nervosa (AN). Effective first-line psychological therapies exist for young people with AN, but little is known about how to treat those who do not respond. Non-invasive neuromodulation, such as iTBS, could address unmet treatment needs by targeting neurocircuitry associated with the development and/or maintenance of AN., Design: Sixty-six young people (aged 13-30 years) with persistent AN will be randomly allocated to receive 20 sessions of real or sham iTBS over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in addition to their usual treatment. Outcomes will be measured at baseline, post-treatment (1-month post-randomisation) and 4-months post-randomisation (when unblinding will occur). Additional open follow-ups will be conducted at 12- and 24-months post-randomisation. The primary feasibility outcome is the proportion of participants retained in the study at 4-months. Secondary outcomes include AN symptomatology, other psychopathology, quality of life, service utilisation, neurocognitive processes, and neuroimaging measures., Discussion: Findings will inform the development of a future large-scale RCT. They will also provide exploratory data on treatment efficacy, and neural and neurocognitive predictors and correlates of treatment response to iTBS in AN., (© 2024 The Authors. European Eating Disorders Review published by Eating Disorders Association and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

The growing global burden of cancer, especially among people aged 60 years and over, has become a key public health issue. This trend suggests the need for a deeper understanding of the various cancer types in order to develop universally effective treatments. A prospective area of research involves elucidating the interplay between the senescent microenvironment and tumor genesis. Currently, most oncology research focuses on adulthood and tends to ignore the potential role of senescent individuals on tumor progression. Senescent cells produce a senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) that has a dual role in the tumor microenvironment (TME). While SASP components can remodel the TME and thus hinder tumor cell proliferation, they can also promote tumorigenesis and progression via pro-inflammatory and pro-proliferative mechanisms. To address this gap, our review seeks to investigate the influence of senescent microenvironment changes on tumor development and their potential implications for cancer therapies., (© 2024 The Authors. Aging Cell published by Anatomical Society and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Background: Clinical presentation and prevalence of organ involvement is highly variable in sarcoidosis and depends on ethnic, genetic and geographical factors. These data are not extensively studied in a Dutch population., Aim: To determine the prevalence of organ involvement and the indication for systemic immunosuppressive therapy in newly diagnosed sarcoidosis patients in the Netherlands., Methods: Two large Dutch teaching hospitals participated in this prospective cohort study. All adult patients with newly diagnosed sarcoidosis were prospectively included and a standardized work-up was performed. Organ involvement was defined using the WASOG instrument., Results: Between 2015 and 2020, a total of 330 patients were included, 55% were male, mean age was 46 (SD 14) years. Most of them were white (76%). Pulmonary involvement including thoracic lymph node enlargement was present in 316 patients (96%). Pulmonary parenchymal disease was present in 156 patients (47%). Ten patients (3%) had radiological signs of pulmonary fibrosis. Cutaneous sarcoidosis was present in 74 patients (23%). Routine ophthalmological screening revealed uveitis in 29 patients (12%, n = 256)). Cardiac and neurosarcoidosis were diagnosed in respectively five (2%) and six patients (2%). Renal involvement was observed in 11 (3%) patients. Hypercalcaemia and hypercalciuria were observed in 29 (10%) and 48 (26%, n = 182) patients, respectively. Hepatic involvement was found in 6 patients (2%). In 30% of the patients, systemic immunosuppressive treatment was started at diagnosis., Conclusions: High-risk organ involvement in sarcoidosis is uncommon at diagnosis. Indication for systemic immunosuppressive therapy was present in a minority of patients., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest There is no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Myocardial fibrosis is a common pathological manifestation that occurs in various cardiac diseases. The present investigation aims to reveal how DNMT1/lncRNA-ANRIL/NLRP3 influences fibrosis and cardiac fibroblast pyroptosis. Here, we used ISO to induce myocardial fibrosis in mice, and LPS and ATP to induce myocardial fibroblast pyroptosis. The results showed that DNMT1, Caspase-1, and NLRP3 expression were significantly increased in fibrotic murine myocardium and pyroptotic cardiac fibroblasts, whereas LncRNA-ANRIL expression was decreased. DNMT1 overexpression decreased the level of LncRNA-ANRIL while increasing the levels of NLRP3 and Caspase-1. Contrarily, silencing DNMT1 increased the LncRNA-ANRIL and decreased the levels of NLRP3 and Caspase-1. Silencing LncRNA-ANRIL increased the levels of NLRP3 and Caspase-1. The present findings suggest that DNMT1 can methylate LncRNA-ANRIL during the development of myocardial fibrosis and CFs cell scorching, resulting in low LncRNA-ANRIL expression, thereby influencing myocardial fibrosis and cardiac fibroblast pyroptosis.

The global burden of diseases and injuries poses complex and pressing challenges. This study analyzed 369 diseases and injuries attributed to 84 risk factors globally from 1990 to 2019, projecting trends to 2040. In 2019, global risks caused 35 million deaths. Non-communicable diseases were responsible for 8.2 million deaths, primarily from air pollution (5.5 million). Cardiovascular disease from air pollution had a high age-standardized disability-adjusted life year rate (1,073.40). Communicable, maternal, neonatal, and nutritional diseases caused 1.4 million deaths, mainly due to unsafe water and sanitation. Occupational risks resulted in 184,269 transport-related deaths. Behavioral risks caused 21.6 million deaths, with dietary factors causing 6.9 million cardiovascular deaths. Diabetes linked to sugar-sweetened beverages showed significant growth (1990-2019). Metabolic risks led to 18.6 million deaths. Projections to 2040 indicated persistent challenges, emphasizing the urgent need for targeted interventions and policies to alleviate the global burden of diseases and injuries., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2024 The Author(s).)

Polysilsesquioxane (PSQ) microspheres have shown promise in many fields, but previous studies about porous PSQ microspheres are scarce. Herein, we fabricated novel micron-sized thiol-functional polysilsesquioxane (TMPSQ) microspheres with open and interconnected macropores by combining inverse suspension polymerization with two-step sol-gel and polymerization-induced phase separation processes, without using phase-separation-promoting additives or sacrificial templates. The chemical composition of the TMPSQ microspheres was confirmed using FTIR and Raman spectroscopy. The morphology of the TMPSQ microspheres was characterized using SEM and TEM. TGA was employed to test the thermal stability of the TMPSQ microspheres. Mercury intrusion porosimetry and nitrogen adsorption-desorption tests were performed to investigate the pore structure of the TMPSQ microspheres. The results showed that the TMPSQ microspheres had open and interconnected macropores with a pore size of 839 nm, and the total porosity and intraparticle porosity reached 70.54% and 43.21%, respectively. The mechanism of porous generation was proposed based on the morphological evolution observed using optical microscopy. The macropores were formed through the following four steps: phase separation (spinodal decomposition), coarsening, gelation, and evaporation of the solvent. The macropores can facilitate the rapid mass transfer between the outer and inner spaces of the TMPSQ microspheres. The TMPSQ microspheres are promising in various fields, such as catalyst supports and adsorbents.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), suffering from diverse gene hits, undergo malignant transformation and aberrant osteochondral differentiation. Src homology region 2-containing protein tyrosine phosphatase 2 (SHP2), a nonreceptor protein tyrosine phosphatase, regulates multicellular differentiation, proliferation, and transformation. However, the role of SHP2 in MSC fate determination remains unclear. Here, we showed that MSCs bearing the activating SHP2E76K mutation underwent malignant transformation into sarcoma stem-like cells. We revealed that the SHP2E76K mutation in mouse MSCs led to hyperactive mitochondrial metabolism by activating mitochondrial complexes I and III. Inhibition of complexes I and III prevented hyperactive mitochondrial metabolism and malignant transformation of SHP2E76K MSCs. Mechanistically, we verified that SHP2 underwent liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) in SHP2E76K MSCs. SHP2 LLPS led to its dissociation from complexes I and III, causing their hyperactivation. Blockade of SHP2 LLPS by LLPS-defective mutations or allosteric inhibitors suppressed complex I and III hyperactivation as well as malignant transformation of SHP2E76K MSCs. These findings reveal that complex I and III hyperactivation driven by SHP2 LLPS promotes malignant transformation of SHP2E76K MSCs and suggest that inhibition of SHP2 LLPS could be a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of activated SHP2-associated cancers.

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a widely used environmental estrogen found in a variety of products, including food packaging, canned goods, baby bottle soothers, reusable cups, medical devices, tableware, dental sealants, and other consumer goods. This substance has been found to have detrimental effects on both the environment and human health, particularly on the reproductive, immune, embryonic development, nervous, endocrine, and respiratory systems. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive review of the effects of BPA on the neuroendocrine system, with a primary focus on its impact on the brain, neurons, oligodendrocytes, neural stem cell proliferation, DNA damage, and behavioral development. Additionally, the review explores the clinical implications of BPA, specifically examining its role in the onset and progression of various diseases associated with the neuroendocrine metabolic system. By delving into the mechanistic analysis and clinical implications, this review aims to serve as a valuable resource for studying the impacts of BPA exposure on organisms., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors have no interests to disclose., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Photocathodes play a crucial role in photoelectronic imaging and vacuum electronic devices. The quantum efficiency of photocathodes, which determines their performance, can be enhanced through materials engineering. However, the quantum efficiency of conventional planar photocathodes remains consistently low, at around 25%. In this paper, we propose what we believe is a novel structure of AlGaN nanowire array to address this issue. We investigate the photoemission characteristics of the nanowire array using the "four-step" process, which takes into account optical absorption, electron transportation, electron emission, and electron collection. We compare the quantum efficiency of nanowire arrays with different structure sizes and Al components. After studying the effect of incident light at various angles on the nanowire array photocathode, we identify the optimal dimensional parameters: a height of 400∼500 nm and a wire width of 200∼300 nm. Furthermore, we improved the collection efficiency of the photocathode by introducing a built-in/external electric field, and obtained a 104.4% enhancement of the collection current with the built-in electric field, meanwhile the photocurrent was increased by 87% compared to the case without the external electric field. These findings demonstrate the potential of optimizing photocathode performance through the development of a novel model and adjustment of parameters, offering a promising approach for photocathode applications.

Fluorescence imaging technology has developed rapidly with its advantages, and near-infrared probes are worthy of attention because of their less background interference, low light damage, and infinite potential. Rhodamine and its derivatives have the unique structure of lactam helices, which is an ideal platform for the construction of on-off fluorescent sensors. In this paper, a novel near-infrared fluorescent probe (RBLS) based on rhodamine derivatives was synthesized for the transient detection of mercury ions. The closed-on structure can realize reversible sensor recovery by adding S 2- . The superior imaging capability in living cells and in vivo in zebrafish holds promise for biological applications. In addition, the naked eye test strips prepared with RBLS probes can be used to detect and screen Hg 2+ in the environment and show good gradient change performance., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is a serious complication of diabetes and is the primary cause of end-stage renal disease. Current treatment strategies primarily focus on the inhibition of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and the attainment of blood glucose control. Although current medical therapies for DKD have been shown to delay disease progression and improve long-term outcomes, their efficacy is limited and they may be restricted in certain cases, particularly when hyperkalemia is present. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treatment has emerged as a significant complementary approach for DKD. TCM monomers, derived from various Chinese herbs, have been found to modulate multiple therapeutic targets and exhibit a broad range of therapeutic effects in patients with DKD. This review aims to summarize the mechanisms of action of TCM monomers in the treatment of DKD, based on findings from clinical trials, as well as cell and animal studies. The results of these investigations demonstrate the potential effective use of TCM monomers in treating or preventing DKD, offering a promising new direction for future research in the field. By providing a comprehensive overview of the mechanisms and efficacy of TCM monomers in DKD, this review highlights the potential of these natural compounds as alternative therapeutic options for improving outcomes in patients with DKD., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.)

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) poses a significant health risk in contemporary society. Current CKD treatments primarily involve renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists, albeit associated with hyperkalemia risks. A novel selective mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist, finerenone, offers a promising, safer alternative for CKD therapy. This review comprehensively assesses the role and efficacy of finerenone in CKD treatment by analyzing clinical and animal studies. Emerging evidence consistently supports finerenone's ability to effectively slow the progression of CKD. By targeting the mineralocorticoid receptor, finerenone not only mitigates renal damage but also exhibits a favorable safety profile, minimizing hyperkalemia concerns., Conclusion: Finerenone emerges as a valuable addition to CKD therapy, demonstrating potential benefits in delaying CKD progression while minimizing side effects. Nevertheless, further clinical trials are necessary to provide a comprehensive understanding of its safety and efficacy., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Japanese Society of Nephrology.)

Heart diseases are a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying these diseases is essential for the development of effective diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. The FHL family consists of five members: FHL1, FHL2, FHL3, FHL4, and FHL5/Act. These members exhibit different expression patterns in various tissues including the heart. FHL family proteins are implicated in cardiac remodeling, regulation of metabolic enzymes, and cardiac biomechanical stress perception. A large number of studies have explored the link between FHL family proteins and cardiac disease, skeletal muscle disease, and ovarian metabolism, but a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of the specific molecular mechanisms targeting FHL on cardiac disease is lacking. The aim of this review is to explore the structure and function of FHL family members, to comprehensively elucidate the mechanisms by which they regulate the heart, and to explore in depth the changes in FHL family members observed in different cardiac disorders, as well as the effects of mutations in FHL proteins on heart health., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The correlation between hemodynamics and degree of pulmonary vascular obstruction (PVO) is known to be poor in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH), which makes the selection of patients eligible for pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA) challenging. It can be postulated that patients with similar PVO but different hemodynamic severity have different postoperative hemodynamics and exercise capacity. Therefore, we aimed to assess the effects of PEA on hemodynamics and exercise physiology in mild and severe CTEPH patients. We retrospectively studied 18 CTEPH patients with a mild hemodynamic profile (mean pulmonary arterial pressure [mPAP] between 25 and 30 mmHg at rest) and CTEPH patients with a more severe hemodynamic profile (mPAP > 30 mmHg), matched by age, gender, and PVO. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing parameters were evaluated at baseline and 18 months following PEA. At baseline, exercise capacity, defined as oxygen uptake, was less severely impaired in the mild CTEPH group compared to the severe CTEPH group. After PEA, in the mild CTEPH group, ventilatory efficiency and oxygen pulse improved significantly ( p  < 0.05), however, the change in ventilatory efficiency and oxygen pulse was smaller compared to the severe CTEPH group. Only in the severe CTEPH group exercise capacity improved significantly ( p  < 0.001). Hence, in the present study, postoperative hemodynamic outcome and the CPET-determined recovery of exercise capacity in mild CTEPH patients did not differ from a matched group of severe CTEPH patients., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (© 2024 The Authors. Pulmonary Circulation published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Pulmonary Vascular Research Institute.)

Objectives: Heterotopic ossification (HO), whether hereditary or traumatic, refers to the abnormal formation of bone in extraskeletal sites, often triggered by inflammation or flare-ups. Unfortunately, there are currently no effective treatments for HO. Metformin is well-known for its anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, anti-aging, and anti-cancer effects. However, its potential role in treating HO remains uncertain., Methods: Metformin was dissolved into water and given to mice. All the mice in this study were examined by microCT and myeloid cell quantification using flow cytometry. Complex activity kit was used to examine the activity of mitochondrial complexes of myeloid cells., Results: In this study, we discovered that metformin effectively inhibits genetic and traumatic HO formation and progression. Additionally, we observed a significant increase in myeloid cells in the genetic and traumatic HO mouse model compared to uninjured mice. Notably, metformin specifically reduced the infiltration of myeloid cells into the injured sites of the genetic and traumatic HO model mice. Further investigations revealed that metformin targets mitochondrial complex I and suppresses mitochondrial metabolism in myeloid cells., Conclusion: These findings suggest that metformin suppresses HO development by potentially downregulating the mitochondrial metabolism of myeloid cells, offering a promising therapeutic option for HO treatment., Competing Interests: None., (AJTR Copyright © 2024.)

Immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN), one type of glomerulonephritis, displays the accumulation of glycosylated IgA in the mesangium. Studies have demonstrated that both genetics and epigenetics play a pivotal role in the occurrence and progression of IgAN. Post-translational modification (PTM) has been revealed to critically participate in IgAN development and progression because PTM dysregulation results in impaired degradation of proteins that regulate IgAN pathogenesis. A growing number of studies identify that PTMs, including sialylation, o-glycosylation, galactosylation, phosphorylation, ubiquitination and deubiquitination, modulate the initiation and progression of IgAN. Hence, in this review, we discuss the functions and mechanisms of PTMs in regulation of IgAN. Moreover, we outline numerous compounds that govern PTMs and attenuate IgAN progression. Targeting PTMs might be a useful strategy to ameliorate IgAN.

SnO 2 has been extensively applied in the fields of optoelectronic devices because of its large band gap, high exciton binding energy, and outstanding optical/electrical properties. However, its applications in ultraviolet light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are still hindered by the dipole-forbidden rule. Herein, the dipole-forbidden rule can be conquered by synthesizing Sb-incorporated SnO 2 microwires (SnO 2 :Sb MWs), which are examined by ultraviolet photoluminescence emitting at 363.2 nm and a line width of 11.3 nm. Subsequently, a highly monochromatic ultraviolet light-emitting diode (LED) based on a SnO 2 :Sb MW heterojunction was constructed with a p-GaN film serving as the hole supplier. In the LED, the presence of a MgO intermediate layer can modulate carrier transport and recombination path, thus achieving band-edge optical transition in the SnO 2 :Sb MW. As the LED is modified using Ag nanowires, electrical properties, especially for the hole injection efficiency, were dramatically boosted, contributing significantly to the device high brightness. The LED emits at 365.9 nm and a line width of 12.4 nm. Therefore, we have realized a high-brightness and narrow-band ultraviolet LED with the shortest peak wavelength never seen in previously reported SnO 2 LEDs. This work will promote the potential applications of low-dimensional SnO 2 optoelectronic devices and provide an effective exemplification to overcome the dipole-forbidden rule in metal-oxide materials with "forbidden" energy gaps.

Copper nanowire-based transparent conductive films have garnered extensive attention owing to their cost-effectiveness and comparable electrical properties. However, the inherent instability of copper nanowires (Cu NWs) has curtailed their extensive utility and applicability. Herein, we present durable Cu@Au NW/PET films exhibiting elevated photoelectric attributes and remarkable flexibility. After preparing Cu NWs, the purification operation allows the purity of the Cu NWs to reach about 98%. Subsequently, Cu@Au NWs/PET flexible transparent conductive films (FTCFs) were prepared through vacuum filtration of Cu NWs and direct treatment with chloroauric acid. The resulting Cu@Au NW-based FTCFs exhibit impressive attributes including a low sheet resistance of 30 ohms per square and a high optical transmittance of 90%, resulting in an exceptional figure of merit (FOM) of 99. Remarkably, the Cu@Au NWs/PET film showed remarkable flexibility, retaining its properties after 10 000 cycles of continuous bending. Stability assessments further affirm the sheet resistance of the Cu@Au NW FTCFs remains nearly unchanged over 75 days at ambient temperature. The strategic integration of a gold nanolayer, serving as a protective coating on the Cu NWs, yields substantial enhancements in both electrical conductivity and overall stability within the Cu NW FTCF architecture. Furthermore, the obtained Cu@Au NW films exhibit rapid heating capabilities, reaching a temperature of 67 °C within 30 seconds at 3.5 V and subsequently returning to room temperature at the same rate. In summary, the introduction of a Au protective layer can effectively enhance the oxidation resistance of Cu NWs, which has great application potential in FTCFs in the field of film heaters.

Background: Case-finding is a recommended approach for dementia early detection in the community., Aims: To investigate the discriminant validity and cost-effectiveness of a stepwise dementia case-finding approach in a Singaporean older adult community., Methods: The two-phase study was conducted in the community from 2009 to 2015 in Singapore. A total of 3780 participants (age ≥60 years) completed phase I (a brief cognitive screening); 918 completed phase II and were included in the final analysis. In phase I, all participants were administered the Abbreviated Mental Test (AMT) and the Progressive Forgetfulness Question (PFQ). Those who screened positive on either test were invited to phase II, whereby the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and a formal neuropsychological battery were administered, followed by the research diagnosis of no cognitive impairment, cognitive impairment no dementia (CIND)-Mild (≤2 impaired cognitive domains), CIND-Moderate (>2 impaired domains) or dementia. Receiver operating characteristic curve analyses were conducted for the different cognitive instruments. All discriminant indices were calculated, including sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values (NPV) and accuracy. Cost-effectiveness analysis was conducted by estimating the amount of screening time needed and the number of older adults requiring re-evaluation in two case-finding scenarios, ie, with or without preselection by the PFQ., Results: The stepwise case-finding approach (preselection by the PFQ, then MMSE or MoCA or AMT) showed an excellent NPV (>99%) and accuracy (>86%) for excluding dementia-free cases. Without preselection by the PFQ, screening time for the three cognitive tools were 317.5, 317.5 and 254 hours, with 159, 302 and 175 screen-positive older adults involved in further evaluation. By adopting the stepwise case-finding approach, total screening time were 156.5, 156.5 and 126.2 hours, which decreased by 50.7%, 50.7% and 50.3% as compared with those without preselection. Furthermore, after preselection, only 98, 167 and 145 screen-positive older adults required further evaluation, corresponding to a reduction of 38.4%, 44.7% and 17.1% in the numbers compared with those without preselection., Conclusions: A stepwise approach for dementia case-finding should be implemented in the community to minimise the time and resources needed for large-scale early detection of dementia., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2023. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

Metabolic diseases pose a significant global health challenge, characterized by an imbalance in metabolism and resulting in various complications. Secreted frizzled-related protein 5 (SFRP5), an adipokine known for its anti-inflammatory properties, has gained attention as a promising therapeutic target for metabolic diseases. SFRP5 acts as a key regulator in the Wnt signaling pathway, exerting its influence on critical cellular functions including proliferation, differentiation, and migration. Its significance extends to the realm of adipose tissue biology, where it plays a central role in regulating inflammation, insulin resistance, adipogenesis, lipid metabolism, glucose homeostasis, and energy balance. By inhibiting Wnt signaling, SFRP5 facilitates adipocyte growth, promotes lipid accumulation, and contributes to a decrease in oxidative metabolism. Lifestyle interventions and pharmacological treatments have shown promise in increasing SFRP5 levels and protecting against metabolic abnormalities. SFRP5 is a pivotal player in metabolic diseases and presents itself as a promising therapeutic target. An overview of SFRP5 and its involvement in metabolic disorders and metabolism is provided in this comprehensive review. By elucidating these aspects, valuable insights can be gained to foster the development of effective strategies in combating metabolic diseases., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare no competing interests., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Aging is a progressive and irreversible pathophysiological process that manifests as the decline in tissue and cellular functions, along with a significant increase in the risk of various aging-related diseases, including metabolic diseases. While advances in modern medicine have significantly promoted human health and extended human lifespan, metabolic diseases such as obesity and type 2 diabetes among the older adults pose a major challenge to global public health as societies age. Therefore, understanding the complex interaction between risk factors and metabolic diseases is crucial for promoting well-being and healthy aging. This review article explores the environmental and behavioral risk factors associated with metabolic diseases and their impact on healthy aging. The environment, including an obesogenic environment and exposure to environmental toxins, is strongly correlated with the rising prevalence of obesity and its comorbidities. Behavioral factors, such as diet, physical activity, smoking, alcohol consumption, and sleep patterns, significantly influence the risk of metabolic diseases throughout aging. Public health interventions targeting modifiable risk factors can effectively promote healthier lifestyles and prevent metabolic diseases. Collaboration between government agencies, healthcare providers and community organizations is essential for implementing these interventions and creating supportive environments that foster healthy aging., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Zhang, Ma, Luo, Song, Xiong, Ma, Sun and Kan.)

Subcellular organelles dysfunction is implicated in various diseases, including metabolic diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases. BAM15, a selective mitochondrial uncoupler, has emerged as a promising therapeutic agent due to its ability to enhance mitochondrial respiration and metabolic flexibility. By disrupting the coupling between electron transport and ATP synthesis, BAM15 dissipates the proton gradient, leading to increased mitochondrial respiration and energy expenditure. This review provides a comprehensive overview of BAM15, including its mechanism of action and potential therapeutic applications in diverse disease contexts. BAM15 has shown promise in obesity by increasing energy expenditure and reducing fat accumulation. In diabetes, it improves glycemic control and reverses insulin resistance. Additionally, BAM15 has potential in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, sepsis, and cardiovascular diseases by mitigating oxidative stress, modulating inflammatory responses, and promoting cardioprotection. The safety profile of BAM15 is encouraging, with minimal adverse effects and remarkable tolerability. However, challenges such as its high lipophilicity and the need for alternative delivery methods need to be addressed. Further research is necessary to fully understand the therapeutic potential of BAM15 and optimize its application in clinical settings., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Xiong, Zhang, Ma, Song, Zhang, Qi, Qiu, Shi, Kan, Zhang and Sun.)

Post-stroke depression (PSD) is a frequent and disabling complication of stroke that affects up to one-third of stroke survivors. The pathophysiology of PSD involves multiple mechanisms, including neurochemical, neuroinflammatory, neurotrophic, and neuroplastic changes. Astrocytes are a type of glial cell that is plentiful and adaptable in the central nervous system. They play key roles in various mechanisms by modulating neurotransmission, inflammation, neurogenesis, and synaptic plasticity. This review summarizes the latest evidence of astrocyte involvement in PSD from human and animal studies, focusing on the alterations of astrocyte markers and functions in relation to monoamine neurotransmitters, inflammatory cytokines, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and glutamate excitotoxicity. We also discuss the potential therapeutic implications of targeting astrocytes for PSD prevention and treatment. Astrocytes could be new candidates for antidepressant medications and other interventions that aim to restore astrocyte homeostasis and function in PSD. Astrocytes could be new candidates for antidepressant medications and other interventions that aim to restore astrocyte homeostasis and function in PSD., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

The Wnt signaling system is a critical pathway that regulates embryonic development and adult homeostasis. Secreted frizzled-related proteins (SFRPs) are extracellular inhibitors of Wnt signaling that act by binding directly to Wnt ligands or Frizzled receptors. SFRPs can act as anti-Wnt agents and suppress cancer growth by blocking the action of Wnt ligands. However, SFRPs are often silenced by promoter methylation in cancer cells, resulting in hyperactivation of the Wnt pathway. Epigenetic modifiers can reverse this silencing and restore SFRPs expression. Despite the potential of SFRPs as a therapeutic target, the effects of SFRPs on tumor development remain unclear. Therefore, a review of the expression of various members of the SFRPs family in different cancers and their potential as therapeutic targets is warranted. This review aims to summarize the current knowledge of SFRPs in cancer, focusing on their expression patterns and their potential as novel therapeutic targets., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare no competing interests., (Copyright © 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.. All rights reserved.)