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Madelung disease (MD) was first described by Brodie in 1846 as a rare multiple lipoma. It is a benign tumor characterized by symmetrical diffuse adipose tissue deposition in the proximal extremities and neck. Until now, the etiology and pathogenesis of the disease have not been fully explained, resulting in difficulties in diagnosis and treatment; moreover, palliative treatment, such as surgical resection of adipose tissue or liposuction, is still the mainstream treatment for MD. However, the effectiveness of palliative surgery is limited, and most patients still relapse or metastasize after treatment. Therefore, we analyzed the relationship between tumor cells and immune cells in MD using single-cell RNA sequencing for the first time and combined an analysis of our results with a review of previous literature reports. Our study provides a new perspective on the pathogenesis of MD and provides a vital clinical basis for targeted therapy. The authors declare that all the data supporting the findings of this study are available within the article and its Supplemental information files. • Madelung disease (MD) is a rare metabolic disease whose etiology has not been fully elucidated. • It is a benign tumor characterized by symmetrical diffuse adipose tissue deposition in the proximal extremities and neck. • The diagnosis is mainly based on physical and histological examination, clinical features, and imaging. • We reported on MD by using single-cell RNA sequencing for the first time and offered a new perspective on its biological characteristics, which is expected to provide a vital clinical basis for targeted therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The existence of potential pathogens may lead to severe water pollution, disease transmission, and the risk of infectious diseases, posing threats to the stability of aquatic ecosystems and human health. In-depth research on the dynamic of potential pathogenic communities is of significant importance, it can provide crucial support for assessing the health status of aquatic ecosystems, maintaining ecological balance, promoting sustainable economic development, and safeguarding human health. Nevertheless, the current understanding of the distribution and geographic patterns of potential pathogens in coastal ecosystems remains rather limited. Here, we investigated the diversity, assembly, and co-occurrence network of potential pathogenic communities in two anthropogenic coastal regions, i.e., the eight mouths (EPR) and nearshore region (NSE), of the Pearl River Estuary (PRE) and a total of 11 potential pathogenic types were detected. The composition and diversity of potential pathogenic communities exhibited noteworthy distinctions between the EPR and NSE, with 6 shared potential pathogenic families. Additionally, in the NSE, a significant pattern of geographic decay was observed, whereas in the EPR, the pattern of geographic decay was not significant. Based on the Stegen null model, it was noted that undominant processes (53.36%/69.24%) and heterogeneous selection (27.35%/25.19%) dominated the assembly of potential pathogenic communities in EPR and NSE. Co-occurrence network analysis showed higher number of nodes, a lower average path length and graph diameter, as well as higher level of negative co-occurrences and modularity in EPR than those in NSE, indicating more complex and stable correlations between potential pathogens in EPR. These findings lay the groundwork for the effective management of potential pathogens, offering essential information for ecosystem conservation and public health considerations in the anthropogenic coastal regions. [Display omitted] • Exploring potential pathogenic community assembly, complexity, and stability in PRE. • Environmental variations impact the community composition and diversity. • Undominant processes and heterogeneous selection dominate the assembly. • Higher α-diversity and richer composition, more complex and stable the community. • Increased community complexity correlates with heightened stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Genetic etiology was clarified in 54 families, with a positive rate of 48%. • 19 novel P/LP variants and 22 VUS variants were identified. All of these findings broadened the mutation spectrum of hearing loss genes. Hearing loss is a group of diseases with high genetic heterogeneity. About 160 genes have been reported to be associated with hereditary hearing loss. 113 families with hearing loss were collected, and WES was used to detect SNV, InDel, CNV and mitochondrial gene variants. For some probands with negative WES test results, the copy number of STRC and OTOA were determined by using real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR. Pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants were found in 54 probands, of which 98% (53/54) were SNVs or InDels and 2% (1/54) were CNVs, a positive rate of 48%. 16 families (14%) were detected with candidate variants of uncertain significance. 19 novel pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants and 22 candidate variants of uncertain significance were identified in this study. The most common hearing loss gene in the families was GJB2 , accounting for 28% (15/53), followed by SLC26A4 and MYO15A , accounting for 21% (11/53) and 11% (6/53), respectively. Heterozygous gene deletion was detected in 3 probands, including 2 with STRC and 1 with OTOA in 43 families with WES negative test. Genetic etiology was clarified in 54 families. All of these findings broadened the mutation spectrum of hearing loss genes, thus providing new variant information for the future diagnosis of patients with hearing loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Catheter ablation has become an accepted first line therapy for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF), with pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) being the key element of ablation strategies. Catheter ablation of AF has been proven to be superior to antiarrhythmic drug (AAD) therapy regarding efficacy and improvement of survival in patients with heart failure. PVI has become a routine treatment procedure in recent decades especially for patients with symptomatic PAF. Recent research investigations have shown that AF recurrence still occurs in a significant number of patients after ablation. AF recurrence leads to a decrease in patients' quality of life and is related to an increased risk of cardiovascular events and mortality. As most arrhythmia recurrences take place within the first 3 months after the initial procedure, this time period is seen as a so-called "blanking period", in which ablation is not recommended, since up to 50 % of patients can become arrhythmia free in the long run. Ablation therapy, however, is less successful in patients suffering from long standing persistent AF, with a 20.3 % success rate after a single procedure and a 45 % success rate after multiple RFA procedures. Several scores have been established and validated to predict cardiac rhythm outcomes after catheter ablation. However, due to the lack of external validation of most of the scores, their efficacy in predicting recurrence of atrial fibrillation needs to be further evaluated in independent external studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Stem cell therapy is promising for neural repair in devastating traumatic brain injury (TBI). However, the low survival and differentiation rates of transplanted stem cells are main obstacles to efficient stem cell therapy in TBI. Stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) and its receptor CXCR4 are key factors that regulate the survival, recruitment, and differentiation of stem cells. Herein, we synthesized a sodium alginate (SA)/collagen type I (Col)/SDF-1 hydrogel and investigated whether the SA/Col/SDF-1 hydrogel loaded with bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) had therapeutic effects on a TBI model. Our results showed that the SA/Col/SDF-1 scaffold could stably release SDF-1 and provide biocompatible and biodegradable microenvironment for the survival, migration, and neuronal differentiation of BMSCs in vitro. In a rat model of TBI, the SA/Col/SDF-1 hydrogel loaded with BMSCs significantly ameliorated motor and cognition dysfunction and relieved anxiety and depressive-like behaviors. In addition, the BMSCs/SA/Col/SDF-1 scaffold reduced brain lesions and neuronal cell death and mitigated neuroinflammation. Further studies demonstrated that the BMSCs/SA/Col/SDF-1 hydrogel promoted the migration of BMSCs in the lesions and partly enhanced neurogenesis by activating the SDF-1/CXCR4-mediated FAK/PI3K/AKT pathway. Taken together, our results indicate that the SA/Col/SDF-1 scaffold loaded with BMSCs exerts neuroreparative effects in a TBI rat model, and thus, it may serve as an alternative neural regeneration scaffold for brain injury repair. Hydrogel facilitates the biological behaviors of transplanted stem cells for tissue regeneration. In this study, we synthesized sodium alginate (SA)/collagen type I (Col)/ scaffold to simultaneously deliver stromal cell derived factor-1 (SDF-1) and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) in a rat model of traumatic brain injury (TBI). We found that the SA/Col/SDF-1 hydrogel could continuously release SDF-1 and was conducive to the survival, migration and neuronal differentiation of BMSCs in vitro. In addition, the SA/Col/SDF-1 hydrogel loaded with BMSCs significantly ameliorated neurological deficits, mitigated neuroinflammation, promoted the recruitment of BMSCs and enhanced neurogenesis in TBI partly by activating the SDF-1/CXCR4-mediated FAK/PI3K/AKT pathway. Our results may serve as an alternative neural regeneration strategy for brain injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we establish the existence of large solutions of Hessian equations and obtain a new boundary asymptotic behavior of solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions from flue gas lead to a series of environmental problems. Biological removal of Nitrogen oxide (NOx) from flue gas by microalgae is a potential approach for reducing the problems caused by these emissions. However, few microalgal strains are reported to remove NOx from flue gas. Here, a microalga strain PF3 (identified as Scenedesmus obliquus), which can remove NOx and fix CO 2 from flue gas is isolated. The tolerance of Scenedesmus obliquus PF3 to CO 2 , NO, SO 2 and its adaptabilities to environmental factors (pH and temperature), and its performance in the removal of NO and CO 2 are investigated. Scenedesmus obliquus PF3 showed biomass accumulation when sparged with 15% CO 2 or 500 ppm NO or 50 ppm SO 2 , and bisulfite less than 2 mM showed no toxicity to Scenedesmus obliquus PF3. Additionally, PF3 grew well in a wide range of pH and temperatures from 4.5 to 10.5 and 15 °C–30 °C, respectively. When sparged with simulated flue gas (100 ppm NO, 10% CO 2 , (N 2 as balance gas)), the microalgae culture system removed NO and CO 2 at a rate of 2.86 ± 0.23 mg L−1 d−1 and 1.48 ± 0.12 g L−1 d−1, respectively, where up to 96.9 ± 0.03% (2.77 ± 0.08 mg L−1 d−1) and 87.7 ± 6.22% (1.29 ± 0.01 mg L−1 d−1) of the removed NO and CO 2 , respectively, were assimilated in algal biomass. These results suggest that Scenedesmus obliquus PF3 is a promising candidate for NOx removal and carbon fixation of flue gas. Image 1 • Scenedesmus obliquus PF3 tolerant to 15% CO 2 , 500 ppm NO, 50 ppm SO 2 was screened. • The microalgae culture system removed NO and CO 2 by 2.86 mg L−1 d−1 and 1.48 g L−1 d−1. • 96.9% of the removed NO and 87.7% of the removed CO 2 were assimilated in biomass. The study isolated a functional microalga strain which can realize the removal and recovery of NOx and CO 2 from flue gas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chimeric RNAs are transcripts composed of RNA fragments from different genes and are traditionally well-known cancer-causing genetic events. Recent studies show chimeric RNAs being present in multiple non-neoplastic tissues and cells, suggesting that at least some may have roles in normal physiology. However, chimeric RNAs and their implications in brain development and neural differentiation have not been formally studied. Here, we firstly characterized the landscape of chimeric RNAs in human infant brain tissues and identified 599 chimeric RNAs. Through a series of filtering, 22 were selected and tested in a neural differentiation process starting from stem cells. Ten were validated experimentally. One of these ten chimeric RNAs, DUS4L-BCAP29 , dramatically increased when human umbilical mesenchymal stem cells were induced for neural differentiation. Consistently, we found that overexpressed DUS4L-BCAP29 effectively promoted neural differentiation. Our results support the important role(s) chimeric RNAs play in neural differentiation, and are consistent with the new notion that chimeric RNAs also exist in normal physiology, and likely serve biological purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Biodegradable ZIF-8@CNF@cellulose foams were prepared by in situ green growth method. • The ZIF-8 crystals significantly improved the adsorption ability of composite foams. • The CNF immobilized ZIF-8 crystals and improved the mechanical strength of foams. • ZIF-8@CNF@cellulose foams showed high adsorption capacity for gases and heavy metals. Abstract The excess emission of toxic gases in atmosphere and heavy metal ions in drinking water is still a serious threat to human health. In this paper, a lightweight and porous zeolitic imidazolate frameworks-8@cellulose nanofiber@cellulose foam (ZIF-8@CNF@cellulose foam) with excellent gas adsorption and heavy metal ions removal properties was prepared using a simple in situ green growth method. The nitrogen adsorption property of ZIF-8@CNF@cellulose foam was 30 times higher than pure cellulose foam. Furthermore, the adsorption testing demonstrated that the composite foam showed high adsorption capacity for fluorescent dyes (24.6 mg g−1 for rhodamine B), heavy metal ions (35.6 mg g−1 for Cr (VI)) and organic solvents (45.2 g g−1 for DMF). Additionally, the ZIF-8/cellulose-based foam with 40 wt.% CNF exhibited an excellent mechanical performance, reaching a compressive strength value of 1.30 MPa. Herein, this work provides a feasible method to prepare ZIF-8@CNF@cellulose foam composite materials, which could adsorb gas molecules and heavy metal ions and show a great potential in atmosphere and water treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Although affiliation with deviant peers is among the most salient risk factors for college students' maladjustment, few studies have examined the possible peer contagion processes for problematic Internet use and the underlying mechanisms explaining how peer factors may shape the development of problematic Internet use. Based on data from 2516 Chinese undergraduate students (mean age = 18.56 years, SD = 0.84; 38.16% female) across their four college years and utilizing lagged latent difference score analyses, this study tested a process model to elucidate how peer Internet overuse and peer pressure on Internet use may contribute to Chinese undergraduates' problematic Internet use via shaping their maladaptive cognitions over Internet use. Results indicated that peer Internet overuse predicted subsequent increases in students' peer pressure on Internet use, which in turn, were linked with students' elevated problematic Internet use via maladaptive cognitions over Internet use. This dynamic cascade process was robust even after considering a series of potential confounding variables and the prospective associations among the key variables of interest. Such findings shed light on the peer contagion processes for the development of Chinese college students' problematic Internet use, and provide empirical evidence supporting the call for integrating peer factors into prevention and intervention programs aimed at reducing the incidence and severity of college students' problematic Internet use. Highlights • Peer contagion processes for problematic Internet use were examined. • A latent difference scores model based on four annual waves of data were used. • Peer Internet overuse predicted Chinese college students' problematic Internet use. • Peer pressure was identified as a significant mediator. • Maladaptive cognitions was identified as a more proximal predictor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract Highlights • Novel Ag-MOFs@CNF@ZIF-8 cellulose-based air filters were designed and fabricated. • The Ag-MOFs were employed to endow filters with excellent antibacterial activity. • The ZIF-8 nanocrystals were used to endow filters with high gas adsorption ability. • The introduction of CNF significantly improved the mechanical strength of filters. • The composite filter exhibited 94.3% removal efficiency for PM 2.5. Abstract A biodegradable cellulose-based air filter (Ag-MOFs@CNF@ZIF-8) with multi-layer structure was fabricated by in situ generation of double-component metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and reinforcement of cellulose nanofiber (CNF). It exhibits good filtration performance, gas adsorption, antibacterial activity and mechanical property. The presence of MOFs could enhance the interaction between the filter and particulate matter (PM) and significantly improve the specific surface area of the composite filter. Thus, the filtration efficiency of the composite filter could reach 94.3% for PM 2.5 and the nitrogen adsorption capacity increased to 109 cm3 g−1. Furthermore, the Ag-MOFs@CNF@ZIF-8 filter exhibited excellent antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli with an inhibition zone diameter of 18.1 mm. The compressive strength of the composite filter could be up to 501 kPa, approximately 3.8 times higher than that of pure cellulose filter. Herein, this composite filter has a great application potential in PM 2.5 removal, toxic gas adsorption and healthcare fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mesenchymal stem cell transplantation is a promising therapeutic approach for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, poor engraftment and limited survival rates are major obstacles for its clinical application. Resveratrol, an activator of silent information regulator 2, homolog 1 (SIRT1), regulates cell destiny and is beneficial for neurodegenerative disorders. The present study is designed to explore whether resveratrol regulates the fate of human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs) and whether hUC-MSCs combined with resveratrol would be efficacious in the treatment of neurodegeneration in a mouse model of AD through SIRT1 signaling. Herein, we report that resveratrol facilitates hUC-MSCs engraftment in the hippocampus of AD mice and resveratrol enhances the therapeutic effects of hUC-MSCs in this model as demonstrated by improved learning and memory in the Morris water maze, enhanced neurogenesis and alleviated neural apoptosis in the hippocampus of the AD mice. Moreover, hUC-MSCs and resveratrol jointly regulate expression of hippocampal SIRT1, PCNA, p53, ac-p53, p21, and p16. These data strongly suggests that hUC-MSCs transplantation combined with resveratrol may be an effective therapy for AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accumulating evidence suggests that oxidative stress induced by beta-amyloid (Aβ) is implicated in the pathlogical progression of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). 3H-1,2-dithiole-3-thione (D3T), the simplest compound of the sulfur-containing dithiolethiones, has been proved to be a strongly active antioxidant factor by regulation of the nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2). Previous study reported that D3T confers protection to AD cell model in vitro, however, the neuroprotective effect of D3T in the AD mammalian model is unknown. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the therapeutic potential of D3T in the Tg2576 AD mouse model and investigate the mechanisms underlying its beneficial effects. We showed that intraperitoneal administration of D3T significantly alleviated cognitive deficits in AD mice and dramatically decreased insoluble Aβ level and oxidative stress. Further mechanistic studies revealed that D3T significantly promoted hippocampal neurogenesis, and up-regulated levels of silent information regulator 1 (Sirt1), Nrf2 and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). Moreover, the positive effect of D3T on behavioral performance of AD mice was markedly attenuated by inhibition of the Sirt1/Nrf2 pathway by the antagonist EX527. In summary, our studies on a mouse AD model indicate that D3T could serve as a potential therapeutic agent for this devastating disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Light-weight and high-modulus carbon fiber/phenolic composites, were in large demand of heavy-loading engineering, vehicles and aerospace fields. However, the limitation in the weak interface would cause serious stress concentration and structural failure of materials. Herein, aramid nanofiber (ANF) and cellulose nanofiber (CNF) as flexible units, and zeolitic imidazolate frameworks-8 (ZIF-8) as a rigid unit, were employed to establish a trans -scale reinforced structure on the interphase for balancing the modulus of fibers/resin and improving interfacial properties of the composites. This flexible-rigid (ANF/CNF-ZIF-8) scalable structure, contributed to the integration of various components and forming effective bonds between fibers and the matrix, further promoting mechanical and tribological performances of the composites. Due to the trans -scale interface enhancement of this unique flexible-rigid structure, the flexural strength of 30%ANF-ZIF-8-composite (S 1-3) and 30%CNF-ZIF-8-composite (S 2-3) improved by 77.68% and 88.46%, respectively. Meanwhile, the elastic modulus of S 1-3 and S 2-3 reached 5.41 and 5.40 GPa, indicating a significant ascent of 137.28% and 136.84%, respectively. This work provides a promising and effective strategy of constructing a flexible-rigid scalable interfacial structure and opens an avenue toward the large-scale fabrication of new-generation advanced materials. [Display omitted] • Constructing a flexible-rigid structure for trans-scale interface reinforcement of carbon fiber/phenolic composites. • This bioinspired interfacial enhanced structure acted as a smart cushion, could effectively transfer external stress. • High aspect ratio ANF/CNF was beneficial for reinforcing interfacial bonding of the composites by bridge-linking. • ANF/CNF-ZIF-8 enhanced carbon fiber/phenolic composites displayed remarkable mechanical and tribological performances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stem cell transplantation represents a promising therapy for central nervous system injuries, but its application to Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is still limited and the potential mechanism for cognition improvement remains to be elucidated. In the present study, we used Tg2576 mice which express AD-like pathological forms of amyloid precursor protein (APP) to investigate the effects of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs) intravenous transplantation on AD mice. Interestingly, hUC-MSCs transplantation significantly ameliorated cognitive function of AD mice without altering Aβ levels in hippocampus. Remarkably, hUC-MSCs transplantation reduced oxidative stress in hippocampus of AD mice by decreasing the level of malondialdehyde (MDA), increasing the level of nitric oxide (NO), enhancing the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS). The mechanisms underlying the improved cognitive function may be linked to hippocampal neurogenesis and an up-regulation of neuronal synaptic plasticity related proteins levels including silent information regulator 1 (Sirt1), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and synaptophysin (SYN). Taken together, our findings suggest that hUC-MSCs can improve cognition of AD mice by decreasing oxidative stress and promoting hippocampal neurogenesis. These results suggest that modulating hUC-MSCs to generate excess neuroprotective factors could provide a viable therapy to treat AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Horseradish peroxidase (HRP) is a classical heme-containing protein which has been applied in many fields. The prosthetic group heme in HRP, especially in unfolded state, can react with hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) to produce a fluorescent product with the maximum emission wavelength at 450 nm. Utilizing this emission band as a fluorescence probe, the unfolding process of HRP in urea can be assessed quantitatively, and the calculated thermodynamic parameters are consistent with those determined by circular dichroism (CD) at 222 nm and steady-state tryptophan (Trp) fluorescence methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The scale-up preparation of aramid nanofiber (ANF) and cellulose nanofiber (CNF), still faces serious challenges such as extreme production cost and lengthy preparation cycle. Herein, a feasible top-down strategy was proposed to achieve the efficient reclamation of waste resources, further realizing the large-scale production of high value-added nanofibers. The ANF/CNF as nanoscale building blocks and their reinforcement effects on the mechanical performances of carbon fiber/phenolic composites were investigated. Related strength and modulus of ANF/CNF-enhanced composites in the tensile, bending, shear and nano indentation tests, increased by 118.1% (tensile strength), 141.2% (tensile modulus), 142.2% (flexural strength), 354.4% (flexural modulus), 38.8% (shear strength) and 94.4% (elastic modulus), respectively. Our work offers a valuable reference in the fabrication of low-cost ANF/CNF derived from waste resources, which would facilitate the wide application of nanofibers in fabricating high-performance advanced functional materials. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]