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Background: This meta-analysis investigated the influence of exercise on cognitive function in people living with diabetes. Methods: Stringent criteria for literature inclusion and exclusion were defined. Searches were conducted across four English databases to gather randomized controlled trials investigating exercise interventions for cognitive function in people living with diabetes. Outcome indicators from 1193 subjects across 12 articles were analyzed using RevMan 5.4 software. Results: Exercise intervention demonstrated the ability to mitigate cognitive decline in people living with diabetes, with a combined effect size (standardized mean difference) of 0.91, 95% CI: 0.28, 1.54, P < 0.00001. The intervention effect showed significant modulation by intervention content (I2 = 95%), intervention duration (I2 = 95%), intervention frequency (I2 = 95%), and intervention cycle (I2 = 96%). Among these factors, multi-component exercise, sessions >40 minutes, exercise frequency >4 times per week, and sustained exercise for >6 months were paramount, all with P < 0.05. Conclusion: Exercise intervention emerges as a viable strategy for delaying cognitive decline in people living with diabetes. Its efficacy is subject to modulation by various variables. Optimal intervention includes multi-component exercise, individual sessions lasting 40–60 minutes, exercising >4 times a week, and continuous exercise for over 6 months. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the land economic density of 892 town units, the spatial pattern of the land economic density in Zhejiang Province is analyzed using the coefficient of variation, spatial classification, and spatial correlation methods, and the influencing factors are analyzed using a spatial regression model. The results are as follows: (1) The coefficients of variation were 2.6 and 3.1 in 2014 and 2019, respectively, indicating that the degree of imbalance of the town's industrial economy at the county level increased. (2) The distribution of the high-level agglomeration areas was characterized by one core area and two sub-core areas. The main core area was located at the junction of Hangzhou City, Shaoxing City, and Jiaxing City, and the two sub-core areas were located in Yuyao City and the main urban area of Ningbo City. In addition, several small-scale agglomeration areas composed of medium and high-level units were distributed in Wenzhou City. (3) The high-value agglomeration and low-value agglomeration distribution in the spatial correlation patterns was identified using the spatial auto-correlation method. The hot spots and sub-hot spots were distributed in Northern Zhejiang, and the cold spots formed a large-scale agglomeration in Quzhou City, Lishui City, Taizhou City, and several other cities in Southern Zhejiang. (4) Compared with the county scale, the spatial scope of the high-level areas in Northern Zhejiang shrunk significantly at the township scale, and the high-level agglomeration areas along the southeast coast changed into a cluster of several townships. (5) According to the geographically weighted regression (GWR) model, the importance of influencing factors is as follows: population density > regional area > industrial output value per capita > total population > proportion of secondary and tertiary personnel > total employees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To investigate the effects of Hes1 gene on the proliferation, migration and invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma cell line Hep1-6. Methods Cell proliferation, cell colony formation, migration and invasion were measured after Hes1 gene were overexpressed in Hep1-6 cells mediated by recombinant adenovirus. Results The clone numbers of Hep1-6 cells infected with Ad-Hes1 were significantly less than the control group infected with Ad-GFP (P < 0.001). Six days after Ad-Hes1 infection, OD450nm of Hep1-6 cells were significantly lower than that of control group (P < 0.01). The wound healing rates of Hep1-6 cells infected with Ad-Hes1 at 24h and 48h were significantly lower than those of the control group (P < 0.001). The number of Hep1-6 cells infected with Ad-Hes1 migrating into the lower chamber of Transwell after 48 h of culture was significantly lower than that of the control group (P < 0.001). The number of Hep1-6 cells infected with Ad-Hes1 invading into the lower chamber of Transwell after 48h of culture was significantly lower than that in the control group (P < 0.01). Conclusion Hes1 could suppress the proliferation, migration and invasion of Hep1-6 cells.

Fabricating highly oriented 2D nanosheet arrays is crucial for boosting their performance in electronics, catalysis, optics, and energy conversion, while it remains a challenge due to the high surface energy often leads to random aggregation or interlaced structure. In this study, it is found that the exposed facet of Fe2O3 can greatly influence the interface growth arrangement of bimetallic hydroxide (NiCo(OH)2) nanosheets. The NiCo(OH)2 nanosheets tend to parallel‐standing on the cubic and spindle Fe2O3 while random‐ and interlaced‐standing on the Fe2O3 hexagonal nanoplates and microspheres. The theoretical simulation further indicates the orientation of deposited hydroxide sheets is decided explicitly by the interfacial lattice match/mismatch. Compared to the common interlaced structure of nanosheets, the parallel‐standing nanosheet arrays reduce grain boundaries and improve the charge transfer efficiency. As a result, the derived NiCoP cages exhibit a promising oxygen evolution reaction performance with an overpotential of 255 mV at 10 mA cm−2, and the maximum current density of 400 mA cm−2 with the overpotential of 319 mV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The massive use of fossil fuels releases a great amount of CO2, which substantially contributes to the global warming. For the global goal of putting CO2 emission under control, effective utilization of CO2 is particularly meaningful. Electrocatalytic CO2 reduction reaction (eCO2RR) has great potential in CO2 utilization, because it can convert CO2 into valuable carbon‐containing chemicals and feedstock using renewable electricity. The catalyst design for eCO2RR is a key challenge to achieving efficient conversion of CO2 to fuels and useful chemicals. For a typical heterogeneous catalyst, surface and interface engineering is an effective approach to enhance reaction activity. Herein, the development and research progress in CO2 catalysts with focus on surface and interface engineering are reviewed. First, the fundaments of eCO2RR is briefly discussed from the reaction mechanism to performance evaluation methods, introducing the role of the surface and interface engineering of electrocatalyst in eCO2RR. Then, several routes to optimize the surface and interface of CO2 electrocatalysts, including morphology, dopants, atomic vacancies, grain boundaries, surface modification, etc. are reviewed and representative examples are given. At the end of this review, we share our personal views in future research of eCO2RR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease. We previously revealed that the natural compound artemisitene (ATT) exhibits excellent broad anticancer activities without toxicity on normal tissues. Nevertheless, the effect of ATT on RA is undiscovered. Herein, we aim to study the effect and potential mechanism of ATT on RA management. Methods: A collagen‐induced arthritis (CIA) mouse model was employed to confirm the anti‐RA potential of ATT. Cell Counting Kit‐8 (CCK‐8) and 5‐ethynyl‐2'‐deoxyuridine (EdU) assays, cell cycle and apoptosis analysis, immunofluorescence, migration and invasion assays, quantitative real‐time PCR (RT‐qPCR), Western blot, RNA‐sequencing (RNA‐seq) analysis, plasmid construction and lentivirus infection, and methylated RNA immunoprecipitation and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays, were carried out to confirm the effect and potential mechanism of ATT on RA management. Results: ATT relieved CIA in mice. ATT inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis of RA‐fibroblast‐like synoviocytes (FLSs). ATT restrained RA‐FLSs migration and invasion via suppressing epithelial–mesenchymal transition. RNA‐sequencing analysis and bioinformatics analysis identified intercellular adhesion molecule 2 (ICAM2) as a promoter of RA progression in RA‐FLSs. ATT inhibits RA progression by suppressing ICAM2/phosphoinositide 3‐kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT)/p300 pathway in RA‐FLSs. Moreover, ATT inhibited methyltransferase‐like 3 (METTL3)‐mediated N6‐methyladenosine methylation of ICAM2 mRNA in RA‐FLSs. Interestingly, p300 directly facilitated METTL3 transcription, which could be restrained by ATT in RA‐FLSs. Importantly, METTL3, ICAM2 and p300 expressions in synovium tissues of RA patients were related to clinical characteristics and therapy response. Conclusions: We provided strong evidence that ATT has therapeutic potential for RA management by suppressing proliferation, migration and invasion, in addition to inducing apoptosis of RA‐FLSs through modulating METTL3/ICAM2/PI3K/AKT/p300 feedback loop, supplying the fundamental basis for the clinical application of ATT in RA therapy. Moreover, METTL3, ICAM2 and p300 might serve as biomarkers for the therapy response of RA patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common disease worldwide and is treated commonly with methotrexate (MTX). CS12192 is a novel JAK3 inhibitor discovered by Chipscreen Biosciences for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. In the present study, we examined the therapeutic effect of CS12192 against RA and explored if the combinational therapy of CS12192 and MTX produced a synergistic effect against RA in rat collagen-induced arthritis (CIA). Arthritis was induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats by two intradermal injections of bovine type II collagen (CII) and treated with MTX, CS12192, or the combination of CS12192 and MTX daily for two weeks. Effects of different treatments on arthritis score, X-ray score, pathology, and expression of inflammatory cytokines and biomarkers were examined. We found that treatment with either CS12192 or MTX produced a comparable therapeutic effect on CIA including: (1) significantly lowering the arthritis score, X-ray score, serum levels of rheumatic factor (RF), C-reactive protein (CRP), and anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA); (2) largely alleviating histopathological damage, reducing infiltration of Th17 cells while promoting Treg cells; (3) inhibiting the expression of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines such as IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6, CCL2, and CXCL1. All these inhibitory effects were further improved by the combinational therapy with MTX and CS12192. Of importance, the combinational treatment also resulted in a marked switching of the Th17 to Treg and the M1 to M2 immune responses in synovial tissues of CIA. Thus, when compared to the monotherapy, the combination treatment with CS12192 and MTX produces a better therapeutic effect against CIA with a greater suppressive effect on T cells and macrophage-mediated joint inflammation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Atrial fibrillation is a well-documented complication following cardiac surgery. It is associated with increased inpatient and long-term mortality. There have been few prior studies on perioperative atrial fibrillation following burn surgery in severely burned patients. The purpose of this study was to identify the incidence, predictors, and prognosis of perioperative atrial fibrillation after burn surgery in severely burned patients.Methods: Patients aged older than 18 years with 30% burned total body surface area (TBSA) were enrolled in this study. Patients who had a previous history of atrial fibrillation or atrial fibrillation on the preoperative electrocardiogram were excluded. We reviewed medical records retrospectively, and the data of 214 patients were studied.Results: A total of 214 critically ill burned patients and 1132 operations were available for analysis during the 5-year study period; 12 (1.1%) patients were diagnosed with newly developed atrial fibrillation after a burn operation, of whom 4 patients showed paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (all related to surgical stimulation) and none changed to persistent atrial fibrillation. The incidence of perioperative atrial fibrillation was associated with TBSA%, full-thickness TBSA%, and hypertension. Multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that TBSA% (OR=13.851, P < 0.001) and full-thickness TBSA% (OR=15.223, P = 0.018) were independent predictors for developing perioperative atrial fibrillation. All of our patients had at least one risk factor, with blood volume variation or burn sepsis occurring most commonly. Perioperative atrial fibrillation developed after a median of 0 days after burn surgery. Three patients died, and the causes of death were noncardiovascular events such as sepsis and multiple organ failure.Conclusion: Atrial fibrillation was a relatively rare complication among severely burned patients admitted to surgery and was associated with TBSA% and full thickness TBSA%. All of our patients exhibited at least one of the modifiable risk factors for atrial fibrillation, confirming the importance of optimization of electrolytes and fluid status and limitation of sympathetic activation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The generation of functional hepatocytes independent of donor liver organs is of great therapeutic interest with regard to regenerative medicine and possible cures for liver disease (1). Induced hepatic differentiation has been achieved previously using embryonic stem cells or induced pluripotent stem cells (2-8). Particularly, hepatocytes generated from a patient's own induced pluripotent stem cells could theoretically avoid immunological rejection. However, the induction of hepatocytes from induced pluripotent stem cells is a complicated process that would probably be replaced with the arrival of improved technology. Overexpression of lineage-specific transcription factors directly converts terminally differentiated cells into some other lineages (9-12), including neurons (13), cardiomyocytes (14) and blood progenitors (15); however, it remains unclear whether these lineage-converted cells could repair damaged tissues in vivo. Here we demonstrate the direct induction of functional hepatocyte-like (iHep) cells from mouse tail-tip fibroblasts by transduction of Gata4, Hnf1α and Foxa3, and inactivation of [p19.sup.Arf]. iHep cells show typical epithelial morphology, express hepatic genes and acquire hepatocyte functions. Notably, transplanted iHep cells repopulate the livers of fumarylacetoacetate-hydrolase-deficient ([Fah.sup.-/-]) mice and rescue almost half of recipients from death by restoring liver functions. Our study provides a novel strategy to generate functional hepatocyte-like cells for the purpose of liver engineering and regenerative medicine., Fourteen mouse transcription factors (14TF, Supplementary Table 1) important for liver development and function (16-19) were transduced into immortalized 3T3 fibroblasts, mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) and tail-tip fibroblasts (TTFs) via [...]

A series of deferasirox derivatives of 1,2,4‐triazole (5 a–i,6 a–g) were designed and synthesized by the ring‐opening rearrangement reaction of phenyl hydrazine or its substituents and imines, compounds 5 d–i, 6 e–g are previously unknown. Obtained derivatives were characterized by IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and Mass spectral. The antibacterial activities of all compounds against Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli, Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger were experimentally evaluated. Most of them exhibited potential antimicrobial activity and promising antifungal activity. Especially, 6 f and 6 g showed the best antimicrobial activity (MIC90=0.125–2.0 μg/mL) against Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Escherichia coli, while compounds 6 c, 6 e showed excellent antifungal activity (MIC90=0.5–2.0 μg/mL). The molecular docking analysis further revealed that all the synthesized derivatives have shown potential binding affinities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) plays a critical role in the pathological processes of various diseases. However, the signaling mechanism of TGF-β in the pathological response remains largely unclear. In this review, we discuss advances in research of Smad7, a member of the I-Smads family and a negative regulator of TGF-β signaling, and mainly review the expression and its function in diseases. Smad7 inhibits the activation of the NF-κB and TGF-β signaling pathways and plays a pivotal role in the prevention and treatment of various diseases. Specifically, Smad7 can not only attenuate growth inhibition, fibrosis, apoptosis, inflammation, and inflammatory T cell differentiation, but also promotes epithelial cells migration or disease development. In this review, we aim to summarize the various biological functions of Smad7 in autoimmune diseases, inflammatory diseases, cancers, and kidney diseases, focusing on the molecular mechanisms of the transcriptional and posttranscriptional regulation of Smad7. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To compare the visual performance after implantation of three aberration-correcting aspherical intraocular lens (IOL). Seventy-seven eyes of 77 cataract patients were divided into three groups: 26 eyes implanted with a non-constant aberration IOL (LUCIA 601P IOL, Zeiss Company, Germany); 26 eyes implanted with a spherical aberration −0.18μm IOL (CT ASPHINA 509M, Zeiss Company, Germany) and 27 eyes implanted with a spherical aberration −0.27μm IOL (AMO Tecnis ZCB00, Johnson & Johnson Surgical Vision, USA). Three months after operation, the distance visual acuity, wavefront aberrometry, contrast sensitivity, intraocular stray light, IOL decentration, and tilt were evaluated. Three months postoperatively, no statistically significant differences were found in uncorrected distance visual acuity and corrected distance visual acuity (p≥.83). The RMS for total ocular coma was statistically significantly lower in the Lucia group (p=.03) and spherical aberration was statistically significantly lower in the Tecnis group (p<.01). No statistically significant differences were observed among the three lenses in higher order aberration (p=.85) and in contrast sensitivity under both photopic and mesopic lighting conditions (p≥.05). The intraocular stray light was statistically significantly better in the Lucia group (p=.04). No statistically significant differences were observed with respect to IOL decentration (p=.75) and tilt (p=.89). Cataract surgery with non-constant aberration IOL resulted in lower coma and better intraocular stray light than with the spherical aberration −0.18μm and −0.27μm IOLs despite equivalent postoperative levels of visual acuity and contrast sensitivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim. To observe the clinical efficacy and safety of phacoemulsification surgery combined with intravitreal injection of conbercept in cataract patients with DME. Methods. This is a prospective clinical cohort study. Thirty-five cataract patients (49 eyes) with DME were divided into two groups. The observation group (23 eyes) underwent a cataract phacoemulsification surgery combined with intravitreal injection of conbercept 0.5 mg; the control group (26 eyes) underwent a cataract phacoemulsification surgery only. The visual acuity, central macular thickness (CMT), IOP, and anterior chamber flare were examined before surgery and 1 week and one month after surgery. Results. The UCVA and BCVA in Log MAR in the observation group were lower than those in the control group at 1 week (p = 0.032 ; p = 0.041) and 1 month (p = 0.035 ; p = 0.039), respectively, after the surgery. The CMT of the observation group changed from 492.7 ± 32.2 μm before surgery to 341.6 ± 59.9 μm one week after surgery and 374.8 ± 48.3 μm one month after surgery. The CMT of control group increased after surgery. There was no significant difference in IOP and flare between the two groups at all following times. Conclusion. In patients with DME, undergoing a cataract surgery combined with intravitreal injection of conbercept is safe and effective for visual improvement and CMT declination with relatively fewer IOP and flare fluctuation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & Aim: Shortage of donor hepatocytes limits hepatocyte transplantation for clinical application. Induced hepatic stem cells (iHepSCs) have capacities of self‐renewal and bipotential differentiations. Here, we investigated whether iHepSCs could be extensively expanded, and whether they could differentiate into sufficient functional hepatocytes as donors for transplantation therapy after their extensive expansions. Methods: Murine extensively expanded iHepSCs (50‐55 passages) were induced to differentiate into iHepSC‐Heps under a chemically defined condition. iHepSC‐Heps were proved for carrying morphological hepatocyte characters and hepatocytic functions including low‐density lipoprotein uptake, glycogen storage, CLF secretion, ICG uptake and release, Alb secretion, urea synthesis and metabolism‐relative gene expressions respectively. Next, both iHepSCs and iHepSC‐Heps were transplanted into Fah‐/‐ mice respectively. Both liver repopulation and alleviation of liver function were compared between two transplantation groups. Results: Murine iHepSCs still maintained the capacities of self‐renewal and bipotential differentiations after extensive expansion. The efficiency for the functional hepatocyte differentiation from extensively expanded iHepSCs reached to 72.64%. Transplantations of both extensively expanded iHepSCs and iHepSC‐Heps resulted in liver engraftment in Fah‐/‐ mice. Survival rate of Fah‐/‐ mice recipients and level of liver repopulation were 50% and 20.32 ± 4.58% respectively in iHepSC‐Heps group, while 33% and 10.4 ± 4.3% in iHepSCs group. Conclusions: Extensively expanded iHepSCs can efficiently differentiate into hepatocytes in chemical defined medium. Transplantation of iHepSC‐Heps was more effective and more efficient than transplantation of iHepSCs in Fah‐/‐ mice. Our results suggested an innovative system to obtain sufficient hepatocytes through hepatic differentiation of iHepSCs generated by lineage reprogramming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The quest for developing electrochemical energy‐storage and ‐conversion technologies continues to be a great impetus to develop cost‐effective, highly active, and electrochemically stable electrocatalysts for overcoming the activation energy barriers of the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Co3O4 nanocrystals have great potential as OER catalysts, and research efforts on improving the catalytic activity of Co3O4 are currently underway in many laboratories. Herein, CoFe layered double hydroxide (LDH) nanosheets were directly grown on the active Co3O4 substrate to form nanohybrid electrocatalysts for OER. The CoFe LDH/Co3O4(6:4) nanohybrid exhibited superior catalytic performance with a low overpotential and a small Tafel slope in alkaline solution. The outstanding performance of the CoFe LDH/Co3O4(6:4) nanohybrid was primarily owing to the synergistic effects induced by the strongly coupled interface between CoFe LDH and Co3O4; this feature enhanced the intrinsic OER catalytic activity of the nanohybrid and favored fast charge transfer. Compared with other Co3O4‐based catalysts, the nanohybrid shows advantages and offers a feasible avenue for improving the activity of Co3O4‐based catalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CuBi2O4 (CBO) is a promising photocathode for photoelectrochemical (PEC) water reduction, whereas the disadvantages of poor stability and severe charge recombination still hinder its application. In response, we designed a stabilized, efficient CBO/ZnSe/P25 (CBO/ZS/P25) photocathode with the CBO film modified by ZS and P25. As a result, this novel photocathode exhibited an outstanding current density of 0.43 mA/cm2, more than twice that of CBO. Systematic studies reveal that the high performance is attributed to heterojunction formation between ZS and P25, high electron mobility of ZS and hole extraction capacity of CBO. Besides, P25 protective layer can effectively blocks contact with the electrolyte and enhance the stability (retained nearly 90 % of the photocurrent after testing 5000s). Therefore, our results can provide an efficient strategy to design high performance CBO‐based photocathode material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development and design of a highly active and affordable nanostructured material as an efficient electrocatalyst for electrochemical oxygen evolution is a pressing necessity to realize industrial production of hydrogen by water electrolysis. Amorphous nanocomposites have recently attracted interest owing to their superior electrocatalytic activity derived from their unique structure. Herein, amorphous CoFe double hydroxides (Am‐CFDH) decorated with N‐doped carbon nanotubes (NCNTs) is synthesized by a facile and simple one‐pot approach under room temperature. Through electrochemical measurement, the bare Am‐CFDH nanocomposite already exhibits a comparable oxygen evolution reaction (OER) activity to the commercial IrO2 catalyst on account of its amorphous nature and the interaction between Co and Fe. The introduced NCNTs can provide better electrical conductivity, more anchoring sites, and functional groups for enhancing the transfer of electrons and reactants, preventing the agglomeration of Am‐CFDH to expose more active sites, and improving the synergistic effect between Am‐CFDH and NCNTs. Thus, the Am‐CFDH/NCNTs hybrid displays favorable durability beyond 20 h and advanced OER activity, owning a small overpotential of 270 mV at 10 mA cm−2 and a low Tafel slope of 56.88 mV dec−1 in alkaline medium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]