Search

Subjective cognitive decline (SCD) is a high‐risk population in the preclinical stage of Alzheimer's disease (AD), and olfactory dysfunction is a risk factor for dementia progression. The present study aimed to explore the patterns of functional connectivity (FC) changes in the olfactory neural circuits during olfactory stimulation in SCD subjects. A total of 56 SCD subjects and 56 normal controls (NCs) were included. All subjects were assessed with a cognitive scale, an olfactory behavior test, and olfactory task‐based functional magnetic resonance imaging scanning. The FC differences in olfactory neural circuits between the two groups were analyzed by the generalized psychophysiological interaction. Additionally, we calculated and compared the activation of brain regions within the olfactory neural circuits during odor stimulation, the volumetric differences in brain regions showing FC differences between groups, and the correlations between neuroimaging indicators and olfactory behavioral and cognitive scale scores. During odor stimulation, the FC between the bilateral primary olfactory cortex (bPOC) and the right hippocampus in the SCD group was significantly reduced; while the FC between the right hippocampus and the right frontal cortex was significantly increased in the SCD group. The bPOC of all subjects showed significant activation, but no significant difference in activation between groups was found. No significant differences were observed in the volume of the brain regions within the olfactory neural circuits or in olfactory behavior between groups. The volume of the bPOC and right frontal cortex was significantly positively correlated with olfactory identification, and the volume of the right frontal cortex and right hippocampus was significantly correlated with cognitive functions. Furthermore, a significant correlation between the activation of bPOC and the olfactory threshold was found in the whole cohort. These results suggested that while the structure of the olfactory neural circuits and olfactory behavior in SCD subjects remained stable, there were significant changes observed in the FC of the olfactory neural circuits (specifically, the POC‐hippocampus‐frontal cortex neural circuits) during odor stimulation. These findings highlight the potential of FC alterations as sensitive imaging markers for identifying high‐risk individuals in the early stage of AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Controllable self-assembly of particles or atoms is still challenging in the synthesis of materials with desirable properties that are highly relevant to the microscopic structures determined by the interparticle interactions. To gain insight into how the interactions affect the self-assembly, we designed various kinds of isotropic double-well potentials and simulated the motion of the particles. By controlling the depth and location of the potential wells and the height of the barriers, we studied their effects on the aggregation structures and the related microscopic kinetic processes. We identified five aggregation patterns at different temperatures and eight kinds of crystals, including Frank–Kasper phases, and observed the expansion or contraction of crystals. We found that the system usually stays in a sparse configuration at very low or very high temperatures. The particles typically assemble into a loosely packed cluster at medium temperatures and then deplete into a tightly packed state with a specific pattern. These phenomena can be explained from the perspective of energy. In contrast, very few structures could be obtained for the system guided by a single-well potential under the same simulation conditions. Thus, the interparticle interactions driven by the double-well potential greatly enrich the possible packing morphology of the system. The information obtained from this work helps us to understand how to achieve a specific self-assembled architecture through a reasonable selection of materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Facial expressions are an auxiliary embodiment of information conveyed in the communication between people. Facial expressions can not only convey the semantic information that people want to express but also convey the emotional state of the speaker at the same time. But for sports athletes in training and competitions, it is usually not convenient to communicate directly. This paper is based on deep learning and an improved HMM training algorithm to study the facial expression recognition of sports athletes. It proposes the construction of deep learning of multilayer neural network, and the rank algorithm is introduced to carry out face recognition experiments with traditional HMM and class-specific HMM methods. The experimental results show that, with the increase of rank value, the class-specific recognition rate is up to 90%, the detection rate is 98% and the time-consuming is 2.5 min, which is better than HMM overall. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to compare the pooled diagnostic accuracy of the currently available esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) screening tests. A comprehensive literature search of Embase and Medline (up to October 31, 2020) was performed to identify eligible studies. We pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio, and diagnostic odds ratio for ESCC screening tools using a bivariate random-effects model. The summary receiver operating characteristic curves with area under the curve (AUC) were plotted for each screening test. We included 161 studies conducted in 81 research articles involving 32,209 subjects. The pooled sensitivity, specificity, and AUC of the major screening tools were respectively as follows: endoscopy (peroral endoscopy):.94 (95% confidence interval [CI],.87-.97),.92 (95% CI,.87-.95), and.97 (95% CI,.96-.99); endoscopy (transnasal endoscopy):.85 (95% CI,.70-.93),.96 (95% CI,.91-.98), and.97 (95% CI,.95-.98); microRNA:.77 (95% CI,.75-.80),.78 (95% CI,.75-.80), and.85 (95% CI,.81-.87); autoantibody:.45 (95% CI,.36-.53),.91 (95% CI,.89-.93), and.84 (95% CI,.81-.87); and cytology:.82 (95% CI,.60-.93),.97 (95% CI,.88-.99), and.97 (95% CI,.95-.98). There was high heterogeneity. The diagnostic accuracy seemed to be comparable between cytology and endoscopy, whereas autoantibody and microRNAs bear potential as future noninvasive screening tools for ESCC. To reduce ESCC-related death in high-risk populations, it is important to develop a more accurate and less-invasive screening test. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drugs of abuse, including morphine and cocaine, can reduce hippocampal neurogenesis (HN). Whereas promotion of HN is being increasingly recognized as a promising strategy for treating morphine and cocaine addiction. The present study is focused on exploring the changes of HN during methamphetamine (METH) administration and further clarify if HN is involved in METH-associated reward memory. After successfully establishing the conditioned place preference (CPP) paradigm to simulate the METH-associated reward memory in C57BL/6 mice, we observed that HN was significantly inhibited during METH (2 mg/kg, i. p.) administration and returned to normal after the extinction of METH CPP, as indicated by the immunostaining of bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) and doublecortin (DCX) in the hippocampus. To promote/inhibit HN levels, 7,8-dihydroxyflavone (DHF), a small tyrosine kinase receptor B (TrkB) agonist and temozolomide (TMZ), an alkylating agent, were administered intraperitoneally (i.p.), respectively. The data showed that either DHF (5 mg/kg, i. p.) or TMZ (25 mg/kg, i. p.) pre-treatment before METH administration could significantly prolong extinction and enhance reinstatement of the reward memory. Notably, DHF treatment after METH administration significantly facilitated extinction and inhibited METH reinstatement, while TMZ treatment resulted in opposite effects. The present study indicated that METH administration could induce a temporal inhibitory effect on HN. More importantly, promotion of HN after the acquisition of METH-associated reward memory, but not inhibition of HN or promotion of HN before the acquisition of reward memory, could facilitate METH extinction and inhibit METH reinstatement, indicating the beneficial effect of HN on METH addiction by erasing the according reward memory. Either promotion or inhibition of HN before METH administration could significantly prolong extinction and enhance reinstatement of METH-associated reward memory. Whereas promotion of HN after the acquisition of METH-associated reward memory significantly facilitated extinction and inhibited METH reinstatement, while inhibition of HN resulted in opposite effects. [Display omitted] • Methamphetamine induces a temporal inhibitory effect on hippocampal neurogenesis. • Inhibition of neurogenesis before methamphetamine treatment enhances reward memory. • Promotion of neurogenesis before methamphetamine treatment enhances reward memory. • Inhibition of neurogenesis after methamphetamine treatment enhances reward memory. • Promotion of neurogenesis after methamphetamine treatment erases reward memory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[4‐(3,6‐dimethyl‐9H‐carbazol‐9yl)butyl]phosphonic acid (Me‐4PACz) self‐assembly material has been recognized as a highly effective approach for mitigating nickel oxide (NiOx) surface‐related challenges in inverted perovskite solar cells (IPSCs). However, its uneven film generation and failure to effectively passivate the buried interface defects limit the device‘s performance improvement potential. Herein, p‐xylylenediphosphonic acid (p‐XPA) containing bilateral phosphate groups (−PO3H2) is introduced as an interface layer between the NiOx/Me‐4PACz and the perovskite layer. P‐XPA can flatten the surface of hole transport layer and optimize interface contact. Meanwhile, p‐XPA achieves better energy level alignment and promotes interfacial hole transport. In addition, the bilateral −PO3H2 of p‐XPA can chelate with Pb2+ and form hydrogen bond with FA+ (formamidinium cation), thereby suppressing buried interface non‐radiative recombination loss. Consequently, the IPSC with p‐XPA buried interface modification achieves champion power conversion efficiency of 25.87 % (certified at 25.45 %) at laboratory scale (0.0448 cm2). The encapsulated target device exhibits better operational stability. Even after 1100 hours of maximum power point tracking at 50 °C, its efficiency remains at an impressive 82.7 % of the initial efficiency. Molecules featuring bilateral passivation groups optimize interfacial contact and inhibit interfacial recombination, providing an effective approach to enhancing the stability and efficiency of devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to evaluate the global distribution, associated factors, and epidemiologic trends of gallbladder cancer (GBC) by country, sex, and age groups. The Global Cancer Observatory was interrogated for the disease burden of GBC using age-standardized rates (ASR). The prevalence of different potential risk factors for each country was extracted from Global Health Observatory and their associations with GBC incidence and mortality were examined by linear regression analysis using beta coefficients (β). The Cancer Incidence in Five Continents I-XI and the WHO Mortality database were searched and Average Annual Percent Change (AAPC) was generated from joinpoint regression analysis. The incidence (ASR = 2.3) and mortality (ASR = 1.7) of GBC varied globally in 2018 and were higher in more developed countries and among females. Countries with higher incidence had higher human development index (βmale = 0.37; βfemale = 0.27), gross domestic products (βmale = 0.13) and higher prevalence of current smoking (βfemale = 0.05), overweight (βmale = 0.02), obesity (βmale = 0.03), and hypercholesterolaemia (βmale = 0.07). Similar patterns of associations were also observed for mortality with an additional association found for diabetes (βfemale = 0.07). Although there was an overall decreasing trend in mortality, an increasing trend in incidence was observed among some populations, particularly in males (AAPCs, 8.97 to 1.92) and in younger individuals aged <50 years (AAPCs, 12.02 to 5.66). The incidence of GBC varied between countries and was related to differences in the prevalence of potential risk factors. There was an increasing incidence trend among males and younger individuals. More intensive lifestyle modifications and disease surveillance are recommended for these populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract There is growing evidence that uridine may act as an endogenous neuromodulator with a potential signaling role in the central nervous system in addition to its function in pyrimidine metabolism. We previously found that acute morphine treatment significantly increased uridine release in the dorsal striatum of mice, indicating that uridine may contribute to morphine-induced neurobehavioral changes. In the present study, we analyzed the mechanism involved in morphine-induced uridine release and the role of uridine in morphine-induced neurobehavioral changes. Uridine release in the dorsal striatum of mice was assessed by in vivo microdialysis coupled with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) after morphine treatment. Western blotting and immunofluorescence were used to evaluate the expression of uridine-related proteins. Morphine-induced neurobehavioral changes were assessed by locomotor activity, behavioral sensitization and conditioned place preference (CPP) test. The expression of NT5E, an extracellular enzyme involved in formation of nucleosides, including uridine, was specifically knocked down in the dorsal striatum of mice using adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated short hairpin RNA (shRNA). The results indicated that both acute and chronic morphine administration significantly increased uridine release in the dorsal striatum, and this was associated with upregulation of NT5E but not other uridine-related proteins. Inhibition of NT5E with APCP or shRNA markedly inhibited morphine-induced uridine release in the dorsal striatum and related neurobehavioral changes, including hyperlocomotor activity, behavioral sensitization and CPP. Our data give a better understanding of the contribution of NT5E to morphine-induced uridine release and neurobehavioral changes, and identify NT5E as a potential target for treating morphine abuse. Highlights • Morphine administration increased uridine release in the dorsal striatum. • Upregulation of NT5E was responsible for morphine-induced uridine release. • Inhibition of NT5E inhibited morphine-induced uridine release. • Inhibition of NT5E inhibited morphine-induced neurobehavioral changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents new stable isotope data for precipitation (δ 18 O p ) and drip water (δ 18 O d ) from eight cave sites in the monsoon regions of China (MRC), with monthly to bi-monthly sampling intervals from May-2011 to April-2014, to investigate the regional-scale climate forcing on δ 18 O p and how the isotopic signals are transmitted to various drip sites. The monthly δ 18 O p values show negative correlation with surface air temperature at all the cave sites except Shihua Cave, which is opposite to that expected from the temperature effect. In addition, although the monthly δ 18 O p values are negatively correlated with precipitation at all the cave sites, only three sites are significant at the 95% level. These indicate that, due to the various vapor sources, a large portion of variability in δ 18 O p in the MRC cannot be explained simply by either temperature or precipitation alone. All the thirty-four drip sites are classified into three types based on the δ 18 O d variability. About 82% of them are static drips with little discernable variation in δ 18 O d through the whole study period, but the drip rates of these drips are not necessary constant. Their discharge modes are site-specific and the oxygen isotopic composition of the stalagmites growing from them may record the average of multi-year climatic signals, which are modulated by the seasonality of recharge and potential effects of evaporation, and in some cases infiltration from large rainfall events. About 12% of the thirty-four drip sites are seasonal drips, although the amplitude of δ 18 O d is narrower than that of δ 18 O p , the monthly response of δ 18 O d to coeval precipitation is not completely damped, and some of them follow the seasonal trend of δ 18 O p very well. These drips may be mainly recharged by present-day precipitation, mixing with some stored water. Thus, the stalagmites growing under them may record portions of the seasonal climatic signals embedded in δ 18 O p . About 6% of the thirty-four drip sites are medium-variability drips, with constant and relatively low δ 18 O d values in the wet season, but with variable and relatively high δ 18 O d values in the dry season, reflecting flow switching in the karst or evaporation inside the cave. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]