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Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT: PSS) is widely used as a hole-transport layer (HTL) in perovskite solar cells (PSCs) with inverted (p-i-n) structures. However, problems associated with the corrosivity of PEDOT:PSS prevent the commercialization of such PSCs. To solve this problem, we fabricated inverted PSCs using [2-(9H-carbazol-9-yl)ethyl]phosphonic acid (2PACz) as HTL. We used a mixture of N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone and N, N-dimethylformamide in the perovskite precursor, which reduced the amount of the antisolvent chlorobenzene. We investigated the physical effects of the amount of antisolvent used. In addition, we suggest a method to improve the performance of inverted PSCs using 2PACz as the HTL, thereby achieving higher performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work describes the flexural behavior of biocomposites composed of a polyurethane matrix derived from castor oil plants and coir fibers. A statistical design is performed to identify the effects of fiber alkaline treatment and aging on the flexural modulus and strength of the composites. Physical tests and failure analyses are carried out to better assess their mechanical performance. A second experiment at 100% relative humidity is performed on treated fiber composites to compare with those obtained by immersion in water. The flexural modulus of the composites is not significantly affected by the fiber alkali treatment, while the strength is reduced by 35.17% when treated fibers are considered. Increasing the exposure time of composites under both aging conditions progressively reduces their flexural properties. The aging process of biocomposites in an environment with 100% relative humidity takes twice as long to reduce to the same flexural properties as those aged in water. Highlights: Composites made with treated fibers showed higher apparent density and lower porosity.Water aging reduces flexural modulus and strength of biobased coir composites.The bending properties are strongly dominated by the properties of biobased polymer.100% relative humidity takes twice as long to reduce to the flexural properties as those aged in water.Untreated coir fibers achieve superior bending properties under moisture aging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soot particles play an important role in warming the atmosphere, but their optical absorption is highly uncertain due to their variable morphology and mixing states. Compared to short‐range transport, soot particles during long‐range transport normally undergo complicated aging processes. Here, we investigated the changes in microphysical properties and mixing states of soot particles during their long‐range transport in Eastern China. The dominant mixing state of soot particles transformed from partly coated at 60% by number to embedded status at 67% when they were transported to a downwind region 1,000 km away under cold fronts. The fractal dimension (Df) increased from 1.79 ± 0.05 for partly coated soot and 1.86 ± 0.07 for embedded soot to 1.83 ± 0.06 and 1.93 ± 0.05 following their transportation, respectively. Our study shows that aging processes of soot particles with chain‐like morphology caused their structural collapse. Moreover, we found that coating materials of aged soot particles changed from secondary inorganic‐dominated to organic‐dominated species during their long‐range transport, which suggests the aqueous formation of secondary organic aerosols on soot‐containing particles. The thick organic coating formation in some particles further induced soot redistribution from the particle center into the coating. We highlight that the Df at 1.83–1.93 is appropriate for assessing radiative absorption of long‐range transported soot particles in Eastern China and propose that soot redistribution may offset ∼13% optical absorption enhancement for long‐range transported soot particles. The microscopic changes in aged soot particles should be considered to precisely evaluate their optical absorption in the large‐scale haze layer. Plain Language Summary: In recent years, East Asian winter monsoon has been suggested to be strengthened due to climate change and continues to cause long‐range transport of haze pollutants in Eastern China. Soot particles (i.e., black carbon) are typical primary aerosols with strong light absorption, and their absorption magnitudes mainly depend on their morphology and mixing states. Soot particles can undergo complicated aging processes during transport, which change their morphology and mixing states. However, there is no detailed information on the aging of soot particles in long‐range transported haze masses with high PM2.5 concentrations. Here, we raise several questions and try to answer them: how are morphology and mixing states of soot particles changed during long‐range transport? What are aging processes and mechanisms of long‐range transported soot particles? How can the optical absorption of soot particles change due to the variation in their morphology and mixing states? These answers are important for understanding aging processes of soot particles and improving simulations for their radiative effects. Therefore, we conducted field campaigns and analyzed morphology and mixing states of soot particles during their long‐range transport. This study not only provides critical information about long‐range transported soot particles but also evaluates changes in their radiative absorption. Key Points: Aging processes of soot particles during long‐range transport affect their morphology and induce their structural collapseCoating compositions of long‐range transported soot particles are changed from inorganic‐dominated to organic‐dominated componentsRedistribution of long‐range transported soot particles in individual particles reduces their optical absorption enhancement [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Previous studies and meta-analyses have explored the relationship among testosterone, muscle strength, and physical function, to the best of our knowledge, no meta-analysis has investigated the effects of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) on subgroup of relatively hypogonadal older men. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of TRT in older men with low testosterone levels. Methods: PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science were systematically searched for articles published between January 1990 and April 2020. We included randomized controlled studies that investigated the effect of TRT and included older men (age >60 years) with relatively low testosterone levels. Studies were extracted following the PRISMA flowchart, and the included randomized controlled trials were evaluated using RoB 2.0. Our main outcome was muscle strength changes after TRT evaluated using a metaregression of confounding factors. Secondary outcomes included changes in physical performance and the risk ratio of adverse events. Random-effects meta-analyses of TRT on muscle strength and physical function were performed. Results: Thirteen studies with 2,043 patients were included. The mean age of subjects in various studies ranged from 65.9 years to 76 years. Transdermal testosterone dosages ranged from 5 to 10 g/day, while intramuscular options were 125 mg/week or 200 mg every 2 weeks. Oral testosterone supplementation was given at 160 mg/day in one study. Pooled meta‐analyses revealed greater muscle strength improvement after TRT compared with placebo (Hedges' g = 0.21; 95% CI: = 0.15–0.28). Intramuscular administration of TRT had greater efficacy (Hedges' g = 0.74; 95% CI: = 0.34–1.14) than transdermal and oral TRT (p < 0.001). A metaregression revealed that baseline serum total testosterone was associated with muscle strength improvement (β = −0.004, p = 0.002). The risk ratios of adverse events, including elevated prostate-specific antigen, acute coronary syndrome, and prostate cancer, were not significantly different. Conclusion: TRT improved muscle strength in older, relatively hypogonadal men. The effect was more pronounced in populations with lower baseline testosterone levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Kakovostna Starost is the property of Anton Trstenjak Institute and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

• What is the primary question addressed by this study? This study was intended to test, in healthy older adults, the hypothesis that differences between men and women would be found in the cognitive trajectories and the predictive factors associated with the identified trajectories. • What is the main finding of this study? This is the first study capturing the intrasex variability of cognitive aging, using the growth mixture models methodology. Differences by sex were found in the number and grouping of cognitive trajectories. Men maintained better their cognitive function, and the decline was sharper in women. The predictive factors associated with the identified trajectories were also different by sex. • What is the meaning of the finding? Men and women may require different strategies for addressing cognitive aging. The objective of this study was to document the longitudinal trajectories of cognitive aging in a sample of cognitively healthy subjects of 55 years or older. The following differences between men and women were hypothesized: 1) in the cognitive loss through aging, 2) in the distinct trajectories identified; and 3) in the predictors associated with the identified trajectories. A 4-wave, population-based study in Zaragoza, Spain (1994–2006). A total of 2,403 individuals aged 55+ years, cognitively healthy at baseline. All participants had at least three measurements with the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Validated Spanish versions of international instruments were used for assessment. Random effects linear panel regression model for analyzing differences by sex in MMSE scores through aging were performed, and growth mixture models (GMM) applied independently for each sex for modeling the longitudinal cognitive trajectories. Women showed lower mean MMSE scores in all phases and significantly higher loss in the MMSE from phases 2 to 3 and 3 to 4. The best fitting age-adjusted model of the cognitive trajectories was a 4-class GMM in men and a 3-class in women. Education was a predictor of cognitive trajectories in both men and women. Dependence on iADLs and alcohol status were predictors only for men, and depression and diabetes only for women. The identified differences by sex in cognitive trajectories and their associated factors suggest that men and women may require a different strategy when addressing cognitive aging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The regenerative potential of cardiac stem and progenitor cells is affected by aging and detraining, with the C-Kit cardiac stem cell expressing the Nkx2.5 transcription factor playing a crucial role. Exercise is known to enhance organ regeneration during aging, but the mechanisms involved in new cardiomyocyte formation during physiological cardiac remodeling remain unclear. Material & Methods: Eighteen aged Wistar rats (~440g) were divided into three groups: Control (CO), aerobic training (AT) (5 days per week, 50-75% of maximum speed) for six weeks, and detraining (DT) for four weeks. RT-PCR analysis determined Nkx2.5 gene expression, while immunohistochemical staining identified C-kit-positive and Ki67-positive cardiac progenitor cells. Results: In heart tissue, C-Kit and Ki67 values significantly differed between the control-training (P=().()()l) and training-detraining (P=().()()l) groups but not between the control and detraining groups for C-Kit (P=0.502) and Ki67 (P=0.475). Nkx2.5 exhibited a significant difference between control-training (P=().()()l), training-detraining (P=().()()l), and control-detraining (P=0.006). Conclusion: Exercise increased the proliferation of heart stem cells, activating CKit differentiation and elevating Nkx2.5 expression, thereby delaying the effects of aging. However, detraining significantly impacted heart stem cell function, emphasizing the importance of sustained exercise for optimal cardiac health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influences of adding different amount of Ti (0%, 0.39%, 0.87%) and three kinds of different aging processes (T6, T6I6, RRA) on the microstructure and properties of Al-11.3Zn-3.2Mg-1.3Cu-0.2Zr-0.1Sr were investigated. Results show that an appropriate amount of Ti can effectively inhibit grain growth and thus achieve the effect of grain refinement. The contribution of dislocation density and dislocation strengthening become the biggest when Ti content is 0.39%. At the same time, the intergranular corrosion depth is the lowest when Ti content is 0.39%. Among the three aging processes, the alloys reach the greatest hardness and tensile strength in T6I6. The biggest tensile strength reaches 716.77 MPa. However, when aging at RRA, the alloys obtain the greatest elongation, reaching 7.2%, as well as the good corrosion resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Advanced Textile Technology is the property of Zhejiang Sci-Tech University Magazines and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Abstract Background A malignancy of the endocrine system, one of the most common types, is thyroid cancer. It is proven that children who receive radiation treatment for leukemia or lymphoma are at a heightened risk of thyroid cancer due to low-dose radiation exposure throughout childhood. Several factors can increase the risk of thyroid cancer (ThyCa), such as chromosomal and genetic mutations, iodine intake, TSH levels, autoimmune thyroid disorders, estrogen, obesity, lifestyle changes, and environmental contaminants. Objectives The study aimed to identify a specific gene as an essential candidate for thyroid cancer progression. We might be able to focus on developing a better understanding of how thyroid cancer is inherited. Methods The review article uses electronic databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Central. The most frequently associated genes with thyroid cancer found on PubMed were BAX, XRCC1, XRCC3, XPO5, IL-10, BRAF, RET, and K-RAS. To perform an electronic literature search, genes derived from DisGeNET: a database of gene-disease associations, including PRKAR1A, BRAF, RET, NRAS, and KRAS, are used. Conclusion Examining the genetics of thyroid cancer explicitly emphasizes the primary genes associated with the pathophysiology of young and older people with thyroid cancer. Developing such gene investigations at the beginning of the thyroid cancer development process can identify better outcomes and the most aggressive thyroid cancers.

Abstract Background During biological aging, significant metabolic dysregulation in the central nervous system may lead to cognitive decline and neurodegeneration. However, the metabolomics of the aging process in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) has not been thoroughly explored. Methods In this cohort study of CSF metabolomics using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC–MS), fasting CSF samples collected from 92 cognitively unimpaired adults aged 20–87 years without obesity or diabetes were analyzed. Results We identified 37 metabolites in these CSF samples with significant positive correlations with aging, including cysteine, pantothenic acid, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), aspartic acid, and glutamate; and two metabolites with negative correlations, asparagine and glycerophosphocholine. The combined alterations of asparagine, cysteine, glycerophosphocholine, pantothenic acid, sucrose, and 5-HIAA showed a superior correlation with aging (AUC = 0.982). These age-correlated changes in CSF metabolites might reflect blood–brain barrier breakdown, neuroinflammation, and mitochondrial dysfunction in the aging brain. We also found sex differences in CSF metabolites with higher levels of taurine and 5-HIAA in women using propensity-matched comparison. Conclusions Our LC–MS metabolomics of the aging process in a Taiwanese population revealed several significantly altered CSF metabolites during aging and between the sexes. These metabolic alterations in CSF might provide clues for healthy brain aging and deserve further exploration.

Oranges contain many natural active chemicals, organic acids, and polysaccharides. Aging processing is commonly used to modify the color, quality, functional components, and stability of fruits. This study assesses the preparation of aging black oranges using various pre-treatments and solid fermentation. Oranges were aged for six weeks in fresh, non-blanching, blanching, and hot air-assisted aging cycle (AA) groups. The oranges’ shrinkage ratio, color difference values, and soluble solids content changed significantly (p < 0.05). Principal component analysis indicated that aging fermentation treatment accelerated glycolysis and increased the ratio of reducing sugars. The enhanced browning can be associated with the oxidation of ascorbic acid (0.66–0.47 mg/g) and the formation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) (0.09 mg/g). Furthermore, the presence of free polyphenols led to an increase in the total polyphenol and total flavonoid content. It also had a synergistic effect with 5-HMF in increasing the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl free radical-scavenging capacity and ferric ion-reducing antioxidant power (p < 0.05). AA had superior α-glucosidase inhibitory ability increasing from 67.31 to 80.48%. It also reduced the development time by 33%. Therefore, aging technology can enhance the bioactive compounds in oranges and provide a reference for future whole-fruit aging fermentation and health product creation.

Thin-walled Al-Mg-Si alloy profiles with different compositions and aging states were prepared using the heating and extrusion process. The properties and structure of the profiles were then investigated using a metallographic microscope, scanning electron microscope, projection electron microscope, and universal testing machine. The results show that the yield strength and tensile strength of the profile increases with the increase in total Mg + Si content, and ductility is reduced. If the total Mg + Si content is too high or too low, the crush performance of the material would decrease. Compared with the under-aged and near-peak-aged states, the three types of AI-Mg-Si alloy thin-walled profiles at the over-aged state have better effective energy absorption during crushing and higher bending angle; however, the tensile strength of the profile is optimal at the near-peak-aged state. The effects of alloy composition and aging process on material strength and crushing energy absorption are mainly attributed to the grain structure and differences in precipitation. For coarse grain structures, the grain boundary precipitate free zones are wider, which decreases the profile ductility. Simultaneously, an increase in primary strengthening phases in the grains would increase the profile strength.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In this research, our main objective is more accurate pricing of life insurance products with a new approach of predicting mortality or survival rates. Currently, a life table is used to calculate the current value of pensions, insurance premiums, etc. Therefore, to increase the accuracy of our calculations, we are looking for a mortality prediction model for such calculations. Therefore, in this research, instead of static pricing (only using the latest life table), we used life table prediction and dynamically rated life insurance products. METHODS: In this research, a new model proposed to predict the probability of human mortality (survival) based on the Markov process, a limited state with an absorption state (death). This model measured based on the physiological age, because the physiological age of each person can be checked based on different laboratory indicators, and finally it has led to the results of the individual health index. In addition, the parameters of this model are the initial probability vector and the sub-intensity matrix of a Markov chain that changes over time. In other words, in this model, according to a possible process in the model, the initial probability vector over time selects the possible interval of the physiological age equivalent to the chronological age. FINDINGS: To show the satisfactory performance of this model, the relevant data set from the United States of America was analyzed. The predicted results with the presented model are better than Lee Carter’s model. It should be noted that the number of parameters of the model introduced in this research is much less compared to the Lee Carter model and other mortality or survival prediction models. Based on this model, a closed form for life insurance pricing relationships is obtained, which simplifies these calculations for users. CONCLUSION: The relationships obtained for pricing were investigated based on two products, 5-year term life insurance and also a 5-year term pension. The fitted results for the model used in the predictions of the probability of mortality as well as the probability of survival and pricing are very satisfactory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aging process contributes to the decline in physical capacity that leads to loss of independence in performing life activities. Immobility and instability are the most significant predictors and indicators of physical disability and dependence. As a result, a variety of assistive devices exist to address immobility and instability in older adults, including walkers, canes, crutches, wheelchairs and handrails. Sit-to-stand (STS) transitions are the most common transitions in daily mobility activities. The ability to perform STS transitions successfully is therefore one of the most important activities to focus attention on. As a result of physical deterioration, older adults will sooner or later be faced with their physical limitations, and in particular, will not be able to provide enough torque at critical body joints to make the STS transition. Aim: This paper suggests employing two-arm assistance using two handles located symmetrically in the body's sagittal plane. During the aging process, people are faced with varying levels of muscle deterioration and body constraints and consequently require different levels of assistance to complete the transition successfully. This paper aims to develop a tool to find the optimum handle location for people based on their body constraints to reduce knee torque (identified as the critical joint in the STS transition). These findings are also used to measure the effects of assistive device handle position on the biomechanics of the two-arm assisted STS transition. Methods: For this purpose, a theoretical tool was developed by integrating human body kinetics with a multi-objective genetic algorithm to find the optimum hand force required at the seat-off point for a set of potential handle locations. The tool was set to achieve the minimum knee torque within the defined body constraints and assumptions. In line with the physics of the STS transition, the "seat-off point", when subjects lose their seat support, was chosen as the most challenging point of the task. This was coupled with the "nose over toes" posture recommended to older adults by occupational therapists. Results and Discussion: The schematic of the developed tool shows that the best handle locations requiring the minimum torques at the body joints are positioned in handle zone 2, where the handles are placed vertically above the knee and below the hip joints and horizontally located ahead of the hip and behind the knee joints. Within this handle zone, both components of the hand forces (vertical downward and horizontal backward) provide assisting torque to all the body joints and consequently reduce the torques required at body joints. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives: This study was designed to investigate the association between specific leisure activities and successful aging among older adults, using data from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey. Methods: A total of 7689 older adults were involved in this study and categorized as successful aging group (n = 3989; 51.8%) or non-successful aging group (n = 3703; 48.2%). Participants were identified as successful aging if they had a score of more than 3 points, or as non-successful aging. The points were based on the following five items and each item was assigned 1 point: self-rated health, self-rated psychological status or mood, cognitive function, activities of daily life, and physical activity. Six activities including gardening work, reading newspapers or books, raising domestic animals or pets, playing cards or mahjong, watching TV or listening to radio, and participating in social activities were collected to reflect leisure activities. Chi-square tests, independent sample t-test, and logistic regression analyses were employed to explore the association between specific leisure activities and successful aging. Results: The prevalence of successful aging was 51.8% among Chinese older adults. A significant positive relationship was found between the frequency of participation in specific leisure activities and successful aging (p

Background: A malignancy of the endocrine system, one of the most common types, is thyroid cancer. It is proven that children who receive radiation treatment for leukemia or lymphoma are at a heightened risk of thyroid cancer due to low-dose radiation exposure throughout childhood. Several factors can increase the risk of thyroid cancer (ThyCa), such as chromosomal and genetic mutations, iodine intake, TSH levels, autoimmune thyroid disorders, estrogen, obesity, lifestyle changes, and environmental contaminants. Objectives: The study aimed to identify a specific gene as an essential candidate for thyroid cancer progression. We might be able to focus on developing a better understanding of how thyroid cancer is inherited. Methods: The review article uses electronic databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Central. The most frequently associated genes with thyroid cancer found on PubMed were BAX, XRCC1, XRCC3, XPO5, IL-10, BRAF, RET, and K-RAS. To perform an electronic literature search, genes derived from DisGeNET: a database of gene-disease associations, including PRKAR1A, BRAF, RET, NRAS, and KRAS, are used. Conclusion: Examining the genetics of thyroid cancer explicitly emphasizes the primary genes associated with the pathophysiology of young and older people with thyroid cancer. Developing such gene investigations at the beginning of the thyroid cancer development process can identify better outcomes and the most aggressive thyroid cancers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The low-temperature phase stability of 97 mol.% ZrO2–3 mol.% Y2O3, 95 mol.% ZrO2–3 mol.% Y2O3–2 mol.% CeO2, 92.5 mol.% ZrO2–2.5 mol.% Y2O3–5 mol.% CeO2, 90 mol.% ZrO2–2 mol.% Y2O3–8 mol.% CeO2, and 88 mol.% ZrO2–12 mol.% CeO2 materials in the ZrO2–Y2O3–CeO2 system was studied. The phase stability was determined through accelerated aging in hydrothermal conditions for 7 h and 14 h. The evaluation criterion was the amount of the M-ZrO2 phase that formed in the samples when aged in hydrothermal conditions. The properties of the materials were analyzed by X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy. The T-ZrO2 → M-ZrO2 phase transformation occurred to varying degrees in all samples except for the 88 mol.% ZrO2–12 mol.% CeO2 sample after the first and second aging cycles. The smallest amount of M-ZrO2 formed in the 90 mol.% ZrO2–2 mol.% Y2O3–8 mol.% CeO2 sample. After both aging cycles, the fracture patterns for the 90 mol.% ZrO2–2 mol.% Y2O3–8 mol.% CeO2 and 88 mol.% ZrO2–12 mol.% CeO2 samples did not change significantly. With the complex stabilization of zirconia by yttria and ceria, the T-ZrO2 → M-ZrO2 phase transformation was controlled in the aging process by the number of oxygen vacancies resulting from the presence of yttria and by the stresses induced by the presence of ceria in the solid solutions. The number of oxygen vacancies decreased as ceria content in the ZrO2-based solid solutions increased, slowing down the rate of water diffusion and enhancing the low-temperature phase stability in the ZrO2–Y2O3–CeO2 materials. The effectiveness of using the 90 mol.% ZrO2–2 mol.% Y2O3–8 mol.% CeO2 and 88 mol.% ZrO2–12 mol.% CeO2 composites for the microstructural design of medical materials with increased resistance to low-temperature degradation in humid environments was shown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are small phospholipid bilayer-bond structures released by diverse cell types into the extracellular environment, maintaining homeostasis of the cell by balancing cellular stress. This article provides a comprehensive overview of extracellular vesicles, their heterogeneity, and diversified roles in cellular processes, emphasizing their importance in the elimination of unwanted molecules. They play a role in regulating oxidative stress, particularly by discarding oxidized toxic molecules. Furthermore, endoplasmic reticulum stress induces the release of EVs, contributing to distinct results, including autophagy or ER stress transmission to following cells. ER stress-induced autophagy is a part of unfolded protein response (UPR) and protects cells from ER stress-related apoptosis. Mitochondrial-derived vesicles (MDVs) also play a role in maintaining homeostasis, as they carry damaged mitochondrial components, thereby preventing inflammation. Moreover, EVs partake in regulating aging-related processes, and therefore they can potentially play a crucial role in anti-aging therapies, including the treatment of age-related diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease or cardiovascular conditions. Overall, the purpose of this article is to provide a better understanding of EVs as significant mediators in both physiological and pathological processes, and to shed light on their potential for therapeutic interventions targeting EV-mediated pathways in various pathological conditions, with an emphasis on age-related diseases.

Beef dry-aging consists of a selection of unpackaged prime cuts placed in a controlled environment cold room for several weeks. The goals are to concentrate flavors like nutty and beefy and to improve tenderness. The aim of this study was to verify the microbiological and physicochemical behavior and sensory perception of meat during a sample process example of meat dry-aging. Twelve beef loins were selected for 90 days of dry aging and placed in a cold room with average temperature, relative humidity and forced air 3.2 ± 0.7 °C, 60.7 ± 4.2% and 0.5–2 m/s, respectively. Samples of crust and lean meat were collected on days 1, 14, 21, 35, 60 and 90 of the dry aging process for microbiological, physicochemical (pH, aw, color L*a*b*) and sensory analysis. During drying, no pathogenic bacteria were detected, and the average counts were higher for the crust. The average values for water activity (aw) and pH were 0.98 ± 0.02 and 5.77 ± 0.015, respectively. A slight decrease in aw and an increase in pH were observed over the aging period (p < 0.05). The lower microbial counts on the lean meat and the overall assessment of freshness confirm the importance of good manufacturing and storage practices during dry aging.

Background: The aim of the paper is to assess the cognitive and functional status of a segment of the population for a senescent age group. These assessments can help develop intervention strategies to improve the cognitive and functional status of these individuals as well as promote a healthy and active lifestyle. The assessment of cognitive and functional status in a segment of the population during senescence can identify certain problems and deficiencies in cognitive and physical functioning and can help develop physical activities to optimize the cognitive and functional state of senescent people. Objectives: To identify the cognitive and functional profile of the studied age group; Pointing out risk factors for cognitive and functional deterioration; Suggesting physical activities to improve cognitive and functional status. Methods: The recorded data helps us develop personalized aquatic programs to improve health and physical performance, tailored to the individual needs of participants, to be used over 6 months in 2024. Results: The findings suggested by the collected data, recognises a significant link between subjects' body mass index and their physical test scores. Conclusions: Analysis of the data allows us to identify risk factors, including chronic conditions, adopted lifestyle, genetic influences or other environmental conditioning, that could contribute to cognitive and functional decline in the older population.

The circular economy forces societies to take actions aimed at giving post-consumer products a “second life”. As we know, wood is perfect for this. Moreover, reusing wood helps keep carbon in circulation, thus limiting its emissions into the atmosphere. It turns out that extensive research on determining the durability of wood is very useful and valuable for one more reason. Well, they can be used to create a model to determine the usefulness of wood, which has only apparently lost its utility value during many years of exposure to external factors. The research subject was samples of wood impregnated with protection agents and modified, originating from many years of field tests. The aim of the research was to correlate the results of wood durability determined after a period of exposure in open space with the results of determining the potential usefulness of such wood. On this basis, a model for determining the value of post-consumer wood was created. As a main result of post-consumer wood analysis, the high durabilities against C. puteana with mass loss below 3% were noticed for acetylated, furfurylated, and CCA-treated wood. Moreover, high color stabilities (ΔE < 10) were observed for thermowood and furfurylated wood.

Molybdenum oxides (MoOx) nanoparticles (NPs) have great optical and electronic features that make them suitable for potential applications such as surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) and energy systems. However, there are very few papers that report the synthesis of MoOx NPs by using the laser ablation of solids in liquids (LASL) technique and they lack the explanation for the oxidation process. This work reports on the generation of NPs composed of molybdenum trioxide hydrated (MoO3 · xH2O) (x = 1, 2) by using this method and its oxidation due to aging. A picosecond Nd:YAG laser was used and the per pulse laser fluence was varied from 5 to 20 J/cm2. Spherical NPs were obtained with average diameters from 48 to 141 nm, respectively. The absorption evolution of the obtained colloids was characterized by optical absorption spectroscopy, TEM was used to study the MoOx NPs morphology, size and structure and Raman spectroscopy to determine the material chemical composition.

Molybdenum oxides (MoOx) nanoparticles (NPs) have great optical and electronic features that make them suitable for potential applications such as surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) and energy systems. However, there are very few papers that report the synthesis of MoOx NPs by using the laser ablation of solids in liquids (LASL) technique and they lack the explanation for the oxidation process. This work reports on the generation of NPs composed of molybdenum trioxide hydrated (MoO3 · xH2O) (x = 1, 2) by using this method and its oxidation due to aging. A picosecond Nd:YAG laser was used and the per pulse laser fluence was varied from 5 to 20 J/cm2. Spherical NPs were obtained with average diameters from 48 to 141 nm, respectively. The absorption evolution of the obtained colloids was characterized by optical absorption spectroscopy, TEM was used to study the MoOx NPs morphology, size and structure and Raman spectroscopy to determine the material chemical composition.

Abstract Background The aging process in the tobacco production, as in other food industries, is an important process for improving the quality of raw materials. In the spontaneous aging, the complex components in flue-cured tobacco (FT) improve flavor or reduce harmful compounds through chemical reactions, microbial metabolism, and enzymatic catalysis. Some believed that tobacco-microbe played a significant part in this process. However, little information is available on how microbes mediate chemical composition to improve the quality of FT, which will lay the foundation for the time-consuming spontaneous aging to seek ways to shorten the aging cycle. Results Comparing aged and unaged FT, volatile and non-volatile differential compounds (DCs) were multi-dimensionally analyzed with the non-targeted metabolomes based on UPLC-QTOP-MS (the ultra-performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry), GC–MS (gas chromatography-mass spectrometer) assisted derivatization and HP-SPME-GC/MS (headspace solid-phase micro-extraction assisted GC–MS). Products associated with the degradation pathways of terpenoids or higher fatty acids were one of the most important factors in improving FT quality. With the microbiome, the diversity and functions of microbial flora were analyzed. The high relative abundance function categories were in coincidence with DCs-related metabolic pathways. According to the correlation analysis, Acinetobacter, Sphingomonas and Aspergillus were presumed to be the important contributor, in which Aspergillus was associated with the highest number of degradation products of terpenoids and higher fatty acids. At last, the screened Aspergillus nidulans strain F4 could promote the degradation of terpenoids and higher fatty acids to enhance tobacco flavor by secreting highly active lipoxygenase and peroxidase, which verified the effect of tobacco-microbes on FT quality. Conclusions By integrating the microbiome and metabolome, tobacco-microbe can mediate flavor-related substances to improve the quality of FT after aging, which provided a basis for identifying functional microorganisms for reforming the traditional spontaneous aging.

With the development trend of connectors to high-current and high-temperature service, copper alloy connectors are required to have superior stress relaxation resistance. In this work, the optimal aging parameter was explored via stress relaxation resistance, strength, microhardness, and conductivity. And the strengthening mechanism of stress relaxation was investigated through the TEM and EBSD microscopic characterization. The results show that the Cu–Cr–Ni alloy reached the peak aging state under 450 °C for 1 h and obtained excellent properties. Especially, the percentage of residual stress in the relaxation test reached 93.1%. The microhardness associated with aging strengthening showed a positive correlation with yield strength and stress relaxation resistance. Then the microhardness after aging can be used as a simple evaluation index of stress relaxation resistance. The Cu–Cr–Ni alloy with superior stress relaxation resistance is mainly related to dislocation strengthening, second phase strengthening, and the coexistence of spinodal decomposition and ordering.

The use of Kevlar in the field of ballistic and stabbing protection has been studied by researchers in polymeric composites for this purpose. This study presents complementary knowledge on energy absorption and dissipation in ρ-aramid fabric impregnated with shear thickening fluids (STFs), especially aiming to obtain better protection against impacts that are deeply associated with STFs, as well as color change, accelerated aging (QUV), and penetration depth (drop tower test). In addition, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was performed. The research shows that there was a good distribution of STF particles on the ρ-Aramid fabric surface, promoting increased friction between the interfilament and the yarns, further increasing performance and, consequently, improving the energy absorption and dissipation mechanism and, also, the penetration effectiveness in relation to non-impregnated ρ-Aramid fabric. Regarding the protection efficiency against UV exposure (250–400 nm region), there was a significantly decreased compared to those non-impregnated Kevlar® woven with STFs. The FTIR analysis showed that the conditions of aging, after exposure to UV, did not produce new functional groups, that is, there was no chemical modification. Finally, Kevlar fabric impregnated with STFs improved penetration depth performance with the blades independent of the blade type with up to 81% increase in resistance. This result was improved due to interactions between the nanoparticles present in STFs, yarns, and even high-performance woven impregnated with shear-thickening fluids.

The aging process is crucial to improve the harmony and fullness of the flavor of baijiu. Nevertheless, the traditional aging process consumes space and times and significantly increased the loss of baijiu. Hence, how to shorten the aging time through manual intervention becomes the research hotspot. Thus, a new aging method of exposure to sunlight was established to accelerate the balance of flavor compounds in baijiu. It was still unclear about the quality variance factors and its influence on the flavor quality of BCSGB (banchengshaoguo baijiu) during the sun-exposure process. Hence, adsorption pen combined with GC–MS were utilized to identify trace components, and pH liquid–liquid extraction and GC–O–MS were employed to screen and assess flavor compounds. Afterward, based on the sensory evaluation of BCSGB, three assessment systems (sensory evaluation, mental test, and random forest) were created to screen the quality variance factors. Thus, the quality variance factors were responsive to changes in the flavor quality of BCSGB during the sun-exposure process, which support process quality monitoring and aging process optimization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aging is believed to occur across multiple domains, one of which is body composition; however, attempts to integrate it into biological age (BA) have been limited. Here, we consider the sex‐dependent role of anthropometry for the prediction of 10‐year all‐cause mortality using data from 18,794 NHANES participants to generate and validate a new BA metric. Our data‐driven approach pointed to sex‐specific contributors for BA estimation: WHtR, arm and thigh circumferences for men; weight, WHtR, thigh circumference, subscapular and triceps skinfolds for women. We used these measurements to generate AnthropoAge, which predicted all‐cause mortality (AUROC 0.876, 95%CI 0.864–0.887) and cause‐specific mortality independently of ethnicity, sex, and comorbidities; AnthropoAge was a better predictor than PhenoAge for cerebrovascular, Alzheimer, and COPD mortality. A metric of age acceleration was also derived and used to assess sexual dimorphisms linked to accelerated aging, where women had an increase in overall body mass plus an important subcutaneous to visceral fat redistribution, and men displayed a marked decrease in fat and muscle mass. Finally, we showed that consideration of multiple BA metrics may identify unique aging trajectories with increased mortality (HR for multidomain acceleration 2.43, 95%CI 2.25–2.62) and comorbidity profiles. A simplified version of AnthropoAge (S‐AnthropoAge) was generated using only BMI and WHtR, all results were preserved using this metric. In conclusion, AnthropoAge is a useful proxy of BA that captures cause‐specific mortality and sex dimorphisms in body composition, and it could be used for future multidomain assessments of aging to better characterize the heterogeneity of this phenomenon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was designed to investigate the association between specific leisure activities and successful aging among older adults, using data from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey. A total of 7689 older adults were involved in this study and categorized as successful aging group (n = 3989; 51.8%) or non-successful aging group (n = 3703; 48.2%). Participants were identified as successful aging if they had a score of more than 3 points, or as non-successful aging. The points were based on the following five items and each item was assigned 1 point: self-rated health, self-rated psychological status or mood, cognitive function, activities of daily life, and physical activity. Six activities including gardening work, reading newspapers or books, raising domestic animals or pets, playing cards or mahjong, watching TV or listening to radio, and participating in social activities were collected to reflect leisure activities. Chi-square tests, independent sample t -test, and logistic regression analyses were employed to explore the association between specific leisure activities and successful aging. The prevalence of successful aging was 51.8% among Chinese older adults. A significant positive relationship was found between the frequency of participation in specific leisure activities and successful aging (p < 0.05). Older adults who usually participated in leisure activities had greater odds for successful aging compared to those who never participated in leisure activities (adjusted odds ratio (OR): 1.31 (95% CI: 1.15–1.49) to 1.88 (95% CI: 1.62–2.19)). Older adults participating in one or more leisure activities had greater odds for successful aging compared to those who did not participate in leisure activities (adjusted OR: 1.51 (95% CI: 1.30–1.76) to 4.10 (95% CI: 2.44–6.89)). The findings provide evidence that participating more frequently and in more leisure activities was associated with a greater probability of successful aging among Chinese older adults. Encouraging older people to participate frequently in a larger number of leisure activities may be a key to promote successful aging. Therefore, the frequency and number of participation in leisure activities should be highlighted and targeted for promoting successful aging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Growth Hormone Receptor (GHR) gene encodes a protein that is essential for mediating the biological effects of growth hormone (GH). A series of molecular events are set off when GH binds to its receptor, resulting in a variety of physiological reactions linked to development, growth, and metabolism. Recently a particular genetic variation, within the GHR gene that is labeled as the "d3GHR," which lacks exon 3 was associated with longevity. This specific deletion isoform was connected to changes in the structure of the GHR protein, which may have an impact on the GHR's function. To test in vitro the advantage of the d3 carrier that may link to longevity, we employed the CRISPR/Cas9 technique to produce two isoforms: the homozygotes isoform (d3/d3) and the heterozygotes isoform (d3/fl) using HEK293 cell line. The CRISPR editing effectiveness was >85 %, indicating that we had successfully built the Cas9-gRNA complex that is appropriate for the GHR gene. The viability of the resulted isoform cells was examined under three environmental stressors that mimic some aging processes. In addition, we examined the GHR signaling pathway by selecting potential downstream genes in the GHR signaling cascade. The results show that heterozygotes cells demonstrated higher survival rates under UV radiation compared with the WT cells (87 % compared with 67 % for the WT cells when exposed to 2 min of UV radiation), and in fasting conditions, the d3GHR cells showed a 15 % greater viability than the WT cells. Moreover, the baseline expression levels (without intervention) of the IGF1 and JAK/STAT genes signaling pathways significantly declined in the homozygotes cells compared with the WT (p < 0.05). This noteworthy finding might offer a practical approach to test illness prevention and give the scientific community critical new insights on mechanism associated with lifespan. • We utilized CRISPR/Cas9 to produce homozygous and heterozygous isoforms for deleting GHR gene exon 3 in HEK293 cells. • Homozygous d3GHR cells exhibited significantly lower baseline expression of IGF1 and JAK/STAT genes compared to WT. • Heterozygous d3GHR cells showed higher survival rates under UV radiation and better viability during fasting. • Findings suggest the d3GHR isoform may boost stress resilience and longevity, offering insights into lifespan mechanisms. • Findings offer potential strategies for disease prevention and a better understanding of genetic influences on lifespan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A striking feature of COVID-19 disease is the broad spectrum of risk factors associated with case severity, as well as the diversity of clinical manifestations. While no central agent has been able to explain the pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 infection, the factors that most robustly correlate with severity are risk factors linked to aging. Low serum levels of Klotho, an anti-aging protein, strongly correlate with the pathogenesis of the same risk factors and manifestations of conditions similar to those expressed in severe COVID-19 cases. The current manuscript presents original research on the effects of the exogenous application of Klotho, an anti-aging protein, in COVID-19 model mice. Klotho supplementation resulted in a statistically significant survival benefit in parametric and non-parametric models. Further research is required to elucidate the mechanistic role Klotho plays in COVID-19 pathogenesis as well as the possible modulation SARS-CoV-2 may have on the biological aging process.

Several mechanisms are responsible for regulating the process of aging. A rise in reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative stress is usually linked to the development of age-related diseases. Evidence indicates that prolonged oxidative stress can predispose to frequent diseases such as chronic inflammation, cancer and heart diseases. Polyphenols are naturally occurring substances found in numerous fruits, vegetables, cereals, etc. They considered as one of the most abundant and widely distributed secondary metabolites of the plant kingdom. Long-term consumption of polyphenol-rich diets was confirmed for protection from as shown by earlier. Additionally, polyphenol-rich foods and beverages offer protection against certain chronic diseases, particularly type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Certain polyphenols, such as quercetin, have anti-inflammatory properties and they were also associated with lower levels of biomarkers of muscle injury and inflammation. Flavonoids were shown to slow memory problems and the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. Antioxidants such as plant polyphenols have been proposed for cancer prevention and/or treatment. Dietary benefits are attributed in part to polyphenols, which have antitumor properties in both animal models and humans. Resveratrol (RV), a polyphenol found in blueberries, cranberries, wine almonds, and red grapes, has anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties and was shown to reduce cancer cell glycolytic metabolism and reduce intracellular ROS levels.

The contact with ultraviolet rays coming from sunlight causes color changes and deterioration in the main chain structures of composites in outdoor applications and affects the physical and mechanical properties of composite materials negatively. Photodegradation can be slowed and the mechanical strength of composite structures can be improved with adding photostabilizers in polymer matrix production. In this study, we modified low-density polyethylene (LDPE) polymer with an amine light stabilizer (Chimassorb 944), a light absorbent (Tinuvin 326), and an antioxidant (Irganox 1010) and then reinforced with jute fabric (JF). We examined the effect of protective additives, which are used to reduce the harmful effects of sunlight, on JF-reinforced LDPE composites. The color change, physical, and mechanical properties of the composites were determined after 120- and 240-h accelerated aging processes. The results indicate that both the antioxidants and the amine light stabilizers were more effective photostabilizers for JF-reinforced LDPE composites than the absorbents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Age‐at‐death estimation is a difficult task in fragmented or incomplete contexts. The generation and testing of methods are needed to identify their potential application in different types of osteological samples. This paper proposes a new method for age estimation using the first rib. Four hundred and fifteen individuals from the Coimbra Identified Skeletal Collections (Portugal) were studied; the sample was divided in two groups (reference and test samples), used to develop the procedure and to evaluate its reliability. The three rib joints and two variables (surface texture and topography, and periarticular margins and subsidence of the surface) were recorded. Statistical analyses were performed to test the procedure reproducibility, and side and sex variations. Posterior probabilities were calculated following Bayesian statistics and used to estimate the most likely age‐at‐death in the test sample. The results show the reproducibility of the method is adequate, left and right ribs can be indistinctly recorded, and both sexes show similar change patterns. The costal face and the head epiphyseal region offered satisfactory results and the percentages of correct estimations are greater for younger individuals, decreasing as ages‐at‐death are higher. This method is more effective among individuals in the 20–50 years cohort; nevertheless, it also offered satisfactory estimates in older ones. Overestimations in individuals younger than 40 years and underestimations in individuals older than 75 years were identified. In conclusion, the first rib offer adequate estimates when a basic probabilistic approach is chosen. Whenever possible, this proposal must be included in a multifactorial perspective with other age markers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Aims Chemerin abnormal level represents a risk indicator of visceral fat increase. It has a role in the incidence of inflammation, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, obesity, and diabetes. This study aimed to evaluate Chemerin level in diabetic type 2 patients with metabolic syndrome in both Genders. Materials & Methods This study was carried out on the patients referred to the Al-Yarmouk Teaching Hospital in 2021-2022. 88 participants were selected by random sampling method and were divided into two groups including T2DM patients with metabolic syndrome in the experience group (n=55) compared with healthy subjects in the control group (n=38). Triacylglycerol (TG), High-Density Lipoprotein-Cholesterol (HDL-c), Obesity (BMI), serum Chemerin, Hypertension (SBP), age, Fasting Blood Glucose (FBG), and Glycated Haemoglobin (HbA1C) were measured in the two studied groups. Data were analyzed using T-test through SPSS 21 Software. Findings A significant difference was observed between the levels of BMI, SBP, FBG, TG, HDL-c, Chemerin weight, DBP, and HbA1c in the studied groups (p=0.05). The rate of WC and HDL-c was higher in the females than in males in the experience group. While, there was a significant increase in the rates of SBP, FBG, TG, and Chemerin in males than females. A positive correlation coefficient was observed between age, SBP, WC, BMI, FBG, TG, and HbA1c with Chemerin level in the experience group. Conclusion An increase in Chemerin level is associated with a high level of triglycerides during the onset of symptoms of metabolic syndrome, age, and gender, which affect the increase of adipokine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The evolution of the microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg-10Gd-2Y-0.5Zn-0.3Zr alloy during the extrusion process and aging process is analyzed in the present article. Compared with that of the forged alloy, the refinement of the microstructure and distribution of strengthening phases in the matrix are obvious, indicating that the extrusion process has a considerable effect on the microstructure and contributes to the excellent mechanical properties of the extruded alloy with a tensile yield strength, ultimate tensile strength and elongation of 306, 410 MPa and 16.3%, respectively. The microstructure and mechanical properties change considerably during the subsequent aging process compared with those of the extruded alloy. The strength of the peak-aged alloy has a great relationship with the strengthening precipitates in the matrix during the aging process. According to the qualitative analysis, the high strength of the peak-aged alloy at 200 °C for 120 h is mainly ascribed to the dispersed precipitates of the LPSO phase and β′ phase during the aging process. With increasing temperature of the aging process, the dynamic softening of the alloy is mainly attributed to the following reasons: the phase transformation of the β′ phase to the stable softening β phase, the coarsening of the LPSO phase and the decrease in the number of strengthening phases in the matrix. The tensile yield strength, ultimate tensile strength and elongation of the peak-aged alloy are 333 and 467 MPa and 7.6%, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Decreased periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) stemness is a key factor in age-related alveolar bone loss. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is closely related to age-related diseases and the mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) stemness. However, the role of ER stress in regulating the stemness of senescent PDLSCs and its potential mechanism remain unclear., Objectives: To investigate the detailed effect and mechanism of ER stress on impaired stemness in old periodontal ligament stem cells (OPDLSCs)., Methods: The level of ER stress of Young PDLSCs (YPDLSCs) and OPDLSCs were detected, and ER stress was regulated to observe its effect on PDLSCs stemness. The expression levels of ER stress sensors (protein kinase R-like ER kinase (PERK), activating transcription factor 6 (ATF6), inositol requiring enzyme 1 (IRE1)) were upregulated in YPDLSCs and downregulated in OPDLSCs by transfection experiments to verify the detailed unfolded protein response (UPR) pathway. Mechanismly, the regulatory effect of UPR pathway on p53/p21 pathway was explored. Further study was performed to investigated the important role of progerin accumulation during aging process on ER stress, UPR and p53/p21 pathway., Results: Decreased stemness and ER stress activation were found in OPDLSCs. ER stress activation resulted in decreased stemness of YPDLSCs, while ER stress inhibition rescued compromised stemness of OPDLSCs. Mechanismly, ATF6 pathway regulated the OPDLSC stemness via the p53/p21 signaling as confirmed by transfection assay. Further study showed that progerin was accumulated in PDLSCs and progerin overexpression could resulted in ER stress activation, activating the ATF6/p53/p21 axis, leading to decreased stemness of aging PDLSCs., Conclusions: Progerin accumulation during the aging process can lead to ER stress activation, which can suppress OPDLSC stemness via the ATF6/p53/p21 axis., 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. Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V.)

Building materials are the major sources of Volatile and Semi-Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs and SVOCs) in indoor air. Measurements of emission rates of these compounds are likely to be influenced by variation in certain environmental factors resulting in intra-specimen variability. This study aims to (i) evaluate the reproducibility of measurements between specimens and (ii) evaluate the impact of storage on VOC and SVOC emissions from antifungal acrylic paint (applied on polyester-cellulose). For this purpose, 15 discs of tested materials (1.63 ± 0.04 g) were prepared. From these, the emissions rates (ER) of 5 samples were analyzed simultaneously during three measurement campaigns (October 2021, January 2022 and March 2022). Between each campaign, specimens were stored in the dark at ambient temperature (25 ± 4 °C) and relative humidity (50 ± 20 %). Measurements were performed using the field and laboratory emission cell (FLEC) and characterized by gas chromatography (TD-GC-MS/FID) and liquid chromatography (HPLC). Intra-specimen reproducibility was assessed by comparing 5 ER of different specimens collected simultaneously. The impact of storage was evaluated by comparing the average VOC/SVOC ER between each campaign. The results show, concerning the reproducibility of the measurements, that the first measurement campaign provides ER with high variability (10-36 %) compared to the second and third measurement campaigns, which show lower intra-specimen variability (5-24 % and 8-20 % respectively). However, weakly emitted compounds (ER < 10 μg m -2 h -1 ) such as aromatics and aldehydes show large variabilities (6-100 % of variation) in all measurement campaigns. Regarding the effect of the 5-months storage a significant decrease in the ER of individual VOC/SVOCs (37-85 %) and of TVOCs (74 %) was noted, except for aldehydes, aromatic hydrocarbons, isopropylacetone and vinyl crotonate, which showed a stability or eventual increase (up to 100 %) in the ER over time, depending on the type of emitted compound., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: Nouha ZINE-FILALI reports financial support was provided by French Environment and Energy Management Agency. Nouha ZINE-FILALI reports financial support was provided by Région Pays de La Loire. Nouha ZINE-FILALI reports a relationship with French Environment and Energy Management Agency that includes: employment., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The aging process of microplastics (MPs) affects their surface physicochemical properties, thereby influencing their behaviors in releasing harmful chemicals, adsorption of organic contaminants, sinking, and more. Understanding the aging process is crucial for evaluating MPs' environmental behaviors and risks, but tracing the aging process remains challenging. Here, we propose a multimodal deep learning model to trace typical aging factors of aged MPs based on MPs' physicochemical characteristics. A total of 1353 surface morphology images and 1353 Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy spectra were achieved from 130 aged MPs undergoing different aging processes, demonstrating that physicochemical properties of aged MPs vary from aging processes. The multimodal deep learning model achieved an accuracy of 93% in predicting the major aging factors of aged MPs. The multimodal deep learning model improves the model's accuracy by approximately 5-20% and reduces prediction bias compared to the single-modal model. In practice, the established model was performed to predict the major aging factors of naturally aged MPs collected from typical environment matrices. The prediction results aligned with the aging conditions of specific environments, as reported in previous studies. Our findings provide new insights into tracing and understanding the plastic aging process, contributing more accurately to the environmental risk assessment of aged MPs.

Objective: Tribulus Terrestris is a medicinal plant cultivated in temperate regions of the world. Inner Mongolia is one of the main producing areas of Tribulus Terrestris. We aimed in this study to examine the effect of Tribulus Terrestris extract on the aging process. Methods: A total of 50 mice were used for the experiment. They were divided randomly into 5 groups (10 animals in each group): normal control group and four aging groups. Results: Compared to the normal aging group, the parameters of the thymus gland and spleen of an aging group fed with a high and medium amount of Tribulus has visibly increased (p < 0.05). The content of blood catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) of blood serum of an aging group fed with a high and medium amount of Tribulus Terrestris has visibly increased (p < 0.05) compared to that in the aging group. Also, the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) in blood serum has visibly lowered. We further have measured the SOD, GSH-Px content in brain tissue of each group of mice. Conclusion: Compared with the normal control group, the SOD content was decreased significantly and MDA content was significantly increased in the aging group of mice.