Association between the triglyceride-glucose index and subclinical left ventricular systolic dysfunction in obese patients.

BACKGROUND: The association between the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index and subclinical left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction in obese patients remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the TyG index and LV global longitudinal strain (GLS) in obese patients. METHODS: A total of 1028 obese patients from January 2019 to January 2024 were included in the present study. Clinical parameters and biochemical and echocardiographic data were obtained from the participants. LV GLS was obtained from the GE EchoPAC workstation for evaluating subclinical LV function. The TyG index was calculated as Ln (fasting TG [mg/dL] × fasting glucose [mg/dL]/2). LV GLS was compared between obese patients with a high TyG index and those with a low TyG index. RESULTS: Obese patients with a high TyG index had greater incidences of hypertension, diabetes mellitus and hyperlipidaemia. The LV GLS was significantly lower in the high TyG index group than in the low TyG index group (P = 0.01). After adjusting for sex, age, body mass index, heart rate, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidaemia, blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, LV mass and LV hypertrophy, the TyG index remained an independent risk indicator related to an LV GLS < 20% (OR: 1.520, 95% CI: 1.040 to 2.221; P = 0.031). CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that an increase in the TyG index is independently associated with subclinical LV systolic dysfunction in obese patients.

Diversifying Ion-Transport Pathways of Composite Solid Electrolytes for High-Performance Solid-State Lithium-Metal Batteries.

The application of composite solid electrolytes (CSEs) in solid-state lithium-metal batteries is limited by the unsatisfactory ionic conductivity underpinned by the low concentration of free lithium ions. Herein, we propose an interface design strategy where an amine silane linker is employed as a coupling agent to graft the Li7La3Zr2O12 (LLZO) ceramic nanofibers to the poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP) polymer matrix to enhance their interaction. The hydrogen bonding between amino-functionalized LLZO (NH2@LLZO) and PVDF-HFP not only effectively induces a uniform incorporation of high-content nanofibers (50 wt %) into the polymer matrix but also furnishes sufficient continuous surfaces to weaken the complexation between PVDF-HFP and Li-ion carriers. Additionally, introduction of the hydrogen bond and Lewis acid-base interplay strengthens the interfacial interactions between NH2@LLZO and lithium salts that release more free lithium ions for efficient interfacial transport. The impact of the linker's structure on the dissociation capacity of lithium salts is systematically studied from the steric effect perspective, which affords insights into interface design. Conclusively, the composite solid electrolyte achieves a high ionic conductivity (5.8 × 10-4 S cm-1) by synergy of multiple transport channels at ceramic, polymer, and their interface, which effectively regulates the lithium deposition behavior in symmetric cells. The excellent compatibility of the electrolyte with both LiFePO4 and LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 cathodes also results in a long lifetime and a high rate capability for full cells.

Efficient Solvent-Free Synthesis of Indolizines Using CuBr Catalyst from Pyridine, Acetophenone, and Electron-Deficient Alkenes.

Herein, we have developed a new approach for the synthesis of indolizine via Cu-catalyzed reaction of pyridine, acetophenone, and nitroolefin under mild conditions in high yields. This reaction involved the formation of C-N and C-C bonds and new indolizine compounds with high stereoselectivity and excellent functional group tolerance.

Association of aquatic food consumption, long-chain polyunsaturated n-3 fatty acid intake, and blood mercury levels with cognitive function in middle-aged and older adults.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Aquatic food is rich in nutrients which benefit the human brain and cognitive health; however, concerns about heavy metal accumulation in aquatic food remain. This study evaluated the associations between aquatic food consumption, long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC n-3 PUFAs) intake, and blood mercury levels with cognition in middle-aged and older adults. METHODS: This cross-sectional study used baseline data from the Lifestyle and Healthy Aging of Chinese Square Dancer Study. Aquatic food consumption and LC n-3 PUFAs intake were obtained from a food frequency questionnaire. Blood mercury levels were measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. A composite z-score was developed to represent global cognition by averaging the z-scores for each cognitive domain. Participants with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) were diagnosed according to Petersen's criteria. Multivariate linear and logistic regression models were used to examine the association between the exposure factors and cognitive performance including cognitive scores and MCI. RESULTS: Of 2621 middle-aged and older adults, the mean (SD) age was 63.71 (5.15) years, and 85.73% were females. Compared with the lowest quartile, those in the highest quartile for aquatic food consumption were associated with higher composite z-scores (ß = 0.156, 95% CI: 0.088-0.225) and lower MCI odds (OR = 0.598, 95% CI: 0.425-0.841). A similar positive relationship between LC n-3 PUFAs intake and composite z-score and an inverse association between LC n-3 PUFAs intake and MCI were also observed. In addition, the participants in the highest quartile for blood mercury levels had higher composite z-scores than those in the lowest quartile. CONCLUSIONS: In this cross-sectional study, higher aquatic food consumption, LC n-3 PUFAs intake, and blood mercury levels were related to better cognitive function. Further studies in Chinese populations are required to confirm these findings.

Bimetallic Ag125Cu8 Nanocluster, Structure Determination, and Nonlinear Optical Properties.

The atomic precision of the subnanometer nanoclusters has provided sound proof on the structural correlation of metal complexes and larger-sized metal nanoparticles. Herein, we report the synthesis, crystallography, structural characterization, electrochemistry, and optical properties of a 133-atom intermetallic nanocluster protected by 57 thiolates (3-methylbenzenethiol, abbreviated as m-MBTH) and 3 chlorides, with the formula of Ag125Cu8(m-MBT)57Cl3. This is the largest Ag-Cu bimetallic cluster ever reported. Crystallographic analysis revealed that the nanocluster has a three-layer concentric core-shell structure, Ag7@Ag47@Ag71Cu8S57Cl3, and the Ag54 metal kernel adopts a D5h symmetry. The nuclei number is between that of the previously reported large silver cluster [Ag136(SR)64Cl3Ag0.45]- and the large silver-rich cluster Au130-xAgx(SR)55 (x = 98). All these three clusters bear a similar metallic core structure, while the main structural difference lies in the shell motif structures. Electron counting revealed an open electron shell with 73 delocalized electrons, which was verified by the electron paramagnetic resonance analysis. The DPV electrochemical measurement indicates a multielectron state quantization double-layer charging shape and single-electron sequential charging and discharging characteristic of the AgCu alloy cluster. In addition, the open-hole Z-scan test reveals the nonlinear optical absorption (2-3 optical absorption in the NIR-II/III region) of Ag125Cu8 nanoclusters.

Optical enhancement mode 2 improves the detection rate of gastric neoplastic lesion in high-risk populations: A multicenter randomized controlled clinical study.

OBJECTIVES: Detection of early neoplastic lesions is crucial for improving the survival rates of patients with gastric cancer. Optical enhancement mode 2 is a new image-enhanced endoscopic technique that offers bright images and can improve the visibility of neoplastic lesions. This study aimed to compare the detection of neoplastic lesions with optical enhancement mode 2 and white-light imaging (WLI) in a high-risk population. METHODS: In this prospective multicenter randomized controlled trial, patients were randomly assigned to optical enhancement mode 2 or WLI groups. Detection of suspicious neoplastic lesions during the examinations was recorded, and pathological diagnoses served as the gold standard. RESULTS: A total of 1211 and 1219 individuals were included in the optical enhancement mode 2 and WLI groups, respectively. The detection rate of neoplastic lesions was significantly higher in the optical enhancement mode 2 group (5.1% vs. 1.9%; risk ratio, 2.656 [95% confidence interval, 1.630-4.330]; p < 0.001). The detection rate of neoplastic lesions with an atrophic gastritis background was significantly higher in the optical enhancement mode 2 group (8.6% vs. 2.6%, p < 0.001). The optical enhancement mode 2 group also had a higher detection rate among endoscopists with different experiences. CONCLUSIONS: Optical enhancement mode 2 was more effective than WLI for detecting neoplastic lesions in the stomach, and can serve as a new method for screening early gastric cancer in clinical practice. CLINICAL REGISTRY: United States National Library of Medicine (https://www. CLINICALTRIALS: gov), ID: NCT040720521.

Visible Light-Gating Responsive Nanochannel for Controlled Release of the Fungicide.

Fungicides have been widely used to protect crops from the disease of pythium aphanidermatum (PA). However, excessive use of synthetic fungicides can lead to fungal pathogens developing microbicide resistance. Recently, biomimetic nano-delivery systems have been used for controlled release, reducing the overuse of fungicides, and thereby protecting the environment. In this paper, inspired by chloroplast membranes, visible light biomimetic channels are constructed by using retinal, the main component of green pigment on chloroplasts in plants, which can achieve the precise controlled release of the model fungicide methylene blue (MB). The experimental results show that the biomimetic channels have good circularity after and before light conditions. In addition, it is also found that the release of MB in visible light by the retinal-modified channels is 8.78 µmol·m-2·h-1, which is four times higher than that in the before light conditions. Furthermore, MB, a bactericide drug model released under visible light, can effectively inhibit the growth of PA, reaching a 97% inhibition effect. The biomimetic nanochannels can realize the controlled release of the fungicide MB, which provides a new way for the treatment of PA on the leaves surface of cucumber, further expanding the application field of biomimetic nanomembrane carrier materials.

Recent Advances of Food Hazard Detection Based on Artificial Nanochannel Sensors.

Food quality and safety are related to the health and safety of people, and food hazards are important influencing factors affecting food safety. It is strongly necessary to develop food safety rapid detection technology to ensure food safety. As a new detection technology, artificial nanochannel-based electrochemical and other methods have the advantages of being real-time, simple, and sensitive and are widely used in the detection of food hazards. In this paper, we review artificial nanochannel sensors as a new detection technology in food safety for different types of food hazards: biological hazards (bacteria, toxins, viruses) and chemical hazards (heavy metals, organic pollutants, food additives). At the same time, we critically discuss the advantages and disadvantages of artificial nanochannel sensor detection, as well as the restrictions and solutions of detection, and finally look forward to the challenges and development prospects of food safety detection technology based on the limitations of artificial nanochannel detection. We expect to provide a theoretical basis and inspiration for the development of rapid real-time detection technology for food hazards and the production of portable detection equipment in the future.

Discovery of Fusarium pseudograminearum Causing Crown Rot of Winter Wheat in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China.

Fusarium pseudograminearum is an important plant pathogen that invades many crops (Zhang et al. 2018). Since it was first discovered in Australia in 1951, F. pseudograminearum has been reported in many countries and regions and caused huge economic losses (Burgess et al. 2001). In 2012, crown rot of wheat caused by F. pseudograminearum was discovered for the first time in Henan Province, China (Li et al. 2012). Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is one of the most important food crops in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (XUAR), with 1.07 million hectares cultivated in 2020. In June 2023, a survey of crown rot disease was carried out in winter wheat cv. Xindong 20 in Hotan area, XUAR, China (80.148907°E, 37.051474°N). About 5% of wheat plants showed symptoms of crown rot such as browning of the stem base and white head. The disease was observed in 85% of wheat fields. In order to identify the pathogens, 36 pieces of diseased stem basal tissue, 0.5 cm in length, were collected and sterilized with 75% alcohol for 30s and 5% NaOCl solution for 2 min, then rinsed three times with sterile water and placed on potato dextrose agar (PDA) medium at 25°C. A total of 27 isolates with consistent morphological characteristics were obtained using single-spore technique (Leslie and Summerell. 2006), and the isolation rate was 75%. The isolates grew rapidly on PDA, produced large numbers of fluffy white hyphae, and pink pigment accumulated in the medium. The isolates were grown on 2% mung bean flour medium and identified by morphological and molecular methods. Macroconidia were abundant, relatively slender, curved to almost straight, commonly two to seven septate, and averaged 22 to 72 × 1.8 to 4.9 µm. Microconidia were not observed. The morphological characters are consistent with Fusarium (Aoki and O'Donnell. 1999). Two isolates (LP-1 and LP-3) were selected for molecular identification. Primers EF1/EF2 (5'-ATGGGTAAGGARGACAAGAC-3'/5'-GGARGTACCAGTSATCATG-3') were used to amplify a portion of the EF-1α gene (O'Donnell et al. 1998). The two 696 bp PCR products were sequenced and submitted to GenBank. The EF-1α gene sequences (GenBank Accession No: PP062794 and PP062795) shared 99.9% identity (695/696) with published F.pseudograminearum sequences (e.g., OP105187, OP105184, OP105179, OP105173). The identification was further confirmed by F. pseudograminearum species-specific PCR primers Fp1-1/Fp1-2 (Aoki and O'Donnell. 1999). The expected PCR products of 518 bp were produced only in F. pseudograminearum. Pathogenicity tests of LP-1 and LP-3 isolates were performed on 7-day-old seedlings of winter wheat cv. Xindong 20 using the drip inoculation method with a 10-µl of a 106 macroconidia ml-1 suspension near the stem base (Xu et al. 2017). The experiment was repeated five times in a 20 to 25°C greenhouse. Control seedlings were treated with sterile water. After 4 weeks, wheat seedling death and crown browning occurred in the inoculated plants with over 90% incidence. No symptoms were observed in the control plants. The pathogen was reisolated from the inoculated plants by the method described above and identified by morphological and PCR amplification using F. pseudograminearum species-specific primers Fp1-1/Fp1-2. No F. pseudograminearum was isolated from the control plants, fulfilling Koch's postulates. To our knowledge, this is the first report of F. pseudograminearum causing crown rot of winter wheat in XUAR of China. Since F. pseudograminearum can cause great damage to wheat, one of the most important food crops in China, necessary measures should be taken to prevent the spread of F. pseudograminearum to other regions.

Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Damage the Prefrontal Lobe in Mouse: Behavioral Impacts and Key Mechanisms.

Zinc Oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) have dualistic properties due to their advantage and toxicity. However, the impact and mechanisms of ZnO NPs on the prefrontal lobe have limited research. This study investigates the behavioral changes following exposure to ZnO NPs (34mg/kg, 30 days), integrating multiple behaviors and bioinformatics analysis to identify critical factors and regulatory mechanisms. The essential differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, including ORC1, DSP, AADAT, SLITRK6, and STEAP1. Analysis of the DEGs based on fold change reveals that ZnO NPs primarily regulate cell survival, proliferation, and apoptosis in neural cells, damaging the prefrontal lobe. Moreover, disruption of cell communication, mineral absorption, and immune pathways occurs. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) further shows enrichment of behavior, neuromuscular process, signal transduction in function, synapses-related, cAMP signaling, and immune pathways. Furthermore, alternative splicing (AS) genes highlight synaptic structure/function, synaptic signal transduction, immune responses, cell proliferation, and communication.

Real-world applications of the new grading system in lung adenocarcinoma: A study of 907 patients focusing on revealing the relationship between pathologic grade and genetic status.

BACKGROUND: The status of the lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) grading system and the association between LUAD differentiation, driver genes, and clinicopathological features remain to be elucidated. METHODS: We included patients with invasive non-mucinous LUAD, evaluated their differentiation, and collected available clinicopathological information, gene mutations, and analyzed clinical outcomes. RESULTS: Among the 907 patients with invasive non-mucinous LUAD, 321 (35.4 %) were poorly differentiated, 422 (46.5 %) were moderately differentiated, and 164 (18.1 %) were well differentiated. EGFR mutation was more common in the LUADs accompanied without CGP (complex glandular pattern) than LUADs with CGP (p < 0.001). Correlation analysis between mutations and clinical characteristics showed that EGFR gene mutation (p < 0.001), KRAS gene mutation (p < 0.05), and ALK gene rearrangement (p < 0.001) were significantly related to the degree of tumor differentiation, and the KRAS and ALK gene mutation frequencies were higher in the low-differentiation group than in the high and medium differentiation groups. The EGFR mutation frequency was higher in the well/moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma group. CONCLUSIONS: Our study adds to the evidence regarding the role of the grading system in prognosis. EGFR, KRAS, and ALK are related to the degree of tumor differentiation.

Three-stage niobium mineralization at Bayan Obo, China.

The Chinese Bayan Obo deposit is a world-class rare earth element (REE) deposit with considerable niobium (Nb) and iron (Fe) resources. A complete genetic understanding on all metals is fundamental for establishing genetic models at Bayan Obo. With extensive research being focused on REE enrichment, the timing and controls of Nb enrichment remain unresolved at Bayan Obo, which is mainly due to the challenges in dating, i.e. multistage thermal events, fine-grained minerals with complex textures and the rare occurrence of uranium-enriched minerals with mature dating methods. Based on robust geological and petrographic frameworks, here we conducted ion probe uranium-lead (U-Pb) dating of ferrocolumbite to unravel the timing, hence the genesis of Nb mineralization. Three types of hydrothermal ferrocolumbites-key Nb-bearing minerals-are identified based on their textures and mineral assemblages. They yield U-Pb ages of 1312 ± 47 Ma (n = 99), 438 ± 7 Ma (n = 93), and 268 ± 5 Ma (n = 19), respectively. In line with deposit geology, we tentatively link the first, second and third stage Nb mineralization to Mesoproterozoic carbonatite magmatism, ubiquitous early Paleozoic hydrothermal activity, and Permian granitic magmatism, respectively. While quantifying the contribution of metal endowment from each stage requires further investigation, our new dates highlight that multi-stage mineralization is critical for Nb enrichment at Bayan Obo, which may also have implications for the enrichment mechanism of Nb in REE deposits in general.

Teachers and educators' experiences and perceptions of artificial-powered interventions for autism groups.

BACKGROUND: Artificial intelligence-powered interventions have emerged as promising tools to support autistic individuals. However, more research must examine how teachers and educators perceive and experience these AI systems when implemented. OBJECTIVES: The first objective was to investigate informants' perceptions and experiences of AI-empowered interventions for children with autism. Mainly, it explores the informants' perceived benefits and challenges of using AI-empowered interventions and their recommendations for avoiding the perceived challenges. METHODOLOGY: A qualitative phenomenological approach was used. Twenty educators and parents with experience implementing AI interventions for autism were recruited through purposive sampling. Semi-structured and focus group interviews conducted, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using thematic analysis. FINDINGS: The analysis identified four major themes: perceived benefits of AI interventions, implementation challenges, needed support, and recommendations for improvement. Benefits included increased engagement and personalized learning. Challenges included technology issues, training needs, and data privacy concerns. CONCLUSIONS: AI-powered interventions show potential to improve autism support, but significant challenges must be addressed to ensure effective implementation from an educator's perspective. The benefits of personalized learning and student engagement demonstrate the potential value of these technologies. However, with adequate training, technical support, and measures to ensure data privacy, many educators will likely find integrating AI systems into their daily practices easier. IMPLICATIONS: To realize the full benefits of AI for autism, developers must work closely with educators to understand their needs, optimize implementation, and build trust through transparent privacy policies and procedures. With proper support, AI interventions can transform how autistic individuals are educated by tailoring instruction to each student's unique profile and needs.

Long-term supplementation of genistein improves immune homeostasis in the aged gut and extends the laying cycle of aged laying hens.

Aging is associated with alterations in gut function, including intestinal inflammation, leaky gut, and impaired epithelial regeneration. Rejuvenating the aged gut is imperative to extend the laying cycle of aged laying hens. Genistein is known to have beneficial effects on age-related diseases, but its precise role in homeostasis of the aged gut of laying hens remains to be elucidated. In this study, 160 45-wk-old Hyline Brown laying hens were continuously fed a basal diet or a diet supplemented with 40 mg/kg genistein until they reached 100 wk of age. The results revealed that long-term genistein supplementation led to an improvement in the egg production rate and feed conversion ratio, as well as an increase in egg quality. Moreover, the expression levels of senescence markers, such as ß-galactosidase, P16, and P21, were decreased in the gut of genistein-treated aged laying hens. Furthermore, genistein ameliorated gut dysfunctions, such as intestinal inflammation, leaky gut, and impaired epithelial regeneration. Treg cell-derived IL-10 plays a crucial role in the genistein-induced regulation of age-related intestinal inflammation. This study demonstrates that long-term consumption of genistein improves homeostasis in the aged gut and extends the laying cycle of aged laying hens. Moreover, the link between genistein and Treg cells provides a rationale for dietary intervention against age-associated gut dysfunction.

Advances in exosome modulation of ferroptosis for the treatment of orthopedic diseases.

Current treatments for orthopaedic illnesses frequently result in poor prognosis, treatment failure, numerous relapses, and other unpleasant outcomes that have a significant impact on patients' quality of life. Cell-free therapy has emerged as one of the most promising options in recent decades for improving the status quo. As a result, using exosomes produced from various cells to modulate ferroptosis has been proposed as a therapeutic method for the condition. Exosomes are extracellular vesicles that secrete various bioactive chemicals that influence disease treatment and play a role in the genesis and progression of orthopaedic illnesses. Ferroptosis is a recently defined kind of controlled cell death typified by large iron ion buildup and lipid peroxidation. An increasing number of studies indicate that ferroptosis plays a significant role in orthopaedic illnesses. Exosomes, as intercellular information transfer channels, have been found to play a significant role in the regulation of ferroptosis processes. Furthermore, accumulating research suggests that exosomes can influence the course of many diseases by regulating ferroptosis in injured cells. In order to better understand the processes by which exosomes govern ferroptosis in the therapy of orthopaedic illnesses. This review discusses the biogenesis, secretion, and uptake of exosomes, as well as the mechanisms of ferroptosis and exosomes in the therapy of orthopaedic illnesses. It focuses on recent research advances and exosome mechanisms in regulating iron death for the therapy of orthopaedic illnesses. The present state of review conducted both domestically and internationally is elucidated and anticipated as a viable avenue for future therapy in the field of orthopaedics.

Highly-dispersed 2D NiFeP/CoP heterojunction trifunctional catalyst for efficient electrolysis of water and urea.

The electrocatalytic production of "green hydrogen", such as through the electrolysis of water or urea has been vigorously advocated to alleviate the energy crisis. However, their electrode reactions including oxygen evolution reaction (OER), urea oxidation reaction (UOR), and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) all suffer from sluggish kinetics, which urgently need catalysts to accelerate the processes. Herein, we design and prepare an OER/UOR/HER trifunctional catalyst by transforming the homemade CoO nanorod into a two-dimensional (2D) ultrathin heterojunction nickel-iron-cobalt hybrid phosphides nanosheet (NiFeP/CoP) via a hydrothermal-phosphorization method. Consequently, a strong electronic interaction was found among the Ni2P/FeP4/CoP heterogeneous interfaces, which regulates the electronic structure. Besides the high mass transfer property of 2D nanosheet, Ni2P/FeP4/CoP displays improved OER/UOR/HER performance. At 10 mA cm-2, the OER overpotential reaches 274 mV in 1.0 M KOH, and the potential of UOR is only 1.389 V in 1.0 M KOH and 0.33 M urea. More strikingly, the two-electrode systems for electrolysis water and urea-assisted electrolysis water assembled by NiFeP/CoP could maintain long-term stability for 35 h and 12 h, respectively. This work may help to pave the way for upcoming research horizons of multifunctional electrocatalysts.

Recombinant human IL-37 attenuates acute cardiac allograft rejection in mice.

BACKGROUND: Allograft rejection remains a major obstacle to long-term graft survival. Although previous studies have demonstrated that IL-37 exhibited significant immunomodulatory effects in various diseases, research on its role in solid organ transplantation has not been fully elucidated. In this study, the therapeutic effect of recombinant human IL-37 (rhIL-37) was evaluated in a mouse cardiac allotransplantation model. METHODS: The C57BL/6 recipients mouse receiving BALB/c donor hearts were treated with rhIL-37. Graft pathological and immunohistology changes, immune cell populations, and cytokine profiles were analyzed on postoperative day (POD) 7. The proliferative capacities of Th1, Th17, and Treg subpopulations were assessed in vitro. Furthermore, the role of the p-mTOR pathway in rhIL-37-induced CD4+ cell inhibition was also elucidated. RESULTS: Compared to untreated groups, treatment of rhIL-37 achieved long-term cardiac allograft survival and effectively alleviated allograft rejection indicated by markedly reduced infiltration of CD4+ and CD11c+ cells and ameliorated graft pathological changes. rhIL-37 displayed significantly less splenic populations of Th1 and Th17 cells, as well as matured dendritic cells. The percentages of Tregs in splenocytes were significantly increased in the therapy group. Furthermore, rhIL-37 markedly decreased the levels of TNF-α and IFN-γ, but increased the level of IL-10 in the recipients. In addition, rhIL-37 inhibited the expression of p-mTOR in CD4+ cells of splenocytes. In vitro, similar to the in vivo experiments, rhIL-37 caused a decrease in the proportion of Th1 and Th17, as well as an increase in the proportion of Treg and a reduction in p-mTOR expression in CD4+ cells. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated that rhIL-37 effectively suppress acute rejection and induce long-term allograft acceptance. The results highlight that IL-37 could be novel and promising candidate for prevention of allograft rejection.

Recent Advances in Stimulus-Responsive Nanocarriers for Pesticide Delivery.

In an effort to make pesticide use safer, more efficient, and sustainable, micro-/nanocarriers are increasingly being utilized in agriculture to deliver pesticide-active agents, thereby reducing quantities and improving effectiveness. In the use of nanopesticides, the choice to further design and prepare pesticide stimulus-responsive nanocarriers based on changes in the plant growth environment (light, temperature, pH, enzymes, etc.) has received more and more attention from researchers. Based on this, this paper examines recent advancements in nanomaterials for the design of stimulus-responsive micro-/nanocarriers. It delves into the intricacies of preparation methods, material enhancements, in vivo/ex vivo controlled release, and application techniques for controlled release formulations. The aim is to provide a crucial reference for harnessing nanotechnology to pursue reduced pesticide use and increased efficiency.

Skin-Inspired All-Natural Biogel for Bioadhesive Interface.

Natural material-based hydrogels are considered ideal candidates for constructing robust bio-interfaces due to their environmentally sustainable nature and biocompatibility. However, these hydrogels often encounter limitations such as weak mechanical strength, low water resistance, and poor ionic conductivity. Here, inspired by the role of natural moisturizing factor (NMF) in skin, a straightforward yet versatile strategy is proposed for fabricating all-natural ionic biogels that exhibit high resilience, ionic conductivity, resistance to dehydration, and complete degradability, without necessitating any chemical modification. A well-balanced combination of gelatin and sodium pyrrolidone carboxylic acid (an NMF compound) gives rise to a significant enhancement in the mechanical strength, ionic conductivity, and water retention capacity of the biogel compared to pure gelatin hydrogel. The biogel manifests temperature-controlled reversible fluid-gel transition properties attributed to the triple-helix junctions of gelatin, which enables in situ gelation on diverse substrates, thereby ensuring conformal contact and dynamic compliance with curved surfaces. Due to its salutary properties, the biogel can serve as an effective and biocompatible interface for high-quality and long-term electrophysiological signal recording. These findings provide a general and scalable approach for designing natural material-based hydrogels with tailored functionalities to meet diverse application needs.

Maternal Care Behavior and Its Consequences in Competition.

Parental care behavior has evolved as a life history strategy to improve reproductive success, particularly in organisms facing challenging environments. However, the variation in maternal care, such as egg-guarding behavior in response to the social environment and the associated ecological consequence of competition, remains largely unknown. This study addresses a gap in current knowledge by examining the plasticity of maternal care behavior in the predatory mite C. eruditus and its impact on offspring survival and intra- and interspecific competition. Our results demonstrated that the reproductive females frequently exhibit egg-guarding behaviors, with enhanced maternal care efforts when the interspecific competitor is present. Egg masses are significantly more vulnerable to predation in the absence of maternal care. Guarding females increased egg survival rates and adversely influenced the survival of both con- and heterospecific competitors, with higher mortality rates being detected. Our findings highlight the ecological significance of maternal care behaviors and suggest that releasing C. eruditus and Neoseiulus cucumeris (Oudemans) together is not recommended for pest management in storage products.