Effects of Multi-Sensory Stimulation on Apathy Symptoms in Elderly Patients with Alzheimer's Disease.

Background: We aimed to explore the effect of multi-sensory stimulation on apathy symptoms in elderly patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Methods: Eighty elderly patients with AD admitted to the Third Affiliated Hospital of Qiqihar Medical University, China from January 2022 to February 2023 were selected as the research objects by convenient sampling method. According to the random number table, they were divided into intervention group and control group, with 40 cases in each group. The control group was given routine nursing, while the intervention group was given multi-sensory stimulation based on this nursing. Apathy evaluation scale (AES), Behavioral pathology in Alzheimer's disease rating scale (BEHAVE-AD) and Quality of Life Scale for dementia patients (QoL-AD) were used to compare the results. Results: Compared with the control group, the scores of AES and BEHAVE-AD in intervention group were lower (t was -7.312 and 11.88 respectively, P < 0.05), and the scores of QoL-AD in intervention group were significantly higher than those in control group were (t was -15.311, P < 0.01). Conclusion: Multi-sensory stimulation can relieve apathy symptoms, mental and behavioral symptoms and improve the quality of life of elderly patients with AD, which is worth popularizing in clinical practice.

Efficacy of Double-Lumen Biliary-Enteric Tube in Enteral Nutrition for Patients with Malignant Obstructive Jaundice.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a double-lumen biliary-enteric tube (DBET) for enteral nutrition (EN) in individuals with malignant obstructive jaundice (MOJ). METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using data from a prospectively maintained single-center database, including patients with MOJ. In the intervention group, DBET placement was performed concurrently with percutaneous transhepatic cholangiodrainage and biliary stenting, followed by postoperative EN (DBET-EN). In the control group, deep vein catheterization was undertaken after endoscopic biliary stenting, and parenteral nutrition (PN) was provided. A multivariable generalized linear model was used to assess the association between DBET-EN and 6-month mortality. RESULTS: A total of 74 patients were included in this study, comprising 28 patients in the intervention group (DBET-EN group) and 46 patients in the control group (PN group). Within the 6-month follow-up, 5 patients (17.9%) in the DBET-EN group and 20 (43.5%) in the PN group died. The multivariable generalized linear model demonstrated a significantly reduced 6-month mortality in the DBET-EN group compared to the PN group (adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 0.25, 95% CI: 0.08-0.81, P = 0.020). Secondary outcomes indicated that patients in the DBET-EN group had lower 9-month mortality rates and longer tube retention durations compared to the PN group (all adjusted P < 0.05). Postoperative liver function improved similarly in both groups. At 3, 6, and 9 months postoperatively, patient-generated subjective global assessment (PG-SGA) scores and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-C30 (EORTC QLQ-C30) scores were significantly higher in the DBET-EN group than in the PN group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The implementation of DBET for EN in patients in the advanced stage of MOJ proved to be a minimally invasive and safe intervention. It significantly improved patients' nutritional status and quality of life while reducing mortality.

Evaluation of biventricular function by cadmium-zinc-telluride SPECT gated tomographic radionuclide angiography: Comparison to conventional SPECT.

We compared and analyzed the consistency and repeatability of left and right ventricular ((LV/RV) functions obtained by gated-equilibrium radionuclide ventriculography (ERNV) with cadmium-zinc-telluride single-photon emission computed tomography (CZT-SPECT) and conventional SPECT (C-SPECT) with sodium iodide crystal detectors. Seventy-seven patients were included in the retrospective study. Both C-SPECT and CZT-SPECT imaging were performed on the same day. Correlations and differences in LV/RV ejection fraction (LVEF and RVEF), peak ejection rate (PER), and peak filling rate (PFR) were compared between the 2 models. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) was partially used as the gold standard, and ultrasound results were included for comparative analysis. Interobserver reproducibility of each parameter obtained by the 2 cameras was compared. Between the 2 cameras, there were no significant difference in LVEF, LVPER, LVPFR, and RVPER (P > .05) and there were in RVEF and RVPFR (P < .05 or .001). The correlations (R value) were 0.831 (LVEF, excellent), 0.619 (RVEF, good), 0.672 (LVPER, good), 0.700 (LVPFR, good), 0.463 (RVPER, normal), and 0.253 (RVPFR, poor). There were no significant difference between CMR and CZT-SPECT in LVEF (P > .05) while there were between CMR and both C-SPECT and ultrasound (P < .05). The correlations were all good (R = 0.660, 0.658, and 0.695). There were no significant difference between CMR and both C-SPECT and CZT-SPET in RVEF (P > .05) and the correlations were good (R = 0.771 and 0.745). For repeatability, the intraclass correlation coefficient of RVPFR by C-SPECT was good (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.698) and excellent for the rest of the groups (0.823-0.989). The repeatability of LVEF and RVEF was better for CZT-SPECT than for C-SPECT. The repeatability of PER was better for both cameras than PFR. CZT-SPECT tomographic ERNV correlated well with C-SPECT planar ERNV in evaluation of biventricular systolic function and LV diastolic function. Compared with the "gold standard" CMR, both models had good correlation in measuring LV/RVEF. CZT-SPECT had better inter-group reproducibility than C-SPECT. The accuracy of RV diastolic function need further study. CZT-SPECT tomographic ERNV will play an important and unique role in the clinical application of accurate evaluation of biventricular function in the future.

Constructing condylar cartilage organoid to explore primary cilia functions.

An organoid culture system better recapitulates the cellular structure, function, and interaction between cells and the extracellular matrix (ECM) than a two-dimensional (2D) culture system. We here constructed a condylar cartilage organoid to explore the regulatory role of primary cilia. Similar to the natural condylar cartilage, the condylar cartilage organoid exhibited abundant ECM and comprised superficial, proliferative, and hypertrophic zones. Primary cilia in the condylar cartilage organoid were shorter on average than those in the 2D culture chondrocytes, but their average length was equivalent to those in the natural condylar cartilage. Notably, primary cilia in each zone of the condylar cartilage organoid had an average length similar to that of primary cilia in the natural condylar cartilage. According to transcriptomic and biochemical analyses, the expression of cilia-related genes and cilia-related Hedgehog (HH) signaling differed between the condylar cartilage organoid and 2D culture systems. IFT88 knockdown promoted the protein levels of COL-Ⅹ, TRPV4, and HH signaling molecules in the condylar cartilage organoid, but decreased them in the 2D culture system. Notably, the protein levels of COL-Ⅹ, TRPV4, and HH signaling molecules increased in the superficial zone of the si IFT88 condylar cartilage organoid compared with the condylar cartilage organoid. However, the protein levels of aforementioned molecules were not significantly different in proliferative and hypertrophic zones. Collectively, we successfully constructed the condylar cartilage organoid with a better tissue structure and abundant ECM. Moreover, the condylar cartilage organoid is more suitable for exploring primary cilia functions.

Assembly and comparative analysis of the complete mitochondrial genome of Fritillaria ussuriensis Maxim. (Liliales: Liliaceae), an endangered medicinal plant.

BACKGROUND: Fritillaria ussuriensis is an endangered medicinal plant known for its notable therapeutic properties. Unfortunately, its population has drastically declined due to the destruction of forest habitats. Thus, effectively protecting F. ussuriensis from extinction poses a significant challenge. A profound understanding of its genetic foundation is crucial. To date, research on the complete mitochondrial genome of F. ussuriensis has not yet been reported. RESULTS: The complete mitochondrial genome of F. ussuriensis was sequenced and assembled by integrating PacBio and Illumina sequencing technologies, revealing 13 circular chromosomes totaling 737,569 bp with an average GC content of 45.41%. A total of 55 genes were annotated in this mitogenome, including 2 rRNA genes, 12 tRNA genes, and 41 PCGs. The mitochondrial genome of F. ussuriensis contained 192 SSRs and 4,027 dispersed repeats. In the PCGs of F. ussuriensis mitogenome, 90.00% of the RSCU values exceeding 1 exhibited a preference for A-ended or U-ended codons. In addition, 505 RNA editing sites were predicted across these PCGs. Selective pressure analysis suggested negative selection on most PCGs to preserve mitochondrial functionality, as the notable exception of the gene nad3 showed positive selection. Comparison between the mitochondrial and chloroplast genomes of F. ussuriensis revealed 20 homologous fragments totaling 8,954 bp. Nucleotide diversity analysis revealed the variation among genes, and gene atp9 was the most notable. Despite the conservation of GC content, mitogenome sizes varied significantly among six closely related species, and colinear analysis confirmed the lack of conservation in their genomic structures. Phylogenetic analysis indicated a close relationship between F. ussuriensis and Lilium tsingtauense. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we sequenced and annotated the mitogenome of F. ussuriensis and compared it with the mitogenomes of other closely related species. In addition to genomic features and evolutionary position, this study also provides valuable genomic resources to further understand and utilize this medicinal plant.

Final results of a randomized controlled trial: comparison of the efficacy and safety between totally laparoscopic and laparoscopic-assisted total gastrectomy for advanced siewert III esophagogastric junction cancer and upper and middle third gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of TLTG with the overlap technique to LATG in patients with advanced Siewert III Esophagogastric Junction Cancer and upper and middle third gastric cancer. METHODS: This single-center RCT enrolled 292 patients with the mentioned cancers, randomly assigned to TLTG overlap (n=146) or LATG (n=146) groups. Data on demographics, pathology, intraoperative variables, postoperative complications, recovery parameters, and 3-year survival were collected. Main outcome: postoperative complications within 30 days. Secondary outcomes: 3-year disease-free and overall survival. RESULTS: TLTG versus LATG: TLTG had shorter incision, faster flatus/defecation, reduced analgesia, less opioid use, and shorter hospital stay. Similar operation time, anastomosis time, blood loss, and lymph node harvest. TLTG had lower overall post-op complication rate (P=0.047), no significant difference in serious complications (P=0.310). Variances in anastomotic stenosis occurrence at 3 months. No rehospitalization or mortality at 30 days. No significant differences in 3-month disease-free survival (P=0.058) or overall survival (P=0.236). CONCLUSION: Overlap method for anastomosis in TLTG is safe and feasible for advanced middle-upper-third gastric cancer, with positive short-term outcomes. This technique has potential as the preferred esophagojejunostomy approach in TLTG. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This trial has been registered at Chinese Clinical Trial Registry: XXXXXXXX (registration date: September 4, 2019).

Effective intervention of brucellosis prevention in developing countries: A dynamic modelling study.

Objective: Brucellosis has a considerable impact on human health and the economy in developing countries. In China, the biggest developing country, brucellosis shifted spread of the epidemic from northern to southern regions. Understanding the transmission characteristic of brucellosis on Hunan province, located in central China, is of great significance for successful control. Methods: We developed a multi-population and multi-route dynamic model (MPMRDM), which is an animal-human-environment coupled model. The model is an extension of the SEIR model, taking into account direct transmission and indirect transmission. We used the model to explore the spread of brucellosis and evaluate the effectiveness of various intervention strategies. Results: The animal-to-animal transmission rate was the highest at 5.14 × 10-8, while the environment-to-person transmission rate was the lowest at 9.49 × 10-12. The mean R0 was 1.51. The most effective intervention was taking personal protection, followed by shortening the infection period. Shortening the infection period combined with personal protection is the most effective two-combined intervention strategy. After any comprehensive intervention strategy was implemented, TAR dropped by 90% or more. Conclusion: The results demonstrate that animal transmission route is essential for controlling human brucellosis. Strengthening personal protection, early detection, and early treatment can effectively control the trend of brucellosis. These results can provide an important reference for optimizing brucellosis intervention plans.

Sirtuin1 (sirt1) regulates the glycolysis pathway and decreases cisplatin chemotherapeutic sensitivity to esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

We aimed to evaluate the influence of sirtuin1 (sirt1) on the ESCC chemotherapeutic sensitivity to cisplatin. We used ESCC cell ablation sirt1 for establishing a xenograft mouse tumor model. The tumor volume was then detected. sirt1 was over-expressed significantly in ESCC patients and cells. Moreover, sirt1 knockdown raised ESCC sensitivity to cisplatin. Besides, glycolysis was associated with ESCC cell chemotherapy resistance to cisplatin. Furthermore, sirt1 increased ESCC cells' cisplatin chemosensitivity through HK2. Sirt1 enhanced in vivo ESCC chemosensitivity to cisplatin. Overall, these findings suggested that sirt1 knockdown regulated the glycolysis pathway and raised the ESCC chemotherapeutic sensitivity.

Chlamydia psittaci detected at a live poultry wholesale market in central China.

BACKGROUND: We investigated the presence of Chlamydia psittaci in poultry and the environment in live poultry wholesale markets in Changsha during 2021-2022 and conducted a phylogenetic analysis to understand its distribution in this market. METHODS: In total, 483 samples were analyzed using real-time polymerase chain reaction and 17 C. psittaci-positive samples using high-throughput sequencing, BLAST similarity, and phylogenetic analysis. RESULTS: Twenty-two out of 483 poultry and environmental samples were positive for C. psittaci (overall positivity rate: 4.55%) with no difference in positivity rates over 12 months. Chlamydia psittaci was detected at 11 sampling points (overall positivity rate: 27.5%), including chicken, duck, and pigeon/chicken/duck/goose shops, with pigeon shops having the highest positivity rate (46.67%). The highest positivity rates were found in sewage (12.5%), poultry fecal (7.43%), cage swab (6.59%), avian pharyngeal/cloacal swab (3.33%), and air (2.29%) samples. The ompA sequences were identified in two strains of C. psittaci, which were determined to bear genotype B using phylogenetic analysis. Thus, during monitoring, C. psittaci genotype B was detected in the poultry and environmental samples from the poultry wholesale market in Changsha. CONCLUSIONS: To address the potential zoonotic threat, C. psittaci monitoring programs in live poultry markets should be enhanced.

Regulatory role of primary cilia in oral and maxillofacial development and disease.

Primary cilia have versatile functions, such as receiving signals from the extracellular microenvironment, mediating signaling transduction, and transporting ciliary substances, in tissue and organ development and clinical disease pathogenesis. During early development (embryos within 10 weeks) in the oral and maxillofacial region, defects in the structure and function of primary cilia can result in severe craniofacial malformations. For example, mice with mutations in the cilia-related genes Kif3a and IFT88 exhibit midline expansion and cleft lip/palate, which occur due to abnormalities in the fusion of the single frontonasal prominence and maxillary prominences. In the subsequent development of the oral and maxillofacial region, we discussed the regulatory role of primary cilia in the development of the maxilla, mandible, Meckel cartilage, condylar cartilage, lip, tongue, and tooth, among others. Moreover, primary cilia are promising regulators in some oral and maxillofacial diseases, such as tumors and malocclusion. We also summarize the regulatory mechanisms of primary cilia in oral and maxillofacial development and related diseases, including their role in various signaling transduction pathways. For example, aplasia of submandibular glands in the Kif3a mutant mice is associated with a decrease in SHH signaling within the glands. This review summarizes the similarities and specificities of the role of primary cilia in tissue and organ development and disease progression in the oral and maxillofacial region, which is expected to contribute several ideas for the treatment of primary cilia-related diseases.

Impact of wildfire ash on skin and gut microbiomes and survival of Rana dybowskii.

Climate change and human activities escalate the frequency and intensity of wildfires, threatening amphibian habitats and survival; yet, research on these impacts remains limited. Wildfire ash alters water quality, introduces contaminants, and may disrupt microbial communities, impacting gut and skin microbiota; however, the effects on gut and skin microbiota remain unclear. Rana dybowskii were exposed to five concentrations (0 g L-1, 1.25 g L-1, 2.5 g L-1, 5 g L-1, and 10 g L-1) of aqueous extracts of wildfire ashes (AEAs) for 30 days to assess AEAs' metal content, survival, and microbiota diversity via Illumina sequencing. Our results showed that the major elements in ash were Ca > K > Mg > Al > Fe > Na > Mn, while in AEA they were K > Ca > Na > Mg > As > Al > Cu. A significant decrease in amphibian survival rates with increased AEA concentration was shown. The beta diversity analysis revealed distinct shifts in microbiota composition. Notably, bacterial genera associated with potential health risks showed increased abundance in skin microbiota, emphasising the potential for ash exposure to affect amphibian health. Functional prediction analyses revealed significant shifts in metabolic pathways related to health and disease, indicating that wildfire ash exposure may influence amphibian health through changes in microbial functions. This study highlights the urgent need for strategies to mitigate wildfire ash impacts on amphibians, as it significantly alters microbiota and affects their survival and health.

Modeling outbreaks of COVID-19 in China: The impact of vaccination and other control measures on curbing the epidemic.

This study aims to examine the development trend of COVID-19 in China and propose a model to assess the impacts of various prevention and control measures in combating the COVID-19 pandemic. Using COVID-19 cases reported by the National Health Commission of China from January 2, 2020, to January 2, 2022, we established a Susceptible-Exposed-Infected-Asymptomatic-Quarantined-Vaccinated-Hospitalized-Removed (SEIAQVHR) model to calculate the COVID-19 transmission rate and Rt effective reproduction number, and assess prevention and control measures. Additionally, we built a stochastic model to explore the development of the COVID-19 epidemic. We modeled the incidence trends in five outbreaks between 2020 and 2022. Some important features of the COVID-19 epidemic are mirrored in the estimates based on our SEIAQVHR model. Our model indicates that an infected index case entering the community has a 50%-60% chance to cause a COVID-19 outbreak. Wearing masks and getting vaccinated were the most effective measures among all the prevention and control measures. Specifically targeting asymptomatic individuals had no significant impact on the spread of COVID-19. By adjusting prevention and control parameters, we suggest that increasing the rates of effective vaccination and mask-wearing can significantly reduce COVID-19 cases in China. Our stochastic model analysis provides a useful tool for understanding the COVID-19 epidemic in China.

Rice straw ash and amphibian health: A deep dive into microbiota changes and potential ecological consequences.

Rice straw is burned as a result of agricultural practices and technical limitations, generating significant volumes of ash that might have environmental and ecological consequences; however, the effects on organisms have not been researched. Amphibians depend on their gut and skin microbiomes. Ash exposure may cause inflammation and changes in microbial diversity and function in frogs' skin and gut microbiota due to its chemical composition and physical presence, but the implications remain unclear. Rana dybowskii were exposed to five aqueous extracts of ashes (AEA) concentrations for 30 days to study survival, metal concentrations, and microbial diversity, analyzing the microbiota of the cutaneous and gut microbiota using Illumina sequencing. Dominant elements in ash: K > Ca > Mg > Na > Al > Fe. In AEA, K > Na > Ca > Mg > As > Cu. Increased AEA concentrations significantly reduced frog survival. Skin microbiota alpha diversity varied significantly among all treatment groups, but not gut microbiota. Skin microbiota differed significantly across treatments via Bray-Curtis and weighted UniFrac; gut microbiota was only affected by Bray-Curtis. Skin microbiota varied significantly with AEA levels in Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria, and Firmicutes, while the gut microbiota's dominant phyla, Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, and Proteobacteria, remained consistent across all groups. Lastly, the functional prediction showed that the skin microbiota had big differences in how it worked and looked, which were linked to different health and environmental adaptation pathways. The gut microbiota, on the other hand, had smaller differences. In conclusion, AEA exposure affects R. dybowskii survival and skin microbiota diversity, indicating potential health and ecological impacts, with less effect on gut microbiota.

Utility of enteral nutrition via percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography drainage catheterization in late-stage malignant obstructive jaundice.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to explore the clinical benefits of establishing an enteral nutrition (EN) pathway via percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography drainage (PTCD) catheterization in patients with late-stage malignant obstructive jaundice (MOJ).Methods: We selected 30 patients diagnosed as having late-stage MOJ with malnutrition. A dual-lumen biliary-enteral nutrition tube was placed via PTCD along with a biliary stent implantation. Postoperative EN was provided, and we observed the time taken for tube placement, its success rate, complications, and therapeutic efficacy.Results: Tube placement was successful in all 30 patients with an average procedural time of 5.7 ± 1.4 min with no tube placement complications. Compared to preoperative measures, there was a significant improvement in postoperative jaundice reduction and nutritional indicators one month after the procedure (p < 0.05). Post-placement complications included tube perileakage in 5 cases, entero-biliary reflux in 4 cases, tube blockage in 6 cases, tube displacement in 4 cases, accidental tube removal in 3 cases, and tube replacement due to degradation in 8 cases, with tube retention time ranging from 42 to 314 days, averaging 124.7 ± 37.5 days. All patients achieved the parameters for effective home-based enteral nutrition with a noticeable improvement in their quality of life.Conclusion: In this study, we found that the technique of establishing an EN pathway via PTCD catheterization was minimally invasive, safe, and effective; the tube was easy to maintain; and patient compliance was high. It is, thus, suitable for long-term tube retention in patients with late-stage MOJ.

GDF11 mitigates high glucose-induced cardiomyocytes apoptosis by inhibiting the ALKBH5-FOXO3-CDR1as/Hippo signaling pathway.

Diabetic cardiomyopathy remains a formidable health challenge with a high mortality rate and no targeted treatments. Growth differentiation factor 11 (GDF11) has shown promising effects on cardiovascular diseases; however, its role and the underlying mechanism in regulating diabetic cardiomyopathy remain unclear. In this study, we developed mouse models of diabetic cardiomyopathy using leptin receptor-deficient (db/db) mice and streptozocin-induced C57BL/6 mice. The diabetic cardiomyopathy model mice exhibited apparent structural damage in cardiac tissues and a significant increase in the expression of apoptosis-related proteins. Notably, we observed a significant decreased expression of GDF11 in the myocardium of mice with diabetic cardiomyopathy. Moreover, GDF11 cardiac-specific knock-in mice (transgenic mice) exhibited improved cardiac function and reduced apoptosis. Moreover, exogenous administration of GDF11 mitigated high glucose-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis. Mechanistically, we demonstrated that GDF11 alleviated high glucose-induced cardiomyocytes apoptosis by inhibiting the activation of the alkylation repair homolog 5 (ALKBH5)-forkhead box group O3a (FOXO3)-cerebellar degeneration-related protein 1 transcript (CDR1as)/Hippo signaling pathway. Consequently, this novel mechanism effectively counteracted myocardial cell apoptosis, providing valuable insights into potential therapeutic strategies for clinical diabetic cardiomyopathy.

Long non-coding RNA LHX1-DT regulates cardiomyocyte differentiation through H2A.Z-mediated LHX1 transcriptional activation.

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play widespread roles in various processes. However, there is still limited understanding of the precise mechanisms through which they regulate early stage cardiomyocyte differentiation. In this study, we identified a specific lncRNA called LHX1-DT, which is transcribed from a bidirectional promoter of LIM Homeobox 1 (LHX1) gene. Our findings demonstrated that LHX1-DT is nuclear-localized and transiently elevated expression along with LHX1 during early differentiation of cardiomyocytes. The phenotype was rescued by overexpression of LHX1 into the LHX1-DT-/- hESCs, indicating LHX1 is the downstream of LHX1-DT. Mechanistically, we discovered that LHX1-DT physically interacted with RNA/histone-binding protein PHF6 during mesoderm commitment and efficiently replaced conventional histone H2A with a histone variant H2A.Z at the promoter region of LHX1. In summary, our work uncovers a novel lncRNA, LHX1-DT, which plays a vital role in mediating the exchange of histone variants H2A.Z and H2A at the promoter region of LHX1.

A novel circular RNA, circSQSTM1, protects the endothelial function in atherosclerosis.

A novel circRNA named circSQSTM1 (hsa_circRNA_075320) was screened out in atorvastatin (ATV) stimulated endothelial cells (ECs) by our group. Considering the anti-atherosclerotic function of ATV, we hypothesized the circSQSTM1 could protect ECs functions in AS progression. The effects of circSQSTM1 on ECs inflammation, oxidative stress and autophagy were measured by qRT-PCR, Western blotting, monocyte-endothelial adhesion assay, dichloro-dihydro-fluorescein diacetate and mCherry-GFP-LC3 labeling. A luciferase reporter assay, RNA immunoprecipitation, MS2-tagging system and fluorescence in situ hybridization were performed to identify the biological functions of circSQSTM1. The partial left carotid artery ligation model and atherosclerosis model were established to analyze the effects of circSQSTM1 on atherosclerosis progression in vivo. Our results revealed that ATV induced the accumulation of circSQSTM1 in ECs via suppressing m6A modified degradation. In the cytoplasm, circSQSTM1 could relieve Sirt1 by competitively sponging miR-23b-3p. In the nucleus, circSQSTM1 directly interacts with eIF4A3 and promoting the efficient nuclear export of FOXO1 mRNA, which encodes FOXO1 transcription factor to directly activate Sirt1 promoter activity. Hence, circSQSTM1 reduced inflammation, inhibited oxidative stress and promoted autophagy by upregulating Sirt1 in ECs. Moreover, circSQSTM1 overexpression in ECs attenuated the progression of atherosclerosis in ApoE-/- mice. Taken together, the unique noncoding RNA known as circSQSTM1 took a protective role to the ECs in atherosclerosis.

Preparation of Biomass Biochar with Components of Similar Proportions and Its Methylene Blue Adsorption.

Rapeseed straw, bagasse, and walnut peel have a large amount of resource reserves, but there are few technologies for high value-added utilization. In the research of biochar, walnut green husk is rarely used as raw material. In addition, the three main components of biomass (lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose) are present in similar proportions, and the differences between the physical and chemical properties of biochar prepared with similar amounts of biomass raw materials are not clear. Using three kinds of biomass of the same quality as raw materials, biochar was prepared via pyrolysis at 400 °C, and activated carbon was prepared via CO2 activation at 800 °C. The results showed that the pore numbers of the three kinds of biochar increased after activation, resulting in the increase of the specific surface area. The resulting numbers were 352.99 m2/g for sugarcane bagasse biochar (SBB)-CO2, 215.04 m2/g for rapeseed straw biochar (RSB)-CO2, and 15.53 m2/g for walnut green husk biochar (WGB)-CO2. Ash increased the amount of carbon formation, but a large amount of ash caused biochar to form a perforated structure and decreased the specific surface area (e.g., WGB), which affected adsorption ability. When the three main components were present in similar proportions, a high content of cellulose and lignin was beneficial to the preparation of biochar. The adsorption value of MB by biochar decreased with the increase of biomass ash content. After activation, the maximum adsorption value of MB for bagasse biochar was 178.17 mg/g, rapeseed straw biochar was 119.25 mg/g, and walnut peel biochar was 85.92 mg/g when the concentration of methene blue solution was 300 mg/L and the biochar input was 0.1 g/100 mL at room temperature. The adsorption of MB by biochar in solution occurs simultaneously with physical adsorption and chemical adsorption, with chemical adsorption being dominant. The optimal MB adsorption by SBB-CO2 was dominated by multimolecular-layer adsorption. This experiment provides a theoretical basis for the preparation of biochar and research on its applications in the future.

Enhanced Power Factor and Ultralow Lattice Thermal Conductivity Induced High Thermoelectric Performance of BiCuTeO/BiCuSeO Superlattice.

Based on the first-principles calculations, the electronic structure and transport properties of BiMChO (M=Cu and Ag, Ch=S, Se, and Te) superlattices have been studied. They are all semiconductors with indirect band gaps. The increased band gap and decreased band dispersion near the valence band maximum (VBM) lead to the lowest electrical conductivity and the lowest power factor for p-type BiAgSeO/BiCuSeO. The band gap value of BiCuTeO/BiCuSeO decreases because of the up-shifted Fermi level of BiCuTeO compared with BiCuSeO, which would lead to relatively high electrical conductivity. The converged bands near VBM can produce a large effective mass of density of states (DOS) without explicitly reducing the mobility µ for p-type BiCuTeO/BiCuSeO, which means a relatively large Seebeck coefficient. Therefore, the power factor increases by 15% compared with BiCuSeO. The up-shifted Fermi level leading to the band structure near VBM is dominated by BiCuTeO for the BiCuTeO/BiCuSeO superlattice. The similar crystal structures bring out the converged bands near VBM along the high symmetry points Γ-X and Z-R. Further studies show that BiCuTeO/BiCuSeO possesses the lowest lattice thermal conductivity among all the superlattices. These result in the ZT value of p-type BiCuTeO/BiCuSeO increasing by over 2 times compared with BiCuSeO at 700 K.

Study on prenatal diagnosis and pregnancy outcome analysis of fetuses with cardiac rhabdomyoma.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prenatal imaging characteristics, genetic characteristics and pregnancy outcome of fetuses with cardiac rhabdomyoma. STUDY DESIGN: The prenatal ultrasound, cranial MRI imaging information and genetic test results of 35 fetuses prenatally diagnosed with cardiac rhabdomyoma were collected and retrospectively analyzed, and the pregnancy outcome was followed up. RESULT: Cardiac rhabdomyomas mainly occurred in left ventricular wall and ventricular septum; cranial MRI imaging was found abnormal in 38.1% (8/21) of the fetuses; genetic test was found abnormal in 58.82% (10/17) of the fetuses; the fetus was born in 12 cases and the pregnancy was terminated in 23 cases. CONCLUSION: TRIO whole exome sequencing (TrioWES) is recommended as the genetic test regime for cardiac rhabdomyoma. The comprehensive evaluation of prognosis of fetuses needs to consider the genetic results and whether the brain is involved; the prognosis of fetuses with simple cardiac rhabdomyoma is good.