Comprehensive analysis of immune-related lncRNAs in AML patients uncovers potential therapeutic targets and prognostic biomarkers.

Purpose: The objective of this study was to provide theoretically feasible strategies by understanding the relationship between the immune microenvironment and the diagnosis and prognosis of AML patients. To this end, we built a ceRNA network with lncRNAs as the core and analyzed the related lncRNAs in the immune microenvironment by bioinformatics analysis. Methods: AML transcriptome expression data and immune-related gene sets were obtained from TCGA and ImmPort. Utilizing Pearson correlation analysis, differentially expressed immune-related lncRNAs were identified. Then, the LASSO-Cox regression analysis was performed to generate a risk signature consisting immune-related lncRNAs. Accuracy of signature in predicting patient survival was evaluated using univariate and multivariate analysis. Next, GO and KEGG gene enrichment and ssGSEA were carried out for pathway enrichment analysis of 183 differentially expressed genes, followed by drug sensitivity and immune infiltration analysis with pRRophetic and CIBERSORT, respectively. Cytoscape was used to construct the ceRNA network for these lncRNAs. Results: 816 common lncRNAs were selected to acquire the components related to prognosis. The final risk signature established by multivariate Cox and stepwise regression analysis contained 12 lncRNAs engaged in tumor apoptotic and metastatic processes: LINC02595, HCP5, AC020934.2, AC008770.3, LINC01770, AC092718.4, AL589863.1, AC131097.4, AC012368.1, C1RL-AS1, STARD4-AS1, and AC243960.1. Based on this predictive model, high-risk patients exhibited lower overall survival rates than low-risk patients. Signature lncRNAs showed significant correlation with tumor-infiltrating immune cells. In addition, significant differences in PD-1/PD-L1 expression and bleomycin/paclitaxel sensitivity were observed between risk groups. Conclusion: LncRNAs related to immune microenvironment were prospective prognostic and therapeutic options for AML.

CD73 polymorphisms are associated with schizophrenia.

Ecto-5'-nucleotidase/CD73 enzyme plays a key role in the regulation of extracellular adenosine levels, thereby exerting influence on adenosine homeostasis. Emerging evidence suggests that perturbations in purines and ecto-5'-nucleotidase activity are associated with an augmented susceptibility to schizophrenia. However, the precise impact of genetic variations in CD73 on individuals with schizophrenia remains poorly understood. Here, our study demonstrated that rs3734442 allele and rs4431401 heterozygote were conferred a significant risk of schizophrenia disease (rs3734442: odds ratio, 0.556; 95% CI, 0.375 to 0.825; p = 0.004; rs4431401: odds ratio, 1.881, 95% CI, 1.117 to 3.166; p = 0.020). Comparing different genders, we observed a significant association between rs3734442 genotypes and male cases (rs3734442: odds ratio, 0.452; 95% CI, 0.257 to 0.796; p = 0.007). Likewise, there was a significant association between rs4431401 genotypes and male patients (rs4431401: odds ratio, 2.570; 95% CI, 1.196 to 5.522; p = 0.015). Based on family history and antipsychotics medication usage, our data reveals that the rs9444348 allele exhibits the most significant association with familial susceptibility to schizophrenia (odds ratio, 1.541; 95% CI, 1.009 to 2.353; p = 0.048 for A vs G). Moreover, individuals carrying variants of rs6922, rs2229523, and rs2065114 while being treated with clozapine demonstrate a higher frequency proportion compared to those receiving risperidone treatment (p = 0.035; p = 0.049; p = 0.027 respectively). Additionally, our results indicate that patients with GG genotype of rs9444348 had significantly higher likelihood of using clozapine instead of sulpiride (p = 0.048). Overall, our data strongly suggest that genetic variations in CD73 are significantly associated with schizophrenia risk and may serve as valuable resources for identifying therapeutic targets.

Metabolomics Analysis Identifies Differential Metabolites as Biomarkers for Acute Myocardial Infarction.

Myocardial infarction (MI), including ST-segment elevation MI (STEMI) and non-ST-segment elevation MI (NSTEMI), is still a leading cause of death worldwide. Metabolomics technology was used to explore differential metabolites (DMs) as potential biomarkers for early diagnosis of STEMI and NSTEMI. In the study, 2531 metabolites, including 1925 DMs, were discovered. In the selected 27 DMs, 14 were successfully verified in a new cohort, and the AUC values were all above 0.8. There were 10 in STEMI group, namely L-aspartic acid, L-acetylcarnitine, acetylglycine, decanoylcarnitine, hydroxyphenyllactic acid, ferulic acid, itaconic acid, lauroylcarnitine, myristoylcarnitine, and cis-4-hydroxy-D-proline, and 5 in NSTEMI group, namely L-aspartic acid, arachidonic acid, palmitoleic acid, D-aspartic acid, and palmitelaidic acid. These 14 DMs may be developed as biomarkers for the early diagnosis of MI with high sensitivity and specificity. These findings have particularly important clinical significance for NSTEMI patients because these patients have no typical ECG changes.

Cytotoxicity phenylpropanoid amides from the seed of Cannabis sativa L.

Two novel phenylpropanoid amides, namely huomarenamide A (1) and huomarenamide B (2), along with twelve known compounds (3-14), were isolated from the seeds of Cannabis sativa L. The structures with absolute configurations of new compounds were unequivocally determined by spectroscopic analyses and the ECD method. The identification of the known compounds was based on a comparison of their 1D NMR data with literature references. All compounds were assessed for cytotoxic activity against LN229 cells, revealing that compounds 2, 13, and 14 exhibited significant cytotoxicity with IC50 values ranging from 9.02 to 21.26 µM.

A new triterpenoid saponin and a new natural saponin from the roots of Bupleurum scorzonerifolium willd.

Sixteen triterpenoid saponins were isolated from the roots of Bupleurum scorzonerifolium Willd., including a new triterpenoid saponin and new natural saponin that was characterised by NMR for the first time, along with 14 known triterpenoid saponins. The structures of the compounds were established by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy, HR-ESI-MS, and comparison with the literature. The cytotoxic activity of the compounds against 4T1 cells was determined using the CCK8 method. Compounds 9 and 6 showed the strongest cytotoxic activity with IC50 values of 2.75 ± 0.86 and 3.78 ± 0.50 µM, respectively. Compounds 2-5 and 8 showed potent cytotoxic activity. Compounds 14 and 16 showed moderate cytotoxicity.

Case report: Ureteric bud intestinal-type adenocarcinoma involving the cervix was misdiagnosed as a large cervical fibroid.

Background: Malignant tumors of the ureteric bud are not common, and cervical involvement is even rarer. So far, there have been no such cases in the literature. Case summary: A 50-year-old woman developed intermittent light bleeding in the past 7 months and lower abdominal pain in the past 2 months. The human papillomavirus 16 (HPV) DNA, P16 chemical staining, thinPrep cytology test (TCT), and cervical and cervical canal tissue biopsy were all negative. Pelvic color Doppler ultrasound exhibited incomplete mediastinal uterus and heterogeneous echo from the cervical canal to the posterior wall of the cervix. Pelvic contrast-enhanced CT showed left cervical mass, left retroperitoneal mass, absence of the left kidney, and mediastinal uterus. An increase in human epididymal protein 4 (HE4) (133.6 pmol/L) was detected, while other tumor markers were at normal levels. Based on these examination results, a diagnosis of "cervical fibroids, left retroperitoneal mass, incomplete mediastinal uterus, left kidney deficiency"[SIC] was conducted, and expanded hysterectomy, right adnexectomy, and left retroperitoneal mass resection were performed. Through intraoperative rapid pathological diagnosis, postoperative pathological diagnosis combined with the re-evaluation of laboratory, and imaging and intraoperative examination results, the patient was diagnosed with ureteric bud intestinal-type adenocarcinoma involving the cervix. The patient has been tracked and followed up for approximately 11 months. She underwent six courses of chemotherapy. At present, the medication has been discontinued for 4 months, and there is no recurrence, metastasis, or deterioration of the tumor. Conclusion: For large masses of the cervix, it is feasible for the operation to be performed, improving the prognosis. There were a few limitations. A preoperative aspiration biopsy of masses was not performed to differentiate benign from malignant. Preoperative urography was not performed to clarify the function of the malformed urinary system structure. Partial cystectomy should be performed simultaneously with the resection of the ureteric bud for intestinal-type adenocarcinoma. In this case, a partial cystectomy was not performed, which can only be compensated with postoperative chemotherapy. Moreover, this patient did not undergo genetic screening, and it is currently unclear whether there are any genetic mutations associated with ureteric bud intestinal adenocarcinoma.

Correlation Between Illness Uncertainty in Caregivers of Patients with Liver Cancer, Their Coping Styles, and Quality of Life.

Objective: This study explores the correlation between coping style, quality of life, and illness uncertainty in the family caregivers of patients with liver cancer. Methods: Employing convenience sampling, 210 family caregivers of patients with liver cancer who met the admission criteria were selected from a grade A infectious disease hospital in Beijing between January and December 2022. A cross-sectional survey was conducted using the Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire, Caregiver Quality of Life, and the Mishel Uncertainty in Illness Scale for Family Members. This study analysed the correlations between coping styles, quality of life, and illness uncertainty in these caregivers. Results: The study found that family caregivers of patients with liver cancer had average scores for illness uncertainty (83.44 ± 11.86), coping style (33.19 ± 9.79; both positive [23.02 ± 6.81] and negative [10.17 ± 5.05]), and quality of life (169.53 ± 32.46). A negative association was observed between illness uncertainty in these caregivers and positive coping style (r = -0.207, p = 0.003), physical status (r = -0.182, p = 0.008), psychological status (r = -0.200, p = 0.004), and social adaptation (r = -0.229, p = 0.001). Conclusion: The study concludes that illness uncertainty in family caregivers of patients with liver cancer is at a moderate level. Furthermore, there is a notable correlation between illness uncertainty, coping style, and quality of life in these caregivers.

Ni-catalyzed enantioconvergent deoxygenative reductive cross-coupling of unactivated alkyl alcohols and aryl bromides.

Transition metal-catalyzed enantioconvergent cross-coupling of an alkyl precursor presents a promising method for producing enantioenriched C(sp3) molecules. Because alkyl alcohol is a ubiquitous and abundant family of feedstock in nature, the direct reductive coupling of alkyl alcohol and aryl halide enables efficient access to valuable compounds. Although several strategies have been developed to overcome the high bond dissociation energy of the C - O bond, the asymmetric pattern remains unknown. In this report, we describe the realization of an enantioconvergent deoxygenative reductive cross-coupling of unactivated alkyl alcohol (ß-hydroxy ketone) and aryl bromide in the presence of an NHC activating agent. The approach can accommodate substituents of various sizes and functional groups, and its synthetic potency is demonstrated through a gram scale reaction and derivatizations into other compound families. Finally, we apply our convergent method to the efficient asymmetric synthesis of four ß-aryl ketones that are natural products or bioactive compounds.

Nicorandil-Pretreated Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Exosomes Facilitate Cardiac Repair After Myocardial Infarction via Promoting Macrophage M2 Polarization by Targeting miR-125a-5p/TRAF6/IRF5 Signaling Pathway.

Background: Exosomes derived from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSC-exo) have been considered as a promising cell-free therapeutic strategy for ischemic heart disease. Cardioprotective drug pretreatment could be an effective approach to improve the efficacy of MSC-exo. Nicorandil has long been used in clinical practice for cardioprotection. This study aimed to investigate whether the effects of exosomes derived from nicorandil pretreated MSC (MSCNIC-exo) could be enhanced in facilitating cardiac repair after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Methods: MSCNIC-exo and MSC-exo were collected and injected into the border zone of infarcted hearts 30 minutes after coronary ligation in rats. Macrophage polarization was detected 3 days post-infarction, cardiac function as well as histological pathology were measured on the 28th day after AMI. Macrophages were separated from the bone marrow of rats for in vitro model. Exosomal miRNA sequencing was conducted to identify differentially expressed miRNAs between MSCNIC-exo and MSC-exo. MiRNA mimics and inhibitors were transfected to MSCs or macrophages to explore the specific mechanism. Results: Compared to MSC-exo, MSCNIC-exo showed superior therapeutic effects on cardiac functional and structural recovery after AMI and markedly elevated the ratio of CD68+ CD206+/ CD68+cells in infarcted hearts 3 days post-infarction. The notable ability of MSCNIC-exo to promote macrophage M2 polarization was also confirmed in vitro. Exosomal miRNA sequencing and both in vivo and in vitro experiments identified and verified that miR-125a-5p was an effector of the roles of MSCNIC-exo in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, we found miR-125a-5p promoted macrophage M2 polarization by inhibiting TRAF6/IRF5 signaling pathway. Conclusion: This study suggested that MSCNIC-exo could markedly facilitate cardiac repair post-infarction by promoting macrophage M2 polarization by upregulating miR-125a-5p targeting TRAF6/IRF5 signaling pathway, which has great potential for clinical translation.

Seven new triterpenoids from the roots of Adenophora tetraphylla (Thub.) Fisch.

Seven new triterpenoids, named Adeterpenoids A-G (1-7) and eight known compounds (8-15), were isolated from 70% ethanol extract of the roots of Adenophora tetraphylla (Thub.) Fisch. The compounds from it were separated by column chromatography techniques such as silica gel, ODS, and preparative liquid chromatography. Their structures were clarified based on extensive spectral analysis (1D, 2D-NMR, HR-ESI-MS, IR, UV, and CD) and comparison with the literature. At the same time, all compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxic activity against the LN229 (human glioma cell line). The results showed that compounds 2, 5, 6, 13, and 14 had a significant inhibitory effect on LN229 cells.

Effects of selenium-cadmium co-enriched Cardamine hupingshanensis on bone damage in mice.

Selenium (Se) and cadmium (Cd) usually co-existed in soils, especially in areas with Se-rich soils in China. The potential health consequences for the local populations consuming foods rich in Se and Cd are unknown. Cardamine hupingshanensis (HUP) is Se and Cd hyperaccumulator plant that could be an ideal natural product to assess the protective effects of endogenous Se against endogenous Cd-caused bone damage. Male C57BL/6 mice were fed 5.22 mg/kg cadmium chloride (CdCl2) (Cd 3.2 mg/kg body weight (BW)), or HUP solutions containing Cd 3.2 mg/kg BW and Se 0.15, 0.29 or 0.50 mg/kg BW (corresponding to the HUP0, HUP1 and HUP2 groups) interventions. Se-enriched HUP1 and HUP2 significantly decreased Cd-induced femur microstructure damage and regulated serum bone osteoclastic marker levels and osteogenesis-related genes. In addition, endogenous Se significantly decreased kidney fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) protein expression and serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels, and raised serum calcitriol (1,25(OH)2D3). Furthermore, Se also regulated gut microbiota involved in skeletal metabolism disorder. In conclusion, endogenous Se, especially with higher doses (the HUP2 group), positively affects bone formation and resorption by mitigating the damaging effects of endogenous Cd via the modulation of renal FGF23 expression, circulating 1,25(OH)2D3 and PTH and gut microbiota composition.

Development of a Mind Map-based Predictive Nursing Protocol and its Impact on the Clarity of Images in Patients Undergoing High-concentration Contrast Three-dimensional Computed Tomography Imaging of Liver Blood Vessels.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the development of a mind map-based predictive nursing protocol and assess its impact on the quality of images in patients undergoing high-concentration contrast three-dimensional computed tomography (CT) imaging of liver blood vessels. METHODS: A total of 600 patients who were admitted to Beijing You an Hospital were chosen for this prospective study and underwent high-concentration contrast three-dimensional CT imaging of liver blood vessels between April 2021 and December 2021. The patients were divided into two groups using the digital table method, with 300 cases. The control group received conventional nursing intervention, while the research group was provided with a mind map-based predictive nursing protocol. We recorded the image quality of three-dimensional CT imaging of liver blood vessels, satisfaction scores regarding nurse examination guidance, and the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) in both groups. RESULTS: The research group achieved a perfect rate of 100.00% for the high-quality three-dimensional CT imaging of liver blood vessels, which was noticeably higher compared to the rate of the control group of 98.67%. Patients in the research group expressed higher satisfaction levels regarding the guidance provided by nurses, including their attitude, timeliness, accuracy, and overall satisfaction, compared to the control group. Initially, the two groups had no notable differences in the SAS and SDS scores. However, after the intervention, both groups experienced a significant decrease in SAS and SDS scores, with the research group showing an even more substantial decline. CONCLUSION: Through the creation of a mind map-based predictive nursing protocol and its implementation on patients undergoing high-concentration contrast three-dimensional CT imaging of liver blood vessels, it is possible to significantly enhance the quality of CT scans, alleviate feelings of anxiety and depression, increase patient satisfaction with examination guidance by nurses, and effectively decrease the occurrences of contrast agent leakage and allergic reactions to iodine.

Synthesis and superconductivity in yttrium-cerium hydrides at high pressures.

Further increasing the critical temperature and/or decreasing the stabilized pressure are the general hopes for the hydride superconductors. Inspired by the low stabilized pressure associated with Ce 4f electrons in superconducting cerium superhydride and the high critical temperature in yttrium superhydride, we carry out seven independent runs to synthesize yttrium-cerium alloy hydrides. The synthetic process is examined by the Raman scattering and X-ray diffraction measurements. The superconductivity is obtained from the observed zero-resistance state with the detected onset critical temperatures in the range of 97-141 K. The upper critical field towards 0 K at pressure of 124 GPa is determined to be between 56 and 78 T by extrapolation of the results of the electrical transport measurements at applied magnetic fields. The analysis of the structural data and theoretical calculations suggest that the phase of Y0.5Ce0.5H9 in hexagonal structure with the space group of P63/mmc is stable in the studied pressure range. These results indicate that alloying superhydrides indeed can maintain relatively high critical temperature at relatively modest pressures accessible by laboratory conditions.

Metabolomics and Biomarkers for Paroxysmal and Persistent Atrial Fibrillation.

BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common type of arrhythmia worldwide and is associated with serious complications. This study investigated the metabolic biomarkers associated with AF and the differences in metabolomics and associated metabolic biomarkers between paroxysmal AF (AFPA) and persistent AF. METHODS AND RESULTS: Plasma samples were prospectively collected from patients with AF and patients in sinus rhythm with negative coronary angiography. The patients were divided into 3 groups: AFPA, persistent AF, and sinus rhythm (N=54). Metabolomics (n=36) using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography mass spectrometry was used to detect differential metabolites that were validated in a new cohort (n=18). The validated metabolites from the validation phase were further analyzed by receiver operating characteristic. Among the 36 differential metabolites detected by omics assay, 4 were successfully validated with area under the curve >0.8 (P<0.05). Bioinformatics analysis confirmed the enrichment pathways of unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis, glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism, and carbon metabolism. Arachidonic acid was a potential biomarker of AFPA, glycolic acid and L-serine were biomarkers of AFPA and persistent AF, and palmitelaidic acid was a biomarker of AFPA. CONCLUSIONS: In this metabolomics study, we detected 36 differential metabolites in AF, and 4 were validated with high sensitivity and specificity. These differential metabolites are potential biomarkers for diagnosis and monitoring of disease course. This study therefore provides new insights into the precision diagnosis and management of AF.

Folate deficiency promotes cervical squamous carcinoma SiHa cells progression by targeting miR-375/FZD4/ß-catenin signaling.

Epidemiological studies suggest an association between folate deficiency (FD) and cervical squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) progression. However, the underlying mechanism is unclear. Our study showed that FD-driven downregulation of miR-375 promoted proliferation of SCC SiHa cells and progression of xenograft tumors developed from SiHa; however, the exact mechanism of this process remained unclear. The current study aimed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms by which FD promotes the progression of SiHa cells by downregulating miR-375 expression. The results showed that miR-375 acted as a suppressor of SCC and inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of SiHa cells. The FZD4 gene was identified as a target gene of miR-375, which can reverse the anti-onco effect of miR-375 and promote the proliferation and migration of SiHa cells. Furthermore, the regulatory effects of miR-375 and FZD4 on SiHa cells may be achieved by activating the ß-catenin signaling pathway. Moreover, FD may regulate the expression of miR-375 by regulating its DNA methylation level in the promoter region. In conclusion, our study reveals that FD regulates the miR-375/FZD4 axis by increasing the methylation of the miR-375 promoter, thereby activating ß-catenin signaling to promote SiHa cells progression. This study may provide new insights into the role of folic acid in the prevention and treatment of SCC.

[Detection of BCR-ABL Fusion Gene in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia by Novel Digital PCR].

OBJECTIVE: To establish a new digital polymerase chain reaction (dPCR) system for the detection of BCR-ABL fusion gene in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), and explore its analytical performance and clinical applicability in the detection of BCR-ABLp190/210/230. METHODS: A new dPCR system for detecting BCR-ABLp190/210/230 was successfully developed, and its sensitivity difference with qPCR and improvement of drug side effects in patients with CML during drug reduction or withdrawal were compared. RESULTS: Among 176 samples, qPCR and dPCR showed high consistency in the sensitivity of detecting BCR-ABL (82.39%), and the positive rate of dPCR was about 5 times higher that of qPCR (20.45% vs 3.98%). During follow-up, blood routine (25% vs 10%), kidney/liver/stomach (25% vs 20%) and cardiac function (10% vs 0) were significantly improved after drug reduction or withdrawal in patients with initial dPCR negative compared with before drug reduction or withdrawal. CONCLUSIONS: This new dPCR detection system can be applied to the detection of BCR-ABLp190/210/230. It has better consistency and higher positive detection rate than qPCR. Drug withdrawal or dose reduction guided by dPCR has a certain effect on improving drug side effects.

Comparison of ethanol-soaked gelatin sponge and microspheres for hepatic arterioportal fistulas embolization in hepatic cellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Hepatic arterioportal fistulas (APFs) are common in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Moreover, correlated with poor prognosis, APFs often complicate anti-tumor treatments, including transarterial chemoembolization (TACE). AIM: To compare the efficacy of ethanol-soaked gelatin sponges (ESG) and microspheres in the management of APFs and their impact on the prognosis of HCC. METHODS: Data from patients diagnosed with HCC or hepatic APFs between June 2016 and December 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Furthermore, APFs were embolized with ESG (group E) or microspheres (group M) during TACE. The primary outcomes were disease control rate (DCR) and objective response rate (ORR). The secondary outcomes included immediate and first follow-up APF improvement, overall survival (OS), and progression-free survival (PFS). RESULTS: Altogether, 91 participants were enrolled in the study, comprising 46 in group E and 45 in group M. The DCR was 93.5% and 91.1% in groups E and M, respectively (P = 0.714). The ORRs were 91.3% and 66.7% in groups E and M, respectively (P = 0.004). The APFs improved immediately after the procedure in 43 (93.5%) patients in group E and 40 (88.9%) patients in group M (P = 0.485). After 2 mo, APF improvement was achieved in 37 (80.4%) and 33 (73.3%) participants in groups E and M, respectively (P = 0.421). The OS was 26.2 ± 1.4 and 20.6 ± 1.1 mo in groups E and M, respectively (P = 0.004), whereas the PFS was 16.6 ± 1.0 and 13.8 ± 0.7 mo in groups E and M, respectively (P = 0.012). CONCLUSION: Compared with microspheres, ESG embolization demonstrated a higher ORR and longer OS and PFS in patients of HCC with hepatic APFs.

Bioinspired simultaneous regulation in fluorescence of AIEgen-embedded hydrogels.

The development of stimuli-responsive functional fluorescent hydrogels is of great significance for the realization of artificial intelligence. In the present work, we design and synthesize a stimulus-responsive hydrogel embedded with an aggregation-induced emission (AIE) monomer, in which the fluorescence brightness and intensity can be tuned. The hydrogel embedded with tetraphenylethene-grafted-poly[3-sulfopropyl methacrylate potassium salt] (TPE-PSPMA) as the functional element is prepared by the radical polymerization method. Among them, the TPE core exhibits adaptive fluorescence ability through the AIE effect, while the PSPMA chain provides tunable hydrophilic properties under an external stimulus. The effect of different cationic surfactants with different lengths of hydrophobic tails on the fluorescence properties of TPE-PSPMA in solution is systematically investigated. With cationic surfactants, such as cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), the fluorescence intensity is gradually tuned from 1059 to 4623. And the fluorescence intensities increase with the growth of hydrophobic tails of surfactants, which results from hydrophobicity-induced electrostatic interactions among surfactants and polymer chains. Furthermore, an obvious tunable fluorescence feature of hydrogel copolymerized TPE-PSPMA is realized, resulting from the change of brightness and the dynamic increase of fluorescence intensity (from 1031 to 3138) for the hydrogel immersed in CTAB solution with different soaking times. Such a typical fluorescence-regulated behavior can be attributed to the AIE of the TPE-PSPMA chain and the electrostatic interaction between the surfactant and the anionic polymer chain. The designed TPE-PSPMA-based hydrogel is responsive to stimuli, inspiring the development of intelligent systems such as soft robots and smart wearables.

GLP-1 plays a protective role in hippocampal neuronal cells by activating cAMP-CREB-BDNF signaling pathway against CORT+HG-induced toxicity.

Major depressive disorder (MDD) with diabetes mellitus (DM) significantly reduces the quality of the patient's life, and currently, there is no effective treatment. This study explored the feasibility of Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) in treating MDD combined with DM. The protective effects of GLP-1 on mouse hippocampal neuronal cell line HT22 cultured with corticosterone (CORT) and high glucose (HG) were assessed. HT22 cells were cultured with CORT + HG to construct a cell model of MDD combined with DM. Cell viability and cell apoptosis/necrocytosis were detected by CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry/confocal laser scanning microscopy, respectively, after treatment with GLP-1. In addition, BDNF and neurotransmitter levels, lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) and glucose levels, and proteins of cAMP-CREB-BDNF signal pathway in the culture supernatants were measured through an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and colorimetric assays and Western blot, respectively. The ideal intervention combination to construct a cell model of MDD combined with DM was CORT 200 µM and HG 50 mM for 48 h. After treatment of 50 nM GLP-1 for 48 h, the model+50 nM GLP-1 group's apoptosis and necrocytosis rates and LDH and glucose concentrations in the culture supernatants decreased significantly compared with the model group. However, the BDNF, 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), dopamine (DA), norepinephrine (NE), PKA, p-CREB, and p-Trkb concentrations in the culture supernatants increased significantly. GLP-1 functioned against CORT + HG-induced toxicity by activating the cAMP-CREB-BDNF signaling pathway in hippocampal neuronal cells.

First Principles Study of the Photoelectric Properties of Alkaline Earth Metal (Be/Mg/Ca/Sr/Ba)-Doped Monolayers of MoS2.

The energy band structure, density of states, and optical properties of monolayers of MoS2 doped with alkaline earth metals (Be/Mg/Ca/Sr/Ba) are systematically studied based on first principles. The results indicate that all the doped systems have a great potential to be formed and structurally stable. In comparison to monolayer MoS2, doping alkaline earth metals results in lattice distortions in the doped system. Therefore, the recombination of photogenerated hole-electron pairs is suppressed effectively. Simultaneously, the introduction of dopants reduces the band gap of the systems while creating impurity levels. Hence, the likelihood of electron transfer from the valence to the conduction band is enhanced, which means a reduction in the energy required for such a transfer. Moreover, doping monolayer MoS2 with alkaline earth metals increases the static dielectric constant and enhances its polarizability. Notably, the Sr-MoS2 system exhibits the highest value of static permittivity, demonstrating the strongest polarization capability. The doped systems exhibit a red-shifted absorption spectrum in the low-energy region. Consequently, the Be/Mg/Ca-MoS2 systems demonstrate superior visible absorption properties and a favorable band gap, indicating their potential as photo-catalysts for water splitting.