Two three-dimensional coordination polymers as fluorescence probes for the detection of nitrobenzene, tetracycline, fluazinam and their application in green pepper.

Two coordination polymers (CPs), [Zn5(L)2(phen)5](1) and [Cd2(HL)(2,2-bpy)(H2O)3](2), were synthesized by using 2',3,3',5,5'-Diphenyl ether pentacarboxylic acid (H5L), phenanthroline (phen), and 2,2'-bipyridine (2,2'-bpy) under hydrothermal conditions. The L5- ligand adopts the µ6-к2: к2: к1: к1: к1: к1 mode in 1 and the µ5-к2: к2: к2: к2: к1 mode in 2. Sensing experiments show that 1 and 2 are fluorescence probes with high sensitivity and rapid detection of nitro explosives, antibiotics, and pesticides. In order to verify the ability of 2 to detect FLU in actual samples, we performed a spiked recovery experiment in green pepper water. The spiked recoveries were 97.77-101.18 %. Interestingly, because H5L is not completely deprotonated in 2, there is abundant hydrogen bonding, which makes the fluorescence quenching rate higher and the detection limit lower. The possible fluorescence quenching mechanism of 1 and 2 can be explained by their UV-VIS absorption spectra and orbital energy levels.

Characterization, expression and functional analysis of Hsp40 during LPS challenge in Blood parrot Amphilophus citrinellus ×Vieja melanura.

Heat shock protein 40 belonging to heat shock protein family plays an important role in the immune responses of organisms. In this study, the full length cDNA of Hsp40 was 2426 bp including a 1368 bp open reading frame (ORF) encoding 455 amino acids with a molecular weight of 49.16 kDa and a theoretical isoelectric point of 9.34 in blood parrot Vieja synspila ♀×Amphilophus citrinellus ♂, an important ornamental fish in China. It had three conserved domains DnaJ, CRR and DnaJ_C. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the sequence of Hsp40 among species was conserved, and the blood parrot Hsp40 was closely related to Neolamprologus brichardi. Blood parrot Hsp40 mRNA could be detected in all of the tissues examined and mainly distributed in the cytoplasm. The expression of Hsp40 was upregulated during lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge. Upregulated Hsp40 inhibited the activity of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) and activated protein 1 (AP-1) and reduced the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 mRNA expression. This study provides a theoretical basis for further exploring the role of Hsp40 gene in the anti-bacterial immunity of blood parrot.

Massive water production from lunar ilmenite through reaction with endogenous hydrogen.

Finding water resources is a crucial objective of lunar missions. However, both hydroxyl (OH) and natural water (H2O) have been reported to be scarce on the Moon. We propose a potential method for obtaining water on the Moon through H2O formation via endogenous reactions in lunar regolith (LR), specifically through the reaction FeO/Fe2O3 + H → Fe + H2O. This process is demonstrated using LR samples brought back by the Chang'E-5 mission. FeO and Fe2O3 are lunar minerals containing Fe oxides. Hydrogen (H) retained in lunar minerals from the solar wind can be used to produce water. The results of this study reveal that 51-76 mg of H2O can be generated from 1 g of LR after melting at temperatures above 1,200 K. This amount is ∼10,000 times the naturally occurring OH and H2O on the Moon. Among the five primary minerals in LR returned by the Chang'E-5 mission, FeTiO3 ilmenite contains the highest amount of H, owing to its unique lattice structure with sub-nanometer tunnels. For the first time, in situ heating experiments using a transmission electron microscope reveal the concurrent formation of Fe crystals and H2O bubbles. Electron irradiation promotes the endogenous redox reaction, which is helpful for understanding the distribution of OH on the Moon. Our findings suggest that the hydrogen retained in LR is a significant resource for obtaining H2O on the Moon, which is helpful for establishing a scientific research station on the Moon.

Research on the energy saving behaviors of university students based on TPB in a hot summer-cold winter area in China.

Energy saving in higher education institutions holds significant importance in the establishment of environmentally friendly and low-carbon societies, with the energy-saving behaviors of university students playing a pivotal role in the development of sustainable campuses. However, there is a clear need for customized strategies to encourage energy-saving habits among university students in areas of China with extreme weather conditions, such as hot summers and cold winters. This study offers a thorough examination of the literature regarding energy-saving behaviors among college students and presents a new theoretical framework based on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). A survey questionnaire is conducted at universities in regions with hot summers and cold winters across China, with the goal of identifying the main factors that influence students' intentions and actions regarding campus energy conservation. From July to August 2022, we collected 512 survey responses from different university campuses in China's hot summer-cold winter weather zone. The survey asked about subjective norms, understanding of energy conservation, and the importance of saving energy. Utilizing the Structural Equation Model (SEM), we examined how influencing factors are associated with energy conservation behaviors. Our findings indicate that (1) both the significance of energy conservation and subjective norms significantly drive energy-saving actions; (2) distinct factors impact different forms of energy-saving practices; and (3) the inclination to save energy partially mediates the relationship between comfort choices and the significance of energy conservation. This study presents a validated behavioral model tailored for regions experiencing hot summers and cold winters, offering valuable insights for college administrators in managing energy usage while also serving as a theoretical reference for establishing environmentally sustainable campuses.

3-D bioprinted human-derived skin organoids accelerate full-thickness skin defects repair.

The healing of large skin defects remains a significant challenge in clinical settings. The lack of epidermal sources, such as autologous skin grafting, limits full-thickness skin defect repair and leads to excessive scar formation. Skin organoids have the potential to generate a complete skin layer, supporting in-situ skin regeneration in the defect area. In this study, skin organoid spheres, created with human keratinocytes, fibroblasts, and endothelial cells, showed a specific structure with a stromal core surrounded by surface keratinocytes. We selected an appropriate bioink and innovatively combined an extrusion-based bioprinting technique with dual-photo source cross-linking technology to ensure the overall mechanical properties of the 3D bioprinted skin organoid. Moreover, the 3D bioprinted skin organoid was customized to match the size and shape of the wound site, facilitating convenient implantation. When applied to full-thickness skin defects in immunodeficient mice, the 3D bioprinted human-derived skin organoid significantly accelerated wound healing through in-situ regeneration, epithelialization, vascularization, and inhibition of excessive inflammation. The combination of skin organoid and 3D bioprinting technology can overcome the limitations of current skin substitutes, offering a novel treatment strategy to address large-area skin defects.

Analysis and comparison of retinal vascular parameters under different glucose metabolic status based on deep learning.

AIM: To develop a deep learning-based model for automatic retinal vascular segmentation, analyzing and comparing parameters under diverse glucose metabolic status (normal, prediabetes, diabetes) and to assess the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in image segmentation and retinal vascular parameters for predicting prediabetes and diabetes. METHODS: Retinal fundus photos from 200 normal individuals, 200 prediabetic patients, and 200 diabetic patients (600 eyes in total) were used. The U-Net network served as the foundational architecture for retinal artery-vein segmentation. An automatic segmentation and evaluation system for retinal vascular parameters was trained, encompassing 26 parameters. RESULTS: Significant differences were found in retinal vascular parameters across normal, prediabetes, and diabetes groups, including artery diameter (P=0.008), fractal dimension (P=0.000), vein curvature (P=0.003), C-zone artery branching vessel count (P=0.049), C-zone vein branching vessel count (P=0.041), artery branching angle (P=0.005), vein branching angle (P=0.001), artery angle asymmetry degree (P=0.003), vessel length density (P=0.000), and vessel area density (P=0.000), totaling 10 parameters. CONCLUSION: The deep learning-based model facilitates retinal vascular parameter identification and quantification, revealing significant differences. These parameters exhibit potential as biomarkers for prediabetes and diabetes.

Metagenomic next-generation sequencing promotes pathogen detection over culture in joint infections with previous antibiotic exposure.

Objective: To investigate the diagnostic value of metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) in detecting pathogens from joint infection (JI) synovial fluid (SF) samples with previous antibiotic exposure. Methods: From January 2019 to January 2022, 59 cases with suspected JI were enrolled. All cases had antibiotic exposure within 2 weeks before sample collection. mNGS and conventional culture were performed on SF samples. JI was diagnosed based on history and clinical symptoms in conjunction with MSIS criteria. The diagnostic values, including sensitivity, specificity, positive/negative predictive values (PPV/NPV), and accuracy, were in comparison with mNGS and culture. Results: There were 47 of the 59 cases diagnosed with JI, while the remaining 12 were diagnosed with non-infectious diseases. The sensitivity of mNGS was 68.1%, which was significantly higher than that of culture (25.5%, p<0.01). The accuracy of mNGS was significantly higher at 71.2% compared to the culture at 39.0% (p <0.01). Eleven pathogenic strains were detected by mNGS but not by microbiological culture, which included Staphylococcus lugdunensis, Staphylococcus cohnii, Finegoldia magna, Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus saprophytics, Escherichia coli, Salmonella enterica, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter pittii, Brucella ovis, andCoxiella burnetii. Antibiotic therapy was adjusted based on the mNGS results in 32 (68.1%) patients, including 12 (25.5%) and 20 (42.6%) patients, in whom treatment was upgraded and changed, respectively. All JI patients underwent surgery and received subsequent antibiotic therapy. They were followed up for an average of 23 months (20-27 months), and the success rate of treatment was 89.4%. Out of the 33 patients who had positive results for pathogens, reoperation was performed in 1 case (3.03%), while out of the 14 cases with negative results for both mNGS and cultures, reoperation was performed in 4 cases (28.6%). Conclusions: mNGS has advantages over conventional culture in detecting pathogens in SF samples from JI patients previously treated with antibiotics, potentially improving clinical outcomes.

Posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms in mothers and adolescents after the Wenchuan earthquake: A cross-sectional and longitudinal network analysis.

OBJECTIVE: This study used network analysis to investigate the cross-sectional and longitudinal network between PTSD symptoms within mother-adolescent dyads at 12 and 18 months after the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake. METHODS: The sample was from the Wenchuan Earthquake Adolescent Health Cohort. 399 mother-adolescent dyads completed the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Self-Rating Scale at 12 and 18 months after the earthquake. We assessed central symptoms (those with the most significant influence on other symptoms) and bridge symptoms (symptoms connecting different communities) in contemporary networks (i.e., cross-sectional networks). Subsequently, cross-lagged panel network analyses (CLPN) were performed to estimate longitudinal relationships among symptoms between dyads. RESULTS: In the contemporary networks, symptoms such as "intrusive thoughts" of both dyads and "flashbacks" of adolescents were central, indicating that they are crucial in maintaining the network of PTSD symptoms. Additional symptoms such as maternal "difficulty in concentration" and dyads' "pessimism and disappointment" should also be considered because of their central roles. Moreover, the temporary network did not directly replicate the contemporary networks, with adolescents' "nightmares" at 12 months having a high influence on other PTSD symptoms at 18 months. LIMITATIONS: Self-reported tools other than clinical diagnoses were used to collect data. CONCLUSIONS: These symptom-level associations at cross-sectional and longitudinal networks extend our understanding of PTSD symptoms among mother-adolescent dyads by pointing to specific key symptoms of PTSD that may drive the co-occurrence of PTSD among dyads. Recognizing these symptoms is imperative for the development of targeted interventions and treatments aimed at addressing comorbid PTSD in mother-adolescent dyads.

Radiation dose reduction and image quality in pediatric paranasal sinus CT: with automatic tube current modulation and iterative reconstruction technique.

Our objective is to evaluate radiation dose and image quality in pediatric paranasal sinus computed tomography (CT) with automatic tube current modulation (ATCM) and sinogram-affirmed iterative reconstruction algorithm (SAFIRE). CT scans from 80 patients were divided into two groups: Group A [80 kVp, pitch 1.5, 40 mAs, the filtered back projection (FBP) algorithm] and Group B (70 kVp, pitch 3, ATCM with reference at 40 mAs, SAFIRE strengths 1-5). We have evaluated image quality and radiation dose. Group B demonstrated significantly lower volume computed tomography dose index, dose-length product, and effective dose than Group A (0.13 ± 0.03 vs. 1.57 ± 0.01 mGy, 2.27 ± 0.82 vs. 19.88 ± 2.01 mGy·cm, and 0.0081 ± 0.0017 vs. 0.079 ± 0.013 mSv, respectively; P < .001). Increasing SAFIRE strengths correlated with noise reduction and SNR enhancement. Group B's noise and SNRsoft at SAFIRE strength 5 were comparable with Group A. Images reconstructed with SAFIRE strength 5 in Group B exhibit comparable image quality with FBP in Group A.

Dual-target inhibitors based on acetylcholinesterase: Novel agents for Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia among the elderly, accounting for 60 %-70 % of cases. At present, the pathogenesis of this condition remains unclear, but the hydrolysis of acetylcholine (ACh) is thought to play a role. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) can break down ACh transmission from the presynaptic membrane and stop neurotransmitters' excitatory effect on the postsynaptic membrane, which plays a key role in nerve conduction. Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEIs) can delay the hydrolysis of acetylcholine (ACh), which represents a key strategy for treating AD. Due to its complex etiology, AD has proven challenging to treat. Various inhibitors and antagonists targeting key enzymes and proteins implicated in the disease's pathogenesis have been explored as potential therapeutic agents. These include Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3ß (GSK-3ß) inhibitors, ß-site APP Cleaving Enzyme (BACE-1) inhibitors, Monoamine Oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, Phosphodiesterase inhibitors (PDEs), N-methyl--aspartic Acid (NMDA) antagonists, Histamine 3 receptor antagonists (H3R), Serotonin receptor subtype 4 (5-HT4R) antagonists, Sigma1 receptor antagonists (S1R) and soluble Epoxide Hydrolase (sEH) inhibitors. The drug development strategy of multi-target-directed ligands (MTDLs) offers unique advantages in the treatment of complex diseases. On the one hand, it can synergistically enhance the therapeutic efficacy of single-target drugs. On the other hand, it can also reduce the side effects. In this review, we discuss the design strategy of dual inhibitors based on acetylcholinesterase and the structure-activity relationship of these drugs.

Association of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors with risk of incident dementia and all-cause mortality in older patients with type 2 diabetes: A retrospective cohort study using the TriNetX US collaborative networks.

BACKGROUND: Limited evidence exists to support any specific medication over others to prevent dementia in older patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). We investigated whether treatment with sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors is associated with a lower risk of incident dementia and all-cause mortality, relative to dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RA). METHODS: In this retrospective, active-comparator cohort study, we used data from the TriNetX electronic health records network. Our primary cohort comprised patients with T2D aged ≥50 years, registered between January 2012 and December 2022. Patients with a history of dementia were excluded. We used Kaplan-Meier survival analysis to estimate the incidence of dementia and all-cause mortality in our cohort after they had used glucose-lowering drugs for at least 12 months. Propensity score matching was performed to balance the SGLT-2 inhibitor, DPP-4 inhibitor and GLP-1 RA cohorts. Subgroup analyses for sex and age were also conducted. RESULTS: Our first cohort comprised 193 948 patients treated with metformin and SGLT-2 inhibitors and an equal number of patients treated with metformin and DPP-4 inhibitors. In this cohort, the risk of dementia and all-cause mortality was lower in patients treated with SGLT-2 inhibitors than in those treated with DPP-4 inhibitors (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.62, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.59-0.65, for dementia; HR: 0.54, 95% CI: 0.52-0.56, for all-cause mortality). Our second cohort comprised 165 566 patients treated with metformin and SGLT-2 inhibitors and an equal number of patients treated with metformin and GLP-1 RAs. In this cohort, the risk of dementia and all-cause mortality was lower in those treated with SGLT-2 inhibitors than in those treated with GLP-1 RAs (HR: 0.92, 95% CI: 0.87-0.98, for dementia; HR: 0.88, 95% CI: 0.85-0.91, for all-cause mortality). CONCLUSIONS: The use of SGLT-2 inhibitor was associated with a lower risk of incident dementia and all-cause mortality in older adults with T2D compared to DPP-4 inhibitor and GLP-1 RA.

Initial dosage optimization of olanzapine in patients with bipolar disorder based on model-informed precision dosing: a study from the real world.

Objectives: Olanzapine is used for treating bipolar disorder (BPD); however, the optimal initial dosing regimen is unclear. The present study aimed to investigate the optimal olanzapine initial dosage in patients with BPD via model-informed precision dosing (MIPD) based on a real-world study. Methods: Thirty-nine patients with BPD from the real-world study were collected to construct the MIPD model. Results: Weight, combined used quetiapine influenced olanzapine clearances in patients with BPD, where the clearance rates were 0.152:1 in patients with or without quetiapine under the same weight. We simulated olanzapine doses once a day or twice a day, of which twice a day was optimal. Without quetiapine, for twice-a-day olanzapine doses, 0.80, 0.70, and 0.60 mg/kg/day were suitable for 40- to 56-kg BPD patients, 56- to 74-kg BPD patients, and 74- to 100-kg BPD patients, respectively. With quetiapine, for twice-a-day olanzapine doses, 0.05 mg/kg/day was suitable for 40- to 100-kg BPD patients. Conclusion: This study was the first to investigate the optimal olanzapine initial dosage in patients with BPD via MIPD based on a real-world study, providing clinical reference for the precision medication of olanzapine in BPD patients.

An activity-based sensing fluorogenic probe for monitoring O-methyltransferase in plants.

Activity-based sensing probes are powerful tools for monitoring enzymatic activities in complex biological samples such as cellular and live animals; however, their application in plants remains challenging. Herein, fourteen activity-based fluorescent probes were assayed against Arabidopsis O-methyltransferases (AtOMTs). One probe, 3-BTD, displayed a high selectivity, reactivity, and fluorescence response toward AtOMTs especially the isoform AtCCoAOMT. We further characterized the features of this probe and explored whether it could be used to detect OMT activities in living plant cells. Our results show that 3-BTD can be used to visualize OMT activity in Arabidopsis, and no fluorescent signal was observed in the comt/ccoaomt double mutant, indicating that it has good specificity. Interestingly, in contrast to the observation that AtCCoAOMT-YFP accumulated in both cytoplasm and nucleus, OMT enzymatic activity tracked by 3-BTD probe was found only in the cytoplasm. This underscores the importance of activity-based sensing in studying protein function. Moreover, 3-BTD can be successfully applied in OMT visualization of different plants. This study indicates that 3-BTD can serve as a potential probe for in situ monitoring the real activity of OMT in multiple plants and provides a strategy for visualizing the activity of other enzymes in plants.

Contributions of individual qSOFA elements to assessment of severity and for prediction of mortality.

BACKGROUND: The quick sequential [sepsis-related] organ failure assessment (qSOFA) acts as a prompt to consider possible sepsis. The contributions of individual qSOFA elements to assessment of severity and for prediction of mortality remain unknown. METHODS: A total of 3974 patients with community-acquired pneumonia were recruited to an observational prospective cohort study. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC), odds ratio, relative risk and Youden's index were employed to assess discrimination. RESULTS: Respiratory rate ≥22/min demonstrated the most superior diagnostic value, indicated by largest odds ratio, relative risk and AUROC, and maximum Youden's index for mortality. However, the indices for altered mentation and systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≤100 mm Hg decreased notably in turn. The predictive validities of respiratory rate ≥22/min, altered mentation and SBP ≤100 mm Hg were good, adequate and poor for mortality, indicated by AUROC (0.837, 0.734 and 0.671, respectively). Respiratory rate ≥22/min showed the strongest associations with SOFA scores, pneumonia severity index, hospital length of stay and costs. However, SBP ≤100 mm Hg was most weakly correlated with the indices. CONCLUSIONS: Respiratory rate ≥22/min made the greatest contribution to parsimonious qSOFA to assess severity and predict mortality. However, the contributions of altered mentation and SBP ≤100 mm Hg decreased strikingly in turn. It is the first known prospective evidence of the contributions of individual qSOFA elements to assessment of severity and for prediction of mortality, which might have implications for more accurate clinical triage decisions.

Respiratory rate ≥22/min demonstrated the most superior diagnostic value.Respiratory rate ≥22/min showed the strongest association with severity.Respiratory rate ≥22/min, altered mentation and SBP ≤100 mm Hg predicted mortality well, adequately and poorly, respectively.

Drug-Related Keratitis: A Real-World FDA Adverse Event Reporting System Database Study.

Purpose: This study aimed to assess the drug risk of drug-related keratitis and track the epidemiological characteristics of drug-related keratitis. Methods: This study analyzed data from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) database from January 2004 to December 2023. A disproportionality analysis was conducted to assess drug-related keratitis with positive signals, and drugs were classified and assessed with regard to their drug-induced timing and risk of drug-related keratitis. Results: A total of 1606 drugs were reported to pose a risk of drug-related keratitis in the FAERS database, and, after disproportionality analysis and screening, 17 drugs were found to significantly increase the risk of drug-related keratitis. Among them, seven were ophthalmic medications, including dorzolamide (reporting odds ratio [ROR] = 3695.82), travoprost (ROR = 2287.27), and brimonidine (ROR = 2118.52), and 10 were non-ophthalmic medications, including tralokinumab (ROR = 2609.12), trazodone (ROR = 2377.07), and belantamab mafodotin (ROR = 680.28). The top three drugs having the highest risk of drug-related keratitis were dorzolamide (Bayesian confidence propagation neural network [BCPNN] = 11.71), trazodone (BCPNN = 11.11), and tralokinumab (BCPNN = 11.08). The drug-induced times for non-ophthalmic medications were significantly shorter than those for ophthalmic medications (mean days, 141.02 vs. 321.96, respectively; P < 0.001). The incidence of drug-related keratitis reached its peak in 2023. Conclusions: Prevention of drug-related keratitis is more important than treatment. Identifying the specific risks and timing of drug-induced keratitis can support the development of preventive measures. Translational Relevance: Identifying the specific drugs related to medication-related keratitis is of significant importance for drug vigilance in the occurrence of drug-related keratitis.

Therapeutic potential of Cordyceps sinensis targeting oxidative stress and inflammatory response in the treatment of COPD rats: insights from metabolomics analysis.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of wild Cordyceps sinensis on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) rats through metabolomics approach, combined with biochemical parameters evaluations. Consequently, C. sinensis exhibited regulatory effects on the lung's metabolic profiles in COPD rats. Treatment with C. sinensis potentially modulated glycerophospholipid metabolism, glutathione metabolism, and tryptophan metabolism, thereby alleviating oxidative stress (by decreasing MDA and GSSG, while increasing SOD and GSH) and inflammatory response (by inhibiting TNF-α, IL-8, and MMP-9) in COPD rats while improving lung tissue damage.

Activation of ß3-AR by mirabegron prevents aortic dissection/aneurysm by promoting lymphangiogenesis in perivascular adipose tissue.

AIMS: ß3-AR (ß3-adrenergic receptor) is essential for cardiovascular homeostasis through regulating adipose tissue function. Perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of aortic dissection and aneurysm (AD/AA). Here, we aim to investigate ß3-AR activation-mediated PVAT function in AD/AA. METHODS AND RESULTS: Aortas from patients with thoracic aortic dissection (TAD) were collected to detect ß3-AR expression in PVAT. ApoE-/- and ß-aminopropionitrile monofumarate (BAPN)-treated C57BL/6 mice were induced with Angiotensin II (AngII) to simulate AD/AA, and subsequently received either placebo or mirabegron, a ß3-AR agonist. The results demonstrated an up-regulation of ß3-AR in PVAT of TAD patients and AD/AA mice. Moreover, activation of ß3-AR by mirabegron significantly prevented AngII-induced AD/AA formation in mice. RNA-sequencing analysis of adipocytes from PVAT revealed a notable increase of the lymphangiogenic factor VEGF-C in mirabegron-treated mice. Consistently, enhanced lymphangiogenesis was found in PVAT with mirabegron treatment. Mechanistically, the number of CD4+/CD8+ T cells and CD11c+ cells was reduced in PVAT but increased in adjacent draining lymph nodes (LNs) of mirabegron-treated mice, indicating the improved draining and clearance of inflammatory cells in PVAT by lymphangiogenesis. Importantly, adipocyte-specific VEGF-C knockdown by the adeno-associated virus system restrained lymphangiogenesis and exacerbated inflammatory cell infiltration in PVAT, which ultimately abolished the protection of mirabegron on AD/AA. In addition, the conditional medium derived from mirabegron-treated adipocytes activated the proliferation and tube formation of lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs), which was abrogated by the silencing of VEGF-C in adipocytes. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings illustrated the therapeutic potential of ß3-AR activation by mirabegron on AD/AA, which promoted lymphangiogenesis by increasing adipocyte-derived VEGF-C and, therefore, ameliorated PVAT inflammation.

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Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common functional gastrointestinal disorder characterized by symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, and indigestion. Given its unclear etiology and pathogenesis, and the absence of specific biomarkers, clinical diagnosis and treatment of IBS continue to pose significant challenges. In recent years, metabolomics technology, known for its non-invasive, high-throughput, high-precision, and highly reproducible features, has been widely applied in the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of various diseases. Therefore, metabolomics technology is expected to offer novel insights and methodologies for the biological mechanism research, diagnosis, and treatment of IBS. This article reviews recent advancements in the application of metabolomics to IBS, exploring its potential value in the clinical diagnosis and treatment of children with this condition.

Enhanced degradation of insoluble chitin: Engineering high-efficiency chitinase fusion enzymes for sustainable applications.

N-acetyl-D-glucosamine and its dimer are degradation products of chitin waste with great potential in therapeutic and agricultural applications. However, the hydrolysis of insoluble chitin by chitinases remains a major bottleneck. This study investigated the biochemical properties and catalytic mechanisms of PoChi chitinase obtained from Penicillium oxalicum with a focus on enhancing its efficiency during the degradation of insoluble chitin. Recombinant plasmids were engineered to incorporate chitin-binding (ChBD) and/or fibronectin III (FnIII) domains. Notably, PoChi-FnIII-ChBD exhibited the highest substrate affinity (Km = 2.7 mg/mL) and a specific activity of 15.4 U/mg, which surpasses those of previously reported chitinases. These findings highlight the potential of engineered chitinases in advancing industrial biotechnology applications and offer a promising approach to more sustainable chitin waste management.

Reliable technique for acromion density assessment on CT.

INTRODUCTION: Acromial stress fracture (ASF) is an uncommon but acknowledged complication of reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA). There is no standardised method to directly measure the bone mineral density of the acromion to allow a detailed analysis of the potential mechanism of ASF. The aim is to establish a reliable and reproducible technique for measurement of acromial density on computer tomography (CT). METHODS: A retrospective review on CT scans obtained for three groups of patients: those planned for RTSA (n = 26); age and gender-matched non-operative (n = 26); and young non-operative patients (n = 28) were performed. Standardised axial images of 1 mm thickness at 1 mm increments were created following horizontal straightening on the coronal and sagittal views. To assess inter-rater reliability, two senior CT radiographers performed density measurements using standard region of interest (ROI) tool on the CTs with the ROI placed on the mid (ROI 1) and posterior (ROI 2) acromion. ROIs were selected as the most common locations for acromion fracture post RTSA. Measurements were repeated at least 6 weeks apart. Intra-class coefficients (ICC) were used to determine intra- and inter-rater reliability. RESULTS: ICCs demonstrated good to high intra-rater and inter-rater reliability for both ROI 1 and ROI 2 across all three groups. The lower margin of 95% confidence intervals was more than 0 for all intra-class coefficients. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates a reliable method of measuring acromion density on CT. This method can be used to assess bone mineral density in the clinical setting and in future studies investigating ASF following RTSA.