Slippery hydrogel surface on PTFE hollow fiber membranes for sustainable emulsion separation.

Establishing an efficient and sustainable membrane module is of great significance for practical oil/water emulsion separation. Superwetting membranes have been extensively studied but cannot meet long lasting separation owing to inevitable membrane fouling. Herein, we constructed a hydrogel-mediated slippery surface on polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) hollow fibers and then designed a flexible and swing hollow fiber membrane module inspired by fish gill respiration, which achieved sustainable emulsion separation. A vinyl silane-crosslinked polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) hydrogel was interpenetrated with nano-fibrils of the PTFE hollow fibers, thus facilitating fast water permeance while resisting oil intrusion. Liquid-like polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) brushes were then grafted to promote oil aggregation-release from the membrane surface. Owing to the heterogeneous surface and gill-like structure, the designed PTFE hollow fiber membrane module could separate emulsion in a long-term filtration process, maintaining a high water permeability of 500 L m-2 h-1 bar-1 with a separation efficiency of over 99.9% for 5000 min. This novel technique shows its great potential to realize practical emulsion separation by solving the persistent problem of membrane fouling and permeance decay.

Mediation analysis of cognitive function in the relationship between pulmonary function and depression among middle-aged and older adults.

AIM: This study aims to explore the association between declining lung function and depression in middle-aged and older adults, with a special focus on the mediating role of cognitive function. METHODS: This study utilizes self-reported and physical examination data from 5345 individuals participating in the 2015 cycle of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) to explore the role of cognitive function changes in mediating the effects of diminished lung function on depression among middle-aged and older adults. RESULTS: Multivariate linear regression analysis revealed a positive correlation between pulmonary and cognitive functions (ß = 0.003, 95% CI: 0.002∼0.003, P < 0.01) and a negative correlation between cognitive function and depression (ß = -0.279, 95% CI: -0.330-0.228, P < 0.01). Cognitive function plays a mediating role in linking pulmonary function with depression, exhibiting a mediation effect of -0.0007 and a total effect of -0.0046, wherein the mediation effect contributes to 15.22% of the total effect. For females, the mediating effect of cognitive function was stronger (ß = -0.0013, 95% CI: -0.0018∼-0.0008, P < 0.01) than it was for males (ß = -0.0006, 95% CI: -0.0009∼-0.0003, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The study underscores the importance of monitoring lung and cognitive functions as interconnected factors contributing to the mental health of middle-aged and older adults. It suggests that interventions aimed at improving pulmonary health and cognitive function may help mitigate depressive symptoms among middle-aged and older adults. Further research is warranted to validate these findings across diverse cultural and demographic settings. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2024; ••: ••-••.

Investigating the influence of urban morphology on pluvial flooding: Insights from urban catchments in England (UK).

As climate change intensifies, cities globally are experiencing more severe rainfall and frequent pluvial floods. Urban expansion is altering the permeability of the land, thus increasing the risk of flooding. This study investigates the impact of urban morphology on pluvial floodwater distribution in 15 urban catchments across England, UK, to provide an analysis of how urban morphology influences flood magnitude. Using a cellular automata-based model, pluvial flood simulations were conducted for catchments characterized by diverse urban morphologies. Then a series of machine learning models were adopted to reveal the relationships between the morphological characteristics of urban configurations (e.g., building footprints, impervious surfaces, street network, topography) and pluvial flooding. These models were used to identify and quantify the effects of key urban morphological indicators on pluvial flooding. The results indicate that, although the total area of impervious surfaces plays the most significant role in floodwater distribution, the edge density (ED) of building footprints and impervious surfaces also influences this process. Synthetic experiments with an exemplary urban fabric show that decreasing "ED of building footprint" and increasing "ED of impervious surface" can mitigate flood volume by up to 6.3 % at 100 % drainage efficiency and 7.8 % at 50 % efficiency. The results of this study are anticipated to aid urban planners and policymakers in developing strategies for implementing flood-resilient cities.

The association between use of proton pump inhibitors and frailty index among middle-aged and older adults.

AIMS: This study aimed to investigate the association between use of proton pump inhibitors (PPI) and frailty index (FI), and to assess the causality relationship using Mendelian randomization (MR). METHODS: A total of 9756 middle-aged and older adults from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were included. The FI was evaluated using a previously validated 49-item deficit model to assess frailty status, which is one of the common approaches to measure overall health burden. We performed weighted multivariable-adjusted linear regression to assess the association between PPI use and FI, and conducted a two-sample MR to evaluate causality, employing various sensitivity analyses for robustness. The inverse variance weighted (IVW) method was used as the primary analysis. RESULTS: Multiple linear regression analysis revealed a positive association between PPI use and FI (ß = 0.048, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.042-0.054, P < .001). This association was observed in both short-term (≤ 1 year) and long-term (> 1 year) PPI users (P for trend < 0.001). The MR study also revealed a positive association between PPI use and FI based on the IVW method (ß = 1.183, 95% CI: 0.474-1.892, P = .001). CONCLUSIONS: While our findings suggest a potential link between PPI use and FI, they should be interpreted with caution due to the study's limitations. Although the MR analysis suggests a causal relationship, further research, particularly longitudinal studies, is needed to confirm these findings and better establish temporality.

Targeted Proteomics Profiling for Biomarker Discovery in Glaucoma Using the Olink Proteomics Platform.

Metabolic dysfunction plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of glaucoma. In this study, we used Olink proteomics profiling to identify potential biomarkers for glaucoma. Aqueous humor samples were obtained from 44 cataract patients and 44 glaucoma patients. We identified 84 differentially expressed metabolic proteins between the glaucoma and the cataract group. Gene Ontology enrichment analysis highlighted the involvement of these proteins in ER-associated degradation pathway, regulation of interleukin-13 production, and DNA damage response pathway. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis further revealed links to pathways, such as tyrosine and pyrimidine metabolism. Among these, ALDH1A1 emerged as a candidate with a significant diagnostic potential for glaucoma. ALDH1A1 also exhibited a prominent role in the protein-protein interaction network. Elevated levels of ALDH1A1 in the aqueous humor of glaucoma patients were confirmed both in clinical samples and in an ischemia/reperfusion model. Functional assays confirmed that elevated ALDH1A1 induced retinal ganglion cell (RGC) apoptosis in vitro and demonstrated its pro-apoptotic role in RGCs in vivo. Collectively, these findings not only underscore the significance of ALDH1A1 in glaucoma but also provide valuable insights into clinical decision-making and therapeutic strategies.

HDAC1 and HDAC2 orchestrate Wnt signaling to regulate neural progenitor transition during brain development.

Tightly controlled neurogenesis is crucial for generating the precise number of neurons and establishing the intricate architecture of the cortex, with deficiencies often leading to neurodevelopmental disorders. Neuroepithelial progenitors (NPs) transit into radial glial progenitors (RGPs) to initiate neural differentiation, yet the governing mechanisms remain elusive. Here, we found that histone deacetylases 1 and 2 (HDAC1/2) mediated suppression of Wnt signaling is essential for the NP-to-RGP transition. Conditional depletion of HDAC1/2 from NPs upregulated Wnt signaling genes, impairing the transition to RGPs and resulting in rosette structures within the neocortex. Multi-omics analysis revealed that HDAC1/2 are critical for downregulating Wnt signaling, identifying Wnt9a as a key target. Overexpression of Wnt9a led to an increased population of NPs and the disruption of cortical organization. Notably, Wnt inhibitor administration partially rescued the disrupted cortical architecture. Our findings reveal the significance of tightly controlled Wnt signaling through epigenetic mechanisms in neocortical development.

Impact of ginsenoside Rb1 on gut microbiome and associated changes in pharmacokinetics in rats.

Ginsenoside Rb1 exhibits a wide range of biological activities, and gut microbiota is considered the main metabolic site for Rb1. However, the impact of gut microbiota on the pharmacokinetics of Rb1 are still uncertain. In this study, we investigated the gut microbiome changes and the pharmacokinetics after a 30 d Rb1 intervention. Results reveal that the systemic exposure and metabolic clearance rate of Rb1 and Rd were substantially affected after orally supplementing Rb1 (60 mg/kg) to rats. Significant increase in the relative abundance of Bacteroides cellulosilyticus in gut microbiota and specific glycoside hydrolase (GH) families, such as GH2, GH92, and GH20 were observed based on microbiome and metagenomic analysis. Moreover, a robust association was identified between the pharmacokinetic parameters of Rb1 and the relative abundance of specific Bacteroides species, and glycoside hydrolase families. Our study demonstrates that Rb1 administration significantly affects the gut microbiome, revealing a complex relationship between B. cellulosilyticus, key GH families, and Rb1 pharmacokinetics.

Acupuncture and Escitalopram for Treating Major Depression Clinical Study (AE-TMDCS): protocol for a factorial randomised controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Major depressive disorder (MDD), the second leading cause of disability globally, is considered to be associated with a consequent deterioration in the quality of life and can lead to a major economic burden on medical service and suicide-related costs. Previous research has shown that acupuncture may be beneficial for treating MDD. However, there is a lack of rigorous evidence from previous studies comparing acupuncture with antidepressant medications. This study aims to assess the therapeutic potential of acupuncture in the management of depressive disorders. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: A multicentre, randomised, participant-blind, sham-controlled, 2×2 factorial clinical trial, Acupuncture and Escitalopram for Treating Major Depression Clinical Study, aims to compare the efficacy of acupuncture versus escitalopram in treating depression. This study will be conducted at three hospitals in China, enrolling 260 patients with moderate-to-severe major depression, as defined by DSM-5 criteria and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS-17) Scores above 17. Participants will be randomly assigned in equal proportions to one of four groups (acupuncture/escitalopram, sham acupuncture/escitalopram, acupuncture/placebo and sham acupuncture/placebo) and undergo 30 sessions across 10 weeks. The primary outcome is change in HDRS-17 Score and secondary outcomes include BDI, Clinical Global Impression, Generalised Anxiety Disorder-7 and Mini-Mental State Examination Scores, alongside potential biological markers. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethical approval for the study was granted by the Ethics Committees of the Seventh People's Hospital of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (2023-7th-HIRB-020), Shanghai Mental Health Centre (2022-86) and Shanghai Pudong New Area Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine (2023-003). Informed consent will be obtained from all participants. The study's findings are intended for publication in a scholarly journal. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT05901571.

Internal Space Modulation of Yolk-Shell FeSe2@Carbon Anode with Peanut-Shaped Morphology Enabling Ultra-Stable and Fast Potassium-Ion Storage.

The poor cycling stability and rate performance of transition metal selenides (TMSs) are caused by their intrinsic low conductivity and poor structural stability, which hinders their application in potassium-ion batteries (PIBs). To address this issue, encapsulating TMSs within carbon nanoshells is considered a viable strategy. However, due to the lack and uncontrollability of internal void space, this structure cannot effectively mitigate the volume expansion induced by large K+, resulting in unsatisfactory electrochemical performance. Herein, peanut-shaped FeSe2@carbon yolk-shell capsules are prepared by modulation of the internal space. The active FeSe2 is encapsulated within a robust carbon shell and an optimal void space is retained between them. The outer carbon shell promotes electronic conductivity and avoids FeSe2 aggregation, while the internal void mitigates volume expansion and effectively ensures the structural integrity of the electrode. Consequently, the FeSe2@carbon anode demonstrates exceptional rate performance (242 mAh g-1 at 10 A g-1) and long cycling stability (350 mAh g-1 after 500 cycles at 1 A g-1). Furthermore, the effect of internal space modulation on electrochemical properties is elucidated. Meanwhile, ex situ characterizations elucidate the K+ storage mechanism. This work provides effective guidance for the design and the internal space modulation of advanced TMSs yolk-shell structures.

Physical Compatibility of Reduced Glutathione for Injection With 44 Intravenous Drugs During Simulated Y-site Administration.

PURPOSE: Reduced glutathione (GSH) is extensively used in clinical therapeutics due to its antioxidative and cytoprotective properties. It is essential in the management of various chronic and acute conditions and serves as an adjunct therapy in oncology. Despite its widespread use, the physical compatibility of GSH with other intravenous drugs during Y-site administration has not been thoroughly investigated, posing risks such as reduced efficacy and adverse reactions. This study fills this critical gap by examining the physical compatibility of GSH with 44 commonly used intravenous drugs in simulated Y-site administration with 0.9% sodium chloride injection (NS) and 5% dextrose injection, aiming to enhance patient safety and clinical outcomes. METHODS: Simulated Y-site administration was conducted in vitro by mixing 24 mg/mL of GSH with equal volumes of 44 diluted intravenous drugs. Physical compatibility was assessed by observing visual changes, checking for the Tyndall effect, measuring turbidity, and monitoring pH levels at 0, 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 hours post-mixing. Physical compatibility was defined as the absence of color changes, gas evolution, particulate formation, and the Tyndall effect within 4 hours, with turbidity changes of less than 0.5 nephelometric turbidity units from baseline and pH variations of less than 10% from initial values. FINDINGS: GSH exhibited physical incompatibility with 11 of the 44 intravenous drugs evaluated, while it remained compatible with 33 drugs over 4 hours. IMPLICATIONS: This study reveals that while GSH is physically compatible with the majority of tested intravenous drugs, incompatibilities with 11 drugs under simulated Y-site conditions necessitate rigorous compatibility testing prior to co-administration in clinical settings. These findings emphasize the importance of such testing to prevent potential treatment failures and adverse effects. Further research is needed to explore chemical stability and therapeutic efficacy in clinical settings, ensuring the safe and effective use of GSH in medical treatments.