A review of functions and mechanisms of clay soil conditioners and catalysts in thermal remediation compared to emerging photo-thermal catalysis.

High temperatures and providing sufficient time for the thermal desorption of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) from contaminated clay soils can lead to intensive energy consumption. Therefore, this article provides a critical review of the potential additives which can improve soil texture and increase the volatility of POPs, and then discusses their enhanced mechanisms for contributing to a green economy. Ca-based additives have been used to reduce plasticity of bentonite clay, absorb water and replenish system heat. In contrast, non-Ca-based additives have been used to decrease the plasticity of kaolin clay. The soil structure and soil plasticity can be changed through cation exchange and flocculation processes. The transition metal oxides and alkali metal oxides can be applied to catalyze and oxidize polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, petroleum and emerging contaminants. In this system, reactive oxygen species (•O2- and •OH) are generated from thermal excitation without strong chemical oxidants. Moreover, multiple active ingredients in recycled solid wastes can be controlled to reduce soil plasticity and enhance thermal catalysis. Alternatively, the alkali, nano zero-valent iron and nano-TiN can catalyze hydrodechlorination of POPs under reductive conditions. Especially, photo and photo-thermal catalysis are discussed to accelerate replacement of fossil fuels by renewable energy in thermal remediation.

Chinese herbal medicine for the treatment of intestinal cancer: preclinical studies and potential clinical applications.

Intestinal cancer (IC) poses a significant global health challenge that drives continuous efforts to explore effective treatment modalities. Conventional treatments for IC are effective, but are associated with several limitations and drawbacks. Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) plays an important role in the overall cancer prevention and therapeutic strategies. Recent years have seen a growing body of research focus on the potential of CHM in IC treatment, showing promising results in managing IC and mitigating the adverse effects of radiotherapy and chemotherapy. This review provides updated information from preclinical research and clinical observation on CHM's role in treatment of IC, offering insights into its comprehensive management and guiding future prevention strategies and clinical practice.

LncRNA TUG1 regulates mir-34a-5p / SIRT6 to participate in benzene-induced hematotoxicity through PI3K / AKT /mTOR signaling pathway.

LncRNA TUG1 plays pivotal roles in various diseases. However, its exact roles in benzene - induced hematotoxicity remain unclear. Herein, we aimed to investigate the role and mechanism of TUG1 in hematoxic injuries caused by benzene. In the current study, TUG1 was found dramatically decreased in WBCs of benzene exposure workers and negatively correlated with benzene exposure duration and urine SPMA. In vitro assays demonstrated that TUG1 overexpression attenuated 1,4-BQ-caused suppression of cell viability and proliferation, and promotion of ROS generation and apoptosis via PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. Bioinformatic prediction and molecular assay validated miR-34a-5p was negatively regulated by TUG1. The miR-34a-5p was upregulated in 1,4-BQ treated cells and downregulated in TUG1 overexpression cells. Moreover, miR-34a-5p upregulation partially reversed the protective effects of TUG1 overexpression on 1,4-BQ - caused cytotoxicity. Furthermore, SIRT6 was a downstream target gene of miR-34a-5p, whose expression was reduced in miR-34a-5p upregulation cells and elevated in TUG1 overexpression cells. Upregulated SIRT6 could counteract accelerated cytotoxicity mediated by miR-34a-5p upregulation after 1,4-BQ treatment. Taken together, our study revealed that the critical role of the TUG1/miR-34a-5p/SIRT6 axis in benzene-caused hematotoxicity, and provided scientific basis for further understanding the epigenetic regulatory mechanisms underlying benzene hematotoxicity.

IGSF9 promotes tumor invasion and metastasis through GSK-3ß/ß-catenin mediated EMT in lung cancer.

We previously reported that immunoglobulin superfamily member 9 (IGSF9) as a tumor specific immune checkpoint promoted the tumor immune escape, however, as an adhesion molecule, whether IGSF9 promotes tumor invasion and metastasis has not been reported. Here, the full length, the intracellular domain (ID) not extracellular domain (ECD) of IGSF9 could alter tumor cell morphology from a flat and polygonal shape to elongated strips, suggesting that IGSF9 signal pathway has the potential to mediate epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Real-time PCR and western blotting also showed that the mesenchymal markers were significantly up-regulated, and the epithelial markers were significantly down-regulated in IGSF9 and IGSF9-ID groups. Meanwhile, immunofluorescence showed that ß-catenin was clearly translocated into the nucleus in IGSF9 and IGSF9-ID groups. The in vitro and in vivo data showed that IGSF9, IGSF9-ID and ECD could promote tumor invasion and metastasis. Mechanistically, IGSF9-ID could recruit GSK-3ß to result in the accumulation and nuclear translocation of ß-catenin to trigger EMT. Anti-IGSF9 could significantly inhibit the invasion and metastasis, and IGSF9 is an effective candidate for lung cancer therapy.

Adverse Event Assessment of Upadacitinib: A Pharmacovigilance Study Based on the FAERS Database.

PURPOSE: Upadacitinib, a Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor, has been approved by the FDA to treat various autoimmune conditions. This study assessed its adverse events by analyzing reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). METHODS: FAERS data from Q3 2019 to Q4 2023 were extracted, and disproportionality analyses were conducted using four statistical measures, reporting odds ratio, proportionate reporting ratio, Bayesian confidence propagation neural network, and empirical Bayesian geometric mean. RESULTS: A total of 6 879 398 adverse event reports were collected, with 37 700 reports identifying upadacitinib as the "primary suspected." These reports involved 24 system organ classes and 246 preferred terms that met the criteria across all four algorithms. The distribution of adverse events was assessed separately for female and male patients. Further analysis of the top 25 preferred terms revealed that, although the system organ classes were similar between sexes, the specific adverse events differed. The adverse events were analyzed by gender, showing musculoskeletal and skin disorders were prevalent and severe in male patients, while musculoskeletal issues, infections, and abnormal laboratory tests were common in female patients. Unexpected events like trigger finger, biliary sepsis, and serious events such as oral neoplasm were also identified. CONCLUSION: This study provides real-world evidence for the safety evaluation of upadacitinib and underscores the need to monitor sex-specific adverse events. Future prospective studies are necessary to confirm these pharmacovigilance findings.

Analysis of Fetal Growth and Pregnancy Outcome in Pregnant Women Infected with Novel Coronavirus in Mid-Pregnancy.

Purpose: To investigate whether fetal prenatal ultrasound, fetal growth rate, and pregnancy outcome statistically differ between women infected with novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in mid-pregnancy and an uninfected control group. Patients and Methods: A retrospective analysis of biparietal diameter (BPD), head circumference (HC), abdominal circumference (AC), femur length (FL), and z-scores for each among 46 pregnant women diagnosed with COVID-19 in mid-pregnancy between December 01, 2022 and June 31, 2023 was conducted. A control group included 92 pregnant women negative for COVID-19 during the same period and was also analyzed. To examine fetal growth, rate of increase in BPD, HC, AC, FL, and estimated fetal weight (EFW) between second and third trimester scans were analyzed. In addition, pregnancy outcome, maternal comorbidities, and neonatal prognosis were assessed. Results: The occurrence of gestational diabetes differed significantly between groups, but the fetal growth rate and EFW did not. Similarly, pregnancy outcomes and neonatal prognoses did not differ significantly between groups. Conclusion: Gestational diabetes was a complication that differed between patients with and without COVID-19 in this study. COVID-19 in pregnant women did not affect fetal development. Therefore, these preliminary data suggest that increased fetal monitoring is not necessary for women infected with COVID-19 during the second trimester, and these women should be reassured of the low risk of adverse fetal outcomes.

Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of New Improved Ferrostatin-1 Derived Ferroptosis Inhibitors.

Ferrostatin-1 (Fer-1), a first potent ferroptosis inhibitor, faces limitations in clinical use due to its low potency and metabolic instability. This study introduces a series of novel Ferrostatin-1 analogs designed to enhance plasm stability. Our design strategy focused on the modification of the 3-NH2 of Fer-1 with benzenesulfonyl groups, resulting in analogs 9-25. Biological evaluation revealed that compound 18, with an EC50 value of 0.57 µM, outperformed Fer-1 in inhibiting ferroptosis. It reduced intracellular ferrous ion accumulation, lipid peroxidation, and restored glutathione (GSH) and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) levels effectively. Moreover, compound 18 exhibited favorable solubility and remarkable metabolic stability in rat plasma. These results position compound 18 as a promising candidate for developing therapeutics against ferroptosis-related diseases.

Lycopene attenuates D-galactose-induced memory and behavioral deficits by mediating microbiota-SCFAs-gut-brain axis balance in female CD-1 mice.

Aging impairs cognitive function, whereas nutritional intervention can delay aging and age-related diseases. Lycopene (LYC), a naturally occurring carotenoid, posses multiple health-promoting properties, including neuroprotective function. Here, the effects of LYC on memory and behavioral deficits induced by D-galactose (D-gal) treatment and the relative contribution of LYC-derived gut microbiota in these process were investigated. Results demonstrated that LYC showed effective protection on D-gal induced cognitive deficit and neuronal damage. Moreover, LYC treatment has beneficial effects on gut barrier damage, microbiota dysbiosis and levels of SCFAs in D-gal-induced subacute aging mice. Next, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) experiment was performed and increased SCFAs were observed in mice received stools from D-gal+LYC group when compared with D-gal-FMT group. Thus, we added SCFAs treatment served as a control group in order to evaluated whether the alterations of gut-brain axis could be attributed to LYC-reshaped gut microbiota and SCFAs. Results showed that recipient mice received SCFAs and stools from D-gal+LYC group have similar beneficial effects in improving gut and brain function, demonstrated as: improved intestinal health via elevating antioxidant enzymes contents, increasing the expressions of tight junctions proteins and protecting gut barrier, enhanced mice working memory capacity via alleviating hippocampal neurons impairment, improving synaptic function and enhancing mitochondrial function in the intestinal pseudo-aseptic mice. In conclusion, our results demonstrated that LYC-derived microbiome played a pivotal role in the regulation of cognitive functions during aging and enhanced SCFAs formation might be an important signaling molecule connecting gut microbiome and brain.

The mechanisms, hallmarks, and therapies for brain aging and age-related dementia.

Age-related cognitive decline and dementia are significant manifestations of brain aging. As the elderly population grows rapidly, the health and socio-economic impacts of cognitive dysfunction have become increasingly significant. Although clinical treatment of dementia has faced considerable challenges over the past few decades, with limited breakthroughs in slowing its progression, there has been substantial progress in understanding the molecular mechanisms and hallmarks of age-related dementia (ARD). This progress brings new hope for the intervention and treatment of this disease. In this review, we categorize the latest findings in ARD biomarkers into four stages based on disease progression: healthy brain, pre-clinical, mild cognitive impairment, and dementia. We then systematically summarize the most promising therapeutic approaches to prevent or slow ARD at four levels: genome and epigenome, organelle, cell, and organ and organism. We emphasize the importance of early prevention and detection, along with the implementation of combined treatments as multimodal intervention strategies, to address brain aging and ARD in the future.

Multi-functional, conformal systems with ultrathin crystalline-silicon-based bioelectronics for characterization of intraocular pressure and ocular surface temperature.

Technologies that established in vivo evaluations of soft-tissue biomechanics and temperature are essential to biological research and clinical diagnostics, particularly for a wide range of eye-related diseases such as glaucoma. Of importance are advanced bioelectronic devices for high-precise monitoring of intraocular pressure (IOP) and various ocular temperatures, as clinically proven uses for glaucoma diagnosis. Existing characterization methods are temporary, single point, and lack microscale resolution, failing to measure continuous IOP fluctuation across the long-term period. Here, this work presents a multi-functional smart contact lens, capable of rapidly capturing IOP fluctuation and ocular surface temperature (OST) for assistance for clinical use. The microscale device design is programmable and determined by finite element analysis simulation, with detailed experiments of ex vivo porcine eyeballs. Such compact bioelectronics can provide high-precise measurement with sensitivity of 0.03% mmHg-1 and 1.2 Ω °C-1 in the range of Δ2∼50 mmHg and 30-50 °C, respectively. In vivo tests of bio-integration with a living rabbit can evaluate real-time IOP fluctuation and OST, as of biocompatibility assessments verified through cellular and animal experiments. The resultant bioelectronic devices for continuous precise characterization of living eyeballs can offer broad utility for hospital diagnosis of a wide range of eye-related disorders.

Mn-Ce Symbiosis: Nanozymes with Multiple Active Sites Facilitate Scavenging of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) Based on Electron Transfer and Confinement Anchoring.

Regulating appropriate valence states of metal active centers, such as Ce3+/Ce4+ and Mn3+/Mn2+, as well as surface vacancy defects, is crucial for enhancing the catalytic activity of cerium-based and manganese-based nanozymes. Drawing inspiration from the efficient substance exchange in rhizobia-colonized root cells of legumes, we developed a symbiosis nanozyme system with rhizobia-like nano CeOx clusters robustly anchored onto root-like Mn3O4 nanosupports (CeOx/Mn3O4). The process of "substance exchange" between Ce and Mn atoms-reminiscent of electron transfer-not only fine-tunes the metal active sites to achieve optimal Ce3+/Ce4+ and Mn3+/Mn2+ ratios but also enhances the vacancy ratio through interface defect engineering. Additionally, the confinement anchoring of CeOx on Mn3O4 ensures efficient electron transfer in catalytic reactions. The final CeOx/Mn3O4 nanozyme demonstrates potent catalase-like (CAT- like) and superoxide dismutase-like (SOD-like) activities, excelling in both chemical settings and cellular environments with high reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. This research not only unveils a novel material adept at effectively eliminating ROS but also presents an innovative approach for amplifying nanozyme efficacy.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of ferrostatin-based diamide derivatives as new ferroptosis inhibitors.

Ferroptosis, a distinct type of cell death caused by iron and lipid peroxidation, has been associated with several diseases, including cardiovascular disorders. Ferrostatin-1 (Fer-1) is a known ferroptosis inhibitor, but its clinical application is limited by low efficacy and stability. In the present study, a series of Fer-1-based diamide derivatives was synthesized and evaluated to enhance ferroptosis inhibition and in vitro metabolic stability. The synthesized compounds were tested for their protective effects against Erastin-induced injury in human vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs). Among the derivatives, compound 36 exhibited the most potent anti-ferroptosis activity with an EC50 value of 0.58 ± 0.02 µM. Remarkably, compound 36 also demonstrated superior stability in both microsomal (human and mouse) and mouse plasma assays. These findings indicated ferroptosis inhibitor 36 as a promising hit for further developing potential therapeutic drug candidates in cardiovascular diseases.

Mindfulness matters: Unveiling the relationship between trait mindfulness and procrastination - A three level meta-analysis.

Procrastination is a personality tendency with several deleterious consequences. Trait mindfulness has been found to be associated with procrastination. Nevertheless, the relationship between trait mindfulness and procrastination has yielded inconsistent results in previous studies. Therefore, by utilizing a three-level random-effects meta-analysic model, the present study synthesized previous studies to investigate the relationship between trait mindfulness and procrastination and explore the potential moderators that may affect this relationship. A significant and negative relationship between trait mindfulness and procrastination (r = -0.365; p < 0.0001) was found by analyzing 36 effect sizes from 19 studies with 14,094 participants. The subsequent moderator analysis did not reveal any significant moderators. Overall, the current meta-analysis shed insightful light on information for future research on reducing procrastination by considering utilizing mindfulness-based interventions that make it easier for individuals to maintain a mindfulness state and enhance trait mindfulness, thereby reducing procrastination.

Association Between Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Level and Risk of Anemia: An Observational and Mendelian Randomization Study.

Introduction: Anemia, characterized by low hemoglobin or erythrocyte levels, is a significant global health issue with severe implications for public health. Recent studies have explored the potential link between anemia and 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], yet the precise mechanisms remain unclear. This study aims to clarify the possible causal relationship between 25(OH)D levels and anemia risk. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive investigation combining observational and Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses. The observational study included detailed demographic, comorbidities, and laboratory data collected from 7160 hospitalized patients in China. For the MR analysis, genetic polymorphisms were utilized to assess causal effects. Results: Observational analysis revealed an inverse relationship between 25(OH)D levels and the risk of anemia, with stratified analysis indicating a nonlinear association and a threshold of 48.716 nmol/L. The MR analysis confirmed a protective causal relationship between higher 25(OH)D levels and a reduced risk of anemia. Bidirectional MR analysis found no evidence that anemia influences 25(OH)D levels. Discussion: This study provides strong evidence of a causal link between increased 25(OH)D levels and a lower incidence of anemia. The findings highlight the potential role of vitamin D in anemia prevention, supporting the need for further research into vitamin D supplementation as a strategy to reduce anemia risk. Conclusion: Our findings support the hypothesis that higher 25(OH)D levels are causally associated with a reduced risk of anemia, suggesting vitamin D's potential role in anemia prevention and public health strategies.

Analysis of clinical characteristics of patients with pulmonary hypertension in Chaya County, Chamdo, Tibet.

Background: Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a critical health issue marked by high blood pressure in the pulmonary arteries, with limited data on its clinical characteristics in the Tibetan population. The objective of this study was to examine the clinical characteristics of PH patients among Tibetan population residing in Chaya County, Changdu, Tibet. Methods: This was a retrospective cross-sectional study. A total of 94 PH patients diagnosed via echocardiography at the Internal Medicine Department of Chaya County People's Hospital in Changdu (Tibet, China) between March 2019 and October 2020 were included. Additionally, 52 non-PH inpatients were selected as the control group. Patient medical records were reviewed for demographic and clinical data, lab results, and echocardiographic findings. Student's t-test/chi-squared test between PH and control group, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) among control and PH subgroups, Pearson's and Spearman's correlation coefficient were used to analysis the results. Results: Out of 1,689 inpatients in the Internal Medicine Department, 94 were identified as PH patients for analysis. The average hemoglobin level among PH patients (150.64±21.67 g/L) was similar to that observed in the normal population (146.65±17.51 g/L) at high altitude (P=0.28). Abnormal liver function indexes were observed, with 51.06% of PH patients exhibiting hyperuricemia (P<0.001 compared to control's 15.38%). The PH group demonstrated significantly elevated red blood cell distribution width (RDW)-standard deviation (50.59±6.49 vs. 43.67±3.40 fL, P<0.001) and RDW-coefficient of variation of (16.18%±3.04% vs. 13.52%±1.32%, P<0.001), along with a decreased platelet level compared to the control group [(202.55±73.67) vs. (256.63±72.85) ×109/L]. Furthermore, echocardiographic indicators related to right heart function showed correlations with red blood cell count, bilirubin, albumin, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (multiple significant correlation coefficient r, magnitude from 0.22 to 0.54). Conclusions: Chronic pulmonary disease and left heart disease were identified as common etiologies of PH among Tibetan patients residing in high-altitude regions. The Tibetan population residing in high-altitude regions and diagnosed with PH displayed abnormal changes in numerous liver functional and metabolic indices, which were correlated with the morphological indices observed via cardiac ultrasound.

Severe stress cardiomyopathy following spinal corrective surgery for scoliosis complicated with pectus excavatum: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Stress cardiomyopathy (SCM) is an acute heart failure syndrome characterized by transient, usually reversible left ventricular systolic dysfunction with normal or enhanced basal compensatory wall motion abnormalities involving the left ventricular anterior septum and apex, resulting in a "ballooning" appearance. However, it has rarely been reported in patients undergoing spinal surgery. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of severe stress cardiomyopathy in a scoliosis patient with pectus excavatum who underwent spinal corrective surgery. During the wake-up period, circulatory collapse occurred. After multidisciplinary consultation, the patient was diagnosed with stress cardiomyopathy. At last, she had a good prognosis after a series of treatments including ECMO. CONCLUSION: Stress cardiomyopathy is a reversible but uncommon condition. It can cause death if it is not diagnosed in time. Consequently, this report should improve the awareness of orthopedists and anesthesiologists for timely identification and management. For patients with potential risk factors, timely preoperative intervention should be performed to reduce the occurrence of stress cardiomyopathy.

Reporting quality and risk of bias of randomized controlled trials of Chinese herbal medicine for multiple sclerosis.

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common non-traumatic disabling disease affecting young adults. A definitive curative treatment is currently unavailable. Many randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have reported the efficacy of Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) on MS. Because of the uncertain quality of these RCTs, the recommendations for routine use of CHM for MS remain inconclusive. The comprehensive evaluation of the quality of RCTs of CHM for MS is urgent. Methods: Nine databases, namely, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, EBSCO, Sinomed, Wanfang Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and VIP Database, were searched from inception to September 2023. RCTs comparing CHM with placebo or pharmacological interventions for MS were considered eligible. The Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) and its extension for CHM formulas (CONSORT-CHM Formulas) checklists were used to evaluate the reporting quality of RCTs. The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. The selection criteria of high-frequency herbs for MS were those with cumulative frequency over 50% among the top-ranked herbs. Results: A total of 25 RCTs were included. In the included RCTs, 33% of the CONSORT items and 21% of the CONSORT-CHM Formulas items were reported. Eligibility title, sample size calculation, allocation concealment, randomized implementation, and blinded description in CONSORT core items were reported by less than 5% of trials. For the CONSORT-CHM Formulas, the source and authentication method of each CHM ingredient was particularly poorly reported. Most studies classified the risk of bias as "unclear" due to insufficient information. The top five most frequently used herbs were, in order, Radix Rehmanniae Preparata, Radix Rehmanniae Recens, Herba Epimedii, Scorpio, and Poria. No serious adverse effect had been reported. Conclusions: The low reporting of CONSORT items and the unclear risk of bias indicate the inadequate quality of RCTs in terms of reporting completeness and result validity. The CONSORT-CHM Formulas appropriately consider the unique characteristics of CHM, including principles, formulas, and Chinese medicinal substances. To improve the quality of RCTs on CHM for MS, researchers should adhere more closely to CONSORT-CHM Formulas guidelines and ensure comprehensive disclosure of all study design elements.

A qualitative exploration of disseminating research findings among public health researchers in China.

BACKGROUND: Research dissemination is essential to accelerate the translating of evidence into practice. Little is known about dissemination among Chinese public health researchers. This study aimed to explore the understanding and practices of disseminating research findings and to identify barriers and facilitators that influence dissemination activities to non-research audiences. METHODS: This study deployed an exploratory qualitative design with purposive and snowball sampling. One focus group with 5 participants and 12 in-depth interviews were conducted with participants working in diverse fields from universities (n = 10), the National Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (n = 4), the Chinese National Cancer Center (n = 1), the Chinese National Center for Cardiovascular Disease (n = 1), and China office of a global research institute (n = 1) from May to December 2021 to reach saturation. Data were initially analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. The designing for dissemination (D4D) logic model was then used to organize themes and subthemes. Two coders independently coded all transcripts and discussed disparities to reach a consensus. RESULTS: Out of 17 participants, 12 misunderstood the concept of dissemination; 14 had disseminated to non-research audiences: 10 to the public, 10 to practitioners, and 9 to policymakers. We identified multiple barriers to dissemination to non-research audiences across four phases of the D4D logic model, including low priority of dissemination, limited application of D4D strategies, insufficient support from the research organizations, practice settings, and health systems, and overemphasis on academic publications. CONCLUSIONS: There was a lack of understanding and experience of dissemination, indicating a lack of emphasis on active dissemination in China. We provide implications for raising awareness, building capacity, facilitating multidisciplinary collaboration, providing incentives and infrastructure, changing climate and culture, establishing communication and executive networks, and accelerating systematic shifts in impact focus.

Allosteric regulation of Keap1 by 8ß-hydroxy-α-cyclocostunolide for the treatment of acute lung injury.

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