An Investigation into the Effects of Correlated Color Temperature and Illuminance of Urban Motor Vehicle Road Lighting on Driver Alertness.

Current international optical science research focuses on the non-visual effects of lighting on human cognition, mood, and biological rhythms to enhance overall well-being. Nocturnal roadway lighting, in particular, has a substantial impact on drivers' physiological and psychological states, influencing behavior and safety. This study investigates the non-visual effects of correlated color temperature (CCT: 3000K vs. 4000K vs. 5000K) and illuminance levels (20 lx vs. 30 lx) of urban motor vehicle road lighting on driver alertness during various driving tasks. Conducted between 19:00 and 20:30, the experiments utilized a human-vehicle-light simulation platform. EEG (ß waves), reaction time, and subjective evaluations using the Karolinska Sleepiness Scale (KSS) were measured. The results indicated that the interaction between CCT and illuminance, as well as between CCT and task type, significantly influenced driver alertness. However, no significant effect of CCT and illuminance on reaction time was observed. The findings suggest that higher illuminance (30 lx) combined with medium CCT (4000K) effectively reduces reaction time. This investigation enriches related research, provides valuable reference for future studies, and enhances understanding of the mechanisms of lighting's influence on driver alertness. Moreover, the findings have significant implications for optimizing the design of urban road lighting.

The critical role of electron donating rate of pyrogenic carbon in mediating the degradation of phenols in the aquatic environment.

Phenols are the widely detected contaminants in the aquatic environment. Pyrogenic carbon (PyC) can mediate phenols degradation, but the specific properties of PyC or phenols influencing this reaction remain unknown. The present study investigated the kinetic process and mechanism of removal of various phenols by different PyC in aqueous phase system. To avoid the impact of the accumulated degradation byproducts on the overall reaction, we conducted a short-term experiment, quantified adsorption and degradation, and obtained reaction rate constants using a two-compartment first-order kinetics model. The adsorption rate constants (ka) of phenols by PyC were 10-220 times higher than degradation rate constants (kd), and they were positively correlated. Interestingly, no correlation was found between kd and common PyC properties, including functional groups, electron transfer capacities, and surface properties. Phenols were primarily attacked by •OH in the adsorbed phase. But neither the instantly trapped •OH, nor the accumulated •OH could explain phenol degradation. Chemical redox titration revealed that the electron transfer parameters, such as the electron donating rate constant (kED) of PyC, correlated well with kd (r>0.87, P < 0.05) of phenols. Analysis of 13 phenols showed that Egap and ELUMO negatively correlated with their kd, confirming the importance of the electronic properties of phenols to their degradation kinetics. This study highlights the importance of PyC electron transfer kinetics parameters for phenols degradation and manipulation of PyC electron transfer rate may accelerate organic pollutant removal, which contributes to a deeper understanding of the environmental behavior and application of PyC systems.

TRB3 Promotes Cataract Progression through Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress-mediated Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Cell Apoptosis.

Cataracts are characterized as a disease affecting lens opacity. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress can cause lens epithelial cell (LEC) dysfunction, affecting normal lens transparency and function, but the role of Tribbles 3 (TRB3), an inducible gene of ER stress, in cataracts is poorly understood. This study explored how TRB3 promotes cataract progression through ER stress. We administered a subcutaneous injection of sodium selenite at a dosage of 3.46 mg/kg to rats to create an animal model of cataracts. Additionally, we exposed rat LEC cells to 0.01 µM tunicamycin (TM) for 24 h to establish a cell model of ER stress. The detection of related genes and proteins was performed via RT‒qPCR and Western blot techniques. Flow cytometry, along with JC-1, TUNEL, and HE staining, was employed to assess damage to cells and lens tissues. This study revealed that TRB3 was abnormally highly expressed in both a cataract rat model and an ER stress cell model. Knocking down TRB3 has a similar effect as treatment with an ER stress inhibitor, effectively reversing the ER stress and apoptosis induced by TM. This effect includes increasing the mitochondrial membrane potential in LEC cells, lowering reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, increasing ATP production, suppressing the expression of the apoptosis-related proteins Bax and C-caspase-3, increasing Bcl-2 expression, and decreasing apoptosis. Furthermore, TRB3 knockdown improved the pathological conditions of rat lenses and inhibited mitochondrial dysfunction and cell apoptosis to relieve the development of cataracts in rats. Mechanistically, CHOP promotes the expression of TRB3 by binding to the TRB3 promoter, thereby activating ER stress, leading to mitochondrial dysfunction and cell apoptosis in LEC cells and accelerating the development of cataracts. According to our findings, targeting TRB3 expression inhibition could emerge as a novel approach for cataract therapy.

Association between blood pressure multi-trajectory and cardiovascular disease among a Chinese elderly medical examination population.

Objective: This study aimed to characterize multivariate trajectories of blood pressure [systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP)] jointly and examine their impact on incident cardiovascular disease (CVD) among a Chinese elderly medical examination population. Methods: A total of 13,504 individuals without CVD during 2018-2020 were included from the Chinese geriatric physical examination cohort study. The group-based trajectory model was used to construct multi-trajectories of systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure. The primary outcome was the incidence of the first CVD events, consisting of stroke and coronary heart diseases, in 2021. The Cox proportional hazards model was used to calculate the hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the association between BP multi-trajectories and incident CVD events. Results: We identified four blood pressure (BP) subclasses, summarized by their SBP and DBP levels from low to high as class 1 (7.16%), class 2 (55.17%), class 3 (32.26%), and class 4 (5.41%). In 2021, we documented 890 incident CVD events. Compared with participants in class 1, adjusted HRs were 1.56 (95% CI: 1.12-2.19) for class 2, 1.75 (95% CI: 1.24-2.47) for class 3, and 1.88 (95% CI: 1.24-2.85) for class 4 after adjustment for demographics, health behaviors, and metabolic index. Individuals aged 65 years and above with higher levels of BP trajectories had higher risks of CVD events in China. Conclusions: Individuals with higher levels of both SBP and DBP trajectories over time were associated with an increased risk of incident CVD in the Chinese elderly population.

Pt(IV) complexes loaded hollow copper sulfide nanoparticles for tumor chemo/photothermal/photodynamic therapy.

Hollow CuS nanoparticles can achieve photothermal and photodynamic therapy (PDT) in tumor treatment. However, excessive GSH in the tumor cells will consume the reactive oxygen species produced by PDT and reduce the PDT effect. Cisplatin is a broad-spectrum antineoplastic drug that can be used in a variety of tumor treatments. However, cisplatin is cytotoxic to normal cells while it kills tumor cells. Therefore, we construct Pt(IV) complexes loaded hollow CuS nanoparticles to attenuate the toxicity of cisplatin and enhance the PDT effect of the hollow CuS nanoparticles. The nanoparticles were proved to be able to accumulate around the tumor site through the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect to achieve a synergistic chemo/photothermal/photodynamic therapy.

Genome-wide analysis of MYB transcription factor family and AsMYB1R subfamily contribution to ROS homeostasis regulation in Avena sativa under PEG-induced drought stress.

BACKGROUND: The myeloblastosis (MYB) transcription factor (TF) family is one of the largest and most important TF families in plants, playing an important role in a life cycle and abiotic stress. RESULTS: In this study, 268 Avena sativa MYB (AsMYB) TFs from Avena sativa were identified and named according to their order of location on the chromosomes, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis of the AsMYB and Arabidopsis MYB proteins were performed to determine their homology, the AsMYB1R proteins were classified into 5 subgroups, and the AsMYB2R proteins were classified into 34 subgroups. The conserved domains and gene structure were highly conserved among the subgroups. Eight differentially expressed AsMYB genes were screened in the transcriptome of transcriptional data and validated through RT-qPCR. Three genes in AsMYB2R subgroup, which are related to the shortened growth period, stomatal closure, and nutrient and water transport by PEG-induced drought stress, were investigated in more details. The AsMYB1R subgroup genes LHY and REV 1, together with GST, regulate ROS homeostasis to ensure ROS signal transduction and scavenge excess ROS to avoid oxidative damage. CONCLUSION: The results of this study confirmed that the AsMYB TFs family is involved in the homeostatic regulation of ROS under drought stress. This lays the foundation for further investigating the involvement of the AsMYB TFs family in regulating A. sativa drought response mechanisms.

True or false? Alzheimer's disease is type 3 diabetes: Evidences from bench to bedside.

Globally, Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most widespread chronic neurodegenerative disorder, leading to cognitive impairment, such as aphasia and agnosia, as well as mental symptoms, like behavioral abnormalities, that place a heavy psychological and financial burden on the families of the afflicted. Unfortunately, no particular medications exist to treat AD, as the current treatments only impede its progression.The link between AD and type 2 diabetes (T2D) has been increasingly revealed by research; the danger of developing both AD and T2D rises exponentially with age, with T2D being especially prone to AD. This has propelled researchers to investigate the mechanism(s) underlying this connection. A critical review of the relationship between insulin resistance, Aß, oxidative stress, mitochondrial hypothesis, abnormal phosphorylation of Tau protein, inflammatory response, high blood glucose levels, neurotransmitters and signaling pathways, vascular issues in AD and diabetes, and the similarities between the two diseases, is presented in this review. Grasping the essential mechanisms behind this detrimental interaction may offer chances to devise successful therapeutic strategies.

Interactions between Iron Minerals and Dissolved Organic Matter Derived from Microplastics Inhibited the Ferrihydrite Transformation as Revealed at the Molecular Scale.

Microplastic-derived dissolved organic matter (MP-DOM) is an emerging carbon source in the environment. Interactions between MP-DOM and iron minerals alter the transformation of ferrihydrite (Fh) as well as the distribution and fate of MP-DOM. However, these interactions and their effects on both two components are not fully elucidated. In this study, we selected three types of MP-DOM as model substances and utilized Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR MS) and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy to characterize the structural features of DOMs and DOM-mineral complexes at the molecular and atomic levels. Our results suggest that carboxyl and hydroxyl groups in MP-DOM increased the Fe-O bond length by 0.02-0.03 Å through interacting with Fe atoms in the first shell, thereby inhibiting the transformation of Fh to hematite (Hm). The most significant inhibition of Fh transformation was found in PS-DOM, followed by PBAT-DOM and PE-DOM. MP-DOM components, such as phenolic compounds and condensed polycyclic aromatics (MW > 360 Da) with high oxygen content and high unsaturation, exhibited stronger mineral adsorption affinity. These findings provide a profound theoretical basis for accurately predicting the behavior and fate of iron minerals as well as MP-DOM in complex natural environments.

Canopy and understory nitrogen additions differently affect soil microbial residual carbon in a temperate forest.

Atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition in forests can affect soil microbial growth and turnover directly through increasing N availability and indirectly through altering plant-derived carbon (C) availability for microbes. This impacts microbial residues (i.e., amino sugars), a major component of soil organic carbon (SOC). Previous studies in forests have so far focused on the impact of understory N addition on microbes and microbial residues, but the effect of N deposition through plant canopy, the major pathway of N deposition in nature, has not been explicitly explored. In this study, we investigated whether and how the quantities (25 and 50 kg N ha-1 year-1) and modes (canopy and understory) of N addition affect soil microbial residues in a temperate broadleaf forest under 10-year N additions. Our results showed that N addition enhanced the concentrations of soil amino sugars and microbial residual C (MRC) but not their relative contributions to SOC, and this effect on amino sugars and MRC was closely related to the quantities and modes of N addition. In the topsoil, high-N addition significantly increased the concentrations of amino sugars and MRC, regardless of the N addition mode. In the subsoil, only canopy N addition positively affected amino sugars and MRC, implying that the indirect pathway via plants plays a more important role. Neither canopy nor understory N addition significantly affected soil microbial biomass (as represented by phospholipid fatty acids), community composition and activity, suggesting that enhanced microbial residues under N deposition likely stem from increased microbial turnover. These findings indicate that understory N addition may underestimate the impact of N deposition on microbial residues and SOC, highlighting that the processes of canopy N uptake and plant-derived C availability to microbes should be taken into consideration when predicting the impact of N deposition on the C sequestration in temperate forests.

Distribution, ecological risk, and sediment-influencing mechanisms of heavy metals in surface sediments along the intertidal gradient in typical mangroves in Hainan, China.

The relative importance of each sediment physicochemical property to sediment heavy-metal (HM) contents has not yet been quantitatively evaluated. Differences in the HM contents of mangrove surface sediments among the high, middle, and low intertidal zones, and their quantitative relationships to sediment physicochemical properties, were investigated in Dongzhaigang and Qinglan Harbor reserves, Hainan, China. In both reserves, the Cu and Ni concentrations increased significantly from the low to high intertidal zones; the patterns of change in the Mn and Pb contents were opposite in the two reserves. The Cr concentration was significantly lower and the Pb concentration was significantly higher in the dry season than in the wet season. Ecological risks of HM were higher in Dongzhaigang than in Qinglan Harbor. Regression and redundancy (hierarchical partitioning) analyses showed that the sediment total sulfur, nitrogen and potassium contents and pH were key factors affecting the HM contents of mangrove surface sediments.

WTAP/YTHDF1-mediated m6A modification amplifies IFN-γ-induced immunosuppressive properties of human MSCs.

INTRODUCTION: The immunosuppressive capacity of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is dependent on the "license" of several pro-inflammatory factors to express immunosuppressive molecular profiles, which determines the therapeutic efficacy of MSCs in immune-mediated inflammatory diseases. Of those, interferon-γ (IFN-γ) is a key inducer for the expression of immunosuppressive molecular profiles; however, the mechanism underlying this effect is unknown. OBJECTIVES: To elucidate the regulation mechanism and biological functions of N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification in the immunosuppressive functions by the IFN-γ-licensing MSCs. METHODS: Epitranscriptomic microarray analysis and MeRIP-qPCR assay were performed to identify the regulatory effect of WTAP in the IFN-γ-licensing MSCs. RIP-qPCR, western blot, qRT-PCR and RNA stability assays were used to determine the regulation of WTAP/m6A/YTHDF1 signaling axis in the expression of immunosuppressive molecules. Further, functional capacity of T cells was tested using flow cytometry, and both DSS-induced colitis mice and CIA mice were constructed to clarify the effect of WTAP and YTHDF1 in MSC-mediated immunosuppression. RESULTS: We identified that IFN-γ increased the m6A methylation levels of immunosuppressive molecules, while WTAP deficiency abolished the IFN-γ-induced promotion of m6A modification. IFN-γ activated ERK signaling, which induced WTAP phosphorylation. Additionally, the stabilization of WTAP post-transcriptionally increased the mRNA expression of immunosuppressive molecules (IDO1, PD-L1, ICAM1, and VCAM1) in an m6A-YTHDF1-dependent manner; this effect further impacted the immunosuppressive capacity of IFN-γ licensing MSCs on activated T cells. Notably, WTAP/YTHDF1 overexpression enhanced the therapeutic efficacy of IFN-γ licensing MSCs and restructures the ecology of inflammation in both colitis and arthritis models. CONCLUSION: Our results showed that m6A modification of IDO1, PD-L1, ICAM1, and VCAM1 mRNA mediated by WTAP-YTHDF1 is involved in the regulation of IFN-γ licensing MSCs immunosuppressive abilities, and shed a light to enhance the clinical therapeutic potential of IFN-γ-licensing MSCs.

Whole brain multiparametric mapping in two minutes using a dual-flip-angle stack-of-stars blipped multi-gradient-echo acquisition.

A new MRI technique is presented for three-dimensional fast simultaneous whole brain mapping of myelin water fraction (MWF), T1, proton density (PD), R2*, magnetic susceptibility (QSM), and B1 transmit field (B1+). Phantom and human (N = 9) datasets were acquired using a dual-flip-angle blipped multi-gradient-echo (DFA-mGRE) sequence with a stack-of-stars (SOS) trajectory. Images were reconstructed using a subspace-based algorithm with a locally low-rank constraint. A novel joint-sparsity-constrained multicomponent T2*-T1 spectrum estimation (JMSE) algorithm is proposed to correct for the T1 saturation effect and B1+/B1- inhomogeneities in the quantification of MWF. A tissue-prior-based B1+ estimation algorithm was adapted for B1 correction in the mapping of T1 and PD. In the phantom study, measurements obtained at an acceleration factor (R) of 12 using prospectively under-sampled SOS showed good consistency (R2 > 0.997) with Cartesian reference for R2*/T1app/M0app. In the in vivo study, results of retrospectively under-sampled SOS with R = 6, 12, 18, showed good quality (structure similarity index measure > 0.95) compared with those of fully-sampled SOS. Besides, results of prospectively under-sampled SOS with R = 12 showed good consistency (intraclass correlation coefficient > 0.91) with Cartesian reference for T1/PD/B1+/MWF/QSM/R2*, and good reproducibility (coefficient of variation < 7.0 %) in the test-retest analysis for T1/PD/B1+/MWF/R2*. This study has demonstrated the feasibility of simultaneous whole brain multiparametric mapping with a two-minute scan using the DFA-mGRE SOS sequence, which may overcome a major obstacle for neurological applications of multiparametric MRI.

The current insights of mitochondrial hormesis in the occurrence and treatment of bone and cartilage degeneration.

It is widely acknowledged that aging, mitochondrial dysfunction, and cellular phenotypic abnormalities are intricately associated with the degeneration of bone and cartilage. Consequently, gaining a comprehensive understanding of the regulatory patterns governing mitochondrial function and its underlying mechanisms holds promise for mitigating the progression of osteoarthritis, intervertebral disc degeneration, and osteoporosis. Mitochondrial hormesis, referred to as mitohormesis, represents a cellular adaptive stress response mechanism wherein mitochondria restore homeostasis and augment resistance capabilities against stimuli by generating reactive oxygen species (ROS), orchestrating unfolded protein reactions (UPRmt), inducing mitochondrial-derived peptides (MDP), instigating mitochondrial dynamic changes, and activating mitophagy, all prompted by low doses of stressors. The varying nature, intensity, and duration of stimulus sources elicit divergent degrees of mitochondrial stress responses, subsequently activating one or more signaling pathways to initiate mitohormesis. This review focuses specifically on the effector molecules and regulatory networks associated with mitohormesis, while also scrutinizing extant mechanisms of mitochondrial dysfunction contributing to bone and cartilage degeneration through oxidative stress damage. Additionally, it underscores the potential of mechanical stimulation, intermittent dietary restrictions, hypoxic preconditioning, and low-dose toxic compounds to trigger mitohormesis, thereby alleviating bone and cartilage degeneration.

AI and machine learning in medical imaging: key points from development to translation.

Innovation in medical imaging artificial intelligence (AI)/machine learning (ML) demands extensive data collection, algorithmic advancements, and rigorous performance assessments encompassing aspects such as generalizability, uncertainty, bias, fairness, trustworthiness, and interpretability. Achieving widespread integration of AI/ML algorithms into diverse clinical tasks will demand a steadfast commitment to overcoming issues in model design, development, and performance assessment. The complexities of AI/ML clinical translation present substantial challenges, requiring engagement with relevant stakeholders, assessment of cost-effectiveness for user and patient benefit, timely dissemination of information relevant to robust functioning throughout the AI/ML lifecycle, consideration of regulatory compliance, and feedback loops for real-world performance evidence. This commentary addresses several hurdles for the development and adoption of AI/ML technologies in medical imaging. Comprehensive attention to these underlying and often subtle factors is critical not only for tackling the challenges but also for exploring novel opportunities for the advancement of AI in radiology.

Music-based therapeutic interventions for medical school students with emotional regulation and mental health: a pre-post cohort study.

Purpose: Depression and anxiety are prevalent mental health challenges among college students. Music therapy has shown effectiveness in addressing depressive symptoms and enhancing psychosomatic functioning. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a 4-step structured music therapy program in improving mood and reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety among medical school students. Materials and methods: The self-controlled study involved 45 medical school students (21 men and 24 women) aged 18-24 years to examine the prevalence of depression and anxiety, common mental health issues among medical school students. Participants underwent psychological assessment using the Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90), Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), and Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS). An 8-week music therapy intervention, comprising four steps-sociality, interaction, music lessons, and creative expression-was administered. Results: Before-intervention, 55.6% and 15.6% students were identified as suffering from depression and anxiety respectively. Post-intervention, significant reductions in psychological distress, particularly in the Global Severity Index (GSI) and Positive Symptom Total (PST) on the SCL-90 scale, were observed (P < 0.05). Male students exhibited notable improvements in various psychological symptoms compared to females. Junior grade students demonstrated greater improvements, and clinical medicine students exhibited significant enhancements in specific areas post-intervention. Conclusion: The structured music therapy program showed promising results in improving mood and regulating emotions among medical school students. Music therapy holds potential as a holistic approach to address mental health challenges in this demographic.

4.4 kW Nd:YAG slab amplifier with a high repetition frequency and high beam quality.

Using the self-developed fused indium wetting technology and planar waveguide, the uniform heat dissipation of the slab crystal and uniform pumping of the pump light were achieved, respectively. Based on the master oscillator power amplification (MOPA) scheme, the power was then amplified when the seed light source passed through the Nd:YAG slab crystal three times. Additionally, the image transfer system that we added to the amplified optical path achieved high beam quality. Finally, we obtained a rectangular pulsed laser with an output average power of 4461 W, a repetition frequency of 20 kHz, a pulse width of 62 ns, an optical-to-optical conversion efficiency of 26.8%, and a beam quality of ß x=7.0 and ß y=7.7.

Ferroptosis in health and disease.

Ferroptosis is a pervasive non-apoptotic form of cell death highly relevant in various degenerative diseases and malignancies. The hallmark of ferroptosis is uncontrolled and overwhelming peroxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids contained in membrane phospholipids, which eventually leads to rupture of the plasma membrane. Ferroptosis is unique in that it is essentially a spontaneous, uncatalyzed chemical process based on perturbed iron and redox homeostasis contributing to the cell death process, but that it is nonetheless modulated by many metabolic nodes that impinge on the cells' susceptibility to ferroptosis. Among the various nodes affecting ferroptosis sensitivity, several have emerged as promising candidates for pharmacological intervention, rendering ferroptosis-related proteins attractive targets for the treatment of numerous currently incurable diseases. Herein, the current members of a Germany-wide research consortium focusing on ferroptosis research, as well as key external experts in ferroptosis who have made seminal contributions to this rapidly growing and exciting field of research, have gathered to provide a comprehensive, state-of-the-art review on ferroptosis. Specific topics include: basic mechanisms, in vivo relevance, specialized methodologies, chemical and pharmacological tools, and the potential contribution of ferroptosis to disease etiopathology and progression. We hope that this article will not only provide established scientists and newcomers to the field with an overview of the multiple facets of ferroptosis, but also encourage additional efforts to characterize further molecular pathways modulating ferroptosis, with the ultimate goal to develop novel pharmacotherapies to tackle the various diseases associated with - or caused by - ferroptosis.

Targeting BMP2 for therapeutic strategies against hepatocellular carcinoma.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the role of BMP2 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) growth and metastasis using a dual approach combining single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and bulk RNA-seq. METHODS: scRNA-seq data from the GEO database and bulk RNA-seq data from the TCGA database were analyzed. Differentially expressed marker genes of endothelial cells were identified and analyzed using enrichment analysis, PPI analysis, correlation analysis, and GSEA. In vitro, experiments were conducted using the Huh-7 HCC cell line, and in vivo, models of HCC growth and metastasis were established by knocking down BMP2. RESULTS: The scRNA-seq analysis identified BMP2 as a key marker gene in endothelial cells of HCC samples. Elevated BMP2 expression correlated with poor prognosis in HCC. In vitro experiments showed that silencing BMP2 inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of liver cancer cells. In vivo studies confirmed increased BMP2 expression in HCC tissues, promoting angiogenesis and HCC growth. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the role of BMP2 in tumor angiogenesis and HCC progression. Targeting BMP2 could be a promising therapeutic strategy against HCC.

Crystal phase and nanoscale size regulation utilizing the in-situ catalytic pyrolysis of bamboo sawdust in the recycling of spent lithium batteries.

Current Li-ion battery (LIB) recycling methods exhibit the disadvantages of low metal recovery efficiencies and high levels of pollution and energy consumption. Here, products generated via the in-situ catalytic pyrolysis of bamboo sawdust (BS) were utilized to regulate the crystal phase and nanoscale size of the NCM cathode to enhance the selective Li extraction and leaching efficiencies of other valuable metals from spent LIBs. The catalytic effect of the NCM cathode significantly promoted the release of gases from BS pyrolysis. These gases (H2, CO, and CH4) finally transformed the crystal phase of the NCM cathode from LiNixCoyMnzO2 into (Ni-Co/MnO/Li2CO3)/C. The size of the spent NCM cathode material was reduced approximately 31.7-fold (from 4.1 µm to 129.2 nm) after roasting. This could be ascribed to the in-situ catalytic decomposition of aromatic compounds generated via the primary pyrolysis of BS into C and H2 on the surface of the cathode material, resulting in the formation of the nanoscale composite (Ni-Co/MnO/Li2CO3)/C. This process enabled the targeted control of the crystal phase and nanoscale size of the material. Water leaching studies revealed a remarkable selective Li extraction efficiency of 99.27 %, and sulfuric acid leaching experiments with a concentration of 2 M revealed high extraction efficiencies of 99.15 % (Ni), 93.87 % (Co), and 99.46 % (Mn). Finally, a novel mechanism involving synergistic thermo-reduction and carbon modification for crystal phase regulation and nanoscale control was proposed. This study provides a novel concept for use in enhancing the recycling of valuable metals from spent LIBs utilizing biomass waste and practices the concept of "treating waste with waste".

Xuefu Zhuyu decoction promotes synaptic plasticity by targeting miR-191a-5p/BDNF-TrkB axis in severe traumatic brain injury.

BACKGROUND: Xuefu Zhuyu decoction (XFZYD) is a traditional Chinese herbal formula known for its ability to eliminate blood stasis and improve blood circulation, providing neuroprotection against severe traumatic brain injury (sTBI). However, the underlying mechanism is still unclear. PURPOSE: We aim to investigate the neuroprotective effects of XFZYD in sTBI from a novel mechanistic perspective of miRNA-mRNA. Additionally, we sought to elucidate a potential specific mechanism by integrating transcriptomics, bioinformatics, and conducting both in vitro and in vivo experiments. METHODS: The sTBI rat model was established, and the rats were treated with XFZYD for 14 days. The neuroprotective effects of XFZYD were evaluated using a modified neurological severity score, hematoxylin and eosin staining, as well as Nissl staining. The anti-inflammatory effects of XFZYD were explored using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), Western blot analysis, and immunofluorescence. Next, miRNA sequencing of the hippocampus was performed to determine which miRNAs were differentially expressed. Subsequently, qRT-PCR was used to validate the differentially expressed miRNAs. Target core mRNAs were determined using various methods, including miRNA prediction targets, mRNA sequencing, miRNA-mRNA network, and protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis. The miRNA/mRNA regulatory axis were verified through qRT-PCR or Western blot analysis. Finally, morphological changes in the neural synapses were observed using transmission electron microscopy and immunofluorescence. RESULTS: XFZYD exhibited significant neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects on subacute sTBI rats' hippocampus. The analyses of miRNA/mRNA sequences combined with the PPI network revealed that the therapeutic effects of XFZYD on sTBI were associated with the regulation of the rno-miR-191a-5p/BDNF axis. Subsequently, qRT-PCR and Western blot analysis confirmed XFZYD reversed the decrease of BDNF and TrkB in the hippocampus caused by sTBI. Additionally, XFZYD treatment potentially increased the number of synaptic connections, and the expression of the synapse-related protein PSD95, axon-related protein GAP43 and neuron-specific protein TUBB3. CONCLUSIONS: XFZYD exerts neuroprotective effects by promoting hippocampal synaptic remodeling and improving cognition during the subacute phase of sTBI through downregulating of rno-miR-191a-5p/BDNF axis, further activating BDNF-TrkB signaling.