Integrating social, climate and environmental changes to confront accelerating global aging.

INTRODUCTION: The global increase in the aging population presents critical challenges for healthcare systems, social security, and economic stability worldwide. Although the studies of the global rate of aging have increased more than four times in the past two decades, few studies have integrated the potential combined effects of socio-economic, climatic, and environmental factors. METHODS: We calculated the geographic heterogeneity of aging population growth rates from 218 countries between 1960 and 2022. Public databases were then integrated to assess the impacts of seven global stressors: socio-economic vulnerability, temperature, drought, seasonality, climate extremes, air pollution, and greening vulnerability on growth rates of aging population (a totally 156 countries). Linear regression models were primarily used to test the statistically significant effects of these stressors on the rate of aging, and multiple model inference was then used to test whether the number of stressors exceeding specific thresholds (e.g., > 25, 50, and 75%) was consistently significant in the best models. The importance of stressors and the number of stressors exceeding thresholds was verified using random forest models for countries experiencing different population aging rates. RESULTS: Our analysis identified significant heterogeneity in growth rates of aging population globally, with many African countries exhibiting significantly lower aging rates compared with Europe. High socio-economic vulnerability, increased climate risks (such as high temperature and intensive extreme climate), and decreased environmental quality were found to significantly increase growth rates of the aging population (P < 0.05). The positive combined impacts of these stressors were diminished at medium-high levels of stressors (i.e., relative to their maximum levels observed in nature). The number of global stressors exceeding the 25% threshold emerged as an important predictor of global aging rates. Demographic changes in regions with relatively rapid aging (e.g., Africa and Asia) are more sensitive to climate change (e.g., extreme climate and drought) and the number of global stressors, and regions with low to medium rates of aging (e.g., Europe and the Americas) are more sensitive to socio-economic vulnerability and environmental stability (e.g., drought, green fragility and air pollution). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings underscore that policy tools or methods must be developed that consider the holistic dimension of the global factor. Further investigations are essential to understand the complex interactions between multiple stressors and their combined effects on global aging.

Complete genome sequences of two Pantoea stewartii strains ATCC 8199 from maize and PSCN1 from sugarcane.

OBJECTIVES: The pathogen of Pantoea stewartii (Ps) is the causal agent of bacterial disease in corn and various graminaceous plants. Ps has two subspecies, Pantoea stewartii subsp. stewartia (Pss) and Pantoea stewartii subsp. indologenes (Psi). This study presents two complete genomes of Ps strains including ATCC 8199 isolated from maize and PSCN1 causing bacterial wilt in sugarcane. The two bacterial genomes information will be helpful for taxonomy analysis in this genus Pantoea at whole-genome levels and accurately discriminated the two subspecies of Pss and Psi. DATA DESCRIPTION: The reference strain ATCC 8199 isolated from maize was purchased from Beijing Biobw Biotechnology Co., Ltd. (China) and the strain of PSCN1 was isolated from sugarcane cultivar YZ08-1095 in Zhanjiang, Guangdong province of China. Two complete genomes were sequenced using Illumina Hiseq (second-generation) and Oxford Nanopore (third-generation) platforms. The genome of the strain ATCC 8199 comprised of 4.78 Mb with an average GC content of 54.03%, along with five plasmids, encoding a total of 4,846 gene with an average gene length of 827 bp. The genome of PSCN1 comprised of 5.03 Mb with an average GC content of 53.78%, along with two plasmids, encoding a total of 4,725 gene with an average gene length of 913 bp. The bacterial pan-genome analysis highlighted the strain ATCC 8199 was clustered into a subgroup with a Pss strain CCUG 26,359 from USA, while the strain PSCN1 was clustered into another subgroup with a Ps strain NRRLB-133 from USA. These findings will serve as a useful resource for further analyses of the evolution of Ps strains and corresponding disease epidemiology worldwide.

Protopanaxadiol synergizes with glucocorticoids to enhance the therapeutic effect in adriamycin-induced nephrotic syndrome.

To date, glucocorticoids remain the mainstay of treatment of nephrotic syndrome (NS). However, serious side effects and development of drug-resistance following long-term use limit the application of glucocorticoids. Protopanaxadiol (PPD) possesses activity of dissociating transactivation from transrepression by glucocorticoid receptor (GR), which may serve as a potential selective GR modulator. However, steroid-like effects of PPD in vivo are unclear and not defined. How to translate PPD into clinical practice remains to be explored. The current study explored the renoprotection and potential mechanism of PPD and its combination with steroid hormones using adriamycin-induced NS rats. Adriamycin was given intravenously to rats to induce nephropathy. The determination of proteinuria, biochemical changes and inflammatory cytokines were performed, and pathological changes were examined by histopathological examination. Immunostaining and PCR were used to analyze the expression of interesting proteins and genes. The results showed that PPD, alone and in combination with prednisone, efficiently alleviate the symptoms of NS, attenuate nephropathy, improve adriamycin-induced podocyte injury by reducing desmin and increasing synaptopodin expression. In addition, the combined treatment reduced the expression of NF-κB protein and mRNA, as well as cytokine levels, and yet increased the expression of GR protein and mRNA. PPD modulated the transactivation of GR, manifested as repressing TAT, PEPCK and ANGPTL4 mRNA expressions mediated by GR. Meanwhile, PPD inhibited elevation of blood glucose and immune organ atrophy induced by prednisone. In summary, PPD increases the therapeutic effect of prednisone in NS while effectively prevents or decreases the appearance of side effects of glucocorticoids.

Expression and Diagnostic Value of miR-3591-5p in Patients with Congenital Heart Disease-Associated Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension.

OBJECTIVES: This study explored the expression and diagnostic value of differentially expressed miR-3591-5p in congenital heart disease-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension (CHD-PAH). METHODS: A total of 110 CHD patients were divided into four groups based on their mean pulmonary artery pressure (PAPm). The plasma miR-3591-5p expression was determined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The correlation between the miR-3591-5p expression and various clinical indices, as well as its diagnostic value for CHD-PAH patients, were analyzed. RESULTS: The plasma levels of miR-3591-5p were significantly higher in the patients in the no PAH group, mild PAH group, and moderate to severe PAH group than in the control group, and they were significantly higher in the moderate to severe PAH group than in the no PAH group. Correlation analysis revealed that the miR-3591-5p expression level was significantly positively correlated with various clinical indicators, including the PAPm, pulmonary artery systolic pressure, brain natriuretic peptide, pulmonary vascular resistance, red blood cell distribution width, uric acid, Na + , systolic blood pressure, left atrial internal dimension, left ventricular end-diastolic dimension, and left ventricular end-systolic dimension. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses identified the plasma miR-3591-5p level as an independent risk factor for CHD-PAH. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis demonstrated that the plasma miR-3591-5p level had a moderate diagnostic value for CHD-PAH, which was further improved when combined with a B-type natriuretic peptide. CONCLUSION: This study identified the expression profiles of differentially expressed plasma miRNAs in patients with CHD-PAH, focusing on the upregulation of miR-3591-5p. Bioinformatics analysis suggested that miR-3591-5p is involved in the pathogenesis of CHD-PAH and may serve as a circulating biomarker that may have diagnostic and prognostic value in CHD-PAH.

Clinical characteristics analysis of 24 cases of pediatric MOG antibody-associated diseases.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical characteristics of children with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (MOGAD). METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data, antibody tests, imaging, and factors associated with recurrence in 24 children diagnosed with MOGAD at Wuxi Children's Hospital from December 2017 to December 2023. RESULTS: Among the 24 included children, the clinical characteristics at the onset of the first episode included fever (12 cases), headache (8), decreased vision (7), drowsiness (6), convulsions (5), ataxia (3), paralysis of both lower limbs (2), urinary and fecal incontinence (2), and central facial palsy (1). Among them, one case started with paralysis of both lower limbs and urinary retention, and electromyography suggested the involvement of peripheral nerves, leading to the diagnosis of MOG antibody-associated central and peripheral demyelinating syndrome (MOGAD-CCPD). Cranial MRI abnormalities were observed in 20 children, and spinal MRI abnormalities were noted in 6 children. All children responded well to corticosteroids and intravenous immunoglobulin, but 7 children experienced a relapse. Among them, 3 children achieved disease control after the addition of mycophenolate mofetil (CellCept), with no further relapses observed during follow-up. CONCLUSION: The disease course of MOGAD can be monophasic or relapsing. Most children have a good response to acute phase treatments. For those who relapse, immunosuppressants can be added as maintenance therapy, and the clinical prognosis is generally good. This article reports the first highly rare case in China of MOGAD-CCPD in childhood, suggesting that MOG IgG may serve as a potential biomarker associated with CCPD.

Construction and application of "organ-system-centered" undergraduate nursing professional training model.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to construct an organ system-centered undergraduate nursing professional training model and explore its application effect. METHODS: This study is divided into two steps. In the early stage, literature review and expert consultation were used to establish the training mode (curriculum and assessment standard) of nursing undergraduate specialty based on organ system reform. Secondly, a cross-sectional survey method was used to investigate the training quality of nursing students who graduated from Jinzhou Medical University from 2007 to 2017 under this model. RESULTS: A five-module curriculum system was established, including general courses, public basic courses, professional education courses, expanding elective courses and concentrated practical teaching. Under the teaching reform of organ system, the nursing graduates of Jinzhou Medical University, who are mainly employed in public hospitals, are generally not satisfied with their jobs, salaries, contents and prospects. Their overall satisfaction with their alma mater is very high; Graduates have certain independent core competence; Employers are basically satisfied with graduates. CONCLUSION: The training mode of undergraduate nursing specialty based on organ system reform basically meets the training requirements and objectives.

Association of phthalates exposure and sex steroid hormones with late-onset preeclampsia: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between phthalates exposure and estrogen and progesterone levels, as well as their role in late-onset preeclampsia. METHODS: A total of 60 pregnant women who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were recruited. Based on the diagnosis of preeclampsia, participants were divided into two groups: normotensive pregnant women (n = 30) and pregnant women with late-onset preeclampsia (n = 30). The major metabolites of phthalates (MMP, MEP, MiBP, MBP, MEHP, MEOHP, MEHHP) and sex steroid hormones (estrogen and progesterone) were quantified in urine samples of the participants. RESULTS: No significant differences were observed in the levels of MMP, MEP, MiBP, MBP, MEHP, MEOHP, and MEHHP between women with preeclampsia and normotensive pregnant women (P > 0.05). The urinary estrogen showed a negative correlation with systolic blood pressure (rs= -0.46, P < 0.001) and diastolic blood pressure (rs= -0.47, P < 0.001). Additionally, the urinary estrogen and progesterone levels were lower in women with preeclampsia compared to those in normotensive pregnant women (P < 0.05). After adjusting for confounding factors, we observed a significant association between reduced urinary estrogen levels and an increased risk of preeclampsia (aOR = 0.09, 95%CI = 0.02-0.46). Notably, in our decision tree model, urinary estrogen emerged as the most crucial variable for identifying pregnant women at a high risk of developing preeclampsia. A positive correlation was observed between urinary progesterone and MEHP (rs = 0.36, P < 0.05) in normotensive pregnant women. A negative correlation was observed between urinary estrogen and MEP in pregnant women with preeclampsia (rs= -0.42, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Phthalates exposure was similar in normotensive pregnant women and those with late-onset preeclampsia within the same region. Pregnant women with preeclampsia had lower levels of estrogen and progesterone in their urine, while maternal urinary estrogen was negatively correlated with the risk of preeclampsia and phthalate metabolites (MEP). TRIAL REGISTRATION: Registration ID in Clinical Trials: NCT04369313; registration date: 30/04/2020.

Salivary Protein Sfapyrase of Spodoptera frugiperda Stimulates Plant Defence Response.

Plants have developed various resistance mechanisms against herbivorous insects through prolonged coevolution. Plant defence responses can be triggered by specific compounds present in insect saliva. Apyrase, a known enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and adenosine diphosphate (ADP) into adenosine monophosphate (AMP) and inorganic phosphorus, has recently been identified in some herbivorous insects. However, whether insect salivary apyrase induces or inhibits plant responses remains poorly understood. In this study, we identified an apyrase-like protein in the salivary proteome of the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, named Sfapyrase. Sfapyrase was primarily expressed in the salivary gland and secreted into plants during insect feeding. Transient expression of Sfapyrase in tobacco and maize enhanced plant resistance and resulted in decreased insect feeding. Knockdown of Sfapyrase through RNA interference led to increased growth and feeding of S. frugiperda. Furthermore, we showed that Sfapyrase activates the jasmonic acid signalling pathway and promotes the synthesis of secondary metabolites, especially benzoxazinoids, thereby enhancing resistance to S. frugiperda. In summary, our findings demonstrated that Sfapyrase acts as a salivary elicitor, inducing maize jasmonic acid defence responses and the production of insect-resistant benzoxazinoids. This study provides valuable insights into plant-insect interactions and offers potential targets for developing innovative insect pest management strategies.

Label-Free Raman Spectroscopy for Assessing Purity and Maturation of hiPSC-Derived Cardiac Tissue.

I. BACKGROUND: Human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) derived cardiomyocytes (CMs) have been utilized in drug toxicity evaluation, drug discovery, and treating heart failure patients, showing substantial effects. Ensuring the quality, purity, and maturation of hiPSC-CMs during large-scale production is crucial. There is a growing demand for a novel method to characterize cell molecular profiles without labels and without causing damage. II. METHODS: In this study, we employed label-free Raman microscopy to evaluate hiPSC-derived CMs. The study involved the characterization of cell molecular profiles without labels and without causing damage. The correlation between Raman spectroscopy of specific components, such as cytochrome c and myoglobin, and CM purity and maturation following hiPSC differentiation was investigated. Additionally, the validation of this correlation was performed by assessing mixtures of commercially available CMs (iCell cardiomyocytes2) and fibroblasts at various ratios as well as hiPSC-derived CMs with different efficiencies. Furthermore, CMs were matured using rapid pacing of traveling waves, and the Raman profiles of matured CMs were compared to those of immature ones. III. RESULTS: Raman spectroscopy indicated that the cytochrome c and myoglobin showed correlation with the purity and maturation of CMs following differentiation of hiPSCs. This correlation was validated through experiments involving different CM-fibroblast mixtures and hiPSC-derived CMs with varying efficiencies. Moreover, matured CMs exhibited markedly different Raman profiles compared to immature ones, indicating the potential of Raman imaging as a tool for assessing CM maturation. IV. CONCLUSIONS: We discovered that Raman spectroscopy of certain components, such as cytochrome c and myoglobin, correlates with the CM purity and maturation following hiPSC differentiation. The findings of this study highlight the potential of label-free Raman microscopy as a nondestructive, high-content, and time-efficient method for quality control of hiPSC-derived CMs. This approach could significantly contribute to ensuring the quality and maturity of hiPSC-CMs for various applications in drug discovery and regenerative medicine.

Multidisciplinary management of ulcerative colitis complicated by immune checkpoint inhibitor-associated colitis with life-threatening gastrointestinal hemorrhage: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) inhibitors are immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) that have demonstrated significant efficacy in treating various advanced malignant tumors. While most patients tolerate treatment well, several adverse drug reactions, such as fatigue, myelosuppression, and ICI-associated colitis, have been reported. CASE SUMMARY: This case involved a 57-year-old male patient with ulcerative colitis complicated by hepatocarcinoma who underwent treatment with tirelizumab (a PD-1 inhibitor) for six months. The treatment led to repeated life-threatening lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage. The patient received infliximab, vedolizumab, and other salvage procedures but ultimately required subtotal colectomy due to uncontrollable massive lower gastrointestinal bleeding. Currently, postoperative gastrointestinal bleeding has stopped, the patient's stool has turned yellow, and his full blood cell count has returned to normal. CONCLUSION: This case highlights the necessity of early identification, timely and adequate treatment of ICI-related colitis, and rapid escalation to achieve the goal of improving prognosis.

Individual and combined effects of famine exposure and obesity parameters on type 2 diabetes in middle-aged and older adults: A population-based cross-sectional study.

Malnutrition early in life may have adverse effects on health later in life. The relationship between malnutrition and obesity parameters (body mass index [BMI] and waist circumference [WC]) and type 2 diabetes is inconsistent. This study aimed to identify the effects of famine exposure and obesity parameters on type 2 diabetes individually or in combination among middle-aged and older adults in China. Data were extracted from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study Wave1 in 2011. The sample involved 13,065 adults aged 45 to 90. The t- or F test was employed to compare age among groups. The chi-square test was utilized to compare baseline characteristics according to the categorical WC levels/BMI levels/famine exposure and examine between-group differences in type 2 diabetes (diabetes and non-diabetes). Odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were estimated by logistic regression models to estimate the individual and combined associations of BMI/WC levels and famine exposure with the prevalence of type 2 diabetes. In this study, 1559 (11.93%) individuals were exposed to Chinese famine during their fetal stage, 5132 (39.28%) and 4428 (33.89%) in childhood and adolescence/adulthood, respectively. Among BMI measurements, 3780 (28.93%) were overweight, and 1487 (11.38%) were obese, whereas WC measurements showed that 5408 (41.39%) were obesity. In addition, 831 (45.48%) males and 996 (54.52%) females reported type 2 diabetes. In multivariable-adjusted regression models, obesity parameters and famine exposure were independently associated with type 2 diabetes prevalence among all participants (P < .001). In the interaction analysis, there existed a trend of higher odds for prevalence of type 2 diabetes across all groups compared to the combination of no-exposed and normal BMI/WC level group (the most increase in odds, adolescence/adulthood-exposed group with central obesity in WC levels: OR 4.51 (95% CI = 3.42-5.95); adolescence/adulthood-exposed group with obesity in BMI levels: OR 5.84 (95% CI = 4.11-8.30; P for interaction <.001). The findings for females exhibited similar to the overall participants, when by gender stratification. Our results suggest famine exposure and obesity parameters have positive combined effects on type 2 diabetes in middle-aged and older adults in China.

Novel PATL2 variants cause female infertility with oocyte maturation defect.

PURPOSE: Oocyte maturation defect (OOMD) is a rare cause of in vitro fertilization failure characterized by the production of immature oocytes. Compound heterozygous or homozygous PATL2 mutations have been associated with oocyte arrest at the germinal vesicle (GV), metaphase I (MI), and metaphase II (MII) stages, as well as morphological changes. METHODS: In this study, we recruited three OOMD cases and conducted a comprehensive multiplatform laboratory investigation. RESULTS: Whole exome sequence (WES) revealed four diagnostic variants in PATL2, nonsense mutation c.709C > T (p.R237*) and frameshift mutation c.1486_1487delinsT (p.A496Sfs*4) were novel mutations that have not been reported previously. Furthermore, the pathogenicity of these variants was predicted using in silico analysis, which indicated detrimental effects. Molecular dynamic analysis suggested that the A496S variant disrupted the hydrophobic segment, leading to structural changes that affected the overall protein folding and stability. Additionally, biochemical and molecular experiments were conducted on cells transfected with wild-type (WT) or mutant PATL2 (p.R237* and p.A496Sfs*4) plasmid vectors. CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrated that PATL2A496Sfs*4 and PATL2R237* had impacts on protein size and expression level. Interestingly, expression levels of specific genes involved in oocyte maturation and early embryonic development were found to be simultaneously deregulated. The findings in our study expand the variation spectrum of the PATL2 gene, provide solid evidence for counseling on future pregnancies in affected families, strongly support the application of in the diagnosis of OOMD, and contribute to the understanding of PATL2 function.

KDM4C represses liver fibrosis by regulating H3K9me3 methylation of ALKBH5 and m6A methylation of snail1 mRNA.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to disclose the molecular mechanism of snail1 in liver fibrosis. METHODS: Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) was used to induce a liver fibrosis model in mice whereby serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels were evaluated, and liver pathological alternations were assessed. Rat hepatic stellate cells (HSC-T6) were irritated with transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß1, followed by assessment of cell viability and migration. The levels of snail1, ALKBH5, and lysine specific demethylase 4C (KDM4C) were quantified by immunohistochemistry, western blot, or reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction, in addition to α-smooth muscle actin (SMA), anti-collagen type I α1 (COL1A1), vimentin, and E-cadherin. Photoactivatable ribonucleoside-enhanced crosslinking and immunoprecipitation and RNA stability were evaluated to determine the relationship between ALKBH5 and snail1. Changes in KDM4C-bound ALKBH5 promoter and enrichment of histone H3 lysine 9 trimethylation (H3K9me3) at the ALKBH5 promoter were determined using chromatin immunoprecipitation. RESULTS: In fibrosis mice, snail1 was upregulated while ALKBH5 and KDM4C were downregulated. KDM4C overexpression reduced serum ALT and AST levels, liver injury, and α-SMA, COL1A1 and VIMENTIN expressions but increased E-cadherin expression. However, the aforementioned trends were reversed by concurrent overexpression of snail1. In HSC-T6 cells exposed to TGF-ß1, ALKBH5 overexpression weakened cell viability and migration, downregulated α-SMA, COL1A1 and VIMENTIN, upregulated E-CADHERIN, and decreased m6A modification of snail1 and its mRNA stability. KDM4C increased ALKBH5 expression by lowering H3K9me3 level, but inhibited HSC-T6 cell activation by regulating the ALKBH5/snail1 axis. CONCLUSION: KDM4C decreases H3K9me3 methylation to upregulate ALKBH5 and subsequently inhibits snail1, ultimately impeding liver fibrosis.

Anti-adipogenesis and anti-obesity potential of alliin mediated by modulating glycolipid metabolism via activating PPARγ signaling.

Garlic exhibits hypolipidemic, hypoglycemic, and cardiovascular benefits. The inconsistent results of garlic preparations on adipogenesis have caused more confusion in the public and academia. The compounds responsible for the anti-adipogenesis effect of garlic remain unknown. The present study aimed to verify the real anti-adipogenesis and anti-obesity component in garlic and explored its possible effects in metabolic syndrome. We verified the real anti-adipogenesis and anti-obesity components of garlic in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and a 10-week-high fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice. In vitro, two water-soluble and four typical lipid-soluble compounds of garlic were tested for their anti-adipogenesis. Then, the water-soluble compound, alliin, and two processing methods produced garlic oils, were evaluated in vivo study. Mice received oral administration of alliin (25 mg/kg) and garlic oils (15 mg/kg) daily for 8 weeks. Serum lipids, parameters of obesity, and indicators involved in regulating glycolipid metabolism were examined. Our findings confirmed that both water-soluble and lipid-soluble organosulfur compounds of garlic contributed to garlic's anti-adipogenesis effect, in which water-soluble sulfides, especially alliin, exhibited greater potency. Alliin possessed potent effects of anti-obesity and improvement in glucose and lipid metabolism in HFD-induced obese mice. Alliin mediated these effects partly attributed to its modulation of enzymatic activities within glycolipid metabolism and activating PPARγ signaling pathway. In contrast to odorous lipid-soluble sulfides, alliin is odorless, stable, and safe, and is an ideal nutraceutical or even medicinal candidates for the treatment of metabolic diseases. Alliin could be used to standardize the quality of garlic products.

Photocatalytic NO x removal and recovery: progress, challenges and future perspectives.

The excessive production of nitrogen oxides (NO x ) from energy production, agricultural activities, transportation, and other human activities remains a pressing issue in atmospheric environment management. NO x serves both as a significant pollutant and a potential feedstock for energy carriers. Photocatalytic technology for NO x removal and recovery has received widespread attention and has experienced rapid development in recent years owing to its environmental friendliness, mild reaction conditions, and high efficiency. This review systematically summarizes the recent advances in photocatalytic removal, encompassing NO x oxidation removal (including single and synergistic removal and NO3 - decomposition), NO x reduction to N2, and the emergent NO x upcycling into green ammonia. Special focus is given to the molecular understanding of the interfacial nitrogen-associated reaction mechanisms and their regulation pathways. Finally, the status and the challenges of photocatalytic NO x removal and recovery are critically discussed and future outlooks are proposed for their potential practical application.

Four-years change of BMI and waist circumference are associated with metabolic syndrome in middle-aged and elderly Chinese.

The purpose of the study was to determine whether changes in body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) in middle-aged and elderly Chinese are associated with metabolic syndrome. In this cohort investigation, 3697 middle-aged and elderly people aged 45 or over were recruited from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). The National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (2005) defined metabolic syndrome (MetS). With Cox regression analysis, we calculated hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for MetS based on BMI-WC change categories. To assess the prevalence of MetS, the changes in BMI and WC levels were classified into four quartiles based on their relative and absolute changes. In subjects whose BMI and WC decreased (HR = 0.338; 95% CIs 0.264, 0.433) as well as those whose BMI increased and their WC decreased (HR = 0.375; 95% CIs 0.228, 0.499), metabolic syndrome risk was significantly lower compared with those with increases in both BMI and WC. Regarding the absolute changes in BMI, the lowest percentile of BMI was significantly lower in both males (HR = 0.302; 95% CIs 0.204, 0.448) and females (HR = 0.486; 95% CIs 0.354, 0.667) for the risk of metabolic syndrome. Similar results were observed in the absolute changes in WC, with the lowest quantile of WC having a significant impact on MetS risk in males (HR = 0.170; 95% CIs 0.107, 0.270) and females (HR = 0.303; 95% CIs 0.217, 0.424). The risk of metabolic syndrome was significantly associated with changes in BMI and WC in middle-aged and elderly Chinese. A reduced BMI and WC are associated with lower metabolic syndrome risks in middle-aged and elderly people.

Development of composite functional tissue sheets using hiPSC-CMs and hADSCs to improve the cardiac function after myocardial infarction.

Human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) have been widely used in therapy of ischemic heart disease. However, there are still remaining issues that limit the therapeutic efficacy, such as immune rejection and low retention of hiPSC-CMs. Human adipose mesenchymal stromal cells (hADSCs) have been reported to be able to regulate the immune response, promote angiogenesis and promote the maturation of hiPSC-CMs. In this study, we co-cultured these two types of cells on fiber scaffold made of biodegradable poly (D,L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) polymer for several days to develop a composited 3D cardiac tissue sheet. As expected, the cells formed 231.00 ± 15.14 µm thickness tissue, with improved organization, alignment, ECM condition, contractile ability, and paracrine function compared to culture hiPSC-CMs only on PLGA fiber. Furthermore, the composited 3D cardiac tissue sheet significantly promoted the engraftment and survival after transplantation. The composited 3D cardiac tissue sheet also increased cardiac function, attenuated ventricular remodeling, decreased fibrosis, and enhanced angiogenesis in rat myocardial infarction model, indicating that this strategy wound be a promising therapeutic option in the clinical scenario.

Localized High-Concentration Sulfone Electrolytes with High-Voltage Stability and Flame Retardancy for Ni-Rich Lithium Metal Batteries.

The localized high-concentration electrolyte (LHCE) propels the advanced high-voltage battery system. Sulfone-based LHCE is a transformative direction compatible with high energy density and high safety. In this work, the application of lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulphonyl)imide and lithium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide (LiFSI) in the LHCE system constructed from sulfolane and 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethyl-2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropyl ether (TTE) is investigated. The addition of diluent causes an increase of contact ion pairs and ionic aggregates in the solvation cluster and an acceptable quantity of free solvent molecules. A small amount of LiFSI as an additive can synergistically decompose with TTE on the cathode and participate in the construction of both electrode interfaces. The designed electrolyte helps the Ni-rich system to cycle firmly at a high voltage of 4.5 V. Even with high mass load and lean electrolyte, it can keep a reversible specific capacity of 91.5% after 50 cycles. The constructed sulfone-based electrolyte system exhibits excellent thermal stability far beyond the commercial electrolytes. Further exploration of in-situ gelation has led to a quick conversion of the designed liquid electrolyte to the gel state, accompanied by preserved stability, which provides a direction for the synergistic development of LHCE with gel electrolytes.

Obesity and lipid indices as predictors of depressive symptoms in middle-aged and elderly Chinese: insights from a nationwide cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Depressive symptoms are one of the most common psychiatric disorders, with a high lifetime prevalence rate among middle-aged and elderly Chinese. Obesity may be one of the risk factors for depressive symptoms, but there is currently no consensus on this view. Therefore, we investigate the relationship and predictive ability of 13 obesity- and lipid-related indices with depressive symptoms among middle-aged and elderly Chinese. METHODS: The data were obtained from The China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). Our analysis includes individuals who did not have depressive symptoms at the baseline of the CHARLS Wave 2011 study and were successfully follow-up in 2013 and 2015. Finally, 3790 participants were included in the short-term (from 2011 to 2013), and 3660 participants were included in the long-term (from 2011 to 2015). The average age of participants in short-term and long-term was 58.47 years and 57.88 years. The anthropometric indicators used in this analysis included non-invasive [e.g. waist circumference (WC), body mass index (BMI), and a body mass index (ABSI)], and invasive anthropometric indicators [e.g. lipid accumulation product (LAP), triglyceride glucose index (TyG index), and its-related indices (e.g. TyG-BMI, and TyG-WC)]. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to examine the predictive ability of various indicators for depressive symptoms. The association of depressive symptoms with various indicators was calculated using binary logistic regression. RESULTS: The overall incidence of depressive symptoms was 20.79% in the short-term and 27.43% in the long-term. In males, WC [AUC = 0.452], LAP [AUC = 0.450], and TyG-WC [AUC = 0.451] were weak predictors of depressive symptoms during the short-term (P < 0.05). In females, BMI [AUC = 0.468], LAP [AUC = 0.468], and TyG index [AUC = 0.466] were weak predictors of depressive symptoms during the long-term (P < 0.05). However, ABSI cannot predict depressive symptoms in males and females during both periods (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The research indicates that in the middle-aged and elderly Chinese, most obesity- and lipid-related indices have statistical significance in predicting depressive symptoms, but the accuracy of these indicators in prediction is relatively low and may not be practical predictors.