Stepwise Stiffening/Softening of and Cell Recovery from Reversibly Formulated Hydrogel Double Networks.

Biomechanical contributions of the ECM underpin cell growth and proliferation, differentiation, signal transduction, and other fate decisions. As such, biomaterials whose mechanics can be spatiotemporally altered - particularly in a reversible manner - are extremely valuable for studying these mechanobiological phenomena. Herein, we introduce a poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-based hydrogel model consisting of two interpenetrating step-growth networks that are independently formed via largely orthogonal bioorthogonal chemistries and sequentially degraded with distinct bacterial transpeptidases, affording reversibly tunable stiffness ranges that span healthy and diseased soft tissues (e.g., 500 Pa - 6 kPa) alongside terminal cell recovery for pooled and/or single-cell analysis in a near "biologically invisible" manner. Spatiotemporal control of gelation within the primary supporting network was achieved via mask-based and two-photon lithography; these stiffened patterned regions could be subsequently returned to the original soft state following sortase-based secondary network degradation. Using this approach, we investigated the effects of 4D-triggered network mechanical changes on human mesenchymal stem cell (hMSC) morphology and Hippo signaling, as well as Caco-2 colorectal cancer cell mechanomemory at the global transcriptome level via RNAseq. We expect this platform to be of broad utility for studying and directing mechanobiological phenomena, patterned cell fate, as well as disease resolution in softer matrices.

Coronary artery calcification in Takayasu's arteritis: clinical characteristics and risk factors.

OBJECTIVES: Coronary artery calcification (CAC) is frequently observed in Takayasu's arteritis (TAK). Our objective is to calculate the prevalence and severity of CAC in TAK, while evaluating the influence of traditional cardiovascular risk factors, glucocorticoid exposure, and disease activity on CAC. METHODS: This retrospective study involved 155 TAK patients. We measured the Agatston score by coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) and categorised all patients into groups with or without CAC (41 vs. 114) to compare clinical characteristics and ancillary findings between the two groups. RESULTS: Among the TAK patients, a total of 41 TAK patients (26.45%) exhibited CAC. Age of onset, disease duration, history of hypertension, history of hyperlipidaemia, Numano V and glucocorticoid use emerged as the independent risk factors for developing CAC in TAK (OR [95% CI] 1.084[1.028-1.142], p=0.003; 1.005 [1.001-1.010], p=0.020; 4.792 [1.713-13.411], p=0.003; 4.199 [1.087-16.219], p=0.037; 3.287 [1.070-10.100], p=0.038; 3.558[1.269-9.977], p=0.016). Nonetheless, CAC was not associated with disease activity. Moreover, the extent of calcification score in TAK showed a positive correlation with the number of traditional cardiovascular risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: We recommend CCTA screening for Numano V classified TAK patients. Glucocorticoid usage significantly escalates the risk of CAC. Therefore, in cases of effectively controlled disease, the inclusion of immunosuppressants aimed at reducing glucocorticoid dosage is advisable.

Long-term night shift work, genetic predisposition, and risk of incident asthma: a prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Evidence about a potential link between current and lifetime night shift work and risk of incident asthma is insufficient. AIM: To investigate the association of current and lifetime night shift work with risk of incident asthma, and the modified effect of genetic susceptibility on this association. DESIGN AND METHODS: We included 253,773 individuals with complete night shift work information in the UK biobank. We calculated the standard polygenetic risk score (PRS) for asthma. The Cox proportional hazard models were conducted to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CIs. RESULTS: After multivariable adjustments, we found that current night shift work was associated with an increased risk of incident asthma in a dose-response fashion (P for trend<0.001). Compared with day workers, those working usual/permanent night shifts had a 17% (95% CI: 1.04-1.33) higher risk of asthma incidence. In addition, we observed significant dose-dependent relationships of longer lifetime duration or frequency of night shift work with elevated risk of asthma incidence (all P for trend<0.05). Compared with never night shift workers, those with a duration (≥5 years) or frequency (≥8 nights/month) of night shift work exhibited a 20% (95% CI: 1.03-1.39) or 22% (95% CI: 1.03-1.44) higher risk of incident asthma, respectively. Moreover, the elevated risk of incident asthma related to current and lifetime night shift work exposure was strengthened by high PRS, although no significant shift work-PRS interactions were detected. CONCLUSION: Both current and lifetime night shift work may increase the risk of incident asthma, regardless of genetic predisposition to asthma.

Elevated serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D: a potential indicator of remission in Takayasu arteritis patients with normal ESR and CRP levels.

OBJECTIVE: The goal of the present study was to investigate the correlation between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels and disease remission in Takayasu arteritis (TAK) patients. METHODS: This retrospective study included 59 patients in the study group and 80 patients in the validation cohort with TAK. After 6 months of therapy, patients were re-evaluated, and serum 25(OH)D levels were compared before and after treatment. Correlations between changes in 25(OH)D levels and changes in disease activity scores (NIH, ITAS2010, ITAS.A) were analyzed. Additionally, a predictive cut-off value for disease remission was determined. RESULTS: After 6 months of therapy, serum 25(OH)D levels in TAK patients significantly increased compared to baseline [(18.33 ± 7.25)µg/L vs (11.77 ± 4.14) µg/L] (P < 0.001). Positive correlations were observed between the increasing changes in the 25(OH)D level and the decreasing changes in the reduced NIH, ITAS2010, and ITAS.A scores (r = 0.455, P < 0.001; r = 0.495, P < 0.001; and r = 0.352 P = 0.006, respectively). A change of 8.45 µg/L in 25(OH)D level was identified as the predictive cut-off value for TAK remission (sensitivity 54.1%, specificity 90.9%, area under the curve = 0.741). Similarly for patients with normal baseline ESR, sensitivity is 68.0%, specificity is 92.3%, and area under the curve is 0.831, and for patients with normal baseline CRP, sensitivity is 58.3%, specificity is 90.0%, and area under the curve is 0.748. Validation in an additional 80 patients demonstrated a higher remission rate in those with a 25(OH)D level change > 8.45 µg/L. CONCLUSION: Serum 25(OH)D levels significantly increased after treatment in TAK patients, and an increase of ≥ 8.45 µg/L was predictive of disease remission, especially in individuals with normal baseline ESR and/or CRP levels. Key Points • Following treatment, there was a significant increase in serum 25(OH)D levels among TAK patients. • The elevated changes in 25(OH)D levels before and after treatment demonstrated a positive correlation with the reduction in disease activity scores. • In patients with TAK before and after treatment, an elevation in serum 25(OH)D levels exceeding 8.45 µg/L serves as an indicator for disease remission, particularly prominent in individuals with normal baseline ESR and/or CRP levels.

Associations of polychlorinated biphenyls exposure, lifestyle, and genetic susceptibility with dyslipidemias: Evidence from a general Chinese population.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are endocrine-disrupting chemicals that have been associated with various adverse health conditions. Herein we explored the associations of PCBs with dyslipidemia and further assessed the modification effect of genetic susceptibility and lifestyle factors. Six serum PCBs (PCB-28, 101, 118, 138, 153, 180) were determined in 3845 participants from the Wuhan-Zhuhai cohort. Dyslipidemia, including hyper-total cholesterol (HyperTC), hyper-triglyceride (HyperTG), hyper-low density lipoprotein cholesterol (HyperLDL-C), and hypo-high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HypoHDL-C) were determined, and lipid-specific polygenic risk scores (PRS) and healthy lifestyle score were constructed. We found that all six PCB congeners were positively associated with the prevalence of dyslipidemias, and ΣPCB level was associated with HyperTC, HyperTG, and HyperLDL-C in dose-response manners. Compared with the lowest tertiles of ΣPCB, the odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) in the highest tertiles were 1.490 (1.258, 1.765) for HyperTC, 1.957 (1.623, 2.365) for HyperTG, and 1.569 (1.316, 1.873) for HyperLDL-C, respectively. Compared with those with low ΣPCB, healthy lifestyle, and low genetic risk, participants with high ΣPCB, unfavorable lifestyle, and high genetic risk had the highest odds of HyperTC, HyperTG, and HyperLDL-C. Our study provided evidence that high PCB exposure exacerbated the association of genetic risk and unhealthy lifestyle with dyslipidemia.

Two distinct SNARE complexes mediate vesicle fusion with the plasma membrane to ensure effective development and pathogenesis of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense.

SNAREs (soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptors) facilitate docking and fusion of vesicles with their target membranes, playing a crucial role in vesicle trafficking and exocytosis. However, the spatial assembly and roles of plasma membrane (PM)-associated SNAREs in phytopathogen development and pathogenicity are not clearly understood. In this study, we analysed the roles and molecular mechanisms of PM-associated SNARE complexes in the banana Fusarium wilt fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense tropical race 4 (FocTR4). Our findings demonstrate that FocSso1 is important for the fungal growth, conidiation, host penetration and colonization. Mechanistically, FocSso1 regulates protein secretion by mediating vesicle docking and fusion with the PM and hyphal apex. Interestingly, a FocSso1-FocSec9-FocSnc1 complex was observed to assemble not only at the fungal PM but also on the growing hyphal apex, facilitating exocytosis. FocSso2, a paralogue of FocSso1, was also found to form a ternary SNARE complex with FocSec9 and FocSnc1, but it mainly localizes to the PM in old hyphae. The functional analysis of this protein demonstrated that it is dispensable for the fungal growth but necessary for host penetration and colonization. The other subunits, FocSec9 and FocSnc1, are involved in the fungal development and facilitate host penetration. Furthermore, FocSso1 and FocSnc1 are functionally interdependent, as loss of FocSso1 leads to mis-sorting and degradation of FocSnc1 in the vacuole and vice versa. Overall, this study provides insight into the formation of two spatially and functionally distinct PM SNARE complexes and their involvement in vesicle exocytosis to regulate development and pathogenicity of FocTR4.

Decreased IL-4 is the risk factor of depression in patients with Takayasu arteritis.

Objective: Depression is a common complication in Takayasu arteritis (TA). Disorders of the immune system play an important role in both diseases. This study aimed to clarify the feature of cytokines in TA patients with depression. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, serum cytokines were tested in 40 TA patients and 11 healthy controls using the Bio-Plex Magpix System (Bio-Rad®). The state of depression was measured by the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) in TA patients. Logistic regression analysis was performed to find the risk factors of depression in patients with TA. Results: TA patients with depression had higher ESR, hsCRP, NIH, and ITAS.A than patients without depression (16.00 [10.00, 58.50]mm/H vs. 7.50 [4.50, 17.75]mm/H, p = 0.013; 7.60 [2.32, 46.52]mg/L vs. 0.71 [0.32, 4.37]mg/L, p = 0.001; 2.00 [2.00, 3.00] vs. 1.00 [0.00, 2.00], p = 0.007; 7.00 [4.00, 9.50] vs. 1.50 [0.00, 5.75], p = 0.012, respectively). Additionally, the lower age of onset and levels of IL-4, IL-13, eotaxin, and IP-10 were observed in the depressed group compared with the non-depressed (23.50 [19.25, 32.50]pg./ml vs. 37.00 [23.25, 42.50]pg./ml, p = 0.017; 2.80 [2.17, 3.18]pg./ml vs. 3.51 [3.22, 4.66]pg./ml, p < 0.001; 0.66 [0.60, 1.12]pg./ml vs. 1.04 [0.82, 1.25]pg./ml, p = 0.008; 46.48 [37.06, 61.75]pg./ml vs. 69.14 [59.30, 92.80]pg./ml, p = 0.001; 184.50 [138.23, 257.25]pg./ml vs. 322.32 [241.98, 412.60]pg./ml, p = 0.005, respectively). The lower level of IL-4 and age of onset were the independent risk factors for depression in TA patients (OR [95% CI] 0.124 [0.018, 0.827], p = 0.031; 0.870 [0.765, 0.990], p = 0.035, respectively). Conclusion: Our data suggested that lower cytokine levels, especially IL-4, might be involved in the development of TA patients with depression. Clinicians can probably use serum IL-4 level testing as a potential indicator of depression in TA.

Dry Ball-Milled Quinoa Starch as a Pickering Emulsifier: Preparation, Microstructures, Hydrophobic Properties and Emulsifying Properties.

This research supplied a "cleaner-production" way to produce "clean-label" quinoa starch-based Pickering emulsifier with excellent emulsifying properties. The effects of dry ball-milling time and speed on the multi-scale structures and emulsifying properties of quinoa starch were studied. With increasing ball-milling time and speed, particle size first decreased and then increased, the crystallinity, lamellar structure and short-range ordered structure gradually decreased, and contact angle gradually increased. The increased contact angle might be related to the increased oil absorption properties and the decreased water content. The emulsification properties of ball-milled quinoa starch (BMQS)-based Pickering emulsions increased with the increase in ball-milling time and speed, and the emulsions of BMQS-4 h, 6 h, 8 h, and 600 r reached the full emulsification state. After 120 days' storage, the oil droplets of BMQS-2 h (BMQS-400 r) deformed, the oil droplets increased, and the emulsification index decreased. The emulsification index and the oil droplets of BMQS-4 h, 6 h, 8 h and 600 r-based emulsions did not show obvious changes after storage, indicating the good emulsifying stability of these BMQS-based emulsions, which might be because that the relatively larger amount of starch particles that dispersed in the voids among the oil droplets could act as stronger network skeletons for the emulsion gel. This Pickering emulsifier was easily and highly efficiently produced and low-cost, having great potential to be used in the food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries.

Estimating the methane flux of the Dajiuhu subalpine peatland using machine learning algorithms and the maximal information coefficient technique.

The eddy covariance (EC) technique has emerged as the most widely used method for long-term continuous methane flux (FCH4) observations. However, the completeness of the FCH4 time series is limited by instrumental failures and data quality issues, resulting in missing data gaps ranging from 20 % to 90 %. In this situation, the excellent performance of machine learning (ML) algorithms in filling missing FCH4 data has provided a foundation for developing regional-scale FCH4 models. In this study, we established estimation models for FCH4 utilizing random forest (RF), support vector machine (SVM), back propagation (BP) and nonlinear multiple regression (MLR) algorithms. The maximal information coefficient (MIC) technique was employed to identify and rank the environmental factors that were correlated with FCH4. Our findings revealed that soil temperature (Ts), soil water content (SWC) and air temperature (Ta) were the primary environmental factors influencing FCH4. Among the four algorithms, from perspectives of model accuracy and relatively small number of driving factors, the RF models exhibited the best performance, followed by BP and SVM, whereas MLR demonstrated the lowest performance. Among the 144 RF models established using nine datasets, RF model with 8 driving factors in all-year (RFall-year8) could capture seasonal variations. Ultimately, we recommend (RFall-year8 as the optimal model for estimating FCH4 in the Dajiuhu subalpine peatland.

Microascaceae from the Marine Environment, with Descriptions of Six New Species.

Most reported members of Microascaceae that have been reported originate from the terrestrial environment, where they act as saprobes or plant pathogens. However, our understanding of their species diversity and distribution in the marine environment remains vastly limited, with only 22 species in nine genera having been reported so far. A survey of the fungal diversity in intertidal areas of China's mainland has revealed the discovery of several Microascaceae strains from 14 marine algae and 15 sediment samples. Based on morphological characteristics and LSU-ITS-tef1-tub2 multilocus phylogeny using Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood methods, 48 strains were identified as 18 species belonging to six genera. Among these, six new species were discovered: Gamsia sedimenticola, Microascus algicola, M. gennadii, Scedosporium ellipsosporium, S. shenzhenensis, and S. sphaerospermum. Additionally, the worldwide distribution of the species within this family across various marine habitats was briefly reviewed and discussed. Our study expands the knowledge of species diversity and distribution of Microascaceae in the marine environment.

Screening of probiotic Lactobacillus to reduce peanut allergy and with potential anti-allergic activity.

BACKGROUND: Peanut is a significant source of nutrition and a valuable oilseed crop. It is also a serious allergy source, which poses a threat to 1.1% of the population. This study aimed to screen lactic acid bacteria (LAB) with the capacity to alleviate peanut allergenicity and exhibit anti-allergic properties. RESULT: The results show that LAB can make use of substances in peanuts to reduce the pH of peanut milk from 6.603 to 3.593-4.500 by acid production and that it can utilize the protein in peanuts to reduce the allergenic content (especially Ara h 1) and improve biological activity in peanut pulp. The content of Ara h 1 peanut-sensitizing protein was reduced by 74.65% after fermentation. The protein extracted from fermented peanut pulp is more readily digestible by gastrointestinal juices. The inhibitory activity assay of hyaluronidase (an enzyme with strong correlation to allergy) increased from 46.65% to a maximum of 90.57% to reveal that LAB fermentation of peanut pulp exhibited a robust anti-allergic response. CONCLUSION: The strains identified in this study exhibited the ability to mitigate peanut allergenicity partially and to possess potential anti-allergic properties. Lactobacillus plantarum P1 and Lactobacillus salivarius C24 were identified as the most promising strains and were selected for further research. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

PCSK9 regulates myofibroblast transformation through the JAK2/STAT3 pathway to regulate fibrosis after myocardial infarction.

Cardiac fibrosis is pivotal in the progression of numerous cardiovascular diseases. This phenomenon is hallmarked by an excessive deposition of ECM protein secreted by myofibroblasts, leading to increased myocardial stiffness. Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is a serine protease that belongs to the proprotein-converting enzyme family. It has emerged as a viable therapeutic target for reducing plasma low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. However, the exact mechanism via which PCSK9 impacts cardiac fibrosis remains unclear. In the present research, an increase in circulating PCSK9 protein levels was observed in individuals with myocardial infarction and rat models of myocardial infarction. Moreover, the inhibition of circulating PCSK9 in rats was found to reduce post-infarction fibrosis. In vitro experiments further demonstrated that overexpression of PCSK9 or stimulation by extracellular PCSK9 recombinant protein enhanced the transformation of cardiac fibroblasts to myofibroblasts. This process also elevated collagen Ⅰ, and Ⅲ, as well as α-SMA protein levels. However, these effects were countered when co-incubated with the STAT3 inhibitor S3I-201. This study suggests that PCSK9 may function as a novel regulator of myocardial fibrosis, primarily via the JAK2/STAT3 pathway.

Protective effects of Salvianic acid A against multiple-organ ischemia-reperfusion injury: a review.

Ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury refers to a new injury caused by reperfusion after the restoration of ischemic tissue or organ blood supply. Salvianic acid A (danshensu) is a primary active ingredient extracted from Salvia miltiorrhiza. It has a protective function against I/R injury in the cardiovascular system, brain, liver, kidney, gastrointestinal tract, and other organs. This article reviews evidence of the protective effects of Salvianic acid A and its potential mechanisms of action in organ I/R injury protection. The aim of this review is to investigate the role of Salvianic acid A in the treatment of I/R injury, providing a reference resource that could facilitate subsequent studies.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease: ferroptosis related mechanisms and potential drugs.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is considered a "multisystem" disease that simultaneously suffers from metabolic diseases and hepatic steatosis. Some may develop into liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and even hepatocellular carcinoma. Given the close connection between metabolic diseases and fatty liver, it is urgent to identify drugs that can control metabolic diseases and fatty liver as a whole and delay disease progression. Ferroptosis, characterized by iron overload and lipid peroxidation resulting from abnormal iron metabolism, is a programmed cell death mechanism. It is an important pathogenic mechanism in metabolic diseases or fatty liver, and may become a key direction for improving MASLD. In this article, we have summarized the physiological and pathological mechanisms of iron metabolism and ferroptosis, as well as the connections established between metabolic diseases and fatty liver through ferroptosis. We have also summarized MASLD therapeutic drugs and potential active substances targeting ferroptosis, in order to provide readers with new insights. At the same time, in future clinical trials involving subjects with MASLD (especially with the intervention of the therapeutic drugs), the detection of serum iron metabolism levels and ferroptosis markers in patients should be increased to further explore the efficacy of potential drugs on ferroptosis.

Analysis of coronary computed tomography angiography-derived pericoronary fat attenuation index characteristics in the diagnostic assessment of patients with Takayasu arteritis.

Background: The clinical value of pericoronary adipose tissue in assessing Takayasu arteritis (TAK) with coronary artery involvement (CAI) is yet to be determined. The purpose of this study was to investigate the characteristics of pericoronary fat attenuation index (FAI) derived from coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) in patients with TAK. Methods: This is a retrospective study involving enrollment of 111 consecutive patients (mean age, 33.92±12.48 years) who were diagnosed as TAK, of which 52 patients had coronary artery involvement (TAK-CAI) and 59 patients without coronary artery involvement (TAK-nonCAI). Based on the extent of coronary artery lesion, the TAK-CAI group was further classified into localized group (n=25) and diffused group (n=27). Furthermore, patients with TAK were divided into active group (n=33) and inactive group (n=78). Meanwhile, 51 gender-matched individuals with normal appearance in coronary CTA examination were enrolled as the control group. The pericoronary FAI was quantitatively evaluated on each coronary CTA examination groups. The diagnostic value of pericoronary FAI was determined using the area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristic. Results: A higher pericoronary FAI was found in TAK-nonCAI group than control group with normal coronary arteries (P<0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that the FAI is an independent risk factor for coronary involvement in TAK patients [odds ratio (OR): 1.23, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.13-1.35, P<0.001]. With the best cut-off value of -86.50, the pericoronary FAI identified coronary involvement with 67.8% sensitivity and 74.5% specificity (AUC: 0.794, 95% CI: 0.713-0.875, P<0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that the pericoronary FAI is an independent risk factor for determination of active TAK patients (OR: 1.57, 95% CI: 1.25-1.97, P<0.001). With the best cut-off value of -79.50, the pericoronary FAI identified active inflammation with 93.9% sensitivity and 74.4% specificity (AUC: 0.911, 95% CI: 0.860-0.962, P<0.001). Conclusions: Coronary CTA-derived FAI is significantly increased in patients with TAK and can be used as a reliable biomarker to distinguish TAK patients from those with normal coronary arteries, and determine the extent of TAK inflammation.

IRF1 suppresses colon cancer proliferation by reducing SPI1-mediated transcriptional activation of GPX4 and promoting ferroptosis.

IRF1 is a tumor suppressor gene in colon cancer. This study aimed to explore the potential regulation of IRF1 on the ferroptosis of colon cancer and the mechanisms underlying its regulation of GPX4 transcription. IRF1 interacting transcription factors regulating GPX4 transcription were predicted and validated. The role of the IRF1/SPI1-GPX4 axis on the ferroptosis of colon cancer cells was explored. Results showed that IRF1 overexpression reduced GPX4 transcription, increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid ROS accumulation, and enhanced erastin-induced colon cancer cell growth in vitro and in vivo. SPI1 could directly bind to the GPX4 promoter (-414 to -409) and activate its transcription. IRF1 could bind to SPI1 and suppress its transcriptional activating effects on GPX4 expression. SPI1 overexpression reduced ROS and lipid ROS accumulation and increased colon cancer cell viability and colony formation upon erastin induction. These trends were reversed by IRF1 overexpression. In conclusion, this study revealed a novel oncogenic mechanism of SPI1 by reducing erastin-induced ferroptosis in colon cancer. IRF1 interacts with SPI1 and suppresses its transcriptional activating effect on GPX4 expression. Through this mechanism, IRF1 can enhance erastin-induced ferroptosis of colon cancer. The IRF1/SPI1-GPX4 axis might play a crucial role in modulating ferroptosis in colon cancer and might serve as a potential therapeutic target in the future.

High Curvature PEDOT:PSS Transport Layer Toward Enhanced Perovskite Light-Emitting Diodes.

The rapidly developed metal halide perovskite light-emitting diodes (PeLEDs) are considered as a promising candidate for next-generation display and illumination, but the unbalanced charge transport is still a hard-treat case to restrict its efficiency and operational stability. Here, a high curvature PEDOT:PSS transport layer is demonstrated via the self-assembly island-like structures by the incorporation of alkali metal salts. Benefiting from the dielectric confinement effect of the high curvature surface, the modified CsPbBr3 -based PeLEDs present a 2.1 times peak external quantum efficiency (EQE) from 6.75% to 14.23% and a 3.3 times half lifetime (T50 ) from 3.96 to 13.01 h. Besides, the PeLEDs show high luminance up to 44834 cd m-2 . Evidently, this work may provide a deep insight into the structure-activity relationship between the micro-structures at the PEDOT:PSS/perovskite interface and the performance of PeLEDs, and crack the codes for ameliorating the performance of PeLEDs via interfacial micro-structured regulation.

Modulation of the Microbiome-Fat-Liver Axis by Lactic Acid Bacteria: A Potential Alleviated Role in High-Fat-Diet-Induced Obese Mice.

The major characteristics of obesity are abnormal lipid metabolism, chronic inflammation, and imbalanced gut microbiota. It has been reported that lactic acid bacteria (LAB) possess potential for alleviating obesity, considering which the strain-specific functions and diverse mechanisms and the roles and mechanisms of various LAB are worthy of investigation. This study aimed to validate and investigate the alleviating effects and underlying mechanisms of three LAB strains, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum NCUH001046 (LP), Limosilactobacillus reuteri NCUH064003, and Limosilactobacillus fermentum NCUH003068 (LF), in high-fat-diet-induced obese mice. The findings demonstrated that the three strains, particularly LP, suppressed body weight gain and fat deposition; ameliorated lipid disorders, liver and adipocyte morphology, and chronic low-grade inflammation; and reduced lipid synthesis via activating the adenosine 5'-monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway. In addition, LP and LF decreased the enrichment of bacteria positively correlated with obesity, like Mucispirillum, Olsenella, and Streptococcus, but facilitated the growth of beneficial bacteria negatively correlated with obesity, like Roseburia, Coprococcus, and Bacteroides, along with increasing the short-chain fatty acid levels. It is deduced that the underlying alleviating mechanism of LP was to modulate the hepatic AMPK signaling pathway and gut microbiota by the microbiome-fat-liver axis to alleviate obesity development. In conclusion, as a diet supplement, LP has promising potential in obesity prevention and treatment.

Early-life tobacco smoke exposure, genetic susceptibility and the risk of type 2 diabetes in adulthood: A large prospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to assess the relationships between early-life tobacco smoke exposures and the incident risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D) in later life as well as the joint effects and interactions between genetic susceptibility and early-life tobacco exposures. METHODS: We used data on in utero tobacco exposure and the age of smoking initiation to estimate the status of early-life tobacco exposure in the UK Biobank. Cox proportion hazard models were applied to estimate the associations between early-life tobacco exposure and T2D risk and investigate joint effects and interactions of early-life tobacco smoke exposure with genetic susceptibility. RESULTS: Among 407,943 subjects from the UK Biobank, 17,115 incident cases were documented during a median follow-up of 12.80 years. Compared with subjects without prenatal tobacco exposure, those with in utero tobacco exposure had a higher risk of T2D with a hazard ratio (HR) (95 % confidence interval [CI]) of 1.11 (1.08, 1.15). Besides, the HRs (95 % CIs) of incident T2D for smoking initiation in adulthood, adolescence, and childhood (vs. never smokers) were 1.36 (1.31, 1.42), 1.44 (1.38, 1.50), and 1.78 (1.69, 1.88), respectively (P trend <0.001). No interaction between early-life tobacco exposure and genetic susceptibility was observed. In addition, participants with prenatal (HR 4.67 [95 % CI 4.31, 5.06]) or childhood (6.91 [6.18, 7.72]) tobacco exposure combined with high genetic risk showed the highest risk of T2D, compared to low genetic risk subjects without early-life smoke exposure. CONCLUSION: Early-life tobacco exposure was associated with an increased risk of T2D later in life regardless of genetic background. This highlights the significance of education campaigns aimed at reducing smoking among children, adolescents, and pregnant women as an effective measure to combat the T2D epidemic.

Sub-hourly measurement datasets from 6 real buildings: Energy use and indoor climate.

The data presented here were collected independently for 6 real buildings by researchers of different institutions and gathered in the context of the IEA EBC Annex 81 Data-driven Smart Buildings, as a joint effort to compile a diverse range of datasets suitable for advanced control applications of indoor climate and energy use in buildings. The data were acquired by energy meters, both consumption and PV generation, and sensors of technical installation and indoor climate variables, such as temperature, flow rate, relative humidity, CO2 level, illuminance. Weather variables were either acquired by local sensors or obtained from a close by meteorological station. The data were collected either during normal operation of the building, with observation periods between 2 weeks and 2 months, or during experiments designed to excite the thermal mass of the building, with observation periods of approximately one week. The data have a time resolution varying between 1 min and 15 min; in some case the highest resolution data are also averaged at larger intervals, up to 30 min.