Title High Solar-Thermal Conversion Aerogel for Efficient Atmospheric Water Harvesting.

The shortage of freshwater is a global problem, however, the gel that can be used for atmospheric water harvesting (AWH) in recent years studying, suffer from salt leakage, agglomeration, and slow water evaporation efficiency. Herein, a solar-driven atmospheric water harvesting (SAWH) aerogel is prepared by UV polymerization and freeze-drying technique, using poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAm), hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC), ethanolamine-decorate LiCl (E-LiCl) and polyaniline (PANI) as raw materials. The PNIPAm and HPC formed aerogel networks makes the E-LiCl stably and efficiently loaded, improving the water adsorption-desorption kinetics, and PANI achieves rapid water vapor evaporation. The aerogel has low density ≈0.12-0.15 g cm-3, but can sustain a weight of 1000 times of its own weight. The synergist of elements and structure gives the aerogel has 0.46-2.95 g g-1 water uptake capability at 30-90% relative humidity, and evaporation rate reaches 1.98 kg m-2 h-1 under 1 sun illumination. In outdoor experiments, 88% of the water is harvesting under natural light irradiation, and an average water harvesting rate of 0.80 gwater gsorbent -1 day-1. Therefore, the aerogel can be used in arid and semi-arid areas to collect water for plants and animals.

High-efficiency fourth harmonic generation and polarization smoothing based on an orthogonal cascade of DKDP crystals: publisher's note.

This publisher's note corrects an error in Appl. Opt.63, 1411 (2024)APOPAI0003-693510.1364/AO.512229.

High-efficiency fourth harmonic generation and polarization smoothing based on an orthogonal cascade of DKDP crystals.

Because of the high efficiency of frequency conversion and beam-target coupling, a fourth harmonic (4ω) laser has a splendid application prospect in a high-power laser facility. The polarization smoothing (PS) crystal is preferably after the frequency conversion crystal to flexibly obtain the best uniformity illumination of the target. However, as a high irradiance 4ω laser beam propagates through the PS crystal, the transverse stimulated Raman scattering (TSRS) effect of the PS crystal will be stronger, resulting in significant energy dissipation and crystal damage. This paper proposes a novel, to the best of our knowledge, fourth harmonic generation (FHG) scheme based on an orthogonal cascade of the DKDP crystals. This orthogonal cascaded FHG (OC-FHG) scheme employs two cascaded FHG crystals with orthogonal optical axes, and the PS crystal is in the middle. The PS crystal can rotate the polarization direction of the 2ω laser by 90°, while the polarization direction of the 4ω laser is maintained to a great extent. This OC-FHG scheme realizes the FHG by two steps, and the laser intensity at the PS crystal cuts down nearly 50%. The output intensity of the 4ω laser can be increased from 1.8G W/c m 2 to about 3.6G W/c m 2 under the condition of effectively inhibiting the TSRS effect. Meanwhile, the output 4ω laser contains two orthogonal polarized beams realizing in-beam polarization smoothing instantaneously. In addition, the novel FHG scheme can also have a high conversion efficiency and bandwidth tolerance.

Insulin-like growth factor 1 promotes the gonadal development of Pampus argenteus by regulating energy metabolism†.

Insulin-like growth factor 1 (Igf1) is known to promote ovarian maturation by interacting with other hormones. However, the limited research on the role of Igf1 in the energy metabolism supply of gonads has hindered further exploration. To explore the role of Igf1 in gonadal development of silver pomfret, we analyzed the expression levels and the localization of igf1 mRNA and protein during testicular and ovarian development of silver pomfret. The results of the study showed upregulation of Igf1 in the critical period of vitellogenesis and sperm meiosis, which was found to be mainly expressed in the somatic cells of the gonads. Upon adding E2 and Igf1 to cultured gonadal tissues, the expression of energy-related genes was significantly increased, along with the E2-enhanced effect of Igf1 in the testis. Importantly, stimulation of both ovaries and testes with E2 and Igf1 led to a remarkable increase in the expression of vitellogenesis and meiosis-related genes. Therefore, we conclude that Igf1 promotes vitellogenesis and sperm meiosis by regulating gonadal energy production. Moreover, the expression of Igf1 in gonads is significantly regulated by E2. These findings provide new insights for the research of Igf1 in fish breeding, thus allowing the regulation of energy metabolism between growth and reproduction for successful reproductive outcomes.

Histopathology, immunoenzyme activity and transcriptome analysis of immune response in silver pomfret infected by cryptokaryon (Cryptorchidism irritant).

Cryptorchidism irritant (CI) infection is a major problem in the culturing process of silver pomfret (Pampus argenteus), which can result in rapid and massive death. However, there is limited information available on the immune response of silver pomfret infected by CI. To address this gap, we sampled naturally infected fish and observed milky white translucent oval CI trophozoites on the gills, body surface, and fin rays. Histological analysis showed that CI infection led to vacuolation of epithelial cells and a decrease in blood cells in the gills. We also performed transcriptome profiling of the gill, kidney complex, and spleen, generating 399,616,194 clean reads that assembled into 101,228 unigenes, which were annotated based on public databases. We detected 14,369 differentially expressed genes, and selected several key immune-related genes for further validation using RT-qPCR. The Graft-versus-host pathway and Allograft rejection pathway were enriched in the gills, leading to inflammation and ulceration. CI infection activated the immune system, increasing levels of interleukin-1 beta and MHC class II antigen, and also activated innate and acquired immune genes in silver pomfret. Furthermore, we measured the activities of five immune-related enzymes (SOD, AKP, CAT, CSH and ACP), which all increased to varying degrees after CI infection. Our findings enhance our understanding of the immune response of fish to parasitic infection and may contribute to the development of strategies to prevent high mortality in CI-stimulated fish in aquaculture.

Establishment and characterization of a liver cell line from silver pomfret (Pampus argenteus) for studying fish health.

Fish cell lines have become a useful tool to study in resource conservation, genetic breeding, diseases control, and environmental pollutants detection. The silver pomfret (Pampus argenteus) is a high-valued marine fish species in aquaculture, which is seriously threatened by various fish diseases. In this study, a new cell line derived from P. argenteus liver (PaL) was established and characterized. PaL cells mainly consisted of fibroblast-like morphology and multiplied well in Leibovitz's L-15 medium supplemented with 15% foetal bovine serum and 3 ng/mL basic fibroblast growth factor at 22°C. Amplification of the Cyt b gene confirmed that the origin of PaL cells as P. argenteus. Chromosome analysis revealed that PaL cells had a diploid Karyotyp. The PaL cells were efficiently transfected with pEGFP-N3 plasmids, indicating its potential application in foreign gene manipulation studies. The PaL cells were found to be susceptible to red sea bream iridovirus (RSIV) and the expression of immune-related gene (TLR5) and apoptosis-related genes (Bax, Cyt c3, CASP9) were upregulated. Furthermore, lipopolysaccharide and palmitic acid (PA) treatments decreased cell viability and up-regulated the expression of inflammation related genes (IL-8, IL-1ß). Meanwhile, PA incubation induced cell apoptosis by Bcl-2-regulated caspase activation. In conclusion, the newly established PaL cell line will be an appropriate in vitro tool for viral propagation and immune response.

Effects of different photoperiods on growth and ovarian development and maturation of silver pomfret Pampus argenteus.

Photoperiod has a great influence on the growth and ovarian development and maturation of fishes. To analyse the effects of photoperiod on growth and ovarian development of an important marine economic fish, silver pomfret Pampus argenteus, short photoperiod group (L:D = 8:16), control group (L:D = 12:12) and long photoperiod group (L:D = 18:6) were set up for 60 days. The growth performance, ovarian development, changes in hormones and key enzyme activities in the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis and expressions of key regulatory genes in the HPG axis were studied under different photoperiod conditions. The results showed that the final weight gain, body weight index, specific growth rate for weight, specific growth rate for length and average daily growth were the highest in the long photoperiod group, and the feed conversion rate was the lowest. Under long photoperiod condition, gonado-somatic index and hepato-somatic index were higher, ovarian maturity was better and expressions of HPG axis-related regulatory genes foxl2a, foxl2b, cyp19a1a, cyp19a1b, kiss, gpr54-2, gnrh2, fsh and lh were higher. When compared with the other two groups, in the long photoperiod group, the change trend of estradiol (E2) was consistent with those of luteinizing hormone, melatonin (MT) and kisspeptin, and the levels were higher on the 20th and 50th days. These results indicate that prolongation of the photoperiod can improve the growth performance of P. argenteus and promote ovary development and maturation. The authors speculate that photoperiod may regulate the ovarian activity of P. argenteus through MT and kisspeptin/gpr54 signalling pathways. The results show that photoperiod can regulate the ovarian development of P. argenteus, which would help in breaking the seasonal restrictions of animals and regulating an animal's reproductive cycle.

Adding vitamin D3 to the dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor saxagliptin has the potential to protect ß-cell function in LADA patients: A 1-year pilot study.

AIMS: This trial was conducted to explore the protective effect on ß-cell function of adding vitamin D3 to DPP-4 inhibitors to treat patients with latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA). METHODS: 60 LADA patients were randomized to group A (n = 21) - conventional therapy with metformin (1-1.7 g/day) and/or insulin treatment; group B (n = 20) - saxagliptin (5 mg/day) plus conventional therapy; and group C (n = 19) - vitamin D3 (2000 IU/day) plus saxagliptin and conventional therapy for 12 months. Fasting and 2-hour postprandial blood samples were collected to measure blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin and C-peptide levels at baseline and after 3, 6 and 12 months of treatment. RESULTS: During the 12 months of follow-up, the levels of fasting C-peptide (FCP), 2-hour postprandial C-peptide (PCP) and the C-peptide index (CPI, serum C-peptide-to-plasma glucose level ratio) were maintained in group C. In contrast to those in group A and group B, FCP levels decreased significantly in group B, and CPI levels declined significantly in group A during the 1-year treatment (P < .05). Additionally, the levels of GADA titers in group C significantly decreased compared with those at baseline (P < .05), but no significant differences in GADA titers levels were detected in group A and group B. No significant differences were found among the three groups in the levels of FCP, PCP, the CPI or GADA titers. CONCLUSIONS: The data suggested that adding 2000 IU/day vitamin D3 to saxagliptin might preserve ß-cell function in patients with LADA.

LOW FREE (BUT NOT TOTAL) 25-HYDROXYVITAMIN D LEVELS IN SUBJECTS WITH NORMOCALCEMIC HYPERPARATHYROIDISM.

Objective: Normocalcemic primary hyperparathyroidism (NPHPT) is characterized by elevated parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels with persistently normal calcium levels. The diagnosis of NPHPT assumes the absence of secondary causes of elevated PTH levels. The objective of the current study was to examine levels of free 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) in NPHPT subjects and healthy controls. Methods: Ten NPHPT subjects and 20 controls who were age, sex, race, and body mass index (BMI) matched were examined. The diagnosis of NPHPT was made if subjects had (1) a serum calcium level of 8.6 to 10.4 mg/dL, total 25(OH)D 30 to 40 ng/mL, and intact PTH (iPTH) ≥66 pg/mL; and (2) normal renal and liver function. Serum total 25(OH)D levels were measured by radioimmunoassay, and free 25(OH)D levels were determined using an enzyme-linked immunoassay. Results: Mean age of NPHPT subjects was 59.9 ± 5.4 years, and mean BMI was 28.4 ± 2.3 kg/m2, which was not significantly different from the mean age and BMI of the control subjects. Mean total 25(OH)D level was 31.9 ± 1.7 ng/mL in NPHPT subjects and did not differ from that of the controls (32.7 ± 3.3 ng/mL; P = .52). However, mean free 25(OH)D was 5.0 ± 0.9 pg/mL in NPHPT subjects, which was 20% lower compared to the mean of the controls (6.2 ± 1.3 pg/mL; P = .013). Serum iPTH levels were inversely correlated with levels of measured free 25(OH)D (r = -0.42; P<.05) but did not correlate with levels of total 25(OH)D (r = -0.14; P>.10). Conclusion: Measured free 25(OH)D levels are lower in NPHPT subjects than in healthy control subjects. We suggest that some NPHPT subjects may actually have secondary hyperparathyroidism based on their free 25(OH) D levels. Abbreviations: 25(OH)D = 25-hydroxyvitamin D; BMI = body mass index; CV = coefficient of variation; DBP = vitamin D-binding protein; iPTH = intact parathyroid hormone; NPHPT = normocalcemic primary hyperparathyroidism.

Long-Term Bioavailability of Single Doses of Intramuscular Vitamin D2.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine the long-term bioavailability of single doses of intramuscular (IM) vita-min D2 (D2) in healthy adults. METHODS: Forty healthy volunteers with hypovitaminosis D received a single dose of 200,000, 400,000, or 600,000 IU intramuscular D2 or no treatment. Levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D2 (25[OH]D2) and 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25[OH]D3) in serum were measured by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Vitamin D binding protein (DBP) and intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH), bone turnover markers (BTMs), and serum and urinary calcium were also measured. RESULTS: After a single dose of D2 injection, the level of 25(OH)D2 increased slowly and reached a plateau at 8 weeks. The plateau remained stable for 12 weeks. The mean increase in 25(OH)D2 was 6.8, 9.6, or 15.6 ng/mL after injection of 200,000 IU, 400,000 IU, or 600,000 IU D2. Although endogenous 25(OH)D3 levels were reduced by IM D2, the total 25(OH)D levels increased by 5.0, 7.0, or 10.3 ng/mL in average after injection of 200,000 IU, 400,000 IU, or 600,000 IU D2. The iPTH levels were also decreased by IM D2. However, levels of serum calcium, BTMs, and DBP and urinary calcium were not altered by IM D2. CONCLUSION: A single dose of 200,000 IU, 400,000 IU, or 600,000 IU IM D2 raises total 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels by 5.0, 7.0, or 10.3 ng/mL on average for at least 12 weeks and reduces iPTH and endogenous 25(OH)D3 levels without affecting levels of serum calcium, BTMs, DBP, and urinary calcium.

Identification of a distinct phenotype of elderly latent autoimmune diabetes in adults: LADA China Study 8.

BACKGROUND: Latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA) exhibits significant clinical heterogeneity, but the underlying causes remain unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate whether age of onset of LADA contributes to the observed clinical heterogeneity by comparing the clinical, metabolic, and immunogenetic characteristics between elderly and young LADA patients. METHODS: The cross-sectional study included a total of 579 patients with LADA which was further divided into elderly LADA (E-LADA) group (n = 135, age of onset ≥60 years) and young LADA (Y-LADA) group (n = 444, age of onset <60 years). Age-matched subjects with type 2 diabetes were served as control (E-T2D group, n = 622). Clinical characteristics, serum autoantibodies, and HLA-DQ haplotypes were compared among these groups. RESULTS: Compared with patients with Y-LADA, patients with E-LADA have better residual beta-cell function and higher level of insulin resistance (both P < .01), more metabolic syndrome characteristics, similar proportion of islet autoantibody positivity, and strikingly different HLA-DQ genetic background. In comparison with E-T2D patients, E-LADA patients tend to have similar metabolic syndrome prevalence, comparable C-peptide levels, and insulin resistance levels and share similar HLA-DQ genetic characteristics. CONCLUSIONS: Elderly LADA differs phenotypically and genetically from Y-LADA but has a clinical and genetic profile more similar to that of E-T2D. These distinct phenotypes could potentially help physicians better manage patients with E-LADA.

Polymorphous Luminescent Materials Based on 'T'-Shaped Molecules Bearing 4,7-Diphenylbenzo[c][1,2,5]thiadiazole Skeletons: Effect of Substituents on the Photophysical Properties.

Polymorphism, the intrinsic character of one chemical compound with at least two distinct phase arrangements, plays a very key role in the photophysical properties. In this contribution, four 'T'-shaped molecules bearing the 2,1,3-benzothiadiazole (BTD) skeleton, named 5 a-5 d, were prepared and characterized. All compounds exhibited excellent thermal stability and polymorphism in the solid state, evident from thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, and polarized optical microscopy results. Intense emissions with high photoluminescent quantum yields were achieved both in solution (56-97 %) and neat films (33-98 %). All compounds possessed clearly pH-dependent luminescence properties in solution. Additionally, compound 5 d showed useful mechanochromic luminescence owing to the transformation between the crystal and amorphous state. Employing compounds 5 a-5 d as the dopant, solution-processable organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) were fabricated and presented a highest external quantum efficiency of 6.15 %, which is higher than the theoretical value of fluorescence-based OLEDs (∼5 %). This research provided a novel strategy for designing high-efficiency BTD-based polymorphic luminescent materials.

FREE AND BIOAVAILABLE 25-HYDROXYVITAMIN D LEVELS IN PATIENTS WITH PRIMARY HYPERPARATHYROIDISM.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate free and bioavailable 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) levels in primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) patients. METHODS: Fifty PHPT patients and 50 healthy age-, gender-, and body mass index (BMI)-matched control subjects were enrolled. Levels of 25(OH)D were determined by a radioimmunoassay and vitamin D-binding protein (DBP) were determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Free and bioavailable 25(OH)D were calculated utilizing equations that use average binding coefficients for DBP and albumin. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in age and BMI between PHPT patients and controls (P>.05). Levels of 25(OH)D, DBP, and DBP-bound 25(OH)D were lower in PHPT patients compared to controls (P<.01). There was no significant difference in free and bioavailable 25(OH)D levels between PHPT patients and controls (P>.05). Levels of intact parathyroid hormone were inversely correlated with free (r = -0.217; P<.05) and bioavailable 25(OH)D levels (r = -0.296; P<.01). CONCLUSION: Serum total 25(OH)D levels were lower, while free and bioavailable 25(OH)D remained similar in patients with PHPT compared to controls. We suggest that low 25(OH)D levels might not reflect true vitamin D nutrition status in PHPT patients. ABBREVIATIONS: 25(OH)D = 25-hydroxyvitamin D BMI = body mass index DBP = vitamin D-binding protein iPTH = intact parathyroid hormone PHPT = primary hyperparathyroidism.

VITAMIN D BINDING PROTEIN AND 25-HYDROXYVITAMIN D LEVELS: EMERGING CLINICAL APPLICATIONS.

The precursor of the active form of vitamin D, 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), is recognized as the optimal indicator of vitamin D status. Vitamin D3 undergoes conversion through a multitude of enzymatic reactions described within the paper, and vitamin D levels are dependent on many factors including the vitamin D binding protein (DBP). The free hormone hypothesis postulates that protein-bound hormones are not biologically available and that unbound hormones are biologically active. The majority of circulating 25(OH)D and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D is tightly bound to DBP and albumin, with less than 1% circulating in an unbound form. As a result, factors affecting DBP alter the interpretation of 25(OH)D levels. The aim of this review is to assess the current methodology used to measure total and free 25(OH)D, and DBP. Additionally, we analyze the effects of other endocrine hormones and disease processes on DBP levels and subsequently, the interpretation of 25(OH)D levels. ABBREVIATIONS: CF = cystic fibrosis DBP = vitamin D binding protein ELISA = enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay ESLD = end-stage liver disease HC = hormone contraceptives iPTH = intact parathyroid hormone LC-MS = liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry MS = multiple sclerosis 25(OH)D = 25-hydroxyvitamin D PHPT = primary hyperparathyroidism RIA = radioimmunoassay.

Intact parathyroid hormone levels and primary hyperparathyroidism.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this article is to compare clinical characteristics and lab values for metabolic syndrome between primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) patients with different levels of serum intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) and to determine correlation between different clinical characteristics among PHPT patients Methods: We reviewed charts of 212 PHPT patients in this retrospective study. Patients were divided into two groups according to their initial serum iPTH levels. Student's t-tests were used to compare the two groups for differences in clinical characteristics and laboratory values. Pearson's correlation coefficients were used to assess associations. RESULTS: Of the 212 PHPT patients, 100 were classified as m-iPTH group (serum iPTH < 140 pg/mL), whereas 112 patients were defined as h-iPTH group (serum iPTH ≥ 140 pg/mL). The h-iPTH patients were younger, had higher serum calcium and alkaline phosphatase levels, but exhibited lower 25(OH)-vitamin D and HDL levels, when compared with those of m-iPTH patients. Adenoma weights in the h-iPTH group tended to be higher than that in the m-iPTH group. Furthermore, association studies revealed that the iPTH level was positively correlated with adenoma weight and serum calcium and triglyceride (TG) levels but negatively correlated with HDL level. CONCLUSION: Our study supports the hypothesis that iPTH level is associated with TG and HDL levels and should be a factor to consider in the management of PHPT patients.

IMPACT OF ETHNIC BACKGROUND ON CLINICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND CARDIOVASCULAR RISK FACTORS AMONG PATIENTS WITH PRIMARY HYPERPARATHYROIDISM.

OBJECTIVE: To compare initial laboratory values and cardiovascular risk factors (CRF) among patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) of different ethnic backgrounds. METHODS: In this retrospective study, we reviewed 500 charts of PHPT patients who presented at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital from January 2000 to December 2013. Among these patients were 46 African Americans (AA), 31 Asians (A), 19 Hispanics (H), and 404 Caucasians (C). The following characteristics were compared between the groups: age; body mass index (BMI); levels of serum calcium, intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH), 25-OH vitamin D, and 24-hour urine calcium; and parathyroid adenoma weight. Presence of CRF including BMI, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia were also recorded for comparison. Associations of adenoma weight and several other parameters were also assessed. RESULTS: Among different ethnic groups, AA patients with PHPT had higher iPTH levels compared to the A and C groups (P<.05), while 25-OHD levels were lower in the AA compared to the A and C groups (P<.05). Adenoma weight was significantly greater in AA than in C and A PHPT patients (P<.01). Adenoma weight was positively correlated with iPTH levels (r = 0.493, P <.001) and serum calcium levels (r = 0.255, P<.01). The group BMIs were C: 29.5 ± 6.9, AA: 33.8 ± 10, A: 24.7 ± 3.3, and H: 30.2 ± 6.6. AA patients had a lower rate of renal stones (9%) compared to other groups (21-29%, P<.05). CONCLUSION: The results of our study indicate that AA patients with PHPT presented with a more severe PHPT profile but had lower 24-hour urine calcium and fewer renal stones. AA patients with PHPT also had higher prevalence of CRF when compared to A and C.

Early evolution of the eukaryotic Ca2+ signaling machinery: conservation of the CatSper channel complex.

Calcium signaling is one of the most extensively employed signal transduction mechanisms in life. As life evolved into increasingly complex organisms, Ca(2+) acquired more extensive and varied functions. Here, we compare genes encoding proteins that govern Ca(2+) entry and exit across cells or organelles within organisms of early eukaryotic evolution into fungi, plants, and animals. Recent phylogenomics analyses reveal a complex Ca(2+) signaling machinery in the apusozoan protist Thecamonas trahens, a putative unicellular progenitor of Opisthokonta. We compare T. trahens Ca(2+) signaling to that in a marine bikont protist, Aurantiochytrium limacinum, and demonstrate the conservation of key Ca(2+) signaling molecules in the basally diverging alga Cyanophora paradoxa. Particularly, our findings reveal the conservation of the CatSper channel complex in Au. limacinum and C. paradoxa, suggesting that the CatSper complex likely originated from an ancestral Ca(2+) signaling machinery at the root of early eukaryotic evolution prior to the unikont/bikont split.