Human activity and climate change accelerate the extinction risk to non-human primates in China.

Human activity and climate change affect biodiversity and cause species range shifts, contractions, and expansions. Globally, human activities and climate change have emerged as persistent threats to biodiversity, leading to approximately 68% of the ~522 primate species being threatened with extinction. Here, we used habitat suitability models and integrated data on human population density, gross domestic product (GDP), road construction, the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), the location of protected areas (PAs), and climate change to predict potential changes in the distributional range and richness of 26 China's primate species. Our results indicate that both PAs and NDVI have a positive impact on primate distributions. With increasing anthropogenic pressure, species' ranges were restricted to areas of high vegetation cover and in PAs surrounded by buffer zones of 2.7-4.5 km and a core area of PAs at least 0.1-0.5 km from the closest edge of the PA. Areas with a GDP below the Chinese national average of 100,000 yuan were found to be ecologically vulnerable, and this had a negative impact on primate distributions. Changes in temperature and precipitation were also significant contributors to a reduction in the range of primate species. Under the expected influence of climate change over the next 30-50 years, we found that highly suitable habitat for primates will continue to decrease and species will be restricted to smaller and more peripheral parts of their current range. Areas of high primate diversity are expected to lose from 3 to 7 species. We recommend that immediate action be taken, including expanding China's National Park Program, the Ecological Conservation Redline Program, and the Natural Forest Protection Program, along with a stronger national policy promoting alternative/sustainable livelihoods for people in the local communities adjacent to primate ranges, to offset the detrimental effects of anthropogenic activities and climate change on primate survivorship.

The Impact of Hydrogen Sulfide in the Paraventricular Nucleus on the MAPK Pathway in High Salt-Induced Hypertension.

The hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) plays a central role in regulating cardiovascular activity and blood pressure (BP). We administered hydroxylamine hydrochloride (HA), a cystathionine-ß-synthase (CBS) inhibitor, into the PVN to suppress endogenous hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and investigate its effects on the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway in high salt-induced hypertension. We randomly divided 40 male Dahl salt-sensitive rats into 4 groups: the NS+PVN vehicle group, the NS+PVN HA group, the HS+PVN vehicle group, and the HS+PVN HA group, with 10 rats in each group. The rats in the NS (normal salt) groups were fed a normal-salt diet containing 0.3% NaCl, while the HS (high salt) groups were fed a high-salt diet containing 8% NaCl. The mean arterial pressure (MAP) was calculated after noninvasive measurement using an automatic sphygmomanometer to occlude the tail cuff once a week. HA or vehicle was infused into the bilateral PVN using Alzet osmotic mini-pumps for 6 weeks after the hypertension model was successfully established. We measured the levels of H2S in the PVN and plasma norepinephrine (NE) using ELISA. Additionally, we assessed the parameters of the MAPK pathway, inflammation, and oxidative stress through western blotting, immunohistochemical analysis, or real-time PCR. In the current study, we discovered that decreased levels of endogenous hydrogen sulfide in the PVN contributed to the onset of high salt-induced hypertension. This was linked to the activation of the MAPK signaling pathway, proinflammatory cytokines, and oxidative stress in the PVN, as well as the activation of the sympathetic nervous system.

Two new sesquiterpenoid glycoside compounds from the calyces of Physalis alkekengi L. var. franchetii (Mast.) Makino.

Two new sesquiterpenoid glycosides, 8α (H)-eudesmane-1,3,11 (13)-triene-2-one -12-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside (1) and dmetelisproside B (2), together with ten known compounds (3-12) were isolated from calyces of Physalis alkekengi L. var. franchetii (Mast.) Makino (PAF). Their structures were unambiguously elucidated through HR-ESI-MS, UV, IR, and NMR spectral data. Compounds 1, 10, and 12 exhibited DPPH scavenging ability with IC50 values of 33.69 ± 6.65, 6.29 ± 0.06, and 25.66 ± 3.06 µM, respectively. Additionally, 10 and 12 demonstrated weak α-glucosidase inhibition activity with IC50 values of 250.9 ± 6.60 and 347.6 ± 2.48 µM, respectively.

FeNi-LDH COATED WITH ORANGE-PEEL CARBON AEROGEL FOR OXYGEN EVOLUTION REACTION.

In this work, the waste orange-peel was used as carbon source, and the orange-peel derived carbon material can be obtained through simple pyrolysis. Then, we designed the structure of orange-peel carbon aerogel grown on iron-nickel layered double hydroxides in situ to achieve the effect of carbon coating (FeNi-LDH/CA). The oxygen evolution reaction catalytic performance of FeNi-LDH/CA is excellent, far exceeding that of commercial RuO2. In 1 M KOH, the overpotential of FeNi-LDH/CA is only 250 mV (10 mA cm-2), obviously better than that of commercial RuO2 (295 mV). FeNi-LDH/CA shows good cycling stability, and after long-term i-t testing, the performance only decays by 3% after running at 100 mA cm-2 for 100 h. When used as an anode, the voltage of water-splitting is only 1.48 V at 10 mA cm-2. The rechargeable liquid zinc-air battery based on Pt/C-FeNi-LDH/CA catalyst has higher open-circuit voltage (1.543 V) and galvanostatic discharge capacity at 1.23 V (830 min, 10 mA cm-2). Moreover, the zinc-air battery based on Pt/C-FeNi-LDH/CA has a small charge-discharge voltage gap (0.65 V) at 10 mA cm-2, after 200 consecutive cycles (66 h), the charge-discharge voltage gap only increased by about 30 mV, indicating good cycling stability.

Chemical components and against alzheimer's disease effects of the calyxes of Physalis alkekengi L. var. franchetii (Mast.) Makino.

Physalis alkekengi L. var. franchetii (Mast.) Makino (PA), a traditional Chinese medicine, is utilised for treating dermatitis, sore throat, dysuria, and cough. This research aimed to identify the main constituents in the four extracted portions from the calyces of PA (PAC) utilising ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS). The Alzheimer's disease (AD) mice model was induced by D-galactose (D-gal) combined with aluminium chloride (AlCl3). Subsequent investigation into the underlying mechanisms involved behavioural and histopathological observations. The results demonstrated that four extracted portions of PAC (PACE) significantly enhanced memory and learning abilities in the Morris water maze. The concentrations of Aß, tau and p-tau in brain tissue exhibited a significant decrease relative to the model group. Moreover, the four PACE treatment groups increased the glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels, while concurrently reducing malondialdehyde (MDA), interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels. In summary, the current study demonstrates that the four PACE formulations exhibit beneficial anti-AD properties, with the most pronounced efficacy observed in the EA group. Additionally, PAC shows potential in mitigating neuroinflammation and oxidative damage by inhibiting the TLR4/NF-κB signalling pathway. This research lays a theoretical groundwork for the future clinical development and utilisation of PAC in treating AD.

The impact of COVID-19 on emergency department presentations for mental health disorders in Queensland, Australia: A time series analysis.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has been associated with detrimental effects on mental health and psychological well-being. Although multiple studies have shown decreases in mental health-related Emergency Department (ED) presentations early in the COVID-19 pandemic, the medium-term effects on mental health-related ED presentations have remained less clear. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the pandemic on mental health ED presentations by comparing observed presentation numbers to predictions from pre-pandemic data. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study tallied weekly ED presentations associated with mental health disorders from a state-wide minimum dataset. Three time periods were identified: Pre-Pandemic (January 1, 2018-March 8, 2020), Statewide Lockdown (March 9, 2020-June 28, 2020), and Restrictions Easing (June 29, 2020-June 27, 2021). Time series analysis was used to generate weekly presentation forecasts using pre-pandemic data. Observed presentation numbers were compared to these forecasts. RESULTS: Weekly presentation numbers were lower than predicted in 11 out of 16 weeks in the Statewide Lockdown period and 52 out of 52 weeks in the Restrictions Easing period. The largest decrease was seen for anxiety disorders (Statewide Lockdown: 76.8% of forecast; Restrictions Easing: 36.4% of forecast), while an increase was seen in presentations for eating disorders (Statewide Lockdown: 139.5% of forecast; Restrictions Easing: 194.4% of forecast). CONCLUSIONS: Overall weekly mental health-related presentations across Queensland public EDs were lower than expected for the first 16 months of the COVID-19 pandemic. These findings underline the limitations of emergency department provision of mental health care and the importance of alternate care modalities in the pandemic context.

A cross sectional study of role of technology in health for middle-aged and older adults in Singapore.

Telemedicine has gained popularity due to the increasing use of technology in our lives. However, no studies have explored the demographic factors affecting acceptability, desirability and adherence (ADA) to telemedicine in Singapore. Our study aims to evaluate the level of ADA of telemedicine services within demographic factors and to explore the association of potential demographic factors with the degree of acceptability, desirability and adherence of telemedicine among older adults in Singapore. A cross-sectional study was conducted with Singapore citizens or permanent residents aged 40-99 years, who were able to provide informed consent. Interviewers conducted door-to-door surveys in 67 Blocks of Housing & Development Board flats in Singapore, offering a self-administered electronic questionnaire available in four languages. Random sampling without replacement determined the order of blocks, floors and units visited. The questionnaire utilised Qtelemediab scoring and covered sociodemographic data, usage of telemedicine, as well as ADA towards telemedicine. A total of 324 valid responses were analysed. Increased age was associated with a significant decrease across all three domains of ADA namely acceptability (ß = - 0.02, 95%CI - 0.03; - 0.02, p-value = 0.002), desirability (ß = - 0.02, 95%CI - 0.02; - 0.02, p-value < 0.001) and adherence (ß = - 0.02, 95%CI - 0.03; - 0.0.02, p-value < 0.001). Additionally, lower education was associated with a decrease in all domains of ADA. Conversely, employment and increased household income were associated with higher ADA scores across all three domains. These associations were independent of gender, chronic health conditions and smoking history. Older participants with lower income and lesser education demonstrated lower levels of acceptability, desirability and adherence towards telemedicine. Our study highlights the importance of considering these factors in the implementation and promotion of telemedicine solutions.

T12-L3 Nerve Transfer-Induced Locomotor Recovery in Rats with Thoracolumbar Contusion: Essential Roles of Sensory Input Rerouting and Central Neuroplasticity.

Locomotor recovery after spinal cord injury (SCI) remains an unmet challenge. Nerve transfer (NT), the connection of a functional/expendable peripheral nerve to a paralyzed nerve root, has long been clinically applied, aiming to restore motor control. However, outcomes have been inconsistent, suggesting that NT-induced neurological reinstatement may require activation of mechanisms beyond motor axon reinnervation (our hypothesis). We previously reported that to enhance rat locomotion following T13-L1 hemisection, T12-L3 NT must be performed within timeframes optimal for sensory nerve regrowth. Here, T12-L3 NT was performed for adult female rats with subacute (7-9 days) or chronic (8 weeks) mild (SCImi: 10 g × 12.5 mm) or moderate (SCImo: 10 g × 25 mm) T13-L1 thoracolumbar contusion. For chronic injuries, T11-12 implantation of adult hMSCs (1-week before NT), post-NT intramuscular delivery of FGF2, and environmentally enriched/enlarged (EEE) housing were provided. NT, not control procedures, qualitatively improved locomotion in both SCImi groups and animals with subacute SCImo. However, delayed NT did not produce neurological scale upgrading conversion for SCImo rats. Ablation of the T12 ventral/motor or dorsal/sensory root determined that the T12-L3 sensory input played a key role in hindlimb reanimation. Pharmacological, electrophysiological, and trans-synaptic tracing assays revealed that NT strengthened integrity of the propriospinal network, serotonergic neuromodulation, and the neuromuscular junction. Besides key outcomes of thoracolumbar contusion modeling, the data provides the first evidence that mixed NT-induced locomotor efficacy may rely pivotally on sensory rerouting and pro-repair neuroplasticity to reactivate neurocircuits/central pattern generators. The finding describes a novel neurobiology mechanism underlying NT, which can be targeted for development of innovative neurotization therapies.