S100A8 knockdown activates the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway to inhibit microglial autophagy and improve cognitive impairment mediated by chronic sleep deprivation.

OBJECTIVE: Cognitive dysfunction is one of the major symptoms of chronic sleep deprivation (CSD). Abnormal autophagy and apoptosis are thought to be important mechanisms. S100 Calcium Binding Protein A8 (S100A8) plays a key role in autophagy and apoptosis of microglia. This study investigated whether S100A8 knockdown can effectively inhibit aberrant autophagy in microglia and improve cognitive function by activating the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) signaling pathway under CSD conditions. METHODS: CSD mouse models and BV2 cell autophagy models were established in vivo and in vitro. Transcriptome sequencing was used to determine the key regulator related to autophagy. The Morris water maze test was used to evaluate the cognitive behavior of the mice. RT-qPCR and western blot were conducted to examine S100A8 expression and autophagy signalling. HE, TUNEL, transmission electron microscopy, immunofluorescence, and histochemistry were performed to detect pathological changes, neuronal autophagy, apoptosis, or positive cells in hippocampal tissues, respectively. RESULTS: Transcriptome sequencing showed that S100A8 was significantly elevated in CSD mice, and fluorescence colocalization results further suggested that S100A8 mainly colocalizes with microglia. In vivo studies revealed that knockdown of S100A8 alleviated CSD-induced cognitive impairment in mice. Through further mechanistic investigations employing both in vivo and in vitro models, we demonstrated that silencing S100A8 can activate the PI3K/AKT pathway, thereby reducing CSD-induced abnormal autophagy and apoptosis in microglia. Aberrant autophagy and apoptosis in microglia were reversed with the PI3K/AKT pathway inhibitor LY294002. CONCLUSION: The S100A8/PI3K/AKT axis plays a crucial role in chronic sleep deprivation-mediated autophagy and apoptosis in microglia.

Preparation of Pressure-Resistant and Mechanically Durable Superhydrophobic Coatings via Non-Solvent Induced Phase Separation for Anti-Icing.

Inspired by the lotus leaf effect, superhydrophobic coatings have significant potential in various fields, However, their poor pressure resistance, weak mechanical durability, and complex preparation processes severely limit practical applications. Here, a method for preparing pressure-resistant and durable superhydrophobic coatings by simply spray-coating a phase separation suspension containing fluorinated silica nanoparticles and polyolefin adhesive onto substrates is introduced, which forms superhydrophobic coatings with a porous and hierarchical micro-/nanostructure. The resulting superhydrophobic coatings exhibit outstanding pressure resistance, maintaining a Cassie-Baxte state after 18 days of submersion in 1 m of water. Furthermore, the coatings demonstrate remarkable mechanical durability, withstanding 200 cycles of Taber abrasion, 100 cycles of tape-peeling, and 750 g of sand abrasion. The coatings also show excellent chemical stability, enduring long-term immersion in corrosive liquids and 120 d of outdoor exposure. Additionally, the coatings display excellent anti-icing properties and can be applied to various substrate surfaces. This approach improves on the limitations of conventional superhydrophobic coatings and accelerates the application of superhydrophobic coatings in real-world environments.

The vicious cycle of frailty and pain: a two-sided causal relationship revealed.

Background: The decline in physiological functions in the older people is frequently accompanied with pain and frailty, yet the causal connection between frailty and pain remains uncertain. In this study, we utilized a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) approach to investigate the potential causal association between frailty and pain. Methods: Two-sample bidirectional MR was conducted using summary data from genome-wide association studies to examine the potential causal relationship between frailty (defined by the frailty index and frailty phenotype) and pain. Summary genome wide association statistics were extracted from populations of European ancestry. We also investigated the causal relationship between frailty and site-specific pain, including joint pain, limb pain, thoracic spine pain and low back pain. Causal effects were estimated using the inverse variance weighting method. Sensitivity analyses were performed to validate the robustness of the results. Results: Genetic predisposition to frailty was associated with an increased risk of pain (frailty phenotype odds ratio [OR]: 1.73; P = 3.54 × 10-6, frailty index OR: 1.36; P = 2.43 × 10-4). Meanwhile, individuals with a genetic inclination toward pain had a higher risk of developing frailty. Regarding site-specific pain, genetic prediction of the frailty phenotype increased the occurrence risk of joint pain, limb pain and low back pain. Reverse MR analysis further showed that limb pain and low back pain were associated with an increased risk of frailty occurrence. Conclusion: This study presented evidence supporting a bidirectional causal relationship between frailty and pain. We highlighted the significance of addressing pain to prevent frailty and recommend the inclusion of pain assessment in the evaluation system for frailty.

C/EBPß: A transcription factor associated with the irreversible progression of Alzheimer's disease.

BACKGROUND: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder distinguished by a swift cognitive deterioration accompanied by distinctive pathological hallmarks such as extracellular Aß (ß-amyloid) peptides, neuronal neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs), sustained neuroinflammation, and synaptic degeneration. The elevated frequency of AD cases and its proclivity to manifest at a younger age present a pressing challenge in the quest for novel therapeutic interventions. Numerous investigations have substantiated the involvement of C/EBPß in the progression of AD pathology, thus indicating its potential as a therapeutic target for AD treatment. AIMS: Several studies have demonstrated an elevation in the expression level of C/EBPß among individuals afflicted with AD. Consequently, this review predominantly delves into the association between C/EBPß expression and the pathological progression of Alzheimer's disease, elucidating its underlying molecular mechanism, and pointing out the possibility that C/EBPß can be a new therapeutic target for AD. METHODS: A systematic literature search was performed across multiple databases, including PubMed, Google Scholar, and so on, utilizing predetermined keywords and MeSH terms, without temporal constraints. The inclusion criteria encompassed diverse study designs, such as experimental, case-control, and cohort studies, restricted to publications in the English language, while conference abstracts and unpublished sources were excluded. RESULTS: Overexpression of C/EBPß exacerbates the pathological features of AD, primarily by promoting neuroinflammation and mediating the transcriptional regulation of key molecular pathways, including δ-secretase, apolipoprotein E4 (APOE4), acidic leucine-rich nuclear phosphoprotein-32A (ANP32A), transient receptor potential channel 1 (TRPC1), and Forkhead BoxO (FOXO). DISCUSSION: The correlation between overexpression of C/EBPß and the pathological development of AD, along with its molecular mechanisms, is evident. Investigating the pathways through which C/EBPß regulates the development of AD reveals numerous multiple vicious cycle pathways exacerbating the pathological progression of the disease. Furthermore, the exacerbation of pathological progression due to C/EBPß overexpression and its molecular mechanism is not limited to AD but also extends to other neurodegenerative diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Parkinson's disease (PD), and multiple sclerosis (MS). CONCLUSION: The overexpression of C/EBPß accelerates the irreversible progression of AD pathophysiology. Additionally, C/EBPß plays a crucial role in mediating multiple pathways linked to AD pathology, some of which engender vicious cycles, leading to the establishment of feedback mechanisms. To sum up, targeting C/EBPß could hold promise as a therapeutic strategy not only for AD but also for other degenerative diseases.

Facile Preparation of Impalement Resistant, Mechanically Robust and Weather Resistant Photothermal Superhydrophobic Coatings for Anti-/De-icing.

Photothermal superhydrophobic coatings hold great promise in addressing the limitations of conventional superhydrophobic anti-icing coatings. However, developing such coatings with excellent impalement resistance, mechanical robustness and weather resistance remains a significant challenge. Here, we report facile preparation of robust photothermal superhydrophobic coatings with all the above advantages. The coatings were prepared by spraying a dispersion consisting of fluorinated silica nanoparticles, a silicone-modified polyester adhesive and photothermal carbon black nanoparticles onto Al alloy plates followed by thermal curing. Thermal curing caused migration of perfluorodecyl polysiloxane from within the coatings to the surface, effectively maintaining a low surface energy despite the presence of the adhesive. Therefore, combined with the hierarchical micro-/nanostructure, dense yet rough nanostructure, adhesion of the adhesive and chemically inert components, the coatings exhibited remarkable superhydrophobicity, impalement resistance, mechanical robustness and weather resistance. Furthermore, the coatings demonstrated excellent photothermal effect even in the -10 °C, 80 % relative humidity and weak sunlight (0.2 sun) environment. Consequently, the coatings showed excellent passive anti-icing and active de-icing performance. Moreover, the coatings have good generalizability and scalability. We are confident that this study will accelerate the practical implementation of photothermal superhydrophobic coatings.

Janus membranes derived from multi-shelled hollow spheres coated electrospun PVA membranes as phase change composites for photothermal conversion.

The development and preparation of multifunctional photothermal conversion materials has far-reaching significance for the utilization of solar energy resources in response to the energy crisis. Herein, we propose a Janus membrane for interfacial solar evaporation and phase change energy storage. The membranes were fabricated via combining the PVA film with multi-shelled hollow spheres (MHS). The membranes have asymmetric wettability, that is, one side is hydrophilic and the other side is hydrophobic. The as-resulted membranes obtain outstanding light absorption without further processing. According to these two advantages, the membranes were applied to solar evaporation. The evaporation rate of the membrane is 1.41 kg*m-2h-1 and the evaporation efficiency is 92.4 % under 1sun irradiation. Moreover, the membrane prepared by impregnating 1-Hexadecanamine (HDA) into MHS possesses excellent tensile strength (2.21 MPa) and photothermal conversion ability. The light-to-thermal conversion efficiency can reach 81.9 % under 1sun irradiation. Therefore, the membranes have broad application prospects in the field of photothermal conversion.

Recent advances and perspectives in solar photothermal conversion and storage systems: A review.

Developing high-efficiency solar photothermal conversion and storage (SPCS) technology is significant in solving the imbalance between the supply and demand of solar energy utilization in time and space. Aiming at the current research status in the field of SPCS, this review thoroughly examines the phase change materials and substrates in SPCS systems. It elucidates the design principles and methods of SPCS integrated composites. Comparatively, it analyzes the parameters of various types of SPCS composites in terms of photothermal conversion, thermal conductivity, energy density, and cycling stability. Additionally, the review discusses the trade-offs between each parameter to achieve the most optimal effect of SPCS. By sorting out the current status of the application of SPCS technology in solar thermal/photovoltaic, aerospace, buildings, textile, and other industries, this analysis clarifies the requirements for various latent heat, phase change temperature, and other properties under different environmental conditions. Through a comprehensive discussion of SPCS technology, this paper accurately captures the development trend of efficiently and comprehensively utilizing solar energy by analyzing existing scientific problems. It identifies bottlenecks in SPCS technology and suggests future development directions that need focused attention. The insights gained from this analysis may provide a theoretical basis for designing strategies, enhancing performance, and promoting the application of SPCS.

Silencing of secreted phosphoprotein 1 attenuates sciatic nerve injury-induced neuropathic pain: Regulating extracellular signal-regulated kinase and neuroinflammatory signaling pathways.

BACKGROUND: Neuropathic pain (NP) is a chronic pathological pain that affects the quality of life and is a huge medical burden for affected patients. In this study, we aimed to explore the effects of secreted phosphoprotein 1 (SPP1) on NP. METHODS: We established a chronic constriction injury (CCI) rat model, knocked down SPP1 via an intrathecal injection, and/or activated the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway with insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) treatment. Pain behaviors, including paw withdrawal threshold (PWT), paw withdrawal latency (PWL), lifting number, and frequency, were assessed. After sacrificing rats, the L4-L5 dorsal root ganglion was collected. Then, SPP1 levels were determined using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and western blot analysis. The levels of interleukin (IL)-1ß, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, IL-6, IL-10, epidermal growth factor (EGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß were determined using qPCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The levels of ERK pathway factors were determined via western blot analysis. RESULTS: We found that CCI decreased PWT and PWL, increased the lifting number and frequency, and upregulated SPP1 levels. The loss of SPP1 reversed these CCI-induced effects. Additionally, CCI upregulated IL-1ß, TNF-α, IL-6, EGF, and VEGF levels, downregulated TGF-ß levels, and activated the ERK pathway, while silencing of SPP1 abrogated these CCI-induced effects. Moreover, IGF-1 treatment reversed the effects of SPP1 loss. CONCLUSIONS: The data indicate that silencing SPP1 attenuates NP via inactivation of the ERK pathway, suggesting that SPP1 may be a promising target for NP treatment.

Posterior fixation, anterior debridement and bone grafting in the treatment of thoracic and lumbar tuberculosis in children younger than 3 years of age.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the clinical outcomes of posterior fixation, combined with one- or two-stage anterior debridement and bone grafting in treating children younger than 3 years of age with thoracic and lumbar tuberculosis. METHODS: This was a retrospective study involving 16 young children with thoracic or lumbar tuberculosis. Surgical data were recorded. Frankel Grade was used to assess neurological function. The regional kyphosis angle was measured to evaluate the deformity correction. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were detected to assess the activity of tuberculosis. Bony fusion and complications were also recorded. RESULTS: The mean operation time was 204.4 ± 41.8 min. The mean estimated blood loss was 126.3 ± 94.4 ml. Preoperative Frankel Grade results indicated five patients with Grade C, six with Grade D, and five with Grade E. At the final follow-up, all patients were in Grade E. Twelve patients were brought back to normal spinal alignment and the rest four patients remained kyphotic. There was an improvement of 29.3° ± 18.3° in regional kyphotic angle postoperatively. And the deformity correction was 27.4° ± 19.1° at the final follow-up. ESR and CRP decreased to a normal range at three months follow-up. Bony fusion was achieved in all patients. None of the cases developed fixation failure, pseudoarthrosis, or tuberculosis recurrence. CONCLUSION: Posterior fixation, combined with one- or two-stage anterior debridement and bone grafting, is a safe and effective surgical strategy for treating young children with thoracic and lumbar tuberculosis.

Impalement-Resistant, Mechanically Stable, and Anti-Static Superamphiphobic Coatings Enabled by Solvent Regulation and Their Application in Anti-Icing.

Superamphiphobic coatings have good application prospects in many fields but are limited by their low impalement resistance, weak mechanical stability, and easy adhesion of tiny droplets. Here, impalement-resistant, mechanically stable, and antistatic superamphiphobic coatings were fabricated by spraying a mixture of conductive carbon black (CB), silicone-modified polyester adhesive/fluorinated SiO2 microspheres onto Al alloy. The microspheres were obtained by adhesive phase separation and the binding of fluorinated SiO2 to them. The morphology, superamphiphobicity, impalement resistance, and mechanical stability of the coatings could be regulated by using solvents with different boiling points. As a result, the coatings simultaneously exhibited outstanding mechanical stability, impalement resistance, and superamphiphobicity. The addition of conductive CB endowed the coatings with good antistatic and tiny droplet repellent properties. In addition, the coatings exhibited good anti-icing properties due to the steady air layer at the solid-liquid interface and the very small contact area between them. We suppose that the coatings are very promising for practical application in various fields, including anti-icing, due to their outstanding comprehensive properties and simple preparation process.

3D porous ß-cyclodextrin grafted graphene oxide/sodium alginate superhydrophilic natural polysaccharide-based aerogel for solar steam generation.

Solar steam generation (SSG) emerges as a paramount technology for efficient and sustainable desalination and wastewater purification. The innovative development of porous aerogel materials for solar steam generation heralds a new era in photothermal materials. In this study, a category of ß-cyclodextrin-grafted graphene oxide/sodium anionic polysaccharide alginate composite aerogels (named GO-CD/SA) with solar steam generation behavior and wastewater purification properties is developed. GO-CD/SA demonstrates remarkable properties, including an impressive solar absorption efficiency of approximately 97.4 %, a low thermal conductivity of just 0.124 W m-1 K-1 in a wetted state, and exceptional superhydrophilicity. These attributes collectively contribute to GO-CD/SA achieving an evaporation rate of 1.79 kg m-2 h-1 when utilized with pure water. Furthermore, GO-CD/SA features an abundant three-dimensional porous structure (88.07 % porosity) and superhydrophilic properties that promote the rapid reflux of salt solution between the pore channels. This, in turn, enables excellent salt resistance, with no noticeable salt crystals precipitating during continuous evaporation in 20 % high concentration brine for 6 h. GO-CD/SA also demonstrates outstanding purification capabilities for organic dye wastewater and heavy metal ion wastewater. Therefore, this work combines the advantages of salt tolerance and wastewater treatment, paving the way for the exploration of natural polysaccharide-based photothermal materials.

Recent advances in the study of anesthesia-and analgesia-related mechanisms of S-ketamine.

Ketamine is a racemic mixture of equal amounts of R-ketamine and S-ketamine and is well known to anesthesiologists for its unique dissociative anesthetic properties. The pharmacological properties of ketamine, namely, its sympathetic excitation, mild respiratory depression, and potent analgesia, are still highly valued in its use as an anesthetic for some patients. In particular, since its advent, S-ketamine has been widely used as an anesthetic in many countries due to its increased affinity for NMDA receptors and its enhanced anesthetic and analgesic effects. However, the anesthetic and analgesic mechanisms of S-ketamine are not fully understood. In addition to antagonizing NMDA receptors, a variety of other receptors or channels may be involved, but there are no relevant mechanistic summaries in the literature. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to review the mechanisms of action of S-ketamine on relevant receptors and systems in the body that result in its pharmacological properties, such as anesthesia and analgesia, with the aim of providing a reference for its clinical applications and research.

Application of cement-augmented pedicle screws in elderly patients with spinal tuberculosis and severe osteoporosis: a preliminary study.

OBJECTIVE: Surgical management of elderly patients with spinal tuberculosis and severe osteoporosis is challenging. Cement-augmented pedicle screws (CAPS) have been specifically designed for elderly patients with osteoporotic spines. Herein, we investigated the feasibility of CAPS applied in elderly patients with spinal tuberculosis and severe osteoporosis. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed data of patients with spinal tuberculosis and severe osteoporosis between January 2017 and January 2021. Surgical data, including surgical duration and intraoperative blood loss, were recorded. Radiological parameters, such as correction of regional kyphotic angle and screw loosening, were also evaluated. Additionally, visual analog scores (VAS) and Oswestry disability index (ODI) were used to evaluate back pain and functional recovery, respectively. Erythrocyte sedimentation (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations were detected to assess tuberculosis activity. The presence of complications and fusion rate was also assessed. RESULTS: A total of 15 patients were included in this study. The surgical duration was 263.0 ± 56.2 min, with an average blood loss of 378.7 ± 237.0 ml. The correction of regional kyphotic angle was 12.4° ± 15.0°, and it was well maintained until the final follow-up. The mean VAS decreased from 6.0 ± 1.2 points to 0.5 ± 0.6 points, and ODI reduced from 37.8% ± 7.6% to 8.3% ± 2.8% (P < 0.01). At the final follow-up, ESR and CRP levels were within normal range. Bony fusion occurred in all patients, with an average fusion duration of 8.8 ± 1.5 months. No cases of pedicle screw pullout, screw loosening, or pseudoarthrosis occurred. Tuberculosis recurrence and dissemination were not observed during the follow-ups. CONCLUSIONS: CAPS fixation is an effective and safe technique to achieve solid fixation and favorable clinical outcomes in elderly patients with spinal tuberculosis and severe osteoporosis.

Efficacy and safety of single-pill amlodipine/losartan versus losartan in patients with inadequately controlled hypertension after losartan treatment: a multicenter, double-blind, randomized phase III clinical trial.

Objective: Single-pill amlodipine besylate (AML) plus losartan (LOS) has been used to treat inadequately controlled hypertension after antihypertensive monotherapy; however, relevant data in China are limited. This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of single-pill AML/LOS and LOS alone in Chinese patients with inadequately controlled hypertension after LOS treatment. Methods: In this multicenter, double-blind, randomized, controlled phase III clinical trial, patients with inadequately controlled hypertension after 4 weeks of LOS treatment were randomized to receive daily single-pill AML/LOS (5/100 mg, AML/LOS group, N = 154) or LOS (100 mg, LOS group, N = 153) tablets for 8 weeks. At weeks 4 and 8 of treatment, sitting diastolic and systolic blood pressure (sitDBP and sitSBP, respectively) and the BP target achievement rate were assessed. Results: At week 8, the sitDBP change from baseline was greater in the AML/LOS group than in the LOS group (-8.84 ± 6.86 vs. -2.65 ± 7.62 mmHg, P < 0.001). In addition, the AML/LOS group also showed greater sitDBP change from baseline to week 4 (-8.77 ± 6.60 vs. -2.99 ± 7.05 mmHg) and sitSBP change from baseline to week 4 (-12.54 ± 11.65 vs. -2.36 ± 10.33 mmHg) and 8 (-13.93 ± 10.90 vs. -2.38 ± 12.71 mmHg) (all P < 0.001). Moreover, the BP target achievement rates at weeks 4 (57.1% vs. 25.3%, P < 0.001) and 8 (58.4% vs. 28.1%, P < 0.001) were higher in the AML/LOS group than those in the LOS group. Both treatments were safe and tolerable. Conclusion: Single-pill AML/LOS is superior to LOS monotherapy for controlling BP and is safe and well tolerated in Chinese patients with inadequately controlled hypertension after LOS treatment.

Carbonized CMPs Hollow Microspheres-Based Hydrogel Composite Membranes with a Hierarchical Architecture for Efficient Solar-Driven Interfacial Evaporation.

Solar-driven interfacial evaporation (SDIE) with excellent photothermal conversion efficiency is emerging as one of the frontier technologies for freshwater production. In this work, novel carbonized conjugate microporous polymers (CCMPs) hollow microspheres-based composite hydrogel membranes (CCMPsHM-CHM) for efficient SDIE are reported. The precursor, CMPs hollow microspheres (CMPsHM), is synthesized by an in situ Sonogashira-Hagihara cross-coupling reaction using a hard template method. The as-synthesized CCMPsHM-CHM exhibit significantly excellent properties, i.e., 3D hierarchical architecture (from micropore to macropore), superior solar light absorption (more than 89%), better thermal insulation (thermal conductivity as low as 0.32-0.42 W m-1K-1 in the wet state), superhydrophilic wettability with a water contact angle (WCA) of 0°, superior solar efficiency (up to 89-91%), a high evaporation rate of 1.48-1.51 kg m-2 h-1 under 1 sun irradiation, and excellent stability which maintains an evaporation rate of more than 80% after 10 cycles and over 83% evaporation efficiency in highly concentrated brine. In this case, the removal rate of metal ions in seawater is more than 99%, which is much lower than the ion concentration standard for drinking water set by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). Taking advantage of its simple and scalable manufacture, our CCMPsHM-CHM may have great potential as advanced membranes for various applications for efficient SDIE in different environments.

Fabrication of ATP/PEG/MnO2NWs composite for solar steam generation with high conversion efficiency.

Solar steam generation is widely used in seawater desalination because of its high efficiency and environmental protection. However, using low-cost materials to produce efficient solar evaporators is a severe challenge. In this study, a porous carbon material was prepared by combining Attapulgite (ATP), Polyethylene glycol (PEG) and Manganese dioxide nanowires (MnO2NWs) composite, through freeze-drying and high-temperature carbonization. The prepared CAPM aerogel shows a three-dimensional porous structure, which has high evaporation properties in pure water and simulated seawater. Under 1 sun simulated illumination, the pure water evaporation is 1.4574 kg m-2h-1 and the corresponding energy conversion efficiency is 85.94%. The prepared CAPM aerogel showed excellent durability and salt tolerance in 20%Nacl solution, indicating that the CAPM has excellent desalinization performance. In addition, CAPM aerogel has and exhibits super hydrophilic properties, which can transfer water molecules quickly. Due to the advantages of low cost, simple preparation method, and high solar energy conversion efficiency, the CAPM has excellent potential as a photothermal material for solar energy generation.

Preparation of Mechanically Stable Superamphiphobic Coatings via Combining Phase Separation of Adhesive and Fluorinated SiO2 for Anti-Icing.

Superamphiphobic coatings have widespread application potential in various fields, e.g., anti-icing, anti-corrosion and self-cleaning, but are seriously limited by poor mechanical stability. Here, mechanically stable superamphiphobic coatings were fabricated by spraying the suspension composed of phase-separated silicone-modified polyester (SPET) adhesive microspheres with fluorinated silica (FD-POS@SiO2) on them. The effects of non-solvent and SPET adhesive contents on the superamphiphobicity and mechanical stability of the coatings were studied. Due to the phase separation of SPET and the FD-POS@SiO2 nanoparticles, the coatings present a multi-scale micro-/nanostructure. Combined with the FD-POS@SiO2 nanoparticles of low surface energy, the coatings present outstanding static and dynamic superamphiphobicity. Meanwhile, the coatings present outstanding mechanical stability due to the adhesion effect of SPET. In addition, the coatings present outstanding chemical and thermal stability. Moreover, the coatings can obviously delay the water freezing time and decrease the icing adhesion strength. We trust that the superamphiphobic coatings have widespread application potential in the anti-icing field.

ß-arrestin1 regulates astrocytic reactivity via Drp1-dependent mitochondrial fission: implications in postoperative delirium.

Postoperative delirium (POD) is a frequent and debilitating complication, especially amongst high risk procedures, such as orthopedic surgery. This kind of neurocognitive disorder negatively affects cognitive domains, such as memory, awareness, attention, and concentration after surgery; however, its pathophysiology remains unknown. Multiple lines of evidence supporting the occurrence of inflammatory events have come forward from studies in human patients' brain and bio-fluids (CSF and serum), as well as in animal models for POD. ß-arrestins are downstream molecules of guanine nucleotide-binding protein (G protein)-coupled receptors (GPCRs). As versatile proteins, they regulate numerous pathophysiological processes of inflammatory diseases by scaffolding with inflammation-linked partners. Here we report that ß-arrestin1, one type of ß-arrestins, decreases significantly in the reactive astrocytes of a mouse model for POD. Using ß-arrestin1 knockout (KO) mice, we find aggravating effect of ß-arrestin1 deficiency on the cognitive dysfunctions and inflammatory phenotype of astrocytes in POD model mice. We conduct the in vitro experiments to investigate the regulatory roles of ß-arrestin1 and demonstrate that ß-arrestin1 in astrocytes interacts with the dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1) to regulate mitochondrial fusion/fission process. ß-arrestin1 deletion cancels the combination of ß-arrestin1 and cellular Drp1, thus promoting the translocation of Drp1 to mitochondrial membrane to provoke the mitochondrial fragments and the subsequent mitochondrial malfunctions. Using ß-arrestin1-biased agonist, cognitive dysfunctions of POD mice and pathogenic activation of astrocytes in the POD-linked brain region are reduced. We, therefore, conclude that ß-arrestin1 is a promising target for the understanding of POD pathology and development of POD therapeutics.

Protective role of remote ischemic conditioning in renal transplantation and partial nephrectomy: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Objective: Studies have shown that remote ischemic conditioning (RIC) can effectively attenuate ischemic-reperfusion injury in the heart and brain, but the effect on ischemic-reperfusion injury in patients with kidney transplantation or partial nephrectomy remains controversial. The main objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to investigate whether RIC provides renal protection after renal ischemia-reperfusion injury in patients undergoing kidney transplantation or partial nephrectomy. Methods: A computer-based search was conducted to retrieve relevant publications from the PubMed database, Embase database, Cochrane Library and Web of Science database. We then conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials that met our study inclusion criteria. Results: Eleven eligible studies included a total of 1,145 patients with kidney transplantation or partial nephrectomy for systematic review and meta-analysis, among whom 576 patients were randomly assigned to the RIC group and the remaining 569 to the control group. The 3-month estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was improved in the RIC group, which was statistically significant between the two groups on kidney transplantation [P < 0.001; mean difference (MD) = 2.74, confidence interval (CI): 1.41 to 4.06; I 2 = 14%], and the 1- and 2-day postoperative Scr levels in the RIC group decreased, which was statistically significant between the two groups on kidney transplantation (1-day postoperative: P < 0.001; MD = 0.10, CI: 0.05 to 0.15, I 2 = 0; 2-day postoperative: P = 0.006; MD = 0.41, CI: 0.12 to 0.70, I 2 = 0), but at other times, there was no significant difference between the two groups in Scr levels. The incidence of delayed graft function (DGF) decreased, but there was no significant difference (P = 0.60; 95% CI: 0.67 to 1.26). There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of cross-clamp time, cold ischemia time, warm ischemic time, acute rejection (AR), graft loss or length of hospital stay. Conclusion: Our meta-analysis showed that the effect of remote ischemia conditioning on reducing serum creatinine (Scr) and improving estimate glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) seemed to be very weak, and we did not observe a significant protective effect of RIC on renal ischemic-reperfusion. Due to small sample sizes, more studies using stricter inclusion criteria are needed to elucidate the nephroprotective effect of RIC in renal surgery in the future.

Research on IMU Calibration Model Based on Polar Decomposition.

As an important deterministic error of the inertial measurement unit (IMU), the installation error has a serious impact on the navigation accuracy of the strapdown inertial navigation system (SINS). The impact becomes more severe in a highly dynamic application environment. This paper proposes a new IMU calibration model based on polar decomposition. Using the new model, the installation error is decomposed into a nonorthogonal error and a misalignment error. The compensation of the IMU calibration model is decomposed into two steps. First, the nonorthogonal error is compensated, and then the misalignment error is compensated. Based on the proposed IMU calibration model, we used a three-axis turntable to calibrate three sets of strapdown inertial navigation systems (SINS). The experimental results show that the misalignment errors are larger than the nonorthogonal errors. Based on the experimental results, this paper proposes a new method to simplify the installation error. This simplified method defines the installation error matrix as an antisymmetric matrix composed of three misalignment errors. The navigation errors caused by the proposed simplified calibration model are compared with the navigation errors caused by the traditional simplified calibration model. The 48-h navigation experiment results show that the proposed simplified calibration model is superior to the traditional simplified calibration model in attitude accuracy, velocity accuracy, and position accuracy.