Interlayer Coupling in Anisotropic/Isotropic Van der Waals Heterostructures of ReS2 and WS2.

Van der Waals (vdW) heterostructures are composed of atomically thin layers assembled through weak (vdW) force, which have opened a new era for integrating materials with distinct properties and specific applications. However, few studies have focused on whether and how anisotropic materials affect heterostructure system. The study introduces anisotropic and isotropic materials in a heterojunction system to change the in-plane symmetry, offering a new degree of freedom for modulating its properties. The sample is fabricated by manually stacking ReS2 and WS2 flakes prepared by mechanical exfoliation. Raman spectra and photoluminescence measurements confirm the formation of an effective heterojunction, indicating interlayer coupling of the system. The anisotropy and asymmetry of the WS2 -ReS2 heterostructure system can be adjusted by the introduction of isotropic WS2 and anisotropic ReS2 , which can be proved by the change of the polarized Raman pattern. In the transient absorption measurement, the transient absorption spectra of WS2 -ReS2 heterostructure are red-shifted compared to those of WS2 monolayer, and the charge transfer is observed in the heterostructure. These results show the potential of anisotropic 2D materials in anisotropy modulation of heterostructures, which may promote future electronic or photonic application.

Enhanced HER Efficiency of Monolayer MoS2 via S Vacancies and Nano-Cones Array Induced Strain Engineering.

Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2 ) has gained significant attention as a promising catalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). The catalytic performance of MoS2 can be enhanced by either altering its structure or regulating external conditions. In this study, a novel approach combining the introduction of sulfur vacancy (VS ) and biaxial tensile strain to create more active sites and modulate the band structure of monolayer MoS2 is proposed. To achieve the desired strain level, nano-cones (NCs) array substrates facilely fabricated by dip-pen nanolithography (DPN) are employed. The magnitude of the applied tensile strain can be finely tuned via adjusting the height of the NCs. Furthermore, on-chip electrochemical devices are constructed based on artificial structures, enabling precise optimization of HER performance of MoS2 through the synergistic effect of VS and strain. Combined with the d-band theory, it reveals that the HER properties of VS -MoS2 are highly dependent on the degree of tensile strain. This study presents a promising avenue for the design and preparation of high-performance 2D catalysts for energy conversion and storage applications.

Polymorphisms in TRIB2 and CAPRIN2 Genes Contribute to the Susceptibility to High Myopia-Induced Cataract in Han Chinese Population.

BACKGROUND Myopia has been shown to be associated with many pathological complications including cataracts, and previous evidence supported that high myopia facilitates the formation of cataracts. However, no studies have identified a link between the genetic susceptibility of high myopia-induced cataracts (HMC) and the underlying genetic mechanisms. Our study aimed to determine how the TRIB2 and CAPRIN2 genes correlate to the risk of HMC. MATERIAL AND METHODS In total, we successfully recruited 3162 participants, including 1026 participants with high myopia and cataracts and 2136 controls with high myopia only. For genotyping, 22 tag single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in TRIB2 and CAPRIN2 genes were chosen. Single marker association analysis and functional effects of significant SNPs were carried out. RESULTS Strong correlation signals were captured for SNP rs890069 (χ²=22.13, P=2.55×10-6) in TRIB2 and SNP rs17739338 (χ²=16.07, P=6.10×10-5) in CAPRIN2. In patients with high myopia, the C allele at SNP rs890069 was strongly linked to cataract risk (OR [95% CI]=1.36 [1.20-1.55]). In patients with high myopia, the T allele at SNP rs17739338 was significantly related to a lower risk of cataract (OR [95% CI]=0.54 [0.40-0.74]). In different types of human tissues, SNPs rs890069 and rs17739338 were found to be significantly correlated to the levels of TRIB2 and CAPRIN2 gene expression. CONCLUSIONS Our study indicated that both TRIB2 and CAPRIN2 genes conferred the susceptibility to cataract in patients with high myopia and Chinese Han ancestry. Future research remains necessary for fully understanding the pathogenic mechanisms and genetic characteristics of cataract.

Activating the Electrocatalysis of MoS2 Basal Plane for Hydrogen Evolution via Atomic Defect Configurations.

Point defects of heteroatoms and vacancies can activate the inert basal plane of molybdenum sulfide (MoS2 ) to improve its performance on catalyzing the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). However, the synergy between heteroatoms and vacancies is still unclear. Here, a chemical vapor deposition-assisted in situ vanadium (V) doping method is used to synthesize monolayer MoS2 with abundant and tunable vacancies and V-dopants in the lattice. Ten delicate defect configurations are prepared to provide a complex system for the relationship investigation between microstructure and catalytic performance. The combination of on-chip electrochemical tests and theoretical calculations indicates that the HER performance greatly depends on the type and amount of defect configurations. The optimal configuration is that three V atoms are aggregated and accompanied by abundant sulfur vacancies, in which, H atoms directly interact with Mo and V atoms to form the most stable metal-bridge structure. The on-chip measurements also confirm that the sample with high concentrations of this type of defect configuration exhibits the best catalytic performance, indicating the efficient synergy in the optimal configuration. The revealed effects of defect configurations are expected to inspire the design and regulation of high-efficiency 2D catalysts.

Preoptimized phage cocktail for use in aerosols against nosocomial transmission of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii: A 3-year prospective intervention study.

Using bacteriophages (phages) as environmental sanitizers has been recognized as a potential alternative method to remove bacterial contamination in vitro; however, very few studies are available on the application of phages for infection control in hospitals. Here, we performed a 3-year prospective intervention study using aerosolized phage cocktails as biocontrol agents against carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) infection in the hospital. When a CRAB-infected patient was identified in an intensive care unit (ICU), their surrounding environment was chosen for phage aerosol decontamination. Before decontamination, 501 clinical specimens from the patients were subjected to antibiotic resistance analysis and phage typing. The optimal phage cocktails were a combination of different phage families or were constructed by next-evolutionary phage typing with the highest score for the host lysis zone to prevent the development of environmental CRAB phage resistance. The phage infection percentage of the antibiotic-resistant A. baumannii strains was 97.1%, whereas the infection percentage in the antibiotic-susceptible strains was 79.3%. During the phage decontamination periods from 2017 to 2019, the percentage of carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii in test ICUs decreased significantly from 65.3% to 55%. The rate of new acquisitions of CRAB infection over the three years was 4.4 per 1000 patient-days, which was significantly lower than that in the control wards (8.9 per 1000 patient-days) where phage decontamination had never been performed. In conclusion, our results support the potential of phage cocktails to decrease CRAB infection rates, and the aerosol generation process may make this approach more comprehensive and time-saving.

Effect of Hydraulic Expansion on Arteriovenous Fistula of Hemodialysis Patients.

BACKGROUND: Chronic kidney disease has become a serious public health problem in China. Our study is to explore effect of hydraulic expansion on arteriovenous fistula (AVF) of hemodialysis patients. METHODS: A total of 190 patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) were randomly divided into hydraulic expansion group (n = 117) and conventional surgery group (n = 73). Age, sex, the cause of ESRD, height, weight, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, and diameter of artery and vein from ultrasonography before surgery from patients were recorded. Doppler ultrasonography of vessel was performed with a 12-MHz scanning probe for vascular measurements. The time of first cannulation was recorded. Primary and secondary patency rates were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The mean arterial pressure for this cohort of patients was around 98.12 mm Hg. The mean diameters of artery and vein ready for anastomoses measured by ultrasonography before surgery were 1.96 and 2.04 mm, respectively. Age, weight, BMI, sex ratio, the cause of renal failure, history of catheter insertion, mean arterial pressure, frequency of hemodialysis, blood flow of hemodialysis, and the mode of anastomoses of AVF in conventional surgery group were similar to hydraulic expansion group. There were no differences in stroke volume of radius arterial and venous pressure before dilation between the two groups. The stroke volume of radius artery increased significantly after hydraulic expansion than before dilation and control group. The primary patency rates of AVF in patients with hydraulic expansion were higher significantly than conventional surgery group. The secondary patency rates in conventional surgery group were not different from hydraulic expansion group. CONCLUSION: Hydraulic expansion showed no difference from conventional surgery in complication after operation, and could decrease the time reliance on catheters and the risk of catheter-related infection, thrombosis, and decrease the related medical care costs.

Intrusive Rumination, Deliberate Rumination, and Posttraumatic Growth Among Adolescents After a Tornado: The Role of Social Support.

Posttraumatic growth (PTG) may exist in trauma survivors, especially adolescents, whereas rumination is a typical cognitive characteristic among traumatized individuals. However, there were mixed relationships between rumination (intrusive rumination, deliberate rumination) and PTG. The study aimed to increase understanding of the relationships between them by investigating the role of social support among adolescents after the Yancheng tornado. Four hundred forty-three middle school students in the core area of the tornado were administered a revised social support scale based on Furman and Buhrmester's Network of Relationships Inventory, Event-Related Rumination Inventory, and Posttraumatic Growth Inventory. Results showed a nonsignificant relationship between intrusive rumination and PTG, whereas a positive relationship was found between deliberate rumination and PTG. Moreover, social support did not moderate the relationship between intrusive rumination and PTG, but it significantly mediated the relationship between deliberate rumination and PTG. Clinical implications on trauma intervention and limitations as well as future research directions were discussed.

Mechanisms Underlying the Antidepressant Response of Acupuncture via PKA/CREB Signaling Pathway.

Protein kinase A (PKA)/cAMP response element-binding (CREB) protein signaling pathway, contributing to impaired neurogenesis parallel to depressive-like behaviors, has been identified as the crucial factor involved in the antidepressant response of acupuncture. However, the molecular mechanisms associated with antidepressant response of acupuncture, neurogenesis, and depressive-like behaviors ameliorating remain unexplored. The objective was to identify the mechanisms underlying the antidepressant response of acupuncture through PKA signaling pathway in depression rats by employing the PKA signaling pathway inhibitor H89 in in vivo experiments. Our results indicated that the expression of hippocampal PKA-α and p-CREB was significantly downregulated by chronic unpredicted mild stress (CUMS) procedures. Importantly, acupuncture reversed the downregulation of PKA-α and p-CREB. The expression of PKA-α was upregulated by fluoxetine, but not p-CREB. No significant difference was found between Acu and FLX groups on the expression of PKA-α and p-CREB. Interestingly, H89 inhibited the effects of acupuncture or fluoxetine on upregulating the expression of p-CREB, but not PKA-α. There was no significant difference in expression of CREB among the groups. Conclusively, our findings further support the hypothesis that acupuncture could ameliorate depressive-like behaviors by regulating PKA/CREB signaling pathway, which might be mainly mediated by regulating the phosphorylation level of CREB.

Over-expression of CHAF1A promotes cell proliferation and apoptosis resistance in glioblastoma cells via AKT/FOXO3a/Bim pathway.

Chromatinassembly factor 1 subunit A (CHAF1A) has been reported to be involved in several human diseases including cancer. However, the biological and clinical significance of CHAF1A in glioblastoma progression remains largely unknown. In this study, we found that up-regulation of CHAF1A happens frequently in glioblastoma tissues and is associated with glioblastoma prognosis. Knockout of CHAF1A by CRISPR/CAS9 technology induce G1 phase arrest and apoptosis in glioblastoma cell U251 and U87. In addition, inhibition of CHAF1A influenced the signal transduction of the AKT/FOXO3a/Bim axis, which is required for glioblastoma cell proliferation. Taken together, these results show that CHAF1A contributes to the proliferation of glioblastoma cells and may be developed as a de novo drug target and prognosis biomarker of glioblastoma.

Electroacupuncture alters pain-related behaviors and expression of spinal prostaglandin E2 in a rat model of neuropathic pain.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of spinal prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in electroacupuncture (EA) analgesia and assess the theoretical basis for selection of acupoints in the treatment of neuropathic pain. METHODS: A rat model of neuropathic pain was established. Rats were randomly divided into normal, model, sham, EA 1, EA 2, and EA 3 groups. In EA 1 group, the rats were needled at bilateral L5 Jiaji (EX-B2), Dachangshu (BL 25), Weizhong (BL 40) and Kunlun (BL 60). In EA 2 group, the rats were needled at bilateral Weizhong (BL 40) and Kunlun (BL 60). In EA 3 group, the rats were needled at bilateral L5 Jiaji (EX-B2) and Dachangshu (BL 25). EA stimulation was administered once daily over 7 days. Motor function and thermal withdrawal latencies were evaluated at 1 day preoperatively and at 3, 5, and 7 days postoperatively. After 7 days of intervention, enzyme-linked immunosorbnent assay (ELISA) was used to quantify the expression of the spinal PGE2. RESULTS: Rats in the model group exhibited evident hyperalgesia in responses to thermal withdrawal latencies compared with those in the control group (P < 0.01), and EA reversed thermal withdrawal latencies (P < 0.01). The expression level of the spinal PGE2 was significantly higher in the model group than that in the control group and was reversed by EA (P < 0.01; P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The effect of EA on neuropathic pain might alleviate the hyperalgesia state by an inhibition of local prostaglandin E2 secretion.

Electroacupuncture ameliorates cognitive impairment in APP/PS1 mouse by modulating TFEB levels to relieve ALP dysfunction.

Recently, the underlying mechanisms of acupuncture on the effects of Alzheimer's disease (AD) treatment have not been fully elucidated. Defects in ALP (autophagy-lysosomal pathway) and TFEB (transcription factor EB) play critical roles in AD. Our previous studies have demonstrated that electroacupuncture (EA) can ameliorate both ß-amyloid (Aß) pathology and cognitive function in APP/PS1 mice. However, the effects of EA on the expression of ALP and TFEB and their potential mechanisms require further investigation. Twenty-eight male APP/PS1 mice were randomly divided into Tg and Tg + EA groups, and 14 C57BL/6 mice served as the wild-type (WT) group. After 1 week of adaptation to the living environment, mice in the Tg + EA group were restrained in mouse bags and received manual acupuncture at Baihui (GV20) acupoint and EA stimulation at bilateral Yongquan (KI1) acupoints, using the same restraint method for WT and Tg groups. The intervention was applied for 15 min each time, every other day, lasting for six weeks. After intervention, the spatial learning and memory of the mice was assessed using the Morris water maze test. Hippocampal Aß expression was detected by immunohistochemistry and ELISA. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to observe autophagic vacuoles and autolysosomes in the hippocampus. Immunofluorescence method was applied to examine the expression of TFEB in CA1 region of the hippocampus and the co-localization of CTSD or LAMP1 with Aß. Western blot analysis was performed to evaluate the changes of LC3, p62, CTSD, LAMP1, TFEB and n-TFEB (nuclear TFEB) in the hippocampus. The findings of behavioral assessment indicated that EA alleviated the cognitive impairment of APP/PS1 mice. Compared with the WT group, the Tg group showed significant cognitive decline and abnormalities in ALP and TFEB function (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05). However, these abnormal changes were alleviated in the Tg + EA group (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05). The Tg group also showed more senile plaques and ALP dysfunction features, compared with the WT group, and these changes were alleviated by EA. In conclusion, this study highlights that EA ameliorated Aß pathology-related cognitive impairments in the APP/PS1 model associated with ALP and TFEB dysfunction.

Acupuncture as Add-on Therapy to SSRIs Can Improve Outcomes of Treatment for Anxious Depression: Subgroup Analysis of the AcuSDep Trial.

Purpose: Anxious depression (AD) is a common, distinct depression subtype. This exploratory subgroup analysis aimed to explore the effects of acupuncture as an add-on therapy of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) for patients with AD or non-anxious depression (NAD). Patients and Methods: Four hundred and sixty-five patients with moderate-to-severe depression from the AcuSDep pragmatic trial were included in analysis. Patients were randomly assigned to receive MA+SSRIs, EA+SSRIs, or SSRIs alone (1:1:1) for six weeks. AD was defined by using dimensional criteria. The measurement instruments included 17-items Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD-17), Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), Clinical Global Impression (CGI), Rating Scale for Side Effects (SERS), and WHO Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF). Comparison between AD and NAD subgroups and comparisons between groups within either AD or NAD subgroups were conducted. Results: Eighty percent of the patients met the criteria for AD. The AD subgroup had poorer clinical manifestations and treatment outcomes compared to those of the NAD subgroup. For AD patients, the HAMD response rate, remission rate, early onset rate, and the score changes on each scale at most measurement points on the two acupuncture groups were significantly better than the SSRIs group. For NAD patients, the HAMD early onset rates of the two acupuncture groups were significantly better than the SSRIs group. Conclusion: For AD subtype patients, either MA or EA add-on SSRIs showed comprehensive improvements, with small-to-medium effect sizes. For NAD subtype patients, both the add-on acupuncture could accelerate the response to SSRIs treatment. The study contributed to the existing literature by providing insights into the potential benefits of acupuncture in combination with SSRIs, especially for patients with AD subtypes. Due to its limited nature as a post hoc subgroup analysis, prospectively designed, high-quality trials are warranted. Clinical Trials Registration: ChiCTR-TRC-08000297.

Acupuncture for brain diseases: Conception, application, and exploration.

The brain is probably the most complex organ in the human body. It has been the hot spot and direction of brain science research all over the world to deeply study the pathogenesis of various kinds of brain diseases and find effective treatment methods. Acupuncture is a nonpharmacological therapy of traditional Chinese medicine originating from ancient clinical practice. The research on the treatment of brain diseases by acupuncture has been constantly enriched and updated with the promotion of interdisciplinary research. In order to account for the current achievements in the field of acupuncture for brain diseases, this article reviews it in terms of conception, application, and exploration. Based on the literature review, we found that in the past decades, acupuncture has received widespread attention worldwide and many literatures have reported the clinical efficacy and underlying mechanisms of acupuncture in the treatment of brain diseases. Presently, the conception, application, and exploration of acupuncture in the treatment of brain diseases have evolved from empirical medicine to evidence-based medicine and precision medicine, and are experiencing a deeper understanding of the information about acupuncture regulating the brain function based on interdisciplinary research.

Acupuncture Ameliorates Depression-Like Behaviors Through Modulating the Neuroinflammation Mediated by TLR4 Signaling Pathway in Rats Exposed to Chronic Restraint Stress.

Recently, emerging evidence has identified that stress-induced activation of neuroinflammation is considered to be one of the most prevalently precipitating factors in the pathogenesis of depression. Data from clinical trials and experimental findings has verified the efficacy and safety of acupuncture in the prevention and treatment of depression. However, the mechanism of the preventive effect of acupuncture for depression has not been fully elucidated. The current study aimed to investigate the preventive effect and mechanism of acupuncture through modulating the neuroinflammation mediated by toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signaling pathway in rats exposed to chronic restraint stress (CRS). All rats were subjected to CRS for 21 days, with the exception of rats in control group. One hour before CRS, rats in acupuncture group were exposed to acupuncture at Baihui (GV20) and Yintang (GV29). The depression-like behaviors were evaluated by body weight assessment and sucrose preference test at 0, 7, 14, and 21 days. The expression of activated microglia in hippocampus was detected by immunofluorescence. The expression of key proteins on TLR4 signaling pathway of TLR4, MyD88, TRAF6, NF-κB p65, TNF-α, and mRNA of TLR4 in the hippocampus was detected by western blot and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction to investigate the effect of acupuncture on stress-induced activation of neuroinflammation. The present study provided evidence that acupuncture exerted potential preventive effect that might be mediated in part by suppressing the neuroinflammation induced by TLR4 signaling pathway, which may be a promising treatment target to improve current treatments for depression.

Effects of acupuncture on regulating the hippocampal inflammatory response in rats exposed to post-traumatic stress disorder.

Data from clinical and experimental studies have verified the efficacy and safety of acupuncture in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, the concrete mechanism has not been well elucidated. The stress-induced activation of inflammatory response is involved in the development and pathogenesis of PTSD. Here, we aimed to investigate the effects of acupuncture on regulating the hippocampal inflammatory response in rats exposed to PTSD. Forty male rats were randomly divided into control, model, acupuncture and sertraline group. Within 1 day after adaptive feeding, all rats were exposed to single prolonged stress (SPS), except for the rats in the control group. Rats in acupuncture group were exposed to acupuncture intervention at the acupoints of Baihui (GV20) and Yintang (GV29), 20 min once per day for 15 days. Rats in sertraline group were exposed to a suspension of sertraline and distilled water (0.2 mg/ml), once per day for 15 days continuously. Body weight and elevated plus maze experiment were detected at different time-points to evaluate the behavioral changes of rats. HE staining method was used to observe the basic pathological morphological changes in hippocampus. Immunofluorescence staining method was used to observe the activation of hippocampal microglia. The content of IL-6 and IL-1ß in serum were detected by ELISA method. Compared with the control group, the body weight of rats in model group significantly decreased on 8 days, and the percentage of time in open arms and open arm entries decreased significantly on 15 days after SPS procedures, which indicated that SPS induced PTSD-like behavior in rats. Acupuncture exerted therapeutic effect. Simultaneously, the result of HE staining confirmed that SPS induced hippocampal morphological changes in SPS rats. Notably, acupuncture reversed the reduction and pathological injury to some extent. The results have also shown that acupuncture intervention effectively reversed the activated microglia of the hippocampus in rats. Moreover, the expression of IL-1ß in serum was significantly decreased by acupuncture intervention. In summary, the present study demonstrated that the role of acupuncture in eliminating PTSD-like behavior might be connected with reversing the pathological process of the inflammatory response mediated by the activation of microglia induced by SPS.

Effect of Stable Chlorine Dioxide and Vacuum-Packing Treatments on the Physicochemical and Volatile Flavor Properties of Pike Eel (Muraenesox cinereus) during Chilled Storage.

The effects of vacuum-packaging and stable chlorine dioxide treatments on the quality of pike-eel fillets were investigated during chilled storage for a period of up to 10 days. The results reveal that the sensory scores, total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N) content, total viable count (TVC), malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and the myofibrillar protein (MP) content of pike-eel fillets with different packing treatments all decreased significantly over 10 days of storage. However, the vacuum-packaging and stable chlorine dioxide pretreatment showed positive effects on the protein stability of pike-eel samples. Compared with the simple packaging (SP) and vacuum packing (VP) treatments, the combination treatments (CP) significantly inhibited the rapid increases in the TVB-N content, TVC values, and MDA content. Moreover, the comparative stability in the MP and its carbonyl content were maintained. Furthermore, our volatile organic compounds (VOCs) analysis confirmed that the combined packaging treatments significantly hindered protein and lipid oxidation, inhibited the growth of spoilage bacteria, and maintained the volatile flavors of pike-eel samples during chilled storage.

The main features of physician assistants/associates and insights for the development of similar professions in China.

The physician assistant/associate (PA) profession originated in the United States; PAs play an active role in alleviating the shortage of health and medical resources and improving the quality of medical care. This position has been introduced in and developed by many countries. Based on extensive literature research, this article summarizes the three main features of PAs, namely, that there is professional education for training PAs, the PA is an independent and exclusive professional type and PAs assist doctors in completing medical work. With reference to the innovative concept of the PA profession, this article summarized the existing "assistant" position in China that is similar to the PA position, compared it with the three features of PAs, revealed the shortcomings of the existing "assistant" position in China, provided a reference for the development of relevant careers in China, and provided solutions for solving the problems of medical and health resources in China.

Effects of Sous Vide Cooking on the Physicochemical and Volatile Flavor Properties of Half-Shell Scallop (Chlamys farreri) during Chilled Storage.

This study explored the effects of sous vide (SV) cooking treatments on the physicochemical quality and volatile flavor of half-shell scallop (Chlamys farreri) during 30 d of chilled storage. The vacuum-packed scallop samples were cooked at 70 °C (SV-70) and 75 °C (SV-75) and maintained for 30 min. The samples were compared with the positive control (cooked at 100 °C for 10 min, CK). The results indicate that the total volatile basic nitrogen (TVBN), pH, texture, and malondialdehyde (MDA) content gradually increased, while the myofibrillar protein (MP) extraction rate of the CK, SV-70, and SV-75 samples significantly decreased with increasing chilled storage time. Significantly, the SV cooking treatments maintained a much higher water-holding capacity of scallop muscle, compared with the conventional cooking process at 100 °C. Additionally, the SV-75 cooking treatment maintained relatively stable TVBN, pH, and MDA content, springiness, and shearing force properties of scallop samples, especially during 0-20 d of storage. Volatile flavor analysis showed that a total of 42 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were detected in the scallop samples, and there were no considerable differences in these VOCs between the CK and SV-75 cooked samples (0 d). Overall, the SV cooking treatments effectively maintained acceptable and stable physicochemical and volatile flavor properties of half-shell scallop samples during chilled storage.

Acupuncture Ameliorates Depressive Behaviors by Modulating the Expression of Hippocampal Iba-1 and HMGB1 in Rats Exposed to Chronic Restraint Stress.

The antidepressant mechanism of acupuncture has not been fully elucidated recently. Thus, the objective of the present study is to investigate the antidepressant mechanism of acupuncture of modulating the neuroinflammation induced by high mobility group box-1 (HMGB1) in rats subjected to chronic restraint stress (CRS). Forty-four male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into control, model, escitalopram, and acupuncture group. Except for rats in the control group, all rats were exposed to CRS for 21 days continuously. Rats in the escitalopram group were subjected to a suspension of escitalopram and saline. One hour before CRS procedures, acupuncture was performed at Baihui (GV20) and Yintang (GV29) for rats in the acupuncture group, 20 min per day for 21 days. All rats in each group were conducted to detect the body weight, sucrose preference test at 0, 7, 14, 21 days to evaluate the depression-like behaviors. The expression of microglial activation and HMGB1 in the hippocampus was detected by immunofluorescence. The expression of hippocampal interleukin-10 (IL-10) was detected by western blot. And the content of serum tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) was detected by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. CRS-exposed rats showed obviously decreased body weight and sucrose preference when compared with the control group, which was reversed by acupuncture. The results have also shown that acupuncture ameliorated the CRS-induced activation of microglia and HMGB1 in the hippocampus CA1 region. Furthermore, acupuncture reduced the stress-induced upregulation of TNF-α in serum. Collectively, the current study highlights the role of acupuncture in alleviating depressive behavior associated with stress-induced neuroinflammation mediated by HMGB1 in the CRS model of depression.

Conductive Metal-Organic Frameworks for Supercapacitors.

As a class of porous materials with crystal lattices, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), featuring outstanding specific surface area, tunable functionality, and versatile structures, have attracted huge attention in the past two decades. Since the first conductive MOF is successfully synthesized in 2009, considerable progress has been achieved for the development of conductive MOFs, allowing their use in diverse applications for electrochemical energy storage. Among those applications, supercapacitors have received great interest because of their high power density, fast charging ability, and excellent cycling stability. Here, the efforts hitherto devoted to the synthesis and design of conductive MOFs and their auspicious capacitive performance are summarized. Using conductive MOFs as a unique platform medium, the electronic and molecular aspects of the energy storage mechanism in supercapacitors with MOF electrodes are discussed, highlighting the advantages and limitations to inspire new ideas for the development of conductive MOFs for supercapacitors.