The History of Controlling and Treating Infectious Diseases in Ancient China.

Infectious diseases are the common enemies of mankind. In the course of historical development, they persistently threaten human health and safety. Even today, despite the developments in medical science, we cannot escape the fear and suffering caused by infectious diseases. Whether in ancient or modern times, the source of infection, route of transmission, and a susceptible population are the three key conditions for the prevalence and spread of infectious diseases. All factors closely related to these three conditions can affect the prevalence of infectious diseases. China is one of the cradles of world civilization. The ancient people accumulated a great deal of experience and lessons in the long struggle against infectious diseases. In the face of the current threat posed by widespread infectious disease, it is imperative to review and summarize ancient Chinese ideas and health policies on epidemic prevention and control to inspire contemporary efforts in the prevention and control of infectious disease. The combination of prevention-oriented epidemic prevention ideology and traditional medicine provides valuable insights, especially for impoverished and medically underserved regions.

Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction on Mental Health and Psychological Quality of Life among University Students: A GRADE-Assessed Systematic Review.

Background: Psychological distress is a progressive health problem that has been linked to decreased quality of life among university students. This meta-analysis reviews existing randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that have examined the effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) on the relief of psychosomatic stress-related outcomes and quality of life among university students. Methods: The PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, PsycINFO (formerly PsychLit), Ovid MEDLINE, ERIC, Scopus, Google Scholar, ProQuest, and Cochrane Library databases were searched in November 2023 to identify the RCTs for analysis. Data on pathology (anxiety, depression, and perceived stress), physical capacity (sleep quality and physical health), and well-being (mindfulness, self-kindness, social function, and subjective well-being) were analyzed. Results: Of the 276 articles retrieved, 29 met the inclusion criteria. Compared with control therapies, the pooled results suggested that MBSR had significant effects, reducing anxiety (SMD = -0.29; 95% CI: -0.49 to -0.09), depression (SMD = -0.32; 95% CI: -0.62 to -0.02), and perceived stress (SMD = -0.41; 95% CI: -0.60 to -0.29) and improving mindfulness (SMD = 0.34; 95% CI: 0.08 to 0.59), self-kindness (SMD = 0.57; 95% CI: 0.30 to 1.12), and physical health (SMD = -0.59; 95% CI: -1.14 to -0.04). No significant differences were observed in sleep quality (SMD = -0.20; 95% CI: -0.06 to 0.20), social function (SMD = -0.71; 95% CI: -2.40 to 0.97), or subjective well-being (SMD = 0.07; 95% CI: -0.18 to 0.32). The quality of the evidence regarding sleep quality and physical health outcomes was low. Conclusions: MBSR therapy appears to be potentially useful in relieving functional emotional disorders. However, additional evidence-based large-sample trials are required to definitively determine the forms of mindfulness-based therapy that may be effective in this context and ensure that the benefits obtained are ongoing. Future studies should investigate more personalized approaches involving interventions that are tailored to various barriers and students' clinical characteristics. To optimize the effects of such interventions, they should be developed and evaluated using various designs such as the multiphase optimization strategy, which allows for the identification and tailoring of the most valuable intervention components.

Multi-Omics Analysis Reveals the Role of Changes in Platelet Activation Pathways in the Survival Outcome of Patients with Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Objective: The objective of this study was to integrate metabolomics and transcriptomics data to identify key diagnostic and prognostic markers for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Plasma samples were collected from 85 ESCC patients at different stages and 50 healthy volunteers for non-targeted metabolomic analysis. Methods: Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was employed for non-targeted metabolomic analysis. Subsequently, we integrated the metabolomic data with transcriptomic data from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and prognosis data from The Cancer Genome Atlas Program (TCGA) to perform pathway analysis. Our focus was on pathways that involve both metabolites and upstream genes, as they often exhibit higher accuracy. Results: Through the integration of metabolomics and transcriptomics, we identified significant alterations in the platelet activation pathway in ESCC. This pathway involves the participation of both metabolites and genes, making it a more accurate reflection of pathological changes associated with the disease. Notably, metabolite arachidonic acid (AA) and chemokine receptor type 2(CXCR2) were significantly downregulated in ESCC, while genes collagen type I alpha 1(COL1A1), collagen type I alpha 2(COL1A2), collagen type III alpha 1(COL3A1), type 3 inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (ITPR3), and insulin-like growth factor II mRNA binding protein 3(IGF2BP3) were significantly upregulated, indicating the presence of tumor-induced platelet activation in ESCC. Further analysis of prognosis data revealed that high expression of COL1A1, IGF2BP3, and ITPR3 was associated with a favorable prognosis for ESCC, while high CXCR2 expression was linked to an adverse prognosis. In addition, we combined COL1A1, ITPR3, IGF2BP3, CXCR2, and AA to form a diagnostic biomarker panel. The receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) demonstrated excellent diagnostic capability (AUC=0.987). Conclusion: Our study underscores the significant role of platelet activation pathways and related genes in the diagnosis and prognosis of ESCC patients. These findings offer promising insights for improving the clinical management of ESCC.

Combination of Anti-PD-1 and Electroacupuncture Induces a Potent Antitumor Immune Response in Microsatellite-Stable Colorectal Cancer.

Programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) inhibitors are ineffective against microsatellite-stable (MSS) colorectal cancer. Electroacupuncture (EA) has oncosuppressive and immunomodulatory properties. Here, we investigated the antitumor effects of EA and explored the feasibility of EA combined with anti-PD-1 in MSS colorectal cancer. Results showed that EA exerted its antitumor effect in an intensity-specific manner, and moderate-intensity EA (1.0 mA) induced maximal tumor inhibition. EA enhanced antitumor immune responses by increasing lymphocytes and granzyme B (GzmB) levels, as well as activating the stimulator of IFN genes (STING) pathway. EA combined with anti-PD-1 showed superior efficacy compared with either monotherapy in multiple MSS colorectal cancer mouse models. Single-cell RNA sequencing revealed that cotreatment reprogrammed the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME), as characterized by enhancement of cytotoxic functions. Mechanically, we found that the potentiated effect of EA was dependent upon the STING pathway. Collectively, EA reshapes the TIME of MSS colorectal cancer and sensitizes tumors to anti-PD-1 in a STING pathway-dependent manner. These results provide a mechanistic rationale for using EA as an immunomodulatory strategy to improve the clinical efficacy of anti-PD-1 in MSS colorectal cancer. EA is safe, well-tolerated, and feasible for clinical translation as a promising strategy for treating MSS colorectal cancer.

Injectable Hydrogel Containing TiO Nanosheets for Synergistic Photothermal/Thermodynamic Therapy.

Tumors have become the biggest obstacle to human health, and there are various treatment methods at present. Photothermal therapy (PTT) is usually ineffective and does not inhibit tumor progression due to the inability of the lasers to penetrate deeply. Therefore, most existing studies chose a 1064 nm laser with stronger penetrating power; meanwhile, studies have shown that the inclusion of harmful free radicals can significantly improve the antitumor efficacy. Herein, TiO nanosheets (NSs) were creatively prepared and encapsulated with an alkyl radical generator {2,2'-azobis[2-(2-imidazoline-2-yl)propane] dihydrochloride, [AIPH]} in sodium alginate (ALG) hydrogel for effective tumor killing by PTT and pairing with dangerous free radicals. TiO NSs were obtained by the liquid-phase exfoliation method, together with AIPH, which were in situ coencapsulated multifunctional hydrogels formed by the combination of Ca2+ and ALG. This ALG hydrogel could enrich TiO NSs and AIPH at the tumor site for a long time, and through the excellent photothermal properties of TiO NSs, AIPH could slowly and effectively generate alkyl radicals at the tumor site, which, in turn, gave it a better antitumor effect compared with that of TiO NSs in the deep hypoxic environment of the tumor. The AIPH + TiO + ALG hydrogel has distinctive anticancer capabilities based on the results of both in vivo and in vitro experiments. This material also has good biosafety. By combining PTT and free radical treatment, this work provides a novel therapeutic method to achieve oxygen-independent free radical production and enhance therapeutic efficacy.

Liquid metal microspheres with an eddy-thermal effect for magnetic hyperthermia-enhanced cancer embolization-immunotherapy.

Patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) display poor prognosis because HCC involves a high rate of metastasis and regrowth. Herein, we present an effective strategy to treat HCC using magnetic hyperthermia therapy (MHT)-enhanced cancer immunotherapy combined with transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE). Uniform liquid metal microspheres (LM MSs) obtained by microfluidic technology with powerful eddy-thermal effects could be used as both MHT and TAE agents for effective cancer therapy. The eddy-thermal effect of LM MSs demonstrated effective MHT, whereas LM MS-induced MHT boosted the immune system, promoted immune cell infiltration, and further stimulated powerful immune responses to suppress the growth of distant tumors, together with immune checkpoint blockade therapy. Furthermore, LM MS-lipiodol dispersion displayed excellent efficacy of the combined MHT-TAE in the orthotopic rabbit liver cancer model. Our work not only highlighted that LM MSs could act as effective MHT agents to achieve MHT-enhanced immunotherapy but also presented the significant promise of combining MHT with TAE for the efficient treatment of large orthotopic liver tumors.

Safety and Efficacy Comparison of Embospheres and Gelfoam Particles in Bronchial Artery Embolization for Massive Hemoptysis.

Objective: The objective of this research study was to compare the safety and efficacy of bronchial artery embolization (BAE) using Embospheres alone versus Embospheres combined with gelfoam particles in patients with massive hemoptysis. Methods: A total of 127 patients with tuberculous massive hemoptysis who were scheduled to undergo BAE were recruited and divided into two groups: Embosphere group (E group, n = 57) and Embosphere combined with gelfoam particles group (E + G group, n = 70). Technical and clinical success were assessed after BAE surgery, and mortality, untoward reactions, and risk factors for clinical failure were recorded during follow-up. Results: The technical success rate was 92.99% in the E group and 97.14% in the E + G group (P = .272), with similar 1-year mortality rates of 1.76% and 2.86%, respectively (P = .684). However, the E group exhibited a lower clinical success rate compared to the E + G group (85.96% vs. 97.14%), and this difference was statistically significant (P = .020). The untoward reactions showed no statistically significant difference (all P > .05). Univariate analysis revealed that four factors were statistically significant: age (P = .028), presence of pulmonary cavity (P = .001), diabetes (P = .005), and a single use of Embosphere embolization (P = .020). Multivariate regression analysis demonstrated that embolization with Embosphere alone was a risk factor for clinical treatment failure (P = .025). Conclusion: The combination of Embosphere with gelfoam particles can significantly improve the hemostatic effect of BAE without increasing the incidence of adverse reactions.

Sperm mitochondrial DNA copy number mediates the association between seminal plasma selenium concentrations and semen quality among healthy men.

Selenium (Se) is essential for successful male reproduction. However, the association of Se status with human semen quality remains controversial and the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. We measured seminal plasma Se concentrations, sperm mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNAcn), and sperm quality parameters among healthy Chinese men screened as potential sperm donors. Linear mixed-effects models were used to investigate the associations of within-subject pooled seminal plasma Se concentrations (n = 1159) with repeated sperm quality parameters (n = 5617); mediation analyses were applied to evaluate the mediating role of sperm mtDNAcn (n = 989). Seminal plasma Se concentrations were positively associated with sperm concentration and total count (both P for trend < 0.001). In adjusted models, men in the top vs. bottom quartiles of seminal plasma Se concentrations had 70.1 % (95 % CI: 53.3 %, 88.9 %) and 59.1 % (95 % CI: 40.5 %, 80.2 %) higher sperm concentration and total count, respectively. Meanwhile, we observed inverse associations between seminal plasma Se concentrations and sperm mtDNAcn, and between sperm mtDNAcn and sperm motility, concentration, and total count (all P for trend < 0.05). Mediation analyses suggested that sperm mtDNAcn mediated 19.7 % (95 % CI: 15.9 %, 25.3 %) and 23.1 % (95 % CI: 17.4 %, 33.4 %) of the associations between seminal plasma Se concentrations and sperm concentration and total count, respectively. Our findings suggest that Se is essential for male spermatogenesis, potentially by affecting sperm mtDNAcn.

Nanostructured polyvinylpyrrolidone-curcumin conjugates allowed for kidney-targeted treatment of cisplatin induced acute kidney injury.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) leads to unacceptably high mortality due to difficulties in timely intervention and less efficient renal delivery of therapeutic drugs. Here, a series of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)-curcumin nanoparticles (PCurNP) are designed to meet the renal excretion threshold (∼45 kDa), presenting a controllable delivery nanosystem for kidney targeting. Renal accumulation of the relatively small nanoparticles, 89Zr-PCurNP M10 with the diameter between 5 and 8 nm, is found to be 1.7 times and 1.8 times higher than the accumulation of 89Zr-PCurNP M29 (20-50 nm) and M40 (20-50 nm) as revealed by PET imaging. Furthermore, serum creatinine analysis, kidney tissues histology, and tubular injury scores revealed that PCurNP M10 efficiently treated cisplatin-induced AKI. Herein, PCurNP offers a novel and simple strategy for precise PET image-guided drug delivery of renal protective materials.

Cross-sectional study of depression tendency and sleep quality in 1352 people practicing Tai Chi.

This cross-sectional study aimed to analyse the relationship between Tai Chi exercise habits and depression tendency and sleep quality in people practicing Tai Chi in Chengdu, China. A total of 1352 Tai Chi practitioners aged 50-79 years old were divided into six groups according to age and gender for Tai Chi exercise habits, depression tendency and sleep quality. The frequency of weekly Tai Chi practice and duration of single Tai Chi practice have a significant positive correlation with the exercise years. For female subjects who had long-term Tai Chi exercise, depression decreased with the duration and weekly frequency of a single exercise. Tai Chi exercise habits reduced sleep disturbance scores (in the male group aged 60-69 years old, exercise years, r = -0.242, p = 0.004) and sleep duration (in the male and female group aged 70-79 years old, duration of single Tai Chi practice, r = -0.334, p = 0.035; r = -0.235, p = 0.029), suggesting that long-term Tai Chi exercise may reduce the trend of poor sleep quality due to increased ageing.

Liquid exfoliation of ultrasmall zirconium carbide nanodots as a noninflammatory photothermal agent in the treatment of glioma.

Photothermal therapy (PTT), like other clinical translational tumor ablation techniques, requires a temperature increase above 50 °C to cause necrosis and death of tumor cells. Although the tumor can be eliminated rapidly by PTT, the inflammatory response is triggered by the large amounts of released reactive oxygen species (ROS). Therefore, liquid exfoliation was used to create ultrasmall zirconium carbide nanodots (NDs) with an average diameter of approximately 4.5 nm as noninflammatory/anti-inflammatory photosensitizers for PTT of glioma. Ultrasmall ZrC NDs showed excellent photothermal stability and biocompatibility but no obvious toxicity. Moreover, the ultrasmall ZrC NDs effectively ablated glioma at relatively low concentrations and inhibited tumor migration and proliferation in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, the excellent ROS-scavenging ability of ultrasmall ZrC NDs suppressed the inflammatory response to PTT. Intriguingly, we found that ZrC had the capability of performing CT imaging. We demonstrated that the ultrasmall ZrC NDs created in this study could effectively and safely treat glioma without inflammation.

Light-Activated Gold-Selenium Core-Shell Nanocomposites with NIR-II Photoacoustic Imaging Performances for Heart-Targeted Repair.

Mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative damage represent important pathological mechanisms of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MI/RI). Searching for potential antioxidant agents to attenuate MI/RI is of great significance in clinic. Herein, gold-selenium core-shell nanostructures (AS-I/S NCs) with good near-infrared (NIR)-II photoacoustic imaging were designed for MI/RI treatment. The AS-I/S NCs after ischemic myocardium-targeted peptide (IMTP) and mitochondrial-targeted antioxidant peptide SS31 modification achieved cardiomyocytes-targeted cellular uptake and enhanced antioxidant ability and significantly inhibited oxygen-glucose deprivation-recovery (OGD/R)-induced cardiotoxicity of H9c2 cells by inhibiting the depletion of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and restoring ATP synthase activity. Furthermore, the AS-I/S NCs after SS31 modification achieved mitochondria-targeted inhibition of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and subsequently attenuated oxidative damage in OGD/R-treated H9c2 cells by inhibition of apoptosis and oxidative damage, regulation of MAPKs and PI3K/AKT pathways. The in vivo AS-I/S NCs administration dramatically improved myocardial functions and angiogenesis and inhibited myocardial fibrosis through inhibiting myocardial apoptosis and oxidative damage in MI/RI of rats. Importantly, the AS-I/S NCs showed good safety and biocompatibility in vivo. Therefore, our findings validated the rational design that mitochondria-targeted selenium-gold nanocomposites could attenuate MI/RI of rats by inhibiting ROS-mediated oxidative damage and regulating MAPKs and PI3K/AKT pathways, which could be a potential therapy for the MI/RI treatment.

Efficacy and safety of Jiu-Wei-Xi-Feng granules for treating tic disorders in children: study protocol for a randomized controlled equivalence trial.

BACKGROUND: Tic disorders (TD) is a neuropsychiatric disease with twitch as the main manifestation in childhood. Jiu-Wei-Xi-Feng granules has been marketed in China for treating children with TD. As Long Gu (Os Draconis) in the composition of this Chinese patent medicine is a rare and expensive medicinal material protected by the Chinese government, therefore, we consider replacing it with Mu Li (Concha Ostreae) that has the same effect and is cheaper. This study is designed to evaluate the clinical equivalence between Jiu-Wei-Xi-Feng granules (Os Draconis replaced by Concha Ostreae) (JWXFD) and Jiu-Wei-Xi-Feng granules (original formula) (JWXFO) in children with TD (consumption of renal yin and liver wind stirring up internally syndrome). METHODS/DESIGN: This is a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, equivalence trial comparing the efficacy and safety of JWXFD and JWXFO in treating Children with tic disorders (consumption of renal yin and liver wind stirring up internally syndrome). A total of 288 patients will be recruited and randomly assigned to two groups in a 1:1 ratio. The treatment course is 6 weeks, with a 2 weeks follow-up. The primary outcome is the mean change value from baseline to 6th week by the Yale Global Tic Severity Scale total tic score (YGTSS-TTS). Secondary outcomes include total effective rate of tic, Yale Global Tic Severity Scale (YGTSS) scores and its factor scores (the degree of motor tics, phonic tics and social function damage), Clinical Global Impression-Severity scale, and TCM syndrome efficacy. DISCUSSION: The design of this study refers to a large number of similar research design points, and asked for opinions of peer experts, and finally reached a consensus. This trial will provide high-quality evidence on the clinical equivalence between JWXFD and JWXFO and provide a basis for the marketing of JWXFD. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ChiCTR2000032312 Registered on 25 April 2020, http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=52630.

Effects of Tai Chi and brisk walking on the bone mineral density of perimenopausal women: A randomized controlled trial.

Background: There is a lack of information on whether the positive effect of Tai Chi (TC) and brisk walking (BW) exercise on bone mineral density (BMD) in perimenopausal women remains after exercise cessation. To compare the effects of regular TC and BW exercise on BMD in perimenopausal women and to analyze the maintenance effects after exercise cessation. Methods: The TC and BW groups performed 48 weeks of exercise. The BMD of the lumbar spine and dominant-side proximal femur was measured in all subjects at weeks 0, 48, 52, and 56. Results: Compared with baseline, the BMD of the lumbar spine (L2-4) at week 48 increased by 5.05% (P = 0.031) in the TC group, and the BMD of the femoral neck at week 48 increased by 8.23% (P = 0.031) in the BW group. At 4 and 8 weeks after exercise cessation, the BMD of L2-4 in the TC group was still increased by 5.05% (P = 0.041) and 5.05% (P = 0.023), respectively, and the BMD of the femoral neck was still increased by 8.23% (P = 0.018) and 9.41% (P = 0.007), respectively, in the BW group. Conclusion: Forty-eight weeks of TC exercise significantly increases the BMD of L2-4 in perimenopausal women, and BW exercise significantly increases the BMD of the femoral neck; these effects are maintained at 4 and 8 weeks after exercise cessation. These results suggest that these two exercises reduce the BMD decrease caused by aging.

Oxygen-deficient titanium dioxide-loaded black phosphorus nanosheets for synergistic photothermal and sonodynamic cancer therapy.

Malignant tumors, particularly those located in deep tissues, have always been a grievous threat to human health. Sonodynamic therapy (SDT) has recently attracted great attention due to deep tissue penetration. However, the lack of effective sonosensitizers and the poor therapeutic efficacy severely limit their wider use. Herein, dual-functionalized black phosphorus nanosheets (BP@PEI-PEG, i.e., PPBP) integrating black oxygen-deficient titanium dioxide particles (B-TiO2) were successfully constructed (PPBP-B-TiO2) for synergistic photothermal (PTT)/sonodynamic therapy. In these nanocomposites, black titanium dioxide can enhance the separation of electrons (e-) and holes (h+) due to the oxygen-deficient structure and significantly improves the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) for SDT, while the BP nanosheets endow the nanocomposites with a higher photothermal conversion capability for photothermal therapy (η = 44.1%) which can prolong the blood circulation and improve the O2 supply. In vivo experiments prove that PPBP-B-TiO2 nanocomposites exhibited outstanding tumor inhibition efficacy and excellent biocompatibility. This work provides a prospective platform for combined photothermal/sonodynamic cancer therapy.

Hemin-loaded black phosphorus-based nanosystem for enhanced photodynamic therapy and a synergistic photothermally/photodynamically activated inflammatory immune response.

The biocompatible nanosystem integrating hemin into black phosphorus nanosheets was ingeniously constructed through the easy modified strategy. Taking advantage of the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect, the designed nanosystem could accumulate into the tumor location, leading to attractive cytotoxicity through the enhanced photodynamic therapy (PDT) ascribing to the catalytic oxygen supply and GSH depletion of hemin. Simultaneously, combining PDT and photothermal therapy (PTT) showed an apparent promotion in anti-tumor effect. Moreover, inflammatory response and immune activation amplified anti-tumor effect, which could compensate limitations of exogenous therapy (i.e., limited tissue depth and intensity-dependent curation effect) and potentiate the efficiency of the endogenous immune-activating behavior. Especially, the designed nanosystem degraded followed by being metabolized in the blood circulation. By and large, this constructed nanosystem provides the new insight into designing biocompatible nanomaterials and paves the ideal way for anti-tumor therapy. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Biocompatible nanomaterials-based synergistic tumor therapy offers the potential application prospect. Taking advantage of degradable black phosphorus, the nanosystem integrating hemin into black phosphorus for the enhanced photodynamic therapy and synergistic photothermal-photodynamic activating inflammation-immune response was developed and the results demonstrate that tumor growth was inhibited followed by activating inflammatory factors and leading to satisfactory immune response.

Association between tea consumption and semen quality among 1385 healthy Chinese men.

Information on the association between tea drinking and semen quality is limited. Little is reported on whether tea drinking is benefit to sperm quality. This cross-sectional and longitudinal study was conducted between April 2017 and July 2018. Participants were healthy men who were screened as potential sperm donors recruited at the Hubei Province Human Sperm Bank of China. A structured questionnaires containing sociodemographic information, daily habits, sperm collection-related information was completed for each participant at interview. Repeated semen samples were taken to examine the sperm parameters, including sperm volume, sperm concentration, sperm count, progressive motility, and total motility. A total of 1385 men with 6466 sperm samples were included in this study. Two groups were compared: tea drinking men (389, 28.1%) and non-tea drinking men (996, 71.9%). Compared with subjects who never drink tea, the analyses showed that sperm concentration and total sperm count were higher in tea-consuming subjects. A 10-year period or more duration of tea drinking significantly increased semen concentrations by 16.27% (P < 0.05). Sperm concentration was increased in subjects with a frequency of tea drinking of 3 days or more per week (P < 0.05) or, among men who were occasional alcohol drinkers, when tea concentration was weak (P < 0.05). No evidence of trend effects (P for trend > 0.05) or interaction effects (P for interaction > 0.05) between tea consumption and sperm quality, respectively. Our findings provide evidence that tea drinking may improve male reproductive health. Long-term, frequent, weak tea drinking tends to increase sperm quality among men with low BMI or health-related behaviors like smoking or alcohol intake.

Bromelain Ameliorates Atherosclerosis by Activating the TFEB-Mediated Autophagy and Antioxidant Pathways.

Bromelain, a cysteine protease found in pineapple, has beneficial effects in the treatment of inflammatory diseases; however, its effects in cardiovascular pathophysiology are not fully understood. We investigated the effect of bromelain on atherosclerosis and its regulatory mechanisms in hyperlipidemia and atheroprone apolipoprotein E-null (apoe-/-) mice. Bromelain was orally administered to 16-week-old male apoe-/- mice for four weeks. Daily bromelain administration decreased hyperlipidemia and aortic inflammation, leading to atherosclerosis retardation in apoe-/- mice. Moreover, hepatic lipid accumulation was decreased by the promotion of cholesteryl ester hydrolysis and autophagy through the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/transcription factor EB (TFEB)-mediated upregulation of autophagy- and antioxidant-related proteins. Moreover, bromelain decreased oxidative stress by increasing the antioxidant capacity and protein expression of antioxidant proteins while downregulating the protein expression of NADPH oxidases and decreasing the production of reactive oxygen species. Therefore, AMPK/TFEB signaling may be crucial in bromelain-mediated anti-hyperlipidemia, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects, effecting the amelioration of atherosclerosis.

Emerging two-dimensional monoelemental materials (Xenes): Fabrication, modification, and applications thereof in the field of bioimaging as nanocarriers.

In recent years, more and more research enthusiasm has been devoted to the development of emerging two-dimensional (2D) monoelement materials (Xenes) and explored potential applications in various fields, especially biomedicine and bioimaging. The inspiring results attribute to their excellent physicochemical properties, including adjustable band gap, surface electronic layout characteristics, and so on, making it easier for surface modification in order to meet designated needs. As a popular interdisciplinary research frontier, a variety of methods for fabricating 2D Xenes have recently been adopted for pre-preparing future practical bioimaging applications, which implies that these materials will have broad clinical application prospects in the future. In this review, we will concentrate on the family of 2D Xenes and summarize their fabrication and modification methods firstly. Then, their applications in bioimaging as nanocarriers will be described according to the Periodic Table of Elements. In addition, current challenges and prospects for further clinical applications will be under discussion and use black phosphorus as a typical example. At last, general conclusion will be made that it is worth expecting that 2D Xenes will play a key role in the next generation of oncologic bioimaging in the future. This article is categorized under: Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Oncologic Disease Toxicology and Regulatory Issues in Nanomedicine > Toxicology of Nanomaterials Toxicology and Regulatory Issues in Nanomedicine > Regulatory and Policy Issues in Nanomedicine.

Biodegradable L-lysine-modified amino black phosphorus/poly(l-lactide-coε-caprolactone) nanofibers with enhancements in hydrophilicity, shape recovery and osteodifferentiation properties.

Biodegradable poly-(lactide-coε-caprolactone) (PLCL) scaffolds have opened new perspectives for tissue engineering due to their nontoxic and fascinating functionality. Herein, a black phosphorus-based biodegradable material with a combination of promising enhanced hydrophilicity, shape recovery and osteodifferentiation properties was proposed. First, amino black phosphorous (BP-NH2) was prepared by a simple ball milling method. Then, L-lysine-modified black phosphorous (L-NH-BP) was formed by hydrogen bonding between L-lysine and amino BP and integrated into PLCL to form PLCL/L-NH-BP composite fibers. The scaffolds had excellent shape recovery and shape fixity properties. Moreover, based on gene expression and protein level assessment, the scaffolds could enhance the expression of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2), simultaneously improving the mineralization ability of bone mesenchymal stem cells. Specifically, this new composite material was experimentally verified to be degradable under mild conditions. This strategy provided new insight into the design of multifunctional materials for diverse applications.