DMDD, isolated from Averrhoa carambola L., ameliorates diabetic nephropathy by regulating endoplasmic reticulum stress-autophagy crosstalk.

BACKGROUND: Studies have shown that Averrhoa carambola L. possesses therapeutic potential for diabetes and related complications. However, the specific beneficial effects and molecular mechanisms of 2-dodecyl-6-meth-oxycyclohexa-2,5-diene-1,4-dione (DMDD) isolated from Averrhoa carambola L. on diabetic nephropathy (DN) require further investigation. METHODS: 80 C57BL/6 J male mice were subjected to a 1-week adaptive feeding, followed by a high-fat diet and intraperitoneal injection of 100 mg/kg streptozotocin (STZ) to construct an in vivo DN model. Additionally, human renal proximal tubular epithelial cells (HK-2) induced by high glucose (HG) were used as an in vitro DN model. The expression levels of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS), and autophagy-related proteins in renal tubular cells were detected by Western Blot, flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) staining. Transcriptome analysis revealed was conducted to elucidate the specific mechanism of by which DMDD mitigates DN by inhibiting ERS and autophagy. HK-2 cells were transfected with IRE1α overexpression lentivirus to reveal the role of IRE1α overexpression in HG-induced HK-2. RESULTS: The experimental data showed that DMDD significantly reduced blood glucose levels and improved renal pathological alterations in DN mice. Additionally, DMDD inhibited the calcium (Ca2+) pathway, manifested by decreased autophagosome formation and downregulation of LC3II/I, Beclin-1, and ATG5 expression. Moreover, in HG-induced HK-2 cells, DMDD suppressed the overexpression of GRP78, CHOP, LC3II/I, Beclin1, and ATG5. Notably, IRE1α overexpression significantly increased autophagy incidence; however, DMDD treatment subsequently reduced the expression of LC3II/I, Beclin1, and ATG5. CONCLUSION: DMDD effectively inhibits excessive ERS and autophagy, thereby reducing renal cell apoptosis through the IRE1α pathway and Ca 2+ pathway.

Research progress on miR-124-3p in the field of kidney disease.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are 18-25 nucleotides long, single-stranded, non-coding RNA molecules that regulate gene expression. They play a crucial role in maintaining normal cellular functions and homeostasis in organisms. Studies have shown that miR-124-3p is highly expressed in brain tissue and plays a significant role in nervous system development. It is also described as a tumor suppressor, regulating biological processes like cancer cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion by controlling multiple downstream target genes. miR-124-3p has been found to be involved in the progression of various kidney diseases, including diabetic kidney disease, calcium oxalate kidney stones, acute kidney injury, lupus nephritis, and renal interstitial fibrosis. It mediates these processes through mechanisms like oxidative stress, inflammation, autophagy, and ferroptosis. To lay the foundation for future therapeutic strategies, this research group reviewed recent studies on the functional roles of miR-124-3p in renal diseases and the regulation of its downstream target genes. Additionally, the feasibility, limitations, and potential application of miR-124-3p as a diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target were thoroughly investigated.

Facet-Controlled Synthesis of Unconventional-Phase Metal Alloys for Highly Efficient Hydrogen Oxidation.

Facet control and phase engineering of metal nanomaterials are both important strategies to regulate their physicochemical properties and improve their applications. However, it is still a challenge to tune the exposed facets of metal nanomaterials with unconventional crystal phases, hindering the exploration of the facet effects on their properties and functions. In this work, by using Pd nanoparticles with unconventional hexagonal close-packed (hcp, 2H type) phase, referred to as 2H-Pd, as seeds, a selective epitaxial growth method is developed to tune the predominant growth directions of secondary materials on 2H-Pd, forming Pd@NiRh nanoplates (NPLs) and nanorods (NRs) with 2H phase, referred to as 2H-Pd@2H-NiRh NPLs and NRs, respectively. The 2H-Pd@2H-NiRh NRs expose more (100)h and (101)h facets on the 2H-NiRh shells compared to the 2H-Pd@2H-NiRh NPLs. Impressively, when used as electrocatalysts toward hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR), the 2H-Pd@2H-NiRh NRs show superior activity compared to the NiRh alloy with conventional face-centered cubic (fcc) phase (fcc-NiRh) and the 2H-Pd@2H-NiRh NPLs, revealing the crucial role of facet control in enhancing the catalytic performance of unconventional-phase metal nanomaterials. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations further unravel that the excellent HOR activity of 2H-Pd@2H-NiRh NRs can be attributed to the more exposed (100)h and (101)h facets on the 2H-NiRh shells, which possess high electron transfer efficiency, optimized H* binding energy, enhanced OH* binding energy, and a low energy barrier for the rate-determining step during the HOR process.

Biological activity and systemic translocation of the new tetrazolyloxime fungicide picarbutrazox against plant-pathogenic oomycetes.

BACKGROUND: Picarbutrazox is a new tetrazolyloxime fungicide discovered in 2014 by Nippon Soda. It is mostly used to protect against Phytophthora spp. and Pythium spp. However, little is known of its inhibition spectrum, protective and curative activity, and systemic translocation in plants. RESULTS: While picarbutrazox did not show obvious antifungal activity, it exhibited significant activity against oomycetes, including Phytophthora spp., Pythium spp. and Phytopythium spp.. The effective concentration for 50% growth inhibition (EC50) values of picarbutrazox against 16 oomycetes ranged from 3.1 × 10-4 and 7.27 × 10-3 µg mL-1. Furthermore, picarbutrazox could markedly inhibited the mycelial development, sporangia production, zoospore release, and cyst germination of Phytophthora capsici, with EC50 values of 1.34 × 10-3, 1.11 × 10-3, 4.85 × 10-3, and 5.88 × 10-2 µg mL-1, respectively. Additionally, under greenhouse conditions, the protective and curative activities of picarbutrazox at 200 mg L-1 (100%, 41.03%) against the P. capsici infection in peppers were higher than those of the reference fungicide dimethomorph at 200 mg L-1 (77.52%, 36.15%). High-performance liquid chromatography analysis confirmed that picarbutrazox showed excellent systemic translocation in pepper plants. CONCLUSION: The results showed that picarbutrazox markedly inhibited the important plant oomycete pathogens including Phytophthora spp., Pythium spp. and Phytopythium spp.. It also displayed excellent protective, curative and systemic translocation activity. Picarbutrazox thus has significant potential for preventing and controlling diseases caused by oomycetes. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Correlating active sites and oxidative species in single-atom catalyzed Fenton-like reactions.

Single-atom catalysts (SACs) have gained widespread popularity in heterogeneous catalysis-based advanced oxidation processes (AOPs), owing to their optimal metal atom utilization efficiency and excellent recyclability by triggering reactive oxidative species (ROS) for target pollutant oxidation in water. Systematic summaries regarding the correlation between the active sites, catalytic activity, and reactive species of SACs have rarely been reported. This review provides an overview of the catalytic performance of carbon- and metal oxide-supported SACs in Fenton-like reactions, as well as the different oxidation pathways induced by the metal and non-metal active sites, including radical-based pathways (e.g., ·OH and SO4˙-) and nonradical-based pathways (e.g. 1O2, high-valent metal-oxo species, and direct electron transfer). Thereafter, we discuss the effects of metal types, coordination environments, and spin states on the overall catalytic performance and the generated ROS in Fenton-like reactions. Additionally, we provide a perspective on the future challenges and prospects for SACs in water purification.

Ketoprofen promotes the conjugative transfer of antibiotic resistance among antibiotic resistant bacteria in natural aqueous environments.

The emergence and spread of antibiotic resistance in the environment pose a serious threat to global public health. It is acknowledged that non-antibiotic stresses, including disinfectants, pharmaceuticals and organic pollutants, play a crucial role in horizontal transmission of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). Despite the widespread presence of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), notably in surface water, their contributions to the transfer of ARGs have not been systematically explored. Furthermore, previous studies have primarily concentrated on model strains to investigate whether contaminants promote the conjugative transfer of ARGs, leaving the mechanisms of ARG transmission among antibiotic resistant bacteria in natural aqueous environments under the selective pressures of non-antibiotic contaminants remains unclear. In this study, the Escherichia coli (E. coli) K12 carrying RP4 plasmid was used as the donor strain, indigenous strain Aeromonas veronii containing rifampicin resistance genes in Taihu Lake, and E. coli HB101 were used as receptor strains to establish inter-genus and intra-genus conjugative transfer systems, examining the conjugative transfer frequency under the stress of ketoprofen. The results indicated that ketoprofen accelerated the environmental spread of ARGs through several mechanisms. Ketoprofen promoted cell-to-cell contact by increasing cell surface hydrophobicity and reducing cell surface charge, thereby mitigating cell-to-cell repulsion. Furthermore, ketoprofen induced increased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, activated the DNA damage-induced response (SOS), and enhanced cell membrane permeability, facilitating ARG transmission in intra-genus and inter-genus systems. The upregulation of outer membrane proteins, oxidative stress, SOS response, mating pair formation (Mpf) system, and DNA transfer and replication (Dtr) system related genes, as well as the inhibition of global regulatory genes, all contributed to higher transfer efficiency under ketoprofen treatment. These findings served as an early warning for a comprehensive assessment of the roles of NSAIDs in the spread of antibiotic resistance in natural aqueous environments.

From electricity to vitality: the emerging use of piezoelectric materials in tissue regeneration.

The unique ability of piezoelectric materials to generate electricity spontaneously has attracted widespread interest in the medical field. In addition to the ability to convert mechanical stress into electrical energy, piezoelectric materials offer the advantages of high sensitivity, stability, accuracy and low power consumption. Because of these characteristics, they are widely applied in devices such as sensors, controllers and actuators. However, piezoelectric materials also show great potential for the medical manufacturing of artificial organs and for tissue regeneration and repair applications. For example, the use of piezoelectric materials in cochlear implants, cardiac pacemakers and other equipment may help to restore body function. Moreover, recent studies have shown that electrical signals play key roles in promoting tissue regeneration. In this context, the application of electrical signals generated by piezoelectric materials in processes such as bone healing, nerve regeneration and skin repair has become a prospective strategy. By mimicking the natural bioelectrical environment, piezoelectric materials can stimulate cell proliferation, differentiation and connection, thereby accelerating the process of self-repair in the body. However, many challenges remain to be overcome before these concepts can be applied in clinical practice, including material selection, biocompatibility and equipment design. On the basis of the principle of electrical signal regulation, this article reviews the definition, mechanism of action, classification, preparation and current biomedical applications of piezoelectric materials and discusses opportunities and challenges for their future clinical translation.

Crystal-Phase-Selective Etching of Heterophase Au Nanostructures.

Selective oxidative etching is one of the most effective ways to prepare hollow nanostructures and nanocrystals with specific exposed facets. The mechanism of selective etching in noble metal nanostructures mainly relies on the different reactivity of metal components and the distinct surface energy of multimetallic nanostructures. Recently, phase engineering of nanomaterials (PEN) offers new opportunities for the preparation of unique heterostructures, including heterophase nanostructures. However, the synthesis of hollow multimetallic nanostructures based on crystal-phase-selective etching has been rarely studied. Here, a crystal-phase-selective etching method is reported to selectively etch the unconventional 4H and 2H phases in the heterophase Au nanostructures. Due to the coating of Pt-based alloy and the crystal-phase-selective etching of 4H-Au in 4H/face-centered cubic (fcc) Au nanowires, the well-defined ladder-like Au@PtAg nanoframes are prepared. In addition, the 2H-Au in the fcc-2H-fcc Au nanorods and 2H/fcc Au nanosheets can also be selectively etched using the same method. As a proof-of-concept application, the ladder-like Au@PtAg nanoframes are used for the electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in acidic media, showing excellent performance that is comparable to the commercial Pt/C catalyst.

Identification, expression, and characterization of a marine-derived chitinase Ce0303 from Chitiniphilus eburneus YS-30 with exo- and endo-hydrolytic properties.

N-acetyl-oligosaccharides exhibit antioxidant and antibacterial activities. However, the low catalytic efficiency of chitinase on crystalline chitin hinders the eco-friendly production of N-acetyl-oligosaccharides. A marine-derived chitinase-producing strain Chitiniphilus eburneus YS-30 was screened in this study. The genome of C. eburneus YS-30 spans 4,522,240 bp, with a G + C content of 63.96 % and 4244 coding genes. Among the chitinases secreted by C. eburneus YS-30, Ce0303 showed the highest content at 19.10 %, with a molecular weight of 73.5 kDa. Recombinant Ce0303 exhibited optimal activity at 50 °C and pH 5.0, maintaining stability across pH 4.0-10.0. Ce0303 demonstrated strict substrate specificity, with a specific activity toward colloidal chitin of 6.41 U mg-1, Km of 2.34 mg mL-1, and kcat of 3.27 s-1. The specific activity of Ce0303 toward α-chitin was 18.87 % of its activity on colloidal chitin. Ce0303 displayed both exo- and endo-hydrolytic properties, primarily producing (GlcNAc)1-3 from colloidal chitin. The structure of Ce0303 includes one catalytic domain and two chitin-binding domains. Docking results revealed that the GlcNAc at -1 subsite formed two hydrogen bonds with conserved Trp380. The hydrolytic properties of Ce0303 will provide technical support for the comprehensive utilization of crustacean raw materials.

Analysis of gastric electrical rhythm in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

AIM: To analysis the change of electrogastrogram (EGG) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and evaluate the prevalence of abnormal gastric electrical rhythm (AGER) and its relative influencing factors. METHODS: A total of 65 patients with T2DM hospitalized at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from Dec. 2020 to Dec. 2021 were included in the cross-sectional study. General information, clinical data, and medical history data of all study subjects, including name, gender, body mass index (BMI), duration of diabetes, anti-diabetic therapies, high blood pressure (HBP) history, smoking history, and medication history, were completely collected. The results of laboratory tests, including biochemical parameters, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting C-peptide, 2 h postprandial C-peptide, 24 h urine total protein (24 hUTP), urine microalbumin creatinine ratio (UACR) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were recorded. EGG, Gastroparesis Cardinal Symptom Index (GCSI), gastric emptying ultrasound, fundus examination, carotid artery ultrasonography, cardiac autonomic function test, heart rate variability (HRV) were all examined and recorded as well. According to the results of EGG, the subjects were divided into normal gastric electrical rhythm (NGER) group and abnormal gastric electrical rhythm (AGER) group. RESULTS: (1) Fasting blood glucose (FBG), HbA1c, the presence of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) and diabetic cardiac autonomic neuropathy (DCAN) were significantly higher in the AGER group (p < 0.05). Low frequency (LF) and high frequency (HF), the indicators of HRV, were significantly lower in the AGER group (p < 0.05). In addition, the prevalence of feeling excessively full after meals, loss of appetite, and stomach or belly visibly larger after meals of gastrointestinal symptoms of gastroparesis were significantly higher in the AGER group (p < 0.05). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that FBG and the prevalence of DCAN were the independent risk factors. CONCLUSION: AGER was associated with high FBG and the presence of DCAN. EGG examination is recommended for patients with gastrointestinal symptoms and clues of DCAN.

Factors associated with family decision-making self-efficacy among family members of patients with advanced cancer in mainland China.

OBJECTIVES: In Chinese culture, family members are the main decision maker on end-of-life (EoL) issues for patients with advanced cancer. Yet little is known about Chinese families' confidence in making EoL decisions and its associated factors. This study aims to investigate the status and associated factors of Chinese family members' confidence in making EoL decisions for patients with advanced cancer. METHODS: This cross-sectional study used a convenience sample of 147 family members of patients with stage III or stage IV cancer from a tertiary cancer center in Guangzhou, China. The questionnaires included demographic information of patients and their family members, patients' EoL preferences, and the Chinese version of the Family Decision-Making Self-Efficacy (FDMSE) Scale. RESULTS: A total of145 family members (98.64%) completed the questionnaires. The average score of FDMSE was 3.92 ± 0.53. A multiple regression analysis showed that the factors associated with FDMSE included patients' duration of disease, health insurance, participation in EoL decision-making, the expression of unfilled wishes, and family members' employment status. SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS: Chinese family members were not confident enough in making EoL decisions for patients with advanced cancer. It is recommended to develop cultural-tailored advanced care planning models to clarify patient preferences and to enhance the family members' self-efficacy in making EoL decisions with or for patients with advanced cancer.

On the mechanism of wogonin against acute monocytic leukemia using network pharmacology and experimental validation.

Wogonin is a natural flavone compound from the plant Scutellaria baicalensis, which has a variety of pharmacological activities such as anti-cancer, anti-virus, anti-inflammatory, and immune regulation. However, the potential mechanism of wogonin remains unknown. This study was to confirm the molecular mechanism of wogonin for acute monocytic leukemia treatment, known as AML-M5. The potential action targets between wogonin and acute monocytic leukemia were predicted from databases. The compound-target-pathway network and protein-protein interaction network (PPI) were constructed. The enrichment analysis of related targets and molecular docking were performed. The network pharmacological results of wogonin for AML-M5 treatment were verified using the THP-1 cell line. 71 target genes of wogonin associated with AML-M5 were found. The key genes TP53, SRC, AKT1, RELA, HSP90AA1, JUN, PIK3R1, and CCND1 were preliminarily found to be the potential central targets of wogonin for AML-M5 treatment. The PPI network analysis, GO analysis and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis demonstrated that the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway was the significant pathway in the wogonin for AML-M5 treatment. The antiproliferative effects of wogonin on THP-1 cells of AML-M5 presented a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner, inducing apoptosis, blocking the cell cycle at the G2/M phase, decreasing the expressions of CCND1, CDK2, and CyclinA2 mRNA, as well as AKT and p-AKT proteins. The mechanisms of wogonin on AML-M5 treatment may be associated with inhibiting cell proliferation and regulating the cell cycle via the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

Programmed cell death factor 4-mediated hippocampal synaptic plasticity is involved in early life stress and susceptibility to depression.

Early life stress (ELS) increases the risk of depression later in life. Programmed cell death factor 4 (PDCD4), an apoptosis-related molecule, extensively participates in tumorigenesis and inflammatory diseases. However, its involvement in a person's susceptibility to ELS-related depression is unknown. To examine the effects and underlying mechanisms of PDCD4 on ELS vulnerability, we used a "two-hit" stress mouse model: an intraperitoneal injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) into neonatal mice was performed on postnatal days 7-9 (P7-P9) and inescapable foot shock (IFS) administration in adolescent was used as a later-life challenge. Our study shows that compared with mice that were only exposed to the LPS or IFS, the "two-hit" stress mice developed more severe depression/anxiety-like behaviors and social disability. We detected the levels of PDCD4 in the hippocampus of adolescent mice and found that they were significantly increased in "two-hit" stress mice. The results of immunohistochemical staining and Sholl analysis showed that the number of microglia in the hippocampus of "two-hit" stress mice significantly increased, with morphological changes, shortened branches, and decreased numbers. However, knocking down PDCD4 can prevent the number and morphological changes of microglia induced by ELS. In addition, we confirmed through the Golgi staining and immunohistochemical staining results that knocking down PDCD4 can ameliorate ELS-induced synaptic plasticity damage. Mechanically, the knockdown of PDCD4 exerts neuroprotective effects, possibly via the mediation of BDNF/AKT/CREB signaling. Combined, these results suggest that PDCD4 may play an important role in the ELS-induced susceptibility to depression and, thus, may become a therapeutic target for depressive disorders.

A comprehensive study of the colloidal properties, biocompatibility, and synergistic antioxidant actions of Antarctic krill phospholipids.

Excipient selection is crucial to address the oxidation and solubility challenges of bioactive substances, impacting their safety and efficacy. AKPL, a novel ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) esterified phospholipid derived from Antarctic krill, demonstrates unique antioxidant capabilities and synergistic effects. It exhibits pronounced surface activity and electronegativity at physiological pH, as evidenced by a critical micelle concentration (CMC) of 0.15 g/L and ζ-potential of -49.9 mV. In aqueous environments, AKPL self-assembles into liposomal structures, offering high biocompatibility and promoting cell proliferation. Its polyunsaturated bond-rich structure provides additional oxidation sites, imparting antioxidant properties superior to other phospholipids like DSPC and DOPC. Additionally, AKPL augments the efficacy of lipophilic antioxidants, such as alpha-tocopherol and curcumin, in aqueous media through both intermolecular and intramolecular interactions. In sum, AKPL emerges as an innovative unsaturated phospholipid, offering new strategies for encapsulating and delivering oxygen-sensitive agents.

Controlled Synthesis of Unconventional Phase Alloy Nanobranches for Highly Selective Electrocatalytic Nitrite Reduction to Ammonia.

The controlled synthesis of metal nanomaterials with unconventional phases is of significant importance to develop high-performance catalysts for various applications. However, it remains challenging to modulate the atomic arrangements of metal nanomaterials, especially the alloy nanostructures that involve different metals with distinct redox potentials. Here we report the general one-pot synthesis of IrNi, IrRhNi and IrFeNi alloy nanobranches with unconventional hexagonal close-packed (hcp) phase. Notably, the as-synthesized hcp IrNi nanobranches demonstrate excellent catalytic performance towards electrochemical nitrite reduction reaction (NO2RR), with superior NH3 Faradaic efficiency and yield rate of 98.2 % and 34.6 mg h-1 mgcat -1 (75.5 mg h-1 mgIr -1) at 0 and -0.1 V (vs reversible hydrogen electrode), respectively. Ex/in situ characterizations and theoretical calculations reveal that the Ir-Ni interactions within hcp IrNi alloy improve electron transfer to benefit both nitrite activation and active hydrogen generation, leading to a stronger reaction trend of NO2RR by greatly reducing energy barriers of rate-determining step.

Exploring the dynamic mechanism of water wetting induced corrosion on differently pre-wetted surfaces in oil-water flows.

Water wetting induced corrosion is the core issue for uncovering the corrosion mechanism in multiphase flow environments, relevant to many industrial applications. Here, we experimentally investigated the dynamic failure of an oil film attached on the pre-wetted model surfaces by the electrochemical current detection using an "Alternate Wetting Cell" and the direct visualization of near-wall fluid states. The oil pre-wetted surface performed a superior corrosion mitigation efficiency, exhibiting a protective oil film with a duration time at least 5 times longer than the water pre-wetted surface. It confirms that the oil film rupture is a combined process of the local penetration and pinning of micro-droplets and the phase redistribution of the near-wall fluids. Corrosion finally initiates and propagates on the surface once the droplets pin there or damage the oil film. The result suggests new control strategies for materials corrosion in complex systems by surface modification and fluid management.

Restoration of the Activity of the Prefrontal Cortex to the Nucleus Accumbens Core Pathway Relieves Fentanyl-Induced Hyperalgesia in Male Rats.

Purpose: Functional connectivity between the prelimbic medial prefrontal cortex (PL-mPFC) and the core of the nucleus accumbens (NAc core) predicts pain chronification. Inhibiting the apoptosis of oligodendrocytes in the PL-mPFC prevents fentanyl-induced hyperalgesia in rats. However, the role of prefrontal cortex (PFC)-NAc projections in opioid-induced hyperalgesia (OIH) remains unclear. Herein, we explored the role of the PL-NAc core circuit in fentanyl-induced hyperalgesia. Methods: An OIH rat model was established, and patch-clamp recording, immunofluorescence, optogenetics, and chemogenetic methods were employed for neuron excitability detection and nociceptive behavioral assessment. Results: Our results showed decreased activity of the right PL-mPFC layer V output neurons in rats with OIH. Similarly, the excitability of the NAc core neurons receiving glutamatergic projections from the PL-mPFC decreased in OIH rats, observed by the light-evoked excitatory postsynaptic currents/light-excited inhibitory postsynaptic currents ratio (eEPSC/eIPSC ratio). Fentanyl-induced hyperalgesia was reversed by optogenetic activation of the PL-NAc core pathway, and chemogenetic suppression of this pathway induced hyperalgesia in control (saline-treated) rats. However, behavioral hyperalgesia was not aggravated by this chemogenetic suppression in OIH (fentanyl-treated) rats. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that inactivation of the PL-NAc core pathway may be a cause of OIH and restoring the activity of this pathway may provide a strategy for OIH treatment.

Motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease are affected by temperature: A controlled pilot study.

PURPOSE: The motor symptoms (MS) of Parkinson's disease (PD) have been affecting the quality of life in patients. In clinical practice, most patients with PD report that MS are more severe in winter than in summer, and hyperthermic baths (HTB) could temporarily improve MS. The study aimed to evaluate the effects of seasonal variation and aquatic thermal environment of HTB on the MS of PD. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study of 203 Chinese Han patients was performed. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to analyze seasonal variation in MS relative to baseline data (sex, age at onset, duration, season of birth, Hoehn and Yahr stage, family history, levodopa equivalent dose, and the effect of HTB on MS). Ten subjects participated in the HTB study, and one patient dropped out. The paired Wilcoxon rank test was used to assess the differences in the Movement Disorder Society-United Parkinson's disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS) part III motor examination total scores and the modified Webster Symptoms Score between non-HTB and before HTB and between non-HTB and after HTB. RESULTS: The improvement of MS after HTB was an independent risk factor for seasonal variation in MS (OR, 25.203; 95% CI, 10.951-58.006; p = .000). Patients with PD had significant improvements in the MDS-UPDRS part III motor examination total scores, especially in bradykinesia (p = .043), rigidity (p = .008), posture (p = .038), and rest tremor amplitude (p = .047). CONCLUSION: Seasonal variation in temperature and water temperature of HTB may affect MS in some patients with PD. Simple HTB could be recommended as physiotherapy for patients with PD who report temperature-sensitive MS.

Wild mushroom poisoning: A case study of amatoxin-containing mushrooms and implications for public health.

Wild mushroom poisoning is a global public health concern, with mushrooms containing amatoxins being the main cause of fatalities. Mushrooms from the genus Amanita and Galerina contain amatoxins. Here we present a case of wild mushroom poisoning that affected three individuals, resulting in two fatalities. Within 10-15 hours after consumption, they experienced symptoms of gastroenteritis such as vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. One individual sought medical attention promptly and recovered, while the other two sought medical help nearly two or three days after the onset of symptoms, by which time their conditions had already worsened and led to their deaths. The mushrooms were identified belonging to genus Galerina, and laboratory test revealed variations in toxin levels among mushrooms collected from different parts of the decaying stump. The higher levels of α-amanitin, ß-amanitin, and γ-amanitin were detected near the base of the tree stump, but trace levels of α-amanitin were found near the top of the stump, while ß-amanitin and γ-amanitin were undetectable. This case emphasizes the importance of seeking immediate medical attention when experiencing delayed-onset gastrointestinal symptoms, as it may indicate more severe mushroom poisoning, particularly amatoxin poisoning. Timely and appropriate treatment is equally important. Additionally, consuming different units of the mushrooms in the same incident can lead to varying prognoses due to differences in toxin levels.