Super-assembled periodic mesoporous organosilica membranes with hierarchical channels for efficient glutathione sensing.

Bioinspired nanochannel-based sensors have elicited significant interest because of their excellent sensing performance, and robust mechanical and tunable chemical properties. However, the existing designs face limitations due to material constraints, which hamper broader application possibilities. Herein, a heteromembrane system composed of a periodic mesoporous organosilica (PMO) layer with three-dimensional (3D) network nanochannels is constructed for glutathione (GSH) detection. The unique hierarchical pore architecture provides a large surface area, abundant reaction sites and plentiful interconnected pathways for rapid ionic transport, contributing to efficient and sensitive detection. Moreover, the thioether groups in nanochannels can be selectively cleaved by GSH to generate hydrophilic thiol groups. Benefiting from the increased hydrophilic surface, the proposed sensor achieves efficient GSH detection with a detection limit of 1.2 µM by monitoring the transmembrane ionic current and shows good recovery ranges in fetal bovine serum sample detection. This work paves an avenue for designing and fabricating nanofluidic sensing systems for practical and biosensing applications.

Superassembled MXene-carboxymethyl chitosan nanochannels for the highly sensitive recognition and detection of copper ions.

Copper ions (Cu2+), as a crucial trace element, play a vital role in living organisms. Thus, the detection of Cu2+ is of great significance for disease prevention and diagnosis. Nanochannel devices with an excellent nanoconfinement effect show great potential in recognizing and detecting Cu2+ ions. However, these devices often require complicated modification and treatment, which not only damages the membrane structure, but also induces nonspecific, low-sensitivity and non-repeatable detection. Herein, a 2D MXene-carboxymethyl chitosan (MXene/CMC) freestanding membrane with ordered lamellar channels was developed by a super-assembly strategy. The introduction of CMC provides abundant space charges, improving the nanoconfinement effect of the nanochannel. Importantly, the CMC can chelate with Cu2+ ions, endowing the MXene/CMC with the ability to detect Cu2+. The formation of CMC-Cu2+ complexes decreases the space charges, leading to a discernible variation in the current signal. Therefore, MXene/CMC can achieve highly sensitive and stable Cu2+ detection based on the characteristics of nanochannel composition. The linear response range for Cu2+ detection is 10-9 to 10-5 M with a low detection limit of 0.095 nM. Notably, MXene/CMC was successfully applied for Cu2+ detection in real water and fetal bovine serum samples. This work provides a simple, highly sensitive and stable detection platform based on the properties of the nanochannel composition.

High-Performance Flexible Graphene Oxide-Based Moisture-Enabled Nanogenerator via Multilayer Heterojunction Engineering and Power Management System.

Recently, there has been a surge of interest in nanogenerators within the scientific community because their immense potential for extracting energy from the surrounding environment. A promising approach involves utilizing ambient moisture as an energy source for portable devices. In this study, moisture-enabled nanogenerators (MENGs) are devised by integrating heterojunctions of graphene oxide (GO) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO). Benefiting from the unique structure, a larger ion concentration gradient is achieved as well as a lower resistance, which leads to enhanced electricity generation. The resulting MENG generates a desirable open-circuit voltage of 0.76 V and a short-circuit current density of 73 µA cm-2 with a maximum power density of 15.8 µW cm-2 . Notably, the designed device exhibits a high voltage retention of more than 90% after 3000 bending cycles, suggesting a high potential for flexible applications. Moreover, a large-scale integrated MENG array is developed by incorporating flexible printed circuit technology and connecting it to a power management system. This integrated system can provide ample energy to operate an electronic ink display and drive a heart rate sensor for health monitoring. The outcomes of this research present a novel framework for advancing next-generation self-powered flexible devices, thereby demonstrating significant promise for future wearable electronics.

Coexistence of primary biliary cirrhosis-autoimmune hepatitis overlap syndrome and membranous nephropathy: A case report.

Overlap syndrome is the combination of autoimmune liver diseases, and this term usually describes the coexistence of autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) and primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) in the same patient. Membranous nephropathy (MN) is the most common pattern of idiopathic nephrotic syndrome in patients without diabetes. The coexistence of PBC-AIH overlap syndrome and MN is very rare. Herein, the patient we describe exhibited large amounts of proteinuria and hepatic dysfunction nearly at the same time. We administered azathioprine to our patient. Fortunately, the patient demonstrated a good response to azathioprine, including a partial reduction in proteinuria from ~ 12.5 g/D to 2.62 g/D after 21 months of observation and the improvement of liver function. Our findings suggest that azathioprine may be a suitable treatment option for patients presenting with coexisting PBC-AIH overlap syndrome and MN.

Exosomal transfer of circular RNA FBXW7 ameliorates the chemoresistance to oxaliplatin in colorectal cancer by sponging miR-18b-5p.

Circular RNA F-box and WD repeat domain containing 7 (circ-FBXW7) has been revealed to be involved in the tumorigenesis of colorectal cancer (CRC). Exosomes are critical mediators of intercellular communication. However, the role of exosomal circ-FBXW7 in the CRC oxaliplatin resistance remains unknown. Cell viability, apoptosis, motility, and drug efflux were measured by the cell counting kit-8 assay, flow cytometry, transwell assay, and atomic absorption spectrophotometry, respectively. The expression of circ-FBXW7 and microRNA (miR)-18b-5p was detected using the quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Western blot was used to determine multidrug resistance protein 1 (MRP1), myeloid cell leukemia-1 (MCL-1), CD9, CD63, Caspase3, E-cadherin, and N-cadherin. Exosomes were isolated and captured using the ultracentrifugation method and transmission electron microscopy. The interaction between circ-FBXW7 and miR-18b-5p was confirmed by dual-luciferase reporter assay and RNA immunoprecipitation assay. In vivo experiments were conducted using the murine xenograft model. Our results showed that circ-FBXW7 was decreased in oxaliplatin-resistant CRC patients and cells. circ-FBXW7 was secreted by circ-FBXW7-transfected FHC cells and could be transferred to resistant CRC cells through the exosome secretion. Subsequently, in vitro and in vivo studies demonstrated exosomal circ-FBXW7 led resistant cells sensitive to oxaliplatin, increased the oxaliplatin-induced apoptosis, inhibited oxaliplatin-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and suppressed oxaliplatin efflux. miR-18b-5p was increased in oxaliplatin-resistant CRC patients and cells and was confirmed to be a target of circ-FBXW7. Immediately, the rescue assay showed exosome-mediated transfer of circ-FBXW7 enhanced oxaliplatin sensitivity by binding to miR-18b-5p in vitro and in vivo. To conclude, the circ-FBXW7 delivery by exosomes could ameliorate chemoresistance to oxaliplatin in CRC by directly binding to miR-128-3p, suggesting a promising therapeutic strategy for oxaliplatin-resistant CRC patients.

Fluorescent polydopamine based molecularly imprinted sensor for ultrafast and selective detection of p-nitrophenol in drinking water.

A highly effective fluorescent molecularly imprinted sensor (F-PDA-MIS) based on fluorescent polydopamine (F-PDA) was successfully synthesized for selective and ultrafast detection of p-nitrophenol (P-NP) in drinking water. F-PDA with abundant surface functional groups has been artfully modified to firstly serve as both fluorescent monomer and functional monomer in the synthesis of a uniform luminous F-PDA-MIS, which can greatly improve the detection efficiency. As expected, F-PDA-MIS had an obvious emission wavelength of 535 nm with the optimal excitation wavelength at 400 nm. Specially, F-PDA-MIS could detect P-NP in the range 100 to 1100 nM with much lower detection limit of 24.2 nM within 120 s compared with other conventional imprinted fluorescent sensors based on pure quantum dots (QDs) or dyes. This excellent test phenomenon is mainly ascribed to the rapid electron transfer between F-PDA and P-NP. Satisfactory recovery of 98.0-104% for mineral water and 98.6-106% for boiling water were obtained with relative standard deviations (RSDs) of 2.7-3.4% and 2.6-3.5% respectively. The detection reliability of F-PDA-MIS was verified by the comparison with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC-UV). Consequently, F-PDA as a fluorescence functional monomer has been shown to be a possible strategy to effectively improve the detection limit and shorten response time of the target determination in water..

An Improved Method of Determining Human Population Distribution Based on Luojia 1-01 Nighttime Light Imagery and Road Network Data-A Case Study of the City of Shenzhen.

Previously published studies on population distribution were based on the provincial level, while the number of urban-level studies is more limited. In addition, the rough spatial resolution of traditional nighttime light (NTL) data has limited their fine application in current small-scale population distribution research. For the purpose of studying the spatial distribution of populations at the urban scale, we proposed a new index (i.e., the road network adjusted human settlement index, RNAHSI) by integrating Luojia 1-01 (LJ 1-01) NTL data, the enhanced vegetation index (EVI), and road network density (RND) data based on population density relationships to depict the spatial distribution of urban human settlements. The RNAHSI updated the high-resolution NTL data and combined the RND data on the basis of human settlement index (HSI) data to refine the spatial pattern of urban population distribution. The results indicated that the mean relative error (MRE) between the population estimation data based on the RNAHSI and the demographic data was 34.80%, which was lower than that in the HSI and WorldPop dataset. This index is suitable primarily for the study of urban population distribution, as the RNAHSI can clearly highlight human activities in areas with dense urban road networks and can refine the spatial heterogeneity of impervious areas. In addition, we also drew a population density map of the city of Shenzhen with a 100 m spatial resolution for 2018 based on the RNAHSI, which has great reference significance for urban management and urban resource allocation.

Molecularly Imprinted Fluorescent Test Strip for Direct, Rapid, and Visual Dopamine Detection in Tiny Amount of Biofluid.

Paper-based assays for detection of physiologically important species are needed in medical theranostics owning to their superiorities in point of care testing, daily monitoring, and even visual readout by using chromogenic materials. In this work, a facile test strip is developed for visual detection of a neurotransmitter dopamine (DA) based on dual-emission fluorescent molecularly imprinted polymer nanoparticles (DE-MIPs). The DE-MIPs, featured with tailor-made DA affinity and good anti-interference, exhibit DA concentration-dependent fluorescent colors, due to the variable ratios of dual-emission fluorescence caused by DA binding and quenching. By facile coating DE-MIPs on a filter paper, the DA test strips are obtained. The resultant test strip, like the simplicity of a pH test paper, shows the potential for directly visual detection of DA levels just by dripping a tiny amount of biofluid sample on it. The test result of real serum samples demonstrates that the DA strip enables to visually and semiquantitatively detect DA within 3 min by using only 10 µL of serum samples and with a low detection limit ((100-150) × 10-9 m) by naked eye. This work thus offers a facile and efficient strategy for rapid, visual, and on-site detection of biofluids in clinic.

Isolated effect of maternal thyroid-stimulating hormone, free thyroxine and antithyroid peroxidase antibodies in early pregnancy on gestational diabetes mellitus: a birth cohort study in China.

This article aims to understand the isolated effect of maternal thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (FT4) and antithyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAb) in early pregnancy on gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Based on a birth cohort, pregnant women presented to maternity hospitals for the first antenatal care from Nov 2008 to Oct 2010 were invited to participate in the study. A self-administered questionnaire was asked to complete to collect data on socio-economic variables, previous adverse pregnancy outcomes, method of conception, previous endocrinic and metabolic diseases, and pregnancy-related anxiety in 1st trimester of the index pregnancy. Pre-pregnancy BMI was measured. Serum samples were collected, and TSH, FT4 and TPOAb were assayed. GDM was confirmed from medical records screened on 24-28 gestational weeks by using oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). The prevalence of isolated subclinical hypothyroidism, hypothyroidemia and positive TPOAb in early pregnancy was 2.0%, 2.0% and 12.8%. Prevalence of GDM in women with the isolated sub-clinical hypothyroidism, hypothyroxinemia and positive TPOAb was 2.9%, 2.8% and 3.1%, respectively, which were all higher than that detected in euthyroidism women (1.2%). Women with isolated positive TPOAb had significantly higher TSH and lower FT4 level compared with euthyroidism women. It was found that isolated positive TPOAb in early pregnancy increased the risk of GDM, adjusted RR and 95%CI being 2.541(1.037-6.226). No significant relationships were identified between isolated sub-clinical hypothyroidism or hypothyroxinemia with GDM. In conclusion, isolated thyroid autoimmunity, represented by positive TPOAb, in early pregnancy were associated with GDM independent of TSH and FT4.

Prevalence of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms and their associations with sleep schedules and sleep-related problems among preschoolers in mainland China.

BACKGROUND: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) among children is an increasing public health concern. The identification of behavioral risk factors, including sleep quality, has important public health implications for prioritizing behavioral intervention strategies for ADHD. Herein, this study aimed to investigate the prevalence of high levels of ADHD symptoms and to explore the association between sleep schedules, sleep-related problems and ADHD symptoms among preschoolers aged 3 to 6 years in mainland China. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted, comprising a large sample of 15,291 preschoolers in Ma'anshan city of Anhui Province in China. ADHD symptoms were assessed by the 10-item Chinese version of the Conners Abbreviated Symptom Questionnaire (C-ASQ). Sleep-related variables included caregivers' responses to specific questions addressing children's daytime and nighttime sleep schedules, as well as sleep-related behaviors. Data on other factors were also collected, such as socio-demographic characteristics, TV viewing duration on weekdays and weekends, and outdoor activities. Logistic regression models were used to analyze the relationships between sleep schedules, sleep-related problems and ADHD symptoms. RESULTS: Approximately 8.6% of the total sample of preschoolers had high levels of ADHD symptoms, with boys having higher levels than girls (9.9% vs. 7.2%). In the logistic regression analysis, after adjusting for TV viewing duration, outdoor activities, and socio-demographic characteristics, delayed bedtime was significantly associated with a risk of high levels of ADHD symptoms, with odds ratios (OR) of 2.50 [95% confidence interval (CI): 2.09 ~ 3.00] and 2.04 (95% CI: 1.72 ~ 2.42) for weekdays and weekends, respectively. Longer time falling asleep (≥ 31 min) (OR = 1.76, 95% CI: 1.47 ~ 2.11), no naps (OR = 1.57, 95% CI: 1.34 ~ 1.84) and frequent sleep-related problems (OR = 4.57, 95% CI: 3.86 ~ 5.41) were also significantly associated with an increased risk of high levels of ADHD symptoms, while longer sleep duration (> 8.5 h) was associated with a decreased risk of high levels of ADHD symptoms (OR = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.67~ 0.87). CONCLUSIONS: ADHD symptoms are prevalent in preschoolers in Ma'anshan region, China. Undesirable sleep schedules and sleep-related problems among preschoolers confer a risk of ADHD symptoms, highlighting the finding that beneficial and regular sleep habits potentially attenuate ADHD symptoms among preschoolers.

The zero ischemia index (ZII): a novel criterion for predicting complexity and outcomes of off-clamp partial nephrectomy.

PURPOSES: Although several anatomical classification systems that aimed to standardize the description of renal tumors were previously reported, a special classification system is required to help predict the complexity and perioperative outcomes of off-clamp nephron-sparing surgery (NSS). We developed a novel criterion-zero ischemia index (ZII), aiming to help predict the perioperative outcomes after off-clamp NSS and guide patient selection. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 149 patients between June 2009 and July 2014 in our institution who underwent off-clamp NSS with available computed tomography images. ZII was defined as the product of the tumor diameter and depth within renal parenchyma. ZII was then analyzed to investigate its association with perioperative outcomes. A specific ZII score was further selected to best guide patient selection in off-clamp NSS. RESULTS: ZII was significantly associated with estimated blood loss >500 mL (OR 1.270, 95% CI 1.036-1.557, p = 0.021), operative time >2 h (OR 1.286, 95% CI 1.051-1.573, p = 0.014), surgical complications (OR 1.251, 95% CI 1.035-1.511, p = 0.020), overall complications (OR 1.208, 95% CI 1.016-1.436, p = 0.032), and >10% decrease in estimated glomerular filtration rate (OR 1.362, 95% CI 1.045-1.776, p = 0.022). Patients with ZII > 6 may bear a higher risk of hemorrhage, perioperative complications, and a longer operative time, if they underwent an off-clamp NSS, compared to those with ZII ≤ 6. CONCLUSIONS: The ZII is a novel and readily measurable criterion which can help predict renal complexity of tumor and risk of perioperative outcomes after off-clamp NSS. ZII = 6 is established as a preliminary threshold for patient selection of off-clamp NSS. A more robust criterion is to be validated with more samples in a prospective study.

An optimized transurethral catheterization cystometry in mice and comparison with classic suprapubic catheterization cystometry.

AIMS: The aim of this study is to establish an optimized, minimally invasive transurethral catheterization cystometry (TUCC) and a novel urethral pressure profile (UPP) measurement for mice. METHODS: The optimized TUCC and the UPP measurement were first established. This optimized TUCC was then performed in 16 anesthetized female mice and compared with the suprapubic catheterization cystometry (SCC) in parallel after suprapubic catheters implantation (SCI; on zero, third, and seventh day, respectively). Finally, the optimized TUCC and novel UPP measurement were applied to investigate in another eight mice of partial bladder outlet obstruction (pBOO) model. The urodynamic parameters including micturition pressure (MP), basal pressure (BP), threshold pressure (TP), bladder capacity (BC), micturition volume (MV), residual urine (RV), bladder compliance (COM), maximum urethral pressure (MUP), bladder pressure curve and UPP were recorded. Statistical cross-comparisons of parameters for two kinds of cystometries and pBOO model were performed. RESULTS: Compared with the optimized TUCC before SCI, the MV, RV, BC, and MP decreased significantly on the seventh day after SCI (270.4-132.5 µL, 46.13-20.09 µL, 316.4-152.5 µL, 30.01-24.34 cmH2 0, respectively). After SCI, the BP, MP, TP, MV, RV, BC, and COM showed no significant difference between the TUCC and SCC at the same time point. The MUP increased significantly after pBOO operation (19.1-46.6 cmH2 0, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The minimally invasive TUCC along with UPP measurement could be widely applied to study the bladder function of mice as a feasible, repeatable, and accessible method.

Preparation of a self-cleanable molecularly imprinted sensor based on surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy for selective detection of R6G.

Novel molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) based on the technique of surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) were successfully prepared. Firstly, ZnO nanorods were fabricated with Ag by reduction of Ag+ on the surface of the ZnO nanorods. Then, ZnO/Ag heterostructures were used as the substrate, rhodamine 6G was used as the template molecule, acrylamide was used as the functional monomer, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate was used as the cross-linker, and 2,2'-azobis(2-methylpropionitrile) was used as the initiator to prepare the ZnO/Ag MIPs (ZOA-MIPs). Through characterization analysis, it was proved that the novel ZOA-MIPs exhibited excellent SERS properties and selectivity. Under the optimal conditions, there was a good linear relationship (R 2 = 0.996) between the Raman signal (at 1654 cm-1) and the concentration of the templates, and the detection limit was 10-13 mol L-1. It was also proved that the ZOA-MIPs had the property of self-cleaning, resulting in good reusability. It is envisaged that the sensitivity of SERS coupled with the selectivity of MIPs could result in a promising chemosensor for practical applications.

Placenta response of inflammation and oxidative stress in low-risk term childbirth: the implication of delivery mode.

BACKGROUND: Caesarean delivery rate is increasing gradually in China and there is no doubt that delivery mode is closely associated with the maternal health and infant development.This study examined the independent effect of delivery mode on placenta inflammation response and oxidative stress response. METHODS: A total of 3474 pregnant women recruited in Ma'anshan Birth Cohort Study were the initial study population. Data on maternal socio-demographic characteristics and pre-pregnancy BMI were collected at their 1st antenatal checkups. Pregnancy-specific anxiety was assessed during the three trimesters of pregnancy. Common pregnant complications were monitored in the whole pregnancy period. Delivery modes, as well as newborn characteristics were abstracted from medical records. Delivery modes included vaginal deliveries (VD), caesarean delivery with medical indications (CDMI), caesarean delivery on maternal request (CDMR) and urgent cesarean delivery (UCD). Placentas were collected during childbirth. The mRNA expression of IL-1ß, TNF-a, IL-6, IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-10, IL-8, and HO-1 were assessed in the final sample of 1978 low-risk women with singleton term-births. RESULTS: The overall rate of caesarean delivery (CD) was 50.5% (1650/3265) in singleton term childbirths in this study. Among women who reported definite CD reasons, 56.8%of them chose the surgery without any medical indications.It shows a non-linear relationship between cytokines related with placenta inflammatory response, oxidative stress response and different delivery modes. At high percentiles of IL-1ß, IFN-γ and IL-8, women with CDMR had higher expression levels compared to women with VD. Women with CDMI had higher levels at median percentiles of IL-1ß, IFN-γ and IL-8. Women with CDMR had higher expression compared with VD at high percentiles of IL-6 and HO-1, and women with CDMI had higher levels of these two cytokines at their low percentiles. It is worth noting that at high percentiles, compared with normal delivery, the expression of IL-1ß, IFN-γ, IL-8 and HO-1 have significantly altered in women with CDMR. CONCLUSION: A high overall CD rate was found in this study, and caesarean delivery on maternal request was the major contributor to the high prevalence. Maternal placental oxidative stress and inflammatory response were closely associated with delivery mode. The effect is much amplified at high levels of expression in women who chose CD on maternal request.Such difference needs to be noticed and may have important implications for obstetricians, midwives and other perinatal health care workers.

[Prepregnancy body mass index, gestational weight gain and hypertensive disorder complicating pregnancy: a prospective cohort study in Ma'anshan City].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the associations between pregnancy body mass index (B MI), gestational weight gain (GWG) and the risk for hypertensive disorder complicating pregnancy (HDCP). Methods In this prospective cohort study, subjects who had their first prenatal examination (gestational age ≤ 14 weeks) at Ma'anshan Maternal and Child Health Care Center were recruited under informed consent, from May 16, 2013 to September 11, 2014. All the information were collected through questionnaires, height, weight and maternal blood pressure were measured, and urine protein was detected in the first, second, and third trimester of pregnancy. RESULTS: The incidence of HDCP was 6.09% (196/3219), and preeclampsia was 1.77% (57/3219). After adjusting confounding factors, results in Logistic regression analysis showed that prepregnancy overweight and obesity, weight gain more than recommended during pregnancy were the risk factor of HDCP, the adjusted odds ratios (95% CI) were 2.33 (1.56 - 3.47), 7.85 (4.65 - 13.24) and 1.86 (1.24 - 2.79), respectively. CONCLUSION: Prepregnancy overweight, obeisity, weight gain more than recommended during pregnancy were associated with increased risk of HDCP.

[Open-field behavioral study in rat hyperlipidemia combined with chronic unpredictable mild stress model].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate behavioral changes in a rat hyperlipidemia model induced by high lipid feed combined with depression by Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress (CUMS). METHODS: A total of 40 rats were randomly divided into control (CON), control feed for 9 weeks followed by CUMS for 4 weeks (CON + CUMS), high fat diet (HFD) and high lipid feed for 9 weeks followed by CUMS for 4 weeks (HFD + CUMS) (n = 10 each). Open-field test was individually measured at baseline, week 9 and week 13. RESULTS: (1) Serum lipids: total cholesterol [(2.67 ± 0.04) mmol/L, (2.68 ± 0.02) mmol/L] and low density lipoprotein [(1.08 ± 0.03) mmol/L, (1.06 ± 0.01) mmol/L] of HFD and HFD + CUMS were both significantly higher than those of CON and CON + CUMS [(1.78 ± 0.12) mmol/L, (0.79 ± 0.04) mmol/L; (1.76 ± 0.09) mmol/L, (0.76 ± 0.06) mmol/L, all P < 0.01]. (2) Open-field test: at week 13, compared to CON rats, CON + CUMS rats exhibited enhanced locomotor activity during the first minute, reduced activity in the center squares and rearing, and increased the number of grooming and defecation (all P < 0.05). In comparison to the CON rats, a decrease in total squares in 5 min, central squares and peripheral squares was observed in HFD rats at week 13 (all P < 0.05). However, compared with HFD, CON, CON + CUMS rats, when high lipid feed for 9 weeks combined with depression, significant decrease activities in total squares in 5 min, central squares and peripheral squares were observed in HFD + CUMS rats at week 13. Besides these, the number of rearing was reduced, however, locomotor activity during the first minute and the number of grooming and defecation was significantly increased (all P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Under uncontrolled hyperlipidemia, severe depressive symptoms will present more early once exposure to a series of chronic stressors followed by significant autonomic nervous dysfunctional symptoms.

[Behaviors and brain glucose metabolism in a rat hyperlipidemia model with depression from chronic unpredictable mild stress].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the behaviors and brain glucose metabolism in a rat hyperlipidemia model with depression from chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS). METHODS: A total of 30 rats were randomly divided into control (CON), high-fat diet (HFD) and double model factor (DMF) groups (n = 10 each). For HFD model, a high-lipid feed was provided for 13 weeks; for DMF model, a high-lipid feed for 9 weeks was followed by CUMS for 4 weeks.Serum lipids, sucrose test and brain glucose metabolism were individually measured at baseline, before and after CUMS. RESULTS: (1) Serum lipids: total cholesterol ((2.67 ± 0.04), (2.68 ± 0.02) mmol/L) and low density lipoprotein ((1.08 ± 0.03), (1.06 ± 0.01) mmol/L) of HFD and DMF groups were both significantly higher than those of CON group ((1.78 ± 0.12), (0.79 ± 0.04) mmol/L, all P < 0.01).However, high density lipoprotein ((0.89 ± 0.04), (0.87 ± 0.03) mmol/L) of HFD and DMF groups was significantly lower than those of CON group ((1.08 ± 0.22) mmol/L, all P < 0.01) at week 9.(2) Sucrose test: As compared with CON group, there was no statistical significant difference in sucrose relative intake (P = 0.356).However, the differences were statistically significant in relative water intake and sucrose preference (all P < 0.01) at Week 9 in HFD group. At Week 13, water relative intake increased ((15.44 ± 0.57) mg/kg, P < 0.01) and sucrose relative intake and sucrose preference significantly decreased in HFD group ((30.54 ± 0.56) mg/kg, (74.37 ± 0.66)%, all P < 0.01). As compared with CON group, CUMS gradually reduced the relative intake of sucrose solution during CUMS periods in DMY rats (all P < 0.01). As compared with HFD rats, water relative intake, sucrose relative intake and sucrose preference decreased in DMF group (all P < 0.01).(3) Brain glucose metabolism: On 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose micro positron emission tomography, thalamus and striatum were deactivated in HFD group at Week 13 versus Week 9 (all P < 0.01).Hypothalamus and insular cortex were activated while hippocampus and entorhinal cortex deactivated after CUMS in DMY group (all P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: When hyperlipidemia and depression co-exist, there are significant changes of brain glucose metabolism in many emotion-related brain regions.

Effects and mechanisms of bisphenols exposure on neurodegenerative diseases risk: A systemic review.

Environmental bisphenols (BPs) pose a global threat to human health because of their extensive use as additives in plastic products. BP residues are increasing in various environmental media (i.e., water, soil, and indoor dust) and biological and human samples (i.e., serum and brain). Both epidemiological and animal studies have determined an association between exposure to BPs and an increased risk of neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), including cognitive abnormalities and behavioral disturbances. Hence, understanding the biological responses to different BPs is essential for prevention, and treatment. This study provides an overview of the underlying pathogenic molecular mechanisms as a valuable basis for understanding neurodegenerative disease responses to BPs, including accumulation of misfolded proteins, reduction of tyrosine hydroxylase and dopamine, abnormal hormone signaling, neuronal death, oxidative stress, calcium homeostasis, and inflammation. These findings provide new insights into the neurotoxic potential of BPs and ultimately contribute to a comprehensive health risk evaluation.

Copper/Polyaniline Interfaces Confined CO2 Electroreduction for Selective Hydrocarbon Production.

Polyaniline (PANI) provides an attractive organic platform for CO2 electrochemical reduction due to the ability to adsorb CO2 molecules and in providing means to interact with metal nanostructures. In this work, a novel PANI supported copper catalyst has been developed by coupling the interfacial polymerization of PANI and Cu. The hybrid catalyst demonstrates excellent activity towards production of hydrocarbon products including CH4 and C2H4, compared with the use of bare Cu. A Faradaic efficiency of 71.8 % and a current density of 16.9 mA/cm2 were achieved at -0.86 V vs. RHE, in contrast to only 22.2 % and 1.0 mA/cm2 from the counterpart Cu catalysts. The remarkably enhanced catalytic performance of the hybrid PANI/Cu catalyst can be attributed to the synergistic interaction between the PANI underlayer and copper. The PANI favours the adsorption and binding of CO2 molecules via its nitrogen sites to form *CO intermediates, while the Cu/PANI interfaces confine the diffusion or desorption of the *CO intermediates favouring their further hydrogenation or carbon-carbon coupling to form hydrocarbon products. This work provides insights into the formation of hydrocarbon products on PANI-modified Cu catalysts, which may guide the development of conducting polymer-metal catalysts for CO2 electroreduction.

Bisphenol analogues induce thyroid dysfunction via the disruption of the thyroid hormone synthesis pathway.

Bisphenol analogues are widely used in industrial and daily-use consumer products having imperfect thyroid hormones (THs) structures. Widespread exposure interferes with thyroid-related health outcomes in human. The mechanisms of disruption on TH synthesis and subsequent thyroid dysfunction by different bisphenol analogues remain unclear. Here, we evaluated bisphenol-induced thyroid endocrine disruption in C57BL/6 mice at doses of 0.002, 0.02, 2, and 20 mg/kg body weight/day (BW/d) for five consecutive weeks. Administration of 20 mg/kg BW/d bisphenol S (BPS) and 2 mg/kg BW/d tetrabromobisphenol S (TBBPS) significantly increased serum thyrotropin (TSH) levels to 1.21-fold and 1.20-fold of control group, respectively, indicating that bisphenols induced thyroid dysfunction in mice. Height of the thyroid follicle epithelium significantly increased to 1.27-, 1.24-, 1.26-, and 1.36-fold compared to control group with BPA, BPS, TBBPA, and TBBPS at 20 mg/kg BW/d, respectively, indicating impairment of the thyroid gland structure, and TBBPS showed potent effect. Exposure to bisphenol analogues of 0.02 mg/kg BW/d downregulated the protein expression levels of thyrotropin receptor, the sodium/iodide symporter, thyroperoxidase. The TH-dependent effects were further determined using the T-Screen assay at 10-11 M to 10-5 M concentrations. Bisphenol analogues significantly decreased TH-dependent GH3 cell proliferation, indicating the antagonistic activity of bisphenol analogues. The gene responsible for THs synthesis of thyrotropin releasing hormone receptor and TSH were upregulated, but downregulation of thyroid receptor ß was observed. Our results suggest that bisphenol analogues distinctly induce thyroid dysfunction via TH synthesis, implying adverse effect of bisphenol analogues on TH homeostasis and subsequent physiological processes.