Mature astrocytes as source for astrocyte repopulation after deletion in the medial prefrontal cortex: Implications for depression.

The adult brain retains a high repopulation capacity of astrocytes after deletion, and both mature astrocytes in the neocortex and neural stem cells in neurogenic regions possess the potential to generate astrocytes. However, the origin and the repopulation dynamics of the repopulating astrocytes after deletion remain largely unclear. The number of astrocytes is reduced in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) of patients with depression, and selective elimination of mPFC astrocytes is sufficient to induce depression-like behaviors in rodents. However, whether astrocyte repopulation capacity is impaired in depression is unknown. In this study, we used different transgenic mouse lines to genetically label different cell types and demonstrated that in the mPFC of normal adult mice of both sexes, mature astrocytes were a major source of the repopulating astrocytes after acute deletion induced by an astrocyte-specific toxin, L-alpha-aminoadipic acid (L-AAA), and astrocyte regeneration was accomplished within two weeks accompanied by reversal of depression-like behaviors. Furthermore, re-ablation of mPFC astrocytes post repopulation led to reappearance of depression-like behaviors. In adult male mice subjected to 14-day chronic restraint stress, a well-validated mouse model of depression, the number of mPFC astrocytes was reduced; however, the ability of mPFC astrocytes to repopulate after L-AAA-induced deletion was largely unaltered. Our study highlights a potentially beneficial role for repopulating astrocytes in depression and provides novel therapeutic insights into enhancing local mature astrocyte generation in depression.

Chemoenzymatic Dynamic Kinetic Resolution Protocol with an Immobilized Oxovanadium as a Racemization Catalyst.

An excellent compatible and cost-effective dynamic kinetic resolution (DKR) protocol has been developed by combining a novel immobilized oxovanadium racemization catalyst onto cheap diatomite (V-D) with an immobilized lipase LA resolution catalyst onto a macroporous resin (LA-MR). V-D was prepared via grinding immobilization, which may become a promising alternative for the immobilization of metals, especially precious metals due to its low cost, high efficiency, easy separation, and large reaction interface. The DKR afforded high yield (96.1%), e.e. (98.67%), and Sel (98.28%) under optimal conditions established using response surface methodology as follows: the amount of V-D 10.83 mg, reaction time 51.2 h, and temperature 48.1 °C, respectively, indicating that all the reactions in the DKR were coordinated very well. The DKR protocol was also found to have high stability up to six reuses. V-D exhibited excellent compatibility with LA-MR because the lipase immobilized onto MR did not physically contact with the vanadium species immobilized onto diatomite, thus avoiding inactivation. Considering that lipase, oxovanadium, diatomite, and MR used are relatively inexpensive, and the adsorption or grinding immobilization is simple, the LA-V-MD DKR by coupling LA-MR with V-D is a cost-effective and promising protocol for chiral secondary alcohols.

Functionalized two-dimensional iron boride compounds as novel electrode materials in Li-ion batteries.

MBenes, a class of two-dimensional metal borides, have emerged as a cutting-edge research frontier and a hotspot for electrode materials in ion batteries. This work presents a systematic investigation of the performance of two-dimensional iron boride (FeB) as an electrode material for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), utilizing first-principles calculations. The results indicate that FeB exhibits remarkable structural stability and excellent conductivity, making it an extremely promising electrode material for LIBs. FeB has the capability to adsorb a monolayer of Li atoms, and exhibits a maximum theoretical capacity of 364 mA h g-1, a high average open circuit voltage (OCV) of 1.08 V, and a low diffusion barrier energy of 0.24 eV. Through the investigation of electrochemical properties of functionalized FeB, it has been discovered that surface functionalization exerts a positive impact on lithium storage. Theoretical lithium storage capacities of FeBT (T = F, O and S) are 538 mA h g-1, 555 mA h g-1 and 476 mA h g-1, respectively. However, the introduction of F and O functional groups significantly reduces diffusion barriers to 0.081 eV and 0.036 eV, respectively, while the introduction of the S functional group markedly decreases the average OCV to approximately 0.25 V. These interesting findings suggest that FeB has great potential in the future development of LIBs.

First Report of Clonostachys rosea Causing rot of Morchella sextelata in Anhui Province, China.

Morel mushroom (Morchella spp.) is a valuable mushroom, which has extremely high nutritional and economic value. In the early March of 2022, a serious rot disease was observed on approximately 30% fruiting bodies at an M. esculenta farm of Suzhou City, Anhui province, China. A white mold-like hyphae was initially present on the pileus, which then gradually spread to the whole fruiting body, eventually resulting in softening of the fruiting body and death. This disease developed rapidly at relatively high temperature (>20°C) and humidity (>85%), resulting in approximately 80% loss of yield. Twenty infected tissues were cut into small pieces (5 × 5 mm) and placed on potato dextrose agar (PDA) and incubated at 25°C for 5 days. Fifteen morphologically similar isolates were obtained and purified using the single spore isolation technique. Colonies of these isolates were yellowish-white, and tomentose with thick aerial hyphae after 7 days at 25°C on PDA plates. Conidiophores were dimorphic: primary conidiophores were Verticillium-like, secondary conidiophores were penicillate. Primary conidiophore stipe length ranged from 68.6 to 180.5 µm, and the base width was 3.2-5.6 µm. Phialides were solitary, straight, generally slightly tapering towards the tip, each producing a small, hyaline drop of conidia. Secondary conidiophores stipe length ranged from 68.4 to 120.5 µm, the base measured 3.3-6.1µm. Phialides were straight to slightly curved, slightly flask-shaped, with widest point below the middle, slightly tapering in the upper part, without visible collarette. Conidia were colorless, smooth, slightly curved, and distally broadly rounded with an average size of 6.3 to 8.2 × 2.4 to 3.7 µm (n=30). These isolates were initially identified as Clonostachys rosea based on morphological features (Schroers et al. 1999). To confirm the identity of C. rosea, primers ITS1/ITS4 (White et al. 1990) and EF1-728F/ EF1-986R (Carbone and Kohn 1999), were used to amplify the internal transcribed spacer (ITS), and translation elongation factor 1-alpha (EF-1α) genes of the representative isolate 5-3-2. These sequences were deposited in GenBank (GenBank accession nos. ON614093 and ON630916) and had 100% and 99.45% nucleotide identity with Clonostachys rosea E5R(17) and Clonostachys rosea KGSJ26 (GenBank accession nos. MK752437 and MT462122), respectively. Single conidium were isolated and multiplied on PDA for pathogenicity testing. To fulfill Koch's postulates, pathogenicity tests were performed using the fruiting bodies. Spores of C. rosea isolates 5-3-2 were collected and diluted with sterile distilled water at a concentration of 1 × 106 conidia/ml. Five healthy fruiting bodies were inoculated with 1 ml of the spore suspension, which were maintained in an artificial climate chamber at 22°C and 85% humidity. Sterile water inoculated on other 10 healthy fruiting bodies served as control. Mycelia grew rapidly and overgrew more than half of the fruiting bodies within 3 days. The fruiting bodies died five days after inoculation. Clonostachys rosea isolates were re-isolated from symptomatic fruiting bodies and identified by the methods described above. The control group showed no symptoms. The experiment was conducted twice. To our knowledge, this is the first identification of Clonostachys rosea as the causal agent of the Morchella sextelata rot.

Cerebral abscess following the self-extraction of teeth in patient with Ebstein's anomaly: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Antibiotic prophylaxis before invasive treatments, including dental extractions, is still recommended for patients at high risk of infective endocarditis. However, the risk from self-extraction of teeth in daily life of patients with intellectual disabilities is uncertain. CASE PRESENTATION: A 6-year-old patient with Ebstein's anomaly developed cerebral abscess, which appeared associated with infective endocarditis of dental origin. Two weeks after self-extraction of his deciduous teeth, he began to experience pain in his ear and developed continuous fever, followed by vomiting, facial spasm, and a loss of consciousness. He was admitted into a hospital for 2 months, during which he received intravenously administered antibiotics and a drainage tube in his brain. CONCLUSIONS: Deciduous teeth can be self-extracted before root resorption and natural shedding in patients with intellectual disabilities. When they are at high risk of infective endocarditis and frequently touch mobile deciduous teeth, it seems to be an option to extract the teeth early with antibiotic prophylaxis, rather than to wait natural fall.

Genetics of Dilated Cardiomyopathy.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is characterized by left ventricular dilation and systolic function and is the most common among all cardiomyopathies. Familial DCM makes up a significant portion of cases, and approximately 40 genes are identified as involved in the pathogenesis of heart failure, each affecting a specific part of cellular mechanisms. The purpose of this review is to summarize recent findings and the current understanding of the most common gene mutations identified associated with DCM. RECENT FINDINGS: Next-generation sequencing is a comprehensive gene analysis technique used to discover more mutation variants and also to learn about the impact of mutations in relationship to clinical presentations. A variety of techniques are utilized to study different gene mutations, such as genotype-phenotype association analysis or whole-exome sequencing, to understand the natural history of diseases. For certain genetic abnormalities, information is helpful in developing potential therapeutic treatment targeting mutations. More treatment options are hopeful with the understanding of specific genetic mutations and their pathogenic mechanism. It also suggests the importance of genetic assessment and counseling for family members of an affected patient, in order to provide potential early diagnosis and better clinical management of DCM.

Complete separation of benzene-cyclohexene-cyclohexane mixtures via temperature-dependent molecular sieving by a flexible chain-like coordination polymer.

The separation and purification of C6 cyclic hydrocarbons (benzene, cyclohexene, cyclohexane) represent a critically important but energy intensive process. Developing adsorptive separation technique to replace thermally driven distillation processes holds great promise to significantly reduce energy consumption. Here we report a flexible one-dimensional coordination polymer as an efficient adsorbent to discriminate ternary C6 cyclic hydrocarbons via an ideal molecular sieving mechanism. The compound undergoes fully reversible structural transformation associated with removal/re-coordination of water molecules and between activated and hydrocarbon-loaded forms. It exhibits distinct temperature- and adsorbate-dependent adsorption behavior which facilitates the complete separation of benzene, cyclohexene and cyclohexane from their binary and ternary mixtures, with the record-high uptake ratios for C6H6/C6H12 and C6H10/C6H12 in vapor phase and highest binary and ternary selectivities in liquid phase. In situ infrared spectroscopic analysis and ab initio calculations provide insight into the host-guest interactions and their effect on the preferential adsorption and structural transformation.

Alternate Antimicrobial Therapies and Their Companion Tests.

New antimicrobial approaches are essential to counter antimicrobial resistance. The drug development pipeline is exhausted with the emergence of resistance, resulting in unsuccessful trials. The lack of an effective drug developed from the conventional drug portfolio has mandated the introspection into the list of potentially effective unconventional alternate antimicrobial molecules. Alternate therapies with clinically explicable forms include monoclonal antibodies, antimicrobial peptides, aptamers, and phages. Clinical diagnostics optimize the drug delivery. In the era of diagnostic-based applications, it is logical to draw diagnostic-based treatment for infectious diseases. Selection criteria of alternate therapeutics in infectious diseases include detection, monitoring of response, and resistance mechanism identification. Integrating these diagnostic applications is disruptive to the traditional therapeutic development. The challenges and mitigation methods need to be noted. Applying the goals of clinical pharmacokinetics that include enhancing efficacy and decreasing toxicity of drug therapy, this review analyses the strong correlation of alternate antimicrobial therapeutics in infectious diseases. The relationship between drug concentration and the resulting effect defined by the pharmacodynamic parameters are also analyzed. This review analyzes the perspectives of aligning diagnostic initiatives with the use of alternate therapeutics, with a particular focus on companion diagnostic applications in infectious diseases.

Antibiotic Resistance Diagnosis in ESKAPE Pathogens-A Review on Proteomic Perspective.

Antibiotic resistance has emerged as an imminent pandemic. Rapid diagnostic assays distinguish bacterial infections from other diseases and aid antimicrobial stewardship, therapy optimization, and epidemiological surveillance. Traditional methods typically have longer turn-around times for definitive results. On the other hand, proteomic studies have progressed constantly and improved both in qualitative and quantitative analysis. With a wide range of data sets made available in the public domain, the ability to interpret the data has considerably reduced the error rates. This review gives an insight on state-of-the-art proteomic techniques in diagnosing antibiotic resistance in ESKAPE pathogens with a future outlook for evading the "imminent pandemic".

Risk Stratification for Herpes Simplex Virus Pneumonia Using Elastic Net Penalized Cox Proportional Hazard Algorithm with Enhanced Explainability.

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) pneumonia is a serious and often fatal respiratory tract infection that occurs in immunocompromised individuals. The early detection of accurate risk stratification is essential in identifying patients who are at high risk of mortality and may benefit from more aggressive treatment. In this study, we developed and validated a risk stratification model for HSV bronchopneumonia using an elastic net penalized Cox proportional hazard algorithm. We analyzed data from a cohort of 104 critically ill patients with HSV bronchopneumonia identified in Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taiwan: one of the largest tertiary medical centers in the world. A total of 109 predictors, both clinical and laboratory, were identified in this process to develop a risk stratification model that could accurately predict mortality in patients with HSV bronchopneumonia. This model was able to differentiate the risk of death and predict mortality in patients with HSV bronchopneumonia compared to the APACHE II score in the early stage of ICU admissions. Both hazard ratio coefficient and selection frequency were used as the metrics to enhance the explainability of the informative predictors. Our findings suggest that the elastic net penalized Cox proportional hazard algorithm is a promising tool for risk stratification in patients with HSV bronchopneumonia and could be useful in identifying those at high risk of mortality.

Shifting biomass allocation and light limitation co-regulate the temporal stability of an alpine meadow under eutrophication.

Eutrophication generally promotes but destabilizes grassland productivity. Under eutrophication, plants tend to decrease biomass allocation to roots but increase aboveground allocation and light limitation, likely affecting community stability. However, it remains unclear to understand how shifting plant biomass allocation and light limitation regulate grassland stability in response to eutrophication. Here, using a 5-yr multiple nutrient addition experiment in an alpine meadow, we explored the role of changes in plant biomass allocation and light limitation on its community stability under eutrophication as well as traditionally established mechanisms (i.e., plant Shannon diversity, species asynchrony and grass subcommunity stability). Our results showed that nitrogen (N) addition, rather than phosphorus (P) or potassium (K) addition, significantly reduced the temporal stability of the alpine meadow. In accordance with previous studies, we found that N addition decreased plant Shannon diversity, species asynchrony and grass subcommunity stability, further destabilizing meadow community productivity. In addition, we also found the decrease in biomass allocation to belowground by N addition, further weakening its community stability. Moreover, this shifts in plant biomass allocation from below- to aboveground, intensifying plant light limitation. Further, the light limitation reduced plant species asynchrony, which finally weakened its community stability. Overall, in addition to traditionally established mechanisms, this study highlights the role of plant biomass allocation shifting from belowground to aboveground in determining grassland community stability. These "unseen" mechanisms might improve our understanding of grassland stability in the context of ongoing eutrophication.

[Analysis of risk factors for re-operation due to postoperative haemorrhage following coblation-assisted tonsillectomy].

Objective:To investigate the risk factors for re-operation due to postoperative haemorrhage following coblation-assisted tonsillectomy. Methods:The clinical data of 135 patients with haemorrhage after coblation-assisted tonsillectomy in our hospital from January 2015 to May 2022 were collected, According to the patients received reoperation after tonsillectomy or not, all patients were divided into the reoperation group （n=43） and non-reoperation group （n=92）,clinical data were compared between the two groups. Results:Univariate analysis showed that there was no significant difference in gender, age, postoperative intravenous glucocorticoid use, diabetes and hypertension between the two groups（P>0.05）, Univariate and multivariate factor analyses showed that early haemorrhage, obvious hemorrhage points were independent risk factors for re-operation due to postoperative haemorrhage（P<0.05）. Conclusion:Early haemorrhage and obvious hemorrhage points are independent risk factors for re-operation due to postoperative haemorrhage following coblation-assisted tonsillectomy.

Er3+/Sm3+ co-doped Bi2O2CO3 in photocatalytic water treatment: Immobilization, acute toxicity, sterilization, and catalytic oxidation activity.

Defect construction and rare earth doping are the linchpins to completing the target of partial electronic regulation. In Er3+/Sm3+ co-doping Bi2O2CO3, rare earth doping resulted in the exposure of {001} crystal plane in Bi2O2CO3 and cause surface defects and electron traps, achieving wide light response capability and fast carrier separation. Furthermore, a potential TC degradation route was acknowledged derived from LC-MS. Then, the median lethal concentration LC50 (96 h) is 80 ppm, probing the 2E2SBOC photocatalyst has low toxicity in actual wastewater. Combining with immobilization technology, not only does it have little impact on the organisms in the wastewater, but it is easy to recycle after degradation. In terms of new water disinfection technology, bacterial experiments in natural waters proved that 2E2SBOC has a potential disinfection system, which promotes the exposure of more active sites during degradation. This effective project offers a novel perspective for the development and application of rare-earth-doped photocatalysts.

The Effect of Task Performance and Partnership on Interpersonal Brain Synchrony during Cooperation.

Interpersonal brain synchrony (IBS) during cooperation has not been systematically investigated. To address this research gap, this study assessed neural synchrony during a cooperative jigsaw puzzle solving task using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS)-based hyperscanning. IBS was measured for successful and failed tasks in 31 dyads in which the partners were familiar or unknown to each other. No significant difference in IBS was observed between the different types of cooperative partnership; however, stronger IBS within regions of the pars triangularis Broca's area, right frontopolar cortex, and right temporoparietal junction was observed during task success. These results highlight the effect of better task performance on cooperative IBS for the first time and further extend understanding of the neural basis of cooperation.

Construction of Z-scheme Ag-AgBr/Bi2O2CO3/CNT heterojunctions with remarkable photocatalytic performance using carbon nanotubes as efficient electronic mediators.

It is a useful strategy to use a solid electronic mediator with good conductivity to assist the separation of semiconductor photo-induced electron-hole pairs and the redox of semiconductor materials. In order to construct a photocatalyst for more efficient photocatalytic degradation of antibiotics, a simple hydrothermal and precipitation method was used to construct the Ag-AgBr/Bi2O2CO3/CNT Z-scheme heterojunction by using carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as electronic mediators. Compared with the pristine AgBr, Bi2O2CO3, Bi2O2CO3/CNT, the 30%Ag-AgBr/Bi2O2CO3/CNT photocatalyst has better photocatalytic activity under visible light irradiation, showing the best degradation ability to tetracycline (TC). Meanwhile, the photocatalytic properties of 30%Ag-AgBr/Bi2O2CO3/CNT in different pH and inorganic ions were studied. Finally, the degradation pathway and catalytic mechanism of 30%Ag-AgBr/Bi2O2CO3/CNT photocatalytic degradation of TC were also argued. The construction of the Z-scheme electron transport pathway, in which CNTs were used as electronic mediators, and the SPR effect of Ag and Bi metal, which enable the effective separation and transfer of photo-generated electron-hole pairs, are responsible for the significant improvement in photocatalytic performance. It opens up new possibilities for designing and developing high-efficiency photocatalysts with CNTs as the electronic mediator.

Current Advancement in Diagnosing Atrial Fibrillation by Utilizing Wearable Devices and Artificial Intelligence: A Review Study.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common arrhythmia affecting 8-10% of the population older than 80 years old. The importance of early diagnosis of atrial fibrillation has been broadly recognized since arrhythmias significantly increase the risk of stroke, heart failure and tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy with reduced cardiac function. However, the prevalence of atrial fibrillation is often underestimated due to the high frequency of clinically silent atrial fibrillation as well as paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, both of which are hard to catch by routine physical examination or 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG). The development of wearable devices has provided a reliable way for healthcare providers to uncover undiagnosed atrial fibrillation in the population, especially those most at risk. Furthermore, with the advancement of artificial intelligence and machine learning, the technology is now able to utilize the database in assisting detection of arrhythmias from the data collected by the devices. In this review study, we compare the different wearable devices available on the market and review the current advancement in artificial intelligence in diagnosing atrial fibrillation. We believe that with the aid of the progressive development of technologies, the diagnosis of atrial fibrillation shall be made more effectively and accurately in the near future.

Investigation of α-Synuclein Species in Plasma Exosomes and the Oligomeric and Phosphorylated α-Synuclein as Potential Peripheral Biomarker of Parkinson's Disease.

α-Synuclein (α-syn), especially its abnormal oligomeric and phosphorylated form, plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD). Plasma exosomal α-syn species have been shown to be a promising PD biomarker. However, whether different α-syn species in plasma exosomes (the oligomeric α-syn and the Ser129 phosphorylated α-syn (p-α-syn)) which represent the PD pathogenesis in the brain could be specific peripheral PD biomarker haven't been well elucidated. In this study, we successfully extracted and identified the human plasma exosomes, and the CNS-derived exosomes were detected. The different aggregation status, localization and degradation characteristics of α-syn and p-α-syn in the plasma exosomes between PD patients and healthy controls were further analyzed. The results suggested that α-syn and p-α-syn in the plasma exosomes of PD patients showed poor solubility after protease K (PK) treatment. Aggregated α-syn and p-α-syn existed both inside and on the membrane surface of plasma exosomes. The Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) performance of α-syn oligomer/total α-syn in exosomes was moderately helpful in PD diagnosis (AUC = 0.71, sensitivity = 60.5%, specificity = 59.4%), and the ratio of p-α-syn oligomer/total p-α-syn showed similar result (AUC = 0.69, sensitivity = 60.0%, specificity = 59.5%). This study indicates that the oligomeric α-syn/total α-syn and oligomeric p-α-syn/total p-α-syn ratio in plasma exosomes may be applied to assist the PD diagnosis, which needs further research.

Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Proton and Carbon Ion Radiotherapy for Prostate Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Carbon ion radiotherapy (CIRT) and proton beam therapy (PBT) are promising methods for prostate cancer, however, the consensus of an increasing number of studies has not been reached. We aimed to provide systematic evidence for evaluating the efficacy and safety of CIRT and PBT for prostate cancer by comparing photon radiotherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We searched for studies focusing on CIRT and PBT for prostate cancer in four online databases until July 2021. Two independent reviewers assessed the quality of included studies and used the GRADE approach to rate the quality of evidence. R 4.0.2 software was used to conduct the meta-analysis. A meta-regression test was performed based on the study design and tumor stage of each study. RESULTS: A total of 33 studies including 13 CIRT- and 20 PBT-related publications, involving 54,101, participants were included. The quality of the included studies was found to be either low or moderate quality. Random model single-arm meta-analysis showed that both the CIRT and PBT have favorable efficacy and safety, with similar 5-year overall survival (OS) (94 vs 92%), the incidence of grade 2 or greater acute genitourinary (AGU) toxicity (5 vs 13%), late genitourinary (LGU) toxicity (4 vs 5%), acute gastrointestinal (AGI) toxicity (1 vs 1%), and late gastrointestinal (LGI) toxicity (2 vs 4%). However, compared with CIRT and PBT, photon radiotherapy was associated with lower 5-year OS (72-73%) and a higher incidence of grade 2 or greater AGU (28-29%), LGU (13-14%), AGI (14-19%), and LGI toxicity (8-10%). The meta-analysis showed the 3-, 4-, and 5-year local control rate (LCR) of CIRT for prostate cancer was 98, 97, and 99%; the 3-, 4-, 5-, and 8-year biochemical relapse-free rate (BRF) was 92, 91, 89, and 79%. GRADE assessment results indicated that the certainty of the evidence was very low. Meta-regression results did not show a significant relationship based on the variables studied (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Currently available evidence demonstrated that the efficacy and safety of CIRT and PBT for prostate cancer were similar, and they may significantly improve the OS, LCR, and reduce the incidence of GU and GI toxicity compared with photon radiotherapy. However, the quantity and quality of the available evidence are insufficient. More high-quality controlled studies are needed in the future.