Pericyte signaling via soluble guanylate cyclase shapes the vascular niche and microenvironment of tumors.

Pericytes and endothelial cells (ECs) constitute the fundamental components of blood vessels. While the role of ECs in tumor angiogenesis and the tumor microenvironment is well appreciated, pericyte function in tumors remains underexplored. In this study, we used pericyte-specific deletion of the nitric oxide (NO) receptor, soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC), to investigate via single-cell RNA sequencing how pericytes influence the vascular niche and the tumor microenvironment. Our findings demonstrate that pericyte sGC deletion disrupts EC-pericyte interactions, impairing Notch-mediated intercellular communication and triggering extensive transcriptomic reprogramming in both pericytes and ECs. These changes further extended their influence to neighboring cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) through paracrine signaling, collectively suppressing tumor growth. Inhibition of pericyte sGC has minimal impact on quiescent vessels but significantly increases the vulnerability of angiogenic tumor vessels to conventional anti-angiogenic therapy. In conclusion, our findings elucidate the role of pericytes in shaping the tumor vascular niche and tumor microenvironment and support pericyte sGC targeting as a promising strategy for improving anti-angiogenic therapy for cancer treatment.

Rickettsia symbionts spread via mixed mode transmission, increasing female fecundity and sex ratio shift by host hormone modulating.

Heritable symbionts are common among animals in nature, but the molecular mechanisms underpinning symbiont invasions of host populations have been elusive. In this study, we demonstrate the spread of Rickettsia in an invasive agricultural pest, the whitefly Bemisia tabaci Mediterranean (MED), across northeastern China from 2018 to 2023. Here, we show that the beneficial symbiont Rickettsia spreads by manipulating host hormone signals. Our analyses suggest that Rickettsia have been horizontally acquired by B. tabaci MED from another invasive whitefly B. tabaci Middle East-Asia Minor 1 during periods of coexistence. Rickettsia is transmitted maternally and horizontally from female B. tabaci MED individuals. Rickettsia infection enhances fecundity and results in female bias among whiteflies. Our findings reveal that Rickettsia infection stimulates juvenile hormone (JH) synthesis, in turn enhancing fecundity, copulation events, and the female ratio of the offspring. Consequently, Rickettsia infection results in increased whitefly fecundity and female bias by modulating the JH pathway. More female progeny facilitates the transmission of Rickettsia. This study illustrates that the spread of Rickettsia among invasive whiteflies in northeastern China is propelled by host hormone regulation. Such symbiont invasions lead to rapid physiological and molecular evolution in the host, influencing the biology and ecology of an invasive species.

Adenine base editor-based correction of the cardiac pathogenic Lmna c.1621C > T mutation in murine hearts.

Base editors are emerging as powerful tools to correct single-nucleotide variants and treat genetic diseases. In particular, the adenine base editors (ABEs) exhibit robust and accurate adenine-to-guanidine editing capacity and have entered the clinical stage for cardiovascular therapy. Despite the tremendous progress using ABEs to treat heart diseases, a standard technical route toward successful ABE-based therapy remains to be fully established. In this study, we harnessed adeno-associated virus (AAV) and a mouse model carrying the cardiomyopathy-causing Lmna c.1621C > T mutation to demonstrate key steps and concerns in designing a cardiac ABE experiment in vivo. We found DeepABE as a reliable deep-learning-based model to predict ABE editing outcomes in the heart. Screening of sgRNAs for a Cas9 mutant with relieved protospacer adjacent motif (PAM) allowed the reduction of bystander editing. The ABE editing efficiency can be significantly enhanced by modifying the TadA and Cas9 variants, which are core components of ABEs. The ABE systems can be delivered into the heart via either dual AAV or all-in-one AAV vectors. Together, this study showcased crucial technical considerations in designing an ABE system for the heart and pointed out major challenges in further improvement of this new technology for gene therapy.

Bottlebrush Block Copolymers at the Interface of Immiscible Liquids: Adsorption and Lateral Packing.

Amphiphilic bottlebrush block copolymers (BBCPs), having a hydrophilic bottlebrush polymer (BP) linked covalently to a hydrophobic BP, were found to segregate to liquid-liquid interfaces to minimize the free energy of the system. The key parameter influencing the outcome of the experiments is the ratio between the degree of polymerization of the backbone (NBB) and that of the side-chain brushes (NSC). Specifically, a spherical, star-like configuration results when NBB < NSC, while a cylindrical, bottlebrush-like shape is preferred when NBB > NSC. Dynamic interfacial tension (γ) and fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) measurements show that the BBCP configuration influences the areal density and in-plane diffusion at the fluid interface. The characteristic relaxation times associated with BBCP adsorption (τA) and reorganization (τR) were determined by fitting time-dependent interfacial tension measurements to a sum of two exponential relaxation functions. Both τA and τR initially increased with NBB up to 92 repeat units, due to the larger hydrodynamic radius in solution and slower in-plane diffusivity, attributed to a shorter cross-sectional diameter of the side-chains near the block junction. This trend reversed at NBB = 190, with shorter τA and τR attributed to increased segregation strength and exposure of the bare water/toluene interface due to tilting and/or wiggling of the backbone chains, respectively. The adsorption energy barrier decreased with higher NBB, due to a reduced BBCP packing density at the fluid interface. This study provides fundamental insights into macromolecular assembly at fluid interfaces, as it pertains to unique bottlebrush block architectures.

Sonochemical Synthesis of Natural Polyphenolic Nanoparticles for Modulating Oxidative Stress.

Natural polyphenolic compounds play a vital role in nature and are widely utilized as building blocks in the fabrication of emerging functional nanomaterials. Although diverse fabrication methodologies are developed in recent years, the challenges of purification, uncontrollable reaction processes and additional additives persist. Herein, a modular and facile methodology is reported toward the fabrication of natural polyphenolic nanoparticles. By utilizing low frequency ultrasound (40 kHz), the assembly of various natural polyphenolic building blocks is successfully induced, allowing for precise control over the particle formation process. The resulting natural polyphenolic nanoparticles possessed excellent in vitro antioxidative abilities and in vivo therapeutic effects in typical oxidative stress models including wound healing and acute kidney injury. This study opens new avenues for the fabrication of functional materials from naturally occurring building blocks, offering promising prospects for future advancements in this field.

Circulating inflammatory proteins and abdominal aortic aneurysm: A two-sample Mendelian randomization and colocalization analyses.

OBJECTIVES: Inflammatory proteins are implicated in the progression of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA); however, it remains debated whether they are causal or consequential. This study aimed to assess the influence of circulating inflammatory proteins on AAA via two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) and colocalization analysis. METHODS: Summary data on 91 circulating inflammatory protein levels were extracted from a comprehensive protein quantitative trait loci (pQTL) study involving 14,824 individuals. Genetic associations with AAA were derived from the FinnGen study (3,869 cases and 381,977 controls). MR analysis was conducted to assess the relationships between proteins and AAA risk. Colocalization analysis was employed to explore potential shared causal variants between identified proteins and AAA. RESULTS: Using a two-sample bidirectional MR study, our findings suggested that genetically predicted elevated levels of TGFB1 (OR = 1.21, P = 0.003), SIRT2 (OR = 1.196, P = 0.031) and TNFSF14 (OR = 1.129, P = 0.034) were linked to an increased risk of AAA. Conversely, genetically predicted higher levels of CD40 (OR = 0.912, P = 0.049), IL2RB (OR = 0.839, P = 0.028) and KITLG (OR = 0.827, P = 0.008) were associated with a decreased risk of AAA. Colocalization analyses supported the association of TGFB1 and SIRT2 levels with AAA risk. CONCLUSIONS: The proteome-wide MR and colocalization study identified TGFB1 and SIRT2 as being associated with the risk of AAA, warranting further investigation as potential therapeutic targets.

Nomogram predicting early urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy.

PURPOSE: One of the most frequent side effects of radical prostatectomy (RP) is urinary incontinence. The primary cause of urine incontinence is usually thought to be impaired urethral sphincter function; nevertheless, the pathophysiology and recovery process of urine incontinence remains unclear. This study aimed to identify potential risk variables, build a risk prediction tool that considers preoperative urodynamic findings, and direct doctors to take necessary action to reduce the likelihood of developing early urinary incontinence. METHODS: We retrospectively screened patients who underwent radical prostatectomy between January 1, 2020 and December 31, 2023 at the First People 's Hospital of Nantong, China. According to nomogram results, patients who developed incontinence within three months were classified as having early incontinence. The training group's general characteristics were first screened using univariate logistic analysis, and the LASSO method was applied for the best prediction. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was carried out to determine independent risk factors for early postoperative urine incontinence in the training group and to create nomograms that predict the likelihood of developing early urinary incontinence. The model was internally validated by computing the performance of the validation cohort. The nomogram discrimination, correction, and clinical usefulness were assessed using the c-index, receiver operating characteristic curve, correction plot, and clinical decision curve. RESULTS: The study involved 142 patients in all. Multivariate logistic regression analysis following RP found seven independent risk variables for early urinary incontinence. A nomogram was constructed based on these independent risk factors. The training and validation groups' c-indices showed that the model had high accuracy and stability. The calibration curve demonstrates that the corrective effect of the training and verification groups is perfect, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve indicates great identification capacity. Using a nomogram, the clinical net benefit was maximised within a probability threshold of 0.01-1, according to decision curve analysis (DCA). CONCLUSION: The nomogram model created in this study can offer a clear, personalised analysis of the risk of early urine incontinence following RP. It is highly discriminatory and accurate, and it can help create efficient preventative measures and identify high-risk populations.

Characterization of Buried Interfaces of Silicone Materials in Situ to Understand Their Fouling-Release, Antifouling, and Adhesion Properties.

Poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) has numerous excellent properties and is extensively used as the main component of many silicone products in a variety of research fields and practical applications such as biomedical materials, aviation, construction, electronic devices, and automobiles. Interfacial structures of PDMS and other components in silicone systems are important for such research and applications. It is difficult to probe interfacial molecular structures of buried solid-liquid and solid-solid interfaces of silicone materials due to the lack of appropriate analytical tools. In this feature article, we presented our research on elucidating the molecular structures of PDMS as well as other additives in silicone samples at buried interfaces in situ at the molecular level using a nonlinear optical spectroscopic technique, sum frequency generation (SFG) vibrational spectroscopy. SFG was applied to study various PDMS surfaces in liquid environments to understand their fouling-release and antifouling activities. SFG has also been used to study buried solid-solid interfaces between silicone adhesives and polymers, elucidating the molecular adhesion mechanisms. Our SFG studies provide important knowledge on interfacial structure-function relationships of silicone materials, helping the design and development of silicone materials with improved properties through optimization of silicone interfacial structures.

Probing the Saltwater Immersion Effect on Buried Interfacial Structures between a Sealant and Adhesion Promoter at the Molecular Level.

In this research, we used sum frequency generation vibrational spectroscopy to investigate the buried interface of a thiol-epoxy model aerospace sealant in contact with a silane-based adhesion promoter (6111) following exposures to 3% saltwater at elevated temperatures and elevated temperatures alone. The results suggest that the saltwater caused a change at the interface between the adhesion promoter and sealant, while an elevated temperature of 60 °C itself did not affect the interfacial structure noticeably. Model hydrolyzed and nonhydrolyzed silanes were also used in the study to compare with the adhesion promoter 6111 to understand the interfacial behavior of main silane components in 6111 as well as their potential role in adhesion. The amino silane in 6111 likely segregates more at the sealant/adhesion promoter interface and interacts with the sealant compared to the vinyl silane. The results imply that the saltwater immersion process led to the disordering of the adhesion promoter/sealant interface (caused by interfacial structural randomization), which could potentially have implications for adhesion.

Improving the Cycle Stability of LiNiO2 through Al3+ Doping and LiAlO2 Coating.

In this study, we addressed the poor cycling and rate performance of LiNiO2, a material with ultrahigh nickel content considered a strong contender for high-energy-density lithium-ion battery cathodes. We introduced nano-Al2O3 during the lithiation process to achieve dual modified material through bulk phase element doping and in situ LiAlO2 coating. Comparison revealed notable improvements in the modified materials. In particular, LiNi0.99Al0.01O2 maintained a capacity retention rate of 73.1% after 300 cycles in a long-cycle test at 0.5C current density, outperforming the undoped material. In rate performance tests, the doped samples consistently exhibited higher discharge-specific capacities than that of the undoped counterpart. Notably, at a high current density of 5C, LiNi0.99Al0.01O2 exhibited a discharge-specific capacity of 101.75 mAh g-1. The results indicate that an appropriate amount of Al doping can effectively stabilize the layered structure of the cathode material and delay the irreversible phase transition from H2 to H3. Further, Al doping facilitates the formation of a LiAlO2 coating on the surface of the particles. This coating acts as a fast-ion conductor, enhancing the transport of lithium ions and reducing the erosion of the active material by the electrolyte.

Quantifying Chemical Reactions and Interfacial Properties at Buried Polymer/Polymer Interfaces.

Maleic anhydride (MAH)-modified polymers are used as tie layers for binding dissimilar polymers in multilayer polymer films. The MAH chemistry which promotes adhesion is well characterized in the bulk; however, only recently has the interfacial chemistry been studied. Sum frequency generation vibrational spectroscopy (SFG) is an interfacial spectroscopy technique which provides detailed information on interfacial chemical reactions, species, and molecular orientations and has been essential for characterizing the MAH chemistry in both nylon and ethyl vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH) model systems and coextruded multilayer films. Here, we further characterize the interfacial chemistry between MAH-modified polyethylene tie layers and both EVOH and nylon by investigating the model systems over a range of MAH concentrations. We can detect the interfacial chemical reaction products between MAH and the barrier layer at MAH concentrations of ≥0.022 wt % for nylon and ≥0.077 wt % for EVOH. Additionally, from the concentration-dependent reaction reactant/product SFG peak positions and the product imide or ester/acid C═O group tilt angles extracted from the polarization-dependent SFG spectra, we quantitatively observe concentration-dependent changes to both the interfacial chemistry and interfacial structure. The interfacial chemistry and molecular orientation as a function of MAH concentration are well correlated with the adhesion strength, providing important quantitative information for the future design of MAH-modified tie layers for a variety of important applications.

Diffusely Charged Polymeric Zwitterions as Loosely Hydrated Marine Antifouling Coatings.

Polymeric zwitterions exhibit exceptional fouling resistance through the formation of a strongly hydrated surface of immobilized water molecules. While being extensively tested for their performance in biomedical, membrane, and, to a lesser extent, marine environments, few studies have investigated how the molecular design of the zwitterion may enhance its performance. Furthermore, while theories of zwitterion antifouling mechanisms exist for molecular-scale foulant species (e.g., proteins and small molecules), it remains unclear how molecular-scale mechanisms influence the micro- and macroscopic interactions of relevance for marine applications. The present study addresses these gaps through the use of a modular zwitterion chemistry platform, which is characterized by a combination of surface-sensitive sum frequency generation (SFG) vibrational spectroscopy and marine assays. Zwitterions with increasingly delocalized cations demonstrate improved fouling resistance against the green alga Ulva linza. SFG spectra correlate well with the assay results, suggesting that the more diffuse charges exhibit greater surface hydration with more bound water molecules. Hence, the number of bound interfacial water molecules appears to be more influential in determining the marine antifouling activities of zwitterionic polymers than the binding strength of individual water molecules at the interface.

Elucidating the Changes in Molecular Structure at the Buried Interface of RTV Silicone Elastomers during Curing.

Silicone elastomers are widely used in many industrial applications, including coatings, adhesives, and sealants. Room-temperature vulcanized (RTV) silicone, a major subcategory of silicone elastomers, undergoes molecular structural transformations during condensation curing, which affect their mechanical, thermal, and chemical properties. The role of reactive hydroxyl (-OH) groups in the curing reaction of RTV silicone is crucial but not well understood, particularly when multiple sources of hydroxyl groups are present in a formulated product. This work aims to elucidate the interfacial molecular structural changes and origins of interfacial reactive hydroxyl groups in RTV silicone during curing, focusing on the methoxy groups at interfaces and their relationship to adhesion. Sum frequency generation (SFG) vibrational spectroscopy is an in situ nondestructive technique used in this study to investigate the interfacial molecular structure of select RTV formulations at the buried interface at different levels of cure. The primary sources of hydroxyl groups required for interfacial reactions in the initial curing stage are found to be those on the substrate surface rather than those from the ingress of ambient moisture. The silylation treatment of silica substrates eliminates interfacial hydroxyl groups, which greatly impact the silicone interfacial behavior and properties (e.g., adhesion). This study establishes the correlation between interfacial molecular structural changes in RTV silicones and their effect on adhesion strength. It also highlights the power of SFG spectroscopy as a unique tool for studying chemical and structural changes at RTV silicone/substrate interface in situ and in real time during curing. This work provides valuable insights into the interfacial chemistry of RTV silicone and its implications for material performance and application development, aiding in the development of improved silicone adhesives.

Janus bottlebrush compatibilizers.

Bottlebrush random copolymers (BRCPs), consisting of a random distribution of two homopolymer chains along a backbone, can segregate to the interface between two immiscible homopolymers. BRCPs undergo a reconfiguration, where each block segregates to one of the homopolymer phases, adopting a Janus-type structure, reducing the interfacial tension and promoting adhesion between the two homopolymers, thereby serving as a Janus bottlebrush copolymer (JBCP) compatibilizer. We synthesized a series of JBCPs by copolymerizing deuterated or hydrogenated polystyrene (DPS/PS) and poly(tert-butyl acrylate) (PtBA) macromonomers using ruthenium benzylidene-initiated ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP). Subsequent acid-catalyzed hydrolysis converted the PtBA brushes to poly(acrylic acid) (PAA). The JBCPs were then placed at the interface between DPS/PS homopolymers and poly(2-vinyl pyridine) (P2VP) homopolymers, where the degree of polymerization of the backbone (NBB) and the grafting density (GD) of the JBCPs were varied. Neutron reflectivity (NR) was used to determine the interfacial width and segmental density distributions (including PS homopolymer, PS block, PAA block and P2VP homopolymer) across the polymer-polymer interface. Our findings indicate that the star-like JBCP with NBB = 6 produces the largest interfacial broadening. Increasing NBB to 100 (rod-like shape) and 250 (worm-like shape) reduced the interfacial broadening due to a decrease in the interactions between blocks and homopolymers by stretching of blocks. Decreasing the GD from 100% to 80% at NBB = 100 caused an increase the interfacial width, yet further decreasing the GD to 50% and 20% reduced the interfacial width, as 80% of GD may efficiently increase the flexibility of blocks and promote interactions between homopolymers, while maintaining relatively high number of blocks attached to one molecule. The interfacial conformation of JBCPs was further translated into compatibilization efficiency. Thin film morphology studies showed that only the lower NBB values (NBB = 6 and NBB = 24) and the 80% GD of NBB = 100 had bicontinuous morphologies, due to a sufficient binding energy that arrested phase separation, supported by mechanical testing using asymmetric double cantilever beam (ADCB) tests. These provide fundamental insights into the assembly behavior of JBCPs compatibilizers at homopolymer interfaces, opening strategies for the design of new BCP compatibilizers.

Molecular behavior of silicone adhesive at buried polymer interface studied by molecular dynamics simulation and sum frequency generation vibrational spectroscopy.

Silicones have excellent material properties and are used extensively in many applications, ranging from adhesives and lubricants to electrical insulation. To ensure strong adhesion of silicone adhesives to a wide variety of substrates, silane-based adhesion promotors are typically blended into the silicone adhesive formulation. However, little is known at the molecular level about the true silane adhesion promotion mechanism, which limits the ability to develop even more effective adhesion promoters. To understand the adhesion promotion mechanism of silane molecules at the molecular level, this study has used sum frequency generation vibrational spectroscopy (SFG) to determine the behavior of (3-glycidoxypropyl)trimethoxy silane (γ-GPS) at the buried interface between poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) and a bulk silicone adhesive. To complement and extend the SFG results, atomistic molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were applied to investigate molecular behavior and interfacial interaction of γ-GPS at the silicone/PET interface. Free energy computations were used to study the γ-GPS interaction in the sample system and determine the γ-GPS interfacial segregation mechanism. Both experiments and simulations consistently show that γ-GPS molecules prefer to segregate at the interface between PET and PDMS. The methoxy groups on γ-GPS molecules orient toward the PDMS polymer phase. The consistent picture of interfacial structure emerging from both simulation and experiment provides enhanced insight on how γ-GPS behaves in the silicone - PET system and illustrates why γ-GPS could improve the adhesion of silicone adhesive, leading to further understanding of silicone adhesion mechanisms useful in the design of silicone adhesives with improved performance.

Use of consumer insights to inform behavior change interventions aimed at illegal pet turtle trade in China.

Illegal poaching and overexploitation for the international pet trade are among the greatest threats to freshwater turtles in Southeast Asia. Expanding consumer research in China is crucial to filling knowledge gaps about the scale and structure of illegal trade and developing audience-targeted and relevant interventions that may reduce demand for illegal turtles as pets. We applied mixed methods to provide a detailed understanding of the consumer side of the illegal pet turtle trade in China. We conducted 30 interviews with key stakeholders and online surveys (n = 2456) of turtle keepers via community forums. From these, we identified 3 core consumer groups based on their prior turtle-keeping experience, species exposure, and potential for future purchases. We conducted a thematic qualitative analysis of concepts related to the capability, opportunity, motivation, and behavior (COM-B) model to determine the factors influencing the illegal pet turtle trade and to identify barriers to illegal purchases. Specifically, we identified purchasers' capabilities, opportunities, and motivations in the context of legality, enforcement risk, captive breeding, and impacts on wild population. We developed consumer journey maps (i.e., visual representations of customer's experiences throughout their buying journey) for core consumer groups. These maps illustrate the sequential behaviors and processes that consumers undertake when purchasing turtles, from initial exposure to sourcing, keeping, and providing a new home. Key factors influencing illegal purchases included convenient purchase channels, misguided cognition and motivations for pet keeping, and weak law enforcement. Effective interventions included messages focusing on shifting cognition and beliefs, increasing legal risk perception, and emphasizing stringent law enforcement, primarily delivered through online channels. Our results underscore the necessity for adaptable, audience-tailored interventions to reduce consumer demand for illegal wildlife products. The mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative and qualitative data, provided a comprehensive understanding of the target behavior and can inform the development of effective intervention strategies.

Uso de las percepciones del consumidor para guiar las intervenciones de cambio conductual enfocadas en el mercado ilegal de tortugas en China Resumen La caza furtiva y la sobreexplotación por el comercio internacional de mascotas son algunas de las mayores amenazas para las tortugas de agua dulce del sudeste asiático. Es esencial conocer más sobre los consumidores en China para llenar los vacíos en el conocimiento sobre la escala y la estructura del comercio ilegal y desarrollar intervenciones pertinentes y dirigidas al público que puedan reducir la demanda de tortugas como mascotas ilegales. Aplicamos métodos mixtos para conocer en detalle la percepción del consumidor del comercio ilegal de tortugas como mascotas en China. Realizamos 30 entrevistas a actores clave y encuestas en línea (n=2456) a cuidadores de tortugas a través de foros comunitarios. A partir de ellas, identificamos tres grupos principales de consumidores en función de su experiencia previa en la cría de tortugas, su exposición a las especies y su potencial para futuras compras. Realizamos un análisis cualitativo temático de conceptos relacionados con el modelo de capacidad, oportunidad, motivación y comportamiento (COM­B) para determinar los factores que influyen en el comercio ilegal de tortugas e identificar las barreras para las compras ilegales. En concreto, identificamos las capacidades, oportunidades y motivaciones de los compradores en el contexto de la legalidad, el riesgo de aplicación de la ley, la cría en cautiverio y el impacto sobre la población silvestre. Elaboramos mapas de viaje del consumidor (representaciones visuales de las experiencias del cliente a lo largo de su compra) para los principales grupos de consumidores. Estos mapas ilustran los comportamientos y procesos secuenciales que llevan a cabo los consumidores cuando compran tortugas, desde la exposición inicial hasta la adquisición, el mantenimiento y la asignación de un nuevo hogar. Entre los factores clave que influyen en las compras ilegales se encuentran la conveniencia de los canales de compra, los conocimientos y motivaciones erróneos para mantener mascotas y la debilidad de la aplicación de la ley. Las intervenciones eficaces incluyeron mensajes centrados en cambiar los conocimientos y las creencias, aumentar la percepción del riesgo legal y hacer hincapié en la aplicación rigurosa de la ley, principalmente a través de canales virtuales. Nuestros resultados destacan la necesidad de intervenciones adaptables y adaptadas al público para reducir la demanda de productos ilegales de fauna silvestre por parte de los consumidores. El enfoque de métodos mixtos, que combina datos cuantitativos y cualitativos, proporcionó una comprensión exhaustiva del comportamiento objetivo y puede servir de base para el desarrollo de estrategias de intervención eficaces.

Temporal Dynamics and Contribution of Phage Community to the Prevalence of Antibiotic Resistance Genes in a Full-Scale Sludge Anaerobic Digestion Plant.

Anaerobic digestion (AD) is an important biological resource recovery process, where microorganisms play key roles for material transformation. There has been some knowledge about the prokaryotic community and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in AD, but there has been very limited knowledge of phages. In this study, samples from a full-scale AD plant were collected over 13 months, sequenced, and analyzed for viral and prokaryotic metagenomes. Totally, 3015 viral operational taxonomic units (vOTUs) were detected, mostly assigned to Caudoviricetes. The phage community had faster temporal variation than the prokaryotic community. Warm seasons harbored a higher abundance of both temperate phages and broad host-range phages. Seven ARGs of 6 subtypes were carried by 20 vOTUs, a representative ermT gene was synthesized and expressed, and the resistance activity in the host was examined, confirming the real activity of virus-carried ARGs in the AD process. Some of the ARGs were horizontally transferred between the phage and prokaryotic genomes. However, phage infection was not found to contribute to ARG transfer. This study provided an insight into the ecological patterns of the phage community, confirmed the antibiotic resistance activity of virus-carried ARGs, evaluated the contribution of phages on the ARG prevalence, and laid the foundation for the control strategies of the community and antibiotic resistance in the AD process.

Correlations between adhesion and molecular interactions at buried interfaces of model polymer systems and in commercial multilayer barrier films.

Sum frequency generation vibrational spectroscopy (SFG) was applied to characterize the interfacial adhesion chemistry at several buried polymer interfaces in both model systems and blown multilayer films. Anhydride/acid modified polyolefins are used as tie layers to bond dissimilar polymers in multilayer barrier structures. In these films, the interfacial reactions between the barrier polymers, such as ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) or nylon, and the grafted anhydrides/acids provide covalent linkages that enhance adhesion. However, the bonding strengths vary for different polymer-tie layer combinations. Here, using SFG, we aim to provide a systematic study on four common polymer-tie interfaces, including EVOH/polypropylene-tie, EVOH/polyethylene-tie, nylon/polypropylene-tie, and nylon/polyethylene-tie, to understand how the adhesion chemistry varies and its impact on the measured adhesion. Our SFG studies suggest that adhesion enhancement is driven by a combination of reaction kinetics and the interfacial enrichment of the anhydride/acid, resulting in stronger adhesion in the case of nylon. This observation matches well with the higher adhesion observed in the nylon/tie systems in both lap shear and peel test measurements. In addition, in the polypropylene-tie systems, grafted oligomers due to chain scission may migrate to the interface, affecting the adhesion. These by-products can react or interfere with the barrier-tie chemistry, resulting in reduced adhesion strength in the polypropylene-tie system.

Effect of two different doses of nalbuphine for postoperative analgesia in children with cleft palate: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Cleft palate repair surgery may result in severe pain in the immediate postoperative period. The aim of this study is to compare the effects of different doses of nalbuphine for postoperative analgesia in children with cleft palate. METHODS: From November 2019 to June 2021, 90 children (45 males and 45 females, age 9-20 months old, ASA class I-II) were selected for palatoplasty. They were randomly divided into three groups: the control group (Group C), the N1 group (postoperative analgesia with 0.05 mg/kg/h nalbuphine) and the N2 group (postoperative analgesia with 0.075 mg/kg/h nalbuphine). Each group had 30 cases. Nalbuphine was not continuously infused in Group C but was continuously infused in Groups N1 and N2 at rates of 0.05 mg/kg/h and 0.075 mg/kg/h, respectively, for 24 h for postoperative analgesia. The FLACC analgesia score and Ramsay Sedation score were recorded at 10 min (T1), 30 min (T2), 2 h (T3), 12 h (T4) and 24 h (T5) after the operation. Adverse reactions such as nausea, vomiting and respiratory depression were observed and recorded. RESULTS: Compared with those in Group C, the FLACC scores in the N1 and N2 groups decreased significantly at T1-T5 (p < 0.05); the Ramsay Sedation score in the N1 group was significantly higher at T3 and T4 (p < 0.05), and that in the N2 group was significantly higher at T1-T5 (p < 0.05). Compared with that in the N1 group, the FLACC score in the N2 group was not significantly different, and the Ramsay Sedation score increased significantly at T5 (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Using 0.05 mg/kg/h Nalbuphine continuously for 24 h for postoperative analgesia in children with cleft palate has a better effect and fewer adverse reactions. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study was registered at ChiCTR1900027385 (11/11/2019).

Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Surgery for the Prevention of Long-term Renal Function Damage in Type 2 Diabetes: A Clinical Study.

Objective: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is strongly associated with obesity, a significant risk factor for the occurrence and progression of chronic kidney disease. In recent years, weight loss surgery has become an important treatment option for diabetes. This study examined whether Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery, a new metabolic bariatric surgery approach, can effectively reduce the risk of long-term renal impairment in individuals with type 2 diabetes. Methods: In a cohort study, 60 individuals suffering from both obesity and type 2 diabetes were stratified and randomly divided into 2 groups based on gender and weight. The control group (30 cases) received internal medicine treatment; the observation group (30 cases) received Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery. The study compared the changes in glycated hemoglobin, fasting blood glucose, fasting insulin, fasting C-peptide, postprandial 2-hour blood glucose, postprandial 2-hour insulin, postprandial 2-hour C-peptide, weight, waist circumference, and BMI before and at 6, 12, and 18 months after treatment. Kidney function-related indicators such as urinary protein excretion, microalbuminuria, and creatinine clearance were also compared. Results: There were no significant differences in the above indicators between the 2 groups before treatment (P > .05). After 6, 12, and 18 months of treatment, the levels of glycated hemoglobin, fasting blood glucose, fasting insulin, fasting C-peptide, postprandial 2-hour blood glucose, postprandial 2-hour insulin, postprandial 2-hour C-peptide, weight, waist circumference, and BMI were significantly decreased compared to before treatment (P < .05). Urinary protein excretion and microalbuminuria decreased, while creatinine clearance increased after 6, 12, and 18 months of surgery (P < .05). The differences in indicators between the 2 groups at each point after surgery were statistically significant (P < .05). Conclusion: Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery was more effective than medical treatment in treating type 2 diabetes and mitigating long-term kidney function damage. These findings confirm the clinical utility of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery in these conditions, indicating its potential for generalization and reference.