Association of Rest-Activity Rhythm and Risk of Developing Dementia or Mild Cognitive Impairment in the Middle-Aged and Older Population: Prospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: The relationship between 24-hour rest-activity rhythms (RARs) and risk for dementia or mild cognitive impairment (MCI) remains an area of growing interest. Previous studies were often limited by small sample sizes, short follow-ups, and older participants. More studies are required to fully explore the link between disrupted RARs and dementia or MCI in middle-aged and older adults. OBJECTIVE: We leveraged the UK Biobank data to examine how RAR disturbances correlate with the risk of developing dementia and MCI in middle-aged and older adults. METHODS: We analyzed the data of 91,517 UK Biobank participants aged between 43 and 79 years. Wrist actigraphy recordings were used to derive nonparametric RAR metrics, including the activity level of the most active 10-hour period (M10) and its midpoint, the activity level of the least active 5-hour period (L5) and its midpoint, relative amplitude (RA) of the 24-hour cycle [RA=(M10-L5)/(M10+L5)], interdaily stability, and intradaily variability, as well as the amplitude and acrophase of 24-hour rhythms (cosinor analysis). We used Cox proportional hazards models to examine the associations between baseline RAR and subsequent incidence of dementia or MCI, adjusting for demographic characteristics, comorbidities, lifestyle factors, shiftwork status, and genetic risk for Alzheimer's disease. RESULTS: During the follow-up of up to 7.5 years, 555 participants developed MCI or dementia. The dementia or MCI risk increased for those with lower M10 activity (hazard ratio [HR] 1.28, 95% CI 1.14-1.44, per 1-SD decrease), higher L5 activity (HR 1.15, 95% CI 1.10-1.21, per 1-SD increase), lower RA (HR 1.23, 95% CI 1.16-1.29, per 1-SD decrease), lower amplitude (HR 1.32, 95% CI 1.17-1.49, per 1-SD decrease), and higher intradaily variability (HR 1.14, 95% CI 1.05-1.24, per 1-SD increase) as well as advanced L5 midpoint (HR 0.92, 95% CI 0.85-0.99, per 1-SD advance). These associations were similar in people aged <70 and >70 years, and in non-shift workers, and they were independent of genetic and cardiovascular risk factors. No significant associations were observed for M10 midpoint, interdaily stability, or acrophase. CONCLUSIONS: Based on findings from a large sample of middle-to-older adults with objective RAR assessment and almost 8-years of follow-up, we suggest that suppressed and fragmented daily activity rhythms precede the onset of dementia or MCI and may serve as risk biomarkers for preclinical dementia in middle-aged and older adults.

The combined effect of handgrip strength and obesity phenotype on the risk of stroke in Chinese middle-aged and elderly: A cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the combined effect of handgrip strength (HGS) and obesity phenotype on the risk of stroke in Chinese middle-aged and elderly people. METHODS: The data was used from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). Middle-aged and older adults who participated in surveys between 2011 and 2018 were included in the study. They were divided into 4 different types of obesity phenotypes based on obesity and metabolic status: metabolically healthy non-overweight/obesity (MHNO), metabolically healthy overweight/obesity (MHO), metabolically abnormal non-overweight/obesity (MANO), and metabolically abnormal overweight/obesity (MAO). The HGS level was divided into low and high groups according to the median values. Cox proportional risk regression model was used to analyze the joint effect of HGS and obesity phenotype on the risk of stroke among participants. RESULTS: A total of 7904 participants aged 58.89±9.08 years were included in this study. After adjusting for potential confounders, high HGS&MHO (HR=1.86, 95 % CI=1.12-3.09), high HGS&MANO (HR=2.01, 95 %CI=1.42-2.86), high HGS&MAO (HR=2.01, 95 % CI=1.37-2.93), low HGS&MHNO (HR=1.57, 95 % CI=1.00-2.46), low HGS&MHO (HR=2.09, 95 % CI=1.29-3.38), low HGS&MANO (HR=2.02, 95 % CI=1.35-3.03), and low HGS&MAO (HR=2.48, 95 % CI=1.72-3.58) group had significantly higher risks of stroke than the high HGS&MHNO group. CONCLUSION: The coexistence of metabolically unhealthy and low HGS can synergistically increase the risk of stroke in Chinese middle-aged and elderly people.

Location matters: altered interhemispheric homotopic connectivity in post-stroke dyskinesia.

Background: Motor impairment is the most prevalent consequence following a stroke. Interhemispheric homotopic connectivity, which varies regionally and hierarchically along the axis of the somatomotor-association cortex, plays a critical role in sustaining normal motor functions. However, the impact of strokes occurring in various locations on homotopic connectivity is not fully understood. This study aimed to explore how motor deficits resulting from acute strokes in different locations influence homotopic connectivity. Methods: Eighty-four acute ischemic stroke patients with dyskinesia were recruited and divided into four demographically-matched subgroups based on stroke locations: Group 1 (G1; frontoparietal, n = 15), Group 2 (G2; radiation coronal, n = 16), Group 3 (G3; basal ganglia, n = 30), and Group 4 (G4; brain stem, n = 23). An additional 37 demographically-matched healthy controls were also recruited in the study. Multimodal MRI data, motor function assessments, and cognitive tests were gathered for analysis. Interhemispheric homotopic functional and structural connectivity were measured using resting-state functional MRI and diffusion tensor imaging, respectively. These measurements were then correlated with motor function scores to investigate the relationships. Results: Voxel-mirrored homotopic connectivity (VMHC) analysis showed that strokes in the frontoparietal and basal ganglia regions led to diminished homotopic connectivity in the somatosensory/motor cortex. In contrast, strokes in the radiation coronal and brainstem regions affected subcortical motor circuits. Structural homotopic connectivity analysis using diffusion tensor imaging showed that frontoparietal and basal ganglia strokes predominantly affected association fibers, while radiation coronal and brainstem strokes caused widespread disruption in the integrity of both cortical-cortical and cortical-subcortical white matter fibers. Correlation analyses demonstrated significant associations between the Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA), Modified Barthel Index (MBI), and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores with the VMHC in the inferior temporal gyrus for G1 (G1; r = 0.838, p < 0.001; r = 0.793, p < 0.001; and r = -0.834, p < 0.001, respectively). No statistically significant associations were observed in Groups 2, 3, and 4. Conclusion: Our results suggest that motor deficits following strokes in various regions involve distinct pathways from cortical to subcortical areas. Alterations in lesion topography and regional functional homotopy provide new insights into the understanding of neural underpinnings of post-stroke dyskinesia.

Biolimus-coated versus paclitaxel-coated balloons for coronary in-stent restenosis (BIO ASCEND ISR): a randomised, non-inferiority trial.

BACKGROUND: The treatment of in-stent restenosis (ISR) after drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation remains challenging in current clinical practice. AIMS: The study was conducted to investigate a novel biolimus-coated balloon (BCB) for the treatment of coronary DES-ISR compared with the best-investigated paclitaxel-coated balloon (PCB). METHODS: This was a prospective, multicentre, randomised, non-inferiority trial comparing a novel BCB with a clinically proven PCB for coronary DES-ISR. The primary endpoint was in-segment late lumen loss (LLL) at 9 months assessed by an independent core laboratory. Baseline and follow-up optical coherence tomography were performed in a prespecified subgroup of patients. RESULTS: A total of 280 patients at 17 centres were randomised to treatment with a BCB (n=140) versus a PCB (n=140). At 9 months, LLL in the BCB group was 0.23±0.37 mm compared to 0.25±0.35 mm in the PCB group; the mean difference between the groups was -0.02 (95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.12 to 0.07) mm; p-value for non-inferiority<0.0001. Similar clinical outcomes were also observed for both groups at 12 months. In the optical coherence tomography substudy, the neointimal area at 9 months was 2.32±1.04 mm2 in the BCB group compared to 2.37±0.93 mm2 in the PCB group; the mean difference between the groups was -0.09 (95% CI: -0.94 to 0.76) mm2; p=non-significant. CONCLUSIONS: This head-to-head comparison of a novel BCB shows similar angiographic outcomes in the treatment of coronary DES-ISR compared with a clinically proven PCB. (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04733443).

Corrigendum: Tpr deficiency disrupts erythroid maturation with impaired chromatin condensation in zebrafish embryogenesis.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.709923.].

Challenges of COVID-19 Case Forecasting in the US, 2020-2021.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, forecasting COVID-19 trends to support planning and response was a priority for scientists and decision makers alike. In the United States, COVID-19 forecasting was coordinated by a large group of universities, companies, and government entities led by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the US COVID-19 Forecast Hub (https://covid19forecasthub.org). We evaluated approximately 9.7 million forecasts of weekly state-level COVID-19 cases for predictions 1-4 weeks into the future submitted by 24 teams from August 2020 to December 2021. We assessed coverage of central prediction intervals and weighted interval scores (WIS), adjusting for missing forecasts relative to a baseline forecast, and used a Gaussian generalized estimating equation (GEE) model to evaluate differences in skill across epidemic phases that were defined by the effective reproduction number. Overall, we found high variation in skill across individual models, with ensemble-based forecasts outperforming other approaches. Forecast skill relative to the baseline was generally higher for larger jurisdictions (e.g., states compared to counties). Over time, forecasts generally performed worst in periods of rapid changes in reported cases (either in increasing or decreasing epidemic phases) with 95% prediction interval coverage dropping below 50% during the growth phases of the winter 2020, Delta, and Omicron waves. Ideally, case forecasts could serve as a leading indicator of changes in transmission dynamics. However, while most COVID-19 case forecasts outperformed a naïve baseline model, even the most accurate case forecasts were unreliable in key phases. Further research could improve forecasts of leading indicators, like COVID-19 cases, by leveraging additional real-time data, addressing performance across phases, improving the characterization of forecast confidence, and ensuring that forecasts were coherent across spatial scales. In the meantime, it is critical for forecast users to appreciate current limitations and use a broad set of indicators to inform pandemic-related decision making.

Biomimetic Photonic Elastomer Exhibiting Stress/Moisture Reconfigurable Wrinkle-Lattice for Reversible Deformation Information Storage.

Photonic elastomers, capable of converting imperceptible deformations into visible colors, show significant potential in smart materials. However, instantaneous deformation is arduous to record accurately due to the disappearance of optical information after deformation recovery. Herein, inspired by the folding structures of iridocytes in cephalopods, a stress- and moisture-triggered wrinkling and erasure effect is proposed to be introduced in the construction of a photonic elastomer. Implemented in a dual-network polymer framework with modulatable locking, it allows for reversible deformation storage. The photonic elastomer comprises a surface one-dimensional photonic crystal (1DPC) and a poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) substrate. The deformed 1DPC lattice transforms into a wrinkled state due to a substrate deformation mismatch, preserving strain-induced structural color information through interchain hydrogen bonding and crystalline shape-locking in dual-network polymers. Reading the color provides multidimensional information about the instantaneous deformation degree and distribution. Moreover, the moisture-induced shape-memory feature of the 1DPC can be triggered with a minute amount of water, like fingertip perspiration or humidity change (35% to 80%), to restore the original color. This stress/moisture-responsive photonic elastomer, with its dynamically reconfigurable wrinkle-lattice, holds great promise for applications in mechanical sensing, inkless writing, and anticounterfeiting, significantly enhancing the versatility of photonic materials.

Network Pharmacology Combined with Animal Models to Investigate the Mechanism of ChangPu YuJin Tang in the Treatment of Tourette Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: ChangPu YuJin Tang (CPYJT) is a Chinese herbal formula that has been shown to be an effective therapeutic strategy for pediatric patients with Tourette Syndrome (TS). Using an integrated strategy of network pharmacology and animal model, the aim of this study was to investigate the mechanism of CPYJT in the treatment of TS. METHODS: Compound libraries of CPYJT were established using databases, such as the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP). The TCMSP database and Swiss Target Prediction database were used to predict the targets. The above results were constructed into a CPYJT-Drug-Component-Target network. Moreover, TS targets were predicted using GeneCards and other databases. The targets corresponding to the potential ingredients in CPYJT and the targets corresponding to TS were taken as the intersections to construct the CPYJT-TS network. The target network was analysed by PPI using the string database. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses were performed on the target network. The whole process was performed using Cytoscape 3.7.2 to make visual network diagrams of the results. CPYJT was characterised by Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (UHPLC-MS). Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) was used to observe the structural changes of CPYJT on the neuronal cells of the IDPN model rats. RT-PCR and Western Blot were used to analyse the changes in the mRNA and protein expression levels of BDNF, TrkB, PI3K, and AKT in the cortex, striatum, and thalamus brain regions after CPYJT administration in IDPN model rats. RESULTS: Network pharmacology and UHPLC-MS studies revealed that CPYJT acted on the TS through multiple neurotransmitters and the BDNF/TrkB and PI3K/AKT signalling pathways. CPYJT ameliorated neurocellular structural damage in the cortex, striatum, and thalamus of TS model rats. Additionally, CPYJT up-regulated the levels of BDNF, TrkB, PI3k, and AKT in the cortex, striatum, and thalamus of TS model rats. CONCLUSION: It was found that CPYJT protected neuronal cells from structural damage in multiple brain regions and affected the expression levels of BDNF, TrkB, PI3K, and Akt in the cortex, striatum, and thalamus during TS treatment.

Bismuth subsalicylate, probiotics, rifaximin and vaccines for the prevention of travelers' diarrhea: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Background: Bismuth subsalicylate (BSS), probiotics, rifaximin, and vaccines have been proposed as preventive modalities for patients with travelers' diarrhea (TD), but their comparative effectiveness for prevention has rarely been studied. We aimed to perform a systematic review and network meta-analysis to test whether one of these modalities is more effective than the others in reducing the incidence of TD. Methods: We searched Pubmed, Embase, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Web of Science, and clinical registries from inception of the databases through 18 November 2023, without language restriction, for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the efficacy of BSS, probiotics, rifaximin, and vaccines in preventing TD. The primary outcome was the incidence of TD and the safety outcome was the incidence of adverse events. The relative ratio (RR) was used to assess the effect of the modalities, and RR estimates between any two of the modalities were calculated and pooled using a frequentist network meta-analysis model. Results: Thirty-one studies (recruiting 10,879 participants) were included in the analysis. Sixteen were judged to have a low risk of bias. In the aggregate analysis, BSS and rifaximin were more effective than placebo and other treatment modalities, which was further confirmed in the individual analysis. The comparison between rifaximin and placebo achieved high confidence, while the comparisons between BSS and placebo, ETEC and probiotics, and rifaximin and vaccines achieved moderate confidence. BSS had a higher rate of adverse events compared with other treatments. Conclusion: Rifaximin had a relative lower TD incidence and lower adverse event rate, and the evidence was with moderate confidence. Systematic Review Registration: https://osf.io/dxab6, identifier.

GelMA micropattern enhances cardiomyocyte organization, maturation, and contraction via contact guidance.

Cardiac tissue engineering has emerged as a promising approach for restoring the functionality of damaged cardiac tissues following myocardial infarction. To effectively replicate the native anisotropic structure of cardiac tissues in vitro, this study focused on the fabrication of micropatterned gelatin methacryloyl hydrogels with varying geometric parameters. These substrates were evaluated for their ability to guide induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (CMs). The findings demonstrate that the mechanical properties of this hydrogel closely resemble those of native cardiac tissues, and it exhibits high fidelity in micropattern fabrication. Micropatterned hydrogel substrates lead to enhanced organization, maturation, and contraction of CMs. A microgroove with 20-µm-width and 20-µm-spacing was identified as the optimal configuration for maximizing the contact guidance effect, supported by analyses of nuclear orientation and F-actin organization. Furthermore, this specific micropattern design was found to promote CMs' maturation, as evidenced by increased expression of connexin 43 and vinculin, along with extended sarcomere length. It also enhanced CMs' contraction, resulting in larger contractile amplitudes and greater contractile motion anisotropy. In conclusion, these results underscore the significant benefits of optimizing micropatterned gelatin methacryloyl for improving CMs' organization, maturation, and contraction. This valuable insight paves the way for the development of highly organized and functionally mature cardiac tissues in vitro.

Historical construction, quantitative source identification and risk assessment of heavy metals contamination in sediments from the Pearl River Estuary, South China.

Historical reconstruction of heavy metals (HMs) contamination in sediments is a key for understanding the effects of anthropogenic stresses on water bodies and predicting the variation trends of environmental state. In this work, eighteen sediment cores from the Pearl River Estuary (PRE) were collected to determine concentrations and geochemical fractions of HMs. Then, their potential sources and the relative contributions during different time periods were quantitatively identified by integrating lead-210 (210Pb) radioisotope dating technique into positive matrix factorisation (PMF) method. Pollution levels and potential ecological risks (PERs) caused by HMs were accurately assessed by enrichment factors (EF) based on establishment of their geochemical baselines (GCBs) and multiparameter evaluation index (MPE). HMs concentrations generally showed a particle size- and organic matter-dependent distribution pattern. During the period of 1958-1978, HMs concentrations remained at low levels with agricultural activities and natural processes being identified as the predominant sources and averagely contributing >60%. Since the reform and opening-up in 1978, industrial and traffic factors become the primary anthropogenic sources of HMs (such as Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, Cr, and Ni), averagely increasing from 22.1% to 28.1% and from 11.6% to 23.4%, respectively. Conversely, the contributions of agricultural and natural factors decreased from 37.0% to 28.5% and from 29.3% to 20.0%, respectively. Subsequently, implementation of environmental preservation policies was mainly responsible for the declining trend of HMs after 2010. Little enrichment of sediment Cu, Zn, Pb, Cr and Ni with EFs (0.15-1.43) was found in the PRE, whereas EFs of Cd (1.16-2.70) demonstrated a slight to moderate enrichment. MPE indices of Cu (50.7-252), Pb (52.0-147), Zn (35.5-130), Ni (19.6-71.5), Cr (14.2-68.8) and Cd (0-9.90) highlighted their potential ecological hazards due to their non-residual fractions and anthropogenic sources.

The effects of IL-27 and IL-35 gene variation and expression levels on the susceptibility and clinical manifestations of pulmonary tuberculosis.

Inflammatory cytokines have crucial roles in the pathogenesis of tuberculosis (TB), and interleukin (IL)-27 and IL-35 have a pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory effect on many diseases, including infectious diseases. Therefore, we evaluated the relationship between IL-27 and IL-35 gene polymorphism, expression levels, and pulmonary TB (PTB) susceptibility. Nine single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the IL-27 gene (rs181206, rs153109, and rs17855750) and the IL-35 gene (rs4740, rs428253, rs9807813, rs2243123, rs2243135, and rs568408) were genotyped by the SNPscan technique in 497 patients with PTB and 501 controls. There was no significant difference regarding the genotype and allele frequencies of the above SNPs in the IL-27 and IL-35 genes between patients with PTB and controls. Haplotype analysis showed that the frequency of the GAC haplotype in the IL-35 gene was significantly decreased in patients with PTB when compared to controls (p = 0.036). Stratified analysis suggested that the frequency of the IL-27 rs17855750 GG genotype was significantly increased in patients with PTB with fever. Moreover, the lower frequency of the IL-35 rs568408 GA genotype was associated with drug-induced liver injury in patients with PTB. The IL-35 rs428253 GC genotype, as well as the rs4740 AA genotype and A allele, showed significant relationships with hypoproteinemia in patients with PTB. When compared with controls, the IL-27 level was significantly increased in patients with PTB. Taken together, IL-35 gene variation might contribute to a protective role on the susceptibility to PTB, and IL-27 and IL-35 gene polymorphisms were associated with several clinical manifestations of patients with PTB.

Electrochemical Oxidative Difunctionalization of Diazo Compounds with Diselenides and Nucleophiles.

An electrochemical oxidative difunctionalization of diazo compounds with diselenides and nucleophiles has been developed. This innovative approach yields a diverse array of selenium-containing pyrazole esters and alkoxy esters, overcoming the limitations of traditional synthesis methods. Remarkably, various nucleophiles, including acids, alcohols, and pyrazoles, can be seamlessly incorporated. Notably, this protocol boasts high atom efficiency, excellent functional group tolerance, and good efficiency and operates under transition metal- and oxidant-free conditions, distinguishing it in the field.

Excimer laser coronary angioplasty combined with drug-coated balloon in the treatment of in-stent restenosis.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to investigate the safety and efficacy of excimer laser coronary angioplasty (ELCA) combined with drug-coated balloons (DCBs) in the treatment of in-stent restenosis (ISR), and to explore whether the contrast injection technique would improve the neointimal tissue ablation of ELCA. METHODS: We studied patients diagnosed with ISR between January 2019 and October 2022 at two medical centers. These patients underwent DCB angioplasty guided by optical coherence tomography (OCT). Based on whether ELCA was performed before DCB treatment, patients were categorized into two groups: the ELCA + DCB group and the DCB group. All patients underwent clinical follow-up 1 year after the procedure. The primary endpoint was the 1-year rate of target lesion revascularization (TLR), which was defined as any repeat percutaneous intervention or bypass surgery on the target vessel conducted to address restenosis or other complications related to the target lesion. The secondary endpoints including immediate luminal gain (ΔMLA, defined as the difference in minimum lumen area before and after the intervention). RESULTS: A total of 85 lesions in 75 patients were included. The mean age of the study population was 64.2 ± 12.0 years, with 81.3% male. Baseline clinical characteristics were well-balanced, and procedural success was 100% in both groups. The ELCA + DCB group (n = 24) exhibited a greater ΔMLA compared to the DCB group (n = 61) (3.57 ± 0.79 mm² vs. 2.50 ± 1.06 mm², [95% confidence interval, CI: 0.57-1.69], p < 0.001), The reduction in 1-year TLR was more frequently observed in patients from the ELCA + DCB group compared to the DCB group (hazard ratio 0.33 [95% CI: 0.11-0.99]; log-rank p = 0.048). The exploratory analysis showed that ELCA with contrast infusion is associated with greater acute lumen gain compared to ELCA with saline infusion (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The combination of ELCA and DCB is a safe and effective treatment strategy for in-stent stenosis. Additionally, compared with saline injection, ELCA with contrast injection is associated with greater acute lumen gain. However, the optimal contrast agent concentration and long-term outcome of the contrast injection technique need confirmation through larger sample sizes and prospective studies.

Multicomponent, Multicavity Metallacages That Contain Different Binding Sites for Allosteric Recognition.

The encapsulation of different guest molecules by their different recognition domains of proteins leads to selective binding, catalysis, and transportation. Synthetic hosts capable of selectively binding different guests in their different cavities to mimic the function of proteins are highly desirable but challenging. Here, we report three ladder-shaped, triple-cavity metallacages prepared by multicomponent coordination-driven self-assembly. Interestingly, the porphyrin-based metallacage is capable of heteroleptic encapsulation of fullerenes (C60 or C70) and coronene using its different cavities, allowing distinct allosteric recognition of coronene upon the addition of C60 or C70. Owing to the different binding affinities of the cavities, the metallacage hosts one C60 molecule in the central cavity and two coronene units in the side cavities, while encapsulating two C70 molecules in the side cavities and one coronene molecule in the central cavity. The rational design of multicavity assemblies that enable heteroleptic encapsulation and allosteric recognition will guide the further design of advanced supramolecular constructs with tunable recognition properties.

Effects of Different Varieties on Physicochemical Properties, Browning Characteristics, and Quality Attributes of Mume fructus (Wumei).

The dried Mume fructus (MF) is a special food and herbal medicine with a long history of processing and application. The browning index (BI) of Prunus mume (PM) is pivotal in determining the medicinal value and edible quality of MF. Exploring the BI of PM holds significant importance for both the selection of PM varieties and understanding the formation mechanism of high-quality MF. This study systematically analyzed the physicochemical properties, BI, and quality indicators of four PM varieties (Qingzhu Mei, Yesheng Mei, Nangao Mei, and Zhaoshui Mei) after processing into MF. The results showed significant differences in eight physicochemical indicators among the four PM varieties (p < 0.05). Notably, Qingzhu Mei exhibited the highest titratable acid content, Nangao Mei had the most prominent soluble solid and soluble sugar content, and Zhaoshui Mei showed outstanding performance in reducing sugar, soluble protein, and free amino acids. Regarding drying characteristics, Yesheng Mei and Nangao Mei required a shorter drying time. In terms of BI, Nangao Mei exhibited the greatest degree of browning and its color appearance was darker. When considering quality evaluation, Nangao Mei excelled in rehydration ability and extract content, while Zhaoshui Mei demonstrated outstanding levels of total phenols, total flavonoids, and total antioxidant capacity. Overall, the evaluation suggested that the Nangao Mei variety was more suitable for MF processing. These research results provide a valuable theoretical foundation for understanding the BI of PM varieties and serve as a reference for the selection of PM varieties as raw materials for processing MF.

Chelativorans salis sp. nov., a slightly halophilic bacterium isolated from an enrichment system with saline lake sediment.

A Gram-stain-negative, non-motile, and slightly halophilic alphaproteobacterium, designated strain EGI FJ00035T, was isolated from enrichment sediment samples of a saline lake in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, PR China. The taxonomic position of the isolate was determined using the polyphasic taxonomic and phylogenomic analyses. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain EGI FJ00035T formed a distinct clade with 'Chelativorans alearense' UJN715 and 'Chelativorans xinjiangense' lm93 with sequence similarities of 98.44 and 98.22 %, respectively, while sharing less than 96.7 % with other valid type strains. The novel isolate could be distinguished from other species of the genus Chelativorans by its distinct phenotypic, physiological, and genotypic characteristics. Optimal growth of strain EGI FJ00035T occurred on marine agar 2216 at pH 7.0 and 30 °C. The major respiratory quinone was Q-10, while the major fatty acids (>5 %) were C19 : 0 cyclo ω8c, summed feature 8 (C17 : 1 ω6c and/or C17 : 1 ω7c), C16 : 0, C18 : 0, and iso-C17 : 0. The detected polar lipids included diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, unidentified aminophospholipids, unidentified glycolipids, and an unidentified lipid. Based on its genome sequence, the G+C content of strain EGI FJ00035T was 63.2 mol%. The average nucleotide identity, average amino acid identity, and digital DNA-DNA hybridization values of strain EGI FJ00035T against related members of the genus Chelativorans were below the thresholds for delineation of a novel species. According our polyphasic taxonomic data, strain EGI FJ00035T represents a new species of the genus Chelativorans, for which the name Chelativorans salis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of the proposed novel isolate is EGI FJ00035T (=KCTC 92251T=CGMCC 1.19480T).

Electroencephalography as an objective method for assessing subjective emotions during the application of cream.

OBJECTIVE: To compare emotional responses elicited by four cosmetic products on different sensory modalities (smell, visual, and touch), and analyze the link between objective instrumental analysis results and subjective evaluation of participants occurring within dimensional valence-arousal model of emotions. METHODS: In this study, four cream products exhibiting variations in olfactory perception, visual appearance and perception usability were selected. Electroencephalography (EEG) and a subjective emotion scale were used to assess participants' emotional responses during the sensory experience of utilizing the creams. RESULTS: The study revealed that the objective emotional valence and arousal of different cream products exhibited certain variations at distinct stages of usage. The trend of valence differences induced by different products measured by EEG at the same stage was almost as same as measured by subjective evaluation. The correspondence between the valence measured by EEG closely approximated that obtained through subjective evaluation across various products at distinct stages of usage. These findings demonstrate a significant correlation between EEG-based valence and subjective valence, however, no such relationship was observed for arousal. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates the feasibility of using EEG as a method to assess emotions elicited by various stages of cosmetics application, including smelling, looking, rubbing, and afterfeel. This technique serves as a valuable supplement to traditional methods for examining emotional responses by providing more objective evidence.

Foxp1 suppresses cortical angiogenesis and attenuates HIF-1alpha signaling to promote neural progenitor cell maintenance.

Neural progenitor cells within the cerebral cortex undergo a characteristic switch between symmetric self-renewing cell divisions early in development and asymmetric neurogenic divisions later. Yet, the mechanisms controlling this transition remain unclear. Previous work has shown that early but not late neural progenitor cells (NPCs) endogenously express the autism-linked transcription factor Foxp1, and both loss and gain of Foxp1 function can alter NPC activity and fate choices. Here, we show that premature loss of Foxp1 upregulates transcriptional programs regulating angiogenesis, glycolysis, and cellular responses to hypoxia. These changes coincide with a premature destabilization of HIF-1α, an elevation in HIF-1α target genes, including Vegfa in NPCs, and precocious vascular network development. In vitro experiments demonstrate that stabilization of HIF-1α in Foxp1-deficient NPCs rescues the premature differentiation phenotype and restores NPC maintenance. Our data indicate that the endogenous decline in Foxp1 expression activates the HIF-1α transcriptional program leading to changes in the tissue environment adjacent to NPCs, which, in turn, might alter their self-renewal and neurogenic capacities.

Ultrathin photonic crystal based on photo-crosslinked polymer and metal-organic framework for highly sensitive detection and discrimination of benzene series vapors.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have always been a major concern as a global environmental problem. As a low-cost, high-efficiency and visual sensor, photonic crystals (PCs) have been actively studied in VOCs detection. Herein, a one-dimensional PC sensor for visual sensing of highly toxic benzene series VOC vapors is prepared for the first time by integrating a new photo-crosslinked polymer-poly(styrene-benzoylphenyl acrylate) P(St-BPA) and a high specific surface area metal-organic framework (MOF) MIL-101(Cr). The PC can detect VOCs quantitatively and visually, and clearly distinguish 7 benzene series vapors. The detection limit of the benzene series VOCs is as low as 0.06-3.45 g/m3. Meanwhile, owing to the ultra-thin layer and porous structure, the PC can reach a response equilibrium to the VOCs within 1-2.6 s. Moreover, the PC has a good organic vapor tolerance and can maintain stable optical performance after 1000 times of reuse in VOCs. Besides, 4 other PCs assembled with different aryl polymers and MOFs are first fabricated and their sensing performance to benzene series VOCs are studied and compared, which provides a valuable reference for the selection of materials for the preparation of such PC sensors.