Utilizing fish wastewater in aquaponic systems to enhance anti-inflammatory and antioxidant bioactive compounds in Sarcodia suae.

Aquaculture wastewater, rich in organic nutrients, is an essential environmental factor. When applied to seaweed cultivation systems, this wastewater holds the potential to notably increase the growth rate and carbon capture of Sarcodia suae. Sarcodia suae has the potential to be a healthy food due to its various biological activities; however, its chemical composition has yet to be completely defined. In this study, we applied a UHPLC-HRMS-based foodomics strategy to determine and classify possible bioactive metabolites in S. suae. From pooled seaweed samples (S. suae cultured in filtered running, FR, aquaponic recirculation, AR systems), we identified 179 and 146 compounds in POS and NEG modes, respectively. These compounds were then classified based on their structures using the Classyfire classification. Results show that S. suae in AR exhibited higher growth performance, and ten upregulated metabolites were determined. We also validated the anti-inflammatory and antioxidative bioactivities of some selected compounds. Our study provided important insights into the potential use of fish wastewater in aquaponic systems to profile and produce bioactive compounds in S. suae comprehensively. This has significant implications for the development of sustainable food and the promotion of environmental health.

A facile spray-pressing synthesis approach for reusable photothermal masks.

Certain types of face masks are highly efficient in protecting humans from bacterial and viral pathogens, and growing concerns with high safety, low cost, and wide market suitability have accelerated the replacement of reusable face masks with disposable ones during the last decades. However, wearing these masks creates countless problems associated with personnel comfort as well as more significant issues related to the cost of fabrication, the generation of medical waste, and environmental contaminants. In this work, we present a facile spray-pressing technique for the production of P-masks with a potential scale-up prospect by adding a graphene layer on one side of meltblown fabric and a functional layer on the other side. In principle, this technique could be easily integrated into the present automatic mask production process and the masks have self-cleaning and/or self-sterilizing properties when it is exposed to solar or simulated solar irradiation.

Stepwise Crystalline Structural Transformation in 0D Hybrid Antimony Halides with Triplet Turn-on and Color-Adjustable Luminescence Switching.

Intelligent stimuli-responsive fluorescence materials are extremely pivotal for fabricating luminescent turn-on switching in solid-state photonic integration technology, but it remains a challenging objective for typical 3-dimensional (3D) perovskite nanocrystals. Herein, by fine-tuning the accumulation modes of metal halide components to dynamically control the carrier characteristics, a novel triple-mode photoluminescence (PL) switching was realized in 0D metal halide through stepwise single-crystal to single-crystal (SC-SC) transformation. Specifically, a family of 0D hybrid antimony halides was designed to exhibit three distinct types of PL performance including nonluminescent [Ph3EtP]2Sb2Cl8 (1), yellow-emissive [Ph3EtP]2SbCl5·EtOH (2), and red-emissive [Ph3EtP]2SbCl5 (3). Upon stimulus of ethanol, 1 was successfully converted to 2 through SC-SC transformation with enhanced PL quantum yield from ~0% to 91.50% acting as "turn-on" luminescent switching. Meanwhile, reversible SC-SC and luminescence transformation between 2 and 3 can be also achieved in the ethanol impregnation-heating process as luminescence vapochromism switching. As a consequence, a new triple-model turn-on and color-adjustable luminescent switching of off-onI-onII was realized in 0D hybrid halides. Simultaneously, wide advanced applications were also achieved in anti-counterfeiting, information security, and optical logic gates. This novel photon engineering strategy is expected to deepen the understanding of dynamic PL switching mechanism and guide development of new smart luminescence materials in cutting-edge optical switchable device.

Extracellular matrix bioink boosts stemness and facilitates transplantation of intestinal organoids as a biosafe Matrigel alternative.

Organoids hold inestimable therapeutic potential in regenerative medicine and are increasingly serving as an in vitro research platform. Still, their expanding applications are critically restricted by the canonical culture matrix and system. Synthesis of a suitable bioink of bioactivity, biosecurity, tunable stiffness, and printability to replace conventional matrices and fabricate customized culture systems remains challenging. Here, we envisaged a novel bioink formulation based on decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM) from porcine small intestinal submucosa for organoids bioprinting, which provides intestinal stem cells (ISCs) with niche-specific ECM content and biomimetic microstructure. Intestinal organoids cultured in the fabricated bioink exhibited robust generation as well as a distinct differentiation pattern and transcriptomic signature. This bioink established a new co-culture system able to study interaction between epithelial homeostasis and submucosal cells and promote organoids maturation after transplantation into the mesentery of immune-deficient NODSCID-gamma (NSG) mice. In summary, the development of such photo-responsive bioink has the potential to replace tumor-derived Matrigel and facilitate the application of organoids in translational medicine and disease modeling.

Sarcodia suae modulates the immunity and disease resistance of white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei against Vibrio alginolyticus via the purine metabolism and phenylalanine metabolism.

Red seaweeds have several biofunctional properties, including immunomodulatory, antitumor, antioxidant, and antibacterial activities. In this study, we examined the effects of diets containing Sarcodia suae on the immune response, immune-related gene expressions, and disease resistance against Vibrio alginolyticus in white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei. In addition, 1H NMR metabolomics was applied to analyze the metabolites extracted from shrimp fed with S. suae and their functions in regulating immunity. A diet containing only fish meal was used as the control diet (S0), and three diets containing different concentrations of S. suae powder, 2.5% (S2.5), 5% (S5), and 7.5% (S7.5) were used as experimental diets. Shrimp were fed diets for 20 days. Compared to the control group (S0), results showed that (1) shrimp fed diets supplemented with 5-7.5% of S. suae powder significantly increased anti-V. alginolyticus activity; (2) phagocytic activity (PA) increased in all shrimp fed with S. suae, but total haemocyte count (THC) only increased in S7.5 group; and (3) the expression of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in haemocyte were significantly higher in S7.5 groups. Results from the 1H NMR analysis revealed that 19 heapatopancreatic metabolites were matched and identified among groups. Based on the KEGG enrichment analysis, the up-regulated metabolites in the shrimp fed S5 and S7.5 diets were primarily due to the metabolism of purine and phenylalanine and their respective pathways. Results from these trials reveal that diets containing S. suae can increase immune response, thereby increasing shrimp resistance to V. alginolyticus. The purine and phenylalanine metabolic pathways may be considered as the relevant pathways for optimizing immunomodulatory responses.

0D hybrid indium halides with highly efficient intrinsic broadband light emissions.

Two new zero-dimensional (0D) hybrid indium halides of [H2DMP]2InX7·2H2O (X = Cl, Br) were designed based on [InX6]3- octahedra as optically active centers. Remarkably, these 0D halides display intrinsic broadband yellow-orange light emissions with highest quantum yield of 58.53% exceeding all previously reported 0D indium halides.

Zero-dimensional Hybrid Antimony Halide with Intrinsic Cyan Light Emission.

Recently, zero-dimensional (0D) hybrid metal halides have attracted intensive attention with wide applications in solid-state lighting and display diodes. Herein, by using a facile wet-chemistry method, we prepared one new 0D hybrid antimony halide of [HMHQ]2 SbCl5 ⋅ 2H2 O (MHQ=2-methyl-8-hydroxyquinoline) based on the discrete [SbCl5 ]2- unit. Remarkably, the bulk crystals of [HMHQ]2 SbCl5 ⋅ 2H2 O exhibit strong cyan light emission with a promising photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) of 18.92%. Systematical studies disclose that the cyan emission is mainly derived from the radiative recombination within conjugated organic cation. Benefiting from the promising luminescent performance, this 0D antimony halide can be utilized as an excellent down-conversion light emitting luminescent material to assemble white light-emitting diodes with high color rendering index (CRI) of 90.2.

Current knowledge on the multiform reconstitution of intestinal stem cell niche.

The development of "mini-guts" organoid originates from the identification of Lgr5+ intestinal stem cells (ISCs) and circumambient signalings within their specific niche at the crypt bottom. These in vitro self-renewing "mini-guts", also named enteroids or colonoids, undergo perpetual proliferation and regulated differentiation, which results in a high-performance, self-assembling and physiological organoid platform in diverse areas of intestinal research and therapy. The triumphant reconstitution of ISC niche in vitro also relies on Matrigel, a heterogeneous sarcoma extract. Despite the promising prospect of organoids research, their expanding applications are hampered by the canonical culture pattern, which reveals limitations such as inaccessible lumen, confine scale, batch to batch variation and low reproducibility. The tumor-origin of Matrigel also raises biosafety concerns in clinical treatment. However, the convergence of breakthroughs in cellular biology and bioengineering contribute to multiform reconstitution of the ISC niche. Herein, we review the recent advances in the microfabrication of intestinal organoids on hydrogel systems.

Composite coal fly ash solid acid catalyst in synergy with chloride for biphasic preparation of furfural from corn stover hydrolysate.

A solid acid catalyst SO42-/SnO2-Al2O3-CFA was synthesized based on industrial waste coal fly ash (CFA) as carrier and applied in the conversion of oxalic acid pretreated corn stover hydrolysate to produce furfural. Physical properties of the solid acid catalyst were characterized by SEM, FTIR, XRD, BET, EDAX, and NH3-TPD. Highly wrinkled structure of SO42-/SnO2-Al2O3-CFA could provide more specific surface area for the covalent linkage between SiO2 and SnO2. Factors influencing the efficacy of SO42-/SnO2-Al2O3-CFA were systematically explored. The highest furfural yield of 84.7% was reached in NH4Cl-toluene biphasic system at 180 °C for 30 min. The recyclability of SO42-/SnO2-Al2O3-CFA and toluene could be achieved for five batches with stable performance in transformation of xylose-rich corn stover hydrolysate. This study provided a novel solid acid catalyst with promising potential in the synthesis of furfural from corn stover.

Application of a 3D-printed "fistula stent" in plugging enteroatmospheric fistula with open abdomen: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Open abdomen (OA) has been generally accepted for its magnificent superiority and effectiveness in patients with severe trauma, severe intra-abdominal infection, and abdominal compartment syndrome. In the meantime, OA calls for a mass of nursing and the subsequent enteroatomospheric fistula (EAF), which is one of the most common complications of OA therapy, remains a thorny challenge. CASE SUMMARY: Our team applied thermoplastic polyurethane as a befitting material for producing a 3D-printed "fistula stent" in the management of an EAF patient, who was initially admitted to local hospital because of abdominal pain and distension and diagnosed with bowel obstruction. After a series of operations and OA therapy, the patient developed an EAF. CONCLUSION: Application of this novel "fistula stent" resulted in a drastic reduction in the amount of lost enteric effluent and greatly accelerated rehabilitation processes.

Mindfulness-based interventions for major depressive disorder: A comprehensive meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: This is a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) for a current episode of major depressive disorder. METHODS: Both English (PubMed, PsycINFO, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases) and Chinese (WanFang and CNKI) databases were systematically and independently searched. Standardized mean differences (SMDs) and risk ratio (RR) ± their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) based on the random effects model were calculated. RESULTS: A total of 11 RCTs with 12 treatment arms (n = 764; MBIs = 363; and control group = 401) were identified and analyzed. Compared to the control group, MDD subjects receiving MBIs showed significant reduction in depressive symptoms (n =722; SMD: -0.59, 95% CI: -1.01 to -0.17, I2 = 85%, p = 0.006) at post-MBIs assessment, but the significance disappeared by the end of posttreatment follow-up. Subgroup analyses revealed that positive benefits of MBIs was associated with studies that had treatment as usual (TAU) control group, Chinese participants, open label design, no gender predominance, subjects younger than 44.4 years, and Jadad score ≥ 3, other illness phase and MBIs as augmentation group. CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis found that MBIs was associated with reduction of depression severity immediately after MBIs but not at follow up endpoint. Further, the positive effects of MBIs were mainly driven by outlying studies. Higher quality of RCTs with larger samples and longer study duration are needed to confirm the findings.

Associations of Differentiation of Self and Adult Attachment in Individuals With Anxiety-Related Disorders.

PURPOSE: To examine the levels and associations of differentiation of self based on Bowen's theory and adult attachment in a sample with anxiety-related disorders. DESIGN AND METHODS: One hundred fourteen adults with anxiety-related disorders and 117 age- and gender-matched controls were recruited. Levels of differentiation of self, adult attachment, and trait and state anxiety were assessed. FINDINGS: Adults with anxiety-related disorders showed significantly lower global levels of differentiation of self after controlling for socio-demographic characteristics. Adults with anxiety-related disorders also displayed significantly higher levels of anxiety and avoidant attachment. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: These constructs may be appropriate targets for intervention research in the study of anxiety-related disorders.

Immunogenicity and Protective Efficacy of a Fusion Protein Tuberculosis Vaccine Combining Five Esx Family Proteins.

One strategy to develop the next generation of tuberculosis vaccines is to construct subunit vaccines based on T cell antigens. In this study, we have evaluated the vaccine potential of a fusion protein combining EsxB, EsxD, EsxG, EsxU, and EsxM of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tb). This recombinant protein, named BM, was expressed in and purified from Escherichia coli. Immunization of C57BL/6 mice with purified BM protein formulated in Freund's incomplete adjuvant induced the production of Th1 cytokines (IFN-γ, TNF, and IL-2) and multifunctional CD4+ T cells. Vaccination of BALB/c mice with BM protein followed by intravenous challenge with Mycobacterium bovis BCG resulted in better levels of protection than the two leading antigens, Ag85A and PPE18. Taken together, these results indicate that BM is a protective antigen. Future studies to combine BM with other antigens and evaluate its effectiveness as a booster of BCG or as a therapeutic vaccine are warranted.

Associations of self-esteem, dysfunctional beliefs and coping style with depression in patients with schizophrenia: a preliminary survey.

Psychological models of depression in schizophrenia have proposed that cognitive structures (e.g., self-esteem, dysfunctional beliefs) may have a role in the development and maintenance of depression. However, it has not been clear what the characteristics of these cognitive structures were in people with schizophrenia and whether they have an independent association with depression, especially in those from a Chinese cultural background. The present investigation examined 133 people with schizophrenia and 50 healthy controls and indicated that compared to the controls people with schizophrenia showed lower self-esteem, higher levels of dysfunctional beliefs and negative coping styles. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that only low frustration tolerance, problem solving and self-blame were found to be the independent correlates of depression in schizophrenia. Results are discussed with the view of clinical implications of cognitive formulation and therapy for schizophrenia in China.