Ferroelectric modulation of CuCo2O4 nanorods for controllable alkaline water electrolysis.

As a technology for emerging environmental applications, water electrolysis is a significant approach for producing clean hydrogen energy. In this work, we used an efficacious piezoelectric method to significantly improve the catalytic water splitting activity without affecting the morphology as well as the components by altering the bulk charge separation state inside the material. The obtained CuCo2O4 nanorods were treated under a corona polarization apparatus, which significantly enhanced ferroelectricity relative to that before the polarization increasing the physical charge separation and piezoelectric potential energy, enhancing the green hydrogen production. The polarized CuCo2O4 nanorods exhibit excellent water electrolysis performance under alkaline conditions, with hydrogen evolution overpotential of 78.7 mV and oxygen evolution overpotential of 299 mV at 10 mA cm-2, which is much better than that of unpolarized CuCo2O4 nanorods. Moreover, the Tafel slopes of polarized CuCo2O4 nanorods are 86.9 mV dec-1 in the HER process and 73.1 mV dec-1 in the OER process, which are much lower than commercial catalysts of Pt/C (88.0 mV dec-1 for HER) or RuO2 (78.5 mV dec-1 for OER), proving faster kinetic on polarized CuCo2O4 nanorods due to their higher electroconductibility and intrinsic activity. In particular, polarized CuCo2O4 nanorods are identified as promising catalysts for water electrolysis with robust stability, offering outstanding catalytic performance and excellent energy efficiency.

Targeting Neuronal GPR65 With Delayed BTB09089 Treatment Improves Neurorehabilitation Following Ischemic Stroke.

BACKGROUND: GPR65 (G protein-coupled receptor 65) can sense extracellular acidic environment to regulate pathophysiological processes. Pretreatment with the GPR65 agonist BTB09089 has been proven to produce neuroprotection in acute ischemic stroke. However, whether delayed BTB09089 treatment and neuronal GPR65 activation promote neurorestoration remains unknown. METHODS: Ischemic stroke was induced in wild-type (WT) or GPR65 knockout (GPR65-/-) mice by photothrombotic ischemia. Male mice were injected intraperitoneally with BTB09089 every other day at days 3, 7, or 14 poststroke. AAV-Syn-GPR65 (adenoassociated virus-synapsin-GPR65) was utilized to overexpress GPR65 in the peri-infarct cortical neurons of GPR65-/- and WT mice. Motor function was monitored by grid-walk and cylinder tests. The neurorestorative effects of BTB09089 were observed by immunohistochemistry, Golgi-Cox staining, and Western blotting. RESULTS: BTB09089 significantly promoted motor outcomes in WT but not in GPR65-/- mice, even when BTB09089 was delayed for 3 to 7 days. BTB09089 inhibited the activation of microglia and glial scar progression in WT but not in GPR65-/- mice. Meanwhile, BTB09089 reduced the decrease in neuronal density in WT mice, but this benefit was abolished in GPR65-/- mice and reemerged by overexpressing GPR65 in peri-infarct cortical neurons. Furthermore, BTB09089 increased the GAP43 (growth-associated protein-43) and synaptophysin puncta density, dendritic spine density, dendritic branch length, and dendritic complexity by overexpressing GPR65 in the peri-infarct cortical neurons of GPR65-/- mice, which was accompanied by increased levels of p-CREB (phosphorylated cAMP-responsive element-binding protein). In addition, the therapeutic window of BTB09089 was extended to day 14 by overexpressing GPR65 in the peri-infarct cortical neurons of WT mice. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicated that delayed BTB09089 treatment improved neurological functional recovery and brain tissue repair poststroke through activating neuronal GRP65. GPR65 overexpression may be a potential strategy to expand the therapeutic time window of GPR65 agonists for neurorehabilitation after ischemic stroke.

Causal associations between the gut microbiota and multiple myeloma: a two-sample Mendelian randomization study.

Background: Previous observational studies have indicated a potential association between the gut microbiota and multiple myeloma (MM). However, the relationship between the gut microbiota and MM remains unclear. This study aimed to ascertain the existence of a causal link between the gut microbiota and MM. Methods: To investigate the potential causal relationship between gut microbiota and MM, a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was conducted. Exposure data was obtained from the MiBioGen consortium, which provided genetic variants associated with 211 bacterial traits. MM outcome data was obtained from the FinnGen consortium. The selection of Single nucleotide polymorphisms estimates was performed through meta-analysis using inverse-variance weighting, and sensitivity analyses were conducted using weighted median, MR Egger, Simple mode, and MR-PRESSO. Results: The results of the study demonstrated a significant positive correlation between the genus Eubacterium ruminantium group and the risk of MM (OR 1.71, 95% CI 1.21 to 2.39). Conversely, the genus: Dorea (OR 0.46, 95% CI 0.24 to 0.86), Coprococcus1 (OR 0.47, 95% CI 0.22 to 1.00), RuminococcaceaeUCG014 (OR 0.57, 95% CI 0.33 to 0.99), Eubacterium rectale group (OR 0.37, 95% CI 0.18 to 0.77), and order: Victivallales (OR 0.62, 95% CI 0.41-0.94), class: Lentisphaeria (OR 0.62, 95% CI 0.41 to 0.94), exhibited a negative association with MM. The inverse variance weighting analysis provided additional support for these findings. Conclusion: This study represents an inaugural exploration of MR to investigate the connections between gut microbiota and MM, thereby suggesting potential significance for the prevention and treatment of MM.

Advance on Chinese Medicine for Hypertensive Renal Damage: Focus on the Complex Molecular Mechanisms.

Hypertensive renal damage (HRD) is a major cause of end-stage renal disease. Among the causes of end-stage renal disease, HRD accounts for nearly 34% of the total number of cases. Antihypertensive treatment is primarily drug-based, but therapeutic efficacy is less effective and can have serious side effects. Chinese medicine (CM) has significant advantages in the treatment of HRD. CM is rich in various active ingredients and has the property of targeting multiple targets and channels. Therefore, the regulatory network of CM on disease is complex. A large number of CM have been employed to treat HRD, either as single applications or as part of compound formulations. The key possible mechanisms of CM for HRD include regulation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, antioxidation, anti-inflammation, rescue of endothelial function, regulation of vasoactive substance secretion and obesity-related factors, etc. This review summarized and discussed the recent advance in the basic research mechanisms of CM interventions for HRD and pointed out the challenges and future prospects.

Anisotropic Galvanomagnetic Effects in Single Cubic Crystals: A Theory and Its Verification.

A theory of anisotropic galvanomagnetic effects in single cubic crystals and its experimental verifications are presented for the current in the (001) plane. In contrast to the general belief that galvanomagnetic effects in single crystals are highly sensitive to many internal and external effects and have no universal features, the theory predicts universal angular dependencies of longitudinal and transverse resistivity and various characteristics when magnetization rotates in the (001) plane, the plane perpendicular to the current, and the plane containing the current and [001] direction. The universal angular dependencies are verified by experiments on Fe_{30}Co_{70} single cubic crystal film. The findings provide new avenues for fundamental research and applications of galvanomagnetic effects, because single crystals offer advantages over polycrystalline materials for band structure and crystallographic orientation engineering.

SPARCL1 promotes chondrocytes extracellular matrix degradation and inflammation in osteoarthritis via TNF/NF-κB pathway.

Objectives: SPARCL1 is a matricellular protein that mediates the cell-matrix interactions and participates in physiological processes such as cell adhesion, differentiation and proliferation. However, its role in chondrocyte and osteoarthritis (OA) progression has not been fully characterized. We aimed to evaluate the effects of SPARCL1 on OA through in vitro and in vivo experiments. Methods: Expression of SPARCL1 was examined in 55 paired human OA samples. Effects of Sparcl1 on chondrocytes were identified in vitro. Intra-articular injection was performed in an anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT) mouse model. Alterations of SPARCL1-mediated signaling pathway were identified by RNA-seq analysis. qPCR and western-blot were used to demonstrate the potential signaling pathway. Results: SPARCL1 expression in the OA cartilage was increased compared with undamaged cartilage. Recombinant Sparcl1 protein induced extracellular matrix degradation in chondrocytes. Furthermore, intra-articular injection of recombinant Sparcl1 protein in ACLT mice could promote OA pathogenesis. Mechanistically, Sparcl1 activated TNF/NF-κB pathway and consequently led to increased transcription of inflammatory factors and catabolism genes of cartilage, which could be reversed by NF-κB inhibitor BAY 11-7082. Conclusion: SPARCL1 could promote extracellular matrix degradation and inflammatory response to accelerate OA progression via TNF/NF-κB pathway. The translational potential of this article: The current research could help to gain further insights into the underlying molecular mechanism in OA development, and provides a biological rationale for the use of SPARCL1 as a potential therapeutic target of OA.

An emerging antibacterial nanovaccine for enhanced chemotherapy by selectively eliminating tumor-colonizing bacteria.

Fusobacterium nucleatum (F. nucleatum), an oral anaerobe, is prevalent in colorectal cancer and is closely related to increased cancer cell growth, metastasis, and poor treatment outcomes. Bacterial vaccines capable of selectively eliminating bacteria present a promising approach to targeting intratumor F. nucleatum, thereby enhancing cancer treatment. Although adjuvants have been employed to enhance the immune response, the vaccine's effectiveness is constrained by inadequate T-cell activation necessary for eradicating intracellular pathogens. In this study, we developed a minimalistic, biomimetic nanovaccine by integrating highly immunostimulatory adjuvant cholesterol-modified CpG oligonucleotides into the autologously derived F. nucleatum membranes. Compared to the traditional vaccines consisting of inactivated bacteria and Alum adjuvant, the nanovaccine coupled with bacterial membranes and adjuvants could remarkably improve multiple antigens and adjuvant co-delivery to dendritic cells, maximizing their ability to achieve effective antigen presentation and strong downstream immune progress. Notably, the nanovaccine exhibits outstanding selective prophylactic and therapeutic effects, eliminating F. nucleatum without affecting intratumoral and gut microbiota. It significantly enhances chemotherapy efficacy and reduces cancer metastasis in F. nucleatum-infected colorectal cancer. Overall, this work represents the rational application of bacterial nanovaccine and provides a blueprint for future development in enhancing the antitumor effect against bacterial-infected cancer.

Meta-analysis of the association between interleukin-17 and ischemic cardiovascular disease.

BACKGROUND: Interleukin-17 (IL-17) has been hypothesized to be involved in ischemic cardiovascular disease (ICVD). However, the association of IL-17 with ICVD remained unclear. The aim of this study was to systematically analyze the available evidence regarding the association between IL-17 and ICVD. METHODS: We searched the PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Embase databases up to October 2023 to identify publications on the association between IL-17 and ICVD. The merged results were analyzed using a random effects model for meta-analysis and subgroup analysis. RESULTS: A total of 955 publications were initially identified in our search and screened; six studies were eventually included in the analysis. The average age of study participants was 60.3 ± 12.6 years and 65.5% were men. There was a high degree of heterogeneity among studies. The results showed that IL-17 level were higher in the case group than those in the control group (standardized mean difference, SMD = 1.60, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 0.53-2.66, P = 0.003). In sensitivity analysis, the merged results showed good robustness. Additionally, subgroup analysis showed that race and ethnicity, sample size, and detection methods were significant factors influencing heterogeneity in the published studies. CONCLUSION: Our finding revealed that increased IL-17 level contributed to the development of ICVD, suggesting IL-17 as a potential risk marker. Further research is needed to establish IL-17 as a therapeutic biomarker of ICVD.

Overexpression of wild-type HRAS drives non-alcoholic steatohepatitis to hepatocellular carcinoma in mice.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a prevalent solid carcinoma of significant concern, is an aggressive and often fatal disease with increasing global incidence rates and poor therapeutic outcomes. The etiology and pathological progression of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)-related HCC is multifactorial and multistage. However, no single animal model can accurately mimic the full NASH-related HCC pathological progression, posing considerable challenges to transition and mechanistic studies. Herein, a novel conditional inducible wild-type human HRAS overexpressed mouse model (HRAS-HCC) was established, demonstrating 100% morbidity and mortality within approximately one month under normal dietary and lifestyle conditions. Advanced symptoms of HCC such as ascites, thrombus, internal hemorrhage, jaundice, and lung metastasis were successfully replicated in mice. In-depth pathological features of NASH- related HCC were demonstrated by pathological staining, biochemical analyses, and typical marker gene detections. Combined murine anti-PD-1 and sorafenib treatment effectively prolonged mouse survival, further confirming the accuracy and reliability of the model. Based on protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and RNA sequencing analyses, we speculated that overexpression of HRAS may initiate the THBS1-COL4A3 axis to induce NASH with severe fibrosis, with subsequent progression to HCC. Collectively, our study successfully duplicated natural sequential progression in a single murine model over a very short period, providing an accurate and reliable preclinical tool for therapeutic evaluations targeting the NASH to HCC continuum.

Evaluation of living bacterial therapy assisted by pH/reactive oxygen species dual-responsive sodium alginate-based hydrogel for wound infections.

The enhancement of antimicrobial wound dressings is of utmost importance in light of the escalating risk of antibiotic resistance caused by excessive antibiotic usage. Conventional antimicrobial materials eradicate pathogenic bacteria while impeding the proliferation of beneficial bacteria during the management of wound infections, thereby disturbing the equilibrium of the skin micro-ecosystem and engendering recurrent cutaneous complications. Lactobacillus rhamnosus (L.rha) is a probiotic that can inhibit the growth of certain pathogenic bacteria by secreting a large number of metabolites. In this paper, we synthesized a cross-linker (SPBA) with a boric acid molecule from succinic acid and 4-(bromomethyl)phenylboronic acid, which formed a boric acid ester bond with a diol on the natural polysaccharide sodium alginate (SA), and obtained a pH/reactive oxygen species (ROS) dual-responsive hydrogel (SA-SPBA) for loading L.rha to treat wound infections. The SA-SPBA@L.rha hydrogel improves the survival of L.rha during storage and has good injectability as well as self-healing properties. The hydrogel showed good biocompatibility, the antimicrobial effect increases in a dose-dependent manner, and it has a certain antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capacity, accelerating wound repair. The use of SA-SPBA@L.rha hydrogel provides a safe and effective strategy for the repair of skin wound infections.

Inorganic catalase-powered nanomotors with hyaluronic acid coating for pneumonia therapy.

Clinical therapy for widespread infections caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae), such as community-acquired pneumonia, is highly challenging. As an important bacterial toxin, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) secreted by S. pneumoniae can suppress the host's immune system and cause more severe disease. To address this problem, a hyaluronic acid (HA)-coated inorganic catalase-driven Janus nanomotor was developed, which can cleverly utilize and decompose H2O2 to reduce the burden of bacterial infection, and have excellent drug loading capacity. HA coating prevents rapid leakage of loaded antibiotics and improves the biocompatibility of the nanomaterials. The Janus nanomotor converted H2O2 into oxygen (O2), gave itself the capacity to move actively, and encouraged widespread dispersion in the lesion site. Encouragingly, animal experiments demonstrated that the capability of the nanomotors to degrade H2O2 contributes to diminishing the proliferation of S. pneumoniae and lung tissue damage. This self-propelled drug delivery platform provides a new therapeutic strategy for infections with toxin-secreting bacteria.

Detection of Bartonella spp. in farmed deer (Artiodactyla: Cervidae) using multiplex assays in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, China.

In this study, we investigated the prevalence of Bartonella in deer from Qilian County, Qinghai Province, China. Blood samples were collected from 69 red deer, 40 white-lipped deer, and 27 sika deer. The detection of Bartonella spp. has been conducted. The overall prevalence of Bartonella was 33.6% (46/135). Species-specific prevalence was 50.72% in red deer (35/69), 20.00% in white-lipped deer (8/40), and 11.11% in sika deer (3/27). There were significant differences in the prevalence rates among the different species of deer. The amplicon sequence comparison revealed a high homology of the ruminant-associated Bartonella spp. Nanopore sequencing further confirmed the results. Bartonella reads were presented in each of the qPCR-positive samples. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the Bartonella sequences detected in deer blood were closely related to ruminant-borne Bartonella spp. In summary, we reported the Bartonella prevalence of different deer species in Qinghai, and there were at least one species of ruminant-associated Bartonella, B. schoenbuchensis. IMPORTANCE: This is the first report about Bartonella infections in the deer population from China. We found that there were two species of Bartonella and an unidentified species of Bartonella among the unculturing strains carried by these deer populations. We first used Nanopore sequencing to detect Bartonella from deer blood samples and indicated that Nanopore sequencing is beneficial to detect pathogens due to its advantage of real-time and high sensitivity.

Engineered probiotics with sustained release of interleukin-2 for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease after oral delivery.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a kind of auto-immune disease characterized by disrupted intestinal barrier and mucosal epithelium, imbalanced gut microbiome and deregulated immune responses. Therefore, the restoration of immune equilibrium and gut microbiota could potentially serve as a hopeful approach for treating IBD. Herein, the oral probiotic Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 (ECN) was genetically engineered to express secretable interleukin-2 (IL-2), a kind of immunomodulatory agent, for the treatment of IBD. In our design, probiotic itself has the ability to regulate the gut microenvironment and IL-2 at low dose could selectively promote the generation of regulatory T cells to elicit tolerogenic immune responses. To improve the bioavailability of ECN expressing IL-2 (ECN-IL2) in the gastrointestinal tract, enteric coating Eudragit L100-55 was used to coat ECN-IL2, achieving significantly enhanced accumulation of engineered probiotics in the intestine. More importantly, L100-55 coated ECN-IL2 could effectively activated Treg cells to regulate innate immune responses and gut microbiota, thereby relieve inflammation and repair the colon epithelial barrier in dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) induced IBD. Therefore, genetically and chemically modified probiotics with excellent biocompatibility and efficiency in regulating intestinal microflora and intestinal inflammation show great potential for IBD treatment in the future.

Spinel Nanostructures for the Hydrogenation of CO2 to Methanol and Hydrocarbon Chemicals.

Composite oxides have been widely applied in the hydrogenation of CO/CO2 to methanol or as the component of bifunctional oxide-zeolite for the synthesis of hydrocarbon chemicals. However, it is still challenging to disentangle the stepwise formation mechanism of CH3OH at working conditions and selectively convert CO2 to hydrocarbon chemicals with narrow distribution. Here, we investigate the reaction network of the hydrogenation of CO2 to methanol over a series of spinel oxides (AB2O4), among which the Zn-based nanostructures offer superior performance in methanol synthesis. Through a series of (quasi) in situ spectroscopic characterizations, we evidence that the dissociation of H2 tends to follow a heterolytic pathway and that hydrogenation ability can be regulated by the combination of Zn with Ga or Al. The coordinatively unsaturated metal sites over ZnAl2Ox and ZnGa2Ox originating from oxygen vacancies (OVs) are evidenced to be responsible for the dissociative adsorption and activation of CO2. The evolution of the reaction intermediates, including both carbonaceous and hydrogen species at high temperatures and pressures over the spinel oxides, has been experimentally elaborated at the atomic level. With the integration of a series of zeolites or zeotypes, high selectivities of hydrocarbon chemicals with narrow distributions can be directly produced from CO2 and H2, offering a promising route for CO2 utilization.

Effect of Protein Supplementation Combined With Resistance Training in Gait Speed in Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the combination of protein supplementation and resistance training (RT), compared with RT alone or combined with a placebo, in improving gait speed. METHODS: We searched PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and SPORTDiscus databases, and 18 randomized controlled trials with 1,147 older participants were included for meta-analysis. Data were pooled as the effect sizes (Hedges' g) with 95% confidence interval (CI) of the gait speed (in meters per second). The random-effect meta-analysis, subgroup analyses, meta-regression, and sensitivity analysis were conducted. RESULTS: The combination of protein supplementation and RT significantly improved gait speed (Hedges' g: 0.52 m/s, 95% confidence interval [0.17, 0.86], p = .005; I2 = 86.5%) compared with the RT alone. The subgroup analyses revealed that the significant improvement in gait speed postprotein intervention plus RT was observed only in participants who consumed protein after RT (Hedges' g: 0.90 m/s, 95% confidence interval [0.46, 1.33], p = .001; I2 = 79.6%). The pooled result did not significantly change after excluding any single study at one time or excluding smaller studies with large effect sizes. CONCLUSIONS: Protein supplementation combined with RT could significantly improve the gait speed of older adults compared with RT alone. This positive effect is more pronounced in people who consume protein after RT.

Accurate diagnosis of severe coronary stenosis based on resting magnetocardiography: a prospective, single-center, cross-sectional analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of resting magnetocardiography in identifying severe coronary artery stenosis in patients with suspected coronary artery disease. METHODS: A total of 513 patients with angina symptoms were included and divided into two groups based on the extent of coronary artery disease determined by angiography: the non-severe coronary stenosis group (< 70% stenosis) and the severe coronary stenosis group (≥ 70% stenosis). The diagnostic model was constructed using magnetic field map (MFM) parameters, either individually or in combination with clinical indicators. The performance of the models was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic curves, accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV). Calibration plots and decision curve analysis were performed to investigate the clinical utility and performance of the models, respectively. RESULTS: In the severe coronary stenosis group, QR_MCTDd, S_MDp, and TT_MAC50 were significantly higher than those in the non-severe coronary stenosis group (10.46 ± 10.66 vs. 5.11 ± 6.07, P < 0.001; 7.2 ± 8.64 vs. 4.68 ± 6.95, P = 0.003; 0.32 ± 57.29 vs. 0.26 ± 57.29, P < 0.001). While, QR_MVamp, R_MA, and T_MA in the severe coronary stenosis group were lower (0.23 ± 0.16 vs. 0.28 ± 0.16, P < 0.001; 55.06 ± 48.68 vs. 59.24 ± 53.01, P < 0.001; 51.67 ± 39.32 vs. 60.45 ± 51.33, P < 0.001). Seven MFM parameters were integrated into the model, resulting in an area under the curve of 0.810 (95% CI: 0.765-0.855). The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and accuracy were 71.7%, 80.4%, 93.3%, 42.8%, and 73.5%; respectively. The combined model exhibited an area under the curve of 0.845 (95% CI: 0.798-0.892). The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and accuracy were 84.3%, 73.8%, 92.6%, 54.6%, and 82.1%; respectively. Calibration curves demonstrated excellent agreement between the nomogram prediction and actual observation. The decision curve analysis showed that the combined model provided greater net benefit compared to the magnetocardiography model. CONCLUSIONS: The novel quantitative MFM parameters, whether used individually or in combination with clinical indicators, have been shown to effectively predict the risk of severe coronary stenosis in patients presenting with angina-like symptoms. Magnetocardiography, an emerging non-invasive diagnostic tool, warrants further exploration for its potential in diagnosing coronary heart disease.

Magnetic superhydrophobic cellulose nanofibril based aerogel with rope-ladder like structure incorporating both superelasticity and excellent oil absorption.

Achieving an equilibrium between exceptional oil absorption and remarkable elasticity has emerged as a formidable challenge for magnetic porous materials designed for oil absorption. Here, we propose an original, magnetic and superhydrophobic cellulose nanofibril (CNF) based aerogel system with a rope-ladder like skeleton by to greatly improve the issue. Within this system, CNF as the skeleton was combined with multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT)@Fe3O4 as the magnetic and enhanced component, both methyltrimethoxysilane (MTMS) and acetonitrile-extracted lignin (AEL) as the soft-hard associating constituents. The resultant CNF based aerogel shows a rope-ladder like pore structure to contribute to high elasticity and excellent oil absorption (28.34-61.09 g/g for various oils and organic solvents) under the synergistic effect of Fe3O4@MWCNT, AEL and MTMS, as well as good specific surface area (27.97 m2/g), low density (26.4 mg/cm3). Notably, despite the introduced considerable proportion (0.5 times of mass-CNF) of Fe3O4@MWCNT, the aerogel retained an impressive compression-decompression rate (88%) and the oil absorption efficiency of above 87% for various oils due to the soft-hard associating structure supported by both MTMS and AEL. This study provides a prospective strategy to balance between high elasticity and excellent oil absorption of CNF based aerogel doping inorganic particles.

Urinary haloacetic acid concentrations and thyroid function among women: Results from the TREE study.

BACKGROUND: Disinfection byproducts (DBPs) have been shown to impair thyroid function in experimental models. However, epidemiological evidence is scarce. METHODS: This study included 1190 women undergoing assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatment from the Tongji Reproductive and Environmental (TREE) cohort from December 2018 to August 2021. Serum thyrotropin (TSH), free triiodothyronine (FT3), and free thyroxine (FT4) were measured as indicators of thyroid function. FT4/FT3 and TSH/FT4 ratios were calculated as markers of thyroid hormone homeostasis. Dichloroacetic acid (DCAA) and trichloroacetic acid (TCAA), the two most abundant HAAs, in urine were detected to assess individual DBP exposures. RESULTS: After adjusting for relevant covariates, positive associations were observed between urinary TCAA concentrations and serum TSH and TSH/FT4 levels (e.g., percent change = 5.82 %, 95 % CI: 0.70 %, 11.21 % for TSH), whereas inverse associations were found for serum FT3 and FT4 (e.g., percent change = -1.29 %, 95 % CI: -2.49 %, -0.07 % for FT3). There also was a negative association between urinary DCAA concentration and serum FT4/FT3 (percent change = -2.49 %, 95 % CI: -4.71 %, -0.23 %). These associations were further confirmed in the restricted cubic spline and generalized additive models with linear or U-shaped dose-response relationships. CONCLUSION: Urinary HAAs were associated with altered thyroid hormone homeostasis among women undergoing ART treatment.

A systematic review and meta-analysis on the effectiveness of bivalent mRNA booster vaccines against Omicron variants.

BACKGROUND: A global shift to bivalent mRNA vaccines is ongoing to counterbalance the diminishing effectiveness of the original monovalent vaccines due to the evolution of SARS-CoV-2 variants, yet substantial variation in the bivalent vaccine effectiveness (VE) exists across studies and a complete picture is lacking. METHODS: We searched papers evaluating absolute or relative effectiveness of SARS-CoV-2 BA.1 type or BA.4/5 type bivalent mRNA vaccines on eight publication databases published from September 1st, 2022, to November 8th, 2023. Pooled VE against Omicron-associated infection and severe events (hospitalization and/or death) was estimated in reference to unvaccinated, ≥2 original monovalent doses, and ≥ 3 original monovalent doses. RESULTS: From 630 citations identified, 28 studies were included, involving 55,393,303 individuals. Bivalent boosters demonstrated higher effectiveness against symptomatic or any infection for all ages combined, with an absolute VE of 53.5 % (95 % CI: -22.2-82.3 %) when compared to unvaccinated and relative VE of 30.8 % (95 % CI: 22.5-38.2 %) and 28.4 % (95 % CI: 10.2-42.9 %) when compared to ≥ 2 and ≥ 3 original monovalent doses, respectively. The corresponding VE estimates for adults ≥ 60 years old were 22.5 % (95 % CI: 16.8-39.8 %), 31.4 % (95 % CI: 27.7-35.0 %), and 30.6 % (95 % CI: -13.2-57.5 %). Pooled bivalent VE estimates against severe events were higher, 72.9 % (95 % CI: 60.5-82.4 %), 57.6 % (95 % CI: 42.4-68.8 %), and 62.1 % (95 % CI: 54.6-68.3 %) for all ages, and 72.0 % (95 % CI: 51.4-83.9 %), 63.4 % (95 % CI: 41.0-77.3 %), and 60.7 % (95 % CI: 52.4-67.6 %) for adults ≥ 60 years old, compared to unvaccinated, ≥2 original monovalent doses, and ≥ 3 original monovalent doses, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The bivalent boosters demonstrated superior protection against severe outcomes than the original monovalent boosters across age groups, highlighting the critical need for improving vaccine coverage, especially among the vulnerable older subpopulation.