Unveiling the intricacies of COVID-19: Autoimmunity, multi-organ manifestations and the role of autoantibodies.

COVID-19 is a severe infectious disease caused by a SARS-CoV-2 infection. It has caused a global pandemic and can lead to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Beyond the respiratory system, the disease manifests in multiple organs, producing a spectrum of clinical symptoms. A pivotal factor in the disease's progression is autoimmunity, which intensifies its severity and contributes to multi-organ injuries. The intricate interaction between the virus' spike protein and human proteins may engender the generation of autoreactive antibodies through molecular mimicry. This can further convolute the immune response, with the potential to escalate into overt autoimmunity. There is also emerging evidence to suggest that COVID-19 vaccinations might elicit analogous autoimmune responses. Advanced technologies have pinpointed self-reactive antibodies that target diverse organs or immune-modulatory proteins. The interplay between autoantibody levels and multi-organ manifestations underscores the importance of regular monitoring of serum antibodies and proinflammatory markers. A combination of immunosuppressive treatments and antiviral therapy is crucial for managing COVID-19-associated autoimmune diseases. The review will focus on the generation of autoantibodies in the context of COVID-19 and their impact on organ health.

Integrated analyses highlight interactions between the three-dimensional genome and DNA, RNA and epigenomic alterations in metastatic prostate cancer.

The impact of variations in the three-dimensional structure of the genome has been recognized, but solid cancer tissue studies are limited. Here, we performed integrated deep Hi-C sequencing with matched whole-genome sequencing, whole-genome bisulfite sequencing, 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) sequencing and RNA sequencing across a cohort of 80 biopsy samples from patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. Dramatic differences were present in gene expression, 5-methylcytosine/5hmC methylation and in structural variation versus mutation rate between A and B (open and closed) chromatin compartments. A subset of tumors exhibited depleted regional chromatin contacts at the AR locus, linked to extrachromosomal circular DNA (ecDNA) and worse response to AR signaling inhibitors. We also identified topological subtypes associated with stark differences in methylation structure, gene expression and prognosis. Our data suggested that DNA interactions may predispose to structural variant formation, exemplified by the recurrent TMPRSS2-ERG fusion. This comprehensive integrated sequencing effort represents a unique clinical tumor resource.

Ultrafast 2D Nanosheet Assembly via Spontaneous Spreading Phenomenon.

In 2D materials, a key engineering challenge is the mass production of large-area thin films without sacrificing their uniform 2D nature and unique properties. Here, it is demonstrated that a simple fluid phenomenon of water/alcohol solvents can become a sophisticated tool for self-assembly and designing organized structures of 2D nanosheets on a water surface. In situ, surface characterizations show that water/alcohol droplets of 2D nanosheets with cationic surfactants exhibit spontaneous spreading of large uniform monolayers within 10 s. Facile transfer of the monolayers onto solid or flexible substrates results in high-quality mono- and multilayer films with high coverages (>95%) and homogeneous electronic/optical properties. This spontaneous spreading is quite general and can be applied to various 2D nanosheets, including metal oxides, graphene oxide, h-BN, MoS2, and transition metal carbides, enabling on-demand smart manufacture of large-size (>4 inchϕ) 2D nanofilms and free-standing membranes.

Novel ApeC-containing protein mediates the recognition and internalization of Vibrio splendidus in Apostichopus japonicus.

Pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) mediate the innate immune responses and play a crucial role in host defense against pathogen infections. Apextrin C-terminal (ApeC)-containing proteins (ACPs), a newly discovered class of PRRs specific to invertebrates, recognize pathogens through their ApeC domain as intracellular or extracellular effectors. However, the other immunological functions of ACPs remain unclear. In this study, a membrane-localized ACP receptor was identified in the sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus (denoted as AjACP1). The ApeC domain of AjACP1, which was located outside of its cell membrane, exhibited the capability to recognize and aggregate Vibrio splendidus. AjACP1 was upregulated upon V. splendidus infection, internalizing into the cytoplasm of coelomocytes. AjACP1 overexpression enhanced the phagocytic activity of coelomocytes against V. splendidus, while knockdown of AjACP1 by RNA interfere inhibited coelomocyte endocytosis. Inhibitor experiments indicated that AjACP1 regulated coelomocyte phagocytosis through the actin-dependent endocytic signaling pathway. Further investigation revealed that AjACP1 interacted with the subunit of the actin-related protein 2/3 complex ARPC2, promoting F-actin polymerization and cytoskeletal rearrangement and thereby affecting the coelomocyte phagocytosis of V. splendidus via the actin-dependent endocytic signaling pathway. As a novel membrane PRR, AjACP1 mediates the recognition and phagocytic activity of coelomocytes against V. splendidus through the AjACP1-ARPC2-F-actin polymerization and cytoskeletal rearrangement pathway.

In-Situ Solid Electrolyte Interface via Dual Reaction Strategy for Highly Reversible Zinc Anode.

In-situ construction of solid electrolyte interfaces (SEI) is an effective strategy to enhance the reversibility of zinc (Zn) anodes. However, in-situ SEI to afford high reversibility under high current density conditions (≥ 20 mA cm-2) is highly desired yet extremely challenging. Herein, we propose a dual reaction strategy of spontaneous electrostatic reaction and electrochemical decomposition for the in-situ construction of SEI, which is composed of organic-rich upper layer and inorganic-rich inner layer. Particularly, in-situ SEI performs as "growth binder" at small current density and "orientation regulator" at high current density, which significantly suppresses side reactions and dendrite growth. The in-situ SEI affords the record-breaking reversibility of Zn anode under practical conditions, Zn//Zn symmetric cells can stably cycle for over 1300 h and 400 h at current densities of 50 mA cm-2 and 100 mA cm-2, respectively, showcasing an exceptional cumulative capacity of 67.5 Ah cm-2. Furthermore, the practicality of this in-situ SEI is verified in Zn//PANI pouch cells with high mass loading of 25.48 mg cm-2. This work provides a universal strategy to design advanced SEI for practical Zn-ion batteries.

Nomogram for Predicting Emergent Conversion to General Anaesthesia in Stroke Patients During Thrombectomy.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to develop and validate a nomogram for predicting emergent conversion to general anaesthesia (GA) in stroke patients during thrombectomy. METHODS: In this retrospective study, 458 patients (320 and 138 were randomised into the training and validation cohorts) were enroled. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were employed to identify risk factors for emergent conversion to GA. Subsequently, a nomogram was constructed based on the identified risk factors. The discriminative ability, calibration, and clinical utility of the nomogram were assessed in both the training and validation cohorts using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, Hosmer-Lemeshow test, and decision curve analysis (DCA). RESULTS: The emergent conversion to GA occurred in 56 cases (12.2%). In the training cohort, four independent predictors of emergent conversion to GA were identified and incorporated into the nomogram: core infarct volume > 70 mL, severe aphasia, severe cerebral vessel tortuosity, and vertebrobasilar occlusion. The ROC curves illustrated area under curve values of 0.931 (95% CI: 0.863-0.998) and 0.893 (95% CI: 0.852-0.935) for the training and validation cohorts, respectively. Hosmer-Lemeshow testing resulted in average absolute errors of 0.028 and 0.031 for the two cohorts. DCA demonstrated the nomogram's exceptional utility and accuracy across a majority of threshold probabilities. CONCLUSION: The constructed nomogram displayed promising predictive accuracy for emergent conversion to GA in stroke patients during thrombectomy, thereby providing potential assistance for clinical decision-making.

Clinical outcomes of the type II hybrid procedure for the repair of extensive aortic arch pathology.

Background: Type II hybrid arch repair (HAR) has been used for the repair of extensive aortic arch pathology. The aim of this study was to retrospectively analyze single-stage hybrid treatment involving replacement of the ascending aorta, arch debranching, and zone 0 stent graft deployment. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed clinical data from 41 patients with acute and chronic aortic disease who underwent a type II hybrid arch procedure at Beijing Anzhen Hospital and Beijing Chaoyang Hospital from January 2020 to August 2022. The femoral arteries and right axillary arteries were used as cannulation sites to decrease the risk of malperfusion. During surgery, the nasopharyngeal temperature was lowered to 30 ℃. Demographic, perioperative, and late results data were retrieved and analyzed. Results: The mean age of the patients was 54.9±11.1 years, and 31 patients (75.6%) were men. In all cases, zone 0 stent graft deployment was successful, with no in-hospital mortality. The median follow-up time was 10.5 [interquartile range (IQR), 4.8-17.6] months, and the survival rate was 94.9% during follow-up. Complications included cerebral infarction (3 patients, 7.3%) and renal failure requiring dialysis (3 patients, 7.3%). There were no occurrences of paraplegia, and no stent-related complications occurred during the follow-up period. Conclusions: The single-stage hybrid arch procedure achieved satisfactory early results and represents a less invasive approach for treating complex diffuse aortic disease that affects the arch. This strategy is an important technical advance in the treatment of high-risk patients with extensive aortic arch pathology.

Biotransformation of ginsenoside compound K using ß-glucosidase in deep eutectic solvents.

Ginsenoside compound K (CK) holds significant potential for application in the pharmaceutical industry, which exhibits numerous pharmacological activity such as cardioprotective and antidiabetic. However, the difficult separation technique and limited yield of CK hinder its widespread use. The study investigated the process of converting ginsenoside CK using ß-glucosidase. It aimed to determine the specific site where the enzyme binds and the most favorable arrangement of the enzyme. Molecular docking was also employed to determine the interaction between ß-glucosidase and ginsenosides, indicating a strong and spontaneous contact force between them. The effectiveness of the conversion process was further improved using a "green" deep eutectic solvent (DES). A univariate experimental design was used to determine the composition of DES and the optimal hydrolysis conditions for ß-glucosidase to convert ginsenoside Rb1 into ginsenoside CK. The employment of ß-glucosidase enzymatic hydrolysis in the synthesis of rare ginsenoside CK applying the environmentally friendly solvent DES is not only viable and effective but also appropriate for industrial use. The characterization methods confirmed that DES did not disrupt the structure and conformation of ß-glucosidase. In ChCl:EG = 2:1 (30%, v/v), pH 5.0 of DES buffer, reaction temperature 50 ℃, enzyme substrate mass ratio 1:1, after 36 h of reaction, the CK yield was 1.24 times that in acetate buffer, which can reach 86.2%. In this study, the process of using ß-glucosidase enzymatic hydrolysis and producing rare ginsenoside CK in green solvent DES is feasible, efficient and suitable for industrial production and application.

Association of metabolic syndrome and its components with Parkinson's disease: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The interrelation between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and Parkinson's disease (PD) likely arises from shared pathological mechanisms. This study thus aims to examine the impact of MetS and its components on PD. METHODS: This study utilized data extracted from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey database spanning 1999 to 2020. The random forest algorithm was applied to fill in the missing data. Propensity score optimal full matching was conducted. The data were adjusted by total weights derived from both sampling and matching weights. The weighted data were utilized to create multifactor logistic regression models. Odds ratios (ORs) and average marginal effects, along with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs), were calculated. RESULTS: MetS did not significantly affect the risk of PD (OR: 1.01; 95% CI: 0.77, 1.34; P = 0.92). Hypertension elevated the risk of PD (OR: 1.33; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.76; P = 0.045), accompanied by a 0.26% increased probability of PD occurrence (95% CI: 0.01%, 0.52%; P = 0.04). Diabetes mellitus (DM) had a 1.38 times greater likelihood of developing PD (OR:1.38; 95% CI: 1.004, 1.89; P = 0.046), corresponding to a 0.32% increased probability of PD occurrence (95% CI: -0.03%, 0.67%; P = 0.07). Nevertheless, no correlation was observed between hyperlipidemia, waist circumference and PD. CONCLUSION: MetS does not affect PD; however, hypertension and DM significantly increase the risk of PD.

Effects of nanoplastic exposure during pregnancy and lactation on neurodevelopment of rat offspring.

Microplastics have emerged as a prominent global environmental contaminant, and they have been found in both human placenta and breast milk. However, the potential effects and mechanisms of maternal exposure to microplastics at various gestational stages on offspring neurodevelopment remain poorly understood. This investigation delves into the potential neurodevelopmental ramifications of maternal exposure to polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPs) during distinct phases of pregnancy and lactation. Targeted metabolomics shows that co-exposure during both pregnancy and lactation primarily engendered alterations in monoamine neurotransmitters within the cortex and amino acid neurotransmitters within the hippocampus. After prenatal exposure to PS-NPs, fetal rats showed appreciably diminished cortical thickness and heightened cortical cell proliferation. However, this exposure did not affect the neurodifferentiation of radial glial cells and intermediate progenitor cells. In addition, offspring are accompanied by disordered neocortical migration, typified by escalated superficial layer neurons proliferation and reduced deep layer neurons populations. Moreover, the hippocampal synapses showed significantly widened synaptic clefts and diminished postsynaptic density. Consequently, PS-NPs culminated in deficits in anxiolytic-like behaviors and spatial memory in adolescent offspring, aligning with concurrent neurotransmitter and synaptic alterations. In conclusion, this study elucidates the sensitive windows of early-life nanoplastic exposure and the consequential impact on offspring neurodevelopment.

The experiences and perceptions of employers on cancer survivors returning to work: a meta-synthesis of qualitative studies.

PURPOSE: Employers play an important role in the return-to-work (RTW) of cancer survivors (CSs), and recently a substantial number of qualitative studies from the employers' perspective have emerged. This meta-synthesis aims to systematically review these qualitative studies regarding employers' experiences with CSs' RTW. METHODS: Five electronic databases were searched from inception to January 2024 to identify the studies. Three researchers conducted quality assessment of included. Subsequent, we performed thematic integration of the included studies with the NVivo 11 software. RESULTS: Thirteen qualitative studies were included, and 16 topics were finally extracted and summarized into seven categories to form three integrated themes: employers' perspective on facilitators and obstacles for CSs' RTW, employers' response including negative emotion and positive behavior, and employers' need resources from different aspects. CONCLUSION: CSs' RTW is influenced by many factors; the support employers need is also extensive and complex. Employers need more support beyond healthcare.

Risk factors for life-threatening complications of head and neck space infections: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The present systematic review was performed to identify risk factors associated with life-threatening complications of head and neck space infections (LCHNSI) within the included studies and assess the magnitude of their impact on patients. METHODS: We systematically searched PubMed, Web of Science, EmBase, Scopus and CNKI for articles that reported risk factors associated with life-threatening complications of head and neck space infections from inception to 14 December 2023. Only factors reported in at least three papers were considered in the meta-analysis. Pooled odds ratio (OR) and 95 % confidence interval (CI) were calculated using fixed effects model and random effects model. The between-study heterogeneity of effect size was quantified using the Q statistic and I2. In addition, subgroup analysis stratified by study characteristics and sensitivity analysis were performed to explore the potential sources of heterogeneity and the stability of the results. RESULTS: The review included a total of 29 studies. The results revealed that the risk factors which associated with LCHNSI were included diabetes mellitus (OR = 3.31, 95 % CI: 2.49-4.40), total leukocyte count(≥15 × 109/L) (OR = 1.21, 95 %CI: 1.04-1.42), multiple space involvement (OR = 4.32, 95 %CI: 3.47-5.38), combined systemic diseases (OR = 9.94, 95 %CI: 6.30-15.67), advanced age(≥60) (OR = 3.90, 95 %CI: 2.80-5.44), dyspnoea (OR = 23.39, 95 %CI: 12.41-44.10), high temperature(≥39°C) (OR = 3.23, 95 %CI: 2.02-5.17), retropharyngeal space involvement (OR = 3.62, 95 %CI: 2.06-6.35), parapharyngeal space involvement (OR = 4.62, 95 %CI: 2.27-9.42). CONCLUSIONS: According to the current analysis, diabetes mellitus, total leukocyte count(≥15 × 109/L), combined systemic diseases, multiple space involvement, advanced age(≥60), dyspnoea, high temperature (≥39 °C), retropharyngeal space involvement, parapharyngeal space involvement were the risk factors for LCHNSI. To mitigate the incidence of LCHNSI, clinical staff should carefully manage these risk factors, ensure prompt diagnosis, and implement timely preventive measures.

Metabolic dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease in patients with plaque psoriasis: a case-control study and serological comparison.

Background: The relationship between plaque psoriasis and both MASLD and lean MASLD has not been sufficiently explored in the current literature. Method: This retrospective and observational study was carried out from January 2021 to January 2023 at The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University. Patients diagnosed with plaque psoriasis and a control group consisting of individuals undergoing routine physical examinations were enrolled. The incidence of MASLD and lean MASLD among these groups was compared. Additionally, patients with plaque psoriasis were divided into those with MASLD, those with lean MASLD, and a control group with only psoriasis for a serological comparative analysis. Results: The incidence of MASLD in the observation group and the control group was 43.67% (69/158) and 22.15% (35/158), respectively (p < 0.01). Furthermore, the incidence of lean MASLD within the observation group and the control group was 10.76% (17/158) and 4.43% (7/158), respectively (p < 0.01). After controlling for potential confounding variables, plaque psoriasis was identified as an independent risk factor for MASLD with an odds ratio of 1.88 (95% cl: 1.10-3.21). In terms of serological comparison, compared to the simple psoriasis group, we observed a significant elevation in the tumor marker CYFRA21-1 levels in both groups compared to the control group with simple psoriasis (p < 0.01). Moreover, the MASLD group exhibited elevated levels of inflammatory markers and psoriasis score, whereas these effects were mitigated in the lean MASLD group. Conclusion: The prevalence of MASLD and lean MASLD is higher among patients with psoriasis. Those suffering from psoriasis along with MASLD show increased psoriasis scores and inflammatory markers compared to those without metabolic disorders. MASLD likely worsens psoriasis conditions, indicating the necessity of targeted health education for affected individuals to reduce the risk of MASLD, this education should include guidelines on exercise and diet. In serological assessments, elevated levels of cytokeratin 19 fragment (CYFRA21-1) were noted in both MASLD and lean MASLD groups, implying a potential synergistic role between psoriasis and MASLD.

Efficient porphyrin integrated UiO-66 probes for ratiometric fluorescence sensing of antibiotic residues in milk.

Dual-emissive fluorescence probes were designed by integrating porphyrin into the frameworks of UiO-66 for ratiometric fluorescence sensing of amoxicillin (AMX). Porphyrin integrated UiO-66 showed dual emission in the blue and red region. AMX resulted in the quenching of blue fluorescence component, attributable to the charge neutralization and hydrogen bonds induced energy transfer. AMX was detected using (F438/F654) as output signals. Two linear relationships were observed (from 10 to 1000 nM and 1 to 100 µM), with a limit of detection of 27 nM. The porphyrin integrated UiO-66 probe was used to detect AMX in practical samples. This work widens the road for the development of dual/multiple emissive fluorescence sensors for analytical applications, providing materials and theoretical supporting for food, environmental, and human safety.

[Clinical characteristics of children on prolonged mechanical ventilation due to different primary diseases]. / ä¸åŒåŽŸå‘ç— å¯¼è‡´é•¿æœŸæœºæ¢°é€šæ°”æ‚£å„¿çš„ä¸´åºŠç‰¹å¾åˆ†æž.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the differences in clinical characteristics among children on prolonged mechanical ventilation (PMV) due to different primary diseases. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of 59 pediatric patients requiring PMV from July 2017 to September 2022. According to the primary disease, they were divided into respiratory disease (RD) group, central nervous system (CNS) group, neuromuscular disease (NMD) group, and other disease group. The four groups were compared in terms of general information, treatment, and outcome. RESULTS: There were significant differences among the four groups in age, body weight, Pediatric Logistic Organ Dysfunction-2 (PELOD-2) score, Pediatric Risk of Mortality III (PRISM Ⅲ) score, analgesic and sedative treatment, nutrition supply, rehabilitation treatment, tracheotomy, successful ventilator weaning, and outcomes (P<0.05). Compared with the RD group, the CNS group and the other disease group had a significantly higher age and a significantly higher proportion of children receiving rehabilitation treatment, and the CNS group had a significantly higher proportion of children receiving tracheotomy (P<0.008). Compared with the other disease group, the CNS group and the NMD group had significantly lower PELOD-2 and PRISM III scores, and the CNS group had a significantly higher proportion of children with successful ventilator weaning and a significantly higher proportion of children who were improved and discharged (P<0.008). CONCLUSIONS: There are differences in clinical characteristics among children receiving PMV due to different etiologies. Most children in the RD group have a younger age, and children in the CNS group have a relatively good prognosis.

Effects of a 'Rebuilding Myself' intervention on enhancing the adaptability of cancer patients to return to work: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the effects of a 'Rebuilding Myself' intervention on enhancing the adaptability of cancer patients to return to work. METHODS: A single-center, single-blind, randomized controlled trial design was used. Eligible patients who were receiving routine hospital treatment were recruited from the university-affiliated hospital in our city. Patients in the control group only received usual care, while patients in the intervention group received additional 'Rebuilding Myself' intervention. Adaptability to return to work, self-efficacy of returning to work, mental resilience, quality of life and work ability were measured at baseline, the 6th and 12th of the intervention. The general estimation equations were used to compare the overall changes of each outcome index between the two groups at different time points. Considering that there may be patient shedding and rejection, Per-Protocol and Intention-to-Treat analysis were used to analyze the data in this study. RESULTS: There were statistically significant differences between the two groups of patients in the cancer patients' adaptability to return to work, self-efficacy to return to work, mental resilience, work abilities, the physical, emotional, cognitive function, fatigue, insomnia and overall health status dimensions of quality of life (P < 0.05). And no significant difference was found in other dimensions (P > 0.05). The group effect, time effect, and interaction effect of patients' return to work adaptability and return to work self-efficacy were statistically significant in both groups (P < 0.05). Mental resilience, working ability, and quality of life had obvious time effect and interaction effect (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: This intervention could improve cancer patients' adaptability to return to work, self-efficacy to return to work, mental resilience, work abilities and quality of life. And it can be further expanded to improve the adaptability of patients to return to work, then to help patients achieve comprehensive rehabilitation. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: The application of 'Rebuilding Myself' interventions can effectively improve the adaptability of cancer patients returning to work. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study was registered at the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (Registration number: ChiCTR2200057943) on 23 March, 2022.

Reliability and validity of a novel attention assessment scale (broken ring enVision search test) in the Chinese population.

Background: The correct assessment of attentional function is the key to cognitive research. A new attention assessment scale, the Broken Ring enVision Search Test (BReViS), has not been validated in China. The purpose of this study was to assess the reliability and validity of the BReViS in the Chinese population. Methods: From July to October 2023, 100 healthy residents of Changzhou were selected and subjected to the BReViS, Digital Cancelation Test (D-CAT), Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT), and Digit Span Test (DST). Thirty individuals were randomly chosen to undergo the BReViS twice for test-retest reliability assessment. Correlation analysis was conducted between age, education level, gender, and various BReViS sub-tests including Selective Attention (SA), Orientation of Attention (OA), Focal Attention (FA), and Total Errors (Err). Intergroup comparisons and multiple linear regression analyses were performed. Additionally, correlation analyses between the BReViS sub-tests and with other attention tests were also analyzed. Results: The correlation coefficients of the BReViS sub-tests (except for FA) between the two tests were greater than 0.600 (p < 0.001), indicating good test-retest reliability. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.874, suggesting high internal consistency reliability. SA showed a significant negative correlation with the net score of D-CAT (r = -0.405, p < 0.001), and a significant positive correlation with the error rate of D-CAT (r = 0.401, p < 0.001), demonstrating good criterion-related validity. The correlation analysis among the results of each sub-test showed that the correlation coefficient between SA and Err was 0.532 (p < 0.001), and between OA and Err was-0.229 (p < 0.05), whereas there was no significant correlation between SA, OA, and FA, which indicated that the scale had good informational content validity and structural validity. Both SA and Err were significantly correlated with age and years of education, while gender was significantly correlated with OA and Err. Multiple linear regression suggested that Err was mainly affected by age and gender. There were significant differences in the above indexes among different age, education level and gender groups. Correlation analysis with other attention tests revealed that SA negatively correlated with DST forward and backward scores and SDMT scores. Err positively correlated with D-CAT net scores and negatively with D-CAT error rate, DST forward and backward scores, and SDMT scores. OA and FA showed no significant correlation with other attention tests. Conclusion: The BReViS test, demonstrating good reliability and validity, assessing not only selective attention but also gauging capacities in immediate memory, information processing speed, visual scanning, and hand-eye coordination. The results are susceptible to demographic variables such as age, gender, and education level.

Selective bioaccumulation of polystyrene nanoplastics in fetal rat brain and damage to myelin development.

Micro(nano)plastic, as a new type of environmental pollutant, have become a potential threat to the life and health of various stages of biology. However, it is not yet clear whether they will affect brain development in the fetal stage. Therefore, this study aims to explore the potential effects of nanoplastics on the development of fetal rat brains. To assess the allocation of NPs (25 nm and 50 nm) in various regions of the fetal brain, pregnant rats were exposed to concentrations (50, 10, 2.5, and 0.5 mg/kg) of PS-NPs. Our results provided evidence of the transplacental transfer of PS-NPs to the fetal brain, with a prominent presence observed in several cerebral regions, notably the cerebellum, hippocampus, striatum, and prefrontal cortex. This distribution bias might be linked to the developmental sequence of each brain region. Additionally, we explored the influence of prenatal exposure on the myelin development of the cerebellum, given its the highest PS-NP accumulation in offspring. Compared with control rats, PS-NPs exposure caused a significant reduction in myelin basic protein (MBP) and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) expression, a decrease in myelin thickness, an increase in cell apoptosis, and a decline in the oligodendrocyte population. These effects gave rise to motor deficits. In conclusion, our results identified the specific distribution of NPs in the fetal brain following prenatal exposure and revealed that prenatal exposure to PS-NPs can suppress myelin formation in the cerebellum of the fetus.