Spatial Diffusion of Potentially Toxic Elements in Soils around Non-ferrous Metal Mines.

This study focuses on the diffusion patterns of principal ore-forming elements (Pb and Zn) and associated elements (Cd, Cu, Cr, and As) in lead-zinc ore. Sampling points in upwind and downwind directions of lead-zinc ore areas at various densities (1 N/km2 - 4 N/km2) were categorized. This study analyzed the statistical relationship between the content of PTEs in the soil around lead-zinc ore and the source strength and dominant wind direction, constructed one-dimensional and two-dimensional diffusion model, and simulated the EER scope caused by PTEs. The findings indicate that: (1) concerning source strength, the content of PTEs in soils of high-density ore aggregation areas is significantly higher than in low-density ore aggregation areas. However, the impact of source strength decreases with decreasing ore grade, with a difference in Pb content of 1.71 times among principal ore-forming elements and almost consistent Cd content among associated elements. (2) Regarding the transport pathways, for most PTEs, the inverse proportion coefficients downwind are higher than upwind, approximately 1.18 to 3.63 times, indicating greater migration distances of PTEs downwind due to atmospheric dispersion. (3) By establishing a two-dimensional risk diffusion model, the study simulates the maximum radius of risk diffusion (r=5.7km), the 50% probability radius (r=3.1km), and the minimum radius (r=0.8km) based on the maximum, median, and minimum values statistically obtained from the EER. This study provides a scientific basis for implementing preventive measures for PTEs accumulation in soil within different pollution ranges. Different risk prevention and control measures should be adopted for PTEs accumulation in soil within the three ranges after cutting off pollution sources. Subsequent research should further investigate the impact and contribution of atmospheric transmission and surface runoff on the diffusion of PTEs in areas with high risk near lead-zinc ore.

Unveiling the domino effect: a nine-year follow-up on pentalogy of central nervous system induced by a large unruptured cerebral arteriovenous malformation: a case report and literature review.

Background: The disruption of intracranial fluid dynamics due to large unruptured cerebral arteriovenous malformation (AVM) commonly triggers a domino effect within the central nervous system. This phenomenon is frequently overlooked in prior clinic and may lead to catastrophic misdiagnoses. Our team has documented the world's first case of so-called AVM Pentalogy (AVMP) induced by a AVM. Clinical presentation and result: A 30-year-old female was first seen 9 years ago with an occasional fainting, at which time a huge unruptured AVM was discovered. Subsequently, due to progressive symptoms, she sought consultations from several prestigious neurosurgical departments in China, where all consulting neurosurgeons opted for conservation treatment due to perceived surgical risks. During the follow-up period, the patient gradually presented with hydrocephalus, empty sella, secondary Chiari malformation, syringomyelia, and scoliosis (we called as AVMP). When treated in our department, she already displayed numerous symptoms, including severe intracranial hypertension. Our team deduced that the hydrocephalus was the primary driver of her AVMP symptoms, representing the most favorable risk profile for intervention. As expected, a ventriculoperitoneal shunt successfully mitigated all symptoms of AVMP at 21-months post-surgical review. Conclusion: During the monitoring of unruptured AVM, it is crucial to remain vigilant for the development or progression of AVMP. When any component of AVMP is identified, thorough etiological studies and analysis of cascade reactions are imperative to avert misdiagnosis. When direct AVM intervention is not viable, strategically addressing hydrocephalus as part of the AVMP may serve as the critical therapeutic focus.

Response mechanisms of different Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains to succinic acid.

BACKGROUND: The production of succinic acid (SA) from biomass has attracted worldwide interest. Saccharomyces cerevisiae is preferred for SA production due to its strong tolerance to low pH conditions, ease of genetic manipulation, and extensive application in industrial processes. However, when compared with bacterial producers, the SA titers and productivities achieved by engineered S. cerevisiae strains were relatively low. To develop efficient SA-producing strains, it's necessary to clearly understand how S. cerevisiae cells respond to SA. RESULTS: In this study, we cultivated five S. cerevisiae strains with different genetic backgrounds under different concentrations of SA. Among them, KF7 and NBRC1958 demonstrated high tolerance to SA, whereas NBRC2018 displayed the least tolerance. Therefore, these three strains were chosen to study how S. cerevisiae responds to SA. Under a concentration of 20 g/L SA, only a few differentially expressed genes were observed in three strains. At the higher concentration of 60 g/L SA, the response mechanisms of the three strains diverged notably. For KF7, genes involved in the glyoxylate cycle were significantly downregulated, whereas genes involved in gluconeogenesis, the pentose phosphate pathway, protein folding, and meiosis were significantly upregulated. For NBRC1958, genes related to the biosynthesis of vitamin B6, thiamin, and purine were significantly downregulated, whereas genes related to protein folding, toxin efflux, and cell wall remodeling were significantly upregulated. For NBRC2018, there was a significant upregulation of genes connected to the pentose phosphate pathway, gluconeogenesis, fatty acid utilization, and protein folding, except for the small heat shock protein gene HSP26. Overexpression of HSP26 and HSP42 notably enhanced the cell growth of NBRC1958 both in the presence and absence of SA. CONCLUSIONS: The inherent activities of small heat shock proteins, the levels of acetyl-CoA and the strains' potential capacity to consume SA all seem to affect the responses and tolerances of S. cerevisiae strains to SA. These factors should be taken into consideration when choosing host strains for SA production. This study provides a theoretical basis and identifies potential host strains for the development of robust and efficient SA-producing strains.

The relationship between mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration and mortality in hypertensive individuals: A population-based cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: Hematology is an essential field for investigating the prognostic outcomes of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Recent research has suggested that mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) is associated with a poor prognosis in several CVDs. There is no evidence of a correlation between MCHC and hypertension. Therefore, our study aimed to analyze the association of MCHC with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in hypertensive patients. METHODS: We used cohort data from U.S. adults who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 1999-2014. COX regression was applied to analyze the relationship between MCHC and all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. In addition, three models were adjusted to reduce confounding factors. We reanalyzed the data after propensity score matching (PSM) to inspect the stability of the results. Stratified analysis was additionally adopted to investigate the results of each subgroup. RESULTS: Our research included 15,154 individuals. During a mean follow-up period of 129 months, 30.6% of the hypertensive population succumbed to mortality. Based on previous studies, we categorized patients with MCHC ≤33mg/dl as the hypochromia group and those with >33mg/dl as the non-hypochromia group. After PSM, the hypochromia group had higher all-cause mortality (adjusted hazard ratio [HR]:1.26, 95% confidence interval [95%CI]:1.11-1.43) and cardiovascular mortality (adjusted HR:1.42, 95%CI:1.12-1.80) than the non-hypochromia group. The results of the COX regression remain stable after matching. Stratified analyses before PSM revealed an interaction of anemia in the relationship between MCHC and mortality, whereas there was no significant interaction after matching. CONCLUSION: In hypertensive individuals, low MCHC was correlated with a poor prognosis. Further studies on MCHC are necessary to analyze the potential mechanisms of its poor prognosis in hypertensive populations.

The interaction of endorepellin and neurexin triggers neuroepithelial autophagy and maintains neural tube development.

Heparan sulfate proteoglycan 2 (HSPG2) gene encodes the matrix protein Perlecan, and genetic inactivation of this gene creates mice that are embryonic lethal with severe neural tube defects (NTDs). We discovered rare genetic variants of HSPG2 in 10% cases compared to only 4% in controls among a cohort of 369 NTDs. Endorepellin, a peptide cleaved from the domain V of Perlecan, is known to promote angiogenesis and autophagy in endothelial cells. The roles of enderepellin in neurodevelopment remain unclear so far. Our study revealed that endorepellin can migrate to the neuroepithelial cells and then be recognized and bind with the neuroepithelia receptor neurexin in vivo. Through the endocytic pathway, the interaction of endorepellin and neurexin physiologically triggers autophagy and appropriately modulates the differentiation of neural stem cells into neurons as a blocker, which is necessary for normal neural tube closure. We created knock-in (KI) mouse models with human-derived HSPG2 variants, using sperm-like stem cells that had been genetically edited by CRISPR/Cas9. We realized that any HSPG2 variants that affected the function of endorepellin were considered pathogenic causal variants for human NTDs given that the severe NTD phenotypes exhibited by these KI embryos occurred in a significantly higher response frequency compared to wildtype embryos. Our study provides a paradigm for effectively confirming pathogenic mutations in other genetic diseases. Furthermore, we demonstrated that using autophagy inhibitors at a cellular level can repress neuronal differentiation. Therefore, autophagy agonists may prevent NTDs resulting from failed autophagy maintenance and neuronal over-differentiation caused by deleterious endorepellin variants.

A novel deep learning method to segment parathyroid glands on intraoperative videos of thyroid surgery.

Introduction: The utilization of artificial intelligence (AI) augments intraoperative safety and surgical training. The recognition of parathyroid glands (PGs) is difficult for inexperienced surgeons. The aim of this study was to find out whether deep learning could be used to auxiliary identification of PGs on intraoperative videos in patients undergoing thyroid surgery. Methods: In this retrospective study, 50 patients undergoing thyroid surgery between 2021 and 2023 were randomly assigned (7:3 ratio) to a training cohort (n = 35) and a validation cohort (n = 15). The combined datasets included 98 videos with 9,944 annotated frames. An independent test cohort included 15 videos (1,500 frames) from an additional 15 patients. We developed a deep-learning model Video-Trans-U-HRNet to segment parathyroid glands in surgical videos, comparing it with three advanced medical AI methods on the internal validation cohort. Additionally, we assessed its performance against four surgeons (2 senior surgeons and 2 junior surgeons) on the independent test cohort, calculating precision and recall metrics for the model. Results: Our model demonstrated superior performance compared to other AI models on the internal validation cohort. The DICE and accuracy achieved by our model were 0.760 and 74.7% respectively, surpassing Video-TransUnet (0.710, 70.1%), Video-SwinUnet (0.754, 73.6%), and TransUnet (0.705, 69.4%). For the external test, our method got 89.5% precision 77.3% recall and 70.8% accuracy. In the statistical analysis, our model demonstrated results comparable to those of senior surgeons (senior surgeon 1: χ2 = 0.989, p = 0.320; senior surgeon 2: χ2 = 1.373, p = 0.241) and outperformed 2 junior surgeons (junior surgeon 1: χ2 = 3.889, p = 0.048; junior surgeon 2: χ2 = 4.763, p = 0.029). Discussion: We introduce an innovative intraoperative video method for identifying PGs, highlighting the potential advancements of AI in the surgical domain. The segmentation method employed for parathyroid glands in intraoperative videos offer surgeons supplementary guidance in locating real PGs. The method developed may have utility in facilitating training and decreasing the learning curve associated with the use of this technology.

Unraveling the important role of comammox Nitrospira to nitrification in the coastal aquaculture system.

Increasing nitrogen (N) input to coastal ecosystems poses a serious environmental threat. It is important to understand the responses and feedback of N removal microbial communities, particularly nitrifiers including the newly recognized complete ammonia-oxidizers (comammox), to improve aquaculture sustainability. In this study, we conducted a holistic evaluation of the functional communities responsible for nitrification by quantifying and sequencing the key functional genes of comammox Nitrospira-amoA, AOA-amoA, AOB-amoA and Nitrospira-nxrB in fish ponds with different fish feeding levels and evaluated the contribution of nitrifiers in the nitrification process through experiments of mixing pure cultures. We found that higher fish feeding dramatically increased N-related concentration, affecting the nitrifying communities. Compared to AOA and AOB, comammox Nitrospira and NOB were more sensitive to environmental changes. Unexpectedly, we detected an equivalent abundance of comammox Nitrospira and AOB and observed an increase in the proportion of clade A in comammox Nitrospira with the increase in fish feeding. Furthermore, a simplified network and shift of keystone species from NOB to comammox Nitrospira were observed in higher fish-feeding ponds. Random forest analysis suggested that the comammox Nitrospira community played a critical role in the nitrification of eutrophic aquaculture ponds (40-70 µM). Through the additional experiment of mixing nitrifying pure cultures, we found that comammox Nitrospira is the primary contributor to the nitrification process at 200 µM ammonium. These results advance our understanding of nitrifying communities and highlight the importance of comammox Nitrospira in driving nitrification in eutrophic aquaculture systems.

Transcription factor shapes chromosomal conformation and regulates gene expression in bacterial adaptation.

Genomic mutations allow bacteria to adapt rapidly to adverse stress environments. The three-dimensional conformation of the genome may also play an important role in transcriptional regulation and environmental adaptation. Here, using chromosome conformation capture, we investigate the high-order architecture of the Zymomonas mobilis chromosome in response to genomic mutation and ambient stimuli (acetic acid and furfural, derived from lignocellulosic hydrolysate). We find that genomic mutation only influences the local chromosome contacts, whereas stress of acetic acid and furfural restrict the long-range contacts and significantly change the chromosome organization at domain scales. Further deciphering the domain feature unveils the important transcription factors, Ferric uptake regulator (Fur) proteins, which act as nucleoid-associated proteins to promote long-range (>200 kb) chromosomal communications and regulate the expression of genes involved in stress response. Our work suggests that ubiquitous transcription factors in prokaryotes mediate chromosome organization and regulate stress-resistance genes in bacterial adaptation.

Choriocapillaris reduction accurately discriminates against early-onset Alzheimer's disease.

INTRODUCTION: This study addresses the urgent need for non-invasive early-onset Alzheimer's disease (EOAD) prediction. Using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA), we present a choriocapillaris model sensitive to EOAD, correlating with serum biomarkers. METHODS: Eighty-four EOAD patients and 73 controls were assigned to swept-source OCTA (SS-OCTA) or the spectral domain OCTA (SD-OCTA) cohorts. Our hypothesis on choriocapillaris predictive potential in EOAD was tested and validated in these two cohorts. RESULTS: Both cohorts revealed diminished choriocapillaris signals, demonstrating the highest discriminatory capability (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve: SS-OCTA 0.913, SD-OCTA 0.991; P < 0.001). A sparser SS-OCTA choriocapillaris correlated with increased serum amyloid beta (Aß)42, Aß42/40, and phosphorylated tau (p-tau)181 levels (all P < 0.05). Apolipoprotein E status did not affect choriocapillaris measurement. DISCUSSION: The choriocapillaris, observed in both cohorts, proves sensitive to EOAD diagnosis, and correlates with serum Aß and p-tau181 levels, suggesting its potential as a diagnostic tool for identifying and tracking microvascular changes in EOAD. HIGHLIGHTS: Optical coherence tomography angiography may be applied for non-invasive screening of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Choriocapillaris demonstrates high sensitivity and specificity for early-onset AD diagnosis. Microvascular dynamics abnormalities are associated with AD.

Facile synthesis of hierarchical W18O49 microspheres by solvothermal method and their optical absorption properties.

In this study, a simple route for the synthesis of hierarchical W18O49 assembled by nanowires is reported. The morphologies and formation of W18O49 single-crystal could be controlled by changing the concentration of WCl6-ethanol solution. This synthesis strategy has the advantages that the hierarchical W18O49 microspheres could be economic synthesized at 180 °C without adding additives. Furthermore, efficient optical absorption properties in ultraviolet, visible and near-infrared region were obtained for the hierarchical W18O49 microspheres comparing with nanowires. These results will further promote the research of tungsten-based oxide nanomaterials.

Novel Genetic Variants Distinguishing Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein-IgG-Positive From Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein-IgG-Negative Pediatric Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis in Northern China.

BACKGROUND: Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) is a common phenotype in children with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein IgG (MOG-IgG)-associated disease. We aimed to identify novel genetic variants that distinguish children with MOG-IgG-positive ADEM (MOG-IgG+ ADEM) from children with MOG-IgG-negative ADEM (MOG-IgG- ADEM) using whole exome sequencing (WES) analysis. METHODS: We conducted a two-stage study design. First, we performed WES on five patients with MOG-IgG+ ADEM and five patients with MOG-IgG- ADEM. Following bioinformatics analysis, the candidate variant list was constructed. Second, 29 children with MOG-IgG+ ADEM and 27 children with MOG-IgG- ADEM, together with discovery cohort, were genotyped to identify the novel variants. RESULTS: WES resulted in 33,999 variants, and 5388 nonsynonymous variants were selected for downstream analysis. In total, 118 protein-affecting variants that were significantly different between the two groups were identified. Together with the five variants extracted from the literature, 49 variants were selected as the candidate variant list for genotyping in the replication cohort. Finally, we identified three variants: rs11171951 in NACα, rs231775 in CTLA4, and rs11171951 in GOLGA5, which were significantly different between MOG-IgG+ ADEM and MOG-IgG- ADEM. Only rs12440118 in NACα remained significant after Bonferroni correction for multiple testing (Padj < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: We identified strong associations between NACα, CTLA4, and GOLGA5 variants and MOG-IgG+ ADEM in a Han Chinese population of Northern China, which may present novel genetic risk factor distinguishing patients with MOG-IgG+ ADEM from those with MOG-IgG- ADEM.

Leukemia risk assessment of exposure to low-levels of benzene based on the linearized multistage model.

Objectives: To assess leukemia risk in occupational populations exposed to low levels of benzene. Methods: Leukemia incidence data from the Chinese Benzene Cohort Study were fitted using the Linearized multistage (LMS) model. Individual benzene exposure levels, urinary S-phenylmercapturic acid (S-PMA) and trans, trans-muconic acid (t, t-MA) were measured among 98 benzene-exposed workers from factories in China. Subjects were categorized into four groups by rounding the quartiles of cumulative benzene concentrations (< 3, 3-5, 5-12, ≥12 mg/m3·year, respectively). The risk of benzene-induced leukemia was assessed using the LMS model, and the results were validated using the EPA model and the Singapore semi-quantitative risk assessment model. Results: The leukemia risks showed a positive correlation with increasing cumulative concentration in the four exposure groups (excess leukemia risks were 4.34, 4.37, 4.44 and 5.52 × 10-4, respectively; Ptrend < 0.0001) indicated by the LMS model. We also found that the estimated leukemia risk using urinary t, t-MA in the LMS model was more similar to those estimated by airborne benzene compared to S-PMA. The leukemia risk estimated by the LMS model was consistent with both the Singapore semi-quantitative risk assessment model at all concentrations and the EPA model at high concentrations (5-12, ≥12 mg/m3·year), while exceeding the EPA model at low concentrations (< 3 and 3-5 mg/m3·year). However, in all four benzene-exposed groups, the leukemia risks estimated by these three models exceeded the lowest acceptable limit for carcinogenic risk set by the EPA at 1 × 10-6. Conclusion: This study demonstrates the utility of the LMS model derived from the Chinese benzene cohort in assessing leukemia risk associated with low-level benzene exposure, and suggests that leukemia risk may occur at cumulative concentrations below 3 mg/m3·year.

Natural product of angelica essential oil developed as a stable Pickering emulsion for joint interface lubrication.

Development of high-performance joint injection lubricants has become the focus in the field of osteoarthritis treatment. Herein, natural product of angelica essential oil combined with the graphene oxide were prepared to the stable Pickering emulsion as a biological lubricant. The tribological properties of the Pickering emulsion under different friction conditions were studied. The lubricating mechanism was revealed and the biological activities were evaluated. Results showed that the prepared Pickering emulsion displayed superior lubrication property at the Ti6Al4V biological material interface. The maximum friction reduction and anti-wear abilities of the Pickering emulsion were improved by 36% and 50% compared to water, respectively. This was primarily due to the action of the double-layer lubrication films composed of the graphene oxide and angelica essential oil molecules. It was worth noting that the friction reduction effect of the Pickering emulsion at the natural cartilage interface was higher about 19% than that of HA used in clinic for OA commonly. In addition, the Pickering emulsion also displayed antioxidant activity and cell biocompatibility, showing a good clinical application prospect in the future.

Costunolide ameliorates MNNG-induced chronic atrophic gastritis through inhibiting oxidative stress and DNA damage via activation of Nrf2.

BACKGROUND: Chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) is a chronic digestive disease. Modern research has revealed substantial evidence indicating that the progression of CAG is closely linked to the occurrence of oxidative stress-induced DNA damage and apoptosis in the gastric mucosa. Additionally, research has indicated that Costunolide (COS), the primary active compound found in Aucklandiae Radix, a traditional herb, exhibits antioxidant properties. Nevertheless, the therapeutic potential of COS in treating CAG and its molecular targets have not yet been determined. PURPOSE: The objective of this research was to explore the potential gastric mucosal protective effects and mechanisms of COS against N-Methyl-N´-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG)-induced CAG. METHODS: Firstly, the MNNG-induced rat CAG model was established in vivo. Occurrence of CAG was detected through macroscopic examination of the stomachs and H&E staining. Additionally, we assessed oxidative stress, DNA damage, and apoptosis using biochemical detection, Western blot, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence. Then, an in vitro model was developed to induce MNNG-induced damage in GES-1 cells, and the occurrence of cell damage was determined by Hoechst 33,342 staining and flow cytometry. Finally, the key targets of COS for the treatment of CAG were identified through molecular docking, cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA), and inhibitor ML385. RESULTS: In vivo studies demonstrated that COS promotes the expression of Nrf2 in gastric tissues. This led to an increased expression of SOD, GSH, HO-1, while reducing the production of MDA. Furthermore, COS inhibited DNA damage and apoptosis by suppressing the expression of γH2AX and PARP1 in gastric tissues. In vitro studies showed that COS effectively reversed apoptosis induced by MNNG in GES-1 cells. Additionally, COS interacted with Nrf2 to promote its expression. Furthermore, the expression levels of SOD, GSH, and HO-1 were augmented, while the generation of ROS and MDA was diminished. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that COS exhibits therapeutic effects on CAG through the promotion of Nrf2 expression and inhibition of oxidative stress and DNA damage. Therefore, COS has the potential to provide new drugs for the treatment of CAG.

Multiple photofluorochromic luminogens via catalyst-free alkene oxidative cleavage photoreaction for dynamic 4D codes encryption.

Controllable photofluorochromic systems with high contrast and multicolor in both solutions and solid states are ideal candidates for the development of dynamic artificial intelligence. However, it is still challenging to realize multiple photochromism within one single molecule, not to mention good controllability. Herein, we report an aggregation-induced emission luminogen TPE-2MO2NT that undergoes oxidation cleavage upon light irradiation and is accompanied by tunable multicolor emission from orange to blue with time-dependence. The photocleavage mechanism revealed that the self-generation of reactive oxidants driving the catalyst-free oxidative cleavage process. A comprehensive analysis of TPE-2MO2NT and other comparative molecules demonstrates that the TPE-2MO2NT molecular scaffold can be easily modified and extended. Further, the multicolor microenvironmental controllability of TPE-2MO2NT photoreaction within polymer matrices enables the fabrication of dynamic fluorescence images and 4D information codes, providing strategies for advanced controllable information encryption.

Expanding the horizons of levan: from microbial biosynthesis to applications and advanced detection methods.

Levan, a ß-(2,6)-linked fructose polymer, exhibits diverse properties that impart versatility, rendering it a highly sought-after biopolymer with various industrial applications. Levan can be produced by various microorganisms using sucrose, food industry byproducts and agricultural wastes. Microbial levan represents the most potent cost-effective process for commercial-scale levan production. This study reviews the optimization of levan production by understanding its biosynthesis, physicochemical properties and the fermentation process. In addition, genetic and protein engineering for its increased production and emerging methods for its detection are introduced and discussed. All of these comprehensive studies could serve as powerful tools to optimize levan production and broaden its applications across various industries.

Reg4 deficiency aggravates pancreatitis by increasing mitochondrial cell death and fibrosis.

Regenerating gene family member 4 (Reg4) has been implicated in acute pancreatitis, but its precise functions and involved mechanisms have remained unclear. Herein, we sought to investigate the contribution of Reg4 to the pathogenesis of pancreatitis and evaluate its therapeutic effects in experimental pancreatitis. In acute pancreatitis, Reg4 deletion increases inflammatory infiltrates and mitochondrial cell death and decreases autophagy recovery, which are rescued by the administration of recombinant Reg4 (rReg4) protein. In chronic pancreatitis, Reg4 deficiency aggravates inflammation and fibrosis and inhibits compensatory cell proliferation. Moreover, C-X-C motif ligand 12 (CXCL12)/C-X-C motif receptor 4 (CXCR4) axis is sustained and activated in Reg4-deficient pancreas. The detrimental effects of Reg4 deletion are attenuated by the administration of the approved CXCR4 antagonist plerixafor (AMD3100). Mechanistically, Reg4 mediates its function in pancreatitis potentially via binding its receptor exostosin-like glycosyltransferase 3 (Extl3). In conclusion, our findings suggest that Reg4 exerts a therapeutic effect during pancreatitis by limiting inflammation and fibrosis and improving cellular regeneration.

Differential risk factor profile and neuroimaging markers of small vessel disease between lacunar ischemic stroke and deep intracerebral hemorrhage.

Background: Lacunar ischemic stroke (LIS) and deep intracerebral hemorrhage (dICH) are two stroke phenotypes of deep perforator arteriopathy. It is unclear what factors predispose individuals with deep perforator arteriopathy to either ischemic or hemorrhagic events. Objectives: We aimed to investigate risk factors and neuroimaging features of small vessel disease (SVD) associated with LIS versus dICH in a cross-sectional study. Methods: We included patients with clinically presenting, magnetic resonance imaging-confirmed LIS or dICH from two tertiary hospitals between 2010 and 2021. We recorded vascular risk factors and SVD markers, including lacunes, white matter hyperintensities (WMH), perivascular spaces (PVS), and cerebral microbleeds (CMB). Logistic regression modeling was used to determine the association between vascular risk factors, SVD markers, and stroke phenotype. We further created WMH probability maps to compare WMH distribution between LIS and dICH. Results: A total of 834 patients with LIS (mean age 61.7 ± 12.1 years) and 405 with dICH (57.7 ± 13.2 years) were included. Hypertension was equally frequent between LIS and dICH (72.3% versus 74.8%, p = 0.349). Diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, smoking, and prior ischemic stroke were more associated with LIS [odds ratio (OR) (95% confidence interval (CI)), 0.35 (0.25-0.48), 0.32 (0.22-0.44), 0.31 (0.22-0.44), and 0.38 (0.18-0.75)]. Alcohol intake and prior ICH were more associated with dICH [OR (95% CI), 2.34 (1.68-3.28), 2.53 (1.31-4.92)]. Lacunes were more prevalent in LIS [OR (95% CI) 0.23 (0.11-0.43)], while moderate-to-severe basal-ganglia PVS and CMB were more prevalent in dICH [OR (95% CI) 2.63 (1.35-5.27), 4.95 (2.71-9.42)]. WMH burden and spatial distribution did not differ between groups. Conclusion: The microangiopathy underlying LIS and dICH reflects distinct risk profiles and SVD features, hence possibly SVD subtype susceptibility. Prospective studies with careful phenotyping and genetics are needed to clarify the mechanisms underlying this difference.

Glass Disorder Modulated Luminescence in Zero-Dimensional Antimony-Chloride Coplanar Dimers for Optical Anti-counterfeiting.

Zero-dimensional metal halides have received wide attention due to their structural diversity, strong quantum confinement, and associated excellent photoluminescence properties. A reversible and tunable luminescence would be desirable for applications such as anti-counterfeiting, information encryption, and artificial intelligence. Yet, these materials are underexplored, with little known about their luminescence tuning mechanisms. Here we report a pyramidal coplanar dimer, (TBA)Sb2Cl7 (TBA = tetrabutylammonium), showing broadband emission wavelength tuning (585-650 nm) by simple thermal treatment. We attribute the broad color change to structural disorder induced by varying the heat treatment temperatures. Increasing the heating temperature transitions the material from long-range ordered crystalline phase to highly disordered glassy phase. The latter exhibits stronger electron-phonon coupling, enhancing the self-trapped exciton emission efficiency. The work provides a new material platform for manifold optical anti-counterfeiting applications and sheds light on the emission color tuning mechanisms for further design of stimuli-responsive materials.

Light emitting diode effect of red, blue, and amber light on photosynthesis and plant growth parameters.

The visible light spectrum (400-700 nm) powers plant photosynthesis and innumerable other biological processes. Photosynthesis curves plotted by pioneering photobiologists show that amber light (590-620 nm) induces the highest photosynthetic rates in this spectrum. Yet, both red and blue light are viewed superior in their influence over plant growth. Here we report two approaches for quantifying how light wavelength photosynthesis and plant growth using light emitting diodes (LEDs). Resolved quantum yield spectra of tomato and lettuce plants resemble those acquired earlier, showing high quantum utilization efficiencies in the 420-430 nm and 590-620 nm regions. Tomato plants grown under blue (445 nm), amber (595 nm), red (635 nm), and combined red-blue-amber light for 14 days show that amber light yields higher fresh and dry mass, by at least 20%. Principle component analysis shows that amber light has a more pronounced and direct effect on fresh mass, whereas red light has a major effect on dry mass. These data clarify amber light's primary role in photosynthesis and suggest that bandwidth determines plant growth and productivity under sole amber lighting. Findings set precedence for future work aimed at maximizing plant productivity, with widespread implications for controlled environment agriculture.