The key to intestinal health: a review and perspective on food additives.

In this review, we explore the effects of food additives on intestinal health. Food additives, such as preservatives, antioxidants and colorants, are widely used to improve food quality and extend shelf life. However, their effects on intestinal microecology May pose health risks. Starting from the basic functions of food additives and the importance of intestinal microecology, we analyze in detail how additives affect the diversity of intestinal flora, oxidative stress and immune responses. Additionally, we examine the association between food additives and intestinal disorders, including inflammatory bowel disease and irritable bowel syndrome, and how the timing, dosage, and individual differences affect the body's response to additives. We also assess the safety and regulatory policies of food additives and explore the potential of natural additives. Finally, we propose future research directions, emphasizing the refinement of risk assessment methods and the creation of safer, innovative additives.

Effects of a Novel Magnetic Nanomaterial on Oral Biofilms.

Dental caries is one of the most common oral chronic infectious diseases, and novel antibacterial materials must be developed to control plaque and inhibit formation of dental caries. Combining magnetic nanomaterials with antibacterial agents to decrease the formation of bacterial biofilm has been a hot topic in the biomedical field. The present study developed a novel magnetic nanomaterial chemically combined with dimethylaminododecyl methacrylate (DMADDM) and initially investigated its inhibiting effects on biofilms by using traditional caries-related bacteria and saliva flora models. The novel magnetic nanomaterials successfully loaded DMADDM according to thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction, vibrating sample magnetometry, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy results. Further, the novel nanoparticle Fe3O4@SiO2@DMADDM with concentration of 8 mg/mL could effectively reduce Streptococcus mutans biofilm and decrease the production of lactic acid. The 16S rDNA sequencing revealed that Fe3O4@SiO2@DMADDM could depress the proportion of caries-related bacteria in saliva-derived biofilm, such as Streptococcus, Veillonella, and Neisseria. Therefore, Fe3O4@SiO2@DMADDM is a novel effective antibacterial magnetic nanomaterial and has clinical potential in plaque control and dental caries prevention.

[Effect of Three Foliar Inhibitors on Accumulation of Cd and As in Rice Grains].

This study investigated the impact of single and combined applications of three foliar inhibitors on the accumulation of cadmium （Cd） and arsenic （As） in rice grains. Two rice varieties, Songyazao 1 （for early rice） and Wuxiang Youyue （for late rice）, were selected for this experiment. We established nine treatments using a pot experiment method, including a control （CK） treated with no foliar inhibitor and three individual foliar inhibitors： cysteine （L-Cys）, potassium sulfide （K2S）, and dipotassium hydrogen phosphate （K2HPO4）. We then combined the applications of two foliar inhibitors： L-Cys with low/high concentrations of K2S, L-Cys with low/high concentrations of K2HPO4, and K2S with a low concentration of K2HPO4. The results showed that the single and combined applications of foliar inhibitors reduced Cd and As concentrations in rice grains. The Cd content in brown rice treated with L-Cys and K2S/K2HPO4 was reduced below the standard limit for food safety of 0.20 mg·kg-1. Compared to the CK, the content of inorganic arsenic （IAs） in early and late rice decreased by 4.68%-56.75% and 2.84%-16.91%, respectively. Foliar inhibitors applied individually or in combinations facilitated the transport of Cd and As from the stem to the leaf while inhibiting their transport from the leaf to the rice grain. This resulted in the sequestration of Cd and As within the leaf cell wall, ultimately reducing the content of these elements in rice grains. Among the combination treatments, the application of L-Cys and high-concentration K2S achieved the best results. The Cd content in early and late rice decreased by 37.64% and 26.37%, respectively, falling below 0.20 mg·kg-1. The IAs content in early and late rice was reduced to 0.10 mg·kg-1 （below 0.20 mg·kg-1） and 0.24 mg·kg-1, respectively. This study provides a valuable theoretical foundation and empirical data to support the achievement of safe rice production practices.

Study on the Effects of Acupuncture with the "Yizhi Tiaoshen" Acupoint Formula on Blood Oxygen Metabolism and Neural Function in Key Brain Regions of AD Rats.

Purpose: Exploring the effects of acupuncture at the "Yizhi Tiaoshen" acupoint on blood oxygen metabolism and neurological function changes in the brain regions of AD model rats. Methods: The AD model was replicated by intraperitoneal injection of D-galactose combined with bilateral hippocampal CA1 injection of Okadaic acid (OA). Thirty rats with successfully replicated model were selected through Morris water maze experiment and randomly divided into model group, donepezil hydrochloride group, and acupuncture group, with 10 rats in each group. After treatment, fNIRs were used to detect changes in Oxy Hb, Deoxy Hb, and Total Hb in the cerebral cortex of rats in each group, in order to evaluate the neurological function changes in key brain areas. Results: The escape latency of the donepezil hydrochloride group and the acupuncture group was shortened, the number of crossings through the original platform increased, and the duration of stay in the quadrant where the original platform was located was prolonged. Based on fNIRs detection, the main differential channels of blood oxygen metabolism in AD rats were identified as 2-2 and 8-7, corresponding to the prefrontal and parietal lobes, respectively. The concentrations of Oxy Hb and Total Hb were significantly increased in both treatment groups, while the concentration of Deoxy Hb was significantly decreased. Conclusion: Acupuncture with the "Yizhi Tiaoshen" acupoint formula and donepezil hydrochloride can improve the learning and memory function of AD rats, and its mechanism may be related to improving blood oxygen metabolism in the prefrontal and parietal regions and protecting neuronal function.

Association of Atopic Dermatitis and Risk of Glaucoma Surgery: A Global Population-Based Study.

PRCIS: Severe atopic dermatitis (AD) in patients with glaucoma heightens the risk of requiring surgical intervention, necessitating prompt specialist care and strict surveillance. OBJECTIVE: The impact of AD on the prognosis of patients with glaucoma is rarely studied. This study aims to assess the risk of requiring glaucoma surgery among patients with glaucoma with and without AD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this retrospective cohort analysis, we assessed patients with glaucoma initially diagnosed from December 5, 2003 to December 3, 2018 using the TriNetX database, dividing them into AD and non-AD cohorts. 1:1 propensity-score matching created balanced groups for baseline traits and comorbidities. We compared the cohorts' risk and cumulative incidence of needing glaucoma surgery (minimally invasive glaucoma surgery, trabeculectomy, aqueous shunt, or transscleral cyclophotocoagulation). A subgroup analysis was also conducted for patients with severe AD. RESULTS: Out of 528,469 patients with glaucoma, 2624 were in the AD group. Among the AD group, 584 had severe AD. The AD group showed a comparable risk of requiring surgery to the non-AD group (hazard ratio: 1.03; 95% CI: 0.72, 1.47). In contrast, the severe AD group demonstrated a significantly greater risk and cumulative incidence of surgery (hazard ratio: 2.80; 95% CI: 1.37, 5.73; log-rank P = 0.003) compared with the non-AD group. CONCLUSION: Patients with glaucoma with severe AD are significantly more likely to need surgical intervention, with AD severity being a correlating factor for increased risk.

A digital approach to creating a positioning tray for a multiple implant impression and its clinical application: A dental technique.

A workflow is described for fabricating a custom complete arch implant positioning tray for the impression of multiple implants. In this technique, a complete arch virtual cast with abutments is obtained by intraoral scanning. Details for the tray including extension range, thickness, and impression post perforation sites can be designed from this cast. This positioning tray not only eliminates the conventional complicated manufacturing procedures but can also accurately obtain the positional relationship between implants and the morphology of the alveolar mucosa, saving clinical time.

Utilising an in silico model to predict outcomes in senescence-driven acute liver injury.

Currently liver transplantation is the only treatment option for liver disease, but organ availability cannot meet patient demand. Alternative regenerative therapies, including cell transplantation, aim to modulate the injured microenvironment from inflammation and scarring towards regeneration. The complexity of the liver injury response makes it challenging to identify suitable therapeutic targets when relying on experimental approaches alone. Therefore, we adopted a combined in vivo-in silico approach and developed an ordinary differential equation model of acute liver disease able to predict the host response to injury and potential interventions. The Mdm2fl/fl mouse model of senescence-driven liver injury was used to generate a quantitative dynamic characterisation of the key cellular players (macrophages, endothelial cells, myofibroblasts) and extra cellular matrix involved in liver injury. This was qualitatively captured by the mathematical model. The mathematical model was then used to predict injury outcomes in response to milder and more severe levels of senescence-induced liver injury and validated with experimental in vivo data. In silico experiments using the validated model were then performed to interrogate potential approaches to enhance regeneration. These predicted that increasing the rate of macrophage phenotypic switch or increasing the number of pro-regenerative macrophages in the system will accelerate the rate of senescent cell clearance and resolution. These results showcase the potential benefits of mechanistic mathematical modelling for capturing the dynamics of complex biological systems and identifying therapeutic interventions that may enhance our understanding of injury-repair mechanisms and reduce translational bottlenecks.

Rice Husk Silica Liquid Enhances Autophagy and Reduces Overactive Immune Responses via TLR-7 Signaling in Lupus-Prone Models.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disorder characterized by widespread inflammation and multi-organ damage. Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR-7) and autophagy have been implicated in SLE pathogenesis. Rice husk silica liquid (RHSL) has shown potential for modulating inflammatory responses, but its effects on SLE have not been thoroughly investigated. This study aims to evaluate the impact of RHSL on immune responses and autophagy in cell culture experiments, focusing on its effects on TLR-7 signaling, cytokine production, and autophagy modulation. RAW264.7 cells and human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from healthy donors and SLE patients were used. Cells were stimulated with LPS or TLR-7 agonists and treated with RHSL. Cell viability was assessed, and cytokine levels (TNF-α and IL-6) were measured by ELISA. Autophagy-related proteins (LC3II, ATG5-ATG12) were analyzed by Western blotting. The effect of autophagy inhibition was studied using 3-methyladenine (3-MA). A concentration of 100 µg/mL RHSL did not affect cell viability but significantly reduced the TNF-α production in TLR-7 agonist-stimulated RAW264.7 cells (compared to TLR-7 alone, 3.41 ± 0.54 vs. 6.72 ± 0.07 folds) and PBMCs (compared to TLR-7 alone, 0.97 ± 0.19 vs. 1.40 ± 0.33 folds). RHSL enhanced autophagy, as evidenced by increased LC3II (4.35 ± 1.08 folds) and ATG5-ATG12 (7.07 ± 1.30 folds) conjugation in both RAW264.7 cells and SLE patient-derived PBMCs. The reduction in TNF-α production by RHSL was attenuated by 3-MA, indicating that autophagy plays a role in this process. RHSL also inhibited the translocation of phosphorylated NF-κB into the nucleus, suggesting a mechanism for its anti-inflammatory effects. RHSL exhibits potential as an immunomodulatory agent in SLE by enhancing autophagy and modulating TLR-7 signaling pathways. These findings suggest that RHSL could offer therapeutic benefits for managing inflammatory responses in SLE and warrant further investigation into its clinical applications.

Epigenetic reader ZMYND11 noncanonical function restricts HNRNPA1-mediated stress granule formation and oncogenic activity.

Epigenetic readers frequently affect gene regulation, correlate with disease prognosis, and hold significant potential as therapeutic targets for cancer. Zinc finger MYND-type containing 11 (ZMYND11) is notably recognized for reading the epigenetic marker H3.3K36me3; however, its broader functions and mechanisms of action in cancer remain underexplored. Here, we report that ZMYND11 downregulation is prevalent across various cancers and profoundly correlates with poorer outcomes in prostate cancer patients. Depletion of ZMYND11 promotes tumor cell growth, migration, and invasion in vitro, as well as tumor formation and metastasis in vivo. Mechanistically, we discover that ZMYND11 exhibits tumor suppressive roles by recognizing arginine-194-methylated HNRNPA1 dependent on its MYND domain, thereby retaining HNRNPA1 in the nucleus and preventing the formation of stress granules in the cytoplasm. Furthermore, ZMYND11 counteracts the HNRNPA1-driven increase in the PKM2/PKM1 ratio, thus mitigating the aggressive tumor phenotype promoted by PKM2. Remarkably, ZMYND11 recognition of HNRNPA1 can be disrupted by pharmaceutical inhibition of the arginine methyltransferase PRMT5. Tumors with low ZMYND11 expression show sensitivity to PRMT5 inhibitors. Taken together, our findings uncover a previously unexplored noncanonical role of ZMYND11 as a nonhistone methylation reader and underscore the critical importance of arginine methylation in the ZMYND11-HNRNPA1 interaction for restraining tumor progression, thereby proposing novel therapeutic targets and potential biomarkers for cancer treatment.

Relationship between phthalate exposure and kidney function in Taiwanese adults as determined through covariate-adjusted standardization and cumulative risk assessment.

Few studies have investigated the associations between phthalate exposure and kidney function indicators in adults by simultaneously performing covariate-adjusted creatinine standardization, cumulative risk assessment, and mixture analysis. Thus, we applied these methods simultaneously to investigate the aforementioned associations in an adult population. This cross-sectional study analyzed data (N = 839) from a community-based arm of the Taiwan Biobank. The levels of 10 urinary phthalate metabolites were measured and calculated as the sum of the molar concentrations of the dibutyl phthalate metabolite (ΣDBPm) and di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) metabolite (ΣDEHPm). The hazard index (HI) and daily intake (DI) were estimated by measuring the urinary levels of the phthalate metabolite. Kidney function biomarkers were assessed by measuring the following: blood urea nitrogen (BUN), uric acid, the albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR), and the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Generalized linear models were implemented to examine the associations between exposure to individual phthalates, HI scores, and kidney function biomarkers. We also employed Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) to analyze the relationships between exposure to various combinations of phthalates and kidney function. ΣDEHPm levels were significantly and positively associated with BUN and ACR levels, and ΣDBPm levels were positively associated with ACR levels. In addition, eGFR was negatively associated with ΣDBPm and ΣDEHPm levels. In the BKMR model, a mixture of 10 phthalate metabolites was significantly associated with BUN, uric acid, ACR, and eGFR results. Higher DIDEHP and higher DIDnBP values were significantly associated with lower eGFRs and higher ACRs, respectively. Higher DIDiBP and DIDEP values were significantly associated with higher uric acid levels. A higher HI was significantly associated with lower eGFRs and higher ACRs. Our results suggest that exposure to environmental phthalates is associated with impaired kidney function in Taiwanese adults.

Cumulative risk factors for flap failure, thrombosis, and hematoma in free flap reconstruction for head and neck cancer: a retrospective nested case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Free flap construction enhances quality of life for head and neck cancer (HNC) patients; however, complications, such as thrombosis and hematoma, threaten flap survival. This study aimed to identify factors influencing flap failure, thrombosis, and hematoma. METHODS: A retrospective nested case-control study was conducted on HNC patients who underwent free flap reconstruction at a tertiary medical center between January 2019 and January 2022. All patients received antithrombotic prophylaxis consisting of prostaglandin E1, dextran, aspirin, and dipyridamole. Risk factors were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: Among 548 flaps analyzed, flap failure, thrombosis, and hematoma rates were 4.74%, 3.83%, and 9.65%, respectively. Risk factors for flap failure included thrombosis (OR 86.42, 95% CI 15.73-474.89), smoking (OR 49.44, 95% CI 1.28->1000), posteromedial thigh (PMT) flap usage (OR 14.05, 95% CI 2.48-79.54), hematoma (OR 9.68, 95% CI 2.35-39.79), and younger age (OR 0.93, 95% CI 0.87-0.99). Thrombosis risk factors included PMT usage (OR 11.45, 95% CI 2.60-50.38) and anastomosis with the superior thyroid vein (SThV) as the recipient vein after multiple reconstructions (OR 7.91, 95% CI 2.06-30.39). Hematoma risk factors included fibula osteocutaneous flap usage (OR 9.22, 95% CI 2.71-31.42), double-flap usage (OR 8.88, 95% CI 1.80-43.81), liver cirrhosis (OR 6.28, 95% CI 1.44-27.47), and postsurgery hypertension (OR 2.77, 95% CI 1.39-5.50), whereas ipsilateral recurrence (OR 0.14, 95% CI 0.03-0.73) and using the external jugular vein (EJV) as the recipient vein (OR 0.22, 95% CI 0.08-0.61) were protective factors. CONCLUSION: Thrombosis poses a greater risk than hematoma for flap failure. Utilization of the PMT flap and the SThV markedly increased the risk of thrombosis and flap failure. These findings highlight the importance of antithrombotic prophylaxis and the selection of flaps and recipient veins in recurrent HNC patients.

Risk of aspiration pneumonia and hospital mortality in Parkinson disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: This study was undertaken to conduct a meta-analysis on the prevalence of aspiration pneumonia (AP) and hospital mortality in Parkinson disease (PD) as well as the risk of AP in PD patients compared to controls. METHODS: We searched MEDLINE and Embase from inception to 19 March 2024 to identify cross-sectional, cohort, and case-control studies comparing the frequency of AP and hospital mortality in PD patients. We computed risk ratios (RRs) with accompanying 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for each study and pooled the results using a random-effects meta-analysis. RESULTS: A total of 781 studies were initially screened, and 13 studies involving 541,785,587 patients were included. Patients with PD had >3 times higher risk of AP compared to controls (RR = 3.30, 95% CI = 1.82-6.00, p < 0.0001). This increased risk was similar in both cohort studies (RR = 3.01, 95% CI = 1.10-8.24, p = 0.03) and case-control studies (RR = 3.86, 95% CI = 3.84-3.87, p < 0.00001). The prevalence of AP in 12 studies was 2.74% (95% CI = 1.69-4.41), and hospital mortality was 10% in six studies (10.0%, 95% CI = 5.32-18.0). Prevalence of AP was higher in studies with smaller sample size (5.26%, 95% CI = 3.08-8.83 vs. 2.06%, 95% CI = 1.19-3.55, p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Our meta-analysis showed that patients with PD had >3 times higher risk of AP, with an average 2.74% prevalence and 10.0% hospital mortality. Early recognition and treatment of AP in PD patients will help reduce morbidity and mortality. A multidisciplinary holistic approach is needed to address the multifactorial causes of AP.

Progress of researches on the mechanism of acupuncture treatment for Alzheimer's disease by modulating synaptic plasticity. / é’ˆåˆºè°ƒèŠ‚çªè§¦å¯å¡‘æ€§æ²»ç–—é˜¿å°”èŒ¨æµ·é»˜ç— æœºåˆ¶çš„ç ”ç©¶è¿›å±•.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease with high incidence in the elderly population, and the synaptic changes in central neurons are the key pathological feature. The clinical effect of acupuncture and moxibustion in the treatment of AD is positive, and the research on the mechanism of acupuncture intervention of AD from the perspective of central synaptic plasticity regulation has been conducted uninterruptedly. In the present paper, we made a summation about the relevant experimental studies in recent years, and analyzed its mechanisms underlying improvement of AD by regulating synaptic plasticity from 1) repairing synaptic structure (synaptic contact area ï¼»total number of synapses, synaptic surface density, synaptic number densityï¼½, postsynaptic dense zone thickness, synaptic gap width, and interface curvature), 2) improving synaptic transmission efficiency (regulating long-term potentiation and long-term depression), 3) promoting the expression of synapse related proteins (synaptophysin, postsynaptic density protein 95, growth associated protein 43), 4) regulating the expression of neurotransmitters (acetylcholine, monoamines, amino acids, etc.) and receptors (α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, glutaminergic receptor, etc.), and 5) improving the level of neurotrophic factors (brain derived neurotrophic factor, BDNF) and BDNF/SYN/microtubule-associated protein 2 signaling, etc., hoping to provide a reference for future studies.

N-terminus GTPase domain of the cytoskeleton protein FtsZ plays a critical role in its adaptation to high hydrostatic pressure.

Studies in model microorganisms showed that cell division is highly vulnerable to high hydrostatic pressure (HHP). Disassembly of FtsZ filaments induced by HHP results in the failure of cell division and formation of filamentous cells in E. coli. The specific characteristics of FtsZ that allow for functional cell division in the deep-sea environments, especially in obligate piezophiles that grow exclusively under HHP condition, remain enigmatic. In this study, by using a self-developed HHP in-situ fixation apparatus, we investigated the effect of HHP on FtsZ by examining the subcellular localization of GFP-tagged FtsZ in vivo and the stability of FtsZ filament in vitro. We compared the pressure tolerance of FtsZ proteins from pressure-sensitive strain Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 (FtsZSo) and obligately piezophilic strain Shewanella benthica DB21MT-2 (FtsZSb). Our findings showed that, unlike FtsZSo, HHP hardly affected the Z-ring formation of FtsZSb, and filaments composed of FtsZSb were more stable after incubation under 50 MPa. By constructing chimeric and single amino acid mutated FtsZ proteins, we identified five residues in the N-terminal GTPase domain of FtsZSb whose mutation would impair the Z-ring formation under HHP conditions. Overall, these results demonstrate that FtsZ from the obligately piezophilic strain exhibits superior pressure tolerance than its homologue from shallow water species, both in vivo and in vitro. Differences in pressure tolerance of FtsZ are largely attributed to the N-terminal GTPase domain. This represents the first in-depth study of the adaptation of microbial cytoskeleton protein FtsZ to high hydrostatic pressure, which may provide insights into understanding the complex bioprocess of cell division under extreme environments.

An effective vaccine against influenza A virus based on the matrix protein 2 (M2).

The ever-increasing antigenic diversity of the hemagglutinin (HA) of influenza A virus (IAV) poses a significant challenge for effective vaccine development. Notably, the matrix protein 2 (M2) is a highly conserved 97 amino acid long transmembrane tetrameric protein present in the envelope of IAV. More than 99 % of IAV strains circulating in American swine herds share the identical pandemic (pdm) isoform of M2, making it an ideal target antigen for a vaccine that could elicit broadly protective immunity. Here, using soluble nanoscale membrane assemblies termed nanodiscs (NDs), we designed this membrane mimetic nanostructures displaying full-length M2 in its natural transmembrane configuration (M2ND). Intramuscular (IM) immunization of swine with M2ND mixed with conventional emulsion adjuvant elicited M2-specific IgG antibodies in the serum that recognized influenza virions and M2-specific interferon-γ secreting cells present in the blood. Intranasal (IN) immunization with M2ND adjuvanted with a mycobacterial extract elicited M2-specific IgA in mucosal secretions that also recognized IAV. Immunization with an influenza whole inactivated virus (WIV) vaccine supplemented with a concurrent IM injection of M2ND mixed with an emulsion adjuvant increased the level of protective immunity afforded by the former against a challenge with an antigenically distinct H3N2 IAV, as exhibited by an enhanced elimination of virus from the lung. The lone IM administration of the M2ND vaccine mixed with an emulsion adjuvant provided measurable protection as evidenced by a >10-fold reduction or complete elimination of the challenge virus from the lung, but it did not diminish the viral load in nasal secretions nor the extent of pneumonia that ensued after the virus challenge. In contrast, an improved formulation of the M2ND vaccine that incorporated synthetic CpG oligodeoxynucleotides (CpG-ODN) in the nanostructures administered alone, via the IN and IM routes combined, provided a significant level of protective immunity against IAV as evidenced by a decreased viral load in both the upper and lower respiratory tracts and fully eliminated the occurrence of pneumonia in 89 % of the pigs immunized with this biologic. Notably, to be effective, the M2 protein must be displayed in the ND assemblies, as shown by the observation that simply mixing M2 with empty NDs incorporating CpG-ODN (eND-CpG-ODN) did not provide protective immunity. This novel M2-based vaccine offers great promise to help increase the breadth of protection afforded by conventional WIV vaccines against the diversity of IAV in circulation and, plausibly, as a broadly protective stand-alone biologic.

Magnetic anisotropy and phononic properties of two-dimensional ferromagnetic Fe3GeS2 monolayer.

In 2023, Fe3GeS2 monolayer with Curie temperature of 630 K is predicted, which is promising to be used in next-generation spintronic devices. However, its magnetic anisotropy and phononic properties are still unclear. In this paper, we implemented the first-principles calculations on Fe3GeS2 monolayer, and found its ferromagnetic ground state with robustness to the -1.5%-1.3% biaxial strain. Meanwhile, the out-of-plane magnetic anisotropy dominated by dipolar interaction is found in Fe3GeS2 monolayer. Finally, we studied the phononic properties to identify the dynamical stability of Fe3GeS2 monolayer and highlight the contribution from the anharmonic interaction of optical phonons to the thermal expansion coefficient. We also find two single-phonon modes can be used to design quantum mechanical resonators with a wide cool-temperature range. These results can provide a comprehensive understanding of the magnetism and phonon properties of two-dimensional (2D) Fe3GeS2, beneficial for the application of 2D Fe3GeS2 in spintronics.

Aggregation-Induced Enhanced Electrochemiluminescence Resonance Energy Transfer Biosensor for Ultrasensitive Detection of Carcinoembryonic Antigen Based on Donor-Acceptor Organic Nanoparticles.

Aggregation-induced electrochemiluminescence (AIECL) combines the merits of aggregation-induced emission (AIE) and electrochemiluminescence (ECL), which has become a research hot spot in recent years. Therefore, we synthesized a novel AIE compound (Z)-3-(4-(2-butyl-1,3-dioxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-benzo[de]isoquinolin-6-yl)phenyl)-2-(4-(1,2,2-triphenylvinyl)phenyl)acrylonitrile (TPENI) with a donor-acceptor (D-A) structure, that is, a simple peripheral modification of 4-(2-butyl-1,3-dioxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-benzo[de]isoquinolin-6-yl) benzaldehyde (NI-CHO) with AIE-active tetraphenylethylene (TPE) to achieve the transition of NI-CHO from aggregation-caused quenching (ACQ) to an AIE molecule. When TPENI was in the aggregated state, the luminescence intensity was significantly enhanced due to the TPE structural unit restricting the free rotation of the intramolecular benzene ring, as well as the π-π stacking interactions of the molecules, which was conducive to the preparation of TPENI NPs as ECL materials. Satisfactorily, we found that the ECL intensity of TPENI NPs was increased by about 4.8-fold compared with that of the molecules dispersed in organic solution, and the stability reached about 1000 s. Based on the excellent ECL properties of TPENI NPs, an "on-off-on" ECL biosensor with a wider detection range (1 fg/mL to 100 ng/mL) and a lower detection limit of 0.20 fg/mL (S/N = 3) was proposed for sensitive analysis of a carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). Overall, this work provided a new approach to the realization of AIECL and laid the foundation for the application of naphthalimide derivatives in ECL.

Inability to Sit-to-Stand in Medical ICUs Survivors: When and Why We Should Care.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the prevalence and association with mortality of inability to perform sit-to-stand independently in critically ill survivors 3 months following medical ICU (MICU) discharge. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Six MICUs at a tertiary care hospital. PATIENTS: MICU survivors who could sit-to-stand independently before the index hospitalization. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Inability to sit-to-stand (yes/no) was measured at four points following MICU discharge: upon ICU discharge, 1, 2, and 3 months afterward. Mortality was evaluated at 6- and 12-month post-MICU discharge. Among 194 participants, 128 (66%) had inability to sit-to-stand upon MICU discharge. Recovery occurred, with rates decreasing to 50% at 1 month, 38% at 2 months, and 36% at 3 months post-MICU discharge, plateauing at 2 months. Inability to sit-to-stand at 3 months was significantly associated with 21% mortality at 12 months and a 4.2-fold increased risk of mortality (adjusted hazard ratio, 4.2; 95% CI, 1.61-10.99), independent of age, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score, and ICU-acquired weakness. Notably, improvement in sit-to-stand ability, even from "totally unable" to "able with assistance," correlates with reduced mortality risk. CONCLUSIONS: Inability to sit-to-stand affects about 36% of MICU survivors even at 3 months post-ICU discharge, highlighting rehabilitation challenges. Revisiting sit-to-stand ability post-ICU discharge is warranted. Additionally, using sit-to-stand as a screening tool for interventions to improve return of its function and mortality is suggested.