Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking Integrated with Molecular Dynamics Simulations Investigate the Pharmacological Mechanism of Yinchenhao Decoction in the Treatment of Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

BACKGROUND: Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) has become a significant health and economic burden globally. Yinchenhao decoction (YCHD) is a traditional Chinese medicine formula that has been validated to exert therapeutic effects on NAFLD. OBJECT: The current study aimed to explore the pharmacological mechanisms of YCHD on NAFLD and further identify the potential active compounds acting on the main targets. METHODS: Compounds in YCHD were screened and collected from TCMSP and published studies, and their corresponding targets were obtained from the SWISS and SEA databases. NAFLD-related targets were searched in the GeneCards and DisGeNet databases. The "compound- intersection target" network was constructed to recognize the key compounds. Moreover, a PPI network was constructed to identify potential targets. GO and KEGG analyses were performed to enrich the functional information of the intersection targets. Then, molecular docking was used to identify the most promising compounds and targets. Finally, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were performed to verify the binding affinity of the most potential compounds with the key targets. RESULTS: A total of 53 compounds and 556 corresponding drug targets were collected. Moreover, 2684 NAFLD-related targets were obtained, and 201 intersection targets were identified. Biological processes, including the apoptotic process, inflammatory response, xenobiotic metabolic process, and regulation of MAP kinase activity, were closely related to the treatment of NAFLD. Metabolic pathways, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, the MAPK signaling pathway, and the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway were found to be the key pathways. Molecular docking showed that quercetin and isorhamnetin were the potential active compounds, while AKT1, IL1B, and PPARG were the most promising targets. MD simulations further verified that the binding of PPARG-isorhamnetin (-35.96 ± 1.64 kcal/mol) and AKT1-quercetin (-31.47 ± 1.49 kcal/mol) was due to their lowest binding free energy. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that YCHD exerts therapeutic effects for the treatment of NAFLD through multiple targets and pathways, providing a theoretical basis for further pharmacological research on the potential mechanisms of YCHD in NAFLD.

An Organic Molecular Mimetic Metal-Free Heterogeneous Catalyst for Electrocatalytic Alkyne Semihydrogenation.

The direct construction of metal-free catalysts on conductive substrates for electrocatalytic organic hydrogenation reactions is significant but still unexplored. Here, learning from the homogeneous molecular catalysts, an organic molecular mimetic metal-free heterogeneous catalyst is designed and constructed in situ on a graphite flake electrode via a mild electrochemical oxidation‒reduction relay strategy. The as-prepared -COOH- and -OH-functionalized metal-free catalyst exhibits an electrocatalytic alkyne semihydrogenation performance with a 72% Faradaic efficiency, 99% selectivity and 96% yield of the alkene product, which is comparable to that of noble metal catalysts. The removal of these oxygen-containing groups leads to negligible activity. The experimental and calculation results reveal that the origin of the high activity can be assigned to the -COOH and -OH groups on graphite. A flow electrolytic cell delivers ten grams of hydrogenated products with 81% Faradaic efficiency. This metal-free catalyst is also suitable for gas-phase acetylene semihydrogenation and other electrocatalytic hydrogenation reactions.

Exendin-4, a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist, alleviates muscular dysfunction and wasting in a streptozotocin-induced diabetic mouse model compared to metformin.

Diabetic muscular atrophy is becoming a fast-growing problem worldwide, including sarcopenia, which is associated with substantial mortality and morbidity risk. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) have been marketed and suggested to exert protective effects on not only glycemic control but also diabetic complications in diabetic patients. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic use of GLP-1RAs exendin-4, compared to antidiabetic drug metformin, for the intervention of muscular dysfunction during diabetic conditions using a streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mouse model. The results showed that both exendin-4 and metformin could effectively alleviate hyperglycemia in diabetic mice, and also counteract diabetes-induced muscle weight loss, weaker grip, and changes in muscle fiber cross-sectional area distribution. Unexpectedly, exendin-4, but not metformin, enhanced the increased kidney weight and histological change in diabetic mice. Taken together, these findings suggest that both exendin-4 and metformin could effectively improve the diabetic hyperglycemia and muscular dysfunction; but exendin-4 may aggravate the nephropathy in STZ-induced diabetic mice.

Human biomonitoring of serum polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and oxygenated derivatives by gas chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry.

While polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are well-known for their potential carcinogenic and mutagenic effects, the health implications of exposure to oxygenated PAHs (OPAHs), which are significant substitutes with increased persistence and bioaccumulation, are less understood. In this work, we compared the background levels of liquid-liquid, solid-phase, and supported-liquid extraction for the determination of serum PAHs and OPAHs. Liquid-liquid extraction demonstrated minimal background interference and was validated and used for human biomonitoring of PAHs and OPAHs in 240 participants using gas chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. We observed significant positive correlations between these compounds using Spearman correlation analysis. Furthermore, we investigated the concentration levels and compositions of PAHs and OPAHs among different demographic characteristics, including gender, age, and body mass index. Linear regression analysis demonstrated a weak but significant correlation between total concentrations of PAHs and OPAHs and age and body mass index. A multivariate linear regression analysis was then conducted to examine the association of exposure to individual PAHs and OPAHs with the body mass index. Naphthalene exposure and body mass index showed a statistically significant positive correlation, suggesting that higher levels of naphthalene exposure are associated with higher body mass index values. This study establishes a robust method for biomonitoring PAHs and OPAHs in serum, evaluating the exposure levels of these compounds in healthy adults and highlighting their associations with demographic characteristics.

The structural basis of the activation and inhibition of DSR2 NADase by phage proteins.

DSR2, a Sir2 domain-containing protein, protects bacteria from phage infection by hydrolyzing NAD+. The enzymatic activity of DSR2 is triggered by the SPR phage tail tube protein (TTP), while suppressed by the SPbeta phage-encoded DSAD1 protein, enabling phages to evade the host defense. However, the molecular mechanisms of activation and inhibition of DSR2 remain elusive. Here, we report the cryo-EM structures of apo DSR2, DSR2-TTP-NAD+ and DSR2-DSAD1 complexes. DSR2 assembles into a head-to-head tetramer mediated by its Sir2 domain. The C-terminal helical regions of DSR2 constitute four partner-binding cavities with opened and closed conformation. Two TTP molecules bind to two of the four C-terminal cavities, inducing conformational change of Sir2 domain to activate DSR2. Furthermore, DSAD1 competes with the activator for binding to the C-terminal cavity of DSR2, effectively suppressing its enzymatic activity. Our results provide the mechanistic insights into the DSR2-mediated anti-phage defense system and DSAD1-dependent phage immune evasion.

A new species of Cincticostella Allen, 1971 (Ephemeroptera, Ephemerellidae) from Yunnan, China and establishment of a new species complex.

Cincticostellajianchuan sp. nov. from Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province, China, is described based on chorionic structure, nymph, and winged stages. The new species is closely related to C.fusca (Kang & Yang, 1995), but it can be distinguished in the male imago stage by its mesonotum and penes morphology, coloration, and the forking point of the stem of MA+Rs on the forewing; in the nymph stage, it can be distinguished by the length of the posterolateral projections of abdominal segment IX and the setation of the abdominal terga. Compared to other congeners, nymphs and male imagoes of the new species and C.fusca share several morphological characteristics, such as a larger body, mesothorax with medially notched anterolateral projections, forefemur without a subapical band of transverse spines of the nymphs, the area between C, Sc and R1 of the forewings distinctly pigmented, and an apical sclerite on the ventral face of the penes of the male imagoes, supporting the proposition of a new species complex, the jianchuan complex. The systematics of Cincticostella and related genera are discussed briefly.

Gender and age related brain structural and functional alterations in children with autism spectrum disorder.

To explore the effects of age and gender on the brain in children with autism spectrum disorder using magnetic resonance imaging. 185 patients with autism spectrum disorder and 110 typically developing children were enrolled. In terms of gender, boys with autism spectrum disorder had increased gray matter volumes in the insula and superior frontal gyrus and decreased gray matter volumes in the inferior frontal gyrus and thalamus. The brain regions with functional alterations are mainly distributed in the cerebellum, anterior cingulate gyrus, postcentral gyrus, and putamen. Girls with autism spectrum disorder only had increased gray matter volumes in the right cuneus and showed higher amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation in the paracentral lobule, higher regional homogeneity and degree centrality in the calcarine fissure, and greater right frontoparietal network-default mode network connectivity. In terms of age, preschool-aged children with autism spectrum disorder exhibited hypo-connectivity between and within auditory network, somatomotor network, and visual network. School-aged children with autism spectrum disorder showed increased gray matter volumes in the rectus gyrus, superior temporal gyrus, insula, and suboccipital gyrus, as well as increased amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation and regional homogeneity in the calcarine fissure and precentral gyrus and decreased in the cerebellum and anterior cingulate gyrus. The hyper-connectivity between somatomotor network and left frontoparietal network and within visual network was found. It is essential to consider the impact of age and gender on the neurophysiological alterations in autism spectrum disorder children when analyzing changes in brain structure and function.

Enhancing the Antitumor Efficacy of Oncolytic Adenovirus Through Sonodynamic Therapy-Augmented Virus Replication.

The therapeutic efficacy of oncolytic adenoviruses (OAs) relies on efficient viral transduction and replication. However, the limited expression of coxsackie-adenovirus receptors in many tumors, along with the intracellular antiviral signaling, poses significant obstacles to OA infection and oncolysis. Here, we present sonosensitizer-armed OAs (saOAs) that potentiate the antitumor efficacy of oncolytic virotherapy through sonodynamic therapy-augmented virus replication. The saOAs could not only efficiently infect tumor cells via transferrin receptor-mediated endocytosis but also exhibit enhanced viral replication and tumor oncolysis under ultrasound irradiation. We revealed that the sonosensitizer loaded on the viruses induced the generation of ROS within tumor cells, which triggered JNK-mediated autophagy, ultimately leading to the enhanced viral replication. In mouse models of malignant melanoma, the combination of saOAs and sonodynamic therapy elicited a robust antitumor immune response, resulting in significant inhibition of melanoma growth and improved host survival. This work highlights the potential of sonodynamic therapy in enhancing the effectiveness of OAs and provides a promising platform for fully exploiting the antitumor efficacy of oncolytic virotherapy.

Differential diagnosis value of sympathetic skin response and cutaneous silent period on early-stage multiple system atrophy and Parkinson disease.

PURPOSE: Early differentiation between Parkinson's disease (PD) and Multiple system atrophy (MSA), particularly the parkinsonian subtypes (MSA-P), is challenging due to similar clinical symptoms. We aimed to evaluate Sympathetic skin response (SSR) and Cutaneous silent period (CSP) parameters in patients with MSA-P and PD to identify possible biomarkers that could distinguish the two groups of patients in early stage. METHODS: 22 individuals with early-stage MSA-P, 29 with early-stage PD, and 28 healthy controls were recruited from Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital. Demographic data was collected for all participants. Their SSR and CSP were evaluated using clinical electromyography equipment. Data were compared between different groups. The diagnostic accuracy of SSR and CSP parameters was calculated using the ROC curve. Logistic regression was used to produce an integration model to enhance diagnostic utility. RESULTS: Foot amplitude, CSP end latency and duration distinguished MSA-P from PD with the area under the curve (AUC) 0.770, 0.806, and 0.776, respectively. Foot and hand SSR amplitude distinguished PD from HC with the AUC 0.871 and 0.768, respectively. Foot SSR amplitude, hand SSR amplitude, and CSP end latency distinguished MSA-P from HC with the AUC 0.964, 0.872, and 0.812, respectively. The combination of SSR and CSP parameters differentiation between MSA-P and PD, PD and HC with the AUC 0.829 and 0.879, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Analysis of SSR and CSP parameters showed excellent diagnostic accuracy in discriminating patients with early-stage MSA-P from HC and good diagnostic accuracy in discriminating patients with MSA-P from PD with early stages.

Optimizing processes of care and time to diagnosis in acute aortic dissection patients in a chest pain center by implementing a multidisciplinary cooperative first aid mode - A quality improvement report.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the effectiveness of a multidisciplinary cooperative first aid model in the process of establishing a chest pain center specializing in acute aortic dissection (AD). DESIGN: A quality improvement report. METHODS: A total of 142 patients with acute aortic dissection treated before and after the optimization of the chest pain center process in our hospital were included. According to their admission time: the group before the optimization process was designated as the control group (66 cases) and the group after the optimization process was the intervention group (76 cases). The control group received conventional emergency treatment, while the intervention group received treatment through a multidisciplinary cooperative first aid model. The treatment times for both groups were compared: the time from first medical contact(FMC) to completion of an electrocardiogram (ECG), the diagnosis time, and the time spent in the emergency department. RESULTS: The research findings revealed that the intervention group had significantly shorter times for FMC-to-ECG, diagnosis time, and emergency stay compared to the control group (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that by optimizing the multidisciplinary cooperative first aid model and procedures, the treatment of patients has indeed been effectively ensured, achieving safety outcomes. IMPLICATIONS FOR CLINICAL PRACTICE: For chest pain centers, we suggest that to use multidisciplinary cooperative first aid model to get repaid and definite diagnosis of various causes of chest pain. A bedside transthoracic echocardiography is recommended to use in order to identify AD before proceeding with further treatment.

Correlation between hearing loss and mild cognitive impairment in the elderly population: Mendelian randomization and cross-sectional study.

Background: Hearing loss and tinnitus have been linked to mild cognitive impairment (MCI); however, the evidence is constrained by ethical and temporal constraints, and few prospective studies have definitively established causation. This study aims to utilize Mendelian randomization (MR) and cross-sectional studies to validate and analyze this association. Methods: This study employs a two-step approach. Initially, the genetic data of the European population from the Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) database is utilized to establish the causal relationship between hearing loss and cognitive impairment through Mendelian randomization using the inverse variance weighted (IVW) method. This is achieved by identifying strongly correlated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), eliminating linkage disequilibrium, and excluding weak instrumental variables. In the second step, 363 elderly individuals from 10 communities in Qingdao, China are assessed and examined using methods questionnaire survey and pure tone audiology (PTA). Logistic regression and multiple linear regression were used to analyze the risk factors of MCI in the elderly and to calculate the cutoff values. Results: Mendelian randomization studies have shown that hearing loss is a risk factor for MCI in European populations, with a risk ratio of hearing loss to MCI loss of 1. 23. The findings of this cross-sectional study indicate that age, tinnitus, and hearing loss emerged as significant risk factors for MCI in univariate logistic regression analysis. Furthermore, multivariate logistic regression analysis identified hearing loss and tinnitus as potential risk factors for MCI. Consistent results were observed in multiple linear regression analysis, revealing that hearing loss and age significantly influenced the development of MCI. Additionally, a notable finding was that the likelihood of MCI occurrence increased by 9% when the hearing threshold exceeded 20 decibels. Conclusion: This study provides evidence from genomic and epidemiological investigations indicating that hearing loss may serve as a risk factor for cognitive impairment. While our epidemiological study has found both hearing loss and tinnitus as potential risk factors for cognitive decline, additional research is required to establish a causal relationship, particularly given that tinnitus can manifest as a symptom of various underlying medical conditions.

MT1E in AML: A Gateway to Understanding Regulatory Cell Death and Immunotherapeutic Responses.

Regulated cell death (RCD) plays a crucial role in the initiation and progression of tumors, particularly in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). This study investigates the prognostic importance of RCD-related genes in AML and their correlation with immune infiltration.We combined TCGA and GTEx data, analyzing 1488 RCD-related genes, to develop a predictive model using LASSO regression and survival analysis. The model's accuracy was validated against multiple databases, examining immune cell infiltration, therapy responses, and drug sensitivity among risk groups. RT-qPCR confirmed MT1E expression in AML patients and healthy bone marrow. CCK8 and Transwell assays measured cell proliferation, adhesion, migration, and invasion, while flow cytometry and Western blotting assessed apoptosis and protein expression.We developed a prognostic model using 10 RCD methods, which demonstrated strong predictive ability, showing an inverse correlation between age and risk scores with survival in AML patients. Functional enrichment analysis of the model is linked to immune modulation pathways. RT-qPCR revealed significantly lower MT1E expression in AML versus healthy bone marrow (p<0.05). Consequently, experiments were designed to assess the function of MT1E overexpression.Findings indicated that MT1E overexpression showed it significantly reduced THP-1 cell proliferation and adhesion(p<0.001), decreased migration(p<0.001) and invasiveness(p<0.05), and increased apoptosis(p<0.05), with a notable rise in Caspase3 expression.A novel AML RCD risk model was developed, showing promise as a prognostic marker for evaluating outcomes and immune therapy effectiveness. Insights into MT1E's impact on AML cell proliferation and apoptosis open possibilities for improving patient outcomes and devising personalized treatment strategies.

GHS-R1a deficiency protects against lipopolysaccharide-induced spatial memory impairment in mice.

Neuroinflammation has been implicated in cognitive deficits of neurological and neurodegenerative diseases. There is abundant evidence that the application of ghrelin, an orexigenic hormone regulating appetite and energy balance, abrogates neuroinflammation and rescues associated memory impairment. However, the underlying mechanism is uncertain. In this study, we find that both intraperitoneal (i.p.) and intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) impairs spatial memory in mice. LPS treatment causes neuroinflammation and microglial activation in the hippocampus. Ghsr1a deletion suppresses LPS-induced microglial activation and neuroinflammation, and rescued LPS-induced memory impairment. Our findings thus suggest that GHS-R1a signaling may promote microglial immunoactivation and contribute to LPS-induced neuroinflammation. GHS-R1a may be a new therapeutic target for cognitive dysfunction associated with inflammatory conditions.

Spinocerebellar ataxias: from pathogenesis to recent therapeutic advances.

Spinocerebellar ataxia is a phenotypically and genetically heterogeneous group of autosomal dominant-inherited degenerative disorders. The gene mutation spectrum includes dynamic expansions, point mutations, duplications, insertions, and deletions of varying lengths. Dynamic expansion is the most common form of mutation. Mutations often result in indistinguishable clinical phenotypes, thus requiring validation using multiple genetic testing techniques. Depending on the type of mutation, the pathogenesis may involve proteotoxicity, RNA toxicity, or protein loss-of-function. All of which may disrupt a range of cellular processes, such as impaired protein quality control pathways, ion channel dysfunction, mitochondrial dysfunction, transcriptional dysregulation, DNA damage, loss of nuclear integrity, and ultimately, impairment of neuronal function and integrity which causes diseases. Many disease-modifying therapies, such as gene editing technology, RNA interference, antisense oligonucleotides, stem cell technology, and pharmacological therapies are currently under clinical trials. However, the development of curative approaches for genetic diseases remains a global challenge, beset by technical, ethical, and other challenges. Therefore, the study of the pathogenesis of spinocerebellar ataxia is of great importance for the sustained development of disease-modifying molecular therapies.

Quantification of urinary podocyte-derived migrasomes for the diagnosis of kidney disease.

Migrasomes represent a recently uncovered category of extracellular microvesicles, spanning a diameter range of 500 to 3000 nm. They are emitted by migrating cells and harbour a diverse array of RNAs and proteins. Migrasomes can be readily identified in bodily fluids like serum and urine, rendering them a valuable non-invasive source for disease diagnosis through liquid biopsy. In this investigation, we introduce a streamlined and effective approach for the capture and quantitative assessment of migrasomes, employing wheat germ agglutinin (WGA)-coated magnetic beads and flow cytometry (referred to as WBFC). Subsequently, we examined the levels of migrasomes in the urine of kidney disease (KD) patients with podocyte injury and healthy volunteers using WBFC. The outcomes unveiled a substantial increase in urinary podocyte-derived migrasome concentrations among individuals with KD with podocyte injury compared to the healthy counterparts. Notably, the urinary podocyte-derived migrasomes were found to express an abundant quantity of phospholipase A2 receptor (PLA2R) proteins. The presence of PLA2R proteins in these migrasomes holds promise for serving as a natural antigen for the quantification of autoantibodies against PLA2R in the serum of patients afflicted by membranous nephropathy. Consequently, our study not only pioneers a novel technique for the isolation and quantification of migrasomes but also underscores the potential of urinary migrasomes as a promising biomarker for the early diagnosis of KD with podocyte injury.

Evaluating the necessity of lymph node sampling in lung adenocarcinoma with ground glass opacities.

BACKGROUND: Ground glass opacity is observed frequently in the early stages of lung adenocarcinoma and is associated with a favorable prognosis and a low incidence of lymph node metastasis. However, the necessity of lymph node sampling in these patients is questionable, although current guidelines still recommend it. METHODS: Radiologic and clinical data were retrospectively collected and analyzed for 2,298 patients with lung cancer who underwent surgical resection for lesions ≤15 mm during 2022. Based on the consolidation tumor ratios, patients were categorized into 4 groups (pure ground glass opacity, ground glass opacity-predominant, solid-predominant, and pure solid). The incidence of lymph node metastasis in each group was examined. RESULTS: A total of 2,298 patients with a median age of 54.0 years were enrolled in this study. Tumors were categorized into 4 types: 1,427 (62.1%) were pure ground glass opacity, which constituted the majority, while 421 (18.3%) were ground glass opacity-predominant, 330 (14.4%) were solid-predominant, and the remaining 120 (5.2%) were pure solid. Significant positive correlations were revealed between the consolidation tumor ratio group and pathologic grade (P < .001, ρ = 0.307), T stage (P < .001, ρ = 0.270), and N stage (P < .001, ρ = 0.105). Among the included cases, only 7 cases with metastasis were in the pure solid group. Within this group, 113 cases (94.2%) were N0, 5 cases (4.2%) were N1, and 2 cases (1.7%) were N2. CONCLUSION: Lymph node metastasis exclusively occurred in the pure solid group, suggesting that for nodules <15 mm, lymph node sampling may be crucial for pure solid nodules but less so for those containing ground glass opacities.

ß-arrestin2 is indispensable for the antidepressant effects of fluoxetine via inhibiting astrocytic pyroptosis in chronic mild stress mouse model for depression.

ß-arrestin2 is a versatile protein for signaling transduction in brain physiology and pathology. Herein, we investigated the involvement of ß-arrestin2 in pharmacological effects of fluoxetine for depression. A chronic mild stress (CMS) model was established using wild-type (WT) and ß-arrestin2-/- mice. Behavioral results demonstrated that CMS mice showed increased immobility time in the tail suspension test and forced swimming test, elevated concentrations of pro-inflammatory factors in peripheral blood, increased expression of pyroptosis-related proteins, and increased co-labeling of glial fibrillary acidic protein and Caspase1 p10 in the hippocampus compared to the CON group. Treatment with fluoxetine (FLX) ameliorated these conditions. However, compared with the ß-arrestin2-/- CMS group, these results of the ß-arrestin2-/- CMS + FLX group showed no significant changes. These results suggested that the above effects of FLX could be eliminated by knocking out ß-arrestin2. Mass spectrometry implying that FLX promoted the binding of ß-arrestin2 to the NLRP2 inflammasome of depressed mice. Subsequently, the results of the cellular experiments suggested that the 5HT2B receptor antagonist may attenuate L-kynurenine + ATP-induced cell pyroptosis by attenuating NLRP2 binding to ß-arrestin2. We further found that the lack of ß-arrestin2 eliminated the anti-pyroptosis effect of fluoxetine. In conclusion, ß-arrestin2 is an essential protein for fluoxetine to alleviate pyroptosis in the hippocampal astrocytes of CMS mice. Mechanistically, we found that the 5-HT2BR-ß-arrestin2-NLRP2 axis is vital for maintaining the antidepressant effects of fluoxetine.

The influence of music performance anxiety on career expectations of early musical career students: self-efficacy as a moderator.

Music performance anxiety (MPA) is recognized as a distinct emotional behavior rather than merely a motor control disorder and is influenced by specific conditioning experiences. This study investigates the interrelationships between MPA, self-efficacy, and future career expectations among music students within the Chinese context. The participants of this study were 340 high school students majoring in music education and performance, drawn from three music schools in China. Data were collected using several questionnaires: the MPA Inventory for Adolescents (MPAI-A), the Self-Efficacy Formative Questionnaire, and the Career Futures Inventory (CFI). The findings indicate that MPA is negatively associated with self-efficacy and future career expectations. Additionally, self-efficacy acts as a partial moderator between MPA and career expectations, suggesting that enhancing the self-efficacy of music students can boost their future career aspirations and mitigate the adverse effects of MPA. This research explores the complex relationships among MPA, self-efficacy, and future career expectations, emphasizing the importance of curriculum and pedagogical strategies in music schools. Music students with high levels of self-efficacy may exhibit more confidence and stable performances before audiences. According to the panel regression analysis, self-efficacy significantly positively influences career expectations. An appropriate educational environment and supportive pedagogical approaches to MPA can foster the early career development of musicians.

Peptide-TLR7/8a-Coordinated DNA Vaccines Elicit Enhanced Immune Responses against Infectious Diseases.

DNA vaccines represent an innovative approach for the immunization of diverse diseases. However, their clinical trial outcomes are constrained by suboptimal transfection efficiency and immunogenicity. In this work, we present a universal methodology involving the codelivery of Toll-like receptor 7/8 agonists (TLR7/8a) and antigen gene using TLR7/8a-conjugated peptide-coated poly(ß-amino ester) (PBAE) nanoparticles (NPs) to augment delivery efficiency and immune response. Peptide-TLR7/8a-coated PBAE NPs exhibit advantageous biophysical attributes, encompassing diminutive particle dimensions, nearly neutral ζ potential, and stability in the physiological environment. This synergistic approach not only ameliorates the stability of plasmid DNA (pDNA) and gene delivery efficacy but also facilitates subsequent antigen production. Furthermore, under optimal formulation conditions, the TLR7/8a-conjugated peptide coated PBAE NPs exhibit a potent capacity to induce robust immune responses. Collectively, this nanoparticulate gene delivery system demonstrates heightened transfection efficacy, stability, biodegradability, immunostimulatory effect, and low toxicity, making it a promising platform for the clinical advancement of DNA vaccines.

Short Didysprosium Covalent Bond Enables High Magnetization Blocking Temperature of a Direct 4f-4f Coupled Dinuclear Single-Molecule Magnet.

Coupling two magnetic anisotropic lanthanide ions via a direct covalent bond is an effective way to realize high magnetization blocking temperature of single-molecule magnets (SMMs) by suppressing quantum tunneling of magnetization (QTM), whereas so far only single-electron lanthanide-lanthanide bonds with relatively large bond distances are stabilized in which coupling between lanthanide and the single electron dominates over weak direct 4f-4f coupling. Herein, we report for the first time synthesis of short Dy(II)-Dy(II) single bond (3.61 Å) confined inside a carbon cage in the form of an endohedral metallofullerene Dy2@C82. Such a direct Dy(II)-Dy(II) covalent bond renders a strong Dy-Dy antiferromagnetic coupling that effectively quenches QTM at zero magnetic field, thus opening up magnetic hysteresis up to 25 K using a field sweep rate of 25 Oe/s, concomitant with a high 100 s magnetization blocking temperature (TB,100s) of 27.2 K.