Clinical efficacy and future application of indigo naturalis in the treatment of ulcerative colitis.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease characterized by non-specific inflammation. Managing UC presents significant challenges due to its chronic nature and high recurrence rates. Indigo naturalis has emerged as a potential therapeutic agent in clinical UC treatment, demonstrating advantages in alleviating refractory UC and maintaining remission periods compared to other therapeutic approaches. AIM OF REVIEW: This review aims to elucidate the potential mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of indigo naturalis in UC treatment, assess its clinical efficacy, advantages, and limitations, and provide insights into methods and strategies for utilizing indigo naturalis in UC management. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Comprehensive data on indigo naturalis were collected from reputable online databases including PubMed, GreenMedical, Web of Science, Google Scholar, China National Knowledge Infrastructure Database, and National Intellectual Property Administration. RESULTS: Clinical studies have demonstrated that indigo naturalis, either alone or in combination with other drugs, yields favorable outcomes in UC treatment. Its mechanisms of action involve modulation of the AHR receptor, anti-inflammatory properties, regulation of intestinal flora, restoration of the intestinal barrier, and modulation of immunity. Despite its efficacy in managing refractory UC and prolonging remission periods, indigo naturalis treatment is associated with adverse reactions, quality variations, and inadequate pharmacokinetic investigations. CONCLUSION: The therapeutic effects of indigo naturalis in UC treatment are closely linked to its ability to regulate the AHR receptor, exert anti-inflammatory effects, mcodulate intestinal flora, restore the intestinal barrier, and regulate immunity. Addressing the current shortcomings, including adverse reactions, quality control issues, and insufficient pharmacokinetic data, is crucial for optimizing the clinical utility of indigo naturalis in UC management. By refining patient-centered treatment strategies, indigo naturalis holds promise for broader application in UC treatment, thereby alleviating the suffering of UC patients.

Programming gel automata shapes using DNA instructions.

The ability to transform matter between numerous physical states or shapes without wires or external devices is a major challenge for robotics and materials design. Organisms can transform their shapes using biomolecules carrying specific information and localize at sites where transitions occur. Here, we introduce gel automata, which likewise can transform between a large number of prescribed shapes in response to a combinatorial library of biomolecular instructions. Gel automata are centimeter-scale materials consisting of multiple micro-segments. A library of DNA activator sequences can each reversibly grow or shrink different micro-segments by polymerizing or depolymerizing within them. We develop DNA activator designs that maximize the extent of growth and shrinking, and a photolithography process for precisely fabricating gel automata with elaborate segmentation patterns. Guided by simulations of shape change and neural networks that evaluate gel automata designs, we create gel automata that reversibly transform between multiple, wholly distinct shapes: four different letters and every even or every odd numeral. The sequential and repeated metamorphosis of gel automata demonstrates how soft materials and robots can be digitally programmed and reprogrammed with information-bearing chemical signals.

C60 Fullerene-Induced Reduction of Metal Ions: Synthesis of C60-Metal Cluster Heterostructures with High Electrocatalytic Hydrogen-Evolution Performance.

Metal clusters, due to their small dimensions, contain a high proportion of surface atoms, thus possessing a significantly improved catalytic activity compared with their bulk counterparts and nanoparticles. Defective and modified carbon supports are effective in stabilizing metal clusters, however, the synthesis of isolated metal clusters still requires multiple steps and harsh conditions. Herein, we develop a C60 fullerene-driven spontaneous metal deposition process, where C60 serves as both a reductant and an anchor, to achieve uniform metal (Rh, Ir, Pt, Pd, Au and Ru) clusters without the need for any defects or functional groups on C60. Density functional theory calculations reveal that C60 possesses multiple strong metal adsorption sites, which favors stable and uniform deposition of metal atoms. In addition, owing to the electron-withdrawing properties of C60, the electronic structures of metal clusters are effectively regulated, not only optimizing the adsorption behavior of reaction intermediates but also accelerating the kinetics of hydrogen evolution reaction. The synthesized Ru/C60-300 exhibits remarkable performance for hydrogen evolution in an alkaline condition. This study demonstrates a facile and efficient method for synthesizing effective fullerene-supported metal cluster catalysts without any pretreatment and additional reducing agent.

Anti-tumor effects of nanosecond pulsed electric fields in a murine model of pancreatic cancer.

Nanosecond Pulsed Electric Fields (nsPEFs) treatment has demonstrated anti-tumor effects on various cancer cell lines. However, the use of this treatment in pancreatic cancer is limited. This study demonstrated that nsPEFs treatment effectively suppressed the proliferation and metastasis of pancreatic cancer cells, while also inducing DNA damage. Meanwhile, animal experiments have shown that nsPEFs effectively suppressed the growth of pancreatic cancer, even in cases where the tumor volume exceeded 500-600 mm3 at the initiation of treatment. Notably, a single treatment session was found to significantly inhibit tumor growth, while also showing no adverse effects on the main organs of the mice. RNA sequencing and bioinformatics revealed that seven key genes (CDK1, CENPA, UBE2C, CCNB2, PLK1, CCNA2, and CCNB14) were significantly correlated with the overall survival rate of patients with pancreatic cancer. Through the application of the competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) hypothesis, two miRNAs (has-let-7b-5p and hsa-miR-193b-3p) and four lncRNAs (MIR4435-2HG, ZNF436-AS1, LINC01089, and MIR4435-2HG) were identified as significantly impacting the overall survival of pancreatic cancer patients. We have effectively developed an mRNA-miRNA-lncRNA network that has the potential to stimulate further investigation into the underlying mechanisms of nsPEFs on pancreatic cancer.

An AIE probe for the fluorescence and colorimetric sensing of La3.

In this work, a fluorescent probe N with aggregation-induced emission effect was synthesized by grafting naphtho[2,3-c]furan-1,3-dione and 2-hydrazinylbenzo[d]thiazole. The probe N could recognize La3+ selectively and sensitively accompanied with an obvious fluorescence and color change from green to blue. Moreover, with the help of AIE properties, probe N achieved the detection of La3+ in the solid state.

Dietary supplementation with a novel acidifier sodium diformate improves growth performance by increasing growth-related hormones levels and prevents Salmonella enterica serovar Pullorum infection in chickens.

Since the use of antibiotics as growth promoters in animal feed has been restricted or banned in several countries, finding suitable alternatives is crucial for maintaining animal health. In this study, a novel formate acidifier named sodium diformate (NaDF) was synthesized, and the effects on growth performance and the prevention effects against Salmonella enterica serovar Pullorum infections in chickens were assessed. In broilers, NaDF supplementation improved growth performance, as evidenced by increased body weights and reduced feed conversion ratios. At 38 days of age, NaDF supplementation increased the levels of growth-hormone and ghrelin in the serum, lowered pH values in the gut, improved duodenal morphology, as shown by increased villus length/crypt depth ratios. NaDF also modulated the abundance of beneficial and harmful bacteria without changing the general microbiota diversity and short-chain fatty acids levels, which would be beneficial for maintaining gut homeostasis during its use. NaDF exhibited a broad spectrum of antibacterial activity in vitro. Supplementation with NaDF effectively decreased S. Pullorum colonization in the cecum, liver and spleen in chickens, and mitigated pathological changes in the tissues. Therefore, as a novel acidifier, NaDF can improve chicken growth performance by increasing growth-related hormones levels while maintaining the diversity of gut microbiota, and also resist intestinal bacterial infection. These results provided evidences for the application of NaDF as an effective and safe animal feed in poultry farming.

The mediating role of self-esteem in the relationship between hope and life satisfaction among university students during a global health crisis.

Background and Aims: The worldwide health emergency sparked by the COVID-19 pandemic has deeply shaken educational environments, posing unprecedented challenges to university students' well-being. While individual links between self-esteem, hope, and well-being are established, their combined impacts during crises remain underexplored. Our study addresses this gap by investigating the interplay among hope, self-esteem, and life satisfaction within the context of university students navigating the challenges posed by the pandemic. Methods: Conducting an online cross-sectional self-administered survey during Hong Kong's third pandemic wave, we measured hope, self-esteem, and life satisfaction using validated scales. Three hundred and fifteen university students (211 females; mean age = 22.08; SD = 2.74) participated. Results: Through multiple regression and mediation analyses, our findings indicate that university students with elevated hope and self-esteem scored higher on life satisfaction measures. Specifically, our analysis revealed that self-esteem may serve as a partial mediator in the relationship between hope and life satisfaction, highlighting how heightened hope indirectly enhances life satisfaction by strengthening self-esteem. Conclusion: This study reveals intricate relationships among hope, self-esteem, and life satisfaction in university students, particularly during external adversities like the COVID-19 pandemic. The implications extend to mental health interventions, emphasizing the potential benefits of cultivating hope and self-esteem to enhance life satisfaction among university students confronting formidable challenges.

Pueraria lobata-Prunus mume Complex Alleviates Alcoholic Liver Disease by Regulating Lipid Metabolism and Inhibiting Inflammation: A Transcriptome and Gut Microbiota Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Lipid metabolism disorder appears to be one of the early features of alcoholic liver disease (ALD), which can be speculated via omics analysis including liver transcriptomics and gut microbiota. A complex consisting of the roots of Pueraria lobata and dried fruits of Prunus mume (PPC), which possesses hepatoprotective effects, could serve as a drug or functional food. The lack of non-polysaccharide compounds in PPC with their moderation effects on gut microbiota suggests the necessity for a relevant study. METHODS: Six groups of Kunming mice (control, Baijiu injury, silybin, low, medium, and high) were modelled by gavage with Baijiu (for 14 days) and PPC (equivalent to a maximum dose of 9 g/kg in humans). The liver transcriptome data were analyzed to predict gene annotation, followed by the verification of gut microbiota, serum, tissue staining, immunohistochemistry, and Western blotting. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to detect the components. RESULTS: PPC normalized serum ALT (40 U/L), down-regulated TLR4-NF-κB signaling pathway to inhibit the release of TNF-α (90 pg/mL), improved the expression of occludin, claudin-4, and ZO-1, and restored the abundance of Muribaculaceae, Bacteroides and Streptococcus. CONCLUSION: PPC can alleviate ALD by regulating the gut microbiota with an anti-inflammatory and intestinal barrier, and has an application value in developing functional foods.

Replay-triggered brain-wide activation in humans.

The consolidation of discrete experiences into a coherent narrative shapes the cognitive map, providing structured mental representations of our experiences. In this process, past memories are reactivated and replayed in sequence, fostering hippocampal-cortical dialogue. However, brain-wide engagement coinciding with sequential reactivation (or replay) of memories remains largely unexplored. In this study, employing simultaneous EEG-fMRI, we capture both the spatial and temporal dynamics of memory replay. We find that during mental simulation, past memories are replayed in fast sequences as detected via EEG. These transient replay events are associated with heightened fMRI activity in the hippocampus and medial prefrontal cortex. Replay occurrence strengthens functional connectivity between the hippocampus and the default mode network, a set of brain regions key to representing the cognitive map. On the other hand, when subjects are at rest following learning, memory reactivation of task-related items is stronger than that of pre-learning rest, and is also associated with heightened hippocampal activation and augmented hippocampal connectivity to the entorhinal cortex. Together, our findings highlight a distributed, brain-wide engagement associated with transient memory reactivation and its sequential replay.

Designing Heterodiatomic Carbon Hydrangea Superstructures via Machine Learning-Regulated Solvent-Precursor Interactions for Superior Zinc Storage.

Carbon superstructures with exquisite morphologies and functionalities show appealing prospects in energy realms, but the systematic tailoring of their microstructures remains a perplexing topic. Here, hydrangea-shaped heterodiatomic carbon superstructures (CHS) are designed using a solution phase manufacturing route, wherein machine learning workflow is applied to screen precursor-matched solvent for optimizing solvent-precursor interaction. Based on the established solubility parameter model and molecular growth kinetics simulation, ethanol as the optimal solvent stimulates thermodynamic solubilization and growth of polymeric intermediates to evoke CHS. Featured with surface-active motifs and consecutive charge transfer paths, CHS allows high accessibility of zincophilic sites and fast ion migration with low energy barriers. A anion-cation hybrid charge storage mechanism of CHS cathode is disclosed, which entails physical alternate uptake of Zn2+/CF3SO3 - ions at electroactive sites and chemical bipedal redox of Zn2+ ions with carbonyl/pyridine motifs. Such a beneficial electrochemistry contributes to all-round improvement in Zn-ion storage, involving excellent capacities (231 mAh g-1 at 0.5 A g-1; 132 mAh g-1 at 50 A g-1), high energy density (152 Wh kg-1), and long-lasting cyclability (100 000 cycles). This work expands the design versatilities of superstructure materials and will accelerate experimental procedures during carbon manufacturing through machine learning in the future.

Gastrodin Liposomes Block Crosstalk between Astrocytes and Glioma Cells via Downregulating Cx43 to Improve Antiglioblastoma Efficacy of Temozolomide.

The crosstalk between glioma cells and astrocytes plays a crucial role in developing temozolomide (TMZ) resistance of glioblastomas, together with the existence of the BBB contributing to the unsatisfactory clinical treatment of glioblastomas. Herein, we developed a borneol-modified and gastrodin-loaded liposome (Bo-Gas-LP), with the intent of enhancing the efficacy of TMZ therapy after intranasal administration. The results showed that Bo-Gas-LP improved GL261 cells' sensitivity to TMZ and prolonged survival of GL261-bearing mice by blocking the crosstalk between astrocytes and glioblastoma cells with the decrease of Cx43. Our study showed that intranasal Bo-Gas-LP targeting the crosstalk in glioblastoma microenvironments proposed a promising targeted therapy idea to overcome the current therapeutic limitations of TMZ-resistant glioblastomas.

Fasting hypertriglyceridemia in relation to mortality in an elderly male Chinese population.

We investigated fasting hypertriglyceridemia as predictors of all-cause, cardiovascular, and non-cardiovascular mortality in an elderly male Chinese population, while accounting for various conventional cardiovascular risk factors. Our participants were elderly men recruited from residents living in a suburban town of Shanghai (≥60 years of age, n = 1583). Hypertriglyceridemia was defined as a fasting serum triglycerides concentration ≥1.70 mmol/L. Subgroup analyses were performed according to current smoking (yes vs. no), alcohol intake (yes vs. no), and the presence and absence of hypertension and hyperglycemia. During a median of 7.9 years follow-up, all-cause, cardiovascular, and non-cardiovascular deaths occurred in 279, 112, and 167 participants, respectively. After adjustment for confounding factors, fasting hypertriglyceridemia was not significantly (p ≥ .33) associated with the risk of all-cause, cardiovascular, and non-cardiovascular mortality. However, there was significant (p = .03) interaction between hypertriglyceridemia and the presence and absence of hypertension in relation to all-cause mortality. In normotensive, but not hypertensive individuals, hypertriglyceridemia was significantly associated with a higher risk of all-cause mortality (hazard ratio 1.57, 95% confidence interval 1.06-2.31). In further non-parametric analyses in normotensive individuals, the age-standardized rate for all-cause mortality increased from 18.9 in quartile 1 to 20.0, to 24.7, and to 39.9 per 1000 person-years in quartiles 2, 3, and 4 of serum triglycerides concentration, respectively (ptrend = .0004). Similar results were observed for cardiovascular mortality. Our study in elderly male Chinese showed that fasting hypertriglyceridemia was associated with a higher risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in patients with normotension but not those with hypertension.

Single-Nucleus Landscape of Glial Cells and Neurons in Alzheimer's Disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease with a projected significant increase in incidence. Therefore, this study analyzed single-nucleus AD data to provide a theoretical basis for the clinical development and treatment of AD. We downloaded AD-related monocyte data from the Gene Expression Omnibus database, annotated cells, compared cell abundance between groups, and investigated glial and neuronal cell biological processes and pathways through functional enrichment analysis. Furthermore, we constructed a global regulatory network for AD based on cell communication and ecological analyses. Our findings revealed increased abundance of Capping Protein Regulator And Myosin 1 linker 1 (CARMIL1)+ astrocytes (AST), Immunoglobulin Superfamily Member 21 (IGSF21)+ microglia (MIC), SRY-Box Transcription Factor 6 (SOX6)+ inhibitory neurons (InNeu), and laminin alpha-2 chain (LAMA2)+ oligodendrocytes (OLI) cell subgroups in tissues of patients with AD, while prostaglandin D2 synthase (PTGDS)+ AST, Src Family Tyrosine Kinase (FYN)+ MIC, and Proteolipid Protein 1 (PLP1)+ InNeu subgroups specifically decreased. We found that the cell phenotype of patients with AD shifted from a simpler to a more complex state compared to the control group. Cell communication analysis revealed strong communication between MIC and NEU. Furthermore, AST, MIC, NEU, and OLI were involved in oxidative stress- and inflammation-related pathways, potentially contributing to disease development. This study provides a theoretical basis for further exploring the specific mechanisms underlying AD.

Exploring the Mediating Role of Self-Regulation in Bullying Victimization and Depressive Symptoms among Adolescents: A Cross-Regional and Gender Analysis.

This study explores the mediating role of self-regulation in the relationship between bullying victimization and depressive symptoms among adolescents, considering the moderating effects of gender and region. A cross-sectional analysis was conducted with 3984 adolescents aged 12-18 from the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and the Netherlands. Data were collected via an online survey administered through Qualtrics. The survey included validated measures such as the Illinois Bullying Scale (IBS) to measure bullying victimization, the Adolescent Self-Regulatory Inventory (ASRI) to measure self-regulation, and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ) to measure depression. The SPSS macro PROCESS was employed for data analysis, with model 4 used for testing the mediating effects of self-regulation and model 1 for assessing the moderating effects of gender and region. The results demonstrated significant associations between bullying victimization, self-regulation, and depressive symptoms. Self-regulation mediated the positive association between bullying victimization and depression, with notable variations across genders and regions. Specifically, male students in Hong Kong exhibited an increased susceptibility to depression when subjected to bullying. These findings underscore the protective role of self-regulation in mitigating the adverse effects of bullying victimization on adolescent mental health. Implications for interventions and prevention strategies targeting adolescent depression are discussed.

Smartphone as an alternative to measure chlorophyll-a concentration in small waterbodies.

Monitoring chlorophyll-a concentrations (Chl-a, µg·L-1) in aquatic ecosystems has attracted much attention due to its direct link to harmful algal blooms. However, there has been a lack of a cost-effective method for measuring Chl-a in small waterbodies. Inspired by the increase of smartphone photography, a Smartphone-based convolutional neural networks (CNN) framework (SCCA) was developed to estimate Chl-a in Aquatic ecosystem. To evaluate the performance of SCCA, 238 paired records (a smartphone image with a 12-color background and a measured Chl-a value) were collected from diverse aquatic ecosystems (e.g., rivers, lakes and ponds) across China in 2023. Our performance-evaluation results revealed a NS and R2 value of 0.90 and 0.94 in Chl-a estimation, demonstrating a satisfactory (NS = 0.84, R2 = 0.86) model fit in lower Chl-a (<30 µg L-1) conditions. SCCA had involved a realtime-update method with hyperparameter optimization technology. In comparison with the existing methods of measuring Chl-a, SCCA provides a useful screening tool for cost-effective measurement of Chl-a and has the potential for being an algal bloom screening means in small waterbodies, using Huajin River as a case study, especially under limited resources for water measurement. Overall, we highlight that the SCCA can be potentially integrated into a smartphone application in the future to diverse waterbodies in environmental management.

"Learn from Errors": Post-traumatic growth among second victims.

BACKGROUND: Second victims, defined as healthcare providers enduring emotional and psychological distress after patient safety incidents (PSIs). The potential for positive transformation through these experiences is underexplored but is essential for fostering a culture of error learning and enhancing patient care. OBJECTIVE: To explore the level and determinants of post-traumatic growth (PTG), applying the stress process model. METHODS: The study was conducted at a tertiary general hospital in Chongqing, China. A descriptive, cross-sectional study design was used. A total of 474 s victims were included. An online survey was conducted in November 2021 to assess various factors related to the second victim experience. These factors included PSIs (considered as stressors), coping styles, perceived threats, and social support (acting as mediators), as well as the outcomes of second victim syndrome (SVS) and PTG. Statistical description, correlation analysis, and structural equation modeling were utilized for the data analysis. A p-value ≤ 0.05 was considered to indicate statistical significance. RESULTS: The participants reported moderate distress (SVS = 2.84 ± 0.85) and PTG (2.72 ± 0.85). The total effects on SVS of perceived threat, negative coping, social support, positive coping, and PSIs were 0.387, 0.359, -0.355, -0.220, and 0.115, respectively, accounting for 47% of the variation in SVS. The total effects of social support, positive coping, and PSIs on PTG were 0.355, 0.203, and - 0.053, respectively, accounting for 19% of the variation in PTG. CONCLUSIONS: The study provides novel insights into the complex interplay between perceived threats, coping styles, and social support in facilitating PTG among second victims. By bolstering social support and promoting adaptive coping strategies, the adverse effects of PSIs can be mitigated, transforming them into opportunities for resilience and growth, and offering a fresh perspective on managing PSIs in healthcare settings.

Enhancing lymph node metastasis prediction in adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction: A study combining radiomic with clinical features.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction (AEJ) is increasing, and with poor prognosis. Lymph node status (LNs) is particularly important for planning treatment and evaluating the prognosis of patients with AEJ. However, the use of radiomic based on enhanced computed tomography (CT) to predict the preoperative lymph node metastasis (PLNM) status of the AEJ has yet to be reported. PURPOSE: We sought to investigate the value of radiomic features based on enhanced CT in the accurate prediction of PLNM in patients with AEJ. METHODS: Clinical features and enhanced CT data of 235 patients with AEJ from October 2017 to May 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. The data were randomly assigned to the training cohort (n = 164) or the external testing cohort (n = 71) at a ratio of 7:3. A CT-report model, clinical model, radiomic model, and radiomic-clinical combined model were developed to predict PLNM in patients with AEJ. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were used to screen for independent clinical risk factors. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression was used to select the radiomic features. Finally, a nomogram for the preoperative prediction of PLNM in AEJ was constructed by combining Radiomics-score and clinical risk factors. The models were evaluated by area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC-ROC), calibration curve, and decision curve analyses. RESULTS: A total of 181 patients (181/235, 77.02%) had LNM. In the testing cohort, the AUC of the radiomic-clinical model was 0.863 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.738-0.957], and the radiomic model (0.816; 95% CI = 0.681-0.929), clinical model (0.792; 95% CI = 0.677-0.888), and CT-report model (0.755; 95% CI = 0.647-0.840). CONCLUSION: The radiomic-clinical model is a feasible method for predicting PLNM in patients with AEJ, helping to guide clinical decision-making and personalized treatment planning.

Sustainable protein/polysaccharide aerogel for the simultaneous and efficient removal of multiple organic contaminants: Insights from DFT calculations and phenomenological mass-transfer modeling.

Wastewater contains various organic contaminants that pose great hazards to human health and the environment. A protein/polysaccharide-derived aerogel, namely, ICMA, was developed as a high-performance adsorbent for the simultaneous and efficient removal of diverse contaminants from wastewater, including melanoidin (MLE), Congo red (CR), and diclofenac (DIC). Metal organic framework (UiO-66-NH2), as a regulatory factor, significantly improved the porosity and pore volume of the ICMA to enhance the capture performance of contaminants. The ICMA exhibited outstanding adsorption efficiency owing to the incorporation of ample polyamine functional groups and its well-developed pore structure, large porosity and pore volume, and remarkable heat resistance. The equilibrium capture capacities of the ICMA were 1364, 2031, and 539 mg/g for MLE, CR, and DIC, respectively, with corresponding removal efficiencies all exceeding 90%. Furthermore, the ICMA can capture cationic dyes through MLE/CR/DIC-bridging interactions. After five cycles, the used ICMA can still maintain a high contaminant removal rate/amount, demonstrating good reusability. The classic adsorption model showed that the capture of contaminants by the ICMA is a double-layered and heterogeneous adsorption orientation. A brand new LWAMTM model demonstrated that the adsorption mass-transfer process is jointly determined by the external mass conveyance, pore diffusion, and adsorption on the active site. Multiple characterizations indicated that the contaminant adsorption onto the ICMA was mainly facilitated by charge interactions, with H-bonds playing a secondary role. Quantum chemical theory simulations further provide insights into the atomic-level mechanisms involved in the capture of contaminants. Hirshfeld surface analysis revealed that the ICMA functions as both an H-bond acceptor and a donor during contaminant adsorption. Scale-up and upgrade adsorption were performed to treat actual/simulated wastewater, establishing the groundwork for the industrial implementation of the ICMA.

Schisandrin A Attenuates Diabetic Nephropathy via EGFR/AKT/GSK3ß Signaling Pathway Based on Network Pharmacology and Experimental Validation.

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the common complications of diabetes and the main cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in clinical practice. Schisandrin A (Sch A) has multiple pharmacological activities, including inhibiting fibrosis, reducing apoptosis and oxidative stress, and regulating immunity, but its pharmacological mechanism for the treatment of DN is still unclear. In vivo, streptozotocin (STZ) and a high-fat diet were used to induce type 2 diabetic rats, and Sch A was administered for 4 weeks. At the same time, protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks were established to analyze the overlapping genes of DN and Sch A. Subsequently, the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) and Gene Ontology (GO) analyses were performed to determine the hub pathway. In addition, molecular docking was used to preliminarily verify the affinity of hub proteins and Sch A. Further, H&E staining, Sirius red staining, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, and western blot analysis were used to detect the location and expression of related proteins in DN. This study revealed the multi-target and multi-pathway characteristics of Sch A in the treatment of DN. First, Sch A could effectively improve glucose tolerance, reduce urine microprotein and urine creatinine levels, and alleviate renal pathological damage in DN rats. Second, EGFR was the hub gene screened in overlapping genes (43) of Sch A (100) and DN (2524). Finally, it was revealed that Sch A could inhibit the protein expression levels of EGFR and PTRF and reduced the expression of apoptosis-related proteins, and this effect was related to the modulation of the AKT/GSK-3ß signaling pathway. In summary, Sch A has a protective effect in DN rats, EGFR may be a potential therapeutic target, throughout modulating AKT/GSK-3ß pathway.

An Active-Matrix Synaptic Phototransistor Array for In-Sensor Spectral Processing.

The human retina perceives and preprocesses the spectral information of incident light, enabling fast image recognition and efficient chromatic adaptation. In comparison, it is reluctant to implement parallel spectral preprocessing and temporal information fusion in current complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) image sensors, requiring intricate circuitry, frequent data transmission, and color filters. Herein, an active-matrix synaptic phototransistor array (AMSPA) is developed based on organic/inorganic semiconductor heterostructures. The AMSPA provides wavelength-dependent, bidirectional photoresponses, enabling dynamic imaging and in-sensor spectral preprocessing functions. Specifically, near-infrared light induces inhibitory photoresponse while UV light results in exhibitory photoresponse. With rational structural design of the organic/inorganic hybrid heterostructures, the current dynamic range of phototransistor is improved to over 90 dB. Finally, a 32 × 64 AMSPA (128 pixels per inch) is demonstrated with one-switch-transistor and one-synaptic phototransistor (1-T-1-PT) structure, achieving spatial chromatic enhancement and temporal trajectory imaging. These results reveal the feasibility of AMSPA for constructing artificial vision systems.