Postnatal development of rat retina: a continuous observation and comparison between the organotypic retinal explant model and in vivo development.

JOURNAL/nrgr/04.03/01300535-202503000-00033/figure1/v/2024-06-17T092413Z/r/image-tiff The organotypic retinal explant culture has been established for more than a decade and offers a range of unique advantages compared with in vivo experiments and cell cultures. However, the lack of systematic and continuous comparison between in vivo retinal development and the organotypic retinal explant culture makes this model controversial in postnatal retinal development studies. Thus, we aimed to verify the feasibility of using this model for postnatal retinal development studies by comparing it with the in vivo retina. In this study, we showed that postnatal retinal explants undergo normal development, and exhibit a consistent structure and timeline with retinas in vivo. Initially, we used SOX2 and PAX6 immunostaining to identify retinal progenitor cells. We then examined cell proliferation and migration by immunostaining with Ki-67 and doublecortin, respectively. Ki-67- and doublecortin-positive cells decreased in both in vivo and explants during postnatal retinogenesis, and exhibited a high degree of similarity in abundance and distribution between groups. Additionally, we used Ceh-10 homeodomain-containing homolog, glutamate-ammonia ligase (glutamine synthetase), neuronal nuclei, and ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 immunostaining to examine the emergence of bipolar cells, Müller glia, mature neurons, and microglia, respectively. The timing and spatial patterns of the emergence of these cell types were remarkably consistent between in vivo and explant retinas. Our study showed that the organotypic retinal explant culture model had a high degree of consistency with the progression of in vivo early postnatal retina development. The findings confirm the accuracy and credibility of this model and support its use for long-term, systematic, and continuous observation.

Correlation between degeneration of cervical intervertebral disc and degeneration of paravertebral muscle.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between degeneration of cervical intervertebral disc and degeneration of paravertebral muscles[multifidus (MF), cervical semispinalis (SCer), semispinalis capitis (SCap) and splenius capitis (SPL)]. Methods: 82 patients with chronic neck pain were randomly selected, including 43 males and 39 females, with 50.73 0.7.51 years old. All patients were scanned by 3.0T MRI Philips Ingenia performed conventional MRI sequence scanning and fat measurement sequence mDIXON-Quant scanning of cervical. Fat infiltration (FI) and cross-sectional area (CSA) of cervical paravertebral muscle (MF, SCer, SCap and SPL) at central level of C5-6 disc were measured by Philips 3.0T MRI image post-processing workstation. According to Pfirrmann grading system, there was no grade I in the included cases. The number of grade IIr IV cases were n=16, 40, 19 and 7 respectively. CSA and FI of cervical paravertebral muscles were compared with t test or one-way ANOVA, Spearman correlation analysis was used to evaluate the correlation between age, disc degeneration, and CSA, FI of cervical paravertebral muscles, and multiple linear regression analysis was used to analyze the independent influencing factors of CSA and FI. Results: CSA of cervical paravertebral muscles in male patients was significantly higher than that in female patients (all P<0.001), but there was no significant difference in FI (all P>0.05). Age was weakly correlated with CSA of MF+SCer, moderately correlated with CSA of SCap and SPL (r=-0.256, -0.355 and -0.361, P<0.05), weakly correlated with FI of SCap and SPL (r= 0.182 and 0.264, P<0.001), moderately correlated with FI of MF+SCer (r=0.408, P<0.001). There were significant differences in FI with disc degeneration (P<0.001, P=0.028 and P=0.005). Further correlation analysis showed that disc degeneration was strongly correlated with FI of MF+SCer (r=0.629, P<0.001), and moderately correlated with FI of SCap and SPL (r=0.363, P=0.001; r=0.345, P=0.002). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that sex and age were the influencing factors of CSA of SCap and SPL, sex was the independent influencing factor of CSA of MF+SCer, and disc degeneration was the independent influencing factor of FI. Conclusions: Age is negatively correlated with CSA and positively correlated with FI. Disc degeneration was correlated with FI of paravertebral muscles, especially with FI of MF and SCer. Sex and age were the influencing factors of CSA, while disc degeneration was the independent influencing factor of FI.

Attapulgite-intercalated g-C3N4/ZnIn2S4 3D hierarchical Z-scheme heterojunction for boosting photocatalytic hydrogen production.

Construction of hierarchical architecture with suitable band alignment for graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) played a pivotal role in enhancing the efficiency of photocatalysts. In this study, a novel attapulgite-intercalated g-C3N4/ZnIn2S4 nanocomposite material (ZIS/CN/ATP, abbreviated as ZCA) was successfully synthesized using the freeze-drying technique, thermal polymerization, and a simple low-temperature hydrothermal method. Attapulgite (ATP) was intercalated into g-C3N4 to effectively regulate its interlayer structure. The results reveal a substantial enlargement of its internal space, thereby facilitating the provision of additional active sites for improved dispersibility of ZnIn2S4. Notably, the optimized photocatalyst, comprising a mass ratio of ATP, g-C3N4, and ZnIn2S4 at 1:1:2.5 respectively, achieves an outstanding hydrogen evolution rate of 3906.15 µmol g-1h-1, without the need for a Pt co-catalyst. This rate surpasses that of pristine g-C3N4 by a factor of 475 and ZnIn2S4 by a factor of 5, representing a significant improvement in performance. This significant enhancement can be primarily attributed to the higher specific surface area, richer active sites, broadened light response range, and efficient interfacial charge transfer channels of the ZCA composite photocatalyst. Furthermore, the Z-scheme photocatalytic mechanism for the sandwich-like layered structure heterojunction was thoroughly investigated using diverse characterization techniques. This work offers new insights for enhancing photocatalytic performance through the expanded utilization of natural minerals, paving the way for future advancements in this field.

Realizing Efficient Activity and High Conductivity of Perovskite Symmetrical Electrode by Vanadium Doping for CO2 Electrolysis.

Solid oxide electrolysis cells (SOECs) show significant promise in converting CO2 to valuable fuels and chemicals, yet exploiting efficient electrode materials poses a great challenge. Perovskite oxides, known for their stability as SOEC electrodes, require improvements in electrocatalytic activity and conductivity. Herein, vanadium(V) cation is newly introduced into the B-site of Sr2Fe1.5Mo0.5O6-δ perovskite to promote its electrochemical performance. The substitution of variable valence V5+ for Mo6+ along with the creation of oxygen vacancies contribute to improved electronic conductivity and enhanced electrocatalytic activity for CO2 reduction. Notably, the Sr2Fe1.5Mo0.4V0.1O6-δ based symmetrical SOEC achieves a current density of 1.56 A cm-2 at 1.5 V and 800 °C, maintaining outstanding durability over 300 h. Theoretical analysis unveils that V-doping facilitates the formation of oxygen vacancies, resulting in high intrinsic electrocatalytic activity for CO2 reduction. These findings present a viable and facile strategy for advancing electrocatalysts in CO2 conversion technologies.

Global, regional, and national burden of thalassemia during 1990-2019: A systematic analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019.

INTRODUCTION: Thalassemia represents a significant public health challenge globally. However, the global burden of thalassemia and the disparities associated with it remain poorly understood. Our study aims to uncover the long-term spatial and temporal trends in thalassemia at global, regional, and national levels, analyze the impacts of age, time periods, and birth cohorts, and pinpoint the global disparities in thalassemia burden. METHODS: We extracted data on the thalassemia burden from the Global Burden of Disease Study (GBD) 2019. We employed a joinpoint regression model to assess temporal trends in thalassemia burden and an age-period-cohort model to evaluate the effects of age, period, and cohort on thalassemia mortality. RESULTS: From 1990 to 2019, the number of thalassemia incident cases, prevalent cases, mortality cases, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) decreased by 20.9%, 3.1%, 38.6%, and 43.1%, respectively. Age-standardized rates of incidence, prevalence, mortality, and DALY declined across regions with high, high-middle, middle, and low-middle sociodemographic index (SDI), yet remained the highest in regions with low SDI and low-middle SDI as well as in Southeast Asia, peaking among children under five years of age. The global prevalence rate was higher in males than in females. The global mortality rate showed a consistent decrease with increasing age. CONCLUSION: The global burden of thalassemia has significantly declined, yet notable disparities exist in terms of gender, age groups, periods, birth cohorts, SDI regions, and GBD regions. Systemic interventions that include early screening, genetic counseling, premarital health examinations, and prenatal diagnosis should be prioritized in regions with low, and low-middle SDI, particularly in Southeast Asia. Future population-based studies should focus specifically on thalassemia subtypes and transfusion requirements, and national registries should enhance data capture through newborn screening.

Farmland's silent threat: Comprehensive multimedia assessment of micropollutants through non-targeted screening and targeted analysis in agricultural systems.

Intricate agricultural ecosystems markedly influence the dynamics of organic micropollutants, posing substantial threats to aquatic organisms and human health. This study examined the occurrence and distribution of organic micropollutants across soils, ditch sediment, and water within highly intensified farming setups. Using a non-targeted screening method, we identified 405 micropollutants across 10 sampling sites, which mainly included pesticides, pharmaceuticals, industrial chemicals, and personal care products. This inventory comprised emerging contaminants, banned pesticides, and controlled pharmaceuticals that had eluded detection via conventional monitoring. Targeted analysis showed concentrations of 3.99-1021 ng/g in soils, 4.67-2488 ng/g in sediment, and 12.5-9373 ng/L in water, respectively, for Σ40pesticides, Σ8pharmaceuticals, and Σ3industrial chemicals, indicating notable spatial variability. Soil organic carbon content and wastewater discharge were likely responsible for their spatial distribution. Principal component analysis and correlation analysis revealed a potential transfer of micropollutants across the three media. Particularly, a heightened correlation was decerned between soil and sediment micropollutant levels, highlighting the role of sorption processes. Risk quotients surpassed the threshold of 1 for 13-23 micropollutants across the three media, indicating high environmental risks. This study highlights the importance of employing non-targeted and targeted screening in assessing and managing environmental risks associated with micropollutants.

Neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging reveals abnormal white matter and glymphatic function in active young boxers.

The neurological effects and underlying pathophysiological mechanisms of sports-related concussion (SRC) in active young boxers remain poorly understood. This study aims to investigate the impairment of white matter microstructure and assess changes in glymphatic function following SRC by utilizing neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging (NODDI) on young boxers who have sustained SRC. A total of 60 young participants were recruited, including 30 boxers diagnosed with SRC and 30 healthy individuals engaging in regular exercise. The assessment of whole-brain white matter damage was conducted using diffusion metrics, while the evaluation of glymphatic function was performed through diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) analysis along the perivascular space (DTI-ALPS) index. A two-sample t-test was utilized to examine group differences in DTI and NODDI metrics. Spearman correlation and generalized linear mixed models were employed to investigate the relationship between clinical assessments of SRC and NODDI measurements. Significant alterations were observed in DTI and NODDI metrics among young boxers with SRC. Additionally, the DTI-ALPS index in the SRC group exhibited a significantly higher value than that of the control group (left side: 1.58 vs. 1.48, PFDR = 0.009; right side: 1.61 vs. 1.51, PFDR = 0.02). Moreover, it was observed that the DTI-ALPS index correlated with poorer cognitive test results among boxers in this study population. Repetitive SRC in active young boxers is associated with diffuse white matter injury and glymphatic dysfunction, highlighting the detrimental impact on brain health. These findings highlight the importance of long-term monitoring of the neurological health of boxers.

The vacated space of volume/price of the drugs centralized procurement with quantity in secondary and above public hospitals of China.

BACKGROUND: In 2018, the National Centralized Drug Procurement (NCDP) policy has been implemented in 11 provinces, and promoted across the country in 2019. The main feature of the policy is "volume for price", therefore, it is necessary to measure the price relationship, not only to reduce the price of drugs, reduce the burden of patients' medical costs, but also facilitate pharmaceutical companies to access enough innovation incentives. The aim of this study was to assess the vacated space effect of the drug centralized procurement by national organizations in exchange of price for quantity. METHODS: A difference-in-differences (DID) model was employed to analyze the effect of the 4 + 7 pilot drugs centralized purchasing policy on drug sales volume and selected versus clinically substitutable unselected varieties, using observational data from 2018 to 2019. We compared drug procurement data between secondary and above public hospitals in pilot and non-pilot cities throughout China. RESULTS: The study showed that the average treatment effect (ATE) of sales in the in-hospital market for the selected supply varieties in centralized purchasing is -0.42, and with a sales volume of 0.49. This indicates a volume-price vacated space of 1.16 ~ 1.17 DDD (defined daily dose)/Yuan, implying that for every 1 defined daily dose (DDD) increase in reported volume, the standardized price decreased by 1.16-1.17 Yuan. The ATE of in-hospital market sales for drugs not selected in centralized procurement shows a decrease of 0.13. This finding highlights the presence of the price linkage effect. The ATE of sales volume is 0.57, indicating a volume-price space of 4.38 ~ 4.39 DDD/Yuan for unselected drugs, approximately 3.75 higher relative to that of the selected ones. CONCLUSIONS: The ratio of the volume-price space of clinically substitutable unselected and selected drugs may serve as direct evidence for evaluating the shift from centralized purchasing of drug varieties to clinically substitutable other ones. To strengthen the volume-based negotiation approach and maximize the effectiveness of centralized purchasing policies, we recommend the strategic implementation of a three-tiered centralized purchasing system, the expansion of drug coverage, and the introduction of relevant constraints and incentives.

The effect of transcranial electrical stimulation on the relief of mental fatigue.

Objective: The presence of mental fatigue seriously affects daily life and working conditions. Non-invasive transcranial electrical stimulation has become an increasingly popular tool for relieving mental fatigue. We investigated whether transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) could be used to alleviate the state of mental fatigue in a population of healthy young adults and compared their effects. Methods: We recruited 10 participants for a blank control, repeated measures study. Each participant received 15 min of anodal tDCS, α-tACS, and blank stimulation. Participants were required to fill in the scale, perform the test task and collect ECG signals in the baseline, fatigue and post-stimulus states. We then assessed participants' subjective fatigue scale scores, test task accuracy and HRV characteristics of ECG signals separately. Results: We found that both anodal tDCS and α-tACS significantly (P < 0.05) reduced subjective fatigue and improved accuracy on the test task compared to the blank group, and the extent of change was greater with tACS. For the HRV features extracted from ECG signals. After tACS intervention, SDNN (t = -3.241, P = 0.002), LF (t = -3.511, P = 0.001), LFn (t = -3.122, P = 0.002), LFn/HFn (-2.928, P = 0.005), TP (t = -2.706, P = 0.008), VLF (t = -3.002, P = 0.004), SD2 (t = -3.594, P = 0.001) and VLI (t = -3.564, P = 0.001) showed a significant increasing trend, and HFn (t = 3.122, P = 0.002), SD1/SD2 (t = 3.158, P = 0.002) and CCM_1 (t = 3.106, P = 0.003) showed a significant decreasing trend. After tDCS intervention, only one feature, TINN, showed a significant upward trend (P < 0.05). The other features showed non-significant changes but roughly the same trend as the tACS group. Conclusion: Both tDCS and α-tACS can be effective in relieving mental fatigue, and α-tACS is more effective than tDCS. This study provides theoretical support for tDCS with α-tACS having a alleviating effect on mental fatigue and the use of ECG as a valid objective assessment tool.

Ureido-Ionic Liquid Mediated Conductive Hydrogel: Superior Integrated Properties for Advanced Biosensing Applications.

Ionic conductive hydrogels (ICHs) have recently gained prominence in biosensing, indicating their potential to redefine future biomedical applications. However, the integration of these hydrogels into sensor technologies and their long-term efficacy in practical applications pose substantial challenges, including a synergy of features, such as mechanical adaptability, conductive sensitivity, self-adhesion, self-regeneration, and microbial resistance. To address these challenges, this study introduces a novel hydrogel system using an imidazolium salt with a ureido backbone (UL) as the primary monomer. Fabricated via a straightforward one-pot copolymerization process that includes betaine sulfonate methacrylate (SBMA) and acrylamide (AM), the hydrogel demonstrates multifunctional properties. The innovation of this hydrogel is attributed to its robust mechanical attributes, outstanding strain responsiveness, effective water retention, and advanced self-regenerative and healing capabilities, which collectively lead to its superior performance in various applications. Moreover, this hydrogel  exhibited broad-spectrum antibacterial activity. Its potential for biomechanical monitoring, especially in tandem with contact and noncontact electrocardiogram (ECG) devices, represents a noteworthy advancement in precise real-time cardiac monitoring in clinical environments. In addition, the conductive properties of the hydrogel make it an ideal substrate for electrophoretic patches aimed at treating infected wounds and consequently enhancing the healing process.

Charge Generation Dynamics in Organic Photovoltaic Blends under One-Sun-Equivalent Illumination Detected by Highly Sensitive Terahertz Spectroscopy.

Organic photovoltaic (OPV) devices attain high performance with nonfullerene acceptors by utilizing the synergistic dual channels of charge generation that originate from excitations in both the donor and acceptor materials. However, the specific intermediate states that facilitate both channels are subject to debate. To address this issue, we employ time-resolved terahertz spectroscopy with improved sensitivity (ΔE/E < 10-6), enabling direct probing of charge generation dynamics in a prototypical PM6:Y6 bulk heterojunction system under one-sun-equivalent excitation density. Charge generation arising from donor excitations is characterized with a rise time of ∼9 ps, while that from acceptor excitations shows a rise time of ∼18 ps. Temperature-dependent measurements further reveal notably distinct activation energies for these two charge generation pathways. Additionally, the two channels of charge generation can be substantially manipulated by altering the ratio of bulk to interfaces. These findings strongly suggest the presence of two distinct intermediate states: interfacial and intramoiety excitations. These states are crucial in mediating the transfer of electrons and holes, driving charge generation within OPV devices.

Construction of hierarchical In2O3/In2S3-ZnCdS ternary microsphere heterostructures for efficient photocatalytic nitrogen fixation.

Photocatalytic ammonia production holds immense promise as an environmentally sustainable approach to nitrogen fixation. In this study, In2O3/In2S3-ZnCdS ternary heterostructures were successfully constructed through an innovative in situ anion exchange process, coupled with a low-temperature hydrothermal method for ZnCdS (ZCS) incorporation. The resulting In2O3/In2S3-ZCS photocatalyst was proved to be highly efficient in converting N2 to NH3 under mild conditions, eliminating the need for sacrificial agents or precious metal catalysts. Notably, the NH4+ yield of In2O3/In2S3-0.5ZCS reached a significant level of 71.2 µmol g-1 h-1, which was 10.47 times higher than that of In2O3 (6.8 µmol g-1 h-1) and 3.22 times higher than that of In2O3/In2S3 (22.1 µmol g-1 h-1). This outstanding performance can be attributed to the ternary heterojunction configuration, which significantly extends the lifetime of photogenerated carriers and enhances the spatial separation of electrons and holes. The synergistic interplay between CdZnS, In2S3, and In2O3 in the heterojunction facilitates electron transport, thereby boosting the rate of the photocatalytic nitrogen fixation reaction. Our study not only validates the efficacy of ternary heterojunctions in photocatalytic nitrogen fixation but also offers valuable insights for the design and construction of such catalysts for future applications.

Quantifying the effects of five rehabilitation training methods on the ability of elderly men to control bowel movements: a finite element analysis study.

Purpose: The study aims to develop a finite element model of the pelvic floor and thighs of elderly men to quantitatively assess the impact of different pelvic floor muscle trainings and the urinary and defecation control ability. Methods: A finite element model of the pelvic floor and thighs of elderly men was constructed based on MRI and CT. Material properties of pelvic floor tissues were assigned through literature review, and the relative changes in waistline, retrovesical angle (RVA) and anorectad angulation (ARA) to quantitatively verify the effectiveness of the model. By changing the material properties of muscles, the study analyzed the muscle strengthening or impairment effects of the five types of rehabilitation training for four types of urination and defecation dysfunction. The changes in four outcome indicators, including the retrovesical angle, anorectad angulation, stress, and strain, were compared. Results: This study indicates that ARA and RVA approached their normal ranges as material properties changed, indicating an enhancement in the urinary and defecation control ability, particularly through targeted exercises for the levator ani muscle, external anal sphincter, and pelvic floor muscles. This study also emphasizes the effectiveness of personalized rehabilitation programs including biofeedback, exercise training, electrical stimulation, magnetic stimulation, and vibration training and advocates for providing optimized rehabilitation training methods for elderly patients. Discussion: Based on the results of computational biomechanics, this study provides foundational scientific insights and practical recommendations for rehabilitation training of the elderly's urinary and defecation control ability, thereby improving their quality of life. In addition, this study also provides new perspectives and potential applications of finite element analysis in elderly men, particularly in evaluating and designing targeted rehabilitation training.

Passively Broadband Tunable Dual Circular Dichroism via Bound States in the Continuum in Topological Chiral Metasurface.

Dynamic control for a strong circular dichroism (CD) response is essential in engineering applications such as polarization manipulation, sensing, and imaging. Here, we propose and experimentally demonstrate a broadband tunable dual CD response via bound states in the continuum (BICs) in two-dimensional topologically protected metasurfaces composed of all-dielectric Si chiral grating structures that generate a pair of mixed and degenerated BIC mode and circular dichroic mode (CDM) as an additional degree of freedom in CD manipulation. It is found that a singular CD peak of nearly 100% at 1.6 µm can be achieved by CDM when BIC is hidden under normal incidence, while the CD peak can be split into two in which peak wavelengths can be precisely and linearly tuned over a bandwidth of 180 nm by the incident angle when the BIC mode is excited under oblique incidence. Additionally, dynamic modulation of output polarization states from linear to circular can be arbitrarily achieved at the split CD peaks by controlling the incident angle when asymmetry perturbations on chiral gratings are introduced due to the decoupling of various polarization states at Γ point by BIC to different positions in K space. The proposed chiral grating metasurface exhibits unique angle-sensitive tunable CD spectral characteristics, making it ideal for hyperspectral and spin-selective wavefront shaping, and holds significant promise in various applications such as optical security, angle sensors, chiral lasers, nonlinear filters, and other active chiral optical devices.

Current status and future directions for the development of human papillomavirus vaccines.

The development of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines has made substantive progress, as represented by the approval of five prophylactic vaccines since 2006. Generally, the deployment of prophylactic HPV vaccines is effective in preventing newly acquired infections and incidences of HPV-related malignancies. However, there is still a long way to go regarding the prevention of all HPV infections and the eradication of established HPV infections, as well as the subsequent progression to cancer. Optimizing prophylactic HPV vaccines by incorporating L1 proteins from more HPV subtypes, exploring adjuvants that reinforce cellular immune responses to eradicate HPV-infected cells, and developing therapeutic HPV vaccines used either alone or in combination with other cancer therapeutic modalities might bring about a new era getting closer to the vision to get rid of HPV infection and related diseases. Herein, we summarize strategies for the development of HPV vaccines, both prophylactic and therapeutic, with an emphasis on the selection of antigens and adjuvants, as well as implications for vaccine efficacy based on preclinical studies and clinical trials. Additionally, we outline current cutting-edge insights on formulation strategies, dosing schedules, and age expansion among HPV vaccine recipients, which might play important roles in addressing barriers to vaccine uptake, such as vaccine hesitancy and vaccine availability.

Nutrition guidance within a multimodal intervention improves diet quality in prodromal Alzheimer's disease: Multimodal Preventive Trial for Alzheimer's Disease (MIND-ADmini).

BACKGROUND: Multimodal lifestyle interventions can benefit overall health, including cognition, in populations at-risk for dementia. However, little is known about the effect of lifestyle interventions in patients with prodromal Alzheimer's disease (AD). Even less is known about dietary intake and adherence to dietary recommendations within this population making it difficult to design tailored interventions for them. METHOD: A 6-month MIND-ADmini pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted among 93 participants with prodromal AD in Sweden, Finland, Germany, and France. Three arms were included in the RCT: 1) multimodal lifestyle intervention (nutritional guidance, exercise, cognitive training, vascular/metabolic risk management, and social stimulation); 2) multimodal lifestyle intervention + medical food product; and 3) regular health advice (control group). Adherence to dietary advice was assessed with a brief food intake questionnaire by using the Healthy Diet Index (HDI) and Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS). The intake of macro- and micronutrients were analyzed on a subsample using 3-day food records. RESULTS: The dietary quality in the intervention groups, pooled together, improved compared to that of the control group at the end of the study, as measured with by HDI (p = 0.026) and MEDAS (p = 0.008). The lifestyle-only group improved significantly more in MEDAS (p = 0.046) and almost significantly in HDI (p = 0.052) compared to the control group, while the lifestyle + medical food group improved in both HDI (p = 0.042) and MEDAS (p = 0.007) during the study. There were no changes in macro- or micronutrient intake for the intervention groups at follow-up; however, the intakes in the control group declined in several vitamins and minerals when adjusted for energy intake. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that dietary intervention as part of multimodal lifestyle interventions is feasible and results in improved dietary quality in a population with prodromal AD. Nutrient intakes remained unchanged in the intervention groups while the control group showed a decreasing nutrient density. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03249688, 2017-07-08.

Genome-wide identification and analysis of monocot-specific chimeric jacalins (MCJ) genes in Maize (Zea mays L.).

BACKGROUND: The monocot chimeric jacalins (MCJ) proteins, which contain a jacalin-related lectin (JRL) domain and a dirigent domain (DIR), are specific to Poaceae. MCJ gene family is reported to play an important role in growth, development and stress response. However, their roles in maize have not been thoroughly investigated. RESULTS: In this study, eight MCJ genes in the maize genome (designated as ZmMCJs) were identified, which displayed unequal distribution across four chromosomes. Phylogenetic relationships between the ZmMCJs were evident through the identification of highly conserved motifs and gene structures. Analysis of transcriptome data revealed distinct expression patterns among the ZmMCJ genes, leading to their classification into four different modules, which were subsequently validated using RT-qPCR. Protein structures of the same module are found to be relatively similar. Subcellular localization experiments indicated that the ZmMCJs are mainly located on the cell membrane. Additionally, hemagglutination and inhibition experiments show that only part of the ZmMCJs protein has lectin activity, which is mediated by the JRL structure, and belongs to the mannose-binding type. The cis-acting elements in the promoter region of ZmMCJ genes predicted their involvement response to phytohormones, such as abscisic acid and jasmonic acid. This suggests that ZmMCJ genes may play a significant role in both biotic and abiotic stress responses. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, this study adds new insights into our understanding of the gene-protein architecture, evolutionary characteristics, expression profiles, and potential functions of MCJ genes in maize.

Copper-Catalyzed Remote Asymmetric Yne-Allylic Substitution of Yne-Allylic Esters with Anthrones.

Anthrones are key structural motifs in many natural products and pharmaceutical chemicals. However, due to its unique tricyclic aromatic structure, the synthetic space for the development of chiral anthrone derivatives is largely limited. By utilizing the potential of the copper-catalyzed remote asymmetric yne-allylic substitution reaction, we describe the first example of copper-catalyzed highly regio- and enantioselective remote yne-allylic substitution on various yne-allylic esters with anthrones under a mild reaction condition, which afforded a range of enantioenriched 1,3-enynes with exhibiting broad functional group tolerance across 51 examples.

Multifaceted roles and functions of SOX30 in human cancer.

SRY-box transcription factor 30 (SOX30) participates in tumor cell apoptosis in lung cancer. The occurrence of somatic SOX30 mutations, the expression signature of SOX30 in normal and cancer tissues, the correlation of SOX30 with immune cells and immune-related genes, and the clinical significance of SOX30 in various cancers have stimulated interest in SOX30 as a potential cancer biomarker. SOX30 influences drug sensitivity and tumor immunity in specific cancer types. In this review, we have comprehensively summarized the latest research on the role of SOX30 in cancer by combining bioinformatics evidence and a literature review. We summarize recent research on SOX30 in cancer regarding somatic mutations, trials, transcriptome analysis, clinical information, and SOX30-mediated regulation of malignant phenotypes. Additionally, we report on the diagnostic value of SOX30 mRNA expression levels across different cancer types. This review on the role of SOX30 in cancer progression may provide insights into possible research directions for SOX30 in cancer and a theoretical basis for guiding future studies.