A novel surface molecularly imprinted polymer based on the natural biological macromolecule sporopollenin for the specific and efficient adsorption of resveratrol from Polygonum cuspidatum extracts.

Sporopollenin is a natural biological macromolecule consisting of highly cross-linked carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms, with a highly porous structure and multifunctional groups. In this work, a novel surface molecularly imprinted polymer based on magnetically aminated cattail sporopollenin (MACSp-SMIP) was prepared for the specific and efficient adsorption of resveratrol, with the aim of purifying resveratrol from Polygonum cuspidatum extracts. MACSp-SMIP was found to have a porous structure covered with the multi-layered sponge-like imprinted polymers. MACSp-SMIP had a high adsorption capacity for resveratrol (65.77 mg·g-1) and excellent selectivity (imprinting factor 5.64). The adsorption of resveratrol by MACSp-SMIP was a homogeneous diffusion dominated by chemical adsorption with three stages of external diffusion, internal diffusion, and micropore diffusion. MACSp-SMIP was used as an adsorbent in molecularly imprinted solid-phase extraction for the purification of resveratrol from P. cuspidatum extracts, achieving a resveratrol recovery of 94.33 % and a purity of 76.67 % in the final products. MACSp-SMIP maintained a satisfactory recovery of resveratrol (88.18 %) after six cycles. Overall, this work developed a promising biological macromolecule-based adsorbent MACSp-SMIP for the specific and efficient adsorption of resveratrol, and also provided an efficient and simple approach for the selective purification of resveratrol from P. cuspidatum extracts for food/nutraceutical applications.

High androgen level during controlled ovarian stimulation cycle impairs endometrial receptivity in PCOS patients.

PCOS is one of the most common endocrine disorders among women of reproductive age. While the mechanism involved is not yet fully characterized. Our study aims to examine the pregnancy outcomes of embryo transfers in women with PCOS after pretreatment, and to explore the possible effect of high androgen levels on endometrial receptivity. Retrospective cohort study was conducted to analyze pregnancy outcomes among 2714 infertile women with tubal factor and 452 PCOS women. Endometrium samples were collected from 6 controls and 6 PCOS patients to detect the expression of endometrial receptivity marks. The implantation rate, clinical and ongoing pregnancy rates and live birth rate in women with PCOS followed fresh embryo transfers were obviously decreased even after the pretreatment. Similar pregnancy outcomes were found in frozen-thawed embryo transfer cycles between women with or without PCOS. Strikingly, serum total testosterone (TT) levels on trigger day were significantly higher in PCOS women. Women with high TT levels presented significantly lower clinical and ongoing pregnancy rates, and the expression of insulin-like growth factor binding protein 1 (IGFBP-1), and leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) in the endometria decreased significantly as well. High doses of testosterone significantly down-regulated the expression of IGFBP-1 and LIF in Ishikawa cells. Although endocrine abnormalities had been improved before the controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) cycle started, higher serum TT levels were detected on the trigger day of the COS cycle in PCOS patients, which may contribute to the decreased fresh embryo implantation by impairing endometrial receptivity.

Effectiveness of foot skin protection technology in elderly patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

Objective: The aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness of foot skin protection technology in elderly patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Methods: The foot skin protection technology was developed based on a comprehensive literature review and preliminary research conducted by our research team. Subsequently, 88 elderly patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy and experiencing foot skin problems were recruited from two community health service centers in Shanghai. Using a random number table, the participants were randomly assigned to either the control group or the experimental group. Patients in the experimental group received foot skin protection technology interventions, while those in the control group received standard community nursing guidance for a duration of 3 months. The incidence, severity, and discomfort associated with foot skin problems were evaluated before and after the intervention period in both groups. Results: The incidence, severity, and discomfort of foot skin problems notably reduced in the experimental group (all P< 0.05). Conclusion: The foot skin protection technology demonstrates significant potential in enhancing foot skin condition.

[Application Values of New Ultrasound Technologies in the Diagnosis of Hepatic Sinusoidal Obstruction Syndrome].

Hepatic sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (HSOS),a toxic liver injury,can lead to multiple organ failure in severe cases and is even fatal.Early diagnosis is of great significance for the selection of treatment regimens and prognosis.Currently,ultrasound,as the preferred diagnostic method for liver diseases,has been recommended in expert consensus and criteria for the diagnosis of HSOS.However,there are no definitive imaging diagnostic standards.This paper summarizes the sonographic features of ultrasound and new ultrasound technologies in HSOS research.Analyzing the characteristic sonographic images from gray-scale ultrasonography,Doppler ultrasonography,ultrasound elastography,and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography at different stages of the disease enables the establishment and refining of the corresponding imaging diagnostic standards and provides effective auxiliary examination methods for the early diagnosis and differential diagnosis of HSOS.

The Overflow Effects of Movement Behaviour Change Interventions for Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials.

BACKGROUND: Considering the finite time within a 24-h day, the distribution of time spent on movement behaviours has been found to be associated with health outcomes. OBJECTIVES: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to summarise and evaluate the overflow effects of interventions targeting a single behaviour (physical activity, sedentary behaviour/screen time, or sleep) on other non-targeted behaviours among children and adolescents. METHODS: Six databases (MEDLINE [Ovid], PsycINFO [ProQuest], EMBASE [Ovid], PubMed, Web of Science and SPORTDiscus [EBSCO]) were searched for relevant studies published before 13 May, 2024. Randomised controlled trials and clustered randomised controlled trials that targeted a single behaviour and also assessed the effects on non-targeted behaviours, comprised of healthy children under the age of 18 years, were included. Movement behaviours can be measured either objectively or subjectively. The revised Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomised trials was adopted to evaluate the risk of bias. RESULTS: A total of 102 studies with 45,998 participants from 21 countries were identified, and 60 of them with 26,183 participants were incorporated into the meta-analysis. The meta-analysis demonstrated that physical activity interventions led to a reduction in the proportion of each day spent in sedentary behaviour (mean difference = - 0.95% of wear time, 95% confidence interval - 1.44, - 0.45, I2 = 39%). Sedentary behaviour interventions resulted in increased standing time (mean difference = 3.87%, 95% confidence interval 1.99, 5.75, I2 = 0%). Interventions targeting screen time did not yield changes in physical activity or sleep. The findings on the effectiveness of sleep interventions on non-targeted behaviours and of physical activity interventions on sleep were inconclusive. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the findings suggested that interventions aimed at increasing physical activity or reducing sedentary behaviour had overflow effects on non-targeted behaviours, but the effect sizes were small. Additional evidence is needed to reach definitive conclusions regarding the impact of behaviour change interventions on sleep and of the overflow effects of sleep interventions.

Enhanced production of health-promoting phenolic compounds using a novel endophytic fungus Talaromyces neorugulosus R-209 isolated from pigeon pea in a natural habitat by l-phenylalanine feeding.

In this study, nine endophytic fungi capable of producing multiple phenolic compounds were screened and identified from 152 fungi isolated from pigeon pea in a natural habitat (Honghe, Yunnan Province, China). Talaromyces neorugulosus R-209 exhibited the highest potential for phenolic compound production. L-phenylalanine feeding was used to enhance phenolic compound production in T. neorugulosus R-209 cultures. Under the optimal feeding conditions (l-phenylalanine dose of 0.16 g/L and feeding phase of 6 days), the yields of genistein, apigenin, biochanin A, and cajaninstilbene acid increased by 15.59-fold, 7.20-fold, 25.93-fold, and 10.30-fold over control, respectively. T. neorugulosus R-209 fed with l-phenylalanine was found to be stable in the production of phenolic compounds during ten successive subcultures. Moreover, bioactivities of extracts of T. neorugulosus R-209 cultures were significantly increased by l-phenylalanine feeding. Overall, l-phenylalanine feeding strategy made T. neorugulosus R-209 more attractive as a promising alternative source for the production of health-beneficial phenolic compounds in the nutraceutical/medicinal industries.

Effects of High-Intensity Interval Training on the Parameters Related to Physical Fitness and Health of Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: As a novel and time-efficient exercise form, high-intensity interval training (HIIT) has shown great potential in improving health-related physical fitness among diverse populations. However, empirical evidence on its efficacy among the elderly has not been well summarized. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine the effect of HIIT interventions on the parameters related to physical fitness and health of older adults, including resting heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), body mass index (BMI), body fat percent (BF%), waist circumference (WC), muscular endurance (ME), muscular strength (MS), muscular power (MP), balance and flexibility, compared to non-exercise and other-exercise (e.g., moderate-intensity continuous training, resistance training) conditions. METHODS: Literature published from January 2000 to May 2023 was collected through extensive searches across eight databases and relevant review papers. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) featuring a minimum 2-week exercise intervention for older adults (≥ 60 years) were included. The pooled effect size of Hedges'g was estimated using random-effects models in R. Meta-regression was performed for both categorical (health status, duration of training programme, and frequency) and continuous moderators (mean age, male rate, and attrition rate). RESULTS: Forty-four eligible RCTs with 1863 participants (52.1% female; 60.5-81.2 years) were included in the quantitative analysis. Compared to non-exercise condition, HIIT significantly improved resting HR (g = -0.36, 95%CI = [-0.67, -0.05], P = 0.032), SBP (g = -0.29, 95%CI = [-0.54, -0.03], P = 0.008), CRF (g = 0.77, 95%CI = [0.51, 1.04], P < 0.001), BF% (g = -0.26, 95%CI = [-0.41, -0.11], P = 0.006), MS (g = 0.47, 95%CI = [0.23, 0.71], P = 0.004), ME (g = 0.65, 95%CI = [0.10, 1.19], P = 0.036), and balance (e.g., timed-up-and-go) (g = -0.79, 95%CI = [-1.19, -0.40], P = 0.035). Compared to other-exercise condition, HIIT significantly improved resting HR (g = -0.11, 95%CI = [-0.21, -0.01], P = 0.029), SBP (g = -0.14, 95%CI = [-0.28, -0.01], P = 0.038), and CRF (g = 0.23, 95%CI = [0.07, 0.38], P = 0.008). No significant difference was found between HIIT and non-exercise condition for DBP, BMI and WC, as well as between HIIT and other-exercise condition for DBP, BMI, BF%, WC, ME, and balance (all P > 0.05). Meta-regression indicated that mean age moderated the HIIT effect on resting HR (b = -0.02, P = 0.014; HIIT vs. other-exercise condition) and SBP (b = 0.03, P = 0.048; HIIT vs. non-exercise), and attrition rate moderated the effect on CRF (b = 0.03, P = 0.007; HIIT vs. non-exercise). CONCLUSION: This study supports the efficacy of HIIT in improving resting HR, SBP, CRF, BF%, MS, ME and balance among older adults. More empirical evidence is needed to determine the efficacy of HIIT for MP and flexibility in this population. TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42022316246.

Fabrication of sulfur-based functionalized activated carbon as solid phase extraction adsorbent for selective analysis of selenite in water.

Based on the important feature of sulfur with excellent selectivity toward selenite in the presence of selenate, a simple and low-cost adsorbent of solid phase extraction known as sulfur loading activated carbon (SAC-6) was successfully prepared and applied for selenite (Se(IV)) analysis in water. Microstructure and morphological characteristics of SAC-6 had been identified by XRD, TEM, BET and FT-IR. In the static adsorption experiments, Se(IV) could be separated in a wide range of pH values (pH=3-11). The retention process of Se(IV) onto SAC-6 was characterized as spontaneous exothermic reaction. An obvious change of adsorption mechanism occurred in static and dynamic adsorption processes shown that the behaviors followed monolayer and hybrid adsorption. The theoretical maximum adsorption capacity of SAC-6 calculated by Langmuir-Freundlich was 13.48 mg/g. The microcolumn filled with SAC-6 was applied to extract Se(IV) in water solution. The detection limit of Se(IV) analytical procedure was confirmed as 0.27 µg/L within a linear range of 10-1000 µg/L. A good precision with relative standard deviation of 1.34 % (100 µg/L, n = 6) was achieved. The high adaptability and accuracy of SAC-6 microcolumn was validated by analyzing natural water samples and certified reference materials. Our work successfully excavated the application value of the sulfur selectivity, and also provided a new adsorbent for Se(IV) extraction and analysis.

The Release of Lipolytic Hormones during Various High-Intensity Interval and Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training Regimens and Their Effects on Fat Loss.

To investigate the release of lipolytic hormones during various high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT), and their effects on fat loss. 39 young women categorized as obese (with a body fat percentage (BFP) ≥30%) were randomly allocated to one of the following groups: all-out sprint interval training (SIT, n =10); supramaximal HIIT (HIIT120, 120%V̇O2peak, n = 10); HIIT (HIIT90, 90%V̇O2peak, n = 10), or MICT, (60%V̇O2peak, n = 9) for a twelve-week observation period consisting of 3 to 4 exercise sessions per week. Serum epinephrine (EPI) and growth hormone (GH) were measured during the 1st, 20th, and 44th training sessions. Body weight (BW), body mass index (BMI), whole-body fat mass (FM) and BFP were assessed pre- and post-intervention. Following the 1st and 20th sessions, significant increases in EPI (p < 0.05) were observed post-exercise in HIIT120 and HIIT90, but not in SIT and MICT. In the 44th session, the increased EPI was found in SIT, HIIT120, and HIIT90, but not in MICT (p < 0.05). For the GH, a significant increase was observed post-exercise in all groups in the three sessions. The increased EPI and GH returned to baselines 3 hours post-exercise. After the 12-week intervention, significant reductions in FM and BFP were found in all groups, while reductions in BW and BMI were only found in the SIT and HIIT groups. Greater reductions in FM and BFP, in comparison to MICT, were observed in the SIT and HIIT groups (p < 0.05). 12-week SIT, HIIT120, and HIIT90, in comparison to MICT, were more efficacious in fat reduction in obese women, partly benefiting from the greater release of lipolytic hormones during training sessions.

Manipulating Fe(II) spin states to achieve higher anti-tumor cell activities in multinuclear complexes.

Exploring the different spin states of central metals in the complex to regulate the anti-tumor activity of cancer cells is of great significance in drug design and clinical use. However, it is a challenge to build a strong coupling between spin states and anti-tumor activities in one system. Herein, we present two complexes {FeII2L2[PdII(CN)4]2}·2H2O (L = Bztpen (1), Bztppn (2); Bztpen = N-benzyl-N,N',N'-tris(2-pyridylmethyl)ethylenediamine, Bztppn = N-benzyl-N,N',N'-tris(2-pyridylmethyl)propylenediamine) showing different cytotoxic activities actuated by fine-tuning the structure with different spin states of Fe(II). Magnetic susceptibility measurements and X-ray diffraction revealed that the Fe(II) ion in complexes 1 and 2 remains in the LS and HS state, respectively, at room temperature. Cytotoxicity tests indicate that complex 1 is more biologically effective than complex 2. In complex 2, however, the high-spin Fe(II) played a key role in regulating its in vitro antitumor effects and seems to be associated with ROS-mediated apoptosis. These findings offer a new avenue for developing anti-cancer drugs by designing complexes with different spin states.

Three-month functional training programme improves knee joint function in athletes post-ACL reconstruction surgery.

OBJECTIVE: Rehabilitation and recovery duration following anterior cruciate ligament reconstructive surgery play a pivotal role in restoring optimal knee functionality in athletes. This study aimed to explore the impact of a 3-month functional training programme aligned with enhanced recovery after surgery on recuperation subsequent to anterior cruciate ligament reconstructive surgery. DESIGN: A quasi-experimental study. SUBJECTS: A cohort of 34 patients aged 14 to 24, who underwent anterior cruciate ligament reconstructive surgery and adhered to enhanced recovery after surgery protocols during the perioperative period, were allocated to an experimental group and a control group according to their eligibility, capacity, and willingness to engage in the functional training programme. METHODS: The participants in the experimental group underwent a 3-month regimen of functional training following anterior cruciate ligament reconstructive surgery, whereas the control group followed a conventional recovery approach. Evaluations were conducted both prior to and following the 3-month recovery interval, utilizing the Y-Balance Test, Functional Movement Screening, and Isokinetic Knee Test. RESULTS: Assessment outcomes of the Y-Balance Test, Isokinetic Knee Test, and Functional Movement Screening exhibited significant enhancement (p < 0.05) within the experimental group, as opposed to the control group. These findings underscore that those athletes who undertook the 3-month functional training regimen within the experimental group exhibited heightened dynamic balance capabilities, increased knee joint mobility, and enhanced stability compared with their counterparts in the control group. CONCLUSION: Consequently, this underscores the efficacy of the 3-month functional training protocol aligned with enhanced recovery after surgery, as a means to effectively facilitate recuperation subsequent to anterior cruciate ligament reconstructive surgery.

Fabraction of edible bio-nanocomposite coatings from pectin-containing lignocellulosic nanofibers isolated from apple pomace.

Minimally processed fruits are increasingly demanded in modern society, but the management of perishable waste pomaces (WPs) and the products' short shelf-life are still big issues. Here, a facile approach of reconstruing apple pomace (AP) into edible bio-nanocomposite coatings of fresh-cutting apple slices was successfully developed through alkaline demethylation followed by high-pressure homogenization. The fibrillation of AP fibers is largely improved by -COO- at a concentration of 1.23 mmol g-1, which is released through alkaline demethylation of pectin, instead of relying on intricated or costly cellulose modifications. The average width of AP nanofibers (AP-NFs) downsizes to 18 nm. By casting, AP-NFs fabricate homogeneous films with comparable transparency (56 % at 600 nm), superior mechanical strength (6.4 GPa of Young modulus and 81.7 MPa of strength) and oxygen barrier properties (79 mL µm m-2 day-1 bar-1), and non-toxicity. Moreover, the AP-NF coatings effectively extend shelf life of apple slices by inhibiting browning and respiration, and retain firmness. This research demonstrates a way to valorize WPs as edible coatings for fruit packaging.

Multi-omics Approach Reveals Influenza-A Virus Target Genes Associated Genomic, Clinical and Immunological Characteristics in Cancers.

Objective: To examine the precise function of influenza A virus target genes (IATGs) in malignancy. Methods: Using multi-omics data from the TCGA and TCPA datasets, 33 tumor types were evaluated for IATGs. IATG expression in cancer cells was analyzed using transcriptome analysis. Copy number variation (CNV) was assessed using GISTICS 2.0. Spearman's analysis was used to correlate mRNA expression with methylation levels. GSEA was used for the enrichment analysis. Pearson's correlation analysis was used to examine the association between IATG mRNA expression and IC50. The ImmuCellAI algorithm was used to calculate the infiltration scores of 24 immune cell types. Results: In 13 solid tumors, IATG mRNA levels were atypically expressed. Except for UCS, UVM, KICH, PCPG, THCA, CHOL, LAMI, and MESO, most cancers contained somatic IATG mutations. The main types of CNVs in IATGs are heterozygous amplifications and deletions. In most tumors, IATG mRNA expression is adversely associated with methylation. RT-PCR demonstrated that EGFR, ANXA5, CACNA1C, CD209, UVRAG were upregulated and CLEC4M was downregulated in KIRC cell lines, consistent with the TCGA and GTEx data. Conclusion: Genomic changes and clinical characteristics of IATGs were identified, which may offer fresh perspectives linking the influenza A virus to cancer.

Sub-regional Radiomics Analysis for Predicting Metastasis Risk in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma: A Multicenter Retrospective Study.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is the most common malignant neoplasm affecting the kidney, exhibiting a dismal prognosis in metastatic instances. Elucidating the composition of ccRCC holds promise for the discovery of highly sensitive biomarkers. Our objective was to utilize habitat imaging techniques and integrate multimodal data to precisely predict the risk of metastasis, ultimately enabling early intervention and enhancing patient survival rates. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on a cohort of 263 patients with ccRCC from three hospitals between April 2013 and March 2021. Preoperative CT images, ultrasound images, and clinical data were comprehensively analyzed. Patients from two campuses of Qilu Hospital of Shandong University were assigned to the training dataset, while the third hospital served as the independent testing dataset. A robust consensus clustering method was used to classify the primary tumor space into distinct sub-regions (i.e., habitats) using contrast-enhanced CT images. Radiomic features were extracted from these tumor sub-regions and subsequently reduced to identify meaningful features for constructing a predictive model for ccRCC metastasis risk assessment. In addition, the potential value of radiomics in predicting ccRCC metastasis risk was explored by integrating ultrasound image features and clinical data to construct and compare alternative models. RESULTS: In this study, we performed k-means clustering within the tumor region to generate three distinct tumor subregions. We quantified the Hounsfiled Unit (HU) value, volume fraction, and distribution of high- and low-risk groups in each subregion. Our investigation focused on 252 patients with Habitat1 + Habitat3 to assess the discriminative power of these two subregions. We then developed a risk prediction model for ccRCC metastasis risk classification based on radiomic features extracted from CT and ultrasound images, and clinical data. The Combined model and the CT_Habitat3 model showed AUC values of 0.935 [95%CI: 0.902-0.968] and 0.934 [95%CI: 0.902-0.966], respectively, in the training dataset, while in the independent testing dataset, they achieved AUC values of 0.891 [95%CI: 0.794-0.988] and 0.903 [95%CI: 0.819-0.987], respectively. CONCLUSION: We have identified a non-invasive imaging predictor and the proposed sub-regional radiomics model can accurately predict the risk of metastasis in ccRCC. This predictive tool has potential for clinical application to refine individualized treatment strategies for patients with ccRCC.

Interplay of kernel shape and surface structure for NIR luminescence in atomically precise gold nanorods.

It is challenging to attain strong near-infrared (NIR) emissive gold nanoclusters. Here we show a rod-shaped cluster with the composition of [Au28(p-MBT)14(Hdppa)3](SO3CF3)2 (1 for short, Hdppa is N,N-bis(diphenylphosphino)amine, p-MBT is 4-methylbenzenethiolate) has been synthesized. Single crystal X-ray structural analysis reveals that it has a rod-like face-centered cubic (fcc) Au22 kernel built from two interpenetrating bicapped cuboctahedral Au15 units. 1 features NIR luminescence with an emission maximum at 920 nm, and the photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) is 12%, which is 30-fold of [Au21(m-MBT)12(Hdppa)2]SO3CF3 (2, m-MBT is 3-methylbenzenethiolate) with a similar composition and 60-fold of Au30S(S­t­Bu)18 with a similar structure. time-dependent DFT(TDDFT)calculations reveal that the luminescence of 1 is associated with the Au22 kernel. The small Stokes shift of 1 indicates that it has a very small excited state structural distortion, leading to high radiative decay rate (kr) probability. The emission of cluster 1 is a mixture of phosphorescence and thermally activated delayed fluorescence(TADF), and the enhancement of the NIR emission is mainly due to the promotion of kr rather than the inhibition of knr. This work demonstrates that the metal kernel and the surface structure are both very important for cluster-based NIR luminescence materials.

Low concentrations of tetrabromobisphenol A promote the biofilm formation of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

The effect and underlying mechanism of tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA), a plastic additive, on biofilm formation of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA USA300) remain unknown. This study first investigated the impact of different concentrations of TBBPA on the growth and biofilm formation of USA300. The results indicated that a low concentration (0.5 mg/L) of TBBPA promoted the growth and biofilm formation of USA300, whereas high concentrations (5 mg/L and 10 mg/L) of TBBPA had inhibitory effects. Further exploration revealed that the low concentration of TBBPA enhance biofilm formation by promoting the synthesis of extracellular proteins, release of extracellular DNA (eDNA), and production of staphyloxanthin. RTqPCR analysis demonstrated that the low concentration of TBBPA upregulated genes associated with extracellular protein synthesis (sarA, fnbA, fnbB, aur) and eDNA formation (atlA) and increased the expression of genes involved in staphyloxanthin biosynthesis (crtM), suggesting a potential mechanism for enhanced resistance of USA300 to adverse conditions. These findings shed light on how low concentrations of TBBPA facilitate biofilm formation in USA300 and highlight the indirect impact of plastic additives on pathogenic bacteria in terms of human health. In the future, in-depth studies about effects of plastic additives on pathogenicity of pathogenic bacteria should be conducted. CAPSULE: The protein and eDNA contents in biofilms of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus are increased by low concentrations of TBBPA.

Role of H2O Adsorption in CO Oxidation over Cerium-Oxide Cluster Anions (CeO2)nO- (n = 1-4).

Water (H2O) is ubiquitous in the environment and inevitably participates in many surface reactions, including CO oxidation. Acquiring a fundamental understanding of the roles of H2O molecules in CO oxidation poses a challenging but pivotal task in real-life catalysis. Herein, benefiting from state-of-the-art mass-spectrometric experiments and quantum chemical calculations, we identified that the dissociation of a H2O molecule on each of the cerium oxide cluster anions (CeO2)nO- (n = 1-4) at room temperature can create a new atomic oxygen radical (O•-) that then oxidizes a CO molecule. The size-dependent reactivity of H2O-mediated CO oxidation on (CeO2)nO- clusters was rationalized by the orbital compositions (O2p) and energies of the lowest unoccupied molecular orbitals of active O•- radicals modified by H2O dissociation. Our findings not only provide new insights into H2O-mediated CO oxidation but also demonstrate the importance of H2O in modulating the reactivity of the O•- radicals.

New perspectives on the therapeutic potential of quercetin in non-communicable diseases: Targeting Nrf2 to counteract oxidative stress and inflammation.

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including cardiovascular diseases, cancer, metabolic diseases, and skeletal diseases, pose significant challenges to public health worldwide. The complex pathogenesis of these diseases is closely linked to oxidative stress and inflammatory damage. Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), a critical transcription factor, plays an important role in regulating antioxidant and anti-inflammatory responses to protect the cells from oxidative damage and inflammation-mediated injury. Therefore, Nrf2-targeting therapies hold promise for preventing and treating NCDs. Quercetin (Que) is a widely available flavonoid that has significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It modulates the Nrf2 signaling pathway to ameliorate oxidative stress and inflammation. Que modulates mitochondrial function, apoptosis, autophagy, and cell damage biomarkers to regulate oxidative stress and inflammation, highlighting its efficacy as a therapeutic agent against NCDs. Here, we discussed, for the first time, the close association between NCD pathogenesis and the Nrf2 signaling pathway, involved in neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs), cardiovascular disease, cancers, organ damage, and bone damage. Furthermore, we reviewed the availability, pharmacokinetics, pharmaceutics, and therapeutic applications of Que in treating NCDs. In addition, we focused on the challenges and prospects for its clinical use. Que represents a promising candidate for the treatment of NCDs due to its Nrf2-targeting properties.

Association between reproductive lifespan and multimorbidity among Chinese postmenopausal women.

OBJECTIVE: Although menopause is considered a risk factor for multimorbidity, few studies have explored the association between reproductive lifespan and multimorbidity. This study aimed to explore the association between reproductive lifespan and multimorbidity in postmenopausal Chinese women. METHODS: This cross-sectional study selected postmenopausal women as study participants. The reproductive lifespan refers to the interval between menarche and menopause. Multimorbidity refers to having two or more self-reported chronic diseases. We used a logistic regression model to explore potential associations based on the adjustment of a set of covariates. RESULTS: In total, 1,310 postmenopausal women with an average reproductive lifespan of 34 years were included in this study. The prevalence of multimorbidity was 22.2% (291/1,310) in postmenopausal women. Our findings showed that compared with postmenopausal women with the Q1 of reproductive lifespan (≤32 reproductive years), those with Q3 (35-37 reproductive years) and Q4 (≥38 reproductive years) were less likely to have multimorbidity (ORQ3 = 0.529, 95% CIQ3 = 0.347-0.805, ORQ4 = 0.510, 95% CIQ4 = 0.308-0.842), whereas those with Q2 (33-34 reproductive years) were not (OR = 0.700, 95% CI = 0.446-1.098). This study also revealed a linear trend in the association between the reproductive lifespan and multimorbidity; that is, the longer the reproductive lifespan, the lower the risk of multimorbidity. CONCLUSIONS: In postmenopausal Chinese women, a longer reproductive lifespan was associated with a lower prevalence of multimorbidity. This study suggests that for the prevention and intervention of multimorbidity in postmenopausal women, healthcare professionals should screen and assess reproductive factors to identify high-risk individuals.