Association between maternal lipid profiles and vitamin D status in second trimester and risk of LGA or SGA: a retrospective study.

Background: Accumulating evidence has linked dyslipidemia during pregnancy to the risk of delivering infants born either large for gestational age (LGA) or small for gestational age (SGA). However, the effects of the vitamin D status on these relationships require further investigation. This study investigated whether the relationship between lipid profiles and the risk of LGA or SGA was influenced by vitamin D levels during the second trimester. Methods: Maternal lipid profile levels, including total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and vitamin D levels, were measured in a cohort of 6,499 pregnant women during the second trimester. Multivariate regression models and subgroup analyses were employed to evaluate the potential associations between maternal lipid profiles, vitamin D levels, and the risk of LGA or SGA. Results: The prevalence of SGA infants was 9.8% (n=635), whereas that of LGA infants was 6.9% (n=447). Maternal TG levels were found to be positively associated with the risk of LGA (odds ratio [OR] = 1.41, 95% confidence interval [CI]:1.17-1.70), whereas a negative association was observed between maternal TG, TC, LDL-C levels, and risk of SGA. Additionally, mothers with higher HDL-C levels were less likely to give birth to an LGA infant (OR=0.58, 95% CI:0.39-0.85). Importantly, associations between TG, TC, LDL-c, and SGA as well as between TG and LGA were primarily observed among pregnant women with insufficient vitamin D levels. As for HDL-C, the risk of LGA was lower in mothers with sufficient vitamin D (OR = 0.42, 95% CI:0.18-0.98) compared to those with insufficient vitamin D (OR = 0.65, 95% CI:0.42-0.99). Conclusion: Vitamin D status during the second trimester exerts a modifying effect on the association between lipid profiles and the risk of LGA and SGA infants.

On the Rapid Synthesis of Reduced Graphene Oxide via Ultrasound-Promoted Eco-Friendly Reduction Approach and Its Effects on Physicochemical Properties.

The common synthesis approach of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) using toxic reducing agents poses a threat to environmental pollution. This study used banana peel extract as a green reducing agent for the synthesis of rGO. Ultrasonication was assimilated to expedite the synthesis process. For comparison, rGO was also produced by reducing GO with hydrazine treatment under conventional stirring. Both morphological (SEM) and physicochemical (FTIR and XRD) studies have revealed that banana peel extract can reduce GO to rGO, although its reducing effect is much weaker compared to hydrazine. Despite this, the rGO produced using banana peel extract with the assimilation of ultrasonication technique has a greater interlayer spacing than that formed under the conventional stirring method. In terms of electrical properties, the electrical conductance of hydrazine-produced rGO (5.69 × 10-6 S) is higher than the banana peel extract-produced rGO (3.55 × 10-6 S - 4.56 × 10-6 S). Interestingly, it was found that most of the rGO produced by banana peel extract under ultrasound assistance has higher or comparable electrical conductance compared to the rGO produced by banana peel extract under stirring method. This implies the feasibility of using short-period ultrasound to replace conventional stirring in rGO synthesis.

Two C-terminal isoforms of Aplysia tachykinin-related peptide receptors exhibit phosphorylation-dependent and independent desensitization mechanisms.

Diversity, a hallmark of G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling, partly stems from alternative splicing of a single gene generating more than one isoform for a receptor. Additionally, receptor responses to ligands can be attenuated by desensitization upon prolonged or repeated ligand exposure. Both phenomena have been demonstrated and exemplified by the deuterostome tachykinin (TK) signaling system, although the role of phosphorylation in desensitization remains a subject of debate. Here, we describe the signaling system for tachykinin-related peptides (TKRPs) in a protostome, mollusk Aplysia. We cloned the Aplysia TKRP precursor, which encodes three TKRPs (apTKRP-1, apTKRP-2a, and apTKRP-2b) containing the FXGXR-amide motif. In situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry showed predominant expression of TKRP mRNA and peptide in the cerebral ganglia. TKRPs and their post-translational modifications were observed in extracts of CNS ganglia using mass spectrometry. We identified two Aplysia TKRP receptors (TKRPRs), named apTKRPR-A and apTKRPR-B. These receptors are two isoforms generated through alternative splicing of the same gene and differ only in their intracellular C-termini. Structure-activity relationship analysis of apTKRP-2b revealed that both C-terminal amidation and conserved residues of the ligand are critical for receptor activation. C-terminal truncates and mutants of apTKRPRs suggested that there is a C-terminal phosphorylation-independent desensitization for both receptors. Moreover, apTKRPR-B also exhibits phosphorylation-dependent desensitization through the phosphorylation of C-terminal Ser/Thr residues. This comprehensive characterization of the Aplysia TKRP signaling system underscores the evolutionary conservation of the TKRP and TK signaling systems, while highlighting the intricacies of receptor regulation through alternative splicing and differential desensitization mechanisms.

SFN promotes renal fibrosis via binding with MYH9 in chronic kidney disease.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a clinical syndrome characterized by persistent renal function decline. Renal fibrosis is the main pathological process in CKD, but an effective treatment does not exist. Stratifin (SFN) is a highly-conserved, multi-function soluble acidic protein. Therefore, this study explored the effects of SFN on renal fibrosis. First, we found that SFN was highly expressed in patients with CKD, as well as in renal fibrosis animal and cell models. Next, transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-ß1) induced injury and fibrosis in human renal tubule epithelial cells, and SFN knockdown reversed these effects. Furthermore, SFN knockdown mitigated unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO)-induced renal tubular dilatation and renal interstitial fibrosis in mice. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP), and immunofluorescence co-localization assays demonstrated that SFN bound the non-muscle myosin-encoding gene, myosin heavy chain 9 (MYH9), in the cytoplasm of renal tubular epithelial cells. MYH9 knockdown also reduced Col-1 and α-SMA expression, which are fibrosis markers. Finally, silencing SFN decreased MYH9 expression, alleviating renal fibrosis. These results suggest that SFN promotes renal fibrosis in CKD by interacting with MYH9. This study may provide potential strategies for the treatment of CKD.

Draft genome sequence of ectomycorrhizal edible mushroom Phlebopus portentosus strain YAF023.

Phlebopus portentosus is a favorite ectomycorrhizal edible mushroom in tropical China. Here, we present a draft genome sequence of P. portentosus strain YAF023. The genome resource will support subsequent research into the relationship between ectomycorrhizal fungi and trees.

Cordycepin Enhances the Therapeutic Efficacy of Doxorubicin in Treating Triple-Negative Breast Cancer.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a subtype of breast cancer with high mortality and poor prognosis. Meanwhile, doxorubicin, a chemotherapeutic agent for triple-negative breast cancer, has poor sensitivity. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of cordycepin on doxorubicin sensitivity and efficacy in the TNBC xenograft model and explore the relevant molecular pathways. The combination of the drugs in nude mice carrying MDA-MB-231 xenografts significantly reduced the volume, size, and weight of xenografts and improved the tumor inhibition rate. The drug combination was significantly more effective than cordycepin or doxorubicin alone, reflecting the fact that cordycepin enhanced the anti-tumor effects of doxorubicin in MDA-MB-231 xenografts. At the same time, the monitoring of several biological parameters failed to detect any obvious side effects associated with this treatment. After predicting the importance of the TNF pathway in inhibiting tumor growth using network pharmacology methods, we verified the expression of TNF pathway targets via immunohistochemistry and quantitative PCR. Furthermore, a TNF-α inhibitor was able to abrogate the beneficial effects of cordycepin and doxorubicin treatment in MDA-MB-231 cells. This clearly indicates the role of TNF-α, or related molecules, in mediating the therapeutic benefits of the combined treatment in animals carrying TNBC xenografts. The observations reported here may present a new direction for the clinical treatment of TNBC.

The relationships between emerging adults self-efficacy and motivation levels and physical activity: a cross-sectional study based on the self-determination theory.

Objectives: The study aims to examine the associations between exercise self-efficacy, motivation, physical activity, and body composition among emerging adults. Design: Cross-sectional. Methods: A convenience sample of 147 emerging adults participated in the Releasing Weight (RELEW) project. The InBody720 analyzer was used to measure body composition, and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short, the Shortened Physical Activity Self-Efficacy Scale, and the Treatment Self-Regulation Questionnaire were used to measure self-reported physical activity, self-efficacy, and motivation. Structural Equation Modeling was used to exam the complex relationships among multiple variables. in this study. The Partial least squares structural equation modeling analysis with bootstrapping in Smart PLS 3 was employed to explore the path coefficients and t-values for the relationships that were thought to exist. Significance was determined using a threshold of p < 0.05. Results: The mean age of 147 participants was 18.5 ± 1.87, of whom 51.7% were female, recruited for this study. Exercise self-efficacy has a significant positive correlation with exercise motivation (r = 0.220, p = 0.008) and physical activity (r = 0.279, p < 0.001). Exercise motivation does not demonstrate significant associations with physical activity (r = 0.094, p = 0.298). Utilizing SEM, the model explained 9.2% of exercise self-efficacy, 11.8% of physical activity, and 68.3% of body composition variance. Mediation analysis revealed that exercise self-efficacy partially mediated the relationship between exercise motivation and physical activity (ß = 0.106, t = 2.538, p < 0.05), and physical activity partially mediated the relationship between exercise self-efficacy and body composition (ß = -0.296, t = 4.280, p < 0.001). Conclusion: This study sheds light on the complex relationships among motivation, self-efficacy, physical activity and body composition during emerging adulthood. Our results highlight the mediating role of self-efficacy and its impact on physical activity behaviors, offering valuable insights for targeted interventions and policy development to improve health outcomes in this demographic.

Clinical characteristics and phylogenetic analysis of human enteric adenovirus type 41 (HAdV-F41) from children with gastroenteritis during SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.

Human adenovirus type 41 (HAdV-F41) usually causes pediatrics gastroenteritis. However, it was reported to be associated with the outbreaks of severe acute hepatitis of unknown aetiology (SAHUA) in pediatrics during COVID-19 pandemic. In this study, we investigated the prevalence of enteric HAdV-F41 in 37,920 paediatric gastroenteritis cases from 2017 to 2022 in Guangzhou, China. All children presented were tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 during the "zero-COVID" period. The main clinical symptom of the children was diarrhea (96.5%). No fatalities nor liver abnormal symptoms was found. In 2021, one year since the pandemic of COVID-19, the prevalence of HAdV-F41 abruptly increased from 3.71% to 8.64% (P < 0.001). All of HAdV-F41 circulating worldwide were classified into eight different subtypes (G1-G8) based on the phylogenetic clustering permutation of the four capsid genes of HAdV-F41. G3 was the predominant subtype (56.2%; 77/137). CRV5 isolates from SAHUA cases belong to this subtype, in which N312D and H335D mutations in the short fiber knob were identified in both Guangzhou and CRV5 isolates, presumably changing the virus tropism by directly interacting with the heparin sulfate (HS) receptor. Additionally, a novel recombinant G6 subtype, which is unique and only circulating in China was first identified in this study. This is the first study highlighting the prevalence of HAdV-F41 in paediatric cases of gastroenteritis during COVID-19 pandemic in China. The clinical and viral evolution finding of HAdV-F41 provide insight into the clinical characteristics of children with HAdV-F41 infections as well as the uncertain role of HAdV-F41 in the cause of SAHUA.

Can pre-exercise photobiomodulation improve muscle endurance and promote recovery from muscle strength and injuries in people with different activity levels? A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) was introduced as an ergogenic aid for sport performance in healthy individuals is still controversial. The main aim of this study is to assess the potential enhancements in muscle endurance and recovery from muscle strength and injuries mediated by PBMT among individuals exhibiting diverse activity levels. Randomized controlled trials (RCT) of PBMT interventions for healthy people (both trained and untrained individuals) exercising were searched (up to January 16, 2024) in four electronic databases: Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus and Embase. Primary outcome measures included muscle endurance, muscle strength and creatine kinase (CK) levels; secondary outcome measure included Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels. Subgroup analyses based on physical activity levels were conducted for each outcome measure. Thirty-four RCTs were included based on the article inclusion and exclusion criteria. Statistical results showed that PBMT significantly improved muscle endurance (standardized mean difference [SMD] = 0.31, 95%CI 0.11, 0.51, p < 0.01), indicating a moderate effect size. It also facilitated the recovery of muscle strength (SMD = 0.24, 95%CI 0.10, 0.39, p < 0.01) and CK (mean difference [MD] = -77.56, 95%CI -112.67, -42.44, p < 0.01), indicating moderate and large effect sizes, respectively. Furthermore, pre-application of PBMT significantly improved muscle endurance, recovery of muscle strength and injuries in physically inactive individuals and athletes (p < 0.05), while there was no significant benefit for physically active individuals. Pre-application of PBMT improves muscle endurance and promotes recovery from muscle strength and injury (includes CK and LDH) in athletes and sedentary populations, indicating moderate to large effect sizes, but is ineffective in physically active populations. This may be due to the fact that physically active people engage in more resistance training, which leads to a decrease in the proportion of red muscle fibres, thus affecting photobiomodulation.

[Clinical comparative study on resection and non-resection of the fifth metatarsal to rheumatoid forefoot deformity].

OBJECTIVE: To explore clinical effect of the fifth metatarsal head excision and non-excision in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) forefoot deformity reconstruction. METHODS: Retrospective analysis was performed on 50 patients (76 feet) with moderate to severe forefoot deformity caused by RA treated from May 2015 to January 2019. According to degeneration of the fifth metatarsophalangeal joint,the fifth metatarsal head was retained or excised by wind-like forefoot reconstruction,and divided into the fifth metatarsal head preservation group (preservation group) and the fifth metatarsal head resection group (resection group). Twenty-four female patients in preservation group,aged from 47 to 81 years old with an average of (60.37±8.60) years old;the course of disease ranged from 13 to 22 years with an average of (19.00±3.06) years;body mass index (BMI) ranged from 21 to 28 kg·m-2 with an average of (23.53±2.47) kg·m-2;six patients (6 feet) with moderate hallux valgus deformity and 18 patients (30 feet) with severe hallux valgus deformity;treated with the first metatarsophalangeal joint fusion combined with the second th the fourth metatarsophalangeal joint arthroplasty and the fifth metatarsophalangeal joint cleanup. Twenty-six female patients in resection group were female,aged from 30 to 80 years old with an average of (58.53±13.70) years old;the course of disease ranged from 8 to 25 years with an average of (17.94±3.92) years;BMI raged from 20 to 28 kg·m-2 with an average of (24.60±2.03) kg·m-2;4 patients (4 feet) with moderate bunion valgus deformity and 22 patients (36 feet) with severe bunion valgus deformity;treated by the first metatarsophalangeal joint fusion combined with the second th the fifth metatarsophalangeal joint resection of the metatarsophalangeal head. Operation time and postoperative complications between two groups were observed,hallux valgus angle (HVA),intermetatarsal angles between the first and the second metatarsals (IMAFS),intermetatarsal angles between the first and fifth metatarsals (IMAFF),Japanese Society for Surgery of Foot (JSSF) score before surgery and at the latest follow-up were compared. RESULTS: Fifty patients were followed-up from 14 to 46(25.30±8.83) months in resection group and 12 to 48 with an average of (24.30±11.12) months in preservation group,while no significant difference between two groups (P>0.05). There were no significant difference in operation time and postoperative complications between two groups (P>0.05). JSSF scores,HVA,IMAFS and IMAFF in fesection group were improved from (45.09±3.35) points,(38.90±13.67) °,(12.88±1.72) °,(32.50±2.99) ° before operation to (81.60±3.27) points,(15.40±0.90),(9.06±2.27) °,(22.20±1.98) ° at the latest follow-up (P<0.05);preservation group were improved from (47.09±3.96) points,(43.30±12.65) °,(13.99±3.13) °,(33.20±6.14) ° to (83.10±3.66) points,(15.20±1.54) °,(8.99±1.02) °,(24.70±1.88) °,respectively. There were no significant difference in JSSF score,HVA,IMAFS and IMAFF between two groups before operation and the latest follow-up (P>0.05). At the latest follow-up,there were statistically significant differences in pain and deformity in JSSF scores between two groups (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Both rheumatoid anterior foot reconstruction and anterior foot reconstruction fifth metatarsophalangeal joint debridement showed significant improvement in clinical efficacy and imaging results. Compared with rheumatoid prefoot reconstruction,the fifth metatarsophalangeal joint reconstruction for the treatment of moderate and severe deformity of rheumatoid prefoot showed better improvement in pain,but worse improvement in deformity. For the moderate to severe deformity of the forefoot caused by rheumatoid disease,patients with mild to moderate degenerative deformity of the articular surface of the fifth metatarsal phalanges may be considered for use.

Ultrasound assisted wall-breaking extraction and primary structures, bioactivities, rheological properties of novel Exidia yadongensis polysaccharide.

New natural multifunctional polysaccharide and its innovatory extraction technology may be urgently needed for food industries. Our aims were to establish new extraction method and investigate the primary structures, bioactivities and rheological properties of novel E. yadongensis polysaccharide (EYP). Ultrasound assisted mechanical wall-breaking extraction (MAUE) was successfully established for the EYP extraction from a new E. yadongensis. Based on the MAUE with RSM, the polysaccharide yield of 17.92 ± 0.56 % with the optimal parameters of five extraction factors were obtained, and current MAUE was characterized by its high yield, low extraction temperature and short ultrasound time. After the isolation and purification, the EYP as a protein-bound polysaccharide was obtained. FT-IR and NMR analysis showed that the main backbone of the EYP comprised of (1 â†’ 4)-ß-D-glucopyranosyl and (1 â†’ 6)-ɑ-D-mannopyranosyl groups; EYP exhibited significant antioxidant, antibacterial, antitumor, antidiabetic activities, and good viscoelastic properties in low pH solutions (P < 0.05). The EYP may be used as a natural functional and cohesive agent in food industries.

CFD-based simulation study of dust transport law and air age in tunnel under different ventilation methods.

To solve the problem of high-concentration dust pollution in a bored tunnel, we conducted a simulation study on the dust transport law and air age of the wind flow in a bored tunnel under different ventilation methods. Air age was innovatively introduced as an index for evaluating tunnel air quality. The results show that dust pollution is serious under conditions of press-in ventilation, which is unfavorable to personnel operations. Following the installation of an on-board dust-removal fan, an effective dust-control air curtain forms in the tunnel, and the high-concentration dust is essentially controlled within the range of Z = 13 m from the working face. The dust concentration in the working area on the left side of the tunnel is CD < 200 mg/m3, and the dust-control effect is obvious. At the same time, the air age on both sides of the tunnel is reduced by 35.5% following the use of the on-board dust-removal fan. Taking into account dust control by ventilation and dust removal by fan, spraying dust reduction measures are added, and we developed automated wind-mist synergistic wet high-frequency oscillation dust-capturing technology for tunnel boring. This could effectively improve the problem of high levels of coal dust pollution in tunnels.

Effects of a physical activity promotion programme on body composition in emerging adults with physical inactivity: a study protocol of a randomised controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: A dramatic decline in physical activity may occur in emerging adulthood because of a major transition over the course of a life. The potential for implementing structured behaviour modification strategies to enhance risk-reducing clinical outcomes is widely recognised. The active participation of clients in the discussion and care process is crucial for optimising intervention outcomes and enhancing individuals' motivation to adopt and maintain healthy behaviours. This study therefore aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a physical activity promotion programme based on the goal attainment theory in relation to emerging adults' body composition, using a face-to-face and e-health blended interventions. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: A two-arm, double-blind, randomised, controlled study will be conducted in 114 university students aged 18-25 years with physical inactivity. The intervention assignment will be blind to study participants, outcome assessors and study statisticians. A goal achievement theory-based physical activity promotion programme is developed in this study, which is a 16-week, face-to-face and e-health-blended physical activity promotion intervention. After informed consent, participants will be randomly assigned to either a control group or a treatment group before the start of the study. The primary outcome is body composition (ie, skeletal muscle mass, body fat mass, body mass index and body fat percentage). Other outcomes include physical activity level, goal attainment scale scores, exercise self-efficacy and motivation level, which will be assessed during the intervention (every 4 weeks) and at the 1 month follow-up. Continuous variables have means and SD, while categorical variables have frequencies and percentages. Independent-samples t-tests will be used to compare continuous variable changes. χ2 tests will be used to compare categorical variable changes. Based on the baseline scores, analysis of covariance will compare the follow-up results. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Hangzhou Normal University (ratification date: 14 November 2022, 2022059). The results of the study will be submitted for publication and dissemination in a peer-reviewed journal. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT05697679.

Study on PM diffusion and distribution of trackless rubber-tyred vehicle under different driving conditions in underground coal mining environment.

Particulate matter (PM) is one of the most harmful exhaust pollutants to human health. In this study, the PM diffusion and distribution emitted by trackless rubber-tyred vehicle under different driving conditions in coal mine were analyzed with numerical simulations and field measurements. The results show that when the vehicle velocity was constant, the PM concentration of the trackless rubber-tyred vehicle decreased with increasing distance from the exhaust pipe orifice. In addition, the proportion of PM with a concentration below 10 mg/m3 was the highest owing to the influences of diffusion and airflow dilution. However, when the diffusion distance is less than 3 m, the PM concentration far exceeds the occupational exposure limit (10 mg/m3). In this case, underground personnel should stay away from the area near and along the exhaust pipe as far as possible. With increasing vehicle velocity, the PM concentration gradient at a diffusion distance of 0-6 m showed the most significant slope. Besides, the concentration fluctuation of PM was the largest and relatively high when the diffusion distance was 5-15 m. Therefore, the area 15 m from the exhaust gas pipe opening of the trackless rubber-tyred vehicle should be controlled. In addition, the relative errors between the measured and numerical simulation results were mostly less than 10%, which proved that the numerical simulation results were reliable.

The value of urinary exosomal lncRNA SNHG16 as a diagnostic biomarker for bladder cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To detect the expression level of urinary exosomal lncRNA SNHG16 in patients with bladder cancer and healthy individuals and explore its clinical application value in the diagnosis of bladder cancer. METHODS: Urine samples were collected from 42 patients with bladder cancer and 42 healthy volunteers who visited Lu'an Hospital of Anhui Medical University and the Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University from January 2020 to December 2022. The expression levels of lncRNA SNHG16 in urinary exosomes of the two groups were detected by RT‒qPCR, and their correlation with clinical pathological parameters of bladder cancer patients was analysed. An Receiver Operating Characteristic(ROC) curve was drawn to analyse the diagnostic value of urinary exosomal lncRNA SNHG16 for bladder cancer and compared with urinary cytology. RESULTS: The expression of urinary exosomal lncRNA SNHG16 in patients with bladder cancer was significantly higher (P < 0.05), and the expression level had no correlation with the age, sex, pathological T stage, pathological grade, or tumour size of bladder cancer patients (P > 0.05). The Area Under Curve(AUC) of urinary exosomal lncRNA SNHG16 in diagnosing bladder cancer was 0.791, which was superior to that of urinary cytology (AUC = 0.597). CONCLUSION: Urinary exosomal lncRNA SNHG16 with high expression can serve as a potential diagnostic biological marker for bladder cancer.

Fabrication and Characterization of Polylactic Acid Electrospun Wound Dressing Modified with Polyethylene Glycol, Rosmarinic Acid and Graphite Oxide.

Polylactic acid (PLA) is a biodegradable polymer made from natural sources, and its electrospinning (e-spinning) nanofiber membrane doped with antibacterial ingredients is widely used in the field of medical dressings. In this research, 9 wt% of rosmarinic acid (RosA) and 0.04 wt% of graphite oxide (GO) with synergistic antibacterial activity were introduced into the e-spinning PLA precursor solution, and the obtained PLA nanofiber membrane showed good antibacterial properties and wound healing effects. At the same time, a nonionic amphiphilic polymer, polyethylene glycol (PEG), was also introduced into this system to improve the hydrophilicity of the e-spinning membrane for wound healing application. The morphological characterization showed the RosA/GO and PEG did not affect the e-spinning of PLA. The tests of mechanical performance and wettability demonstrated that PEG and RosA/GO incorporated in PLA have migrated easily to the surface of the fiber. The e-spun PLA/PEG/RosA/GO membrane showed good antibacterial activity and promoted initial wound healing quickly, which would be a promising application in wound dressing.

An electrical stimulation intervention protocol to prevent disuse atrophy and muscle strength decline: an experimental study in rat.

BACKGROUND: Skeletal muscle is negatively impacted by conditions such as spaceflight or prolonged bed rest, resulting in a dramatic decline in muscle mass, maximum contractile force, and muscular endurance. Electrical stimulation (ES) is an essential tool in neurophysiotherapy and an effective means of preventing skeletal muscle atrophy and dysfunction. Historically, ES treatment protocols have used either low or high frequency electrical stimulation (LFES/HFES). However, our study tests the use of a combination of different frequencies in a single electrical stimulation intervention in order to determine a more effective protocol for improving both skeletal muscle strength and endurance. METHODS: An adult male SD rat model of muscle atrophy was established through 4 weeks of tail suspension (TS). To investigate the effects of different frequency combinations, the experimental animals were treated with low (20 Hz) or high (100 Hz) frequency before TS for 6 weeks, and during TS for 4weeks. The maximum contraction force and fatigue resistance of skeletal muscle were then assessed before the animals were sacrificed. The muscle mass, fiber cross-sectional area (CSA), fiber type and related protein expression were examined and analyzed to gain insights into the mechanisms by which the ES intervention protocol used in this study regulates muscle strength and endurance. RESULTS: After 4 weeks of unloading, the soleus muscle mass and fiber CSA decreased by 39% and 58% respectively, while the number of glycolytic muscle fibers increased by 21%. The gastrocnemius muscle fibers showed a 51% decrease in CSA, with a 44% decrease in single contractility and a 39% decrease in fatigue resistance. The number of glycolytic muscle fibers in the gastrocnemius also increased by 29%. However, the application of HFES either prior to or during unloading showed an improvement in muscle mass, fiber CSA, and oxidative muscle fibers. In the pre-unloading group, the soleus muscle mass increased by 62%, while the number of oxidative muscle fibers increased by 18%. In the during unloading group, the soleus muscle mass increased by 29% and the number of oxidative muscle fibers increased by 15%. In the gastrocnemius, the pre-unloading group showed a 38% increase in single contractile force and a 19% increase in fatigue resistance, while in the during unloading group, a 21% increase in single contractile force and a 29% increase in fatigue resistance was observed, along with a 37% and 26% increase in the number of oxidative muscle fibers, respectively. The combination of HFES before unloading and LFES during unloading resulted in a significant elevation of the soleus mass by 49% and CSA by 90%, with a 40% increase in the number of oxidative muscle fibers in the gastrocnemius. This combination also resulted in a 66% increase in single contractility and a 38% increase in fatigue resistance. CONCLUSION: Our results indicated that using HFES before unloading can reduce the harmful effects of muscle unloading on the soleus and gastrocnemius muscles. Furthermore, we found that combining HFES before unloading with LFES during unloading was more effective in preventing muscle atrophy in the soleus and preserving the contractile function of the gastrocnemius muscle.

Identification of three elevenin receptors and roles of elevenin disulfide bond and residues in receptor activation in Aplysia californica.

Neuropeptides are ubiquitous intercellular signaling molecules in the CNS and play diverse roles in modulating physiological functions by acting on specific G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs). Among them, the elevenin signaling system is now believed to be present primarily in protostomes. Although elevenin was first identified from the L11 neuron of the abdominal ganglion in mollusc Aplysia californica, no receptors have been described in Aplysia, nor in any other molluscs. Here, using two elevenin receptors in annelid Platynereis dumerilii, we found three putative elevenin GPCRs in Aplysia. We cloned the three receptors and tentatively named them apElevR1, apElevR2, and apElevR3. Using an inositol monophosphate (IP1) accumulation assay, we demonstrated that Aplysia elevenin with the disulfide bond activated the three putative receptors with low EC50 values (ranging from 1.2 to 25 nM), supporting that they are true receptors for elevenin. In contrast, elevenin without the disulfide bond could not activate the receptors, indicating that the disulfide bond is required for receptor activity. Using alanine substitution of individual conserved residues other than the two cysteines, we showed that these residues appear to be critical to receptor activity, and the three different receptors had different sensitivities to the single residue substitution. Finally, we examined the roles of those residues outside the disulfide bond ring by removing these residues and found that they also appeared to be important to receptor activity. Thus, our study provides an important basis for further study of the functions of elevenin and its receptors in Aplysia and other molluscs.

The association of homocysteine level with the risk of diabetic nephropathy and diabetic retinopathy in NHANES.

AIMS: To examine the association of homocysteine (Hcy) with diabetic nephropathy (DN) and diabetic retinopathy (DR) in a representative United States population. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study using data from participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005-2006. Metrics including Hcy level, urinary albumin to creatinine ratio, estimated glomerular filtration rate, and retinopathy grading were collected. Multiple logistic regression models were employed to assess the association of Hcy with DN and DR. RESULTS: 630 participants were included in this study. The Hcy level was significantly higher in those with DN and DR than those without DN and DR. Hcy was associated with an increased risk of DN (OR = 1.31, 95% CI 1.18-1.46; P < 0.001). In the fully adjusted model of DN (model II), compared to participants in quartiles 1 of Hcy, the adjusted ORs for participants in quartiles 2-4 were 1.49 (95% CI 0.52-4.26; P = 0.426), 3.81 (95% CI 1.35-10.73; P = 0.015), and 14.08 (95% CI 3.84-51.66; P = 0.001), respectively. Hcy was also associated with an increased risk of DR (OR = 2.260, 95% CI 1.212-4.216; P = 0.014), but this association was non-significant in the fully adjusted model of DR (model II). CONCLUSIONS: In diabetic patients, Hcy was associated with increased risk of DN in a non-linear manner. In addition, Hcy was associated with the risk of DR, but the association was attenuated after adjusting for confounders. In the future, Hcy can potentially be used as an early screening indicator for diabetic microvascular complications.