Self-calibrated atom-interferometer gyroscope by modulating atomic velocities.

Atom-interferometer gyroscopes have attracted much attention for their long-term stability and extremely low drift. For such high-precision instruments, self-calibration to achieve an absolute rotation measurement is critical. In this work, we propose and demonstrate the self-calibration of an atom-interferometer gyroscope. This calibration is realized by using the detuning of the laser frequency to control the atomic velocity, thus modulating the scale factor of the gyroscope. The modulation determines the order and the initial phase of the interference stripe, thus eliminating the ambiguity caused by the periodicity of the interferometric signal. This self-calibration method is validated through a measurement of the Earth's rotation rate, and a relative uncertainty of 162 ppm is achieved. Long-term stable and self-calibrated atom-interferometer gyroscopes have important applications in the fields of fundamental physics, geophysics, and long-time navigation.

Rapid one-pot isothermal amplification reassembled of fluorescent RNA aptamer for SARS-CoV-2 detection.

The outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 poses a serious threat to human life and health. A rapid nucleic acid tests can effectively curb the spread of the disease. With the advantages of fluorescent RNA aptamers, low background and high sensitivity. A variety of fluorescent RNA aptamer sensors have been developed for the detection of nucleic acid. Here, we report a hypersensitive detection platform in which SARS-CoV-2 initiates RTF-EXPAR to amplify trigger fragments. This activation leads to the reassembled of the SRB2 fluorescent RNA aptamer, restoring its secondary structure for SR-DN binding and turn-on fluorescence. The platform completes the assay in 30 min and all reactions occur in one tube. The detection limit is as low as 116 aM. Significantly, the platform's quantitative analyses were almost identical to qPCR results in simulated tests of positive samples. In conclusion, the platform is sensitive, accurate and provides a new protocol for point-of-care testing of viruses.

Palladium/XuPhos-catalyzed enantioselective cascade Heck/intermolecular C(sp2)-H alkylation reaction.

Palladium-catalyzed enantioselective domino Heck/intramolecular C-H functionalization reaction, as a valuable strategy for creating molecular diversity, has remained a prominent challenge. Here, we describe a Pd/XuPhos catalyst for asymmetric domino Heck/intermolecular C-H alkylation of unactivated alkenes with diverse polyfluoro- and heteroarenes in a highly chemo- and enantioselective manner. This process enables efficient synthesis of various dihydrobenzofurans, indolines and indanes, which are of interest in pharmaceutical research and other areas. Late-stage modifications of the core structures of natural products are also well showcased. Moreover, synthetic transformations create a valuable platform for preparing a series of functionalized molecules. Several control experiments for mechanistic study are conducted to pursue a further understanding of the reaction.

Establishment of a headspace-thermal desorption and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry method (HS-TD-GC-MS) for simultaneous detection of 51 volatile organic compounds in human urine: Application in occupational exposure assessment.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are a group of ubiquitous environment pollutants especially released into the workplace. Assessment of VOCs exposure in occupational populations is therefore a crucial issue for occupational health. However, simultaneous biomonitoring of a variety of VOCs is less studied. In this study, a simple and sensitive method was developed for the simultaneous determination of 51 prototype VOCs in urine by headspace-thermal desorption coupled to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-TD-GC-MS). The urinary sample was pretreated with only adding 0.50 g of sodium chloride to 2 mL of urine and 51 VOCs should be determined with limits of detection (LODs) between 13.6 ng/L and 24.5 ng/L. The method linearity ranged from 0.005 to 10 µg/L with correlation coefficients (r) of 0.991 to 0.999. The precision for intraday and inter-day, measured by the variation coefficient (CV) at three levels of concentration, was below 15 %, except for 4-isopropyl toluene, dichloromethane, and trichloromethane at low concentration. For medium and high levels, recoveries of all target VOCs were within the standard range, but 1,1-dichloropropene and styrene, which were slightly under 80 % at low levels. In addition, the proposed method has been used to determine urine samples collected in three times (before, during and after working) from 152 workers at four different factories. 41 types of prototype VOCs were detected in workers urine. Significant differences (Kruskal-Wallis chi-squared = 117.18, df = 1, P < 0.05) in the concentration levels of VOCs between the exposed and unexposed groups were observed, but not between the three sampling times (Kruskal-Wallis chi-squared = 3.39, df = 2, P = 0.183). The present study provides an alternative method for biomonitoring and assessing mixed exposures to VOCs in occupational populations.

Distribution of gasification products and emission of heavy metals and dioxins from municipal solid waste at the low temperature pyrolysis stage.

Gasification is widely regarded as one of the most practical, economical, and environmentally friendly waste disposal technologies for municipal solid waste (MSW). The pyrolysis stage (300-500 °C) is crucial for weight loss during MSW gasification, as a considerable amount of organic matter breaks down, producing high-value synthesis gas. This study investigated the product distribution and pollutant emission characteristics within this temperature range and its influencing factors during MSW gasification using a self-designed MSW gasification device. Results indicated that MSW underwent approximately 70% weight loss within this temperature range, yielding low amounts of inorganic and short-chain organic products, with mainly long-chain organic compounds of C16-C34. The atmosphere variation had minimal effect on the elemental composition and content of solid phase products. X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) analyses showed that Mn and Zn were the primary components of heavy metal leaching toxicity in solid phase products, with their contents increasing as temperature increased. Synthesis gas showed the highest content of heavy metal As element, reaching a peak at 400 °C. Higher gasification temperature and lower oxygen flow rate significantly reduced the dioxin content and I-TEQ values, with highly chlorinated isomers being the predominant dioxin isomers. Nonetheless, low-chlorinated dioxins accounted for more than 50% of the I-TEQ. This study improves our understanding of the gasification process of MSW.

VDR regulates mitochondrial function as a protective mechanism against renal tubular cell injury in diabetic rats.

PURPOSE: To investigate the regulatory effect and mechanism of Vitamin D receptor (VDR) on mitochondrial function in renal tubular epithelial cell under diabetic status. METHODS: The diabetic rats induced by streptozotocin (STZ) and HK-2 cells under high glocose(HG)/transforming growth factor beta (TGF-ß) stimulation were used in this study. Calcitriol was administered for 24 weeks. Renal tubulointerstitial injury and some parameters of mitochondrial function including mitophagy, mitochondrial fission, mitochondrial ROS, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), mitochondrial ATP, Complex V activity and mitochondria-associated ER membranes (MAMs) integrity were examined. Additionally, paricalcitol, 3-MA (an autophagy inhibitor), VDR over-expression plasmid, VDR siRNA and Mfn2 siRNA were applied in vitro. RESULTS: The expression of VDR, Pink1, Parkin, Fundc1, LC3II, Atg5, Mfn2, Mfn1 in renal tubular cell of diabetic rats were decreased significantly. Calcitriol treatment reduced the levels of urinary albumin, serum creatinine and attenuated renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis in STZ induced diabetic rats. In addition, VDR agonist relieved mitophagy dysfunction, MAMs integrity, and inhibited mitochondrial fission, mitochondrial ROS. Co-immunoprecipitation analysis demonstrated that VDR interacted directly with Mfn2. Mitochondrial function including mitophagy, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), mitochondrial Ca2+, mitochondrial ATP and Complex V activity were decreased dramatically in HK-2 cells under HG/TGF-ß ambience. In vitro pretreatment of HK-2 cells with autophagy inhibitor 3-MA, VDR siRNA or Mfn2 siRNA negated the activating effects of paricalcitol on mitochondrial function. Pricalcitol and VDR over-expression plasmid activated Mfn2 and then partially restored the MAMs integrity. Additionally, VDR restored mitophagy was partially associated with MAMs integrity through Fundc1. CONCLUSION: Activated VDR could contribute to restore mitophagy through Mfn2-MAMs-Fundc1 pathway in renal tubular cell. VDR could recover mitochondrial ATP, complex V activity and MAMs integrity, inhibit mitochondrial fission and mitochondrial ROS. It indicating that VDR agonists ameliorate renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis in diabetic rats partially via regulation of mitochondrial function.

Effect of two different doses of nalbuphine for postoperative analgesia in children with cleft palate: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Cleft palate repair surgery may result in severe pain in the immediate postoperative period. The aim of this study is to compare the effects of different doses of nalbuphine for postoperative analgesia in children with cleft palate. METHODS: From November 2019 to June 2021, 90 children (45 males and 45 females, age 9-20 months old, ASA class I-II) were selected for palatoplasty. They were randomly divided into three groups: the control group (Group C), the N1 group (postoperative analgesia with 0.05 mg/kg/h nalbuphine) and the N2 group (postoperative analgesia with 0.075 mg/kg/h nalbuphine). Each group had 30 cases. Nalbuphine was not continuously infused in Group C but was continuously infused in Groups N1 and N2 at rates of 0.05 mg/kg/h and 0.075 mg/kg/h, respectively, for 24 h for postoperative analgesia. The FLACC analgesia score and Ramsay Sedation score were recorded at 10 min (T1), 30 min (T2), 2 h (T3), 12 h (T4) and 24 h (T5) after the operation. Adverse reactions such as nausea, vomiting and respiratory depression were observed and recorded. RESULTS: Compared with those in Group C, the FLACC scores in the N1 and N2 groups decreased significantly at T1-T5 (p < 0.05); the Ramsay Sedation score in the N1 group was significantly higher at T3 and T4 (p < 0.05), and that in the N2 group was significantly higher at T1-T5 (p < 0.05). Compared with that in the N1 group, the FLACC score in the N2 group was not significantly different, and the Ramsay Sedation score increased significantly at T5 (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Using 0.05 mg/kg/h Nalbuphine continuously for 24 h for postoperative analgesia in children with cleft palate has a better effect and fewer adverse reactions. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study was registered at ChiCTR1900027385 (11/11/2019).

Mitofusin2 Ameliorated Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Mitochondrial Reactive Oxygen Species Through Maintaining Mitochondria-Associated Endoplasmic Reticulum Membrane Integrity in Cisplatin-Induced Acute Kidney Injury.

Aims: This study investigated the regulatory effect of Mitofusin2 (Mfn2) on mitochondria-associated endoplasmic reticulum membrane (MAM) integrity and cellular injury in cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury (CP-AKI). Results: CP-AKI mice exhibited decreased expression of Mfn2, increased expression of phosphorylated adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (p-AMPK), abnormal mitochondrial morphology, and reduced MAMs integrity, accompanied by the activation of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress (inositol-requiring enzyme 1 [IRE1] and PERK pathways). In in vitro studies, CP-induced mitochondrial ROS, ER-stress activation, and increased apoptosis were accompanied by the downregulation of Mfn2 and MAMs integrity reduction in Boston University mouse proximal tubular cells (BUMPT) and human proximal tubular epithelial cells (HK-2). Pretreatment of BUMPT cells with the Mfn2 plasmid partially restored the integrity of MAMs, negatively controlled IRE1 and PERK pathways, and inhibited cell apoptosis. In contrast, ER-stress and MAMs integrity violations were increased after Mfn2 small-interfering RNA (siRNA) treatment in HK-2 cells under CP treatment. Coimmunoprecipitation analysis demonstrated that Mfn2 interacted with PERK and IRE1. Furthermore, the adenosine 5'-monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK), acadesine (AICAR), had a similar effect to Mfn2 plasmid in the regulation of ER stress and MAMs. Conversely, the ER-stress inhibitor, 4-phenylbutyric acid (4-PBA), had no effect on the expression of Mfn2 and MAMs integrity. Innovation and Conclusion: This is the first study to explore the association between MAMs, ER stress, and Mfn2 in CP-AKI. Downregulation of Mfn2 expression abolished the MAMs integrity, and induced ER stress, mitochondrial ROS, and tubular cell apoptosis. This suggests that the Mfn2-MAMs pathway is a potential therapeutic target in CP-AKI. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 40, 16-39. The Ethical Registration number of animal experiment in this study was CSU-2022-01-0095.

Prognostic Value of Left Ventricular Longitudinal Function and Myocardial Fibrosis in Patients With Ischemic and Non-Ischemic Dilated Cardiomyopathy Concomitant With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A 3.0 T Cardiac MR Study.

BACKGROUND: Poorly controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is known to result in left ventricular (LV) dysfunction, myocardial fibrosis, and ischemic/nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (ICM/NIDCM). However, less is known about the prognostic value of T2DM on LV longitudinal function and late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) assessed with cardiac MRI in ICM/NIDCM patients. PURPOSE: To measure LV longitudinal function and myocardial scar in ICM/NIDCM patients with T2DM and to determine their prognostic values. STUDY TYPE: Retrospective cohort. POPULATION: Two hundred thirty-five ICM/NIDCM patients (158 with T2DM and 77 without T2DM). FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE: 3T; steady-state free precession cine; phase-sensitive inversion recovery segmented gradient echo LGE sequences. ASSESSMENT: Global peak longitudinal systolic strain rate (GLPSSR) was evaluated to LV longitudinal function with feature tracking. The predictive value of GLPSSR was determined with ROC curve. Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) was measured. The primary adverse cardiovascular endpoint was follow up every 3 months. STATISTICAL TESTS: Mann-Whitney U test or student's t-test; Intra and inter-observer variabilities; Kaplan-Meier method; Cox proportional hazards analysis (threshold = 5%). RESULTS: ICM/NIDCM patients with T2DM exhibited significantly lower absolute value of GLPSSR (0.39 ± 0.14 vs. 0.49 ± 0.18) and higher proportion of LGE positive (+) despite similar LV ejection fraction, compared to without T2DM. LV GLPSSR was able to predict primary endpoint (AUC 0.73) and optimal cutoff point was 0.4. ICM/NIDCM patients with T2DM (GLPSSR < 0.4) had more markedly impaired survival. Importantly, this group (GLPSSR < 0.4, HbA1c ≥ 7.8%, or LGE (+)) exhibited the worst survival. In multivariate analysis, GLPSSR, HbA1c, and LGE (+) significantly predicted primary adverse cardiovascular endpoint in overall ICM/NIDCM and ICM/NIDCM patients with T2DM. CONCLUSIONS: T2DM has an additive deleterious effect on LV longitudinal function and myocardial fibrosis in ICM/NIDCM patients. Combining GLPSSR, HbA1c, and LGE could be promising markers in predicting outcomes in ICM/NIDCM patients with T2DM. EVIDENCE LEVEL: 3 TECHNICAL EFFICACY: 5.

Endogenous Zinc-Ion-Triggered In Situ Gelation Enables Zn Capture to Reprogram Benign Hyperplastic Prostate Microenvironment and Shrink Prostate.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) as the leading cause of urination disorder is still a refractory disease, and there have no satisfied drugs or treatment protocols yet. With identifying excessive Zn2+ , inflammation, and oxidative stress as the etiology of aberrant hyperplasia, an injectable sodium alginate (SA) and glycyrrhizic acid (GA)-interconnected hydrogels (SAGA) featuring Zn2+ -triggered in situ gelation are developed to load lonidamine for reprogramming prostate microenvironment and treating BPH. Herein, SAGA hydrogels can crosslink with Zn2+ in BPH via coordination chelation and switch free Zn2+ to bound ones, consequently alleviating Zn2+ -arisen inflammation and glycolysis. Beyond capturing Zn2+ , GA with intrinsic immunoregulatory property can also alleviate local inflammation and scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS). Intriguingly, Zn2+ chelation-bridged interconnection in SAGA enhances its mechanical property and regulates the degradation rate to enable continuous lonidamine release, favoring hyperplastic acini apoptosis and further inhibiting glycolysis. These multiple actions cooperatively reprogram BPH microenvironment to alleviate characteristic symptoms of BPH and shrink prostate. RNA sequencing reveals that chemotaxis, glycolysis, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inflammation-related pathways associated with M1-like phenotype polarization are discerned as the action rationales of such endogenous Zn2+ -triggered in situ hydrogels, providing a candidate avenue to treat BPH.

Recent advances in Pd-catalyzed asymmetric cyclization reactions.

Over the past few decades, there have been major developments in transition metal-catalyzed asymmetric cyclization reactions, enabling the convenient access to a wide spectrum of structurally diverse chiral carbo- and hetero-cycles, common skeletons found in fine chemicals, natural products, pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and materials. In particular, a plethora of enantioselective cyclization reactions have been promoted by chiral palladium catalysts owing to their outstanding features. This review aims to collect the latest advancements in enantioselective palladium-catalyzed cyclization reactions over the past eleven years, and it is organized into thirteen sections depending on the different types of transformations involved.

Myeloid cells interact with a subset of thyrocytes to promote their migration and follicle formation through NF-κB.

The pathogenesis of thyroid dysgenesis (TD) is not well understood. Here, using a combination of single-cell RNA and spatial transcriptome sequencing, we identify a subgroup of NF-κB-activated thyrocytes located at the center of thyroid tissues in postnatal mice, which maintained a partially mesenchymal phenotype. These cells actively protruded out of the thyroid primordium and generated new follicles in zebrafish embryos through continuous tracing. Suppressing NF-κB signaling affected thyrocyte migration and follicle formation, leading to a TD-like phenotype in both mice and zebrafish. Interestingly, during thyroid folliculogenesis, myeloid cells played a crucial role in promoting thyrocyte migration by maintaining close contact and secreting TNF-α. We found that cebpa mutant zebrafish, in which all myeloid cells were depleted, exhibited thyrocyte migration defects. Taken together, our results suggest that myeloid-derived TNF-α-induced NF-κB activation plays a critical role in promoting the migration of vertebrate thyrocytes for follicle generation.

Dynamic changes in cardiac morphology, function, and diffuse myocardial fibrosis duration of diabetes in type 1 and type 2 diabetic mice models using 7.0 T CMR and echocardiography.

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Hence, early detection of cardiac changes by imaging is crucial to reducing cardiovascular complications. Purpose: Early detection of cardiac changes is crucial to reducing cardiovascular complications. The study aimed to detect the dynamic change in cardiac morphology, function, and diffuse myocardial fibrosis(DMF) associated with T1DM and T2DM mice models. Materials and methods: 4-week-old C57Bl/6J male mice were randomly divided into control (n=30), T1DM (n=30), and T2DM (n=30) groups. A longitudinal study was conducted every 4 weeks using serial 7.0T CMR and echocardiography imaging. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LV EF), tissue tracking parameters, and DMF were measured by cine CMR and extracellular volume fraction (ECV). Global peak circumferential strain (GCPS), peak systolic strain rate (GCPSSR) values were acquired by CMR feature tracking. LV diastolic function parameter (E/E') was acquired by echocardiography. The correlations between the ECV and cardiac function parameters were assessed by Pearson's test. Results: A total of 6 mice were included every 4 weeks in control, T1DM, and T2DM groups for analysis. Compared to control group, an increase was detected in the LV mass and E/E' ratio, while the values of GCPS, GCPSSR decreased mildly in DM. Compared to T2DM group, GCPS and GCPSSR decreased earlier in T1DM(GCPS 12W,P=0.004; GCPSSR 12W,P=0.04). ECV values showed a significant correlation with GCPS and GCPSSR in DM groups. Moreover, ECV values showed a strong positive correlation with E/E'(T1DM,r=0.757,P<0.001;T2DM, r=0.811,P<0.001). Conclusion: The combination of ECV and cardiac mechanical parameters provide imaging biomakers for pathophysiology, early diagnosis of cardiac morphology, function and early intervention in diabetic cardiomyopathy in the future.

[Intratesticular varicocele: Progress in research].

Intratesticular varicocele (ITV) is a relatively rare condition. Currently, there is no domestic literature available on this topic. This paper presents an overview of the epidemiology, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, impact on male reproductive health, and treatment of ITV with a review of recent foreign literature, aiming to gain a deeper insight into this condition.

Research on Two-Stage Semi-Active ISD Suspension Based on Improved Fuzzy Neural Network PID Control.

To better improve the ride comfort and handling stability of vehicles, a new two-stage ISD semi-active suspension structure is designed, which consists of the three elements, including an adjustable damper, spring, and inerter. Meanwhile, a new semi-active ISD suspension control strategy is proposed based on this structure. Firstly, the fuzzy neural network's initial parameters are optimized using the grey wolf optimization algorithm. Then, the fuzzy neural network with the optimal parameters is adjusted to the PID parameters. Finally, a 1/4 2-degree-of-freedom ISD semi-active suspension model is constructed in Matlab/Simulink, and the dynamics simulation is carried out for the three schemes using PID control, fuzzy neural network PID control, and improved fuzzy neural network PID control, respectively. The results show that compared with adopting PID control and fuzzy neural network PID control strategy, the vehicle body acceleration and tire dynamic loads are significantly reduced after using the grey wolf optimized fuzzy neural network PID control strategy, which shows that the control strategy proposed in this paper can significantly improve the vehicle smoothness and the stability of the handling.

Compact multi-channel radio frequency pulse-sequence generator with fast-switching capability for cold-atom interferometers.

Cold-atom interferometers have matured into a powerful tool for fundamental physics research, and they are currently moving from realizations in the laboratory to applications in the field. A radio frequency (RF) generator is an indispensable component of these devices for controlling lasers and manipulating atoms. In this work, we developed a compact RF generator for fast switching and sweeping the frequencies and amplitudes of atomic-interference pulse sequences. In this generator, multi-channel RF signals are generated using a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) to control eight direct digital synthesizers (DDSs). We further propose and demonstrate a method for pre-loading the parameters of all the RF pulse sequences to the DDS registers before their execution, which eliminates the need for data transfer between the FPGA and DDSs to change RF signals. This sharply decreases the frequency-switching time when the pulse sequences are running. Performance characterization showed that the generated RF signals achieve a 100 ns frequency-switching time and a 40 dB harmonic-rejection ratio. The generated RF pulse sequences were applied to a cold-atom-interferometer gyroscope, and the contrast of atomic interference fringes was found to reach 38%. This compact multi-channel generator with fast frequency/amplitude switching and/or sweeping capability will be beneficial for applications in field-portable atom interferometers.

Exploration of diagnostic biomarkers, microenvironment characteristics, and ursolic acid's therapeutic effect for benign prostate hyperplasia.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and early-stage prostate cancer (PC) have similar symptoms, making it challenging to differentially diagnose these two conditions. The study used Weighted Gene Co-Expression Network Analysis, as well as two machine learning strategies to identify BPH-specific biomarkers based on an integrated transcriptome data from 922 samples. Eight prognostic genes (ALCAM, COL6A2, CRISP2, FOXF2, IGF1, PTN, SCN7A, and UAP1) were identified to be BPH-specific biomarkers with high accuracy and specificity. Moreover, we constructed a seven-gene diagnostic classifier to distinguish BPH from PC. The infiltrations of plasmacytoid dendritic cells and neutrophil cells showed distinct differences between BPH and non-BPH groups. Additionally, ursolic acid can reverse transcriptional features associated with the occurrence and progression of BPH. Both in vivo and in vitro experiments have confirmed that it induces apoptosis of BPH cells and inhibits cell proliferation by promoting cell cycle S-phase arrest. The diagnostic biomarkers, microenvironment characteristics, and therapeutic effect of ursolic acid explored in this study offer new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for BPH.

Exposure to parabens and semen quality in reproductive-aged men.

BACKGROUND: Parabens are common preservatives in personal care products, cosmetics, and medical goods. In the past few years, animal studies showed the male reproductive toxicity associated with some parabens. Yet, epidemiological studies have generated inconsistent findings and research rarely has focused on the mixture effects of the parabens. We aimed to explore the associations between individual paraben exposure as well as the mixture and semen quality parameters. METHODS: A total of 795 male partners from preconception couples were included in the study. Their urine samples were analyzed for the concentrations of six parabens, namely methyl paraben (MeP), ethyl paraben (EtP), propyl paraben (PrP), butyl paraben (BuP), benzyl paraben (BzP) and heptyl paraben (HeP). Multiple linear regression models and weighted quantile sum regression (WQS) models were utilized to assess the relationships between individual paraben exposure and paraben mixture with semen quality parameters, respectively. RESULTS: After adjusting for covariates, exposure to a paraben mixture was significantly associated with declining sperm concentration, total sperm count, and progressive motility, among which BuP was identified as the main contributor to sperm concentration and total sperm count while MeP to progressive motility. Results from multiple linear regression models were generally in line with the WQS analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest negative associations between paraben mixture and sperm concentration, total sperm count, and sperm motility among reproductive-aged men.

Host ALDH2 deficiency aggravates nonalcoholic steatohepatitis through gut-liver axis.

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is the major cause of liver dysfunction. Animal and population studies have shown that mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH2) is implicated in fatty liver disease. However, the role of ALDH2 in NASH and the underlying mechanisms remains unclear. To address this issue, ALDH2 knockout (ALDH2-/-) mice and wild-type littermate mice were fed a methionine-and choline-deficient (MCD) diet to induce a NASH model. Fecal, serum, and liver samples were collected and analyzed to investigate the impact of the gut microbiota and bile acids on this process. We found that MCD-fed ALDH2-/- mice exhibited increased serum pro-inflammation cytokines, hepatic inflammation and fat accumulation than their wild-type littermates. MCD-fed ALDH2-/- mice exhibited worsened MCD-induced intestinal inflammation and barrier damage, and gut microbiota disorder. Furthermore, mice receiving microbiota from MCD-fed ALDH2-/- mice had increased severity of NASH compared to those receiving microbiota from MCD-fed wild-type mice. Notably, the intestinal Lactobacillus was significantly reduced in MCD-fed ALDH2-/- mice, and gavage with Lactobacillus cocktail significantly improved MCD-induced NASH. Finally, we found that ALDH2-/- mice had reduced levels of bile salt hydrolase and specific bile acids, especially lithocholic acid (LCA), accompanied by downregulated expression of the intestinal FXR-FGF15 pathway. Supplementation of LCA in ALDH2-/- mice upregulated intestinal FXR-FGF15 pathway and alleviated NASH. In summary, ALDH2 plays a critical role in the development of NASH through modulation of gut microbiota and bile acid. The findings suggest that supplementing with Lactobacillus or LCA could be a promising therapeutic approach for treating NASH exacerbated by ALDH2 deficiency.

Adjunctive repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for adolescents with first-episode major depressive disorder: a meta-analysis.

Objective: This meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) was conducted to explore the therapeutic effects, tolerability and safety of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) as an adjunct treatment in adolescents with first-episode major depressive disorder (FE-MDD). Methods: RCTs examining the efficacy, tolerability and safety of adjunctive rTMS for adolescents with FE-MDD were included. Data were extracted by three independent authors and synthesized using RevMan 5.3 software with a random effects model. Results: A total of six RCTs involving 562 adolescents with FE-MDD were included. Adjunctive rTMS was superior in improving depressive symptoms over the control group [standardized mean difference (SMD) = -1.50, 95% confidence interval (CI): -2.16, -0.84; I2 = 89%, p < 0.00001] in adolescents with FE-MDD. A sensitivity analysis and two subgroup analyses also confirmed the significant findings. Adolescents with FE-MDD treated with rTMS had significantly greater response [risk ratio (RR) = 1.35, 95% CI: 1.04, 1.76; I2 = 56%, p = 0.03] and remission (RR = 1.35, 95% CI: 1.03, 1.77; I2 = 0%, p = 0.03) over the control group. All-cause discontinuations were similar between the two groups (RR = 0.79, 95% CI: 0.32, 1.93; I2 = 0%, p = 0.60). No significant differences were found regarding adverse events, including headache, loss of appetite, dizziness and nausea (p = 0.14-0.82). Four out of six RCTs (66.7%), showed that adjunctive rTMS was more efficacious over the control group in improving neurocognitive function (all p < 0.05). Conclusion: Adjunctive rTMS appears to be a beneficial strategy in improving depressive symptoms and neurocognitive function in adolescents with FE-MDD. Higher quality RCTs with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up periods are warranted in the future.