Phthalate acid esters: A review of aquatic environmental occurrence and their interactions with plants.

The increasing use of phthalate acid esters (PAEs) in various applications has inevitably led to their widespread presence in the aquatic environment. This presents a considerable threat to plants. However, the interactions between PAEs and plants in the aquatic environment have not yet been comprehensively reviewed. In this review, the properties, occurrence, uptake, transformation, and toxic effects of PAEs on plants in the aquatic environment are summarized. PAEs have been prevalently detected in the aquatic environment, including surface water, groundwater, seawater, and sediment, with concentrations ranging from the ng/L or ng/kg to the mg/L or mg/kg range. PAEs in the aquatic environment can be uptake, translocated, and metabolized by plants. Exposure to PAEs induces multiple adverse effects in aquatic plants, including growth perturbation, structural damage, disruption of photosynthesis, oxidative damage, and potential genotoxicity. High-throughput omics techniques further reveal the underlying toxicity molecular mechanisms of how PAEs disrupt plants on the transcription, protein, and metabolism levels. Finally, this review proposes that future studies should evaluate the interactions between plants and PAEs with a focus on long-term exposure to environmental PAE concentrations, the effects of PAE alternatives, and human health risks via the intake of plant-based foods.

Clinically relevant stratification of lung squamous carcinoma patients based on ubiquitinated proteasome genes for 3P medical approach.

Relevance: The proteasome is a crucial mechanism that regulates protein fate and eliminates misfolded proteins, playing a significant role in cellular processes. In the context of lung cancer, the proteasome's regulatory function is closely associated with the disease's pathophysiology, revealing multiple connections within the cell. Therefore, studying proteasome inhibitors as a means to identify potential pathways in carcinogenesis and metastatic progression is crucial in in-depth insight into its molecular mechanism and discovery of new therapeutic target to improve its therapy, and establishing effective biomarkers for patient stratification, predictive diagnosis, prognostic assessment, and personalized treatment for lung squamous carcinoma in the framework of predictive, preventive, and personalized medicine (PPPM; 3P medicine). Methods: This study identified differentially expressed proteasome genes (DEPGs) in lung squamous carcinoma (LUSC) and developed a gene signature validated through Kaplan-Meier analysis and ROC curves. The study used WGCNA analysis to identify proteasome co-expression gene modules and their interactions with the immune system. NMF analysis delineated distinct LUSC subtypes based on proteasome gene expression patterns, while ssGSEA analysis quantified immune gene-set abundance and classified immune subtypes within LUSC samples. Furthermore, the study examined correlations between clinicopathological attributes, immune checkpoints, immune scores, immune cell composition, and mutation status across different risk score groups, NMF clusters, and immunity clusters. Results: This study utilized DEPGs to develop an eleven-proteasome gene-signature prognostic model for LUSC, which divided samples into high-risk and low-risk groups with significant overall survival differences. NMF analysis identified six distinct LUSC clusters associated with overall survival. Additionally, ssGSEA analysis classified LUSC samples into four immune subtypes based on the abundance of immune cell infiltration with clinical relevance. A total of 145 DEGs were identified between high-risk and low-risk score groups, which had significant biological effects. Moreover, PSMD11 was found to promote LUSC progression by depending on the ubiquitin-proteasome system for degradation. Conclusions: Ubiquitinated proteasome genes were effective in developing a prognostic model for LUSC patients. The study emphasized the critical role of proteasomes in LUSC processes, such as drug sensitivity, immune microenvironment, and mutation status. These data will contribute to the clinically relevant stratification of LUSC patients for personalized 3P medical approach. Further, we also recommend the application of the ubiquitinated proteasome system in multi-level diagnostics including multi-omics, liquid biopsy, prediction and targeted prevention of chronic inflammation and metastatic disease, and mitochondrial health-related biomarkers, for LUSC 3PM practice. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13167-024-00352-w.

IL-13 facilitates ferroptotic death in asthmatic epithelial cells via SOCS1-mediated ubiquitinated degradation of SLC7A11.

Th2-high asthma is characterized by elevated levels of type 2 cytokines, such as interleukin 13 (IL-13), and its prevalence has been increasing worldwide. Ferroptosis, a recently discovered type of programmed cell death, is involved in the pathological process of Th2-high asthma; however, the underlying mechanisms remain incompletely understood. In this study, we demonstrated that the serum level of malondialdehyde (MDA), an index of lipid peroxidation, positively correlated with IL-13 level and negatively correlated with the predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1%) in asthmatics. Furthermore, we showed that IL-13 facilitates ferroptosis by upregulating of suppressor of cytokine signaling 1 (SOCS1) through analyzing immortalized airway epithelial cells, human airway organoids, and the ovalbumin (OVA)-challenged asthma model. We identified that signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (STAT6) promotes the transcription of SOCS1 upon IL-13 stimulation. Moreover, SOCS1, an E3 ubiquitin ligase, was found to bind to solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11) and catalyze its ubiquitinated degradation, thereby promoting ferroptosis in airway epithelial cells. Last, we found that inhibiting SOCS1 can decrease ferroptosis in airway epithelial cells and alleviate airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) in OVA-challenged wide-type mice, while SOCS1 overexpression exacerbated the above in OVA-challenged IL-13-knockout mice. Our findings reveal that the IL-13/STAT6/SOCS1/SLC7A11 pathway is a novel molecular mechanism for ferroptosis in Th2-high asthma, confirming that targeting ferroptosis in airway epithelial cells is a potential therapeutic strategy for Th2-high asthma.

The hidden diet: Synthetic antioxidants in packaged food and their impact on human exposure and health.

Synthetic antioxidants (AOs) are commonly used in everyday items and industrial products to inhibit oxidative deterioration. However, the presence of AOs in food packaging and packaged foods has not been thoroughly documented. Moreover, studies on human exposure to AOs through skin contact with packaging or ingesting packaged foods are limited. In this study, we analyzed twenty-three AOs-including synthetic phenolic antioxidants (SPAs) and organophosphite antioxidants (OPAs)-along with six transformation products in various food samples and their packaging materials. We found AOs in food products at concentrations ranging from 1.30 × 103 to 1.77 × 105 ng/g, which exceeded the levels in both outer packaging (6.05 × 102-3.07 × 104 ng/g) and inner packaging (2.27 × 102-1.09 × 105 ng/g). The most common AOs detected in foodstuffs were tris(2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl) phosphate (AO168O), butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), and octadecyl-3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionate (AO1076), together constituting 95.7 % of the total AOs found. Our preliminary exposure assessment revealed that dietary exposure-estimated at a median of 2.55 × 104 ng/kg body weight/day for children and 1.24 × 104 ng/kg body weight/day for adults-is a more significant exposure route than dermal contact with packaging. Notably, four AOs were identified in food for the first time, with BHT making up 76.8 % and 67.6 % of the total BHT intake for children and adults, respectively. These findings suggest that food consumption is a significant source of BHT exposure. The estimated daily intakes of AOs via consumption of foodstuffs were compared with the recommended acceptable daily intake to assess the risks. This systematic investigation into AOs contributes to understanding potential exposure and health risks associated with AOs in packaged foods. It emphasizes the need for further evaluation of human exposure to these substances.

Phase Control and Singlet Energy Transfer Enabled by Trimethylamine Modified Boron Dipyrromethene for Stable CsPbBr3 Quantum Wells.

The phase distribution and organic spacer cations play pivotal roles in determining the emission performance and stability of perovskite quantum wells (QWs). Here, we propose a universal molecular regulation strategy to tailor phase distribution and enhance the stability of CsPbBr3 QWs. The capability of sterically hindered ligands with formidable surface binding groups is underscored in directing CsPbBr3 growth and refining phase distribution. With trimethylamine modified boron dipyrromethene (BDP-TMA) ligand as a representative, the BDP-TMA driven can precisely control phase distribution and passivate defects of CsPbBr3 . Notably, BDP-TMA acts as a co-spacer organic entity in obtained BDP-TMA-CsPbBr3 , facilitating efficient singlet energy transfer and tailoring the luminescence to produce a distinctive bluish-white emission. The BDP-TMA-CsPbBr3 demonstrates significant phase stability under water exposure, light irradiation, and moderate temperature. Interestingly, BDP-TMA-CsPbBr3 exhibits the thermally-induced dynamic fluorescence control at elevated temperatures, which can be achieved feasible for advanced information encryption. This discovery paves the way for the exploration of perovskite QWs in applications like temperature sensing, anti-counterfeiting, and other advanced optical smart technologies.

Acetic acid-driven synthesis of environmentally stable MAPb0.5Sn0.5Br3 nano-assembly for anti-counterfeiting.

In mixed Sn-Pb perovskites, the synergistic properties of tin (Sn) and lead (Pb) are leveraged, effectively combining the merits of Pb-based perovskites while simultaneously reducing Pb-associated toxicity. However, the propensity for Sn to undergo facile oxidation from Sn2+ to Sn4+ poses a significant challenge to the stability of these mixed perovskites, limiting their advancement. This study proposes an innovative acetic acid (HAc)-driven synthesis approach to obtain a stable chain-like MAPb0.5Sn0.5Br3 nano-assembly. Leveraging the acidic properties of HAc serves a dual purpose. Primarily, it curtails the oxidation of Sn2+ to Sn4+. Secondly, it orchestrates nanocrystals (NCs) into a more uniform and ordered chain-like assembly, a consequence of hydrogen bonding and coordination interactions facilitated by the HAc. Additionally, HAc demonstrates its capability to passivate MAPb0.5Sn0.5Br3 surface through coordination bonding with unsaturated sites (i.e., Sn2+ or Pb2+), thus effectively compensating for bromide vacancies. Introducing HAc during the synthesis process yields perovskite NCs with enhanced thermal resilience, optical and water stability. Drawing upon the different stimulus responses of synthesized perovskite NCs when exposed to external environment, the optical anti-counterfeiting labels are prepared. The findings provide a potent strategy for augmenting the stability of perovskite NCs, suggesting their potential applicability in anti-counterfeiting endeavors.

Synthesis of three cisplatin-conjugated asymmetric porphyrin photosensitizers for photodynamic therapy.

Photodynamic therapy provides a promising solution for treating various cancer types. In this study, three distinct asymmetric porphyrin-cisplatin complex photosensitizers (ZnPt-P1, ZnPt-P2, and ZnPt-P3) were synthesized, each having unique side chains. Through a set of experiments involving singlet oxygen detection and density functional theory, ZnPt-P1 was demonstrated to have excellent efficacy, exceeding that of ZnPt-P2 and ZnPt-P3. Notably, ZnPt-1 showed significant phototoxicity while maintaining low dark toxicity when tested on HepG2 cells. Additionally, further examination revealed that ZnPt-P1 had the capability to generate reactive oxygen species within cancer cells when exposed to light irradiation. Taken together, these results highlight the potential of ZnPt-P1 as a photosensitizer for use in photodynamic therapy. This study contributes to enhancing cancer treatment methodologies and provides insights for the future development of innovative drugs for photosensitization.

An Integrated Workflow Assisted by In Silico Predictions To Expand the List of Priority Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds.

The limited information in existing mass spectral libraries hinders an accurate understanding of the composition, behavior, and toxicity of organic pollutants. In this study, a total of 350 polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) in 9 categories were successfully identified in fine particulate matter by gas chromatography high resolution mass spectrometry. Using mass spectra and retention indexes predicted by in silico tools as complementary information, the scope of chemical identification was efficiently expanded by 27%. In addition, quantitative structure-activity relationship models provided toxicity data for over 70% of PACs, facilitating a comprehensive health risk assessment. On the basis of extensive identification, the cumulative noncarcinogenic risk of PACs warranted attention. Meanwhile, the carcinogenic risk of 53 individual analogues was noteworthy. These findings suggest that there is a pressing need for an updated list of priority PACs for routine monitoring and toxicological research since legacy polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) contributed modestly to the overall abundance (18%) and carcinogenic risk (8%). A toxicological priority index approach was applied for relative chemical ranking considering the environmental occurrence, fate, toxicity, and analytical availability. A list of 39 priority analogues was compiled, which predominantly consisted of high-molecular-weight PAHs and alkyl derivatives. These priority PACs further enhanced source interpretation, and the highest carcinogenic risk was attributed to coal combustion.

Assessing the occurrence and sources of synthetic additive pollutants in lake sediments using fecal and sewage markers.

Benzotriazole ultraviolet stabilizers (BZT-UVs), substituted diphenylamine antioxidants (S-DPAs), and synthetic phenolic antioxidants (SPAs) are three types of synthetic additive pollutants that are received increasing attention in the recent decade. In this study, a total of twenty-seven target analytes were measured in sediment cores and surface sediments collected from a lake with long sedimentary history. All target analytes were detected in the sediment samples, and mean values of the total ∑BZT-UVs, ∑S-DPAs and ∑SPAs concentrations were 220 ± 552 ng/g dry weight (d.w.), 20.8 ± 27.9 ng/g d. w., and 95.8 ± 146 ng/g d. w., respectively. Based on the dating results of two sediment cores, the total concentrations of BZT-UVs, S-DPA, and SPAs showed a fluctuating but overall increasing trend over time, which intuitively reflects the change of historical emissions. Meanwhile, fecal and sewage markers (i.e., sterols and pharmaceuticals, respectively) were jointly used to trace the probable sources of these pollutants. Results from the correlation and clustering analyses suggest that unregular fecal discharges and point-source domestic sewage need to be considered if pollution in the investigated area is to be controlled. To our knowledge, this study is the initial attempt to reveal the temporal variations of these synthetic additive pollutants in an aquatic environment in China and to demonstrate the feasibility of using markers to trace the sources of emerging pollutant analogues.

Detecting the visual word form area in a bilingual brain.

Utilizing a millimeter-scale fMRI technique and individual-based analysis, Zhan and colleagues drew a new cortical map of the visual word form area (VWFA) and examined how it processes diverse languages among different bilinguals. This research advances the current understanding of cortical language organization in the bilingual brain.

Surface regulation by bifunctional BODIPY to fabricate stable CsPbBr3 for multi-layered optical anti-counterfeiting.

Cesium lead halide perovskite quantum dots (QDs) have attracted immense attention for luminescent materials due to their narrow emission bands and color-tunable emission. However, indispensable surface ligands originating from ligand-assisted synthesis strategies severely deteriorate the stability and luminescence properties of QDs since these ligands have a highly dynamic binding. Herein, we used a green fluorescence BODIPY molecule containing thiol (named SH-BDP) to regulate the CsPbBr3 QDs surface by ligand regulation. Density functional theory calculations proved that the SH-BDP molecule could bind to the exposed Pb of CsPbBr3 QDs stronger than traditional ligands to form stable SH-BDP-QDs. Moreover, the SH-BDP fixed on the CsPbBr3 QDs surface can improve water and light resistance. It also served as a knob to tune their luminescence properties and the reversible thermal-stimuli response. Finally, the multi-response property of SH-BDP-QDs was realized under polar solvent or heat along with UV light. In addition, we used the SH-BDP-QDs to create various anti-counterfeiting labels; several luminous modes were achieved under different external stimuli, which improved the quality of the optical anti-counterfeiting labels and ensured information security. This work indicates the immense potential of surface ligand manipulation in improving the stability and multi-stimuli-responsive optical encoding of perovskite quantum dots.

Continuous Modification of Perovskite Film by a Eu Complex to Fabricate the Thermal and UV-Light-Stable Solar Cells.

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) with simple and low-cost processability have shown promising photovoltaic performances. However, internal defects, external UV light, and heat sensitivity are principal obstacles on their way toward commercialization. Herein, we prepare an Eu complex and directly dope it into the perovskite precursor as a UV filter to decrease the photodegradation of PSCs. The formation of hydrogen bonds between the organic cation of perovskite and the -CF3 in the Eu complex could restrain the escape of organic cations under heating. The Eu complex acts as a redox shuttle to reduce metallic lead (Pb0) and iodine (I0) defects when the PSCs have a long-time operation. Additionally, the ligand-containing aromatic rings could reduce the trace amount of I0 existing as electronic defects in perovskites and together with the long alkyl chain retard the moisture immersion into the PSCs. The best efficiency of PSCs modified by the Eu complex improves up to 20.9%. The excellent thermal stability and UV-light resistance are also realized. This strategy provides a method to design a passivator which continuously modifies the imperfections and inhibits the chemical chain reactions in perovskite film, thereby enhancing the performance and stability of PSCs.

Stable Core-Shell Structure Nanocrystals of Cs4PbBr6-Zn(moi)2 Achieved by an In Situ Surface Reconstruction Strategy for Optical Anticounterfeiting.

Zero-dimensional Cs4PbBr6 nanocrystals (NCs) possess attractive photoluminescence (PL) properties and feature facile chemical synthesis, making them promising for application in luminescent materials. However, Cs4PbBr6 remains sensitive to polar solvents and thermal stimuli because of soft ionic nature of Cs4PbBr6 and dynamic behavior of surface ligands. Herein, a strategy controlled by an in situ surface coordination reaction is developed to fabricate stable NCs with a Cs4PbBr6-Zn(moi)2 core-shell structure. It was found that the Cs4PbBr6 surface regulated by the use of 2-mercaptoimidazole (called moi) and the coordination between the -NH group of moi and Zn2+ is critical for the formation of Cs4PbBr6-Zn(moi)2 core-shell NCs. Meanwhile, the thickness of the Zn(moi)2 shell can be facilely controlled by the growth time because of the solubility of moi and Zn(OAc)2·2H2O in ethyl acetate. Compared to bare Cs4PbBr6, Cs4PbBr6-Zn(moi)2 NCs exhibited highly improved polar solvent resistance and thermal stability. By combining the sensitivity of Cs4PbBr6 and the stability of Cs4PbBr6-Zn(moi)2, we used two NCs as PL security inks to fabricate optical anticounterfeiting labels. Thus, the disposable or reusable optical anticounterfeiting label is achieved by changing the external dual-stimuli. This work provides a novel strategy to enhance the stability of Cs4PbBr6 and develop its potential interest for application in anticounterfeiting technologies.

Occurrence and Ecological Impact of Chemical Mixtures in a Semiclosed Sea by Suspect Screening Analysis.

Stress from mixtures of synthetic chemicals is among the key issues that have significant adverse impacts on the marine ecosystems. A robust screening workflow integrating toxicological-based ranking schemes is still deficient for comprehensive investigation on the main constituents in chemical mixtures that contribute to the ecological risks. In this study, the presence and compositions of a collection of priority pollutants were monitored by suspect screening analysis of seawater and estuarine water samples from the semiclosed Bohai Sea. In total, 108 organic pollutants in nine use categories were identified. Pesticides, intermediates, plastic additives, and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances were the extensively detected chemical groups. Varied distribution patterns of the pollutants were illustrated intuitively in distinctive sampling areas by hierarchical cluster analysis, which were mainly influenced by run-off inputs, ocean currents, and chemical use history. Ecological risks of chemicals with quantified residue levels were first assessed by the toxicity-weighted concentration ranking scheme, and pentachlorophenol was found as the main contributor in the investigating areas. By optimization of multiple alternative variables (e.g., instrumental response and detection frequency), extended ranking of all the identified pollutants was plausible under the toxicological priority index framework. Similarity in toxicological endpoints of the prioritized pollutants could further been screened by ToxAlerts. Aromatic amine was highlighted as the most frequently detected structural alert (SA) for genotoxic carcinogenicity and mutagenicity. These findings fully demonstrate rationality of the ranking schemes integrated into the suspect screening analysis for profiling contamination characteristics, assessing ecological risk potentials, and prioritizing SAs.

Comparison between the designed and achieved mesiodistal angulation of maxillary canines and posterior teeth and influencing factors: First premolar extraction treatment with clear aligners.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to compare the designed and achieved mesiodistal angulation of maxillary canines and posterior teeth (MCPT) for first premolar extraction with clear aligner treatment and identify the main influencing factors for preventing MCPT tipping toward the extraction space. METHODS: A total of 21 adults with first premolar extraction were recruited. The designed and achieved tooth movement of MCPT was measured by superimposing their respective pretreatment and posttreatment cone-beam computed tomography images and compared with the designed tooth movement in ClinCheck using the paired t test and scatter plot analysis. Influencing factors, including dental arch length change, canine distalization, and initial mesiodistal angulation, were analyzed using the linear mixed-effect model. RESULTS: Designed distal crown tipping (second premolar, 10.73 ± 3.22°; first molar, 9.83 ± 3.60°; second molar, 7.18 ± 2.36°) significantly increased the distal inclination of the second premolar (2.50° ± 5.15°; P ï¼œ0.001), first molar (1.07° ± 4.14°; P ï¼œ0.001), and second (0.70° ± 3.78°; P ï¼œ0.001). Furthermore, mesial tipping (8.59° ± 6.03°; P ï¼œ0.001) achieved appropriate distal crown tipping of canines (-6.43° ± 5.04°; P ï¼œ0.001). The implemented preliminary formulas showed that shortening of the dental arch length, the distance of canine distalization, and initial mesiodistal angulation were closely related to the antitipping design. CONCLUSIONS: Designed distal crown tipping of posterior teeth and mesial crown tipping of canines might prevent unwanted crown tipping toward the extraction space during space closure. The proposed preliminary formula could guide antitipping designs in clear aligner treatment.

Evolution of reading and face circuits during the first three years of reading acquisition.

Although words and faces activate neighboring regions in the fusiform gyrus, we lack an understanding of how such category selectivity emerges during development. To investigate the organization of reading and face circuits at the earliest stage of reading acquisition, we measured the fMRI responses to words, faces, houses, and checkerboards in three groups of 60 French children: 6-year-old pre-readers, 6-year-old beginning readers and 9-year-old advanced readers. The results showed that specific responses to written words were absent prior to reading, but emerged in beginning readers, irrespective of age. Likewise, specific responses to faces were barely visible in pre-readers and continued to evolve in the 9-year-olds, yet primarily driven by age rather than by schooling. Crucially, the sectors of ventral visual cortex that become specialized for words and faces harbored their own functional connectivity prior to reading acquisition: the VWFA with left-hemispheric spoken language areas, and the FFA with the contralateral region and the amygdalae. The results support the view that reading acquisition occurs through the recycling of a pre-existing but plastic circuit which, in pre-readers, already connects the VWFA site to other distant language areas. We argue that reading acquisition does not compete with the face system directly, through a pruning of preexisting face responses, but indirectly, by hindering the slow growth of face responses in the left hemisphere, thus increasing a pre-existing right hemispheric bias.

Exploring the Influence of Failure Aversion on Learning From Project Failure: A Sensemaking Perspective.

Although project failure is commonly considered a negative event, it can provide valuable resources for learning. Despite well documented research on the antecedents of learning from project failure at the individual level, individuals' attitude toward failures, a relatively proximal antecedent of learning from failure, has attracted limited attention in organizational studies. To address this paucity of research, based on the sensemaking theory, in the current study we specifically focused on individuals' failure aversion and explored how it would influence learning from failure through the process of arguing and expectation. Using a sample of 774 employees from R&D teams in China, our findings revealed that individuals' failure aversion enhanced their learning from failure through inducing a loss-focused coping, but failure aversion negatively affected learning from failure through increasing the individuals' perceived loss of self-esteem. We also found that individuals' learning goal orientation (LGO) weakened the negative relationship between the loss of self-esteem and learning from failure; however, LGO did not moderate our hypothesized relationship between loss-focused coping and learning from failure. Our study extends the literature on learning from failure in two ways. First, it explores the learning from failure process at the individual level based on the sensemaking theory and second, it sheds light on the underlying cognitive mechanisms operating between failure aversion and learning from project failure.

Parathyroid hormone promotes maxillary expansion and reduces relapse in the repeated activation maxillary expansion rat model by regulating Wnt/ß-catenin pathway.

BACKGROUND: Constricted maxillary bone is a common skeletal deformity, which may lead to crowding and posterior crossbite. Mid-palatal suture expansion is often used to increase the maxillary width, but its skeletal effects are limited and tend to relapse, even with prolonged retention. We hypothesized that parathyroid hormone (PTH) may reduce the relapse of maxillary expansion. METHODS: We established a novel rat maxillary expansion model using palatal tubes with an insertable "W"-shaped spring which can be repeatedly activated. A total of 32 male healthy Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups: the control group, the PTH group, the expansion group, the expansion + PTH group, the expansion + relapse group and the expansion + PTH + relapse group. All animals in the first 4 groups were killed after 10 days and the 2 relapse groups were killed after 15 days. The maxillary arch widths and histological staining were used to assess the expansion and relapse effects. The immunohistochemical staining, micro-CT, RT-qPCR and Western blot were used to evaluate the bone remodeling during expansion. RESULTS: The suture width was increased by the expansion device, and the repeated activation maxillary expansion rat model showed better expansion effects than the conventional model. PTH significantly promoted the expansion width and reduced the relapse ratio. Meanwhile, in the expansion + PTH group, histological and immunohistochemical staining showed that osteoblasts, osteoclasts, new cartilage and osteoid were significantly increased, micro-CT showed increased bone mass, and PCR and Western blot results confirmed up-regulation of RANKL, ß-catenin, type II collagen and OCN. CONCLUSION: The novel repeated activation maxillary expansion rat model has better effects than the conventional model. PTH enhances the maxillary expansion and reduces its relapse by regulating Wnt/ß-catenin and RANKL pathways. PTH administration may serve as an adjunctive therapy in addition to mechanical expansion for treatment of maxillary constriction.

Self-assembly-induced luminescence of Eu3+-complexes and application in bioimaging.

Design and engineering of highly efficient emitting materials with assembly-induced luminescence, such as room-temperature phosphorescence (RTP) and aggregation-induced emission (AIE), have stimulated extensive efforts. Here, we propose a new strategy to obtain size-controlled Eu3+-complex nanoparticles (Eu-NPs) with self-assembly-induced luminescence (SAIL) characteristics without encapsulation or hybridization. Compared with previous RTP or AIE materials, the SAIL phenomena of increased luminescence intensity and lifetime in aqueous solution for the proposed Eu-NPs are due to the combined effect of self-assembly in confining the molecular motion and shielding the water quenching. As proof of concept, we also show that this system can be further applied in bioimaging, temperature measurement and HClO sensing. The SAIL activity of the rare-earth (RE) system proposed here offers a further step forward on the roadmap for the development of RE light conversion systems and their integration in bioimaging and therapy applications.

The selective contributions of right cerebellar lobules to reading.

The engagement of the cerebellum during reading tasks is not unprecedented. However, it is still unclear which regions in the cerebellum are specifically involved in reading and how the cerebellum processes different languages. With functional magnetic resonance imaging, we compared the cerebellar neural activity in Chinese child learners of English between reading and non-reading tasks to identify functionally specialized areas for reading, and between Chinese characters and English words in a passive viewing paradigm to detect regions sensitive to different scripts. Two posterior subregions of right lobule VI, as well as right lobule VIIIA, demonstrated greater activation to viewing Chinese characters and English words compared to the non-reading tasks. However, we did not find any cerebellar regions that were differentially responsive to Chinese versus English print. Instead, we observed that functional connectivity between the two above-mentioned cerebellar regions (lobules VI and VIIIA) and the left inferior parietal lobule was significantly greater in English reading compared to Chinese reading. Overall, these results indicate that the posterior parts of right lobule VI and the right lobule VIIIA could be reading-specific regions, and deepen our understanding of how the cerebellum contributes to reading.