Emerging Molecular and Synaptic Targets for the Management of Chronic Pain Caused by Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) frequently experience chronic pain due to the limited effectiveness and safety profiles of current analgesics. Understanding the molecular and synaptic mechanisms underlying abnormal neuronal activation along the pain signaling pathway is essential for developing new analgesics to address SLE-induced chronic pain. Recent studies, including those conducted by our team and others using the SLE animal model (MRL/lpr lupus-prone mice), have unveiled heightened excitability in nociceptive primary sensory neurons within the dorsal root ganglia and increased glutamatergic synaptic activity in spinal dorsal horn neurons, contributing to the development of chronic pain in mice with SLE. Nociceptive primary sensory neurons in lupus animals exhibit elevated resting membrane potentials, and reduced thresholds and rheobases of action potentials. These changes coincide with the elevated production of TNFα and IL-1ß, as well as increased ERK activity in the dorsal root ganglion, coupled with decreased AMPK activity in the same region. Dysregulated AMPK activity is linked to heightened excitability in nociceptive sensory neurons in lupus animals. Additionally, the increased glutamatergic synaptic activity in the spinal dorsal horn in lupus mice with chronic pain is characterized by enhanced presynaptic glutamate release and postsynaptic AMPA receptor activation, alongside the reduced activity of glial glutamate transporters. These alterations are caused by the elevated activities of IL-1ß, IL-18, CSF-1, and thrombin, and reduced AMPK activities in the dorsal horn. Furthermore, the pharmacological activation of spinal GPR109A receptors in microglia in lupus mice suppresses chronic pain by inhibiting p38 MAPK activity and the production of both IL-1ß and IL-18, as well as reducing glutamatergic synaptic activity in the spinal dorsal horn. These findings collectively unveil crucial signaling molecular and synaptic targets for modulating abnormal neuronal activation in both the periphery and spinal dorsal horn, offering insights into the development of analgesics for managing SLE-induced chronic pain.

A multiplex RPA-CRISPR/Cas12a-based POCT technique and its application in human papillomavirus (HPV) typing assay.

Persistent infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) is the primary and initiating factor for cervical cancer. With over 200 identified HPV types, including 14 high-risk types that integrate into the host cervical epithelial cell DNA, early determination of HPV infection type is crucial for effective risk stratification and management. Presently, on-site immediate testing during the HPV screening stage, known as Point of Care Testing (POCT), remains immature, severely limiting the scope and scenarios of HPV screening. This study, guided by the genomic sequence patterns of HPV, established a multiplex recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) technology based on the concept of "universal primers." This approach achieved the multiple amplification of RPA, coupled with the CRISPR/Cas12a system serving as a medium for signal amplification and conversion. The study successfully constructed a POCT combined detection system, denoted as H-MRC12a (HPV-Multiple RPA-CRISPR/Cas12a), and applied it to high-risk HPV typing detection. The system accomplished the typing detection of six high-risk HPV types (16, 18, 31, 33, 35, and 45) can be completed within 40 min, and the entire process, from sample loading to result interpretation, can be accomplished within 45 min, with a detection depth reaching 1 copy/µL for each high-risk type. Validation of the H-MRC12a detection system's reproducibility and specificity was further conducted through QPCR on 34 clinical samples. Additionally, this study explored and optimized the multiplex RPA amplification system and CRISPR system at the molecular mechanism level. Furthermore, the primer design strategy developed in this study offers the potential to enhance the throughput of H-MRC12a detection while ensuring sensitivity, providing a novel research avenue for high-throughput detection in Point-of-Care molecular pathogen studies.

TIGAR reduces neuronal ferroptosis by inhibiting succinate dehydrogenase activity in cerebral ischemia.

Ischemia Stroke (IS) is an acute neurological condition with high morbidity, disability, and mortality due to a severe reduction in local cerebral blood flow to the brain and blockage of oxygen and glucose supply. Oxidative stress induced by IS predisposes neurons to ferroptosis. TP53-induced glycolysis and apoptosis regulator (TIGAR) inhibits the intracellular glycolytic pathway to increase pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) flux, promotes NADPH production and thus generates reduced glutathione (GSH) to scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS), and thus shows strong antioxidant effects to ameliorate cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. However, in the current study, prolonged ischemia impaired the PPP, and TIGAR was unable to produce NADPH but was still able to reduce neuronal ferroptosis and attenuate ischemic brain injury. Ferroptosis is a form of cell death caused by free radical-driven lipid peroxidation, and the vast majority of ROS leading to oxidative stress are generated by mitochondrial succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) driving reverse electron transfer (RET) via the mitochondrial electron transport chain. Overexpression of TIGAR significantly inhibited hypoxia-induced enhancement of SDH activity, and TIGAR deficiency further enhanced SDH activity. We also found that the inhibitory effect of TIGAR on SDH activity was related to its mitochondrial translocation under hypoxic conditions. TIGAR may inhibit SDH activity by mediating post-translational modifications (acetylation and succinylation) of SDH A through interaction with SDH A. SDH activity inhibition reduces neuronal ferroptosis by decreasing ROS production, eliminating MitoROS levels and attenuating lipid peroxide accumulation. Notably, TIGAR-mediated inhibition of SDH activity and ferroptosis was not dependent on the PPP-NADPH-GPX4 pathways. In conclusion, mitochondrial translocation of TIGAR in prolonged ischemia is an important pathway to reduce neuronal ferroptosis and provide sustainable antioxidant defense for the brain under prolonged ischemia, further complementing the mechanism of TIGAR resistance to oxidative stress induced by IS.

Exogenous application of silicon and selenium improves the tolerance of tomato plants to calcium nitrate stress.

Silicon (Si) and selenium (Se) can improve the tolerance of plants to NaCl-induced salt stress. However, few studies are available on their regulatory effects on plants' tolerance to calcium nitrate stress, which often occurs in protected facilities, causing secondary soil salinization. In this study, we report the effects of Si (6 mM) and Se (20 µM) applied separately or in combination on the growth, photosynthesis, oxidative damage, and nitrogen metabolism of tomato plants, as well as fruit quality under calcium nitrate stress. The results showed that applications of Si or Se alone or in combination improved the plant growth and photosynthetic performance and reduced oxidative damage of the stressed plants. Applications of Si and Se did not decrease the calcium accumulation in leaves of the stressed plants. Under calcium nitrate stress, the concentrations of NO3-, NO2- and NH4+ in leaves were significantly increased, while the activities of nitrogen assimilation-related enzymes (including nitrate reductase, nitrite reductase, glutamine synthase, glutamine-2-oxoglutarate aminotransferase and glutamate dehydrogenase) were decreased. Applications of Si and Se, especially their combined treatment, decreased the NO3-, NO2-, and NH4+ concentrations and enhanced the activities of nitrogen assimilation-related enzymes in the stressed plants. Applied Si and Se also decreased the nitrate and titratable acid concentrations and increased vitamin levels in tomato fruits under calcium nitrate stress. It is suggested that Si and Se improved the tomato plant growth and fruit quality under calcium nitrate stress by alleviating oxidative damage and promoting both photosynthesis and nitrogen assimilation.

Data from four consecutive cohorts of students in Australia (2019-2022) show the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on domestic and international university students' mental health.

INTRODUCTION: COVID-19 and related travel and social restrictions caused significant stress for university students in Australia and globally. Learning quickly moved online and many students (particularly international students) were separated from social and economic support. This study examined the impact of the pandemic from pre-pandemic (2019) to the COVID-19 Omicron wave (2022) on domestic and international students' mental health. METHODS: Participants were 1540 students (72% females, 28% international) in four first-year cohorts (2019, 2020, 2021, 2022). We screened for mental health concerns (% positive) and symptom scores for depression, anxiety and somatic distress using the PsyCheck, and general wellbeing using the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being scale. RESULTS: From pre-COVID (2019) to the first wave of COVID-19 (2020), the proportion of students screening positive for mental health problems rose in both domestic students (66-76%) and international students (46-67%). Depression symptoms and wellbeing were worse in 2020 than in 2019, 2021 and 2022. Anxiety symptoms increased from 2019 to 2020 and continued to rise in 2021 and 2022. Somatic symptoms did not show an effect of cohort. Contrary to expectations, domestic students reported higher distress and lower wellbeing than international students across cohorts. CONCLUSION: The pandemic was associated with a marked increase in psychological distress in first-year university students, not all of which settled with the easing of restrictions. Post-pandemic recovery in the Australian university sector must include university-wide access to mental health information and support for incoming students.

Pain relief effect of angiopuncture therapy on patients with postoperative pain: A clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study is to study the pain relief effects of angiopuncture therapy in patients with postoperative pain. METHODS: Forty-one patients were randomly selected based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Doppler imaging was performed to locate the cutaneous perforator. Angiopuncture was performed on the first postoperative day. A Numerical Rating Scale was used to evaluate the degree of pain before and after angiopuncture. Utilizing the paired t test or Wilcoxon signed rank test, all pre- and post-data were examined, and further subgroup analysis based on time was performed. RESULTS: Variance analysis revealed a significant difference before and after angiopuncture (P < .05). The results of the subgroup analysis showed the pain-relieving effect of angiopuncture for postoperative pain patients at the time points of 6 hours, 12 hours, 24 hours, 48 hours, and 72 hours was apparent (P < .05). CONCLUSION: The angiopuncture therapy approach may assist in pain relief in patients with postoperative pain.

Differentiation Potential of Hypodifferentiated Subsets of Nephrogenic Rests and Its Relationship to Prognosis in Wilms Tumor.

Background Wilms tumor (WT) is highly curable, although anaplastic histology or relapse imparts a worse prognosis. Nephrogenic rests (NR) associated with a high risk of developing WT are abnormally retained embryonic kidney precursor cells. Methods After pseudo-time analysis using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data, we generated and validated a WT differentiation-related gene (WTDRG) signature to predict overall survival (OS) in children with a poor OS. Results A differentiation trajectory from NR to WT was identified and showed that hypodifferentiated subsets of NR could differentiate into WT. Classification of WT children with anaplastic histology or relapse based on the expression patterns of WTDRGs suggested that patients with relatively high levels of hypodifferentiated NR presented a poorer prognosis. A WTDRG-based risk model and a clinically applicable nomogram was developed. Conclusions These findings may inform oncogenesis of WT and interventions directed toward poor prognosis in WT children of anaplastic histology or relapse.

Predictors of anxiety among pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus and their partners: The mediating role of marital satisfaction.

AIMS: This study aims to examine the prevalence of anxiety symptoms and identify predictors of anxiety among pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus and their partners and explore the mediating role of marital satisfaction between maternal and paternal anxiety. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Guangzhou, China, from July 2021 to May 2022. METHODS: A total of 306 dyads of pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus and their partners completed the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Locke-Wallace Marital Adjustment Test and the socio-demographic and clinical data sheet. RESULTS: The prevalence of anxiety symptoms was 32.4% and 36.6% in pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus and their partners, respectively. The predictors of maternal anxiety were paternal anxiety, maternal marital satisfaction, maternal monthly salary, fasting glucose value and 1-h glucose value. By contrast, the predictors of paternal anxiety were maternal anxiety, paternal marital satisfaction and paternal monthly salary. Moreover, the relationship between maternal and paternal anxiety was mediated by marital satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: The anxiety symptoms of pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus and their partners influence each other, and this relationship was mediated by marital satisfaction. Every couple should be screened for anxiety symptoms and treated as a team rather than focusing solely on the pregnant woman.

Global profiling of protein lactylation in Caenorhabditis elegans.

Lactylation, as a novel posttranslational modification, is essential for studying the functions and regulation of proteins in physiological and pathological processes, as well as for gaining in-depth knowledge on the occurrence and development of many diseases, including tumors. However, few studies have examined the protein lactylation of one whole organism. Thus, we studied the lactylation of global proteins in Caenorhabditis elegans to obtain an in vivo lactylome. Using an MS-based platform, we identified 1836 Class I (localization probabilities > 0.75) lactylated sites in 487 proteins. Bioinformatics analysis showed that lactylated proteins were mainly located in the cytoplasm and involved in the tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA cycle) and other metabolic pathways. Then, we evaluated the conservation of lactylation in different organisms. In total, 41 C. elegans proteins were lactylated and homologous to lactylated proteins in humans and rats. Moreover, lactylation on H4K80 was conserved in three species. An additional 238 lactylated proteins were identified in C. elegans for the first time. This study establishes the first lactylome database in C. elegans and provides a basis for studying the role of lactylation.

Commensal Enterococcus faecalis W5 ameliorates hyperuricemia and maintains the epithelial barrier in a hyperuricemia mouse model.

OBJECTIVE: The intestine is responsible for approximately one-third of uric acid (UA) excretion. The effect of commensal Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis), one of the most colonized bacteria in the gut, on UA excretion in the intestine remains to be investigated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of commensal E. faecalis on UA metabolism and gut microbiota. METHODS: The 16S rRNA gene sequencing was used to examine the species of Enterococcus in mouse fecal content. E. faecalis strain was isolated from mouse feces and identified to be E. faecalis W5. The hyperuricemia (HUA) animal model was established with yeast-rich forage and 250 mg·kg-1 ·day-1 potassium oxonate. Oral administration of E. faecalis W5 was given for 20 days, serving as the Efa group. RESULTS: Disrupted intestinal barrier, activated proinflammatory response and low UA excretion in the intestine were found in HUA mice. After E. faecalis W5 treatment, the gut barrier was restored and serum UA level was decreased. Additionally, fecal and intestinal UA levels were elevated, intestinal urate transporter ABCG2 and purine metabolism were upregulated. Moreover, short-chain fatty acid levels were increased, and intestinal inflammation was ameliorated. CONCLUSIONS: Commensal E. faecalis W5 ameliorated HUA through reversing the impaired gut barrier, promoting intestinal UA secretion by regulating ABCG2 expression, and decreasing intestinal UA synthesis by regulating purine metabolism. The results may provide the potential for developing treatments for HUA through the intestine.

[Diagnosis and treatment of 11 patients with cevical spondylotic amyotrophy].

OBJECTIVE: To explore clinical features, treatment methods and clinical effects of cervical spondylosis with proximal muscular atrophy. METHODS: Eleven patients with proximal-type cervical spondylotic amyotrophy were retrospectively studied from September 2016 to November 2020, including 7 males and 4 females, aged 38 to 68 years old. Clinical symptoms, MRI and neuroelectrophysiological manifestations were analyzed, and patients were treated with conservative treatment or anterior cervical decompression fusion surgery, respectively. The efficacy was evaluated by manual muscle test (MMT) before and after treatment, and patients' satisfaction was followed up at the same time. RESULTS: All patients were followed up for 6 to 19 months. All 11 patients were unilateral, mainly manifested by atrophy of deltoid muscle, supraspinatus muscle and infraspinatus muscle, and may be accompanied by ipsilateral neck and shoulder pain at early stage. MRI showed lesions at C4,5, C5,6 segments were more common. Electrophysiological examination showed the affected muscle was denervated, and amplitude of compound muscle action potential (CMAP) of innervated nerve on the affected side was lower than that on the healthy side. All patients were obtained bone fusion. One patient who were underwent anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion (ACCF) occurred developed contralateral C5 nerve root paralysis after operation, which recovered completely after 10 weeks of symptomatic treatment. At 12 months after operation, the efficacy was evaluated according to MMT, 3 patients were treated conservatively, 2 patients excellent and 1 good;in 8 patients treated by operation, 3 patients were excellent, 4 good, and 1 moderate. CONCLUSION: The incidence of cervical spondylosis with proximal muscular atrophy is low, which is manifested as unilateral proximal muscle atrophy and may be accompanied by ipsilateral neck and shoulder pain in the early stage. Combined with MRI and neuroelectrophysiological examination, misdiagnosis could be reduced. In the early stage of disease, especially in the case of nucleus pulposus protrusion leading to nerve compression, conservative treatment could be taken. When the conservative treatment is ineffective or the pain cannot be tolerated, anterior decompression surgery is recommended, and the overall effect is satisfactory.

Unveiling Atomic-Scale Product Selectivity at the Cocatalyst-TiO2 Interface Using X-Ray Techniques: Insights into Interface Reactivity.

The microstructure at the interface between the cocatalyst and semiconductor plays a vital role in concentrating photo-induced carriers and reactants. However, observing the atomic arrangement of this interface directly using an electron microscope is challenging due to the coverings of the semiconductor and cocatalyst. To address this, multiple metal-semiconductor interfaces on three TiO2 crystal facets (M/TiO2 ─N, where M represents Ag, Au, and Pt, and N represents the 001, 010, and 101 single crystal facets). The identical surface atomic configuration of the TiO2 facets allowed us to investigate the evolution of the microstructure within these constructs using spectroscopies and DFT calculations. For the first time, they observed the transformation of saturated Ti6c ─O bonds into unsaturated Ti5c ─O and Ti6c ─O─Pt bonds on the TiO2 ─010 facet after loading Pt. This transformation have a direct impact on the selectivity of the resulting products, leading to the generation of CO and CH4 at the Ti6c ─O─Pt and Pt sites, respectively. These findings pinpoint the pivotal roles played by the atomic arrangement at the M/TiO2 ─N interfaces and provide valuable insights for the development of new methodologies using conventional lab-grade equipment.

Cascade NH3 Oxidation and N2O Decomposition via Bifunctional Co and Cu Catalysts.

The selective catalytic oxidation of NH3 (NH3-SCO) to N2 is an important reaction for the treatment of diesel engine exhaust. Co3O4 has the highest activity among non-noble metals but suffers from N2O release. Such N2O emissions have recently been regulated due to having a 300× higher greenhouse gas effect than CO2. Here, we design CuO-supported Co3O4 as a cascade catalyst for the selective oxidation of NH3 to N2. The NH3-SCO reaction on CuO-Co3O4 follows a de-N2O pathway. Co3O4 activates gaseous oxygen to form N2O. The high redox property of the CuO-Co3O4 interface promotes the breaking of the N-O bond in N2O to form N2. The addition of CuO-Co3O4 to the Pt-Al2O3 catalyst reduces the full NH3 conversion temperature by 50 K and improves the N2 selectivity by 20%. These findings provide a promising strategy for reducing N2O emissions and will contribute to the rational design and development of non-noble metal catalysts.

The efficacy of robotic-assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty for pediatric ureteropelvic junction obstruction: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of robotic-assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty (RALP) for treating pediatric ureteropelvic junction obstruction through an extensive comparison of RALP, open pyeloplasty (OP) and laparoscopic pyeloplasty (LP). We conducted a comprehensive search of the following databases: PubMed, Excerpta Medica Database, Cochrane Library, Web of Science database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, WanFang Data, and China Biology Medical Disc. Baseline data were compared, the sources of heterogeneity were assessed, and publication biases were detected. This study was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42023415667). 26 studies with 6074 cases performing pyeloplasty were included, and the overall data are comparable. Our analysis showed no significant difference in success rate and postoperative complications between RALP and OP, and RALP is associated with a shorter length of stay (LOS) (MD - 1.00 95%CI - 1.45 to - 0.55, p < 0.0001). In addition, compared to LP, RALP was associated with a shorter anastomosis time (MD - 18.35 95%CI - 29.88 to - 6.82, p = 0.002) and fewer postoperative analgesics (MD - 0.09 95% CI - 0.18 to - 0.01, p = 0.03); however, RALP has a longer operative time (OT) (MD 52.39, 95% CI 39.75-65.03, p < 0.00001) and higher cost. The heterogeneity of OT may be influenced by factors, such as age and region, while the heterogeneity of LOS primarily stems from regional differences. No significant publication bias was detected. Our meta-analysis shows that RALP can be an alternative to OP and LP with a high success rate, minimal postoperative complications, and shorter LOS. In addition, RALP contributes to reduce anastomosis time and postoperative analgesic drugs. However, further well-designed, large-scale, randomized controlled trials with additional parameters are needed to conduct a more comprehensive analysis of heterogeneity.

Gut microbes consume host energy and reciprocally provide beneficial factors to sustain a symbiotic relationship with the host.

The gut microbes thrive by utilizing host energy and, in return, provide valuable benefits, akin to the symbiotic relationship. To study the mutualistic association between the gut microbiota and host, a range of gut microbe populations (85 %, 66 %, 45 % and 38 % at the normal level) with comparable structures were constructed in broiler model. The results revealed that reductions in gut microbial population led to decreased energy consumption, resulting in increased host weight (10.26 %, 30.88 %, 17.65 % and - 12.77 %, respectively). Fecal metabolome revealed that among 85 % and 66 % of the normal population level, the gut microbes downregulated the immune-associated pathways of tryptophan metabolism and catecholamine biosynthesis, while the level of fatty acid oxidation was upregulated at 45 %. In the host, the concentration of gut microbes contributed to regulate functions related to lipid biosynthesis (from glycerophosphoserines to glycerophosphoethanolamines (9.63 %, 12.20 %, 6.66 % and 47.75 %) and glycerophosphocholines (10.78 %, 36.51 %, 2.00 % and 87.11 %)) and inflammation responses (methionine and betaine metabolism). From 85 % to 45 % of gut microbes, broiler showed an inhibited immunity (thymus gland, spleen, SIgG and IgA) and increased low-level inflammation response (ALT and T-SOD). However, at 38 %, the immune indexes exhibited an increase (thymus gland, spleen, SIgG, and IgA increased by 8.67 %, 8.50 %, 20.87 %, and 29.43 %, respectively), indicating the host lipid accumulation and inflammation response were negatively correlated with the immune reaction. Collectively, the gut microbiota maintains a symbiotic relationship with the host through the secretion of beneficial substances to interact with the host.

Accuracy analysis of traditional acupoint location and the coincidence of cutaneous arterial perforators and acupoints.

Several reports have shown a coincidence relationship between perforators and acupoints. However, there have been few previous reports of objective experimental methods to verify the reliability of the accuracy of acupoint location (APL) with nearby perforators. This research aimed to determine the internal agreement of the APL of five acupuncturists and to analyze the coincidence rate of acupoints with nearby perforators. Three two healthy volunteers were recruited with the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Three TCM clinical physicians determined acupoints in areas of the lower limb of participants. Two microsurgeons sketched corresponding regions based on the most common skin flap operation sites, located bone markers, and drew the skin flap axis. Doppler ultrasound was used to mark the perforator point and the distances measured for both points. There is no significant difference in the distance between the acupoints and perforators localization in different groups, and there are significant differences between the angle formed by acupoints and penetrators in all groups. All the points located by the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) therapists are distributed around the dot. The distance between the coordinate point (A-B) of Wenliu (LI7) localization is the largest, reaching 16.6 mm. The accuracy of the acupoint location of each physician is limited by the clinical experience of physicians, and the difference among them is significant. There is a certain correspondence between the location of acupoints and perforators, which needs further studies to confirm.

Deficient AMPK activity contributes to hyperexcitability in peripheral nociceptive sensory neurons and thermal hyperalgesia in lupus mice.

Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) often suffer from chronic pain. Little is known about the peripheral mechanisms underlying the genesis of chronic pain induced by SLE. The aim of this study was to investigate whether and how membrane properties in nociceptive neurons in the dorsal root ganglions (DRGs) are altered by SLE. We found elevation of resting membrane potentials, smaller capacitances, lower action potential thresholds and rheobases in nociceptive neurons in the DRGs from MRL/lpr mice (an SLE mouse model) with thermal hyperalgesia. DRGs from MRL/lpr mice had increased protein expressions in TNFα, IL-1ß, and phosphorylated ERK but suppressed AMPK activity, and no changes in sodium channel 1.7 protein expression. We showed that intraplantar injection of Compound C (an AMPK inhibitor) induced thermal hyperalgesia in normal mice while intraplantar injection of AICAR (an AMPK activator) reduced thermal hyperalgesia in MRL/Lpr mice. Upon inhibition of AMPK membrane properties in nociceptive neurons from normal control mice could be rapidly switched to those found in SLE mice with thermal hyperalgesia. Our study indicates that increased excitability in peripheral nociceptive sensory neurons contributes to the genesis of thermal hyperalgesia in mice with SLE, and AMPK regulates membrane properties in nociceptive sensory neurons as well as thermal hyperalgesia in mice with SLE. Our study provides a basis for targeting signaling pathways regulating membrane properties of peripheral nociceptive neurons as a means for conquering chronic pain caused by SLE.

CdTe-QDs Affect Reproductive Development of Plants through Oxidative Stress.

With the continuous development of industry, an increasing number of nanomaterials are widely used. CdTe-QDs is a nanomaterial with good optical properties, but its release into the natural environment may pose a potential threat. The toxicity of nanoparticles in plants is beginning to be questioned, and the effect on phytotoxicity is unclear. In this study, we simulated air pollution and soil pollution (CdTe-QDs concentrations of 0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.8 mmol/L) by spraying and watering the seedlings, respectively. We determined the transport pathways of CdTe-QDs in Arabidopsis thaliana and their effects on plant reproductive growth. Spraying CdTe-QDs concentration >0.4 mmol/L significantly inhibited the formation of fruit and decreased the number of seeds. Observation with a laser confocal scanning microscope revealed that CdTe-QDs were mainly transported in plants through the vascular bundle, and spraying increased their accumulation in the anthers and ovaries. The expression level of genes associated with Cd stress was analyzed through RT-qPCR. CdTe-QDs significantly increased the expression levels of 10 oxidative stress-related genes and significantly decreased the expression levels of four cell-proliferation-related genes. Our results reveal for the first time the transport of CdTe-QDs in Arabidopsis flowers and demonstrate that QDs can cause abnormal pollen morphology, form defects of pollen vitality, and inhibit pollen tube growth in Arabidopsis through oxidative damage. These phenomena ultimately lead to the inability of Arabidopsis to complete the normal fertilization process and affect the reproductive growth of the plant.

Proton-self-doped PANI@CC as the cathode for high-performance aqueous zinc-ion battery.

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIB) have several advantages such as low cost, large theoretical capacity and good safety. However, the development of polyaniline (PANI) cathode materials has been limited by slow diffusion kinetics. Herein, proton-self-doped polyaniline@carbon cloth (CC) (PANI@CC) was prepared via in-situ polymerization, where polyaniline was deposited on an activated carbon cloth. The PANI@CC cathode exhibits a high specific capacity of 234.3 mA h g-1 at 0.5 A g-1, and excellent rate performance, delivering a capacity of 143 mA h g-1 at 10 A g-1. Furthermore, the reversible redox conversion during the charge-discharge process was studied using ex-situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and ex-situ Raman spectra. The results show that the excellent performance of the PANI@CC battery can be attributed to the formation of a conductive network between the carbon cloth and polyaniline. Also, a mixing mechanism involving insertion/extraction of Zn2+/H+ and a double-ion process is proposed. PANI@CC electrode is a novel idea for developing high-performance batteries.