Triglyceride-glucose index and triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio predict the prognosis in patients with type B aortic dissection receiving thoracic endovascular aortic repair.

Background: The triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index and triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (TG/HDL-c) ratio are both reliable surrogate indicator of insulin resistance and have been shown to be valuable in predicting various cardiovascular diseases. However, few studies have explored its association with the prognosis of type B aortic dissection (TBAD) patients receiving thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR). Methods: A total of 1,425 consecutive patients who underwent TEVAR were included. Data from 935 patients were analyzed in the study. The endpoint was defined as 30-day and 1-year aortic-related adverse events (ARAEs), all-cause mortality, and major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs). Results: There were 935 patients included during a mean follow-up time of 2.8 years. After adjusting for multiple confounding factors, continuous TG/HDL-c [hazard ratio (HR) =1.07; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.00-1.15; P=0.041] was independently associated with 1-year all-cause mortality. Both a high (Quintile 5: TG/HDL-c ratio ≥4.11) (HR =4.84; 95% CI: 1.55-15.13; P=0.007) and low TG/HDL-c ratio (Quintile 1: TG/HDL-c ratio <1.44) (HR =4.67; 95% CI: 1.46-14.94; P=0.001) were still independent risk factors for 1-year all-cause mortality. Conclusions: Elevated baseline TG/HDL-c ratio and TG/HDL-c ≥4.11 were significantly related to a higher risk of 1-year all-cause mortality among TBAD patients undergoing TEVAR. At the same time, the low TG/HDL-c ratio was also independently associated with 1-year all-cause mortality. Special attention should be paid to TBAD patients with a higher or an overly low TG/HDL-c ratio.

Post-pandemic trends: Epidemiological and etiological insights into acute respiratory infections in southern China.

Data on people suspected with acute respiratory infections (ARIs) from August 2022 to December 2023 in southern China were analyzed. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the positive detection rates of respiratory pathogens increased to 56.9%. Influenza A virus (IAV) emerged as the predominant prevalence pathogen (52.1%), followed by Mycoplasma pneumoniae (Mp: 21.2%), and SARS-CoV-2 (11.6%). Mp, IAV, and Human rhinovirus (HRV) infection were the primary etiologies of ARIs patients under age 18, accounting for 49.4%, 48.6%, and 21.7%, respectively. Mp, HRV, Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and Adenovirus (ADV) contributed to ARIs cases in virtually every month in this group, with Mp being particularly notable for its consistent presence and high co-infection rate (31.0%). IAV was predominant in the 19 to 59 age group (88.6%), SARS-CoV-2 was responsible for most of ARIs in the elderly group (82.5%). This study provides valuable insights into the dynamic nature of respiratory pathogens post COVID-19 era.

Changing respiratory pathogens infection patterns after COVID-19 pandemic in Shanghai, China.

To assess the positive rate of 11 respiratory pathogens in 2023, providing a comprehensive summary and analysis of the respiratory infection patterns after COVID-19 pandemic. The study comprised 7544 inpatients suspected of respiratory infections who underwent respiratory pathogen multiplex polymerase chain reaction tests from July 2022 to December 31, 2023. We analyzed the positive rate of 11 pathogens over 18 months and the characterization of infection patterns among different age groups and immune states. Among 7544 patients (age range 4 months to 104 years, 44.99% female), the incidence of infected by at least one of the 11 pathogens was 26.07%. Children (55.18%, p < 0.05) experienced a significantly higher infection probability than adults (20.88%) and old (20.66%). Influenza A virus (8.63%), Mycoplasma pneumoniae (5.47%), and human rhinovirus (5.12%) were the most common pathogens. In children, M. pneumoniae (35.96%) replaced the predominant role of human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) (5.91%) in the pathogen spectrum. Age, immunosuppressed state, and respiratory chronic conditions were associated with a significantly higher risk of mixed infection. Immunosuppressed patients were more vulnerable to human coronavirus (4.64% vs. 1.65%, p < 0.05), human parainfluenza virus (3.46% vs. 1.69%, p < 0.05), and HRSV (2.27% vs. 0.55%, p < 0.05). Patterns in respiratory infections changed following regional epidemic control measures and the COVID-19 pandemic.

An externally validated clinical-laboratory nomogram for myocardial involvement in adult idiopathic-inflammatory-myopathy patients.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed at identifying clinical and laboratory risk factors for myocardial involvement (MI) in idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs) patients as well as constructing a risk-predicted nomogram for prediction and early identification of MI. METHODS: An IIMs cohort in southeastern China was constructed, including 504 adult IIMs patients who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria, and were hospitalized at four divisions of the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine from January 1st 2018 to April 30st 2022. After dividing patients into the training cohort and the validation cohort, risk factors for MI were identified through least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression and multivariate logistic regression. A risk-predicted nomogram was established and validated internally and externally for discrimination, calibration and practicability. RESULTS: In this cohort, 17.7% of patients developed MI and the survival was significantly inferior to that of IIMs patients without MI (P < 0.001). In the training cohort, age > 55 years old (P < 0.001), disease activity > 10 points (P < 0.001), interleukin-17A (IL-17A) > 7.5 pg/ml (P < 0.001), lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) > 425 U/L (P < 0.001), anti-mitochondrial antibodies (AMAs, P = 0.017), and anti-MDA5 antibody (P = 0.037) were significantly correlated with development of MI. A nomogram was established by including the above values to predict MI and was found efficient in discrimination, calibration, and practicability through internal and external validation. CONCLUSION: This study developed and validated a nomogram model to predict the risk of MI in adult IIMs patients, which can benefit the prediction and early identification of MI as well as timely intervention in these patients.

VO2 /MoO3 Heterojunctions Artificial Optoelectronic Synapse Devices for Near-Infrared Optical Communication.

Artificial optoelectronic synapses (OES) have attracted extensive attention in brain-inspired information processing and neuromorphic computing. However, OES at near-infrared wavelengths have rarely been reported, seriously limiting the application in modern optical communication. Herein, high-performance near-infrared OES devices based on VO2 /MoO3 heterojunctions are presented. The textured MoO3 films are deposited on the sputtered VO2 film by using the glancing-angle deposition technique to form a heterojunction device. Through tuning the oxygen defects in the VO2 film, the fabricated VO2 /MoO3 heterojunction exhibits versatile electrical synaptic functions. Benefiting from the highly efficient light harvesting and the unique interface effect, the photonic synaptic characteristics, mainly including the short/long-term plasticity and learning experience behavior are successfully realized at the O (1342 nm) and C (1550 nm) optical communication wavebands. Moreover, a single OES device can output messages accurately by converting light signals of the Morse code to distinct synaptic currents. More importantly, a 3 × 3 artificial OES array is constructed to demonstrate the impressive image perceiving and learning capabilities. This work not only indicates the feasibility of defect and interface engineering in modulating the synaptic plasticity of OES devices, but also provides effective strategies to develop advanced artificial neuromorphic visual systems for next-generation optical communication systems.

Diagnose and treatment for Type D congenital esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula.

Importance: Type D esophageal atresia (EA) with tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) is characterized by EA with both proximal and distal TEFs. It is a rare congenital anomaly with a very low incidence. Objective: To investigate diagnostic and treatment strategies for this rare condition. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the clinicopathological features of patients with EA/TEF treated at our institution between January 2007 and September 2021. Results: Among 386 patients with EA/TEF, 14 (3.6%) had type D EA/TEF. Only two patients were diagnosed with proximal TEF preoperatively. Seven patients were diagnosed intraoperatively. Five patients were missed for diagnosis during the initial surgery but was later confirmed by bronchoscopy. During the neonatal period, seven patients underwent a one-stage repair of proximal and distal TEF via thoracoscopy or thoracotomy. Due to missed diagnosis and other reasons, the other 7 patients underwent two-stage surgery for repair of the proximal TEF, including cervical incision and thoracoscopy. Ten of the 14 patients experienced postoperative complications including anastomotic leakage, pneumothorax, esophageal stricture, and recurrence. Patients who underwent one-stage repair of distal and proximal TEF during the neonatal period showed a higher incidence of anastomotic leak (4/7). In contrast, only one of seven patients with two-stage repair of the proximal TEF developed an anastomotic leak. Interpretation: Type D EA/TEF is a rare condition, and proximal TEFs are easily missed. Bronchoscopy may aim to diagnose and determine the correct surgical approach. A cervical approach may be more suitable for repairing the proximal TEF.

Northward shift of Indian summer monsoon and intensifying winter westerlies cause stronger precipitation seasonality over Pamirs and its downstream basins in the 21st century.

Hydroclimate will change over Pamirs and its downstream basins (PDB), including Indus River, Tarim River, Amu Darya and Syr Darya Basins, in response to the variation of Indian summer monsoon (ISM) and mid-latitude westerlies. However, the precipitation variation and its mechanism over PDB in the 21st century are yet not fully understood. Here, the best models ensemble selected from 25 CMIP6 models under SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5 scenarios is applied to detect the precipitation variations over PDB in the 21st century. A remarkable dipolar pattern is found in both summer and winter precipitation over PDB, particularly in the central Indus River Basin and upper Amu and Syr Darya Basins. The central Indus River Basin (upper Amu and Syr Darya Basins) will experience an increasingly wet (dry) summer in response to northward ISM and a dry (wet) winter driven by mid-latitude westerlies. The amplifying dipolar pattern of seasonal precipitation thus increases the water resource vulnerability over PDB and emphasizes the role of Pamirs in modulating the water resources over surrounding basins, especially the Amu Darya and Syr Darya Basins in the future. The findings underscore the need for prioritizing policies by considering the impacts of precipitation seasonality on social planning.

Effect of GnRH Active Immunisation on Reproductive Performance of Male Sprague Dawley Rats.

To investigate the effect of active immunisation with gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) on the reproductive function in male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats, 24 42-day-old rats were randomly assigned to treatment with GnRH6-MAP, GnRH-OVA, a surgical castration group, and a blank control group. Each rat in the treatment groups was intramuscularly injected at 6, 8, and 10 weeks of age. The serum concentrations of testosterone (T), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinising hormone (LH), and anti-GnRH antibodies were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. The results showed that active immunisation with recombinant GnRH6-MBP and GnRH-OVA significantly increased the serum levels of anti-GnRH antibodies and reduced the serum concentrations of testosterone compared to the black control. Eight weeks after immunisation, the rats' testes were surgically removed for morphological evaluation, showing atrophy of the convoluted vasculature, relative emptying of the lumen, and insignificant differentiation of spermatogonial cells, which were increased in weight and volume compared with the blank control group. These findings indicated that active immunisation with GnRH can lead to testicular atrophy and reduce gonadal hormone concentrations, suggesting that GnRH is a highly effective immunogen.

A deep learning model for translating CT to ventilation imaging: analysis of accuracy and impact on functional avoidance radiotherapy planning.

PURPOSE: Radiotherapy planning incorporating functional lung images has the potential to reduce pulmonary toxicity. Free-breathing 4DCT-derived ventilation image (CTVI) may help quantify lung function. This study introduces a novel deep-learning model directly translating planning CT images into CTVI. We investigated the accuracy of generated images and the impact on functional avoidance planning. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Paired planning CT and 4DCT scans from 48 patients with NSCLC were randomized to training (n = 41) and testing (n = 7) data sets. The ventilation maps were generated from 4DCT using a Jacobian-based algorithm to provide ground truth labels (CTVI4DCT). A 3D U-Net-based model was trained to map CT to synthetic CTVI (CTVISyn) and validated using fivefold cross-validation. The highest-performing model was applied to the testing set. Spearman's correlation (rs) and Dice similarity coefficient (DSC) determined voxel-wise and functional-wise concordance between CTVI4DCT and CTVISyn. Three plans were designed per patient in the testing set: one clinical plan without CTVI and two functional avoidance plans combined with CTVI4DCT or CTVISyn, aimed at sparing high-functional lungs defined as the top 50% of the percentile ventilation ranges. Dose-volume (DVH) parameters regarding the planning target volume (PTV) and organs at risk (OARs) were recorded. Radiation pneumonitis (RP) risk was estimated using a dose-function (DFH)-based normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) model. RESULTS: CTVISyn showed a mean rs value of 0.65 ± 0.04 compared to CTVI4DCT. Mean DSC values over the top 50% and 60% of ventilation ranges were 0.41 ± 0.07 and 0.52 ± 0.10, respectively. In the test set (n = 7), all patients' RP-risk benefited from CTVI4DCT-guided plans (Riskmean_4DCT_vs_Clinical: 29.24% vs. 49.12%, P = 0.016), and six patients benefited from CTVISyn-guided plans (Riskmean_Syn_vs_Clinical: 31.13% vs. 49.12%, P = 0.022). There were no significant differences in DVH and DFH metrics between CTVISyn and CTVI4DCT-guided plan (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Using deep-learning techniques, CTVISyn generated from planning CT exhibited a moderate-to-high correlation with CTVI4DCT. The CTVISyn-guided plans were comparable to the CTVI4DCT-guided plans, effectively reducing pulmonary toxicity in patients while maintaining acceptable plan quality. Further prospective trials are needed to validate these findings.

Photoinduced arylation or alkylation of 1,2,4-triazine-3,5(2H,4H)-diones with hydrazines.

A light-induced method is developed for synthesizing azauracils. This method is independent from traditional methodology. Remarkably, this reaction can also be powered by sunlight. The applicability of this method is further demonstrated through its successful implementation in large-scale reactions and its use in synthesizing derivatives.

Associations of Urinary Nickel with NAFLD and Liver Fibrosis in the USA: A Nationwide Cross­Sectional Study.

Despite the robust correlation between metabolic disorders and heavy metals, there has been limited research on the associations between nickel levels and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) as well as liver fibrosis. This study aimed to examine the associations among urinary nickel, NAFLD, and liver fibrosis. The data utilized in this study were obtained from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2017-2020. A comprehensive screening process was conducted, resulting in the inclusion of a total of 3169 American adults in the analysis. The measurement of urinary nickel was conducted through inductively coupled-plasma mass spectrometry. Vibration-controlled transient elastography was employed to assess the controlled attenuation parameter and liver stiffness measurement as indicators for NAFLD and liver fibrosis, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression models were employed to evaluate the associations among urinary nickel, NAFLD, and liver fibrosis. Restricted cubic splines were employed to explored the nonlinear associations. After adjusting for all covariates, the correlation between the highest quartile of urinary nickel and NAFLD was found to be significant (OR = 1.65; 95% CI, 1.19-2.27). Subgroup analysis revealed that the correlation was significant only in men. A significant association occurred between the second quartile of urinary nickel and liver fibrosis (OR 1.88; 95% CI, 1.22-2.90). Restricted cubic spline showed that the relationship was linear between urinary nickel and NAFLD and non-monotonic, inverse U-shaped between urinary nickel and liver fibrosis. This cross-sectional study indicated that the risk of NAFLD is associated with urinary nickel, and this correlation was only present among males.

Facile Reactive Oxygen Species-Scavenging Supramolecular Hydrogel to Promote Diabetic Wound Healing.

Chronic wound healing impairment is a significant complication in diabetes. Hydrogels that maintain wound moisture and enable sustained drug release have become prominent for enhancing chronic wound care. Particularly, hydrogels that respond to reactive oxygen species (ROS) are sought-after for their dual capacity to mitigate ROS and facilitate controlled drug delivery at the wound site. We have strategically designed an ROS-responsive and scavenging supramolecular hydrogel composed of the simple hexapeptide Glu-Phe-Met-Phe-Met-Glu (EFM). This hydrogelator, composed solely of canonical amino acids without additional ROS-sensitive motifs, forms a hydrogel rapidly upon sonication. Interaction with ROS leads to the oxidation of Met residues to methionine sulfoxide, triggering hydrogel disassembly and consequent payload release. Cellular assays have verified their biocompatibility and efficacy in promoting cell proliferation and migration. In vivo investigations underscore the potential of this straightforward hydrogel as an ROS-scavenger and drug delivery vehicle, enhancing wound healing in diabetic mice. The simplicity and effectiveness of this hydrogel suggest its broader biomedical applications in the future.

Nutritional knowledge, attitudes, and practices among residents in the Northeast areas of China during the COVID-19 epidemic.

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) due to SARS-CoV-2 infection continues to affect the daily life of communities worldwide. Nutrition is a vital determinant of overall health. Given the lack of specific drugs for COVID-19 and incomplete vaccination coverage, optimizing nutrition appears to be one of the most cost-effective means of enhancing immunity. Therefore, this study was designed to evaluate nutrition-related knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) to offer insights into the personal determinants of dietary behavior during COVID-19 pandemic in four major cities within the Northeast region. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between January and December 2022 using a self-administered questionnaire. The data were entered in EpiData V-3.02 and analyzed using SPSS version 26. Binary logistic regression analysis was also employed to examine the association between dependent and independent variables. Results: A total of 4,092 respondents were included in the study. Most of the respondents demonstrated had inadequate nutrition knowledge, 26% of them provided ≥60% of correct answers. About one-third of the respondents were knowledgeable about the daily levels of oil, salt, milk, water, vegetables and fruits for adults. Furthermore, our results showed that 60.6% of participants held positive attitudes toward healthy eating. Additionally, only 54.6% of the participants have heathy dietary practices during COVID-19 pandemic. Binary logistic regression analysis showed that the following characteristics were associated with displaying unhealthy dietary behaviors: being men, having a lower education level, having a family income of 10,000-19,999 and more than 20,000, being resided in Harbin, Shenyang, and Changchun. Importantly, the strongest associations were observed between poor dietary knowledge and unhealthy eating behaviors. Similarly, dietary attitudes were strongly associated with healthy dietary behaviors when the effects of other factors were excluded; responders with negative attitudes were more likely to exhibit unhealthy eating behaviors. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that residents in the Northeast China possessed a relatively low level of nutritional knowledge, which directly influenced their dietary practices during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study provides valuable insights into the cross-sectional description and key factors related to nutrition-related KAP, serving as a basis for future policymaking to respond more effectively to health crises.

[Application Research of Vector Flow Technique on Convex Array Ultrasonic Probe of Abdomen].

Vector flow imaging (VFI) is an innovative ultrasound flow measurement technology. Compared with the traditional color Doppler and spectral Doppler, VFI has the advantages of independence of angle correction and direct acquisition of real-time amplitude and direction of flow. Transverse oscillation (TO) method is one of the effective methods for vector flow imaging. However, a complete and detailed algorithm validation process based on commercial ultrasound machines is still lacking due to more complex convex probes. This study starts with introducing the imaging process and principle of transverse oscillation vector flow technique, and calculates the error between the set velocity value and the measured velocity value through the simulation experiment, and verifies the error between the set velocity value and the measured velocity value through the Doppler flow phantom experiment. Among them, the velocity value measured by the TO vector flow technique in the simulation experiment is 0.48 m/s and the preset value is 0.50 m/s, the error between them is -4%. The velocity values are 8.33, 11.14, 14.44 and 16.67 cm/s measured by the Doppler flow phantom experiment, the actual velocity values are 7.97, 10.78, 14.06 and 17.34 cm/s, the errors between them are all within ±5%. Both experiments verify the feasibility of using vector flow technique on abdominal convex probe.

Dense r-Ru/FeCoP heterointerfaces induced by a defect-assisted strategy for ultrastable alkaline overall water splitting.

Simplifying the anchoring process of Ru nanoparticles (NPs) and activating their bifunctional activity are challenges in the construction of Ru-based catalysts. In this work, FeCoP nanosheets anchored by Ru NPs (r-Ru/FeCoP) were innovatively synthesized using an oxygen defect-assisted-gas-phase phosphorization strategy. Surprisingly, the η100 values of r-Ru/FeCoP in the alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) processes were 0.8 and 0.58 times those of Pt/C and RuO2, respectively. Notably, the rich Ru NPs as HER active sites on r-Ru/FeCoP enhanced the conductivity of the catalyst and promoted the reaction kinetics for HER, while the metal atoms on the FeCoP nanosheets served as OER active sites to accelerate the desorption of O2. The synergy between the two promoted the improvement of overall water splitting efficiency. Overall, this work provides a new approach for the development of low-cost bifunctional catalysts with high Ru utilization.

Combined Phototrophic Simultaneous Nitrification-Endogenous Denitrification with Phosphorus Removal (P-SNDPR) System Treating Low Carbon to Nitrogen Ratio Wastewater for Potential Carbon Neutrality.

Conventional biological nutrient removal processes rely on external aeration and produce significant carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. This study constructed a phototrophic simultaneous nitrification-denitrification phosphorus removal (P-SNDPR) system to treat low carbon to nitrogen (C/N) ratios wastewater and investigated the impact of sludge retention time (SRT) on nutrient removal performance, nitrogen conversion pathway, and microbial structure. Results showed that the P-SNDPR system at SRT of 15 days had the highest nutrient removal capacity, achieving over 85% and 98% removal of nitrogen and phosphorus, respectively, meanwhile maintaining minimal CO2 emissions. Nitrogen removal was mainly through assimilation at SRTs of 5 and 10 days, and nitrification-denitrification at SRTs of 15 and 20 days. Stable partial nitrification was facilitated by photoinhibition and low DO levels. Flow cytometry sorting technique results revealed SRT drove community structural changes in translational activity (BONCAT+) microbes, where BONCAT+ microbes were mainly simultaneous nitrogen and phosphorus removal bacteria (Candidatus Accumulibacter), denitrifying bacteria (Candidatus Competibacter and Plasticicumulans), ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (Nitrosomonas), and microalgae (Chlorella and Dictyosphaerium). The P-SNDPR system represents a novel, carbon-neutral process for efficient nutrient removal from low C/N ratio wastewater without aeration and external carbon source additions.

Impacts of Aspergillus oryzae 3.042 on the flavor formation pathway in Cantonese soy sauce koji.

To investigate the mechanism of flavor formation during the traditional preparation Cantonese soy sauce koji (TP), the changes of microorganisms, physicochemical properties, and flavor compounds in TP were comprehensively and dynamically monitored by absolute quantitative methods. Results demonstrated that inoculating Aspergillus oryzae 3.042 in TP was crucial role in enhancing enzyme activity properties. Absolute quantification of flavor combined with multivariate statistical analysis yielded 5 organic acids, 15 amino acids, and 2 volatiles as significantly different flavors of TP. Amplicon sequencing and RT-qPCR revealed that the dominant genera were Staphylococcus, Weissella, Enterobacter, Lactic streptococci, Lactobacillus, and Aspergillus, which exhibited a increasing trend in TP. Correlation analysis exhibited that Staphylococcus and Aspergillus were the pivotal genera contributing to the enzyme activities and flavor of TP. The flavor formation network involved lipid and protein degradation, carbohydrate metabolism and other pathways. Simultaneously, TP can appropriately increase the fermentation time to improve product quality.

An experimental model for primary neuropathic corneal pain induced by long ciliary nerve ligation in rats.

ABSTRACT: Neuropathic corneal pain (NCP) is a new and ill-defined disease characterized by pain, discomfort, aching, burning sensation, irritation, dryness, and grittiness. However, the mechanism underlying NCP remain unclear. Here, we reported a novel rat model of primary NCP induced by long ciliary nerve (LCN) ligation. After sustained LCN ligation, the rats developed increased corneal mechanical and chemical sensitivity, spontaneous blinking, and photophobia, which were ameliorated by intraperitoneal injection of morphine or gabapentin. However, neither tear reduction nor corneal injury was observed in LCN-ligated rats. Furthermore, after LCN ligation, the rats displayed a significant reduction in corneal nerve density, as well as increased tortuosity and beading nerve ending. Long ciliary nerve ligation also notably elevated corneal responsiveness under resting or menthol-stimulated conditions. At a cellular level, we observed that LCN ligation increased calcitonin gene-related peptide (neuropeptide)-positive cells in the trigeminal ganglion (TG). At a molecular level, upregulated mRNA levels of ion channels Piezo2, TRPM8, and TRPV1, as well as inflammatory factors TNF-α, IL-1ß, and IL-6, were also detected in the TG after LCN ligation. Meanwhile, consecutive oral gabapentin attenuated LCN ligation-induced corneal hyperalgesia and increased levels of ion channels and inflammation factors in TG. This study provides a reliable primary NCP model induced by LCN ligation in rats using a simple, minimally invasive surgery technique, which may help shed light on the underlying cellular and molecular bases of NCP and aid in developing a new treatment for the disease.

TRAF2 inhibits senescence in hepatocellular carcinoma cells via regulating the ROMO1/ NAD+/SIRT3/SOD2 axis.

The suppression of tumor proliferation via cellular senescence has emerged as a promising approach for anti-tumor therapy. Tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 2 (TRAF2), an adaptor protein involved in the NF-κB signaling pathway and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, has been implicated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) proliferation. However, little is currently known about whether TRAF2 promotes HCC development by inhibiting cellular senescence. Replicative senescence model and IR-induced mouse model demonstrated that TRAF2 expression was decrease in senescence cells or liver tissues. Depletion of TRAF2 could inhibit proliferation and arrest the cell cycle via activating p53/p21WAF1 and p16INK4a/pRb signaling pathways in HCC cells and eventually lead to cellular senescence. Mechanistically, TRAF2 deficiency increased the expression of mitochondrial protein reactive oxygen species modulator 1 (ROMO1) and subsequently activated the NAD+/SIRT3/SOD2 pathway to promote the production of ROS and cause mitochondrial dysfunction, which eventually contributed to DNA damage response (DDR). Our findings demonstrate that TRAF2 deficiency inhibits the proliferation of HCC by promoting senescence. Therefore, targeting TRAF2 through various approaches holds therapeutic potential for treating HCC.

Can environmental information disclosure spur corporate green innovation?

How can the disclosure of environmental information (EID) stimulate corporate green innovation (CGI)? This research challenges the prevailing assumption that environmental regulations impact CGI by influencing corporate compliance costs. Instead, it offers a fresh theoretical framework to explain how EID affects CGI. This study combines signal theory and resource dependence theory to develop a moderated mediation model, illustrating how EID reduces information asymmetry and alleviates corporate financial constraints (CFC). To test these hypotheses, this study utilized data from A-share listed companies spanning the period 2004 to 2017. This study considered the year 2009 as a crucial point of analysis, marking the period before and after the implementation of China's first EID policy in 2008. This study employed a Difference-in-Differences (DID) model. The results reveal that EID has a positive impact on CGI by mitigating CFC, with non-state-owned enterprises (non-SOEs) exhibiting a more pronounced mediating effect. These findings remain robust even when the parallel trend assumption was tested to eliminate interference from other factors. This study unveils the mechanism through which voluntary environmental regulation, represented by EID, influences CGI by mitigating information asymmetry and alleviating CFC. These results deviate from the predictions of compliance cost theory and Porter's hypothesis regarding the impact of traditional environmental regulations on CGI, providing a fresh perspective on the role of voluntary environmental regulation in driving CGI.