Study on Gamma sensory flicker for Insomnia.

OBJECTIVES: Insomnia has been the subject of much systematic research because it is a risk factor for a variety of diseases. There is some evidence that gamma sensory stimulation therapy has also been demonstrated to improve sleep quality for people with Alzheimer's disease. However, it is unclear whether this method is effective for treating insomnia. The principal objective of this project was to investigate the efficacy and safety of gamma sensory flicker in improving the sleep quality of insomnia patients. METHODS: Thirty-seven participants with insomnia were recruited for this prospective observational study. For a duration of 8 weeks, participants were exposed to flicker stimulation through a light and sound device. RESULTS: During the main phase of the study, adherence rates averaged 92.21%. Additionally, no severe adverse events were reported for flicker treatment. Analysis of sleep diaries indicated that 40 Hz flickers can enhance sleep quality by reducing sleep onset latencies, and arousals, and increasing total sleep duration. CONCLUSIONS: Gamma sensory flicker improves sleep quality in people suffering from insomnia.

Yingxiang Acupoint Embedding Improves Mucosal Barrier Function in Rats with Local Allergic Rhinitis.

INTRODUCTION: Epithelial barrier disruption is the initial cause of various diseases. We previously reported that acupoint catgut embedding (AE) improves tight junction proteins (TJs) in rats with allergic rhinitis. However, whether AE improves the epithelial barrier in local allergic rhinitis (LAR) remains unknown. METHODS: A total of 36 Sprague Dawley (SD) male rats aged 5-7 weeks were divided into 6 groups with 6 rats each: control group, LAR model group, false acupoint embedding + LAR group, acupoint embedding + LAR group, capsaicin + LAR group, and tunicamycin + acupoint embedding + LAR group. Behavioral observation, ELISA to detect inflammatory factors in nasal lavage fluid and serum IgE, nasal mucosal permeability test, hematoxylin-eosin staining, PCR to detect Substance P (SP), Western blot, and immunofluorescence to detect endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) index and TJs were used to investigate the mechanism of AE in LAR. RESULTS: AE improved the symptoms and pathological features of nasal mucosa of LAR rats, reduced the inflammatory factors (IL4, IL5, IL13) of nasal lavage fluid, and showed no significant change in serum IgE levels in all groups. In addition, AE decreased the expression of SP in nasal mucosa of LAR rats, inhibited ERS, increased the expression of tight junction protein, reduced the permeability of nasal mucosa, and improved the function of nasal mucosal barrier. CONCLUSION: This study confirms that AE can improve the nasal mucosal barrier function of LAR by reducing the expression of SP, inhibiting ERS and increasing the expression of TJs, thus enhancing the nasal mucosal barrier function.

Immunoregulatory role of the gut microbiota in inflammatory depression.

Inflammatory depression is a treatment-resistant subtype of depression. A causal role of the gut microbiota as a source of low-grade inflammation remains unclear. Here, as part of an observational trial, we first analyze the gut microbiota composition in the stool, inflammatory factors and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in plasma, and inflammatory and permeability markers in the intestinal mucosa of patients with inflammatory depression (ChiCTR1900025175). Gut microbiota of patients with inflammatory depression exhibits higher Bacteroides and lower Clostridium, with an increase in SCFA-producing species with abnormal butanoate metabolism. We then perform fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) and probiotic supplementation in animal experiments to determine the causal role of the gut microbiota in inflammatory depression. After FMT, the gut microbiota of the inflammatory depression group shows increased peripheral and central inflammatory factors and intestinal mucosal permeability in recipient mice with depressive and anxiety-like behaviors. Clostridium butyricum administration normalizes the gut microbiota, decreases inflammatory factors, and displays antidepressant-like effects in a mouse model of inflammatory depression. These findings suggest that inflammatory processes derived from the gut microbiota can be involved in neuroinflammation of inflammatory depression.

Extending the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM): The GRADE-TCM.

AIM: To extend and form the "Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation in Traditional Chinese Medicine" (GRADE-TCM). METHODS: Methodologies were systematically reviewed and analyzed concerning evidence-based TCM guidelines worldwide. A survey questionnaire was developed based on the literature review and open-end expert interviews. Then, we performed expert consensus, discussion meeting, opinion collection, external examination, and the GRADE-TCM was formed eventually. RESULTS: 265 Chinese and English TCM guidelines were included and analyzed. Five experts completed the open-end interviews. Ten methodological entries were summarized, screened and selected. One round of consensus was conducted, including a total of 22 experts and 220 valid questionnaire entries, concerning 1) selection of the GRADE, 2) GRADE-TCM upgrading criteria, 3) GRADE-TCM evaluation standard, 4) principles of consensus and recommendation, and 5) presentation of the GRADE-TCM and recommendation. Finally, consensus was reached on the above 10 entries, and the results were of high importance (with voting percentages ranging from 50 % to 81.82 % for "very important" rating) and strong reliability (with the Cr ranging from 0.93 to 0.99). Expert discussion meeting (with 40 experts), opinion collection (in two online platforms) and external examination (with 14 third-party experts) were conducted, and the GRADE-TCM was established eventually. CONCLUSION: GRADE-TCM provides a new extended evidence-based evaluation standard for TCM guidelines. In GRADE-TCM, international evidence-based norms, characteristics of TCM intervention, and inheritance of TCM culture were combined organically and followed. This is helpful for localization of the GRADE in TCM and internationalization of TCM guidelines.

Kalidium cuspidatum colonization changes the structure and function of salt crust microbial communities.

The changes of soil moisture, salinity, and nutrients by halophyte colonization in high-salinity environment profoundly affect the assembly and structure of microbial communities. However, salt marshes in arid region have received little attention. This study was conducted in Lianhuachi Lake, a typical inland salt marsh wetland in China, to determine the physicochemical characteristics of salt crusts in [Kalidium cuspidatum (Ung.-Sternb.) Grub.] colonization areas and bulk soil, respectively, and to analyze the microbial community structure of salt crusts by high-throughput sequencing. Kalidium cuspidatum colonization significantly decreased total salinity, soil water content, and water-soluble ions of salt crusts and increased total carbon, total nitrogen, and total phosphorus content. At the same time, changes in physicochemical properties caused by Kalidium cuspidatum colonization affect the ecological processes of bacterial, fungal, and archaeal community assemblies in salt crusts. In addition, cross-kingdom network analysis showed that Kalidium cuspidatum colonization increased the complexity and stability of microbial networks in salt crust soils. Functional projections further showed that bacterial diversity had a potential driving effect on the nitrogen cycle function of salt crust. Our study further demonstrated the different ecological strategies of microorganisms for halophyte colonization in extreme environments and contributed to the understanding of restoration and management of salt marsh wetlands in arid region.

Plasma levels of hydrogen sulfide and homocysteine correlate with the efficacy of antidepressant agents and serve as potential diagnostic and therapeutic markers.

OBJECTIVE: Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is associated with depressive-like behavior in rodents. We undertook cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses of plasma levels of H2S and its substrate homocysteine (Hcy) in depression and assessed the association of both parameters with psychopathology and cognitive function. METHODS: Forty-one patients suffering from depression (PSDs) and 48 healthy volunteers were recruited. PSDs were treated for 8 weeks. Analyzable data were collected from all participants for assessment of their psychopathology and cognitive function. Plasma was collected for determination of levels of H2S and Hcy, and data were correlated to determine their potential as plasma biomarkers. RESULTS: Cross-sectional analyses revealed PSDs to have a low plasma H2S level and high Hcy level. Longitudinal analyses revealed that 8 weeks of treatment reversed the changes in plasma levels of H2S and Hcy in PSDs. Plasma levels of H2S and Hcy were associated with psychopathology and cognitive function in depression. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) for a combination of plasma levels of H2S and Hcy and expression of the TNF gene (i.e., H2S-Hcy-TNF) was 0.848 for diagnosing depression and 0.977 for predicting the efficacy of antidepressant agents. CONCLUSION: Plasma levels of H2S and Hcy reflect changes in psychopathology and cognitive function in depression and H2S-Hcy-TNF has the potential to diagnose depression and predict the efficacy of antidepressant medications.

Long-read transcriptome landscapes of primary and metastatic liver cancers at transcript resolution.

BACKGROUND: The liver ranks as the sixth most prevalent site of primary cancer in humans, and it frequently experiences metastases from cancers originating in other organs. To facilitate the development of effective treatments and improve survival rates, it is crucial to comprehend the intricate and diverse transcriptome landscape of primary and metastatic liver cancers. METHODS: We conducted long-read isoform sequencing and short-read RNA sequencing using a cohort of 95 patients with primary and secondary liver cancer who underwent hepatic resection. We compared the transcriptome landscapes of primary and metastatic liver cancers and systematically investigated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), paired primary tumours and liver metastases, and matched nontumour liver tissues. RESULTS: We elucidated the full-length isoform-level transcriptome of primary and metastatic liver cancers in humans. Our analysis revealed isoform-level diversity in HCC and identified transcriptome variations associated with liver metastatis. Specific RNA transcripts and isoform switching events with clinical implications were profound in liver cancer. Moreover, we defined metastasis-specific transcripts that may serve as predictors of risk of metastasis. Additionally, we observed abnormalities in adjacent paracancerous liver tissues and characterized the immunological and metabolic alterations occurring in the liver. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings underscore the power of full-length transcriptome profiling in providing novel biological insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying tumourigenesis. These insights will further contribute to improving treatment strategies for primary and metastatic liver cancers.

Tuina Intervention in Sodium Monoiodoacetate Injection-Induced Rat Model of Knee Osteoarthritis.

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA), a common degenerative joint disorder, is characterized by chronic pain and disability, which can progress to irreparable structural damage of the joint. Investigations into the link between articular cartilage, muscles, synovium, and other tissues surrounding the knee joint in KOA are of great importance. Currently, managing KOA includes lifestyle modifications, exercise, medication, and surgical interventions; however, the elucidation of the intricate mechanisms underlying KOA-related pain is still lacking. Consequently, KOA pain remains a key clinical challenge and a therapeutic priority. Tuina has been found to have a regulatory effect on the motor, immune, and endocrine systems, prompting the exploration of whether Tuina could alleviate KOA symptoms, caused by the upregulation of inflammatory factors, and further, if the inflammatory factors in skeletal muscle can augment the progression of KOA. We randomized 32 male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats (180-220 g) into four groups of eight animals each: antiPD-L1+Tuina (group A), model (group B), Tuina (group C), and sham surgery (group D). For groups A, B, and C, we injected 25 µL of sodium monoiodoacetate (MIA) solution (4 mg MIA diluted in 25 µL of sterile saline solution) into the right knee joint cavity, and for group D, the same amount of sterile physiological saline was injected. All the groups were evaluated using the least to most stressful tests (paw mechanical withdrawal threshold, paw withdrawal thermal latency, swelling of the right knee joint, Lequesne MG score, skin temperature) before injection and 2, 9, and 16 days after injection.

The role of the thalamus in modular functional networks in temporal lobe epilepsy with cognitive impairment.

OBJECTIVE: Cognitive deficit is common in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). Here, we aimed to investigate the modular architecture of functional networks associated with distinct cognitive states in TLE patients together with the role of the thalamus in modular networks. METHODS: Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging scans were acquired from 53 TLE patients and 37 matched healthy controls. All patients received the Montreal Cognitive Assessment test and accordingly were divided into TLE patients with normal cognition (TLE-CN, n = 35) and TLE patients with cognitive impairment (TLE-CI, n = 18) groups. The modular properties of functional networks were calculated and compared including global modularity Q, modular segregation index, intramodular connections, and intermodular connections. Thalamic subdivisions corresponding to the modular networks were generated by applying a 'winner-take-all' strategy before analyzing the modular properties (participation coefficient and within-module degree z-score) of each thalamic subdivision to assess the contribution of the thalamus to modular functional networks. Relationships between network properties and cognitive performance were then further explored. RESULTS: Both TLE-CN and TLE-CI patients showed lower global modularity, as well as lower modular segregation index values for the ventral attention network and the default mode network. However, different patterns of intramodular and intermodular connections existed for different cognitive states. In addition, both TLE-CN and TLE-CI patients exhibited anomalous modular properties of functional thalamic subdivisions, with TLE-CI patients presenting a broader range of abnormalities. Cognitive performance in TLE-CI patients was not related to the modular properties of functional network but rather to the modular properties of functional thalamic subdivisions. CONCLUSIONS: The thalamus plays a prominent role in modular networks and potentially represents a key neural mechanism underlying cognitive impairment in TLE.

FLIBase: a comprehensive repository of full-length isoforms across human cancers and tissues.

Regulatory processes at the RNA transcript level play a crucial role in generating transcriptome diversity and proteome composition in human cells, impacting both physiological and pathological states. This study introduces FLIBase (www.FLIBase.org), a specialized database that focuses on annotating full-length isoforms using long-read sequencing techniques. We collected and integrated long-read (351 samples) and short-read (12 469 samples) RNA sequencing data from diverse normal and cancerous human tissues and cells. The current version of FLIBase comprises a total of 983 789 full-length spliced isoforms, identified through long-read sequences and verified using short-read exon-exon splice junctions. Of these, 188 248 isoforms have been annotated, while 795 541 isoforms remain unannotated. By overcoming the limitations of short-read RNA sequencing methods, FLIBase provides an accurate and comprehensive representation of full-length transcripts. These comprehensive annotations empower researchers to undertake various downstream analyses and investigations. Importantly, FLIBase exhibits a significant advantage in identifying a substantial number of previously unannotated isoforms and tumor-specific RNA transcripts. These tumor-specific RNA transcripts have the potential to serve as a source of immunogenic recurrent neoantigens. This remarkable discovery holds tremendous promise for advancing the development of tailored RNA-based diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for various types of human cancer.

Transcriptional patterns of the cortical Morphometric Inverse Divergence in first-episode, treatment-naïve early-onset schizophrenia.

Early-onset Schizophrenia (EOS) is a profoundly progressive psychiatric disorder characterized by both positive and negative symptoms, whose pathogenesis is influenced by genes, environment and brain structure development. In this study, the MIND (Morphometric Inverse Divergence) network was employed to explore the relationship between morphological similarity and specific transcriptional expression patterns in EOS patients. This study involved a cohort of 187 participants aged between 7 and 17 years, consisting of 97 EOS patients and 90 healthy controls (HC). Multiple morphological features were used to construct the MIND network for all participants. Furthermore, we explored the associations between MIND network and brain-wide gene expression in EOS patients through partial least squares (PLS) regression, shared genetic predispositions with other psychiatric disorders, functional enrichment of PLS weighted genes, as well as transcriptional signature assessment of cell types, cortical layers, and developmental stages. The MIND showed similarity differences in the orbitofrontal cortex, pericalcarine cortex, lingual gyrus, and multiple networks in EOS patients compared to HC. Moreover, our exploration revealed a significant overlap of PLS2 weighted genes linking to EOS-related MIND differences and the dysregulated genes reported in other psychiatric diseases. Interestingly, genes correlated with MIND changes (PLS2-) exhibited a significant enrichment not only in metabolism-related pathways, but also in specific astrocytes, cortical layers (specifically layer I and III), and posterior developmental stages (late infancy to young adulthood stages). However, PLS2+ genes were primarily enriched in synapses signaling-related pathways and early developmental stages (from early-mid fetal to neonatal early infancy) but not in special cell types or layers. These findings provide a novel perspective on the intricate relationship between macroscopic morphometric structural abnormalities and microscopic transcriptional patterns during the onset and progression of EOS.

Effect of ST36 electroacupuncture on the switch of skeletal muscle fibres in mice with sciatic nerve dissociation.

Skeletal muscle is striated muscle that moves autonomously and is innervated by peripheral nerves. Peripheral nerve injury is very common in clinical treatment. However, the commonly used treatment methods often focus on the regeneration of the injured nerve but overlook the pathological changes in the injured skeletal muscle. Acupuncture, as the main treatment for denervated skeletal muscle atrophy, is used extensively in clinical practice. In the present study, a mouse model of lower limb sciatic nerve detachment was constructed and treated with electroacupuncture Stomach 36 to observe the atrophy of lower limb skeletal muscle and changes in skeletal muscle fibre types before and after electroacupuncture Stomach 36 treatment. Mice with skeletal muscle denervation showed a decrease in the proportion of IIa muscle fibres and an increase in the proportion of IIb muscle fibres, after electroacupuncture Stomach 36. The changes were reversed by specific activators of p38 MAPK, which increased IIa myofibre ratio. The results suggest that electroacupuncture Stomach 36 can reverse the change of muscle fibre type from IIb to IIa after denervation of skeletal muscle by inhibiting p38 MAPK. The results provide an important theoretical basis for the treatment of clinical peripheral nerve injury diseases with electroacupuncture, in addition to novel insights that could facilitate the study of pathological changes of denervated skeletal muscle.

Integrated Three-Dimensional Microdevice with a Modified Surface for Enhanced DNA Separation from Biological Samples.

Functional interfaces and devices for rapid adsorption and immobilization of nucleic acids (NAs) are significant for relevant bioengineering applications. Herein, a microdevice with poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) photosensitive resin was integrated by three-dimensional (3D) printing, named DPAA for short. Precise microscale structures and abundant surface carboxyl functional groups were fabricated for fast and high-throughput deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) separation. Surface modification was then done using polydopamine (PDA) and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) to obtain modified poly(acrylic acid) (PAA)-based devices DPDA-PAA and DPEG-PAA rich in amino and hydroxyl groups, respectively. The fabricated device DPAA possessed superior printing accuracy (40-50 µm). Functionalization of amino and hydroxyl was successful, and the modified devices DPDA-PAA and DPEG-PAA maintained a high thermal stability like DPAA. Surface potential analysis and molecular dynamics simulation indicated that the affinity for DNA was in the order of DPDA-PAA > DPEG-PAA > DPAA. Further DNA separation experiments confirmed the high throughput and high selectivity of DNA separation performance, consistent with the predicted affinity results. DPDA-PAA showed relatively the highest DNA extraction yield, while DPEG-PAA was the worst. An acidic binding system is more favorable for DNA separation and recovery. DPDA-PAA showed significantly better DNA extraction performance than DPAA in a weakly acidic environment (pH 5.0-7.0), and the average DNA yield of the first elution was 2.16 times that of DPAA. This work validates the possibility of modification on integrated 3D microdevices to improve their DNA separation efficiency effectively. It also provides a new direction for the rational design and functionalization of bioengineering separators based on nonmagnetic methods. It may pave a new path for the highly efficient polymerase chain reaction diagnosis.

Cortical structural changes of morphometric similarity network in early-onset schizophrenia correlate with specific transcriptional expression patterns.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the neuroanatomical subtypes among early-onset schizophrenia (EOS) patients by exploring the association between structural alterations and molecular mechanisms using a combined analysis of morphometric similarity network (MSN) changes and specific transcriptional expression patterns. METHODS: We recruited 206 subjects aged 7 to 17 years, including 100 EOS patients and 106 healthy controls (HC). Heterogeneity through discriminant analysis (HYDRA) was used to identify the EOS subtypes within the MSN strength. The differences in morphometric similarity between each EOS subtype and HC were compared. Furthermore, we examined the link between morphometric changes and brain-wide gene expression in different EOS subtypes using partial least squares regression (PLS) weight mapping, evaluated genetic commonalities with psychiatric disorders, identified functional enrichments of PLS-weighted genes, and assessed cellular transcriptional signatures. RESULTS: Two distinct MSN-based EOS subtypes were identified, each exhibiting different abnormal MSN strength and cognitive functions compared to HC. The PLS1 score mapping demonstrated anterior-posterior gradients of gene expression in EOS1, whereas inverse distributions were observed in EOS2 cohorts. Genetic commonalities were identified in autistic disorder and adult schizophrenia with EOS1 and inflammatory bowel diseases with EOS2 cohorts. The EOS1 PLS1- genes (Z < -5) were significantly enriched in synaptic signaling-related functions, whereas EOS2 demonstrated enrichments in virtual infection-related pathways. Furthermore, the majority of observed associations with EOS1-specific MSN strength differences contributed to specific transcriptional changes in astrocytes and neurons. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study provide a comprehensive analysis of neuroanatomical subtypes in EOS, shedding light on the intricate relationships between macrostructural and molecular aspects of the EOS disease.

Risk prediction and treatment assessment in glioma patients using SEER database: a prospective observational study.

OBJECTIVES: To use a nomogram to predict the risk of mortality and estimate the impact of current treatment on the prognosis of glioma patients. METHODS: A total of 3798 cases were obtained from the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results database according to the selection criteria. A nomogram was built on the independent clinical factors screened by the variance inflation factor, univariate analyses and a multivariate Cox regression model. Then, categorising the overall population into high-risk, medium-risk and low-risk groups using nomogram-derived risk scores, to study the impact of treatment on different subgroups' survival outcomes. Furthermore, based on the postmatch cohorts, the influences of treatment on survival outcomes were assessed by the log-rank test. RESULT: Age, race, stage of disease, histological type, histological grade, surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy were identified as the independent prognostic factors. A nomogram with good discrimination and consistency was built. Generally, the patients who underwent surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy were more likely to achieve better prognosis than those who did not, except for those who received radiotherapy in the low-risk cohort and those who underwent surgery in the high-risk cohort. Furthermore, the isocitrate dehydrogenase 1/2 (IDH1/2) wild-type patients with surgery, radiotherapy or chemotherapy tended to have higher survival probabilities, while some inconsistent results were observed in the IDH mutant-type cohort. CONCLUSION: Surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy improved the prognosis, while appropriate selection of topical treatment for the low-risk or high-risk patients deserves further consideration. IDH status gene might be a reliable indicator of therapeutic effectiveness.

Molecular cloning, expression, and functional analysis of a putative lectin from the pearl oyster (Pinctada fucata, Gould 1850).

Marine lectins are a group of proteins that possess specific carbohydrate recognition and binding domains. They exhibit various activities, including antimicrobial, antitumor, antiviral, and immunomodulatory effects. In this study, a novel galectin-binding lectin gene named PFL-96 (GenBank: OQ561753.1) was cloned from Pinctada fucata. The PFL-96 gene has an open reading frame of 324 base pairs (bp) and encodes a protein comprising 107 amino acids. The protein has a molecular weight of 11.95 kDa and an isoelectric point of 9.27. It contains an N-terminal signal peptide and a galactose-binding lectin domain. The sequence identity to lectin proteins from fish, echinoderms, coelenterates, and shellfish ranges from 31.90 to 40.00 %. In the phylogenetic analysis, it was found that the PFL-96 protein is closely related to the lectin from Pteria penguin. The PFL-96 recombinant protein exhibited coagulation activity on 2 % rabbit red blood cells at a concentration of ≥8 µg/mL. Additionally, it showed significant hemolytic activity at a concentration of ≥32 µg/mL. The PFL-96 recombinant protein exhibited significant antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans, and Vibrio alginolyticus, with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of 4, 8, 16, and 16 µg/mL, respectively. The minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBC) were determined to be 8, 16, 32, and 32 µg/mL, respectively. Furthermore, the PFL-96 recombinant protein exhibited inhibitory effects on the proliferation of Hela tumor cells, HepG2 tumor cells, and C666-1 tumor cells, with IC50 values of 7.962, 8.007, and 9.502 µg/mL, respectively. These findings suggest that the recombinant protein PFL-96 exhibits significant bioactivity in vitro, contributing to a better understanding of the active compounds found in P. fucata. The present study establishes a fundamental basis for further investigation into the mechanism of action and structural optimization of the recombinant protein PFL-96. The aim is to develop potential candidates for antibacterial and anti-tumor agents.

Characteristics of glucolipid metabolism and complications in novel cluster-based diabetes subgroups: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Glucolipid metabolism plays an important role in the occurrence and development of diabetes mellitus. However, there is limited research on the characteristics of glucolipid metabolism and complications in different subgroups of newly diagnosed diabetes. This study aimed to investigate the characteristics of glucolipid metabolism and complications in novel cluster-based diabetes subgroups and explore the contributions of different glucolipid metabolism indicators to the occurrence of complications and pancreatic function. METHODS: This retrospective study included 547 newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes patients. Age, body mass index (BMI), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C), homeostasis model assessment-2 beta-cell function (HOMA2-ß), and homeostasis model assessment-2 insulin resistance (HOMA2-IR) were used as clustering variables. The participants were divided into 4 groups by k-means cluster analysis. The characteristics of glucolipid indicators and complications in each subgroup were analyzed. Regression analyses were used to evaluate the impact of glucolipid metabolism indicators on complications and pancreatic function. RESULTS: Total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), triglyceride glucose index (TyG), HbA1C, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), and 2-h postprandial plasma glucose (2hPG) were higher in the severe insulin-resistant diabetes (SIRD) and severe insulin-deficient diabetes (SIDD) groups. Fasting insulin (FINS), fasting C-peptide (FCP), 2-h postprandial insulin (2hINS), 2-h postprandial C-peptide (2hCP), and the monocyte-to-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (MHR) were higher in mild obesity-related diabetes (MOD) and SIRD. 2hCP, FCP, and FINS were positively correlated with HOMA2-ß, while FPG, TyG, HbA1C, and TG were negatively correlated with HOMA2-ß. FINS, FPG, FCP, and HbA1C were positively correlated with HOMA2-IR, while high-density lipoprotein (HDL) was negatively correlated with HOMA2-IR. FINS (odds ratio (OR),1.043;95% confidence interval (CI) 1.006 ~ 1.081), FCP (OR,2.881;95%CI 2.041 ~ 4.066), and TyG (OR,1.649;95%CI 1.292 ~ 2.104) contributed to increase the risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD); 2hINS (OR,1.015;95%CI 1.008 ~ 1.022) contributed to increase the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD); FCP (OR,1.297;95%CI 1.027 ~ 1.637) significantly increased the risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD). CONCLUSIONS: There were differences in the characteristics of glucolipid metabolism as well as complications among different subgroups of newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes. 2hCP, FCP, FINS, FPG, TyG, HbA1C, HDL and TG influenced the function of insulin. FINS, TyG, 2hINS, and FCP were associated with ASCVD, NAFLD, and CKD in newly diagnosed T2DM patients.

Prefrontal cortex functional connectivity changes during verbal fluency test in adults with short-term insomnia disorder: a functional near-infrared spectroscopy study.

Background: Individuals suffering from short-term insomnia disorder (SID) experience difficulties in falling or staying asleep, often leading to daytime fatigue and impaired concentration. However, the underlying mechanisms of SID remain unclear. This study aims to investigate the alterations in brain activation patterns and functional connectivity in patients with SID. Methods: The study enrolled a total of 31 adults diagnosed with SID and 31 healthy controls (HC). Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) was utilized to assess the concentrations of oxyhemoglobin (Oxy-Hb) and functional connectivity in the prefrontal cortex of each participant while performing the verbal fluency test (VFT) task. Results: In the VFT task, no significant difference was found between the SID group and the HC group in terms of integral values, centroid values, and mean Oxy-Hb variations. These findings suggest that both groups exhibit similar hemodynamic responses. However, the functional connectivity analysis revealed significant differences in inter-channel connectivity strength between the two groups. The SID group showed significantly lower average inter-channel connectivity strength compared to the HC group. Moreover, six channel pairs (right frontopolar cortex - left frontopolar cortex, left orbitofrontal cortex - left temporopolar cortex, left temporopolar cortex - left frontopolar cortex, left frontopolar cortex-Ch38, left frontopolar cortex - right pre-motor and supplementary motor cortex, and left frontopolar cortex - right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex) exhibited significantly higher connectivity strength in the HC group compared to the SID group (FDR corrected, p < 0.05). Specifically, channel 27 exhibited the highest frequency of significant connectivity across different channel pairs, occurring five times in total. The channel pair Ch27-Ch39, representing left frontopolar cortex and right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, exhibited a negative correlation with PSQI scores (r = -0.422, p = 0.018). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that patients with SID may exhibit altered brain connectivity during the VFT task, as measured by fNIRS. These results provide valuable insights into the functional brain differences associated with SID. Further research is needed to validate and expand upon these findings.

Variation of PM2.5 and PM10 in emissions and chemical compositions in different seasons from a manure-belt laying hen house.

Particulate matter (PM) emissions from animal houses and the corresponding hazard have raised increasing attention during recent years. In this study, a large-scale manure-belt laying hen house located in Beijing, China was selected as the experimental site for the study of the emission rates (ER) and chemical compositions of PM2.5 and PM10 in 3 seasons, namely, summer, autumn, and winter, to investigate their possible influences on ambient air quality and human health. The results showed that the mean ER from the hen house in summer, autumn, and winter were 9.0 ± 1.7, 2.4 ± 0.7, and 1.9 ± 0.7 mg hen-1 d-1 for PM2.5 (P < 0.05), and 30.7 ± 1.1, 12.8 ± 1.5, and 10.9 ± 0.9 mg hen-1 d-1 for PM10 (P < 0.05), respectively. Moreover, large amounts of secondary inorganic aerosols (SIA) were observed inside the house in summer, accounting for 11.4 and 9.6% of indoor PM2.5 and PM10 mass, respectively, compared with the value of <1.4% in autumn and winter. Among the 31 detected elements in indoor PM, arsenic concentration exceeded the threshold set in legislation. Zn had a notably high concentration of 3,403 to 4,432 ng m-3 in indoor PM10, which was 28 to 71 times higher than that in ambient PM10. The findings suggest that the poultry-raising house emit PM2.5 and PM10 containing SIA and toxic heavy-metal elements such as As and Zn to the ambient with much more emissions in summer than in autumn and winter. Considering the increasing development of poultry-raising farming in China, the potential hazard derived from the exhaust of PM2.5 and PM10 should be focused on, especially during summer.

Microplastic transport during desertification in drylands: Abundance and characterization of soil microplastics in the Amu Darya-Aral Sea basin, Central Asia.

Desertification and microplastic pollution are major environmental issues that impact the function of the ecosystem and human well-being of drylands. Land desertification may influence soil microplastics' abundance, transport, and distribution, but their distribution in the dryland deserts of Central Asia's Amu Darya-Aral Sea basin is unknown. Here, we investigated the abundance and distribution of microplastics in dryland desert soils from the Amu Darya River to the Aral Sea basin in Central Asia at a spatial scale of 1000 km and soil depths ranging from 0 to 50 cm. Microplastics were found in soils from all sample locations, with abundances ranging from 182 to 17841 items kg-1 and a median of 3369. Twenty-four polymers were identified, with polyurethane (PU, 37.3%), silicone resin (SR, 17.0%), and chlorinated polyethylene (CPE, 9.8%) accounting for 64.1% of all polymer types. The abundance of microplastics was significantly higher in deep (20-50 cm) soils than in surface (0-5, 5-20 cm) soils. The main morphological characteristics of the observed microplastics were small size (20-50 µm) and irregular particles with no round edges (mean eccentricity 0.65). The abundance was significantly and positively related to soil EC and TP. According to the findings, desertification processes increase the abundance of microplastic particles in soils and promote migration to deeper soil layers. Human activities, mainly grazing, may be the region's primary cause of desertification and microplastic pollution. Our findings provide new information on the diffusion of microplastics in drylands during desertification; these findings are critical for understanding and promoting dryland plastic pollution prevention and control.