The effects of Mediterranean diet on cardiovascular risk factors, glycemic control and weight loss in patients with type 2 diabetes: a meta-analysis.

To explore the impact of the Mediterranean diet on cardiovascular risk factors, glycemic control and weight loss in patients with type 2 diabetes(T2D) by a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). We systematically searched PubMed, Cochrance Library, EMBASE and four Chinese databases to identify RCTs that compared the Mediterranean diet with control diets in patients with T2D up to December 2021. The Risk of Bias of the included studies was assessed using the version 2 of the Cochrane risk-of-bias tools for randomized trials (ROB 2). Seven RCTs with 1371 patients met the eligibility criteria and entered into the meta-analysis. Compared to control diets, the beneficial effects of Mediterranean diet were not statistically significant in high-density lipoprotein (MD = 2.33; 95% CI: -0.27 to 4.92), low-density lipoprotein (MD = -2.34; 95% CI -5.67 to 0.99) and total cholesterol (MD = 2.60; 95% CI: -0.95 to 6.15). But Mediterranean diet led to reduce the level of diastolic blood pressure (MD = -1.20; 95% CI: -2.21 to -0.19) and systolic blood pressure (MD = -4.17; 95% CI: -7.12 to -1.22). Meanwhile, Mediterranean diet showed beneficial effects in glycemic control (HbA1[%]: MD = -0.39, 95% CI: -0.58 to -0.20; fasting plasma glucose: MD = -15.12, 95% CI: -24.69 to -5.55) and weight loss (BMI: MD = -0.71, 95% CI: -1.30 to -0.78; WC: MD = -1.69; 95% CI: -3.35 to -0.02) compared to the control diets. The meta-analysis presented evidence supporting the beneficial effects of the Mediterranean diet on blood pressure, glycemic control, and weight loss. However, the impact of the Mediterranean diet on the lipid profile was not found to be significant, warranting further verification. This Meta-analysis was registered on the INPLASY website (Registration number: INPLASY 202160096).

The impact of environmental accidents on the green apparel purchase behavior of Generation Z.

Introduction: This study examines the impact of environmental accidents on Generation Z's purchase behavior towards green apparel, integrating the Theory of Planned Behavior and the Norm Activation Theory to conceptualize how different dimensions of environmental accidents influence consumer behavior. Methods: Employing focus groups and questionnaires, this research captures data on Generation Z's perceptions and behaviors towards green apparel in the context of environmental accidents. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS software, with structural equation modeling employed to test the research hypotheses. Results: The findings indicate that the scale (H12 = 0.545), the degree of suddenness (H18 = 0.357), nature of the effect (H14 = 0.295), and duration (H17 = 0.289) of environmental accidents significantly influence Generation Z's awareness of consequences, behavioral attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control regarding the purchase of green clothing. Notably, the scale of environmental accidents has a significant impact on perceived behavioral control, which in turn significantly affects Generation Z's intention to purchase green apparel (H3 = 0.5). Discussion: This study elucidates the impact of environmental accidents on Generation Z's green apparel purchase intentions. The findings highlight Generation Z's environmental awareness and social responsibility, influencing their purchasing decisions. This research offers practical insights for brands to enhance green marketing strategies, focusing on product quality, transparency, and consumer education to align with Generation Z's values and expectations. Future research should explore additional factors affecting purchase behavior and strategies to bridge the intention-behavior gap.

Nematicidal glycosylated resorcylic acid lactones from the fungus Pochonia chlamydosporia PC-170 and their key biosynthetic genes.

Chemical study of the nematicidal biocontrol fungus Pochonia chlamydosporia PC-170 led to discovery of six resorcylic acid lactones (RALs), including three nematicidal glycosylated RALs, monocillin VI glycoside (1), colletogloeolactone A (2) and monocillin II glycoside (3), and three antibacterial non-glycosylated RALs, monocillin VI (4), monocillin IV (5) and monocillin II (6). The planar structure of the new compound monocillin VI glycoside (1) was elucidated using HRESIMS and NMR data, and its monosaccharide configuration was further determined through sugar hydrolysis experiment and GC-MS analysis method. Furthermore, their two biosynthetic-related PKS genes, pchE and pchI, were identified through the gene knockout experiment. The glycosylated RALs 1-3 exhibited nematicidal activity against Meloidogyne incognita, with LC50 values of 94, 152 and 64 µg/mL, respectively, and thus had great potential in the development of new nematicidal natural products to control M. incognita in the future.

Effects of silencing hsa_circ_0015326 on proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis of epithelial ovarian cancer cells.

Although the treatment of ovarian cancer has made great progress, there are still many patients who are not timely detected and given targeted therapy due to unknown pathogenesis. Recent studies have found that hsa_circ_0015326 is upregulated in ovarian cancer and is involved in the proliferation, invasion, and migration of ovarian cancer cells. However, whether hsa_circ_0015326 can be used as a new target of ovarian cancer needs further investigation. Therefore, the effect of hsa_circ_0015326 on epithelial ovarian cancer was investigated in this study. At first, si-hsa_circ_0015326 lentivirus was transfected into epithelial ovarian cancer cells. Then real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to detect hsa_circ_0015326 level. The proliferation of ovarian cancer cells was detected by CCK-8 assay. The horizontal and vertical migration abilities of the cells were detected by wound-healing assay and Transwell assay, respectively. Transwell assay was also used to determine the invasion rate. As for the apoptosis rate, it was assessed by flow cytometry. As a result, the expression level of hsa_circ_0015326 in A2780 and SKOV3 was found to be higher than that in IOSE-80. However, after transfecting si-hsa_circ_0015326 and si-NC into the cells, the proliferation, migration, and invasion abilities of A2780 and SKOV3 cells in the si-hsa_circ_0015326 group were significantly reduced in comparison to those in the si-NC and mock groups, while their apoptosis rates were elevated. Collectively, silencing hsa_circ_0015326 bears the capability of inhibiting the proliferation, migration, and invasion of ovarian cancer cells while increasing apoptosis rate. It can be concluded that hsa_circ_0015326 promotes the malignant biological activities of epithelial ovarian cancer cells.

Extended depth of field for Fresnel zone aperture camera via fast passive depth estimation.

The lensless camera with incoherent illumination has gained significant research interest for its thin and flexible structure. However, it faces challenges in resolving scenes with a wide depth of field (DoF) due to its depth-dependent point spread function (PSF). In this paper, we present a single-shot method for extending the DoF in Fresnel zone aperture (FZA) cameras at visible wavelengths through passive depth estimation. The improved ternary search method is utilized to determine the depth of targets rapidly by evaluating the sharpness of the back propagation reconstruction. Based on the depth estimation results, a set of reconstructed images focused on targets at varying depths are derived from the encoded image. After that, the DoF is extended through focus stacking. The experimental results demonstrate an 8-fold increase compared with the calibrated DoF at 130 mm depth. Moreover, our depth estimation method is five times faster than the traversal method, while maintaining the same level of accuracy. The proposed method facilitates the development of lensless imaging in practical applications such as photography, microscopy, and surveillance.

Correction: Co-expression of GR79 EPSPS and GAT generates high glyphosate-resistant alfalfa with low glyphosate residues.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1007/s42994-023-00119-3.].

A Solvent Exchange Induced Robust Wet Adhesive Hydrogels to Treat Solid Tumor Through Synchronous Ethanol Ablation and Chemotherapy.

The treatment of tumors in developing countries, especially those with poor medical conditions, remains a significant challenge. Herein, a novel solvent-exchange strategy to prepare adhesive hydrogels for the concurrent treatment of tumors through synchronous ethanol ablation and local chemotherapy is reported. First, a poly (gallic acid-lipoic acid) (PGL) ethanol gel is prepared that can undergo solvent exchange with water to form a hydrogel in situ. PGL ethanol gel deposited on the wet tissue can form a hydrogel in situ to effectively repel interfacial water and establish a tight contact between the hydrogel and tissue. Additionally, the functional groups between the hydrogels and tissues can form covalent and non-covalent bonds, resulting in robust adhesion. Furthermore, this PGL ethanol gel demonstrates exceptional capacity to effectively load antitumor drugs, allowing for controlled and sustained release of the drugs locally and sustainably both in vitro and in vivo. In addition, the PGL ethanol gel can combine ethanol ablation and local chemotherapy to enhance the antitumor efficacy in vitro and in vivo. The PGL ethanol gel-derived hydrogel shows robust wet bioadhesion, drug loading, sustained release, good biocompatibility and biodegradability, easy preparation and usage, and cost-effectiveness, which make it a promising bioadhesive for diverse biomedical applications.

Paeonia lactiflora Pall. ameliorates acetaminophen-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis via inhibiting the PKC-ERK pathway.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Paeonia lactiflora Pall. (PLP), a traditional Chinese medicine, is recognized for its antioxidative and anti-apoptotic properties. Despite its potential medicinal value, the mechanisms underlying its efficacy have been less explored, particularly in alleviating acute liver injury (ALI) caused by excessive intake of acetaminophen (APAP). AIM OF THE STUDY: This study aims to elucidate the role and mechanisms of PLP in mitigating oxidative stress and apoptosis induced by APAP. MATERIALS AND METHODS: C57BL/6 male mice were pre-treated with PLP for seven consecutive days, followed by the induction of ALI using APAP. Liver pathology was assessed using HE staining. Serum indicators, immunofluorescence (IF), immunohistochemical (IHC), and transmission electron microscopy were employed to evaluate levels of oxidative stress, ferroptosis and apoptosis. Differential expression proteins (DEPs) in the APAP-treated and PLP pre-treated groups were analyzed using quantitative proteomics. Subsequently, the potential mechanisms of PLP pre-treatment in treating ALI were validated using western blotting, molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulations, and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) analysis. RESULTS: The UHPLC assay confirmed the presence of three compounds, i.e., albiflorin, paeoniflorin, and oxypaeoniflorin. Pre-treatment with PLP was observed to ameliorate liver tissue pathological damage through HE staining. Further confirmation of efficacy of PLP in alleviating APAP-induced liver injury and oxidative stress was established through liver function serum biochemical indicators, IF of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and IHC of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) detection. However, PLP did not demonstrate a significant effect in alleviating APAP-induced ferroptosis. Additionally, transmission electron microscopy and TUNEL staining indicated that PLP can mitigate hepatocyte apoptosis. PKC-ERK pathway was identified by proteomics, and subsequent molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulations, and SPR verified binding of the major components of PLP to ERK protein. Western blotting demonstrated that PLP suppressed protein kinase C (PKC) phosphorylation, blocking extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation and inhibiting oxidative stress and cell apoptosis. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that PLP possesses hepatoprotective abilities against APAP-induced ALI, primarily by inhibiting the PKC-ERK cascade to suppress oxidative stress and cell apoptosis.

Synergistically engineered in-situ self-assembled heterostructure composite nanofiber cathode with superior oxygen reduction reaction catalysis for solid oxide fuel cells.

The engineering and exploration of cathode materials to achieve superior oxygen reduction catalytic activity and resistance to CO2 are crucial for enhancing the performance of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). Herein, a novel heterostructure composite nanofiber cathode comprised of PrBa0.5Sr0.5Co2O5+δ and Ce0.8Pr0.2O1.9 (PBSC-CPO-ES) was prepared for the first time through a synergistic approach involving in-situ self-assembly and electrostatic spinning techniques. PBSC-CPO-ES exhibits exceptionally high oxygen reduction catalytic activity and CO2 resistance, which is attributed to its unique nanofiber microstructure and abundant presence of heterointerfaces, significantly accelerating the charge transfer process, surface exchange and bulk diffusion of oxygen. The introduction of CPO not only effectively reduces the thermal expansion of PBSC but also changes the characteristics of oxygen ion transport anisotropy in layered perovskite materials, forming three-dimensional oxygen ion transport pathways. At 750 °C, the single cell employing the PBSC-CPO-ES heterostructure nanofiber attains an impressive peak power density of 1363 mW cm-2. This represents a notable 60.7 % improvement in comparison to the single-phase PBSC powder. Moreover, PBSC-CPO-ES exhibits excellent CO2 tolerance and performance recovery after CO2 exposure. This work provides new perspectives to the design and advancement of future high-performance and high-stability SOFC cathode materials.

Menstrual abnormalities effects on clinical features and in vitro fertilization pregnancy outcomes in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome.

BACKGROUND: The diagnostic criteria and phenotypes in polycystic ovary syndrome are heterogeneous. Currently, it is unclear how to assess a patient's prognosis based on the onset time of menstruation disturbance. Evidence on this topic is scarce and has mainly focused on menstrual patterns. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the association between the onset time of menstrual disturbance and clinical features and in vitro fertilization pregnancy outcomes in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome. STUDY DESIGN: Our study was a secondary analysis of data collected as part of a randomized controlled trial conducted to compare live birth rates between fresh embryo transfer and frozen embryo transfer in 1508 individuals with polycystic ovary syndrome. Here, 1500 participants were classified into 2 groups according to the onset time of menstrual disturbance: immediately after menarche (early group) and after at least 1 year of regular menstruation (late group). We compared the prepregnancy clinical features, variables of ovarian stimulation, pregnancy outcomes after the initial cycle of embryo transfer, and perinatal and neonatal complications in the 2 groups. RESULTS: Compared with the late group, the early group had more antral follicles (32.00 [range, 27.25-39.50] vs 28.00 [range, 24.00-36.00]; P<.001), an elevated level of antimüllerian hormone (7.02 ng/mL [range, 3.60-11.47] vs 5.66 ng/mL [range, 3.65-8.92]; P=.024), a higher level of baseline luteinizing hormone (10.01±5.93 vs 8.51±5.53 IU/l; P<.001) and luteinizing hormone-to-follicle-stimulating hormone ratio (1.51 [range, 1.00-2.32] vs 1.45 [range, 0.92-2.13]; P<.001), lower levels of fasting glucose (5.47 mmol/L [range, 5.11-5.73] vs 5.50 mmol/L [range, 5.17-5.76]; P<.001), and insulin at 2 hours after 75-g oral glucose tolerance test (56.85 µU/mL [range, 34.63-94.54] vs 59.82 µU/mL [range, 33.56-94.67]; P=.027), a higher level of high-density lipoprotein (1.26 mmol/L [range, 1.04-1.37] vs 1.21 mmol/L [range, 1.07-1.45]; P=.006). During in vitro fertilization, the early group had a higher level of peak estradiol (4596.50 pg/mL [range, 2639.25-6321.00] vs 3954.00 pg/mL [range, 2378.75-6113.50]; P=.013), and luteinizing hormone (2.52 IU/L [range, 1.40-4.21] vs 1.93 IU/L [range, 0.91-3.32]; P=.010) on the day of human chorionic gonadotropin trigger. There was no statistically significant difference observed in the number of oocytes and embryos, the rates of pregnancy and live birth, and the risks of obstetrical and neonatal between the 2 groups. CONCLUSION: An early onset of menstrual disturbance in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome may be associated with slightly more severe reproductive features and slightly milder metabolic features. Nonetheless, the outcomes of in vitro fertilization and the initial cycle of embryo transfer were comparable between the 2 groups.

The difference in early trimester fetal growth between singletons after frozen embryo transfer and fresh embryo transfer.

BACKGROUND: Frozen embryo transfer resulted in a higher birthweight and an increased risk of macrosomia than fresh embryo transfer. However, the mechanism was still unclear. When the impact of frozen embryo transfer on fetal growth began was unknown. Crown-rump length at 11-13 weeks had been regarded as a good indicator of fetal growth in the first trimester and had been used for gestational age calculation in women with uncertain last menstrual periods. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between frozen embryo transfer and early fetal growth, particularly the crown-rump length, then fresh embryo transfer. The secondary objective was to investigate the potential correlation between crown-rump length and birthweight. STUDY DESIGN: This was a retrospective cohort study conducted at the Reproductive Medical Center of Shandong University. A total of 4949 patients who obtained singleton pregnancy after frozen embryo transfer and 1793 patients who got singleton pregnancy after fresh embryo transfer between January 1, 2017 and December 31, 2022 were included. The primary outcome was the crown-rump length measured via ultrasound at 11-13 weeks gestation. The secondary outcomes were perinatal outcomes, including birthweight and the risk of large for gestational age, small for gestational age, macrosomia, low birthweight, and premature delivery. Multivariable linear regression models were used to adjust for potential confounders of crown-rump length. RESULTS: A total of 6742 live singleton births after frozen embryo transfer or fresh embryo transfer were included in this study. In the univariable analysis, the frozen embryo transfer group had a larger crown-rump length (5.75±0.53 cm vs 5.57±0.48 cm, P<.001) and an increased risk of larger-than-expected crown-rump length (13.5% vs11.2%, P=.013) than the fresh embryo transfer group. After adjusting for confounders in multivariable linear regression models, frozen embryo transfer was still associated with a larger crown-rump length (regression coefficient, 3.809 [95% confidence intervals, 3.621-3.997], P<.001). When subgrouped by fetal gender, the crown-rump length of the frozen embryo transfer group was larger than the fresh embryo transfer group in both male and female fetuses. In addition, the crown-rump length was consistently larger in the frozen embryo transfer group than the fresh embryo transfer group in subgroups of the peak estradiol levels. The comparisons among different crown-rump length groups showed that smaller-than-expected crown-rump length was associated with increased risks of small for gestational age (6.3% vs 3.0%, P<.001) and preterm delivery (9.6% vs 6.7%, P=.004) than normal crown-rump length. CONCLUSION: Frozen embryo transfer was associated with a larger crown-rump length than fresh embryo transfer, suggesting that the effect of frozen embryo transfer on fetal growth may begin in the early trimester. Suboptimal fetal growth in the first trimester may be associated with low birthweight and premature delivery.

Optimized therapeutic potential of Yinchenhao decoction for cholestatic hepatitis by combined network meta-analysis and network pharmacology.

BACKGROUND: Cholestatic hepatitis is recognized as a significant contributor to the development of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. As a well-known classic formula for the treatment of cholestatic hepatitis, Yinchenhao decoction (YCHD) is widely used in countries in Asia, including China, Japan, and Korea. However, in recent years, a risk of liver injury has been reported from Rheum palmatum L. and Gardenia jasmonoides J.Ellis which are the main ingredients of YCHD. Therefore, the question arises whether YCHD is still safe enough for the treatment of cholestatic hepatitis or whether an optimized ratio of ingredients should be applied. These is inevitable questions for the clinical application of YCHD. PURPOSE: To provide a scientific basis for the clinical application of YCHD through a combination of meta-analysis and network pharmacology and to find the best ratio of components to ensure optimal therapeutic efficacy and safety. At the same time, a deeper understanding of the mechanisms of YCHD was explored. METHODS: We retrieved relevant trials from various databases including PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), VIP and Wanfang databases up to August 2023. After screening for inclusion and exclusion criteria, we assessed efficiency, ALT, AST, and TBIL as outcome parameters. The relevant data underwent a network meta-analysis using STATA 16.0 software. Based on network pharmacology, we screened the disease targets, active ingredients, and targets related to YCHD. The targets were visualized using Cytoscape 3.9.1. Then, potential mechanisms were explored based on bioinformatic techniques. RESULTS: Twenty eligible studies were finally screened and a total of 1,591 patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were enrolled in the study. The meta-analysis results indicated that TG-c (treatment group c) [(Artemisia capillaris Thunb. : Gardenia jasminoides J.Ellis : Rheum palmatum L. = 10:5:2-10:5:3) + CT] was the most promising therapeutic approach, demonstrating superior efficacy and notable improvements in both AST and TBIL levels. For ALT, TG-d [(Artemisia capillaris : Gardenia jasminoides : Rheum palmatum = 5:1:1-5:2:1) + CT] exhibited the greatest potential as optimal therapy option. Based on the surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) values, TG-c was the best therapy in terms of efficiency and improvement in TBIL levels, while TG-d was the most effective in reducing ALT levels. For AST levels, TG-e [(Artemisia capillaris : Gardenia jasminoides : Rheum palmatum = 5:2:2-5:3:3) + CT] was the most effective therapy. The comprehensive analysis revealed that TG-c exhibited the most pronounced efficacy. Combined network pharmacology, GO enrichment analysis and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis displayed that the key target genes of Artemisia capillaris, Rheum palmatum, and Gardenia jasminoides were closely involved in inflammation response, bile transport, apoptosis, oxidative stress, and regulation of leukocyte migration. Notably, bile secretion dominated the common pathway of the three herbs. On the other hand, Artemisia capillaris exhibited a unique mode of action by regulating the IL-17 signaling pathway, which may play a crucial role in its effectiveness. CONCLUSION: Based on our findings, the optimal TG-C demonstrated the most favorable overall therapeutic efficacy by increasing the dosage of Artemisia capillaris while reducing the dosage of Gardenia jasminoides and Rheum palmatum. This is attributed to the potent ability of Artemisia capillaris. to effectively modulate the IL-17 signaling pathway, thereby exerting a beneficial therapeutic effect. Conversely, Gardenia jasminoides and Rheum palmatum may potentially enhance the activation of the NF-кB signaling pathway, thereby elevating the risk of hepatotoxicity.

Molecular insights into experimental models and therapeutics for cholestasis.

Cholestatic liver disease (CLD) is a range of conditions caused by the accumulation of bile acids (BAs) or disruptions in bile flow, which can harm the liver and bile ducts. To investigate its pathogenesis and treatment, it is essential to establish and assess experimental models of cholestasis, which have significant clinical value. However, owing to the complex pathogenesis of cholestasis, a single modelling method can merely reflect one or a few pathological mechanisms, and each method has its adaptability and limitations. We summarize the existing experimental models of cholestasis, including animal models, gene-knockout models, cell models, and organoid models. We also describe the main types of cholestatic disease simulated clinically. This review provides an overview of targeted therapy used for treating cholestasis based on the current research status of cholestasis models. In addition, we discuss the respective advantages and disadvantages of different models of cholestasis to help establish experimental models that resemble clinical disease conditions. In sum, this review not only outlines the current research with cholestasis models but also projects prospects for clinical treatment, thereby bridging basic research and practical therapeutic applications.

Plasma Thioredoxin Reductase as a Potential Diagnostic Biomarker for Breast Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Early diagnosis of breast cancer is critical to the treatment and prognosis of breast cancer patients. Our aim is to explore more practical and effective diagnostic methods to facilitate early treatment and improve prognosis for breast cancer patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Mann-Whitney U test, receiver operating characteristic curve, Youden index, Chi-square test, and Fisher's exact test were used to determine whether plasma thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) could be used for the clinical diagnosis of breast cancer. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to validate the prognostic potential of plasma TrxR activity assessment. RESULTS: A total of 761 patients were included, including 537 cases of breast cancer and 224 cases of benign breast diseases. Plasma TrxR activity in the breast cancer group [8.0 (6.0, 9.45) U/mL] was significantly higher than that in the benign group [3.05 (1.20, 6.275) U/mL]. The diagnostic efficiency of TrxR for breast cancer was higher than that of other conventional breast cancer biomarkers, with an area under the curve of 0.821 (95% CI = 0.791-0.852). In addition, TrxR can be used in combination with conventional tumor markers to further improve the diagnostic efficiency. The optimal TrxR threshold for identifying benign and malignant diseases is 7.45 U/mL. We detected plasma TrxR activity and serum tumor markers before and after antitumor therapies in 333 breast cancer patients and found that their trends were basically the same, with a significant decrease in plasma TrxR activity after treatment. CONCLUSION: Plasma TrxR activity can be used as a suitable biomarker for breast cancer diagnosis and efficacy assessment.

[Impact of extracorporeal carbon dioxide removal combined with continuous renal replacement therapy on diaphragmatic function in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of extracorporeal carbon dioxide removal (ECCO2R) combined with continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) on respiratory efficiency and diaphragm function in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) received mechanical ventilation. METHODS: A prospective randomized controlled study was conducted. Sixty patients with mild to moderate ARDS admitted to the department of respiratory and critical care medicine of Henan Provincial People's Hospital from January 2019 to January 2021 were enrolled, and they were divided into observation group and control group according to the random number table method, with 30 cases in each group. All patients received antibiotics, anti-inflammatory, and mechanical ventilation therapy. On this basis, the observation group received ECCO2R and CRRT, while the control group received bedside CRRT. Baseline data including gender, age, etiology, acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II (APACHE II), etc., were recorded. Arterial blood gas analysis [including arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2), arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2), and oxygenation index (PaO2/FiO2)] was performed at 12 hours and 24 hours during the treatment, and respiratory mechanics parameters [including tidal volume, respiratory rate, maximum expiratory pressure (MEP), and maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP)] were recorded, and rapid shallow breathing index (RSBI) was calculated. The levels of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), malondialdehyde (MDA), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in serum were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Diaphragm thickness and diaphragm activity were measured by ultrasonography at 24 hours during the treatment. RESULTS: There were no significantly differences in age, gender, etiology, and APACHE II score between the two groups, indicating that the baseline data of the two groups were balanced and comparable. Compared with the 12 hours after treatment, the PaO2 and PaO2/FiO2 in the observation group significantly increased, PaCO2 significantly decreased, RSBI significantly decreased, MEP and MIP significantly increased, and serum GSH-Px and MDA significantly decreased, while SOD significantly increased at 24 hours during the treatment. In the control group, only PaCO2 significantly decreased. Compared with the control group, the PaCO2 significantly decreased in the observation group at 12 hours and 24 hours [mmHg (1 mmHg≈0.133 kPa): 55.05±7.57 vs. 59.49±6.95, 52.77±7.88 vs. 58.25±6.92, both P < 0.05], but no significantly differences in PaO2 and PaO2/FiO2. Compared with the control group, the observation group showed significant decreases in RSBI at 12 hours and 24 hours (times×min-1×L-1: 85.92±8.83 vs. 90.38±3.78, 75.73±3.86 vs. 90.05±3.66, both P < 0.05), significant increases in MEP and MIP [MEP (mmH2O, 1 mmH2O≈0.01 kPa): 86.64±5.99 vs. 83.88±4.18, 93.70±5.59 vs. 85.04±3.73; MIP (mmH2O): 44.19±6.66 vs. 41.17±3.13, 57.52±5.28 vs. 42.34±5.39, all P < 0.05], and significant decreases in serum GSH-Px and MDA [GSH-Px (mg/L): 78.52±8.72 vs. 82.10±3.37, 57.11±4.67 vs. 81.17±5.13; MDA (µmol/L): 7.84±1.97 vs. 8.71±0.83, 3.67±0.78 vs. 8.41±1.09, all P < 0.05], as well as a significant increase in SOD (U/L: 681.85±49.24 vs. 659.40±26.47, 782.32±40.56 vs. 676.65±51.97, both P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the observation group showed significant increases in diaphragm thickness and diaphragm activity at 24 hours of treatment [diaphragm thickness (cm): 1.93±0.28 vs. 1.40±0.24, diaphragmatic thickening fraction: (0.22±0.04)% vs. (0.19±0.02)%, quiet breathing diaphragm displacement (cm): 1.42±0.13 vs. 1.36±0.06, deep breathing diaphragm displacement (cm): 5.11±0.75 vs. 2.64±0.59, all P < 0.05]. CONCLUSIONS: ECCO2R combined with CRRT can reduce work of breathing and oxidative stress levels in ARDS patients receiving non-invasive ventilation, and protect diaphragm function.

Vector-guided Fourier single-pixel imaging.

The Fourier single-pixel imaging technique exhibits great potential for compressive imaging. However, the utilization of low sampling ratio can introduce unwanted ringing artifacts, thereby compromising the fidelity of reconstructed image detail. To address this issue, Vector guided Fourier single-pixel imaging (V-FSI) has been proposed. We analyze the statistical properties in the edge vector field derived from images with low sampling ratio. Based on this information, a tailored sampling map is designed to acquire the significant high-frequency components for image reconstruction. Experimental results demonstrate the remarkable effectiveness of the proposed V-FSI method in enhancing image quality. Notably, V-FSI exhibits exceptional capabilities in perceiving and preserving the details of the objects, particularly for objects characterized by pronounced periodicity and directionality.

Study on the Efficacy and Potential Mechanism of Topical Shen Bai Hair Growing Decoction against Androgenetic Alopecia Based on Ultrahigh Performance Liquid Chromatography Quadrupole Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry and RNA-seq.

Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is a major problem that can happen to people of all ages, leading to psychological problems, such as anxiety and depression. Topical Shen Bai hair growing decoction (TSBHGD) is based on the pathogenesis of AGA, combined with Traditional Chinese Medicine theory, improved by the Tianjin Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated Hospital according to its clinical treatment experience. This study was designed to demonstrate the therapeutic efficacy of TSBHGD against AGA, analyze the chemical components of TSBHGD as well as the skin-retained and blood-retained components in mice after topical administration of TSBHGD, and clarify the mechanism of its therapeutic efficacy. It was demonstrated that TSBHGD could suppress TNF-α and IL-6 levels and improve pathological phenomena such as hair loss, reduced follicle density, and dermal thickness caused by testosterone solution. Totally 35 components were identified in TSBHGD extracts, 12 skin-retained components were identified in drug-containing skin, and 7 blood-retained components were identified in drug-containing plasma, according to ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Transcriptomic sequencing revealed that some of the genes in AGA mice had altered expression patterns, which could be reversed by TSBHGD. Through network pharmacology analysis, it was found that TSBHGD mainly regulated eight signaling pathways, among which the apoptosis signaling pathway ranked first with a significance of 0.00149. Finally, both Bcl-2 and Caspase family proteins in the apoptosis signaling pathway were examined by Western blot. It was confirmed that TSBHGD could inhibit the apoptosis level in AGA mice's skin tissue to exert an anti-AGA effect. This will facilitate the development of new-generation herbal compound formulas with precise efficacy and provide novel ideas for AGA therapy.

The kainate receptor GluK2 mediates cold sensing in mice.

Thermosensors expressed in peripheral somatosensory neurons sense a wide range of environmental temperatures. While thermosensors detecting cool, warm and hot temperatures have all been extensively characterized, little is known about those sensing cold temperatures. Though several candidate cold sensors have been proposed, none has been demonstrated to mediate cold sensing in somatosensory neurons in vivo, leaving a knowledge gap in thermosensation. Here we characterized mice lacking the kainate-type glutamate receptor GluK2, a mammalian homolog of the Caenorhabditis elegans cold sensor GLR-3. While GluK2 knockout mice respond normally to heat and mechanical stimuli, they exhibit a specific deficit in sensing cold but not cool temperatures. Further analysis supports a key role for GluK2 in sensing cold temperatures in somatosensory DRG neurons in the periphery. Our results reveal that GluK2-a glutamate-sensing chemoreceptor mediating synaptic transmission in the central nervous system-is co-opted as a cold-sensing thermoreceptor in the periphery.

Characterization of the complete mitochondrial genome of Spirobolus grahami (Diplopoda: Spirobolidae) with phylogenetic analysis.

Diplopoda is one of the most diverse and important groups of soil arthropods, but little research has been done on their phylogenetic relationship and evolution. Here, we sequenced and annotated the complete mitochondrial genomes of Spirobolus grahami. The total mitogenome of S. grahami was typical circular, double-stranded molecules, with 14,875 bp in length, including 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNAs, two rRNAs, and one control region. Base composition analysis suggested that the mitochondrial sequences were biased toward A and T, with A + T content of 58.68%. The mitogenomes of S. grahami exhibited negative AT and positive GC skews. Most of the 13 PCGs had ATN as the start codon, except COX1 start with CGA, and most PCGs ended with the T stop codon. The dN/dS values for most PCGs were lower than 1, suggesting that purifying selection was likely the main driver of mitochondrial PCG evolution. Phylogenetic analyses based on 13 PCGs using BI and ML methods support the classification of genus Spirobolus and Tropostreptus. Glomeridesmus spelaeus is distantly related to the other Diplopoda species.

Moscatilin inhibits vascular calcification by activating IL13RA2-dependent inhibition of STAT3 and attenuating the WNT3/ß-catenin signalling pathway.

INTRODUCTION: Vascular calcification, a devastating vascular complication accompanying atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and chronic kidney disease, increases the incidence of adverse cardiovascular events and compromises the efficacy of vascular interventions. However, effective therapeutic drugs and treatments to delay or prevent vascular calcification are lacking. OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to test the therapeutic effects and mechanism of Moscatilin (also known as dendrophenol) from Dendrobium huoshanense (an eminent traditional Chinese medicine) in suppressing vascular calcification in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo. METHODS: Male C57BL/6J mice (25-week-old) were subjected to nicotine and vitamin D3 (VD3) treatment to induce vascular calcification. In vitro, we established the cellular model of osteogenesis of human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMCs) under phosphate conditions. RESULTS: By utilizing an in-house drug screening strategy, we identified Moscatilin as a new naturally-occurring chemical entity to reduce HASMC calcium accumulation. The protective effects of Moscatilin against vascular calcification were verified in cultured HASMCs. Unbiased transcriptional profiling analysis and cellular thermal shift assay suggested that Moscatilin suppresses vascular calcification via binding to interleukin 13 receptor subunit A2 (IL13RA2) and augmenting its expression. Furthermore, IL13RA2 was reduced during HASMC osteogenesis, thus promoting the secretion of inflammatory factors via STAT3. We further validated the participation of Moscatilin-inhibited vascular calcification by the classical WNT/ß-catenin pathway, among which WNT3 played a key role in this process. Moscatilin mitigated the crosstalk between WNT3/ß-catenin and IL13RA2/STAT3 to reduce osteogenic differentiation of HASMCs. CONCLUSION: This study supports the potential of Moscatilin as a new naturally-occurring candidate drug for treating vascular calcification via regulating the IL13RA2/STAT3 and WNT3/ß-catenin signalling pathways.