Ultrafast distant wound response is essential for whole-body regeneration.

Injury induces systemic responses, but their functions remain elusive. Mechanisms that can rapidly synchronize wound responses through long distances are also mostly unknown. Using planarian flatworms capable of whole-body regeneration, we report that injury induces extracellular signal-regulated kinase (Erk) activity waves to travel at a speed 10-100 times faster than those in other multicellular tissues. This ultrafast propagation requires longitudinal body-wall muscles, elongated cells forming dense parallel tracks running the length of the organism. The morphological properties of muscles allow them to act as superhighways for propagating and disseminating wound signals. Inhibiting Erk propagation prevents tissues distant to the wound from responding and blocks regeneration, which can be rescued by a second injury to distal tissues shortly after the first injury. Our findings provide a mechanism for long-range signal propagation in large, complex tissues to coordinate responses across cell types and highlight the function of feedback between spatially separated tissues during whole-body regeneration.

Identification and Prioritization of Environmental Organic Pollutants: From an Analytical and Toxicological Perspective.

Exposure to environmental organic pollutants has triggered significant ecological impacts and adverse health outcomes, which have been received substantial and increasing attention. The contribution of unidentified chemical components is considered as the most significant knowledge gap in understanding the combined effects of pollutant mixtures. To address this issue, remarkable analytical breakthroughs have recently been made. In this review, the basic principles on recognition of environmental organic pollutants are overviewed. Complementary analytical methodologies (i.e., quantitative structure-activity relationship prediction, mass spectrometric nontarget screening, and effect-directed analysis) and experimental platforms are briefly described. The stages of technique development and/or essential parts of the analytical workflow for each of the methodologies are then reviewed. Finally, plausible technique paths and applications of the future nontarget screening methods, interdisciplinary techniques for achieving toxicant identification, and burgeoning strategies on risk assessment of chemical cocktails are discussed.

Therapeutic strategies targeting mechanisms of macrophages in diabetic heart disease.

Diabetic heart disease (DHD) is a serious complication in patients with diabetes. Despite numerous studies on the pathogenic mechanisms and therapeutic targets of DHD, effective means of prevention and treatment are still lacking. The pathogenic mechanisms of DHD include cardiac inflammation, insulin resistance, myocardial fibrosis, and oxidative stress. Macrophages, the primary cells of the human innate immune system, contribute significantly to these pathological processes, playing an important role in human disease and health. Therefore, drugs targeting macrophages hold great promise for the treatment of DHD. In this review, we examine how macrophages contribute to the development of DHD and which drugs could potentially be used to target macrophages in the treatment of DHD.

Associations of MRI-Derived Glymphatic System Impairment With Global White Matter Damage and Cognitive Impairment in Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: A DTI-ALPS Study.

BACKGROUND: Assessing the glymphatic function using diffusion tensor image analysis along the perivascular space (DTI-ALPS) may be helpful for mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) management. PURPOSE: To assess glymphatic function using DTI-ALPS and its associations with global white matter damage and cognitive impairment in mTBI. STUDY TYPE: Prospective. POPULATION: Thirty-four controls (44.1% female, mean age 49.2 years) and 58 mTBI subjects (43.1% female, mean age 48.7 years), including uncomplicated mTBI (N = 32) and complicated mTBI (N = 26). FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE: 3-T, single-shot echo-planar imaging sequence. ASSESSMENT: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was done within 1 month since injury. DTI-ALPS was performed to assess glymphatic function, and peak width of skeletonized mean diffusivity (PSMD) was used to assess global white matter damage. Cognitive tests included Auditory Verbal Learning Test and Digit Span Test (forward and backward). STATISTICAL TESTS: Neuroimaging findings comparisons were done between mTBI and control groups. Partial correlation and multivariable linear regression assessed the associations between DTI-ALPS, PSMD, and cognitive impairment. Mediation effects of PSMD on the relationship between DTI-ALPS and cognitive impairment were explored. P-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant, except for cognitive correlational analyses with a Bonferroni-corrected P-value set at 0.05/3 ≈ 0.017. RESULTS: mTBI showed lower DTI-ALPS and higher PSMD, especially in complicated mTBI. DTI-ALPS was significantly correlated with verbal memory (r = 0.566), attention abilities (r = 0.792), executive function (r = 0.618), and PSMD (r = -0.533). DTI-ALPS was associated with verbal memory (ß = 8.77, 95% confidence interval [CI] 5.00, 12.54), attention abilities (ß = 5.67, 95% CI 4.56, 6.97), executive function (ß = 2.34, 95% CI 1.49, 3.20), and PSMD (ß = -0.79, 95% CI -1.15, -0.43). PSMD mediated 46.29%, 20.46%, and 24.36% of the effects for the relationship between DTI-ALPS and verbal memory, attention abilities, and executive function. DATA CONCLUSION: Glymphatic function may be impaired in mTBI reflected by DTI-ALPS. Glymphatic dysfunction may cause cognitive impairment related to global white matter damage after mTBI. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 2 TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 2.

Occurrence and Ecological Risk of Alkylamine Triazines in Chinese Estuarine Sediments: An Emerging Class of Persistent, Mobile, and Toxic Substances.

Identifying persistent, mobile, and toxic (PMT) substances from synthetic chemicals is critical for chemical management and ecological risk assessment. Inspired by the triazine analogues (e.g., atrazine and melamine) in the original European Union's list of PMT substances, the occurrence and compositions of alkylamine triazines (AATs) in the estuarine sediments of main rivers along the eastern coast of China were comprehensively explored by an integrated strategy of target, suspect, and nontarget screening analysis. A total of 44 AATs were identified, of which 23 were confirmed by comparison with authentic standards. Among the remaining tentatively identified analogues, 18 were emerging pollutants not previously reported in the environment. Tri- and di-AATs were the dominant analogues, and varied geographic distributions of AATs were apparent in the investigated regions. Toxic unit calculations indicated that there were acute and chronic risks to algae from AATs on a large geographical scale, with the antifouling biocide cybutryne as a key driver. The assessment of physicochemical properties further revealed that more than half of the AATs could be categorized as potential PMT and very persistent and very mobile substances at the screening level. These results highlight that AATs are a class of PMT substances posing high ecological impacts on the aquatic environment and therefore require more attention.

Occurrence and Distribution of Antibacterial Quaternary Ammonium Compounds in Chinese Estuaries Revealed by Machine Learning-Assisted Mass Spectrometric Analysis.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) undermines the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals of good health and well-being. Antibiotics are known to exacerbate AMR, but nonantibiotic antimicrobials, such as quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs), are now emerging as another significant driver of AMR. However, assessing the AMR risks of QACs in complex environmental matrices remains challenging due to the ambiguity in their chemical structures and antibacterial activity. By machine learning prediction and high-resolution mass spectrometric analysis, a list of antibacterial QACs (n = 856) from industrial chemical inventories is compiled, and it leads to the identification of 50 structurally diverse antibacterial QACs in sediments, including traditional hydrocarbon-based compounds and new subclasses that bear additional functional groups, such as choline, ester, betaine, aryl ether, and pyridine. Urban wastewater, aquaculture, and hospital discharges are the main factors influencing QAC distribution patterns in estuarine sediments. Toxic unit calculations and metagenomic analysis revealed that these QACs can influence antibiotic resistance genes (particularly sulfonamide resistance genes) through cross- and coresistances. The potential to influence the AMR is related to their environmental persistence. These results suggest that controlling the source, preventing the co-use of QACs and sulfonamides, and prioritizing control of highly persistent molecules will lead to global stewardship and sustainable use of QACs.

Dual Protective Porous Ti3 C2 Tx MXene/Polyimide Composite Film for Thermal Insulation and Electromagnetic Interference Shielding.

The thriving 5G communication technology leads to the high demand for EMI shielding materials and thermal management materials. Particularly, portable thermal-sensitive electronic devices have more stringent requirements for thermal insulation performances. In most cases, ultrathin EMI shielding materials integrated with ultralow thermal conductivity are not easy to be achieved. To overcome this obstacle, dual protective porous composite films based on Ti3 C2 Tx MXene and polyimide are fabricated by sacrificing polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) templates. By optimizing the contact thermal resistance and Kapitza resistance, the composite film presents superior thermal insulation performances with a thermal conductivity of 0.0136 W m-1 K-1 . Moreover, the hybrid porous film maintains superior EMI shielding effectiveness of 63.0 dB and high SSE/t of 31651.2 dB cm2 g-1 . Nevertheless, the excellent active and passive heating ability based on Joule heating and photothermal conversion makes the composite film an ideal portable material for thermal management. This work sheds light on designing thermal management materials and EMI shielding materials for cutting-edge electronic devices.

Left bundle branch area pacing for heart failure patients requiring cardiac resynchronization therapy: A meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Left bundle branch area pacing (LBBP) is a novel conduction system pacing method to achieve effective physiological pacing and an alternative to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) with biventricular pacing (BVP) for patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). We conduted this meta-analysis and systemic review to review current data comparing BVP and LBBP in patients with HFrEF and indications for CRT. METHODS: We searched PubMed/Medline, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library from the inception of the database to November 2022. All studies that compared LBBP with BVP in patients with HFrEF and indications for CRT were included. Two reviewers performed study selection, data abstraction, and risk of bias assessment. We calculated risk ratios (RRs) with the Mantel-Haenszel method and mean difference (MD) with inverse variance using random effect models. We assessed heterogeneity using the I2 index, with I2 > 50% indicating significant heterogeneity. RESULTS: Ten studies (9 observational studies and 1 randomized controlled trial; 616 patients; 15 centers) published between 2020 and 2022 were included. We observed a shorter fluoroscopy time (MD: 9.68, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.49-14.87, I2 = 95%, p < .01, minutes) as well as a shorter procedural time (MD 33.68, 95% CI: 17.80-49.55, I2 = 73%, p < .01, minutes) during the implantation of LBBP CRT compared to conventional BVP CRT. LBBP was shown to have a greater reduction in QRS duration (MD 25.13, 95% CI: 20.06-30.20, I2 = 51%, p < .01, milliseconds), a greater left ventricular ejection fraction improvement (MD: 5.80, 95% CI: 4.81-6.78, I2 = 0%, p < .01, percentage), and a greater left ventricular end-diastolic diameter reduction (MD: 2.11, 95% CI: 0.12-4.10, I2 = 18%, p = .04, millimeter). There was a greater improvement in New York Heart Association function class with LBBP (MD: 0.37, 95% CI: 0.05-0.68, I2 = 61%, p = .02). LBBP was also associated with a lower risk of a composite of heart failure hospitalizations (HFH) and all-cause mortality (RR: 0.48, 95% CI: 0.25-0.90, I2 = 0%, p = .02) driven by reduced HFH (RR: 0.39, 95% CI: 0.19-0.82, I2 = 0%, p = .01). However, all-cause mortality rates were low in both groups (1.52% vs. 1.13%) and similar (RR: 0.98, 95% CI: 0.21-4.68, I2 = 0%, p = .87). CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis of primarily nonrandomized studies suggests that LBBP is associated with a greater improvement in left ventricular systolic function and a lower rate of HFH compared to BVP. There was uniformity of these findings in all of the included studies. However, it would be premature to conclude based solely on the current meta-analysis alone, given the limitations stated. Dedicated, well-designed, randomized controlled trials and observational studies are needed to elucidate better the comparative long-term efficacy and safety of LBBP CRT versus BIV CRT.

Occurrence and Temporal Trends of Benzotriazole UV Stabilizers in Mollusks (2010-2018) from the Chinese Bohai Sea Revealed by Target, Suspect, and Nontarget Screening Analysis.

Benzotriazole UV stabilizers (BZT-UVs), including 2-(3,5-di-tert-amyl-2-hydroxyphenyl)benzotriazole (UV-328) that is currently under consideration for listing under the Stockholm Convention, are applied in many commodities and industrial products. However, limited information is available on the interannual variation of their environmental occurrence. In this study, an all-in-one strategy combining target, suspect, and nontarget screening analysis was established to comprehensively explore the temporal trends of BZT-UVs in mollusks collected from the Chinese Bohai Sea between 2010 and 2018. Significant residue levels of the target analytes were determined with a maximum total concentration of 6.4 × 103 ng/g dry weight. 2-(2-Hydroxy-3-tert-butyl-5-methyl-phenyl)-5-chloro-benzotriazole (UV-326), 5-chloro-2-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-2-hydroxyphenyl)benzotriazole (UV-327), and 2-(2-hydroxy-5-methylphenyl) benzotriazole (UV-P) were the predominant analogues, and UV-328 was the most frequently detected BZT-UV with a detection frequency (DF) of 87%. Whereas five biotransformation products and six impurity-like BZT-UVs were tentatively identified, their low DFs and semi-quantified concentrations suggest that the targeted analytes were the predominant BZT-UVs in the investigated area. A gradual decrease in the total concentrations of BZT-UVs was observed, accompanied by downward trends of the abundant compounds (e.g., UV-326 and UV-P). Consequently, the relative abundance of UV-327 increased because of its consistent environmental presence. These results suggest that continuous monitoring and risk assessment of BZT-UVs other than UV-328 are of importance in China.

One year outcomes of atrial fibrillation ablation: Contemporary analysis of the United States Nationwide Readmission Database.

BACKGROUND: Data on long-term outcomes of catheter ablation (CA) for atrial fibrillation (AF) in outside of clinical trials settings are sparse. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to assess outcomes and readmissions at 1 year following admission for CA for AF. METHODS: Utilizing the Nationwide Readmissions Database (2016-2018), we identified patients with CA among all patients with a primary admission diagnosis of AF, and a control group by propensity score match adjusted for age, sex, comorbidities, CHA2DS2-VASc scores, and the hospital characteristics. The primary outcome was a composite of unplanned heart failure (HF), AF and stroke-related readmissions, and death at 1 year, and secondary outcomes were hospital outcomes and all-cause readmission rates. RESULTS: The study cohort consisted of 29,771 patients undergoing CA and 63,988 controls. Patients undergoing CA were younger with lower CHA2DS2-VASc scores and less comorbidities. Over a follow-up of 170 ±1.1 days, the primary outcome occurred in 5.2% in CA group and 6.0% of controls (hazard ratio [HR] and 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.86 [0.76-0.94], p = .002). CA affected AF and stroke related readmission, but showed no effect on HF and mortality outcome. Male sex (HR: 0.83 [0.74-0.94], p = .03), younger age (HR: 0.71 [0.61-0.83], p < .001], and lower CHA2DS2-VASc scores (HR: 0.68 [0.55-0.84], p < .001) were associated with lower risk of primary outcome with CA. CONCLUSION: In this study, CA for AF was associated with significantly lower AF and stroke-related admissions, but not to HF or all-cause readmission. Better outcomes were seen among males, younger patients, and in patients with less comorbidities and low CHA2DS2-VASc scores.

Regulation of exosome release by lysosomal acid ceramidase in coronary arterial endothelial cells: Role of TRPML1 channel.

Lysosomal acid ceramidase (AC) has been reported to determine multivesicular body (MVB) fate and exosome secretion in different mammalian cells including coronary arterial endothelial cells (CAECs). However, this AC-mediated regulation of exosome release from CAECs and associated underlying mechanism remain poorly understood. In the present study, we hypothesized that AC controls lysosomal Ca2+ release through TRPML1 channel to regulate exosome release in murine CAECs. To test this hypothesis, we isolated and cultured CAECs from WT/WT and endothelial cell-specific Asah1 gene (gene encoding AC) knockout mice. Using these CAECs, we first demonstrated a remarkable increase in exosome secretion and significant reduction of lysosome-MVB interaction in CAECs lacking Asah1 gene compared to those cells from WT/WT mice. ML-SA1, a TRPML1 channel agonist, was found to enhance lysosome trafficking and increase lysosome-MVB interaction in WT/WT CAECs, but not in CAECs lacking Asah1 gene. However, sphingosine, an AC-derived sphingolipid, was able to increase lysosome movement and lysosome-MVB interaction in CAECs lacking Asah1 gene, leading to reduced exosome release from these cells. Moreover, Asah1 gene deletion was shown to substantially inhibit lysosomal Ca2+ release through suppression of TRPML1 channel activity in CAECs. Sphingosine as an AC product rescued the function of TRPML1 channel in CAECs lacking Asah1 gene. These results suggest that Asah1 gene defect and associated deficiency of AC activity may inhibit TRPML1 channel activity, thereby reducing MVB degradation by lysosome and increasing exosome release from CAECs. This enhanced exosome release from CAECs may contribute to the development of coronary arterial disease under pathological conditions.

Adverse childhood experiences and deviant behaviors among Chinese rural emerging adults: the role of social support.

BACKGROUND: ACEs hurt subsequent physical and mental health outcomes. However, still little has been known about the rate of ACEs among rural Chinese emerging adults and the different buffering effects of the three types of social support on different kinds of ACEs. This study described the rate of ACEs among Chinese rural emerging adults, examined the relationship between ACEs and deviant behaviors, and tested the moderating effect of three different sources of perceived social support on this relationship. We hope these results will be helpful in further interventions. METHODS: We used the second wave of a longitudinal survey that included ACEs variables in 2018. A total of 1031 emerging adults aged 18 to 25 participated in the current study. RESULTS: we found that (1) the rate of abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction was 10.0, 30.0, and 24.9%, respectively among Chinese rural emerging adults; (2) abuse and household dysfunction experience were significantly and positively associated with deviant behaviors; (3) friend support moderated the relationship between three types of ACEs and deviant behaviors. Other support moderated the relationship between abuse/household dysfunction and deviant behaviors. CONCLUSIONS: ACEs could increase the risk of deviant behaviors. Perceived friend support could reduce the negative effect of three types of ACEs. Other support could reduce the negative impact of abuse and household dysfunction. These results suggest that reducing ACEs to make children's family environments safer and enhancing social support for emerging adults from rural areas are beneficial, which could prevent or reduce their deviant behaviors.

Quality and Audience Engagement of Takotsubo Syndrome-Related Videos on TikTok: Content Analysis.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of Takotsubo syndrome (TTS), also known as the broken heart syndrome or stress cardiomyopathy, is increasing worldwide. The understanding of its prognosis has been progressively evolving and currently appears to be poorer than previously thought, which has attracted the attention of researchers. An attempt to recognize the awareness of this condition among the general population drove us to analyze the dissemination of this topic on TikTok, a popular short-video-based social media platform. We found a considerable number of videos on TTS on TikTok; however, the quality of the presented information remains unknown. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to analyze the quality and audience engagement of TTS-related videos on TikTok. METHODS: Videos on the TikTok platform were explored on August 2, 2021 to identify those related to TTS by using 6 Chinese keywords. A total of 2549 videos were found, of which 80 met our inclusion criteria and were evaluated for their characteristics, content, quality, and reliability. The quality and reliability were rated using the DISCERN instrument and the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) criteria by 2 reviewers independently, and a score was assigned. Descriptive statistics were generated, and the Kruskal-Wallis test was used for statistical analysis. Multiple linear regression was performed to evaluate the association between audience engagement and other factors such as video content, video quality, and author types. RESULTS: The scores assigned to the selected video content were low with regard to the diagnosis (0.66/2) and management (0.34/2) of TTS. The evaluated videos were found to have an average score of 36.93 out of 80 on the DISCERN instrument and 1.51 out of 4 per the JAMA criteria. None of the evaluated videos met all the JAMA criteria. The quality of the relayed information varied by source (All P<.05). TTS-related videos made by health care professionals accounted for 28% (22/80) of all the evaluated videos and had the highest DISCERN scores with an average of 40.59 out of 80. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that author types that identified as health professionals (exponentiated regression coefficient 17.48, 95% CI 2.29-133.52; P=.006) and individual science communicators (exponentiated regression coefficient 13.38, 95% CI 1.83-97.88; P=.01) were significant and independent determinants of audience engagement (in terms of the number of likes). Other author types of videos, video content, and DISCERN document scores were not associated with higher likes. CONCLUSIONS: We found that the quality of videos regarding TTS for patient education on TikTok is poor. Patients should be cautious about health-related information on TikTok. The formulation of a measure for video quality review is necessary, especially when the purpose of the published content is to educate and increase awareness on a health-related topic.

The effect of carbonization temperature on the capacity and mechanisms of Cd(II)-Pb(II) mix-ions adsorption by wood ear mushroom sticks derived biochar.

Heavy metals often coexist in contaminated environmental media, and competition between heavy metals for adsorption sites influences the absorption capacity of biochar. In this study, the adsorption mechanism of pyrolytically modified wood ear mushroom sticks (250, 450, and 650 °C) as a new bio-adsorbent for single-ion and mixed-ion solutions Cd2+ and Pb2+ Biochar adsorption experiments showed that the adsorption abilities of Cd2+ and Pb2+ increased with increasing WMBC (wood ear mushroom sticks biochar) pyrolysis temperature. According to the Langmuir model, the maximum adsorption capacity of Cd2+ and Pb2+increased with higher pyrolysis temperature, being 29.84, 39.08, 46.16 mg·g-1and 124.3, 186.8, 234.2 mg·g-1, respectively for three different pyrolysis temperatures 250, 450, and 650 °C. WMBC exhibited a stronger adsorption ability for Pb2+ than for Cd2+. Competition between the two heavy metals severely inhibited the adsorption of Cd2+. Based on X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analyses, the dominant interaction mechanisms were determined to be complexation, ion exchange, precipitation, and C-π interaction. The results suggest WMBC shows promise as a novel, cheap, and effective adsorbent that can be used to remove both Cd2+ and Pb2+ pollutants from environmental media.

Health risk assessment of heavy metals in street dust around a zinc smelting plant in China based on bioavailability and bioaccessibility.

In order to investigate pollution level, chemical speciation and health risk of exposure to heavy metals in street dust from smelting district, we carried the following studies: (a). the differences in the morphology of street dust in smelting and non-smelting districts using a scanning electron microscope; (b). the chemical speciation and bioavailability of heavy metals in <100 µm and <63 µm particles near a smelting district using a modified three-stage BCR sequential extraction procedure and in vitro digestion test, respectively; (c). the evaluation of the non-carcinogenic risk of children and adults exposure to dust based on bioaccessibility. The results showed that most of the dust particles near Huludao Zinc Plant (HZP) were relatively solid with less porosity, which might originate from incompletely burned mineral particles from the smelting process. The concentrations of Pb, Cd and Cu were much higher than the background levels: 1560, 178.5 and 917.9 mg kg-1 in <100 µm dust samples, and 2099, 198.4, 1038 mg kg-1 in <63 µm dust samples, respectively. Pb was mostly present in the reducible fraction and the acid exchangeable fraction, while Cd and Cu were the most common heavy metals in the acid exchangeable fraction and oxidizable fraction, respectively. The rank order of bioaccessibility for the gastric and intestinal phase was Cd (58.13%) > Pb (50.00%) > Cu (19.19%) and Cd (20.36%) > Cu (15.67%) > Pb (5.08%), respectively. Hand-to-mouth ingestion poses the greatest non-carcinogenic exposure risk compared with other exposure pathways. When bioavailability is taken into account, children experienced higher non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks of dust exposure compared with adults, and the <63 µm particles posed greater risks than <100 µm particles.

Phosphorus recovery from urine using cooling water system effluent as a precipitant.

Phosphorus (P) recovery from wastewater has been recognized as a critical technology for solving the sustainable supply of this indispensable and non - renewable natural resource. In this study, the cost - free magnesium and calcium sources of using the cooling water system effluent (CWSE) in two thermal power plants were proposed (Z - CWSE and G - CWSE) and the P recovery performance from source - separated urine was investigated. About 90% P recovery efficiency was achieved from the hydrolyzed urine when Z - CWSE and G - CWSE were added at the Ca: Mg: P molar ratios of 3.1 : 4.0: 1 and 3.6 : 3.4: 1, respectively. More than 95% P recovery performance was obtained from the fresh urine as the initial pH of the CWSE - FU mixtures was adjusted to over 9.5 and 10.0, respectively. The precipitates obtained contain 10.84-17.04% Ca, 6.22-9.58% P, 0.75-3.76% Mg and 0.13-0.23% N. XRD analysis confirmed the presence of struvite in the precipitates. The reuse of precipitates is secure due to extremely low contents of heavy metals. The feasibility of using CWSEs as the flushing water in urinals and toilets was assessed. Besides, we proposed CWSEs could be invoked as precipitants in various wastewaters as long as it contains considerable phosphate, e.g. P concentration more than 100 mg/L and 50 mg/L for Z - CWSE and G - CWSE, respectively.

Subcortical nuclei in Alzheimer's disease: a volumetric and diffusion kurtosis imaging study.

Background Previous studies revealed that subcortical nuclei were harmed in the process of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Purpose To investigate the volumetric and diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) parameter changes of subcortical nuclei in AD and their relationship with cognitive function. Materials and Methods A total of 17 mild AD patients, 15 moderate to severe AD patients, and 16 controls underwent neuropsychological tests and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. Volume, mean kurtosis (MK), mean diffusivity (MD), and fractional anisotropy (FA) were measured in hippocampus, thalamus, caudate, putamen, pallidum, and amygdala. MRI parameters were compared. Correlation analysis was performed between subcortical nuclei volume, DKI parameters, and MMSE score. Results Significant volume reduction was seen in the left hippocampus in mild AD, and the bilateral hippocampus, thalamus, putamen, left caudate, and right amygdala in moderate to severe AD ( P < 0.05). Increased MD values were observed in the left hippocampus, left amygdala, and right caudate in mild AD, and the bilateral hippocampus and right amygdala in moderate to severe AD ( P < 0.05). Decreased MK values were observed only in the bilateral hippocampus in moderate to severe AD ( P < 0.05). No group significances were found in FA value. MMSE score was positively correlated with the volume of the bilateral hippocampus, thalamus, and putamen, and MK value of the left hippocampus ( P < 0.05). A negative correlation was found with the MD value of the bilateral hippocampus and left amygdala ( P < 0.05). Conclusion Mild AD mainly has microscopic subcortical changes revealed by increased MD value, and moderate to severe AD mainly has macroscopic subcortical changes revealed by volume reduction. MK is more sensitive in severe AD than mild AD.

Dynamic Quantitative Assessment of Motor Axon Sprouting after Direct Facial-Hypoglossal End-To-Side Neurorrhaphy in Rats.

BACKGROUND: End-to-side (ETS) neurorrhaphy is a promising procedure for peripheral nerve repair, yet controversies regarding the efficacy of this repair in facial nerve anastomosis for facial paralysis still exist. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty rats were divided into three groups: intact control group, direct facial-hypoglossal ETS neurorrhaphy, and end-to-end (ETE) neurorrhaphy. Nerve regeneration was assessed with vibrissae motor performance, electrophysiological tests, retrograde labeling, and histomorphological analysis at 4 and 8 months postoperatively. RESULTS: Both ETS and ETE neurorrhaphies resulted in axonal regeneration and functional recovery of the recipient nerve but did not reach the level of intact controls. Significantly higher numbers of myelinated axons and labeled neurons giving regenerating fibers were found in group ETE compared with group ETS at both time points, consistent with the functional and electrophysiological recovery. Group ETS showed significantly smaller fiber diameter and thinner myelin thickness than group ETE at 4 months, but the difference became nonsignificant at 8 months. ETS neurorrhaphy had a very slight effect on the donor nerve, as determined electrophysiologically and histomorphologically. Sparsely distributed double-labeled neurons and relatively large amounts of single-labeled neurons contributing to reinnervation were found through double retrograde neuronal labeling in group ETS. Further quantitative analysis of the percentage of double-labeled neurons showed a pronounced tendency to decline from 19.8% at 4 months to 6.0% at 8 months postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Successful reinnervation after ETS neurorrhaphy could be achieved through both collateral sprouting and terminal sprouting, with the latter seeming to be the principal origin of motor nerve sprouting.

Perfluorobutanoic acid triggers metabolic and transcriptional reprogramming in wheat seedlings.

The environmental risks of fluorinated alternatives are of great concern with the phasing out of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate. Here, multi-omics (i.e., metabolomics and transcriptomics) coupled with physiological and biochemical analyses were employed to investigate the stress responses of wheat seedings (Triticum aestivum L.) to perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA), one of the short-chain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and PFOA alternatives, at environmentally relevant concentrations (0.1-100 ng/g). After 28 days of soil exposure, PFBA boosted the generation of OH and O2- in wheat seedlings, resulting in lipid peroxidation, protein perturbation and impaired photosynthesis. Non-enzymatic antioxidant defense systems (e.g., glutathione, phenolics, and vitamin C) and enzymatic antioxidant copper/zinc superoxide dismutase were strikingly activated (p < 0.05). PFBA-triggered oxidative stress induced metabolic and transcriptional reprogramming, including carbon and nitrogen metabolisms, lipid metabolisms, immune responses, signal transduction processes, and antioxidant defense-related pathways. Down-regulation of genes related to plant-pathogen interaction suggested suppression of the immune-response, offering a novel understanding on the production of reactive oxygen species in plants under the exposure to PFAS. The identified MAPK signaling pathway illuminated a novel signal transduction mechanism in plant cells in response to PFAS. These findings provide comprehensive understandings on the phytotoxicity of PFBA to wheat seedlings and new insights into the impacts of PFAS on plants.