Lymphocytes regulate expression of the SARS-CoV-2 cell entry factor ACE2 in the pancreas of T2DM patients.

AIMS: COVID-19 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) show both poorer clinical outcomes and have an increased risk of death. SARS-CoV-2 virus infection requires simultaneous expression of the SARS-CoV-2 cell entry factors angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and transmembrane protease serine type 2 (TMPRSS2) in the same cell. The aim of the study was to explore the underlying mechanisms of a COVID-19 infection in patients with T2DM. METHODS: The distribution and expression of AEC2 and TMPRSS2 in different pancreatic cell types in clinical samples of T2DM patients and diabetic mouse models were analysed by single-cell sequencing, bioinformatics analysis and basic experiments. RESULTS: The results showed that ACE2 and TMPRSS2 are expressed in the ducts of the human pancreas. These findings suggest that SARS-CoV-2 can infect ductal cells in vivo through ACE2 and TMPRSS2. T2DM can promote the co-expression of ACE2 and TMPRSS2 in exocrine ducts, including in the human pancreas. We hypothesize that ACE2 expression levels are associated with increased numbers of lymphocytes in vivo. CONCLUSIONS: Increased blood glucose levels are associated with increased ACE2 expression and an increased number of lymphocytes. At the same time, lymphocytes can promote ACE2 expression.

Case reports of collision and composite carcinomas of the thyroid: an insight into their origin and clinical significance.

BACKGROUND: Collision and composite carcinomas of the thyroid are extremely rare, and their clinical and biological characteristics are poorly understood. CASE PRESENTATION: The first case was a 41-year-old female patient with a right thyroid nodule. Pathological diagnosis was papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and medullary thyroid carcinoma composite carcinoma. Surgical treatment was right thyroid lobectomy + left partial thyroidectomy + right central neck lymph node dissection. The second case was a 60-year-old female with bilateral thyroid nodules. Total thyroidectomy was performed, and the pathological diagnosis was thyroid collision carcinoma involving follicular thyroid carcinoma on the left side and PTC on the right side. The clinical, histological and gene changes of collision and composite carcinomas of the thyroid are poorly described. With different biological invasion characteristics, the ideal treatment and the prognosis is currently unknown and individualized treatment is necessary. CONCLUSIONS: It is recommended that in composite carcinoma, each cancer is evaluated and treated according to the most severe tumor. Collision carcinoma should be treated as two separate synchronous primary tumors. For both collision and composite carcinomas of the thyroid, the follow-up after treatment should be extensive.

Understanding different cultural ecosystem services: An exploration of rural landscape preferences based on geographic and social media data.

Rural landscapes offer a variety of cultural ecosystem services (CESs). However, the relationship between rural landscape characteristics and different CESs is still poorly understood. Therefore, this study explored the rural areas of Huzhou city, China, as a case study to assess the main rural landscape characteristics of different CESs based on public preferences. First, 148 scenic spots were classified into four CESs (physical, experiential, intellectual and inspirational), and the public preferences for each scenic spot were determined by combining tourists' scores obtained from social media and government assessment scores. Then, the landscape characteristic indicators were constructed from the natural, infrastructural and sensory perspectives by combining geographic and social media data. Finally, the random forest model was used to evaluate the public preferences for rural landscape characteristics overall and for different CESs. The word frequency analysis showed that, in addition to the nature landscape, infrastructure and service had a strong influence on public preferences. The relationship with rural landscape characteristics varied across different CESs. For physical CESs, the convenience of infrastructure played a greater role than natural landscape characteristics. Experiential CESs, on the other hand, were affected by natural landscape characteristics themselves. Intellectual CESs had higher requirements for both infrastructure and nature. Inspirational CESs included sensory evaluation indicators, in addition to their focus on natural landscape characteristics and infrastructure, indicating that this category of CESs was more concerned with inner experience. The use of social media data has enriched the dimensions of sensory elements and provided new ideas and information supplements for comprehensively understanding different CESs, thus better supporting the management, planning and protection of rural landscapes.

Evidence for the coexistence of direct and riboflavin-mediated interspecies electron transfer in Geobacter co-culture.

Geobacter species can secrete free redox-active flavins, but the role of these flavins in the interspecies electron transfer (IET) of Geobacter direct interspecies electron transfer (DIET) co-culture is unknown. Here, we report the presence of a new riboflavin-mediated interspecies electron transfer (RMIET) process in a traditional Geobacter DIET co-culture; in this process, riboflavin contributes to IET by acting as a free-form electron shuttle between free Geobacter species and serving as a bound cofactor of some cytochromes in Geobacter co-culture aggregates. Multiple lines of evidence indicate that RMIET facilitates the primary initiation of syntrophic growth between Geobacter species before establishing the DIET co-culture and provides additional ways alongside the DIET to transfer electrons to achieve electric syntrophy between Geobacter species. Redox kinetic analysis of riboflavin on either Geobacter species demonstrated that the Gmet_2896 cytochrome acts as the key riboflavin reduction site, while riboflavin oxidation by Geobacter sulfurreducens is the rate-limiting step in RMIET, and the RMIET makes only a minor contribution to IET in Geobacter DIET co-culture. The discovery of a new RMIET process in Geobacter DIET co-culture suggests the complexity of IET in syntrophic bacterial communities and provides suggestions for the careful examination of the IET of other syntrophic co-cultures.

Copulation Exerts Significant Effects on mRNA Expression of Cryptochrome Genes in a Moth.

It is recognized that the behavioral rhythms of organisms are controlled by the circadian clock, while the reverse direction, i.e., whether changes in physiology and behavior react to the internal rhythms, is unclear. Cryptochromes (CRYs) are photolyase-like flavoproteins with blue-light receptor function and other functions on circadian clock and migration in animals. Here, we cloned the full-length cDNA of CRY1 and CRY2 in Spodoptera litura (Fabricius, 1775) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Sl-CRYs show high similarity to orthologs from other insects, and their conserved regions contain a DNA photolyase domain and a FAD-binding seven domain. The expression levels of both genes were relatively low during the larval stage, which increased during the pupal stage and then peaked at the adult stage. The expression of Sl-CRY1 and Sl-CRY2 showed differences between males and females and between scotophase and photophase. Further, our study demonstrated that copulation has a significant effect on the expression of Sl-CRYs. More interestingly, the changes in the expression of Sl-CRY1 and Sl-CRY2 due to copulation showed the same trend in both sexes, in which the expression levels of both genes in copulated males and females decreased in the subsequent scotophase after copulation and then increased significantly in the following photophase. Considering the nature of the dramatic changes in reproductive behavior and physiology after copulation in S. litura, we propose that the changes in the expression of Sl-CRYs after copulation could have some function in the reproductive process.

Rapid Detection of Urinary Tract Infections via Bacterial Nuclease Activity.

Rapid and accurate bacterial detection methods are needed for clinical diagnostic, water, and food testing applications. The wide diversity of bacterial nucleases provides a rich source of enzymes that could be exploited as signal amplifying biomarkers to enable rapid, selective detection of bacterial species. With the exception of the use of micrococcal nuclease activity to detect Staphylococcus aureus, rapid methods that detect bacterial pathogens via their nuclease activities have not been developed. Here, we identify endonuclease I as a robust biomarker for E. coli and develop a rapid ultrasensitive assay that detects its activity. Comparison of nuclease activities of wild-type and nuclease-knockout E. coli clones revealed that endonuclease I is the predominant DNase in E. coli lysates. Endonuclease I is detectable by immunoblot and activity assays in uropathogenic E. coli strains. A rapid assay that detects endonuclease I activity in patient urine with an oligonucleotide probe exhibited substantially higher sensitivity for urinary tract infections than that reported for rapid urinalysis methods. The 3 hr turnaround time is much shorter than that of culture-based methods, thereby providing a means for expedited administration of appropriate antimicrobial therapy. We suggest this approach could address various unmet needs for rapid detection of E. coli.

STK33 overexpression in hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma: possible role in tumorigenesis.

BACKGROUND: The role of serine/threonine kinase 33 (STK33) gene in tumorigenesis is still controversial. This study was aimed to investigate whether STK33 had the effect on hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HSCC) and relevant genes, as well as the potential relation to ERK1/2 pathway. METHODS: Immunohistochemistry was performed to investigate STK33 expression in human HSCC specimens. MTT, immunofluorescence, clone formation and matrigel invasion assays were employed to detect the effects of STK33 knockdown (STK33-RNAi) and/or PD98059 on major oncogenic properties of a HSCC cell line (Fadu), while, real-time PCR and western blot were used to examine the expressions of relevant genes. RESULTS: STK33 was over-expressed in HSCC specimens, which was significantly associated with certain clinicopathological parameters. STK33-RNAi in Fadu cells resulted in inhibition of proliferation, induction of apoptosis, reduction of clone formation, and decline in the migration and invasion. These effects were potentiated by administration of PD98059. Mechanistic studies revealed that STK33-RNAi led to an increase in Caspse-3, Nm-23-H1 and E-Cadherin expressions and a reduction in Bcl-2, Ki-67 and Vimentin expressions. Moreover, PD98059 significantly reduced both ERK1/2 and STK33 expressions in Fadu cells. CONCLUSIONS: STK33 is a potential oncogene and a promising diagnostic marker for HSCC. STK33 may promote tumorigenesis and progression of HSCC, and serve as a valuable molecular target for treatment of HSCC.

Identification and RNA Interference of the Pheromone Biosynthesis Activating Neuropeptide (PBAN) in the Common Cutworm Moth Spodoptera litura (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).

Spodoptera litura F. is one of the most destructive insect pests of many agricultural crops and notorious for developing insecticide resistance. Developing environmental friendly control methods such as novel pheromone and RNAi-related control strategies is imperative to control this pest. In the present study, the full-length cDNA encoding the diapause hormone and pheromone biosynthesis activating neuropeptide (DH-PBAN) was identified and characterized in S. litura. This 809-bp transcript contains a 573-nucleotide ORF encoding a 191-amino acid protein, from which five putative neuropeptides, including PBAN, DH, and α-, ß-, and γ-subesophageal ganglion neuropeptides, were derived. Phylogenetic analysis showed that both the whole protein and each of the five neuropeptides have high similarities to those of DH-PBANs from other insect orders particularly Lepidoptera. Females treated with TKYFSPRLamide (the active core fragment of PBAN) produced significantly more four types of pheromone compounds (A; B; C; D) than controls. RNA interference by injection of PBAN dsRNA significantly reduced the relative expression levels of this gene in adult females (approximately reduced by 60%). As a consequence, females treated with PBAN dsRNA produced significantly less four types of pheromone compounds (A; B; C; D) than controls. These results suggest that PBAN function in activating sex pheromone biosynthesis and the RNAi of DH-PBAN gene can be induced by the injection of dsRNA into the body cavity in S. litura. This study suggests the possibility of novel pheromone-related pest control strategies based on RNAi techniques.

Association of molecular subtypes and treatment with survival in invasive micropapillary breast cancer: an analysis of the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to examine the features, treatments, and survival of invasive micropapillary carcinoma (IMPC) according to different molecular subtypes. METHODS: In this cohort study, data between 2010 and 2018 were retrospectively reviewed from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. Molecular subtypes were categorized into four varieties: hormone receptor (HR)+/HER2- (Luminal A), HR+/HER2+ (Luminal B), HR-/HER2- [triple-negative (TN)], and HR-/HER2+ (HER2 enriched). RESULTS: In this study, 1,180 IMPC patients were included, with 99 patients (8.39%) of the 1,180 patients having an overall mortality, and 53 patients (53.54%) of the 99 patients having a breast cancer-specific mortality. The follow-up duration was 40.00 (18.50, 61.00) months. TN molecular subtype was associated with worse OS and BCSS in IMPC patients. Treatment of chemotherapy, radiation, and combination therapy were associated with better survival in HR+/HER2+ molecular subtype and HR+/HER2- molecular subtype. However, in HR-/HER2- molecular subtype, treatment of chemotherapy was associated with a poor BCSS, and treatment of radiation was not associated with OS and BCSS. Surgery treatment was not associated with survival in HR+/HER2+ molecular subtype and HR+/HER2- molecular subtype. However, surgery treatment of mastectomy was associated with better OS in HR-/HER2- molecular subtype (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The prognosis of IMPC was significantly influenced by different molecular subtypes. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy are beneficial in HR+/HER2+ and HR+/HER2- patients. However, they should be used with caution in HR-/HER2- (TN) patients.

Clinicopathological characteristics and prognostic factors in invasive micropapillary carcinoma of the breast.

Introduction: Invasive micropapillary carcinoma (IMPC) treatment only relies on the standard treatment of nonspecific invasive breast cancer (NSIBC), and it remains controversial whether the survival of patients improves. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the clinicopathological features of IMPC and to investigate the factors affecting its prognosis. Material and methods: This retrospective cohort study included 104 IMPC patients who met the study's inclusion criteria out of a total of 4,532 patients with invasive breast cancer between January 2015 and December 2019. A contemporaneous cohort of 230 patients with non-specific invasive breast cancer (NSIBC) who underwent surgery was identified and matched using propensity scores. Results: The survival rate for patients with IMPC ranged from 1.12% to 7.03%. Statistically significant differences were observed in the proportion of endocrine treatment, lymphatic invasion, estrogen receptor (ER)-positive rate, molecular subtypes, molecular typing, and 5-year loco-regional recurrence-free survival (LRRFS) between the two cohorts (p < 0.05). The univariate analysis showed that T stage, N stage, lymphatic invasion, vascular invasion, ER-positive rate, and progesterone receptor (PR)-negative rate were all prognosis risk factors (p < 0.05) for IMPC. Furthermore, the multivariate analysis indicated that lymphatic invasion and N stage were independent prognostic factors (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The incidence of micropapillary IMPC, among other pathological subtypes, is steadily increasing. ER-positive and PR-positive rates, as well as luminal subtypes, are frequent, with a concurrent increase in the 5-year locoregional recurrence rate. It would be interesting to compare the effect following these therapeutic modifications in larger cohorts in future studies.

DEHP and DBP, common phthalates, induce glucose metabolism disorders in rats via oxidative damage of PI3K/Akt/GLUT4 signaling.

Phthalic acid esters (PAEs) are environmental endocrine disruptors thought to interfere with glucose metabolism in humans. Most of the related research has focused on population epidemiological studies, with the underlying mechanisms remaining unresolved. Using an in vivo animal model, we examined the effects of oral administration of two commonly used PAEs [di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and dibutyl phthalate (DBP)] on glucose homeostasis and insulin secretion. DEHP (750 mg/kg, 1/40 LD50), DBP (500 mg/kg, 1/40 LD50), and DEHP (750 mg/kg) + DBP (500 mg/kg) exert an influence on glucose metabolism and elicit a reduction in insulin sensitivity in rats. Furthermore, these substances induce detrimental effects on the structure and functionality of pancreatic ß-cells. DEHP and/or DBP triggered an increase in plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) and reduction in superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity; a reduction in the phosphorylation of phosphatidyl inositol 3 kinase (PI3K) and phospho-protein kinase B (p-Akt473) proteins; an increase in the relative expression of Bax, Caspase-8, cleaved-Caspase-9, and cleaved-Caspase-3; and a reduction in the relative expression of Bcl-2-related Bax in pancreatic tissue and of gastrocnemius glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) in the gastrocnemius muscle. Based on these findings, these PAEs can disrupt glucose metabolism, possibly via oxidative damage of the PI3K/Akt/GLUT4 pathway; this damage induces pancreatic ß-cell apoptosis, affects pancreatic ß-cell function, and affects glucose metabolism and insulin resistance in rats. To the best of our knowledge, this study was the first to show that the combined effect of the two PAEs affects glucose metabolism and insulin resistance in rats that is significantly higher than the effects of each PAE. Thus, safety standards and studies do not consider this effect as a significant oversight when blending PAEs. We assert that this must be addressed and corrected for establishing more impactful and safer standards.

Effect of three oral pathogens on the TMA-TMAO metabolic pathway.

Background: Trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) is produced by hepatic flavin-containing monooxygenase 3 (FMO3) from trimethylamine (TMA). High TMAO level is a biomarker of cardiovascular diseases and metabolic disorders, and it also affects periodontitis through interactions with the gastrointestinal microbiome. While recent findings indicate that periodontitis may alter systemic TMAO levels, the specific mechanisms linking these changes and particular oral pathogens require further clarification. Methods: In this study, we established a C57BL/6J male mouse model by orally administering Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis, Pg), Fusobacterium nucleatum (F. nucleatum, Fn), Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans, Sm) and PBS was used as a control. We conducted LC-MS/MS analysis to quantify the concentrations of TMAO and its precursors in the plasma and cecal contents of mice. The diversity and composition of the gut microbiome were analyzed using 16S rRNA sequencing. TMAO-related lipid metabolism and enzymes in the intestines and liver were assessed by qPCR and ELISA methods. We further explored the effect of Pg on FMO3 expression and lipid molecules in HepG2 cells by stimulating the cells with Pg-LPS in vitro. Results: The three oral pathogenic bacteria were orally administered to the mice for 5 weeks. The Pg group showed a marked increase in plasma TMAO, betaine, and creatinine levels, whereas no significant differences were observed in the gut TMAO level among the four groups. Further analysis showed similar diversity and composition in the gut microbiomes of both the Pg and Fn groups, which were different from the Sm and control groups. The profiles of TMA-TMAO pathway-related genera and gut enzymes were not significantly different among all groups. The Pg group showed significantly higher liver FMO3 levels and elevated lipid factors (IL-6, TG, TC, and NEFA) in contrast to the other groups. In vitro experiments confirmed that stimulation of HepG2 cells with Pg-LPS upregulated the expression of FMO3 and increased the lipid factors TC, TG, and IL-6. Conclusion: This study conclusively demonstrates that Pg, compared to Fn and Sm, plays a critical role in elevating plasma TMAO levels and significantly influences the TMA-TMAO pathway, primarily by modulating the expression of hepatic FMO3 and directly impacting hepatic lipid metabolism.

Analysis of clinical features and prognostic factors in Takayasu arteritis involving pulmonary hypertension: A retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Multiple takayasu arteritis (TA) is a chronic nonspecific large to medium vasculitis disease that mainly accumulates the aorta and its branches. Pulmonary vascular disease is often seen as stenosis and occlusion, and patients may show no moderate to severe pulmonary hypertension (PH). This study aims to summarize the clinical characteristics and analysis of prognostic factors in patients with PH caused by TA. METHODS: Patients diagnosed with aortitis involving the pulmonary artery by pulmonary arteriography or pulmonary artery and total aortic computed tomography arteriography (CTA). All patients underwent detailed clinical assessment, laboratory data collection, and analysis of imaging data. Patients were followed up and factors affecting the prognosis of the pulmonary arteries were analyzed. RESULTS: Most of the patients' complaints were chest tightness, shortness of breath, decreased activity tolerance, hemoptysis and chest pain. 56.90% of the patients were in at the time of admission. Echocardiographic estimation of pulmonary artery systolic pressure was 90.39 ±â€…22.87 mm Hg. In terms of laboratory tests, 39.66%% of the patients had elevated C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and amino-terminal natriuretic peptide precursor on admission. In terms of imaging, all patients had pulmonary artery involvement, which was combined with aortic involvement in 31.03%. Nuclide lung perfusion/ventilation imaging of the patients revealed multiple perfusion defects/absences in the segmental and subsegmental distribution of the lungs. Univariate Cox regression model analysis suggested that patients' WHO functional class at admission, age ≧ 51 years at the time of consultation, and amino-terminal natriuretic peptide precursor ≧ 3500 pg/mL were factors affecting the prognosis. Further multifactorial Cox regression model analysis suggested amino-terminal natriuretic peptide precursor ≧ 3500 pg/mL was an independent predictor of poor prognosis with a hazard ratio (HR) value of 5.248. CONCLUSION: Electrocardiogram and echocardiogram may suggest an increased right heart load; some patients have elevated serum inflammatory indexes. Characteristic imaging manifestations include widening of the main pulmonary artery, multiple pulmonary segmental and subsegmental stenoses.

Mitochondrial carrier homolog 2 increases malignant phenotype of human gastric epithelial cells and promotes proliferation, invasion, and migration of gastric cancer cells.

BACKGROUND: The precise role of mitochondrial carrier homolog 2 (MTCH2) in promoting malignancy in gastric mucosal cells and its involvement in gastric cancer cell metastasis have not been fully elucidated. AIM: To determine the role of MTCH2 in gastric cancer. METHODS: We collected 65 samples of poorly differentiated gastric cancer tissue and adjacent tissues, constructed MTCH2-overexpressing and MTCH2-knockdown cell models, and evaluated the proliferation, migration, and invasion of human gastric epithelial cells (GES-1) and human gastric cancer cells (AGS) cells. The mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), mitochondrial permeability transformation pore (mPTP) and ATP fluorescence probe were used to detect mitochondrial function. Mitochondrial function and ATP synthase protein levels were detected via Western blotting. RESULTS: The expression of MTCH2 and ATP2A2 in gastric cancer tissues was significantly greater than that in adjacent tissues. Overexpression of MTCH2 promoted colony formation, invasion, migration, MMP expression and ATP production in GES-1 and AGS cells while upregulating ATP2A2 expression and inhibiting cell apoptosis; knockdown of MTCH2 had the opposite effect, promoting overactivation of the mPTP and promoting apoptosis. CONCLUSION: MTCH2 can increase the malignant phenotype of GES-1 cells and promote the proliferation, invasion, and migration of gastric cancer cells by regulating mitochondrial function, providing a basis for targeted therapy for gastric cancer cells.

Serine/Threonine Kinase (STK) 33 promotes the proliferation and metastasis of human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma via inflammation-related pathway.

The serine/threonine kinase (STK) 33 plays a key role in cancer cell proliferation and metastasis. Abnormal STK33 expression is closely related to malignancy of numerous cancers. This study suggests the important role of STK33 in the pathogenesis and metastatic progression of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). STK33 expression in human ESCC tissues was detected by immunohistochemical technique. Further, we analyzed the relationship between STK33 and clinical and pathological factors as well as the prognosis of patients. ECa109 cell line was cultured and transfected with STK33-RNAi lentiviral vector to perform Hochest33342 & PI and metastasis experiments. The TCGA database was used to analyze the STK33 expression level in ESCC. All statistical analyses were performed in SPSS 23.0 software. Differences with P < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. In human ESCC specimens, STK33 was overexpressed and associated with poor prognosis. Silencing STK33 expression suppressed ESCC proliferation, migration, invasion, and tumor growth. STK33 also mediated angiogenesis, TGFß, and inflammatory response in ESCC. Mechanistic investigations revealed that STK33 regulates ESCC through multiple complex pathways. Dysregulated STK33 signaling promotes ESCC growth and progression. Thus, our findings identified STK33 as a candidate treatment target that improves ESCC therapy.

Pulmonary tumor thrombotic microangiopathy: Two case reports and literature review.

RATIONALE: Pulmonary tumor thrombotic microangiopathy (PTTM) is a rare but serious complication in patients with malignancy; its main manifestation includes acute pulmonary hypertension with severe respiratory distress. More than 200 cases have been reported since it was first identified in 1990. PTTM accounts for approximately 0.9% to 3.3% of deaths due to malignancy, but only a minority of patients are diagnosed ante-mortem, with most patients having a definitive diagnosis after autopsy. PATIENT CONCERNS: Two middle-aged women both died within a short period of time due to progressive dyspnea and severe pulmonary hypertension. DIAGNOSES: One patient was definitively confirmed as a gastrointestinal malignant tumor by liver puncture biopsy pathology. Ultimately, the clinical diagnosis was pulmonary tumor thrombotic microangiopathy. INTERVENTIONS: The patient was treated symptomatically with oxygen, diuresis, and anticoagulation, while a liver puncture was perfected to clarify the cause. OUTCOMES: Two cases of middle-aged female patients with rapidly progressive pulmonary hypertension and respiratory failure resulted in death with malignant neoplasm. LESSONS: PTTM has a rapid onset and a high morbidity and mortality rate. Our clinicians need to be more aware of the need for timely diagnosis through a targeted clinical approach, leading to more targeted treatment and a better prognosis.

Fronto-parietal theta high-definition transcranial alternating current stimulation may modulate working memory under postural control conditions in young healthy adults.

Objects: This study aimed to investigate the immediate effects of fronto-parietal θ HD-tACS on a dual task of working memory-postural control. Methods: In this within-subject cross-over pilot study, we assessed the effects of 20 min of 6 Hz-tACS targeting both the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (lDLPFC) and posterior parietal cortex (PPC) in 20 healthy adults (age: 21.6 ± 1.3 years). During each session, single- and dual-task behavioral tests (working memory single-task, static tandem standing, and a dual-task of working memory-postural control) and closed-eye resting-state EEG were assessed before and immediately after stimulation. Results: Within the tACS group, we found a 5.3% significant decrease in working memory response time under the dual-task following tACS (t = -3.157, p = 0.005, Cohen's d = 0.742); phase synchronization analysis revealed a significant increase in the phase locking value (PLV) of θ band between F3 and P3 after tACS (p = 0.010, Cohen's d = 0.637). Correlation analyses revealed a significant correlation between increased rs-EEG θ power in the F3 and P3 channels and faster reaction time (r = -0.515, p = 0.02; r = -0.483, p = 0.031, respectively) in the dual-task working memory task after tACS. However, no differences were observed on either upright postural control performance or rs-EEG results (p-values <0.05). Conclusion: Fronto-parietal θ HD-tACS has the potential of being a neuromodulatory tool for improving working memory performance in dual-task situations, but its effect on the modulation of concurrently performed postural control tasks requires further investigation.

Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy-Based Evidence of the Cerebral Oxygenation and Network Characteristics of Upper Limb Fatigue.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this research is to better understand the effects of upper limb fatigue on the cerebral cortex. The aim of this study was to investigate the characteristics of cerebral oxygenation and cortical functional connectivity in healthy adults after upper limb fatigue using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). METHODS: Nineteen healthy adults participated in this study. The participants began exercising on an arm crank ergometer with no load, which was then increased by 0.2 kg per minute, maintaining a speed of at least 90 revolutions per minute during the exercise. Functional near-infrared spectroscopy covering the prefrontal cortex and motor area was used to monitor brain activity during rest and exercise. Heart rate and RPE were monitored during exercise to evaluate the degree of fatigue. Paired-sample t-tests were used to examine differences in the concentration of oxygenated hemoglobin (HbO2) and functional connectivity before and after fatigue. RESULTS: All participants completed the exercise test that induced fatigue. We observed a significant decrease in HbO2 levels in the prefrontal and motor areas after exercise. In addition, brain network features showed a significant decrease in functional connectivity between the left and right motor cortices, between the motor and prefrontal cortices, and between both prefrontal cortices after fatigue. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that, in healthy adults, exercise-induced fatigue in the upper limbs significantly affects brain function. In particular, it leads to reduced functional connectivity between the motor cortex and the prefrontal cortex.

Light-independent anaerobic microbial oxidation of manganese driven by an electrosyntrophic coculture.

Anaerobic microbial manganese oxidation (AMMO) has been considered an ancient biological metabolism for Mn element cycling on Archaean Earth before the presence of oxygen. A light-dependent AMMO was recently observed under strictly anoxic conditions, providing a new proxy for the interpretation of the evolution of oxygenic photosynthesis. However, the feasibility of biotic Mn(II) oxidation in dark geological habitats that must have been abundant remains unknown. Therefore, we discovered that it would be possible to achieve AMMO in a light-independent electrosyntrophic coculture between Rhodopseudomonas palustris and Geobacter metallireducens. Transmission electron microscopy analysis revealed insoluble particle formation in the coculture with Mn(II) addition. X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis verified that these particles were a mixture of MnO2 and Mn3O4. The absence of Mn oxides in either of the monocultures indicated that the Mn(II)-oxidizing activity was induced via electrosyntrophic interactions. Radical quenching and isotopic experiments demonstrated that hydroxyl radicals (•OH) produced from H2O dissociation by R. palustris in the coculture contributed to Mn(II) oxidation. All these findings suggest a new, symbiosis-dependent and light-independent AMMO route, with potential importance to the evolution of oxygenic photosynthesis and the biogeochemical cycling of manganese on Archaean and modern Earth.

Tuning electron delocalization of hydrogen-bonded organic framework cathode for high-performance zinc-organic batteries.

Stable cathodes with multiple redox-active centres affording a high energy density, fast redox kinetics and a long life are continuous pursuits for aqueous zinc-organic batteries. Here, we achieve a high-performance zinc-organic battery by tuning the electron delocalization within a designed fully conjugated two-dimensional hydrogen-bonded organic framework as a cathode material. Notably, the intermolecular hydrogen bonds endow this framework with a transverse two-dimensional extended stacking network and structural stability, whereas the multiple C = O and C = N electroactive centres cooperatively trigger multielectron redox chemistry with super delocalization, thereby sharply boosting the redox potential, intrinsic electronic conductivity and redox kinetics. Further mechanistic investigations reveal that the fully conjugated molecular configuration enables reversible Zn2+/H+ synergistic storage accompanied by 10-electron transfer. Benefitting from the above synergistic effects, the elaborately tailored organic cathode delivers a reversible capacity of 498.6 mAh g-1 at 0.2 A g-1, good cyclability and a high energy density (355 Wh kg-1).