Nicotine improves working memory via augmenting BDNF levels through α7 nAChR: evidence from clinical and pre-clinical studies.

Introduction: While smoking has been associated with many negative consequences to human health, one possible benefit is that nicotine could improve cognitive functions. Previous studies have suggested that smoking may influence brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels. However, the exact effects of smoking on BDNF and cognition, and the potential neurobiological mechanisms underlying the changes induced by nicotine, remains elusive.

A bibliometric analysis of research hotspots and trends in transcranial magnetic stimulation and Alzheimer's disease.

Background: Research regarding Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) has been increasing; however, no bibliometric analysis has yet been conducted in this domain. This study employs bibliometric methods to identify research trends and hotspots concerning AD and TMS.

Methods: We conducted a search in the Web of Science Core Database for articles related to AD and TMS from January 1, 2014, to October 22, 2024.

Reversal of anxiety-like depression induced by chronic corticosterone by crocin I and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy monitoring of plasma metabolites.

Anxiety disorders and depression often co-occur and lack broadly available treatments. Gardenia extract significantly associated with treatment of anxiety-like depression. Based on the dose effect hypothesis and previous studies, it is speculated that crocin I, the main component of gardenia, is significantly related to the treatment of anxiety-like depression.

Near-infrared MoTiC MXene gelatin-chitosan hydrogels with antioxidative, anti-inflammation activity for osteoarthritis treatment.

Knee Osteoarthritis (OA) is prevalent in older adults which eventually lead to disability. Current treatment only alleviates symptoms but does not cure the disease. Herein, we implanted MoTiC MXene gelatin-chitosan hydrogels into the osteoarthritis knee joint in mice and treated with 808 nm laser radiation.

Influence of highland barley β-glucan on textural, structural, and rheological characteristics of corn starch.

Non-starch polysaccharides are added to grains as dietary fiber to enhance their processing characteristics. This study investigates the influence of highland barley β-glucan (HBBG) on the gelatinization, texture, rheological, structural, and retrogradation characteristics of corn starch (CS). The pasting analysis revealed that the trough, peak, and final viscosities of the CS gel were markedly decreased after HBBG addition.

Human activities affect the future suitability of alien urban landscape species in China under climate change.

Ecologists have paid considerable attention to the adaptation and distribution of urban landscape species in China amid rapid urbanization and climate change, given the essential role of urban species in human activities, urban planning, and sustainable development. However, existing studies primarily concentrate on the effects of climate change on the distribution of native species, creating a research gap regarding alien species. We compiled 5261 distribution data points for 538 alien woody landscape species (WLS) (non-native to China) from 179 cities with populations over one million in China and utilized the MaxEnt model to assess the future distribution and migration patterns of 27 most commonly introduced evergreen broad-leaved, evergreen coniferous, and deciduous broad-leaved species under present, 2041-2060, and 2081-2100 periods according to the Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) 4.

Broiler litter moisture and trace metals contribute to the persistence of strains that harbor large plasmids carrying siderophores.

Broiler litter sampling has proven to be an effective method for determining the status of a broiler chicken flock and understanding the ecology of prior to harvest. In this study, we investigated the ecology of within the litter ( = 224) from two commercial broiler houses in the United States. We employed culture enrichment methods and quantitative polymerase chain reaction to determine the prevalence and load of and utilized antimicrobial susceptibility testing and whole-genome sequencing (WGS) to characterize select isolates.

Effects of Dietary Pretreatment with All- Lycopene on Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Jejunal Inflammation: A Multi-Pathway Phenomenon.

This study was conducted to investigate the effects and mechanisms of all- lycopene on intestinal health by establishing lipopolysaccharide-induced (LPS-induced) jejunal inflammation model. Dietary lycopene supplementation enhanced serum and jejunum antioxidant capacity. Lycopene significantly reduced LPS-induced upregulation of toll-like receptor-4 (TLR-4) and nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB), suggesting that lycopene reduced the activation of TLR-4/NF-κB signaling pathway induced by LPS challenge, and further protected mice from LPS induced jejunal inflammation.

Trans-Nerolidol Protects Against Myocardial Ischemia via Downregulating Cytochrome- and Caspases-Signaling Pathways in Isoproterenol-Induced Rats.

is widely used to treat cardiovascular diseases. Our research group found that volatile oil has a good anti-myocardial ischemic effect, and its main pharmacodynamic components are trans-nerolol and its oxides. However, the exact mechanisms underlying this effect have not yet been elucidated.

A visual COD sensor based on the magnetically oriented graphite flake-enhanced photoelectrochromic effect.

A visual chemical oxygen demand (COD) sensor was developed by electrodepositing Prussian blue (PB) on indium tin oxide (ITO) conductive glass to form an electrochromic layer, followed by the vertical alignment and immobilization of graphite flakes under a magnetic field. A TiO₂/g-C₃N₄ heterojunction photocatalyst was in situ integrated with the graphite flakes to enhance the performance. Under the irradiation of visible light, reductive substances in the water sample are oxidized by photogenerated holes from TiO₂/g-C₃N₄, while photogenerated electrons are conducted through the graphite flakes to the electrochromic layer, reducing PB to Prussian white (PW) and causing a color change.

Nicotinamide mononucleotide supplementation ameliorates testicular damage induced by ischemia-reperfusion through reshaping macrophage and neutrophil inflammatory properties.

Background: Ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury is the main pathophysiology of testicular torsion-detorsion (T/D). However, there is no safe and effective treatment for testicular I/R injury.

Methods: The levels of NAD related genes were measured in the sham group, I/R + saline-treated group, and I/R + NMN-treated group by quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR).

Corrigendum: The effect and mechanism of volatile oil emulsion from leaves of (Lour.) Skeels on .

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.

Adult Hymenolepis nana and its excretory-secretory products elicit mouse immune responses via tuft/IL-13 and FOXM1 signaling pathways.

Background: Hosts typically elicit diverse immune responses to the infection of various parasitic worms, with intestinal epithelial cells playing pivotal roles in detecting parasite invasion. Hymenolepis nana (H. nana) is a zoonotic parasitic worm that resides in the host's intestine.

Integrated bulk RNA sequencing and mass cytometry analysis reveal the circulating immune landscape in ischemic and hemorrhagic Moyamoya disease.

Background: Moyamoya disease (MMD) is increasingly recognized as being influenced by chronic inflammation, with circulating immune cells playing a role in its progression. However, research on the immune characteristics of different MMD subtypes is limited. This study aims to compare the peripheral immune profiles of ischemic and hemorrhagic MMD patients.

A single mutation in the PrM gene of Zika virus determines AXL dependency for infection of human neural cells.

Zika virus (ZIKV) is spread by mosquito bites and is unique among known flaviviruses for being able to cause microcephaly. Entry factors for ZIKV are incompletely understood, but phosphatidylserine (PS) receptors, including the TAM (Tyro3, AXL, and Mer) and TIM (T-cell Ig mucin) families, can serve as cofactors for flavivirus entry in a cell type-specific manner. We identify AXL as the top hit in a CRISPR/Cas9 genome-wide screen in human glioblastoma cells and establish a definitive role of AXL, but not TYRO3 or MerTK, for ZIKV infection.

Correlation Between the Quality of Life of Stroke Caregivers and the Readiness of Patients and Caregivers for Hospital Discharge.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the quality of life of stroke caregivers and analyze its association with the discharge readiness of both caregivers and patients.

Methods: A total of 302 stroke patients and their primary caregivers were recruited from the neurology departments of three hospitals affiliated with Chengdu Medical College using a convenience sampling method. Sociodemographic data, the WHO Quality of Life Scale (WHOQOL-BREF), the Caregiver Preparedness Scale (CPS), and the Readiness for Hospital Discharge Scale (RHDS) were used.

Traditional Chinese medicine as a protective strategy against chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity: An overview of the literature.

Cardiotoxicity refers to the damage caused to the heart or vascular system, which has become a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Up to 20 % of adults undergoing cancer treatment may experience cardiotoxicity, with 7 %-10 % developing cardiomyopathy or heart failure. Cardiotoxic medications put patients at risk for a variety of heart conditions, including cardiac failure (HF), left ventricle (LV) systolic malfunction, cardiac arrhythmia, hypertension, coronary artery disease (CAD), and ischemia/myocardial infarction.

An Oxidative Stress Nanoamplifier with Efficient Non-Fenton-Type Hydroxyl Radical Generation and Sulfur Dioxide Release for Synergistic Treatment of Tumor.

Overcoming tumor antioxidant defenses remains a critical challenge for reactive-oxygen-species-mediated tumor therapies. To address this problem, herein, a theranostic nanomedicine designated as CCM@MIB has been elaborately constructed. Homologous cancer cell membrane (CCM) camouflage significantly enhances the selective accumulation of the nanomedicine at tumor sites.

Did a national extended access scheme translate to improvements in patient experience to GP services in England? A retrospective observational study using patient-level data from the English GP patient survey.

Background: Improving access to general practitioner (GP) services is seen as a way to enhance patients' experiences. England introduced the national extended access scheme to provide routine and urgent GP appointments outside core hours. However, little is known about how this initiative affects patient experience, especially in terms of efficiency and equity.

The association between speech impairments and depression in Chinese adults aged 45 and older: insights from the CHARLS database.

Background: Speech impairments significantly affect communication and are associated with social and psychological difficulties, particularly among adults aged 45 years and older. This study examines the relationship between speech impairments and depression using data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS).

Methods: A total of 67,014 participants aged 45 years and older were included in the analysis.

Curzerene Induces Apoptosis in Colorectal Cancer Cells Through Inhibition of MEK/ERK Signaling Pathway.

Objective: To investigate the anticancer activity of curzerene in colorectal cancer (CRC) in vitro and in vivo models.

Methods: HT29 and HCT8 cells were treated with different concentrations of curzerene (0, 20, 40, and 60 µg/mL) for 24 h. Cell viability was assessed using cell counting kit 8 assay, and cell proliferation was detected by colony-formation, then apoptosis rate was assessed by flow cytometry analysis.

Integrated Analysis to Reveal Heterogeneity of Tumor-Associated Neutrophils in Glioma.

Background: Glioma, characterized by its cellular and molecular heterogeneity, presents formidable challenges in treatment strategy and prognostic assessment. The tumor microenvironment (TME) profoundly influences tumor behavior and treatment response, with tumor-associated neutrophils (TANs) playing a complex but understudied role. This study aimed to investigate the heterogeneity and role of TANs in glioma and to develop a prognostic model.

Single-cell genomics and spatial transcriptomics in islet transplantation for diabetes treatment: advancing towards personalized therapies.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a global health crisis affecting millions, with islet transplantation emerging as a promising treatment strategy to restore insulin production. This review synthesizes the current research on single-cell and spatial transcriptomics in the context of islet transplantation, highlighting their potential to revolutionize DM management. Single-cell RNA sequencing, offers a detailed look into the diversity and functionality within islet grafts, identifying specific cell types and states that influence graft acceptance and function.

Unraveling the extensive phylogenetic discordance and evolutionary history of spurless taxa within the Aquilegia ecalcarata complex.

Parallel evolution of the same, or at least very similar, phenotype(s) in different lineages is often interpreted as evidence for the action of natural selection. However, caution is required when inferring parallel evolution based on uncertain or potentially incorrect phylogenetic frameworks. Here, by conducting extensive phylogenomic and population genetic analyses, we aim to clarify the evolutionary history of spurless taxa within the Aquilegia ecalcarata complex.