Association of changes in metabolic syndrome with new-onset and progression of chronic kidney disease.

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is an independent risk factor for new-onset and progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, whether changes in MetS are associated with the new-onset CKD and its progression remains unknown.

Methods: A total of 36,571 participants from the Kailuan Study were enrolled in this study, including 27,072 without CKD and 9499 with CKD at baseline.

Fabrication of Fe-Zr, Co-Zr, and Ni-Zr Catalysts to Boost CNTs Synthesis from Plastic Wastes and the Electrocatalytic Oxygen Evolution Reaction.

The efficient conversion of plastic wastes to high-value carbon materials like carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is one important issue about the rational recycling, reduction, and reuse of solid wastes. Herein, Fe-, Co-, and Ni-Zr catalysts were prepared and used for CNTs synthesis from polyethylene (PE) waste via a two-stage reaction system. At the same time, the effects of the PE/catalyst ratio and reaction temperature on CNTs synthesis have been studied.

Role of the hydrocarbon molecular structure in CNT growth on Fe-Al catalysts.

Upgrading plastic wastes into high-value products the thermochemical process is one of the most attractive topics. Although carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been successfully synthesized from plastic pyrolysis gas over Fe-, Co-, or Ni-based catalysts, a deep discussion about the reaction mechanism was seldom mentioned in the literature. Herein, this work was intended to study the growth mechanism of CNTs from hydrocarbons on Fe-AlO catalysts.

Shared genetic architecture highlights the bidirectional association between major depressive disorder and fracture risk.

Background: There is limited evidence suggesting that osteoporosis might exacerbate depressive symptoms, while more studies demonstrate that depression negatively affects bone density and increases fracture risk.

Aims: To explore the relationship between major depressive disorder (MDD) and fracture risk.

Methods: We conducted a nested case-control analysis (32 670 patients with fracture and 397 017 individuals without fracture) and a matched cohort analysis (16 496 patients with MDD and 435 492 individuals without MDD) in the same prospective UK Biobank data set.

Transcription directionality is licensed by Integrator at active human promoters.

A universal characteristic of eukaryotic transcription is that the promoter recruits RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) to produce both precursor mRNAs (pre-mRNAs) and short unstable promoter upstream transcripts (PROMPTs) toward the opposite direction. However, how the transcription machinery selects the correct direction to produce pre-mRNAs is largely unknown. Here, through multiple acute auxin-inducible degradation systems, we show that rapid depletion of an RNAPII-binding protein complex, Integrator, results in robust PROMPT accumulation throughout the genome.

P2X receptor-dependent increase in endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoyl glycerol production by neuronal cells in culture: Dynamics and mechanism.

Background And Purpose: Neurotransmission and neuroinflammation are controlled by local increases in both extracellular ATP and the endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoyl glycerol (2-AG). While it is known that extracellular ATP stimulates 2-AG production in cells in culture, the dynamics and molecular mechanisms that underlie this response remain poorly understood. Detection of real-time changes in eCB levels with the genetically encoded sensor, GRAB, can address this shortfall.

Progress of newborn screening in China.

Newborn screening (NBS) plays a significant role in reducing the risk of birth defects. NBS in China began in the early 1980s. Under the protection of laws and regulations and the leadership of the national health administration, approved screening centers in public hospitals took the responsibility for publicity, screening, diagnosis, treatment, follow-up and management of birth defects.

Pharmacological Characterization of the Endocannabinoid Sensor GRAB.

The endocannabinoids (eCBs), 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) and arachidonoyl ethanolamine (AEA), are produced by separate enzymatic pathways, activate cannabinoid (CB) receptors with distinct pharmacological profiles, and differentially regulate pathophysiological processes. The genetically encoded sensor, GRAB, detects real-time changes in eCB levels in cells in culture and preclinical model systems; however, its activation by eCB analogues produced by cells and by phyto-CBs remains uncharacterized, a current limitation when interpreting changes in its response. This information could provide additional utility for the tool in pharmacology studies of phyto-CB action.

Capillary efficiency study in leaf vein morphology inspired channels.

Inspired by the capillary transport function of plant leaf veins, this study proposes three typical leaf vein features by observing a large number of leaves, including wedge shape, branch asymmetry, as well as hierarchical arrangement, and investigates their capillary transport mechanism. Not only a preliminary theoretical analysis of capillary flow in the bio-inspired channels was carried out, but the COMSOL Multiphysics simulation software was also used to simulate gas-liquid two-phase flow in biomimetic channels. The results reveal the efficient transport mechanism of the leaf vein inspired structure and provide insight into the design of capillary transmission channels.

Causal effects of systemic inflammatory regulators on chronic kidney diseases and renal function: a bidirectional Mendelian randomization study.

Background: While targeted systemic inflammatory modulators show promise in preventing chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression, the causal link between specific inflammatory factors and CKD remains uncertain.

Methods: Using a genome-wide association study of 41 serum cytokines from 8,293 Finnish individuals, we conducted a bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis. In addition, we genetically predicted causal associations between inflammatory factors and 5 phenotypes, including CKD, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), dialysis, rapid progression of CKD, and rapid decline in eGFR.

Endocannabinoid release at ventral hippocampal-amygdala synapses regulates stress-induced behavioral adaptation.

The endocannabinoid (eCB) system is a key modulator of glutamate release within limbic neurocircuitry and thus heavily modulates stress responsivity and adaptation. The ventral hippocampus (vHPC)-basolateral amygdala (BLA) circuit has been implicated in the expression of negative affective states following stress exposure and is modulated by retrograde eCB signaling. However, the mechanisms governing eCB release and the causal relationship between vHPC-BLA eCB signaling and stress-induced behavioral adaptations are not known.

A cortico-amygdala neural substrate for endocannabinoid modulation of fear extinction.

Preclinical and clinical studies implicate endocannabinoids (eCBs) in fear extinction, but the underlying neural circuit basis of these actions is unclear. Here, we employed in vivo optogenetics, eCB biosensor imaging, ex vivo electrophysiology, and CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing in mice to examine whether basolateral amygdala (BLA)-projecting medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) neurons represent a neural substrate for the effects of eCBs on extinction. We found that photoexcitation of mPFC axons in BLA during extinction mobilizes BLA eCBs.

Postsynaptic synucleins mediate endocannabinoid signaling.

Endocannabinoids are among the most powerful modulators of synaptic transmission throughout the nervous system, and yet little is understood about the release of endocannabinoids from postsynaptic compartments. Here we report an unexpected finding that endocannabinoid release requires synucleins, key contributors to Parkinson's disease. We show that endocannabinoids are released postsynaptically by a synuclein-dependent and SNARE-dependent mechanism.

Preliminary study of the interactive effects of coronary heart disease and lacunar infarction on renal function in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus by gender.

Background: Coronary heart disease (CHD) and lacunar infarction (LI) are the most common cardio- cerebrovascular complications of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and a recognized risk factor for renal injury. Although a unidirectional association of CHD or LI with T2DM or the kidney has been demonstrated, however, it remains unknown whether there is an interactive effect of the coexistence of CHD and LI on renal function in T2DM patients. The aim of our study was to investigate the interaction between CHD and LI on renal function in gender-specific patients with T2DM and the association between cardio-cerebrovascular disease-related conventional serum markers and the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).

Bioinformatic analysis of structures and encoding genes of Escherichia coli surface polysaccharides sheds light on the heterologous biosynthesis of glycans.

Background: Surface polysaccharides (SPs), such as lipopolysaccharide (O antigen) and capsular polysaccharide (K antigen), play a key role in the pathogenicity of Escherichia coli (E. coli). Gene cluster for polysaccharide antigen biosynthesis encodes various glycosyltransferases (GTs), which drive the process of SP synthesis and determine the serotype.

Neuronal activity-induced, equilibrative nucleoside transporter-dependent, somatodendritic adenosine release revealed by a GRAB sensor.

The purinergic signaling molecule adenosine (Ado) modulates many physiological and pathological functions in the brain. However, the exact source of extracellular Ado remains controversial. Here, utilizing a newly optimized genetically encoded GPCR-Activation-Based Ado fluorescent sensor (GRAB), we discovered that the neuronal activity-induced extracellular Ado elevation is due to direct Ado release from somatodendritic compartments of neurons, rather than from the axonal terminals, in the hippocampus.

Pharmacological characterization of the endocannabinoid sensor GRAB.

Introduction: The endocannabinoids (), 2-arachidonoylglycerol () and arachidonoyl ethanolamine (), are produced by separate enzymatic pathways, activate cannabinoid receptors with distinct pharmacology, and differentially regulate pathophysiological processes. The genetically encoded sensor, GRAB detects real-time changes in eCB levels in cells in culture and preclinical model systems; however, its activation by eCB analogues produced by cells and by phyto-cannabinoids remains uncharacterized, a current limitation when interpreting changes in its response. This information could provide additional utility for the tool in in vivo pharmacology studies of phyto-cannabinoid action.

Assessment of the association between genetic factors regulating thyroid function and microvascular complications in diabetes: A two-sample Mendelian randomization study in the European population.

Background: Observational studies have identified a possible link between thyroid function and diabetic microangiopathy, specifically in diabetic kidney disease (DKD) and diabetic retinopathy (DR). However, it is unclear whether this association reflects a causal relationship.

Objective: To assess the potential direct effect of thyroid characteristics on DKD and DR based on Mendelian randomization (MR).

Simulation Study on the Optimisation of Replenishment of Landscape Water with Reclaimed Water Based on Transparency.

Water-scarce cities have fewer surface water (SW) resources available for ecological use, causing landscape water to deteriorate due to water shortage and fail to perform their intended landscape functions. As a result, many cities use reclaimed water (RW) to replenish them. However, this could cause concern among the people, as RW usually has higher nutrient concentrations, which may stimulate algae growth and deteriorate the aesthetic senses of the receiving water bodies.

Mechanistic Study of Fruit Mixture Based on Network Pharmacology, Molecular Docking and Experimental Validation to Improve the Inflammatory Response of DKD Through AGEs/RAGE Signaling Pathway.

Background: Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is a major cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD), and inflammation is the main causative mechanism. fruit Mixture (SM) is an herbal formulation that has been used for a long time to treat DKD. However, its pharmacological and molecular mechanisms have not been clearly elucidated.

Identification of potential antigenic peptides of Brucella through proteome and peptidome.

Background: Brucellosis, caused by Brucella spp., is a major zoonotic public health threat. Although several Brucella vaccines have been demonstrated for use in animals, Brucella spp.

A Complete Endocannabinoid Signaling System Modulates Synaptic Transmission between Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Neurons.

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) modulates synaptic function to regulate many aspects of neurophysiology. It adapts to environmental changes and is affected by disease. Thus, the ECS presents an important target for therapeutic development.

Pt-N Co-Modified TiO Nanotube Electrode Photoelectrocatalytic Degradation of Oxytetracycline in Simulated Wastewater.

Using photodeposition and plasma, Pt-N co-modified TiO nanotube electrodes were created. Several techniques, such as SEM, XRD, UV-VIS-DRS, XPS, and PL, were used to analyze the electrode shape, crystalline structure, light absorption range, elemental composition, and photogenerated carrier recombination efficiency. Using the electrochemical workstation, EIS and I-t were utilized to examine the electrochemical characteristics.

Case report: Local bleomycin injection: A possible treatment option for primitive myxoid mesenchymal tumor of infancy.

In recent years, it has been determined that primitive myxoid mesenchymal tumors of infancy (PMMTI) are solid tumors. To date, very few cases of PMMTI have been reported, and there is no consensus regarding treatment. To provide additional references, it is necessary to collect and report the diagnoses and treatment outcomes of related cases.