Linking ambient air pollution to mental health: evidence based on the two-sample Mendelian randomization and colocalization study.

Growing evidence links air pollution, a ubiquitous environmental stressor, to a higher risk of developing mental disorders, raising significant public health concerns. Mental disorders represent a significant global public health challenge which can have a profound impact on individual lives. In this study, we used Mendelian randomization (MR) to investigate the causal relationship between ambient air pollution and four common mental disorders.

Differential association between childhood trauma subtypes and neurocognitive performance in adults with major depression.

Background: Neurocognitive impairment is one of the prominent manifestations of major depressive disorder (MDD). Childhood trauma enhances vulnerability to developing MDD and contributes to neurocognitive dysfunctions. However, the distinct impacts of different types of childhood trauma on neurocognitive processes in MDD remain unclear.

Relationship of prefrontal cortex activity with anhedonia and cognitive function in major depressive disorder: an fNIRS study.

Background: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is associated with deficits in cognitive function, thought to be related to underlying decreased hedonic experiences. Further research is needed to fully elucidate the role of functional brain activity in this relationship. In this study, we investigated the neurofunctional correlate of the interplay between cognitive function and hedonic experiences in medication-free MDD using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS).

The association between dietary quality, sleep duration, and depression symptoms in the general population: findings from cross-sectional NHANES study.

Background: Unhealthy lifestyles, which include unhealthy diet and unhealthy sleep duration, have been widely recognized as modifiable risk factors for depressive symptoms. This study aims to explore the associations between dietary quality, sleep duration, and depression symptoms, as well as their combined effects.

Methods: The NHANES 2007 to 2014 cycles provided the data for this study, in which 19,134 adults aged 20 years and older were included.

Efficacy and acceptability of anti-inflammatory agents in major depressive disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Anti-inflammatory agents have emerged as a potential new therapy for major depressive disorder (MDD). In this meta-analysis, our aim was to evaluate the antidepressant effect of anti-inflammatory agents and compare their efficacy.

Methods: We conducted a comprehensive search across multiple databases, including PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Review, Cochrane Trial, and ClinicalTrials.

Nucleic Acid Materials-Mediated Innate Immune Activation for Cancer Immunotherapy.

Abnormally localized nucleic acids (NAs) are considered as pathogen associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) in innate immunity. They are recognized by NAs-specific pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), leading to the activation of associated signaling pathways and subsequent production of type I interferons (IFNs) and pro-inflammatory cytokines, which further trigger the adaptive immunity. Notably, NAs-mediated innate immune activation is highly dependent on the conformation changes, especially the aggregation of PRRs.

Side effects and cognitive benefits of buspirone: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Buspirone, a 5-hydroxytryptamine 1A (5-HT1A) receptor agonist, has been investigated for its use in various diseases. However, knowledge about its side effects and potential cognitive benefits in different conditions is limited. Cognitive impairment is also a prevalent symptom in many diseases, yet effective treatments are still lacking.

Improving the Sensitivity of a Mn(II)-Specific DNAzyme for Cellular Imaging Sensor through Sequence Mutations.

Detection of Mn in living cells is important in understanding the roles of Mn in cellular processes and investigating its potential implications in various diseases and disorders. Toward this goal, we have previously selected a Mn-specific 11-5 DNAzyme through an in vitro selection method and converted it into a fluorescence sensor for intracellular Mn sensing. Despite the progress, the nucleotides responsible for the activity are unclear, and the performance of the DNAzyme needs to be improved in order for more effective applications in biological systems.

Modulation of Metal Homeostasis for Cancer Therapy.

Metal ions such as iron, zinc, copper, manganese, and calcium are essential for normal cellular processes, including DNA synthesis, enzyme activity, cellular signaling, and oxidative stress regulation. When the balance of metal homeostasis is disrupted, it can lead to various pathological conditions, including cancer. Thus, understanding the role of metal homeostasis in cancer has led to the development of anti-tumor strategies that specifically target the metal imbalance.

Photoactivatable Engineering of CRISPR/Cas9-Inducible DNAzyme Probe for In Situ Imaging of Nuclear Zinc Ions.

DNAzyme-based fluorescent probes for imaging metal ions in living cells have received much attention recently. However, employing in situ metal ions imaging within subcellular organelles, such as nucleus, remains a significant challenge. We developed a three-stranded DNAzyme probe (TSDP) that contained a 20-base-pair (20-bp) recognition site of a CRISPR/Cas9, which blocks the DNAzyme activity.

Activation of RIG-I/MDA5 Signaling and Inhibition of CD47-SIRPα Checkpoint with a Dual siRNA-Assembled Nanoadjuvant for Robust Cancer Immunotherapy.

Antigen-presenting cells (APCs) play a crucial role in the anti-tumor immunity as they are responsible for capturing, processing, and presenting tumor antigens to T cells. However, their activation is often limited by the absence of adjuvants and the suppressive effects of immune checkpoints, such as CD47-SIRPα. Herein, we present a nanoadjuvant that is self-assembled from long RNA building blocks generated through rolling circle transcription (RCT) reaction and further modified with cationic liposomes.

The role of the thyroid in polycystic ovary syndrome.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine and metabolic disease in women of childbearing age and can cause metabolic disorder, infertility, and increased anxiety and depression; as a result, it can seriously affect the physical and mental health of fertile women. PCOS is a highly clinically heterogeneous disease with unclear etiology and pathogenesis, which increases the difficulty of treatment. The thyroid gland has complex regulatory effects on metabolism, reproduction, and emotion, and produces hormones that act on almost all cells of the human body.

A cocktail therapeutic strategy based on clofarabine-containing aptamer-PROTAC for enhanced cancer therapy.

By introducing a therapeutic nucleoside analogue tail to the parent Aptamer-PROTACs, a PROTAC-cocktail system (ApTCs-3X) was designed and evaluated. ApTCs-3X exhibited improved nuclease resistance and efficiently degraded target protein with subcellular localization preference. This cocktail therapy results in enhanced therapeutic outcomes, making it suitable for advancing PROTAC in combination therapy.

A Highly Selective Mn(II)-Specific DNAzyme and Its Application in Intracellular Sensing.

Manganese is an essential trace element in the human body that acts as a cofactor in many enzymes and metabolisms. It is important to develop methods to detect Mn in living cells. While fluorescent sensors have been very effective in detecting other metal ions, Mn-specific fluorescent sensors are rarely reported due to nonspecific fluorescence quenching by the paramagnetism of Mn and poor selectivity against other metal ions such as Ca and Mg.

[Effectiveness validation of a novel comprehensive classification for intertrochanteric fractures].

Objective: To validate the effectiveness of a novel comprehensive classification for intertrochanteric fracture (ITF).

Methods: The study included 616 patients with ITF, including 279 males (45.29%) and 337 females (54.

Virus-Like Particle-Induced cGAS-STING Activation and AIM2 Inflammasome-Mediated Pyroptosis for Robust Cancer Immunotherapy.

cGAS-STING-mediated DNA sensing is demonstrated to be critical for launching antitumor immunity. However, DNA-based cGAS-STING agonists are rarely reported owing to low cell permeability, poor biostability and, especially, limited length of exogenous DNA. Here, we present a virus-like particle which is self-assembled from long DNA building blocks generated through rolling-circle amplification (RCA) and covered with cationic liposomes.

Clinical features and 1-year outcomes of chronic bronchitis in participants with normal spirometry: results from the ECOPD study in China.

Background: Evidence regarding clinical features and outcomes of individuals with non-obstructive chronic bronchitis (NOCB) remains scarce, especially in never-smokers. We aimed to investigate the clinical features and 1-year outcomes of individuals with NOCB in the Chinese population.

Methods: We obtained data on participants in the Early Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Study who had normal spirometry (post-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 s/forced vital capacity ≥0.

Glutamine metabolism-related genes predict prognosis and reshape tumor microenvironment immune characteristics in diffuse gliomas.

Background: Diffuse gliomas possess a kind of malignant brain tumor with high mortality. Glutamine represents the most abundant and versatile amino acid in the body. Glutamine not only plays an important role in cell metabolism but also involves in cell survival and malignancies progression.

Multiresponsive tetrarylethylene-based fluorescent dye with multicoloreded changes: AIEE properties, acidichromism, Al recognition, and applications.

A novel fluorescent sensor BTAE-PA containing two tetrarylethylene (TAE) units linked through pyrimidine-2-amine was prepared, and its optical properties were systematically studied. BTAE-PA exhibited a typical aggregation-induced emission enhancement behavior, and its fluorescent properties could be efficiently modulated by acid/base and metal ions in THF. The protonated effect could induce significant acidichromism and 'turn-on' near-infrared emission with a large Stokes shift (Δ = 225 nm).

The pattern glare and visual memory are disrupted in patients with major depressive disorder.

Background: Visual memory impairment is one of the most commonly complained symptoms in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). Pattern glare is also a distorted visual phenomenon that puzzles patients with MDD. Nevertheless, how these two phenomena interact in MDD remains unknown.