A Randomized Controlled Trial Assessing the Impact of Transcutaneous Electrical Acupoint Stimulation on Gastrointestinal Motility, Nutritional Status, and Immune Function in Patients Following Cerebrovascular Accident Surgery.

Background: Transcutaneous Electrical Acupoint Stimulation (TEAS) is a technique that involves stimulating specific acupoints on the body with electrical currents. It may regulate nerve excitability and improve nerve function. This study aimed to assess the impact of TEAS on gastrointestinal motility, nutrition, and immune function in patients post cerebrovascular accident surgery in the intensive care unit (ICU).

Waste to Wealth: Discarded Cigarette Butt-Derived Metal-Free N-Rich Carbon Catalysts for the Selective Catalytic Oxidation of Hydrogen Sulfide to Sulfur.

The selective catalytic oxidation of toxic gas HS to elemental sulfur (HS-SCO) is a promising desulfurization process known for its dual benefits of recovering valuable sulfur resources and mitigating environmental pollution. Nevertheless, developing cost-effective and efficient catalysts for HS-SCO remains a significant challenge. In this study, we synthesized a low-cost and metal-free nitrogen-rich carbon catalyst (NrCC) by copyrolyzing discarded cigarette butts (organic solid wastes that are difficult to degrade naturally) with urea for the continuous HS-SCO process at a relatively low temperature.

Assessing the external atmospheric input of microplastics: Two strategies based on polymer composition and aging characteristics.

Microplastics (MPs) can be transported over long distances in the environment, hence, distinguishing between MPs generated locally and those introduced from external sources is necessary for regional MP pollution management. In this study, MPs pollution in the dust of Siziwang banner (Sizi), a sparsely populated area on the Mongolian Plateau, and Hohhot, a city with large populations, was observed. The high proportion of small MPs in Sizi (<25 μm), combined with the fact that most air masses reaching the area have undergone long-distance transport, supports the presence of external input through atmosphere.

Tough and stretchable ionic polyurethane foam for use in wearable devices.

Developing tough and conductive materials is crucial for the fields of wearable devices. However, soft materials like polyurethane (PU) are usually non-conductive, whereas conductive materials like carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are usually brittle. Besides, their composites usually face poor interfacial interactions, leading to a decline in performance in practical use.

A Universal Zwitterionic Cross-Linking Strategy for Designing Conductive Soft Electronics with Enhanced Mechanical Properties.

Ionogels are emerging as promising electronics due to their exceptional ionic conductivity, stretchability, and high thermal stability. However, developing ionogels with enhanced mechanical properties without compromising conductivity and ion transport rates remains a significant challenge. Here, we report a zwitterionic cross-linker, 4-(2-(((2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl)carbamoyl)oxy)ethyl)-4,14-dimethyl-8,13-dioxo-7,12-dioxa-4,9-diazapentadec-14-en-4-ium-1-propanesulfonate (MEPS) and utilized it to cross-link a variety of functional monomers, leading to the synthesis of conductive ionogels that exhibit both high mechanical strength and versatile applicability.

Volatile organic compound exposure in relation to lung cancer: Insights into mechanisms of action through metabolomics.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have proven to be hazardous to the human respiratory system. However, the underlying biological mechanisms remain poorly understood. Therefore, targeted determination of eleven VOC metabolites (mVOCs) along with the nontargeted metabolomic analysis was performed on urine samples collected from lung cancer patients and healthy individuals.

An Engineered Hierarchical Hydrogel with Immune Responsiveness and Targeted Mitochondrial Transfer to Augmented Bone Regeneration.

Coordinating the immune response and bioenergy metabolism in bone defect environments is essential for promoting bone regeneration. Mitochondria are important organelles that control internal balance and metabolism. Repairing dysfunctional mitochondria has been proposed as a therapeutic approach for disease intervention.

Endocytosis-Inspired Zwitterionic Gel Tape for High-Efficient and Sustainable Underoil Adhesion.

Marine oil exploration is important yet greatly increases the risk of oil leakage, which will result in severe environment pollution and economic losses. It is an urgent need to develop effective underoil adhesives. However, realizing underoil adhesion is even harder than those underwater, due to the stubborn attachment of a highly viscous oil layer on target surface.

A Double-Layer Polyurethane Electrospun Membrane with Directional Sweat Transport Ability for Use as a Soft Strain Sensor.

Wearable electronics for long-term monitoring of physiological signals should be capable of removing sweat generated during daily motion, which significantly impacts signal stability, human comfort, and safety of the electronics. In this study, we developed a double-layer polyurethane (PU) membrane with sweat-directional transport ability that can be applied for monitoring strain signals. The PU membrane was composed of a hydrophilic, conductive layer and a relatively hydrophobic layer.

Cross-provincial inpatient mobility patterns and their determinants in China.

Background: The incongruity between the regional supply and demand of healthcare services is a persistent challenge both globally and in China. Patient mobility plays a pivotal role in addressing this issue. This study aims to delineate the cross-provincial inpatient mobility network (CIMN) in China and identify the underlying factors influencing this CIMN.

Case report: A1159T mutation in malignant peritoneal mesothelioma may be associated with tumor recurrence.

Malignant peritoneal mesothelioma is an exceedingly rare malignant tumor. Herein, we present a case of malignant peritoneal mesothelioma in a 59-year-old Chinese female patient who was stable after treatment for multiple relapses. Imaging revealed massive ascites and an irregular thickening of the peritoneal mesangium.

Minocycline Inhibits Tick-Borne Encephalitis Virus and Protects Infected Cells via Multiple Pathways.

Tick-borne Encephalitis (TBE) is a zoonotic disease caused by the Tick-borne Encephalitis virus (TBEV), which affects the central nervous system of both humans and animals. Currently, there is no specific therapy for patients with TBE, with symptomatic treatment being the primary approach. In this study, the effects of minocycline (MIN), which is a kind of tetracycline antibiotic, on TBEV propagation and cellular protection in TBEV-infected cell lines were evaluated.

Carboxylated mesoporous silica nanoparticle-nucleic acid chimera conjugate-assisted delivery of siRNA and doxorubicin effectively treat drug-resistant bladder cancer.

Chemotherapy is the main treatment for bladder cancer, but drug resistance and side effects limit its application and therapeutic effect. Herein, we constructed doxorubicin (DOX)/COOH-mesoporous silica nanoparticle/polyethylenimine (PEI)/nucleic acid chimeras (DOX/MSN/Chimeras) to reduce the toxicity of chemotherapy drugs and the resistance of bladder cancer cells. Transmission electron microscopy showed that PEI was coated on the DOX/MSN/BSA nanoparticles with a diameter of about 150 nm.

Transient Response and Ionic Dynamics in Organic Electrochemical Transistors.

The rapid development of organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs) has ushered in a new era in organic electronics, distinguishing itself through its application in a variety of domains, from high-speed logic circuits to sensitive biosensors, and neuromorphic devices like artificial synapses and organic electrochemical random-access memories. Despite recent strides in enhancing OECT performance, driven by the demand for superior transient response capabilities, a comprehensive understanding of the complex interplay between charge and ion transport, alongside electron-ion interactions, as well as the optimization strategies, remains elusive. This review aims to bridge this gap by providing a systematic overview on the fundamental working principles of OECT transient responses, emphasizing advancements in device physics and optimization approaches.

[Air Pollutant Spatiotemporal Evolution Characteristics and Effects on Human Health in Xi'an City].

Xi'an is the political, economic, and cultural center of northwest China with a developed industry. Air pollution incidents have brought great challenges to the high-quality development of the social economy. It is vital to study air pollution characteristics and clarify their impact on human health.

Multiresponsive Bilayer Hydrogel Actuator with Switchable Shape Morphing Capability and Visible Color/Fluorescence Change.

Bilayer hydrogels, endowed with multiresponsive and switchable color-changing properties, have garnered significant attention for bioinspired artificial intelligent materials. However, the design and fabrication of such hydrogels that can fully mimic the adaptation of the live organism, ., simultaneous changes in shape, fluorescent, and/or visible color, still remain significant challenges.

Unlocking the Potential of CO Capture: A Synergistic Hybridization Strategy for Polymeric Hydrogels with Tunable Physicochemical Properties.

Unlocking CO capture potential remains a complex and challenging endeavor. Here, a blueprint is crafted for optimizing materials through CO capture and developing a synergistic hybridization strategy that involves synthesizing CO-responsive hydrogels by integrating polymeric networks interpenetrated with polyethyleneimine (PEI) chains and inorganic CaCl. Diverging from conventional CO absorbents, which typically serve a singular function in CO capture, these hybrid PEAC hydrogels additionally harness its presence to tune their optical and mechanical properties once interacting with CO.

The deregulation of arachidonic acid metabolism in ovarian cancer.

Arachidonic acid (AA) is a crucial polyunsaturated fatty acid in the human body, metabolized through the pathways of COX, LOX, and cytochrome P450 oxidase to generate various metabolites. Recent studies have indicated that AA and its metabolites play significant regulatory roles in the onset and progression of ovarian cancer. This article examines the recent research advancements on the correlation between AA metabolites and ovarian cancer, both domestically and internationally, suggesting their potential use as biological markers for early diagnosis, targeted therapy, and prognosis monitoring.

Construction of aptamer-siRNA chimera and glutamine modified carboxymethyl-β-cyclodextrin nanoparticles for the combination therapy against lung squamous cell carcinoma.

Combination therapy has become the most important treatment for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), which can significantly improve the prognosis of patients. However, poor targeting and adverse reactions limited its clinical application. Here, we constructed an AS1411 aptamer-programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1) siRNA chimera/polyethylenimine/glutamine/β-cyclodextrin/doxorubicin (Chimera/ PEI/Gln/β-CD/DOX) nanoparticle for the combination therapy (chemotherapy combined with immunotherapy).

Chemoenzymatic Installation of Site-Specific Chemical Groups on DNA Enhances the Catalytic Activity.

Functional DNAs are valuable molecular tools in chemical biology and analytical chemistry but suffer from low activities due to their limited chemical functionalities. Here, we present a chemoenzymatic method for site-specific installation of diverse functional groups on DNA, and showcase the application of this method to enhance the catalytic activity of a DNA catalyst. Through chemoenzymatic introduction of distinct chemical groups, such as hydroxyl, carboxyl, and benzyl, at specific positions, we achieve significant enhancements in the catalytic activity of the RNA-cleaving deoxyribozyme 10-23.

Diversity of evolution in MDR monophasic S. Typhimurium among food animals and food products in Southern China from 2011 to 2018.

The monophasic variant of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium with the antigenic formula 1,4,[5],12:i:- is one of the most common pathogenic bacteria causing global food-borne outbreaks. However, the research on molecular characteristics and evolution of monophasic S. typhimurium in China is still lacking.

Characterization of the physicochemical Properties, bacterial community and non-volatile profiles of fermented Yu jiangsuan by and .

Yu jiangsuan (YJS) is a unique traditional fermented condiment in China. Physicochemical, bacterial communities, and non-volatile properties were examined in inoculation Autochthonous Weissella cibaria and Lactobacillus plantarum. The results indicated that inoculation samples did well in shortening fermentation time; amino acid nitrogen (AN) and TCA-soluble peptide contents of fermented YJS were 10.

Parallel auxin transport via PINs and plasmodesmata during the Arabidopsis leaf hyponasty response.

The leaf hyponasty response depends on tip-to-petiole auxin transport. This transport can happen through two parallel pathways: active trans-membrane transport mediated by PIN proteins and passive diffusion through plasmodesmata. A plant's ability to counteract potential shading by neighboring plants depends on transport of the hormone auxin.