The safety and efficacy of applying a high-current temporal interference electrical stimulation in humans.

Background: Temporal interference electrical stimulation (TI) is promise in targeting deep brain regions focally. However, limited electric field intensity challenges its efficacy.

Objective: This study aimed to introduce a high-current TI electrical stimulation protocol to enhance its intensity and evaluate its safety and efficacy when applied to the primary motor cortex (M1) in the human brain.

Influence of Laser Process Parameters on the Forming Quality and Discharge Performance of 3D-Printed Porous Anodes for Al-Air Batteries.

Aluminum-air (Al-air) batteries are considered one of the most promising next-generation energy storage devices. In this paper, we carry out an orthogonal experimental study on the SLM printing process parameters in 3D-printed Al-air battery anodes. The surface roughness, densification, and discharge performance of the electrodes under different process parameters are observed to reveal the effects of different process parameters on the forming quality and discharge performance of aluminum-air battery anodes.

Expandable-RCNN: toward high-efficiency incremental few-shot object detection.

This study aims at addressing the challenging incremental few-shot object detection (iFSOD) problem toward online adaptive detection. iFSOD targets to learn novel categories in a sequential manner, and eventually, the detection is performed on all learned categories. Moreover, only a few training samples are available for all sequential novel classes in these situations.

The neural representation of metacognition in preferential decision-making.

Humans regularly assess the quality of their judgements, which helps them adjust their behaviours. Metacognition is the ability to accurately evaluate one's own judgements, and it is assessed by comparing objective task performance with subjective confidence report in perceptual decisions. However, for preferential decisions, assessing metacognition in preference-based decisions is difficult because it depends on subjective goals rather than the objective criterion.

Influence of Laser Energy Density on Tribological Properties of AlSi10Mg Manufactured by Selective Laser Melting.

In recent years, much work related to the performance of AlSi10Mg manufactured by selective laser melting (SLM) has been extensively researched. However, the study of tribological performance caused by different laser energy densities is still insufficient. This work concentrates on the relationship between the wear resistance and laser energy density of AlSi10Mg processed using SLM.

Review of the genus Cosmococcus (Hemiptera: Lecanodiaspididae) in China, with two new synonymies and updated descriptions of the wax tests and adult female of C. erythrinae Borchsenius, 1959.

The Cosmococcus species (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Lecanodiaspididae) found in China are reviewed. Based on morphological and molecular data, C. albizziae Borchsenius, 1960 syn.

Transdermal delivery of mitochondrial-targeted hydrogen sulphide donor, AP39 protects against 6-hydroxydopamine-induced mitochondrial dysfunction.

Hydrogen sulphide (HS) is an important gaseous signalling molecule with emerging roles as a neuroprotectant. The objective of this study was to investigate the feasibility of transdermal delivery of mitochondrial-targeted HS donor, AP39 whilst investigating the ability of permeated AP39 on abrogating 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OH-dop)-induced mitochondrial dysfunction, as a model of Parkinson's disease, established in human neuroblastoma cells, SHSY-5Y. Aqueous hypromellose gels (5% w/v) were prepared with up to 10% v/v propylene glycol (PG) with 0.

TNF-α-Mediated Endothelial Cell Apoptosis Is Rescued by Hydrogen Sulfide.

Endothelial dysfunction is implicated in the development and aggravation of cardiovascular complications. Among the endothelium-released vasoactive factors, hydrogen sulfide (HS) has been investigated for its beneficial effects on the vasculature through anti-inflammatory and redox-modulating regulatory mechanisms. Reduced HS bioavailability is reported in chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, atherosclerosis and preeclampsia, suggesting the value of investigating mechanisms, by which HS acts as a vasoprotective gasotransmitter.

Systematic assessment of the contribution of structural variants to inherited retinal diseases.

Despite increasing success in determining genetic diagnosis for patients with inherited retinal diseases (IRDs), mutations in about 30% of the IRD cases remain unclear or unsettled after targeted gene panel or whole exome sequencing. In this study, we aimed to investigate the contributions of structural variants (SVs) to settling the molecular diagnosis of IRD with whole-genome sequencing (WGS). A cohort of 755 IRD patients whose pathogenic mutations remain undefined were subjected to WGS.

Systematic assessment of the contribution of structural variants to inherited retinal diseases.

Despite increasing success in determining genetic diagnosis for patients with inherited retinal diseases (IRDs), mutations in about 30% of the IRD cases remain unclear or unsettled after targeted gene panel or whole exome sequencing. In this study, we aimed to investigate the contributions of structural variants (SVs) to settling the molecular diagnosis of IRD with whole-genome sequencing (WGS). A cohort of 755 IRD patients whose pathogenic mutations remain undefined was subjected to WGS.

Lactate Dehydrogenase/Albumin To-Urea Ratio: A Novel Prognostic Maker for Fatal Clinical Complications in Patients with COVID-19 Infection.

Objective: To investigate lactate dehydrogenase/Albumin to-urea (LAU) ratio as a potential predictor for COVID-19-induced fatal clinical complications in hospitalized patients. Methods: This is a retrospective study involving blood analyses from 1139 hospitalised COVID-19 infection survivors and 349 deceased cases post-COVID-19 infection. Laboratory tests included complete blood picture, inflammatory markers, and routine organ function tests.

Sodium Thiosulphate-Loaded Liposomes Control Hydrogen Sulphide Release and Retain Its Biological Properties in Hypoxia-like Environment.

Hypoxia, or insufficient oxygen availability is a common feature in the development of a myriad of cardiovascular-related conditions including ischemic disease. Hydrogen sulphide (HS) donors, such as sodium thiosulphate (STS), are known for their cardioprotective properties. However, HS due to its gaseous nature, is released and cleared rapidly, limiting its potential translation to clinical settings.

GC-MS Untargeted Analysis of Volatile Compounds in Four Red Grape Varieties ( L. cv) at Different Maturity Stages near Harvest.

Grape volatile compounds directly determine the aroma quality of wines. Although the aroma profile of grapes evolved greatly at different maturity stages, there were less considerations for aroma status when determining grape harvest time. In the present study, several maturation indicators, namely, sugars/acids ratio, free volatile compounds, bound volatile compounds and IBMP (3-isobutyl-2-methoxypyrazine) content were monitored in four red wine grape varieties (Vitis vinifera L.

Transdermal Delivery of a Hydrogen Sulphide Donor, ADT-OH Using Aqueous Gel Formulations for the Treatment of Impaired Vascular Function: an Ex Vivo Study.

Purpose: Hydrogen sulphide (HS) is an important signalling molecule involved in the regulation of several physiological and pathophysiological processes. The objective of this study was to investigate the feasibility of transdermal delivery of ADT-OH, a HS donor, by investigating the transdermal flux of aqueous gels loaded with penetration enhancers or liposomes. Furthermore, we explored the ability of permeated ADT-OH to promote angiogenesis and mitochondrial bioenergetics in HUVEC cells.

Flavor Chemical Profiles of Cabernet Sauvignon Wines: Six Vintages from 2013 to 2018 from the Eastern Foothills of the Ningxia Helan Mountains in China.

The eastern foothills of the Helan Mountains in the Ningxia region (Ningxia), is a Chinese wine-producing region, where Cabernet Sauvignon is the main grape cultivar; however, little compositional or flavor information has been reported on Ningxia wines. Oenological parameters, volatile profiles, and phenolic profiles were determined for 98 Ningxia Cabernet Sauvignon wines from the 2013-2018 vintages, as well as 16 from Bordeaux and California, for comparison. Ningxia wines were characterized by high ethanol, low acidity, and high anthocyanin contents.

Cwc27, associated with retinal degeneration, functions as a splicing factor in vivo.

Previous in vitro studies indicate that CWC27 functions as a splicing factor in the Bact spliceosome complex, interacting with CWC22 to form a landing platform for eIF4A3, a core component of the exon junction complex. However, the function of CWC27 as a splicing factor has not been validated in any in vivo systems. CWC27 variants have been shown to cause autosomal recessive retinal degeneration, in both syndromic and non-syndromic forms.

Placental mitochondrial function as a driver of angiogenesis and placental dysfunction.

The placenta is a highly vascularized and complex foetal organ that performs various tasks, crucial to a healthy pregnancy. Its dysfunction leads to complications such as stillbirth, preeclampsia, and intrauterine growth restriction. The specific cause of placental dysfunction remains unknown.

Transcript isoforms of Reep6 have distinct functions in the retina.

Much of the complexity of the eukaryotic cell transcriptome is due to the alternative splicing of mRNA. However, knowledge on how transcriptome complexity is translated into functional complexity remains limited. For example, although different isoforms of a gene may show distinct temporal and spatial expression patterns, it is largely unknown whether these isoforms encode proteins with distinct functions matching their expression pattern.

Angiogenic Properties of Placenta-Derived Extracellular Vesicles in Normal Pregnancy and in Preeclampsia.

Angiogenesis is one of the main processes that coordinate the biological events leading to a successful pregnancy, and its imbalance characterizes several pregnancy-related diseases, including preeclampsia. Intracellular interactions via extracellular vesicles (EVs) contribute to pregnancy's physiology and pathophysiology, and to the fetal-maternal interaction. The present review outlines the implications of EV-mediated crosstalk in the angiogenic process in healthy pregnancy and its dysregulation in preeclampsia.

Noncoding mutation in contributes to inherited retinal degenerations.

Purpose: Despite the extensive use of next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology to identify disease-causing genomic variations, a major gap in our understanding of Mendelian diseases is the unidentified molecular lesion in a significant portion of patients. For inherited retinal degenerations (IRDs), although currently close to 300 disease-associated genes have been identified, the mutations in approximately one-third of patients remain unknown. With mounting evidence that noncoding mutations might contribute significantly to disease burden, we aimed to systematically investigate the contributions of noncoding regions in the genome to IRDs.

Identification of Deep-Intronic Splice Mutations in a Large Cohort of Patients With Inherited Retinal Diseases.

High throughput sequencing technologies have revolutionized the identification of mutations responsible for a diverse set of Mendelian disorders, including inherited retinal disorders (IRDs). However, the causal mutations remain elusive for a significant proportion of patients. This may be partially due to pathogenic mutations located in non-coding regions, which are largely missed by capture sequencing targeting the coding regions.

Hydrogen sulfide releasing molecule MZe786 inhibits soluble Flt-1 and prevents preeclampsia in a refined RUPP mouse model.

An imbalance in angiogenic growth factors and poor utero-placental perfusion are strongly associated with preeclampsia. The reduced utero-placental perfusion (RUPP) model that mimics insufficient placental perfusion is used to study preeclampsia. The aim of this study was to develop a refined RUPP model in C57Bl/6 J mice to test the efficacy of MZe786 as a potential inhibitor of soluble Flt-1 for preeclampsia therapy.

MZe786, a hydrogen sulfide-releasing aspirin prevents preeclampsia in heme oxygenase-1 haplodeficient pregnancy under high soluble flt-1 environment.

Preeclampsia affects one in twelve of the 130 million pregnancies a year. The lack of an effective therapeutic to prevent or treat it is responsible for an annual global cost burden of 100 billion US dollars. Preeclampsia also affects these women later in life as it is a recognised risk factor for cardiovascular disease, stroke and vascular dementia.