Fibrinogen-tau Aggregates Exacerbate Tau Pathology and Memory Deficits in Alzheimer's Disease Model Mice.

Vascular damage plays a significant role in the onset and progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the precise molecular mechanisms underlying the induction of neuronal injury by vascular damage remain unclear. The present study aimed to examine the impact of fibrinogen (Fg) on tau pathology.

The cholesterol 24-hydroxylase CYP46A1 promotes α-synuclein pathology in Parkinson's disease.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by the death of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra and the formation of Lewy bodies that are composed of aggregated α-synuclein (α-Syn). However, the factors that regulate α-Syn pathology and nigrostriatal dopaminergic degeneration remain poorly understood. Previous studies demonstrate cholesterol 24-hydroxylase (CYP46A1) increases the risk for PD.

Microglia-derived Galectin-9 drives amyloid-β pathology in Alzheimer's disease.

The accumulation of amyloid-β (Aβ) and overactivation of microglia contribute to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD), but the interaction between microglial activation and Aβ deposition in AD remains elusive. Here we revealed that Aβ activates microglia and promotes the release of Galectin-9 (Gal-9), a member of the β-galactoside-binding family of lectins. The levels of Gal-9 in the cerebrospinal fluid and brain tissues of AD patients are higher than those in control subjects.

Construction of chitosan/carboxylated polyvinyl alcohol/poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) composite antibacterial hydrogel for rapid wound healing.

In the realm of skin injury management, the expedited closure of wounds, prevention of scar formation, and enhancement of the healing process are of critical significance. The creation of economical dressings that effectively facilitate swift wound sealing in the initial phase of skin trauma while curbing scar development represents a promising avenue for clinical utility. Within the context of this investigation, we synthesized a novel hydrogel composed of chitosan (CS), carboxylated poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA-COOH) via a Schiff base reaction between carboxylated PVA and chitosan, yielding networks abundant in amide bonds.

Lysosomal dysfunction in α-synuclein pathology: molecular mechanisms and therapeutic strategies.

In orchestrating cell signaling, facilitating plasma membrane repair, supervising protein secretion, managing waste elimination, and regulating energy consumption, lysosomes are indispensable guardians that play a crucial role in preserving intracellular homeostasis. Neurons are terminally differentiated post-mitotic cells. Neuronal function and waste elimination depend on normal lysosomal function.

Ginsenoside Rh2 Alleviate Sepsis-related Encephalopathy via Up-regulating Nrf2/HO-1 Pathway and Apoptosis Inhibition.

Sepsis patients are highly prone to sepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE) complications, resulting in a high mortality rate. Recently, there has been no specific treatment for long-term improvement of cerebral function. Ginsenoside Rh2 is a form of steroidal saponins isolated from plant ginseng and has been shown to possess anti-inflammatory as well as neuroprotective characteristics; yet, the effect of ginsenoside Rh2 on SAE treatment is obscure.

Selenium spatial distribution and bioavailability of soil-plant systems in China: a comprehensive review.

Selenium (Se) has a dual nature, with beneficial and harmful effects on plants, essential for both humans and animals, playing a crucial role in ecosystem regulation. Insufficient Se in specific terrestrial environments raises concerns due to its potential to cause diseases, while excess Se can lead to severe toxicity. Thus, maintaining an optimal Se level is essential for living organisms.

Tannic acid and quaternized chitosan mediated puerarin-loaded octacalcium phosphate /sodium alginate scaffold for bone tissue engineering.

Current limitations in mechanical performance and foreign body reactions (FBR) often lead to implant failure, restricting the application of bioceramic scaffolds. This study presents a novel 3D-printed scaffold that combines the release of anti-inflammatory drugs with osteogenic stimulation. Initially, the inorganic and organic phases were integrated to ensure the scaffold's mechanical integrity through catechol chemistry and the electrostatic interactions between tannic acid and quaternary ammonium chitosan.

Multimodal analysis of cfDNA methylomes for early detecting esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and precancerous lesions.

Detecting early-stage esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and precancerous lesions is critical for improving survival. Here, we conduct whole-genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS) on 460 cfDNA samples from patients with non-metastatic ESCC or precancerous lesions and matched healthy controls. We develop an expanded multimodal analysis (EMMA) framework to simultaneously identify cfDNA methylation, copy number variants (CNVs), and fragmentation markers in cfDNA WGBS data.

Identification and Verification of Ferroptosis-Related Genes in Keratoconus Using Bioinformatics Analysis.

Objective: Keratoconus is a commonly progressive and blinding corneal disorder. Iron metabolism and oxidative stress play crucial roles in both keratoconus and ferroptosis. However, the association between keratoconus and ferroptosis is currently unclear.

Protein-protein interactions regulating α-synuclein pathology.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) and the formation of Lewy bodies (LBs). The main proteinaceous component of LBs is aggregated α-synuclein (α-syn). However, the mechanisms underlying α-syn aggregation are not yet fully understood.

SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein S1 Domain Accelerates α-Synuclein Phosphorylation and Aggregation in Cellular Models of Synucleinopathy.

The 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease that began to spread globally since 2019. Some COVID-19 patients have neurological complications, such as olfactory disorders and movement disorders, which coincide with the symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD). Increasing imaging and autopsy evidence supports that the density of dopaminergic neurons in the nigrostriatal pathway is damaged in some COVID-19 patients.

Hydrodynamic Anisotropy of Depletion in Nonequilibrium.

Active colloids in a bath of inert particles of smaller size cause anisotropic depletion. The active hydrodynamics of this nonequilibrium phenomenon, which is fundamentally different from its equilibrium counterpart and passive particles in an active bath, remains scarcely understood. Here we combine mesoscale hydrodynamic simulation as well as theoretical analysis to examine the physical origin for the active depletion around a self-propelled noninteractive colloid.

An integrated approach for quantifying trace metal sources in surface soils of a typical farmland in the three rivers plain, China.

The presence of trace metals (TMs) in agricultural soil has garnered considerable attention due to their potential migration into crops, posing a significant risk to human health. In this study, we examined the concentrations of eight trace metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) in the soil and investigated various soil physicochemical characteristics in the Three Rivers Plain region, China. The assessment of the geoaccumulation index (I) for the mean concentration of all trace metals indicated that the soils were generally free from significant TM pollution.

Hair-biomonitoring assessment of rare-earth-element exposure in residents of the largest rare-earth mining and smelting area of China.

The long-term and large-scale mining of rare earth minerals may lead to an accumulation of rare earth elements (REEs) in the environment, posing potential health risks to residents. We collected scalp hair (n = 254) from residents of a smelting area, a mining area, and a reference area to clarify human exposure to REEs. The contents of 15 REEs investigated in human hair samples were notably higher in the mining and smelting areas than in the reference area.

27-Hydroxycholesterol Drives the Spread of α-Synuclein Pathology in Parkinson's Disease.

Background: The accumulation and aggregation of α-synuclein (α-Syn) are characteristic of Parkinson's disease (PD). Epidemiological evidence indicates that hyperlipidemia is associated with an increased risk of PD. The levels of 27-hydroxycholesterol (27-OHC), a cholesterol oxidation derivative, are increased in the brain and cerebrospinal fluid of patients with PD.

Gas/Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Analysis of Key Functional Substances Regulating Poll Gland Secretion in Male Camels during Seasonal Estrus.

Increased poll gland secretion is a major characteristic and indicator of estrus in male Bactrian camels; however, research on these poll glands and their secretion is extremely rare. In this study, we determine the chemical composition of poll gland secretions and identify the key functional substances that regulate seasonal estrus in male camels. A GC/LC-MS dual platform was used to analyze ventral hair (control) and neck mane samples containing poll gland secretions from male Bactrian camels during estrus.

Partial erosion on under-methylated regions and chromatin reprogramming contribute to oncogene activation in IDH mutant gliomas.

Background: IDH1/2 hotspot mutations are well known to drive oncogenic mutations in gliomas and are well-defined in the WHO 2021 classification of central nervous system tumors. Specifically, IDH mutations lead to aberrant hypermethylation of under-methylated regions (UMRs) in normal tissues through the disruption of TET enzymes. However, the chromatin reprogramming and transcriptional changes induced by IDH-related hypermethylation in gliomas remain unclear.

Targeting Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor 1 with Selected Aptamers for Anti-Inflammatory Activity.

Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα) inhibitors are widely used in treating autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis (RA). These inhibitors can presumably alleviate RA symptoms by blocking TNFα-TNF receptor 1 (TNFR1)-mediated pro-inflammatory signaling pathways. However, the strategy also interrupts the survival and reproduction functions conducted by TNFα-TNFR2 interaction and causes side effects.

Cofilin promotes tau pathology in Alzheimer's disease.

The molecular mechanisms mediating the aggregation and transmission of tau in AD remain unclear. Here, we show that the actin-binding protein cofilin is cleaved by a cysteine protease asparagine endopeptidase (AEP) at N138 in the brains of patients with AD. The AEP-generated cofilin 1-138 fragment interacts with tau and promotes its aggregation.