Acid sphingomyelinase downregulation alleviates diabetic myocardial fibrosis in mice.

Increased activity of acid sphingomyelinase (ASMase) has been linked to diabetes and organ fibrosis. Nevertheless, the precise influence of ASMase on diabetic myocardial fibrosis and the corresponding molecular mechanisms remain elusive. In this study, we aim to elucidate whether ASMase contributes to diabetic myocardial fibrosis through the phosphorylation mediated by MAPK, thereby culminating in the development of diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM).

MnO-triggered wavelength-changeable and rapid-response fluorescence sensor for paper-based on-site sensing of tyrosinase activity in potato.

Rapid-response in situ fluorogenic reactions in aqueous solution are important for designing sensitive and stable sensing platforms. Herein, a wavelength-changeable and rapid-response (within 5 s) fluorescence sensing platform for monitoring tyrosinase (TYR) activity is constructed. The developed assay is based on TYR catalyzing the hydroxylation of mono-phenol to o-diphenol and MnO-triggered fluorogenic between dopamine (DA) and phenol derivatives in aqueous solution.

Occurrence of microplastics in three types of household cleaning products and their estimated emissions into the aquatic environment.

Microplastics (MPs) in household cleaning products are a significant source of primary MPs. However, their presence in these products remain largely unknown. In this study, three types of common household cleaning products (laundry detergents, toilet bowl cleaners, and dishwashing detergents) were examined to assess the presence of MPs.

Apoe-knockout induces strong vascular oxidative stress and significant changes in the gene expression profile related to the pathways implicated in redox, inflammation, and endothelial function.

Apolipoprotein E (APOE) was recognized as a key regulator of lipid metabolism, which prompted the Apoe-knockout (Apoe) mouse to be the most widely used atherosclerotic model. However, with more and more important physiological roles of APOE being revealed, it is necessary to reacquaint its comprehensive function in the aorta. In this study, we aimed to reveal how Apoe-knockout impacts the gene pathways and phenotypes in the aorta of mice.

MnO-Triggered Immediate-Stable Real-Time Fluorescence Immunosensor with High Response Speed and Low Steady-State Error.

Real-time chemical and biological sensing in vitro is important for application in health and environmental monitoring. Thus, a more rapid and stable detection method is urgently needed. Herein, an immediate-stable real-time fluorescent immunosensor with a high response speed (∼100%, <1 s) and approximately zero steady-state error is constructed.

Potential risk of microplastics in processed foods: Preliminary risk assessment concerning polymer types, abundance, and human exposure of microplastics.

The occurrence of microplastics (MPs) has been widely reported in human foodstuffs, and their potential negative effects on human health have been brought into focus. Processed foods are more susceptible to MPs as contamination can be introduced during processing and packaging. However, the risk posed by MPs in processed foods remained unclear.

The Acid Sphingomyelinase Inhibitor Amitriptyline Ameliorates TNF-α-Induced Endothelial Dysfunction.

Purpose: Inflammation associated endothelial cell (EC) dysfunction is key to atherosclerotic disease. Recent studies have demonstrated a protective role of amitriptyline in cardiomyocytes induced by hypoxia/reoxygenation. However, the mechanism by which amitriptyline regulates the inflammatory reaction in ECs remains unknown.

Socioeconomic disparities and dementia in China.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the associations between individual-level SES, area-level SES, and their interaction with dementia in China.

Methods: This study used data from the Second China National Sample Survey on Disability and restricted our finalized analysis to 688,507 participants aged 50 years or older. Dementia was ascertained according to the International Statistical Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision.

MEF2A Is the Trigger of Resveratrol Exerting Protection on Vascular Endothelial Cell.

Both resveratrol and myocyte enhancer factor 2A (MEF2A) may protect vascular endothelial cell (VEC) through activating the expression of SIRT1. However, the relationship between resveratrol and MEF2A is unclear. We aimed to investigate the deeper mechanism of resveratrol in protecting vascular endothelial cells and whether MEF2A plays a key role in the protective function of resveratrol.

The effects of indoor air pollution from solid fuel use on cognitive function among middle-aged and older population in China.

Objectives: Growing evidence has linked outdoor air pollution exposure with higher risk of cognitive impairments. However, the role of indoor air pollution in cognitive decline is not well elaborated. By using nationally representative longitudinal data, this study aimed to explore the effects of indoor air pollution from solid fuel use on cognitive function among middle-aged and older individuals in China.

Fluorescence copolymer-based dual-signal monitoring tyrosinase activity and its inhibitor screening via blue-green emission transformation.

Tyrosinase (TYR) is a crucial enzyme in melanin metabolism and catecholamine production, its abnormal overexpression is closely associated with many human diseases involving melanoma cancer, vitiligo, Parkinson's disease and so on. Herein, a dual-signal fluorescence sensing system for monitoring TYR activity is constructed depending on the transformation of blue-green fluorescence emission of copolymer. The developed sensing system is based on TYR catalyzing the hydroxylation of mono-phenol to o-diphenol and the conversion of fluorescence copolymer (FCP) blue emission (430 nm) and green emission (535 nm) in the presence of PEI.

Association of Urbanicity with Schizophrenia and Related Mortality in China: Association de l'urbanicité avec la schizophrénie et la mortalité qui y est reliée en Chine.

Objective: Although higher prevalence of schizophrenia in Chinese urban areas was observed, studies focused on the association between schizophrenia and urbanicity were less in China. Using a national representative population-based data set, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between urbanicity and schizophrenia and its related mortality among adults aged 18 years old and above in China.

Methods: Data were obtained from the Second China National Sample Survey on Disability in 2006 and follow-up studies from 2007 to 2010 each year.

Schizophrenia and education in Chinese metropolises: a population-based study.

Objective: Schizophrenia is a public concern in metropolises. Increases in city size may strengthen the correlation between prevalence of schizophrenia and indices of socioeconomic status, such as education. This study used population-based data of adults to investigate the association between education and schizophrenia in Chinese metropolises and its differences between inner city areas and outer suburbs.

Association Between Urbanicity and Dementia in China: A Population-Based Study.

Objectives: This study investigated the relationship between urbanicity and dementia and predicted its nonlinear pattern among Chinese adults aged 50 years and older.

Methods: This study used data from the Second National Sample Survey on Disability, which was implemented from April 1 to May 31, 2006 across China. Dementia status was determined by a 2-stage process: the combination of self-reports or family members' reports and an onsite medical diagnosis by experienced specialists based on the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems 10th Revision Symptom Checklist for Mental Disorders.

Gender difference in the association between education and schizophrenia in Chinese adults.

Background: Improving education level was evidenced to decrease the risk of schizophrenia, but whether this strength of education role depends on gender is not. This study aimed to investigate whether there was gender difference in the association between education and schizophrenia in Chinese adults.

Methods: Data were obtained from the Second China National Sample Survey on Disability in 2006, including 1,909,205 participants aged 18 years or older.

Sustainable and Transparent Fish Gelatin Films for Flexible Electroluminescent Devices.

In the past decades, various alternating current electroluminescent (ACEL) devices, especially the flexible ones, have been developed and used in flat panel display, large-scale decorating, logo display lighting, optical signaling, . Transparent plastics are usually used as substrates in ACEL devices; however, they are undegradable and may cause serious environmental pollution. Herein, we have developed a flexible transient ACEL device based on transparent fish gelatin (FG) films.

Urbanicity and autism of children in China.

Objectives: Increased risk of autism with the increment of urbanization has been documented in developed countries. However, very few studies in developing countries focused on this topic. By using Chinese nationally representative large dataset, we investigated the association between urbanicity and autism among children aged 0-17 years in China.

Individual-level and area-level socioeconomic status (SES) and schizophrenia: cross-sectional analyses using the evidence from 1.9 million Chinese adults.

Objectives: Health disparities in schizophrenia are well established. However, it is less understood whether area-level socioeconomic status (SES) is differentially associated with schizophrenia depending on individual-level SES. Therefore, using a nationally large representative data, this study investigated the association between individual-level SES, area-level SES and their interaction with schizophrenia in Chinese adults from a multilevel perspective.

Unmarried Youth Pregnancy, Outcomes, and Social Factors in China: Findings From a Nationwide Population-Based Survey.

Introduction: Early pregnancies and their poor reproductive outcomes remain increasing concerns.

Aim: This study aims to investigate the pregnancy rate and outcomes and to identify social factors associated with pregnancy among Chinese unmarried youths aged 15-24 years.

Methods: Data were obtained from the Survey of Youth Access to Reproductive Health in China, and 11,076 unmarried female youths were analyzed.

Myocyte enhancer factor 2A delays vascular endothelial cell senescence by activating the PI3K/p-Akt/SIRT1 pathway.

Myocyte enhancer factor 2A (MEF2A) dysfunction is closely related to the occurrence of senile diseases such as cardiocerebrovascular diseases, but the underlying molecular mechanism is unclear. Here, we studied the effects of MEF2A on the senescent phenotype of vascular endothelial cells (VEC) and downstream signaling pathway, and the association between plasma MEF2A levels and coronary artery disease (CAD). Results showed that MEF2A silencing promoted cell senescence and down-regulated PI3K/p-AKT/Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) expression.

MEF2A alters the proliferation, inflammation-related gene expression profiles and its silencing induces cellular senescence in human coronary endothelial cells.

Background: Myocyte enhancer factor 2A (MEF2A) plays an important role in cell proliferation, differentiation and survival. Functional deletion or mutation in MEF2A predisposes individuals to cardiovascular disease mainly caused by vascular endothelial dysfunction. However, the effect of the inhibition of MEF2A expression on human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAECs) is unclear.

County-level social factors and schizophrenia: A multilevel study of 1.9 million Chinese adults.

There is little evidence on the association between area-level social factors and schizophrenia in China. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between county-level social factors and schizophrenia in Chinese adults aged 18 years old and above. We obtained data from the Second China National Sample Survey on Disability, and selected 1,909,205 adults for analysis.

Risky Sexual Behaviors and Repeat Induced Abortion Among Unmarried Young Women in China: Results from a Large, Nationwide, Population-Based Sample.

Young women are disadvantaged with respect to their ability to access contraception, which puts them at especially high risk of repeat induced abortion. This study aims to estimate the prevalence of repeat induced abortion and to identify its association with risky sexual behaviors among unmarried young women in China. Data were obtained from the Survey of Youth Access to Reproductive Health in China and collected using probability proportionate to size sampling.

Effect modification of social-context changes on mental disability in China from 1987 to 2006: a multi-level study of 1.9 million people.

Background: Very little literature has explored how mental disability in China is connected with inequalities in social and environmental contexts. In the study described herein, we determine whether social-context inequalities were associated with mental disability in China from 1987 to 2006.

Methods: Data were derived from national representative population-based data from the 1987 and 2006 China National Sample Survey on Disability.