Ergosterol originated from attenuates high fat diet-induced obesity and cognitive impairment in mice.

Excessive intake of a high fat diet (HFD) leads to accumulation of fat and obesity. Ergosterol (ERG) is a characteristic sterol of fungi with various bioactive functions; however, there are few studies on the ERG function of ameliorating obesity and following cognitive impairment. It was previously found that Zhashui (AA) is rich in ERG; therefore it was selected to enrich ERG through the intervention of exogenous inducers of rice bran oil (RBO), methyl jasmonate (Me JA) and salicylic acid (SA).

Utility of the combination of IVIM-DWI MRI and baseline eGFR for identifying a high risk of chronic kidney disease progression.

Background: Currently, the baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), the urine albumin level and renal fibrosis are the common risk and prognostic factors for chronic kidney disease (CKD). Intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) is a proven noninvasive tool for assessing renal fibrosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether IVIM-DWI could be used to identify high-risk patients with CKD during long-term follow-up.

Association of malnutrition risk evaluated by the geriatric nutritional risk index with post-stroke myocardial injury among older patients with first‑ever ischemic stroke.

Background: Post-stroke myocardial injury is a potentially preventable complication after acute ischemic stroke. Therefore, identifying modifiable variables, such as nutritional status, is crucial for reducing the risk of post-stroke myocardial injury. This study aimed to investigate the association between malnutrition risk on admission, as evaluated by the Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI), and post-stroke myocardial injury in elderly patients with first‑ever ischemic stroke.

Traffic and Scenario Adaptive OFDM-IM for Vehicular Networks: A Fuzzy Logic Based Optimization Approach.

Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing with Index Modulation (OFDM-IM) holds significant importance in vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communications, with its main advantages being outstanding spectral efficiency and strong interference resistance. However, the existing OFDM-IM systems in vehicular networks overlook actual vehicular network channels and the impact of scatterers, thus failing to accurately reflect the system performance. Moreover, these systems focus solely on the bit error rate (BER) and ignore user requirements for low energy consumption and high spectral efficiency.

Octa-Cationic Porphyrin-Functionalized Biocompatible Nanocomposite: A Promising Candidate for Enhanced Combinatorial Photodynamic and Photothermal Tumor Therapy.

The integration of photodynamic therapy (PDT) and photothermal therapy (PTT) offers a promising strategy for enhancing phototherapy efficiency. Herein, we present a dual-functional, biocompatible nanocomposite system for combination PDT/PTT therapy. The system utilizes a highly biocompatible nanoparticle assembled by an amphiphilic short peptide with the assistance of Zn as a carrier.

Alterations of triple network dynamic connectivity and repetitive behaviors after mini-basketball training program in children with autism spectrum disorder.

Physical exercise has been demonstrated to effectively mitigate repetitive behaviors in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), but the underlying dynamic brain network mechanisms are poorly understood. The triple network model consists of three brain networks that jointly regulate cognitive and emotional processes and is considered to be the core network underlying the aberrant manifestations of ASD. This study investigated whether a mini-basketball training program (MBTP) could alter repetitive behaviors and the dynamic connectivity of the triple network.

Backbone resonance assignments of PhoCl, a photocleavable protein.

PhoCl is a photocleavable protein engineered from a green-to-red photoconvertible fluorescent protein by circular permutation, and has been used in various optogenetic applications including precise control of protein localization and activity in cells. Upon violet light illumination, PhoCl undergoes a β-elimination reaction to be cleaved at the chromophore, resulting in spontaneous dissociation into a large empty barrel and a small C-terminal peptide. However, the structural determinants and the mechanism of the PhoCl photocleavage remain elusive, hindering the further development of more robust photocleavable optogenetic tools.

FcRn inhibitors: Transformative advances and significant impacts on IgG-mediated autoimmune diseases.

Pathogenic IgG autoantibodies play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases, and removal of pathogenic IgG autoantibodies is an important therapeutic approach and tool for such diseases. The neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) interacts with IgG and protects it from lysosomal degradation. FcRn inhibitors accelerate the clearance of IgG antibodies, including pathogenic IgG autoantibodies, by targeting and blocking the binding of FcRn to IgG.

Insights Into the Role of π-Electrons of Aromatic Aldehydes in Passivating Perovskite Defects.

Carbonyl-containing aromatic ketones or aldehydes have been demonstrated to be effective defect passivators for perovskite films to improve performances of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). It has been claimed that both π-electrons within aromatic units and carbonyl groups can, separately, interact with ionic defects, which, however, causes troubles in understanding the passivation mechanism of those aromatic ketone/aldehyde molecules. Herein, we clarify the effect of both moieties in one molecule on the defect passivation by investigating three aromatic aldehydes with varied conjugation planes, namely, biphenyl-4-carbaldehyde (BPCA), naphthalene-2-carbaldehyde (NACA) and pyrene-1-carbaldehyde (PyCA).

Dysregulation of dopamine neurotransmission in drug addicts: implications for criminal behavior and corrective interventions.

Drug addiction often correlates with criminal behavior. When investigating criminal behavior among individuals grappling with drug addiction, it becomes crucial to scrutinize the influence of dopamine. Substances such as heroin, morphine, methamphetamine and other drugs can cause abnormal dopamine secretion when people are addicted to them, which promotes changes in the brain's reward circuit and emotional balance, thereby increasing susceptibility to criminal behavior.

Spatial Conformation Engineering of Aromatic Ketones for Highly Efficient and Stable Perovskite Solar Cells.

Carbonyl-containing materials employed in state-of-the-art hybrid lead halide perovskite solar cells (PSCs) exhibit a strong structure-dependent electron donor effect that predominates in defect passivation. However, the impact of the molecular spatial conformation on the efficacy of carbonyl-containing passivators remains ambiguous, hindering the advancement of molecular design for passivating materials. Herein, we show that altering the spatial torsion angle of aromatic ketones from twisted to planar configurations, as seen in benzophenone (BP, 27.

Intelligent DNA Nanosystem for Broad-Spectrum Oncological Typing and Therapy.

The occurrence of multiple primary cancers in individual patients underscores the need for diagnostic and therapeutic techniques with augmented cancer-targeting selectivity and broad-spectrum antitumor effects. To address this, we develop a quadruple-input-triggered R-ND-ND logic gated oncological nanosystem (OAA). This system employs four cancer-related markers (EpCAM, MUC1, APE1, and miR-21) to generate three distinct fluorescence signals, enabling precise differentiation of various cancer cell lines (MCF-7, HepG2, and HeLa) from normal cells (MCF-10A).

Response of soybean Cd to soil Cd and pH and its associated health risk in a high geological background area in Guizhou Province, Southwest China.

This study comprehensively examined the accumulation of cadmium (Cd) in soybeans grown in low- and high-Cd soils around the high geological background areas in Guizhou province. The aim was to analyze the relationship between soybean Cd and soil pH and soil Cd, alongside assessing the potential carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks associated with Cd in soybeans. Cd content of soybeans cultivated in the high-Cd area (0.

Visual impairment as the initial presentation in multiple myeloma: a case report and literature review.

Background: Multiple myeloma (MM) is a type of blood cancer, which rarely infiltrates the central nervous system (CNS) and lacks specific neurological symptoms. The prognosis is often poor, as the disease progresses rapidly. Herein, we present a rare case of MM with CNS involvement.

Full pulpotomy versus root canal therapy in mature teeth with irreversible pulpitis: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Vital pulp therapy (VPT) is recommended as an alternative treatment to root canal therapy (RCT) for management of teeth with carious pulp exposure. This randomized clinical trial aimed to compare the outcomes and postoperative pain, and to evaluate the time and cost after full pulpotomy (FP) and RCT in mature molar teeth with irreversible pulpitis (IP).

Methods: A total of 160 mature molar teeth with IP were randomly divided into two treatment groups.

Towards the sustainable financial management in green economic growth through big data technology innovation; Case study in China.

This study addresses the critical challenge of integrating sustainable financial management within the framework of green economic growth in China from 1990 to 2022, underscored by rapid industrialization and environmental concerns. The primary aim is to analyze how big data technology innovations have facilitated sustainable financial practices that align with green economic objectives. The objectives include assessing the impact of these technologies on environmental sustainability, financial inclusion, and economic resilience.

In-situ algal control by two-stage nanobubble technology in Taihu Lake: Efficacy and ecological impact.

Hydrodynamic cavitation and ozone nanobubble-coupled hydrodynamic cavitation have demonstrated effective algae control in laboratories, but their in-situ potential, especially impact on nutrient salt degradation and microbial communities remain unclear. This study applied two-stage nanobubble technology, combining hydrodynamic cavitation and ozone nanobubbles, in a 3300 m semi-enclosed area of Taihu Lake to address these gaps. Results show that the technology efficiently controls algae, reduces odors, improves anaerobic conditions, and lowers ammonia nitrogen.

Effects of Ball Combination Exercise Combined with cTBS Intervention on Sleep Problems in Children with Autism.

Sleep problems significantly affect the quality of life of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) children. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a 12-week ball combination exercise, continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS) stimulation, and combined intervention on sleep problems in children with ASD. Forty-five ASD children were divided into three intervention groups (ball combination exercise(n = 12), cTBS stimulation(n = 10), combined (n = 12) and a control group (n = 11).

Unraveling the Role of Electron-Withdrawing Molecules for Highly Efficient and Stable Perovskite Photovoltaics.

Electron-withdrawing molecules (EWMs) have exhibited remarkable efficacy in boosting the performance of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). However, the underneath mechanisms governing their positive attributes remain inadequately understood. Herein, we conducted a comprehensive study on EWMs by comparing 2,2'-(2,5-cyclohexadiene-1,4-diylidene) bismalononitrile (TCNQ) and (2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-2,5-cyclohexadiene-1,4-diylidene) dimalononitrile (F4TCNQ) employed at the perovskite/hole transport layer (HTL) interfaces.

Angelica sinensis polysaccharide facilitates chondrogenic differentiation of adipose-derived stem cells via MDK-PI3K/AKT signaling cascade.

Object: Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs) have received significant attention in the field of cartilage tissue repair. Angelica sinensis polysaccharide (ASP) can enhance both the proliferation and differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells. Therefore, we intend to explore the effect of ASP on chondrogenic differentiation of ADSCs in vitro, and elucidate the underlying mechanisms.