Publications by authors named "Ma Ming"
The current study examines how atypical age-for-grade (i.e., being old- or young-for-grade) is associated with various types of interpersonal violence (e.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- Microglia dysfunction and neuroinflammation are significant contributors to Alzheimer's disease, but their underlying mechanisms are not fully understood.
- Demyelination in early Alzheimer's leads to increased levels of lysophosphatidylserine (LysoPS) in myelin debris, which activates the GPR34 receptor, promoting neuroinflammation and cognitive decline.
- Reducing LysoPS or inhibiting GPR34 can enhance microglial function, decrease amyloid-beta (Aβ) accumulation, and improve memory in mouse models, suggesting targeting the LysoPS-GPR34 pathway could be a valuable therapeutic approach for Alzheimer's.
Article Synopsis
- Structural superlubricity (SSL) is a state of extremely low friction and wear between solid surfaces, providing a potential solution for reducing these factors in practical applications.
- Recent research identifies that edge pinning significantly influences SSL friction, although understanding of its atomic-level nature was previously unclear.
- The study reveals the atomic structure of disordered edges in microscale graphite and demonstrates that by using SiN caps to disconnect edges from the substrate, an ultra-low friction stress of 0.1 kPa or lower can be achieved.
Article Synopsis
- In rapidly urbanizing areas, high-density living and complex infrastructure increase vulnerability to earthquakes, making it essential to assess a city's emergency response capabilities for such events.
- The research introduces a comprehensive evaluation framework based on crisis management that includes four main dimensions and 15 indicators, utilizing both quantitative and qualitative methods to weigh these indicators effectively.
- By focusing on Changchun City, the study identifies strengths in emergency supplies and planning but reveals critical gaps in preparedness, monitoring systems, and public education, offering insights applicable to urban seismic disaster management overall.
Tumor whole-cell vaccines are designed to introduce a wide range of tumor-associated antigens into the body to counteract the immunosuppression caused by tumors. In cases of lymphoma of which the specific antigen is not yet determined, the tumor whole-cell vaccine offers distinct advantages. However, there is still a lack of research on an effective preparation method for the lymphoma whole-cell vaccine.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF3D Printing of Porous Ceramics for Enhanced Thermal Insulation Properties.
Adv Sci (Weinh)
December 2024
Article Synopsis
- Porous thermal insulating ceramics are essential for industrial and everyday applications, helping to lower energy use and improve comfort while promoting sustainability.
- This review dives into the production of these ceramics using 3D printing, discussing fabrication techniques, materials, advantages, and limitations.
- It highlights recent advancements in design and optimization of pore structures, while also addressing challenges to adoption and future research trends in enhancing thermal insulation through 3D printing.
Sulfate-driven anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM) and anaerobic digestion (AD) with municipal wastewater sludge containing heavy metals may provide favorable conditions for the biogeochemical transformation of mercury (Hg) by methanogens and methanotrophs. However, it remains largely unclear what Hg-methylators functioned and what role Methanosarcina played in these processes. Here, we performed sulfate-driven AOM following AD with Hg-containing wastewater sludge and investigated the role of microbes, especially Methanosarcina, in the biogeochemical transformation of Hg based on 16S rRNA amplicon and metatranscriptomic sequencing.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- The study investigates the effects of Tongfu Xiefei Guanchang Solution (TFXF) on acute lung injury (ALI) in rats, focusing on improving intestinal health through a specific signaling pathway.
- Sixty SPF-grade Wistar rats are divided into groups receiving different treatments, including control, LPS, dexamethasone, and various doses of TFXF, with ALI induced by LPS injection.
- Results demonstrate that TFXF treatment improves lung and colon tissue conditions by reducing inflammation markers like TNF-α and IL-1β and positively altering intestinal flora composition.
Article Synopsis
- Iron plaques on plant roots can affect the absorption of heavy metals, but the specific role of iron in Robinia pseudoacacia's response to mercury contamination is not well understood.
- A study used transcriptome and metabolome analyses to explore how iron influences the plant's ability to remove divalent mercury (Hg2+) from contaminated soil.
- Results indicated that adding iron enhanced root plaque development, reduced harmful organic acid secretion, improved plant resilience to mercury, and ultimately supported better growth and mercury accumulation in aboveground tissues, highlighting iron's potential for aiding phytoremediation efforts.
Article Synopsis
- The EPR effect helps nanodrugs target solid tumors, but variability in this effect has hindered clinical success, making its mechanisms important to study.
- This study aimed to develop a method that combines radiogenomics and MRI to better understand how nanoparticles (NPs) penetrate tumors using a contrast agent made from PLGA-coated FeO NPs.
- Through gene enrichment analyses, key genes influencing vascular permeability were identified, which can enhance the understanding of how NPs behave in tumor environments, ultimately supporting personalized treatment strategies.
Article Synopsis
- Solvation force, crucial for interactions in fields like batteries and lubrication, is difficult to quantify in aqueous systems, with traditional theories falling short due to oversimplifications.
- The researchers developed a new formula for solvation force that considers the liquid flow as surfaces come close together, linking it to the energy needed to push liquid molecules out of narrow spaces.
- Experiments using 3D atomic force microscopy confirmed this model across different surface types, showing that factors like temperature and surface wetting significantly influence solvation force more than liquid density does.
Article Synopsis
- The study focuses on improving single-atom catalysts (SACs) for hydrogen production through photocatalysis by creating a Co-P/g-CN heterostructure.
- The synthesis involved changing the Co-O configuration to a Co-P structure, enhancing the electronic properties and charge distribution, which lowered the energy barrier for hydrogen evolution reactions (HER).
- The Co-P/g-CN catalyst exhibited a HER rate significantly higher than traditional noble metal photocatalysts and achieved an apparent quantum efficiency of 28.45% at a specific wavelength, indicating its effectiveness in photocatalytic processes.
Evolution of Interfacial Hydration Structure Induced by Ion Condensation and Correlation Effects.
Angew Chem Int Ed Engl
December 2024
Article Synopsis
- Interfacial hydration structures are key in various fields like batteries, colloids, and lubrication, with multivalent ions such as Mg2+ and La3+ playing a significant role, although experimental support for this was lacking.
- Using atomic force microscopy, the study successfully observed the hydration structures at the interface of La(NO3)3 solution and mica, noting changes in layer number and thickness depending on ion concentration.
- The findings indicate that both multivalent and monovalent ions experience concentration-dependent behaviors that influence their hydration structures, offering valuable insights for improving battery performance, colloid stability, and lubrication efficiency.
Revealing the evolution of nanoscale third bodies confined between sliding surfaces is essential to understanding the friction and electrical properties for solid contacts. Here, with graphite/graphite contacts in structural superlubricity, a state of no wear and ultralow friction, we reveal the morphological evolution of a third body layer introduced by air through measuring friction and conductance during cyclic hold-slide tests. The directional transport of confined molecules causes apparent elastic deformation of the third body layer, leading to local graphite/graphite direct contact.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFunctional Characterization and Molecular Basis of a Multi-Site Halogenase in Naphthacemycin Biosynthesis.
Angew Chem Int Ed Engl
November 2024
Halogenases are spurring a growing interest in the fields of biosynthesis and biocatalysis. Although various halogenases have been identified in numerous natural product biosynthetic pathways, the mechanisms for multiple halogenations and site-selectivity remain largely unclear. In this study, we biochemically characterized FasV, a flavin-dependent halogenase (FDH) that catalyzes five successive chlorinations in the biosynthesis of the naphthacene-containing aromatic polyketide naphthacemycin.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- Firefighters face high rates of depression due to trauma and stress in their jobs, prompting a study to assess new treatment methods.
- The study tested an 8-week program combining internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy (iCBT) and attention bias modification (ABM) on 138 active firefighters in Kunming, China.
- Results showed that this combined approach significantly reduced depressive symptoms compared to a control group, although it did not significantly change attention bias, suggesting potential benefits of the intervention for mental health in emergency responders.
Article Synopsis
- Discrimination in evaluations contributes significantly to social inequality, yet there is limited knowledge about psychological interventions to combat biased assessments.
- A research contest tested 30 interventions aimed at reducing discrimination based on physical attractiveness, revealing two effective strategies that reduced both decision noise and bias.
- The findings highlight the need for concrete strategies that focus on relevant criteria in decision-making and emphasize the challenge of developing scalable interventions to effectively change discriminatory behaviors across various contexts.
Article Synopsis
- The study investigates how dietary calcium intake affects constipation in individuals with Metabolic Syndrome (MetS), a condition that increases the risk of various diseases, especially gastrointestinal issues.
- Researchers used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) and found that higher calcium intake significantly reduced the risk of constipation.
- The results indicate a negative linear relationship between calcium intake and constipation risk, meaning that as calcium consumption increases, the likelihood of experiencing constipation decreases.
Wear-free sliding electrical contacts with ultralow electrical resistivity.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A
November 2024
Article Synopsis
- Sliding electrical contacts in connectors face issues like high energy consumption and wear, which can lead to failures and reduced lifespan.
- An ultralow-friction state called structural superlubricity (SSL) was achieved using single-crystal graphite flakes on metals, showing promise for better performance.
- By applying a thin diamond-like carbon coating on nickel alloy, conductivity improved, allowing for the development of a prototype SSL slip ring with no friction or wear, paving the way for advancements in electromechanical systems.
A novel oligosaccharide (NTRP60-W-2) with an average molecular weight of 1377 Da was isolated and purified from Nicotiana tabacum roots. Its structural characteristics and immunomodulatory properties were investigated. Structural analysis revealed that NTRP60-W-2 was composed exclusively of glucose, featuring →1)-α-D-Glcp-(6→ backbone.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFalginate is a good candidate for encapsulating bioactive compounds because the Na on its carboxyl groups can take part in an ion exchange process with Ca to generate a calcium alginate shell. Electrospraying technology was used to prepare cinnamaldehyde (CA)-loaded alginate microcapsules. The generation of microcapsules with a minimal diameter could improve the mass transfer of encapsulated materials.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- A new method has been developed to achieve superlubricity on solid surfaces that remains effective in high-humidity conditions, overcoming previous challenges related to water and oxidation.
- This method uses a combination of microscale graphite flakes and graphene nanoflake-coated hydrogen-free amorphous carbon, leading to a very low coefficient of friction (0.0035) and minimal wear even after prolonged air exposure.
- The innovation allows for scaling up from tiny contacts to larger surfaces (3 mm) while maintaining efficient lubrication, opening up new possibilities for practical applications in various environments.
Copper-Consuming Nanoplatform for Alleviating Hypoxia and Overcoming Resistance to Sonodynamic Therapy of Breast Cancer.
ACS Appl Mater Interfaces
October 2024
Article Synopsis
- Sonodynamic therapy (SDT) shows potential for treating breast cancer but struggles due to low oxygen levels in tumors, which limits its effectiveness.
- To address this, researchers developed a multifunctional nanoagent that combines copper chelating agents and sonosensitizers in a polymer-based nanoliposome designed to target tumor cells.
- This innovative approach not only disrupts tumor cell proliferation by targeting mitochondrial function but also improves SDT effectiveness by reducing cellular oxygen consumption, potentially enhancing cancer treatment outcomes.
Article Synopsis
- Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are being explored as carriers for treating atherosclerosis, but creating more complex and effective versions usually requires complicated synthesis.
- This study introduces a straightforward method to create a multifunctional platform using a specially designed polymer that can trap different MOFs while boosting their stability and targeting capabilities for macrophages involved in atherosclerosis.
- Testing showed that this platform significantly improved MRI signal intensity and effectively reduced plaque area by 43% through the targeted delivery of therapeutic agents, demonstrating its potential for treating atherosclerosis and possibly other similar conditions.
Current status and dilemmas of osteoporosis screening tools: A narrative review.
Clin Nutr ESPEN
December 2024
Article Synopsis
- This review examines the current osteoporosis screening tools, highlighting their strengths and issues such as low accessibility and complexity of use, while proposing improvements and exploring AI's potential in this field.
- It involves an extensive literature search from databases like PubMed and Web of Science, focusing on studies related to osteoporosis screening tools and AI in medical imaging published from 2000 to 2023.
- The findings indicate that AI-integrated X-ray imaging significantly outperforms traditional screening methods by offering increased accuracy and personalized assessments, especially beneficial for early-stage bone density detection across diverse populations.*