Screening tools for subjective cognitive decline and mild cognitive impairment based on task-state prefrontal functional connectivity: a functional near-infrared spectroscopy study.

Background: Subjective cognitive decline (SCD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) carry the risk of progression to dementia, and accurate screening methods for these conditions are urgently needed. Studies have suggested the potential ability of functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to identify MCI and SCD. The present fNIRS study aimed to develop an early screening method for SCD and MCI based on activated prefrontal functional connectivity (FC) during the performance of cognitive scales and subject-wise cross-validation via machine learning.

A Cadmium Metal-Organic Framework with Negative Electrostatic Potentials for Efficient Separation of C2H2/CO2 and C2H2/C2H4.

Given the high similarity in physical and chemical properties, especially in terms of molecular size and boiling point, of acetylene (C2H2), carbon dioxide (CO2), and ethylene (C2H4) molecules, traditional separation techniques encounter great challenges. Fortunately, metal organic framework (MOF) materials have demonstrated significant potential for efficient separation of these gases at the molecular level due to their finely tunable pore structure and surface functional properties. In this paper, we have successfully synthesized a cadmium-based MOF (FJI-W-708), which exhibits negative electrostatic potential pores and exceptional thermal stability.

Exosomal lncRNA Mir100hg from lung cancer stem cells activates H3K14 lactylation to enhance metastatic activity in non-stem lung cancer cells.

The mean survival of metastatic lung adenocarcinoma is less than 1 year, highlighting the urgent need to understand the mechanisms underlying its high mortality rate. The role of Extracellular vesicles (EVs) in facilitating the interactions between cancer cells and the metastatic microenvironment has garnered increasing attention. Previous studies on the role of EVs in metastasis have been primarily focused on cancer cell-derived EVs in modulating the functions of stromal cells.

The preventive effect and mechanism of Tibetan medicine Aconitum tanguticum (Maxim.) Stapf on acute lung injury.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Aconitum tanguticum (Maxim.) Stapf (ATS) is a rare Tibetan medicinal plant that belongs to the Ranunculaceae family. This herb is mainly distributed in the high-altitude areas of Qinghai, Gansu provinces, and Tibetan Autonomous Region in China.

Development of a one-step multiplex RT-qPCR method for rapid detection of bovine diarrhea viruses.

Introduction: Viral calf diarrhea poses a significant challenge to the cattle industry worldwide due to its high morbidity and mortality rates, leading to substantial economic losses. The clinical symptoms associated with various diarrhea pathogens often overlap, complicating accurate diagnosis; thus, there is an urgent need for rapid and precise diagnostic methods to improve prevention and treatment efforts. In this study, we developed a one-step multiplex reverse-transcription quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (mRT-qPCR) that enables the simultaneous detection of three key viral pathogens responsible for calf diarrhea: bovine kobuvirus (BKoV), bovine astrovirus (BoAstV), and bovine torovirus (BToV).

High-loading Bi-MOF nanoparticles anchored on biomass waste-derived carbon for sensitive non-enzymic nitrite sensing.

A novel electrocatalyst based on loofah sponge-derived carbon-supported high-density Bi-MOF nanoparticles was designed and used for electrochemical nitrite detection. The use of conductive loofah sponge-derived carbon substrate to support Bi-MOF nanoparticles can not only accelerate electron transfer, thereby accelerating electrochemical reaction kinetics, but also effectively prevent the aggregation of MOF materials, promote the full exposure of MOF active sites, and improve electrochemical sensing performance. Benefitting from the synergy effect of conductive loofah sponge-derived carbon sustrate and highly loading Bi-MOF nanoparticles, the Bi-MOF-NPs/CLS electrode displayed high sensitivity of 190 µA cm mM, a wide linear range from 5 µM to 1.

Compact single-shot multispectral polarization imager through joint spectral-polarization encoding.

The technique of spectral polarization imaging (SPI) is a potent detection tool in various fields due to its ability to capture multi-dimensional information. However, existing SPI systems usually face challenges associated with architectural complexity and computational requirements, rendering them unsuitable for handheld, on-board, and real-time applications. Consequently, a compact single-shot multispectral polarization imager (CSMPI) is proposed, which employs a combined spectral-polarization encoding strategy to address the aforementioned issues.

Automated tuning of a ring-assisted MZI-based interleaver for Kerr frequency combs.

We demonstrate a compact ring-assisted Mach-Zehnder interferometer (RAMZI)-based silicon photonic interleaver with a 400 GHz free spectral range (FSR), featuring flat passbands exceeding a spectral range of 50 nm. Additionally, we introduce a novel, to the best of our knowledge, add-on structure and tuning method enabling automated compensation for fabrication imperfections, precise shaping of the RAMZI flat-top passbands, and alignment with Kerr comb lines. Experimental results have shown successful interleaving of eight channels of distributed-feedback (DFB) lasers as well as a 200 GHz Kerr comb, both achieving an extinction ratio of approximately 20 dB.

SNHG16 alleviates pulmonary ischemia-reperfusion injury by promoting the Warburg effect through regulating MTCH2 expression: experimental studies.

Background: Pulmonary ischemia-reperfusion injury (PIRI) is a major cause of fatality post-lung transplantation. Though some long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been studied in acute lung injury (ALI), their effects on PIRI remain undefined. The present study aims to explore the underlying mechanism of small nucleolar RNA host gene 16 (SNHG16) in PIRI.

Advancements in nanohydroxyapatite: synthesis, biomedical applications and composite developments.

Nanohydroxyapatite (nHA) is distinguished by its exceptional biocompatibility, bioactivity and biodegradability, qualities attributed to its similarity to the mineral component of human bone. This review discusses the synthesis techniques of nHA, highlighting how these methods shape its physicochemical attributes and, in turn, its utility in biomedical applications. The versatility of nHA is further enhanced by doping with biologically significant ions like magnesium or zinc, which can improve its bioactivity and confer therapeutic properties.

Unconventional hexagonal open Prussian blue analog structures.

Prussian blue analogs (PBAs), as a classical kind of microporous materials, have attracted substantial interests considering their well-defined framework structures, unique physicochemical properties and low cost. However, PBAs typically adopt cubic structure that features small pore size and low specific surface area, which greatly limits their practical applications in various fields ranging from gas adsorption/separation to energy conversion/storage and biomedical treatments. Here we report the facile and general synthesis of unconventional hexagonal open PBA structures.

Hydrothermal pretreatment for enhanced thermochemical or biochemical conversion of pharmaceutical biowastes into fuels, fertilizers, and carbon materials.

Pharmaceutical biowastes, rich in organic matter and high in moisture, are typical light industry byproducts with waste and renewable attributes. Thermochemical and biochemical conversion technologies transform these residues into value-added bioproducts, including biofuels, biofertilizers, and bio-carbon materials. Hydrothermal pretreatment effectively removes toxic substances and enhances feedstock for these processes.

Phase-coded coherent microwave pulse generation based on an actively mode-locked optoelectronic parametric oscillator.

An approach for generating phase-coded coherent microwave pulse trains at high frequencies is proposed and demonstrated based on an actively mode-locked optoelectronic parametric oscillator (AML-OEPO), where an electrical mixer is inserted into the cavity of an optoelectronic oscillator (OEO) to achieve both mode locking and parameter oscillation. The driving signal applied to the mixer is a low-frequency sinusoidal signal with voltage polarity coding, where the frequency is the same as the free spectral range (FSR) of the OEO cavity, and the duration of each voltage polarity coding bit is identical to the loop delay. As a result, phase-coded coherent microwave pulse trains can be generated, where the pulse interval is equal to the loop delay due to the active mode locking effect, and the phase coding period is equal to a multiple integer of the loop delay due to parameter oscillation.

The Therapeutic Potential of Pristimerin in Osteoarthritis: Mechanistic Insights from in vitro and in vivo Studies.

Objective: Osteoarthritis (OA), a degenerative disease marked by cartilage erosion and synovial proliferation, has led to an increased interest in natural plant-based compounds to slow its progression. Pristimerin(Pri), a triterpenoid compound derived from Tripterygium wilfordii, has demonstrated anti-inflammatory and antioxidant characteristics. This study explores the protective effects of Pri on OA and its potential mechanisms.

Nanomaterials: breaking the bottleneck of breast cancer drug resistance.

Drug resistance poses a significant challenge in the treatment of breast cancer. In recent years, a variety of nanomaterials have been discovered and synthesized that can selectively target tumor cells and play a crucial role in the advancement of breast cancer therapies. As our understanding of tumor heterogeneity deepens, the emerging potential of nanomaterials in addressing drug resistance has garnered considerable attention.

Three-channel-switchable coded aperture snapshot multispectral polarization imaging.

An ingenious and compact snapshot multispectral polarization imaging method is proposed based on a new, to the best of our knowledge, three-channel-switchable spectral polarization coded aperture. We utilize the coded aperture to simultaneously select three-channel light components and encode them with specific spectrum-polarization coefficients. It enables easy retrieval of each channel's light component from the mixed information via polarization measurements and linear decoding operations.

Freely tunable phase-locked dual-frequency microwave signal generation from injection-locked broadband optoelectronic oscillator.

We propose and experimentally demonstrate an injection-locked broadband optoelectronic oscillator (OEO) to generate freely tunable phase-locked dual-frequency microwave signals. When two single-tone signals inside and outside the passband of the electrical broadband bandpass filter (BPF) are, respectively, injected into the OEO, a phase-locked dual-frequency microwave signal with ultra-low near-end side-mode spurs can be generated from the OEO cavity. Therefore, one frequency of the output signal is equal to the frequency of the injected signal within the BPF, and the other frequency is equal to the sum frequency or the differential frequency of two injected signals.

Spatial division multiplexing of LED strips for optical camera communication.

Rolling shutter based optical camera communication (RS-OCC), a promising candidate of optical wireless communication (OWC), has the advantage of unlicensed spectrum and no electromagnetic interference. Since RS-OCC can use the built-in camera of a smartphone as a receiver, it can provide flexible, low-cost, and timely private information exchange between mobile users. However, the enhancement of data throughput for the RS-OCC is challenging.

Arginine methylation-dependent TRIM47 stability mediated by CARM1 promotes the metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma.

The tripartite motif (TRIM) protein family has been shown to play important roles in the occurrence and development of various tumors. However, the biological functions of TRIM47 and its regulatory mechanism in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain unexplored. Here, we showed that TRIM47 was upregulated in HCC tissues compared with adjacent normal tissues, especially at advanced stages, and associated with poor prognosis in HCC patients.

A Noncovalent π-Stacked Dual-Pore Molecular Crystal for Ethanol/Water and Benzene/Methanol Azeotrope Separation.

Separation of ethanol/water or benzene/methanol azeotrope mixtures presents significant challenges, not only due to the limitations of conventional distillation techniques but also because of the constraints in developing and utilizing of new generation adsorbents. Porous organic molecular frameworks constructed via noncovalent π-interactions are emerging as novel adsorbents with vast potential in gas adsorption and molecular separation. Herein, we report a permanent two-dimensional porous structure, namely TDTBA-1, which consists of two different kinds of pores through π-stacking of a single organic molecule with highly T symmetry.

Exosomal lncRNA Mir100hg derived from cancer stem cells enhance glycolysis and promote metastasis of melanoma through miR-16-5p and miR-23a-3p.

Increasing evidence demonstrate that the significant role of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) in metastasis and the remodeling of the tumor microenvironment. However, the precise mechanisms of lncRNAs in cancer metastasis are still poorly understood. The function of lncRNA-Mir100hg in melanoma and its involvement in mediating communication between tumor stem cells and non-stemness tumor cells remains unknown.

Unexpected Inhibitory Role of Silica Nanoparticles on Lung Cancer Development by Promoting M1 Polarization of Macrophages.

Introduction: Inhalation exposure to silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) is frequently inevitable in modern times. Although the impact of SiNPs on the ecological niche of the lungs has been extensively explored, the role and mechanism of SiNPs in the microenvironment of lung tumors remain elusive.

Methods: In this investigation, Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) was implanted into the left lung in situ after 28 days of intratracheal SiNPs injection into the lungs of mice.

Ammopiptanthus nanus (M. Pop.) Cheng f. stem ethanolic extract ameliorates rheumatoid arthritis by inhibiting PI3K/AKT/NF-κB pathway-mediated macrophage infiltration.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Ammopiptanthus nanus (M. Pop.) Cheng f.