Bidirectional associations among gallstone disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, kidney stone disease.

Background: A body of evidence has suggested bidirectional relationships among gallstone disease (GSD), non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and kidney stone disease (KSD). However, the results are inconsistent, and studies on this topic in China are relatively few. Our goal is to explore the bidirectional associations among these three diseases through a multicenter study, systematic review, and meta-analysis.

Helical Star-Shaped Bottlebrush Polymers: From Controlled Synthesis to Tunable Photoluminescence and Circularly Polarized Luminescence.

The controlled synthesis of star-shaped bottlebrush polymers with tunable topologies is a challenge. However, such materials may exhibit distinct photoluminescence properties. Bottlebrush polymers have polymerization-induced emission (PIE) properties due to their aggregated side chains, and aggregation-induced emission (AIE) is also a unique luminescent property.

Helical polyisocyanide-based macroporous organic catalysts for asymmetric Michael addition with high efficiency and stereoselectivity.

Porous materials have attracted interest due to their high specific surface area and rich functionality. Immobilizing organocatalysts onto porous polymers not only boosts enantioselectivity but also improves the reaction rates. In this work, a series of porous polymers C-poly-3s with rigid polyisocyanide-carrying secondary amine pendants as building blocks were successfully prepared.

PET imaging for the early evaluation of ocular inflammation in diabetic rats by using [F]-DPA-714.

Ocular complications of diabetes mellitus (DM) are the leading cause of vision loss. Ocular inflammation often occurs in the early stage of DM; however, there are no proven quantitative methods to evaluate the inflammatory status of eyes in DM. The 18 kDa translocator protein (TSPO) is an evolutionarily conserved cholesterol binding protein localized in the outer mitochondrial membrane.

Supramolecular Polymer Frameworks with Controlled and Uniform Pore Apertures.

Porous frameworks with controlled pore structure and tunable aperture are greatly demanded. However, precise synthesis of this kind of materials is a formidable challenge. Herein, we report the fabrication of two-dimensional (2D) supramolecular polymer frameworks using a precisely synthesized rod-like helical polyisocyanide as link.

The quality of life after keratinized mucosa augmentation around dental implants using xenogenic collagen matrix with or without stent.

Background: The substitution of missing teeth with implants is a dependable and anticipated therapeutic approach. Despite numerous studies affirming long-term success rates, there exists a spectrum of potential biological and aesthetic complications.

Objective: The primary objective of this study was to assess patient responses subsequent to surgical interventions, with a specific emphasis on the utilization of xenogenic collagen matrix (XCM), both with and without the application of a stent secured over healing abutments, in the context of keratinized gingival mucosa augmentation.

One-pot asymmetric living copolymerization-induced chiral self-assemblies and circularly polarized luminescence.

Controlled synthesis of conjugated block polymers enables the optimization of their self-assembly and may lead to distinct optical properties and functionalities. Herein, we report a direct chain extension of one-handed helical poly(acyl methane) with 1-ethynyl-4-iodo-2,5-bis(octyloxy)benzene, affording well-defined π-conjugated poly(acyl methane)--poly(phenylene ethynylene) copolymers. Although the distinct monomers are polymerized different mechanisms, the one-pot copolymerization follows a living polymerization manner, giving the desired optically active block copolymers with controllable molar mass and low distribution.

Controlled synthesis of cyclic helical polyisocyanides and bottlebrush polymers using a cyclic alkyne-Pd(II) catalyst.

Cyclic polymers have very unique structure and properties, and thus have drawn intense research attention. However, controlled synthesis of cyclic polymers with predictable molar mass and narrow distribution is still a challenging task. In this study, we developed a novel cyclic catalyst that initiates the ring-expansion polymerisation of isocyanides, producing a series of cyclic helical polymers with predictable molecular weight and low dispersity.

A study on the influencing factors and related paths of farmer's participation in food safety governance-based on DEMATEL-ISM-MICMAC model.

Farmers' participation in food safety governance is an important part of food safety social co-governance, and the accurate identification of its influencing factors and their related paths is of guiding significance to the scientific decision-making of food safety governance. The system of influencing factors of farmers' participation in food safety governance was constructed from four dimensions, and the influence network of each dimension was revealed by decision laboratory analysis (DEMATEL). The hierarchical structure and correlation path of influencing factors were determined by interpretive structural model (ISM), and the attributes of influencing factors were further classified by cross influence matrix multiplication (MICMAC).

Self-assembly and interaction mechanisms of edible dock protein and flavonoids regulated by the phenolic hydroxyl position.

In this study, chrysin (Chr), baicalein (Bai), apigenin (Api) and galangin (Gal) were selected as the representative flavonoids with different position of phenolic hydroxyl groups, and edible dock protein (EDP) was used as a material to construct delivery system. Subsequently, the molecular interactions and functional properties of flavonoids-loaded EDP nanomicelles were investigated. Results exhibited that hydrogen bond, hydrophobic interaction and van der Waals force were the main driving forces for self-assembly of flavonoids and EDP molecules.

Cyclic Polymers: Controlled Synthesis, Properties and Perspectives.

Recently, cyclic polymers have attracted increasing interest due to their unique topologies, properties, and functions compared to the linear analogues. This mini-review focuses on the recent advances in the synthesis and applications of cyclic polymers. First, the main synthetic methods for cyclic polymers, namely ring closure and ring expansion methods, are presented and discussed, followed by a review on the exploration of the properties and applications of synthetic cyclic polymers.

Ketone bodies promote stroke recovery via GAT-1-dependent cortical network remodeling.

Stroke is a leading cause of adult disability worldwide, and better drugs are needed to promote functional recovery after stroke. Growing evidence suggests the critical role of network excitability during the repair phase for stroke recovery. Here, we show that β-hydroxybutyrate (β-HB), an essential ketone body (KB) component, is positively correlated with improved outcomes in patients with stroke and promotes functional recovery in rodents with stroke during the repair phase.

Tachykinin receptor 3 in the lateral habenula alleviates pain and anxiety comorbidity in mice.

The coexistence of chronic pain and anxiety is a common clinical phenomenon. Here, the role of tachykinin receptor 3 (NK3R) in the lateral habenula (LHb) in trigeminal neuralgia and in pain-associated anxiety was systematically investigated. First, electrophysiological recording showed that bilateral LHb neurons are hyperactive in a mouse model of trigeminal neuralgia made by partial transection of the infraorbital nerve (pT-ION).

Visible Helicity Induction and Memory in Polyallene toward Circularly Polarized Luminescence, Helicity Discrimination, and Enantiomer Separation.

Inspired by biological helices (e.g., DNA), artificial helical polymers have attracted intense attention.

Tuning interfacial thermal conductance of GaN/AlN heterostructure nanowires by constructing core/shell structure.

The ability to tune the interfacial thermal conductance of GaN/AlN heterojunction nanowires (NWs) with a core/shell structure is shown using molecular dynamics and non-equilibrium Green's functions method. In particular, an increase in the shell thickness leads to a significant improvement of interfacial thermal conductance of GaN/AlN core/shell NWs. At room temperature (300 K), the interfacial thermal conductance of NWs with specific core/shell ratio can reach 0.

The role of altered fatty acid in pathological scars and their dermal fibroblasts.

Purpose: The proposed pathological mechanism for scar formation is controversial, and increased attention has been paid to the fatty acids (FAs) in the formation of pathological scars. Notably, FAs are known to be important in inflammation and mechanotransduction, which is closely related to scar formation. Therefore, it is necessary to clarify the roles of FA in scar formation.

Diagnostic cut-off value for Aspergillus fumigatus- and flavus-specific IgG with clinical relevance in chronic pulmonary Aspergillus infection: A pilot study in Taiwan.

Background: The diagnostic cut-off value for chronic pulmonary Aspergillosis (CPA) by Aspergillus fumigatus-specific IgG has never been evaluated In Taiwan. The cut-off value for Aspergillus flavus-specific IgG has not been evaluated worldwide.

Objectives: Evaluate diagnostic cut-off value of Aspergillus IgG and its application characteristics.

Direct intramolecular amination of tryptophan esters to prepare pyrrolo[2,3-b]indoles.

A metal-free iodine-catalyzed intramolecular amination has been developed for the practical synthesis of pyrrolo[2,3-b]indoles from readily available tryptophan esters. The transformation has been applied to a wide array of substrates and can be performed on gram scale under very mild conditions.

[Nitrate Source Identification and Nitrification-denitrification at the Sediment-water Interface].

Identifying nitrate sources and its transformation mechanisms are important for nitrate pollution control in surface water. The columnar core sediment samples in West Lake were taken in different seasons. The transformation of nitrogen at the sediment-water interface was studied using nitrogen and oxygen isotopes, stable isotope analysis in R (SIAR) and acetylene inhibition method in the West Lake, Hangzhou.

Biohydrogen production from waste bread in a continuous stirred tank reactor: A techno-economic analysis.

Biohydrogen production from waste bread in a continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR) was techno-economically assessed. The treating capacity of the H-producing plant was assumed to be 2 ton waste bread per day with lifetime of 10years. Aspen Plus was used to simulate the mass and energy balance of the plant.

Expression of stromal cell-derived factor-1 in diabetic retinopathy.

Background: Neovascularization can cause vision loss in proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) and may be affected by many factors. Stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) is a potent stimulator of angiogenesis. The study was aimed to investigate the expression of SDF-1 and its correlation with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the eyes with diabetic retinopathy.

Caspase-dependent retinal ganglion cell apoptosis in the rat model of acute diabetes.

Background: Neural apoptosis is generally believed to be mediated by two distinct pathways, caspase-dependant and caspase-independent pathways. This study investigated the apoptotic pathways involved in retinal ganglion cells in acute diabetes in rats.

Methods: Diabetes was induced in male Wistar rats by a peritoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ).