Glia dysfunction in schizophrenia: evidence of possible therapeutic effects of nervonic acid in a preclinical model.

Rationale: Neuroinflammation may inhibit oligodendrocyte and astrocyte differentiation, which causes demyelination and synaptic degeneration. The myelin component nervonic acid (NA) may improve demyelinating and neurodegenerative diseases.

Objectives: This study firstly explored relationships between glial cell dysfunction and demyelination or synaptic degeneration in schizophrenia patients, and secondly determined nervonic acid therapeutic effects in a preclinical schizophrenia model of mice.

Exosomes Derived from DPA-treated UCMSCs Attenuated Depression-like Behaviors and Neuroinflammation in a Model of Depression Induced by Chronic Stress.

Depression is characterized by both neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. Exosomes (Exo) have been shown to function as inhibitors of inflammation and promoters of neurogenesis. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as eicosapentaenoic acid, can combat depression by increasing levels of docosapentaenoic acid (DPA).

Small-molecule natural product sophoricoside reduces peripheral neuropathic pain via directly blocking of NaV1.6 in dorsal root ganglion nociceptive neurons.

Peripheral neuropathic pain poses a significant global health challenge. Current drugs for peripheral neuropathic pain often fall short in efficacy or come with severe side effects, emphasizing the critical need for the development of highly effective and well-tolerated alternatives. Sophoricoside (SOP) is a nature product-derived isoflavone that possesses various pharmacological effects on inflammatory and neuropathy diseases.

Deciphering the mediating role of CXCL10 in hypothyroidism-induced idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in European ancestry: a Mendelian randomization study.

Background: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a lethal lung disease characterized by progressive fibrosis, leading to impaired gas exchange and high mortality. The etiology of IPF is complex, with potential links to autoimmune disorders such as hypothyroidism. This study explores the relationship between hypothyroidism and IPF, focusing on the mediating role of plasma proteins.

Efficacy and safety of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation for frequent premature ventricular complexes: rationale and design of the TASC-V trial.

Background: Premature Ventricular Complexes (PVCs) are very common in clinical practice, with frequent PVCs (more than 30 beats per hour) or polymorphic PVCs significantly increasing the risk of mortality. Previous studies have shown that vagus nerve stimulation improves ventricular arrhythmias. Stimulation of the auricular distribution of the vagus nerve has proven to be a simple, safe, and effective method to activate the vagus nerve.

Carbenoid-involved reactions integrated with scaffold-based screening generates a Nav1.7 inhibitor.

The discovery of selective Nav1.7 inhibitors is a promising approach for developing anti-nociceptive drugs. In this study, we present a novel oxindole-based readily accessible library (OREAL), which is characterized by readily accessibility, unique chemical space, ideal drug-like properties, and structural diversity.

Comparison between sub-chronic and chronic sleep deprivation-induced behavioral and neuroimmunological abnormalities in mice: Focusing on glial cell phenotype polarization.

Background: Sleep disorders, depression, and Alzheimer's disease (AD) are extensively reported as comorbidity. Although neuroinflammation triggered by microglial phenotype M1 activation, leading to neurotransmitter dysfunction and Aβ aggregation, is considered as the leading cause of depression and AD, whether and how sub-chronic or chronic sleep deprivation (SD) contribute to the onset and development of these diseases remains unclear.

Methods: Memory and depression-like behaviors were evaluated in both SDs, and then circadian markers, glial cell phenotype polarization, cytokines, depression-related neurotransmitters, and AD-related gene/protein expressions were measured by qRT-PCR, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, high-performance liquid chromatography, and western-blotting respectively.

Mapping of technological strategies for reducing social isolation in homebound older adults: A scoping review.

Background: Homebound older adults (HOAs) are particularly vulnerable to social isolation and loneliness, which engender a poorer physical and mental health, and greater cognitive decline. The purpose of this review is to map the literature to identify potential technological strategies that reduce social isolation in HOAs, and to understand facilitators and barriers for adoption and implementation.

Methods: Six databases including PubMed (MEDLINE), Google Scholar, Cochrane Database, EBSCOHost, National Library ProQuest, Web of Science, and the Journal of Medical Internet Research were searched for relevant articles.

Multimodal Spectroscopic Studies to Evaluate the Effect of Nod-Factor-Based Fertilizer on the Maize () Stem.

Maize () is one of the most cultivated plants in the world. Due to the large area, the scale of its production, and the demand to increase the yield, there is a need for new environmentally friendly fertilizers. One group of such candidates is bacteria-produced nodulation (or nod) factors.

Asymmetric Carbene-Alkyne Metathesis-Mediated Cascade: Synthesis of Benzoxazine Polychiral Polyheterocycles and Discovery of a Novel Pain Blocker.

This study introduces a novel approach for synthesizing Benzoxazine-centered Polychiral Polyheterocycles (BPCPHCs) via an innovative asymmetric carbene-alkyne metathesis-triggered cascade. Overcoming challenges associated with intricate stereochemistry and multiple chiral centers, the catalytic asymmetric Carbene Alkyne Metathesis-mediated Cascade (CAMC) is employed using dirhodium catalyst/Brønsted acid co-catalysis, ensuring precise stereo control as validated by X-ray crystallography. Systematic substrate scope evaluation establishes exceptional diastereo- and enantioselectivities, creating a unique library of BPCPHCs.

Nav1.7 Modulator Bearing a 3-Hydroxyindole Backbone Holds the Potential to Reverse Neuropathic Pain.

Chronic pain is a growing global health problem affecting at least 10% of the world's population. However, current chronic pain treatments are inadequate. Voltage-gated sodium channels (Navs) play a pivotal role in regulating neuronal excitability and pain signal transmission and thus are main targets for nonopioid painkiller development, especially those preferentially expressed in dorsal root ganglial (DRG) neurons, such as Nav1.

Down-regulation of MKP-1 in hippocampus protects against stress-induced depression-like behaviors and neuroinflammation.

Chronic stress is the primary environmental risk factor for major depressive disorder (MDD), and there is compelling evidence that neuroinflammation is the major pathomechanism linking chronic stress to MDD. Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphatase-1 (MKP-1) is a negative regulator of MAPK signaling pathways involved in cellular stress responses, survival, and neuroinflammation. We examined the possible contributions of MKP-1 to stress-induced MDD by comparing depression-like behaviors (anhedonia, motor retardation, behavioral despair), neuroinflammatory marker expression, and MAPK signaling pathways among rats exposed to chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS), overexpressing MKP-1 in the hippocampus, and CUMS-exposed rats underexpressing MKP-1 in the hippocampus.

The association between sedentary behavior and obstructive sleep apnea: a cross-sectional study from the NHANES (2007-2008 to 2015-2020).

Background: Sedentary behavior (SB) may contribute to obesity and lower extremity fluid retention, which may favor the development of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). However, linking sedentary behavior to OSA is unclear. The purpose of this study was to determine if there is an association between SB and OSA.

Research and application of surface heat treatment for CO continuous laser ablation of polymeric methyl methacrylate materials.

Based on the influence of a filamentous laser Gaussian heat source and its movement speed on Polymeric Methyl Methacrylate materials (PMMA sheets), the physical model of heat transfer of PMMA materials by CO continuous laser ablation was established. Numerical simulation research on heat transfer in CO continuous laser processing of PMMA sheets was carried out by applying the heat transfer model, and experiments on continuous laser processing of PMMA sheets were conducted on the basis of the numerical simulation results. Theoretical and experimental research indicated that under relevant conditions, when the laser power was 20 W, the maximum surface temperature of PMMA sheet was approximately 520 K, which was higher than the melting temperature of the PMMA material, achieving the transformation of the PMMA material from solid to liquid phase in the laser ablation area.

Quercetin, Main Active Ingredient of Moutan Cortex, Alleviates Chronic Orofacial Pain via Block of Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel.

Background: Chronic orofacial pain (COP) therapy is challenging, as current medical treatments are extremely lacking. Moutan Cortex (MC) is a traditional Chinese medicine herb widely used for chronic inflammatory diseases. However, the mechanism behind MC in COP therapy has not been well-established.

Synthesis and In Vivo Antiarrhythmic Activity Evaluation of Novel Scutellarein Analogues as Voltage-Gated Nav1.5 and Cav1.2 Channels Blockers.

Malignant cardiac arrhythmias with high morbidity and mortality have posed a significant threat to our human health. Scutellarein, a metabolite of Scutellarin which is isolated from L., presents excellent therapeutic effects on cardiovascular diseases and could further be metabolized into methylated forms.

Correlations between omega-3 fatty acids and inflammatory/glial abnormalities: the involvement of the membrane and neurotransmitter dysfunction in schizophrenia.

Introduction: Macrophages or T-lymphocytes triggered inflammation and, consequently, activated glial cells may contribute to neuroinflammation and neurotransmitter dysfunction in schizophrenia (SZ), while omega(n)-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) can attenuate some SZ symptoms through anti-inflammatory effects. However, the correlations between macrophage/T-lymphocyte-produced cytokines and glia phenotypes, between inflammatory status and PUFAs composition, between cytokines and neurotransmitter function, and between n-3 PUFAs and neurotransmitter abnormality in SZ are unclear.

Methods: Changes in T-helper (h) patterns, peripheral macrophage/glial markers, PUFAs profile, membrane fluidity, and neurotransmitter functions were evaluated in SZ patients ( = 50) and healthy controls ( = 30) using ELISA, gas chromatography, fluorescence anisotropy techniques, and HPLC, respectively.

The exploration of neuroinflammatory mechanism by which CRHR2 deficiency induced anxiety disorder.

Inflammation stimulates the hypothalamic-pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis and triggers glial neuroinflammatory phenotypes, which reduces monoamine neurotransmitters by activating indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase enzyme. These changes can induce psychiatric diseases, including anxiety. Corticotropin releasing hormone receptor 2 (CRHR2) in the HPA axis is involved in the etiology of anxiety.

Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Eicosapentaenoic Acid or Docosahexaenoic Acid Improved Ageing-Associated Cognitive Decline by Regulating Glial Polarization.

Neuroinflammation induced by microglial and astrocyte polarizations may contribute to neurodegeneration and cognitive impairment. Omega (n)-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects, but conflicting results were reported after different n-3 PUFA treatments. This study examined both the change in glial polarizations in ageing rats and the differential effects of two omega-3 PUFAs.

Happy people live longer because they are healthy people.

Objectives: Higher levels of happiness are associated with longer life expectancy. Our study assessed the extent to which various factors explain the protective effect of happiness on all-cause mortality risk, and whether the association differs between older men and women.

Methods: Using data from the Singapore Longitudinal Aging Studies (N = 6073) of community-dwelling older adults aged ≥ 55 years, we analyzed the association of baseline Likert score of happiness (1 = very sad to 5 = very happy) and mortality from mean 11.

High-rise buildings: A risk factor in the COVID-19 Omicron epidemic period.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate possible viral transmission scenarios inside a high-rise building during the Omicron phase of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study design.

Methods: In order to determine the pathogenicity of the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2, demographic, vaccination and clinical data were collected from COVID-19 positive cases during an outbreak in a high-rise residential building in Shenzhen, China, in early 2022.

Efficient degradation of norfloxacin using a novel biochar-supported CuO/FeO combined with peroxydisulfate: Insights into enhanced contribution of nonradical pathway.

Nonradical persulfate oxidation techniques have evolved as a new contaminated water treatment approach due to its great tolerance to water matrixes. The catalysts of CuO-based composites have received much attention in that aside from SO/OH radicals, the nonradicals of singlet oxygen (O) can be also generated during persulfate activation via CuO. However, the issues regarding particles aggregation and metal leaching from the catalysts during the decontamination process remain to be addressed, which could have a remarkable impact on the catalytic degradation of organic pollutants.

The comparison of sex differences in depression-like behaviors and neuroinflammatory changes in a rat model of depression induced by chronic stress.

Background: Clinical prevalence of major depression is higher in women than men, while the psychoneuroimmunological mechanisms underlying the differences between the two sexes are not fully understood.

Methods: The present study explored sex differences in the behaviors and depressive pathological mechanisms induced by chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS). Depression- and anxiety-like behaviors were assessed by the sucrose preference test (SPT), force swimming test (FST), open field test (OFT), and elevated plus-maze (EPM).

Research and application of plasma characteristic models for pulsed laser processing of metal materials.

Plasma characteristic models were established in cylindrical coordinates according to the plasma expansion characteristics of pulsed laser processing of metal materials, mainly including plasma expansion characteristic models and a change rate model for the collisional ionization effect. The plasma characteristics (expansion dimension, expansion velocity, electron density and collision rate) for the pulsed laser machining of a bronze grinding wheel were obtained by using the plasma characteristic models. The results show that the expansion velocity direction can be changed after plasma collision, resulting in particles returning and depositing onto the processed material surface.

Reversal of Peripheral Neuropathic Pain by the Small-Molecule Natural Product Narirutin via Block of Na1.7 Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel.

Neuropathic pain is a refractory chronic disease affecting millions of people worldwide. Given that present painkillers have poor efficacy or severe side effects, developing novel analgesics is badly needed. The multiplex structure of active ingredients isolated from natural products provides a new source for phytochemical compound synthesis.