Unexpected Magnetic Moments in Manganese-Doped (CdSe) Nanoclusters: Role of Ligands.

This study explores the enhancement in magnetic and photoluminescence properties of Mn-doped (CdSe) nanoclusters, significantly influenced by the introduction of paramagnetic centers through doping, facilitated by optimized precursor chemistry and precisely controlled surface ligand interactions. Using a cost-effective and scalable synthesis approach with elemental Se and NaBH (Se-NaBH) in n-octylamine, we tailored bonding configurations (Cd-O, Cd-N, and Cd-Se) on the surface of nanoclusters, as confirmed by EXAFS analysis. These bonding configurations allowed for tunable Mn-doping with tetrahedral coordination, further stabilized by hydrogen-bonded acetate ligands, as evidenced by C NMR and IR spectroscopy.

Measuring the rate of NADPH consumption by glutathione reductase in the cytosol and mitochondria.

Background: NADPH is an essential co-factor supporting the function of enzymes that participate in both inflammatory and anti-inflammatory pathways in myeloid cells, particularly macrophages. Although individual NADPH-dependent pathways are well characterized, how these opposing pathways are co-regulated to orchestrate an optimized inflammatory response is not well understood. To investigate this, techniques to track the consumption of NADPH need to be applied.

2024 Guidelines of the Taiwan Society of Cardiology on the Primary Prevention of Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease --- Part II.

For the primary prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), the recommended treatment target for each modifiable risk factor is as follows: reducing body weight by 5-10%; blood pressure < 130/80 mmHg (systolic pressure < 120 mmHg in high-risk individuals); low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) < 100 mg/dL in high-risk individuals, LDL-C < 115 mg/dL in moderate-risk individuals, LDL-C < 130 mg/dL in low-risk individuals, and LDL-C < 160 mg/dL in those with a minimal; complete and persistent abstinence from cigarette smoking; hemoglobin A1C < 7.0%; fulfilling recommended amounts of the six food groups according to the Taiwan food guide; and moderate-intensity physical activity 150 min/wk or vigorous physical activity 75 min/wk. For the primary prevention of ASCVD by pharmacological treatment in individuals with modifiable risk factors/clinical conditions, statins are the first-line therapy for reducing LDL-C levels; some specific anti-diabetic drugs proven to be effective in randomized controlled trials for the primary prevention of ASCVD are recommended in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus; pharmacological treatment is recommended to assist in weight management for obese patients with a body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m (or 27 kg/m who also have at least one ASCVD risk factor or obesity-related comorbidity); an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist, a sodium-dependent glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor, and finerenone can be used in diabetic patients with chronic kidney disease for the primary prevention of ASCVD.

Correlations between the long noncoding RNA MEG3 and clinical characteristics for diabetic kidney disease in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Background And Aims: Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is a common complication of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) that leads to systemic inflammation. Maternally expressed gene 3 (MEG3) is a tumor suppressor that is involved in inflammation regulation. The current study investigated the association between DKD and the prevalence of the single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of MEG3.

Dynamic micro-optical coherence tomography enables structural and metabolic imaging of the mammalian cochlea.

Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) is caused by damage to the mechanosensory hair cells and auditory neurons of the cochlea. The development of imaging tools that can directly visualize or provide functional information about a patient's cochlear cells is critical to identify the pathobiological defect and determine the cells' receptiveness to emerging SNHL treatments. However, the cochlea's small size, embedded location within dense bone, and sensitivity to perturbation have historically precluded high-resolution clinical imaging.

Patterned wireless transcranial optogenetics generates artificial perception.

Synthesizing perceivable artificial neural inputs independent of typical sensory channels remains a fundamental challenge in the development of next-generation brain-machine interfaces. Establishing a minimally invasive, wirelessly effective, and miniaturized platform with long-term stability is crucial for creating a clinically meaningful interface capable of mediating artificial perceptual feedback. In this study, we demonstrate a miniaturized fully implantable wireless transcranial optogenetic encoder designed to generate artificial perceptions through digitized optogenetic manipulation of large cortical ensembles.

Ethanol synthesis catalytic CO hydrogenation over multi-elemental KFeCuZn/ZrO catalyst.

Technological enablers that use CO as a feedstock to create value-added chemicals, including ethanol, have gained widespread appeal. They offer a potential solution to climate change and promote the development of a circular economy. However, the conversion of CO to ethanol poses significant challenges, not only because CO is a thermodynamically stable and chemically inert molecule but also because of the complexity of the reaction routes and uncontrollability of C-C coupling.

Association of long noncoding RNA GAS5 gene polymorphism with progression of diabetic kidney disease.

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is a common microvascular complication of diabetes, whose complex etiology involves a genetic component. (GAS5), a long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) gene, has been recently shown to regulate renal fibrosis. Here, we aimed to explore the potential role of gene polymorphisms in the predisposition to DKD.

Evidence to support cultivated fruiting body of Ophiocordyceps sinensis (Ascomycota)'s role in relaxing airway smooth muscle.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Ophiocordyceps sinensis (O. sinensis) is a genus of Ascomycete fungus that is endemic to the alpine meadows of the Tibetan Plateau and adjoining Himalayas. It has been used traditionally as a tonic to improve respiratory health in ancient China as well as to promote vitality and longevity.

Revisiting the role of hypoxia-inducible factors and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 in regulating macrophage inflammation and metabolism.

The recent birth of the immunometabolism field has comprehensively demonstrated how the rewiring of intracellular metabolism is critical for supporting the effector functions of many immune cell types, such as myeloid cells. Among all, the transcriptional regulation mediated by Hypoxia-Inducible Factors (HIFs) and Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) have been consistently shown to play critical roles in regulating the glycolytic metabolism, redox homeostasis and inflammatory responses of macrophages (Mφs). Although both of these transcription factors were first discovered back in the 1990s, new advances in understanding their function and regulations have been continuously made in the context of immunometabolism.

John Yudkin's hypothesis: sugar is a major dietary culprit in the development of cardiovascular disease.

To date, the risk of developing atherosclerosis has extended beyond Western countries and now affecting individuals from various ethnic backgrounds and age groups. Traditional risk factors of atherosclerosis, such as hypercholesterolemia, has been better controlled than before due to highly effective and inexpensive therapies at lowering plasma cholesterol levels. However, the role of reducing dietary cholesterol intake, as a public healthy strategy, in preventing the occurrence of cardiovascular mortalities has been recently challenged.

Cholesterol accumulation impairs HIF-1α-dependent immunometabolic reprogramming of LPS-stimulated macrophages by upregulating the NRF2 pathway.

Lipid accumulation in macrophages (Mφs) is a hallmark of atherosclerosis. Yet, how lipid loading modulates Mφ inflammatory responses remains unclear. We endeavored to gain mechanistic insights into how pre-loading with free cholesterol modulates Mφ metabolism upon LPS-induced TLR4 signaling.

Remote optogenetic control of the enteric nervous system and brain-gut axis in freely-behaving mice enabled by a wireless, battery-free optoelectronic device.

Wireless activation of the enteric nervous system (ENS) in freely moving animals with implantable optogenetic devices offers a unique and exciting opportunity to selectively control gastrointestinal (GI) transit in vivo, including the gut-brain axis. Programmed delivery of light to targeted locations in the GI-tract, however, poses many challenges not encountered within the central nervous system (CNS). We report here the development of a fully implantable, battery-free wireless device specifically designed for optogenetic control of the GI-tract, capable of generating sufficient light over large areas to robustly activate the ENS, potently inducing colonic motility ex vivo and increased propulsion in vivo.

Fructose overconsumption-induced reprogramming of microglia metabolism and function.

The overconsumption of dietary fructose has been proposed as a major culprit for the rise of many metabolic diseases in recent years, yet the relationship between a high fructose diet and neurological dysfunction remains to be explored. Although fructose metabolism mainly takes place in the liver and intestine, recent studies have shown that a hyperglycemic condition could induce fructose metabolism in the brain. Notably, microglia, which are tissue-resident macrophages (Mφs) that confer innate immunity in the brain, also express fructose transporters (GLUT5) and are capable of utilizing fructose as a carbon fuel.

Preparation and Preliminary Structure-Activity Relationship Studies of Schwarzinicine A Analogs as Vasorelaxant Agents.

Schwarzinicines A-D, a series of alkaloids recently discovered from , exhibit pronounced vasorelaxant activity in rat isolated aorta. Building on this finding, a concise synthesis of schwarzinicines A and B has been reported, allowing further investigations into their biological properties. Herein, a preliminary exploration of the chemical space surrounding the structure of schwarzinicine A () was carried out aiming to identify structural features that are essential for vasorelaxant activity.

Targeting the SphK1/S1P/PFKFB3 axis suppresses hepatocellular carcinoma progression by disrupting glycolytic energy supply that drives tumor angiogenesis.

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains a leading life-threatening health challenge worldwide, with pressing needs for novel therapeutic strategies. Sphingosine kinase 1 (SphK1), a well-established pro-cancer enzyme, is aberrantly overexpressed in a multitude of malignancies, including HCC. Our previous research has shown that genetic ablation of Sphk1 mitigates HCC progression in mice.

Inertial Measurement Unit-Based Romberg Test for Assessing Adults With Vestibular Hypofunction.

This work aims to explore the utility of wearable inertial measurement units (IMUs) for quantifying movement in Romberg tests and investigate the extent of movement in adults with vestibular hypofunction (VH). A cross-sectional study was conducted at an academic tertiary medical center between March 2021 and April 2022. Adults diagnosed with unilateral vestibular hypofunction (UVH) or bilateral vestibular hypofunction (BVH) were enrolled in the VH group.

Oxidized Low-Density Lipoprotein Accumulation in Macrophages Impairs Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Activation of AKT2, ATP Citrate Lyase, Acetyl-Coenzyme A Production, and Inflammatory Gene H3K27 Acetylation.

The accumulation of lipid and the formation of macrophage foam cells is a hallmark of atherosclerosis, a chronic inflammatory disease. To better understand the role of macrophage lipid accumulation in inflammation during atherogenesis, we studied early molecular events that follow the accumulation of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) in cultured mouse macrophages. We previously showed that oxLDL accumulation downregulates the inflammatory response in conjunction with downregulation of late-phase glycolysis.

Multisensory integration augmenting motor processes among older adults.

Objective: Multisensory integration enhances sensory processing in older adults. This study aimed to investigate how the sensory enhancement would modulate the motor related process in healthy older adults.

Method: Thirty-one older adults (12 males, mean age 67.

The multi-faceted role of NADPH in regulating inflammation in activated myeloid cells.

Recent advances in the immunometabolism field have demonstrated the importance of metabolites in fine-tuning the inflammatory responses in myeloid cells. Cofactors, which are metabolites comprised of inorganic ions and organic molecules, may tightly or loosely bind to distinct sites of enzymes to catalyze a specific reaction. Since many enzymes that mediate inflammatory and anti-inflammatory processes require the same cofactors to function, this raises the possibility that under conditions where the abundance of these cofactors is limited, inflammatory and anti-inflammatory enzymes must compete with each other for the consumption of cofactors.

Neural EGFL-like 1, a craniosynostosis-related osteochondrogenic molecule, strikingly associates with neurodevelopmental pathologies.

Various craniofacial syndromes cause skeletal malformations and are accompanied by neurological abnormalities at different levels, leading to tremendous biomedical, financial, social, and psychological burdens. Accumulating evidence highlights the importance of identifying and characterizing the genetic basis that synchronously modulates musculoskeletal and neurobehavioral development and function. Particularly, previous studies from different groups have suggested that neural EGFL-like-1 (Nell-1), a well-established osteochondrogenic inducer whose biopotency was initially identified in the craniofacial tissues, may also play a vital role in the central nervous system, particularly regarding neurological disorder pathologies.