Toward mitigating the impact of non-bulk defects on describing water structure in salt aqueous solutions: Characterizing solution density with a network-based structural indicator.

Structural indicators, also known as structural descriptors, including order parameters, have been proposed to quantify the structural properties of water to account for its anomalous behaviors. However, these indicators, mainly designed for bulk water, are not naturally transferrable to the vicinity of ions due to disruptions in the immediate neighboring space and a resulting loss of feature completeness. To address these non-bulk defects, we introduced a structural indicator that draws on the concept of clique number from graph theory and the criterion in agglomerative clustering, denoted as the average cluster number.

["Shugan Tiaoshen" needling improves depression after ischemic stroke by regulating AMPK-dependent autophagy].

Objectives: To observe the effect of "Shugan Tiaoshen"(soothing the liver and regulating the mental activities) needling on the expressions of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and autophagy-related proteins in the prefrontal cortex of rats with depression after ischemic stroke (post-stroke depression), in order to explore its mechanisms underlying improvement of post-stroke depression behaviors.

Methods: A total of 60 male SD rats were randomly divided into sham operation (control), stroke, post-stroke depression, inhibitor, acupuncture, and acupuncture + inhibitor groups. The post-stroke depression model was established by occlusion of the middle cerebral artery and reperfusion (MCAO/R), combined with chronic unpredictable mild stimulation (CUMS).

A clinical study of autologous chimeric antigen receptor macrophage targeting mesothelin shows safety in ovarian cancer therapy.

CAR-macrophage has promising prospect in treating solid tumors, due to its high infiltration into tumors, and its dual roles in phagocytosis and immune modulation. Here we show the clinical results of CAR-macrophage treatment of two ovarian cancer patients. The CAR-macrophages were produced by introducing a mesothelin targeting CAR to patients' primary peripheral blood mononuclear cell-derived macrophages, and the products were infused to patients intravenously.

Stimulus processing bias in anxiety-related fear generalisation: drift-diffusion modelling and subgroups differences.

In fear differential conditioning, stimuli that resemble the conditioned stimulus (CS+) are more likely to trigger fear responses. Excessive fear responses on stimuli not like CS + are often associated with anxiety. However, the threat judgments process and how this process manifests itself differently in subgroups with different generalisation rule applications, is unclear.

Environmental concentrations of 6PPD and 6PPD-quinone induce hepatic lipid metabolism disorders in male black-spotted frogs.

Aquatic environments are generally contaminated with N-(1,3-dimethylbutyl)-N'-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine (6PPD) and its oxidation product 6PPD-quinone (6PPD-Q). Recently, 6PPD-Q was found lethally toxic to some specific species, especially salmonid silverfish. This study investigated male black-spotted frogs (Pelophylax nigromaculatus) exposed to 6PPD and 6PPD-Q with different environmental concentrations (0, 1, and 10 μg/L) for 21 days, after which biochemical, metabolomic, gene expression analyses, and molecular docking were conducted.

Electroacupuncture ameliorates depression-like behaviors in rats with post-stroke depression by inhibiting ferroptosis in the prefrontal cortex.

Introduction: Post-stroke depression (PSD) is the most common complication following a stroke, significantly hindering recovery and rehabilitation in affected patients. Despite its prevalence, the pathogenesis of PSD remains poorly understood. Electroacupuncture (EA) has shown antidepressant effects, yet its neuroprotective properties are not well defined.

Effects of Hydrogen Bond Networks on Viscosity in Aqueous Solutions.

In aqueous solutions, the impact of ions on hydrogen bond networks plays a crucial role in transport properties. We used molecular dynamics simulations to explain how ions affect viscosity through structural changes. We developed a quantitative model to describe the effect of ions on viscosity.

Exploring the efficacy and safety of acupuncture versus sham acupuncture for diminished ovarian reserve: study protocol for a multicentre randomised controlled trial.

Introduction: The therapeutic needs of women with diminished ovarian reserve (DOR), coupled with the increasing application of acupuncture in improving ovarian function, have highlighted the need to verify the efficacy and safety of acupuncture for DOR. This study aims to provide high-quality evidence by evaluating both ovarian reserve and in vitro fertilisation (IVF) outcomes.

Methods And Analysis: A large-scale, multicentre, randomised controlled trial will be carried out across seven hospitals in China.

Whole-genome landscape of histone H3K4me3 modification during sperm cell lineage development in tomato.

Background: During male gametogenesis of flowering plants, sperm cell lineage (microspores, generative cells, and sperm cells) differentiated from somatic cells and acquired different cell fates. Trimethylation of histone H3 on lysine 4 (H3K4me3) epigenetically contributes to this process, however, it remained unclear how H3K4me3 influences the gene expression in each cell type. Here, we conducted chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq) to obtain a genome-wide landscape of H3K4me3 during sperm cell lineage development in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum).

Utility of real-time 3D visualization system in the early stage of phacoemulsification training.

Aim: To determine the teaching effects of a real-time three dimensional (3D) visualization system in the operating room for early-stage phacoemulsification training.

Methods: A total of 10 ophthalmology residents of the first-year postgraduate were included. All the residents were novices to cataract surgery.

Microcystin-LR Induces Estrogenic Effects at Environmentally Relevant Concentration in Black-Spotted Pond Frogs (): , , , and Investigations.

Harmful cyanobacterial blooms are frequent and intense worldwide, creating hazards for aquatic biodiversity. The potential estrogen-like effect of Microcystin-LR (MC-LR) is a growing concern. In this study, we assessed the estrogenic potency of MC-LR in black-spotted frogs through combined field and laboratory approaches.

Structural effects of water clusters on viscosity at high shear rates.

In this study, we use molecular dynamics simulations of liquid water to investigate how shear thinning affects the viscosity of liquid water by structural changes of the hydrogen bond network. The effect of shear on viscosity can be divided into two parts: shear-induced destruction of the hydrogen bond network and the influence of the water structure on shear viscosity. First, strong shear destroys tetrahedral structures and thus reduces the connectivity of the hydrogen bond network.

Acupuncture Versus Oral Medications for Acute/Subacute Non-Specific Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Purpose Of Review: Pharmacologic intervention do not always achieve benefits in the treatment of acute/subacute non-specific low back pain (NSLBP). We assessed efficacy and safety of acupuncture for acute/subacute NSLBP as alternative treatment.

Recent Findings: We searched PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, Scopus, Epistemonikos, CNKI, Wan Fang Database, VIP database, CBMLD, CSTJ, clinical trials, EUCTR, World WHO ICTRP, and ChiCTR for randomized controlled trials, cross-over studies, and cohort studies of NSLBP treated by acupuncture versus oral medication from inception to 23th April 2022.

Electroacupuncture Ameliorates Depression-Like Behaviors in Post-Stroke Rats via Activating AMPK-Mediated Mitochondrial Function.

Background: Post-stroke depression (PSD) is one of the most common complications of stroke. Electroacupuncture (EA) is an effective traditional Chinese medicine treatment for PSD, which is widely used in clinical settings. EA has a significant therapeutic effect against PSD, but the mechanism is still unclear.

miR-342-5p promotes vascular smooth muscle cell phenotypic transition through a negative-feedback regulation of Notch signaling via targeting FOXO3.

Aim: Under various pathological conditions such as cancer, vascular smooth muscle cells (vSMCs) transit their contractile phenotype into phenotype(s) characterized by proliferation and secretion, a process called vSMC phenotypic transition (vSMC-PT). Notch signaling regulates vSMC development and vSMC-PT. This study aims to elucidate how the Notch signal is regulated.

[Application of acupuncture in treatment of diseases with ovarian function decline].

Taking regulating the thoroughfare vessel and the conception vessel, tonifying liver and kidney, calming mind as the treatment principle, acupuncture (acupuncture for regulating menstruation and promoting pregnancy) is commonly used in clinical treatment of diseases with ovarian function decline, and recommends full cycle acupuncture treatment. Clinical research shows that acupuncture can improve menstruation and ovulation, increase the reserve function and response of ovary as well as endometrial receptivity, so as to improve the pregnancy outcome. It can also improve the related symptoms caused by negative emotions and low estrogen, and comprehensively enhance the health related quality of life in patients.

N-Trimethylated chitosan coating white adipose tissue vascular-targeting oral nano-system for the enhanced anti-obesity effects of celastrol.

Oral nanoparticles (NPs) are more suitable for obesity control compared to NPs administered intravenously, as their convenience increases patient compliance. Herein, we developed an oral nano-system to improve the anti-obesity efficacy of celastrol (Cel). The observed enhanced efficacy was mediated by zein core NPs decorated with adipose-homing peptides that were coated with N-trimethylated chitosan.

Abnormal dynamics of brain functional networks in children with Tourette syndrome.

Tourette syndrome (TS) is a childhood-onset neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by the presence of multiple motor and vocal tics. Research using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rfMRI) have found aberrant static functional connectivity (FC) and its topological properties in the brain networks of TS. Our study is the first to investigate the dynamic functional connectivity (dFC) in the whole brain network of TS patients, focusing on the temporal properties of dFC states and the temporal variability of topological organization.

Genome-wide identification glutathione-S-transferase gene superfamily in Daphnia pulex and its transcriptional response to nanoplastics.

Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) are key multifunctional phase II detoxification enzymes involved in the regulation of growth, development, and stress responses. However, the knowledge of GSTs in the model invertebrate organism Daphnia pulex at the genomic level remains limited. In the present study, 35 GST genes were identified in D.

Perfluorooctanoic acid and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid induce immunotoxicity through the NF-κB pathway in black-spotted frog (Rana nigromaculata).

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) are widely detected in the environment and wild animals, thus posing a threat to wildlife and public health; however, knowledge about their immunotoxicity and the underlying mechanism remains limited. In the present study, male black-spotted frogs (Rana nigromaculata) were exposed to environmentally relevant concentrations (0, 1, and 10 μg/L) of PFOA or PFOS for 21 days; subsequently, biochemical analysis, molecular docking, and gene expression determination were conducted. The results indicated that exposure to 10 μg/L PFOA decreased the serum levels of immunoglobulin A.

Electrocatalytic oxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural to 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid via metal-organic framework-structured hierarchical CoO nanoplate arrays.

Electrocatalytic oxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) to 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) was examined as an alternative to thermocatalytic methods in which two-dimensional (2D) cobalt-metal-organic framework (Co-MOF, ZIF-L-Co) nanoplate arrays were prepared on nickel foam (NF) and then transformed into hierarchical porous CoO nanostructures by chemical etching and low temperature annealing to form electrode materials. Hierarchical porous nanoarrays formed during synthesis enlarged the surface area of the as-prepared catalysts introduced a large number of defects and exposed active sites leading to reduced charge diffusion, improved mass transfer and efficient HMF oxidation. CoO/NF electrode materials were able to achieve a current density of 10 mA·cm at an overpotential of 105 mV in 1 M KOH with 10 mM HMF, which was reduced by 175 mV compared with water oxidation.

LsARF3 mediates thermally induced bolting through promoting the expression of in lettuce ( L.).

Lettuce ( L.) is a leafy vegetable whose edible organs usually are leaf or stems, and thus high-temperature induced bolting followed by flower initiation is an undesirable trait in lettuce production. However, the molecular mechanism that controls lettuce bolting and flowering upon thermal treatments is largely unknown.

An Efficient Clearing Protocol for the Study of Seed Development in Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.).

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is one of the major cash crops worldwide. The tomato seed is an important model for studying genetics and developmental biology during plant reproduction.