Impacts of climatic stressors on dissolved organic matter leaching from microplastics and their effects on biogeochemical processes: A review.

This review explores the potential impact of microplastic-derived dissolved organic matter (MP-DOM) on biogeochemical processes associated with global carbon and nitrogen cycles, with consideration given to the possible influence of irregular climate changes. We synthesize literature on MP-DOM leaching behaviors during various natural aging processes, such as heavy rainfall, heat waves, and UV irradiation, which may be intensified by climate change. MP-DOM release varies with plastic type and conditions, with organic additives significantly influencing leaching under UV exposure.

Combi-Elastography versus Transient Elastography for Assessing the Histological Severity of Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease.

Background/aims: Combi-elastography is a B-mode ultrasound-based method in which two elastography modalities are utilized simultaneously to assess metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). However, the performance of combi-elastography for diagnosing metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) and determining fibrosis severity is unclear. This study compared the diagnostic performances of combi-elastography and vibration-controlled transient elastography (VCTE) for identifying hepatic steatosis, fibrosis, and high-risk MASH.

Importance of Bilateral Hip Assessments in Unilateral Lower-Limb Amputees: A Retrospective Review Involving Older Veterans.

This study aimed to evaluate bone mineral density (BMD) discordance and its implications in veterans with unilateral lower-limb amputation, emphasizing the need for comprehensive hip assessments. Data were collected from 84 male veterans, and BMD was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) at the lumbar spine, intact hip, and amputated hip. The T-scores for the lumbar spine, intact hip, and amputated hip were -0.

Bee ( L. 1758) wax restores adipogenesis and lipid accumulation of 3T3-L1 cells in cancer-associated cachexia condition.

Cachexia is associated with various diseases, such as heart disease, infectious disease, and cancer. In particular, cancer-associated cachexia (CAC) accounts for more than 20% of mortality in cancer patients worldwide. Adipose tissue in CAC is characterized by adipocyte atrophy, mainly due to excessively increased lipolysis and impairment of adipogenesis.

Obese visceral adipose dendritic cells downregulate regulatory T cell development through IL-33.

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) residing in visceral adipose tissue (VAT) play a pivotal role in regulating tissue inflammation and metabolic dysfunction associated with obesity. However, the specific phenotypic and functional characteristics of Tregs in obese VAT, as well as the regulatory mechanisms shaping them, remain elusive. This study demonstrates that obesity selectively reduces Tregs in VAT, characterized by restrained proliferation, heightened PD-1 expression, and diminished ST2 expression.

Photo-induced leaching behaviors and biodegradability of dissolved organic matter from microplastics and terrestrial-sourced particles.

Recent studies have increasingly focused on the occurrence of plastic leachate and its impacts on aquatic ecosystems. Nonetheless, the environmental fate of this leachate in the presence of abundant natural organic matter (NOM)-a typical scenario in environments contaminated with plastics-remains underexplored. This study investigates the photo-induced leaching behaviors of dissolved organic matter (DOM) from terrestrial-sourced particles (forest soil and leaf litter) and microplastics (MPs), specifically polystyrene (PS) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC), over a two-week period.

Environmental condition-dependent effects of aquatic humic substances on the distribution of phenanthrene in microplastic-contaminated aquatic systems.

Numerous studies have focused on the interaction between microplastics (MPs) and phenanthrene (PHE) in aquatic environments. However, the intricate roles of aquatic humic substances (HS), which vary with environmental conditions, in influencing PHE-MP interactions are not yet fully understood. This study investigates the variable and environmentally sensitive roles of HS in modifying the interactions between PHE and polyethylene (PE) MPs under laboratory-simulated aquatic conditions with varying solution chemistry, including pH, HS types, HS concentrations, and ionic strength.

Cell Surface Modification-Mediated Primary Intestinal Epithelial Cell Culture Platforms for Assessing Host-Microbiota Interactions.

Intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) play a crucial role in regulating the symbiotic relationship between the host and the gut microbiota, thereby allowing them to modulate barrier function, mucus production, and aberrant inflammation. Despite their importance, establishing an effective ex vivo culture method for supporting the prolonged survival and function of primary IECs remains challenging. Here, we aim to develop a novel strategy to support the long-term survival and function of primary IECs in response to gut microbiota by employing mild reduction of disulfides on the IEC surface proteins with tris(2-carboxyethyl)phosphine.

Exploring Embryo-Ototoxic Effects: Insights into Deodorant-Induced Hair Cell Damage in Zebrafish.

Our study investigated the embryo-ototoxic effects of deodorant2 (DA2) on zebrafish embryos, which serve as valuable model organisms due to genetic and physiological similarities to humans. We focused on understanding DA2's impact on zebrafish hair cells, which are vital for sensory perception and balance regulation. DA2, provided by the Ministry of Environment, Republic of Korea, was used at 460 μg/mL in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), with a 0.

Unique adipose tissue invariant natural killer T cell subpopulations control adipocyte turnover in mice.

Adipose tissue invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells are a crucial cell type for adipose tissue homeostasis in obese animals. However, heterogeneity of adipose iNKT cells and their function in adipocyte turnover are not thoroughly understood. Here, we investigate transcriptional heterogeneity in adipose iNKT cells and their hierarchy using single-cell RNA sequencing in lean and obese mice.

Soccer Ball-like Assembly of Edge-to-edge Oriented 2D-silica Nanosheets: A Promising Catalyst Support for High-Temperature Reforming.

Controlled assembly of nanoparticles into well-defined assembled architectures through precise manipulation of spatial arrangement and interactions allows the development of advanced mesoscale materials with tailored structures, hierarchical functionalities, and enhanced properties. Despite remarkable advancements, the controlled assembly of highly anisotropic 2Dnanosheets is significantly challenging, primarily due to the limited availability of selective edge-to-edge connectivity compared to the abundant large faces. Innovative strategies are needed to unlock the full potential of 2D-nanomaterialsin self-assembled structures with distinct and desirable properties.

Complementary effects of dapagliflozin and lobeglitazone on metabolism in a diet-induced obese mouse model.

Thiazolidinedione, an insulin sensitizer, has beneficial effects on glucose metabolism; however, there are concerns regarding weight gain and heart failure. Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors can reduce body weight, increase diuresis, and play a protective role in heart failure. We examined the complementary effects of dapagliflozin, an SGLT2 inhibitor, and lobeglitazone, a thiazolidinedione, in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice.

Effects of organic additives on spectroscopic and molecular-level features of photo-induced dissolved organic matter from microplastics.

The environmental occurrence and impact of dissolved organic matter leached from microplastics (MP-DOM) has been the subject of increased research interest. Commercial plastics, which typically contain additives, are subject to natural weathering processes and can eventually lose their additives. However, the effects of organic additives in commercial microplastics (MPs) on the release of MP-DOM under UV irradiation remain poorly understood.

Low-quality muscle mass rather than normal-quality muscle mass determines fibrosis progression in biopsy-proven NAFLD.

Background And Aims: Sarcopaenia is associated with advanced nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, the impact of the muscle mass categorised by muscle quality on fibrosis progression remains unclear.

Methods: A total of 292 patients with biopsy-proven NAFLD who underwent serial vibration-controlled transient elastography assessments at least 1 year from baseline were selected.

Striatal Subregion Analysis Associated with REM Sleep Behavior Disorder in Parkinson's Disease.

Background And Purpose: REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD) in Parkinson's disease (PD) is associated with characteristic clinical subtypes and prognosis. In addition, nigrostriatal pathway, the most vulnerable anatomical area in PD, formed neuronal network interplaying with cortical and subcortical structures, and which may cause PD clinical phenotype. We evaluated the regional selectivity of presynaptic striatal dopaminergic denervation associated with RBD in PD.

Effect of atorvastatin on lipoxygenase pathway-related gene expression in an in vitro model of lipid accumulation in hepatocytes.

Lipid accumulation in hepatocytes can result from an imbalance between lipid acquisition and lipid catabolism. In recent years, it has been discovered that eicosanoids derived from arachidonic acid (AA) have the potential to create specialized pro-resolving lipid mediators to actively resolve inflammation, but it is not clear whether AA and lipoxygenases exert effects on hepatic inflammation. Here, the effects of atorvastatin on the expression of cytoplasmic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) and lipoxygenase pathway genes (ALOX5, ALOX12, ALOX15, and ALOX15B) were evaluated in an in vitro model of palmitic acid (PA)-induced hepatocyte lipid accumulation in McA-RH7777 (McA) cells.

Heparin-mimicking polymer-based hydrogel matrix regulates macrophage polarization by controlling cell adhesion.

The physicochemical properties of biomaterials influence cell adhesion, shape, and polarization of macrophages. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the polarization of macrophages in terms of the regulation of cell adhesion and how synthetic mimics for heparin and poly(sodium-4-styrenesulfonate) can regulate macrophage polarization by modulating cell shape, focal adhesion, cell traction force, and intracellular tension. Our initial findings showed that macrophages cultured with heparin-mimicking polymer-based hydrogel matrix showed reduced expression of cell adhesion markers such as integrins, vinculin, RhoA, and ROCK1/2 and reduced cell shape, elongation, cell-matrix traction force, and intracellular tension.

Analysis of Natural Organic Matter in Water from Cold and Hot Mineral Springs in South Korea Using 15T FT-ICR-MS.

The natural organic matter (NOM) properties in water from cold and hot mineral springs in South Korea are not well documented. We analyzed the characteristics of NOM in water from 25 cold and hot mineral springs located across South Korea. The NOM of each sample was concentrated using solid-phase extraction and analyzed using 15T Fourier-transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry.

Analysis of research on interventions for the prevention of safety accidents involving infants: a scoping review.

Purpose: This study aimed to conduct a scoping review of studies on interventions for the prevention of safety accidents involving infants.

Methods: The scoping review method by Arksey and O'Malley was used to conduct an overview based on information spanning a wide range of fields. Multiple electronic databases, PubMed, CINAHL, RISS, and KISS, were searched for articles written in English or Korean published from 2012 to the present on safety accident prevention interventions.