Ecofriendly dual-function cotton fabric with antibacterial and anti-adhesion properties based on modified natural materials.

Ecofriendly fabrics with antibacterial and anti-adhesion properties have been attracted an increasing attention in recent years. Herein, natural menthol modified polyacrylate (PMCA) antibacterial adhesion agent was synthesized by esterification and polymerisation while natural pterostilbene-grafted-chitosan (PGC) antibacterial agent was prepared through Mannich reaction. The antibacterial and anti-adhesion cotton fabric was fabricated through durable PMCA dip finishing and then layer-by-layer self-assembly of PGC. The results showed that the antibacterial adhesion rates and antibacterial rates of the dual-function cotton fabric against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli reached up to 99.9 %. Its antibacterial adhesion rates improved by 36.1 % and 40.1 % in comparison with those of cotton fabric treated by menthol alone. Meanwhile against S. aureus, the dual-function cotton fabrics improved the antibacterial rates by 56.7 % and 36.4 %, respectively, from those of chitosan- and pterostilbene-treated fabrics. Against E. coli, the improvements were 89.4 % and 24.8 %, respectively. After 20 household washings, the dual-function cotton fabric maintained >80 % of its original anti-adhesion and antibacterial rates against both species. The dual-function cotton fabric also possessed safe and excellent wearability.

Excessive interstitial free-water in cortical gray matter preceding accelerated volume changes in individuals at clinical high risk for psychosis.

Recent studies show that accelerated cortical gray matter (GM) volume reduction seen in anatomical MRI can help distinguish between individuals at clinical high risk (CHR) for psychosis who will develop psychosis and those who will not. This reduction is suggested to represent atypical developmental or degenerative changes accompanying an accumulation of microstructural changes, such as decreased spine density and dendritic arborization. Detecting the microstructural sources of these changes before they accumulate into volume loss is crucial. Our study aimed to detect these microstructural GM alterations using diffusion MRI (dMRI). We tested for baseline and longitudinal group differences in anatomical and dMRI data from 160 individuals at CHR and 96 healthy controls (HC) acquired in a single imaging site. Of the CHR individuals, 33 developed psychosis (CHR-P), while 127 did not (CHR-NP). Among all participants, longitudinal data was available for 45 HCs, 17 CHR-P, and 66 CHR-NP. Eight cortical lobes were examined for GM volume and GM microstructure. A novel dMRI measure, interstitial free water (iFW), was used to quantify GM microstructure by eliminating cerebrospinal fluid contribution. Additionally, we assessed whether these measures differentiated the CHR-P from the CHR-NP. In addition, for completeness, we also investigated changes in cortical thickness and in white matter (WM) microstructure. At baseline the CHR group had significantly higher iFW than HC in the prefrontal, temporal, parietal, and occipital lobes, while volume was reduced only in the temporal lobe. Neither iFW nor volume differentiated between the CHR-P and CHR-NP groups at baseline. However, in many brain areas, the CHR-P group demonstrated significantly accelerated changes (iFW increase and volume reduction) with time than the CHR-NP group. Cortical thickness provided similar results as volume, and there were no significant changes in WM microstructure. Our results demonstrate that microstructural GM changes in individuals at CHR have a wider extent than volumetric changes or microstructural WM changes, and they predate the acceleration of brain changes that occur around psychosis onset. Microstructural GM changes, as reflected by the increased iFW, are thus an early pathology at the prodromal stage of psychosis that may be useful for a better mechanistic understanding of psychosis development.

A prospective study on maternal periodontal diseases and neonatal adverse outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: It is evident that periodontitis is linked to various adverse pregnancy outcomes. This prospective study explored the potential link of maternal periodontal diseases to neonatal adverse outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 193 generally healthy females in their third trimester (34-36 weeks) of pregnancy were enrolled. All subjects received full-mouth periodontal assessment, and the periodontal inflamed surface area (PISA) was calculated. Demographic data, lifestyles and anthropometric measurements of the neonates (e.g., body length and head circumference) were recorded. Herein, small-for-gestational age (SGA) referred to gender- and age-adjusted birth weight below the 10th percentile in line with the standard reference. Multivariable logistic regression analysis and restricted cubic spline were performed for examining the association of periodontal parameters with SGA.  Results: There were 8.3% (16/193) of neonates with SGA. Significantly positive correlation existed between the percentage of tooth sites with increased probing depth and an elevated risk of SGA (OR: 1.052; P < 0.05). Yet, the PISA was positively associated with the risk of SGA (OR: 1.002; P < 0.05) as well. No significant link occurred between maternal periodontal status and other neonatal outcome measures. CONCLUSION: Within the limitations of this study, the findings suggest that there could be a link between maternal periodontal diseases and neonatal adverse outcomes like SGA. Further investigation is required to clarify the current findings and potential implications for promoting maternal oral/periodontal health and newborn health.

Prevalence of Depression and Anxiety Disorders in Patients with Glaucoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Based on Cross-Sectional Surveys.

OBJECTIVE: Glaucoma is a chronic disease with an insidious onset that often brings severe psychological burden to patients. Therefore, based on a systematic review and meta-analysis, we explore the prevalence and severity of depression and anxiety in glaucoma patients, and provide clinically valuable information for medical staff. METHODS: Computer searches were conducted for relevant studies in PubMed, Embase, ProQuest PsycINFO, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Web of Science, The Cochrane Library, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Database, and China VIP Database. The search date range was from the establishment of the database to December 2023. Literature was screened and data were extracted. The Cochrane risk of bias assessment tool was used to evaluate the quality of the literature, and RevMan5.4 was used for meta-analysis. RESULTS: The total sample size of the 15 included studies was 24,334 cases. All included studies were of high quality. The results of the meta-analysis revealed that, compared with control patients without glaucoma, patients with glaucoma were more likely to experience depression and to have more severe depressive symptoms [RR (Relative Risk) = 5.92, 95% CI (Confidence Interva) (3.29, 10.66), p < 0.01]; they were also more likely to experience anxiety and to have more severe anxiety symptoms [RR = 2.99, 95% CI (1.93, 4.64), p < 0.01]. The results of the sensitivity analysis showed that the two studies by Cumurcu E. 2005 and Yochim 2012 were the sources of heterogeneity in the meta-analysis of depression; and the three studies by Mabuchi 2012, Otori 2017, and Yochim 2012 were the sources of heterogeneity in the meta-analysis of anxiety disorders. CONCLUSION: People with glaucoma are more likely to experience depression and anxiety than people without glaucoma. Medical staff should pay greater attention to patients' emotional problems and help patients improve their quality of life.

The anti-non-small cell lung cancer effect of Diosbulbin B: Targeting YY1 induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis.

BACKGROUND: Toxic components frequently exhibit unique characteristics and activities, offering ample opportunities for the advancement of anti-cancer medications. As the main hepatotoxic component of Dioscorea bulbifera L. (DB), Diosbulbin B (DIOB) has been widely studied for its anti-tumor activity at nontoxic doses. However, the effectiveness and mechanism of DIOB against non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains unclear. PURPOSE: To evaluate the anti-NSCLC activity of DIOB and to elucidate the specific mechanism of action. METHOD: The effect of DIOB on NSCLCL in vitro was evaluated through CCK8, colony formation, and flow cytometry. The in vivo efficacy and safety of DIOB in treating NSCLC were assessed using various techniques, including HE staining, tunel staining, immunohistochemistry, and biochemical index detection. To understand the underlying mechanism, cell transfection, western blotting, molecular docking, cellular thermal shift assay (CESTA), and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) were employed for investigation. RESULTS: DIOB effectively hindered the progression of NSCLC both in vitro and in vivo settings at a no-observed-adverse-effect concentration (NOAEC) and a safe dosage. Specifically, DIOB induced significant G0/G1 phase arrest and apoptosis in A549, PC-9, and H1299 cells, while also notably inhibiting the growth of subcutaneous tumors in nude mice. Mechanistically, DIOB could directly interact with oncogene Yin Yang 1 (YY1) and inhibit its expression. The reduction in YY1 resulted in the triggering of the tumor suppressor P53, which induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in NSCLC cells by inhibiting the expression of Cyclin A2, B2, CDK1, CDK2, CDK4, BCL-2, and inducing the expression of BAX. In NSCLC cells, the induction of G0/G1 phase arrest and apoptosis by DIOB was effectively reversed when YY1 was overexpressed or P53 was knocked down. Importantly, we observed that DIOB exerted the same effect by directly influencing the expression of YY1-regulated c-Myc and BIM, particularly in the absence of P53. CONCLUSION: For the inaugural investigation, this research unveiled the anti-NSCLC impact of DIOB, alongside its fundamental mechanism. DIOB has demonstrated potential as a treatment agent for NSCLC due to its impressive efficacy in countering NSCLC.

The relationship between perceived family support and subclinical positive symptoms of psychosis among Black college students.

AIM: Black individuals in the Unites States endure compounded and unique experiences of discrimination and structural racism that may not be as overtly evident in other countries. These distinctive forms of discrimination and racism can impact the mental health of Black individuals in the Unites States, in this case, their risk for psychosis. Adolescence and early adulthood are vulnerable periods in life where mental illness typically begins to manifest. Understanding the factors contributing to an increased likelihood of specific mental illnesses, such as psychosis, among youth in these vulnerable periods can inform intervention development. This is particularly important for those from minoritized backgrounds Unites States; this group is especially important to study given that Black American youth tend to experience higher psychosis rates and different symptom presentations than non-Black groups. METHODS: This study examined the associations between perceived family support, a critical environmental factor known to be associated with full-psychosis, and attenuated positive symptoms and distress levels in a sample of 155 Black students from a Historically Black College and University (HBCU). Participants completed the Prodromal Questionnaire-Brief that assessed psychosis risk and the Family Environment Scale that assessed three dimensions of family support (family cohesion, expressiveness, and conflict). RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Positive symptom intensity (r = .30, p < .001) and distress (r = .34, p < .001) were significantly associated with higher family conflict for Black individuals in the Unites States. The findings inform novel intervention targets for psychoeducation and family therapy that have potential to reduce psychosis risk.

Genetic association of serum lipids and lipid-modifying targets with endometriosis: Trans-ethnic Mendelian-randomization and mediation analysis.

BACKGROUND: Prior observational research identified dyslipidemia as a risk factor for endometriosis (EMS) but the causal relationship remains unestablished due to inherent study limitations. METHODS: Genome-wide association study data for high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides (TG), and total cholesterol (TC) from European (EUR) and East Asian (EAS) ancestries were sourced from the Global Lipids Genetics Consortium. Multi-ancestry EMS data came from various datasets. Univariable Mendelian randomization (MR) examined causal links between serum lipids and EMS. Multivariable and mediation MR explored the influence of seven confounding factors and mediators. Drug-target MR investigates the association between lipid-lowering target genes identified in positive results and EMS. The primary method was inverse-variance weighted (IVW), with replication datasets and meta-analyses reinforcing causal associations. Sensitivity analyses included false discovery rate (FDR) correction, causal analysis using summary effect estimates (CAUSE), and colocalization analysis. RESULTS: IVW analysis in EUR ancestry showed a significant causal association between TG and increased EMS risk (OR = 1.112, 95% CI 1.033-1.198, P = 5.03×10-3, PFDR = 0.03), supported by replication and meta-analyses. CAUSE analysis confirmed unbiased results (P < 0.05). Multivariable and mediation MR revealed that systolic blood pressure (Mediation effect: 7.52%, P = 0.02) and total testosterone (Mediation effect: 10.79%, P = 0.01) partly mediated this relationship. No causal links were found between other lipid traits and EMS (P > 0.05 & PFDR > 0.05). In EAS ancestry, no causal relationships with EMS were detected (P > 0.05 & PFDR > 0.05). Drug-target MR indicated suggestive evidence for the influence of ANGPTL3 on EMS mediated through TG (OR = 0.798, 95% CI 0.670-0.951, P = 0.01, PFDR = 0.04, PP.H4 = 0.85%). CONCLUSIONS: This MR study in EUR ancestry indicated an increased EMS risk with higher serum TG levels.

In-depth characterization of cycloartane triterpenoids and discovery of species-specific markers from three Cimicifuga species guided by a strategy that integrates in-source fragment elimination, diagnostic ion recognition, and feature-based molecular networking.

Characterization studies of the plant metabolome are crucial for revealing plant physiology, developing functional foods, and controlling quality. Mass spectrometry-based metabolite profiling allows unprecedented qualitative coverage of complex biological extract composition. However, the electrospray ionization used in metabolite profiling generates multiple artifactual signals for a single analyte, which makes it challenging to filter out redundant signals and organize the signals corresponding to abundant constituents. This study proposed a strategy integrating in-source fragments elimination, diagnostic ions recognition, and feature-based molecular networking (ISFE-DIR-FBMN) to simultaneously characterize cycloartane triterpenoids (CTs) from three medicinal Cimicifuga species. The results showed that 63.1 % of the measured ions were redundant. A total of 184 CTs were annotated, with 27.1 % being reported for the first time. It presents a promising approach to assess the composition of natural extracts, thus facilitating new ingredient registrations or natural-extracts-based drug discovery campaigns. Besides, chemometrics analysis of the three Cimicifuga species identified 32 species-specific markers, highlighting significant differences among them. The valuable information can enhance the sustainable utilization and further development of Cimicifuga resources. The codes involved in ISFE-DIR-FBMN are freely available on GitHub (https://github.com/LHJ-Group/ISFE-DIR-FBMN.git).

Clinical effects of combined use of carbamazepine and amitriptyline in the treatment of diabetic neuropathy with concurrent diabetic foot.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to analyze the clinical effects of combining carbamazepine and amitriptyline in the treatment of diabetic neuropathy with concurrent diabetic foot. METHODS: A total of 120 diabetic neuropathy patients treated at our hospital from June 2022 to November 2023 were included in the study. Patients meeting the inclusion criteria were registered, and their basic data were collected. The patients were randomly divided into two groups: the control group treated with amitriptyline and the study group treated with a combination of carbamazepine and amitriptyline. RESULTS: The study group demonstrated significantly better clinical efficacy compared to the control group (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences in psychological status and pain perception before treatment between the two groups (p > 0.05). However, post-treatment, the study group showed improved psychological status, reduced pain perception, and overall better quality of life in both physiological and psychological dimensions compared to the control group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The combined use of carbamazepine and amitriptyline in the treatment of diabetic neuropathy with concurrent diabetic foot yields positive clinical outcomes. It effectively alleviates symptoms, improves psychological well-being, reduces pain sensation, and enhances overall quality of life. These findings can guide physicians in adopting a more evidence-based treatment approach and provide patients with more effective individualized treatment strategies.

Communicating the Imperfect Diagnostic Accuracy of COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Self-Tests: An Online Randomized Experiment.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the potential impacts of optimizing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) rapid antigen test (RAT) self-testing diagnostic accuracy information. DESIGN: Online randomized experiment using hypothetical scenarios: in scenarios 1 to 3 (RAT result positive), the posttest probability was considered to be very high (likely true positives), and in scenarios 4 and 5 (RAT result negative), the posttest probability was considered to be moderately high (likely false negatives). SETTING: December 12 to 22, 2022, during the mixed-variant Omicron wave in Australia. PARTICIPANTS: Australian adults. Intervention: diagnostic accuracy of a COVID-19 self-RAT presented in a health literacy-sensitive way; usual care: diagnostic accuracy information provided by the manufacturer; control: no diagnostic accuracy information. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Intention to self-isolate. RESULTS: A total of 226 participants were randomized (control n = 75, usual care n = 76, intervention n = 75). More participants in the intervention group correctly interpreted the meaning of the diagnostic accuracy information (P = 0.08 for understanding sensitivity, P < 0.001 for understanding specificity). The proportion who would self-isolate was similar across scenarios 1 to 3 (likely true positives). The proportion was higher in the intervention group than in the control for scenarios 4 and 5 (likely false negatives). These differences were not statistically significant. The largest potential effect was seen in scenario 5 (dinner party with confirmed cases, the person has symptoms, negative self-RAT result), with 63% of the intervention group and 49% of the control group indicating they would self-isolate (absolute difference 13.3%, 95% confidence interval: -2% to 30%, P = 0.10). CONCLUSION: Health literacy sensitive formatting supported participant understanding and recall of diagnostic accuracy information. This may increase community intentions to self-isolate when there is a likely false-negative self-RAT result. Trial registration: Australia New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry (ACTRN12622001517763). HIGHLIGHTS: Community-based diagnostic accuracy studies of COVID-19 self-RATs indicate substantially lower sensitivity (and higher risk of false-negative results) than the manufacturer-supplied information on most government public Web sites.This online randomized study found that a health literacy-sensitive presentation of the imperfect diagnostic accuracy COVID-19 self-RATs supported participant understanding and recall of diagnostic accuracy information.Health literacy-sensitive presentation may increase community intentions to self-isolate after a negative test result where the posttest probability is still moderately high (i.e., likely false-negative result).To prevent the onward spread of infection, efforts to improve communication about the high risk of false-negative results from COVID-19 self-RATs are urgently needed.

Psoralen and Isopsoralen, Two Estrogen-Like Natural Products from Psoraleae Fructus, Induced Cholestasis via Activation of ERK1/2.

With the increasing use of oral contraceptives and estrogen replacement therapy, the incidence of estrogen-induced cholestasis (EC) has tended to rise. Psoralen (P) and isopsoralen (IP) are the major bioactive components in Psoraleae Fructus, and their estrogen-like activities have already been recognized. Recent studies have also reported that ERK1/2 plays a critical role in EC in mice. This study aimed to investigate whether P and IP induce EC and reveal specific mechanisms. It was found that P and IP increased the expression of esr1, cyp19a1b and the levels of E2 and VTG at 80 µM in zebrafish larvae. Exemestane (Exe), an aromatase antagonist, blocked estrogen-like activities of P and IP. At the same time, P and IP induced cholestatic hepatotoxicity in zebrafish larvae with increasing liver fluorescence areas and bile flow inhibition rates. Further mechanistic analysis revealed that P and IP significantly decreased the expression of bile acids (BAs) synthesis genes cyp7a1 and cyp8b1, BAs transport genes abcb11b and slc10a1, and BAs receptor genes nr1h4 and nr0b2a. In addition, P and IP caused EC by increasing the level of phosphorylation of ERK1/2. The ERK1/2 antagonists GDC0994 and Exe both showed significant rescue effects in terms of cholestatic liver injury. In conclusion, we comprehensively studied the specific mechanisms of P- and IP-induced EC and speculated that ERK1/2 may represent an important therapeutic target for EC induced by phytoestrogens.

Ultrasensitive upconverting nanoprobes for in situ imaging of drug-induced liver injury using miR-122 as the biomarker.

Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is a frequent adverse drug reaction. The current clinical diagnostic methods are inadequate for accurate and early detection of DILI due to the lack of effective diagnostic biomarkers. Hepatocyte-specific miR-122 is released from injured hepatocytes promptly and its efflux is significantly correlated with the progression of DILI. Therefore, achieving precise in situ detection of miR-122 with high sensitivity is vital for early visualization of DILI. Herein, a new nanoprobe, consisting of miR-122 aptamer, upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) and Prussian blue nanoparticles (PBNPs) was introduced for the early and sensitive detection of DILI in situ. As the nanoprobes reached in the liver, miR-122 aptamer-based entropy-driven strand displacement (ESDR) signal amplification reaction was triggered and luminescence resonance energy transfer (LRET) between UCNPs and PBNPs was responded to achieve the high-fidelity detection of DILI. A negative correlation was observed between the intensity of upconversion luminescence (UCL) and the concentration of miR-122. UCL imaging conducted both in vivo and ex vivo indicated that a reduction in miR-122 concentration led to an increase in UCL intensity, revealing a precise state of DILI. The detection technique demonstrated a positive correlation between signal intensity and severity, offering a more straightforward and intuitive method of visualizing DILI.

TRAF6-mediated ubiquitination of AKT in the nucleus is a critical event underlying the desensitization of G protein-coupled receptors.

BACKGROUND: Desensitization of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) refers to the attenuation of receptor responsiveness by prolonged or intermittent exposure to agonists. The binding of ß-arrestin to the cytoplasmic cavity of the phosphorylated receptor, which competes with the G protein, has been widely accepted as an extensive model for explaining GPCRs desensitization. However, studies on various GPCRs, including dopamine D2-like receptors (D2R, D3R, D4R), have suggested the existence of other desensitization mechanisms. The present study employed D2R/D3R variants with different desensitization properties and utilized loss-of-function approaches to uncover the mechanisms underlying GPCRs homologous desensitization, focusing on the signaling cascade that regulates the ubiquitination of AKT. RESULTS: AKT undergoes K8/14 ubiquitination by TRAF6, which occurs in the nucleus and promotes its membrane recruitment, phosphorylation and activation under receptor desensitization conditions. The nuclear entry of TRAF6 relies on the presence of the importin complex. Src regulates the nuclear entry of TRAF6 by mediating the interaction between TRAF6 and importin ß1. Ubiquitinated AKT translocates to the plasma membrane where it associates with Mdm2 to phosphorylate it at the S166 and S186 residues. Thereafter, phosphorylated Mdm2 is recruited to the nucleus, resulting in the deubiquitination of ß-Arr2. The deubiquitinated ß-Arr2 then forms a complex with Gßγ, which serves as a biomarker for GPCRs desensitization. Like in D3R, ubiquitination of AKT is also involved in the desensitization of ß2 adrenoceptors. CONCLUSION: Our study proposed that the property of a receptor that causes a change in the subcellular localization of TRAF6 from the cytoplasm to the nucleus to mediate AKT ubiquitination could initiate the desensitization of GPCRs.

Phosphorus addition increases stability and complexity of co-occurrence network of soil microbes in an artificial Leymus chinensis grassland.

Introduction: Understanding the response of cross-domain co-occurrence networks of soil microorganisms to phosphorus stability and the resulting impacts is critical in ecosystems, but the underlying mechanism is unclear in artificial grassland ecosystems. Methods: In this study, the effects of four phosphorus concentrations, P0 (0 kg P ha-1), P1 (15.3 kg P ha-1), P2 (30.6 kg P ha-1), and P3 (45.9 kg P ha-1), on the cross-domain co-occurrence network of bacteria and fungi were investigated in an artificial Leymus chinensis grassland in an arid region. Results and discussion: The results of the present study showed that phosphorus addition significantly altered the stem number, biomass and plant height of the Leymus chinensis but had no significant effect on the soil bacterial or fungal alpha (ACE) diversity or beta diversity. The phosphorus treatments all increased the cross-domain co-occurrence network edge, node, proportion of positively correlated edges, edge density, average degree, proximity to centrality, and robustness and increased the complexity and stability of the bacterial-fungal cross-domain co-occurrence network after 3 years of continuous phosphorus addition. Among them, fungi (Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, Mortierellomycota and Glomeromycota) play important roles as keystone species in the co-occurrence network, and they are significantly associated with soil AN, AK and EC. Finally, the growth of Leymus chinensis was mainly due to the influence of the soil phosphorus content and AN. This study revealed the factors affecting the growth of Leymus chinense in artificial grasslands in arid areas and provided a theoretical basis for the construction of artificial grasslands.

Development of the pediatric family-based dignity therapy protocol for terminally ill children (ages 7-18) and their families: A mixed-methods study.

OBJECTIVES: Dignity therapy (DT) is well-established in adults, and it might potentially benefit the younger population. This study aims to develop a pediatric family-based dignity therapy (P-FBDT) protocol for terminally ill children and their families. METHODS: A parallel mixed-methods design was used. The P-FBDT protocol was developed based on the adult DT, and meanwhile by taking children-specific dignity characteristics and Chinese family-oriented culture into consideration. The protocol was then evaluated and modified based on the quantitative and qualitative feedback from 2-round surveys of 14 pediatric oncology or pediatric palliative care experts. RESULTS: The P-FBDT involves terminally ill children and their families in meaningful interactions including a series of conversations and creative activities, which will be recorded and then edited into a document-based generativity entity. The P-FBDT protocol was recognized as highly reasonable and the P-FBDT interview guide was endorsed as important, acceptable, clear, comprehensive, and suitable to be used in pediatric palliative care practice in Chinese culture (>90%). Potential benefits, possible challenges, and practical considerations of the P-FBDT were also proposed. SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS: The P-FBDT was perceived to be potentially beneficial to terminally ill children and their families by engaging in a series of meaningful family interactions and creating a lasting memento to be preserved. The protocol needs to be pilot tested among terminally ill children and families for feasibility and potential efficacy in practice.

Inducing Na+ Site Rearrangement Through a Cosubstitution Strategy for Rapid Na Diffusion Kinetics of P2-Type Layered Metal Oxides.

The P2-layered metal oxide cathode materials are crucial for constructing high-rate sodium-ion batteries (SIBs); however, its practical application is hindered by the high Na+ diffusion barrier resulting from Na+/vacancy ordering. Herein, a Li/Zn cosubstitution P2-Na0.67Ni0.33Mn0.67O2 (NLNZM) cathode was synthesized via a sol-gel method assisted with citric acid, which can induce the rearrangement of Na+ sites to disrupt ordered structures. The XRD Rietveld refinement confirms a higher occupancy of Na+ at Nae sites with low diffusion barriers through the Li/Zn cosubstitution. In addition, the highly reversible phase evolution of the NLNZM is confirmed through in situ XRD results, thereby ensuring the stability of the structure with low volume change rate (0.78%). Furthermore, Li and Zn can reduce the surface energy and increase the interlayered distance to achieve rapid interfacial kinetics. As a result, the NLNZM has exhibited a high reversible capacity of 152.8 mAh g-1 and an outstanding rate performance of 103.4 mAh g-1 at 5C. After 200 cycles at 5C, the capacity retention rate is 81.1%. This work proposes a cosubstitution strategy to induce Na+/vacancy disorder for achieving rapid Na+ migration as a cathode material for SIBs.

Diversity and limitations of electroencephalogram and event-related potential applications in nursing research: A scoping review.

AIMS: This scoping review was conducted to provide a comprehensive summary of how electroencephalogram (EEG) and event-related potentials (ERPs) have been used in nursing research, with the goal of mapping the themes and methods of nursing research involving EEGs or ERPs as a measurement tool. METHODS: The eligibility criteria were determined according to the Population, Concept, and Context principle. A systematic electronic search of articles in the PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, CINAHL, APA PsycInfo, and Scopus databases was carried out for the period from database establishment to November 21, 2022. The included studies were analyzed using descriptive statistics and content analysis. RESULTS: The review process culminated in 45 articles, evidencing an increasing trend and dispersion characteristics of EEG in nursing research and reflecting five thematic domains of inquiry related to nursing. There was a deficiency of detailed reports of EEG recording and data analysis parameters in nursing research. The common EEG bands in nursing research were Delta, Theta, Alpha, Beta, Gamma. The ERP components used frequently were P3, P2, N1, N2, P1, N170, and feedback-related negativity. CONCLUSIONS: The wide variety of EEG components used show broad potential for studying nursing questions. In the future, it will be necessary to increase the depth of the research content, the repeatability of the experiment and the standardization of the report. Nursing researchers should give full play to the characteristics of nursing and establish a systematic and complete EEG research system for nursing.

Integration of untargeted and pseudotargeted metabolomics reveals specific markers for authentication and adulteration detection of Fritillariae Bulbus using tandem mass spectrometry and chemometrics.

Authentication and adulteration detection of closely related herbal medicines is a thorny issue in the quality control and market standardization of traditional Chinese medicine. Taking Fritillariae Bulbus (FB) as a case study, we herein proposed a three-step strategy that integrates mass spectrometry-based metabolomics and multivariate statistical analysis to identify specific markers, thereby accurately identifying FBs and determining the adulteration level. First, an ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry-based untargeted metabolomics method was employed to profile steroid alkaloids in five sorts of FB and screen potential differential markers. Then, the reliability of the screened markers was further verified by the distribution in different FB groups acquired from ultra-high performance liquid chromatography triple quadrupole mass spectrometry-based pseudotargeted metabolomics analysis. As a result, a total of 16 compounds were screened out to be the specific markers, which were successfully applied to distinguish five FBs by using discriminant analysis model. Besides, partial least squares regression models based on specific markers allowed accurate prediction of three sets of adulterated FBs. All the models afforded good linearity and good predictive ability with regression coefficient of prediction (R2p) > 0.9 and root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP) < 0.1. The reliable results of discriminant and quantitative analysis revealed that this proposed strategy could be potentially used to identify specific markers, which contributes to rapid chemical discrimination and adulteration detection of herbal medicines with close genetic relationship.

Response of the C-fixing bacteria community to precipitation changes and its impact on bacterial necromass accumulation in semiarid grassland.

Climate change-induced warming has the potential to intensify drought conditions in certain regions, resulting in uneven precipitation patterns. However, the impact of precipitation-induced changes on soil C-fixing bacterial community composition to changes and their subsequent effect on the accumulation of microbial necromass in the soil remains unclear. To address this knowledge gap, we conducted an in-situ simulated precipitation control experiment in semi-arid grasslands, encompassing five primary precipitation gradients: ambient precipitation as a control (contr), decreased precipitation by 80% and 40% (DP80, DP40), and increased precipitation by 40% and 80% (IP80, IP40). Our findings indicate that while an increase in precipitation promotes greater total bacterial diversity, it reduces the diversity of cbbM-harboring bacteria. The dominance of drought-tolerant Proteobacteria within the cbbM-harboring bacterial community was responsible for the observed increase in their relative abundance, ranging from 8.9% to 15.6%, under conditions of decreased precipitation. In arid environments characterized by limited soil moisture and nutrient availability, certain dominant genera such as Thiobacillus, Sulfuritalea, and Halothiobacillus, which possess cbbM genes, exhibit strong synergistic effects with other bacteria, thereby leading to a high nutrient use efficiency. Linear regression analysis shows that bacterial necromass C was significantly negatively correlated with cbbM-harboring bacterial diversity but positively correlated with cbbM-harboring bacterial community composition. Consequently, in the extreme drought environment of DP80, the contribution of bacterial necromass C to SOC was dramatically reduced by 75% relative to the control. Although bacterial necromass C was preferentially consumed as nutrients and energy for microorganisms, C-fixing microorganisms supplemented the soil C pool by assimilating atmospheric CO2. Bacterial necromass was primarily controlled by accessible C and N rather than by the total bacterial community composition and relative abundance. Our results provide compelling evidence for the critical role of the composition of the bacterial community and its necromass in the accumulation of SOC in semiarid grassland ecosystems.

Mdm2-mediated ubiquitination of PKCßII is responsible for insulin-induced heterologous desensitization of dopamine D3 receptor.

The insulin and dopaminergic systems in the brain are associated with schizophrenia and Parkinson's disease with respect to etiology and treatment. The present study investigated the crosstalk between the insulin receptor (IR) and dopamine receptor and found that insulin stimulation selectively inhibits signaling of D3 R in a PKCßII-dependent manner. Upon insulin stimulation, E3 ligase enzyme Mdm2 moves out of the nucleus to ubiquitinate PKCßII. Subsequently, ubiquitinated PKCßII translocates to the cell membrane and interacts with D3 R in a phosphorylation-dependent manner at S229/257, resulting in the attenuation of D3 R signaling and initiating clathrin-mediated endocytosis and downregulation. Considering that both IR and D3 R are closely related to some neuropsychosis, this study could provide new molecular insight into the etiology of the disorder.