Advancements in atomic-scale interface engineering for flexible electronics: Enhancing flexibility and durability.

Flexible electronics, such as wearable displays, implantable electronics, soft robots, and smart skin, have garnered increasing attention. Despite notable advancements in research, a bottleneck remains at the product level due to the prevalent use of polymer-based materials, requiring encapsulation films for lifespan extension and reliable performance. Multilayer composites, incorporating thin inorganic layers to maintain low permeability towards moisture, oxygen, ions, etc., exhibit potential in achieving highly flexible barriers but encounter challenges stemming from interface instability between layers. This perspective offers a succinct review of strategies and provides atomic-scale interface modulation strategy utilizing atomic layer integration technology focused on enhancing the flexibility of high-barrier films. It delves into bendable multilayers with atomic-scale interface modulation strategies, encompassing internal stress and applied stress modulation, as well as stretchable composite structural designs such as gradient/hybrid, wavy, and island. These strategies showcase significant improvements in flexibility from bendable to stretchable while maintaining high barrier properties. Besides, optimized manufacturing methods, materials, and complex structure design based on atomic-scale interface engineering are provided, better aligning with the future development of flexible electronics. By laying the groundwork for these atomic-scale strategies, this perspective contributes to the evolution of flexible electronics, enhancing their flexibility, durability, and functionality.

Retrospective evaluation of three types of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene grafts for upper limb vascular access.

Currently, three expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) prosthetic graft types are most commonly used for patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) who require long-term vascular access for hemodialysis. However, studies comparing the three ePTFE grafts are limited. This study compared the clinical efficacy and postoperative complications of three ePTFE prosthetic graft types used for upper limb arteriovenous graft (AVG) surgery among patients with ESKD. Patients with ESKD requiring upper limb AVG surgery admitted to our center between January 2016 and September 2019 were enrolled. Overall, 282 patients who completed the 2-year follow-up were included and classified into the following three groups according to the ePTFE graft type: the GPVG group with the PROPATEN® graft, the GAVG group with the straight-type GORE® ACUSEAL, and the BVVG group with the VENAFLO® II. The patency rate and incidence of access-related complications were analyzed and compared between groups. The patients were followed up postoperatively, and data were collected at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months postoperatively. Respective to these follow-up time points, in the GPVG group, the primary patency rates were 74.29%, 65.71%, 51.43%, and 42.86%; the assisted primary patency rates were 85.71%, 74.29%, 60.00%, and 48.57%; and the secondary patency rates were 85.71%, 80.00%, 71.43%, and 60.00%. In the GAVG group, the primary patency rates were 73.03%, 53.93%, 59.42%, and 38.20%; the assisted primary patency rates were 83.15%, 68.54%, 59.55%, and 53.93%; and the secondary patency rates were 85.39%, 77.53%, 68.54%, and 62.92%, respectively. In the BVVG group, the primary patency rates were 67.24%, 53.45%, 41.38%, and 29.31%; the assisted primary patency rates were 84.48%, 67.24%, 55.17%, and 44.83%; and the secondary patency rates were 86.21%, 81.03%, 68.97%, and 60.34%, respectively. The differences in patency rates across the three grafts were not statistically significant. Overall, 18, 4, and 12 patients in the GPVG, GAVG, and BVVG groups, respectively, experienced seroma. Among the three grafts, GORE® ACUSEAL had the shortest anastomosis hemostatic time. The first cannulation times for the three grafts were GPVG at 16 (±8.2), GAVG at 4 (±4.9), and BVVG at 18 (±12.7) days. No significant difference was found in the postoperative swelling rate between the GPVG group and the other two groups. Furthermore, no statistically significant differences were found across the three graft types regarding postoperative vascular access stenosis and thrombosis, ischemic steal syndrome, pseudoaneurysm, or infection. In conclusion, no statistically significant differences in the postoperative primary, assisted primary, or secondary graft patency rates were observed among the three groups. A shorter anastomosis hemostatic time, first cannulation time, and seroma occurrence were observed with the ACUSEAL® graft than with its counterparts. The incidence of upper extremity swelling postoperatively was greater with the PROPATEN® graft than with the other grafts. No statistically significant differences were observed among the three grafts regarding the remaining complications.

Betaine improves METH-induced depressive-like behavior and cognitive impairment by alleviating neuroinflammation via NLRP3 inflammasome inhibotion.

Methamphetamine abuse has been associated with central nervous system damage, contributing to the development of neuropsychiatric disorders such as depressive-like behavior and cognitive impairment. With the escalating prevalence of METH abuse, there is a pressing need to explore effective therapeutic interventions. Thus, the objective of this research was to investigate whether betaine can protect against depressive-like behavior and cognitive impairment induced by METH. Following intraperitoneal injections of METH in mice, varying doses of betaine were administered. Subsequently, the behavioral responses of mice and the impact of betaine intervention on METH-induced neural damage, synaptic plasticity, microglial activation, and NLRP3 inflammatory pathway activation were assessed. Administration 30 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg of betaine ameliorated METH-induced depressive-like behaviors in the open field test, tail suspension test, forced swimming test, and sucrose preference test and cognitive impairment in the novel object recognition test and Barnes maze test. Moreover, betaine exerted protective effects against METH-induced neural damage and reversed the reduced synaptic plasticity, including the decline in dendritic spine density, as well as alterations in the expression of hippocampal PSD95 and Synapsin-1. Additionally, betaine treatment suppressed hippocampal microglial activation induced by METH. Likewise, it also inhibited the activation of the hippocampal NLRP3 inflammasome pathway and reduced IL-1ß and TNF-α release. These results collectively suggest that betaine's significant role in mitigating depressive-like behavior and cognitive impairment resulting from METH abuse, presenting potential applications in the prevention and treatment of substance addiction.

Gradient nanoplasmonic imaging metasurface for rapid and label-free detection of SARS-CoV-2 sequences.

Compact and user-friendly nucleic acid biosensors play a crucial role in advancing infectious disease research, particularly for coronavirus (COVID-19). While nanophotonic metasurface sensors hold promise for high-performance sensing, they face challenges due to their complexity and bulky readout instruments. In this study, we propose a gradient nanoplasmonic imaging (GNI) metasurface that incorporates the concept of an optical potential well, enabling label-free single-step detection of SARS-CoV-2 sequences. The metasurface sensor consists of nanopillars with continuous variations, forming an optical potential well that results in a centimeter-scale dark ring. This dynamic well exhibits high sensitivity to refractive index changes, recorded by a CCD. To further enhance the visualized sensing performance, plasmonic coupling of gold nanoparticles with the gold nanostructure is employed. Our metasurface-based biosensor achieves rapid single-step detection of SARS-CoV-2 sequences, with a low detection limit of 77.2 pM and a detection range of 0.1-100 nM. This biosensor not only demonstrates exceptional reproducibility and outstanding detection performance, but also maintains remarkable specificity in differentiating SARS-CoV-2 from other diseases with similar symptoms. This simple and spectrometer-free refractometric sensing scheme enables the construction of a compact and cost-efficient prototype. Our imaging-based metasurface biosensing strategy demonstrates valuable merits for rapid, sensitive, and quantitative detection, showcasing its potential as a valuable on-site nucleic acid diagnostic tool.

Pharmacokinetics, safety, and efficacy of Fuqi Guben Gao in the treatment of kidney-yang deficiency syndrome: a randomized, double-blind phase I trial.

Introduction: Fuqi Guben Gao (FQGBG) is a botanical drug formulation composed of FuZi (FZ; Aconitum carmichaelii Debeaux [Ranunculaceae; Aconiti radix cocta]), Wolfberry (Lycium barbarum L. [Solanaceae; Lycii fructus]), and Cinnamon (Neolitsea cassia (L.) Kosterm. [Lauraceae; Cinnamomi cortex]). It has been used to clinically treat nocturia caused by kidney-yang deficiency syndrome (KYDS) for over 30 years and warms kidney yang. However, the pharmacological mechanism and the safety of FQGBG in humans require further exploration and evaluation. Methods: We investigated the efficacy of FQGBG in reducing urination and improving immune organ damage in two kinds of KYDS model rats (hydrocortisone-induced model and natural aging model), and evaluated the safety of different oral FQGBG doses through pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters, metabonomics, and occurrence of adverse reactions in healthy Chinese participants in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, single ascending dose clinical trial. Forty-two participants were allocated to six cohorts with FQGBG doses of 12.5, 25, 50, 75, 100, and 125 g. The PKs of FQGBG in plasma were determined using a fully validated LC-MS/MS method. Results: FQGBG significantly and rapidly improved the symptoms of increased urination in both two KYDS model rats and significantly resisted the adrenal atrophy in hydrocortisone-induced KYDS model rats. No apparent increase in adverse events was observed with dose escalation. Major adverse drug reactions included toothache, thirst, heat sensation, gum pain, diarrhea, abdominal distension, T-wave changes, and elevated creatinine levels. The PK results showed a higher exposure level of benzoylhypaconine (BHA) than benzoylmesaconine (BMA) and a shorter half-life of BMA than BHA. Toxic diester alkaloids, aconitine, mesaconitine, and hypaconitine were below the lower quantitative limit. Drug-induced metabolite markers primarily included lysophosphatidylcholines, fatty acids, phenylalanine, and arginine metabolites; no safety-related metabolite changes were observed. Conclusion: Under the investigated dosing regimen, FQGBG was safe. The efficacy mechanism of FQGBG in treating nocturia caused by KYDS may be related to the improvement of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis function and increased energy metabolism. Clinical Trial Registration: https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.html?proj=26934, identifier ChiCTR1800015840.

Event-Triggered Adaptive Finite-Time Control Using a Fuzzy State Observer for Nonlinear Cyber-Physical Systems Under Deception Attacks.

This article presents a new event-triggered adaptive finite-time control strategy using a fuzzy state observer for a class of nonlinear cyber-physical systems (CPSs) under malicious deception attacks with a more general form. Compared with the traditional assumptions on the deception attacks in the existing results, a more general assumption on deception attacks is given in this article. During the design process, real system states are initially estimated by developing an improved state observer, which effectively addresses the problem of state unavailability. Then, a coordinate transformation technology, in which the estimated states of observer are considered, is presented to stabilize the studied system. By constructing the singularity-free finite time virtual controls, the singularity problem in the traditional finite time design algorithms is cleverly avoided. Furthermore, to minimize communication overhead, a final finite-time controller is established by using a relative threshold event-triggered scheme. The developed event-triggered adaptive finite-time control strategy guarantees that all signals in the closed-loop system are semi-globally bounded in finite time without Zeno behavior. Finally, the correctness of the proposed control strategy is validated through two simulation results.

Multifaceted complications and surgical management of bronchobiliary fistula with associated pneumonia and intrahepatic stones: A case report.

Background: Bronchobiliary fistulas (BBFs), primarily stemming from choledocholithiasis, present considerable diagnostic and treatment challenges. Their prolonged nature can lead to life-threatening situations without timely management, often complicated by lung abscesses. Case presentation: A 64-year-old man, presenting with fever, chills, and a cough initially misdiagnosed as a common cold, developed severe respiratory distress and delirium upon admission. Urgent intensive care unit (ICU) admission was prompted by a computed tomography (CT) scan revealing a right lung abscess. Enhanced CT scans and elevated bilirubin levels confirmed the biliary origin of the BBFs. Comprehensive treatment included laparoscopic partial hepatectomy, choledochojejunostomy, stone extraction, choledochoscopy, T-tube drainage, and BBFs closure. The patient was discharged with a T-tube. Follow-up CT after two months showed no recurrence. Conclusions: Managing BBFs, especially with concurrent lung abscesses in choledocholithiasis patients, remains challenging but feasible. Early diagnosis and intervention are crucial to improving survival rates and quality of life, highlighting the need for vigilance. This case underscores the importance of early detection and comprehensive treatment for successful outcomes in such complex conditions.

A severe case of iatrogenic botulism associated with COVID-19 infection.

Background: The botulinum toxin is an extremely potent substance that impacts the nervous system. There has been a rise in cases of medical poisoning associated with it, particularly in the field of plastic and aesthetic procedures, in recent years. Case description: A 51-year-old woman underwent a facial wrinkle reduction procedure with an unauthorized injection of 100 U of botulinum toxin at an unlicensed medical facility six days prior to hospitalization. Over time, her toxicity symptoms intensified, impacting her respiratory muscles, and she did not receive antitoxin treatment. She was concurrently diagnosed with a COVID-19 infection during this period. Nonetheless, she experienced a full recovery 86 days after the injection. Conclusion: Currently, there is no effective antidote for botulism. Nevertheless, the timely administration of antitoxin can contribute to reducing the duration of the illness, alleviating symptoms, and preventing its recurrence. It is essential to recognize that individual responses may vary, and in this instance, the absence of antitoxin treatment did not significantly prolong the course of the disease. Accurate diagnosis of medical poisoning can be based on injection history and clinical symptoms. Early indications like fatigue and dry mouth warrant particular attention, emphasizing the importance of immediate medical intervention. To address emergencies, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) should maintain an accessible supply of antitoxin. Patients with severe poisoning should be hospitalized until their respiratory muscle strength is fully restored.

Increasing GSH-Px Activity and Activating Wnt Pathway Promote Fine Wool Growth in FGF5-Edited Sheep.

Fibroblast growth factor 5 (FGF5) plays key roles in promoting the transition from the anagen to catagen during the hair follicle cycle. The sheep serves as an excellent model for studying hair growth and is frequently utilized in various research processes related to human skin diseases. We used the CRISPR/Cas9 system to generate four FGF5-edited Dorper sheep and only low levels of FGF5 were detected in the edited sheep. The density of fine wool in GE sheep was markedly increased, and the proportion of fine wool with a diameter of 14.4-20.0 µm was significantly higher. The proliferation signal in the skin of gene-edited (GE) sheep was stronger than in wild-type (WT) sheep. FGF5 editing decreased cortisol concentration in the skin, further activated the activity of antioxidant enzymes such as Glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and regulated the expression of Wnt signaling pathways containing Wnt agonists (Rspondins, Rspos) and antagonists (Notum) in hair regeneration. We suggest that FGF5 not only mediates the activation of antioxidant pathways by cortisol, which constitutes a highly coordinated microenvironment in hair follicle cells, but also influences key signals of the Wnt pathway to regulate secondary hair follicle (SHF) development. Overall, our findings here demonstrate that FGF5 plays a significant role in regulating SHF growth in sheep and potentially serves as a molecular marker of fine wool growth in sheep breeding.

Hypothalamic transcriptome profile from laying period to incubation period of Changshun green-shell laying hens.

Incubation behavior in chickens is closely associated with hypothalamus. Here, RNA sequencing of hypothalamus from Changshun green-shell laying hens, an indigenous chicken breed from China, in egg-laying period (LP) and incubation period (BP) was conducted to identify critical pathways and candidate genes involved in controlling the incubation behavior in hypothalamus. A total of 637 up-regulated and 305 down-regulated differently expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in chicken hypothalamus between LP and BP groups. Gene ontology term (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis further revealed that neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, hippo signaling pathway, and focal adhesion were significantly enriched. Five candidate genes (POMC, IGF1R, CHAD, VCL, and MYL9) were suggested to play crucial roles in the regulation of chicken incubation behavior. Our results further indicated the complexity of reproductive behavior of different chicken breeds.

Cyp6g2 is the major P450 epoxidase responsible for juvenile hormone biosynthesis in Drosophila melanogaster.

BACKGROUND: Juvenile hormones (JH) play crucial role in regulating development and reproduction in insects. The most common form of JH is JH III, derived from MF through epoxidation by CYP15 enzymes. However, in the higher dipterans, such as the fruitfly, Drosophila melanogaster, a bis-epoxide form of JHB3, accounted most of the JH detected. Moreover, these higher dipterans have lost the CYP15 gene from their genomes. As a result, the identity of the P450 epoxidase in the JH biosynthesis pathway in higher dipterans remains unknown. RESULTS: In this study, we show that Cyp6g2 serves as the major JH epoxidase responsible for the biosynthesis of JHB3 and JH III in D. melanogaster. The Cyp6g2 is predominantly expressed in the corpus allatum (CA), concurring with the expression pattern of jhamt, another well-studied gene that is crucial in the last steps of JH biosynthesis. Mutation in Cyp6g2 leads to severe disruptions in larval-pupal metamorphosis and exhibits reproductive deficiencies, exceeding those seen in jhamt mutants. Notably, Cyp6g2-/-::jhamt2 double mutants all died at the pupal stage but could be rescued through the topical application of JH analogs. JH titer analyses revealed that both Cyp6g2-/- mutant and jhamt2 mutant lacking JHB3 and JH III, while overexpression of Cyp6g2 or jhamt caused a significant increase in JHB3 and JH III titer. CONCLUSIONS: These findings collectively established that Cyp6g2 as the major JH epoxidase in the higher dipterans and laid the groundwork for the further understanding of JH biosynthesis. Moreover, these findings pave the way for developing specific Cyp6g2 inhibitors as insect growth regulators or insecticides.

Quercetin Ameliorates Myocardial Injury in Diabetic Rats by Regulating Autophagy and Apoptosis through AMPK/mTOR Signaling Pathway.

A high-glucose environment is involved in the progression of diabetes mellitus (DM). This study aims to explore the regulatory effects of quercetin (QUE) on autophagy and apoptosis after myocardial injury in rats with DM. The type 2 DM rat models were constructed using low-dose streptozotocin (STZ) treatment combined with a high-carbohydrate (HC) diet in vivo. Compared with the control group, the body weight was decreased, whereas blood pressure, blood glucose, and the LVW/BW ratio were increased in the diabetic group. The results showed that the myocardial fibers were disordered in the diabetic group. Moreover, we found that the myocardial collagen fibers, PAS-positive cells, and apoptosis were increased, whereas the mitochondrial structure was destroyed and autophagic vacuoles were significantly reduced in the diabetic group compared with the control group. The expression levels of autophagy-related proteins LC3 and Beclin1 were decreased, whereas the expression levels of P62, Caspae-3, and Bax/Bcl-2 were increased in the diabetic group in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, QUE treatment alleviated the cellular oxidative stress reaction under high-glucose environments. The results of immunoprecipitation (IP) showed that the autophagy protein Beclin1 was bound to Bcl-2, and the binding capacity increased in the HG group, whereas it decreased after QUE treatment, suggesting that QUE inhibited the binding capacity between Beclin1 and Bcl-2, thus leading to the preservation of Beclin1-induced autophagy. In addition, the blood pressure, blood glucose, and cardiac function of rats were improved following QUE treatment. In conclusion, QUE suppressed diabetic myocardial injury and ameliorated cardiac function by regulating myocardial autophagy and inhibition of apoptosis in diabetes through the AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway.

Calcium signaling crosstalk between the endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria, a new drug development strategies of kidney diseases.

Calcium (Ca2+) acts as a second messenger and constitutes a complex and large information exchange system between the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and mitochondria; this process is involved in various life activities, such as energy metabolism, cell proliferation and apoptosis. Increasing evidence has suggested that alterations in Ca2+ crosstalk between the ER and mitochondria, including alterations in ER and mitochondrial Ca2+ channels and related Ca2+ regulatory proteins, such as sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA), inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (IP3R), and calnexin (CNX), are closely associated with the development of kidney disease. Therapies targeting intracellular Ca2+ signaling have emerged as an emerging field in the treatment of renal diseases. In this review, we focused on recent advances in Ca2+ signaling, ER and mitochondrial Ca2+ monitoring methods and Ca2+ homeostasis in the development of renal diseases and sought to identify new targets and insights for the treatment of renal diseases by targeting Ca2+ channels or related Ca2+ regulatory proteins.

Nanoimprint-induced strain engineering of two-dimensional materials.

The high stretchability of two-dimensional (2D) materials has facilitated the possibility of using external strain to manipulate their properties. Hence, strain engineering has emerged as a promising technique for tailoring the performance of 2D materials by controlling the applied elastic strain field. Although various types of strain engineering methods have been proposed, deterministic and controllable generation of the strain in 2D materials remains a challenging task. Here, we report a nanoimprint-induced strain engineering (NISE) strategy for introducing controllable periodic strain profiles on 2D materials. A three-dimensional (3D) tunable strain is generated in a molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) sheet by pressing and conforming to the topography of an imprint mold. Different strain profiles generated in MoS2 are demonstrated and verified by Raman and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. The strain modulation capability of NISE is investigated by changing the imprint pressure and the patterns of the imprint molds, which enables precise control of the strain magnitudes and distributions in MoS2. Furthermore, a finite element model is developed to simulate the NISE process and reveal the straining behavior of MoS2. This deterministic and effective strain engineering technique can be easily extended to other materials and is also compatible with common semiconductor fabrication processes; therefore, it provides prospects for advances in broad nanoelectronic and optoelectronic devices.

Circular RNA expression profiles and functional predication after restraint stress in the amygdala of rats.

Prolonged or repeated exposure to stress elevates the risk of various psychological diseases, many of which are characterized by central nervous system dysfunction. Recent studies have demonstrated that circular RNAs (circRNAs) are highly abundant in the mammalian brain. Although their precise expression and function remain unknown, they have been hypothesized to regulate transcriptional and post-transcriptional gene expression. In this investigation, we comprehensively analyzed whether restraint stress for 2 days altered the circRNA expression profile in the amygdala of male rats. The impact of restraint stress on behavior was evaluated using an elevated plus maze and open field test. Serum corticosterone levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. A total of 10,670 circRNAs were identified using RNA sequencing. Ten circRNAs were validated by reverse transcription and quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis. Gene ontology and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes pathway analyzes supported the notion that genes associated with differentially expressed circRNAs are primarily implicated in neuronal activity and neurotransmitter transport. Moreover, the three differentially expressed circRNAs showed high specificity in the amygdala. Overall, these findings indicate that differentially expressed circRNAs are highly enriched in the amygdala and offer a potential direction for further research on restraint stress.

Pituitary transcriptome profile from laying period to incubation period of Changshun green-shell laying hens.

BACKGROUND: Incubation behaviour, an instinct for natural breeding in poultry, is strictly controlled by the central nervous system and multiple neuroendocrine hormones and neurotransmitters, and is closely associated with the cessation of egg laying. Therefore, it is essential for the commercial poultry industry to clarify the molecular regulation mechanism of incubation behaviour. Here, we used high-throughput sequencing technology to examine the pituitary transcriptome of Changshun green-shell laying hen, a local breed from Guizhou province, China, with strong broodiness, in two reproductive stages, including egg-laying phase (LP) and incubation phase (BP). We also analyze the differences in gene expression during the transition from egg-laying to incubation, and identify critical pathways and candidate genes involved in controlling the incubation behaviour in the pituitary. RESULTS: In this study, we demonstrated that a total of 2089 differently expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in the pituitary, including 842 up-regulated and 1247 down-regulated genes. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis revealed that steroid biosynthesis pathway and neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction were significantly enriched based on DEGs commonly identified in pituitary. Further analysis revealed that SRC, ITGB4, ITGB3, PIK3R3 and DRD2 may play crucial roles in the regulation of incubation behaviour. CONCLUSIONS: We identified 2089 DEGs and the key signaling pathways which may be closely correlated with incubation in Changshun green-shell laying hens, and clarified the molecular regulation mechanism of incubation behaviour. Our results indicate the complexity and variety of differences in reproductive behaviour of different chicken breeds.

Effects of different chemical modifications on physicochemical and antioxidation properties of Lycium barbarum seed dreg polysaccharides.

Recent studies have witnessed that chemical modification can improve the physicochemical and functional properties of plants' polysaccharides. Herein, we modified the natural Lycium barbarum seed dreg polysaccharides (LBSDPs) by sulfation (S-LBSDPs), phosphorylation (P-LBSDPs), and carboxymethylation (C-LBSDPs), and evaluated the chemical composition and antioxidant activity of their derivatives. Natural polysaccharides and their derivatives exhibited typical polysaccharide absorption peaks and characteristic group absorption peaks in FT-IR spectra along with maximum UV absorption. After modification, the total sugar and protein contents of the derivatives were decreased, whereas the uronic acid content was increased. Among the three derivatives, sulfated polysaccharides displayed excellent thermal stability. S-LBSDP and P-LBSDP showed the highest ABTS radical scavenging and reducing power while S-LBSDPs and C-LBSDPs showed better DPPH radical scavenging effect, and P-LBSDPs showed considerable Fe2+ chelating ability. Our data indicate that chemical modifications can impart a positive effect on the antioxidant potential of plant-derived polysaccharides.

Development and initial validation of the career resilience instrument for CDC emergency responders in China within the context of public health emergencies: based on a survey conducted in Shanghai.

Background: China faces various public health emergencies, and emergency responders at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC emergency responders) are a mainstay in responding to public health emergencies. Career resilience can help CDC emergency responders to effectively respond to and recover from public health emergencies, but there is no specific measurement instrument available. In this study, we aimed to develop and conduct an initial validation of the career resilience instrument for CDC emergency responders in China within the context of public health emergencies from a process perspective. Methods: Based on a survey conducted in Shanghai, interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA), which is a qualitative research approach to describing and analyzing individual experiences, was used to analyze the interview texts to develop the initial career resilience instrument for CDC emergency responders. The initial career resilience instrument was revised through two rounds of expert consultation. Cronbach's α coefficient and exploratory factor analysis were used to test the reliability and validity of the revised career resilience instrument. Results: The initial career resilience instrument for CDC emergency responders contained three first-level measurement dimensions, 9 second-level measurement dimensions, and 52 measurement items. After expert consultation, the first-level and second-level measurement dimensions were not revised, 13 measurement items were deleted or revised, and six measurement items were added, resulting in 48 measurement items. The revised career resilience instrument was tested for good reliability and validity. Conclusion: Career resilience for CDC emergency responders can be regarded as a set of protective factors and dynamic processes that can be cultivated and intervened in cognitive, affective, and behavioral dimensions to improve their ability to respond to and recover from public health emergencies.

Metabolic characterization of 25X-NBOH and 25X-NBOMe phenethylamines based on UHPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS in human liver microsomes.

The types and quantities of new psychoactive substances synthesized based on structural modifications have increased rapidly in recent years and pose a great challenge to clinical and forensic laboratories. N-benzyl derivatives of phenethylamines, 25B-NBOH, 25E-NBOH, 25H-NBOH, and 25iP-NBOMe have begun to flow into the black market and have caused several poisoning cases and even fatal cases. The aim of this study was to avoid false negative results by detecting the parent drug and its metabolites to extend the detection window in biological matrices and provide basic data for the simultaneous determination of illegal drugs and metabolites in forensic and emergency cases. To facilitate the comparison of metabolic characteristics, we divided the four compounds into two groups of types, 25X-NBOH and 25X-NBOMe. The in vitro phase I and phase II metabolism of these four compounds was investigated by incubating 10 mg mL-1 pooled human liver microsomes with co-substrates for 180 min at 37 â„ƒ, and then analyzing the reaction mixture using ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole/electrostatic field orbitrap mass spectrometry. In total, 70 metabolites were obtained for the four compounds. The major biotransformations were O-demethylation, hydroxylation, dehydrogenation, N-dehydroxybenzyl, N-demethoxybenzyl, oxidate transformation to ketone and carboxylate, glucuronidation, and their combination reactions. We recommended the major metabolites with high peak area ratio as biomarkers, B2-1 (56.61%), B2-2 (17.43%) and B6 (17.78%) for 25B-NBOH, E2-1 (42.81%), E2-2 (34.90%) and E8-2 (10.18%) for 25E-NBOH, H5 (49.28%), H2-1 (21.54%), and H1 (18.37%) for 25H-NBOH, P3-1 (10.94%), P3-2 (33.18%), P3-3 (14.85%) and P12-2 (23.00%) for 25iP-NBOMe. This is a study to evaluate their metabolic characteristics in detail. Comparative analysis of the N-benzyl derivatives of phenethylamines provided basic data for elucidating their pharmacology and toxicity. Timely analysis of the metabolic profiles of compounds with abuse potential will facilitate the early development of regulatory measures.

Postweaning stress affects behavior, brain and gut microbiota of adolescent mice in a sex-dependent manner.

Aggression is an instinctive behavior that has been reported to be influenced by early-life stress. However, the potential effects of acute stress during the postweaning period, a key stage for brain development, on defensive aggression and the associated mechanism remain poorly understood. In the present study, aggressive behaviors were evaluated in adolescent mice exposed to postweaning stress. Serum corticosterone and testosterone levels, neural dendritic spine density, and gut microbiota composition were determined to identify the underlying mechanism. Behavioral analysis showed that postweaning stress reduced locomotor activity in mice and decreased defensive aggression in male mice. ELISA results showed that postweaning stress reduced serum testosterone levels in female mice. Golgi staining analysis demonstrated that postweaning stress decreased neural dendritic spine density in the medial prefrontal cortex of male mice. 16S rRNA sequencing results indicated that postweaning stress altered the composition of the gut microbiota in male mice. Combined, these results suggested that postweaning stress alters defensive aggression in male mice, which may be due to changes in neuronal structure as well as gut microbiota composition. Our findings highlight the long-lasting and sex-dependent effects of early-life experience on behaviors.