Bibliometric insights into drug resistance in bladder cancer: Two decades of progress (1999-2022).

Aims: To provide a comprehensive bibliometric overview of drug resistance in bladder cancer (BC) from 1999 to 2022, aiming to illuminate its historical progression and guide future investigative avenues. Methods: Literature on BC drug resistance between 1999 and 2022 was sourced from the Web of Science. Visual analyses were executed using Vosviewer and Citespace software, focusing on contributions by countries, institutions, journals, authors, references, and keywords. Results: From 2727 publications, a marked growth in BC drug resistance studies was discerned over the two decades. Prominent among all institutions is the University of Texas System. The majority of top-ranked journals were American. In authorship significance, McConkey DJ led in publications, while Bellmunt J dominated in citations. Research topics predominantly spanned cancer demographics, drug efficacy evaluations, molecular features, oncology subtypes, and individualized treatment strategies, with a notable contemporary emphasis on molecular mechanisms behind drug resistance and nuances of ICIs. Conclusions: Our bibliometric analysis charts the landscape of BC drug resistance research from 1999 to 2022. While the study of resistance mechanisms has been robust, there's an evident need for deeper exploration into the molecular intricacies and the potential of ICIs and targeted therapeutic strategies.

Application of 3D­printed porous titanium interbody fusion cage vs. polyether ether ketone interbody fusion cage in anterior cervical discectomy and fusion: A systematic review and meta­analysis update.

The present study aimed to compare the differences between 3D-printed porous titanium and polyether ether ketone (PEEK) interbody fusion cages for anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). Literature on the application of 3D-printed porous titanium and PEEK interbody fusion cages for ACDF was searched in the PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang and VIP databases. A total of 1,181 articles were retrieved and 12 were finally included. The Cochrane bias risk assessment criteria and Newcastle-Ottawa scale were used for quality evaluation and Review Manager 5.4 was used for data analysis. The 3D cage group was superior to the PEEK cage group in terms of operative time [mean difference (MD): -7.68; 95% confidence interval (CI): -11.08, -4.29; P<0.00001], intraoperative blood loss (MD: -6.17; 95%CI: -10.56, -1.78; P=0.006), hospitalization time (MD: -0.57; 95%CI: -0.86, -0.28: P=0.0001), postoperative complications [odds ratio (OR): 0.35; 95%CI: 0.15, 0.80; P=0.01], C2-7 Cobb angle (MD: 2.85; 95%CI: 1.45, 4.24; P<0.0001), intervertebral space height (MD: 1.20; 95%CI: 0.54, 1.87; P=0.0004), Japanese Orthopaedic Association Assessment of Treatment (MD: 0.69; 95%CI: 0.24, 1.15; P=0.003) and visual analogue scale score (MD: -0.43; 95%CI: -0.78, -0.07; P=0.02). The difference was statistically significant, while there was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of fusion rate (OR: 1.74; 95%CI: 0.71, 4.27; P=0.23). The use of 3D-printed porous titanium interbody fusion cage in ACDF has the advantages of short operation time, less bleeding loss, shorter hospitalization time and fewer postoperative complications. It can better maintain the cervical curvature and intervertebral height, relieve pain and accelerate postoperative functional recovery.

Protecting primary teeth from dental erosion through bioactive glass.

OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of bioactive glass (BAG) in preventing dental erosion in primary teeth. METHODS: Enamel and dentin specimens (2 × 2 × 2 mm) were obtained from extracted primary teeth, which were randomly divided into the following groups based on the pretreatments (n = 12): DW (deionized water), NaF (2 % sodium fluoride), 2BAG (2 % BAG), 4BAG (4 % BAG), 6BAG (6 % BAG), and 8BAG (8 % BAG). The specimens were immersed in the respective solutions for 2 min and subjected to in vitro erosive challenges (4 × 5 min/d) for 5 d. The erosive enamel loss (EEL), erosive dentin loss (EDL), and the thickness of the demineralized organic matrix (DOM) were measured using a contact profilometer. The surface microhardness (SMH) was measured, and the percentage of SMH loss (%SMHL) was calculated. The surface morphology and mineral composition were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), respectively. RESULTS: After the erosive challenges, the EEL, EDL, and%SMHL of the 2BAG, 4BAG, 6BAG, and 8BAG groups significantly reduced, with the greatest reduction was observed in the 6BAG (EEL: 6.5 ± 0.2 µm;%SMHL in enamel: 12.8 ± 2.6; EDL: 7.9 ± 0.3 µm; %SMHL in dentin: 22.1 ± 2.7) and 8BAG groups (EEL: 6.4 ± 0.4 µm;%SMHL in enamel: 11.0 ± 1.9; EDL: 7.8 ± 0.5 µm; %SMHL in dentin: 22.0 ± 2.5) (P < 0.05). With increasing BAG concentrations, the number of surface deposits containing Ca, P, and Si increased. CONCLUSIONS: 6BAG was the most effective for preventing dental erosion in primary teeth and showed a particularly strong potential for dentin erosion prevention. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Bioactive glass, especially at a 6 % concentration, has proven effective in reducing erosive tooth wear and surface microhardness loss while also protecting demineralized organic matrix in primary dentin.

Performance evaluation and comparative research of underwater wireless optical communication system by using different structured beams.

Structured beams have attracted increasing interest in free-space and fiber-based optical communications. Underwater wireless optical communication (UWOC) is becoming a prospective technique in marine exploration. We investigated UWOC performance using different representative structured beams. The transmission performances of the Gaussian, Bessel-Gaussian (BG), Ince-Gaussian (IG), and radially polarized Gaussian (RPG) beams were experimentally demonstrated and evaluated in underwater channels subjected to thermal gradient. The experimental results show that the BG, IG, and RPG perform better against the thermal gradient. Compared with the Gaussian beams, the beam wanders of BG, IG, and RPG beams under the thermal gradient have been reduced by 56.9%, 8.2%, and 59%, the scintillation indices have been decreased by 12.8%, 17.3%, and 28.9%, and the BER performance of the BG, IG, and RPG beams have been improved by ∼5.5, ∼3.7, and ∼5.2d B at the forward error correction threshold (FEC threshold). Based on the above results, the RPG beam is a more promising light source for UWOC. The experimental results provide a promising beam choice for UWOC.

Exposure to Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles Leads to Specific Disorders of Spermatid Elongation via Multiple Metabolic Pathways in Drosophila Testes.

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) have been extensively utilized in various applications. However, the regulatory mechanism behind the reproductive toxicity induced by TiO2 NP exposure remains largely elusive. In this study, we employed a Drosophila model to assess potential testicular injuries during spermatogenesis and conducted bulk RNA-Seq analysis to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. Our results reveal that while prolonged exposure to lower concentrations of TiO2 NPs (0.45 mg/mL) for 30 days did not manifest reproductive toxicity, exposure at concentrations of 0.9 and 1.8 mg/mL significantly impaired spermatid elongation in Drosophila testes. Notably, bulk RNA-seq analysis revealed that TiO2 NP exposure affected multiple metabolic pathways including carbohydrate metabolism and cytochrome P450. Importantly, the intervention of glutathione (GSH) significantly protected against reproductive toxicity induced by TiO2 NP exposure, as it restored the number of Orb-positive spermatid clusters in Drosophila testes. Our study provides novel insights into the specific detrimental effects of TiO2 NP exposure on spermatid elongation through multiple metabolic alterations in Drosophila testes and highlights the protective role of GSH in countering this toxicity.

Unraveling the impact of environmental provisions in preferential trade agreements on green total factor energy efficiency.

Environmental provisions in Preferential Trade Agreements (PTAs) have increased in recent years, however, their impact on green total factor energy efficiency (GTFEE) remains underexplored. Utilizing comprehensive data on countries' engagement with PTAs' environmental provisions, along with environmental legislative information and green trade data, this study employs various quantitative and qualitative research methods to investigate heterogeneity influence, mechanism, nonlinear relationship, and combined effect of PTAs' environmental provisions on GTFEE. The empirical results indicate that: (1) Environmental provisions within PTAs significantly enhance the GTFEE of participating countries, which is more pronounced in North-South PTAs, particularly when these provisions are closely tied to trade issues. (2) Environmental provisions in PTAs improve the GTFEE by promoting environmental legislation, facilitating green goods trade, and fostering cleaner energy structures in participating countries. (3) As the number of PTAs' environmental provisions increases in participating countries, their effect on GTFEE follows a pattern of initial inhibition, followed by promotion, and ultimately insignificance. (4) The combined effect of different types of environmental provisions in PTAs reveals three primary pathways contributing to improved GTFEE: the "environment", the "environment-trade synergy", and the "trade-safeguard synergy".

Grooved Microneedle Patch Augments Adoptive T Cell Therapy Against Solid Tumors via Diverting Regulatory T Cells.

The efficacy of adoptive T cell therapy (ACT) for the treatment of solid tumors remains challenging. In addition to the poor infiltration of effector T (Teff) cells limited by the physical barrier surrounding the solid tumor, another major obstacle is the extensive infiltration of regulatory T (Treg) cells, a major immunosuppressive immune cell subset, in the tumor microenvironment. Here, this work develops a grooved microneedle patch for augmenting ACT, aiming to simultaneously overcome physical and immunosuppressive barriers. The microneedles are engineered through an ice-templated method to generate the grooved structure for sufficient T-cell loading. In addition, with the surface modification of chemokine CCL22, the MNs could not only directly deliver tumor-specific T cells into solid tumors through physical penetration, but also specifically divert Treg cells from the tumor microenvironment to the surface of the microneedles via a cytokine concentration gradient, leading to an increase in the ratio of Teff cells/Treg cells in a mouse melanoma model. Consequently, this local delivery strategy of both T cell receptor T cells and chimeric antigen receptor T cells via the CCL22-modified grooved microneedles as a local niche could significantly enhance the antitumor efficacy and reduce the on-target off-tumor toxicity of ACT.

Stem cell index-based RiskScore model for predicting prognosis in thyroid cancer and experimental verification.

Objective: An mRNA expression-based stemness index (mRNAsi) has been developed to characterize cancer stemness. However, the predictive value of mRNAsi-based signature in therapeutic resistance and immunotherapy in thyroid cancer (THCA) remains unclarified. This study evaluated and validated the role of mRNAsi in drug sensitivity, its relationship between mRNAsi and THCA clinical features and immunity based on bioinformatics. Methods: Based on transcriptome data of THCA patients from the Tumor Genome Atlas Project (TCGA) database, and expression data of multifunctional stem cell samples from the Progenitor Cell Biology Consortium (PCBC) databases, mRNAsi was calculated by the " one class logistic regression (OCLR)" method, Molecular subtypes of TCGA-THCA samples were identified with mRNAsi-related genes using ConsensusClusterPlus method. The gene mutation, clinical characteristics, immune characteristics, TIDE and drug sensitivity were compared among molecular subtypes. A prognostic model was designed with Lasso cox method. Modulation of malignant phenotype of THCA cell lines by model characterization genes is validated by CCK-8, flow cytometry. DNA methylation disorder in promoter region was analyzed between risk groups. The model was validated for survival in the internal Test dataset, while TCGA pan-cancer and immunotherapy datasets were further employed to validate the performance of this model. Results: We obtained a total of 78 stem cell samples, each containing the expression profile of 8087 mRNA genes. Based on mRNAsi, THCA was divided into 3 subtypes. Subtype C2 had the poorest prognosis and highest immune score, while subtype C3 had the best prognosis, lowest mRANsi and highest TIDE score. Patients in subtype C2 showed higher sensitivity to Cisplatin, Erlotinib, Paclitaxel, and Lapatinib. The prognostic signature was generated using 5 mRNAsi-related genes, which could predict prognosis for THCA. qRT-PCR results showed that the expression of 5 genes were various in Hth7 and KTC-1 cells, and inhibition CELSR3 expression increased percentage of apoptosis in Hth7 and KTC-1 cells. mRNAsi related DNA methylation sites were mainly enriched in tumor related pathways. Good performance of this model was validated in Test dataset, pan-cancer and immunotherapy datasets. Conclusion: This study identified three subtypes for classification and developed a prognostic model with mRNAsi-related genes, which provided great potential for prognosis and immunotherapy prediction.

Three-Dimensional Location of the Facial Artery in Relation to the Nasolabial Fold in Asian People: A Cadaveric CTA Study.

BACKGROUND: Injection cosmetics have become popular in recent years. The nasolabial fold is one of the most important and dangerous regions in the midface, and its three-dimensional relationship with the facial artery remains unclear. METHODS: Fifty-two cadavers infused with lead oxide contrast medium via the external carotid arteries were scanned by computed tomography (CT). The three-dimensional model was reconstructed using Mimics and Origin software, and the relevant data were calculated using validated algorithms. RESULTS: There were three facial artery types according to its course in relation to the nasolabial fold. In the most common type, accounting for 83.7% of specimens, the facial artery evolves into an angular artery, with a horizontal distance between facial artery and nasolabial fold of - 1.90 ± 2.40, - 3.90 ± 2.95, - 5.18 ± 3.42, - 5.59 ± 3.53, - 5.59 ± 3.83, - 6.07 ± 4.10, - 6.92 ± 3.70, - 6.79 ± 3.37, - 4.52 ± 3.20, and - 2.76 ± 3.60 (mm) from the nasal ala to the oral commissure and a vertical distance of - 4.03 ± 2.56, - 3.27 ± 2.27, - 2.81 ± 2.57, - 2.1 ± 2.64, - 1.5 ± 3.32, - 0.71 ± 3.99, 0.92 ± 4.43, 0.4 ± 5.31, - 4.14 ± 5.14, - 7.05 ± 4.74 (mm). CONCLUSIONS: The facial artery is vulnerable to damage when injecting filler in the nasolabial fold. For the upper 1/3 of the nasolabial fold, the supraperiosteal layer is recommended for injection, while for the lower 2/3 of the nasolabial fold, the dermal layer along the nasolabial fold is recommended. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Multimedia distribution and release characteristics of emerging PFAS in wastewater treatment plants in Tianjin, China.

Legacy and emerging PFAS in the air, wastewater, and sludge from two wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in Tianjin were investigated in this study. The semi-quantified nontarget PFAS accounted for up to 99 % of Æ©PFAS in the gas phase, and aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF)-related PFAS were predominant in wastewater (up to 2250 ng/L, 79 % of Æ©PFAS) and sludge (up to 4690 ng/g, 95 % of Æ©PFAS). Furthermore, field-derived air particle-gas, air-wastewater, and wastewater particle-wastewater distribution coefficients of emerging PFAS are characterized, which have rarely been reported. The emerging substitute p-perfluorous nonenoxybenzenesulfonate (OBS) and AFFF-related cationic and zwitterionic PFAS show a stronger tendency to partition into particle phase in air and wastewater than perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS). The estimated total PFAS emissions from the effluent and sludge of WWTP A were 202 kg/y and 351 kg/y, respectively. While the target PFAS only accounted for 20-33 % of the total emissions, suggesting a significant underestimation of environmental releases of the nontarget PFAS and unknown perfluoroalkyl acid precursors through the wastewater and sludge disposal. Overall, this study highlights the importance of comprehensive monitoring and understanding the behavior of legacy and emerging PFAS in wastewater systems, and fills a critical gap in our understanding of PFAS exposure.

Characteristics of tandem repeat inheritance and sympathetic nerve involvement in GAA-FGF14 ataxia.

BACKGROUND: Intronic GAA repeat expansion ([GAA] ≥250) in FGF14 is associated with the late-onset neurodegenerative disorder, spinocerebellar ataxia 27B (SCA27B, GAA-FGF14 ataxia). We aim to determine the prevalence of the GAA repeat expansion in FGF14 in Chinese populations presenting late-onset cerebellar ataxia (LOCA) and evaluate the characteristics of tandem repeat inheritance, radiological features and sympathetic nerve involvement. METHODS: GAA-FGF14 repeat expansion was screened in an undiagnosed LOCA cohort (n = 664) and variations in repeat-length were analyzed in families of confirmed GAA-FGF14 ataxia patients. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to evaluate the radiological feature in GAA-FGF14 ataxia patients. Clinical examinations and sympathetic skin response (SSR) recordings in GAA-FGF14 patients (n = 16) were used to quantify sympathetic nerve involvement. RESULTS: Two unrelated probands (2/664) were identified. Genetic screening for GAA-FGF14 repeat expansion was performed in 39 family members, 16 of whom were genetically diagnosed with GAA-FGF14 ataxia. Familial screening revealed expansion of GAA repeats in maternal transmissions, but contraction upon paternal transmission. Brain MRI showed slight to moderate cerebellar atrophy. SSR amplitude was lower in GAA-FGF14 patients in pre-symptomatic stage compared to healthy controls, and further decreased in the symptomatic stage. CONCLUSIONS: GAA-FGF14 ataxia was rare among Chinese LOCA cases. Parental gender appears to affect variability in GAA repeat number between generations. Reduced SSR amplitude is a prominent feature in GAA-FGF14 patients, even in the pre-symptomatic stage.

Continuous Right Ventricular Pressure Monitoring in Cardiac Surgery.

OBJECTIVE: Right ventricular (RV) dysfunction in cardiac surgery can lead to RV failure, which is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Abnormal RV function can be identified using RV pressure monitoring. The primary objective of the study is to determine the proportion of patients with abnormal RV early to end-diastole diastolic pressure gradient (RVDPG) and abnormal RV end-diastolic pressure (RVEDP) before initiation and after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) separation. The secondary objective is to evaluate if RVDPG before CPB initiation is associated with difficult and complex separation from CPB, RV dysfunction, and failure at the end of cardiac surgery. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: Tertiary care cardiac institute. PARTICIPANTS: Cardiac surgical patients. INTERVENTION: Cardiac surgery. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Automated electronic quantification of RVDPG and RVEDP were obtained. Hemodynamic measurements were correlated with cardiac and extracardiac parameters from transesophageal echocardiography and postoperative complications. Abnormal RVDPG was present in 80% of the patients (n = 105) at baseline, with a mean RVEDP of 14.2 ± 3.9 mmHg. Patients experienced an RVDPG > 4 mmHg for a median duration of 50.2% of the intraoperative period before CPB initiation and 60.6% after CPB separation. A total of 46 (43.8%) patients had difficult/complex separation from CPB, 18 (38.3%) patients had RV dysfunction, and 8 (17%) had RV failure. Abnormal RVDPG before CPB was not associated with postoperative outcome. CONCLUSION: Elevated RVDPG and RVEDP are common in cardiac surgery. RVDPG and RVEDP before CPB initiation are not associated with RV dysfunction and failure but can be used to diagnose them.

Butyrate attenuates sympathetic activation in rats with chronic heart failure by inhibiting microglial inflammation in the paraventricular nucleus.

Sympathetic activation is a hallmark of heart failure and the underlying mechanism remains elusive. Butyrate is generated by gut microbiota and influences numerous physiological and pathological processes in the host. The present study aims to investigate whether the intestinal metabolite butyrate reduces sympathetic activation in rats with heart failure (HF) and the underlying mechanisms involved. Sprague-Dawley rats (220‒250 g) are anaesthetized with isoflurane, and the left anterior descending artery is ligated to model HF. Then, the rats are treated with or without butyrate sodium (NaB, a donor of butyrate, 10 g/L in water) for 8 weeks. Blood pressure and renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) are recorded to assess sympathetic outflow. Cardiac function is improved (mean ejection fraction, 22.6%±4.8% vs 38.3%±5.3%; P<0.05), and sympathetic activation is decreased (RSNA, 36.3%±7.9% vs 23.9%±7.6%; P<0.05) in HF rats treated with NaB compared with untreated HF rats. The plasma and cerebrospinal fluid levels of norepinephrine are decreased in HF rats treated with NaB. The infusion of N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) into the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus of HF model rats increases sympathetic nervous activity by upregulating the NMDA receptor. Microglia polarized to the M2 phenotype and inflammation are markedly attenuated in the PVN of HF model rats after NaB administration. In addition, HF model rats treated with NaB exhibit enhanced intestinal barrier function and increased levels of GPR109A, zona occludens-1 and occludin, but decreased levels of lipopolysaccharide-binding protein and zonulin. In conclusion, butyrate attenuates sympathetic activation and improves cardiac function in rats with HF. The improvements in intestinal barrier function, reductions in microglia-mediated inflammation and decreases in NMDA receptor 1 expression in the PVN are all due to the protective effects of NaB.

Influence of protective clothing and masks on facial trustworthiness in an investment game: insights from a Chinese population study.

Facial features are important sources of information about perceived trustworthiness. Masks and protective clothing diminish the visibility of facial cues by either partially concealing the mouth and nose or covering the entire face. During the pandemic, the use of personal protective equipment affected and redefined who trusts whom in society. This study used the classical investment game of interpersonal trust with Chinese participants to explore the impact of occlusion on interpersonal trust. Faces with moderate initial trustworthiness were occluded by a mask or protective clothing in Experiment 1 and were digitally occluded by a square in Experiment 2, and faces with three levels of initial trustworthiness were occluded by a mask in Experiment 3. Results showed that both undergraduates (Experiment 1a) and non-student adults (Experiment 1b) perceived the faces with protective clothing as more trustworthy than faces wearing standard masks and faces not wearing masks. Faces with the top halves showing were perceived as trustworthy as full faces, while faces with the bottom halves showing were perceived as less trustworthy. The effect of masks is weak and complex. Masks reduced participants' trust in faces with high initial trustworthiness, had no effect on faces with low and moderate initial trustworthiness, and only slightly increased the trust of undergraduates in faces with moderate initial trustworthiness. Our findings indicate that the lack of information caused by occlusion and the social significance associated with occlusion collectively affect people's trust behavior in Chinese society. We believe the findings of this study will be useful in elucidating the effects of personal protective equipment usage on perceptions of trustworthiness.

Nanocomposite Scintillators Loaded With Hafnium Oxide and Phosphorescent Host and Guest for Gamma Spectroscopy.

Gamma sensitive plastic scintillators are of critical importance in the fields of nuclear nonproliferation, medical imaging, and high energy physics. However, there is often a trade-off between high light yield and high loading of high-Z components, both of which play an essential role in gamma ray detection. This work takes advantage of triplet exciton harvesting to increase gamma light yield by utilizing 1,3-di(9H-carbazol-9-yl)benzene and 9,9-dimethyl-9H-fluorene as triplet hosts to facilitate Dexter energy transfer to bis[2-(4,6-difluorophenyl)pyridinato-C2,N](picolinato)iridium(III) (FIrPic), a blue light emitting phosphorescent dye. A plastic scintillator containing 20 wt % MF, 10 wt % mCP, and 2 wt % FIrPic has a high gamma light yield of 14 800 Ph/MeV. Incorporating 20-35 wt % hafnium oxide nanoparticles into this organic matrix results in nanocomposites that demonstrate a gamma photopeak energy resolution of 6.4-9.7% at 662 keV while still retaining a high gamma light yield between 8800 and 10 800 Ph/MeV.

Mitochondrial endogenous substance transport-inspired nanomaterials for mitochondria-targeted gene delivery.

Mitochondrial genome (mtDNA) independent of nuclear gene is a set of double-stranded circular DNA that encodes 13 proteins, 2 ribosomal RNAs and 22 mitochondrial transfer RNAs, all of which play vital roles in functions as well as behaviors of mitochondria. Mutations in mtDNA result in various mitochondrial disorders without available cures. However, the manipulation of mtDNA via the mitochondria-targeted gene delivery faces formidable barriers, particularly owing to the mitochondrial double membrane. Given the fact that there are various transport channels on the mitochondrial membrane used to transfer a variety of endogenous substances to maintain the normal functions of mitochondria, mitochondrial endogenous substance transport-inspired nanomaterials have been proposed for mitochondria-targeted gene delivery. In this review, we summarize mitochondria-targeted gene delivery systems based on different mitochondrial endogenous substance transport pathways. These are categorized into mitochondrial steroid hormones import pathways-inspired nanomaterials, protein import pathways-inspired nanomaterials and other mitochondria-targeted gene delivery nanomaterials. We also review the applications and challenges involved in current mitochondrial gene editing systems. This review delves into the approaches of mitochondria-targeted gene delivery, providing details on the design of mitochondria-targeted delivery systems and the limitations regarding the various technologies. Despite the progress in this field is currently slow, the ongoing exploration of mitochondrial endogenous substance transport and mitochondrial biological phenomena may act as a crucial breakthrough in the targeted delivery of gene into mitochondria and even the manipulation of mtDNA.

Time-dependent effects of high-fat diet on cognition and cerebral insulin signaling: Window for recovery and potential therapeutic target.

While high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity is a major threat to global public health, the effect of HFD on cognition and insulin signaling during ageing remains controversial. The aim of this study was to characterize the dynamic alterations in cognition and cerebral insulin signaling during 6-month HFD consumption, and to investigate the potential therapeutic target and optimal timing to rescue obesity-related cognitive deficits. In the present study, impaired memory retention induced by 2-month HFD was recovered after 4 months on HFD. Prolonged (6-month) HFD did not further enhance tau hyperphosphorylation and ß-amyloid deposition, which was consistent with the alleviation of memory retention. In brain insulin signaling, 2-month HFD increased IRS-1 and p-IRS-1(Ser307)/IRS-1, while decreasing pAKT(Ser473)/AKT, PI3K and mTOR; 4-month HFD decreased IRS-1 and pAKT(Ser473)/AKT, while increasing AKT; 6-month HFD increased IRS-1, pAKT(Ser473)/AKT, and mTOR, while decreasing p-IRS-1(Ser307)/IRS-1, PI3K and AKT. Notably, bioinformatic analysis revealed a rhythmic process presented only in 4-month HFD group, with Srebf1 emerging as a link between circadian rhythms and insulin signaling pathway. These results suggest that prolonged HFD prevents further cognitive decline and the progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD)-related pathologies during ageing. Moreover, there may be a window for recovery, in which Srebf1 acts as a self-recovery switch to address obesity-related cognitive disorders in elders.

Poly-l-lactic acid microspheres delay aging of epidermal stem cells in rat skin.

Objective: Injectable skin fillers offer a wider range of options for cutaneous anti-aging and facial rejuvenation. PLLA microspheres are increasingly favored as degradable and long-lasting fillers. The present study focused solely on the effect of PLLA on dermal collagen, without investigating its impact on the epidermis. In this study, we investigated the effects of PLLA microspheres on epidermal stem cells (EpiSCs). Methods: Different concentrations of PLLA microspheres on epidermal stem cells (EpiSCs) in vitro through culture, and identification of primary rat EpiSCs. CCK-8 detection, apoptosis staining, flow cytometry, Transwell assay, wound healing assay, q-PCR analysis, and immunofluorescence staining were used to detect the effects of PLLA on EpiSCs. Furthermore, we observed the effect on the epidermis by injecting PLLA into the dermis of the rat skin in vivo. Results: PLLA microspheres promote cell proliferation and migration while delaying cell senescence and maintaining its stemness. In vitro, Intradermal injection of PLLA microspheres in the rat back skin resulted in delayed aging, as evidenced by histological and immunohistochemical staining of the skin at 2, 4, and 12 weeks of follow-up. Conclusion: This study showed the positive effects of PLLA on rat epidermis and EpiSCs, while providing novel insights into the anti-aging mechanism of PLLA.

Robust and transparent dust removal coating applied to polyimide-based photovoltaic modules for lunar rovers.

Dust removal coatings for polyimide (PI)-based photovoltaic modules used in lunar rovers were fabricated successfully through the blade-coating method using silicon dioxide (SiO2) nanoparticles and γ-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (KH550). The dust removal performance, morphology, transparency, and adhesive force of the coating can be optimized by adjusting the pH and the mass ratios of SiO2 and KH550. The designed coating demonstrates excellent dust removal performance, achieving an percentage of over 85 %. Moreover, the coating has minimal impact on the transparency of the PI substrate and exhibits strong adhesion to it. Additionally, the coating shows remarkable resistance to both high and low temperatures. Even after undergoing five cycles of thermal treatment ranging from -196 to 160 °C, there were no significant changes in the morphology or dust removal performance of the coating. Therefore, this coating exhibits tremendous potential for application in the dust removal of photovoltaic modules in lunar rovers.