Integrative omics analyses of tea (Camellia sinensis) under glufosinate stress reveal defense mechanisms: A trade-off with flavor loss.

Extensively applied glufosinate (GLU) will trigger molecular alterations in nontarget tea plants (Camellia sinensis), which inadvertently disturbs metabolites and finally affects tea quality. The mechanistic response of tea plants to GLU remains unexplored. This study investigated GLU residue behavior, the impact on photosynthetic capacity, specialized metabolites, secondary pathways, and transcript levels in tea seedlings. Here, GLU mainly metabolized to MPP and accumulated more in mature leaves than in tender ones. GLU catastrophically affected photosynthesis, leading to leaf chlorosis, and decreased Fv/Fm and chlorophyll content. Physiological and biochemical, metabolomics, and transcriptomics analyses were integrated. Showing that GLU disrupted the photosynthetic electron transport chain, triggered ROS and antioxidant system, and inhibited photosynthetic carbon fixation. GLU targeted glutamine synthetase (GS) leading to the accumulation of ammonium and the inhibition of key umami L-theanine, causing a disorder in nitrogen metabolism, especially for amino acids synthesis. Interestingly, biosynthesis of primary flavonoids was sacrificed for defensive phenolic acids and lignin formulation, leading to possible losses in nutrition and tenderness in leaves. This study revealed the defense intricacies and potential quality deterioration of tea plants responding to GLU stress. Valuable insights into detoxification mechanisms for non-target crops post-GLU exposure were offered.

Synthesis of 2,3-Dialkyl-5-hydroxybenzofurans via a One-pot, Three-step Reaction Sequence of 2-Monosubstituted 1,3-Diketones and 1,4-Benzoquinones.

An economical one-pot, three-step reaction sequence of readily available 2-monosubstituted 1,3-diketones and 1,4-benzoquinones has been explored for the facile access of 2,3-dialkyl-5-hydroxybenzofurans. By using cheap K2CO3 and conc. HCl as the reaction promoters, the reaction occurs smoothly via sequential Michael addition, aromatization, retro-Claisen, deacylation, hemiketalization, and dehydration processes under mild conditions in a practical manner. Additionally, an interesting phenomenon was observed during the derivatization studies, where the dihydroquinoline was converted into tetrahydroquinoline and quinoline products, respectively, via a disproportionation process.

A hydrogel-functionalized silver nanocluster for bacterial-infected wound healing.

The ever-growing challenges of traditional antibiotic therapy and chronic wound healing have created a hot topic for the development and application of new antimicrobial agents. Silver nanoclusters (Ag NCs) with ultrasmall sizes (<2 nm) and antibacterial effects are promising candidates for next-generation antibiotics, particularly against multi-drug resistant strains. However, the biosafety in the clinical application of Ag NCs remains suboptimal despite some existing studies of Ag NCs for biomedical applications. Considering this, an ultrasmall Ag NC with excellent water solubility was synthesized by a two-phase ligand-exchange method, which exhibits broad-spectrum antibacterial performance. The minimum inhibitory concentrations of Ag NCs against MRSA, S. aureus, P. aeruginosa and E. coli were evaluated as 50, 80, 5 and 5 µg mL-1, respectively. Furthermore, a carbomer hydrogel was prepared to be incorporated into the Ag NCs for achieving excellent biocompatibility and biosafety. In vitro experiments demonstrate that the Ag NC-gel exhibits good antibacterial properties with lower cytotoxicity. Finally, in vivo experiments suggest that this ultrasmall Ag NC functionalized with the hydrogel can serve as an effective and safe antimicrobial agent to aid in wound healing.

The impact of grazing activities and environmental conditions on the stability of alpine grassland ecosystems.

Globally, grazing activities have profound impacts on the structure and function of ecosystems. This study, based on a 20-year MODIS time series dataset, employs remote sensing techniques and the Seasonal-Trend decomposition using Loess (STL) algorithm to quantitatively assess the stability of alpine grassland ecosystems from multiple dimensions, and to reveal the characteristics of grazing activities and environmental conditions on ecosystem stability. The results indicate that only 5.77% of the area remains undisturbed, with most areas experiencing varying degrees of disturbance. Further analysis shows that grazing activities in high vegetation coverage areas are the main source of interference. In areas with concentrated interference, elevation and slope have a positive correlation with resistance stability, but a negative correlation with recovery stability. Precipitation and landscape diversity have positive effects on both resistance stability and recovery stability. Vegetation coverage and grazing intensity have a negative correlation with resistance stability, but a positive correlation with recovery stability. This highlights the complex interactions between human activities, environmental factors, and ecosystem stability. The findings emphasize the need for targeted conservation and management strategies to mitigate disturbances to ecosystems affected by human activities and enhance their stability.

Contrast-enhanced Imaging in Peripheral Pulmonary Lesions: The Role in US-guided Biopsies.

Purpose To compare the tissue adequacy and diagnostic accuracy of US-guided biopsies of peripheral pulmonary lesions (PPLs) with and without contrast agents. Materials and Methods A retrospective study was conducted at four medical centers in patients with PPLs who underwent US-guided percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy (PTNB) between January 2017 and October 2022. The patients were divided into contrast-enhanced US (CEUS) and US groups based on whether prebiopsy CEUS evaluation was performed. Tissue adequacy and the diagnostic accuracy of PTNB, stratified by lesion size, were analyzed and compared between groups. A propensity score matching (PSM) analysis was conducted using the nearest-neighbor matching method. Results A total of 1027 lesions were analyzed, with 634 patients (mean age, 59.4 years ± 13.0 [SD]; 413 male) in the US group and 393 patients (mean age, 61.2 years ± 12.5; 270 male) in the CEUS group. The CEUS group produced more acceptable samples than the US group (98.2% vs 95.7%; P = .03) and achieved higher diagnostic accuracy (96.9% vs 94.2%; P = .04), with no evidence of a difference in sensitivity (96.7% vs 94.0%; P = .06). PSM and stratified analyses (n = 358 per group) indicated higher tissue adequacy (99.0% vs 95.7%; P = .04) and diagnostic accuracy (98.5% vs 92.9%; P = .006) in the CEUS group compared with the US group for 2-7-cm PPLs but not for lesions larger than 7 cm. Conclusion PTNB with prebiopsy CEUS evaluation demonstrated significantly better tissue adequacy and diagnostic accuracy compared with US guidance alone for PPLs ranging from 2 to 7 cm, with similar biopsy performance achieved between groups for lesions larger than 7 cm. Keywords: Contrast Material, Thoracic Diseases, Ultrasonography, Image-Guided Biopsy © RSNA, 2024.

MiR-146a reduces fibrosis after glaucoma filtration surgery in rats.

PURPOSE: To explore the impact of microRNA 146a (miR-146a) and the underlying mechanisms in profibrotic changes following glaucoma filtering surgery (GFS) in rats and stimulation by transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß1 in rat Tenon's capsule fibroblasts. METHODS: Cultured rat Tenon's capsule fibroblasts were treated with TGF-ß1 and analyzed with microarrays for mRNA profiling to validate miR-146a as the target. The Tenon's capsule fibroblasts were then respectively treated with lentivirus-mediated transfection of miR-146a mimic or inhibitor following TGF-ß1 stimulation in vitro, while GFS was performed in rat eyes with respective intraoperative administration of miR-146a, mitomycin C (MMC), or 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in vivo. Profibrotic genes expression levels (fibronectin, collagen Iα, NF-KB, IL-1ß, TNF-α, SMAD4, and α-smooth muscle actin) were determined through qPCR, Western blotting, immunofluorescence staining and/or histochemical analysis in vitro and in vivo. SMAD4 targeting siRNA was further used to treat the fibroblasts in combination with miR-146a intervention to confirm its role in underlying mechanisms. RESULTS: Upregulation of miR-146a reduced the proliferation rate and profibrotic changes of rat Tenon's capsule fibroblasts induced by TGF-ß1 in vitro, and mitigated subconjunctival fibrosis to extend filtering blebs survival after GFS in vivo, where miR-146a decreased expression levels of NF-KB-SMAD4-related genes, such as fibronectin, collagen Iα, NF-KB, IL-1ß, TNF-α, SMAD4, and α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA). Additionally, SMAD4 is a key target gene in the process of miR-146a inhibiting fibrosis. CONCLUSIONS: MiR-146a effectively reduced TGF-ß1-induced fibrosis in rat Tenon's capsule fibroblasts in vitro and in vivo, potentially through the NF-KB-SMAD4 signaling pathway. MiR-146a shows promise as a novel therapeutic target for preventing fibrosis and improving the success rate of GFS.

Nerve bypass surgery for spinal cord reconstruction.

OBJECTIVE: Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating condition that significantly decreases the patient's quality of life. Therefore, treatments that can facilitate nerve regeneration, reduce complications, and increase quality of life are valuable for these patients. In this study, we aimed to assess nerve bypass surgery's feasibility and clinical outcomes by transferring the intercostal nerves (ICNs) into the spinal cord. METHODS: Eight patients with complete thoracic SCI and delayed presentation more than a year after the injury were analyzed retrospectively. All patients underwent nerve bypass surgery with the transfer of two pairs of ICNs from proximal to the injury site to the anterolateral spinal cord, followed by duraplasty with fascia grafting to close the dura. RESULTS: Six of the eight (75%) patients demonstrated motor and sensory improvements, based on the American Spinal Cord Injury Association score. Three patients demonstrated a limited recovery of motor function that could be independently triggered without ICN initiation. Five patients demonstrated evidence of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage after surgery; however, only one patient complained of a headache. CONCLUSION: Spinal cord bypass surgery is a potential reconstruction method to treat chronic complete thoracic SCI with functional improvements, and is worth further investigation.

Electroacupuncture intervention alleviates depressive-like behaviors and regulates gut microbiome in a mouse model of depression.

Electroacupuncture (EA) is a neuroregulatory therapy for depression. Nonetheless, the effects of EA on the gut microbiome in mice models of depression are not well established. Here, using a chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) model in mice, we evaluated the antidepressant effects of EA and changes in gut microbiota with behavioral tests and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The results found that EA increased the time spent in the center area of the open-field test and the percentage of sucrose preference and reduced the immobility time in the tail suspension test in CUMS-treated mice. Furthermore, the genus Lachnoclostridium, Ruminococcaceae_UCG-002 and Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group were enriched in the CUMS group, which was positively correlated with depressive-like behaviors. Whereas phylum Actinobacteria and genus Allobaculum, Bifidobacterium, Dubosiella, Rikenella and Ileibacterium were enriched in the EA and CUMS + EA groups, all of which were negatively correlated with depressive-like behaviors. This study characterizes gut microbiota under EA treatment and provides new insights into the association of anti-depressive-like effects of EA and gut microbiota.

Efficacy of chidamide maintenance therapy versus autologous stem cell transplantation versus observation as a post-remission choice in the survival of adult patients with peripheral T-cell lymphoma: Post hoc analysis of a prospective, multicenter, phase 2 study in China.

In this prospective, multicenter, Phase 2 clinical trial (NCT02987244), patients with peripheral T-cell lymphomas (PTCLs) who had responded to first-line chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin or epirubicin, vincristine or vindesine, etoposide, and prednisone (Chi-CHOEP) were treated by autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) or with chidamide maintenance or observation. A total of 85 patients received one of the following interventions: ASCT (n = 15), chidamide maintenance (n = 44), and observation (n = 26). estimated 3 PFS and OS rates were 85.6%, 80.8%, and 49.4% (P = 0.001). The two-year OS rates were 85.6%, 80.8%, and 69.0% (P = 0.075).The ASCT and chidamide maintenance groups had significantly better progression-free survival (PFS) than the observation group (P = 0.001, and P = 0.01, respectively). The overall survival (OS) differed significantly between the chidamide maintenance group and the observation group ( P = 0.041). The multivariate and propensity score matching analyses for PFS revealed better outcomes in the subjects in the chidamide maintenance than observation groups (P = 0.02). The ASCT and chidamide maintenance groups had significant survival advantages over the observation group. In the post-remission stage of the untreated PTCL patients, single-agent chidamide maintenance demonstrated superior PFS and better OS than observation. Our findings highlight the potential benefit of chidamide in this patient subset, warranting further investigation through larger prospective trials. Clinical trial registration: clinicaltrial.gov, NCT02987244. Registered 8 December 2016, http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02987244 .

Comparison of brain gray matter volume changes in peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis patients with chronic kidney disease: a VBM study.

Objective: This study aims to compare gray matter volume changes in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD) and hemodialysis (HD) using voxel-based morphometry (VBM). Methods: A total of 27 PD patients, 25 HD patients, and 42 healthy controls were included. VBM analysis was performed, and cognitive function was assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale (MoCA). The correlation between cognitive function and changes in brain gray matter volume was analyzed. Results: Both peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis patients had partial gray matter volume reduction compared to the controls, but the affected brain regions were not uniform. The hemodialysis patients had greater volume reduction in certain brain regions than the PD patients. The MMSE and MoCA scores were positively correlated with gray matter volume changes. Conclusion: Different dialysis modalities cause damage to specific areas of the brain, which can be detected using VBM. VBM, combined with cognitive function assessment, can help detect structural brain changes and cognitive impairment in patients with different dialysis modalities. The comprehensive application of VBM in the field of neurological function deserves further exploration.

PSEENet: A pseudo-siamese neural network incorporating electroencephalography and electrooculography characteristics for heterogeneous sleep staging.

Sleep staging plays a critical role in evaluating the quality of sleep. Currently, most studies are either suffering from dramatic performance drops when coping with varying input modalities or unable to handle heterogeneous signals. To handle heterogeneous signals and guarantee favorable sleep staging performance when a single modality is available, a pseudo-siamese neural network (PSN) to incorporate electroencephalography (EEG), electrooculography (EOG) characteristics is proposed (PSEENet). PSEENet consists of two parts, spatial mapping modules (SMMs) and a weight-shared classifier. SMMs are used to extract high-dimensional features. Meanwhile, joint linkages among multi-modalities are provided by quantifying the similarity of features. Finally, with the cooperation of heterogeneous characteristics, associations within various sleep stages can be established by the classifier. The evaluation of the model is validated on two public datasets, namely, Montreal Archive of Sleep Studies (MASS) and SleepEDFX, and one clinical dataset from Huashan Hospital of Fudan University (HSFU). Experimental results show that the model can handle heterogeneous signals, provide superior results under multimodal signals and show good performance with single modality. PSEENet obtains accuracy of 79.1%, 82.1% with EEG, EEG and EOG on Sleep-EDFX, and significantly improves the accuracy with EOG from 73.7% to 76% by introducing similarity information.

Re-defining how mRNA degradation is coordinated with transcription and translation in bacteria.

In eukaryotic cells, transcription, translation, and mRNA degradation occur in distinct subcellular regions. How these mRNA processes are organized in bacteria, without employing membrane-bound compartments, remains unclear. Here, we present generalizable principles underlying coordination between these processes in bacteria. In Escherichia coli, we found that co-transcriptional degradation is rare for mRNAs except for those encoding inner membrane proteins, due to membrane localization of the main ribonuclease, RNase E. We further found, by varying ribosome binding sequences, that translation affects mRNA stability not because ribosomes protect mRNA from degradation, but because low translation leads to premature transcription termination in the absence of transcription-translation coupling. Extending our analyses to Bacillus subtilis and Caulobacter crescentus, we established subcellular localization of RNase E (or its homolog) and premature transcription termination in the absence of transcription-translation coupling as key determinants that explain differences in transcriptional and translational coupling to mRNA degradation across genes and species.

Rituximab-induced gut microbiota changes in Chinese neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders.

BACKGROUND: Recent evidence shows that immunosuppressive agents can affect the gut microbiota in autoimmune diseases. However, the relationship between the gut microbiome and B-cell depletion immunotherapy in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) remains poorly understood. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the distinct intestinal microbial patterns and serum cytokine levels after short-term rituximab treatment (three months) in patients with NMOSD. METHODS: Firstly, we conducted a cross-sectional study involving 46 treatment-naïve NMOSD patients and 48 matched healthy controls. We collected fecal specimens, which were then analyzed using next-generation sequencing, and quantified serum cytokines. Subsequently, fecal and serum samples were re-collected and re-evaluated in 31 of the 46 treatment-naïve NMOSD patients after RTX treatment. RESULTS: Comparing the gut microbiome of treatment-naïve NMOSD patients to that of healthy controls revealed low α-diversity and distinct microbial compositions in the former. The microbial composition in NMOSD patients underwent changes following three months of RTX treatment. Specifically, the levels of IL-17F and IL-6 decreased, while those of IL-10 and TNFα increased after RTX treatment. LEfSe analysis identified 27 KEGG categories with significantly differential abundances between NMOSD patients and RTX treatment group. CONCLUSIONS: Our study provides a comprehensive understanding of the gut microbiota landscape in the context of B-cell depletion immunotherapy. We observed dysbiosis in the gut microbiome of NMOSD patients, which was partially alleviated by three months of RTX treatment. This suggests that B-cell depletion may play a crucial role in driving changes in the gastrointestinal environment.

Ambient fine particulate matter is associated with daily outpatient visits for ankylosing spondylitis: A time-series analysis in Beijing, China.

Exposure to ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) has a great impact on human body's immune system, but the correlation between PM2.5 and ankylosing spondylitis has not yet been clarified. We extracted 58,600 outpatient visits for ankylosing spondylitis from the Beijing Medical Claim Data for Employees database from 2010 to 2017. The percentage of outpatient visits following PM2.5 concentrations was estimated using generalized additive models with Poisson connections. Increase by 10 µ g/m3, PM2.5 is associated with daily outpatient visits for ankylosing spondylitis. In this test, the average concentration of PM2.5 was 86.8 ± 74.3 µ g/m3. For every 10 µg/m3 increase in PM2.5 concentration, there was a 0.34% (95% CI, 0.26-0.42%) increase in the risk of patients who visited the doctor on the same day. Females and younger patients were most susceptible to the impact of PM2.5 exposure (P＜0.05). This study revealed the relationship between exposure to PM2.5 and ankylosing spondylitis, and future research can further confirm this finding and explore the potential mechanisms.

[Research progress on active ingredients of Coicis Semen].

As a common medicinal and edible resource in China, Coicis Semen has a long history of cultivation and medicinal use. Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) clinically believes that Coicis Semen has the effect of strengthening the spleen and tonifying the lungs, clearing heat and dampness, removing pus and paralysis, and stopping diarrhea. Therefore, it is used to treat edema, foot odor, spleen deficiency, diarrhea, and other symptoms. The above effects are closely related to the active ingredients of Coicis Semen, such as esters, fatty acids, polysaccharides, proteins, as well as phenolic acids, sterols, flavonoids, lactams, triterpenes, alkaloids, and adenosine. Modern research has found that Coicis Semen also has anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, hypoglycemic, and hypotensive effects and other pharmacological activities, and it can improve immunity and regulate lipid metabolism. Coicis Semen is widely distributed in China, mainly produced in Guizhou, Yunnan, Fujian, Sichuan, and other places, and the quality of Coicis Semen from different origins varies. From ancient times to the present, Coicis Semen processing methods have experienced the process from simple to complex, and the types of auxiliary materials are more extensive, such as soil, bran, and river sand. These processing methods have been inherited from generation to generation. Nowadays, the commonly used methods are bran-fried, stir-fried, sand-fried, etc. In this paper, by reviewing the relevant literature in China and abroad in recent years, the main active ingredients and related pharmacological effects of Coicis Semen are sorted out, and the effects of different origins and processing methods on the chemical composition of Coicis Semen are summarized, with a view to providing references for the comprehensive development and utilization of Coicis Semen and the further study of its mechanism of action.

Design and discovery of a highly potent ultralong-acting GLP-1 and glucagon co-agonist for attenuating renal fibrosis.

The role of co-agonists of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) and glucagon receptor (GCGR) in chronic kidney disease (CKD) remains unclear. Herein we found that GLP-1R and GCGR expression levels were lower in the kidneys of mice with CKD compared to healthy mice and were correlated with disease severity. Interestingly, GLP-1R or GCGR knockdown aggravated the progression of kidney injury in both diabetic db/db mice and non-diabetic mice undergoing unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO). Based on the importance of GLP-1R and GCGR in CKD, we reported a novel monomeric peptide, 1907-B, with dual-agonism on both GLP-1R and GCGR. The data confirmed that 1907-B had a longer half-life than long-acting semaglutide in rats or cynomolgus monkeys (∼2-3 fold) and exhibited better therapeutic contribution to CKD than best-in-class monoagonists, semaglutide, or glucagon, in db/db mice and UUO mice. Various lock-of-function models, including selective pharmacological activation and genetic knockdown, confirmed that 1907-B's effects on ameliorating diabetic nephropathy in db/db mice, as well as inhibiting kidney fibrosis in UUO mice, were mediated through GLP-1 and glucagon signaling. These findings highlight that 1907-B, a novel GLP-1R and GCGR co-agonist, exerts multifactorial improvement in kidney injuries and is an effective and promising therapeutic option for CKD treatment.

Multibarrier-penetrating drug delivery systems for deep tumor therapy based on synergistic penetration strategy.

Nanotherapies, valued for their high efficacy and low toxicity, frequently serve as antitumor treatments, but do not readily penetrate deep into tumor tissues and cells. Here we developed an improved tumor-penetrating peptide (TPP)-based drug delivery system. Briefly, the established TPP iNGR was modified to generate a linear NGR peptide capable of transporting nanotherapeutic drugs into tumors through a CendR pathway-dependent, neuropilin-1 receptor-mediated process. Although TPPs have been reported to reach intended tumor targets, they often fail to penetrate cell membranes to deliver tumoricidal drugs to intracellular targets. We addressed this issue by harnessing cell penetrating peptide technology to develop a liposome-based multibarrier-penetrating delivery system (mbPDS) with improved synergistic drug penetration into deep tumor tissues and cells. The system incorporated doxorubicin-loaded liposomes coated with nona-arginine (R9) CPP and cyclic iNGR (CRNGRGPDC) molecules, yielding Lip-mbPDS. Lip-mbPDS tumor-targeting, tumor cell/tissue-penetrating and antitumor capabilities were assessed using CD13-positive human fibrosarcoma-derived cell (HT1080)-based in vitro and in vivo tumor models. Lip-mbPDS evaluation included three-dimensional layer-by-layer confocal laser scanning microscopy, cell internalization/toxicity assays, three-dimensional tumor spheroid-based penetration assays and antitumor efficacy assays conducted in an animal model. Lip-mbPDS provided enhanced synergistic drug penetration of multiple biointerfaces for potentially deep tumor therapeutic outcomes.

Mesh-less laparoscopic extraperitoneal linear suspension treatment of vaginal vault prolapse.

OBJECTIVES: To report the results of a mesh-less laparoscopic extraperitoneal linear suspension technique for the treatment of post-hysterectomy vaginal vault prolapse (PHVP). STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective observational study was conducted collecting medical records of 41 patients with symptomatic PHVP treated between November 2017 to November 2019 in Gynecologic department of China-Japan Friendship Hospital. All patients had Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification (POP-Q) scores indicating stage 3-4 PHVP and underwent mesh-less laparoscopic extraperitoneal linear suspension.The primary outcome was the subjective satisfaction rate based on responses to validated questionnaires. The secondary outcomes were the objective anatomical cure rate based on POP-Q scores and complication rates. All listed parameters were determined before the surgery and at control examinations in 1 year and 3 years after the treatment. RESULTS: The operation was completed successfully without serious complications in all patients. Mean operation time was 53.8 mins. Comparison of the scores by the questionnaires revealed a significant improvement in the quality of life in the postoperative period.The subjective satisfaction rates were 100 % (41/41) and 95 % (38/40) at 1 year and 3 years after surgery. The objective cure rates were 100 % (41/41) and 97.5 % (39/40) at 1 year and 3 years after surgery, respectively. During the follow-up, none of the patients experienced suture exposure, infection, chronic pelvic pain, or other related complications. CONCLUSION: The mesh-less laparoscopic extraperitoneal linear suspension technique avoids the use of implantable synthetic mesh. It has been shown to lead to favorable postoperative outcomes, considerable patient contentment, and low complication rates. It offers a new, cost-effective treatment option for PHVP patients.

The gut microbiome from middle-aged women with depression modulates depressive-like behaviors and plasma fatty acid metabolism in female middle-aged mice.

BACKGROUND: Intestinal dysbacteriosis has frequently been involved in the context of depression. Nonetheless, only scant information is available about the features and functional changes of gut microbiota in female middle-aged depression (MAD). OBJECTIVE: This study aims to explore whether there are characteristic changes in the gut microbes of female MAD and whether these changes are associated with depressive-like behaviors. Meanwhile, this study observed alterations in the lipid metabolism function of gut microbes and further examined changes in plasma medium- and long-chain fatty acids (MLCFAs) in mice that underwent fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT). METHODS: Stool samples obtained from 31 MAD, along with 24 healthy individuals (HC) were analyzed by 16 S rRNA gene sequencing. Meanwhile, 14-month-old female C57BL/6J mice received antibiotic cocktails and then oral gavage of the microbiota suspension of MAD or HC for 3 weeks to reconstruct gut microbiota. The subsequent depressive-like behaviors, the composition of gut microbiota, as well as MLCFAs in the plasma were evaluated. RESULTS: A noteworthy disruption in gut microbial composition in MAD individuals compared to HC was observed. Several distinct bacterial taxa, including Dorea, Butyricicoccus, and Blautia, demonstrated associations with the demographic variables. A particular microbial panel encompassing 49 genera effectively differentiated MAD patients from HC (AUC = 0.82). Fecal microbiome transplantation from MAD subjects led to depressive-like behaviors and dysfunction of plasma MLCFAs in mice. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that microbial dysbiosis is linked to the pathogenesis of MAD, and its role may be associated with the regulation of MLCFAs metabolism.

S-scheme NiO/C3N5 heterojunctions with enhanced interfacial electric field for boosting photothermal-assisted photocatalytic H2 and H2O2 production.

Heterostructured visible-light-responsive photocatalysts represent a prospective approach to achieve efficient solar-to-chemical energy conversion. Herein, we propose a facile self-assembly technique to synthesize NiO nanoparticles/C3N5 nanosheets (NOCN) heterojunctions for hydrogen (H2) evolution catalysis and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production under visible light. In this regard, the black NiO nanoparticles (NPs) were tightly anchored on the surface of C3N5 nanosheets (CNNS) to construct S-scheme NOCN heterojunction, enabling efficient charge separation and high redox capability. Obtained results elucidated that the incorporated NiO NPs significantly promote light-harvesting efficiency and photo-to-thermal capacity over the NOCN composites. The enhanced photothermal effect facilitates the charge carrier transfer rate across the heterojunction and boosts the surface reaction kinetics. Accordingly, the photocatalytic performances of CNNS for H2 release and H2O2 production can be manipulated by introducing NiO NPs. The modified photocatalytic properties of NOCN composites are ascribed to the synergistic effects of all integrated components and the S-scheme heterojunction formation. Impressively, the high H2 evolution photocatalysis efficiency of NOCN nano-catalysts in seawater certifies their potential environmental applicability. Among all, the 12-NOCN nano-catalyst exhibits a higher photocatalytic efficiency for H2 release (112.2 µmol∙g-1∙h-1) and H2O2 production (91.2 µmol∙L-1∙h-1). Besides, the 12-NOCN nano-catalyst reveals excellent recyclability and structural stability. Additionally, the possible mechanism for photothermal-assisted photocatalysis is proposed. This work affords a feasible pathway to design photothermal-assisted S-scheme heterojunctions for diverse photocatalytic applications.