Aqueous extract of Phellinus igniarius ameliorates hyperuricemia and renal injury in adenine/potassium oxonate-treated mice.

Phellinus igniarius is an important medicinal and edible fungus with diverse biological activities. This study aimed to investigate the effects of aqueous extract from P. igniarius (API) on the treatment of hyperuricemia (HUA) and related kidney damage. The chemical constituents of API were determined. The therapeutic effects of API on HUA and renal injury were assessed in adenine/potassium oxonate (PO)-treated mice. The constituent analysis of API revealed a predominance of polysaccharides (33.4 %), followed by total flavonoids (9.1 %), and total triterpenoids (3.5 %). Compared to control, the adenine/PO treatment greatly elevated serum uric acid (UA) levels but this elevation was attenuated by API. In the liver, the expression and activity of xanthine oxidase (XOD) were increased by HUA which were diminished by API. Furthermore, API was found to enhance the expression of UA transporter ABCG2 in the kidney and intestine of HUA mice, suggesting elevating UA excretion. Additionally, API ameliorated HUA-induced renal injury, as indicated by reduced serum BUN/creatinine levels, decreased glomerular and tubular damage, and lowered fibrotic levels. Network pharmacology analysis predicted that P. igniarius may regulate mitochondrial function to improve HUA-related renal injury. This prediction was then substantialized by the API-induced upregulation of NAD+/NADH ratio, ATP level, SOD2 activity, and expression of SOD2/PCG-1α/PPARγ in the kidney of HUA mice. Our results demonstrate that API may effectively ameliorate HUA by reducing UA production in the liver and enhancing UA excretion in the kidney and intestine, and it might be a potential therapy to HUA-related renal injury.

Accuracy and adaptation of one-piece endodontic crowns fabricated through 3D printing and milling.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: High-level evidence regarding the accuracy and adaptation of 1-piece endodontic crowns fabricated by using 3-dimensional (3D) printing technology is lacking. PURPOSE: The purpose of this in vitro study was to compare the accuracy and adaptation of 1-piece endodontic crowns produced through 3D printing and computer-numerical-control milling technology and to explore the influence of trueness on 1-piece endodontic crown adaptation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One-piece endodontic crowns were prepared for a typodont right mandibular first molar, scanned with a 3Shape E3 scanner, and designed with a computer-aided design software program. Two types of 1-piece endodontic crowns were fabricated: 3D printed by using resin and zirconia slurry and milled from Grandio and zirconia blocks. A reverse engineering software program was used to superimpose 4 groups of crowns with the reference crowns used for accuracy analysis. Microcomputed tomography was used to measure 1-piece endodontic crown adaptation. The correlation between trueness and adaptation was evaluated through the Spearman correlation test (α=.05). RESULTS: Milled resin-based 1-piece endodontic crowns demonstrated better trueness on marginal and occlusal surfaces compared with 3D printed ones (P<.001). However, no significant difference was observed in the trueness of intaglio surfaces between the 2 groups (P>.05). The milled group exhibited better adaptations than the printed one (P<.05). For zirconia 1-piece endodontic crowns, no significant differences were found in trueness or adaptation between the milled and printed groups (P>.05). Notably, the trueness of the axial wall had the greatest impact on overall crown adaptation, with its adaptation closely linked to the trueness of each area, particularly the axial wall. CONCLUSIONS: Milled resin-based 1-piece endodontic crowns exhibited higher levels of trueness and adaptation compared with 3D printed ones, while 3D printed zirconia 1-piece endodontic crowns were comparable with milled ones.

Therapeutic effects of epigallocatechin-3-gallate for inflammatory bowel disease: A preclinical meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), the primary active compound in green tea, is recognized for its significant anti-inflammatory properties and potential pharmacological effects on inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, comprehensive preclinical evidence supporting the use of EGCG in treating IBD is currently insufficient. PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of EGCG in animal models of IBD and explore potential underlying mechanisms, serving as a groundwork for future clinical investigations. METHODS: A systematic review of pertinent preclinical studies published until September 1, 2023, in databases such as PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library was conducted, adhering to stringent quality criteria. The potential mechanisms via which EGCG may address IBD were summarized. STATA v16.0 was used to perform a meta-analysis to assess IBD pathology, inflammation, and indicators of oxidative stress. Additionally, dose-response analysis and machine learning models were utilized to evaluate the dose-effect relationship and determine the optimal dosage of EGCG for IBD treatment. RESULTS: The analysis included 19 studies involving 309 animals. The findings suggest that EGCG can ameliorate IBD-related pathology in animals, with a reduction in inflammatory and oxidative stress indicators. These effects were observed through significant changes in histological scores, Disease Activity Index, Colitis Macroscopic Damage Index and colon length; a decrease in markers such as interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-6 and interferon-γ; and alterations in malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, glutathione, and catalase levels. Subgroup analysis indicated that the oral administration route of EGCG exhibited superior efficacy over other administration routes. Dose-response analysis and machine learning outcomes highlighted an optimal EGCG dosage range of 32-62 mg/kg/day, with an intervention duration of 4.8-13.6 days. CONCLUSIONS: EGCG exhibits positive effects on IBD, particularly when administered at the dose range of 32 - 62 mg/kg/day, primarily attributed to its ability to regulate inflammation and oxidative stress levels.

Effects of Nanomaterials on Synthesis and Degradation of the Extracellular Matrix.

Extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling is accompanied by the continuous synthesis and degradation of the ECM components. This dynamic process plays an important role in guiding cell adhesion, migration, proliferation, and differentiation, as well as in tissue development, body repair, and maintenance of homeostasis. Nanomaterials, due to their photoelectric and catalytic properties and special structure, have garnered much attention in biomedical fields for use in processes such as tissue engineering and disease treatment. Nanomaterials can reshape the cell microenvironment by changing the synthesis and degradation of ECM-related proteins, thereby indirectly changing the behavior of the surrounding cells. This review focuses on the regulatory role of nanomaterials in the process of cell synthesis of different ECM-related proteins and extracellular protease. We discuss influencing factors and possible related mechanisms of nanomaterials in ECM remodeling, which may provide different insights into the design and development of nanomaterials for the treatment of ECM disorder-related diseases.

BMSC-Exosomes attenuate ALP dysfunction by restoring lysosomal function via the mTOR/TFEB Axis to reduce cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury.

BACKGROUND: The complex pathophysiological changes following cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury (CIRI) include the accumulation of defective proteins and damaged organelles, which cause massive neuron demise. To preserve cellular homeostasis, the autophagy-lysosomal pathway (ALP) is crucial for neurons to dispose of these substances. Many studies have shown that bone mesenchymal stem cell exosomes (BMSC-Exos) can reduce CIRI. However, the specific mechanisms have not been well elucidated, a fact that limits its widespread clinical use. This study aimed to clarify whether BMSC-Exos could attenuate ALP dysfunction by restoring lysosomal function after CIRI via inhibiting mTOR and then activating TFEB nucleus translocation. METHODS: In this study, Flow cytometry, Nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA), Transmission electron microscope (TEM), and Western blot were used to identify the BMSCs and BMSC-Exos used in this experiment as conforming to the requirements. In vivo experiments, SD rats were modeled with temporary middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO), and BMSC-Exos was injected into the tail vein 2 h after modeling. Triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining, modified neurological severity scores (mNSS), corner turn test, and rotating rod test were used to detect neurological deficits in rats after BMSC-Exos intervention. Western blot and Immunofluorescence were used to detect ALP, transcription factor EB(TFEB) nucleus translocation, and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) change at different time points after modeling and after BMSC-Exos intervention. In vitro experiments, pheochromocytoma cells (PC12) cells were subjected to oxygen-glucose deprivation and reperfusion (OGD/R) modeling to mimic CIRI, and were respectively intervened with BMSC-Exos, BMSC-Exos + MHY 1485 (the mTOR agonist), Rapamycin (the mTOR inhibitor). CCK8, Western blot, and Immunofluorescence were used to detect PC12 cell survival, TFEB nucleus translocation, and cathepsin B(CTSB) Immunofluorescence intensity. RESULTS: We found that ALP dysfunction occurred 72 h after tMCAO, and BMSC-Exos can attenuate ALP dysfunction by restoring lysosomal function. Next, we examined TFEB nucleus translocation and the expression of mTOR, a key regulator of translocation. We found that BMSC-Exos could inhibit mTOR and activate TFEB nucleus translocation. Additional in vitro tests revealed that BMSC-Exos could increase PC12 cell survival after OGD/R, activating TFEB nucleus translocation and enhancing the fluorescence intensity of CTSB, which in turn could be reversed by the mTOR agonist, MHY1485. This effect was similar to another mTOR inhibitor, Rapamycin. CONCLUSION: BMSC-Exos could attenuate ALP dysfunction by restoring lysosomal function after CIRI by inhibiting mTOR and then promoting TFEB nucleus translocation.

Hotspots and trends of microglia in Alzheimer's disease: a bibliometric analysis during 2000-2022.

BACKGROUND: Alzheimer's disease is one common type of dementia. Numerous studies have suggested a correlation between Alzheimer's disease and inflammation. Microglia mainly participate in the inflammatory response in the brain. Currently, ample evidence has shown that microglia are closely related to the occurrence and development of Alzheimer's disease. OBJECTIVE: We opted for bibliometric analysis to comprehensively summarize the advancements in the study of microglia in Alzheimer's disease, aiming to provide researchers with current trends and future research directions. METHODS: All articles and reviews pertaining to microglia in Alzheimer's disease from 2000 to 2022 were downloaded through Web of Science Core Collection. The results were subjected to bibliometric analysis using VOSviewer 1.6.18 and CiteSpace 6.1 R2. RESULTS: Overall, 7449 publications were included. The number of publications was increasing yearly. The United States has published the most publications. Harvard Medical School has published the most papers of all institutions. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Journal of Neuroscience were the journals with the most studies and the most commonly cited, respectively. Mt Heneka is the author with the highest productivity and co-citation. After analysis, the most common keywords are neuroinflammation, amyloid-beta, inflammation, neurodegeneration. Gut microbiota, extracellular vesicle, dysfunction and meta-analysis are the hotspots of research at the present stage and are likely to continue. CONCLUSION: NLRP3 inflammasome, TREM2, gut microbiota, mitochondrial dysfunction, exosomes are research hotspots. The relationship between microglia-mediated neuroinflammation and Alzheimer's disease have been the focus of current research and the development trend of future research.

The complete mitochondrial genome of the tropical sea urchin Tripneustes gratilla (Linnaeus, 1758) with two spine colors.

The complete mitochondrial genomes of two spine-color individuals, red and white, of the tropical sea urchin species Tripneustes gratilla (Linnaeus, 1758) were sequenced on Illumina system platform. The red-spined species had a genome size of 15,774 bp, while the white-spined species had a genome size of 15,723 bp. Both genomes contained 13 protein-coding genes, 2 rRNA genes, and 22 tRNA genes. The GC composition in both species was above 40%. In order to investigate the phylogenetic relationships of two different spine-color individuals, a comprehensive analysis was conducted using eight complete mitochondrial genomic sequences of the genus Tripneustes on the software MEGA X. It was observed that the two spine color types of T. gratilla species showed a high similarity of 98.91%. However, different color-spined species of T. gratilla were found in separate branches of the phylogenetic tree of the same sea urchin species.

Podocyte injury at young age causes premature senescence and worsens glomerular aging.

As life expectancy continues to rise, age-related diseases are becoming more prevalent. For example, proteinuric glomerular diseases typified by podocyte injury have worse outcomes in the elderly compared with young patients. However, the reasons are not well understood. We hypothesized that injury to nonaged podocytes induces senescence, which in turn augments their aging processes. In primary cultured human podocytes, injury induced by a cytopathic antipodocyte antibody, adriamycin, or puromycin aminonucleoside increased the senescence-related genes CDKN2A (p16INK4a/p14ARF), CDKN2D (p19INK4d), and CDKN1A (p21). Podocyte injury in human kidney organoids was accompanied by increased expression of CDKN2A, CDKN2D, and CDKN1A. In young mice, experimental focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) induced by adriamycin and antipodocyte antibody increased the glomerular expression of p16, p21, and senescence-associated ß-galactosidase (SA-ß-gal). To assess the long-term effects of early podocyte injury-induced senescence, we temporally followed young mice with experimental FSGS through adulthood (12 m of age) and middle age (18 m of age). p16 and Sudan black staining were higher at middle age in mice with earlier FSGS compared with age-matched mice that did not get FSGS when young. This was accompanied by lower podocyte density, reduced canonical podocyte protein expression, and increased glomerular scarring. These results are consistent with injury-induced senescence in young podocytes, leading to increased senescence of podocytes by middle age accompanied by lower podocyte lifespan and health span.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Glomerular function is decreased by aging. However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms involved in age-related glomerular changes and which factors could contribute to a worse glomerular aging process. Here, we reported that podocyte injury in young mice and culture podocytes induced senescence, a marker of aging, and accelerates glomerular aging when compared with healthy aging mice.

Psychometric evaluation of nursing interns' consciousness of rights scale in clinical practice.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to translate the Awareness of Rights Scale into Chinese and test its psychometric properties among nursing students in clinical practice. METHODS: The original English scale was translated, synthesized, and back-translated according to the Brislin translation model: the translated scale was cross-culturally adapted through expert correspondence and pretesting to form the Chinese version of the scale; a convenience sampling method was used to survey 486 nursing interns in Liaoning, Guangdong, and Anhui regions to assess the reliability and validity of the scale. RESULTS: The Chinese version of the scale consists of 14 items in three dimensions. The Cronbach's alpha value of the scale was 0.916 and the range of Cronbach's alpha coefficients of subscale was 0.768 to 0.894. The discounted half reliability was 0.867 and the retest reliability was 0.901. The scale content validity index (S-CVI) was 0.963. A total of three common factors were extracted for the exploratory factor analysis. The confirmatory factor analysis indices fit well (χ2/df = 1.092, RMSEA = 0.014, CFI = 0.998, IFI = 0.998. TLI = 0.997), and the model fit was good. CONCLUSION: The Chinese version of the scale has good reliability and validity in the nursing intern population and can be used to assess nursing interns' awareness of their rights in clinical practice in mainland China.

Ru Cluster Incorporated NiMoO(P)4 Nanosheet Arrays as High-Efficient Bifunctional Catalyst for Wind/Solar-To-Hydrogen Generation Systems.

Developing cost-efficient bifunctional water splitting catalysts is crucial for sustainable hydrogen energy applications. Herein, ruthenium (Ru)-incorporated and phosphorus (P)-doped nickel molybdate (Ru-NiMoO(P)4 ) nanosheet array catalysts are synthesized. Due to the synergy of Ru clusters and NiMoO(P)4 by the modulated electronic structure and the rich active sites, impressively, Ru-NiMoO(P)4 exhibits superior OER (194 mV @ 50 mA cm-2 ) and HER (24 mV @ 10 mA cm-2 ) activity in alkaline media, far exceeding that of commercial Pt/C and RuO2 catalysts. Meanwhile, as bifunctional catalyst, to drive the overall water splitting at the current density of 10 mA cm-2 , Ru-NiMoO(P)4 requires only 1.45 V and maintaining stable output for 100 h. Furthermore, Ru-NiMoO(P)4 also possesses excellent capability for seawater electrolysis hydrogen production. Moreover, the successful demonstration of wind and solar hydrogen production systems provide the feasibility of the ultra-low Ru loading catalyst for large-scale hydrogen production in the future.

GDF15 deficiency hinders human trophoblast invasion to mediate pregnancy loss through downregulating Smad1/5 phosphorylation.

Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) belongs to the Transforming growth factor ß(TGF-ß) superfamily. The decrease of GDF15 in the serum of pregnant women was associated with miscarriage. Both IHC and ELISA assays showed that GDF15 in trophoblast tissue and serum of pregnant women who miscarried was significantly lower than in those who had a live birth. GDF15 deficiency was associated with embryo resorption in GDF15 knockout mice through CRIPSR editing. In addition, the migration and invasion ability of HTR-8/SVneo and JEG-3 cells were promoted by GDF15. Mechanistically, GDF15 increased Smad1/5 phosphorylation, resulting in upregulating SNAI1/2, VIMENTIN and downregulating E-CADHERIN. A dual-luciferase reporter assay confirmed that Smad-binding elements (SBE) and/or GC-rich motifs were activated and target genes such as SNAI1/2, SERPINE1, and TIMP3 were transcriptionally regulated by GDF15/Smad5 signaling. Therefore, our data revealed a crucial role of GDF15 on invasion of trophoblast by upregulating the activity of TGF-ß/Smad1/5 pathway.

Predictive values of the hemoglobin, albumin, lymphocyte and platelet score (HALP) and the modified -Gustave Roussy immune score for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients undergoing concurrent chemoradiotherapy.

The hemoglobin, albumin, lymphocyte and platelet (HALP) score and the Gustave Roussy immune score (GRIm⁃Score) are prognostic markers in several types of malignant tumors. The prognostic values of HALP score and GRIm⁃Score in concurrent chemoradiotherapy for unresectable esophageal cancer remain unknown. METHODS: We enrolled 150 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) patients who underwent concurrent chemoradiotherapy in our institution between 2013 and 2018. The cutoff values for HALP, and GRIm⁃Score were defined by using receiver's operating characteristic curves. Survival was analyzed with the Kaplan- Meier method, with differences analyzed with the log-rank test. Multivariate Cox proportional-hazards models were used to evaluate the prognostic significance of HALP and GRIm for ESCC. RESULTS: HALP was significantly associated with the Zubrod ECOG WHO performance status, tumor location, and the clinical tumor, node, metastasis stage. Modified GRIm (mGRIm) was only significantly associated with metastasis / recurrence before radiotherapy (χ2 = 6.25). Univariate Cox regression analysis showed that higher mGRIm (HR 1.9 95%CI 1.3-2.9) and lower HALP (HR 2.4 95%CI 1.6-3.7) were all associated with worse OS. Multivariate COX analysis found that higher mGRIm score (HR 1.7 95%CI 1.1-2.6), and lower HALP score (HR 2 95%CI 1.3-3.2) were both independent risk factors of overall survival. The nomogram c-index in inside validation was 0.66. CONCLUSION: Both HALP and mGRIm are independent prognostic factors for patients with unresectable ESCC.

Inhibiting NLRP3 signaling in aging podocytes improves their life- and health-span.

The decrease in the podocyte's lifespan and health-span that typify healthy kidney aging cause a decrease in their normal structure, physiology and function. The ability to halt and even reverse these changes becomes clinically relevant when disease is superimposed on an aged kidney. RNA-sequencing of podocytes from middle-aged mice showed an inflammatory phenotype with increases in the NLRP3 inflammasome, signaling for IL2/Stat5, IL6 and TNF, interferon gamma response, allograft rejection and complement, consistent with inflammaging. Furthermore, injury-induced NLRP3 signaling in podocytes was further augmented in aged mice compared to young ones. The NLRP3 inflammasome (NLRP3, Caspase-1, IL1ß IL-18) was also increased in podocytes of middle-aged humans. Higher transcript expression for NLRP3 in human glomeruli was accompanied by reduced podocyte density and increased global glomerulosclerosis and glomerular volume. Pharmacological inhibition of NLRP3 with MCC950, or gene deletion, reduced podocyte senescence and the genes typifying aging in middle-aged mice, which was accompanied by an improved podocyte lifespan and health-span. Moreover, modeling the injury-dependent increase in NLRP3 signaling in human kidney organoids confirmed the anti-senescence effect of MC9950. Finally, NLRP3 also impacted liver aging. Together, these results suggest a critical role for the NLRP3 inflammasome in podocyte and liver aging.

Impaired angiogenesis in ageing: the central role of the extracellular matrix.

Each step in angiogenesis is regulated by the extracellular matrix (ECM). Accumulating evidence indicates that ageing-related changes in the ECM driven by cellular senescence lead to a reduction in neovascularisation, reduced microvascular density, and an increased risk of tissue ischaemic injury. These changes can lead to health events that have major negative impacts on quality of life and place a significant financial burden on the healthcare system. Elucidating interactions between the ECM and cells during angiogenesis in the context of ageing is neceary to clarify the mechanisms underlying reduced angiogenesis in older adults. In this review, we summarize ageing-related changes in the composition, structure, and function of the ECM and their relevance for angiogenesis. Then, we explore in detail the mechanisms of interaction between the aged ECM and cells during impaired angiogenesis in the older population for the first time, discussing diseases caused by restricted angiogenesis. We also outline several novel pro-angiogenic therapeutic strategies targeting the ECM that can provide new insights into the choice of appropriate treatments for a variety of age-related diseases. Based on the knowledge gathered from recent reports and journal articles, we provide a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying impaired angiogenesis with age and contribute to the development of effective treatments that will enhance quality of life.

Effects of inspiratory muscle training in patients with hypertension: a meta-analysis.

Objective: To explore the effects of inspiratory muscle training (IMT) on hypertension and provide guidance for its clinical application as an auxiliary approach. Methods: Articles published prior to July 2022 were searched in Cochrane Library, Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, CNKI, and Wanfang databases. Included were randomized controlled studies that used IMT to treat individuals with hypertension. The mean difference (MD) was computed using the Revman 5.4 software. In individuals with hypertension, the effects of IMT on systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), heart rate (HR), and pulse pressure (PP) were compared and studied. Results: There were found to be eight randomized controlled trials totaling 215 patients. According to a meta-analysis, the IMT reduced the SBP (MD: -12.55 mmHg, 95% CI: -15.78, -9.33), DBP (MD: -4.77 mmHg, 95% CI: -6.00, -3.54), HR (MD: -5.92 bpm, 95% CI: -8.72, -3.12), and PP (MD: -8.92 mmHg, 95% CI: -12.08, -5.76) in patients with hypertension. In subgroup analyses, low-intensity IMT showed a better reduction in SBP (MD: -14.47 mmHg, 95% CI: -17.60, -11.34), DBP (MD: -7.70 mmHg, 95% CI: -10.21, -5.18). Conclusion: IMT may become an auxiliary means to improve the four hemodynamic indexes (SBP, DBP, HR and PP) in patients with hypertension. In subgroup analyses, low-intensity IMT was more effective in regulating blood pressure than medium-high-intensity IMT. Systematic Review Registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier: CRD42022300908.

Integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis revealed altitude-related regulatory mechanisms on flavonoid accumulation in potato tubers.

Not least because it is adaptable to a variety of geographies and climates, potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is grown across much of the world. Pigmented potato tubers have been found to contain large quantities of flavonoids, which have various functional roles and act as antioxidants in the human diet. However, the effect of altitude on the biosynthesis and accumulation of flavonoids in potato tubers is poorly characterized. Here we carried out an integrated metabolomic and transcriptomic study in order to evaluate how cultivation at low (800 m), moderate (1800 m), and high (3600 m) altitude affects flavonoid biosynthesis in pigmented potato tubers. Both red and purple potato tubers grown at a high altitude contained the highest flavonoid content, and the most highly pigmented flesh, followed by those grown at a low altitude. Co-expression network analysis revealed three modules containing genes which were positively correlated with altitude-responsive flavonoid accumulation. The anthocyanin repressors StMYBATV and StMYB3 exhibited a significant positive relationship with altitude-responsive flavonoid accumulation. The repressive function of StMYB3 was further verified in tobacco flowers and potato tubers. The results presented here add to the growing body of knowledge regarding the response of flavonoid biosynthesis to environmental conditions, and should aid in efforts to develop novel varieties of pigmented potatoes for use across different geographies.

Miniaturizing chemistry and biology using droplets in open systems.

Open droplet microfluidic systems manipulate droplets on the picolitre-to-microlitre scale in an open environment. They combine the compartmentalization and control offered by traditional droplet-based microfluidics with the accessibility and ease-of-use of open microfluidics, bringing unique advantages to applications such as combinatorial reactions, droplet analysis and cell culture. Open systems provide direct access to droplets and allow on-demand droplet manipulation within the system without needing pumps or tubes, which makes the systems accessible to biologists without sophisticated setups. Furthermore, these systems can be produced with simple manufacturing and assembly steps that allow for manufacturing at scale and the translation of the method into clinical research. This Review introduces the different types of open droplet microfluidic system, presents the physical concepts leveraged by these systems and highlights key applications.

Effect of B-Doping and Manifestation on TiO2-Supported IrO2 for Oxygen Evolution Reaction in Water Electrolysis.

To commercialize hydrogen production by proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolysis, the amount of rare and precious metal (iridium) required for anodic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) must be greatly reduced. In order to solve the problem, carrier loading is used to reduce the amount of iridium. Unlike the carrier modified by conventional metal element doping, this work doped the carrier with the nonmetallic element and then prepared IrO2/TiBxO2 composite catalyst using the Adams melting method. B-doped TiO2 supports with different doping amounts show the main phase rutile structure. Among them, the conductivity of B-doped carrier shows an increasing trend with the increase of doping amount, because boron can form holes and negative centers after doping, and more carriers improve the conductivity of the support. In addition, since element B is manifested from inside to outside on the support, B can affect the catalytic process. After the manifestation of element B, the carrier loaded with IrO2 exhibited superior electrocatalytic properties. The voltammetric charge per unit mass of 40IrO2/TiB0.3O2#2 (where #2 represents B after manifestation) reaches 1970 mC (cm2 mg)-1, the corresponding overpotential is 273 mV at a current density of 10 mA/cm-2, and the Tafel slope is 61.9 mV/dec Also, the charge transfer resistance is only 15 Ω. Finally, in the stability test, the composite catalyst is also better than pure IrO2 in the 20 000 s operation. Therefore, element B has an unexpectedly positive effect on the catalytic progress on the surface of the support after its manifestation.

Research hotspots and frotiers of stem cells in stroke: A bibliometric analysis from 2004 to 2022.

Background: Stroke is one of the leading causes of mortality and permanent disability worldwide. However, the current stroke treatment has a limited effect. Therefore, a new treatment is urgently needed. Stem cell therapy is a cutting-edge treatment for stroke patients. This study aimed to gain better understanding of global stem cell trends in stroke via a bibliometric analysis. Methods: We used the Web of Science Core Collection to search pertinent articles about stem cells in stroke published between 2004 and 2022. Analysis was conducted using CiteSpace, VOSviewer, and the R package "bibliometrix" to identify publication outputs, countries/regions, institutions, authors/co-cited authors, journals/co-cited journals, co-cited references, and keywords. Results: A total of 6,703 publications were included in the bibliometric analysis. The total number of citations significantly and rapidly increased between 2004 and 2022, with the most pronounced growth pattern observed in the period of 2008-2009. In terms of authoritarian countries, the USA had the most publications among the countries. As for institutions and authors, the most prolific institution was the University of South Florida, followed by Oakland University and then Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and Chopp, M. and Borlongan, Cesario V, had the most output among the authors. Regarding the journals, Cell Transplantation had the highest publication, followed by Brain Research. As for references, "Mesenchymal stem cells as trophic mediators" was the most frequently cited (2,082), and the article entitled Neuronal replacement from endogenous precursors in the adult brain after stroke had the strongest burstiness (strength = 81.35). Emerging hot words in the past decade included "adhesion molecule," "mesenchymal stromal cell," "extracellular vesicle," "pluripotent stem cells," "signaling pathway," "plasticity," and "exosomes." Conclusion: Between 2004 and 2022, the terms "neurogenesis," "angiogenesis," "mesenchymal stem cells," "extracellular vesicle," "exosomes," "inflammation," and "oxidative stress" have emerged as the hot research areas for research on stem cells in stroke. Although stem cells exert a number of positive effects, the main mechanisms for mitigating the damage caused by stroke are still unknown. Clinical challenges may include complicating factors that can affect the efficacy of stem cell therapy, which are worth a deep exploration.

Effects of Tiaopi Xiezhuo decoction on constipation and gut dysbiosis in patients with peritoneal dialysis.

CONTEXT: A Chinese herbal formula, Tiaopi Xiezhuo decoction (TXD), is developed from a classical Chinese prescription Sanhuang Xiexin decoction. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the regulatory effect of TXD on gut dysbiosis, as a treatment of constipation in patients with peritoneal dialysis (PD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The chemical content of TXD was assessed by high-performance liquid chromatography. A total of 29 PD patients were enrolled and treated with TXD orally (3 g crude drug/each/twice/day) for 3 months. Blood and faecal samples were collected at the beginning and end, to determine the changes in biochemical characteristics and gut microbial composition. The stool conditions were asked to be scored. Additional 30 healthy individuals were recruited as a control for the analysis of gut microbiota. RESULTS: Although having no significant effects on serum biochemical characteristics, 3-month TXD intervention improved constipation in PD patients: decreased 80% abdominal distention (p < 0.01), increased 2.6-fold sloppy stools (p < 0.05) and eliminated hard stool completely (p < 0.01). The analysis of gut microbiota showed that, compared to the healthy group, the microbial richness was reduced in PD patients. After a 3-month TXD treatment, this reduced richness was raised, and Paraprevotella clara, Lachnospiraceae bacterium 2-146FA, Phascolarctobaterium succinatutens, Lachnospiraceae bacterium 2-1-58FAA, Fusobacterium mortiferum, and Prevotella copri were accumulated in the intestinal flora. Furthermore, the bacterial species enriched by TXD correlated with the improvement of constipation. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: TXD treatment may improve constipation by modulating gut dysbiosis in PD patients. These findings provide data to support the further application of TXD in the adjuvant treatment of PD.