Mitochondria-Targeting AIEgens as Pyroptosis Inducers for Boosting Type-I Photodynamic Therapy of Tongue Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

The development of a photosensitizer (PS) that induces pyroptosis could be a star for photodynamic therapy (PDT), particularly with type-I PSs that produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) in a hypoxic tumor microenvironment. Since pyroptosis is a recently characterized cell death pathway, it holds promise for advancing PDT in oncology, with PSs playing a critical role. Herein, we develop a PS named Th-M with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) characteristics for type-I PDT against tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC). Th-M stands out for its exceptional mitochondrial-targeting ability, which triggers mitochondrial dysfunction and leads to Caspase-3 and Gasdermin E (GSDME) cleavage under white light irradiation, inducing pyroptosis in TSCC cells. Our studies verify the effectiveness of Th-M in destroying cancer cells in vitro and suppressing tumor growth in vivo while also demonstrating a favorable biosafety profile. This work pioneers the application of Th-M as a mitochondria-targeted, type-I PS that leverages the mechanism of pyroptosis, offering a potent approach for the treatment of TSSC with promising implications for future PDT of cancers.

Investigation of the Dual-Regulatory Mechanism of Zr in MnRE1-xZrxO2+δ Oxide Catalysts for NO Oxidation.

Utilizing Diesel Oxidation Catalysts (DOC) to partially oxidize NO to NO2 is a crucial step in controlling NOx emissions from diesel engines. However, enhancing both catalytic activity and hydrothermal stability remains a significant challenge. Benefiting from abundant asymmetric oxygen vacancies and increased Mn4+ content, MnRE0.5Zr0.5 exhibits superior NO oxidation performance (T63 = 337 °C) and hydrothermal aging resistance (T52 = 340 °C) compared to the undoped sample (T53 = 365 °C). XPS, Raman, TPR, and XAS are employed to verify the elevation of oxygen vacancy concentration and Mn valence state modulation due to Zr introduction. Furthermore, compared to MnRE (1.36 eV), the formation energy of oxygen vacancies in MnRE0.5Zr0.5 is significantly reduced (0.17 eV). This work elucidates the dual regulatory role of Zr in the Mn-RE-Zr ternary system, providing theoretical support and guidance for the design of catalysts for atmospheric pollutant purification and industrial catalysis.

Glycometabolic reprogramming-induced XRCC1 lactylation confers therapeutic resistance in ALDH1A3-overexpressing glioblastoma.

Patients with high ALDH1A3-expressing glioblastoma (ALDH1A3hi GBM) show limited benefit from postoperative chemoradiotherapy. Understanding the mechanisms underlying such resistance in these patients is crucial for the development of new treatments. Here, we show that the interaction between ALDH1A3 and PKM2 enhances the latter's tetramerization and promotes lactate accumulation in glioblastoma stem cells (GSCs). By scanning the lactylated proteome in lactate-accumulating GSCs, we show that XRCC1 undergoes lactylation at lysine 247 (K247). Lactylated XRCC1 shows a stronger affinity for importin α, allowing for greater nuclear transposition of XRCC1 and enhanced DNA repair. Through high-throughput screening of a small-molecule library, we show that D34-919 potently disrupts the ALDH1A3-PKM2 interaction, preventing the ALDH1A3-mediated enhancement of PKM2 tetramerization. In vitro and in vivo treatment with D34-919 enhanced chemoradiotherapy-induced apoptosis of GBM cells. Together, our findings show that ALDH1A3-mediated PKM2 tetramerization is a potential therapeutic target to improve the response to chemoradiotherapy in ALDH1A3hi GBM.

Conventional ultrasonography enabled with augmented reality needle guidance for percutaneous kidney access: An innovative methodologies randomized controlled trial.

IMPORTANCE: Successful needle puncture of the renal collecting system is a critical but difficult procedure in percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). Although fluoroscopy and ultrasound are the standard imaging techniques to guide puncture during PCNL, both have known limitations. OBJECTIVE: To assess the feasibility and safety of a new navigation system for needle puncture in ultrasound-guided PCNL. DESIGN: This study employed a single-center randomized controlled trial (RCT) design to assess the feasibility and safety of a new navigation system for needle puncture in ultrasound-guided PCNL. Conducted between May 2021 and November 2021, the trial utilized computer-generated random numbers for participant allocation to control for selection bias. SETTING: The trial was executed at the *********, which serves as an academic medical center. PARTICIPANTS: All patients who met the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into two groups, with 29 patients in each group. One group underwent PCNL procedures using the new navigation system, while the control group underwent standard ultrasound-guided PCNL procedures. Included patients had renal pelvis or caliceal calculi larger than 2.0 cm in diameter or had multiple or staghorn stones. The puncture procedure was performed with the support of real-time ultrasound imaging and visual guidance displayed on the screen. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The primary outcome was system feasibility and puncture success rate. Secondary outcomes included puncture time, total surgical time, number of attempts, post-procedure complications, and one-year and three-year stone recurrence rates. Stone clearance was defined by postoperative CT. Descriptive statistics summarized patient demographics, stone size, and location. Independent samples t-tests analyzed puncture time and total surgical time. Chi-square or Fisher's exact tests compared stone clearance, complications, socioeconomic status, renal hydronephrosis, stone location, race, and medical history. Linear regression examined the correlation between BMI and puncture time. Significance was set at P<0.05. RESULTS: For all 58 patients undergoing PCNL, needle punctures of the renal collecting system were completed with a success rate of 100%. The average time from planning the puncture protocol to successful puncture was significantly shorter in the AcuSee guidance system group (3.12 min, range 0.2-6.88 min) compared to the standard ultrasound-guided group (7.58 min, range 5.41-10.68 min), representing a reduction of approximately 59%. The total surgical time was also shorter in the AcuSee group for patients with no and mild hydronephrosis (P<0.05). Complication rates were lower in the AcuSee group, with no major complications observed. However, 3 patients in the standard ultrasound-guided group have adverse effects after the PCNL procedure. The one-year stone recurrence rate was significantly lower in the AcuSee group (3.4%) compared to the standard group (24.1%), and the three-year recurrence rate was also lower (6.9% vs. 41.4%). Patient-specific factors such as BMI, renal morphology, and prior surgical history did not significantly affect the performance of the AcuSee system. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: We report the first clinical application of a new navigation system for needle puncture in ultrasound-guided PCNL. It has been demonstrated that it is feasible and safe compared to the standard ultrasound-guided group in percutaneous renal puncture. This technology provides intuitive and easy-to-use visual guidance, which may facilitate safe, accurate and fast needle puncture of the kidney.

Multifunctional Bone Regeneration Membrane with Flexibility, Electrical Stimulation Activity and Osteoinductive Activity.

The use of membrane-based guided bone regeneration techniques has great potential for single-stage reconstruction of critical-sized bone defects. Here, a multifunctional bone regeneration membrane combining flexible elasticity, electrical stimulation (ES) and osteoinductive activity is developed by in situ doping of MXene 2D nanomaterials with conductive functionality and ß-TCP particles into a Poly(lactic acid-carbonate (PDT) composite nano-absorbable membrane (P/T/MXene) via electrostatic spinning technique. The composite membrane has good feasibility due to its temperature sensitivity, elastic memory capacity, coordinated degradation profile and easy preparation process. In vitro experiments showed the P/T/MXene membrane effectively promoted the recruitment and osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) under ES and enhanced the angiogenic capacity of endothelial cells, which synergistically promoted bone regeneration through neovascularization. In addition, an in vivo rat model of cranial bone defects further confirmed the bone regeneration efficacy of the P/T/MXene membrane. In conclusion, the developed P/T/MXene membrane can effectively promote bone regeneration through their synergistic multifunctional effects, suggesting the membranes have great potential for guiding tissue regeneration and providing guidance for the biomaterials design.

The crosstalk between cellular survival pressures and N6-methyladenosine modification in hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Within the tumor microenvironment, survival pressures are prevalent with potent drivers of tumor progression, angiogenesis, and therapeutic resistance. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) methylation has been recognized as a critical post-transcriptional mechanism regulating various aspects of mRNA metabolism. Understanding the intricate interplay between survival pressures and m6A modification provides new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression and highlights the potential for targeting the survival pressures-m6A axis in HCC diagnosis and treatment. DATA SOURCES: A literature search was conducted in PubMed, MEDLINE, and Web of Science for relevant articles published up to April 2024. The keywords used for the search included hepatocellular carcinoma, cellular survival, survival pressure, N6-methyladenosine, tumor microenvironment, stress response, and hypoxia. RESULTS: This review delves into the multifaceted roles of survival pressures and m6A RNA methylation in HCC, highlighting how survival pressures modulate the m6A landscape, the impact of m6A modification on survival pressure-responsive gene expression, and the consequent effects on HCC cell survival, proliferation, metastasis, and resistance to treatment. Furthermore, we explored the therapeutic potential of targeting this crosstalk, proposing strategies that leverage the understanding of survival pressures and m6A RNA methylation mechanisms to develop novel, and more effective treatments for HCC. CONCLUSIONS: The interplay between survival pressures and m6A RNA methylation emerges as a complex regulatory network that influences HCC pathogenesis and progression.

A subset of dopamine receptor-expressing neurons in the nucleus accumbens controls feeding and energy homeostasis.

Orchestrating complex behaviors, such as approaching and consuming food, is critical for survival. In addition to hypothalamus neuronal circuits, the nucleus accumbens (NAc) also controls appetite and satiety. However, specific neuronal subtypes of the NAc that are involved and how the humoral and neuronal signals coordinate to regulate feeding remain incompletely understood. Here we decipher the spatial diversity of neuron subtypes of the NAc shell (NAcSh) and define a dopamine receptor D1-expressing and Serpinb2-expressing subtype controlling food consumption in male mice. Chemogenetics and optogenetics-mediated regulation of Serpinb2+ neurons bidirectionally regulate food seeking and consumption specifically. Circuitry stimulation reveals that the NAcShSerpinb2→LHLepR projection controls refeeding and can overcome leptin-mediated feeding suppression. Furthermore, NAcSh Serpinb2+ neuron ablation reduces food intake and upregulates energy expenditure, resulting in reduced bodyweight gain. Our study reveals a neural circuit consisting of a molecularly distinct neuronal subtype that bidirectionally regulates energy homeostasis, providing a potential therapeutic target for eating disorders.

Natural compounds from herbs and nutraceuticals as glycogen synthase kinase-3ß inhibitors in Alzheimer's disease treatment.

BACKGROUND: Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis is complex. The pathophysiology is not fully understood, and safe and effective treatments are needed. Glycogen synthase kinase 3ß (GSK-3ß) mediates AD progression through several signaling pathways. Recently, several studies have found that various natural compounds from herbs and nutraceuticals can significantly improve AD symptoms. AIMS: This review aims to provide a comprehensive summary of the potential neuroprotective impacts of natural compounds as inhibitors of GSK-3ß in the treatment of AD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a systematic literature search on PubMed, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, focusing on in vitro and in vivo studies that investigated natural compounds as inhibitors of GSK-3ß in the treatment of AD. RESULTS: The mechanism may be related to GSK-3ß activation inhibition to regulate amyloid beta production, tau protein hyperphosphorylation, cell apoptosis, and cellular inflammation. By reviewing recent studies on GSK-3ß inhibition in phytochemicals and AD intervention, flavonoids including oxyphylla A, quercetin, morin, icariin, linarin, genipin, and isoorientin were reported as potent GSK-3ß inhibitors for AD treatment. Polyphenols such as schisandrin B, magnolol, and dieckol have inhibitory effects on GSK-3ß in AD models, including in vivo models. Sulforaphene, ginsenoside Rd, gypenoside XVII, falcarindiol, epibrassinolides, 1,8-Cineole, and andrographolide are promising GSK-3ß inhibitors. CONCLUSIONS: Natural compounds from herbs and nutraceuticals are potential candidates for AD treatment. They may qualify as derivatives for development as promising compounds that provide enhanced pharmacological characteristics.

Sea surface carbon dioxide during early summer at the Tuandao nearshore time series site.

To investigate air-sea CO2 flux at the Qingdao nearshore site and its temporal variations, a high-resolution continuous observation of surface carbon dioxide partial pressure (pCO2) was carried out at Zhongyuan Pier near Tuandao from May 25 to July 8, 2019. It was observed that during this period, surface pCO2 varied between ∼490 and ∼690 µatm, mainly associated with sea surface temperature. Surface pCO2 also displayed substantial diurnal variations, with an average amplitude of 64 ± 21 µatm, largely dominated by biological activities. During the observational period, this site acted as a source of atmospheric CO2, releasing 361 mmol CO2 m-2. The notable diurnal variations in air-sea CO2 flux, such as the observed average amplitude of 10.9 mmol m-2 d-1 in this study, pose a challenge for accurately estimating the air-sea CO2 flux in coastal regions without high-resolution observations.

Exploring the Impact of Visual Heat Conduction Paths on Thermal Conductivity of Polymer Composites and the Practical Applications.

The theory of heat conduction paths has been widely recognized and widely studied in the research about the thermal conductivity of thermal conductive polymer composites at present. Encapsulating polymer pellets with thermally conductive fillers and processing them into thermally conductive polymer composites is a simple and effective method for constructing heat conduction paths. It is meaningful to investigate the related heat conduction mechanism of this method. Otherwise, this approach can significantly preserve the performance of the polymer substrate, making it highly valuable for practical material applications. In this work, polyethylene-octene elastomer (POE) pellets were encapsulated with thermal conductive fillers by physical absorption. Subsequently, the composite films containing heat conduction paths were fabricated using the encapsulated POE pellets through a heating press. Alumina (Al2O3), boron nitride (BN), and alumina/boron nitride hybrid (Al2O3/BN) fillers were used to prepare Al2O3@POE, BN@POE, and BN/Al2O3@POE composite films to investigate the influence of filler shapes on heat conduction path construction. The influence of the constitute and density of heat conduction paths on the thermal conductivity of composite films was analyzed by infrared thermal imaging, finite element analysis, and thermal resistance theory in detail. Owing to the reserved good adhesion and flexibility of the POE substrate, the composite films could be directly used as thermal interface materials for chip cooling, which presented a good heat dissipation effect. Furthermore, a series of integrated composite materials were prepared by the combination of encapsulated pellets with various functional films (copper foil, aluminum foil, and graphite sheet) through a one-pot heating press, exhibiting a good electromagnetic shielding effect. The performance of the composites and the corresponding preparation method demonstrate the strong significance of this research for practical applications.

Renal function after ureteral reconstruction surgery in patients with solitary kidney.

Background: Ureteral strictures (US) could lead to impaired kidney function, which was alleviated by ureteral reconstruction surgery. However, solitary kidney (SK) patients with US were more complicated to treat. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of reconstruction surgery on renal function based on estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in patients with SK. Methods: We retrospectively enrolled patients who underwent reconstruction surgery between April 2014 to March 2022. eGFR was measured pre- and postoperatively. The 'static renal function' was defined as a change in eGFR of 20% or less at the last follow-up, and the 'worsening renal function group' was defined as a decrease of greater than 20%. Results: A total of 61 SK patients were involved. The success rate of ureteral reconstruction surgery was 90.16% (55/61). The median follow-up time was 20.8 months (range, 3.7-109.2 months). The median eGFR was 65.5 (range, 15.1-99.9) and 65.3 (range, 3.8-123.4) mL/min/1.73 m2 at the baseline and the last follow-up. No statistically significant difference in eGFR was observed between the preoperative baseline and last follow-up visits (P=0.58). However, in patients with baseline renal dysfunction [chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage 3-5], the eGFR significantly improved at the last follow-up compared to the baseline (P=0.02). Three patients developed a 'worsening renal function' (4.92%). Besides, the systolic blood pressures (SBP) at follow-up significantly reduced compared to the preoperative baseline (P=0.002). Conclusions: Ureteral reconstruction surgery is an effective treatment to preserve renal function, which also achieves a high success rate and is associated with the reduction of SBP for SK patients with US.

Room Temperature Phosphorescent Nanofiber Membranes by Bio-Fermentation.

Stimuli-responsive materials exhibiting exceptional room temperature phosphorescence (RTP) hold promise for emerging technologies. However, constructing such systems in a sustainable, scalable, and processable manner remains challenging. This work reports a bio-inspired strategy to develop RTP nanofiber materials using bacterial cellulose (BC) via bio-fermentation. The green fabrication process, high biocompatibility, non-toxicity, and abundant hydroxyl groups make BC an ideal biopolymer for constructing durable and stimuli-responsive RTP materials. Remarkable RTP performance is observed with long lifetimes of up to 1636.79 ms at room temperature. Moreover, moisture can repeatedly quench and activate phosphorescence in a dynamic and tunable fashion by disrupting cellulose rigidity and permeability. With capabilities for repeatable moisture-sensitive phosphorescence, these materials are highly suitable for applications such as anti-counterfeiting and information encryption. This pioneering bio-derived approach provides a reliable and sustainable blueprint for constructing dynamic, scalable, and processable RTP materials beyond synthetic polymers.

Spontaneous aggregation-enhanced electrochemiluminescence via galvanic strategy.

Researchers unremittingly strive to develop innovative luminophores to enhance intrinsic electrochemiluminescence (ECL) performance. However, the potential to harness facile strategies, such as manipulating the physical properties of luminophores while retaining functional chemical properties to fabricate cost-effective ECL complexes, remains underexplored. Herein, we reported a novel and efficient one-step galvanic technique to actualize aggregation-enhanced ECL (AEECL) of ruthenium complexes. It marked the first instance of the galvanic process being employed to synthesize aggregate luminophores through electrostatic attraction. The ECL intensity and efficiency of the prepared ruthenium complexes with AEECL properties surpassed traditional ruthenium complexes by 8.9 and 13.6 times, respectively, outperforming most reported luminophores. Remarkably, the target luminophore exhibited high stability across varied scan rates and temperatures. Furthermore, a binder-free and carbon paper-based AEECL analytical device for lidocaine detection was fabricated, achieving a satisfactory detection limit (0.34 nM) and selectivity. The convenient modulation strategy of aggregate structure, along with the transformative leap from insufficient ECL to AEECL, bring forth a new revenue in aggregate science. This research also promises a universally applicable and versatile protocol for future biological analysis and bioimaging applications.

Stimuli-responsive AIEgens with an ultra acidochromic scope for self-reporting soft actuators.

This study develops a series of NBI-based acidochromic AIEgens engineered for ultra-wide acidochromic scope in self-reporting soft actuators, establishing the relationship between the photophysical properties and structural configurations of the AIEgens, further investigating their acidochromic behavior and fabricating acidity monitoring chips. The acidochromic behaviors were thoroughly investigated, and high-precision acidity monitoring chips were fabricated. We confirmed the protonation order of nitrogen atoms within the molecules and elucidated the acidochromic mechanisms through DFT and 1H NMR analyses. Utilizing these findings, we designed acid-driven hydrogel-based biomimetic actuators that can self-report and control the release of heavy loads under acidic conditions. These actuators hold significant potential for applications in targeted drug delivery within acidic biological environments, controlled release systems, and specialized transportation of heavy loads under acidic conditions.

"All-in-one" self-healing and injectable cationic guar gum hydrogel dressing functionalized by bioactive complexes composed of natural small molecules.

Reducing the risk of wound infection is an urgent issue health priority. Antibacterial polysaccharide-based hydrogels have attracted great attention for infectious wounds, attributed to their safe antimicrobial performance and natural non-toxicity and biodegradability advantages. In this study, the "all-in-one" self-adaptive and injectable cationic guar gum (CG)-based polysaccharide hydrogels (FA-TOB/CG) loaded with bioactive complexes were developed for infectious wound healing. The constructed antioxidant and antibacterial ferulic acid (FA)-tobramycin (TOB) bioactive complexes (FA-TOB) were used as the cross-linking agent and introduced into the CG matrix to construct the FA-TOB/CG hydrogel with a three-dimensional porous structure. The sterilization rates of FA-TOB/CG hydrogel against S. aureus and E. coli reached 98 % and 80 % respectively. In addition, the FA-TOB/CG also exhibits enhanced antioxidant performances (DPPH: > 40 %; ABTS: > 90 %; ·OH: > 50 %). More importantly, FA-TOB/CG hydrogel also showed the ability to sustain the release of FA and TOB. These superiorities of the FA-TOB/CG hydrogel enabled it to provide a moist wound environment and promote wound healing by eliminating bacteria, modulating the local inflammatory response, and accelerating collagen deposition and vascular regeneration. Thus, this study may enlarge a new sight for developing multifunctional dressings by incorporating bioactive complexes into polysaccharide hydrogels for infected wounds.

Erythroderma in Adult-Onset Still's Disease Alleviated After Tocilizumab Therapy: A Case Report.

Erythroderma, also known as exfoliative dermatitis, is a rarely reported atypical cutaneous manifestation of adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD). We present the case of erythroderma in association with AOSD that was steroid dependent and responded to tocilizumab therapy. Skin rash, pruritis, and related laboratory findings were significantly improved upon the addition of tocilizumab, while prednisolone was successfully tapered to an ever-lowest maintenance level. To our knowledge, this is the first to report the sole therapeutic effect of tocilizumab in erythroderma related to AOSD.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis joint infections: A case series.

Tuberculosis is a chronic infectious disease, caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, that seriously endangers human health. Skeletal tuberculosis is the most common type of extrapulmonary tuberculosis and tuberculous arthritis is the second most common type of skeletal tuberculosis. We report a case series of patients with tuberculous arthritis, two of whom had no joint disease in the past and presented as monoarthritis. The final patient had a history of rheumatoid arthritis, with polyarthritis that was aggravated during treatment with glucocorticoids and immunosuppressive drugs. This series of cases can contribute to early diagnosis and treatment with appropriate infection control measures.

Successful treatment of retinopathy of prematurity in oculocutaneous albinism with OCA2 variants: a case report and review of literature.

BACKGROUND: Oculocutaneous albinism (OCA) is a group of autosomal recessive hereditary disorders that affect melanin biosynthesis, resulting in abnormalities in hair, skin, and eyes. Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a proliferative retinopathy mainly observed in premature infants with low birth weight and early gestational age, but it can also affect full-term infants or children with normal weight, particularly in developing countries. The coexistence of ROP and OCA is rare. There is limited documentation regarding treatment approaches, with few studies reporting positive outcomes with laser treatment due to the absence of melanin pigment. This study discusses the treatment challenges in a female infant diagnosed with ROP and OCA, and underscores the importance of genetic analysis in guiding therapeutic decisions for this rare comorbid condition. CASE PRESENTATION: The study presents a case of ROP occurring concurrently with OCA. Genetic testing revealed two variants, c.727C > T (p.R243C) and c.1832 T > C (p.L611P), in the OCA2 gene, inherited from the patient's mother and father, respectively. The identified mutations were consistent with a diagnosis of OCA2, classified as a subtype of OCA. The patient initially received intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) injection, followed by laser photocoagulation therapy for a recurrent event. A favorable outcome was observed during the 2-month follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: The co-occurrence of ROP and OCA is a rare phenomenon, and this is the first recorded case in the Chinese population. The current case supports the use of laser as the primary treatment modality for ROP in OCA2 patients with partial pigmentation impairment. Furthermore, genetic analysis can aid in predicting the effectiveness of laser photocoagulation in this patient population.

Impacts of microplastic concentrations and sizes on the rheology properties of lake sediments.

The information concerning the effects of microplastics (MPs) on lake sediment environment, particularly structural properties, is still scant. This study aimed to investigate the effect of MPs characteristics (including concentration and size) on the sediment rheological properties, which affected sediment resuspension. After 60-day experiments, it was found that (0.5-2 %) MP in sediments decreased sediment viscosity, yield stress, and flow point shear stress by 14.7-38.4 %, 3.9-24.1 % and 13.5-36.5 %. Besides, sediment (with 50 µm MP addition) yield stress and flow point shear stress also dropped by 1.1-14.1 % and 9.6-12.9 % compared to 100 and 200 µm MP addition. The instability in sediment structure could be attributed to MP-induced EPS production and cation exchange capacity (CEC) changes. Accordingly, the decreases in rheological properties induced by different sizes and concentrations MPs might facilitate the sediments resuspension with wind and wave disturbances. The study shed light on previously overlooked environmental issues caused by MPs characteristics from a new perspective, thereby enhancing our understanding about the environmental behavior of MPs in lake sediment ecosystems.

Effects of sodium intake, age, gender, blood sampling time on distribution of plasma aldosterone, renin activity, deoxycorticosterone, cortisol, cortisone, and 24 h urinary aldosterone levels in normotensive individuals based on LC-MS/MS.

PURPOSE: This study aims to analyze the distribution of plasma aldosterone, renin activity, deoxycorticosterone (DOC), cortisol, cortisone, and 24 h urinary aldosterone (24 h-uAld) levels based on liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Plasma and 24 h urine were collected from 129 healthy volunteers in Northeast China. The effect of sodium intake, age, gender, blood sampling time on plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC), plasma renin activity (PRA), PAC to PRA ratio (ARR), DOC, cortisol, cortisone, cortisol to cortisone ratio, and 24 h-uAld were investigated by nonparametric test, multiple linear regression and Harris-Boyd's standard deviate test. RESULTS: There was no significant difference observed in 24 h-uAld, PAC (AM), PRA(AM), ARR (AM), DOC (AM), cortisol (AM), cortisone (AM), and cortisol to cortisone (AM) between high and low sodium intake group. Significant differences were observed between morning and afternoon sampling groups in terms of PAC, ARR, DOC, cortisol, and cortisone. Reference intervals (RIs) of 24 h-uAld, PAC (AM) were recommended to be partitioned by gender. RI of PRA was recommended age stratification. CONCLUSION: We recommend that the same reference interval could be used regardless of sodium intake. Gender is the main influence factor for 24 h-uAld, PAC, and ARR. Age is key influence factor for PRA.