Establishment of Cephalic Index by Computed Tomography in Sampled Chinese Children.

OBJECTIVE: Cephalic Index (CI), the ratio of head width to length, is one of the indexes reflecting cranial morphological characteristics. Current norms were established by European and American countries. The purpose of the study was to study anthropometry of cranial parameters using computed tomography scans to establish the CI of the sampled Chinese Children. METHODS: The cross-sectional study was carried out on patients of age younger than 14 years old at Shanghai Children's Medical Center. The measurement of maximum cranial breadth and maximum cranial length were taken on a computed tomography scan machine and recorded for analysis. Cephalic Index was calculated for each age and sex group and compared with previously established norms. RESULTS: Five hundred eighteen patients met the inclusion criteria, including 301 males and 217 females. The means for boys and girls were 87.1 (SD: 4.3) and 85.8 (SD: 4.3), respectively. There was a significant difference between boys and girls (P < 0.01). Cephalic Index in different ages and on applying the 1-way analysis of variance association was statistically insignificant (P = 0.19). CONCLUSIONS: Chinese head shape was brachycephalic. A statistically significant correlation was seen between the CI and sex, while not age.

Recent Developments in Nickel-Based Layered Double Hydroxides for Photo(-/)electrocatalytic Water Oxidation.

Layered double hydroxides (LDHs), especially those containing nickel (Ni), are increasingly recognized for their potential in photo(-/)electrocatalytic water oxidation due to the abundant availability of Ni, their corrosion resistance, and their minimal toxicity. This review provides a comprehensive examination of Ni-based LDHs in electrocatalytic (EC), photocatalytic (PC), and photoelectrocatalytic (PEC) water oxidation processes. The review delves into the operational principles, highlighting similarities and distinctions as well as the benefits and limitations associated with each method of water oxidation. It includes a detailed discussion on the synthesis of monolayer, ultrathin, and bulk Ni-based LDHs, focusing on the merits and drawbacks inherent to each synthesis approach. Regarding the EC oxygen evolution reaction (OER), strategies to improve catalytic performance and insights into the structural evolution of Ni-based LDHs during the electrocatalytic process are summarized. Furthermore, the review extensively covers the advancements in Ni-based LDHs for PEC OER, including an analysis of semiconductors paired with Ni-based LDHs to form photoanodes, with a focus on their enhanced activity, stability, and underlying mechanisms facilitated by LDHs. The review concludes by addressing the challenges and prospects in the development of innovative Ni-based LDH catalysts for practical applications. The comprehensive insights provided in this paper will not only stimulate further research but also engage the scientific community, thus driving the field of photo(-/)electrocatalytic water oxidation forward.

Identification of biomarkers associated with ferroptosis in diabetic retinopathy based on WGCNA and machine learning.

Objective: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a chronic progressive eye disease that affects millions of diabetic patients worldwide, and ferroptosis may contribute to the underlying mechanisms of DR. The main objective of this work is to explore key genes associated with ferroptosis in DR and to determine their feasibility as diagnostic markers. Methods: WGCNA identify the most relevant signature modules in DR. Machine learning methods were used to de-screen the feature genes. ssGSEA calculated the scoring of immune cells in the DR versus control samples and compared the associations with the core genes by Spearman correlation. Results: We identified 2,897 differential genes in DR versus normal samples. WGCNA found tan module to have the highest correlation with DR patients. Finally, 20 intersecting genes were obtained from differential genes, tan module and iron death genes, which were screened by LASSO and SVM-RFE method, and together identified 6 genes as potential diagnostic markers. qPCR verified the expression and ROC curves confirmed the diagnostic accuracy of the 6 genes. In addition, our ssGSEA scoring identified these 6 core genes as closely associated with immune infiltrating cells. Conclusion: In conclusion, we analyzed for the first time the potential link of iron death in the pathogenesis of DR. This has important implications for future studies of iron death-mediated pro-inflammatory immune mechanisms.

Development and validation of a new prognostic model for patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure in intensive care unit.

BACKGROUND: Cirrhotic patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) in the intensive care unit (ICU) have a poor but variable prognoses. Accurate prognosis evaluation can guide the rational management of patients with ACLF. However, existing prognostic scores for ACLF in the ICU environment lack sufficient accuracy. AIM: To develop a new prognostic model for patients with ACLF in ICU. METHODS: Data from 938 ACLF patients in the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care (MIMIC) database were used to develop a new prognostic model (MIMIC ACLF) for ACLF. Discrimination, calibration and clinical utility of MIMIC ACLF were assessed by area under receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC), calibration curve and decision curve analysis (DCA), respectively. MIMIC ACLF was then externally validated in a multiple-center cohort, the Electronic Intensive Care Collaborative Research Database and a single-center cohort from the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University in China. RESULTS: The MIMIC ACLF score was determined using nine variables: ln (age) × 2.2 + ln (white blood cell count) × 0.22 - ln (mean arterial pressure) × 2.7 + respiratory failure × 0.6 + renal failure × 0.51 + cerebral failure × 0.31 + ln (total bilirubin) × 0.44 + ln (internationalized normal ratio) × 0.59 + ln (serum potassium) × 0.59. In MIMIC cohort, the AUROC (0.81/0.79) for MIMIC ACLF for 28/90-day ACLF mortality were significantly greater than those of Chronic Liver Failure Consortium ACLF (0.76/0.74), Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD; 0.73/0.71) and MELD-Na (0.72/0.70) (all P < 0.001). The consistency between actual and predicted 28/90-day survival rates of patients according to MIMIC ACLF score was excellent and superior to that of existing scores. The net benefit of MIMIC ACLF was greater than that achieved using existing scores within the 50% threshold probability. The superior predictive accuracy and clinical utility of MIMIC ACLF were validated in the external cohorts. CONCLUSION: We developed and validated a new prognostic model with satisfactory accuracy for cirrhotic patients with ACLF hospitalized in the ICU. The model-based risk stratification and online calculator might facilitate the rational management of patients with ACLF.

Metabolomics of Vitis davidii Foëx. grapes from southern China: Flavonoids and volatiles reveal the flavor profiles of five spine grape varieties.

The spine grapes (Vitis davidii Foëx.) are wild grape species that grow in southern China, and can be used for table grapes, juicing and winemaking. To systematically investigate the flavor profiles of spine grapes, flavonoids and volatile compounds were detected in five spine grape varieties (Seputao, Ziqiu, Miputao, Tianputao and Baiputao) using HPLC-QqQ-MS/MS and GC-MS. The content of flavonoids highly depended on the variety, such as the total concentrations of anthocyanins (91.43-328.85 mg/kg FW) and flavonols (33.90 to 83.16 mg/kg FW). The volatile compounds with higher odor active value were selected to describe the aroma of spine grapes. Hexanal, (E)-2-hexenal and (E, Z)-2,6-nonadienal contributed to the higher herbaceous flavor to Baiputao and Ziqiu. ß-Damascenone and (E)-2-nonenal gave Baiputao a flavor with more floral, fruity and earthy. Their characteristic flavor compounds were subsequently revealed using multivariate statistical analysis. The results helped producers to further develop and utilize the spine grapes.

Original investigation: manipulating energy availability in male endurance runners: a randomised controlled trial.

This study investigated the effect of 4 days low energy availability (LEA) on physiological markers and mood states in male endurance runners. Twelve participants (mean (standard deviation); age: 25.8 (3.8) years; fat-free mass (FFM): 52.8 (5.5) kg) completed three 4-day conditions: adequate energy availability (AEA): 45 kcal/kg FFM/day; LEA1: 30 kcal/kg FFM/day; and LEA2: 15 kcal/kg FFM/day, in a randomized order. Participants ran on a treadmill at 65% of V̇O2max until they expended 15 kcal/kg FFM/day of energy. Energy intake was adjusted to achieve the desired energy availability. Pre- and post-measurements of bone turnover, metabolism, testosterone and estradiol (plasma), resting metabolic rate (indirect calorimetry), and mood states (Brunel Mood Scale) were assessed. The results reported a significant decrease in testosterone (condition × time interaction, p = 0.03) occurred on LEA2 (Pre: 23.8 (7.0) nmol/L vs. Post: 20.3 (7.7) nmol/L) compared with AEA (Pre: 22.9 (5.5) nmol/L vs. Post: 23.3 (6.1) nmol/L) or LEA1 (Pre: 23.6 (8.6) nmol/L vs. Post: 20.9 (8.8) nmol/L). Fatigue level significantly increased (condition × time interaction, p = 0.02) in LEA2 (Pre: 3.5 (1.7) vs. Post: 6.5 (2.9)) but did not change in AEA (Pre: 2.8 (1.5) vs. Post: 2.5 (2.7)) or LEA1 (Pre: 2.8(2.4) vs. Post: 2.9 (2.0)). Other measures were unaffected by the interventions. In conclusion, this study suggests that testosterone and fatigue may serve as early indicators of LEA in male runners. However, other physiological markers and mood states appeared largely unaffected, aligning with existing literature indicating minimal disruption of physiological functions during acute LEA in male athletes. Study registration: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (Trial No.: 381278).

High-Entropy Alloy Electrocatalysts Bidirectionally Promote Lithium Polysulfide Conversions for Long-Cycle-Life Lithium-Sulfur Batteries.

High-entropy alloys (HEAs) have attracted considerable attention, owing to their exceptional characteristics and high configurational entropy. Recent findings demonstrated that incorporating HEAs into sulfur cathodes can alleviate the shuttling effect of lithium polysulfides (LiPSs) and accelerate their redox reactions. Herein, we synthesized nano Pt0.25Cu0.25Fe0.15Co0.15Ni0.2 HEAs on hollow carbons (HCs; denoted as HEA/HC) by a facile pyrolysis strategy. The HEA/HC nanostructures were further integrated into hypha carbon nanobelts (HCNBs). The solid-solution phase formed by the uniform mixture of the five metal elements, i.e., Pt0.25Cu0.25Fe0.15Co0.15Ni0.2 HEAs, gave rise to a strong interaction between neighboring atoms in different metals, resulting in their adsorption energy transformation across a wide, multipeak, and nearly continuous spectrum. Meanwhile, the HEAs exhibited numerous active sites on their surface, which is beneficial to catalyzing the cascade conversion of LiPSs. Combining density functional theory (DFT) calculations with detailed experimental investigations, the prepared HEAs bidirectionally catalyze the cascade reactions of LiPSs and boost their conversion reaction rates. S/HEA@HC/HCNB cathodes achieved a low 0.034% decay rate for 2000 cycles at 1.0 C. Notably, the S/HEA@HC/HCNB cathode delivered a high initial areal capacity of 10.2 mAh cm-2 with a sulfur loading of 9 mg cm-2 at 0.1 C. The assembled pouch cell exhibited a capacity of 1077.9 mAh g-1 at the first discharge at 0.1 C. The capacity declined to 71.3% after 43 cycles at 0.1 C. In this work, we propose to utilize HEAs as catalysts not only to improve the cycling stability of lithium-sulfur batteries, but also to promote HEAs in energy storage applications.

Pan-cancer analyses reveal genomics and clinical outcome association of the fatty acid oxidation regulators in cancer.

Background: Fatty acid oxidation (FAO) is considered to play a vital part in tumor metabolic reprogramming. But the comprehensive description of FAO dysregulation in tumors has not been unknown. Methods: We obtained FAO genes, RNA-seq data and clinical information from the Msigdb, TCGA and GTEx databases. We assessed their prognosis value using univariate cox analysis, survival analysis and Kaplan-Meier curve. We determined the function of FAO genes using gene set variation analysis. The correlation analysis was calculated by corrplot R package. Immunotherapy response was assessed through TIDE scores. The protein expression levels of FAO genes were validated using immunohistochemistry (IHC). Results: The FAO scores were highest in COAD but lowest in PCPG. FAO scores were significantly associated with the prognosis of some cancers in OS, DSS, DFI and PFI. Besides, gene set variation analysis identified that FAO scores were related to immune-related pathways, and immune infiltration analysis showed FAO scores were positively related to cancer-associated fibroblasts and various immune-related genes. TIDE scores were significantly decreased in ACC, CHOL, ESCA, GBM, LAML, SARC, SKCM and THCA compared with normal samples, while it was significantly increased in BLCA, LUAD, LUSC, PCPG, PRAD and STAD. Besides, most FAO genes were downregulated in pan-cancer compared with normal samples. Moreover, we found copy number variation (CNV) of FAO genes played a positive role in their mRNA expression, while methylation was negative. We determined FAO genes were closely related to some drugs in pan-cancer. Conclusions: FAO score is a novel and promising factor for predicting outcomes.

Vineyard microclimate alterations induced by black inter-row mulch through transcriptome reshaped the flavoromics of cabernet sauvignon grapes.

BACKGROUND: Weed control is essential for agricultural floor management in vineyards and the inter-row mulching is an eco-friendly practice to inhibit weed growth via filtering out photosynthetically active radiation. Besides weed suppression, inter-row mulching can influence grapevine growth and the accumulation of metabolites in grape berries. However, the complex interaction of multiple factors in the field challenges the understanding of molecular mechanisms on the regulated metabolites. In the current study, black geotextile inter-row mulch (M) was applied for two vintages (2016-2017) from anthesis to harvest. Metabolomics and transcriptomics analysis were conducted in two vintages, aiming to provide insights into metabolic and molecular responses of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes to M in a semi-arid climate. RESULTS: Upregulation of genes related to photosynthesis and heat shock proteins confirmed that M weakened the total light exposure and grapes suffered heat stress, resulting in lower sugar-acid ratio at harvest. Key genes responsible for enhancements in phenylalanine, glutamine, ornithine, arginine, and C6 alcohol concentrations, and the downward trend in ε-viniferin, anthocyanins, flavonols, terpenes, and norisoprenoids in M grapes were identified. In addition, several modules significantly correlated with the metabolic biomarkers through weighted correlation network analysis, and the potential key transcription factors regulating the above metabolites including VviGATA11, VviHSFA6B, and VviWRKY03 were also identified. CONCLUSION: This study provides a valuable overview of metabolic and transcriptomic responses of M grapes in semi-arid climates, which could facilitate understanding the complex regulatory network of metabolites in response to microclimate changes.

Copper-catalyzed carbonylative multi-component borylamidation of alkenes for synthesizing γ-boryl amides with CO as both methylene and carbonyl sources.

A multi-component carbonylation reaction is an efficient strategy for the synthesis of valuable carbonyl compounds from simple and readily available substrates. However, there remain challenges in carbonylation reactions where two CO molecules are converted to different groups in the target product. Considering the merit of complex amides, we reported here a copper-catalyzed multi-component borylamidation for the synthesis of γ-boryl amides. This method provides access to a wide range of functional γ-boryl amides from alkenes, amines, B2pin2, and CO with good yields and excellent diastereomeric ratios. Notably, two CO molecules were converted to methylene and carbonyl groups in the target amides. A series of amines were successfully involved in the transformation, including arylamines, aliphatic amines, and hydrochloride salts of secondary aliphatic amines.

Ultrasound diagnosis of congenital Morgagni hernias: Ten years of experience at two Chinese centers.

BACKGROUND: Morgagni hernias are rare anomalies that are easily misdiagnosed or missed. AIM: To summarize the ultrasound (US) imaging characteristics of Morgagni hernias through a comparison of imaging and surgical results. METHODS: The records of children with Morgagni hernias who were hospitalized at two hospitals between January 2013 and November 2023 were retrospectively reviewed in terms of clinical findings, US features, and operative details. RESULTS: Between 2013 and 2023, we observed nine (five male and four female) children with Morgagni hernias. Upper abdominal scanning revealed a widening of the prehepatic space, with an abnormal channel extending from the xiphoid process to the right or left side of the thoracic cavity. The channel had intestinal duct and intestinal gas echoes. Hernia contents were found in the transverse colon (n = 6), the colon and small intestine (n = 2), and the colon and stomach (n = 1). Among the patients, seven had a right-sided lesion, two had a left-sided lesion, and all of them had hernial sacs. CONCLUSION: US imaging can accurately determine the location, extent, and content of Morgagni hernias. For suspected Morgagni hernias, we recommend performing sonographic screening first.

Aggregation-induced emission photosensitizer microneedles for enhanced melanoma photodynamic therapy.

The incidence and mortality rates of skin melanoma have been increasing annually. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) enables effective destruction of tumor cells while minimizing harm to normal cells. However, traditional photosensitizers (PSs) suffer from photobleaching, photodegradation and the aggregation-caused quenching (ACQ) effect, and it is challenging for light to reach the deep layers of the skin to maximize the efficacy of PSs. Herein, we developed dissolving microneedles (MNs) loaded with PSs of TPE-EPy@CB[7] through supramolecular assembly. The PSs effectively enhanced the type-I reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation capacity, with a concentration of 2 µM possessing nearly half of the tumor cell-killing ability under 10 min white light irradiation. The MNs were successfully pierced into the targeted site for precise drug delivery. Additionally, the conical structure of the MNs, as well as the lens-like structure after dissolution, facilitated the transmission of light in the subcutaneous tissue, achieving significant inhibition of tumor growth with a tumor suppression rate of 97.8% and no systemic toxicity or side effects in melanoma mice. The results demonstrated the potent melanoma inhibition and biosafety of this treatment approach, exhibiting a new and promising strategy to conquer malignant melanoma.

Exclusive and Switchable Superoxide Radical Generation by O2-Capture-Based Electron Transfer and Supramolecular Assembly.

Type-I photosensitizers (PSs) can generate free radical anions with a broad diffusion range and powerful damage effect, rendering them highly desirable in various areas. However, it still remains a recognized challenge to develop pure Type-I PSs due to the inefficiency in producing oxygen radical anions through the collision of PSs with nearby substrates. In addition, regulating the generation of oxygen radical anions is also of great importance toward the control of photosensitizer (PS) activities on demand. Herein, a piperazine-based cationic Type-I PS (PPE-DPI) that exhibits efficient intersystem crossing and subsequently captures oxygen molecules through binding O2 to the lone pair of nitrogen in piperazine is reported. The close spatial vicinity between O2 and PPE-DPI strongly promotes the electron transfer reaction, ensuring the exclusive superoxide radical (O2 •-) generation via Type-I process. Particularly, PPE-DPI with cationic pyridine groups is able to associate with cucurbit[7]uril (CB[7]) through host-guest interactions. Thus, supramolecular assembly and disassembly are easily utilized to realize switchable O2 •- generation. This switchable Type-I PS is successfully employed in photodynamic antibacterial control.

Diagnostic status and epidemiological characteristics of community-acquired bacterial meningitis in children from 2019 to 2020: a multicenter retrospective study.

Community-acquired bacterial meningitis (CABM) is the main cause of morbidity and mortality in children. The epidemiology of CABM is regional and highly dynamic. To clarify the diagnostic status and epidemiological characteristics of children with CABM in this region, and pay attention to the disease burden, so as to provide evidence for the prevention and treatment of CABM. By retrospective case analysis, the clinical data of 918 CABM cases in children aged 0-14 years in Zhejiang Province from January, 2019 to December, 2020 were collected. The etiological diagnosis rate of CABM in children was 23.1%, the annual incidence rate 4.42-6.15/100,000, the annual mortality rate 0.06-0.09/100,000,the cure and improvement rate 94.4%, and the case fatality rate 1.4%. The total incidence of neuroimaging abnormalities was 20.6%. The median length of stay for CABM children was 20(16) days, with an average cost of 21,531(24,835) yuan. In addition, the incidence rate was decreased with age. Escherichia coli(E.coli) and group B Streptococcus agalactiae(GBS) were the principal pathogens in CABM infant<3 months(43.3%, 34.1%), and Streptococcus pneumoniae(S. pneumoniae) was the most common pathogen in children ≥ 3 months(33.9%). In conclusion, the annual incidence and mortality of CABM in children aged 0-14 years in Zhejiang Province are at intermediate and low level. The distribution of CABM incidence and pathogen spectrum are different in age; the incidence of abnormal neuroimaging is high; and the economic burden is heavy.

Oncogenic and immunological roles of RACGAP1 in pan-cancer and its potential value in nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

A particular GTPase-activating protein called RACGAP1 is involved in apoptosis, proliferation, invasion, metastasis, and drug resistance in a variety of malignancies. Nevertheless, the role of RACGAP1 in pan-cancer was less studied, and its value of the expression and prognostic of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) has not been explored. Hence, the goal of this study was to investigate the oncogenic and immunological roles of RACGAP1 in various cancers and its potential value in NPC. We comprehensively analyzed RACGAP1 expression, prognostic value, function, methylation levels, relationship with immune cells, immune infiltration, and immunotherapy response in pan-cancer utilizing multiple databases. The results discovered that RACGAP1 expression was elevated in most cancers and suggested poor prognosis, which could be related to the involvement of RACGAP1 in various cancer-related pathways such as the cell cycle and correlated with RACGAP1 methylation levels, immune cell infiltration and reaction to immunotherapy, and chemoresistance. RACGAP1 could inhibit anti-tumor immunity and immunotherapy responses by fostering immune cell infiltration and cytotoxic T lymphocyte dysfunction. Significantly, we validated that RACGAP1 mRNA and protein were highly expressed in NPC. The Gene Expression Omnibus database revealed that elevated RACGAP1 expression was associated with shorter PFS in patients with NPC, and RACGAP1 potentially influenced cell cycle progression, DNA replication, metabolism, and immune-related pathways, resulting in the recurrence and metastasis of NPC. This study indicated that RACGAP1 could be a potential biomarker in pan-cancer and NPC.

The ER-Golgi transport of influenza virus through NS1-Sec13 association during virus replication.

IMPORTANCE: Influenza A virus is a respiratory virus that can cause complications such as acute bronchitis and secondary bacterial pneumonia. Drug therapies and vaccines are available against influenza, albeit limited by drug resistance and the non-universal vaccine administration. Hence there is a need for host-targeted therapies against influenza to provide an effective alternative therapeutic target. Sec13 was identified as a novel host interactor of influenza. Endoplasmic reticulum-to-Golgi transport is an important pathway of influenza virus replication and viral export. Specifically, Sec13 has a functional role in influenza replication and virulence.

Adjusting the pomace ratio during red wine fermentation: Effects of adding white grape pomace and juice runoff on wine flavoromics and sensory qualities.

Adding pomace or juice runoff during maceration is a traditional winemaking process. To mitigate the negative effects of rainfall during harvest and examine the effects of adjusting the pomace ratio during fermentation on the flavor profile of Marselan grape wines, the prefermentation addition of Petit Manseng grape pomace (PAP) and prefermentation juice runoff (PJR) was determined. The phenolic and volatile compounds were investigated using HPLC-MS and GC-MS. PAP enriched the flavanols and PJR enriched the pigment and copigment matrix. Approximate 10% increase in the ratio of pomace promoted the formation of anthocyanin derivatives. The increased pomace ratio reduced the concentration of volatile compounds without impacting the aroma quality. Sensory analysis revealed PAP wines scored higher for acidity and astringency and PJR wines scored higher for color. In conclusion, an appropriate increase in the pomace ratio of approximately 10% can enhance the color and mouthfeel of the wine while having a limited influence on aroma.

Didymin alleviates metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) via the stimulation of Sirt1-mediated lipophagy and mitochondrial biogenesis.

BACKGROUND: Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is one of the most prevalent metabolic syndromes worldwide. However, no approved pharmacological treatments are available for MAFLD. Chenpi, one kind of dried peel of citrus fruits, has traditionally been utilized as a medicinal herb for liver diseases. Didymin is a newly identified oral bioactive dietary flavonoid glycoside derived from Chenpi. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic potential of Didymin as an anti-MAFLD drug and elucidated its underlying mechanisms. METHODS: High-fat diet (HFD)-induced MAFLD mice and alpha mouse liver 12 (AML12) cells were utilized to evaluate the effects and mechanisms of Didymin in the treatment of MAFLD. Liver weight, serum biochemical parameters, and liver morphology were examined to demonstrate the therapeutic efficacy of Didymin in MAFLD treatment. RNA-seq analysis was performed to identify potential pathways that could be affected by Didymin. The impact of Didymin on Sirt1 was corroborated through western blot, molecular docking analysis, microscale thermophoresis (MST), and deacetylase activity assay. Then, a Sirt1 inhibitor (EX-527) was utilized to confirm that Didymin alleviates MAFLD via Sirt1. Western blot and additional assays were used to investigate the underlying mechanisms. RESULTS: Our results suggested that Didymin may possess therapeutic potential against MAFLD in vitro and in vivo. By promoting Sirt1 expression as well as directly binding to and activating Sirt1, Didymin triggers downstream pathways that enhance mitochondrial biogenesis and function while reducing apoptosis and enhancing lipophagy. CONCLUSIONS: These suggest that Didymin could be a promising medication for MAFLD treatment. Furthermore, its therapeutic effects are mediated by Sirt1.

Tailoring the Activity of Electrocatalytic Methanol Oxidation on Cobalt Hydroxide by the Incorporation of Catalytically Inactive Zinc Ions.

Catalytically inactive Zn2+ is incorporated into cobalt hydroxide to synthesize hierarchical ZnCo-layered double hydroxide nanosheet networks supported on carbon fiber (ZnCo-LDH/CF). The incorporation of Zn2+ is revealed to endow ZnCo-LDH/CF with significantly superior performance in the aspects of the activity and selectivity for methanol electrooxidation to formic acid and the boosting effect for cathodic hydrogen production compared with the counterpart without Zn2+. Density functional theory (DFT) calculation reveals that the incorporation of nonactive Zn2+ can increase the density of states near the Fermi level of LDH (i.e., elevate electrical conductivity to form favorable charge transportation during electrocatalysis) and promote the adsorption and subsequent cleavage of methanol, thus leading to the enhanced methanol electrooxidation performance.

Vineyard soil heterogeneity and harvest date affect volatolomics and sensory attributes of Cabernet Sauvignon wines on a meso-terroir scale.

To produce premium wines in a specific region is the goal of local oenologists. This study aimed to investigate the influence of soil properties and harvest date on the volatolomics of wine to provide a better insight into single-vineyard wines. Six Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards were selected in a semi-arid region to produce their wines at three harvest ripeness levels ranging from 23°Brix-28°Brix in three seasons (2019-2021). Results showed that among all six vineyards, the vineyard with the highest soil pH produced wines with lower C6 alcohols and herbaceous aroma. Moderate nutrition in soils was beneficial for the accumulation of ß-damascenone and enhanced fruity and floral aroma in wines while over-fertile soil produced wines with the lowest sensory score. As the harvest ripeness elevated, the wine's fruity and floral aroma intensity decreased. Through advanced network analysis, the key volatiles such as ß-damascenone, ethy1 lactate, and isoamyl octanoate, and their interaction in affecting wine sensory scores were evaluated. Our study provided a concept for producing premium single-vineyard wines.