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Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) analogues have been commercialized for the management of type 2 diabetes. Recent studies have underscored GLP-1's role as a modulator of alcohol-related behavior. However, the role of the GLP-1 analogue liraglutide on alcohol-withdrawal responses have not been fully elucidated. Liraglutide binds to the G-protein-coupled receptor and activates an adenylyl cyclase and the associated classic growth factor signaling pathway, which acts growth factor-like and neuroprotective properties. The underlying neurobiological mechanisms of liraglutide on alcohol withdrawal remains unknown. This study endeavored to explore the effects of liraglutide on the emotion and memory ability of alcohol-withdrawal mice, and synaptic morphology in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and the hippocampus (HP), and thus affects the relapse-like drinking of alcohol-withdrawal mice. The alcohol-withdrawal group was reintroduced to a 20% v/v alcohol and water through the two-bottle choice for four consecutive days, a period referred to as alcohol re-drinking. Male C57BL/6J mice were exposed to a regimen of 20% alcohol and water for a duration of 6 weeks. This regimen established the two-bottle choice model of alcohol exposure. Learning capabilities, memory proficiency, and anxiety-like behavior were evaluated using the Morris water maze, open field, and elevated plus maze paradigms. Furthermore, synaptic morphology and the levels of synaptic transport-related proteins were assessed via Golgi staining and Western Blot analysis after a two-week alcohol deprivation period. Alcohol re-drinking of alcohol-withdrawal mice was also evaluated using a two-bottle choice paradigm. Our findings indicate that liraglutide can substantially decrease alcohol consumption and preference (p < 0.05) in the alcohol group and enhance learning and memory performance (p < 0.01), as well as alleviate anxiety-like behavior (p < 0.01) of alcohol-withdrawal mice. Alcohol consumption led to a reduction in dendritic spine density in the mPFC and HP, which was restored to normal levels by liraglutide (p < 0.001). Furthermore, liraglutide was found to augment the levels of synaptic transport-related proteins in mice subjected to alcohol withdrawal (p < 0.01). The study findings corroborate that liraglutide has the potential to mitigate alcohol consumption and ameliorate the memory impairments and anxiety induced by alcohol withdrawal. The therapeutic efficacy of liraglutide might be attributed to its role in counteracting synapse loss in the mPFC and HP regions and thus prevented relapse-like drinking in alcohol-withdrawal mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Viologen-based organic electrochromic materials have been extensively studied due to their excellent electrochromic performance. Nevertheless, the dimerization of the radical cation state will destroy the reversibility of viologens and result in poor stability of the electrochromic device (ECD). Herein, two π-extended viologen derivatives (Spr-MPTT and Sbu-MPTT) are synthesized by inserting a thiazolo[5,4-d]thiazole unit between bipyridine moieties and N-bisubstituted with alkyl sulfonate groups. All-in-one hydrogel ECDs are assembled using Spr-MPTT or Sbu-MPTT and ferrocene modified by a water-soluble group. The Spr-MPTT-based ECD exhibited alternating color change between yellow-green and violet, while the Sbu-MPTT-based ECD displayed alternating color change between yellow-green and purple at 1.0/0 V pulse voltage. The extended conjugation of the viologen chromophore confers these devices with visible-NIR absorption and good cyclic stability. Their optical contrasts at 535 nm are 54.85% and 60.17%, respectively, for Spr-MPTT or Sbu-MPTT based ECD. These results demonstrate their potential application in electrochromic hydrogel smart windows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Oxadiazole were introduced into viologen struture to extended its π-conjugation. • Modifying the pyridine nitrogen of viologen with water-soluble groups to enhance its stability. • ECDs were fabricated from Oxadiazole extended viologen derivatives and hydroxyl ferrocene. • The ECD showed a yellow-green color change. Four π-extended viologen derivatives (Spr-PO/Sbu-PO/OHpr-PO/ OHet-PO) were synthesized by introducing oxadiazole group and side chain modification. Compared with viologen with bipyridines as the chromophore, these POs possessed extended conjugation lengths and optimized photoelectron conversion efficiency. The CMC gel electrochromic devices based on them could realize the color transformation from colorless to yellow-green under the working voltage of 1.1 V. Furthermore, due to different side chain groups, the diffusion rates of POs in the gel changed significantly. Compounds based on hydroxyl side chain groups showed higher response rates (<10 s) in the CMC gel system, while sulfonate side chain modified POs showed slower response characteristics (>10 s). All POs showed excellent stability, the optical contrasts were almost unchanged after continuous working for 100 cycles. This study provided an important method for obtaining efficient and stable electrochromic devices. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Internet gaming disorder (IGD) is included in the DSM-5 as a provisional diagnosis. Whether IGD should be regarded as a disorder and, if so, how it should be defined and thresholded have generated considerable debate. In the current study, machine learning was used, based on regional and interregional brain features. Resting-state data from 374 subjects (including 148 IGD subjects with DSM-5 scores ≥5 and 93 IGD subjects with DSM-5 scores ≥6) were collected, and multivariate pattern analysis (MVPA) was employed to classify IGD from recreational game use (RGU) subjects based on regional brain features (ReHo) and communication between brain regions (functional connectivity; FC). Permutation tests were used to assess classifier performance. The results demonstrated that when using DSM-5 scores ≥5 as the inclusion criteria for IGD subjects, MVPA could not differentiate IGD subjects from RGU, whether based on ReHo or FC features or by using different templates. MVPA could differentiate IGD subjects from RGU better than expected by chance when using DSM-5 scores ≥6 with both ReHo and FC features. The brain regions involved in the default mode network and executive control network and the cerebellum exhibited high discriminative power during classification. The current findings challenge the current IGD diagnostic criteria thresholding proposed in the DSM-5, suggesting that more stringent criteria may be needed for diagnosing IGD. The findings suggest that brain regions involved in the default mode network and executive control network relate importantly to the core criteria for IGD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the neural mechanisms underlying Internet gaming disorder (IGD) is essential for the condition's diagnosis and treatment. Nevertheless, the pathological mechanisms of IGD remain elusive at present. Hence, we employed multi-voxel pattern analysis (MVPA) and spectral dynamic causal modeling (spDCM) to explore this issue. Resting-state fMRI data were collected from 103 IGD subjects (male = 57) and 99 well-matched recreational game users (RGUs, male = 51). Regional homogeneity was calculated as the feature for MVPA based on the support vector machine (SVM) with leave-one- out cross-validation. Mean time series data extracted from the brain regions in accordance with the MVPA results were used for further spDCM analysis. Results display a high accuracy of 82.67% (sensitivity of 83.50% and specificity of 81.82%) in the classification of the two groups. The most discriminative brain regions that contributed to the classification were the bilateral parahippocampal gyrus (PG), right anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), and middle frontal gyrus (MFG). Significant correlations were found between addiction severity (IAT and DSM scores) and the ReHo values of the brain regions that contributed to the classification. Moreover, the results of spDCM showed that compared with RGU, IGD showed decreased effective connectivity from the left PG to the right MFG and from the right PG to the ACC and decreased self-connection in the right PG. These results show that the weakening of the PG and its connection with the prefrontal cortex, including the ACC and MFG, may be an underlying mechanism of IGD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the knowledge and beliefs regarding the use of intrauterine devices (IUDs) for nulliparous women among Chinese health care providers and assess the potential factors related to their misconceptions and conservative beliefs. A self-administered survey was conducted at 2 Chinese national academic conferences in 2015. The questionnaire data obtained from 103 health care providers were analyzed to examine the providers' knowledge regarding the safety and effectiveness of IUDs and the complications associated with IUD use, as well as their beliefs regarding the suitability of IUDs for nulliparous women. An ordinal logistic regression model was used to evaluate the potential factors related to their beliefs. Misconceptions about the complications associated with IUD use were common among our respondents, and they were least likely to know that IUDs do not increase the risk of developing pelvic inflammatory disease (26/97) or ectopic pregnancy (23/102) (22.5%-26.8%). Only approximately 10% of the providers believed that adolescents (9/94) or unmarried nulliparas (10/95) could be candidates for IUDs. In contrast, they were more likely (37/96, 38.5%) to consider married nulliparous women as appropriate candidates (P <.001). Misconceptions about the complications of IUD use were associated with more conservative beliefs regarding IUD use for nulliparous women (adjusted odds ratio, 1.34; 95% confidence interval, 1.00-1.79). The health care providers' insufficient knowledge regarding IUDs contributed to their outdated and conservative beliefs about the suitability of IUDs for nulliparous women. In addition, the difference in the providers' beliefs regarding IUD use for married and unmarried nulliparous women might reflect the stigma associated with premarital sex in Chinese traditional culture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We aimed to detect whether the effect of apigenin (Apig) on the myocardial infarction-induced cardiomyocyte injury of mouse myocardial cells and acute myocardial infarction (AMI) mice was through regulating Parkin expression via miR-103-1-5p. The myocardial infarction cardiomyocyte model (Hypoxia/reoxygenation) was first constructed, then the mouse myocardial cells were treated with Apig, and the expression of miR-103-1-5p was decreased and the expression of Parkin was increased by qRT-PCR and Western blot. It was confirmed by miRNA pulldown and luciferase reporter system that miR-103-1-5p in mouse myocardial cells can bind to Parkin mRNA and inhibit Parkin expression. Next, a lentiviral vector silenced Parkin and overexpressing miR-103-1-5p was constructed and transfected into Apig-treated cells. Autophagy was detected by mitochondrial autophagy marker proteins [atypical protein kinase C (aPKC)-interacting protein (p62) and bcl-2/Adenovirus E1B 19-kd interacting protein 3 (BNIP3)] via Western blot, mitochondrial function was detected by JC-1 probe, and apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry. It was confirmed that Apig regulated mitochondria autophagy through miR-103-1-5p and Parkin, which ultimately affected cardiomyocyte death. Finally, an AMI mouse model was constructed, and then the mice were treated with Apig. The infarct size was detected by triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining, and the Apig relieved the myocardial infarction. The expression of miR-103-1-5p was decreased and the expression of Parkin was increased by qRT-PCR and Western blot. The above results simplified that the cardio protection of Apig and miR-103-1-5p against injury of myocardial infarction cardiomyocyte by targeting Parkin. These results provided a novel treatment against myocardial infarction cardiomyocyte. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Unintended pregnancy and induced abortion among young (unmarried or nulliparous) women have become serious social and health issues in China, which are thought to partly result from low use of long-acting reversible contraception, such as intrauterine devices (IUDs). Considering that providers may play an especially important role in increasing use of this particular method, we investigated Chinese health care providers' attitudes and practices regarding IUDs use for nulliparous women, and further examine the potential factors and reasons contributing to their attitudes and practices. Methods: We recruited health care providers at two Chinese national academic conferences and surveyed them about knowledge of IUDs, willingness to recommend IUDs to nulliparous women, and their related practices. Modified Poisson regression was used to examine the potential factors related to their attitudes and practices. Results: Approximately a half of respondents reported unwillingness to recommend IUDs to nulliparous women. Providers with more misperceptions about the safety and contraindications were more likely to be unwilling to recommend IUDs to nulliparous women. Moreover, 71.0% of respondents rarely or never recommended or provided IUDs to nulliparous women. Providers' unwillingness to recommend IUDs to nulliparous women was associated with their infrequent practices (aPR=1.43; 95% CI: 1.04, 1.96). In addition to concerns about the side effects or complications, traditional sexual concept against premarital sex was often cited as a reason by Chinese health providers for their negative attitudes towards IUDs use for nulliparous women, a large proportion of whom are unmarried. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that negative attitudes and infrequent practices regarding IUDs use for nulliparous women are common in Chinese health care providers. Moreover, misperceptions about IUDs, as well as traditional sexual concept, contribute to Chinese health care providers' negative attitudes towards IUDs use for nulliparous women, and may further reduce their provision. Educational interventions are needed to improve providers' accurate knowledge of IUDs and fill the gap between traditional sexual concept and young women's needs of contraceptive services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Compared with same-sex RGUs, male IGD users had thicker, while female IGD users had thinner cortical thickness. • Only females showed significant negative correlations between the cortical thickness and self-reported cravings and their IAT scores. • Males and females may be affected differently by IGD, and females were more vulnerable to IGD. Abstract Background Male predominance is a well-known feature of Internet gaming disorder (IGD), with a reported male to female ratio of 3:1. Because of the overwhelming focus on males, little is known about the neural basis of sex differences in IGD, especially neuroanatomical features. Thus, investigations on sex differences with an adequate sample size are critical for improving the understanding of biological mechanisms underlying IGD. Methods Structural magnetic resonance imaging data were acquired from 62 IGD subjects (29 males, 33 females) and 71 recreational game users (RGUs) (37 males, 34 females) with well-matched age and education levels. Group-by-sex interaction in cortical thickness was analyzed, and the correlations between cortical thickness and addiction severity were calculated. Results We detected a group-by-sex interaction in the bilateral rostral middle frontal gyri (MFG), left superior frontal gyrus (SFG), left supramarginal gyrus (SMG), right posterior cingulate cortex (PCC), and right superior parietal lobule (SPL). Post-hoc analyses revealed that, compared with same-sex RGUs, male IGD subjects had increased cortical thickness and female IGD subjects had reduced cortical thickness beside their right PCC. By contrast, male IGD subjects had reduced cortical thickness and female IGD subjects had increased cortical thickness in their right PCC. Moreover, only females showed significant negative correlations between the cortical thickness and their self-reported cravings and Internet addiction test scores. Conclusions For female IGD subjects, the reduced cortical thickness, combined with the negative correlations of addiction severities, suggests the great effect created by IGD in the brain regions. Males and females may be affected differently by IGD, with females being more vulnerable to it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Although males more frequently develop Internet gaming disorder (IGD) as compared with females, few studies have examined gender-related neurocognitive differences in IGD. Task and design fMRI and subjective data were collected from 119 subjects (IGD, male 29, female 25; recreational game use (RGU), male 34, female 31) when they were actively playing games and during a forced mandatory break. Analyses investigating effects of group (IGD, RGU) and gender (male, female) on the functional connectivity (FC) of executive control and reward systems linked to the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and striatum, respectively, were performed. Correlations between FC and subjective craving measures were also calculated. Results Gaming-group-by-gender interactions were observed. During gaming in males but not in females, the FC between the DLPFC and superior frontal gyrus was relatively decreased, and that between the striatum and thalamus was relatively increased. During the mandatory break, changes in the FC between DLPFC and superior frontal gyrus and the FC between the striatum and thalamus varied by gender with greater RGU-IGD differences observed in females. Significant correlations between FC and self-reported craving were observed. Conclusions During both gaming and a forced mandatory break, brain regions implicated in executive control and reward processing showed changes in FC that varied by gender. Brain regions implicated in executive control showed differential FC in males during gaming, and FC during the forced mandatory break appeared relevant to both genders, and perhaps particularly for females. The findings suggest possible neural mechanisms for why males appear more likely to develop IGD, and why it may be particularly difficult for individuals with IGD to cease gaming. Highlights • Males more frequently develop IGD as compared with females. • Gaming impaired IGD's executive control and enhanced their reward seeking. • The impaired executive control was largely observed in males during gaming. • The enhanced cravings were more obvious for females during abstinence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The effects of the pulsation frequency and slot dimensions on the hydrodynamic characteristics and the particle motion of sawdust of mean diameter 1.29 mm were investigated in a pulsed slot-rectangular spouted bed. Pulsation frequencies ranged from 1 to 5 Hz. The pulsed gas flow helped to mobilize the sawdust particles, regardless of the slot dimensions and initial bed height. The fountain height depended more on the slot dimensions than on the pulsation frequency. The time-average bed pressure drop increased with increasing pulsation frequency, while the maximum bed pressure drop was higher for low pulsation frequencies than for high frequency. A slot fully spanning the column thickness and a 3 Hz pulsation frequency were optimal conditions for spouting of sawdust particles without inert particles. Graphical abstract Unlabelled Image Highlights • Pulsed gas flow facilitates spouting of sawdust particles. • Effect of pulsation frequency on hydrodynamics of sawdust particles is examined. • Fountain height depends on slot dimensions and pulsation frequency. • A longer slot improved spouting of the sawdust particles. • Optimum spouting for full-width slot and 3 Hz frequency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract Highlights • Slot-rectangular spouted bed reactor was used to oxidatively torrefy sawdust. • Adding oxygen can result in a more uniform temperature distribution in the reactor. • Sawdust lost 15–46% mass and retained 61–99% energy at 240–300 °C and 3–9% O 2. • Oxygen had a more significant effect on sawdust properties at higher temperature. Abstract A slot-rectangular spouted bed (SRSB) reactor was employed to torrefy spruce-pine-fir sawdust in an oxidative atmosphere. The effects of torrefaction temperature (240–300 °C) and feed-gas oxygen concentration (3–9 vol.%) on torrefaction performance and solid product properties were investigated. Adding oxygen in the feed-gas led to more uniform temperature distributions in the SRSB reactor, and was a promising way to achieve stable continuous operation. The mass fraction of cyclone-caught torrefied biomass increased, whereas the mass fraction of torrefied biomass remaining in the reactor decreased, with increasing oxygen concentration and temperature. In oxidative torrefaction, biomass weight loss was 15.4–46.4%, while energy yield was 61.2–99.4%. The effects of oxygen concentration on the weight loss, energy yield and torrefied biomass properties were more significant at 300 °C than at 240 °C. The torrefied sawdust also had greater HHV and contained less volatiles, more carbon, less oxygen and less hydrogen than the raw biomass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common physical developmental disability in childhood with a prevalence of 2 to 3 per 1000 live births. β2-adrenoreceptor agonist (β2AA) are widely used for the treatment of asthma. Maternal use of β2AAs may increase the risk of adverse neuro-psychiatric health outcomes in the offspring. No study, however, has evaluated the effect of prenatal exposure to β2AAs on the risk of CP. Objective: To examine the association between prenatal exposure to β2AAs and the risk of childhood cerebral palsy. Methods: This population-based cohort study included all live singleton births in Denmark from January 1, 1997 to December 31, 2003. The information on outpatient prescriptions of β2AAs was extracted from Danish National Prescription Registry. Children born to mothers who used β2AAs from 30 days before pregnancy until delivery were categorized as the exposed. To differentiate the effect of β2AAs from the underlying indications, the exposure window was further extended to 2 years before pregnancy and the exposed groups were re-defined to represent different periods of exposure to maternal use of β2AAs (use only before pregnancy, use only during pregnancy, and use both before and during pregnancy). Cases of CP were identified from the Danish Cerebral Palsy Register. Logistic regression was used to estimate incidence odds ratio (OR) of CP. Results: Among all the 442,278 singletons, 19,616 (4.44%) were exposed to β2AAs in utero (from 30 days before pregnancy until delivery). The risk of childhood CP was 0.21% in exposed and 0.19% in unexposed group, yielding an adjusted OR (aOR) 1.12 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.82, 1.53). When extending the exposure time window to 2 years prior to pregnancy, no overall significant association was observed regardless of the exposure period. However, an increased risk of CP (aOR = 1.41, 95%CI: 0.92, 2.18) for maternal β2AAs use during pregnancy was observed in female offspring, especially in those born at term (aOR = 1.65, 95%CI: 1.02, 2.67). This increase was mainly attributed to an increased risk in those born to mothers who used β2AAs both before and during pregnancy (aOR = 1.81, 95%CI: 0.99, 3.33). Conclusions: We observed an association between maternal β2AAs use during pregnancy and an increased risk of CP in female offspring, but we could not rule out confounding by the underlying indications for β2AAs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Although online gaming may lead to Internet gaming disorder (IGD), most players are recreational game users (RGUs) who do not develop IGD. Thus far, little is known about brain structural abnormalities in IGD subjects relative to RGUs. The inclusion of RGUs as a control group could minimize the potential effects of gaming experience and gaming‐related cue familiarity on the neural mechanism of IGD subjects. In this study, structural magnetic resonance imaging data were acquired from 38 IGD subjects and 66 RGUs with comparable age, gender, and educational level. Group differences in cortical thickness and volume were analyzed using the FreeSurfer software. Correlations between cortical changes and addiction severity were calculated for both groups. Compared with the RGU group, the IGD group showed significantly decreased cortical thickness in the left lateral orbitofrontal cortex, inferior parietal lobule, bilateral cuneus, precentral gyrus, and right middle temporal gyrus. Moreover, significantly reduced cortical volume was observed in the left superior temporal gyrus and right supramarginal gyrus in the IGD group. Whole‐brain correlational analysis indicated different correlations between the two groups. The brain regions that showed group differences were considered to be involved in cognitive control, decision making, and reward/loss processing. These functions may serve as potential mechanisms that explain why IGD individuals experience negative outcomes in frequent game playing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Einstein’s equation could be interpreted as the first law of thermodynamics near the spherically symmetric horizon. Through recalling the Einstein gravity with a more general static spherical symmetric metric, we find that the entropy would have a correction in Einstein gravity. By using this method, we investigate the Eddington-inspired Born-Infeld (EiBI) gravity. Without matter field, we can also derive the first law in EiBI gravity. With an electromagnetic field, as the field equations have a more general spherically symmetric solution in EiBI gravity, we find that correction of the entropy could be generalized to EiBI gravity. Furthermore, we point out that the Einstein gravity and EiBI gravity might be equivalent on the event horizon. At last, under EiBI gravity with the electromagnetic field, a specific corrected entropy of black hole is given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study was undertaken to evaluate the operation of a slot-rectangular spouted bed (SRSB) when pulsed air flow at different frequencies and static bed heights was used to spout biomass particles. A pulsed air stream injected at frequencies from 1 to 5 Hz was applied simultaneously with the main spouting air flow to fluidize millet particles of mean diameter 1.25 mm and particle density 1331 kg/m 3 . Nine static bed heights from 0.15 to 0.55 m were studied at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. Pressure fluctuations were recorded at a sampling frequency of 100 Hz. The results showed that, at constant average pulsation gas volumetric flow rate and bed depth, a pulsation frequency of 5 Hz required the least total air flow to achieve spouting. However, for low pulsation volumetric flow rate, the effect of the pulsation frequency became less evident for deep beds than for shallow ones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sawdust particles of different sizes (0.25–0.5, 0.5–1.0 and 1.0–2.0 mm) were torrefied in a continuous slot-rectangular spouted bed reactor. The effects of particle size and temperature were investigated on the properties of the torrefied product, such as proximate analysis, ultimate analysis, HHV, skeletal density, and energy yield. Temperature was the most important variable in the torrefaction process. Increasing the particle size led to more weight loss of sawdust and increased mass of the torrefied product remaining in the reactor. The ash content evolution of the torrefied product showed that its properties approached a steady state within 20 min. The reduction in Sauter mean particles size was up to 20.3% and 28.2% for 0.25–0.5 mm and 0.5–1.0 mm sawdust, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Chronic postsurgical pain (CPP) markedly impairs patients' quality of life. Research has shown that chronic stress may extend incisional nociception in male mice. Dopaminergic (DAergic) neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) are integral to stress-related mental disorders (including major depressive disorder, anxiety disorders, and PTSD) and pain. However, the impact of chronic social defeat stress (CSDS) on mesolimbic dopamine (DA) transmission in the development of CPP is yet to be established. It remains uncertain whether the dopamine signals in the rostral anterior cingulate cortex (rACC), which regulate pain, derive from the VTA. This study aims to explore the role of VTA-rACC dopaminergic circuits in a mouse model of CPP induced by CSDS. Methods: We conducted CSDS on C57BL/6 J wild-type male mice (n = 12–16 mice/group) and DAT-cre male mice (n = 10–12 mice/group). After 10 days of CSDS, a left posterior plantar incision was made to establish a mouse model of CPP. Paw withdrawal thresholds (PWTs) were evaluated using Von-Frey fibre stimulation. The open field test (OFT) and elevated plus maze test (EPM) were used to assess pain-related negative emotions. We used immunofluorescence staining and Western Blot to analyse D1, D2, c-Fos, and TH expression. DAergic fibre projections in the VTA-rACC neural pathway were traced using retrograde tracing and immunofluorescence staining. Optogenetics and Chemogenetics were employed to manipulate DAergic neurons in the VTA and their axons in the rACC. Results: The ipsilateral PWTs in male C57BL/6 J mice significantly decreased after surgery, returning to baseline after seven days. Conversely, in CSDS mice, ipsilateral PWTs remained reduced for at least 30 days post-incision. A significant reduction in TH-positive neurons expressing c-Fos in the VTA of CPP mice was observed 15 days post-incision. Activating DAergic neurons significantly improved ipsilateral PWTs and locomotor performance in the OFT and EPM in CPP mice post-incision. Additionally, D1 expression in the rACC was found to decrease in CPP mice, and this reduction counteracted the increase in PWTs caused by activating DAergic neuron axon terminals in the rACC. Conclusion: CSDS results in chronicity of postsurgical nociception and anxiety-like negative emotions, with alterations in DA transmission playing a role in CPP. Specific activation of DAergic neurons mitigates nociceptive responses and anxiety-like bahaviors, possibly mediated by D1 receptors in the rACC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Bisphenol A (BPA) is an environmental endocrine disruptor and is found in many consumer products. Animal studies suggest that BPA may perturb pubertal development in males, although studies in humans are limited.Objective: This study investigated the association between BPA exposure and pubertal onset and progression among school-aged boys in Shanghai, China.Methods: A total of 671 boys aged 9-18 years from three schools (one elementary, one middle, and one high school) in Shanghai were enrolled in a cross-sectional study. Tanner stages for genital and pubic hair development and testicular volume were assessed by a specifically trained physician. Information concerning spermarche was self-reported. Urine samples were collected to examine peripubertal BPA exposure levels. Associations between BPA exposure and pubertal development, as indicated by the presence of different milestones in early puberty, mid-puberty and late puberty, were assessed using Poisson multivariate regression to derive adjusted prevalence ratios (PRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).Results: Earlier onset of genital and pubic hair development was observed in boys with moderate BPA exposure compared with those exposed to the least BPA; the adjusted PRs were 1.31 (95%CI:1.03, 1.68) and 1.28 (95%CI:1.02, 1.60) for onset of genital maturation and pubic hair development, respectively. A similar trend was seen for onset of testicular development, although the association was not statistically significant. Conversely, compared with the lowest level of BPA exposure, moderate BPA exposure was associated with delayed presence of the late stage of genital development, with an adjusted PR of 0.78 (95%CI: 0.65, 0.92). A suggestive inverse association was also observed between BPA exposure and late progression of testicular development.Conclusions: Our findings indicate an association between peripubertal BPA exposure and earlier pubertal onset, but delayed pubertal progression, in boys. Longitudinal studies of male pubertal development with periodic follow-up are needed to verify these results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solids exchange between two adjacent chambers was studied in a dual-column slot-rectangular spouted bed with a suspended partition, a geometry potentially useful for scale-up. Solids transfer between the chambers was quantitatively evaluated by the Lacey mixing index and a solids exchange coefficient. Effects of partition position, superficial gas velocity, static bed height and partition height on solids mixing were demonstrated. The solids exchange between the chambers was strongly influenced by partition position and superficial gas velocity. Static bed height had only a slight effect on solids mixing behavior. A shorter partition helped to promote solids exchange between the chambers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three-dimensional gas–solid flow in a dual-column slot-rectangular spouted bed (DSRSB) with a suspended partition was studied experimentally and numerically. Predictions from the coupled computational fluid dynamics and discrete element method (CFD–DEM) were compared with experimental measurements based on pressure transducers and an optical fibre probe. The suspended partition position had little effect on particle velocity and voidage under stable spouting conditions. The predicted total pressure drops were in reasonable agreement with experimental values. For steady spouting, particle velocity and bed voidage were strongly influenced by static bed height. Solids exchange between the two chambers was modelled. The solids exchange rate decreased slightly with time as predicted by the DEM model. Raising the suspended partition facilitated solids exchange between the chambers. Measured profiles of pressure, voidage and particle velocity were in good agreement with simulation predictions, demonstrating the capability of the numerical model for predicting such flows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of prenatal PBDEs exposure, especially at low levels, on childhood obesity are scarce. No previous studies have investigated the effect modification by breastfeeding on the associations of PBDEs exposure with childhood obesity. We aimed to investigate the associations of prenatal PBDEs exposure with adiposity measures in children up to 6 years, and the effect modification by breastfeeding. Participants were mother-child pairs from the Shanghai-Minhang Birth Cohort study. Nine PBDE congeners were assessed in cord blood plasma. We obtained information about child weight (0–6 years), height (0.5–6 years), arm circumference (0–6 years), and waist circumference (0–6 years) at each follow-up visit. Breastfeeding duration was collected when children were aged 1 year and was categorized as short (≤6 months) and adequate (>6 months). Multiple linear regression models were used to examine the associations of PBDE concentrations with adiposity measures of the children at each age. Generalized estimating equation (GEE) models were used to estimate the overall associations of PBDEs exposure with adiposity measures. We examined the effect modification by breastfeeding using stratified analyses and by including interaction terms into GEE models. For boys, there was a general profile of positive associations of several PBDE congeners exposure with adiposity measures. Especially, boys with higher BDE-153 concentration had higher adiposity measures at each time point. For girls, we also found positive associations of BDE-100 and -153 exposure with adiposity measures. The GEE models showed consistent patterns for BDE-153 in boys and for BDE-100 and -153 in girls. In breastfeeding-stratified analyses, stronger associations of PBDEs exposure with adiposity measures were generally found in children who were shortly breastfed. Our findings suggest that prenatal exposure to PBDEs at low levels may influence childhood adiposity measures, and the potential effects of PBDEs were attenuated by adequate breastfeeding. Fig. 1 Association between PBDEs in cord plasma and repeated child adiposity measures of boys up to 6 years using GEE models.Fig. 2 Association between PBDEs in cord plasma and repeated child adiposity measures of girls up to 6 years using GEE models. [Display omitted] • BDE-153 level was positively associated with boys' adiposity measures. • BDE-100 and -153 levels were positively associated with girls' adiposity measures. • The potential effects of PBDEs were attenuated by adequate breastfeeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stanniocalcin (STC), a glycoprotein hormone, is expressed in a wide variety of tissues to regulate Ca2+ and PO4- homeostasis. STC2, a member of STC family, has been reported to be associated with tumor development. In this study, we investigated whether the expression of STC2 is associated with migration and invasion of breast cancer cells. We found that breast cancer cell line 231 HM transfected with STC2 shRNA displayed high motility, fibroblast morphology, and enhanced cell migration and invasion. Introduction of STC2 in 231 cells reduced cell migration and invasion. In response to irradiation, silencing of STC2 in 231 HM cells reduced apoptosis, whereas overexpression of STC2 in 231 cells promoted apoptosis, compared with in control cells. Mechanistic study showed that STC2 negatively regulated PKC to control the expression of Claudin-1, which subsequently induced the expressions of EMT-related factors including ZEB1, ZO-1, Slug, Twist, and MMP9. Suppression of PKC activity by using a PKC inhibitor (Go 6983) restored the normal motility of STC2-silenced cells. Furthermore, in vivo animal assay showed that STC2 inhibited tumorigenesis and metastasis of breast cancer cells. Collectively, these results indicate that STC2 may inhibit EMT at least partially through the PKC/Claudin-1-mediated signaling in human breast cancer cells. Thus, STC2 may be exploited as a biomarker for metastasis and targeted therapy in human breast cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new spouted-bed configuration (rectangular cross-section with air entry through two bottom slots) was investigated as a dryer of milk and a paste mixture of milk and blackberry pulp. The aim was to analyze hydrodynamic stability and the effects of operating conditions on powder production efficiency. For the best conditions of paste-feeding flow rate, air temperature and inert type, hydrodynamic was stable and powder production efficiency was greater than 75%. The slot-rectangular spouted bed allowed for tripling of the paste-feeding flow rate at a lower air velocity compared to the conventional geometry, showing its potential for process scale-up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gas driving water can decrease the gas-phase effective permeability at the displacement front and block the coalbed methane (CBM) output during CO 2 -ECBM. However, for low-permeability coal reservoirs, there remains a lack of systematic and in-depth understandings of the inhibition process and quantification. In this work, based on a numerical model of an exploited low permeable coal reservoir, the impact of the injection rate and time on CO 2 -ECBM was investigated. The CH 4 output inhibition mechanism in poorly permeable reservoirs was revealed, the inhibition process was quantified for the first time, and the influence of injection-drainage elements on the process was examined. Eventually, specific findings were confirmed in a field trial. The results demonstrated that (1) CO 2 injected into the exploited reservoir could further enhance the CH 4 output. The CH 4 output rate significantly increased with increasing injection rate and time. (2) For poorly permeable reservoirs, the inhibition effect became more notable because a water-rich bank seemed to be a barrier, which trapped the injected and displaced gas, and free water contained in such media cannot be drained efficiently in a relatively short period. Conversely, it was the barrier that shielded the efficient CO 2 storage. The storage efficiency reached as high as 99.9%. (3) The effect was only manifested at a specific stage, and the inhibition duration (T I) and inhibition level (D I) could be considered to characterize the effect. Increasing the injection rate, enhancing the bottom-hole pressure (BHP) drop, and prolonging the injection duration could promote fluid migration (especially fracture water) and further mitigate the effect, with the former two better than the latter one. (4) The hypothesis of homogeneous permeable reservoirs might result in an overestimate of the inhibition duration and inhibition level. A field trial confirmed the existence of the staged inhibition effect, with the inhibition time of three months and the inhibition level of roughly 5%. These findings pave the way to study the complex fluid migration for CO 2 -ECBM. • The impact of CO 2 injection rate and time on CO 2 -ECBM is assessed in an exploited low permeability reservoir. • The mechanism of the CH 4 output staged inhibition in poorly permeable reservoirs is revealed. • The inhibition process is quantified for the first time. • Specific findings are confirmed in a field trial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Pregnane X receptor (PXR) regulates cell proliferation and carcinogenesis in female reproductive tissue. We showed that PXR was expressed in cervical cells and tissue samples. PXR were lower or greatly diminished in cancer tissues compared to normal control. Functionally, activation of human PXR by rifampicin or ectopic expression of constitutively-activated human VP-PXR inhibited cervical cell proliferation. Constitutively-activated VP-PXR attenuated CaSki and HeLa xenograft tumor growth in nude mice compared with control. The cellular proliferation inhibition of PXR by causing G2/M cell-cycle arrest is involved up-regulation of Cullin1-3, MAD2L1, and down-regulation of ANAPC2 and CDKN1A. Our data suggests that PXR signaling inhibits tumor cell proliferation in vitro and cervical carcinoma growth in vivo. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Purpose: To evaluate the technical feasibility, safety and short-term treatment effects of recanalization and stenting for intracranial symptomatic vertebrobasilar artery occlusion (VBAO) lasting more than 24h. Methods and materials: Twenty-one consecutive patients with VBAO refractory to aggressive medical treatment were enrolled into this study and underwent recanalization and stenting. The rate of recanalization was evaluated radiographically and the functional outcome was examined using modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores. Results: Median time between imaging-documented occlusion and endovascular recanalization was 10.5 days (IR, Interquartile Range: 6.5–18); technique success ratio of recanalization was 95.2%. There were 3 periprocedural complications. Median mRS score was 4 (IR, 2.5–5) prior to procedure and 4 (IR, 1–5) at discharge (P <0.05). One stroke and one death occurred within 30 days after recanalization. Mean duration of clinical follow-up was 15.5 months. One transient ischemic attack, one stroke and one death occurred beyond 30-day window. Mean angiographic follow-up was 10.6 months in 10 patients. Four patients developed in-stent restenosis or occlusion, and two of them were symptomatic. Subgroup analyses revealed better functional recovery (lower mRS) in patients with vertebral artery occlusion (VAO) (P <0.05). Conclusions: Endovascular recanalization and stenting for symptomatic VBAO lasting more than 24h were technically feasible and patients with VAO benefited from the treatment with significant functional recovery. However, the complexity of the procedure and high risk of complication should prompt extreme caution. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A fuel cell based micro combined heat and power (CHP) cogeneration system is a cost-effective means of meeting residential energy needs if capital cost targets can be met. The cogeneration system mainly consists of a fuel processing unit, a power generation unit and an auxiliary unit. The fuel-processing unit under investigation includes an autothermal reformer, high and low temperature shift reactors and a CO preferential oxidation reactor. Energy and exergy analysis of the system is useful to investigate the effects of key operating parameters on the system performance. A micro-CHP system that produces approximately 1kW of electricity is simulated with Aspen Plus. A typical case is analyzed and system energy and exergy loss break-down is studied. It is found that for the typical case, energy carried by unuseful streams accounts for the majority of the energy and exergy losses. Among all the components, proton exchange membrane fuel cell posses the least energy efficiency and exergy efficiency. Effects of steam to carbon ratio, air to carbon ratio, hydrogen utilization efficiency, power generation efficiency, and process methane feed variation on system performances are parametrically studied. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A prototype horizontal pulsed fluidized bed (HPFB) has been built for continuous biomass torrefaction in our lab. Solids residence time distribution (RTD) of hemlock sawdust in the HPFB reactor was measured to study particle transport and mixing using a pulse injection of particle tracer. Effects of weir height, gas pulsation frequency, solids feed rate and gas velocity were investigated. A modified axial dispersion model was adopted to fit the experimental RTD curves, where horizontal dispersion coefficients were obtained. It is found that horizontal dispersion coefficients were slightly higher in the deeper bed. In the shallow bed, horizontal dispersion coefficients increased with increasing solids feed rate. The solids mixing intensity also found to increase with increasing the gas velocity. Horizontal solids dispersion coefficients obtained in the HPFB were significantly smaller than values calculated by literature correlations. A correlation in the shallow HPFB was established based on our experimental data. [Display omitted] • Residence time distributions of sawdust were measured in a pulsating fluidized bed. • Horizontal dispersion coefficients D x were obtained by a dispersion model. • D x values in the pulsating fluidized beds were smaller than literature values. • A new correlation of horizontal dispersion coefficient was established. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concept of grey compression transformation is put forward, and its properties are discussed. It will be available for data processing in grey modeling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new organic-inorganic composite (4,4′-H 2 bipy) 2 (4,4′-Hbipy) 2 (ZnW 12 O 40 )·6H 2 O has been prepared by hydrothermal reaction and characterized by elemental analysis, IR and UV spectra, thermal analysis and single-crystal X-ray structural analysis. It belongs to the monoclinic system, space group P 2 1 / c , with a = 18.637(4), b = 14.003(3), c = 26.470(5) Å, β = 104.78(3)°, V = 6680(2) Å 3 , Z = 4. Structural analysis indicates that the title complex consists of a Keggin anion [ZnW 12 O 40 ] 6- , 4,4′-bipyridine and water of crystallization, constructing a supramolecular system through hydrogen bonding interactions. Thermal analysis shows that the heteropolyanion [ZnW 12 O 40 ] 6- starts to decompose at 587.0°C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The title compound, [Cu(2,2′-bipy) 3 ] 2 H 2 [H 2 W 12 O 40 ]·4.5H 2 O, was synthesized by hydrothermal reaction and characterized by IR and single-crystal X-ray structural analysis. It belongs to the triclinic, space group P with a = 13.929(3) Å, b = 17.493(4) Å, c = 19.210(4) Å, α = 86.39(3)°, β = 68.77(3)°, γ = 74.21(3)°, V = 4195.2(15) Å 3 , Z = 2, D c = 3.158 g cm -3 , μ = 16.970 mm -1 , F (000) = 3602. This is the first hybrid material based on a metatungstate ion and transition metal coordination cations in which each copper atom is coordinated by six N atoms from three 2,2′-bipyridine molecules forming a distorted octahedron. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The title compound, K 6.5 H 4.5 [CeK 2 (SiW 11 O 39 ) 2 ]·26H 2 O was prepared and its structure characterized by IR and single crystal X-ray structural analysis. It belongs to triclinic, space group P 1 with a = 12.719(3) Å, b = 16.658(4) Å, c = 23.075(6) Å, α = 94.41(2)°, β = 98.90(2)°, γ = 92.40(2)°; V = 4809(2) Å -3 , Z = 2, Dc = 4.344 g cm -3 , μ = 27.170 mm -1 , F (000) = 5519. The results show that the cerium and two potassium atoms link the two anionic units SiW 11 through O-Ce-O and O-K-O bridges and construct the double 1 : 11 series heteropolytungstate. Furthermore, cerium is coordinated to eight oxygen atoms (four O c and four O b ) from two tetradentate SiW 11 ligands forming a square anti-prism. The coordination numbers for K1 and K2 are 8 and 7, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prenatal exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) is associated with numerous adverse health outcomes among offspring. Although DNA methylation is considered one of the underlying causes of these associations, few studies have focused on the association between prenatal BPA exposure and DNA methylation in the human placenta. In this study, we examined the association between prenatal BPA exposure and DNA methylation in the placenta of 146 mother-infant pairs from the Shanghai-Minhang Birth Cohort Study. BPA concentrations in maternal urine samples were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography. Six placenta samples were selected for whole-genome methylation analysis using Infinium Human Methylation 450K Beadchip, followed by pyrosequencing-based methylation analysis of three selected genes in 146 placentas. Among 282 differentially methylated CpGs, representing 208 genes, 127 were hypermethylated, and 155 were hypomethylated in the BPA exposure group. Prenatal BPA exposure was associated with a higher methylation level of HLA-DRB6 in individuals as determined using pyrosequencing, which was consistent with the whole-genome methylation analysis results. Compared with that subjects with low BPA exposure, the methylation level (ln-transformed) of HLA-DRB6 in placentas from those with high BPA exposure increased by 0.29% (95% confidence interval[CI]: 0.02%, 0.56%) at the CpG2 site, and the average methylation level (ln-transformed) of the three CpG sites increased by 0.30% (95%CI: −0.03%, 0.63%). Our findings provide evidence that prenatal BPA exposure might alter DNA methylation levels in the placenta. • Maternal BPA exposure was associated with a global alteration of DNA methylation in the placenta. • Maternal BPA exposure was associated with hypermethylation of HLA-DRB6. • Significant sex difference was not observed in the association. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a life-threatening event that is associated with RNA modification and programmed cell death (PCD). This study attempted to investigate the impacts of zinc finger CCCH domain-containing protein 13 (ZC3H13)-mediated N6-methyladenosine (m6A) on ferroptosis in AMI.The infarcted areas and cardiac function were evaluated, and the expression level of ZC3H13 was measured in AMI rats that were induced by isoproterenol. Meanwhile, oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD) in vitro model was induced to investigate the alterations on inflammation, oxidative stress and ferroptosis. The m6A modification site of lncRNA93358 modified by ZC3H13 was predicted using bioinformatics, and the interaction between ZC3H13 and lncRNA93358 was verified using the dual-luciferase reporter assays. ZC3H13 was overexpressed and lncRNA93358 was silenced to study their regulatory role in cell death, inflammation, oxidative stress and ferroptosis in AMI.Significant decreased expression of ZC3H13 was observed in AMI rats, with impaired cardiac function, enhanced inflammation and oxidative stress. ZC3H13 targeted the modification site GGACC of lncRNA93358 and downregulated lncRNA93358. Silencing lncRNA93358 inhibited cell death, reduced the levels of inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-1β, suppressed oxidative stress-related indicators (lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), reactive oxygen species (ROS), glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA), as well as downregulated ferroptosis-related acyl-CoA synthetase long chain family member 4 (ACSL4), prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2) and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4). The effect of silencing lncRNA93358 was further enhanced by overexpression of ZC3H13.This study reveals the ZC3H13-mediated epigenetic RNA modification targeting lncRNA93358 and suggests that ZC3H13 overexpression may be a promising approach for AMI treatment.Methods: Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a life-threatening event that is associated with RNA modification and programmed cell death (PCD). This study attempted to investigate the impacts of zinc finger CCCH domain-containing protein 13 (ZC3H13)-mediated N6-methyladenosine (m6A) on ferroptosis in AMI.The infarcted areas and cardiac function were evaluated, and the expression level of ZC3H13 was measured in AMI rats that were induced by isoproterenol. Meanwhile, oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD) in vitro model was induced to investigate the alterations on inflammation, oxidative stress and ferroptosis. The m6A modification site of lncRNA93358 modified by ZC3H13 was predicted using bioinformatics, and the interaction between ZC3H13 and lncRNA93358 was verified using the dual-luciferase reporter assays. ZC3H13 was overexpressed and lncRNA93358 was silenced to study their regulatory role in cell death, inflammation, oxidative stress and ferroptosis in AMI.Significant decreased expression of ZC3H13 was observed in AMI rats, with impaired cardiac function, enhanced inflammation and oxidative stress. ZC3H13 targeted the modification site GGACC of lncRNA93358 and downregulated lncRNA93358. Silencing lncRNA93358 inhibited cell death, reduced the levels of inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-1β, suppressed oxidative stress-related indicators (lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), reactive oxygen species (ROS), glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA), as well as downregulated ferroptosis-related acyl-CoA synthetase long chain family member 4 (ACSL4), prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2) and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4). The effect of silencing lncRNA93358 was further enhanced by overexpression of ZC3H13.This study reveals the ZC3H13-mediated epigenetic RNA modification targeting lncRNA93358 and suggests that ZC3H13 overexpression may be a promising approach for AMI treatment.Results: Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a life-threatening event that is associated with RNA modification and programmed cell death (PCD). This study attempted to investigate the impacts of zinc finger CCCH domain-containing protein 13 (ZC3H13)-mediated N6-methyladenosine (m6A) on ferroptosis in AMI.The infarcted areas and cardiac function were evaluated, and the expression level of ZC3H13 was measured in AMI rats that were induced by isoproterenol. Meanwhile, oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD) in vitro model was induced to investigate the alterations on inflammation, oxidative stress and ferroptosis. The m6A modification site of lncRNA93358 modified by ZC3H13 was predicted using bioinformatics, and the interaction between ZC3H13 and lncRNA93358 was verified using the dual-luciferase reporter assays. ZC3H13 was overexpressed and lncRNA93358 was silenced to study their regulatory role in cell death, inflammation, oxidative stress and ferroptosis in AMI.Significant decreased expression of ZC3H13 was observed in AMI rats, with impaired cardiac function, enhanced inflammation and oxidative stress. ZC3H13 targeted the modification site GGACC of lncRNA93358 and downregulated lncRNA93358. Silencing lncRNA93358 inhibited cell death, reduced the levels of inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-1β, suppressed oxidative stress-related indicators (lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), reactive oxygen species (ROS), glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA), as well as downregulated ferroptosis-related acyl-CoA synthetase long chain family member 4 (ACSL4), prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2) and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4). The effect of silencing lncRNA93358 was further enhanced by overexpression of ZC3H13.This study reveals the ZC3H13-mediated epigenetic RNA modification targeting lncRNA93358 and suggests that ZC3H13 overexpression may be a promising approach for AMI treatment.Conclusion: Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a life-threatening event that is associated with RNA modification and programmed cell death (PCD). This study attempted to investigate the impacts of zinc finger CCCH domain-containing protein 13 (ZC3H13)-mediated N6-methyladenosine (m6A) on ferroptosis in AMI.The infarcted areas and cardiac function were evaluated, and the expression level of ZC3H13 was measured in AMI rats that were induced by isoproterenol. Meanwhile, oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD) in vitro model was induced to investigate the alterations on inflammation, oxidative stress and ferroptosis. The m6A modification site of lncRNA93358 modified by ZC3H13 was predicted using bioinformatics, and the interaction between ZC3H13 and lncRNA93358 was verified using the dual-luciferase reporter assays. ZC3H13 was overexpressed and lncRNA93358 was silenced to study their regulatory role in cell death, inflammation, oxidative stress and ferroptosis in AMI.Significant decreased expression of ZC3H13 was observed in AMI rats, with impaired cardiac function, enhanced inflammation and oxidative stress. ZC3H13 targeted the modification site GGACC of lncRNA93358 and downregulated lncRNA93358. Silencing lncRNA93358 inhibited cell death, reduced the levels of inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-1β, suppressed oxidative stress-related indicators (lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), reactive oxygen species (ROS), glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA), as well as downregulated ferroptosis-related acyl-CoA synthetase long chain family member 4 (ACSL4), prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2) and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4). The effect of silencing lncRNA93358 was further enhanced by overexpression of ZC3H13.This study reveals the ZC3H13-mediated epigenetic RNA modification targeting lncRNA93358 and suggests that ZC3H13 overexpression may be a promising approach for AMI treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

d-Phenylalanine (d-Phe) is a small chiral organic molecule that is both an important pharmaceutical intermediate and used as a calibrator for quantifying amino acids in liquid chromatography-circular dichroism. We have developed a process for a national certified reference material (CRM) for d-Phe following ISO 17034:2016. The identity of d-Phe was confirmed using mass spectrometry (MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), infrared, and ultraviolet (UV) spectroscopy. The absolute optical conformation was also determined using circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy and optical rotation measurements. Impurities were identified via liquid chromatography (LC) with a UV–Vis detector and a charged aerosol detector (CAD) and LC–MS. Both mass balance and quantitative NMR were employed for value assessment, and the associated uncertainty was evaluated. The certified purity was determined to be 0.995 ± 0.003 g/g, a validation that was confirmed by CD using l-Phe CRM as a calibrator. Twenty milligrams of raw material was packed in sealed brown glass tubes for storage, and no inhomogeneity was observed. Stability tests revealed that the d-Phe CRM remained stable at −20 °C for at least 26 months, at 4 °C for at least 14 days, and at 25 °C and 60 °C for at least 7 days. The d-Phe CRM can be used to ensure the accuracy and reliability of d-Phe quantitation in the pharmaceutical field and also as a calibrator to ensure traceability to the International System of Units (SI) for l-Phe quantitation and protein purity analysis using LC-CD methods. The approach outlined in this paper also has potential for use in the development of other chiral CRMs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fixed bed reactors play an important role in converting solid wastes to high-quality products. The solid wastes, as well as the corresponding catalysts, are often made into cylindrical particles. However, research on the drag force for cylindrical particles is still rarely reported. In this work, the fixed bed porosity was firstly predicted with the unresolved CFD-DEM method and validated against experimental data. Then, the Ergun model, Di Felice model, and Ganser model were evaluated against the reported pressure drop data for both the spherical and cylindrical particles, so that a more solid drag force theory could be selected as a candidate for cylindrical particles. Finally, a new Ganser model was proposed for cylindrical particle drag force prediction based on the reported experimental results and validated by other experimental data. It was found that, for the spherical particle bed, the relative prediction errors of the Di Felice model are approximately 10%, while those of the Ergun model are approximately 15%. For the cylindrical particle bed, the relative prediction errors of the Ganser model are approximately 10%, while those of the Di Felice model are much higher than 10%. With the new Ganser model proposed in this work, the maximum error between the predicted pressure drop and the experimental data can be lowered to approximately 5%. The research is of reference value for drag force model selection when simulating similar FBRs with cylindrical particles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Evidence of associations between prenatal exposure to perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) and fetal thyroid hormones (THs) is controversial, and few studies have estimated the associations, while addressing the high correlations among multiple PFASs. We aimed to examine the associations between prenatal PFAS exposure and thyroid hormone concentrations in cord blood.Methods: A total of 300 mother-infant pairs from the Shanghai-Minhang Birth Cohort Study were included. We measured the concentrations of eight PFASs in maternal plasma samples collected at 12-16 gestational weeks, as well as those of total thyroxine (T4), free T4 (FT4), total triiodothyronine (T3), free T3 (FT3), and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) in cord plasma. We estimated the associations between maternal PFAS concentrations and TH concentrations using linear regression and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) models.Results: In BKMR models, higher PFAS mixture concentrations were associated with increased T3 concentrations, and there were suggestive associations with increased FT3 concentrations. For single-exposure effects in BKMR models, a change in PFDA, PFUdA, and PFOA concentrations from the 25th to 75th percentile was associated with a 0.04 (95%CrI: - 0.01, 0.09), 0.02 (95%CrI: - 0.03, 0.07), and 0.03 (95%CrI: - 0.001, 0.06) nmol/L increase in T3 concentrations, respectively. PFOA, PFNA, and PFDA were the predominant compounds in PFASs-FT3 associations, and the corresponding estimates were 0.11 (95% CrI: 0.02, 0.19), - 0.17 (95% CrI: - 0.28, - 0.07), and 0.12 (95% CrI: - 0.004, 0.24) pmol/L, respectively. A change in PFNA and PFOA concentrations from the 25th to 75th percentile was associated with a - 1.69 (95% CrI: - 2.98, - 0.41) μIU/mL decrease and a 1.51 (95% CrI: 0.48, 2.55) μIU/mL increase in TSH concentrations. The associations of PFOA and PFNA with T3/FT3 were more pronounced in boys, while those with TSH were more pronounced in girls.Conclusion: Our results suggest that prenatal exposure to multiple PFASs was associated with thyroid hormones in cord blood. However, individual PFAS had varied effects-differing in magnitude and direction-on fetal thyroid hormones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A dual-compartment slot-rectangular spouted bed (DSRSB) reactor was designed and built to torrefy sawdust. The effects on torrefaction performance of temperature from 240 to 300 °C, sawdust feedrate from 600 to 1400 g/h and oxygen concentration from 0 to 9 vol% were explored. The temperature difference between the adjacent compartments was limited. Pressure drop across the reactor was affected by biomass feedrate, and was higher for the downstream compartment than for the upstream one. The weight loss of the sawdust was 9.3–38.2 wt%, while the energy yield was 65.7–99.6%. Oxidative torrefaction resulted in greater weight loss and lower energy yield than non-oxidative torrefaction. The product properties were significantly affected by the reactor temperature and oxygen concentration. Solids, liquid and gaseous products were characterized. The results showed that the DSRSB is a promising reactor for biomass torrefaction. • Spouted bed proved to be a promising torrefaction reactor. • Adjacent compartments of DSRSB reactor had small differences in temperature. • Sawdust lost 9.3–38.2% weight and retained 65.7–99.6% energy during torrefaction. • Oxygen concentration and temperature were two important factors for torrefaction. • Produced torrefied sawdust was comparable to that from other types of reactor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel dimeric pentamolybdate [4,4′-H2bipy]3[4,4′-Hbipy]2[(Mo5O17)2(4,4′-bipy)], the first example of a 4,4′-bipyridine bridging dumbbell-like polyoxomolybdates, has been prepared by hydrothermal synthesis and characterized by X-ray crystallography. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The hydrothermal reaction of Na2WO4 · 2H2O, ZnCl2, Zn(Ac)2 · 2H2O, 2,2′-bipyridine, and H2O gives rise to a novel Keggin unit supported zinc-bipyridyl complex [Zn(2,2′-bipy)3]2[ZnW12O40Zn(2,2′-bipy)2] · H2O consisting of a novel heteropolyanion [ZnW12O40Zn(2,2′-bipy)2]4+ in which the Keggin anion [ZnW12O40]6− acts as a bidentate ligand towards the transition metal cation Zn2+ through a terminal oxygen and a bridging oxygen from the same WO6 octahedron. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

With alkyl halides (I, Br, Cl) as a coupling partner, an electrochemically driven strategy for para‐selective C(sp2)−H alkylation of electron‐deficient arenes (aryl esters, aldehydes, nitriles, and ketones) has been achieved to access diverse alkylated arenes in one step. The reaction enables the activation of alkyl halides in the absence of sacrificial anodes, achieving the formation of C(sp2)‐C(sp3) bonds under mild electrolytic conditions. The utility of this protocol is reflected in high site selectivity, broad substrate scope, and scalable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrocatalytic overall water splitting with renewable energy input has been recognized as one of the most promising approaches to produce clean H2. While expensive catalysts and low energy conversion efficiency limited industrial application of this method. Herein, we reported a cost-effective and efficient water splitting electrocatalyst prepared by one-step thermo-selenation from readily available stainless steel foam. The activity of the synergistic multi-metal catalyst has been greatly improved, showing overpotentials of 237 mV and 263 mV for HER and OER, respectively, to achieve catalytic current density of 10 mA·cm−2 in 1.0 M KOH. And the overall water splitting was achieved at 1.73 V. The stability of the composite catalyst is very high. These results showed that selenation of stainless steel was an promising method for large-scale preparation of overall water splitting electrocatalyst. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the quantitative relationship between the pyrolysis characteristics and chemical components of tobacco materials, various machine learning methods were used to establish a quantitative analysis model of tobacco. The model relates the thermal weight loss rate to 19 chemical components, and identifies the characteristic temperature intervals of the pyrolysis process that significantly relate to the chemical components. The results showed that: 1) Among various machine learning methods, partial least squares (PLS), support vector regression (SVR) and Gaussian process regression (GPR) demonstrated superior regression performance on thermogravimetric data and chemical components. 2) The PLS model showed the best performance on fitting and prediction effects, and has good generalization ability to predict the 19 chemical components. For most components, the determination coefficients R2 are above 0.85. While the performance of SVR and GPR models was comparable, the R2 for most chemical components were below 0.75. 3) The significant temperature intervals for various chemical components were different, and most of the affected temperature intervals were within 130°C-400°C. The results can provide a reference for the materials selection of cigarette and reveal the possible interactions of various chemical components of tobacco materials in the pyrolysis process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Many studies have found an interesting issue in the Internet gaming disorder (IGD): males are always observed to be the majority. However, there are little research to exploring the differences in the neural mechanisms between males and females in decision-making process among people with IGD. Therefore, explore the reward/loss processing between different gender with IGD could help in understanding the underlying neural mechanism of IGD. Methods: Data from functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) were collected from 111 subjects (IGD: 29 males, 25 females; recreational internet game user (RGU): 36 males, 21 females) while they were performing a card-guessing task. We collected and compared their brain features when facing the win and loss conditions in different groups. Results: For winning conditions, IGD group showed hypoactivity in the lingual gyrus than RGU group, male players showed hyperactivity in the left caudate nucleus, bilateral cingulate gyrus, right middle frontal gyrus (MFG), right precuneus and inferior parietal lobule relative to the females. And significant sex-by-group interactions results showed higher brain activities in the thalamus, parahippocampal gyrus and lower brain activities in Inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) were observed in males with IGD than females. For losing conditions, IGD group showed hypoactivity in the left lingual gyrus, parahippocampal gyrus and right anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) compared to the RGU group, male players showed hyperactive left caudate nucleus and hypoactive right middle occipital gyrus relative to females. And significant sex-by-group interactions results showed that compared to females with IGD, males with IGD showed decreased brain activities in the IFG and lingual gyrus. Conclusions: First, there appeared to be no difference in reward processing between the IGD and RGU group, but IGD showed less sensitivity to loss. Secondly, male players showed more sensitivity to rewards and less sensitivity to losses. Last but not least, males and females showed opposite activation patterns in IGD degree and rewards/losses processing. And male IGD subjects are more sensitive to reward and less sensitive to loss than females, which might be the reason for the gender different rates on IGD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ovarian cancer (OC), one of the gynecologic malignancies with high invasive and metastatic potential, has a low survival rate in females. Although cytoreductive surgery combined with chemotherapy is the principal treatment for OC, the prognosis remains poor, and the recurrence rate of OC remains high. It is urgent to explore novel biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of OC, as well as therapeutic targets. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a class of highly conserved, stable and abundant noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs). Recent studies have shown that circRNAs participate in OC progression by regulating various processes, including cell proliferation, migration, invasion and apoptosis. In addition, circRNAs are potential biomarkers for OC diagnosis and prognosis. This review provides an overview of recent findings on circRNAs in OC, including their functions and molecular mechanisms, and discusses their potential roles as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers, as well as therapeutic targets for OC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • First study trying to explore sex difference in IGD by ReHo. • Selecting RGU as control group overcome the limitations of low frequency game. • The number of subjects is sizeable to make the results more scientific. Abstract Objective Studies have shown that males are more prevalence than females in Internet gaming disorder (IGD). This study was set to explore the sex difference on the effect of IGD in resting states of the brain. Methods Resting-state fMRI data were collected from 58 recreational Internet game users (RGU, male = 29) and 46 IGD subjects (male = 23). Regional homogeneity (ReHo) was used to calculate group difference between the subjects. A two-way ANOVA was used to explore the IGD-by-sex interactions. Correlations between addiction severity and the ReHo values were also calculated. Results Significant sex-by-group interactions were found associated with the brain features in the right posterior cingulate (rPCC), left middle occipital gyrus (lMOG), right middle temporal gyrus (rMTG), and right postcentral gyrus (rPG). Post-hoc analysis revealed that comparing with same-sex RGUs, male IGD showed decreased ReHo in the rPCC, and the ReHo in the rPCC was also negatively associated with Internet addiction test (IAT) scores for male subjects. Moreover, male IGDs showed increased ReHo, but female ones showed decreased ReHo, in both lMOG and rMTG, when comparing with same-sex RGUs. Conclusions Sex differences were observed in brain regions that are responsible for executive control, visual and auditory perception. These sex differences should be taken into consideration in future studies and the treatment of IGD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The functions of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in myocardial infarction (MI) remain largely unknown. Thus, we used the subp athway-LINCE method to characterize the potential roles of lncRNAs in MI. Candidate lncRNA-mRNA interactions were obtained from miRNA-mRNA interactions and lncRNA-miRNA interactions. Then the lncRNA and mRNA co-expression relationship pairs (LncGenePairs) were screened from the lncRNAs and mRNA intersections, which were extracted through candidate lncRNA-mRNA interactions and sample gene expression profiles. The lncRNAs in LncGenePairs were embedded into pathway graphs as nodes through linking to their regulated mRNAs, which resulted in obtaining condition-specific lncRNA competitively regulated signal pathways (csLncRPs). Finally, the csLncRPs were calculated using lenient distance similarity to obtain the lncRNA competitively regulated subpathways. Based on the statistical significance of signal subpathways, lncRNA-mRNA networks were constructed, in which hub lncRNAs were selected. A total of 65 lncRNAs competitively regulated subpathways and 13 hub lncRNAs were obtained, which associated with a risk of MI. Identifying lncRNAs competitively regulated subpathways not only provides potential lncRNA biomarkers for MI, but also helps the understanding of pathogenesis of MI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]