Search

As the most important nuclear fuel for nuclear power operation, the safe supply of uranium resources is the key to ensure the sustainable development of nuclear power in China. Uranium extraction from seawater has important and longterm strategic significance to ensure the sustainable development of nuclear power in China. With the updating and development of uranium extraction technology from seawater, the research work of uranium extraction from seawater is facing new opportunities and challenges. Based on the research status of uranium extraction from seawater at home and abroad, this paper puts forward the future plan and prospect of uranium extraction from seawater, which is proposed by “Seawater Uranium Extraction Technology Innovation Alliance” led by China National Nuclear Corporation. It points out the research direction of uranium extraction from seawater in the future, and provides technical support for uranium extraction from seawater to industrialization.

Natural uranium is an important material basis to ensure the sustainable and stable development of national nuclear energy. Ocean contains abundant natural uranium resources, and the extraction of uranium from seawater is of great strategic and economic significance for supplementing and improving our country’s uranium supply system and realizing the autonomy of natural uranium supply. In this paper, the latest progress in the research direction of seawater uranium extraction technology in recent years is reviewed. This paper mainly summarizes the research results of adsorption materials and field tests for uranium extraction from seawater at home and abroad, and prospects the future development of uranium extraction from seawater.

The mechanisms of anxiety disorders, the most common mental illness, remain incompletely characterized. The ventral hippocampus (vHPC) is critical for the expression of anxiety. However, current studies primarily focus on vHPC neurons, leaving the role for vHPC astrocytes in anxiety largely unexplored. Here, genetically encoded Ca2+ indicator GCaMP6m and in vivo fiber photometry calcium imaging are used to label vHPC astrocytes and monitor their activity, respectively, genetic and chemogenetic approaches to inhibit and activate vHPC astrocytes, respectively, patch‐clamp recordings to measure glutamate currents, and behavioral assays to assess anxiety‐like behaviors. It is found that vHPC astrocytic activity is increased in anxiogenic environments and by 3‐d subacute restraint stress (SRS), a well‐validated mouse model of anxiety disorders. Genetic inhibition of vHPC astrocytes exerts anxiolytic effects on both innate and SRS‐induced anxiety‐related behaviors, whereas hM3Dq‐mediated chemogenetic or SRS‐induced activation of vHPC astrocytes enhances anxiety‐like behaviors, which are reversed by intra‐vHPC application of the ionotropic glutamate N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate receptor antagonists. Furthermore, intra‐vHPC or systemic application of the N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate receptor antagonist memantine, a U.S. FDA‐approved drug for Alzheimer's disease, fully rescues SRS‐induced anxiety‐like behaviors. The findings highlight vHPC astrocytes as critical regulators of stress and anxiety and as potential therapeutic targets for anxiety and anxiety‐related disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To further clarify the acne profile of Chinese adult women, we included 1,156,703 adult women. An artificial intelligence algorithm was used to analyze images taken by high‐resolution mobile phones to further explore acne levels in Chinese adult women. Method: In this study, we assessed the severity of acne by evaluating patients' selfies through a smartphone application. Furthermore, we gathered basic user information through a questionnaire, including details such as age, gender, skin sensitivity, and dietary habits. Results: This study showed a gradual decrease in acne severity from the age of 25 years. A trough was reached between the ages of 40 and 44, followed by a gradual increase in acne severity. In terms of skin problems and acne severity, we have found that oily skin, hypersensitive skin, frequent makeup application and unhealthy dietary habits can affect the severity of acne. For environment and acne severity, we observed that developed city levels, cold seasons and high altitude and strong radiation affect acne severity in adult women. For the results of the AI analyses, the severity of blackheads, pores, dark circles and skin roughness were positively associated with acne severity in adult women. Conclusions: AI analysis of high‐res phone images in Chinese adult women reveals acne severity trends. Severity decreases after 25, hits a low at 40–44, then gradually rises. Skin type, sensitivity, makeup, diet, urbanization, seasons, altitude, and radiation impact acne. Blackheads, pores, dark circles, and skin roughness are linked to acne severity. These findings inform personalized skincare and public health strategies for adult women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

EphB6 belongs to the receptor tyrosine kinase, whose low expression is associated with shorter survival of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. But the role and mechanism of EphB6 in the progression of CRC need further study. In addition, EphB6 was mainly expressed in intestinal neurons. But how EphB6 is involved in functions of intestinal neurons has not been known. In our study, we constructed a mouse xenograft model of CRC by injecting CMT93 cells into the rectum of EphB6-deficient mice. We found that the deletion of EphB6 in mice promoted tumor growth of CMT93 cells in a xenograft model of CRC, which was independent of changes in the gut microbiota. Interestingly, inhibition of intestinal neurons by injecting botulinum toxin A into rectum of EphB6-deficient mice could eliminate the promotive effect of EphB6 deficiency on tumor growth in the xenograft model of CRC. Mechanically, the deletion of EphB6 in mice promoted the tumor growth in CRC by increasing GABA in the tumor microenvironment. Furthermore, EphB6 deficiency in mice increased the expression of synaptosomal-associated protein 25 in the intestinal myenteric plexus, which mediated the release of GABA. Our study concluded that EphB6 knockout in mice promotes tumor growth of CMT93 cells in a xenograft model of CRC by modulating GABA release. Our study found a new regulating mechanism of EphB6 on the tumor progression in CRC that is dependent on intestinal neurons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Fat grafting is one of the most effective treatments for soft tissue restoration and augmentation. Adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) supplementation is one of the foremost concerns to improve its efficiency. There have been several studies aiming at adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells in fat grafting, but no relevant bibliometric research has conducted. Methods: Articles about fat grafting and ASCs were retrieved in Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC). Using VOSviewer 1.6.10.0 (Leiden University, the Netherlands) and CiteSpace 6.1.R2 (Drexel University, USA), the information of national distribution, institutions, journals, authors and keywords were evaluated and calculated. Results: A total of 1166 papers in the field of ASCs in fat grafting were retrieved from 2002 to 2021. The USA produced the most articles, and the top 2 productive institutions were all from the USA. Researchers and institutions conducting ASCs in fat grafting research have shown a widespread and close connection. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery published the most article on ASCs in fat grafting, and professor Rubin Peter is the most productive author. The top 10 references with the highest LCS mainly focused on applying ASCs to assist fat transplantation in plastic surgery. The most cited keywords formed 4 clusters, and "mesenchymal stem," "mesenchymal stromal cell," "stromal vascular fraction" and "long term" were the most recently trending keywords. Conclusions: This article provides a summary of the current research status focusing on fat grafting and ASCs. More efforts will be made to promote the application of ASCs in fat grafting. Level of Evidence V: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase 4 (NOX4) is a subtype of the NOX family, which is mainly expressed in the pulmonary vasculature and pulmonary endothelial cells in the respiratory system. NOX4 has unique characteristics, and is a constitutively active enzyme that primarily produces hydrogen peroxide. The signaling pathways associated with NOX4 are complicated. Negative and positive feedback play significant roles in regulating NOX4 expression. The role of NOX4 is controversial because NOX4 plays a protective or damaging role in different respiratory diseases. This review summarizes the structure, enzymatic properties, regulation, and signaling pathways of NOX4. This review then introduces the roles of NOX4 in different diseases in the respiratory system, such as acute respiratory distress syndrome, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and pulmonary fibrosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive disease characterized by excessive deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) and chronic inflammation with limited therapeutic options. Psoralen, a major active component extracted from Psoralea corylifolia L. seed, has several biological effects. However, the role of psoralen in IPF is still unclear. Here, we hypothesized that psoralen played an essential role in IPF in the inhibition of fibroblast proliferation and inflammatory response. A murine model of IPF was established by injecting bleomycin (BLM) intratracheally, and psoralen was administered for 14 days from the 7th to 21st day after BLM injection. Our results demonstrated that psoralen treatment reduced body weight loss and improved the survival rate of mice with IPF. Histological and immunofluorescent examination showed that psoralen alleviated BLM‐induced lung parenchymal inflammatory and fibrotic alteration. Furthermore, psoralen inhibited proliferation and collagen synthesis of mouse fibroblasts and partially reversed BLM‐induced expression of α‐smooth muscle actin at both the tissue and cell level. Moreover, psoralen decreased the expression of transforming growth factor‐β1, interleukin‐1β, and tumor necrosis factor‐α in the lungs of BLM‐stimulated mice. Our results reveale for the first time that psoralen exerts therapeutic effects against IPF in a BLM‐induced murine model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The large tumour suppressor 1 ( LATS1) signalling network has been proved to be an essential regulator within the cell, participating in multiple cellular phenotypes. However, it is unclear concerning the clinical significance of LATS1 and the regulatory mechanisms of 17-Allylamino-17- demethoxygeldanamycin (17- AAG) in lung adenocarcinoma ( LAC). The aim of the present study was to investigate the correlation of LATS1 and yes-associated protein ( YAP) expression with clinicopathological characteristics in LAC patients, and the effects of 17- AAG on biological behaviours of LAC cells. Subcutaneous LAC tumour models were further established to observe the tumour growth in nude mice. The results showed that the positive expression of LATS1 was significantly lowered (26.7% versus 68.0%, P < 0.001), while that of YAP was elevated (76.0% versus 56.0%, P = 0.03) in LAC tissues compared to the adjacent non-cancerous tissues; LAST1 expression was negatively correlated with YAP expression ( r = 0.432, P < 0.001) and lymphatic invasion of the tumour ( P = 0.015). In addition, 17- AAG inhibited proliferation and invasion, and induced cell apoptosis and cycle arrest in LAC cells together with increased expression of E-cadherin and p- LATS1, and decreased expression of YAP and connective tissue growth factor. Tumour volumes and weight were much smaller in 17- AAG-treated groups than those in untreated group ( P < 0.01). Taken together, our findings indicate that decreased expression of LATS1 is associated with lymphatic invasion of LAC, and 17- AAG suppresses growth and invasion of LAC cells via regulation of the LATS1/ YAP pathway in vitro and in vivo, suggesting that we may provide a promising therapeutic strategy for the treatment of human LAC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patients suffering from chronic stress develop numerous symptoms, including emotional and cognitive deficits. The precise circuit mechanisms underlying different symptoms remain poorly understood. We identified two distinct basal forebrain cholinergic subpopulations in mice projecting to the dorsal hippocampus (dHPC) or ventral hippocampus (vHPC), which exhibited distinct input organizations, electrophysiological characteristics, transcriptomics, and responses to positive and negative valences of stimuli and were critical for cognitive and emotional modulation, respectively. Moreover, chronic stress induced elevated anxiety levels and cognitive deficits in mice, accompanied by enhanced vHPC but suppressed dHPC cholinergic projections. Chemogenetic activation of dHPC or inhibition of vHPC cholinergic projections alleviated stress-induced aberrant behaviors. Furthermore, we identified that the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor donepezil combined with blockade of muscarinic receptor 1-type muscarinic acetylcholine receptors in the vHPC rescued both stress-induced phenotypes. These data illuminated distinct septo-hippocampal cholinergic circuits mediated specific symptoms independently under stress, which may provide promising strategies for circuit-based treating of stress-related psychiatric disorders.

Background: An increasing number of surgical and nonsurgical interventions are available in the field of female genital plastic surgery. The rate of female genital plastic surgery has increased by nearly 220 percent over the past 5 years. Despite several studies on the topic, no relevant bibliometric analysis has been conducted., Methods: We searched the Web of Science Core Collection for articles related to female genital plastic surgery. CiteSpace 6.1.R2 (Drexel University, USA) and VOSviewer 1.6.10.0 (Leiden University, the Netherlands) were used, and national distribution, institutions, journals, authors, and key words were analyzed and calculated., Results: From 2003 to 2022, 1299 papers in the field of female genital plastic surgery were retrieved. There were more articles produced in the United States, and there were also two institutions in the Netherlands that were highly productive. A wide and close relationship has been established between researchers and institutions conducting female genital plastic surgery. Professor Bouman MB published the most articles on female genital plastic surgery in the Journal of Sexual Medicine. Female genital plastic surgery dominated the top 10 references with the highest local citation score. There were four clusters of key words with the most citations, and the most recently trending key words were "vaginal agenesis," "transgender," and "congenital adrenal hyperplasia.", Conclusions: The purpose of this article is to provide a summary of the current research status focusing on female genital plastic surgery. It is hoped that more efforts will be made to promote the development of female genital plastic surgery in the future., Competing Interests: Conflicts of interest and sources of funding: none declared., (Copyright © 2024 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Anxiety-related disorders respond to cognitive behavioral therapies, which involved the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Previous studies have suggested that subregions of the mPFC have different and even opposite roles in regulating innate anxiety. However, the specific causal targets of their descending projections in modulating innate anxiety and stress-induced anxiety have yet to be fully elucidated. Here, we found that among the various downstream pathways of the prelimbic cortex (PL), a subregion of the mPFC, PL-mediodorsal thalamic nucleus (MD) projection, and PL-ventral tegmental area (VTA) projection exhibited antagonistic effects on anxiety-like behavior, while the PL-MD projection but not PL-VTA projection was necessary for the animal to guide anxiety-related behavior. In addition, MD-projecting PL neurons bidirectionally regulated remote but not recent fear memory retrieval. Notably, restraint stress induced high-anxiety state accompanied by strengthening the excitatory inputs onto MD-projecting PL neurons, and inhibiting PL-MD pathway rescued the stress-induced anxiety. Our findings reveal that the activity of PL-MD pathway may be an essential factor to maintain certain level of anxiety, and stress increased the excitability of this pathway, leading to inappropriate emotional expression, and suggests that targeting specific PL circuits may aid the development of therapies for the treatment of stress-related disorders., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing financial interests., (Copyright © 2024 the authors.)

The Chinese government triggered the immediate implementation of a lockdown policy in China following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to drastic decreases in air pollutant emissions. However, concentrations of PM 2.5 and other pollutants increased during the COVID-19 lockdown over the Jing-Jin-Ji region compared with those averaged over 2015-2019, and two PM 2.5 pollution events occurred during the lockdown. Using the ERA5 reanalysis data, we found that the Jing-Jin-Ji region during the COVID-19 lockdown was characterized by higher relative humidity, lower planetary boundary layer height, and anomalous updraft. These conditions were favorable for condensation and the secondary formation of aerosols and prevented turbulent diffusion of pollutants. Furthermore, we conducted sensitivity tests using the WRF-Chem model and found that ρ (PM 2.5 ) increased by 20-55 μg·m -3 (60%-170%) over the middle region of Jing-Jin-Ji during the COVID-19 lockdown due to changes in meteorological conditions. Furthermore, the enhanced aerosol chemistry and unfavorable diffusion conditions were identified as the key factors driving increases in PM 2.5 concentrations during the lockdown. Planetary boundary layer height and relative humidity may become the important factors in forecasting PM 2.5 pollution events over the Jing-Jin-Ji region under the background of emission reduction.