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As the aging population continues to increase, aging-related inflammation, oxidative stress, and neurodegenerative diseases have become serious global health threats. Resveratrol, a star molecule in natural polyphenols, has been widely reported to have physiological activities such as anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotection. However, its poor water solubility, rapid metabolism, low bioavailability and poor targeting ability, which limits its application. Accordingly, a brain-targeted resveratrol liposome (ANG-RES-LIP) was developed to solve these issues. Experimental results showed that ANG-RES-LIP has a uniform size distribution, good biocompatibility, and a drug encapsulation rate of over 90%. Furthermore, in vitro cell experiments showed that the modification of the targeting ligand ANG significantly increased the capability of RES to cross the BBB and neuronal uptake. Compared with free RES, ANG-RES-LIP demonstrated stronger antioxidant activity and the ability to rescue oxidatively damaged cells from apoptosis. Additionally, ANG-RES-LIP showed the ability to repair damaged neuronal mitochondrial membrane potential. In vivo experiments further demonstrated that ANG-RES-LIP improved cognitive function by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation levels in the brains of aging model mice, repairing damaged neurons and glial cells, and increasing brain-derived neurotrophic factor. In summary, this study not only provides a new method for further development and application of resveratrol but also a promising strategy for preventing and treating age-related neurodegenerative diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The vestibular system is dedicated to gaze stabilization, postural balance, and spatial orientation; this makes vestibular function crucial for our ability to interact effectively with our environment. Vestibular hypofunction (VH) progresses over time, and it presents differently in its early and advanced stages. In the initial stages of VH, the effects of VH are mitigated using vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT), which can be facilitated with the aid of technology. At more advanced stages of VH, novel techniques that use wearable technologies for sensory augmentation and sensory substitution have been applied to manage VH. Despite this, the potential of assistive technologies for VH management remains underexplored over the past decades. Hence, in this review article, we present the state-of-the-art technologies for facilitating early-stage VRT and for managing advanced-stage VH. Also, challenges and strategies on how these technologies can be improved to enable long-term ambulatory and home use are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To assess the role of TNF‐α/TNFR2 axis on promoting angiogenesis in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cells and uncover the underlying mechanisms. Materials and Methods: The expression of TNFR2 and CD31 in OSCC tissues was examined; gene expression relationship between TNF‐α/TNFR2 and angiogenic markers or signaling molecules was analyzed; the expression of angiogenic markers, signaling molecules, TNFR1, and TNFR2 in TNF‐α‐stimulated OSCC cells treated with or without TNFR2 neutralizing antibody (TNFR2 Nab) were assessed; the concentration of angiogenic markers in the supernatant of OSCC cells was detected; conditioned mediums of OSCC cells treated with TNF‐α or TNF‐α + TNFR2 Nab were applied to human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), followed by tube formation and cell migration assays. Results: Significantly elevated expression of TNFR2 and CD31 in OSCC tissues was observed. A positive gene expression correlation was identified between TNF‐α/TNFR2 and angiogenic markers or signaling molecules. TNFR2 Nab inhibited the effects of TNF‐α on enhancing the expression of angiogenic factors and TNFR2, the phosphorylation of the Akt/mTOR signaling pathway, HUVECs migration, and tube formation. Conclusions: TNFR2 Nab counteracts the effect of TNF‐α on OSCC cells through the TNFR2/Akt/mTOR axis, indicating that blocking TNFR2 might be a promising strategy against cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prehistoric human cultural sites along the eastern coast of Fujian Province are important records for studying the origin and spread of the Austronesian civilization. The Huangqiyu site is the first Tanshishan culture site to be unearthed in the Min River estuary area and was excavated by scientific archeology. It has great significance for further research of the Tanshishan culture and the coupled relationship between prehistoric human activities and environmental changes in the Fujian coastal region. The chronology of archeological sites is an important foundation for prehistoric archeology. In this study, the burial age of the Huangqiyu site in Lianjiang County was analyzed using the Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) dating technique on the basis of Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS) 14C dating. In the field, the T2 section of the Huangqiyu site was selected for sampling, and the single-aliquot regeneration dose method of medium-grained quartz was used to assess OSL chronology in the laboratory. The results showed that the OSL burial age of the Huangqiyu site ranges from approximately 8.5 ± 0.5 to 4.4 ± 0.2 ka, corresponding to the sedimentary/cultural strata of the early Middle Holocene. The OSL age of sample 2019118, which was consistent with the AMS 14C age, was 4.4 ± 0.2 ka, corresponding roughly to the Tanshishan culture. The age of sample 2019117 was 5.4 ± 0.3 ka, which may be an overestimation because the equivalent dose of this sample showed a weakly skewed distribution with a tail at the high value end, indicating that there was a small amount of sundry particles and that the drying was insufficient. This problem may have led to a bias in the measured equivalent dose and, in turn, to overestimation of the age of the sample. The age of sample 2019119, which was affected by the sampling environment, was 8.5 ± 0.5 ka, possibly indicating the maximum age of the bottom boundary of the site. Archeological studies have found that the age indicated by the pottery features excavated from the cultural layer at the bottom of the Huangqiyu site is most likely earlier than the Tanshishan culture, or possibly that of the lower strata of the Tanshishan culture. Overall, the ages of samples 2019117 and 2019119 are different from the AMS 14C ages, but these are consistent with the archeological characteristics of the site. By comparing the geomorphological and environmental evolution process of the Fuzhou Basin, where the Huangqiyu site is located, with the regional prehistoric human activities, it was found that the site corresponds to the warm climate of 6 500-4 000 a B P and relatively a high sea level period. Many prehistoric remains were developed in the Fuzhou Basin during this period, and the prosperous Tanshishan culture and the lower Tanshishan culture emerged in the region. At the end of the Neolithic age, the abrupt cold event of 4.2-4.0 ka, the drastic change of climate and environment in the tropical and subtropical regions on both sides of the Pacific Ocean at 4 000-3 000 a B P, and the invasion of the northern Wu-Yue culture may explain the disappearance of the follow-up culture. Because of the limited precision of the regional sea-level change curve, it is insufficient to discuss sea-land change and the coupled relationship with human activities. Relevant studies need to strengthen these aspects in the future.

Carbonate cementation is one of the significant tightness factors in Chang 6 reservoir of the western Jiyuan (WJY) area. Based on the observation of core and thin sections, connecting-well profile analysis as well as carbon and oxygen isotope analysis, it is found that ferrocalcite is the main carbonate cements in the Chang 6 reservoir of the WJY area. The single sand body controls the development of carbonate cements macroscopically. Both carbonate cements and calcite veins hold similar diagenetic conditions: the dissolution of plagioclase is the main calcium source and the de-acidification of organic acids is the main carbon source. The diagenetic stage is identified as the mesogenetic A stage. The sedimentary environment is of low salinity. Accordingly, the development model of carbonate cementation in Chang 6 reservoir is summarized into three types: “eggshell pattern,” “cutting pattern,” and “favorable reservoir pattern.” The development degree of carbonate cementation affects the physical properties of reservoir.