New pharmacological tools:the use of diterpenes to promote adult hippocampal neurogenesis

Tissue regeneration maintains homeostasis and preserves the functional features of each tissue.However,not all tissues show a strong repairing capacity.This is the case of the central nervous system.It is now well established that the generation of new functional neurons from stem cells in the adult brain occurs in specific regions of the brain of different species such as rodents,birds,primates,and humans(Eriksson et al.,1998).

Cellular Chemical Field and Cellular Homeostasis

1.Introduction Cell structure and function are controlled by a complex regulatory networking process,in which molecular adaptation and interaction are essential to maintain cellular homeostasis following dynamic multi-omics rules and multi-systematic changes.This complex chemical process is an important mechanism for stabilizing the cell microenvironment.

MWCNT Doped Reverse-Mode Polymer Network Liquid Crystals with Frequency Response Property

Polymer-liquid crystals(PLCs)are common materials for smart windows.However,PLC smart windows usually require high driving voltage to maintain transparency.We synthesized a novel PLC smart film by doping multi-wall carbon nanotubes(MWCNTs)into a reverse-mode polymer network liquid crystal(R-PNLC).

Aging impairs the osteocytic regulation of collagen integrity and bone quality

Poor bone quality is a major factor in skeletal fragility in elderly individuals.The molecular mechanisms that establish and maintain bone quality,independent of bone mass,are unknown but are thought to be primarily determined by osteocytes.We hypothesize that the age-related decline in bone quality results from the suppression of osteocyte perilacunar/canalicular remodeling(PLR),which maintains bone material properties.We examined bones from young and aged mice with osteocyte-intrinsic repression of TGFβsignaling(TβRII^(ocy−/−))that suppresses PLR.The control aged bone displayed decreased TGFβsignaling and PLR,but aging did not worsen the existing PLR suppression in male TβRII^(ocy−/−)bone.This relationship impacted the behavior of collagen material at the nanoscale and tissue scale in macromechanical tests.The effects of age on bone mass,density,and mineral material behavior were independent of osteocytic TGFβ.We determined that the decline in bone quality with age arises from the loss of osteocyte function and the loss of TGFβ-dependent maintenance of collagen integrity.

Calcium-sensitive protein MLC1 as a possible modulator of the astrocyte functional state

Astrocytes,the main population of glial cells in the central nervous system(CNS),exert essential tasks for the control of brain tissue homeostasis,supporting neuron and other glial cell activity from the developmental stage to adult life.To maintain the optimal functionality of the brain,astroglial cells are particularly committed to reacting to every change in tissue homeostatic conditions,from mild modifications of the physiological environment,a process called astrocyte activation,to the more severe alterations occurring in pathological situations causing astrocyte reactivity or reactive astrogliosis(Escartin et al.,2021).During these reactive states,astrocytes mount an active,progressive response encompassing morphological,molecular,and interactional remodeling,leading to the acquisition of new functions and the loss of others,whose intensity,duration,and reversibility are dependent on the nature of the stimulus and regulated in a context-specific manner.

Effects of a periodic intermittent theta burst stimulation in Alzheimer's disease

Background Previous studies havedemonstrated that excitatory repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation(rTMS)can improve the cognitive function of patients with Alzheimer's disease(AD).Intermittent theta burst stimulation(iTBS)is a novel excitatory rTMS protocol for brain activity stimulation with the ability to induce long-term potentiation-like plasticity and represents a promising treatment for AD.However,the long-term effects of iTBS on cognitive decline and brain structure in patients with AD areunknown.Aims We aimed to explore whether repeating accelerated iTBS every three months could slow down the cognitive decline in patients with AD.Methods In this randomised,assessor-blinded,controlled trial,iTBS was administered to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex(DLPFC)of 42 patients with AD for 14days every 13weeks.Measurements included the Montreal Cognitive Assessment(MoCA),a comprehensive neuropsychological battery,and the grey matter volume(GMV)of the hippocampus.Patients were evaluated at baseline and after follow-up.The longitudinal pipeline of the Computational Anatomy Toolbox for SPM was used to detect significant treatment-related changes over time.Results The iTBS group maintained MoCA scores relative to the control group(t=3.26,p=0.013)and reduced hippocampal atrophy,which was significantly correlated with global degeneration scale changes.The baseline Mini-Mental State Examination(MMSE)score,apolipoprotein E genotype and Clinical Dementia Rating were indicative of MoCA scores at follow-up.Moreover,the GMV of the left(t=0.08,p=0.996)and right(t=0.19,p=0.977)hippocampus were maintained in the active group but significantly declined in the control group(left:t=4.13,p<0.001;right:t=5.31,p<0.001).GMV change in the left(r=0.35,p=0.023)and right(r=0.36,p=0.021)hippocampus across the intervention positively correlated with MoCA changes;left hippocampal GMV change was negatively correlated with global degeneration scale(r=-0.32,p=0.041)changes.Conclusions DLPFC-iTBS maybe a feasible and easy-to-implement non-pharmacological intervention to slow down the progressive decline of overall cognition and quality of life in patients with AD,providing a new AD treatment option.Trial registration number NCT04754152.

Targeting epidermal growth factor receptor signaling to facilitate cortical injury repair?

The existence of neural stem cells(NSC)in specific areas of the adult mammalian brain leads to the generation of new neurons involved in homeostatic mechanisms.This is the case of the NSC of the subventricular zone(SVZ)that produces olfactory bulb(OB)neurons.These neurons integrate into circuits to modulate sensory information and participate in olfactory processing(Bragado Alonso et al.,2019).A series of hierarchical events need to take place to produce OB neurons from NSC of the SVZ.First,the activation of quiescent NSC is necessary to produce intermediate transit amplifying progenitors(TAP),which will generate neuroblasts.The latter are cells that maintain a proliferative phenotype while in an immature phase.However,once they initiate migration toward the OB,they progressively undergo their differentiation into neurons(Kjell et al.,2020).

AGRIS

AGRIS(The Agricultural Sciences and Technology)is a booklist-style international agricultural database which is established by the international agricultural technology information system subordinate to FAO.It embodies continued publications,documents,corpuses,books,technology reports,patents,maps,meeting papers,and other literatures,which are collected by 135 countries and regions,146 branches of AGRIS,and 22 international organizations.Its content comprises all the agricultural fields in the world,as well as forestry,economy,aquatic sciences,fishery,human dietetics,and so on.This database is an international intelligence communication system maintained by FAO,which updates quarterly and increases by 0.13 million records annually,with large data amount.

Evolution of United States Technology Alliance Strategy and Reshaping of International Strategic Landscape

Building a technology alliance is the main strategy for the United States to maintain its scientific and technological hegemony under its technopolitical strategic framework.After Joe Biden took office,the United States implemented“small yard with high fences”strategy for scientific and technological competition,as the first step toward building a technology alliance.The main goal is to restrict the flow of strategic emerging technologies and factors of innovation to rival countries.

AGRIS

AGRIS(The Agricultural Sciences and Technology)is a booklist-style international agricultural database which is established by the international agricultural technology information system subordinate to FAO.It embodies continued publications,documents,corpuses,books,technology reports,patents,maps,meeting papers,and other literatures,which are collected by 135 countries and regions,146 branches of AGRIS,and 22 international organizations.Its content comprises all the agricultural fields in the world,as well as forestry,economy,aquatic sciences,fishery,human dietetics,and so on.This database is an international intelligence communication system maintained by FAO,which updates quarterly and increases by 0.13 million records annually,with large data amount.

Maintaining Resilience of Agricultural Supply Chain: International Cooperation is a Must

“Inf luenced by the slow recover y of the globa l economy,the continual impact of El Niño,growing local conflicts,the prevalence of trade protectionism and other factors,this year,the global supply and demand for agricultural products and trade is under pressure,and the world’s food security has been a serious challenge.Therefore,it is of great and far-reaching significance for all countries in the world to further develop international cooperation in agriculture from a strategic height,in order to maintain the resilience of the international supply chain of agriculture,and to promote mutual benefits and the common development of all parties.”Yu Jianlong,Vice President of China Council for the Promotion of International Trade(CCPIT)and Vice President of the China Chamber of International Commerce(CCIC),said at the 2024 China Agricultural Conference for International Economic and Trade Cooperation.

Economic Reciprocity Between China and Africa Continues to Drive Their Industrial Cooperation

It has been 24 years since the first Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation(FOCAC)was held.At that time,China’s economy was the sixth largest in the world,while South Africa,the most modernized African economy,ranked only 30th.Following its accession to the WTO in 2001,China entered a period of rapid economic development.In 2009,one year before surpassing Japan to become the world’s second-largest economy,China became Africa’s la rgest trading partner-a position it has maintained ever since.Commodities,raw materials,and agricultural products are the primary exports from Africa to China,while China predominantly exports mechanical and electrical goods to Africa.

Ancient IP Promotes Consumption Recovery

The Millennium City Park has boosted the recovery of consumption by injecting new life into historical resources and promoting cultural tourism.CHINA’S domestic tourism market has maintained strong recovery since last year.One highlight of this positive recovery is the Millennium City Park which made milestone achievements in its operations during the Spring Festival holiday from February 10 to 17,2024.

Modern Development and Maintaining Self-Developing Identity

Two recent trips to cities in China got me thinking a lot about China’s development and efforts to maintain its identity.While China is developing with strong momentum in every sector,it has succeeded at preserving and upholding its ancient traditions and customs.These trips showed me a country not only keen on technological and infrastructural advancement but also deeply committed to cultural preservation and promotion.In every corner of these cities,I witnessed a harmonious blend of the old and new,a testament to China’s dedication to maintaining its cultural heritage while embracing modernity.

Partnership for Green Development

Despite their disagreements on some issues,China and Europe need to maintain high-level dialogues as the relationship is more important than ever before.

Achieving Common Development in Step with the Times

As long as China and the EU adhere to strategic consensuses,keep in step with the times,and maintain mutual trust,they will be able to ensure the prosperity and stability of both sides.

Speeds Up the Construction of a New Power System

"In 2023,China's photovoltaic industry continued to maintain a rapid development momentum,with an additional installed capacity of more than 216 GW,accounting for more than half of the global total.The cumulative installed capacity is close to 610 GW,which helps the installed capacity of renewable energy surpass that of thermal power historically.In 2023,the output value of the domestic photovoltaic manufacturing industry exceeded RMB1.75 trillion,a year-on-year increase of 17.1%,and the output of the four main industrial chains of polysilicon.

NEWS

The Chinese economy has maintained good recovery momentum,beginning the year on a solid note as the country’s macro policies took effect,official data showed on March 18.Given its solid performance in January and February,China has the conditions and support to achieve its full-year growth target of around 5 percent for 2024 through enhanced efforts,the National Bureau of Statistics(NBS)spokesperson Liu Aihua said.

National Economy Saw an Increase in the First Two Months

In the first two months of the year,the synergy of the macro policies continued to take effect,production and demands remained stable and saw an increase,employment and prices were generally steady,and the development quality was improving.The national economy maintained the momentum of recovery and growth and got off to a stable start.

Exploring the Code behind China’s Manufacturing Industry

Made In China:The Rise of Chinese Manufacturing in a New Era Editor-in-Chief:Sun Fu,Zheng Jingxin Paperback,183 pages Published by Foreign Languages Press Manufacturing is closely related to people’s daily life,laying a strong foundation for a large country and covering almost everything from embroidery needles to aircraft carriers.In the new era,China continues to maintain its status as the world’s largest manufacturing country,and is accelerating its progress towards“Created in China.”Made In China:The Rise of Chinese Manufacturing in a New Era selects 10 typical cities:Shenzhen,Dongguan,Foshan,Wuhan,Hefei,Ningbo,Taizhou,Wuxi,Nantong,and Kunshan,and conducts in-depth research into these cities’representative enterprises,exploring their evolution path and cracking the code of China’s manufacturing industry in the new era.