Pro-resolving lipid mediator reduces amyloid-β42–induced gene expression in human monocyte–derived microglia

Specialized pro-resolving lipid mediators including maresin 1 mediate resolution but the levels of these are reduced in Alzheimer's disease brain, suggesting that they constitute a novel target for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease to prevent/stop inflammation and combat disease pathology. Therefore, it is important to clarify whether they counteract the expression of genes and proteins induced by amyloid-β. With this objective, we analyzed the relevance of human monocyte–derived microglia for in vitro modeling of neuroinflammation and its resolution in the context of Alzheimer's disease and investigated the pro-resolving bioactivity of maresin 1 on amyloid-β42–induced Alzheimer's disease–like inflammation. Analysis of RNA-sequencing data and secreted proteins in supernatants from the monocyte-derived microglia showed that the monocyte-derived microglia resembled Alzheimer's disease–like neuroinflammation in human brain microglia after incubation with amyloid-β42. Maresin 1 restored homeostasis by down-regulating inflammatory pathway related gene expression induced by amyloid-β42 in monocyte-derived microglia, protection of maresin 1 against the effects of amyloid-β42 is mediated by a re-balancing of inflammatory transcriptional networks in which modulation of gene transcription in the nuclear factor-kappa B pathway plays a major part. We pinpointed molecular targets that are associated with both neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's disease and therapeutic targets by maresin 1. In conclusion, monocyte-derived microglia represent a relevant in vitro microglial model for studies on Alzheimer's disease-like inflammation and drug response for individual patients. Maresin 1 ameliorates amyloid-β42–induced changes in several genes of importance in Alzheimer's disease, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic target for Alzheimer's disease.

Iron-handling solute carrier SLC22A17 as a blood-brain barrier target after stroke

The pathophysiology of ischemic stroke is complex and multifactorial,involving various forms of cell death such as apoptosis,autophagy,and necrosis.A recent study suggests that oxidative and inflammatory stress can induce ferroptosis,a specialized form of cell death characterized by the accumulation of lipid peroxides dependent on intracellular iron overload(Li and Jia,2023).

Two APETALA2/ETHYLENE RESPONSE FACTORS coordinately with Ca MYC2 positively regulate capsaicinoid biosynthesis in pepper(Capsicum annuum)

The transcriptional cascade and regulatory loop play crucial roles in regulating plant-specialized metabolite biosynthesis.Capsaicinoids are unique to the genus Capsicum and confer a pungent flavor to its fruits.However,the transcriptional regulation of capsaicinoid biosynthesis remains largely unknown.In this study,two AP2/ERF transcription factors(TFs),CaERF102 and CaERF111,were characterized for their role in the capsaicinoid biosynthesis process.Expression analysis of two ERFs and capsaicinoid biosynthetic genes(CBGs)suggested that they were associated with capsaicinoid biosynthesis.Both ERFs encode nuclear-localized proteins and function as transcriptional activators through their C-terminal activation motifs.The two ERF TFs participated in capsaicinoid biosynthesis by directly activating the promoters of key CBGs,and this activation was significantly enhanced when CaMYC2 was co-expressed.Moreover,CaERF102 and CaERF111 were found to interact with CaMYC2.This study helps elucidate the AP2/ERF TF regulatory network that governs capsaicinoid biosynthesis in Capsicum species.

Relationship between the unique microstructures and behaviors of high-entropy alloys

High-entropy alloys(HEAs),which were introduced as a pioneering concept in 2004,have captured the keen interest of nu-merous researchers.Entropy,in this context,can be perceived as representing disorder and randomness.By contrast,elemental composi-tions within alloy systems occupy specific structural sites in space,a concept referred to as structure.In accordance with Shannon entropy,structure is analogous to information.Generally,the arrangement of atoms within a material,termed its structure,plays a pivotal role in dictating its properties.In addition to expanding the array of options for alloy composites,HEAs afford ample opportunities for diverse structural designs.The profound influence of distinct structural features on the exceptional behaviors of alloys is underscored by numer-ous examples.These features include remarkably high fracture strength with excellent ductility,antiballistic capability,exceptional radi-ation resistance,and corrosion resistance.In this paper,we delve into various unique material structures and properties while elucidating the intricate relationship between structure and performance.

Application of Specialized Group Management in the Quality Control of Perioperative Nursing

Objective:To explore the role of specialized group management in the quality control of perioperative nursing.Methods:45 surgical nurses from our hospital were selected as the research subjects.Traditional operating room management was adopted from July 2019 to June 2020,and specialized group management was adopted from July 2020 to June 2021.The surgeon’s satisfaction,surgical nurses’core professional competence,and surgical patients’satisfaction were obtained through surveys and the results were analyzed.Results:Surgeon satisfaction before the implementation of specialized group management was significantly lower than after its implementation(P<0.05).Besides,surgical nurses’core professional competency scores before the implementation of specialized group management were significantly lower than after its implementation(P<0.05).Lastly,surgical patients’satisfaction before the implementation of specialized group management was significantly lower than after its implementation(P<0.05).Conclusion:Specialized group management helps to improve the quality of perioperative care and should be applied in clinical practice.

Postdoctoral Openings in Wenzhou University(China)for Chemistry,Chemical Engineering and Materials Science

About us:The College of Chemistry and Materials Engineering(CME)in Wenzhou University(Zhejiang Province,China)is looking for postdoctoral candidates(up to 25)specialized in Chemistry,Chemnical Engineering and Materials Science.The college has its Chemistry program ranking ESI Top 6‰ worldwide,and Materials Science program ranking 589th in the world since 2023.

Correlates of avian extinction timing around the world since 1500 CE

Avian extinctions have been relatively well documented in modern history,and in the past millennia,more bird species are known to have gone extinct than species in any other vertebrate class.We examined the biological correlates of extinction timing among 216 bird species that recently were either observed to go extinct or dis-appeared since 1500 CE,performing a novel analysis for examining the extinction trends of birds by modelling traits against the number of years since present day during which species have been extinct.We analyzed a broad range of traits and characteristics that have previously been associated with extinction and extinction risk in birds and compared the effects of these traits simultaneously against one another.In order to provide a more comprehensive and robust assessment of trait-based drivers of global bird loss in comparison to prior studies,we included extinct species recognized by any of the three major avian taxonomies as well as those birds that lack recent confirmed sightings and are at least functionally extinct.We found that insular,flightless,larger-bodied,ecologically specialized species,as well as those with high aspect ratio wings,were likely to go extinct earlier in time.Besides identifying the key locations and time periods over the past five centuries where birds have gone extinct,and highlighting specific extinction-prone taxonomic groups,we provide a complete and unified dataset of traits used in this study that helps address the lack of extensive public data on modern extinct species.

Does astrocytic L-lactate enhance cognition through myelination?

Introduction:Astrocytes,the predominant glial cell in the brain,play a vital role in a plethora of central nervous system functions.They are the major storage site of glycogen in the central nervous system.They produce L-lactate by glycogenolysis and glycolysis which is then transported to neurons(Magistretti and Allaman,2018).Multiple evidence using diverse behavioral paradigms,such as fear conditioning,conditioned place avoidance,rat gambling task(RGT),and flavor-place paired associate(PA)learning suggest that L-lactate has a beneficial effect on various aspects of cognition(Wang et al.,2017;Akter et al.,2023b).While the molecular mechanisms underlying the cognitive benefits of L-lactate are still emerging,it is well-established that astrocytic L-lactate can be used as an energy substrate by neurons and can induce N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor-dependent plasticity-driven gene expression during cognition(Magistretti and Allaman,2018).Additionally,recent evidence has revealed more roles of L-lactate which include myelination,neuronal mitochondrial biogenesis,and antioxidant defense(Sanchez-Abarca et al.,2001;Ichihara et al.,2017;Akter et al.,2023a,b).Myelin in the central nervous system is a specialized lipid-rich membrane formed by oligodendrocytes.

Nondestructive and active interrogation system for special nuclear material:proof of principle and initial results

Herein,we employ the threshold energy neutron analysis(TENA)technique to introduce the world's first active interrogation system to detect special nuclear materials(SNMs),including U-235 and Pu-239.The system utilizes a DD neutron generator based on inertial electrostatic confinement(IEC)to interrogate suspicious objects.To detect secondary neutrons produced during fission reactions induced in SNMs,a tensioned metastable fluid detector(TMFD)is employed.The current status of the system's development is reported in this paper,accompanied by the results from experiments conducted to detect 10 g of highly enriched uranium(HEU).Notably,the experimental findings demonstrate a distinct difference in the count rates of measurements with and without HEU.This difference in count rates surpasses two times the standard deviation,indicating a confidence level of more than 96% for identifying the presence of HEU.The paper presents and extensively discusses the proof-of-principle experimental results,along with the system's planned trajectory.

Effects of pooling,specialization,and discretionary task completion on queueing performance

Pooling,unpooling/specialization,and discretionary task completion are typical operational strategies in queueing systems that arise in healthcare,call centers,and online sales.These strategies may have advantages and disadvantages in different operational environments.This paper uses the M/M/1 and M/M/2 queues to study the impact of pooling,specialization,and discretionary task completion on the average queue length.Closed-form solutions for the average M/M/2 queue length are derived.Computational examples illustrate how the average queue length changes with the strength of pooling,specialization,and discretionary task completion.Finally,several conjectures are made in the paper.

Specialization or Diversification:Which is More Conducive to Foreign Trade Resilience?Evidence from China-Russia Border Regions in Northeast China

Under the background of complex international situation,how to build the special geo-economic space of China-Russia bor-der lies in strengthening their foreign trade resilience against external shocks.Based on empirical evidence from ten prefecture-level China-Russia border regions in Northeast China,this paper analyzed the spatiotemporal evolution of foreign trade resilience under different shocks.Furthermore,through the Panel Regression model,the mechanism of the industrial structure on the foreign trade resilience in contraction period and expansion period was discussed.The results showed that:1)from 2004 to 2021,foreign trade in China-Russia border regions experienced five phases.The overall foreign trade resilience was higher than expected,showing a rising volatility trend,but there was significant spatial heterogeneity in the ability of cities to cope with shocks.2)Highly specialized clusters were mainly concentrated in Yichun,Heihe and Da Hinggan Ling Prefecture,while Mudanjiang and Yanbian performed better in related and unrelated diversification.3)In different stages of economic system evolution,the response mode,degree and result of border foreign trade resilience to regional industrial structure showed obvious stage characteristics.During the contraction period,related diversification was more conducive to improving the resistance through risk spillovers.During the expansion period,specialization played a more significant role in improving regional resilience through self-reinforcing effect.These results are beneficial for expanding the resilience theory,ensuring border economic security and optimizing border industrial investment layout.

Attributes of Specialized Households'Resilience and Its Impact on Rural Industrial Advancement:A Case Study of National Musical Instrument Production Specialized Households in Lankao County,Henan,China

Specialized households serve as the primary units within specialized villages in China,and their capacity to withstand risks and external influences significantly shapes the future trajectory of specialized villages and the overall vitality of the rural economy.In this study,we established a measurement indicator system based on the definition of specialized households’resilience,elucidating the logical connection between specialized households’resilience and rural industrial development in China.The musical instrument industry in Lankao County,Henan Province of China,was employed as a case;survey data,the entropy method,and an obstacle diagnosis model were used to examine how instrument production specialized households responded to the challenges posed by Corona Virus Disease 2019(COVID-19)and the tightening of national environmental protection policies,yielding the following key findings:1)there exists substantial variation in the comprehensive resilience levels among different specialized households;2)the ability to learn and adapt is the most significant contributor to the overall resilience level of specialized households;3)technological proficiency and access to skilled talent emerge as pivotal factors influencing specialized households’resilience;4)the positioning of specialized households within the industrial supply chain and the stability of their income have a direct bearing on their resilience level.The influence of specialized households’resilience on industrial development primarily manifests in the following ways:stronger resilience correlates with increased stability in production and sales,fostering a more proactive approach to future actions.However,heightened exposure to the external macroeconomic environment can lead to a higher rate of export reduction.To enhance the development resilience of entities like specialized households and family farms,and to invigorate rural economic development,escalating investments in rural science and technology and prioritizing the training of technical talent become imperative.

A Brief Introduction to the Sichuan Academy of Social Sciences

Established in 1958,Sichuan Academy of Social Sciences(SASS)is a public institutionguided by the People’s Government of Sichuan Province.It is a comprehensive and specializedresearch institution in social sciences that integrates research,education,editing,andconsulting services.It holds the registered trademark of“Tianfu Think Tank”and owns twocampuses:Baihuatan and Banzhuyuan.

AGGREGATE SPECIAL FUNCTIONS TO APPROXIMATE PERMUTING TRI-HOMOMORPHISMS AND PERMUTING TRI-DERIVATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH A TRI-ADDITIVEψ-FUNCTIONAL INEQUALITY IN BANACH ALGEBRAS

In this paper,we define a new class of control functions through aggregate special functions.These class of control functions help us to stabilize and approximate a tri-additiveψ-functional inequality to get a better estimation for permuting tri-homomorphisms and permuting tri-derivations in unital C*-algebras and Banach algebras by the vector-valued alternative fixed point theorem.

A Brief Introduction to Sichuan Academy of Social Sciences

Established in 1958,Sichuan Academy of Social Sciences(SASS)is a public institutionguided by the People’s Government of Sichuan Province.It is a comprehensive and specializedresearch institution in social sciences that integrates research,education,editing,andconsulting services.It holds the registered trademark of“Tianfu Think Tank”and owns twocampuses:Baihuatan and Banzhuyuan.

Effect of special types of bread with select herbal components on postprandial glucose levels in diabetic patients

BACKGROUND Nutrition recommendations in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)are to consume rye or integral bread instead of white bread.A positive effect on glucoregulation has been achieved by enriching food with various biologically active substances of herbal origin,so we formulated an herbal mixture that can be used as a supplement for a special type of bread(STB)to achieve better effects on postprandial glucose and insulin levels in patients with T2DM.AIM To compare organoleptic characteristics and effects of two types of bread on postprandial glucose and insulin levels in T2DM patients.METHODS This trial included 97 patients with T2DM.A parallel group of 16 healthy subjects was also investigated.All participants were given 50 g of rye bread and the same amount of a STB with an herbal mixture on 2 consecutive days.Postprandial blood glucose and insulin levels were compared at the 30^(th),60^(th),90^(th) and 120th min.A questionnaire was used for subjective estimation of the organoleptic and satiety features of the two types of bread.RESULTS Compared to patients who consumed rye bread,significantly lower postprandial blood glucose and insulin concentrations were found in T2DM patients who consumed STB.No relevant differences were found among the healthy subjects.Subjectively estimated organoleptic and satiety characteristics are better for STB than for rye bread.CONCLUSION STB have better effects than rye bread on postprandial glucoregulation in T2DM patients.Subjectively estimated organoleptic and satiety characteristics are better for STB than for rye bread.Therefore,STB can be recommended for nutrition in T2DM patients.

Smart specialization,public authorities,and innovation intermediaries in developing regions

Despite a growing body of literature on smart specialization,the role of public authorities and innovation intermediaries,particularly in developing regions,remains understudied.This research examines one of the first attempts to apply the smart specialization framework to the development of an innovation strategy outside Europe,specifically in the Pernambuco State,Brazil.We focus on two priority areas(clothing and high-tech automotive components)identified by the state government as key targets for pilot policy experimentation and use different methods,such as social network analysis and content analysis,to interview strategic innovation actors for studying the promotion of innovation and regional development in Pernambuco.Findings highlight how regional governance,collaboration,and trust are shaped by public authorities and innovation intermediaries.The study identifies three key challenges in implementing smart specialization strategy in developing regions:i.e.,achieving effective decentralization,cultivating an innovation culture,and establishing participatory governance mechanisms.The public sector actors act as crucial knowledge brokers and policy intermediaries,facilitating the linkages and partnerships necessary to overcome these challenges.

Autoimmune hepatitis:Towards a personalized treatment

Autoimmune hepatitis is an uncommon condition that affects both adults and children and is characterized by chronic and recurrent inflammatory activity in the liver.This inflammation is accompanied by elevated IgG and autoantibody levels.Historically,treatment consists of steroids with the addition of azathioprine,which results in remission in approximately 80%of patients.Despite significant advancements in our understanding of the immune system over the past two decades,few modifications have been made to treatment algorithms,which have remained largely unchanged since they were first proposed more than 40 years ago.This review summarized the various treatment options currently available as well as our experiences using them.Although steroids are the standard treatment for induction therapy,other medications may be considered.Cyclosporin A,a calcineurin inhibitor that decreases T cell activation,has proven effective for induction of remission,but its long-term side effects limit its appeal for maintenance.Tacrolimus,a drug belonging to the same family,has been used in patients with refractory diseases with fewer side effects.Sirolimus and everolimus have interesting effects on regulatory T cell populations and may become viable options in the future.Mycophenolate mofetil is not effective for induction but is a valid alternative for patients who are intolerant to azathioprine.B celldepleting drugs,such as rituximab and belimumab,have been successfully used in refractory cases and are useful in both the short and long term.Other promising treatments include anti-tumor necrosis factors,Janus kinases inhibitors,and chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapy.This growing armamentarium allows us to imagine a more tailored approach to the treatment of autoimmune hepatitis in the near future.

A Brief Introduction to Sichuan Academy of Social Sciences

Established in 1958,Sichuan Academy of Social Sciences(SASS)is a public institution guided by the People’s Government of Sichuan Province.It is a comprehensive and specialized research institution in social sciences that integrates research,education,editing,and consulting services.It holds the registered trademark of“Tianfu Think Tank”and owns two campuses:Baihuatan and Banzhuyuan.

A Brief Introduction to Sichuan Academy of Social Sciences

Established in 1958, Sichuan Academy of Social Sciences (SASS) is a public institution guided by the People’s Government of Sichuan Province. It is a comprehensive and specialized research institution in social sciences that integrates research, education, editing, and consulting services. It holds the registered trademark of “Tianfu Think Tank” and owns two campuses:Baihuatan and Banzhuyuan.