Hepatotoxicity induced by polylactic acid microplastics: The mediating role of gut microbiota and uric acid metabolism.

Introduction: The increasing use of biodegradable plastics has led to the inevitable human consumption of biodegradable microplastics (MPs). These MPs can be degraded and absorbed into various organs and tissues via the gastrointestinal tract, with the liver being the primary target for digestion and absorption.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the toxic effects and mechanisms of biodegradable MPs on the liver following gastrointestinal degradation.

Interfacial CN-layer engineering boosts Mn active sites in MoO/MnO heterostructure for efficient and durable acidic water oxidation.

The development of efficient and stable electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in acidic media remains a critical challenge. Here, we designed a hierarchical structure catalyst comprises of MnO and carbon‑nitrogen compound (CN) coated MoO (denoted as MoO@CN/MnO), in which the Mn species is identified as the real active site for OER and the Mo-containing species (MoO@CN) serves as the promoter. The incorporation of CN into the interface between the MoO and MoO facilitates the inner electron transfer from Mo to Mn, thereby increasing the quantity of Mn active sites for more efficient OER process, and at the meantime, the presence of CN effectively suppresses Mn dissolution during OER, stabilizing these active sites and improving the overall catalytic stability.

Non-targeted and suspect screening analysis of non-phthalate ester plasticizers in house and car dust.

Following restrictions on the use of phthalate esters (PAEs), the industry has increasingly manufactured non-PAE plasticizers (NPPs) to meet the continuous demand for plastic products. However, the environmental occurrence of NPP diversity remains insufficiently investigated. This study established a suspect and category-specific characteristic fragment-dependent non-targeted screening strategy based on liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS) to identify 14 categories of emerging NPPs in house and car dust.

Neovascularization Segmentation via a Multilateral Interaction-Enhanced Graph Convolutional Network.

Choroidal neovascularization (CNV), a primary characteristic of wet age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD), represents a leading cause of blindness worldwide. In clinical practice, optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) is commonly used for studying CNV-related pathological changes, due to its micron-level resolution and non-invasive nature. Thus, accurate segmentation of CNV regions and vessels in OCTA images is crucial for clinical assessment of wet AMD.

Skin-Inspired Composite Tactile Sensor with Equivalent Gradient Modulus for Grip Monitoring.

Tactile sensing devices with skin-like perception capabilities are a prerequisite for the application of industrial robots in intelligent manufacturing. However, current tactile pressure sensors face challenges in simultaneously quantifying both static pressure and dynamic sliding stimuli with high accuracy, which hinders robotic arms from maintaining stable gripping operations. In this paper, a flexible composite tactile sensor with equivalent gradient modulus (EGM) is proposed.

Revealing a Pathway for Low-Temperature Recrystallization in Germanium.

Thermally activated annealing in semiconductors faces inherent limitations, such as dopant diffusion. Here, a nonthermal pathway is demonstrated for a complete structural restoration in predamaged germanium via ionization-induced recovery. By combining experiments and modeling, this study reveals that the energy transfer of only 2.

NRT1.1B acts as an abscisic acid receptor in integrating compound environmental cues for plants.

Abscisic acid (ABA) is the most crucial phytohormone for plants in adapting to environmental conditions. While the ABA signaling network in plants has been extensively explored, our understanding of the diverse ABA sensing systems remains limited. Here, we found that the transcriptional response to ABA is suppressed under high-nitrate conditions but substantially increases under low-nitrate conditions, suggesting a tight integration of ABA signaling with nutrient conditions.

Rational Design of NiCoO/TiC MXene Heterostructure for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles-Enabled Real-Time CO Monitoring.

The integration of gas sensors with small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) has attracted widespread attention in atmospheric chemistry, industrial emission monitoring and environmental protection. However, conventional metal oxide semiconductor gas sensors currently installed on UAVs exhibit issues such as inadequate sensitivity, long response times, and unsatisfactory stability. In this direction, NiCoO inserted two-dimensional layered TiC MXene have synthesized using a facile hydrothermal method for CO detection.

Unraveling Persistent Health Impacts in Mice Following Cessation of Microplastic Exposure: Insights beyond the Surface.

The ability of organisms to recover from microplastic (MP) exposure is critical for forming global strategies for MP regulation, risk mitigation, and health protection. However, the recovery dynamics following chronic exposure to environmentally relevant concentrations (ERCs) of MPs remains poorly understood. Here, we present a comprehensive investigation into postexposure recovery following long-term ingestion of polystyrene MPs (40-100 μm) in mice.

Aeration-driven peroxymonosulfate piezoactivation by PVDF-BTO composite membrane for the effective elimination of antibiotic resistance genes.

With the widespread use of antibiotics, the distribution of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in the aquatic environment has become a globally environmental issue. However, traditional disinfection techniques are generally ineffective in the ARGs elimination. In this study, A piezocatalysis nanofibrous membrane was facilely fabricated by incorporating BaTiO (BTO) nanoparticles into polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) nanofibers via electrospinning approach.

Electric Acoustic Versus Electric-Only Stimulation in Full-Length Lateral Wall Cochlear Array Recipients With Preserved Hearing.

Objective: To determine if cochlear implant recipients who have low-frequency hearing preservation after surgery can benefit from electric-acoustic stimulation (EAS) even after a period of electric-only stimulation.

Study Design: Prospective, crossover controlled, clinical study.

Setting: Private practice single-specialty clinic.

Fall history and risk of incident stroke in middle-aged and older adults with possible sarcopenia: A longitudinal cohort study based on CHARLS.

Background: Possible sarcopenia (PS) was defined per AWGS 2019 criteria as reduced muscle strength or physical performance without low muscle mass. PS and falls are prevalent in aging populations, yet their combined impact on long-term stroke risk remains underexplored, particularly in Asian cohorts. This study investigates the association between fall history and incident stroke among middle-aged and older Chinese adults with PS.

Target-oriented synthesis of yellow fluorescent nitrogen-doped carbon dots for intelligent and real-time visual detection of malachite green in fish.

As a triphenylmethane dye, malachite green (MG) is strictly regulated in aquaculture by numerous countries due to its persistence and acute toxicity, posing significant risks to human health. This has driven the demand for rapid and sensitive detection methods for MG. Herein, we present a lateral flow test strips (LFTS)-based sensing platform utilizing yellow fluorescent nitrogen-doped carbon dots (N-CDs) for real-time visual detection of MG.

Eyeing Opportunity: A Review of Private Equity in Ophthalmology.

Private equity (PE) acquisition of ophthalmology practices has grown rapidly, reflecting broader trends in the consolidation of health care services. The driving force behind these acquisitions is the potential for high returns through operational efficiencies, increased bargaining power with insurers, and access to lucrative outpatient procedures. However, PE's impact on the quality and cost of ophthalmic care remains unclear.

Mechanochemical Ball Milling Achieves Green and Ultrahighly Efficient Recycling of Lithium-Ion Batteries.

With the increasing application of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), the green and efficient recycling of spent LIBs has become a global priority. However, current techniques share common drawbacks such as low cost-effectiveness, harsh operating conditions, and overlooking of post-treatment environmental hazards. Herein, we propose a green mechanochemical strategy that utilizes the electrons and reactive oxygen species generated by ball milling to achieve ultrahighly efficient metal recovery and removal of residual organic pollutants.

Multi-omics insights into 6PPD- and 6PPDQ-induced gut-liver axis disruption and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease progression in zebrafish (Danio rerio).

The pervasive environmental presence of N-(1,3-Dimethylbutyl)-N'-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine (6PPD) and its transformation product, 6PPD-quinone (6PPDQ), has raised concerns about their potential toxicity, yet their interactions with the gut microbiota at environmentally relevant concentrations remain poorly understood. Here, we investigated the effects of 6PPD and 6PPDQ on the gut-liver axis in zebrafish (Danio rerio). Zebrafish larvae exposed to 0.

Specific dual-mode fluorometric and colorimetric detection of nitrite based on oxidase-like activity of carbon dots/iron alkoxide composite.

Trace detection of nitrite in food has gained increasing attention due to its connection with biological and environmental processes. Herein, a dual-mode fluorometric/colorimetric sensor is established for nitrite detection by combining the oxidase-like activity of iron alkoxide (IA) with the bimodal excitation properties of nitrogen-doped carbon dots (N-CDs). IA oxidizes the colorless 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine into blue-colored 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine oxide.

Association of non-phthalate plasticizer exposure during early pregnancy with gestational diabetes mellitus: The potential mediation effect of plasma lipidome.

Given the well-documented endocrine-disrupting effects of phthalate plasticizers (PAEs) on human health, their use has been subjected to stringent regulatory restrictions, prompting a global shift toward non-phthalate plasticizers (non-PAEs) as alternatives. While epidemiological evidence has established significant associations between PAE exposure and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), the potential role of non-PAEs in GDM pathogenesis represents a critical knowledge gap in environmental epidemiology. To address this, we conducted a case-control study nested within a well-established prospective birth cohort in Wuhan, China, comprising 286 GDM cases and 286 matched healthy controls.

Laser-Ablative Structuring of Elastic Bandages-An Experimental Study.

To address the problem of excessive ablation in conventional laser processing caused by the inhomogeneous energy distribution at the focal point, along with the inherent heterogeneity and surface irregularities of textile materials, a new method for laser printing elastic bandage fabrics was developed. We used flat top light sources, short focal field mirrors, and low power lasers instead of the Gaussian light sources, long focal field mirrors, and high-power lasers used in traditional methods. First, the sample was preheated, and the aspherical lens system was designed and simulated.

Local Asymmetric Gaussian Fitting Algorithm for Enhanced Peak Detection of Liquid Chromatography-High Resolution Mass Spectrometry Data.

Feature detection is a crucial step in the data preprocessing workflow of liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). However, many existing methods are hindered by intricate parameter adjustments and high false positive rates during extracted ion chromatogram (EIC) construction and peak detection, which challenges the identification of spurious and missing compounds. This study introduces a novel algorithm, local asymmetric Gaussian fitting (LAGF), for peak detection.

Circulating linoleic acid and its interplay with gut microbiota during pregnancy for gestational diabetes mellitus.

Background: Circulating linoleic acid (LA) levels have been reported to be associated with various metabolic outcomes. However, the role of LA and its interplay with gut microbiota in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the longitudinal association between circulating LA levels during pregnancy and the risk of GDM, and the potential role of gut microbiota.

The carrier dynamics for self-assembled black phosphorus and perovskite nanocrystals enable photocatalytic conversion.

Few-layer black phosphorus (BP) becomes an ideal self-assembled material with perovskite nanocrystals (NCs) for photoluminescence (PL) and photocatalysis, due to the feasible control of photogenerated charge carriers. Until now, it is still a challenge to figure out the intrinsic carrier dynamics for multifunctional photodegradation in water. In this work, a series of few-layer BP components were successfully incorporated into CsPbBr NCs to achieve apparent PL quenching and ˙O-dominated photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B in aqueous solution.

Triggering cascade detection of rutin and Al via 3D ratiometric fluorescent probe through lateral flow assay installation based on dual-emission carbon dots.

The persistent existence of flavonoid medications and hazardous ion residues continue to be a concern. Herein, a novel 3D cascade nitrogen-doped carbon dots (N-CDs) based sensing platform for specific detection of rutin and Al has been developed, utilizing 3,3-diaminobenzidine and catechol as precursors through solvothermal way. The N-CDs exhibit a blue emission peak at 410 nm and a green emission peak at 518 nm.

State-of-the-art and perspectives of hydrogen generation from waste plastics.

Waste plastic utilization and hydrogen production present significant economic and social challenges but also offer opportunities for research and innovation. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the latest advancements and innovations in hydrogen generation coupled with waste plastic recycling. It explores various strategies, including pyrolysis, gasification, aqueous phase reforming, photoreforming, and electrocatalysis.

Plasma-Induced Wrinkle-Crack Dual Structure for Robust Directional Strain Sensing in Dynamic Motion Perception.

Flexible multi-directional sensors hold vast potential for complex application scenarios, yet creating sensitive, stable, and linear strain sensors capable of flexibly detecting multi-directional strain remains a significant challenge. Here, a plasma-induced wrinkle-crack dual structure is introduced for multi-directional force detection of high-reliability flexible strain sensors. By combining pre-stretching and oxidative plasma bombardment, a multi-layer structure exhibits film stress engineering with varying elastic moduli established on the surface of the elastomer.