Glycosaminoglycan depletion lowers the crack resistance of articular cartilage under impact loading.

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative and debilitating disorder affecting diarthrodial joints, where articular cartilage degeneration occurs due to simultaneous, enzymatic degradation and mechanical damage through crack initiation and propagation. Healthy cartilage is effective in absorbing impact loads and resists cracking but physical impact beyond a certain high energy is considered as the critical reason for initiation and propagation of cracks. Enzymatic degradation destroys the molecular structure of cartilage affecting its biomechanical properties and is bound to affect its crack resistance.

Waste reutilization: Carbon foam-red mud composites with photothermal effects for wastewater purification in outdoor environments.

The problems associated with the lack of clean fresh water are well-known and expected to worsen in the coming decades owing to water scarcity, which is a global occurrence even in regions currently considered water-rich. Addressing these problems calls for a tremendous amount of research to be conducted to identify robust methods for purifying water at a lower cost and with less energy, while simultaneously minimizing the use of chemicals and their impact on the environment. Herein, we prepared photothermal/photodegradation materials based on carbon foam and red mud for use in wastewater purification on basis of waste reutilization.

Integrating melt electrowriting (MEW) PCL scaffolds with fibroblast-laden hydrogel toward vascularized skin tissue engineering.

Three-dimensional (3D) skin equivalents (SEs) are promising platforms for studying skin disease or assessing the safety of skin-relevant products. Vascularization, which improves the functionality of reconstructed skin, is one of the remaining hurdles in SE production that, when successfully introduced, can widen SE applications. Here, combining porous polycaprolactone (PCL) melt electrowritten (MEW) scaffolds with fibroblast-laden methacrylated gelatin hydrogel (GelMA), we developed SEs with cellular vascular structure.

Collagen-rich liver-derived extracellular matrix hydrogels augment survival and function of primary rat liver sinusoidal endothelial cells and hepatocytes.

Liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) are key targets for addressing metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). However, isolating and culturing primary LSECs is challenging due to rapid dedifferentiation, resulting in loss of function. The extracellular matrix (ECM) likely plays a crucial role in maintaining the fate and function of LSECs.

Physical Properties and Biochemical Composition of Extracellular Matrix-Derived Hydrogels Dictate Vascularization Potential in an Organ-Dependent Fashion.

The inherent extracellular matrix (ECM) originating from a specific tissue impacts the process of vascularization, specifically vascular network formation (VNF) orchestrated by endothelial cells (ECs). The specific contribution toward these processes of ECM from highly disparate organs such as the skin and lungs remains a relatively unexplored area. In this study, we compared VNF and ECM remodeling mediated by microvascular ECs within gel, lung, and combinations thereof (hybrid) ECM hydrogels.

Fibroblast alignment and matrix remodeling induced by a stiffness gradient in a skin-derived extracellular matrix hydrogel.

Large skin injuries heal as scars. Stiffness gradually increases from normal skin to scar tissue (20x higher), due to excessive deposition and crosslinking of extracellular matrix (ECM) mostly produced by (myo)fibroblasts. Using a custom mold, skin-derived ECM hydrogels (dECM) were UV crosslinked after diffusion of ruthenium (Ru) to produce a Ru-dECM gradient hydrogel.

Screening of low-Cd-accumulating and Cd-remediating oilseed rape varieties using a newly indicator system for risk management of Cd-contaminated agricultural land.

Although oilseed rape is frequently used as an alternative planting crop in the phytoremediation of cadmium (Cd)-contaminated agricultural land, methods for screening excellent oilseed rape varieties in this regard are inadequate. Herein, we developed a screening method that incorporates Cd accumulation, distribution, and removal, economic output, adaptability to Cd-contaminated agricultural land, and trace element variation. A Cd-adaptability index (Cd-AI) based on 10 agronomic traits was used to measure the adaptability of varieties to Cd-contaminated agricultural land.

Kawasaki Disease Associated Acute Abdomen: Most Require No Surgery.

Objective: To summarize the clinical features and treatment experiences of patients with Kawasaki disease (KD)-associated acute abdomen (KD-AA).

Methods: We conducted a retrospective case-control study of patients with KD-AA treated at our hospital between January 2006 and November 2022.

Results: Of the 917 children with KD, 43 (4.

Fibroblasts alter the physical properties of dermal ECM-derived hydrogels to create a pro-angiogenic microenvironment.

This study aimed to investigate the impact of fibroblasts (MRC-5) on the extracellular matrix (ECM) microenvironment of endothelial cells (ECs) during the vascularization of skin-derived ECM hydrogel in vitro. Two types of ECs were studied: human dermal microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC) and human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (HPMEC). Results showed that the presence of MRC-5 fibroblasts increased the stiffness of the hydrogel and led to larger fiber diameters and increased porosity.

A meta-analysis of closed reduction percutaneous pinning and open reduction with pin fixation of pediatric humeral lateral condylar fracture.

Objective: To compare the effectiveness and safety of closed reduction percutaneous pinning vs. open reduction with pin fixation to treat the pediatric humeral lateral condylar fracture.

Methods: Studies comparing closed reduction percutaneous pinning vs.

Migration and transformation of Cd in four crop rotation systems and their potential for remediation of Cd-contaminated farmland in southern China.

A crop rotation system combining agricultural production with phytoremediation is an economical and sustainable method of remediation of cadmium (Cd)-contaminated farmland. This study focuses on migration and transformation of Cd in rotation systems and the influencing factors. In a two-year field experiment, four rotation systems were evaluated: traditional rice and oilseed rape (TRO), low-Cd rice and oilseed rape (LRO), maize and oilseed rape (MO), and soybean and oilseed rape (SO).

Comparison of mothers' perceptions of hunger cues in 3-month-old infant under different feeding methods.

Background: Mothers' perception of infant hunger cues is a critical content of responsive feeding, which is central to the promotion of early childhood development. However, only a few studies have examined responsive feeding in China, especially lacking the studies on perceptions of infant hunger cues. Consider the cultural differences, the aim of this study was to describe the perceptions of infant hunger cues of Chinese mothers for infants aged 3 months, and explore the relationship between maternal perceptions of infant hunger cues and different feeding methods.

Safe usage of Cd-polluted paddy fields using alkaline Si-rich compound amendment: Effect and mechanism.

A low-cost practical technology is urgently needed to minimize cadmium (Cd) pollution in rice in many parts of the world. In the present study, we elucidated the effects and mechanisms of four alkaline compound materials via field experiments in southern China. The results indicated that these two alkaline Si-rich compound materials (AF-SC, alkaline fertilizer compounded with Si-Ca mineral powder; AF-SS, AF compounded with Si-Se mineral powder) could achieve multi-objective gains by simultaneously reducing grain Cd, increasing yield and improving soil quality at a lower cost.

Mapping Chinese annual gross primary productivity with eddy covariance measurements and machine learning.

Annual gross primary productivity (AGPP) is the basis for grain production and terrestrial carbon sequestration. Mapping regional AGPP from site measurements provides methodological support for analysing AGPP spatiotemporal variations thereby ensures regional food security and mitigates climate change. Based on 641 site-year eddy covariance measuring AGPP from China, we built an AGPP mapping scheme based on its formation and selected the optimal mapping way, which was conducted through analysing the predicting performances of divergent mapping tools, variable combinations, and mapping approaches in predicting observed AGPP variations.

Precise and differentiated solutions for safe usage of Cd-polluted paddy fields at regional scale in southern China: Technical methods and field validation.

Cadmium (Cd) contamination in rice grains has become a severe issue worldwide. This study aims to explore feasible technologies applicable to different risk lands and develop a practical solution for safe rice production at a regional scale. Despite inconsistent field conditions in the whole region, various foliar fertilizers could effectively decrease grain Cd content by 20.

Differential roles for lysyl oxidase (like), family members in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; from gene and protein expression to function.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by long-term airflow obstruction with cigarette smoke as a key risk factor. Extracellular matrix (ECM) alterations in COPD may lead to small airway wall fibrosis. Altered collagen cross-linking, potentially mediated by the lysyl oxidase (LO) family of enzymes (LOX, LOXL1-4), orchestrates disturbed ECM homeostasis.

An in vitro model of fibrosis using crosslinked native extracellular matrix-derived hydrogels to modulate biomechanics without changing composition.

Extracellular matrix (ECM) is a dynamic network of proteins, proteoglycans and glycosaminoglycans, providing structure to the tissue and biochemical and biomechanical instructions to the resident cells. In fibrosis, the composition and the organization of the ECM are altered, and these changes influence cellular behaviour. Biochemical (i.

The characterization of organic nitrogen and sulfur functional groups in coals after biomethane production.

To study the change characteristics of nitrogen and sulfur functional types in the raw coal and coal residues after anaerobic fermentation, three different rank coals from Baiyinhua mine (BY coal), Qianqiu mine (QQ coal), and Malan mine (ML coal) in China were collected and treated with methanogenic microorganisms, then X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was used to test the nitrogen and sulfur functional types in raw coals and coal residues. The results show that the pyrrolic nitrogen (N-5) and aromatic sulfur are the main nitrogen type and sulfur type in three coals. The N-5 increases by 17.

The complete mitochondrial genome of the bagworm from a tea plantation in China, (Lepidoptera: Psychidae).

The mitochondrial (mt) genome of Snellen (Psychidae) has been sequenced and annotated. The mt genome has a total length of 15,793 bp, consisting of 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA, two rRNA genes, and an AT-rich control region (GenBank accession no. MN242985).

Phytoexclusion of heavy metals using low heavy metal accumulating cultivars: A green technology.

Heavy metal (HM) pollution of farmland is a serious problem worldwide and consumption of HM-contaminated food products poses significant public health risks. Phytoexclusion using low HM accumulating cultivars (LACs) is a promising and practical technology to mitigate the risk of HM contamination of agricultural products grown in polluted soils, and does not alter cultivation practices, is easy to apply, and is economical. This review provides an overview of the major scientific advances accomplished in the field of LACs worldwide.

Study on the bio-oil characterization and heavy metals distribution during the aqueous phase recycling in the hydrothermal liquefaction of As-enriched Pteris vittata L.

The hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) of As enriched Pteris vittata L. (PVL, hyper-accumulator biomass) was performed with the recycled aqueous phase as reaction medium, aiming to dispose the biomass with high water content and produce high-quality bio-oil. After three times of aqueous phase recycling at 275 °C, 30 min, the bio-oil yield increased to 30.

Effects of statherin on the biological properties of titanium metals subjected to different surface modification.

The failure of dental implants is usually caused by bacteria infection, poor bioactivity and biocompatibility. It is a common phenomenon clinically. Statherin, a salivary protein, plays a crucial role of mediator between materials and cells/bacteria.

Effect of coupled reduced irrigation and nitrogen fertilizer on soil mite community composition in a wheat field.

Groundwater and nitrogen fertilizer overuse severely threatens crop productions; thus, current ecological agriculture requires low irrigation and nitrogen fertilizer inputs. The effects of combined reduced irrigation and nitrogen fertilizer addition on soil organism (e.g.

Evaluating platelet activation related to the degradation of biomaterials using molecular markers.

The effective assessment of platelet activation is an important component of the evaluation of cardiovascular implants. Currently, most evaluation is performed based on the ISO 10993-4 international standard. However, the methods specified in this standard were originally designed for non-degradable materials, and the applicability of these methods to evaluate degradable materials has not been carefully assessed.

Apatinib Combined with Local Irradiation Leads to Systemic Tumor Control via Reversal of Immunosuppressive Tumor Microenvironment in Lung Cancer.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the potential systemic antitumor effects of stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) and apatinib (a novel vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 inhibitor) via reversing the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment for lung carcinoma.

Materials And Methods: Lewis lung cancer cells were injected into C57BL/6 mice in the left hindlimb (primary tumor; irradiated) and in the right flank (secondary tumor; nonirradiated). When both tumors grew to the touchable size, mice were randomly divided into eight treatment groups.