The DEC2-SCN2A Axis is Essential for the Anticonvulsant Effects of Cannabidiol by Modulating Neuronal Plasticity.

Impairment of neuronal plasticity is involved in a spectrum of neurological disorders such as epilepsy, yet its regulatory mechanisms remain incompletely understood. Here, it is reported that the basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor DEC2 serves as a pivotal regulator of both neuronal plasticity and epileptogenesis through its repression of sodium voltage-gated channel alpha subunit 2 (SCN2A). Knockdown of DEC2 in hippocampal neurons elevates intrinsic excitability and synaptic transmission, exacerbating seizure susceptibility and severity.

Decoding goal-habit brain networks of OCD from the structural and functional connectivity.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) may involve an imbalance between goal-directed and habitual learning systems, and this study investigates the structural and functional brain networks underpinning these systems in OCD. Using predefined brain regions, structural and functional connectivity networks were constructed, and methods such as network-based statistics, average connectivity strength, structural-functional coupling, and partial least squares path modeling were employed to compare OCD patients and healthy controls. The results revealed that OCD patients showed increased structural connectivity within both the goal-directed and habitual learning networks, particularly in the subnetwork that connects these systems.

Serum metabolites and inflammation predict brain functional connectivity changes in Obsessive-Compulsive disorder.

Currently, our understanding of the metabolic and immune pathways involved in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), as well as the precise mechanisms by which metabolism and immunity impact brain activity and function, is limited. This study aimed to examine the alterations in serum metabolites, inflammatory markers, brain activity, and brain functional connectivity (FC) among individuals with OCD and investigate the relationship between these factors. The study included 55 individuals with moderate-to-severe OCD (either drug-naïve or not taking medication for at least eight weeks) and 54 healthy controls (HCs).

The impact of illness duration on brain activity in goal-directed and habit-learning systems in obsessive-compulsive disorder progression: A resting-state functional imaging study.

It is increasingly evident that structural and functional changes in brain regions associated with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) are often related to the development of the disease. However, limited research has been conducted on how the progression of OCD may lead to an imbalance between goal-directed and habit-learning systems. This study employs resting-state functional imaging to examine the relationship between illness duration and abnormal brain function in goal-directed/habitual-learning systems.

Sulfur-regulated CoSe nanowires with high-charge active centers for electrochemical nitrate reduction to ammonium.

Developing high-efficiency electrocatalysts for nitrate-to-ammonia transformation holds significant promise for the production of ammonia, a crucial component in agricultural fertilizers and as a carbon-free energy carrier. In this study, we propose a viable strategy involving sulfur doping to modulate both the microstructure and electronic properties of CoSe for nitrate reduction. This approach remarkably enhances the conversion of nitrate to ammonia by effectively regulating the adsorption capability of nitrogenous intermediates.

Resting-state functional connectivity of goal-directed and habitual-learning systems: The efficacy of cognitive-behavioral therapy for obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Background: There is an imbalance between goal-directed and habitual-learning system in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). At present, the relationship between cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) as a first-line therapy and goal-directed and habitual-learning disorder is still unclear. We attempted to discuss the effect of CBT treatment in patients with OCD, using abnormalities in goal-directed and habitual-learning-related brain regions at baseline as predictive factors.

Solidophobic Surface for Electrochemical Extraction of High-Valued Mg(OH) Coupled with H Production from Seawater.

A significant challenge in direct seawater electrolysis is the rapid deactivation of the cathode due to the large scaling of Mg(OH). Herein, we synthesized a Pt-coated highly disordered NiCu alloy (Pt-NiCu alloy) electrode with superior solidophobic behavior, enabling stable hydrogen generation (100 mA cm, >1000 h durability) and simultaneous production of Mg(OH) (>99.0% purity) in electrolyte enriched with Mg and Ca.

Resting-state functional connectivity of amygdala subregions predicts treatment outcome for cognitive behavioral therapy in obsessive-compulsive disorder at a 4-month follow-up.

Background: Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is considered as the first-line treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). However, the underlying neural mechanisms through which CBT exerts its effects in OCD remain unclear. This study aims to investigate whether the improvement of clinical symptoms in OCD patients after CBT treatment is associated with changes in resting-state functional connectivity (FC) of the amygdala subregion, and whether these changes can be served as potential predictors of four-months treatment efficacy.

Progress in Anode Stability Improvement for Seawater Electrolysis to Produce Hydrogen.

Seawater electrolysis for hydrogen production is a sustainable and economical approach that can mitigate the energy crisis and global warming issues. Although various catalysts/electrodes with excellent activities have been developed for high-efficiency seawater electrolysis, their unsatisfactory durability, especially for anodes, severely impedes their industrial applications. In this review, attention is paid to the factors that affect the stability of anodes and the corresponding strategies for designing catalytic materials to prolong the anode's lifetime.

23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine and the risk of renal progression in older patients with chronic kidney disease.

Background: The 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23) ensures favorable outcomes and reduces the risk of cardiac events in patients on dialysis. However, the effect of PPSV23 vaccination on renal function remains unknown, particularly in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Therefore, we investigated the association between PPSV23 efficacy and renal progression in older patients (age ≥ 75 years) with CKD.

Ag Nanoparticle-Induced Surface Chloride Immobilization Strategy Enables Stable Seawater Electrolysis.

Although hydrogen gas (H ) storage might enable offshore renewable energy to be stored at scale, the commercialization of technology for H generation by seawater electrolysis depends upon the development of methods that avoid the severe corrosion of anodes by chloride (Cl ) ions. Here, it is revealed that the stability of an anode used for seawater splitting can be increased by more than an order of magnitude by loading Ag nanoparticles on the catalyst surface. In experiments, an optimized NiFe-layered double hydroxide (LDH)@Ag electrode displays stable operation at 400 mA cm in alkaline saline electrolyte and seawater for over 5000 and 2500 h, respectively.

Concerning the stability of seawater electrolysis: a corrosion mechanism study of halide on Ni-based anode.

The corrosive anions (e.g., Cl) have been recognized as the origins to cause severe corrosion of anode during seawater electrolysis, while in experiments it is found that natural seawater (~0.

Impact of different cooking methods on the flavor and chemical profile of yellow-fleshed table-stock sweetpotatoes ( L.).

This study investigated the impact of baking, boiling, and steaming on the taste, flavor, and chemical profile of yellow-fleshed sweetpotatoes (YFSP). Baked YFSP were sweeter, more palatable, and more flavorful than both steamed and boiled YFSP. Baking increased the YFSP soluble sugar content from 9.

Childhood emotional abuse and motor impulsiveness among male violent inmates with antisocial personality disorder.

This study aimed to explore the relationship among childhood maltreatment, impulsiveness and antisocial personality through a questionnaire survey of violent male inmates. We found that the scores of inmates with Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD) in Childhood Trauma Questionnaire-28 item Short Form (CTQ-SF) and Barratt Impulsive Scale-11 (BIS-11) were higher than those in the Non-Antisocial personality group, and there was a significant correlation between the scores of CTQ-SF and BIS-11. We found that the interaction between impulsivity and childhood abuse predicts ASPD levels.

Effects of interaction of NOS1AP gene polymorphisms and childhood abuse on paranoid personality disorder features among male violent offenders in China.

Background: Paranoid Personality Disorder (PPD) results from a complex synergy between genetic and environmental factors. Childhood abuse is one of risk factors. Nitric Oxide Synthase 1 Adaptor Protein (NOS1AP) is a candidate gene of schizophrenia, which has similar pathophysiology to PPD.

Oxytocin receptor gene, childhood maltreatment and borderline personality disorder features among male inmates in China.

Background: Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is caused by a variety of biological and environmental factors. Accumulating evidence suggests that childhood maltreatment is a risk environmental factor in the development of BPD, but research on the genetic pathology of BPD is still in its early stages, and very little is known about the oxytocin receptor (OXTR) gene. The purpose of this study is to further explore the interactive effects between OXTR gene polymorphisms and childhood maltreatment on BPD risk.

Factors affecting survival in patients with endobronchial malignant mass after flexible Bronchoscopic cryotherapy: a cohort study.

Background: Malignant endobronchial mass (MEM) has poor prognosis, cryotherapy is reportedly to diagnose MEM, however, the therapeutic role of cryotherapy impacts on survival has not be well addressed.

Methods: Cohort data on post-cryotherapy MEM patients in a university-affiliated hospital between 2007 and 2012 were evaluated. Factors that impact survival of these subjects were analyzed using multivariate regression analysis.

Alveolar recruitment maneuver attenuates extravascular lung water in acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Background: The alveolar recruitment maneuver (RM) has been reported to improve oxygenation in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and may be related to reduced extravascular lung water (EVLW) in animals. This study was designed to investigate the effects of RM on EVLW in patients with ARDS.

Methods: An open label, prospective, randomized controlled trial including patients with ARDS was conducted in hospitals in North Taiwan between 2010 and 2016.

Efficacy of omalizumab (Xolair®) in patients with moderate to severe predominately chronic oral steroid dependent asthma in Taiwan: a retrospective, population-based database cohort study.

Background: Omalizumab (Xolair®), a recombinant monoclonal anti-IgE antibody, has demonstrated efficacy in clinical trials conducted in patients with moderate to severe persistent allergic asthma. We aimed to investigate the efficacy, discontinuation and medical resource utilization of omalizumab in the real-life setting in Taiwan.

Methods: This study was a retrospective, population-based database cohort study using the Taiwan NHIRD from 2007 to 2011 assessing the efficacy of omalizumab therapy over 4 months on changes in asthma medication, asthma control, frequency of exacerbations and hospitalization rates at baseline and after omalizumab discontinuation.

The Impact of Sequence of Chemotherapy and EGFR-TKI Treatment on Different EGFR Mutation Lung Adenocarcinoma.

Objectives: Chemotherapy as first-/second-line treatment in different epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation lung adenocarcinoma remains controversial.

Methods: Consecutive patients were collected between 2009 and 2012. Patients were divided into two groups (1st-line chemotherapy: n = 56 and 2nd-line chemotherapy: n = 55).

Serum protein oxidation by diesel exhaust particles: effects on oxidative stress and inflammatory response in vitro.

Considerable evidence shows a key role for protein modification in the adverse effects of chemicals; however, the interaction of diesel exhaust particles (DEP) with proteins and the resulting biological activity remains unclear. DEP and carbon black (CB) suspensions with and without bovine serum albumin (BSA) were used to elucidate the biological effects of air pollutants. The DEP and CB samples were then divided into suspensions and supernatants.

Cardiopulmonary toxicity of pulmonary exposure to occupationally relevant zinc oxide nanoparticles.

Exposure to zinc oxide (ZnO) metal fumes is linked to adverse human health effects; however, the hazards of ZnO nanoparticles (ZnONPs) remain unclear. To determine pulmonary exposure to occupationally relevant ZnONPs cause cardiopulmonary injury, Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to ZnONPs via intratracheal (IT) instillation and inhalation. The relationship between intrapulmonary zinc levels and pulmonary oxidative-inflammatory responses 72 h after ZnONP instillation was determined in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF).

Role of flexible bronchoscopic cryotechnology in diagnosing endobronchial masses.

Background: Endobronchial masses obstruct the central airway, and cryotechnology is reportedly a feasible means of managing such masses. However, few reports have explored the role of cryotechnology in diagnosing endobronchial masses.

Methods: All endobronchial masses were sampled for pathologic diagnosis by forceps biopsy and cryotechnology, performed during flexible bronchoscopy.