Edible cellulose-based photonic crystals with low-temperature response for food sensing.

Responsive photonic crystals offer the advantages of zero energy consumption and easy recognition, making them ideal for food sensing applications. Temperature monitoring during food storage is crucial for ensuring food safety. However, non-toxic, safe, food-grade temperature sensors are still limited, and tuning the responsive range to accommodate extremely low temperatures remains a significant challenge.

Neuromodulatory role and therapeutic potential of N6-methyladenosine RNA methylation in neurodegenerative diseases.

N6-methyladenosine RNA methylation, an essential post-transcriptional modification, dynamically regulates RNA metabolism and plays a crucial role in neuronal function. Growing evidence suggests that dysregulated N6-methyladenosine modification contributes to the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. However, the precise mechanisms by which N6-methyladenosine modification influences these conditions remain unclear.

The changes of NLRs family members in the brain of AD mouse model and AD patients.

Introduction: Alzheimer's disease (AD), a prevalent neurodegenerative disease, is primarily characterized by progressive neuron loss and memory impairment. NOD-like receptors (NLRs) are crucial for immune regulation and maintaining cellular homeostasis. Recently, NLRs have been identified as important contributors to neuroinflammation, thus presenting a potential approach for reducing inflammation and slowing AD progression.

Efficient Nanofibrous Electromagnetic Wave Absorber Inspired by Spider Silk Hunting.

With the rapid advancements in wireless communication and radar detection technologies, there has been a significant uptick in the utilization frequency of electromagnetic waves across both civilian and military sectors, consequently generating substantial electromagnetic radiation and interference. These electromagnetic pollutants present a considerable threat to public health and information security. Consequently, materials capable of absorbing and mitigating electromagnetic pollution have garnered significant attention.

Somatostatin modulation of initial fusion pores in Ca-triggered exocytosis from mouse chromaffin cells.

Somatostatin, a peptide hormone that activates G-protein-coupled receptors, inhibits the secretion of many hormones. This study investigated the mechanisms of this inhibition using amperometry recording of Ca-triggered catecholamine secretion from mouse chromaffin cells. Two distinct stimulation protocols, high-KCl depolarization and caffeine, were used to trigger exocytosis, and confocal fluorescence imaging was used to monitor the rise in intracellular free Ca.

Fusion pore flux controls the rise-times of quantal synaptic responses.

The release of neurotransmitter from a single synaptic vesicle generates a quantal response, which at excitatory synapses in voltage-clamped neurons is referred to as a miniature excitatory postsynaptic current (mEPSC). We analyzed mEPSCs in cultured mouse hippocampal neurons and in HEK cells expressing postsynaptic proteins enabling them to receive synaptic inputs from cocultured neurons. mEPSC amplitudes and rise-times varied widely within and between cells.

Superhydrophobic/ superoleophilic polystyrene-based porous material with superelasticity for highly efficient and continuous oil/water separation in harsh environments.

Three-dimensional separation materials with robust physical/chemical stability have great demand for effective and continuous separation of immiscible oil/water mixtures and water-in-oil emulsions, resulting from chemical leakages and discharge of industrial oily wastewaters. Herein, a superelastic polystyrene-based porous material with superhydrophobicity/superoleophilicity was designed and prepared by high internal phase emulsion polymerization to meet the aforementioned requirements. A flexible and hydrophobic aminopropyl terminated polydimethylsiloxane (NH-PDMS-NH) segment was introduced into the rigid styrene-divinylbenzene copolymer through 1, 4-conjugate addition reaction with trimethylolpropane triacrylate.

PRRC2B modulates oligodendrocyte progenitor cell development and myelination by stabilizing Sox2 mRNA.

Oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) differentiate into myelin-producing cells and modulate neuronal activity. Defects in OPC development are associated with neurological diseases. N-methyladenosine (mA) contributes to neural development; however, the mechanism by which mA regulates OPC development remains unclear.

Rigid-flexible nanocarriers loaded with active peptides for antioxidant and anti-inflammatory applications in skin.

Peptides are recognized as highly effective and safe bioactive ingredients. However, t their practical application is limited and hampered by harsh conditions for practical drug delivery. Hence, a novel peptide nanocarrier of copper peptide (GHK-Cu) encapsulation developed by liposome technology combined with the classical Chinese concept of rigidity and flexibility.

Role and regulatory mechanism of microRNA mediated neuroinflammation in neuronal system diseases.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs with the unique ability to degrade or block specific RNAs and regulate many cellular processes. Neuroinflammation plays the pivotal role in the occurrence and development of multiple central nervous system (CNS) diseases. The ability of miRNAs to enhance or restrict neuroinflammatory signaling pathways in CNS diseases is an emerging and important research area, including neurodegenerative diseases, stroke, and traumatic brain injury (TBI).

CALHM2 V136G polymorphism reduces astrocytic ATP release and is associated with depressive symptoms and Alzheimer's disease risk.

Introduction: Depression is considered a prodromal state of Alzheimer's disease (AD), yet the underlying mechanism(s) by which depression increases the risk of AD are not known.

Methods: Single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis was used to determine the CALHM2 variants in AD patients. Cellular and molecular experiments were conducted to investigate the function of CALHM2 V136G mutation.

ACSS2-dependent histone acetylation improves cognition in mouse model of Alzheimer's disease.

Background: Nuclear acetyl-CoA pools govern histone acetylation that controls synaptic plasticity and contributes to cognitive deterioration in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Nuclear acetyl-CoA pools are generated partially from local acetate that is metabolized by acetyl-CoA synthetase 2 (ACSS2). However, the underlying mechanism of histone acetylation dysregulation in AD remains poorly understood.

The Role of PRRC2B in Cerebral Vascular Remodeling Under Acute Hypoxia in Mice.

High altitude exposure leads to various cognitive impairments. The cerebral vasculature system plays an integral role in hypoxia-induced cognitive defects by reducing oxygen and nutrition supply to the brain. RNA N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is susceptible to modification and regulates gene expression in response to environmental changes, including hypoxia.

Comparing confocal and two-photon Ca imaging of thin low-scattering preparations.

Ca imaging provides insight into biological processes ranging from subcellular dynamics to neural network activity. Two-photon microscopy has assumed a dominant role in Ca imaging. The longer wavelength infra-red illumination undergoes less scattering, and absorption is confined to the focal plane.

Bergapten alleviates depression-like behavior by inhibiting cyclooxygenase 2 activity and NF-κB/MAPK signaling pathway in microglia.

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a common psychiatric disorder that severely affects human life and health. However, the pathological mechanism of MDD is unclear, and effective treatment strategies are urgently needed. Microglia-mediated neuroinflammation is closely associated with the pathophysiology of depression.

Deletion of Calhm2 alleviates MPTP-induced Parkinson's disease pathology by inhibiting EFHD2-STAT3 signaling in microglia.

Neuroinflammation is involved in the development of Parkinson's disease (PD). Calhm2 plays an important role in the development of microglial inflammation, but whether Calhm2 is involved in PD and its regulatory mechanisms are unclear. To study the role of Calhm2 in the development of PD, we utilized conventional Calhm2 knockout mice, microglial Calhm2 knockout mice and neuronal Calhm2 knockout mice, and established the MPTP-induced PD mice model.

deletion in microglia ameliorates chronic restraint stress induced mice depression-like behavior.

Major depression is one of the most common psychiatric disorders worldwide, inflicting suffering, significant reduction in life span, and financial burdens on families and society. Mounting evidence implicates that exposure to chronic stress can induce the dysregulation of the immune system, and the activation of brain-resident innate immune cells, microglia, leading to depression-like symptoms. However, the specific mechanisms need to be further elucidated.

Phosphorus-Containing Polybenzoxazine Aerogels with Efficient Flame Retardation and Thermal Insulation.

Bisphenol A type benzoxazine (Ba) monomers and 10-(2, 5-dihydroxyphenyl)-10- hydrogen-9- oxygen-10- phosphine-10- oxide (DOPO-HQ) were employed to prepare flame retardant and heat insulated polybenzoxazine (PBa) composite aerogels. The successful preparation of PBa composite aerogels was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The thermal degradation behavior and flame-retardant properties of the pristine PBa and PBa composite aerogels were investigated with thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and cone calorimeter.

The role and regulatory mechanism of mA methylation in the nervous system.

N6-methyladenosine (mA) modification regulates RNA translation, splicing, transport, localization, and stability at the post-transcriptional level. The mA modification has been reported to have a wide range of effects on the nervous system, including neurogenesis, cerebellar development, learning, cognition, and memory, as well as the occurrence and development of neurological disorders. In this review, we aim to summarize the findings on the role and regulatory mechanism of mA modification in the nervous system, to reveal the molecular mechanisms of neurodevelopmental processes, and to promote targeted therapy for nervous system-related diseases.

Cognition-enhancing effect of YL-IPA08, a potent ligand for the translocator protein (18 kDa) in the 5 × FAD transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's pathology.

Background: Intracerebral translocator protein 18 kDa (TSPO) mediates the transport of cholesterol from cytoplasm to mitochondria and activation of microglia. The change of TSPO and the dysfunction of microglia are closely related to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Aims: This study aimed to investigate the effects of microglial TSPO and its selective ligand YL-IPA08 on the cognitive function of transgenic mice in 5 × familial Alzheimer's disease (FAD) mouse model of AD.

Case report: Treatment with Pien-Tze-Huang for prolonged positive SARS-CoV-2 test results in COVID-19 patients: A report of five cases.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has rapidly spread around the world since December 2019, becoming a global pandemic. Atypical cases of COVID-19, manifesting as prolonged positive SARS-CoV-2 test results during the convalescence period, have been encountered. These cases increase the difficulty of COVID-19 prevention and treatment.

Mangiferin Alleviates Postpartum Depression-Like Behaviors by Inhibiting MAPK Signaling in Microglia.

Postpartum depression (PPD), a severe mental health disorder, is closely associated with decreased gonadal hormone levels during the postpartum period. Mangiferin (MGF) possesses a wide range of pharmacological activities, including anti-inflammation. Growing evidence has suggested that neuroinflammation is involved in the development of depression.