Is integrative therapy of traditional Chinese medicine and progesterone capsule more effective than monotherapies in oligomenorrhea and hypomenorrhea? Evidence based on a multi-center randomized controlled trial and metabolomic profile.

Background And Objectives: Oligomenorrhea and hypomenorrhea were common conditions in outpatient visit which affected child-bearing aged women, and the conventional progesterone treatment has been related to several side effect and contradiction, and this study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), progesterone capsules, and their combination in treating oligomenorrhea and hypomenorrhea both clinical and metabolomic approach.

Methods: A prospective, randomized, multi-center trial has been conducted, and a total of 239 oligomenorrhea and hypomenorrhea were randomly assigned to receive TCM, progesterone capsules (PG), or the combined Chinese and Western medicine (COM) and treated from 3 months, respectively. Scores were recorded at 1 and 3 month of treatment, while the seral samples for sex hormone and safety parameters were taken before and after management, with adverse events recorded.

Cataract Aggravates Alzheimer-Like Pathologies and Cognitive Deficits in an APP/PS1 Mouse Model.

Clinical investigations have suggested a potential link between cataracts and Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, whether cataract has an impact on the progression of AD remains unclear. The objective of this research was to determine the relationship between cataracts and AD.

Warm metalworking for plastic manufacturing in brittle semiconductors.

Semiconductors are the core of modern electronics. Because of their brittleness, semiconductors are usually processed by the complicated techniques of sputtering or deposition, instead of the effective and versatile metalworking methods like rolling, extrusion and pressing used with metals. Here we show that brittle semiconductors can be plastically manufactured with an extensibility as large as ~3,000% using warm metalworking, that is, plastic manufacturing at slightly elevated temperatures (empirically below 500 K).

Fingolimod ameliorates amyloid deposition and neurodegeneration in APP/PS1 mouse model of Alzheimer's disease.

Introduction: The immune system plays a critical role in regulating amyloid-beta (Aβ) metabolism in Alzheimer's Disease (AD). Both T and B lymphocytes are involved in the pathogenesis of AD. The sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) receptor modulator fingolimod used in the treatment of multiple sclerosis, can promote lymphocyte homing, potentially reducing the infiltration of peripheral lymphocytes into the brain.

Phenotypic alterations in peripheral blood B Lymphocytes of patients with Alzheimer's Disease.

Introduction: Dysfunction of humoral immunity has been implicated in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The distribution of B lymphocyte subsets and their clinical relevance in AD remain unclear.

Objective: In this study, we aimed to investigate the distribution of peripheral blood B lymphocyte subsets and their relevance with cognition and biomarkers in AD.

Research on the comprehensive dessert evaluation method in shale oil reservoirs based on fractal characteristics of conventional logging curves.

The traditional logging evaluation of comprehensive sweet spots in shale oil reservoirs has problems such as complex explanatory parameters, incompatible quantitative characterization scales, and low-cost efficiency. A method based on the fractal characteristics of conventional logging curves is proposed to evaluate the comprehensive sweet spots of fractured horizontal wells in shale oil reservoirs. Firstly, the existing evaluation parameters and methods were reviewed, pointing out the limitations of traditional logging evaluation methods.

LATERAL FLORET 2 encoding a sucrose non-fermenting 2 chromatin remodeling factor regulates axillary meristem of spikelet development in rice (Oryza sativa).

The spikelet, a unique inflorescence unit of grasses such as rice (Oryza sativa), possesses developmental regulatory mechanisms that require further exploration. In this study, we identified a mutant named lateral floret2 (lf2), which exhibited abnormalities in spikelet development. The lf2 mutants produced lateral florets within the axils of sterile lemmas and/or lateral spikelets within the axils of rudimentary glumes.

Development and evaluation of a novel rapid fungal nucleic acid extraction kit.

Fungal infections can cause different diseases, and nucleic acid extraction is a crucial step in assisting the diagnosis of fungal infections. Traditional methods and current commercial fungal nucleic acid extraction kits are often time-consuming and involve hazardous chemicals. We developed a nucleic acid extraction kit that is safe, rapid, and efficient, designated as FNA-REK (Fungal Nucleic Acid Extraction Kit), which facilitates the simultaneous extraction of DNA and RNA without the necessity for hazardous chemicals, liquid nitrogen, or glass beads.

Novel Synthetic Method and Insecticidal Evaluation of CF-Containing Polycyclic Neonicotinoid Derivatives.

The modification of active ingredients with a trifluoromethyl group represents a significant approach for the discovery of highly active pesticides. Herein, we developed a novel [3 + 3] annulation reaction of neonicotinoid precursors and trifluoromethyl-α,β-ynones and synthesized a series of CF-containing polycyclic neonicotinoid derivatives in high efficiency. The insecticidal activity results indicated that most of the target compounds showed good insecticidal activities against and at a concentration of 100 mg/L.

Autoantibodies to BACE1 promote Aβ accumulation and neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease.

The profile of autoantibodies is dysregulated in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Autoantibodies to beta-site amyloid precursor protein (APP)-cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1) are present in human blood. This study aims to investigate the clinical relevance and pathophysiological roles of autoantibodies to BACE1 in AD.

On the heterogeneous microstructure and strengthening mechanisms in a laser welding AZ80 magnesium alloy.

This study investigates the microstructural characteristics and mechanical properties of a laser welded AZ80 magnesium alloy. The welding process led to the formation of coarse-grained fusion zone (FZ), where a secondary phase formed continuous network. MgAl precipitation and coarsening of grain boundaries occurred in the heat affected zone.

Comprehensive review of perioperative factors influencing ferroptosis.

The perioperative period encompasses all phases of patient care from the decision to perform surgery until full recovery. Ferroptosis, a newly identified type of regulated cell death, influences a wide array of diseases, including those affecting the prognosis and regression of surgical patients, such as ischemia-reperfusion injury and perioperative cognitive dysfunction. This review systematically examines perioperative factors impacting ferroptosis such as surgical trauma-induced stress, tissue hypoxia, anesthetics, hypothermia, and blood transfusion.

A Redox-Active Iron-Organic Framework Cathodes for Sustainable Magnesium Metal Batteries.

Rechargeable magnesium metal batteries (RMBs) have shown promising prospects in sustainable energy storage due to the high crustal abundance, safety, and potentially large specific capacity of magnesium. However, their development is constrained by the lack of effective cathode materials that can achieve high capacity and stable magnesium storage at a practically reasonable rate. Herein, we construct a three-dimensional (3D) iron(III)-dihydroxy-benzoquinone (Fe(DHBQ)) metal-organic framework (MOF) material with dual redox centers of Fe cations and DHBQ anions for reversible storage of Mg in RMBs.

Crystal plane orientation-dependent surface atom diffusion in sub-10-nm Au nanocrystals.

Surface atom diffusion is a ubiquitous phenomenon in nanostructured metals with ultrahigh surface-to-volume ratios. However, the fundamental atomic mechanism of surface atom diffusion remains elusive. Here, we report in situ atomic-scale observations of surface pressure-driven atom diffusion in gold nanocrystals at room temperature using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy with a high-speed detection camera.

Effect of Consultation Number on the Assessment and Treatment of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

Background: The basic medical education stage is not enough to support physicians to fully diagnose and evaluate polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The study aims to discover the difference in treatment choice between participants with different annual consultation number of PCOS, to promote lifelong learning, and drive balanced development within healthcare.

Methods: This is a multicenter cross-sectional survey.

Gut microbiota and serum metabolome reveal the mechanism by which TCM polysaccharides alleviate salpingitis in laying hens challenged by bacteria.

This paper aimed to evaluate the effect of 3 kinds of TCM polysaccharides instead of antibiotics in preventing salpingitis in laying hens. After feeding the laying hens with Lotus leaf polysaccharide, Poria polysaccharide, and Epimedium polysaccharide, mixed bacteria (E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus) were used to infect the oviduct to establish an inflammation model.

Effectiveness of Zhenqi Buxue Oral Liquid Combined with Progesterone for Treatment of Oligomenorrhea and Hypomenorrhea with Qi-Blood and Kidney (Shen) Essence Deficiency: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of Zhenqi Buxue Oral Liquid (ZQ), progesterone capsules, and their combination in treating oligomenorrhea and hypomenorrhea with qi-blood and Kidney (Shen) essence deficiency.

Methods: This was a prospective, randomized, multi-center controlled trial between June 2022 to December 2022. Ninety-six oligomenorrhea and hypomenorrhea patients with qi-blood and Shen essence deficiency were randomly assigned to receive ZQ (ZQ group, 29 cases), progesterone capsules (PG group, 32 cases), or the combined Chinese and Western medicine (COM group, 31 cases) at a ratio of 1:1:1.