Central auditory testing in young Tanzanian children: feasibility and relationship to cognition.

Objective: Central auditory tests (CATs) typically target children aged six and older and are not included in paediatric cognitive assessment. CATs have shown significant correlations with neurocognitive processing ability in adults. Whether children under six can reliably complete CATs or if CAT performance correlates with cognitive ability in children with normal hearing is unclear.

Light-activated 3D covalent organic framework membranes with adaptive pores for CO recognition and separation.

Creation of membrane channels capable of recognizing diverse molecules is desirable for advancing molecular transport and separation, but it remains difficult to precisely control their conformation and achieve dynamic adaption to specific molecules. Here, we demonstrate fine-tuning the pore environment within 3D covalent organic framework (COF) that can precisely control its pore size and polarity to recognize CO. The pores are integrated with azobenzene units with photo-adaptable trans-to-cis isomerization, enabling dynamic pore size regulation at angstrom scale.

Baf60c in skeletal muscle regulates adipose tissue thermogenesis via Musclin-mediated endocrine signaling.

Skeletal muscle plays a key role in metabolic homeostasis. Brg1/Brm-associated factor (Baf) 60c, a subunit of the mating type switching/sucrose non-fermenting (SWI/SNF) chromatin remodeling complexes, was previously identified to be robustly involved in glycolytic muscle function and systemic metabolic balance. However, whether Baf60c regulates the secreted factors and couples the skeletal muscle function to systemic metabolism remains unclear.

Predictive role of weight-adjusted waist index in diabetic peripheral neuropathy among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Background: Obesity is a known risk factor for diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN), but the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and DPN remains controversial.

Aims: This study explores the relationship between weight-adjusted waist index (WWI) and DPN in Chinese patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM), with the goal of establishing WWI as an effective tool for the early detection and risk stratification of DPN.

Methods: A total of 1790 participants were included.

Discovery and biological evaluation of carborane-containing derivatives as TEAD auto palmitoylation inhibitors.

Transcriptional enhanced associate domain (TEAD) proteins are key downstream effectors of the Hippo signaling pathway that play a crucial role in various cell processes including tissue development, regeneration, cell proliferation and cancer. TEADs contain a hydrophobic auto-palmitoylation pocket that can bind palmitic acid and stabilize TEADs from being degraded. Inhibitors targeting this palmitoylation pocket typically consist of hydrophobic pharmacophores.

Mitochondrial SIRT2-mediated CPT2 deacetylation prevents diabetic cardiomyopathy by impeding cardiac fatty acid oxidation.

Dysregulated energy metabolism, particularly lipid metabolism disorders, has been identified as a key factor in the development of diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM). Sirtuin 2 (SIRT2) is a deacetylase involved in the regulation of metabolism and cellular energy homeostasis, yet its role in the progression of DCM remains unclear. We observed significantly reduced SIRT2 expression in DCM model mice.

Efficacy of rituximab in treating steroid-resistant Graves' orbitopathy in active moderate-to-severe and sight-threatening forms: A retrospective observation from China.

Background And Objectives: The efficacy of rituximab (RTX) in treating steroid-resistant Graves' orbitopathy (GO) has been limitedly studied in Asians. Moreover, RTX has been considered even less for patients with steroid-resistant dysthyroid optic neuropathy (DON) who failed to undergo orbital decompression surgery for physical or financial reasons, or who responded poorly to the procedure. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of RTX in treating steroid-resistant active moderate-to-severe and sight-threatening GO in a Chinese population.

Patient-Reported Outcome Measures Following Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Radiation Cystitis: Early Results From the Multicenter Registry for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy.

Purpose: Our purpose was to determine changes in patient-reported hematuria and urinary symptoms after hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) treatment for radiation cystitis (RC).

Materials And Methods: We analyzed prospectively collected data from the Multicenter Registry for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Consortium accumulated within a week of beginning and ending HBO. Measures included the modified Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) Hematuria Scale, Urinary Distress Inventory Short Form, and EuroQol Five Dimension Five Level instrument.

TRIB2-Mediated Modulation of AMPK Promotes Hepatic Insulin Resistance.

Insulin resistance and its linked health complications are increasing in prevalence. Recent work has caused the role of Tribbles2 (TRIB2) in metabolism and cellular signaling to be increasingly appreciated, but its role in the progression of insulin resistance has not been elucidated. Here, we explore the functions of TRIB2 in modulating insulin resistance and the mechanism involved in insulin-resistant mice and palmitic acid-treated HepG2 cells.

Regulating Electron Metal-Support Interaction to Suppress NO Formation in the Selective Catalytic Oxidation of Ammonia.

NO is a common byproduct in the selective catalytic oxidation of ammonia, and its generation often needs to be inhibited due to its strong greenhouse effect. In this paper, using Ag/ZSO-Y as a model catalyst, the NO selectivity was reduced by 30% through modulation of the electron metal-support interaction. The results demonstrate that the work function of the support can be regulated by the content of the doping element.

Differentially expressed genes in orbital adipose/connective tissue of thyroid-associated orbitopathy.

Background: Thyroid-associated orbitopathy (TAO) is a disease associated with autoimmune thyroid disorders and it can lead to proptosis, diplopia, and vision-threatening compressive optic neuropathy. To comprehensively understand the molecular mechanisms underlying orbital adipogenesis in TAO, we characterize the intrinsic molecular properties of orbital adipose/connective tissue from patients with TAO and control individuals.

Methods: RNA sequencing analysis (RNA-seq) was performed to measure the gene expression of orbital adipose/connective tissues of TAO patients.

Auditory neural processing in children living with HIV uncovers underlying central nervous system dysfunction.

Objective: Central nervous system (CNS) damage from HIV infection or treatment can lead to developmental delays and poor educational outcomes in children living with HIV (CLWH). Early markers of central nervous system dysfunction are needed to target interventions and prevent life-long disability. The frequency following response (FFR) is an auditory electrophysiology test that can reflect the health of the central nervous system.

Drivers and impacts of decreasing concentrations of atmospheric volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in Beijing during 2016-2020.

China has implemented various policies and measures for controlling air pollutants. However, our knowledge of the long-term trends in ambient volatile organic compounds (VOCs) after the implementation of these action plans in China remains limited. To address this, we conducted a five-year analysis (2016-2020) of VOC compositions and concentrations in Beijing.

Lactate and Lactylation: Clinical Applications of Routine Carbon Source and Novel Modification in Human Diseases.

Cell metabolism generates numerous intermediate metabolites that could serve as feedback and feed-forward regulation substances for posttranslational modification. Lactate, a metabolic product of glycolysis, has recently been conceptualized to play a pleiotropic role in shaping cell identities through metabolic rewiring and epigenetic modifications. Lactate-derived carbons, sourced from glucose, mediate the crosstalk among glycolysis, lactate, and lactylation.

Exendin-4 ameliorates tau hyperphosphorylation and cognitive impairment in type 2 diabetes through acting on Wnt/β-catenin/NeuroD1 pathway.

Background: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is an independent risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Exendin-4 (Ex-4), a widely used glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist drug in the treatment of T2D, has been demonstrated the therapeutic effects on diabetic encephalopathy (DE). Especially, the Ex-4 ameliorates the tau hyperphosphorylation and cognitive impairment in DE.

Glutamine Production by Glul Promotes Thermogenic Adipocyte Differentiation Through Prdm9-Mediated H3K4me3 and Transcriptional Reprogramming.

Thermogenic adipocytes have been extensively investigated because of their energy-dissipating property and therapeutic potential for obesity and diabetes. Besides serving as fuel sources, accumulating evidence suggests that intermediate metabolites play critical roles in multiple biological processes. However, their role in adipocyte differentiation and thermogenesis remains unexplored.

Myofiber Baf60c controls muscle regeneration by modulating Dkk3-mediated paracrine signaling.

Obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D) are the leading causes of the progressive decline in muscle regeneration and fitness in adults. The muscle microenvironment is known to play a key role in controlling muscle stem cell regenerative capacity, yet the underlying mechanism remains elusive. Here, we found that Baf60c expression in skeletal muscle is significantly downregulated in obese and T2D mice and humans.

Impact of the emergency response to COVID-19 on air quality and its policy implications: Evidence from 290 cities in China.

The emergency response to the COVID-19 pandemic had an extreme exogenous impact on society and the economy. This paper aims to explore the impacts of the national emergency response and the subsequent emergency response termination on air quality and its policy implications through regression discontinuity design (RDD) estimation by employing panel data on daily air quality from January 1, 2019, to July 31, 2020, for 290 cities in China. The empirical results showed that the emergency response resulted in a significant decrease in most of the major pollutant concentrations within a short time frame, and the average air quality index (AQI) decreased by approximately 11.

Distribution of serum uric acid concentration and its association with lipid profiles: a single-center retrospective study in children aged 3 to 12 years with adenoid and tonsillar hypertrophy.

Background: Presently, there is no consensus regarding the optimal serum uric acid (SUA) concentration for pediatric patients. Adenoid and tonsillar hypertrophy is considered to be closely associated with pediatric metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular risk and is a common condition in children admitted to the hospital. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the relationship between SUA and dyslipidemia and propose a reference range for SUA concentration that is associated with a healthy lipid profile in hospitalized children with adenoid and tonsillar hypertrophy.

Global determination of reaction rates and lipid turnover kinetics in Mus musculus.

Metabolism is fundamental to life, but measuring metabolic reaction rates remains challenging. Here, we applied C13 fluxomics to monitor the metabolism of dietary glucose carbon in 12 tissues, 9 brain compartments, and over 1,000 metabolite isotopologues over a 4-day period. The rates of 85 reactions surrounding central carbon metabolism are determined with elementary metabolite unit (EMU) modeling.

Catalytic activity and mechanism of selective catalytic oxidation of ammonia by Ag-CeO under different preparation conditions.

Given the problem of the high-temperature window of CeO catalyst activity, this study evaluated the catalytic properties of Ag/CeO prepared by changing the preparation methods and loadings. Our experiments showed that Ag/CeO-IM catalysts prepared by the equal volume impregnation method could have better activity at lower temperatures. The Ag/CeO-IM catalyst achieves 90% NH conversion at 200 °C, and the main reason is that the Ag/CeO-IM catalyst has more vital redox properties, and the NH catalytic oxidation temperature is lower.

Divergent summertime surface O pollution formation mechanisms in two typical Chinese cities in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region and Fenwei Plain.

Recently, severe summertime ozone (O) pollution has swept across most areas of China, especially the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei (BTH) region and Fenwei Plain. By focusing on Beijing and Yuncheng, which are two typical cities in the BTH region and the Fenwei Plain, we intended to reveal the neglected fact that they had disparate emission features and atmospheric movements but suffered from similar high-O pollution levels. Field observations indicated that Yuncheng had lower volatile organic compound (VOC) and NO concentrations but higher background O levels.