Foreign language learning as potential treatment for mild cognitive impairment

As the number of older adults increases, age-related health issues (both physical and cognitive) and associated costs are expected to increase, placing emotional and financial stress on family members and the health system. Dementia is one of the most devastating and costly diseases that older adults face. The present study aimed to determine whether foreign language learning can improve cognitive outcomes of older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). The objectives are to determine whether foreign language learning is (1) effective in boosting cognitive reserve and promoting healthy cognitive function and (2) superior to other established cognitively stimulating activities such as crossword and logic puzzles

Publisher Correction: Copper adparticle enabled selective electrosynthesis of n-propanol.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper

Controllable Magnetism of CoO Nanoparticles Modified by the Reduced Graphene Oxide

Rocksalt CoO nanoparticles (CNPs) have been prepared with a facile solvothermal method. To control the magnetism of CNPs, the reduced graphene oxide (RGO) is adopted to engineer the CNPs. Enwrapped by the atomic-layered carbon sheets, the CNPs can be reduced locally. The CoO/RGO composites were prepared by one-pot and two-pot synthetic methods, respectively. Compared with the CoO/RGO raw composite that have no magnetization hysteresis loop, the weak and the strong hysteresis loops emerged successively via heating the particles at different temperatures and maintaining their nanoscales. The magnetism can be adjusted by controlling the temperature via two routes. By the one-pot synthetic route, the CNPs can be reduced sharply, and an obvious hysteresis is available around 400 °C, which is ascribed to the appearance of Co nanoclusters decorated in the corners of CNPs. By the two-pot synthetic route, a weak and gradually enhanced hysteresis can be observed, and its magnetic properties should be ascribed to the topological defects of RGO. Our findings have opened a new way to acquire nanoparticles with controllable magnetism

Impacts of River Engineering on Multi-Decadal Water Discharge of the Mega-Changjiang River

Knowledge of river engineering impacts on water discharge is significant to flow guidelines and sustainable water resource managements for balancing human consumption and the natural environment. In this study, based on the collected multi-decadal discharge data at Yichang, Hankou, and Datong stations, we determined that in October, Three Gorges Dam contributed 34.4%, 24.5%, and 18.7% to the discharge decrease in the upper, middle, and lower reach, respectively, while Gezhouba Dam contributed 14.5%, 10.7%, and 10%. Danjiangkou Reservoir caused the discharge ratio of Hanjiang to Changjiang to decline from 7.2% during 1954–1973 to 6.3% during 1973–2014. Owing to growing water withdrawal and consumption, we suggest that the distribution of water diversion and consumption should be regulated to prevent the probable occurrence of the severe issue of salt water intrusion in the Changjiang Estuary in 2028

An injectable and self-healing hydrogel with controlled release of curcumin to repair spinal cord injury

The harsh local micro-environment following spinal cord injury (SCI) remains a great challenge for neural regeneration. Local reconstitution of a favorable micro-environment by biocompatible scaffolds with desirable functions has thus been an area of concern. Herein, a hybrid hydrogel was developed using Fmoc-grafted chitosan (FC) and Fmoc peptide (FI). Dynamic reversible π-π stacking interactions of the fluorenyl rings enabled the FC/FI hybrid hydrogel to exhibit excellent injectable and self-healing properties, as characterized by visual appearances and rheological tests. Furthermore, the FC/FI hybrid hydrogel showed a slow and persistent release of curcumin (Cur), which was named as FC/FI-Cur hydrogel. In vitro studies confirmed that with the support of FC/FI-Cur hydrogel, neurite outgrowth was promoted, and Schwann cell (SC) migration away from dorsal root ganglia (DRG) spheres with enhanced myelination was substantiated. The FC/FI-Cur hydrogel well reassembled extracellular matrix at the lesion site of rat spinal cord and exerted outstanding effects in modulating local inflammatory reaction by regulating the phenotypes of infiltrated inflammatory cells. In addition, endogenous SCs were recruited in the FC/FI-Cur graft and participated in the remyelination process of the regenerated nerves. These outcomes favored functional recovery, as evidenced by improved hind limbs movement and enhanced electrophysiological properties. Thus, our study not only advanced the development of multifunctional hydrogels but also provided insights into comprehensive approaches for SCI repair

Language training leads to global cognitive improvement in older adults : a preliminary study

Purpose: We report a preliminary study that prospectively tests the potential cognitive enhancing effect of foreign language (FL) learning in older adults with no clear signs of cognitive decline beyond what is age typical. Because language learning engages a large brain network that overlaps with the network of cognitive aging, we hypothesized that learning a new language later in life would be beneficial. Method: Older adults were randomly assigned to 3 training groups: FL, games, and music appreciation. All were trained predominately by a computer-based program for 6 months, and their cognitive abilities were tested before, immediately after, and 3 months after training. Results: FL and games, but not music appreciation, improved overall cognitive abilities that were maintained at 3 months after training. Conclusion: This is the 1st randomized control study providing preliminary support for the cognitive benefits of FL learning