44 research outputs found
Table_1_Psychodynamic profiles of major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder in China.docx
Traditional clinical diagnoses relying on symptoms may overlook latent factors that illuminate mechanisms and potentially guide treatment. The Operationalized Psychodynamic Diagnosis (OPD) system may compensate for symptom-based diagnosis by measuring psychodynamic profiles underlying mental disorders through conflicts and structure axes. However, OPD has not been widely adopted in China, and it remains unclear whether OPD can be used as an effective approach to distinguish between depression and anxiety. The current study aims to adopt the OPD system to investigate the psychodynamic profiles of major depressive disorder (MDD) and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) in China, targeting patients with âpureâ symptoms without comorbidity. We recruited 42 MDD patients, 32 GAD patients, and 31 healthy controls (HC), and assessed their self-report depression and anxiety symptoms, along with their underlying psychodynamic profiles through OPD interviews. Overall, both MDD and GAD patients showed more prominent conflict issues and lower levels of structure than HC. The MDD and GAD groups yielded different conflict profiles and conflict processing modes when processing their second conflicts. Importantly, the multi-dimensional psychodynamic profiles achieved machine learning classification of clinical groups with an accuracy of 0.84, supporting successful distinction of MDD and GAD patients. In conclusion, the OPD demonstrated sensitivity in revealing distinct psychodynamic profiles underlying âpureâ depression and anxiety clinical populations in China. This work calls for future incorporation of OPD as a tool to investigate psychodynamic formulations underlying mental disorders, compensating for traditional symptom-based diagnostic approaches to guide precise individualized interventions.</p
Dominating Role of Aligned MoS<sub>2</sub>/Ni<sub>3</sub>S<sub>2</sub> Nanoarrays Supported on Three-Dimensional Ni Foam with Hydrophilic Interface for Highly Enhanced Hydrogen Evolution Reaction
When
using water splitting to achieve sustainable hydrogen production,
low-cost, stable, and naturally abundant electrocatalysts are required
to replace Pt-based ones for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER).
Herein, for the first time, a novel nanostructure with one-dimensional
(1D) MoS<sub>2</sub>/Ni<sub>3</sub>S<sub>2</sub> nanoarrays directly
grow on a three-dimensional (3D) Ni foam is developed for this purpose,
showing excellent catalytic activity and stability. The as-prepared
3D MoS<sub>2</sub>/Ni<sub>3</sub>S<sub>2</sub>/Ni composite has an
onset overpotential as low as 13 mV in 1 M KOH, which is comparable
to Pt-based electrocatalyst for HER. According to the classical theory,
the Tafel slope of the new composite is relatively low, as it goes
through a combined VolmerâHeyrovsky mechanism during hydrogen
evolution. All the results attribute the excellent electrocatalytic
activity of the nanostructure to the electrical coupling among Ni,
Ni<sub>3</sub>S<sub>2</sub>, and MoS<sub>2</sub>, the super hydrophilic
interface, the synergistic catalytic effects produced by the MoS<sub>2</sub>/Ni<sub>3</sub>S<sub>2</sub> nanoarrays, and abundant exposed
active edge sites. These unique and previously undeveloped characteristics
of the 3D MoS<sub>2</sub>/Ni<sub>3</sub>S<sub>2</sub>/Ni composite
make it a very promising earth-abundant electrocatalyst for HER
Growth of Copper Nanocubes on Graphene Paper as Free-Standing Electrodes for Direct Hydrazine Fuel Cells
We have developed a new type of flexible electrodes based
on Cu
nanocube-decorated free-standing graphene paper (GP) using a facile
electrodeposition method. The Cu nanocubesâgraphene paper (CuâGP)
hybrid electrode processes remarkable electrocatalytic activity with
an onset potential of â0.10 V toward hydrazine oxidation in
alkaline solutions and can serve as the catalyst layer for direct
hydrazine fuel cells. One interesting finding is that a copper hydroxide/oxide
layer in situ formed on Cu nanocube surfaces plays an important role
in enhancing the electrocatalytic activity and durability of the electrocatalyst.
A totally irreversible and diffusion-controlled oxidation of hydrazine
occurs on the electrocatalyst, eventually leading to environmentally
friendly products such as nitrogen and water
Table_1_Residue determination and dietary risk assessment of mesotrione, nicosulfuron, atrazine and its four metabolites in maize in China.DOCX
IntroductionTo improve maize yield in China, multiple herbicides have been simultaneously applied to control more weeds. However, this combined application raises concerns about potential residues and their subsequent risks to human health. Therefore, evaluating the residues and dietary risk of new herbicide formulations is critical for the sustainability of maize production.MethodsUsing UHPLC-MS/MS, we developed quick methods for the determination of residues of mesotrione, nicosulfuron, atrazine and its four metabolites with acceptable accuracy and precision. The limits of quantification (LOQs) were 0.01 mg/kg for mesotrione and atrazine-desethyl-desopropyl, and 0.005 mg/kg for nicosulfuron, atrazine, 6-deisopropyl atrazine, 2 hydroxyatrazine, and deethylatrazine. Field trials were conducted at 12 different locations in China. And the risk quotient (RQ) model was used to evaluate the chronic risk of residues of these herbicides.ResultsThe residues of straw samples were in the ranges of ConclusionBased on the RQ model, the dietary risk of exposure to three herbicides through maize was acceptable by consumers. This study helps guide the rational use of mesotrione, nicosulfuron and atrazine to ensure the safe production of maize and our human health.</p
CâH···O Interaction in MethanolâWater Solution Revealed from Raman Spectroscopy and Theoretical Calculations
A combination
of temperature-dependent Raman spectroscopy and quantum chemistry
calculation was employed to investigate the blue shift of CH<sub>3</sub> stretching vibration in methanolâwater mixtures. It shows
that the conventional OâH···O hydrogen bonds
do not fully dominate the origin of the CâH blue shift and
the weak CâH···O interactions also contribute
to it. This is consistent with the temperature-dependent results,
which reveal that the CâH···O interaction is
enhanced upon increasing the temperature, leading to further CâH
blue shift in observed spectra at high temperature. This behavior
is in contrast with the general trend that the conventional OâH···O
hydrogen bond is destroyed by the temperature. The results will shed
new light onto the nature of the CâH···O interaction
and be helpful to understand hydrophilic and hydrophobic interactions
of amphiphilic molecules in different environments
Thermosensitive Liposomal Codelivery of HSAâPaclitaxel and HSAâEllagic Acid Complexes for Enhanced Drug Perfusion and Efficacy Against Pancreatic Cancer
Fibrotic
stroma and tumor-promoting pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs), critical
characters in the pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) microenvironment,
promote a tumor-facilitating environment that simultaneously prevents
drug penetration into tumor foci and stimulates tumor growth. Nab-PTX,
a human serum albumin (HSA) nanoparticle of paclitaxel (PTX), indicates
enhanced matrix penetration in PDA probably due to its small size <i>in vivo</i> and high affinity of HSA with secreted protein acidic
and rich in cysteine (SPARC), overexpressed in the PDA stroma. However,
this HSA nanoparticle shows poor drug blood retention because of its
weak colloidal stability <i>in vivo</i>, thus resulting
in insufficient drug accumulation within tumor. Encapsulating HSA
nanoparticles into the internal aqueous phase of ordinary liposomes
improves their blood retention and the following tumor accumulation,
but the large 200 nm size and shielding of HSA in the interior might
make it difficult for this hybrid nanomedicine to penetrate the fibrotic
PDA matrix and promote bioavailability of the payload. In our current
work, we prepared âŒ9 nm HSA complexes with an antitumor drug
(PTX) and an anti-PSC drug (ellagic acid, EA), and these two HSAâdrug
complexes were further coencapsulated into thermosensitive liposomes
(TSLs). This nanomedicine was named TSL/HSA-PE. The use of TSL/HSA-PE
could improve drug blood retention, and upon reaching locally heated
tumors, these TSLs can rapidly release their payloads (HSAâdrug
complexes) to facilitate their further tumor accumulation and matrix
penetration. With superior tumor accumulation, impressive matrix penetration,
and simultaneous action upon tumor cells and PSCs to disrupt PSCsâPDA
interaction, TSL/HSA-PE treatment combined with heat exhibited strong
tumor growth inhibition and apoptosis <i>in vivo</i>
Cation Dynamics Governed Thermal Properties of Lead Halide Perovskite Nanowires
Metal
halide perovskite (MHP) nanowires such as hybrid organicâinorganic
CH<sub>3</sub>NH<sub>3</sub>PbX<sub>3</sub> (X = Cl, Br, I) have drawn
significant attention as promising building blocks for high-performance
solar cells, light-emitting devices, and semiconductor lasers. However,
the physics of thermal transport in MHP nanowires is still elusive
even though it is highly relevant to the device thermal stability
and optoelectronic performance. Through combined experimental measurements
and theoretical analyses, here we disclose the underlying mechanisms
governing thermal transport in three different kinds of lead halide
perovskite nanowires (CH<sub>3</sub>NH<sub>3</sub>PbI<sub>3</sub>,
CH<sub>3</sub>NH<sub>3</sub>PbBr<sub>3</sub> and CsPbBr<sub>3</sub>). It is shown that the thermal conductivity of CH<sub>3</sub>NH<sub>3</sub>PbBr<sub>3</sub> nanowires is significantly suppressed as
compared to that of CsPbBr<sub>3</sub> nanowires, which is attributed
to the cation dynamic disorder. Furthermore, we observed different
temperature-dependent thermal conductivities of hybrid perovskites
CH<sub>3</sub>NH<sub>3</sub>PbBr<sub>3</sub> and CH<sub>3</sub>NH<sub>3</sub>PbI<sub>3</sub>, which can be attributed to accelerated cation
dynamics in CH<sub>3</sub>NH<sub>3</sub>PbBr<sub>3</sub> at low temperature
and the combined effects of lower phonon group velocity and higher
Umklapp scattering rate in CH<sub>3</sub>NH<sub>3</sub>PbI<sub>3</sub> at high temperature. These data and understanding should shed light
on the design of high-performance MHP based thermal and optoelectronic
devices
Image1_Integrated bioinformatical analysis, machine learning and in vitro experiment-identified m6A subtype, and predictive drug target signatures for diagnosing renal fibrosis.JPEG
Renal biopsy is the gold standard for defining renal fibrosis which causes calcium deposits in the kidneys. Persistent calcium deposition leads to kidney inflammation, cell necrosis, and is related to serious kidney diseases. However, it is invasive and involves the risk of complications such as bleeding, especially in patients with end-stage renal diseases. Therefore, it is necessary to identify specific diagnostic biomarkers for renal fibrosis. This study aimed to develop a predictive drug target signature to diagnose renal fibrosis based on m6A subtypes. We then performed an unsupervised consensus clustering analysis to identify three different m6A subtypes of renal fibrosis based on the expressions of 21 m6A regulators. We evaluated the immune infiltration characteristics and expression of canonical immune checkpoints and immune-related genes with distinct m6A modification patterns. Subsequently, we performed the WGCNA analysis using the expression data of 1,611 drug targets to identify 474 genes associated with the m6A modification. 92 overlapping drug targets between WGCNA and DEGs (renal fibrosis vs. normal samples) were defined as key drug targets. A five target gene predictive model was developed through the combination of LASSO regression and stepwise logistic regression (LASSO-SLR) to diagnose renal fibrosis. We further performed drug sensitivity analysis and extracellular matrix analysis on model genes. The ROC curve showed that the risk score (AUC = 0.863) performed well in diagnosing renal fibrosis in the training dataset. In addition, the external validation dataset further confirmed the outstanding predictive performance of the risk score (AUC = 0.755). These results indicate that the risk model has an excellent predictive performance for diagnosing the disease. Furthermore, our results show that this 5-target gene model is significantly associated with many drugs and extracellular matrix activities. Finally, the expression levels of both predictive signature genes EGR1 and PLA2G4A were validated in renal fibrosis and adjacent normal tissues by using qRT-PCR and Western blot method.</p
Strategic Approach to 8âAzacoumarins
8-Azacoumarins have
emerged as a promising class of compounds but
are rarely explored due to challenging access. A novel, general, and
practical method is provided for this class of compounds. The key
lactonization step employs <i>trans</i>-acrylic acid attached
pyridine <i>N</i>-oxides as the starting material, with
acetic anhydride as both the activation agent and the solvent. Multiple
transformations were involved in this reaction, including conjugate
addition, nucleophilic aromatic substitution, and elimination. These
studies provide the basis for access to 8-azacoumarins, enabling future
work including the discovery and development of novel coumarin-type
drugs, fluorescent probes, photolabile protecting groups, and other
active molecules
Table1_Integrated bioinformatical analysis, machine learning and in vitro experiment-identified m6A subtype, and predictive drug target signatures for diagnosing renal fibrosis.DOCX
Renal biopsy is the gold standard for defining renal fibrosis which causes calcium deposits in the kidneys. Persistent calcium deposition leads to kidney inflammation, cell necrosis, and is related to serious kidney diseases. However, it is invasive and involves the risk of complications such as bleeding, especially in patients with end-stage renal diseases. Therefore, it is necessary to identify specific diagnostic biomarkers for renal fibrosis. This study aimed to develop a predictive drug target signature to diagnose renal fibrosis based on m6A subtypes. We then performed an unsupervised consensus clustering analysis to identify three different m6A subtypes of renal fibrosis based on the expressions of 21 m6A regulators. We evaluated the immune infiltration characteristics and expression of canonical immune checkpoints and immune-related genes with distinct m6A modification patterns. Subsequently, we performed the WGCNA analysis using the expression data of 1,611 drug targets to identify 474 genes associated with the m6A modification. 92 overlapping drug targets between WGCNA and DEGs (renal fibrosis vs. normal samples) were defined as key drug targets. A five target gene predictive model was developed through the combination of LASSO regression and stepwise logistic regression (LASSO-SLR) to diagnose renal fibrosis. We further performed drug sensitivity analysis and extracellular matrix analysis on model genes. The ROC curve showed that the risk score (AUC = 0.863) performed well in diagnosing renal fibrosis in the training dataset. In addition, the external validation dataset further confirmed the outstanding predictive performance of the risk score (AUC = 0.755). These results indicate that the risk model has an excellent predictive performance for diagnosing the disease. Furthermore, our results show that this 5-target gene model is significantly associated with many drugs and extracellular matrix activities. Finally, the expression levels of both predictive signature genes EGR1 and PLA2G4A were validated in renal fibrosis and adjacent normal tissues by using qRT-PCR and Western blot method.</p