Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a common condition that afflicts the general population across a broad spectrum of ages and social backgrounds. The inflammatory hypothesis of depression posits ...that immune hyperactivation and dysregulated cytokine production are involved in depression. To investigate cytokine profiles in patients with MDD, we examined the levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and those of the anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-10 and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 in antidepressant drug-naïve patients with MDD. Compared to healthy controls, patients with MDD had significantly higher levels of IL-1β, IL-10, and TNF-α, but significantly lower levels of IL-8. There were no significant differences in the levels of IL-6 or TGF-β1. We found linear correlations between IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-8, and the severity of depression, as well as between IL-8 and anxiety level in patients with comorbid anxiety disorder. In addition, higher IL-1β and TNF-α levels were associated with higher Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) scores, while higher IL-8 levels were associated with lower HAMD and Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale scores. Here we present evidence of changes in cytokine levels in antidepressant drug-naïve patients with MDD. Abnormal expression of inflammatory cytokines in patients with depression suggests that depression activates an inflammatory process. Immunological abnormalities may be involved in the pathophysiology of depression.
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DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Developmental toxicity is a critical issue in nanotoxicity. However, very little is known about the effects of graphene oxide (GO, a widely used carbon material) at predicted environmental ...concentrations on biological development or the specific molecular mechanisms. The present study established that the development of zebrafish embryos exposed to trace concentrations (1–100 μg/L) of GO was impaired because of DNA modification, protein carbonylation and excessive generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), especially the superoxide radical. Noticeably, there was a nonmonotonic response of zebrafish developmental toxicity to GO at μg/L to mg/L levels. Transcriptomics analysis revealed that disturbing collagen- and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-related genes affected the skeletal and cardiac development of zebrafish. Moreover, metabolomics analysis showed that the inhibition of amino acid metabolism and the ratios of unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs) to saturated fatty acids (SFAs) contributed to the above developmental toxicity. The present work verifies the developmental toxicity of GO at trace concentrations and illustrates for the first time the specific molecular mechanisms thereof. Because of the potential developmental toxicity of GO at trace concentrations, government administrators and nanomaterial producers should consider its potential risks prior to the widespread environmental exposure to GO.
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IJS, KILJ, NUK, PNG, UL, UM
Post-stroke depression is a common complication of stroke, with a high incidence rate and low recognition rate. Many patients do not receive effective intervention at the onset, which affects ...subsequent treatment outcomes. Post-stroke depression not only impacts the patient's mental well-being but also increases the risk of stroke recurrence and poor prognosis. Therefore, it has become a significant public health concern. Acupuncture has gained significant popularity in the treatment of post-stroke depression. However, there are inconsistent clinical research results regarding its efficacy and safety. This systematic review aims to gather and critically assess all available evidence regarding the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture in the treatment of post-stroke depression in patients.
We will conduct thorough searches for relevant studies in multiple electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, VIP Database, Wan-fang Data and China Biomedical Database). Our search scope will encompass studies published from the inception of each database until September 2023. To evaluate the potential bias in all the included studies, we will adhere to the guidelines offered in the Cochrane Handbook. The total effective rate will be the primary outcome. To conduct a systematic review, we will employ RevMan 5.4 software.
This study will obtain efficacy and safety of acupuncture for the treatment of post-stroke depression.
The conclusions of this study will provide evidence-based perspectives that can guide clinical decision-making regarding the practicality and recommended timing of using acupuncture to treat post-stroke depression. Furthermore, this study will help advance the clinical application of acupuncture treatment for post-stroke depression and enhance its efficacy while ensuring patient safety.
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DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Strong flavor baijiu (SFB), also called Luzhou-flavor liquor, is the most popular Chinese baijiu. It is manufactured via solid fermentation, with daqu as the starter. Microbial diversity of the SFB ...ecosystem and the synergistic effects of the enzymes and compounds produced by them are responsible for the special flavor and mouthfeel of SFB. The present review covers research studies focused on microbial community analysis of the SFB ecosystem, including the culturable microorganisms, their metabolic functions, microbial community diversity and their interactions. The review specifically emphasizes on the most recently conducted culture-independent analysis of SFB microbial community diversity. Furthermore, the possible application of systems biology approaches for elucidating the molecular mechanisms of SFB production were also reviewed and prospected.
•The discrete fractional Tchebyshev transform is extended to the QDFrTMT.•The QDFrTMT with quaternion symplectic form enhances the computational efficiency.•Sine-logistic exponential chaotic map and ...piece-wise linear chaotic map are cross-coupled.•Double layers permutation-diffusion operations are performed for better robustness.
With quaternion theory, the traditional discrete fractional Tchebyshev transform is extended to the quaternion algebra domain for multi-image processing. A new multi-image encryption scheme based on quaternion discrete fractional Tchebyshev moment transform (QDFrTMT) and the cross-coupling chaotic system is suggested. The original images are first confused by fractal sorting square matrix and sine-logistic exponential chaotic map, and then the resulting image is divided into four matrices. With the quaternion symplectic form representation, a quaternion signal can be formed by the divided matrices, which can reduce the number of the discrete fractional Tchebyshev transforms used and enhance the computational efficiency. Subsequently, the quaternion array is encrypted with the proposed QDFrTMT. To overcome the weakness of the permutation-diffusion operation based on a single chaotic map, a Logistic-sine exponential chaotic map and a piece-wise linear chaotic map are cross-coupled. The final ciphertext images can be acquired by carrying out the dual-layer encryption processes in horizontal and vertical directions. Numerical simulations and security analyses verify the effectiveness of the multi-image encryption algorithm and its strong ability to counteract common attacks.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
This study is the first to perform a focalized analysis on city development, sustainable urban planning, and the negative impact of slum area disamenity on property valuation in suburban and posh ...areas of the Islamabad region, Pakistan. Slums exist in almost every country in the world. However, in the process of urbanization and city development, researchers have focused merely on the crumbled infrastructure, crimes, and other social problems associated with slums. Studies have covered the adverse effects of these factors on property value, although this unmatched study is the first to examine the negative impact of slum proximity on the valuation of properties in the surrounding areas and on the rental value of houses located in Islamabad. The survey method is applied to obtain feedback from inhabitants, and the study incorporated the hedonic price model to assess rental values within a range of one kilometer from selected slum areas. The findings revealed that slum neighborhoods negatively impact sustainable house rental values, as compared with the rental values of houses located far away. Rents became higher as the distance from the slums increased. The results showed that having slums in the vicinity caused a decline of almost 10% in rent. However, the rental value of a similar house unit, located 500 meters away, was found to be almost 10% higher. In the semi-log model, house rental values increased by approximately 12.40% at a distance of one kilometer from slums, and vice versa. This study will use residents’ feedback to help government officials and policymakers to resolve slum issues, which is essential for maintaining sustainable development and adequate city planning. This study sample’s findings are not generalizable to all slums, as the results are specific to this region.
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•Natural organic matter promoted the photoaging of PA MPs in water.•Aged MPs had higher bioaccumulation and oxidative stress in fish than virgin MPs.•Aged MPs exhibit higher growth ...inhibition and intestinal injury in developing fish.•Lipid metabolism disorder in zebrafish induced by PA was aggravated after aging.•Aged PA exposure disturbed genes related to lipid digestion, transfer and absorption.
The safety of microplastics (MPs) and associated health effects has been one of the major concerns worldwide. However, the role of photoaging toward the risk of MPs in water ecosystems remains inconclusive yet. In this study, the size of polyamide (PA, ∼32.50 μm) MPs was obviously decreased after photoaging in water containing fulvic acid (FA) and humic acid (HA) (∼19.75 and ∼24.30 μm, respectively). Nanoplastics were formed (4.65% and 2.03%, respectively) and hydrophilia and colloidal stability was improved due to the formation of oxygen-containing functional groups. FA-aged PA exhibited higher inhibition on body length and weight of developing zebrafish than HA-aged and pristine PA. Photoaged MPs in intestine were more difficult to be depurated by zebrafish, leading to the disappearance of intestinal folding, shedding of more enterocytes, and emaciation of intestinal microvilli. Dietary lipid digestion in larvae was inhibited by aged PA due to oxidative stress-triggered lipid peroxidation and inhibition of lipase activities and bile acids secretion. Exposure of photoaged MPs down-regulated genes (cd36, dgat1a, dgat2, mttp, etc.) associated with triglyceride resynthesis and transportation, resulting in lipid maladsorption and growth inhibition. Our findings highlight the potential negative effects of environmentally aged MPs on diet digestion and nutrient assimilation in fish.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
This paper bridges health policy with education outcomes through eight waves of a nationally-representative health survey in China. We construct an index of health poverty with CHNS (1991–2011) data, ...and find health poverty in period (t-1) is significantly detrimental to education outcomes in period t. We further treat the expansion of New Cooperative Medical Scheme (NCMS) in rural China as a quasi-natural experiment and evaluate the effect of the publicly provided health insurance on education attainment. We find that NCMS participation can increase individual's schooling by 0.54, 0.75 and 0.83 years in east, central and west regions, respectively. The effect is larger for those at lower education levels, i.e. for individuals at 15% percentile schooling level, the schooling increases by 1.12, 1.43 and 1.72 years in the east, central and west. The effect is larger for women than men, for the unhealthy, risk-avoiding group relative to healthy group, and sustains longer in the central than other regions. Among different insurance clauses in NCMS, the outpatient medical service compensation generates stronger effect on education outcomes.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Quasi‐2D layered organometal halide perovskites have recently emerged as promising candidates for solar cells, because of their intrinsic stability compared to 3D analogs. However, relatively low ...power conversion efficiency (PCE) limits the application of 2D layered perovskites in photovoltaics, due to large energy band gap, high exciton binding energy, and poor interlayer charge transport. Here, efficient and water‐stable quasi‐2D perovskite solar cells with a peak PCE of 18.20% by using 3‐bromobenzylammonium iodide are demonstrated. The unencapsulated devices sustain over 82% of their initial efficiency after 2400 h under relative humidity of ≈40%, and show almost unchanged photovoltaic parameters after immersion into water for 60 s. The robust performance of perovskite solar cells results from the quasi‐2D perovskite films with hydrophobic nature and a high degree of electronic order and high crystallinity, which consists of both ordered large‐bandgap perovskites with the vertical growth in the bottom region and oriented small‐bandgap components in the top region. Moreover, due to the suppressed nonradiative recombination, the unencapsulated photovoltaic devices can work well as light‐emitting diodes (LEDs), exhibiting an external quantum efficiency of 3.85% and a long operational lifetime of ≈96 h at a high current density of 200 mA cm−2 in air.
High‐crystallinity quasi‐2D perovskite films with oriented structure are fabricated by using 3‐bromobenzylammonium iodide, leading to perovskite solar cells with a high efficiency of 18.20%. Moreover, the unencapsulated devices exhibit excellent moisture resistance, retaining 82% of the initial efficiency after 2400 h under ambient conditions. Even after immersion into water for 60 s, the unsealed device shows little decay.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
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