Spinal cord injury results in permanent loss of neurological functions due to severance of neural networks.Transplantation of neural stem cells holds promise to repair disrupted connections.Yet,ensuring the survival a...Spinal cord injury results in permanent loss of neurological functions due to severance of neural networks.Transplantation of neural stem cells holds promise to repair disrupted connections.Yet,ensuring the survival and integration of neural stem cells into the host neural circuit remains a formidable challenge.Here,we investigated whether modifying the intrinsic properties of neural stem cells could enhance their integration post-transplantation.We focused on phosphatase and tensin homolog(PTEN),a well-characterized tumor suppressor known to critically regulate neuronal survival and axonal regeneration.By deleting Pten in mouse neural stem cells,we observed increased neurite outgrowth and enhanced resistance to neurotoxic environments in culture.Upon transplantation into injured spinal cords,Pten-deficient neural stem cells exhibited higher survival and more extensive rostrocaudal distribution.To examine the potential influence of partial PTEN suppression,rat neural stem cells were treated with short hairpin RNA targeting PTEN,and the PTEN knockdown resulted in significant improvements in neurite growth,survival,and neurosphere motility in vitro.Transplantation of sh PTEN-treated neural stem cells into the injured spinal cord also led to an increase in graft survival and migration to an extent similar to that of complete deletion.Moreover,PTEN suppression facilitated neurite elongation from NSC-derived neurons migrating from the lesion epicenter.These findings suggest that modifying intrinsic signaling pathways,such as PTEN,within neural stem cells could bolster their therapeutic efficacy,offering potential avenues for future regenerative strategies for spinal cord injury.展开更多
Structural Health Monitoring(SHM)plays a critical role in ensuring the safety,integrity,longevity and economic efficiency of civil infrastructures.The field has undergone a profound transformation over the last few de...Structural Health Monitoring(SHM)plays a critical role in ensuring the safety,integrity,longevity and economic efficiency of civil infrastructures.The field has undergone a profound transformation over the last few decades,evolving from traditional methods—often reliant on visual inspections—to data-driven intelligent systems.This review paper analyzes this historical trajectory,beginning with the approaches that relied on modal parameters as primary damage indicators.The advent of advanced sensor technologies and increased computational power brings a significant change,making Machine Learning(ML)a viable and powerful tool for damage assessment.More recently,Deep Learning(DL)has emerged as a paradigm shift,allowing for more automated processing of large data sets(such as the structural vibration signals and other types of sensors)with excellent performance and accuracy,often surpassing previous methods.This paper systematically reviews these technological milestones—from traditional vibration-based methods to the current state-of-the-art in deep learning.Finally,it critically examines emerging trends—such as Digital Twins and Transformer-based architectures—and discusses future research directions that will shape the next generation of SHM systems for civil engineering.展开更多
BCL2-associated anthanogene 3 facilitates the clearance of tau protein aggregates:BCL2-associated anthanogene 3(BAG3)is a ubiquitously expressed and highly conserved multi-functional co-chaperone protein involved in m...BCL2-associated anthanogene 3 facilitates the clearance of tau protein aggregates:BCL2-associated anthanogene 3(BAG3)is a ubiquitously expressed and highly conserved multi-functional co-chaperone protein involved in many biological processes that supports cellular homeostasis,including the inhibition of apoptosis by preventing mitochondrial BAX localization(Lin et al.,2022)and the promotion of the degradation of hyperphosphorylated tau aggregates by its interactions with SQSTM1(p62)(Hamano and Mutoh,2022).展开更多
Neuroinflammation is a crucial factor in the progression of various diseases,ranging from immune-related conditions such as sepsis to neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease(AD)(Ravichandran and Henek...Neuroinflammation is a crucial factor in the progression of various diseases,ranging from immune-related conditions such as sepsis to neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease(AD)(Ravichandran and Heneka,2024).This perspective article,which draws on insights from diverse fields including neuroscience,immunology,and pathology,p rovides a critical analysis of ongoing research efforts in inflammasome biology,with specific emphasis on Nod-like receptor(NLR)and pyrin domain-containing protein 3(NLRP3).展开更多
Adult neurogenesis continuously produces new neurons critical for cognitive plasticity in adult rodents.While it is known transforming growth factor-βsignaling is important in embryonic neurogenesis,its role in postn...Adult neurogenesis continuously produces new neurons critical for cognitive plasticity in adult rodents.While it is known transforming growth factor-βsignaling is important in embryonic neurogenesis,its role in postnatal neurogenesis remains unclear.In this study,to define the precise role of transforming growth factor-βsignaling in postnatal neurogenesis at distinct stages of the neurogenic cascade both in vitro and in vivo,we developed two novel inducible and cell type-specific mouse models to specifically silence transforming growth factor-βsignaling in neural stem cells in(mGFAPcre-ALK5fl/fl-Ai9)or immature neuroblasts in(DCXcreERT2-ALK5fl/fl-Ai9).Our data showed that exogenous transforming growth factor-βtreatment led to inhibition of the proliferation of primary neural stem cells while stimulating their migration.These effects were abolished in activin-like kinase 5(ALK5)knockout primary neural stem cells.Consistent with this,inhibition of transforming growth factor-βsignaling with SB-431542 in wild-type neural stem cells stimulated proliferation while inhibited the migration of neural stem cells.Interestingly,deletion of transforming growth factor-βreceptor in neural stem cells in vivo inhibited the migration of postnatal born neurons in mGFAPcre-ALK5fl/fl-Ai9 mice,while abolishment of transforming growth factor-βsignaling in immature neuroblasts in DCXcreERT2-ALK5fl/fl-Ai9 mice did not affect the migration of these cells in the hippocampus.In summary,our data supports a dual role of transforming growth factor-βsignaling in the proliferation and migration of neural stem cells in vitro.Moreover,our data provides novel insights on cell type-specific-dependent requirements of transforming growth factor-βsignaling on neural stem cell proliferation and migration in vivo.展开更多
The development of sustainable materials has encouraged the use of biopolymers as alternatives to synthetic polymers.Polymeric films have stood out for their high potential in environmentally sustainable applications....The development of sustainable materials has encouraged the use of biopolymers as alternatives to synthetic polymers.Polymeric films have stood out for their high potential in environmentally sustainable applications.Conventional cellulose acetate(CA)-based films are attractive due to their biodegradability and film-forming ability.However,their functional performance often requires enhancement through the incorporation of additives.In this context,two bio-based additives were investigated:condensed tannin(0%,5%and 10%wt.),a natural polyphenol known for its antioxidant and antimicrobial properties,and nanocrystalline cellulose(CNC)(0%,0.5%and 1%wt.),which act as reinforcing agents to improve mechanical strength and barrier properties.The results showed that tannin generally enhanced mechanical strength and surface uniformity while imparting contact-based antimicrobial activity.CNC reduced water uptake and improved thermal stability,but when used alone,it tended to lower mechanical performance and increase surface roughness.The combination of CNC and tannin produced performance shifts that depended strongly on their relative concentrations,with no consistent synergistic effect across all properties.In certain balanced ratios,CNC benefited fromtannin’smatrix-stabilizing effect,leading to improved strength or reduced moisture absorption.Antimicrobial activity in acetic acid–based films was linked to residual acidity,whereas in acetonebased films,tannin alone was responsible for the antimicrobial effect by contact.These findings highlight that the physicochemical,mechanical,and functional performance of CA films(CAFs)is governed not only by additive type but also by the precise interplay between CNC and tannin,underscoring the need for formulation strategies tailored to the requirements of specific applications.展开更多
Neurodegenerative diseases affect millions of people worldwide,with Alzheimer’s disease(AD)being the leading cause of dementia.It is estimated that more than 50 million people live with this condition,which is expect...Neurodegenerative diseases affect millions of people worldwide,with Alzheimer’s disease(AD)being the leading cause of dementia.It is estimated that more than 50 million people live with this condition,which is expected to triple by 2050,driven mainly by the aging of the global population(GBD 2019 Dementia Forecasting Collaborators,2022).展开更多
Coordinate transformation models often fail to account for nonlinear and spatially dependent distortions,leading to significant residual errors in geospatial applications.Here,we propose a residual-based neural correc...Coordinate transformation models often fail to account for nonlinear and spatially dependent distortions,leading to significant residual errors in geospatial applications.Here,we propose a residual-based neural correction(RBNC)strategy,in which a neural network learns to model only the systematic distortions left by an initial geometric transformation.By focusing solely on residual patterns,RBNC reduces model complexity and improves performance,particularly in scenarios with sparse or structured control point configurations.We evaluate the method using both simulated datasets(with varying distortion intensities and sampling strategies)and real-world image georeferencing tasks.Compared with direct neural network coordinate converters and classical transformation models,RBNC delivers more accurate and stable results under challenging conditions,while maintaining comparable performance in ideal cases.These findings demonstrate the effectiveness of residual modelling as a light-weight and robust alternative for improving coordinate transformation accuracy.展开更多
Highly potent chemotherapy provides rapid therapeutic efficacy in melanoma, but is often limited by drug resistance, off-target toxicity, and systemic toxicity. Combination therapy with chemotherapy and immunotherapy ...Highly potent chemotherapy provides rapid therapeutic efficacy in melanoma, but is often limited by drug resistance, off-target toxicity, and systemic toxicity. Combination therapy with chemotherapy and immunotherapy has attracted much attention but still faces challenges such as inconsistent immune responses and systemic toxicity. To address these limitations, we developed cathepsin B-activatable doxorubicin(DOX) prodrug nanoparticles(Cat B-NPs) for inducing tumor-specific immunogenic cell death(ICD), while minimizing off-target toxicity in normal tissues with low cathepsin B expression. The cathepsin Bactivatable DOX prodrug was synthesized by conjugating the cathepsin B-cleavable peptide(FRRL) to DOX, yielding FRRL-DOX. The amphiphilic FRRL-DOX formed stable nanoparticles(163.6 ± 13.5 nm) through intermolecular hydrophobic interaction and π-π stacking. In melanoma cells overexpressing cathepsin B, Cat B-NPs effectively induced cancer cellspecific ICD, while sparing normal cells and immune cells. When Cat B-NPs-treated B16F10cells were co-cultured with immune cells, Cat B-NPs enhanced the phagocytic activity of macrophages and induced the maturation of dendritic cells(DCs). In melanoma models,Cat B-NPs passively accumulated at tumor tissues through the enhanced permeability and retention effect and were selectively activated by intratumoral cathepsin B, enabling highdose treatment that induced robust ICD. Importantly, combination therapy with Cat B-NPs and anti-PD-L1 antibody enhanced ICD, DC maturation and T-cell activation, resulting in complete tumor regression in 50% of treated mice by converting the immunosuppressive tumor environment into an immune-responsive state. In a lung metastasis model, highdose Cat B-NPs with anti-PD-L1 also suppressed metastatic burden without systemic toxicity, supporting their potential as a safe and effective chemo-immunotherapy for melanoma.展开更多
Shorebirds migrate long-distances along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway(EAAF),exhibiting distinct spatiotemporal fluctuations in population dynamics.Because of habitat degradation and population declines at key sto...Shorebirds migrate long-distances along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway(EAAF),exhibiting distinct spatiotemporal fluctuations in population dynamics.Because of habitat degradation and population declines at key stopover sites along the EAAF,the South Korea's coastal wetlands have gained increasing attention for their ecological value.This study analyzed the shorebird population dynamics across 35 coastal wetlands in South Korea from 2016 to 2024 using data from the National Marine Ecosystem Monitoring Program.For the timeseries analysis,we employed three indicators:seasonal chan ges in abundance,short-term fluctuations(Fi),and long-term trends,assessed using the TRends and Indices for Monitoring data(TRIM)model.Abundance,species richness,and Shannon diversity indices were assessed across the regions during spring and autumn.The TRIM results revealed significant population increases in both seasons("Strong increase"in spring and"Moderate increase"in autumn).Species-level trends indicated notable increases in large-bodied shorebirds,including globally threatened species such as the Far Eastern Curlew(Numenius madagascariensis).Eurasian Curlew(N.arquata),and Eurasian Oystercatcher(Haematopus ostralegus),whereas other species showed variable responses.The Yellow Sea region(Gyeonggi,Chungcheong,and Western Jeolla)showed high biodiversity indices in spring,which may be associated with time-minimization strategies,whereas autumn patterns were characterized by more flexible and selective stopover use,possibly related to energy-minimization strategies.The East Coast and Jeju regions showed the lowest biodiversity indices.Furthermore,community-level analyses using Non-metric Multidimensional Scaling(NMDS)and PERMANOVA revealed distinct clustering of bird assemblages by macro-region and season,confirming significant spatial differentiation in community composition.These findings contrast with the broader declining trends reported across the EAAF and suggest that South Korea's coastal wetlands may serve as stable alternative stopover habitats,potentially supporting the redistribution or recovery of some species.This study highlights the importance of transboundary cooperation and region-specific habitat management that reflects local ecological contexts for effective conservation.展开更多
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus(MRSA) causes widespread infections and poses serious public health concerns. Its high level of resistance to multiple antibiotics has garnered growing interest in identifyin...Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus(MRSA) causes widespread infections and poses serious public health concerns. Its high level of resistance to multiple antibiotics has garnered growing interest in identifying and applying novel antibacterial compounds derived from natural sources. In this study, we purified a biosurfactant(BS) from Bacillus rugosus HH2 to develop a natural antibacterial agent. This agent was then reinforced with chitooligosaccharide(COS) and polyvinyl alcohol(PVA) to create a hydrogel that promoted healing in MRSA-infected wounds. The COS/PVA/BS hydrogel was readily fabricated via the freeze-thaw method and demonstrated excellent mechanical strength, biological activity,and biocompatibility. In vitro assays confirmed that the hydrogel significantly enhanced the proliferation, migration, angiogenesis, and extracellular matrix deposition of fibroblasts,keratinocytes, and endothelial cells. Moreover, it exhibited strong bacteriostatic and bactericidal activities against MRSA, along with potent antibiofilm activity and inhibition of virulence factors relevant to MRSA-induced wound infections. Its anti-virulence effects have been linked to the downregulation of quorum sensing and virulence-related genes in MRSA. In an in vivo model of MRSA-induced infection, the COS/PVA/BS hydrogel significantly accelerated wound healing and markedly reduced the MRSA burden. Immunofluorescence staining confirmed enhanced neovascularization and regulated macrophage responses,underscoring the angiogenic and immunomodulatory effects of the hydrogel. Overall,the COS/PVA/BS hydrogel represents a promising therapeutic strategy for addressing antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections and promoting wound repair, supported by the use of common raw materials, a simple fabrication process, and high-yield production of natural antibacterial agents.展开更多
Wearable sensors integrated with deep learning techniques have the potential to revolutionize seamless human-machine interfaces for real-time health monitoring,clinical diagnosis,and robotic applications.Nevertheless,...Wearable sensors integrated with deep learning techniques have the potential to revolutionize seamless human-machine interfaces for real-time health monitoring,clinical diagnosis,and robotic applications.Nevertheless,it remains a critical challenge to simultaneously achieve desirable mechanical and electrical performance along with biocompatibility,adhesion,self-healing,and environmental robustness with excellent sensing metrics.Herein,we report a multifunctional,anti-freezing,selfadhesive,and self-healable organogel pressure sensor composed of cobalt nanoparticle encapsulated nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes(CoN CNT)embedded in a polyvinyl alcohol-gelatin(PVA/GLE)matrix.Fabricated using a binary solvent system of water and ethylene glycol(EG),the CoN CNT/PVA/GLE organogel exhibits excellent flexibility,biocompatibility,and temperature tolerance with remarkable environmental stability.Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy confirms near-stable performance across a broad humidity range(40%-95%RH).Freeze-tolerant conductivity under sub-zero conditions(-20℃)is attributed to the synergistic role of CoN CNT and EG,preserving mobility and network integrity.The Co N CNT/PVA/GLE organogel sensor exhibits high sensitivity of 5.75 k Pa^(-1)in the detection range from 0 to 20 k Pa,ideal for subtle biomechanical motion detection.A smart human-machine interface for English letter recognition using deep learning achieved 98%accuracy.The organogel sensor utility was extended to detect human gestures like finger bending,wrist motion,and throat vibration during speech.展开更多
Retinal ganglion cells are susceptible to neurodegenerative conditions and their death drives common forms of irreversible vision loss.In mice,there are 46 transcriptionally unique retinal ganglion cell types that dem...Retinal ganglion cells are susceptible to neurodegenerative conditions and their death drives common forms of irreversible vision loss.In mice,there are 46 transcriptionally unique retinal ganglion cell types that demonstrate different susceptibilities to degeneration.Recent transcriptional experiments defined a novel retinal ganglion cell type that survives particularly well and uniquely expresses high levels of the orphan G-protein-coupled receptor 88.Motivated to study this retinal ganglion cell type,we obtained GPR88-Cre transgenic mice to identify the novel well-surviving retinal ganglion cells and examine their survival and regenerative potential.Our experiments demonstrate that this unidentified retinal ganglion cell type is likely accordant with previously described ON-direction-selective retinal ganglion cells.Interestingly,we find that ON-direction-selective retinal ganglion cells are resilient,but demonstrate limited potential to regenerate their axons in response to well-characterized regenerative treatments.Studying the molecular properties of the ON-direction-selective retinal ganglion cells could unlock new therapeutics to preserve retinal ganglion cells in patients.展开更多
The regenerative capacity of peripheral nerve is significantly different from injury responses in the central nervous system.Regeneration of injured axons,re-myelination and functional recovery are readily observed af...The regenerative capacity of peripheral nerve is significantly different from injury responses in the central nervous system.Regeneration of injured axons,re-myelination and functional recovery are readily observed after injury to peripheral nerve.展开更多
Buildings represent a significant share of the world’s energy consumption,and the sector has drawn the attention of governments,which have adopted policies to reduce energy expenditure.The Certifications of Energy Ef...Buildings represent a significant share of the world’s energy consumption,and the sector has drawn the attention of governments,which have adopted policies to reduce energy expenditure.The Certifications of Energy Efficiency in Buildings stand out as one possible solution to achieve this goal,employed in several countries worldwide.The European Union presents advanced energy assessment programs for buildings,being a reference and model for several other regulations in the world.The Energy Certification System for Buildings(SCE)of Portugal is considered a success case,reflected in the significant number of energy certificates issued.The Brazilian Labeling Program for Building(PBE Edifica),first launched in 2009,does not find a broad application today in the Brazilian scenario.This work shows a synthesis of the European Energy Performance of Buildings Directive(EPBD)and the Brazilian and Portuguese regulations’history.A qualitative comparison is made between the SCE and the PBE Edifica to verify a European and a developing country’s regulations with a certain degree of cultural and climatic similarities.Through this comparison,proposals are made for improvements to Brazilian certification,seeking to improve its energy planning and energy policy concerning its building stock.The suggestions for improvement presented may also be appropriate for other developing countries that have started and have not yet successfully implemented their energy certification programs in buildings.展开更多
Food restriction is a strategy to improve the productive efficiency of some aquatic organisms.It is expected with the implementation of food restriction programs to first reduce the feed consumption by the cultivated ...Food restriction is a strategy to improve the productive efficiency of some aquatic organisms.It is expected with the implementation of food restriction programs to first reduce the feed consumption by the cultivated species and consequently reduce the waste load in the water.In addition,there is a lower employment of labor during periods of food restriction.However,the efficiency of the feed restriction and the compensatory gain of weight by the organisms cultivated will depend on the adaptation and the characteristics of the species in question.Several methodologies have tested forms of food restriction applied to fish farming.Some of them are addressed in this review,as well as results and comparisons made with several authors on the subject in question.The purpose of this paper was to describe the main reasons for using food restriction,its implications on fish organism and to compare results from previous studies.展开更多
This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of an individualized remote exercise program on the improvement of body composition and physical fitness of a heterogeneous group of patients who completed breast cancer treat...This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of an individualized remote exercise program on the improvement of body composition and physical fitness of a heterogeneous group of patients who completed breast cancer treatment.This prospective study included 107 women aged 18 to 60,shortly after curative treatment for localized breast cancer,at the Erasto Gaertner Cancer Hospital(HEG)in Curitiba,PR,Brazil.Body composition,maximal oxygen consumption,and muscle resistance were evaluated after nine months of intervention while considering adherence to the program,level of physical activity,presence of binge eating disorder,tumor classification,and treatment type.Seventy-eight women(72.8%)adhered to the training program.Adherent participants showed significant changes in body mass([-4.3±3.6]kg;p<0.0001),body mass index([-1.6±1.5]kg·m^(−2);p<0.0001),body fat(−3.4%±3.1%;p<0.0001),maximal oxygen consumption([7.5±2.0]ml·kg^(−1)·min^(−1));p<0.0001),and abdominal resistance([11.2±2.8]reps;p<0.0001).In contrast,these variables did not change significantly in the non-adherent group.Among the adherent participants,those subclassified in the severe binge group showed a more noticeable reduction in body mass,body mass index,and body fat(p<0.05)than those in the non-binge group.Individualized remotely-guided physical exercise programs can improve the body composition and physical fitness of women undergoing post-breast cancer surveillance,regardless of pathological history or treatment.展开更多
Introduction: Child obesity has important consequences on the child’s health and is related to the risk of developing chronic diseases. That brings up the need for research assessing the impact of obesity-and overwei...Introduction: Child obesity has important consequences on the child’s health and is related to the risk of developing chronic diseases. That brings up the need for research assessing the impact of obesity-and overweight-reduction programs with close attention to methodology aspects and precise indicators of the impact of such programs. Goal: Assessing the impact of a physical activity program on the plasma concentrations of adiponectin, leptin, and ghrelin in overweight and obese schoolchildren. Methods: Randomized controlled trial, double-blind, with 6-to 9-year-old overweight and obese school-children. A sample of 79 schoolchildren randomly distributed into control and intervention groups was subjected to a physical activity program. The levels of adiponectin, leptin, ghrelin, body mass index, body fat percentage, anthropometry, lipid profile and glycemia were evaluated. The program’s impact was assessed through multivariate linear regression models. Result: When comparing the groups, a significant difference was found for adiponectin, which shows an increase in the proportion of subjects with higher adiponectin concentrations for the intervention group and a reduction in body mass index and body fat percentage. Conclusion: The impact of the intervention program was positive in increasing adiponectin levels associated with a reduction in body mass index and body fat percentage.展开更多
Hippocampal neuronal loss causes cognitive dysfunction in Alzheimer’s disease.Adult hippocampal neurogenesis is reduced in patients with Alzheimer’s disease.Exercise stimulates adult hippocampal neurogenesis in rode...Hippocampal neuronal loss causes cognitive dysfunction in Alzheimer’s disease.Adult hippocampal neurogenesis is reduced in patients with Alzheimer’s disease.Exercise stimulates adult hippocampal neurogenesis in rodents and improves memory and slows cognitive decline in patients with Alzheimer’s disease.However,the molecular pathways for exercise-induced adult hippocampal neurogenesis and improved cognition in Alzheimer’s disease are poorly understood.Recently,regulator of G protein signaling 6(RGS6)was identified as the mediator of voluntary running-induced adult hippocampal neurogenesis in mice.Here,we generated novel RGS6fl/fl;APP_(SWE) mice and used retroviral approaches to examine the impact of RGS6 deletion from dentate gyrus neuronal progenitor cells on voluntary running-induced adult hippocampal neurogenesis and cognition in an amyloid-based Alzheimer’s disease mouse model.We found that voluntary running in APP_(SWE) mice restored their hippocampal cognitive impairments to that of control mice.This cognitive rescue was abolished by RGS6 deletion in dentate gyrus neuronal progenitor cells,which also abolished running-mediated increases in adult hippocampal neurogenesis.Adult hippocampal neurogenesis was reduced in sedentary APP_(SWE) mice versus control mice,with basal adult hippocampal neurogenesis reduced by RGS6 deletion in dentate gyrus neural precursor cells.RGS6 was expressed in neurons within the dentate gyrus of patients with Alzheimer’s disease with significant loss of these RGS6-expressing neurons.Thus,RGS6 mediated voluntary running-induced rescue of impaired cognition and adult hippocampal neurogenesis in APP_(SWE) mice,identifying RGS6 in dentate gyrus neural precursor cells as a possible therapeutic target in Alzheimer’s disease.展开更多
BACKGROUND Family caregivers of cirrhosis patients(CPs)often experience burden,stress,and depression.Investigating whether these conditions improve following the patient undergoing liver transplantation(LT)is crucial,...BACKGROUND Family caregivers of cirrhosis patients(CPs)often experience burden,stress,and depression.Investigating whether these conditions improve following the patient undergoing liver transplantation(LT)is crucial,as it would elucidate the compre-hensive benefits of the procedure and demonstrate the positive impacts not only on the patients but also on their caregivers and society.AIM To compare the levels of burden,stress and depression among family caregivers of cirrhotic and liver transplant patients.METHODS This cross-sectional observational study evaluated caregivers of CPs and LT recipients at a quaternary Brazilian hospital.Instruments included identification cards,interview scripts,the caregiver burden scale Inventory,Lipp’s Stress Symptom Inventory,and the Beck Depression Inventory-Second Edition.Psychometric analyses involved confirmatory factor analysis and calculation of McDonald’s omega and composite reliability.Factor scores were compared with the Mann-Whitney U test,with effect size as the rank-biserial correlation coefficient(r).Statistical analysis was performed with R software(P<0.05).RESULTS Seventy-seven CP caregivers and 65 LT recipient caregivers were included.Most were female(CP:85.7%vs LT:84.6%)and the patients’spouses(76.6%vs 63.1%).The median age and caregiving duration were 55.4(23.3-76.3)vs 54.6(25.7-82.1)and 3.9(1-20)vs 8(1.5-24)years,respectively(P=0.001).LT caregivers were less likely to be at risk of overload(21.5%vs 49.4%),to be under stress(33.8%vs 36.4%)and to show symptoms of depression(15.4%vs 35.1%).Compared with LT caregivers,CP caregivers had greater median factor scores for burden(general tension,P=0.012;isolation,P=0.014;disappointment,P=0.004),depression(P=0.008),and stress(P=0.047),with small to moderate effect sizes.The disappointment(r=0.240)and depression(r=0.225)dimensions had the largest effect sizes.CONCLUSION Family caregivers of LT recipients are less likely to exhibit symptoms of burden,stress,and depression,suggesting that the benefits of LT extend to the patients’family members.展开更多
基金supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea,Nos.2021R1A2C2006110,2021M3E5D9021364,2019R1A5A2026045(to BGK)the Korea Initiative for Fostering University of Research and Innovation(KIURI)Program of the NRF funded by the MSIT(to HK),No.NRF2021M3H1A104892211(to HSK)。
文摘Spinal cord injury results in permanent loss of neurological functions due to severance of neural networks.Transplantation of neural stem cells holds promise to repair disrupted connections.Yet,ensuring the survival and integration of neural stem cells into the host neural circuit remains a formidable challenge.Here,we investigated whether modifying the intrinsic properties of neural stem cells could enhance their integration post-transplantation.We focused on phosphatase and tensin homolog(PTEN),a well-characterized tumor suppressor known to critically regulate neuronal survival and axonal regeneration.By deleting Pten in mouse neural stem cells,we observed increased neurite outgrowth and enhanced resistance to neurotoxic environments in culture.Upon transplantation into injured spinal cords,Pten-deficient neural stem cells exhibited higher survival and more extensive rostrocaudal distribution.To examine the potential influence of partial PTEN suppression,rat neural stem cells were treated with short hairpin RNA targeting PTEN,and the PTEN knockdown resulted in significant improvements in neurite growth,survival,and neurosphere motility in vitro.Transplantation of sh PTEN-treated neural stem cells into the injured spinal cord also led to an increase in graft survival and migration to an extent similar to that of complete deletion.Moreover,PTEN suppression facilitated neurite elongation from NSC-derived neurons migrating from the lesion epicenter.These findings suggest that modifying intrinsic signaling pathways,such as PTEN,within neural stem cells could bolster their therapeutic efficacy,offering potential avenues for future regenerative strategies for spinal cord injury.
基金The authors would like to thank CNPq(Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico)—grants 407256/2022-9,303550/2025-2,402533/2023-2 and 303982/2022-5FAPEMIG(Fundação de AmparoàPesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais)—grants APQ-00032-24 and APD-01113-25 for their financial support.
文摘Structural Health Monitoring(SHM)plays a critical role in ensuring the safety,integrity,longevity and economic efficiency of civil infrastructures.The field has undergone a profound transformation over the last few decades,evolving from traditional methods—often reliant on visual inspections—to data-driven intelligent systems.This review paper analyzes this historical trajectory,beginning with the approaches that relied on modal parameters as primary damage indicators.The advent of advanced sensor technologies and increased computational power brings a significant change,making Machine Learning(ML)a viable and powerful tool for damage assessment.More recently,Deep Learning(DL)has emerged as a paradigm shift,allowing for more automated processing of large data sets(such as the structural vibration signals and other types of sensors)with excellent performance and accuracy,often surpassing previous methods.This paper systematically reviews these technological milestones—from traditional vibration-based methods to the current state-of-the-art in deep learning.Finally,it critically examines emerging trends—such as Digital Twins and Transformer-based architectures—and discusses future research directions that will shape the next generation of SHM systems for civil engineering.
基金supported by the award W81XWH1910309 (to HF) from the Department of Defensethe award R01-AG075092-01 (to HF)+2 种基金the award RF1AG063521 from the National Institute of Aging at the National Institutes of Healththe Neurological Research Institute Seed grant (to HF) from The Ohio State Universitythe Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (to NS) from The Ohio State University Chronic Brain Injury Discovery Theme
文摘BCL2-associated anthanogene 3 facilitates the clearance of tau protein aggregates:BCL2-associated anthanogene 3(BAG3)is a ubiquitously expressed and highly conserved multi-functional co-chaperone protein involved in many biological processes that supports cellular homeostasis,including the inhibition of apoptosis by preventing mitochondrial BAX localization(Lin et al.,2022)and the promotion of the degradation of hyperphosphorylated tau aggregates by its interactions with SQSTM1(p62)(Hamano and Mutoh,2022).
基金supported by Texas Alzheimer’s Research and Care Consortium-TARCC 2022-26,The National Football League Players Association-NFLPA,NIH/NIA Grant 1R01 AG072491 to TB and FDP.
文摘Neuroinflammation is a crucial factor in the progression of various diseases,ranging from immune-related conditions such as sepsis to neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease(AD)(Ravichandran and Heneka,2024).This perspective article,which draws on insights from diverse fields including neuroscience,immunology,and pathology,p rovides a critical analysis of ongoing research efforts in inflammasome biology,with specific emphasis on Nod-like receptor(NLR)and pyrin domain-containing protein 3(NLRP3).
基金supported by NIH grants,Nos.R01NS125074,R01AG083164,R01NS107365,and R21NS127177(to YL),1F31NS129204-01A1(to KW)and Albert Ryan Fellowship(to KW).
文摘Adult neurogenesis continuously produces new neurons critical for cognitive plasticity in adult rodents.While it is known transforming growth factor-βsignaling is important in embryonic neurogenesis,its role in postnatal neurogenesis remains unclear.In this study,to define the precise role of transforming growth factor-βsignaling in postnatal neurogenesis at distinct stages of the neurogenic cascade both in vitro and in vivo,we developed two novel inducible and cell type-specific mouse models to specifically silence transforming growth factor-βsignaling in neural stem cells in(mGFAPcre-ALK5fl/fl-Ai9)or immature neuroblasts in(DCXcreERT2-ALK5fl/fl-Ai9).Our data showed that exogenous transforming growth factor-βtreatment led to inhibition of the proliferation of primary neural stem cells while stimulating their migration.These effects were abolished in activin-like kinase 5(ALK5)knockout primary neural stem cells.Consistent with this,inhibition of transforming growth factor-βsignaling with SB-431542 in wild-type neural stem cells stimulated proliferation while inhibited the migration of neural stem cells.Interestingly,deletion of transforming growth factor-βreceptor in neural stem cells in vivo inhibited the migration of postnatal born neurons in mGFAPcre-ALK5fl/fl-Ai9 mice,while abolishment of transforming growth factor-βsignaling in immature neuroblasts in DCXcreERT2-ALK5fl/fl-Ai9 mice did not affect the migration of these cells in the hippocampus.In summary,our data supports a dual role of transforming growth factor-βsignaling in the proliferation and migration of neural stem cells in vitro.Moreover,our data provides novel insights on cell type-specific-dependent requirements of transforming growth factor-βsignaling on neural stem cell proliferation and migration in vivo.
基金funded by the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior(CAPES,https://www.gov.br/capes)and by Mitacs(https://www.mitacs.ca),under grant number IT42277Letícia Vitorazi acknowledges support from FAPERJ(https://www.faperj.br)under grant number E-26/200.129/2023—Bolsa JCNE/FAPERJ+1 种基金Flavia Braghiroli acknowledges the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada(NSERC),Alliance project ALLRP 585984-23the Fonds de recherche duQuébec—Nature et technologies(FRQNT)(https://doi.org/10.69777/355295),grant number 202250.
文摘The development of sustainable materials has encouraged the use of biopolymers as alternatives to synthetic polymers.Polymeric films have stood out for their high potential in environmentally sustainable applications.Conventional cellulose acetate(CA)-based films are attractive due to their biodegradability and film-forming ability.However,their functional performance often requires enhancement through the incorporation of additives.In this context,two bio-based additives were investigated:condensed tannin(0%,5%and 10%wt.),a natural polyphenol known for its antioxidant and antimicrobial properties,and nanocrystalline cellulose(CNC)(0%,0.5%and 1%wt.),which act as reinforcing agents to improve mechanical strength and barrier properties.The results showed that tannin generally enhanced mechanical strength and surface uniformity while imparting contact-based antimicrobial activity.CNC reduced water uptake and improved thermal stability,but when used alone,it tended to lower mechanical performance and increase surface roughness.The combination of CNC and tannin produced performance shifts that depended strongly on their relative concentrations,with no consistent synergistic effect across all properties.In certain balanced ratios,CNC benefited fromtannin’smatrix-stabilizing effect,leading to improved strength or reduced moisture absorption.Antimicrobial activity in acetic acid–based films was linked to residual acidity,whereas in acetonebased films,tannin alone was responsible for the antimicrobial effect by contact.These findings highlight that the physicochemical,mechanical,and functional performance of CA films(CAFs)is governed not only by additive type but also by the precise interplay between CNC and tannin,underscoring the need for formulation strategies tailored to the requirements of specific applications.
基金funded by the São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESPgrant No. 2022/02327-6)supported by the FAPESP scholarship (2021/00270-4 and 2024/05491-7)
文摘Neurodegenerative diseases affect millions of people worldwide,with Alzheimer’s disease(AD)being the leading cause of dementia.It is estimated that more than 50 million people live with this condition,which is expected to triple by 2050,driven mainly by the aging of the global population(GBD 2019 Dementia Forecasting Collaborators,2022).
基金National Council for Scientific and Technological Development,Grant No.421278/2023-4,No.309248/2025-6。
文摘Coordinate transformation models often fail to account for nonlinear and spatially dependent distortions,leading to significant residual errors in geospatial applications.Here,we propose a residual-based neural correction(RBNC)strategy,in which a neural network learns to model only the systematic distortions left by an initial geometric transformation.By focusing solely on residual patterns,RBNC reduces model complexity and improves performance,particularly in scenarios with sparse or structured control point configurations.We evaluate the method using both simulated datasets(with varying distortion intensities and sampling strategies)and real-world image georeferencing tasks.Compared with direct neural network coordinate converters and classical transformation models,RBNC delivers more accurate and stable results under challenging conditions,while maintaining comparable performance in ideal cases.These findings demonstrate the effectiveness of residual modelling as a light-weight and robust alternative for improving coordinate transformation accuracy.
基金supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grant funded by the Korea government (MSIT)(RS-2024-00351185, RS-2025-02219039)by the Korea Health Industry Development Institute (KHIDI)grant funded by the Korea government (MOHW)(RS-2023-KH135133)by Korea Drug Development Fund (KDDF)funded by Ministry of Science and ICT,Ministry of Trade,Industry,and Energy,and Ministry of Health and Welfare(RS-2025-02223093)。
文摘Highly potent chemotherapy provides rapid therapeutic efficacy in melanoma, but is often limited by drug resistance, off-target toxicity, and systemic toxicity. Combination therapy with chemotherapy and immunotherapy has attracted much attention but still faces challenges such as inconsistent immune responses and systemic toxicity. To address these limitations, we developed cathepsin B-activatable doxorubicin(DOX) prodrug nanoparticles(Cat B-NPs) for inducing tumor-specific immunogenic cell death(ICD), while minimizing off-target toxicity in normal tissues with low cathepsin B expression. The cathepsin Bactivatable DOX prodrug was synthesized by conjugating the cathepsin B-cleavable peptide(FRRL) to DOX, yielding FRRL-DOX. The amphiphilic FRRL-DOX formed stable nanoparticles(163.6 ± 13.5 nm) through intermolecular hydrophobic interaction and π-π stacking. In melanoma cells overexpressing cathepsin B, Cat B-NPs effectively induced cancer cellspecific ICD, while sparing normal cells and immune cells. When Cat B-NPs-treated B16F10cells were co-cultured with immune cells, Cat B-NPs enhanced the phagocytic activity of macrophages and induced the maturation of dendritic cells(DCs). In melanoma models,Cat B-NPs passively accumulated at tumor tissues through the enhanced permeability and retention effect and were selectively activated by intratumoral cathepsin B, enabling highdose treatment that induced robust ICD. Importantly, combination therapy with Cat B-NPs and anti-PD-L1 antibody enhanced ICD, DC maturation and T-cell activation, resulting in complete tumor regression in 50% of treated mice by converting the immunosuppressive tumor environment into an immune-responsive state. In a lung metastasis model, highdose Cat B-NPs with anti-PD-L1 also suppressed metastatic burden without systemic toxicity, supporting their potential as a safe and effective chemo-immunotherapy for melanoma.
文摘Shorebirds migrate long-distances along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway(EAAF),exhibiting distinct spatiotemporal fluctuations in population dynamics.Because of habitat degradation and population declines at key stopover sites along the EAAF,the South Korea's coastal wetlands have gained increasing attention for their ecological value.This study analyzed the shorebird population dynamics across 35 coastal wetlands in South Korea from 2016 to 2024 using data from the National Marine Ecosystem Monitoring Program.For the timeseries analysis,we employed three indicators:seasonal chan ges in abundance,short-term fluctuations(Fi),and long-term trends,assessed using the TRends and Indices for Monitoring data(TRIM)model.Abundance,species richness,and Shannon diversity indices were assessed across the regions during spring and autumn.The TRIM results revealed significant population increases in both seasons("Strong increase"in spring and"Moderate increase"in autumn).Species-level trends indicated notable increases in large-bodied shorebirds,including globally threatened species such as the Far Eastern Curlew(Numenius madagascariensis).Eurasian Curlew(N.arquata),and Eurasian Oystercatcher(Haematopus ostralegus),whereas other species showed variable responses.The Yellow Sea region(Gyeonggi,Chungcheong,and Western Jeolla)showed high biodiversity indices in spring,which may be associated with time-minimization strategies,whereas autumn patterns were characterized by more flexible and selective stopover use,possibly related to energy-minimization strategies.The East Coast and Jeju regions showed the lowest biodiversity indices.Furthermore,community-level analyses using Non-metric Multidimensional Scaling(NMDS)and PERMANOVA revealed distinct clustering of bird assemblages by macro-region and season,confirming significant spatial differentiation in community composition.These findings contrast with the broader declining trends reported across the EAAF and suggest that South Korea's coastal wetlands may serve as stable alternative stopover habitats,potentially supporting the redistribution or recovery of some species.This study highlights the importance of transboundary cooperation and region-specific habitat management that reflects local ecological contexts for effective conservation.
基金supported by the Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea(NRF) funded by the Ministry of Education (RS-2021-NR060118,RS-2024-00408404, and RS-2025-00555808)supported by the Korea Institute of Marine Science&Technology Promotion (KIMST)funded by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (RS-2024-00404977)。
文摘Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus(MRSA) causes widespread infections and poses serious public health concerns. Its high level of resistance to multiple antibiotics has garnered growing interest in identifying and applying novel antibacterial compounds derived from natural sources. In this study, we purified a biosurfactant(BS) from Bacillus rugosus HH2 to develop a natural antibacterial agent. This agent was then reinforced with chitooligosaccharide(COS) and polyvinyl alcohol(PVA) to create a hydrogel that promoted healing in MRSA-infected wounds. The COS/PVA/BS hydrogel was readily fabricated via the freeze-thaw method and demonstrated excellent mechanical strength, biological activity,and biocompatibility. In vitro assays confirmed that the hydrogel significantly enhanced the proliferation, migration, angiogenesis, and extracellular matrix deposition of fibroblasts,keratinocytes, and endothelial cells. Moreover, it exhibited strong bacteriostatic and bactericidal activities against MRSA, along with potent antibiofilm activity and inhibition of virulence factors relevant to MRSA-induced wound infections. Its anti-virulence effects have been linked to the downregulation of quorum sensing and virulence-related genes in MRSA. In an in vivo model of MRSA-induced infection, the COS/PVA/BS hydrogel significantly accelerated wound healing and markedly reduced the MRSA burden. Immunofluorescence staining confirmed enhanced neovascularization and regulated macrophage responses,underscoring the angiogenic and immunomodulatory effects of the hydrogel. Overall,the COS/PVA/BS hydrogel represents a promising therapeutic strategy for addressing antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections and promoting wound repair, supported by the use of common raw materials, a simple fabrication process, and high-yield production of natural antibacterial agents.
基金supported by the Basic Science Research Program(2023R1A2C3004336,RS-202300243807)&Regional Leading Research Center(RS-202400405278)through the National Research Foundation of Korea(NRF)grant funded by the Korea Government(MSIT)。
文摘Wearable sensors integrated with deep learning techniques have the potential to revolutionize seamless human-machine interfaces for real-time health monitoring,clinical diagnosis,and robotic applications.Nevertheless,it remains a critical challenge to simultaneously achieve desirable mechanical and electrical performance along with biocompatibility,adhesion,self-healing,and environmental robustness with excellent sensing metrics.Herein,we report a multifunctional,anti-freezing,selfadhesive,and self-healable organogel pressure sensor composed of cobalt nanoparticle encapsulated nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes(CoN CNT)embedded in a polyvinyl alcohol-gelatin(PVA/GLE)matrix.Fabricated using a binary solvent system of water and ethylene glycol(EG),the CoN CNT/PVA/GLE organogel exhibits excellent flexibility,biocompatibility,and temperature tolerance with remarkable environmental stability.Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy confirms near-stable performance across a broad humidity range(40%-95%RH).Freeze-tolerant conductivity under sub-zero conditions(-20℃)is attributed to the synergistic role of CoN CNT and EG,preserving mobility and network integrity.The Co N CNT/PVA/GLE organogel sensor exhibits high sensitivity of 5.75 k Pa^(-1)in the detection range from 0 to 20 k Pa,ideal for subtle biomechanical motion detection.A smart human-machine interface for English letter recognition using deep learning achieved 98%accuracy.The organogel sensor utility was extended to detect human gestures like finger bending,wrist motion,and throat vibration during speech.
基金Institutional National Research Service Award T32 EY013360(to SM and SW)Research to Prevent Blindness(Career Development Award+8 种基金to PRW)BrightFocus Foundation(National Glaucoma Researchto PRW)Alcon Research Institute(Young Investigator Awardto PRW),and NIH Grants(EY032908,EY035684,EY036111to PRW)the Jefferey T.Fort Innovation Fund and Siteman Retina Research Fund(to RSA)the Hope Center Viral Vectors Core at Washington University School of Medicine,an unrestricted grant(to the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences)from Research to Prevent BlindnessVision Core Grant(P30 EY002687).
文摘Retinal ganglion cells are susceptible to neurodegenerative conditions and their death drives common forms of irreversible vision loss.In mice,there are 46 transcriptionally unique retinal ganglion cell types that demonstrate different susceptibilities to degeneration.Recent transcriptional experiments defined a novel retinal ganglion cell type that survives particularly well and uniquely expresses high levels of the orphan G-protein-coupled receptor 88.Motivated to study this retinal ganglion cell type,we obtained GPR88-Cre transgenic mice to identify the novel well-surviving retinal ganglion cells and examine their survival and regenerative potential.Our experiments demonstrate that this unidentified retinal ganglion cell type is likely accordant with previously described ON-direction-selective retinal ganglion cells.Interestingly,we find that ON-direction-selective retinal ganglion cells are resilient,but demonstrate limited potential to regenerate their axons in response to well-characterized regenerative treatments.Studying the molecular properties of the ON-direction-selective retinal ganglion cells could unlock new therapeutics to preserve retinal ganglion cells in patients.
文摘The regenerative capacity of peripheral nerve is significantly different from injury responses in the central nervous system.Regeneration of injured axons,re-myelination and functional recovery are readily observed after injury to peripheral nerve.
文摘Buildings represent a significant share of the world’s energy consumption,and the sector has drawn the attention of governments,which have adopted policies to reduce energy expenditure.The Certifications of Energy Efficiency in Buildings stand out as one possible solution to achieve this goal,employed in several countries worldwide.The European Union presents advanced energy assessment programs for buildings,being a reference and model for several other regulations in the world.The Energy Certification System for Buildings(SCE)of Portugal is considered a success case,reflected in the significant number of energy certificates issued.The Brazilian Labeling Program for Building(PBE Edifica),first launched in 2009,does not find a broad application today in the Brazilian scenario.This work shows a synthesis of the European Energy Performance of Buildings Directive(EPBD)and the Brazilian and Portuguese regulations’history.A qualitative comparison is made between the SCE and the PBE Edifica to verify a European and a developing country’s regulations with a certain degree of cultural and climatic similarities.Through this comparison,proposals are made for improvements to Brazilian certification,seeking to improve its energy planning and energy policy concerning its building stock.The suggestions for improvement presented may also be appropriate for other developing countries that have started and have not yet successfully implemented their energy certification programs in buildings.
文摘Food restriction is a strategy to improve the productive efficiency of some aquatic organisms.It is expected with the implementation of food restriction programs to first reduce the feed consumption by the cultivated species and consequently reduce the waste load in the water.In addition,there is a lower employment of labor during periods of food restriction.However,the efficiency of the feed restriction and the compensatory gain of weight by the organisms cultivated will depend on the adaptation and the characteristics of the species in question.Several methodologies have tested forms of food restriction applied to fish farming.Some of them are addressed in this review,as well as results and comparisons made with several authors on the subject in question.The purpose of this paper was to describe the main reasons for using food restriction,its implications on fish organism and to compare results from previous studies.
文摘This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of an individualized remote exercise program on the improvement of body composition and physical fitness of a heterogeneous group of patients who completed breast cancer treatment.This prospective study included 107 women aged 18 to 60,shortly after curative treatment for localized breast cancer,at the Erasto Gaertner Cancer Hospital(HEG)in Curitiba,PR,Brazil.Body composition,maximal oxygen consumption,and muscle resistance were evaluated after nine months of intervention while considering adherence to the program,level of physical activity,presence of binge eating disorder,tumor classification,and treatment type.Seventy-eight women(72.8%)adhered to the training program.Adherent participants showed significant changes in body mass([-4.3±3.6]kg;p<0.0001),body mass index([-1.6±1.5]kg·m^(−2);p<0.0001),body fat(−3.4%±3.1%;p<0.0001),maximal oxygen consumption([7.5±2.0]ml·kg^(−1)·min^(−1));p<0.0001),and abdominal resistance([11.2±2.8]reps;p<0.0001).In contrast,these variables did not change significantly in the non-adherent group.Among the adherent participants,those subclassified in the severe binge group showed a more noticeable reduction in body mass,body mass index,and body fat(p<0.05)than those in the non-binge group.Individualized remotely-guided physical exercise programs can improve the body composition and physical fitness of women undergoing post-breast cancer surveillance,regardless of pathological history or treatment.
文摘Introduction: Child obesity has important consequences on the child’s health and is related to the risk of developing chronic diseases. That brings up the need for research assessing the impact of obesity-and overweight-reduction programs with close attention to methodology aspects and precise indicators of the impact of such programs. Goal: Assessing the impact of a physical activity program on the plasma concentrations of adiponectin, leptin, and ghrelin in overweight and obese schoolchildren. Methods: Randomized controlled trial, double-blind, with 6-to 9-year-old overweight and obese school-children. A sample of 79 schoolchildren randomly distributed into control and intervention groups was subjected to a physical activity program. The levels of adiponectin, leptin, ghrelin, body mass index, body fat percentage, anthropometry, lipid profile and glycemia were evaluated. The program’s impact was assessed through multivariate linear regression models. Result: When comparing the groups, a significant difference was found for adiponectin, which shows an increase in the proportion of subjects with higher adiponectin concentrations for the intervention group and a reduction in body mass index and body fat percentage. Conclusion: The impact of the intervention program was positive in increasing adiponectin levels associated with a reduction in body mass index and body fat percentage.
基金supported by the National Institutes of Health,Nos.AA025919,AA025919-03S1,and AA025919-05S1(all to RAF).
文摘Hippocampal neuronal loss causes cognitive dysfunction in Alzheimer’s disease.Adult hippocampal neurogenesis is reduced in patients with Alzheimer’s disease.Exercise stimulates adult hippocampal neurogenesis in rodents and improves memory and slows cognitive decline in patients with Alzheimer’s disease.However,the molecular pathways for exercise-induced adult hippocampal neurogenesis and improved cognition in Alzheimer’s disease are poorly understood.Recently,regulator of G protein signaling 6(RGS6)was identified as the mediator of voluntary running-induced adult hippocampal neurogenesis in mice.Here,we generated novel RGS6fl/fl;APP_(SWE) mice and used retroviral approaches to examine the impact of RGS6 deletion from dentate gyrus neuronal progenitor cells on voluntary running-induced adult hippocampal neurogenesis and cognition in an amyloid-based Alzheimer’s disease mouse model.We found that voluntary running in APP_(SWE) mice restored their hippocampal cognitive impairments to that of control mice.This cognitive rescue was abolished by RGS6 deletion in dentate gyrus neuronal progenitor cells,which also abolished running-mediated increases in adult hippocampal neurogenesis.Adult hippocampal neurogenesis was reduced in sedentary APP_(SWE) mice versus control mice,with basal adult hippocampal neurogenesis reduced by RGS6 deletion in dentate gyrus neural precursor cells.RGS6 was expressed in neurons within the dentate gyrus of patients with Alzheimer’s disease with significant loss of these RGS6-expressing neurons.Thus,RGS6 mediated voluntary running-induced rescue of impaired cognition and adult hippocampal neurogenesis in APP_(SWE) mice,identifying RGS6 in dentate gyrus neural precursor cells as a possible therapeutic target in Alzheimer’s disease.
文摘BACKGROUND Family caregivers of cirrhosis patients(CPs)often experience burden,stress,and depression.Investigating whether these conditions improve following the patient undergoing liver transplantation(LT)is crucial,as it would elucidate the compre-hensive benefits of the procedure and demonstrate the positive impacts not only on the patients but also on their caregivers and society.AIM To compare the levels of burden,stress and depression among family caregivers of cirrhotic and liver transplant patients.METHODS This cross-sectional observational study evaluated caregivers of CPs and LT recipients at a quaternary Brazilian hospital.Instruments included identification cards,interview scripts,the caregiver burden scale Inventory,Lipp’s Stress Symptom Inventory,and the Beck Depression Inventory-Second Edition.Psychometric analyses involved confirmatory factor analysis and calculation of McDonald’s omega and composite reliability.Factor scores were compared with the Mann-Whitney U test,with effect size as the rank-biserial correlation coefficient(r).Statistical analysis was performed with R software(P<0.05).RESULTS Seventy-seven CP caregivers and 65 LT recipient caregivers were included.Most were female(CP:85.7%vs LT:84.6%)and the patients’spouses(76.6%vs 63.1%).The median age and caregiving duration were 55.4(23.3-76.3)vs 54.6(25.7-82.1)and 3.9(1-20)vs 8(1.5-24)years,respectively(P=0.001).LT caregivers were less likely to be at risk of overload(21.5%vs 49.4%),to be under stress(33.8%vs 36.4%)and to show symptoms of depression(15.4%vs 35.1%).Compared with LT caregivers,CP caregivers had greater median factor scores for burden(general tension,P=0.012;isolation,P=0.014;disappointment,P=0.004),depression(P=0.008),and stress(P=0.047),with small to moderate effect sizes.The disappointment(r=0.240)and depression(r=0.225)dimensions had the largest effect sizes.CONCLUSION Family caregivers of LT recipients are less likely to exhibit symptoms of burden,stress,and depression,suggesting that the benefits of LT extend to the patients’family members.
