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is an emerging aquaculture species in China, yet the effect of dietary protein on its hepatic and intestinal health remains unexplored. This study evaluated the effects of five diets designed to be isoenergetic and isolipidic with graded protein levels (28% to 40%) on juvenile (initial weight: 10 ± 0.4 g) over 60 days. Growth performance improved with increasing protein up to 34%, beyond which it plateaued. Regression analysis indicates that the optimal dietary protein level for both weight gain and specific growth rate is 34.3%. Hepatic antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD and CAT) were highest in the 34% protein group, while triglyceride content was lowest. Histological examination revealed minimal hepatocyte swelling, nuclear displacement, and lipid droplet accumulation at this protein level. Intestinal trypsin activity and villus morphology (height, width, and muscular thickness) were also optimized at 34% protein, though lipase and amylase activities remained unaffected. These findings demonstrate that a 34% dietary protein level supports optimal growth, enhances liver antioxidant capacity, and improves intestinal structure and function in juvenile , providing critical insights for its formulated feed development.

Aim: This was a prospective investigation of longitudinal body composition changes in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma undergoing concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) and a comparison of the Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA) and the ESPEN (European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism) diagnostic criteria (EDC) as evaluation methods. Methods: All patients received standard CCRT according to 2 centers’ current practices. Body composition parameters were determined by bioelectrical impedance analysis and obtained weekly from baseline until the end of treatment. The nutritional status of all patients was evaluated by the PG-SGA and EDC. Results: Forty-eight patients were eligible for analysis. Most body composition parameters, including body cell mass, fat mass, fat-free mass, and skeletal mass, as well as body weight, body mass index, and PG-SGA score, significantly decreased during CCRT (P = .00). The PG-SGA was shown to have better sensitivity than the EDC; however, the 2 different evaluation methods were found to have a perfect concordance at Week 4 and Week 6 (κ = 0.91 and 0.96, P = .00 and .00, respectively). Pearson correlation analyses showed that fat-free mass index and body weight were positively correlated with global quality of life score (r = 0.81, P = .00; r = 0.78, P = .00, respectively). Conclusions: This study has shown that body composition parameters, especially fat-free mass index, are valuable for diagnosing malnutrition in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma receiving CCRT. We recommend that these bioelectrical impedance analysis techniques should be increasingly implemented in nutritional assessments.

Soil salinization poses a significant global challenge to agriculture and the environment, leading to decreased soil fertility and hindered crop growth. Therefore, the development of effective and environmentally friendly soil improvement strategies is crucial for sustainable agriculture. In this study, a range of eco-friendly, versatile, and highly absorbent hydrogels for soil enhancement were created using itaconic acid (IA) as a hydrophilic monomer. Furthermore, their effectiveness and application in agriculture were thoroughly evaluated. The nano-iron-loaded IA-based hydrogels (nano-iron (III) oxide (nano-Fe O )/Poly itaconic acid (PIA)-Acrylamide (AM)/Sodium alginate (SA)) hydrogels demonstrated exceptional water absorption and retention capabilities. They exhibited remarkable soil conditioning properties by leveraging carboxyl groups for electrostatic adsorption of saline ions and the porous structure created by the crosslinked network. These features not only significantly facilitated gradual regulation of pH levels and salinity but also effectively enhanced organic matter in saline-alkali soil. Meanwhile, nano-Fe O simultaneously served to stabilize the hydrogel structure and enhance crop nutrient absorption. Wheat cultivation trials demonstrated that the hydrogels notably enhanced the growth of 7-day-old wheat seedlings. The degradation rates of the hydrogels can be adjusted by varying the IA amount, allowing for the continuous release of small organic molecules to enhance soil quality, aligning with various crop growth cycles. Overall, these hydrogels function as environmentally friendly and versatile soil conditioners, offering significant potential for enhancing agricultural soil quality and expanding into related fields.

As clinical use of currently available opioid analgesics is often impeded by dose-limiting adverse effects, such as abuse liability and respiratory depression, new approaches have been pursued to develop safe, effective, and non-addictive pain medications. After the identification of the nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) peptide (NOP) receptor more than 25 years ago, NOP receptor-related agonists have emerged as a promising target for developing novel and effective opioids that modulate the analgesic and addictive properties of mu-opioid peptide (MOP) receptor agonists. In this review, we highlight the effects of the NOP receptor-related agonists compared with those of MOP receptor agonists in experimental rodent and more translational non-human primate (NHP) models and the development status of key NOP receptor-related agonists as potential safe and non-addictive analgesics. Several lines of evidence demonstrated that peptidic and non-peptidic NOP receptor agonists produce potent analgesic effects by intrathecal delivery in NHPs. Moreover, mixed NOP/MOP receptor partial agonists (e.g., BU08028, BU10038, and AT-121) display potent analgesic effects when administered intrathecally or systemically, without eliciting adverse effects, such as respiratory depression, itch behavior, and signs of abuse liability. More importantly, cebranopadol, a mixed NOP/opioid receptor agonist with full efficacy at NOP and MOP receptors, produces robust analgesic efficacy with reduced adverse effects, conferring promising outcomes in clinical studies. A balanced coactivation of NOP and MOP receptors is a strategy that warrants further exploration and refinement for the development of novel analgesics with a safer and effective profile. Graphical Abstract

Despite the critical need, no previous research has substantiated safe opioid analgesics without abuse liability in primates. Recent advances in medicinal chemistry have led to the development of ligands with mixed mu opioid peptide (MOP)/nociceptin-orphanin FQ peptide (NOP) receptor agonist activity to achieve this objective. BU08028 is a novel orvinol analog that displays a similar binding profile to buprenorphine with improved affinity and efficacy at NOP receptors. The aim of this preclinical study was to establish the functional profile of BU08028 in monkeys using clinically used MOP receptor agonists for side-by-side comparisons in various well-honed behavioral and physiological assays. Systemic BU08028 (0.001–0.01 mg/kg) produced potent long-lasting (i.e., >24 h) antinociceptive and antiallodynic effects, which were blocked by MOP or NOP receptor antagonists. More importantly, the reinforcing strength of BU08028 was significantly lower than that of cocaine, remifentanil, or buprenorphine in monkeys responding under a progressive-ratio schedule of drug self-administration. Unlike MOP receptor agonists, BU08028 at antinociceptive doses and ∼10-to 30-fold higher doses did not cause respiratory depression or cardiovascular adverse events as measured by telemetry devices. After repeated administration, the monkeys developed acute physical dependence on morphine, as manifested by precipitated withdrawal signs, such as increased respiratory rate, heart rate, and blood pressure. In contrast, monkeys did not show physical dependence on BU08028. These in vivo findings in primates not only document the efficacy and tolerability profile of bifunctional MOP/NOP receptor agonists, but also provide a means of translating such ligands into therapies as safe and potentially abusefree opioid analgesics.

In recent years, the rapid development of electric vehicles has gained widespread attention, and has especially brought new vitality to the fast-growing logistics service industry. Electric vehicles in urban logistics are not only ideal transportation tools but also do not affect the environment. This study thus implements the economic valuation of electric vehicles in urban logistics from the viewpoints of both manufacturers and business users through the investigation of pricing mechanism and discusses the potential for improving policy-making together with the real case in China. The net present value (NPV) approach is used to quantitatively analyze the investment decisions of urban logistics electric vehicles, with government regulation, incentive policy, and carbon emission trading taken into consideration. Our findings provide insights into the decision-making mechanism for commercializing electric vehicles in urban logistics that involves optimizing the government subsidy and transaction price between the manufacturers and business users. The results imply that with rationalized government policy incentives and coordinated transaction price, both manufacturers and business users are expected to achieve their break-even in limited time periods. The carbon cap placed on business users rather than manufacturers would be relatively more conducive to the marketization process.

Background Trigeminal-cardiac reflex (TCR) is a brainstem vagus reflex that occurs when any center or peripheral branch of the trigeminal nerve was stimulated or operated on. The typical clinical manifestation is sudden bradycardia with or without blood pressure decline. The rhino-cardiac reflex which is one type of TCR is rare in clinical practice. As the rhino-cardiac reflex caused by disinfection of the nasal cavity is very rare, we report these two cases to remind other anesthesiologists to be vigilant to this situation. Case presentation This case report describes two cases of cardiac arrest caused by rhino-cardiac reflex while disinfecting nasal cavity before endoscopic transsphenoidal removal of pituitary adenomas. Their heart rate all dropped suddenly at the very moment of nasal stimulation and recovered quickly after stimulation was stopped and the administration of drugs or cardiac support. Conclusion Although the occurrence of rhino-cardiac reflex is rare, we should pay attention to it in clinical anesthesia. It is necessary to know the risk factors for preventing it. Once it occurs, we should take active and effective rescue measures to avoid serious complications.

Aging is a complex biological process characterized by progressive functional decline at molecular, cellular, and systemic levels, accompanied by increased susceptibility to chronic diseases. Accumulating evidence indicates that the gut microbiota plays a critical role in shaping aging trajectories and age-related health outcomes. This review systematically summarizes current research progress on the relationship between gut microbiota and aging. We first describe the characteristic alterations of the gut microbiota during aging, including reduced microbial diversity, shifts in core bacterial taxa, and profound changes in microbial metabolite profiles such as short-chain fatty acids, bile acid derivatives, and tryptophan metabolites. We then discuss the mechanistic links between gut microbiota dysbiosis and age-related functional decline, focusing on immunosenescence and inflammaging, gut barrier dysfunction, metabolic disorders and oxidative stress, as well as endocrine and neuroendocrine regulation through gut–organ axes. In addition, major internal and external factors influencing gut microbiota composition in the elderly, including diet, medication use, lifestyle, host immunity, and living environment, are reviewed. Finally, we summarize current and emerging gut microbiota–targeted anti-aging intervention strategies, such as dietary modulation, probiotics, prebiotics, postbiotics, fecal microbiota transplantation, and natural product–based approaches, and discuss future research directions and clinical translation challenges. Overall, this review highlights the gut microbiota as a key modifiable factor in aging biology and underscores its potential as a promising target for promoting healthy aging.

The lower reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo River are one of the most important biodiversity hotspots worldwide. With the rapid economic development in the area coupled with global climate change, the fish resources and diversity of this region are experiencing serious threats. Basic biological information on most fishes in the river is limited, restricting the conservation of local fish resources. This study aimed to provide estimates of length–weight relationships (LWRs) for six fish species from the lower Yarlung Zangbo River catchment, Tibet, China. From 2023 to 2024, 4034 specimens belonging to two families, five genera, and six species were collected using various types of fishing techniques. The LWRs of five species, namely Schizothorax curvilabiatus, Schizothorax molesworthi, Pseudecheneis sulcata, Parachiloglanis hodgarti, and Exostoma labiatum were reported for the first time to FishBase, except Garra tibetana. The b values calculated from the LWRs ranged between 2.738 and 3.172, and the r2 values for all LWRs estimates ranged from 0.931 to 0.989. Sexual variations of LWRs were observed in S. molesworthi and P. sulcata; seasonal variations were detected in S. curvilabiatus, S. molesworthi, G. tibetana, P. sulcata, and P. hodgarti; and geographical differences were discovered in S. molesworthi, G. tibetana, P. sulcate, P. hodgarti, and E. labiatum. Additionally, this study updated information for FishBase by providing a new record of maximum standard length for S. curvilabiatus, S. molesworthi, G. tibetana, and P. hodgarti and a new record of total length for P. sulcata. The findings of this study are essential for the management and conservation of locally indigenous fish and fisheries.

Objective: We aimed to investigate the effects of exercise, monitored and managed using smart bracelets, on body composition, and quality of life in breast cancer survivors. Methods: A before-and-after study was conducted in 109 patients who were in the recovery phase of breast cancer and attended the Breast Surgery Department of the Cancer Hospital of Fudan University up to December 2017. Patients were advised to adhere to at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week, and a smart bracelet was issued to each participant to record their daily exercise data for 3 months. Bioelectrical impedance analysis was used to observe the effects of short-term unsupervised exercise intervention on body composition in patients recovering from breast cancer. Patients completed the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast to assess health-related quality of life. Results: Weight, body mass index (BMI), body fat mass (BFM), fat mass index (FMI), percent body fat (PBF), arm circumference (AC), arm muscle circumference (AMC), and visceral fat area (VFA) were lower than baseline after exercising for 3 months based on data from the wearable devices (P < .05). The only significant improvement was found in the “additional concerns about breast cancer” category among the quality-of-life assessments (P < .05). The average walking time was negatively associated with BFM, PBF, and FMI, while the average calorie consumption due to running was positively associated with fat free mass (FFM). Conclusion: In this study, we demonstrated that short-term exercise may be beneficial for postoperative breast cancer survivors. A wearable device could help patients track physical data easily and promote a healthier and more positive life.