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The physicochemical properties and thermodynamic parameters of cyclodextrin inclusion complexes (ICs) containing essential oil were investigated by thermogravimetric analysis. It is necessary to understand the ICs’ thermal decomposition behavior and kinetics to control and elucidate the inclusion complexation mechanisms. Carvacrol essential oil was encapsulated with hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin (HP-β CD) using the freeze-drying method. The IC was characterized by SEM, FT-IR, and phase solubility, which confirmed that there were molecular interactions between the carvacrol essential oil and HP-β CD. Moreover, thermal experiments were carried out by a thermogravimetric analyzer at different heating rates (10–40 °C min−1). In addition, three different models, i.e., FOW, KAS, and Starink, were used to calculate the kinetic energy. The FOW was a more proficient model for the calculation of activation energy (Ea). Further, the average values of Ea varied from conversion, and for carvacrol, HP-β CD, and carvacrol/HP-β CD IC, they were found to be 70.56, 162.15, and 152.57 kJ mol−1 based on the FOW model, respectively. In general, carvacrol encapsulated into HP-β CD as an IC showed high thermal stability. The kinetic results could be useful in predicting the thermal performance of IC and in helping optimize experimental procedures for the encapsulation of essential oils in cyclodextrins.Graphical abstract

The effects of Laminaria japonica fucoidan (LF) on immune regulation and intestinal microflora in cyclophosphamide (CTX)-treated mice were investigated in this work. Results indicated that LF significantly enhanced the spleen and thymus indices, promoted spleen lymphocyte and peritoneal macrophages proliferation, and increased the immune-related cytokines production in serum. Moreover, LF could regulate intestinal flora composition, increasing the abundance of Lactobacillaceae and Alistipes , and inhibiting Erysipelotrichia , Turicibacter , Romboutsia , Peptostreptococcaceae , and Faecalibaculum . These results were positively correlated with immune characteristics. Overall, LF could be useful as a new potential strategy to mitigate CTX immunosuppression and intestinal microbiota disorders.

Background Neurotrophic tyrosine receptor kinase (NTRK) rearranged spindle cell neoplasm is an emerging group of molecularly defined rare soft tissue tumors, often presenting with a monotonous spindle cell morphology, infiltrative growth, and co-expression of S-100 and CD34 proteins by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Accurate diagnosis necessitates the combination of morphology, immunohistochemistry, and molecular test results, with next-generation sequencing (NGS) as the gold standard. We present a rare case of NTRK rearranged spindle cell neoplasm of the uterine cervix and review the literature to highlight the current understanding of the diagnosis and treatment of this rare disease. Case presentation A 49-year-old perimenopausal woman presented with menorrhagia for more than a month. A biopsy of the cervix revealed a cervical spindle cell neoplasm with a tendency to be an isolated fibrous tumor. A total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy was performed and the surgical pathology suggested NTRK rearranged spindle cell neoplasm, while NGS confirmed TFG-NTRK3 fusion gene. Postoperatively, the patient refused larotrectinib maintenance therapy for economic reasons and had no sign of recurrence or metastasis at 31 months of follow-up. Conclusion We presented the first case of cervical spindle cell neoplasm with TFG-NTRK3 gene rearrangement and retrieved 22 cases of NTRK rearranged spindle cell neoplasm of the uterine cervix from literature. The most prevalent type of gene fusion was TPM3-NTRK1, and almost all cases demonstrated S-100 and CD34 positivity by IHC. Surgery remains the initial treatment of choice and tyrosine receptor kinase (TRK) inhibitors may serve as a promising target therapy for patients with recurred or metastatic disease.

Peanut is one of the important oil and economic crops, among which the variegated testa peanut is a unique member. The molecular mechanisms underlying the pigment synthesis in variegated testa are still unclear. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the flavonoid metabolism pathway in pigmented areas indicated that there were 27 DEGs highly related to the synthesis of variegated testa color among 1,050 DEGs. Of these 27, 13 were up-regulated and 14 were down-regulated, including 3 PALs , 1 C4H , 2 CHSs, 1 F3H, 1 F3'H, 2 DFRs, 2 LARs, 2 IAAs, 4 bHLHs, and 9 MYBs . GO (Gene Ontology) analysis indicated that DEGs were similarly enriched in three branches. KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) analysis suggested flavonoid biosynthesis is the most direct metabolic pathway for the synthesis of testa variegation. The liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) results showed that cyanidin and delphinidin were the primary metabolites that caused the color differences between the pigmented and the non-pigmented areas. Through the verification of 20 DEGs via qPCR, the results were consistent with transcriptome sequencing in four comparison groups. The results in this study lay the foundation for revealing the molecular regulation mechanisms of flavonoid synthesis in variegated testa peanut.

Cyclophosphamide (CTX) is a widely used anticancer drug with severe nephrotoxicity. The pentadecapeptide (RVAPEEHPVEGRYLV) from Cyclina sinensis (SCSP) has been shown to affect immunity and to protect the liver. Hence, the purpose of this study was to investigate the ameliorating effect of SCSP on CTX-induced nephrotoxicity in mice. We injected male ICR mice with CTX (80 mg/kg·day) and measured the nephrotoxicity indices, levels of antioxidant enzymes, malondialdehyde (MDA), inflammatory factors, as well as the major proteins of the NF-κB and apoptotic pathways. Cyclophosphamide induced kidney injury; the levels of kidney-injury indicators and cytokines recovered remarkably in mice after receiving SCSP. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and catalase (CAT) increased, while there was a significant decrease in MDA levels. The kidney tissue damage induced by CTX was also repaired to a certain extent. In addition, SCSP significantly inhibited inflammatory factors and apoptosis by regulating the NF-κB and apoptotic pathways. Our study shows that SCSP has the potential to ameliorate CTX-induced nephrotoxicity and may be used as a therapeutic adjuvant to ameliorate CTX-induced nephrotoxicity.

Enhancing the economics of microgrid systems and achieving a balance between energy supply and demand are critical challenges in capacity allocation research. Existing studies often neglect the optimization of electrolyzer efficiency and multi-stack operation, leading to inaccurate assessments of system benefits. This paper proposes a capacity allocation model for wind-PV-hydrogen integrated microgrid systems that incorporates hydrogen production efficiency optimization. This paper analyzes the relationship between the operating efficiency of the electrolyzer and the output power, regulates power generation-load mismatches through a renewable energy optimization model, and establishes a double-layer optimal configuration framework. The inner layer optimizes electrolyzer power allocation across periods to maximize operational efficiency, while the outer layer determines configuration to maximize daily system revenue. Based on the data from a demonstration project in Jiangsu Province, China, a case study is conducted to verify that the proposed method can improve system benefits and reduce hydrogen production costs.

Dry eye is among the most prevalent complications following refractive surgery, significantly impacting the training and daily lives of recruits. While recent years we have witnessed some advancements in understanding the occurrence and progression of dry eye, the specific effects of refractive surgery on this condition remain unclear. This study aims to investigate the impact of refractive surgery on dry eye among 300 army recruits. A series of examinations specific to dry eye were conducted on the subjects using the OSDI questionnaire and the ocular surface comprehensive analyzer. The correlation between refractive surgery and dry eye was analyzed in conjunction with dry eye symptoms and related data. Additionally, optical coherence tomography (OCT) was employed to observe fundus changes in dry eye patients, comparing those with low to moderate myopia against patients with high myopia prior to surgery. The morphology of the meibomian glands in the upper eyelid was assessed using the Keratograph 5M ocular surface analyzer, where the area of meibomian gland loss was calculated and scored, facilitating an exploration of the relationship between meibomian gland loss and dry eye. Furthermore, the dry eye detection rates of Non-Invasive Break-Up Time (NIBUT), Lipid Layer Thickness Measurement (LTMH), and basal Schirmer secretion (SIT) were calculated, and the diagnostic differences among these three methods for dry eye were analyzed. According to the OSDI questionnaire, 117 (39%) patients opted for SMILE, 60 (20%) for F-LASIK, and 123 (41%) for LASIK. Among the recruits, 78 (26%) were diagnosed with dry eye following refractive surgery. Single factor and multiple logistic regression analyses indicated that LASIK may serve as an independent risk factor for the development of dry eye after refractive surgery. Furthermore, the incidence of leopard-pattern fundus was significantly higher in recruits with high myopia compared to those with low to moderate myopia. Keratograph5M assessments revealed that 52.6% of patients exhibited no meibomian gland loss; 45.5% had meibomian gland loss of less than 1/3; 1.9% experienced meibomian gland loss ranging from 1/3 to 2/3; and no patients had meibomian gland loss exceeding 2/3. These results suggest that there is no direct relationship between dry eye and meibomian gland loss following refractive surgery. Additionally, the dry eye detection rate using non-invasive tear break-up time (NIBUT) was 92.6%, while the detection rate for LTMH dry eye was 91.0%. The basal Schirmer test (SIT) yielded a dry eye detection rate of 78.2%, indicating that non-invasive tear assessment methods have a higher detection rate for dry eye. The incidence of dry eye among recruits following excimer laser corneal refractive surgery is significantly higher than that observed with other surgical methods, suggesting that it may represent an independent risk factor for dry eye post-refractive surgery. Consequently, we do not recommend the use of laser in situ keratomileusis for refractive surgery.

Since the discovery of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in the 1970s, they have been widely used in the treatment of a variety of diseases because of their wide sources, strong differentiation potential, rapid expansion in vitro, low immunogenicity, and so on. At present, most of the related research is on mesoderm-derived MSCs (M-MSCs) such as bone marrow MSCs and adipose-derived MSCs. As a type of MSC, ectoderm-derived MSCs (E-MSCs) have a stronger potential for self-renewal, multidirectional differentiation, and immunomodulation and have more advantages than M-MSCs in some specific conditions. This paper analyzes the relevant research development of E-MSCs compared with that of M-MSCs; summarizes the extraction, discrimination and culture, biological characteristics, and clinical application of E-MSCs; and discusses the application prospects of E-MSCs. This summary provides a theoretical basis for the better application of MSCs from both ectoderm and mesoderm in the future.

Studies have shown that inflammation is a key risk factor for altitude sickness in hypobaric hypoxia environments. Periodontitis, a common oral disease, is prevalent among many individuals. This study aimed to investigate the onset and progression of neuroinflammation in mice with ligature-induced periodontitis under hypobaric hypoxia and to explore the potential underlying mechanisms. C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into four groups: control (Con), hypobaric hypoxia (HH), periodontitis (P), and periodontitis combined with hypobaric hypoxia (PHH), which were then placed in a hypobaric hypoxia chamber for 1, 3, and 5 days. The expression of inflammatory cytokines was assessed by qPCR or ELISA. Anxiety-related behavior and memory abilities were evaluated by behavioral tests. The activation of microglia and astrocytes in the hippocampus and cortex was assessed by immunofluorescence. Our results demonstrated that one day of exposure to hypobaric hypoxia in mice with periodontitis significantly exacerbated periodontal inflammation, peripheral inflammation, and neuroinflammation. Specifically, hippocampal microglia in these mice were activated following brief exposure to hypobaric hypoxia. Furthermore, the STAT3 signaling pathway was markedly activated, playing a crucial role in mediating the intensified neuroinflammation observed in periodontitis model mice subjected to one day of hypobaric hypoxia. Our data highlight the exacerbating effect of hypobaric hypoxia on neuroinflammation in periodontitis model mice, mediated through the activation of the STAT3 signaling pathway. These findings provide important insights and considerations for individuals with periodontitis who are planning to travel to high-altitude regions.

Background Depression involves abnormal neural oscillations. Photobiomodulation (PBM) modulates such oscillations but lacks behavioral electrophysiological mechanistic studies. We explored PBM’s effects on hippocampal CA1 oscillations and phase-amplitude coupling (PAC) in a depression model. Methods Male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into saline, LPS (2 mg/kg i.p.), and LPS + PBM groups ( n  = 10/group for behavioral tests, n  = 8/group for electrophysiology). LPS groups received lipopolysaccharide to induce neuroinflammation. The LPS + PBM group underwent 810 nm PBM (20 mW/cm², 12 min/day × 4 days) starting day 4 post-injection. Anxiety- and depression-like behaviors were assessed via open field, elevated plus-maze, and tail suspension tests. Wireless electrophysiology recorded CA1 local field potentials (LFP) during rest and behaviors. Oscillations and PAC were analyzed. Data are presented as mean ± SD; group differences were evaluated by one-way ANOVA with Bonferroni post-hoc correction and ɳ² effect sizes, with two-tailed p  < 0.05 taken as statistically significant. Results PBM (20 mW/cm 2 ) alleviated LPS-induced anxiety and depressive behaviors. Electrophysiologically, PBM restored resting-state δ power (LPS + PBM: 0.0499 ± 0.0282, LPS: 0.1491 ± 0.0887; p  < 0.01) and enhanced δ-γ coupling (LPS + PBM: 2.049 ± 0.447, LPS: 0.230 ± 0.298; p  < 0.05). During anxiety tasks, PBM suppressed γ power (LPS + PBM: 0.3709 ± 0.1569, LPS: 0.5165 ± 0.06896; p  < 0.05) and strengthened δ-γ PAC (LPS + PBM: 0.741 ± 0.508 vs. LPS: 0.217 ± 0.218, p  < 0.05). In depression tests, PBM normalized δ power (LPS + PBM: 0.0261 ± 0.0182, LPS: 0.1315 ± 0.0619; p  < 0.001) and reduced γ power (LPS + PBM: 0.2848 ± 0.0921, LPS: 0.4067 ± 0.0892; p  < 0.05). No significant PAC changes was observed during depression tasks. Conclusion PBM therapy ameliorates LPS-induced depression and anxiety behaviors while normalizing hippocampal CA1 oscillations and cross-frequency coupling. Its effects are state-dependent, modulating distinct frequency bands and PAC across rest and behavioral contexts, revealing potential electrophysiological therapeutic mechanisms.