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Asia differs substantially among and within its regions populated by diverse ethnic groups, which maintain their own respective cultures and dietary habits. To address the diversity in their gut microbiota, we characterized the bacterial community in fecal samples obtained from 303 school-age children living in urban or rural regions in five countries spanning temperate and tropical areas of Asia. The microbiota profiled for the 303 subjects were classified into two enterotype-like clusters, each driven by Prevotella (P-type) or Bifidobacterium / Bacteroides (BB-type), respectively. Majority in China, Japan and Taiwan harbored BB-type, whereas those from Indonesia and Khon Kaen in Thailand mainly harbored P-type. The P-type microbiota was characterized by a more conserved bacterial community sharing a greater number of type-specific phylotypes. Predictive metagenomics suggests higher and lower activity of carbohydrate digestion and bile acid biosynthesis, respectively, in P-type subjects, reflecting their high intake of diets rich in resistant starch. Random-forest analysis classified their fecal species community as mirroring location of resident country, suggesting eco-geographical factors shaping gut microbiota. In particular, children living in Japan harbored a less diversified microbiota with high abundance of Bifidobacterium and less number of potentially pathogenic bacteria, which may reflect their living environment and unique diet.

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Aim： The herbal prescription Chang＇an Ⅱ is derived from a classical TCM formula Tong-Xie-Yao-Fang for the treatment of liver-qi stagnation and spleen deficiency syndrome of irritable bowel syndrome （IBS）. In this study we investigated the effects of Chang＇an II on the intestinal mucosal immune barrier in a rat post-inflammation IBS （PI-IBS） model. Methods： A rat model of PI-IBS was established using a multi-stimulation paradigm including early postnatal sibling deprivation, bondage and intrarectal administration of TNBS. Four weeks after TNBS administration, the rats were treated with Chang＇an Ⅱ（2.85, 5.71 and 11.42 g·kg^-1·d^-1, ig） for 14 d. Intestinal sensitivity was assessed based on the abdominal withdrawal reflex （AWR） scores and fecal water content. Open field test and two-bottle sucrose intake test were used to evaluate the behavioral changes. CD4^＋ and CD8^＋ cells were counted and IL-1β and IL-4 levels were measured in intestinal mucosa. Transmission electron microscopy was used to evaluate ultrastructural changes of the intestinal mucosal barrier. Results： PI-IBS model rats showed significantly increased AWR reactivity and fecal water content, and decreased locomotor activity and sucrose intake. Chang＇an II treatment not only reduced AWR reactivity and fecal water content, but also suppressed the anxiety and depressive behaviors. Ultrastructural study revealed that the gut mucosal barrier function was severely damaged in PI-IBS model rats, whereas Chang＇an II treatment relieved intestinal mucosal inflammation and repaired the gut mucosal barrier. Furthermore, PI-IBS model rats showed a significantly reduced CD4＋^/CD8^＋ cell ratio in lamina propria and submucosa, and increased IL-1β and reduced IL-4 expression in intestinal mucosa, whereas Chang＇an Ⅱ treatment reversed PI-IBS-induced changes in CD4^＋/CD8^＋ cell ratio and expression of IL-1β and IL-4. Conclusion： Chang＇an Ⅱ treatment protects the intestinal mucosa against PI-IBS through anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and anti-anxiety effects.

Plastics are synthetic polymers known for their outstanding durability and versatility, and have replaced traditional materials in many applications. Unfortunately, their unique traits ensure that they pose a major threat to the environment. While literature on freshwater microplastic contamination has grown over the recent years, research undertaken in rapidly developing countries, where plastic production and use are increasing dramatically, has lagged behind that in other parts of the world. In the South East Asia (SEA) region, basic information on levels of contamination is very limited and, as a consequence, the risk to human and ecological health remains hard to assess. This review synthesises what is currently known about microplastic contamination of freshwater ecosystems in SEA, with a particular focus on Malaysia. The review 1) summarises published studies that have assessed levels of contamination in freshwater systems in SEA, 2) discusses key sources and transport pathways of microplastic in freshwaters, 3) outlines what is known of the impacts of microplastic on freshwater organisms, and 4) identifies key knowledge gaps related to our understanding of the transport, fate and effects of microplastic.

InN superconductivity is very special among III–V semiconductors, as other III–V semiconductors (such as GaAs, GaN, InP, InAs, etc.) usually lack strong covalent bonding and thus seldom show superconductivity at low temperatures. Here, we probe the different superconducting phase transitions in InN highlighted by its microstructure. Those chemical-unstable phase-separated inclusions, such as metallic indium or In 2 O 3 , are intentionally removed by HCl acid etching. The quasi-two-dimensional vortex liquid-glass transition is observed in the sample with a large InN grain size. In contrast, the superconducting properties of InN with a small grain size are sensitive to acid etching, showing a transition into a nonzero resistance state when the temperature approaches zero. Since the value of ξ 0 (the zero-temperature-limit superconducting coherence length) is close to the grain size, it is suggested that individual InN grains and intergrain coupling should be responsible for the sample-dependent InN superconducting phase transition. Our work establishes a guideline for engineering superconductivity in III-nitride.

PurposeThis study aimed to optimize the dyeing scheduling process with uncertain job completion time to reduce resource consumption and wastewater generation, and while reconciling the conflicting objectives of minimizing the makespan and the need to limit the production on specific machines to minimize rework.Design/methodology/approachWe employed a UNISON framework that integrates fuzzy decision tree (FDT) to optimize dyeing machine scheduling by minimizing the makespan and water consumption, in which the critical attributes such as machine capacity and processing time can be incorporated into the scheduling model for smart production.FindingsAn empirical study of a high-tech textile company has shown the validity and effectiveness of the proposed approach in reducing the makespan and water consumption by over 8% while high product quality and efficiency being maintained.Originality/valueHigh-tech textile industry is facing the challenges in reducing the environmental impact of the dyeing process while maintaining product quality and efficiency for smart production. Conventional scheduling approaches have not addressed the relationship between machine groups and reworking, resulting in difficulty in controlling the makespan and water consumption and increasing costs and environmental issues. The proposed approach has addressed uncertain job completion via integrating FDT into the scheduling process to effectively reduce makespan and wastewater. The results have shown practical viability of the developed solution in real settings.

Oral health is essential for children's overall well-being, yet dental caries remain a significant global health issue. Gamification has gained attention as an innovative approach to improving children's oral health by enhancing engagement and promoting behavior change. Although previous studies have examined different aspects of gamification in pediatric oral health, no review has addressed it as a comprehensive framework encompassing education, behavior change, engagement, and digital platforms. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of gamification in pediatric oral health management, focusing on game design elements; intervention platforms; and outcomes such as oral hygiene knowledge, behavior, and engagement. Following the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines, a comprehensive search was conducted across multiple databases (PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library, Scopus, Web of Science, and PsycINFO), identifying studies from January 1, 2014, to February 9, 2025. The review included randomized controlled trials, quasi-experimental studies, cohort studies, systematic reviews, and qualitative studies with measurable outcomes that focused on gamified interventions for children's oral health. A standardized form was used to collect study details, interventions, demographics, outcomes, and risk of bias. Data synthesis was conducted using a narrative approach due to the heterogeneity of the included studies. The synthesis focused on identifying common themes, evaluating intervention effectiveness, and highlighting methodological strengths and limitations. In total, 41 studies were reviewed, and most (n=24, 59%) used digital interventions such as mobile apps, serious games, and augmented reality. Game elements such as rewards, progress tracking, and interactive feedback were commonly used to enhance user engagement and improve health outcomes. The effect of the digital-based interventions was generally positive, with 38% (9/24) of the studies reporting improvements in oral health knowledge and behaviors. In nonexperimental studies, gamified interventions demonstrated substantial improvements in parental engagement and awareness of oral health practices, which translated into better brushing habits and increased preventive dental visits. Digital-based interventions were more effective in fostering long-term behavior change compared to nondigital alternatives. Engagement metrics revealed higher participation rates in gamified interventions, with improved adherence to oral hygiene routines. However, most studies (39/41, 95%) exhibited moderate risk of bias, including self-reported data and potential selection biases. This review synthesized findings from 41 studies on gamification in children's oral health. Gamification, particularly mobile apps and augmented reality, has potential to significantly enhance pediatric oral health management by increasing engagement, improving oral hygiene behaviors, and promoting sustained health behavior change. Future research should explore the long-term effects of these interventions, develop culturally adaptive tools, and integrate gamification with existing public health programs to maximize their impact. PROSPERO CRD42025644118; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD42025644118.

The potential effects of stem cell‐released microvesicles (MVs) in proangiogenic therapy were explored. MVs were released from adipose‐derived stem cells (ASCs) and were able to increase the migration and tube formation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells. MVs from ASCs, particularly from endothelial differentiation medium‐preconditioned ASCs, were found to have elevated levels of microRNA‐31 and to promote angiogenesis. Cell secretion is an important mechanism for stem cell‐based therapeutic angiogenesis, along with cell differentiation to vascular endothelial cells or smooth muscle cells. Cell‐released microvesicles (MVs) have been recently implicated to play an essential role in intercellular communication. The purpose of this study was to explore the potential effects of stem cell‐released MVs in proangiogenic therapy. We observed for the first time that MVs were released from adipose‐derived stem cells (ASCs) and were able to increase the migration and tube formation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Endothelial differentiation medium (EDM) preconditioning of ASCs upregulated the release of MVs and enhanced the angiogenic effect of the released MVs in vitro. RNA analysis revealed that microRNA was enriched in ASC‐released MVs and that the level of microRNA‐31 (miR‐31) in MVs was notably elevated upon EDM‐preconditioning of MV‐donor ASCs. Further studies exhibited that miR‐31 in MVs contributed to the migration and tube formation of HUVECs, microvessel outgrowth of mouse aortic rings, and vascular formation of mouse Matrigel plugs. Moreover, factor‐inhibiting HIF‐1, an antiangiogenic gene, was identified as the target of miR‐31 in HUVECs. Our findings provide the first evidence that MVs from ASCs, particularly from EDM‐preconditioned ASCs, promote angiogenesis and the delivery of miR‐31 may contribute the proangiogenic effect. Significance This study provides the evidence that microvesicles (MVs) from adipose‐derived stem cells (ASCs), particularly from endothelial differentiation medium (EDM)‐preconditioned ASCs, promote angiogenesis. An underlying mechanism of the proangiogenesis may be the delivery of microRNA‐31 via MVs from ASCs to vascular endothelial cells in which factor‐inhibiting HIF‐1 is targeted and suppressed. The study findings reveal the role of MVs in mediating ASC‐induced angiogenesis and suggest a potential MV‐based angiogenic therapy for ischemic diseases.

Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-based transplantation is a promising therapeutic approach for bone regeneration and repair. In the realm of therapeutic bone regeneration, the defect or injured tissues are frequently inflamed with an abnormal expression of inflammatory mediators. Growing evidence suggests that proinflammatory cytokines inhibit osteogenic differentiation and bone formation. Thus, for successful MSC-mediated repair, it is important to overcome the inflammation-mediated inhibition of tissue regeneration. In this study, using genetic and chemical approaches, we found that proinflammatory cytokines TNF and IL-17 stimulated IκB kinase (IKK)–NF-κB and impaired osteogenic differentiation of MSCs. In contrast, the inhibition of IKK–NF-κB significantly enhanced MSC-mediated bone formation. Mechanistically, we found that IKK–NF-κB activation promoted β-catenin ubiquitination and degradation through induction of Smurf1 and Smurf2. To translate our basic findings to potential clinic applications, we showed that the IKK small molecule inhibitor, IKKVI, enhanced osteogenic differentiation of MSCs. More importantly, the delivery of IKKVI promoted MSC-mediated craniofacial bone regeneration and repair in vivo. Considering the well established role of NF-κB in inflammation and infection, our results suggest that targeting IKK–NF-κB may have dual benefits in enhancing bone regeneration and repair and inhibiting inflammation, and this concept may also have applicability in many other tissue regeneration situations.