Explore the vast range of titles available.

The emergence of human brain organoids (hBOs) has transformed how we study brain development, disease mechanisms, and therapy discovery. These 3D in vitro neural models closely mimic the cellular diversity, spatial structure, and functional connectivity of the human brain, providing a groundbreaking platform that outperforms traditional 2D cultures and animal models in studying neurodevelopment and neurological disorders. To further explore the potential of hBOs technology, we review current literature focusing particularly on its applications for diagnosing and treating major neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and other related neurological disorders. Using patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells combined with cutting-edge gene-editing technologies, hBOs enable highly precise mechanistic studies and scalable drug screening. Moreover, we further discuss the advantages and current limitations of hBOs. Despite these challenges, hBOs remain a transformative platform for the development of targeted neurotherapeutics. Collectively, this review offers a solid foundation for advancing neuroscience research and fostering innovative treatment strategies for neurological disorders.

Background: With the increasing prevalence of obesity and metabolic syndrome, the incidence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is also increasing. In the next decade, NAFLD may become the main cause of liver transplantation. Therefore, the choice of treatment plan is particularly important. The purpose of this study was to compare several interventions in the treatment of NAFLD to provide some reference for clinicians in selecting treatment methods. Methods: We searched Public Medicine (PubMed), Medline, Excerpta Medica Database (Embase), and Cochrane Library from January 2013 to January 2023 to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published in English. The network meta-analysis was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Forty-three studies accounting for a total of 2,969 patients were included, and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total cholesterol (TC), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) were selected as outcome measures for analysis and comparison. Results: We evaluated the results of drug, diet, and lifestyle interventions between the intervention and control groups. Curcumin (CUN) and probiotics (PTC) were selected for medication, the Mediterranean diet (MDED) was selected for special diet (SPD), and various kinds of exercise and lifestyle advice were selected for lifestyle interventions (LFT). The SUCRA was used to rank interventions according to the effect on ALT indicators (SUCRA: PTC 80.3%, SPD 65.2%, LFT 61.4%, PLB 32.8%, CUN 10.2%), TC indicators (SUCRA: PTC 89.4%, SPD 64%, CUN 34%, LFT 36.6%, PLB 17%), and LDL indicators (SUCRA: PTC 84.2%, CUN 69.5%, LFT 51.7%, PLB 30.1%, SPD 14.5%). The pairwise meta-analysis results showed that MDED was significantly better than NT in improving ALT [SMD 1.99, 95% CI (0.38, 3.60)]. In terms of improving TC and LDL, ATS was significantly better than NT [SMD 0.19, 95% CI (0.03, 0.36)] [SMD 0.18, 95% CI (0.01, 0.35)]. Conclusion: Our study showed that PTC is most likely to be the most effective treatment for improving NAFLD indicators. Professional advice on diet or exercise was more effective in treating NAFLD than no intervention.

We present a joint spectropolarimetric analysis of the black hole X-ray binary GRS 1739–278 during its 2025 mini-outburst, using simultaneous observations from IXPE and NuSTAR. The IXPE data show a polarization degree (PD) of PD = (2.3% ± 0.4%) and polarization angle (PA) of PA = 62° ± 5° in the 2−8 keV range. The model-independent analysis reveals that PD increases from ∼2% at 2 keV to ∼10% in the 6–8 keV band, while PA remains stable across the IXPE band within statistical uncertainties. Broadband spectral modeling of the combined IXPE and NuSTAR datasets shows that hard Comptonization contributes negligibly in this soft-state observation, while a substantial reflected component is required in addition to the thermal disk emission. We then model the IXPE Stokes spectra using the kynbbrr model. The best fits indicate that high-spin configurations enhance the contribution of the reflected returning radiation, which dominates the observed polarization properties. From the kynbbrr modeling, we infer an extreme black hole spin of a=0.994−0.003+0.004 and a system inclination of i=54°−4°+8° . Owing to the large contribution from the returning radiation, the observed polarization direction is nearly parallel to the projected system axis, the position angle of which is predicted at 58° ± 4°. Our results demonstrate that X-ray polarimetry, combined with broadband spectroscopy, directly probes the geometry and relativistic effects in accretion disks around stellar-mass black holes.

Methamphetamine (MA) is one of the most harmful synthetic drugs, yet the mechanisms underlying its addiction and relapse remain incompletely understood. This study investigates how cardiomyocyte-derived exosomes carrying miRNAs facilitate heart-brain crosstalk and contribute to MA dependence. A conditioned place preference (CPP) model of MA dependence was established in rats. High-throughput sequencing were employed to identify candidate miRNAs in cardiac exosomes and brain tissues. Behavioral assessments, real-time PCR, nanoparticle tracking analysis, imaging, uptake assays, network pharmacology, and dual-luciferase reporter assays were used to explore the role of cardiomyocyte-derived exosomes in MA dependence. MA induced significant CPP in rats. miR-181a-5p was markedly upregulated in cardiac exosomes and brain tissue, with higher levels observed in cardiac exosomes. biodistribution showed that cardiomyocyte-derived exosomes cross the blood-brain barrier and accumulate in the brain. uptake assays demonstrated that SH-SY5Y cells internalized these exosomes, leading to increased miR-181a-5p expression. Tail vein injections of miR-181a-5p-enriched exosomes enhanced MA CPP behavior in rats. Network pharmacology revealed 108 potential targets of miR-181a-5p, enriched in processes such as steroid biosynthesis, amide metabolism, and apoptosis, involving pathways related to the endoplasmic reticulum, MAPK signaling, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Molecular docking identified stable interactions between MA and 12 targets, including HSP90B1, TNF, and MAP2K1, with miR-181a-5p binding to the 3'-UTR regions of these targets. Dual-luciferase assays confirmed the negative regulation of six targets by miR-181a-5p. This study reveals that cardiomyocyte-derived exosomes transport miR-181a-5p, facilitating heart-brain crosstalk and exacerbating MA CPP behavior in rats. These effects are mediated through the regulation of key brain targets, including HSP90B1, TNF, and MAP2K1, providing new insights into the molecular mechanisms of MA addiction and potential therapeutic targets.

Sinomenine is a nonaddictive alkaloid used to prevent morphine dependence, even thoughits mechanism isnot fully understood. Astrocytes aggravate the pathological process in their neighboring cellsthrough exosomes in central nervous system diseases. However, the effect of sinomenine on astrocyte-derived exosomes for the amelioration of morphine dependence has not been reported yet. In this study, we found that sinomenine prevented the morphine-induced conditionedplace preference in mice. Sinomenine reduced the levels of cAMP and intracellular Ca2+ in morphine-treated SH-SY5Y cells. Moreover, sinomenine inhibited the expressions of p-NMDAR1/NMDAR1, p-CAMKII/CAMKII, and p-CREB/CREB in the hippocampusof morphine-dependent mice and SH-SY5Y cells. Furthermore, we found that sinomenine inhibitedthe morphine-induced activation of astrocytesin vivo and in vitro. Afterwards, exosomes were isolated from cultured primary astrocytes treated with phosphate buffer saline (PBS, ctl-exo), morphine (mor-exo), or morphine and sinomenine (Sino-exo). Subsequently, morphine-treated SH-SY5Y cells were treated with ctl-exo, mor-exo, and Sino-exo. Results showed that Sino-exo reduced the level of cAMP, intracellular Ca2+, and the expression of p-CAMKII/CAMKII and p-CREB/CREB in morphine-treated SH-SY5Y cells. In conclusion, we demonstrated that sinomenine exhibited protective effects against morphine dependencein vivo and in vitro through theNMDAR1/CAMKII/CREB pathway. Sinomenine-induced alterationof the function of astrocyte-derived exosomes may contribute to the antidependence effects of sinomenine in morphine dependence.

Synthesis models of the diffuse Cosmic X-ray Background (CXB) suggest that it can be resolved into discrete sources, primarily Active Galactic Nuclei (AGNs). Measuring the CXB accurately offers a unique probe to study the AGN population in the nearby Universe. Current hard X-ray instruments suffer from the time-dependent background and cross-calibration issues. As a result, their measurements of the CXB normalization have an uncertainty of the order of ∼ 15%. In this paper, we present the concept and simulated performances of a CXB detector, which could be operated on different platforms. With a 16-Unit CubeSat mission running for more than two years in space, such a detector could measure the CXB normalization with ∼ 1% uncertainty.

Eutrophication of water bodies used as migratory bird habitats will lead to a sharp increase in the abundance of phytoplankton, mainly cyanobacteria. These changes will affect the species distribution of migratory birds, thus damaging the ecological balance of affected habitats. We used 9-year field quarterly data of phytoplankton and environmental factors in the Duchang Reserve (2011 to 2016 and 2019 to 2021) as the basis to analyze the temporal and spatial distribution characteristics of phytoplankton, and explore the phytoplankton community succession and its driving factors through redundancy analysis. The results show that (1) during our sampling, 7 phyla and 93 genera of phytoplankton were identified; (2) the nutrient content of the water in Duchang Nature Reserve decreased, but the phytoplankton increased; (3) the factors influencing phytoplankton shifted from initially nutrient controlled to hydrological control; and (4) the driving factors of phytoplankton are seasonal. Nutrients are the main driving factor of phytoplankton in the dry season (January), while hydrological factors have a greater impact on phytoplankton in the wet season (July) and dry season (October).

As rapid development of economy and acceleration of urbanization process, air pollution problem in Chongqing was more and more prominent. By referring to statistical yearbook and investigating energy usage and economy activity levels of various industrial sectors of Chongqing, basic data （activity level, energy production and consumption situation） of various economic sectors of Chongqing during 2007 -2012 were ob- tained. Using emission coefficient method, soot emission inventory in Chongqing during 2007 -2012 was established. Meanwhile, input-output model containing environmental factor was established to study relationship between economy development and environmental protection and number relationship between economy development and pollutant emission. According to the results, countermeasures of emission reduction in Chongqing were put forward.

Drug abuse is a public health and social problem. A number of studies have reported that drug addiction is associated with microRNAs (miRNAs). By comparing the expression of miRNAs in the serum exosomes of methamphetamine-dependent and ketamine-dependent rats, the aim of the present study was to provide insights into the miRNA-mediated associations between the two groups. Published results on conditioned place preference (CPP) in rats conditioned by methamphetamine and ketamine were replicated. The expression of miRNAs in serum exosomes were determined by gene-chip sequencing. The potential target genes of differentially expressed (DE) co-miRNAs were predicted in the methamphetamine and ketamine rats, then functional analysis of their target genes was performed. Methamphetamine and ketamine reward greatly increased the activity time and distance in the intrinsically non-preferred side of the behavioral apparatus when compared with controlled rats (P<0.01). In addition, methamphetamine upregulated the expression of 276 miRNAs and downregulated 25 miRNAs, while ketamine only downregulated the expression of 267 miRNAs. Ten DE co-miRNAs in the two model groups were identified. Functional analysis revealed that DE co-miRNAs are involved in the development of addiction at different stages, and their target genes were enriched in 'vesicular transport', 'amphetamine addiction', 'dopaminergic synapse' and 'GABAergic synapse'. Therefore, it was suggested that these co-miRNAs may have a strong association with drug addiction, and they may be involved in the different addiction processes, which partly explains methamphetamine and ketamine addiction.

POLAR-2 is a space-borne polarimeter, built to investigate the polarization of Gamma-Ray Bursts and help elucidate their mechanisms. The instrument is targeted for launch in 2024 or 2025 aboard the China Space Station and is being developed by a collaboration between institutes from Switzerland, Germany, Poland and China. The instrument will orbit at altitudes between 340km and 450km with an inclination of 42 ∘ and will be subjected to background radiation from cosmic rays and solar events. It is therefore pertinent to better understand the performance of sensitive devices under space-like conditions. In this paper we focus on the radiation damage of the silicon photomultiplier arrays S13361-6075NE-04 and S14161-6050HS-04 from Hamamatsu. The S13361 are irradiated with 58MeV protons at several doses up to 4.96Gy, whereas the newer series S14161 are irradiated at doses of 0.254Gy and 2.31Gy. Their respective performance degradation due to radiation damage are discussed. The equivalent exposure time in space for silicon photomultipliers inside POLAR-2 with a dose of 4.96Gy is 62.9years (or 1.78years when disregarding the shielding from the instrument). Primary characteristics of the I-V curves are an increase in the dark current and dark counts, mostly through cross-talk events. Annealing processes at 25 ∘ C were observed but not studied in further detail. Biasing channels while being irradiated have not resulted in any significant impact. Activation analyses showed a dominant contribution of β + particles around 511 keV. These resulted primarily from copper and carbon, mostly with decay times shorter than the orbital period.