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The deposition of abnormal tau protein is characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and a class of neurodegenerative diseases called tauopathies. Physiologically, tau maintains an intrinsically disordered structure and plays diverse roles in neurons. Pathologically, tau undergoes abnormal post-translational modifications and forms oligomers or fibrous aggregates in tauopathies. In this review, we briefly introduce several tauopathies and discuss the mechanisms mediating tau aggregation and propagation. We also describe the toxicity of tau pathology. Finally, we explore the early diagnostic biomarkers and treatments targeting tau. Although some encouraging results have been achieved in animal experiments and preclinical studies, there is still no cure for tauopathies. More in-depth basic and clinical research on the pathogenesis of tauopathies is necessary.

The European Society of Hypertension (ESH) and American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recently updated their childhood hypertension management guidelines. We aimed to compare the hypertension prevalence determined using the two aforementioned guidelines and Fourth Report in a national cohort study. This 4.6-year follow-up study included 4276 children who had participated in the China Health and Nutrition Study. At baseline and during a follow-up survey, hypertension was defined using the three guidelines. We calculated the pediatric hypertension prevalence in at least one survey and in both surveys as the number of participants identified as hypertensive in at least one survey or in both surveys divided by 4276, respectively. Using Mc Nemar’s test, we determined that the prevalence of pediatric hypertension differed significantly according to AAP vs. ESH guidelines and Fourth Report at the baseline (8.3% vs. 5.0% and 5.0%, respectively; reference, AAP; Ps < 0.001 for AAP vs. ESH guidelines and Fourth Report) and follow-up surveys (14.5% vs. 5.0% and 6.0%, respectively; reference, AAP; both Ps < 0.001), as well as among those detected with hypertension in at least one survey (21.0% vs. 9.4% and 10.4%, respectively; reference, AAP; both Ps < 0.001) and both surveys (1.8% vs. 0.5% and 0.6%, respectively; reference, AAP; both Ps < 0.001). We obtained similar results when using the three guidelines to define childhood elevated blood pressure. Our findings confirm the higher prevalence of pediatric hypertension using AAP guideline than those using ESH guideline and Fourth Report. Consequently, childhood hypertension management guidelines should be selected and used with caution.

The noradrenergic locus ceruleus (LC) is the first site of detectable tau pathology in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), but the mechanisms underlying the selective vulnerability of the LC in AD have not been completely identified. In the present study, we show that DOPEGAL, a monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) metabolite of norepinephrine (NE), reacts directly with the primary amine on the Lys353 residue of tau to stimulate its aggregation and facilitate its propagation. Inhibition of MAO-A or mutation of the Lys353 residue to arginine (Lys353Arg) decreases tau Lys353–DOPEGAL levels and diminishes tau pathology spreading. Wild-type tau preformed fibrils (PFFs) trigger Lys353–DOPEGAL formation, tau pathology propagation and cognitive impairment in MAPT transgenic mice, all of which are attenuated with PFFs made from the Lys353Arg mutant. Thus, the selective vulnerability of LC neurons in AD may be explained, in part, by NE oxidation via MAO-A into DOPEGAL, which covalently modifies tau and accelerates its aggregation, toxicity and propagation. DOPEGAL, a metabolite of norepinephrine in the locus ceruleus, covalently modifies tau and accelerates its aggregation and propagation, leading to cognitive deficits in Alzheimer’s disease.

Triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2) is a transmembrane protein that is predominantly expressed by microglia in the brain. The proteolytic shedding of TREM2 results in the release of soluble TREM2 (sTREM2), which is increased in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). It remains unknown whether sTREM2 regulates the pathogenesis of AD. Here we identified transgelin-2 (TG2) expressed on neurons as the receptor for sTREM2. The microglia-derived sTREM2 binds to TG2, induces RhoA phosphorylation at S188, and deactivates the RhoA-ROCK-GSK3β pathway, ameliorating tau phosphorylation. The sTREM2 (77-89) fragment, which is the minimal active sequence of sTREM2 to activate TG2, mimics the inhibitory effect of sTREM2 on tau phosphorylation. Overexpression of sTREM2 or administration of the active peptide rescues tau pathology and behavioral defects in the tau P301S transgenic mice. Together, these findings demonstrate that the sTREM2-TG2 interaction mediates the cross-talk between microglia and neurons. sTREM2 and its active peptide may be a potential therapeutic intervention for tauopathies including AD. In this study, the authors found that sTREM2 attenuates tau hyperphosphorylation by activating transgelin-2. They developed an active peptide that mimics the protective effect of sTREM2, which may be an innovative therapeutic intervention for AD.

Point defects in silicon carbide are rapidly becoming a platform of great interest for single-photon generation, quantum sensing, and quantum information science. Photonic crystal cavities (PCCs) can serve as an efficient light–matter interface both to augment the defect emission and to aid in studying the defects’ properties. In this work, we fabricate 1D nanobeam PCCs in 4H-silicon carbide with embedded silicon vacancy centers. These cavities are used to achieve Purcell enhancement of two closely spaced defect zero-phonon lines (ZPL). Enhancements of >80-fold are measured using multiple techniques. Additionally, the nature of the cavity coupling to the different ZPLs is examined.

Pollen’s practically-indestructible shell structure has long inspired the biomimetic design of organic materials. However, there is limited understanding of how the mechanical, chemical, and adhesion properties of pollen are biologically controlled and whether strategies can be devised to manipulate pollen beyond natural performance limits. Here, we report a facile approach to transform pollen grains into soft microgel by remodeling pollen shells. Marked alterations to the pollen substructures led to environmental stimuli responsiveness, which reveal how the interplay of substructure-specific material properties dictates microgel swelling behavior. Our investigation of pollen grains from across the plant kingdom further showed that microgel formation occurs with tested pollen species from eudicot plants. Collectively, our experimental and computational results offer fundamental insights into how tuning pollen structure can cause dramatic alterations to material properties, and inspire future investigation into understanding how the material science of pollen might influence plant reproductive success. Pollen is an abundant material; but, currently has limited applications. Here, the authors turn pollen grains into soft microgel by de-esterification of pectin molecules and explore the mechanical and structural changes of the pollen grains using physical and modelling approaches.

Triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2) is a receptor mainly expressed on the surface of microglia. It mediates multiple pathophysiological processes in various diseases. Recently, TREM2 has been found to play a role in the development of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). TREM2 is a transmembrane protein that is specifically expressed on microglia in the brain. It contains a long ectodomain that directly interacts with the extracellular environment to regulate microglial function. The ectodomain of TREM2 is processed by a disintegrin and metalloprotease, resulting in the release of a soluble form of TREM2 (sTREM2). Recent studies have demonstrated that sTREM2 is a bioactive molecule capable of binding ligands, activating microglia, and regulating immune responses during the AD continuum. Clinical studies revealed that sTREM2 level is elevated in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of AD patients, and the sTREM2 level is positively correlated with the levels of classical CSF biomarkers, namely t-tau and p-tau, indicating that it is a reliable predictor of the early stages of AD. Herein, we summarize the key results on the generation, structure, and function of sTREM2 to provide new insights into TREM2-related mechanisms underlying AD pathogenesis and to promote the development of TREM2-based therapeutic strategy.

The relationship of dietary selenium intake and CVD remains unestablished. Our study aimed to investigate the relationship between dietary selenium intake and the risk of CVD in American adults. This cross-sectional study used data of 39,372 participants from the NHANES 2003–2018. We employed multivariable logistic regression and restricted cubic splines (RCS) to explore the association between dietary selenium intake and CVD risk. Subgroup analysis and interaction tests were also conducted to assess the influence of various covariates. For 39,372 individuals recruited in this study. The overall prevalence of CVD was 8.57%, and this prevalence decreased with increasing dietary selenium intake across tertiles. In the fully adjusted models, Tertile 2 of dietary selenium intake showed a 16% reduced risk of CVD. Subgroup analysis revealed that the association between dietary selenium intake and CVD risk remained consistent across different status. However, notably, the negative association between dietary selenium intake and the risk of ASCVD was significantly influenced by hypertension status. Dietary selenium intake could reduce the risk of CVD. A nonlinear association of dietary selenium intake with CVD risk was also revealed. These findings have important implications for establishing recommended dietary selenium intake levels to benefit public cardiovascular health.

The selective oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane (ODHE) is attracting increasing attention as a method for ethylene production. Typically, thermocatalysts operating at high temperatures are needed for C–H activation in ethane. In this study, we describe a low temperature ( < 140 °C) photocatalytic route for ODHE, using O 2 as the oxidant. A photocatalyst containing PdZn intermetallic nanoparticles supported on ZnO is prepared, affording an ethylene production rate of 46.4 mmol g –1  h –1 with 92.6% ethylene selectivity under 365 nm irradiation. When we employ a simulated shale gas feed, the photocatalytic ODHE system achieves nearly 20% ethane conversion while maintaining an ethylene selectivity of about 87%. The robust interface between the PdZn intermetallic nanoparticles and ZnO support plays a crucial role in ethane activation through a photo-assisted Mars-van Krevelen mechanism, followed by a rapid lattice oxygen replenishment to complete the reaction cycle. Our findings demonstrate that photocatalytic ODHE is a promising method for alkane-to-alkene conversions under mild conditions. The selective oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane is attracting increasing attention as a method for ethylene production. Here, PdZn supported on ZnO affords record-breaking photocatalytic ethane-to-ethylene conversion rate, emphasizing the pivotal role of the interface between PdZn and ZnO in the process.

Precise incidence prediction of Hepatitis infectious disease is critical for early prevention and better government strategic planning. In this paper, we presented different prediction models using deep learning methods based on the monthly incidence of Hepatitis through a national public health surveillance system in China mainland. We assessed and compared the performance of three deep learning methods, namely, Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) prediction model, Recurrent Neural Network (RNN) prediction model, and Back Propagation Neural Network (BPNN) prediction model. The data collected from 2005 to 2018 were used for the training and prediction model, while the data are split via 5-Fold cross-validation. The performance was evaluated based on three metrics: mean square error (MSE), mean absolute error (MAE), and mean absolute percentage error (MAPE). Among the year 2005-2018, 20,924,951 cases and 11,892 deaths were supervised in the system. Hepatitis B (HB) is the most disease-causing incidence and death, and the proportion is greater than 70 percent, while the percentage of the incidence and deaths is decreased much in 2018 compared with 2005. Based on the measured errors and the visualization of the three neural networks, there is no one model predicting the incidence cases that can be completely superior to other models. When predicting the number of incidence cases for HB, the performance ranking of the three models from high to low is LSTM, BPNN, RNN, while it is LSTM, RNN, BPNN for Hepatitis C (HC). while the MAE, MSE and MAPE of the LSTM model for HB, HC are 3.84*10-06, 3.08*10-11, 4.981, 8.84*10-06, 1.98*10-12,5.8519, respectively. The deep learning time series predictive models show their significance to forecast the Hepatitis incidence and have the potential to assist the decision-makers in making efficient decisions for the early detection of the disease incidents, which would significantly promote Hepatitis disease control and management.