Facile Synthesis of Iron Carbide via Pyrolysis of Ferrous Fumarate for Catalytic CO2 Hydrogenation to Lower Olefins

Hydrogenation of CO2 to olefin catalyzed by iron-based catalysts is a sustainable and important way to achieve carbon neutrality. In this study, iron-based catalysts were facilely prepared by direct pyrolysis of ferric fumarate (FF), which are applied to CO2 hydrogenation to olefin reaction to explore the effects of pyrolysis temperature and atmosphere on catalytic performance of the catalysts. Among them, NaFe-Air-400 catalyst exhibits the highest catalytic activity with 33.7 %, and light olefin selectivity reaches as high as 47.1 %. The catalytic performance of pyrolytic catalysts is better than that the impregnated NaFe catalyst on activated carbon (NaFe/AC). A series of XRD, Raman and SEM characterization results show a suitable pyrolysis temperature would promote the balance between amorphous carbon and graphene, which can affect the formation of FexCy phase, leading the distinctive activity and olefin selectivity. Hence, the presented one-step pyrolysis methodology would provide a facile and quick synthesis of highly-active iron-based catalyst design for CO2 conversion.

Transdermal Sustained Release Properties and Anti-Photoaging Efficacy of Liposome-Thermosensitive Hydrogel System

Drug delivery systems have become a research priority in the biomedical field. The incorporation of liposomes to hydrogels further forms more robust multifunctional systems for more effective and sustained topical drug delivery. In this study, carboxymethyl-modified chitosan/hyaluronic acid (CMC/HA, CMH) thermosensitive hydrogel is developed for sustained transdermal delivery of liposomes. Hydrogels are crosslinked by hydrogen bonding, hydrophobic interaction and electrostatic interaction. The gel properties can be regulated by substitution degree (DS), and when DS = 18.20 ± 0.67% (CMH2), the gel temperature is 37.8 °C, allowing rapid gelation at body temperature (315 s). Moreover, CMH2 hydrogel has suitable spreadability (17.7-57.2 cm2 ), viscosity (2133.4 mPa s) and porous structure, which facilitated its adhesion and application on the skin and liposomes delivery. The hydrogel can retard the liposomes release, and the release rate of ascorbyl glucoside (AA2G) is 33.92-49.35% in 24 h. Hydrogel avoids the rapid clearance of liposomes from the skin and improved the skin retention, achieving the long-term release of bioactive components. Liposome-hydrogel system more efficiently promotes the anti-photoaging effect of AA2G on skin, reducing epidermal thickness, melanin deposition and lipid oxidative damage and increasing collagen density. Therefore, liposome-hydrogel systems are proposed as multifunctional delivery systems for sustained transdermal delivery.

Epithelial Cell NOD1/IRGM Recruits STX17 to Neisseria gonorrhoeae-Containing Endosomes to Initiate Lysosomal Degradation

Neisseria gonorrhoeae establishes tight interactions with mucosal epithelia through activity of its type IV pilus, while pilus retraction forces activate autophagic responses toward invading gonococci. Here we studied pilus-independent epithelial cell responses and showed that pilus-negative gonococci residing in early and late endosomes are detected and targeted by nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain 1 (NOD1). NOD1 subsequently forms a complex with immunity-related guanosine triphosphatase M (IRGM) and autophagy-related 16-like 1 (ATG16L1) to activate autophagy and recruit microtubule-associated protein light chain 3 (LC3) to the intracellular bacteria. IRGM furthermore directly recruits syntaxin 17 (STX17), which is able to form tethering complexes with the lysosome. Importantly, IRGM-STX17 interactions are enhanced by LC3 but were still observed at lower levels in an LC3 knockout cell line. These findings demonstrate key roles for NOD1 and IRGM in the sensing of intracellular N gonorrhoeae and subsequent directing of the bacterium to the lysosome for degradation.

Acute Salinity Stress Disrupts Gut Microbiota Homeostasis and Reduces Network Connectivity and Cooperation in Razor Clam Sinonovacula constricta

Accumulating evidence demonstrates that it is of great importance to maintain a stable and functional gut microbial community for host's growth and health. However, gut microenvironment is constantly affected by diverse environmental factors. Salinity can cause stress, including hypersaline or hyposaline stress to aquatic species, thereby affecting their growth conditions. Razor clam (Sinonovacula constricta), an economically important bivalve species, inhabits in intertidal and estuarine zones and constantly experiences salinity stress. Yet little is known about how and to what extent clam gut microbiota is affected by salinity stress, while this knowledge is fundamental for clam aquaculture health management. To address this concern, this study compared the temporal differences of gut bacterial signatures and community assembly of S. constricta under normal salinity (NS), low salinity (LS), and high salinity (HS) conditions. Acute salinity stress affected the compositions, structures, and functional potentials of clam gut microbial community, of which salinity stress, hours post stress, and their interaction respectively constrained 7.6%, 16.4%, and 7.9% of community variation. Phylogenetic bin-based null model result revealed that the gut bacterial assembly of three salinity groups seemed to be largely driven by stochastic processes. Network analysis indicated that gut bacterial interspecies interaction exhibited less connected and lower cooperative activity under the conditions of LS and HS compared with NS. Notably, some pathogenic bacteria, including Vibrio and Pseudoalteromonas, were identified as keystone taxa of gut microbial networks in LS and HS groups. Above findings suggest that the clams under LS and HS conditions might be at a higher risk of developing disease. Our findings enhance the mechanism understanding of gut microbial assembly in S. constricta under abiotic factor challenge, which has important implications for clam health control from a microbial ecological perspective.

Correlation between the setting of gating window width and setup accuracy in left breast cancer radiotherapy based on deep inspiration breath hold

Personalized precision irradiation of patients with left-sided breast cancer is possible by examining the setup errors of 3- and 4-mm gated window widths for those treated with deep inspiration breath-hold (DIBH) treatment. An observational study was performed via a retrospective analysis of 250 cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images of 60 left-breast cancer patients who underwent whole-breast radiotherapy with the DIBH technique between January 2021 and 2022 at our hospital. Among them, 30 patients had a gated window width of 3 mm, while the remaining 30 had a gated window width of 4 mm; both groups received radiotherapy using DIBH technology. All patients underwent CBCT scans once a week, and the setup errors in the left-right (x-axis), inferior-superior (y-axis), and anterior-posterior (z-axis) directions were recorded. The clinical-to-planning target volume (CTV-PTV) margins of the two gating windows were calculated using established methods. The setup error in the Y direction was 1.69 ± 1.33 mm for the 3-mm - wide gated window and 2.42 ± 3.02 mm for the 4-mm - wide gated window. The two groups had statistically significant differences in the overall mean setup error (Dif 0.7, 95% CI 0.15-1.31, t = 2.48, p= 0.014). The Z-direction setup error was 2.32 ± 2.12 mm for the 3-mm - wide gated window and 3.15 ± 3.34 mm for the 4-mm - wide gated window. The overall mean setup error was statistically significant between the two groups (Dif 0.8, 95% CI 0.13-1.53, t= 2.34, p = 0.020). There was no significant difference in the X-direction setup error (p > 0.05). Therefore, the CTV-PTV margin values for a 3-mm gated window width in the X, Y, and Z directions are 5.51, 5.15, and 7.28 mm, respectively; those for a 4-mm gated window width in the X, Y, and Z directions are 5.52, 8.16, and 10.21 mm, respectively. The setup errors of the 3-mm - wide gating window are smaller than those of the 4-mm - wide gating window in the three dimensions. Therefore, when the patient's respiratory gating window width is reduced, the margin values of CTV-PTV can be reduced to increase the distance between the PTV and the organs at risk (OARs), which ensures adequate space for the dose to decrease, resulting in lower dose exposure to the OARs (heart, lungs, etc.), thus sparing the OARs from further damage. However, some patients with poor pulmonary function or unstable breathing amplitudes must be treated with a slightly larger gating window. Therefore, this study lays a theoretical basis for personalized precision radiotherapy, which can save time and reduce manpower in the delivery of clinical treatment to a certain extent. Another potential benefit of this work is to bring awareness to the potential implications of a slightly larger gating window during treatment without considering the resulting dosimetric impact.

Fabricating BiOCl Nanoflake/FeOCl Nanospindle Heterostructures for Efficient Visible-Light Photocatalysis

Fabricating heterostructures with abundant interfaces and delicate nanoarchitectures is an attractive approach for optimizing photocatalysts. Herein, we report the facile synthesis of BiOCl nanoflake/FeOCl nanospindle heterostructures through a solution chemistry method at room temperature. Characterizations, including XRD, SEM, TEM, EDS, and XPS, were employed to investigate the synthesized materials. The results demonstrate that the in situ reaction between the Bi precursors and the surface Cl- of FeOCl enabled the bounded nucleation and growth of BiOCl on the surface of FeOCl nanospindles. Stable interfacial structures were established between BiOCl nanoflakes and FeOCl nanospindles using Cl- as the bridge. Regulating the Bi-to-Fe ratios allowed for the optimization of the BiOCl/FeOCl interface, thereby facilitating the separation of photogenerated carriers and accelerating the photocatalytic degradation of RhB. The BiOCl/FeOCl heterostructures with an optimal composition of 15% BiOCl exhibited ~90 times higher visible-light photocatalytic activity than FeOCl. Based on an analysis of the band structures and reactive oxygen species, we propose an S-scheme mechanism to elucidate the significantly enhanced photocatalytic performance observed in the BiOCl/FeOCl heterostructures.

Diagnostic Performance of Metagenomic Next-Generation Sequencing in Central Nervous System Cryptococcosis Using Cerebrospinal Fluid

Purpose

Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) has been widely used to diagnose infectious diseases. However, there are few studies on its diagnostic performance in the central nervous system (CNS) cryptococcosis. This study examined the diagnostic efficacy of mNGS in identifying Cryptococcus spp. in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples.

Patients and Methods

From March 2021 to March 2023, 290 patients with suspected CNS infection were recruited from the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, and 74 patients were ultimately included in the study. Lastly, 22 patients with CNS cryptococcosis were included. Of these patients, 25 CSF samples were enrolled. The diagnostic performance of conventional assays [including India ink, cryptococcal antigen (CrAg) testing, and culture] and mNGS was evaluated for CNS cryptococcosis.

Results

In the 25 samples collected, the coincidence rates of mNGS with India ink, CrAg, and culture were 64.0% (16/25), 80.0% (20/25), and 80.0% (20/25), respectively. Without antifungal drug exposure, the coincidence rates were increased to 66.7% (10/15), 100.0% (15/15), and 93.3% (14/15), respectively. The coincidence rates after antifungal therapy were all decreased to 60.0% (6/10), 50.0% (5/10), and 60.0% (6/10), respectively. Moreover, in the 25 samples, the sensitivity of mNGS reached 80.0%, and of India ink, CrAg testing, and culture were 68.0, 100.0, and 60.0%, respectively. The mNGS showed an excellent positive rate (100.0%) in the 15 samples collected without antifungal drug exposure, which was significantly higher than the antifungal drug-exposed group (n = 10) (50.0%) (P = 0.005). The reads of Cryptococcus spp. before antifungal therapy were significantly higher than after it (median, 25,915 vs 2, P = 0.008).

Conclusion

mNGS is an effective tool for diagnosing CNS cryptococcosis using CSF; however, its sensitivity decreases considerably in patients who have been effectively treated with antifungal drugs.

Triggered Golgi membrane enrichment promotes PtdIns(4,5)P2 generation for plasma membrane repair

The maintenance of plasma membrane integrity and a capacity for efficiently repairing damaged membranes are essential for cell survival. Large-scale wounding depletes various membrane components at the wound sites, including phosphatidylinositols, yet little is known about how phosphatidylinositols are generated after depletion. Here, working with our in vivo C. elegans epidermal cell wounding model, we discovered phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate (PtdIns4P) accumulation and local phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate [PtdIns(4,5)P2] generation at the wound site. We found that PtdIns(4,5)P2 generation depends on the delivery of PtdIns4P, PI4K, and PI4P 5-kinase PPK-1. In addition, we show that wounding triggers enrichment of the Golgi membrane to the wound site, and that is required for membrane repair. Moreover, genetic and pharmacological inhibitor experiments support that the Golgi membrane provides the PtdIns4P for PtdIns(4,5)P2 generation at the wounds. Our findings demonstrate how the Golgi apparatus facilitates membrane repair in response to wounding and offers a valuable perspective on cellular survival mechanisms upon mechanical stress in a physiological context.

Bifidobacterium adolescentis induces Decorin+ macrophages via TLR2 to suppress colorectal carcinogenesis

BACKGROUND

The interplay between gut microbiota and tumor microenvironment (TME) in the pathogenesis of colorectal cancer (CRC) is largely unknown. Here, we elucidated the functional role of B. adolescentis and its possible mechanism on the manipulation of Decorin+ macrophages in colorectal cancer.

METHODS

The relative abundance of B. adolescentis in tumor or para-tumor tissue of CRC patients was analyzed. The role of B. adolescentis was explored in the CRC animal models. The single cell-RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) was used to investigate the myeloid cells subsets in TME. The expression level of TLR2/YAP axis and its downstream Decorin in macrophages were tested by Western blot and qRT-PCR. Knockdown of Decorin in Raw264.7 was performed to investigate the effect of Decorin+ macrophages on subcutaneous tumor formation. Multi-immunofluorescence assay examined the number of Decorin+ macrophages on the CRC tissue.

RESULTS

We found that the abundance of B. adolescentis was significantly reduced in tumor tissue of CRC patients. Supplementation with B. adolescentis suppressed AOM/DSS-induced tumorigenesis in mice. ScRNA-seq and animal experiment revealed that B. adolescentis increased Decorin+ macrophages. Mechanically, Decorin was activated by TLR2/YAP axis in macrophages. The abundance of B. adolescentis was correlated with the number of Decorin+ macrophages and the expression level of TLR2 in tumor tissue of CRC patients.

CONCLUSIONS

These results highlight that B. adolescentis induced Decorin+ macrophages and provide a novel therapeutic target for probiotic-based modulation of immune microenvironment in CRC.

Diagnosis of Non-Tuberculous Mycobacterial Pulmonary Disease by Metagenomic Next-Generation Sequencing on Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid

Purpose

Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) has been extensively used in the diagnosis of infectious diseases but has rarely been applied in non-tuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease (NTMPD). This study analyzed the diagnostic performance of mNGS in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) samples to identify non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM).

Patients and Methods

A total of 231 patients with suspected NTMPD were recruited from the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, from March 2021 to October 2022. A total of 118 cases were ultimately included. Of these patients, 61 cases were enrolled in the NTMPD group, 23 cases were enrolled in the suspected-NTMPD group, and 34 cases were enrolled in the non-NTMPD group. The diagnostic performance of traditional culture, acid-fast staining (AFS), and mNGS for NTMPD was assessed.

Results

Patients in the NTMPD group had a higher proportion of bronchiectasis (P=0.007). Among mNGS-positive samples in the NTMPD group, a significantly higher reads number of NTM was observed in AFS-positive patients [61.50 (22.00, 395.00) vs 15.50 (6.00, 36.25), P=0.008]. Meanwhile, mNGS demonstrated a sensitivity of 90.2%, which was far superior to AFS (42.0%) and culture (77.0%) (P<0.001). The specificity of mNGS in detecting NTM was 100%, which was the same as that of traditional culture. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of mNGS was 0.951 (95% CI 0.906-0.996), which was higher than that of culture (0.885 [95% CI 0.818-0.953]) and AFS (0.686 [95% CI 0.562-0.810]). In addition to NTM, other pulmonary pathogens were also found by mNGS.

Conclusion

mNGS using BALF samples is a rapid and effective diagnostic tool for NTMPD, and mNGS is recommended for patients with suspected NMTPD or NTM coinfected pneumonia.

Agomir miRNA-150-5p alleviates pristane-induced lupus by suppressing myeloid dendritic cells activation and inflammation via TREM-1 axis

OBJECTIVE

Triggering receptors expressed on myeloid cells-1 (TREM-1) has been shown to participate in inflammatory autoimmune diseases. Nevertheless, the detailed underlying mechanisms and therapeutic benefits by targeting TREM-1 remain elusive, especially in myeloid dendritic cells (mDCs) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Disorders of epigenetic processes including non-coding RNAs give rise to SLE, resulting in complicated syndromes. Here, we aim to address this issue and explore the miRNA to inhibit the activation of mDCs and alleviate the progress of SLE by targeting TREM-1 signal axis.

METHODS

Bioinformatics methods were used to analyze the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between patients with SLE and healthy individuals by four mRNA microarray datasets from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). Then we identified the expression of TREM-1 and its soluble form (sTREM-1) in clinical samples by ELISA, quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot. Phenotypic and functional changes of mDCs elicited by TREM-1 agonist were determined. Three databases of miRNAs target prediction and a dual-luciferase reporter assay were used to screen and verify miRNAs that can directly inhibit TREM-1 expression in vitro. Moreover, pristane-induced lupus mice were injected with miR-150-5p agomir to evaluate the effects of miR-150-5p on mDCs in lymphatic organs and disease activity in vivo.

RESULTS

We screened TREM-1 as one of the hub genes closely correlated with the progression of SLE and identified sTREM-1 in serum as a valuable diagnostic biomarker for SLE. Moreover, activation of TREM-1 by its agonist promoted activation and chemotaxis of mDCs and increased the production of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, showing higher expression of IL-6, TNF-α, and MCP-1. We showed that lupus mice displayed a unique miRNA signature in spleen, among which miR-150 was the most significantly expressed miRNA that targeting TREM-1 compared with wild type group. Transfection of miRNA-150-5p mimics directly suppressed the expression of TREM-1 by binding to its 3' UTR. Our in vivo experiments first indicated that administration of miR-150-5p agomir effectively ameliorated lupus symptoms. Intriguingly, miR-150 inhibited the over activation of mDCs through TREM-1 signal pathway in lymphatic organs and renal tissues.

CONCLUSIONS

TREM-1 represents a potentially novel therapeutic target and we identify miR-150-5p as one of the mechanisms to alleviate lupus disease, which is attributable for inhibiting mDCs activation through TREM-1 signaling pathway.

MIRO-1 interacts with VDAC-1 to regulate mitochondrial membrane potential in Caenorhabditis elegans

Precise regulation of mitochondrial fusion and fission is essential for cellular activity and animal development. Imbalances between these processes can lead to fragmentation and loss of normal membrane potential in individual mitochondria. In this study, we show that MIRO-1 is stochastically elevated in individual fragmented mitochondria and is required for maintaining mitochondrial membrane potential. We further observe a higher level of membrane potential in fragmented mitochondria in fzo-1 mutants and wounded animals. Moreover, MIRO-1 interacts with VDAC-1, a crucial mitochondrial ion channel located in the outer mitochondrial membrane, and this interaction depends on the residues E473 of MIRO-1 and K163 of VDAC-1. The E473G point mutation disrupts their interaction, resulting in a reduction of the mitochondrial membrane potential. Our findings suggest that MIRO-1 regulates membrane potential and maintains mitochondrial activity and animal health by interacting with VDAC-1. This study provides insight into the mechanisms underlying the stochastic maintenance of membrane potential in fragmented mitochondria.

Enhanced single RNA imaging reveals dynamic gene expression in live animals

Imaging endogenous mRNAs in live animals is technically challenging. Here, we describe an MS2-based signal amplification with the Suntag system that enables live-cell RNA imaging of high temporal resolution and with 8xMS2 stem-loops, which overcomes the obstacle of inserting a 1300 nt 24xMS2 into the genome for the imaging of endogenous mRNAs. Using this tool, we were able to image the activation of gene expression and the dynamics of endogenous mRNAs in the epidermis of live C. elegans.

Extraction and identification of steroidal saponins from Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua using natural deep eutectic solvent-synergistic quartz sand-assisted extraction method

In this study, quartz sand with particularly sharp nanoscale edges acted like a nanoscale knife physically cut cells of Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua into nanosized particles and was synergized with natural deep eutectic solvent to extract steroidal saponins of Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua. The natural deep eutectic solvent (choline chloride-lactic acid)-synergistic quartz sand-assisted extraction was optimized using response surface methodology. The steroidal saponins purified with AB-8 macroporous resin were identified using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-triple time of flight mass spectrometry. The results showed that the experimental total saponins content value (36.97 ± 0.12 mg dioscin equivalent/g dry weight) at optimal extraction conditions with a temperature of 68°C, a rotational speed of 20 400 rpm, shear time of 4.3 min, the liquid-solid ratio of 38 ml/g, was close to the maximum possible theoretical value (36.64 mg dioscin equivalent/g dry weight). A total of 20 steroidal saponins were identified, among which the content of (25R)-Kingianoside E was the highest (102.66 ± 3.47 mg/g). Furthermore, a new steroid saponin (3β,25S)-26-(β-D-glucopyranosyloxy)-22-hydroxyfurost-5-en-3-yl 4-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-β-D-galactopyranoside+Glc was found for the first time. These results revealed that natural deep eutectic solvent-synergistic quartz sand-assisted extraction was an efficient and green method to extract a variety of steroidal saponins.

STOP1 activates NRT1.1-mediated nitrate uptake to create a favorable rhizospheric pH for plant adaptation to acidity

Protons (H+) in acidic soils arrest plant growth. However, the mechanisms by which plants optimize their biological processes to diminish the unfavorable effects of H+ stress remain largely unclear. Here, we showed that in the roots of Arabidopsis thaliana, the C2H2-type transcription factor STOP1 in the nucleus was enriched by low pH in a nitrate-independent manner, with the spatial expression pattern of NITRATE TRANSPORTER 1.1 (NRT1.1) established by low pH required the action of STOP1. Additionally, the nrt1.1 and stop1 mutants, as well as the nrt1.1 stop1 double mutant, had a similar hypersensitive phenotype to low pH, indicating that STOP1 and NRT1.1 function in the same pathway for H+ tolerance. Molecular assays revealed that STOP1 directly bound to the promoter of NRT1.1 to activate its transcription in response to low pH, thus upregulating its nitrate uptake. This action improved the nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) of plants and created a favorable rhizospheric pH for root growth by enhancing H+ depletion in the rhizosphere. Consequently, the constitutive expression of NRT1.1 in stop1 mutants abolished the hypersensitive phenotype to low pH. These results demonstrate that STOP1-NRT1.1 is a key module for plants to optimize NUE and ensure better plant growth in acidic media.

The K+ and NO3 - Interaction Mediated by NITRATE TRANSPORTER1.1 Ensures Better Plant Growth under K+-Limiting Conditions

K⁺ and NO₃ ^- are the major forms of potassium and nitrogen that are absorbed by the roots of most terrestrial plants. In this study, we observed that a close relationship between NO₃ ^- and K⁺ in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) is mediated by NITRATE TRANSPORTER1.1 (NRT1.1). The nrt1.1 knockout mutants showed disturbed K⁺ uptake and root-to-shoot allocation, and were characterized by growth arrest under K⁺-limiting conditions. The K⁺ uptake and root-to-shoot allocation of these mutants were partially recovered by expressing NRT1.1 in the root epidermis-cortex and central vasculature using SULFATE TRANSPORTER1;2 and PHOSPHATE1 promoters, respectively. Two-way analysis of variance based on the K⁺ contents in nrt1.1-1/K ⁺ transporter1, nrt1.1-1/high-affinity K ⁺ transporter5-3, nrt1.1-1/K ⁺ uptake permease7, and nrt1.1-1/stelar K ⁺ outward rectifier-2 double mutants and the corresponding single mutants and wild-type plants revealed physiological interactions between NRT1.1 and K⁺ channels/transporters located in the root epidermis-cortex and central vasculature. Further study revealed that these K⁺ uptake-related interactions are dependent on an H⁺-consuming mechanism associated with the H⁺/NO₃ ^- symport mediated by NRT1.1. Collectively, these data indicate that patterns of NRT1.1 expression in the root epidermis-cortex and central vasculature are coordinated with K⁺ channels/transporters to improve K⁺ uptake and root-to-shoot allocation, respectively, which in turn ensures better growth under K⁺-limiting conditions.

Moderate injury in motor-sensory cortex causes behavioral deficits accompanied by electrophysiological changes in mice adulthood

Moderate traumatic brain injury (TBI) in children often happen when there’s a sudden blow to the frontal bone, end with long unconscious which can last for hours and progressive cognitive deficits. However, with regard to the influences of moderate TBI during children adulthood, injury-induced alterations of locomotive ability, long-term memory performance, and hippocampal electrophysiological firing changes have not yet been fully identified. In this study, lateral fluid percussion (LFP) method was used to fabricate moderate TBI in motor and somatosensory cortex of the 6-weeks-old mice. The motor function, learning and memory function, extracellular CA1 neural spikes were assessed during acute and subacute phase. Moreover, histopathology was performed on day post injury (DPI) 16 to evaluate the effect of TBI on tissue and cell morphological changes in cortical and hippocampal CA1 subregions. After moderate LFP injury, the 6-weeks-old mice showed severe motor deficits at the early stage in acute phase but gradually recovered later during adulthood. At the time points in acute and subacute phase after TBI, novel object recognition (NOR) ability and spatial memory functions were consistently impaired in TBI mice; hippocampal firing frequency and burst probability were hampered. Analysis of the altered burst firing shows a clear hippocampal theta rhythm drop. These electrophysiological impacts were associated with substantially lowered NOR preference as compared to the sham group during adulthood. These results suggest that moderate TBI introduced at motorsenory cortex in 6-weeks-old mice causes obvious motor and cognitive deficits during their adulthood. While the locomotive ability progressively recovers, the cognitive deficits persisted while the mice mature as adult mice. The cognitive deficits may be attributed to the general suppressing of whole neural network, which could be labeled by marked reduction of excitability in hippocampal CA1 subregion.