The conversion of skeletal muscle fiber from fast twitch to slow‐twitch is important for sustained and tonic contractile events, maintenance of energy homeostasis, and the alleviation of fatigue. Skeletal muscle remodeling is effectively induced by endurance or aerobic exercise, which also generates several tricarboxylic acid ( TCA ) cycle intermediates, including succinate. However, whether succinate regulates muscle fiber‐type transitions remains unclear. Here, we found that dietary succinate supplementation increased endurance exercise ability, myosin heavy chain I expression, aerobic enzyme activity, oxygen consumption, and mitochondrial biogenesis in mouse skeletal muscle. By contrast, succinate decreased lactate dehydrogenase activity, lactate production, and myosin heavy chain II b expression. Further, by using pharmacological or genetic loss‐of‐function models generated by phospholipase Cβ antagonists, SUNCR 1 global knockout, or SUNCR 1 gastrocnemius‐specific knockdown, we found that the effects of succinate on skeletal muscle fiber‐type remodeling are mediated by SUNCR 1 and its downstream calcium/ NFAT signaling pathway. In summary, our results demonstrate succinate induces transition of skeletal muscle fiber via SUNCR 1 signaling pathway. These findings suggest the potential beneficial use of succinate‐based compounds in both athletic and sedentary populations.

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In remote sensing studies of land surface temperatures (LST), thematic land-use and land-cover (LULC) data are frequently employed for simple correlation analyses between LULC types and their thermal signatures. Development of quantitative surface descriptors could improve our capabilities for modeling urban thermal landscapes and advance urban climate research. This study developed an analytical procedure based upon a spectral unmixing model for characterizing and quantifying the urban landscape in Indianapolis, Indiana. A Landsat Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus image of the study area, acquired on 22 June 2002, was spectrally unmixed into four fraction endmembers, namely, green vegetation, soil, high and low albedo. Impervious surface was then computed from the high and low albedo images. A hybrid classification procedure was developed to classify the fraction images into seven land-use and land-cover classes. Next, pixel-based LST measurements were related to urban surface biophysical descriptors derived from spectral mixture analysis (SMA). Correlation analyses were conducted to investigate land-cover based relationships between LST and impervious surface and green vegetation fractions for an analysis of the causes of LST variations. Results indicate that fraction images derived from SMA were effective for quantifying the urban morphology and for providing reliable measurements of biophysical variables such as vegetation abundance, soil, and impervious surface. An examination of LST variations within census block groups and their relationships with the compositions of LULC types, biophysical descriptors, and other relevant spatial data shows that LST possessed a weaker relation with the LULC compositions than with other variables (including urban biophysical descriptors, remote sensing biophysical variables, GIS-based impervious surface variables, and population density). Further research should be directed to refine spectral mixture modeling. The use of multi-temporal remote sensing data for urban time-space modeling and comparison of urban morphology in different geographical settings are also feasible.

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Introduction. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of herbal formula QiangGuYin (QGY) in postmenopausal women. Materials and Methods. A total of 240 participants from six clinical centers were randomly to receive alendronate 70 mg/week, QGY granules 20 g/day, and placebo. Primary end points were BMD changes over 6 and 12 months; secondary end points were bone turnover markers changes at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. Safety was monitored by clinical adverse events reported during the follow-up. Results. Of 240 women recruited, 218 completed the study. Significant BMD increases from baseline were observed over 6 and 12 months at each observed part both in QGY and alendronate compared with placebo (p < 0.01). Alendronate-treated subjects had significant decreases in β-CTX compared to QGY-treated subjects at each time point assessed (p < 0.01). Reduction in t-P1NP was only observed in the QGY group at 3 and 6 months (−23.81% and −3.07%, resp.). No significant difference was observed in the overall incidence of clinical adverse events among the alendronate group and the QGY group (5.0% versus 7.5%, p = 0.513). Conclusion. 1-Year treatment with QGY demonstrated a safe statistical increase in BMD and new balance may be rebuilt after 9 months. This trail is registered with ChiCTR-POC-16008026.

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The metal-supramolecular diblock copolymer containing mechano-labile bis(terpyridine)-Cu(II) complex linkage in the junction point was synthesized. These metal-ligand containing amphiphilic copolymers are able to self-assemble in aqueous solution to form spherical micelles with poly(propylene glycol) block forming the hydrophobic core. It is found that high intensity focused ultrasound can open the copolymer micelles and trigger the release of the payload in the micelle. The micellar properties and release kinetics of encapsulated guest molecule in response to ultrasound stimuli were investigated. The weak Cu(II)-terpyridine dynamic bond in the copolymer chain can be cleaved under ultrasound and thus leads to the disruption of the copolymer micelle and the release of loaded cargo. This study will open up a new way for the molecular design of ultrasound modulated drug delivery systems.

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