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To identify tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) related molecular subtypes and develop a TAMs related prognostic model for prostate cancer (PCa). Consensus clustering analysis was used to identify TAMs related molecular clusters. A TAMs related prognostic model was developed using univariate and multivariate Cox analysis. Three TAMs related molecular clusters were identified and were confirmed to be associated with prognosis, clinicopathological characteristics, PD-L1 expression levels and tumor microenvironment. A TAMs related prognostic model was constructed. Patients in low-risk group all showed a more appreciable biochemical recurrence-free survival (BCRFS) than patients in high-risk group in train cohort, test cohort, entire TCGA cohort and validation cohort. SLC26A3 attenuated progression of PCa and prevented macrophage polarizing to TAMs phenotype, which was initially verified. We successfully identified molecular clusters related to TAMs. Additionally, we developed a prognostic model involving TAMs that exhibits excellent predictive performance for biochemical recurrence-free survival in PCa. • We identified three TAMs related molecular clusters related to tumor immune microenvironment and clinicopathologic features. • We developed a TAMs related prognostic model with excellent predictive performance for BCRFS of PCa patients. • These findings would provide a novel insight for mechanism by which TAMs infiltration regulated PCa progression in TME. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urea, nickel (Ni) and dissolved organic matter (DOM) from land varied with different sources have a great impact on the offshore ecosystem. The heterogeneity of Ni bioavailability and toxicity of Prorocentrum donghaiense influenced by DOM fractions incubated in urea was investigated in this study. On the occasion, chlorophyll (Chl a) concentration, growth rate, and photosynthesis parameters were monitored to track changes occurring in the test organism. Chl a concentration and photosynthesis parameters in the treatment of hydrophilic DOM (HPI) with Ni-free was significantly higher than that in the control treatment, and similar data were shown in the treatment of hydrophobic DOM（HPO）with the low Ni environment (0.17μmol L−1). However, the opposite phenomena were observed in the treatments of HPO with the higher Ni environment (over 170μmol L−1). Moreover, the EC 50 of Ni for P.donghaiense incubated in HPO was relatively lower than that in HPI and control treatment, which implied that HPO elevated the toxicity of Ni. Therefore, the varied DOM compositions because of different origins, as a chelating agent and potential nutrient source in coastal waters, shows the significantly different bioavailability and toxicity of Ni with the increasing inputs of urea, which in turn influences the dynamics of phytoplankton. [Display omitted] • HPI as an organic nitrogen could promote the growth of P.donghaiense without Ni. • HPO promotes the trace Ni bioavailability and the growth rate of P.donghaiense. • HPO accelerates Ni toxicity on P. donghaiense in excessive Ni ambient. • Fractionated DOM coexisted with urea and Ni affects the biodynamics thereafter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Second generation antipsychotic drugs (SGAs) cause substantial body weight gain/obesity and other metabolic side-effects such as dyslipidaemia. Their antagonistic affinity to the histaminergic H 1 receptor (H 1 R) has been identified as one of the main contributors to weight gain/obesity side-effects. The effects and mechanisms of betahistine (a histaminergic H 1 R agonist and H 3 receptor antagonist) have been investigated for ameliorating SGA-induced weight gain/obesity in both animal models and clinical trials. It has been demonstrated that co-treatment with betahistine is effective in reducing weight gain, associated with olanzapine in drug-naïve patients with schizophrenia, as well as in the animal models of both drug-naïve rats and rats with chronic, repeated exposure to olanzapine. Betahistine co-treatment can reduce food intake and increase the effect of thermogenesis in brown adipose tissue by modulating hypothalamic H 1 R-NPY-AMPKα (NPY: neuropeptide Y; AMPKα: AMP-activated protein kinase α) pathways, and ameliorate olanzapine-induced dyslipidaemia through modulation of AMPKα-SREBP-1-PPARα-dependent pathways (SREBP-1: Sterol regulatory element binding protein 1; PPARα: Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α) in the liver. Although reduced locomotor activity was observed from antipsychotic treatment in rats, betahistine did not affect locomotor activity. Importantly, betahistine co-treatment did not influence the effects of antipsychotics on serotonergic receptors in the key brain regions for antipsychotic therapeutic efficacy. However, betahistine co-treatment reverses the upregulated dopamine D 2 binding caused by chronic olanzapine administration, which may be beneficial in reducing D 2 supersensitivity often observed in chronic antipsychotic treatment. Therefore, these results provide solid evidence supporting further clinical trials in treating antipsychotics-induced weight gain using betahistine in patients with schizophrenia and other mental disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cypermethrin (CYP), a widely-used composite pyrethroid pesticide, has underlying nephrotoxic effects. To elucidate potential roles of the MAPK pathway, the Jag/Notch pathway, and miRNAs in CYP-mediated kidney lesion, Sprague-Dawley rats and glomerular mesangial cells were used in this work. Results displayed that β-CYP abnormally altered renal histomorphology and ultrastructures, induced renal DNA damage, and impaired renal functions, as evidenced by the increase in plasma levels of Cys-C and β2-Mg. β-CYP activated the JNK/c-Jun pathway by inducing ROS and oxidative stress. Meanwhile, β-CYP changed the miRNA expression profile, miR-21–5p showing the most significant increase. Moreover, the Jag1/Notch2/Hes1 pathway was directly targeted by miR-21–5p, the mRNA and protein expression of Jag1, Notch2, and Hes1 being declined in vivo and in vitro. The chemokine CXCL16 was induced by β-CYP, accompanied by the inflammatory factor production and inflammatory cell infiltration in kidneys. The specific JNK inhibitor, Jag1 overexpression, Hes1 overexpression, bidirectional Co-IP, ChIP, and CXCL16 silencing demonstrated that CXCL16 co-regulated by the JNK/c-Jun and Jag1/Notch2/Hes1 pathways elicited renal inflammation. Collectively, our findings indicate that β-CYP is of nephrotoxicity and it not only directly changes renal histomorphology and ultrastructures, but induces CXCL16 to trigger renal inflammation via the JNK/c-Jun and Jag1/Notch2/Hes1 pathways, finally synergistically contributing to kidney damage. [Display omitted] • β-CYP has the nephrotoxic effect and could mediate kidney damage. • β-CYP directly changed renal histomorphology and ultrastructures. • β-CYP activated the JNK/c-Jun pathway via ROS and oxidative stress. • β-CYP induced miR-21–5p to impede the Jag1/Notch2/Hes1 pathway. • β-CYP upregulated CXCL16 via the JNK/c-Jun and Jag1/Notch2/Hes1 pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cypermethrin (CYP), an extensively-used broad-spectrum pyrethroid pesticide, is regarded as a potential environmental endocrine disruptor with the anti-androgenic characteristic. To explore underlying roles of non-coding RNAs and the Jak/Stat pathway in CYP-mediated testosterone biosynthesis suppression, SD rats and Leydig cells were employed in this work. Results displayed that β-CYP decreased plasma testosterone levels and led to abnormal alterations of testicular histomorphology and ultrastructures. LncRNA XIST and miR-142–5p were co-localized in the cytoplasm of Leydig cells, but the expression of XIST was inhibited by β-CYP while that of miR-142–5p was induced. Then overexpressed miR-142–5p dampened the Jak1/Stat1 pathway by directly targeting Jak1. Transcription factors NFκB and YY1 impeded by β-CYP were positively regulated by the Jak1/Stat1 pathway. Bidirectional Co-IP and ChIP assays demonstrated that NFκB interacted with and modulated YY1 by directly binding to the promoter region of YY1. ChIP, qPCR, and YY1 knockdown/overexpression assays indicated that YY1 acted as a transcriptional activator to directly modulate steroidogenic StAR and 3β-HSD in Leydig cells. Taken together, miR-142–5p sponged by lncRNA XIST directly targets the Jak1/Stat1 pathway, which regulates steroidogenic StAR and 3β-HSD via NFκB and YY1, and ultimately dampens testosterone production in Leydig cells. [Display omitted] • β-CYP has the anti-androgenic property and could suppress testosterone levels. • YY1 acts as a transcriptional activator to modulate steroidogenic StAR and 3β-HSD. • LncRNA XIST level is inhibited by β-CYP, but miR-142–5p level is induced. • miR-142–5p sponged by XIST dampens the Jak1/Stat1 pathway by targeting Jak1. • The Jak1/Stat1 pathway positively regulates transcription factors NFκB and YY1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blue mussel (Mytilus edulis L.) is a shellfish with high nutritional and economic value. Free amino acids (FAAs), 5′-nucleotides, and lipids that affected the nutritional value and flavor of blue mussels varying with the seasons were analyzed using stable isotope labeling-liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (SIL-LC-MS/MS) and ultra-performance liquid chromatography-Q-Exactive orbitrap tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap-MS). FAAs and 5′-nucleotides were most in the summer. Changes in FAAs between seasons were more obvious than those between genders, except in spring, when females were in the reproductive period. A total of 413 lipids were annotated in blue mussels for one year. Seasonal variation in triacylglycerols (TAGs) was the most evident. TAGs were dominant in females, while phosphatidylcholines (PCs) and phosphatidylethanolamines (PEs) were dominant in males. Overall, blue mussels in summer were more delicious and nutritious. Thus, such findings are of great significance to the seasonal preference of deep processing and consumption of mussel products. [Display omitted] • FAAs and 5′-nucleotides in mussel were mainly accumulated during summer. • Significant changes of FAA profile showed in spring between different genders. • TAGs were dominant in female mussels, PCs and PEs were dominant in males. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A double inertia mass equivalent model (DIMEM) for a non-packed particle damper (NPPD) was proposed • The parameter determination method and applicability of the DIMEM were evaluated • The DIMEM was used to analyse the damping performance of NPPD A non-packed particle damper (NPPD) is an advantageous passive damping device with a wide frequency band and good robustness. However, its damping mechanism remains unclear, and its application for controlling vibrations in civil engineering structures is being explored. By analysing the particle motion state, this paper proposes a double inertia mass equivalent model (DIMEM) to reflect the interaction between particles. The effect of inertia was introduced in the DIMEM to consider the rolling effect of particles on the damping performance of the NPPD. An electromagnetic vibration table test of a single-storey frame structure with an NPPD was designed and performed. The parameter determination method and applicability of the DIMEM were also evaluated based on experimental and theoretical analyses. Furthermore, the effects of the parameters on the damping performance of the NPPD were systematically analysed. The results confirm that the equivalent model can reflect the damping performance and mechanism of the NPPD. The particle group inertia is an inherent property of the NPPD. With an increase in the ratio of inertance to particle mass, the optimal vibration damping performance deteriorates under harmonic excitation, and the corresponding equivalent connection stiffness gradually increases. The equivalent connection stiffness, additional mass ratio, recovery coefficient, and acceleration normalised collision distance significantly affect the damping performance and mechanism. However, the effects of the equivalent connection damping coefficient and rolling friction coefficient are negligible. The proposed DIMEM and the corresponding parameter analysis can provide an important reference for the application of NPPDs in civil engineering. Image, graphical abstract [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The production of natural selenium (Se)-rich food by using a high-Se crop cultivar is beneficial to human health and environmental safety; however, the underlying mechanism of different Se-accumulation ability between high- and low-Se rice cultivars remains unclear. A low-grain-Se cultivar and high-grain-Se cultivar of rice were used as test materials, and two levels of Se (0 and 0.5 mg kg−1) were arranged in a randomized design containing twelve replicates. The dynamic changes of shoot Se concentration and accumulation, xylem sap Se concentration, shoot and grain Se distribution, Se transporters genes (OsPT2 , Sultr1;2 , NRT1.1B) expression of the high- and low-Se rice cultivars were determined. The shoot Se concentration and accumulation of the high-Se rice showed a greater degree of reduction than those of the low-Se rice during grain filling stage, indicating that leaves of high-Se rice served as a Se source and supplied more Se for the growth centre grain. The expression levels of OsPT2 , NRT1.1B and Sultr1;2 in the high-Se rice cultivar were significantly higher than those in the low-Se rice cultivar, which indicated that the high-Se rice cultivar possessed better transport carriers. The distribution of Se in grain of the high-Se rice cultivar was more uniform, whereas the low-Se cultivar tended to accumulate Se in embryo end. The stronger reutilization of Se from shoots to grains promoted by increased transporters genes expression and optimized grain storage space may explain how the high-Se rice cultivar is able to accumulate more Se in grain. Image 1 • The Se transfer factor between grain and leaf of the high-Se rice was significantly higher than that of the low-Se rice. • The leaf of the high-Se rice cultivar served as Se source can supply more Se for the grain. • The high-Se rice cultivar possesses better transport carriers. • The high-Se rice cultivar can better utilization of grain storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • PTP1B is increased in the serum of obese subjects and the forebrain of obese mice, correlated with cognitive decline. • Knockout of PTP1B in leptin receptor-expressing cells and forebrain regions prevents cognitive impairments in obese mice. • PTP1B allosteric inhibitors improved leptin synaptic signaling in obese mice and PTP1B-overexpressed-neuronal cells. Obesity has reached pandemic proportions and is a risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease. Chronic inflammation is common in obese patients, but the mechanism between inflammation and cognitive impairment in obesity remains unclear. Accumulative evidence shows that protein-tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B), a neuroinflammatory and negative synaptic regulator, is involved in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative processes. We investigated the causal role of PTP1B in obesity-induced cognitive impairment and the beneficial effect of PTP1B inhibitors in counteracting impairments of cognition, neural morphology, and signaling. We showed that obese individuals had negative relationship between serum PTP1B levels and cognitive function. Furthermore, the PTP1B level in the forebrain increased in patients with neurodegenerative diseases and obese cognitive impairment mice with the expansion of white matter, neuroinflammation and brain atrophy. PTP1B globally or forebrain-specific knockout mice on an obesogenic high-fat diet showed enhanced cognition and improved synaptic ultrastructure and proteins in the forebrain. Specifically, deleting PTP1B in leptin receptor-expressing cells improved leptin synaptic signaling and increased BDNF expression in the forebrain of obese mice. Importantly, we found that various PTP1B allosteric inhibitors (e.g., MSI-1436, well-tolerated in Phase 1 and 1b clinical trials for obesity and type II diabetes) prevented these alterations, including improving cognition, neurite outgrowth, leptin synaptic signaling and BDNF in both obese cognitive impairment mice and a neural cell model of PTP1B overexpression. These findings suggest that increased forebrain PTP1B is associated with cognitive decline in obesity, whereas inhibition of PTP1B could be a promising strategy for preventing neurodegeneration induced by obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The participants with obesity have decreased Clostridium butyricum correlated with cognitive decline. • Clostridium butyricum improves hippocampal synaptic ultrastructure of obese mice. • Many hippocampal gene changes in AD are reversed by Clostridium butyricum. • Clostridium butyricum prevents cognitive decline via the microbiota-gut-brain axis. Obesity is a risk factor for cognitive dysfunction and neurodegenerative disease, including Alzheimer's disease (AD). The gut microbiota-brain axis is altered in obesity and linked to cognitive impairment and neurodegenerative disorders. Here, we targeted obesity-induced cognitive impairment by testing the impact of the probiotic Clostridium butyricum , which has previously shown beneficial effects on gut homeostasis and brain function. Firstly, we characterized and analyzed the gut microbial profiles of participants with obesity and the correlation between gut microbiota and cognitive scores. Then, using an obese mouse model induced by a Western-style diet (high-fat and fiber-deficient diet), the effects of Clostridium butyricum on the microbiota-gut-brain axis and hippocampal cognitive function were evaluated. Finally, fecal microbiota transplantation was performed to assess the functional link between Clostridium butyricum remodeling gut microbiota and hippocampal synaptic protein and cognitive behaviors. Our results showed that participants with obesity had gut microbiota dysbiosis characterized by an increase in phylum Proteobacteria and a decrease in Clostridium butyricum , which were closely associated with cognitive decline. In diet-induced obese mice, oral Clostridium butyricum supplementation significantly alleviated cognitive impairment, attenuated the deficit of hippocampal neurite outgrowth and synaptic ultrastructure, improved hippocampal transcriptome related to synapses and dendrites; a comparison of the effects of Clostridium butyricum in mice against human AD datasets revealed that many of the genes changes in AD were reversed by Clostridium butyricum ; concurrently, Clostridium butyricum also prevented gut microbiota dysbiosis, colonic barrier impairment and inflammation, and attenuated endotoxemia. Importantly, fecal microbiota transplantation from donor-obese mice with Clostridium butyricum supplementation facilitated cognitive variables and colonic integrity compared with from donor obese mice, highlighting that Clostridium butyricum's impact on cognitive function is largely due to its ability to remodel gut microbiota. Our findings provide the first insights into the neuroprotective effects of Clostridium butyricum on obesity-associated cognitive impairments and neurodegeneration via the gut microbiota-gut-brain axis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Constructing a stable and efficient anammox-driven constructed wetlands (CWs) system for efficiently treating high-nitrogen wastewater with low C/N remains a challenge, due to slow growth rate and high sensitivity of anammox bacteria to changing environmental conditions. Notably, sensitive anammox bacteria is still affected by the physicochemical properties of wetland substrates and their effects are still unknown. Therefore, three single-substrate (gravel, zeolite, and oyster shell) CWs were constructed with the goal of enhancing total nitrogen (TN) removal by anammox-driven/dominant process and determining the effect of substrate on anammox process. The gravel, zeolite and oyster shell systems achieved desired TN removal rates of 20.50, 14.25 and 22.15 g·(m2·d)−1 when influent TN load was 32.57 g·(m2·d)−1 without carbon source and costly aeration, respectively. Oyster shell system exhibited the highest removal ability and better capacity for resistance to influent nitrogen load, followed by gravel and zeolite systems (p < 0.05). Integrated analyses indicated anammox-driven/dominant process was the foremost reason accounted for the enhanced nitrogen treatment performance in all systems. The abundance of anammox gene was higher than the total abundance of denitrifying genes in the three CWs when influent TN load reached 14.85 g·(m2·d)−1. Path analysis further demonstrated anammox process was the foremost nitrogen removal pathway. [anammox] had a highest positive direct contribution (97.3%) on TN transformation rate in gravel system; [anammox/(nap A+ nar G+ nir K+ nir S+ nos Z)] showed highest positive direct contribution (92.4% and 97.4%) on that in zeolite and oyster shell systems, respectively. Substrate configurations significantly affected nitrogen transformation pathway and microbial communities, particularly those of anammox bacteria. Anammox genera of Candidatus Brocadia (primary anammox genera) and Candidatus Kuenenia exhibited different evolutions among the three CWs. Machine learning of Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) analyses showed pH, Ca, Mg, EC, and K were the key physicochemical properties of wetland substrates affecting anammox gene and anammox genera. In conclusion, Oyster shell was the optimal substrate for anammox bacteria growth. [Display omitted] • Anammox-driven constructed wetlands achieved desired TN removal efficiencies. • Substrate configurations markedly affect the enrichment of anammox bacteria. • N transformation processes were coupled at the molecular level (functional genes). • TN transformation rates was mainly determined by anammox 16S rRNA genes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

TBX1 is a major disease gene of 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11.2DS). It is expressed in all three germ layers of pharyngeal apparatus to control the complicated morphogenesis. The haploinsufficiency of pharyngeal endodermal or ectodermal, but not mesodermal Tbx1 causes aortic arch patterning defect. However, the mesodermal deletion of Tbx1 causes much severer pharyngeal and cardiovascular defect than either pharyngeal endodermal or ectodermal Tbx1 deletion does. It is inconsistent with the conventional thought that the invagination of pharyngeal epithelia drives pharyngeal segmentation. Therefore, we asked whether pharyngeal ectodermal and ectodermal Tbx1 can compensate the loss of each other. Here we carefully characterized pharyngeal epithelia-specific Fgf15Cre and Fgf15HspCre lines and used them to perform pharyngeal epithelia-specific deletion. Our data showed that the percentage of E18.5 Fgf15Cre;Tbx1 flox/+ embryos with aortic arch patterning defects was similar to that of E10.5 Fgf15Cre;Tbx1 flox/+ embryos with the 4th pharyngeal arch artery (PAA) defect, indicating that there is no significant recovery from the initial PAA defect, in contrast to germ line haploinsufficiency. Fgf15Cre;Tbx1 flox/flox embryos had hypoplastic caudal pharyngeal arch and defective derivatives, but cardiac OFT development was not affected. The phenotypic spectrum of simultaneous Tbx1 deletion in both pharyngeal ectoderm and endoderm is strikingly similar to what presents with single pharyngeal endoderm or ectoderm-specific deletion of Tbx1. The absence of synergistic effect indicates intimate topographic interactions among pharyngeal endoderm and ectoderm, through which deletion of a gene in one tissue may disrupt the development of adjacent tissues and thereby lead to similar morphological phenotypes in either tissue-specific deletion. • The developments of pharyngeal endoderm and ectoderm are closely interlinked. • Pharyngeal endodermal and ectodermal Tbx1 have no synergistic interaction. • Pharyngeal mesoderm has a central role in patterning pharyngeal segmentation. • Acute deletion of pharyngeal epithelial Tbx1 impairs the recovery of early PAA defect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The effects of CBD were examined in a female poly I:C model of schizophrenia. • CBD restored recognition memory, social withdrawal and NMDAR binding deficits. • CBD increased GAD 67 and PV levels in the hippocampus, regardless of poly I:C exposure. • CBD impaired social interaction, NMDAR and CB1R binding density in healthy rats. • CBD may be an efficacious treatment for associated deficits in female patients. Cognitive impairment is a major source of disability in schizophrenia and current antipsychotic drugs (APDs) have minimal efficacy for this symptom domain. Cannabidiol (CBD), the major non-intoxicating component of Cannabis sativa L., exhibits antipsychotic and neuroprotective properties. We recently reported the effects of CBD on cognition in male offspring of a maternal immune activation (polyinosinic-polycytidilic acid (poly I:C)) model relevant to the aetiology of schizophrenia; however, the effects of CBD treatment in females are unknown. Sex differences are observed in the onset of schizophrenia symptoms and response to APD treatment. Furthermore, the endogenous cannabinoid system, a direct target of CBD, is sexually dimorphic in humans and rodents. Therefore, the present work aimed to assess the therapeutic impact of CBD treatment on behaviour and neurochemical signalling markers in female poly I:C offspring. Time-mated pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 16) were administered poly I:C (4 mg/kg; i.v.) or saline (control) on gestational day 15. From postnatal day 56, female offspring received CBD (10 mg/kg, i.p.) or vehicle treatment for approximately 3 weeks. Following 2 weeks of CBD treatment, offspring underwent behavioural testing, including the novel object recognition, rewarded alternation T-maze and social interaction tests to assess recognition memory, working memory and sociability, respectively. After 3 weeks of CBD treatment, the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and hippocampus (HPC) were collected to assess effects on endocannabinoid, glutamatergic and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) signalling markers. CBD attenuated poly I:C-induced deficits in recognition memory, social interaction and glutamatergic N -methyl- d -aspartate receptor (NMDAR) binding in the PFC of poly I:C offspring. Working memory performance was similar between treatment groups. CBD also increased glutamate decarboxylase 67, the rate-limiting enzyme that converts glutamate to GABA, and parvalbumin protein levels in the HPC. In contrast to the CBD treatment effects observed in poly I:C offspring, CBD administration to control rats reduced social interaction, cannabinoid CB1 receptor and NMDAR binding density in the PFC, suggesting that CBD administration to healthy rats may have negative consequences on social behaviour and brain maturation in adulthood. Overall, the findings of this study support the therapeutic benefits of CBD on recognition memory and sociability in female poly I:C offspring, and provide insight into the neurochemical changes that may underlie the therapeutic benefits of CBD in the poly I:C model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Schizophrenia is a severe mental disorder with unknown etiology. Many mechanisms, including dysregulation of neurotransmitters, immune disturbance, and abnormal neurodevelopment, are proposed for the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. The significance of communication between intestinal flora and the central nervous system through the gut-brain axis is increasingly being recognized. The intestinal microbiota plays an important role in regulating neurotransmission, immune homeostasis, and brain development. We hypothesize that an imbalance in intestinal flora causes immune activation and dysfunction in the gut-brain axis, contributing to schizophrenia. In this review, we examine recent studies that explore the intestinal flora and immune-mediated neurodevelopment of schizophrenia. We conclude that an imbalance in intestinal flora may reduce protectants and increase neurotoxin and inflammatory mediators, causing neuronal and synaptic damage, which induces schizophrenia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Taste-active compounds are significant for the taste and nutrition of food, but their simultaneous quantification remains challenging due to the lack of efficient methods. The existing methods are difficult to simultaneously quantify many species and quantities of taste-active compounds by a single assay. In this study, a rapid and reliable method based on hydrophilic interaction chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole-tandem mass spectrometry (HILIC-MS/MS) was established for the simultaneous quantification and validation of 51 taste-active compounds in different food samples. The established method had a wide linear range (0.1–3000 ng/mL) and the limits of quantification were within the range from <0.1 to 100 ng/mL. This method demonstrated good quantification recovery in the range of 60–130 %. With the method proposed, the simultaneous determination of 51 taste-active compounds in 25 food samples was successfully applied. The quantitative and comparative results of taste-active compounds in different food products reveal the chemical characteristics and differences among different types of foods. This method showed good performance and a good application prospect for the simultaneous quantification of taste-active compounds in food samples. The analysis of key taste-active compounds in various food raw materials can enrich the diversification and individual flavor customization needs of food flavorings. [Display omitted] • A new method for simultaneous quantifying 51 taste-active compounds. • The separation effect of analytes by different columns was compared. • The method revealed good linearity, precision, repeatability, and recovery. • Different taste-active compound fingerprints in different samples were reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The organic acids in fruits have critical impacts on palatability and flavor. In this paper, we established a method to quantify 21 essential organic acids in animal and plant matrices using HPLC mass spectrometry with high sensitivity and broad applicability. The organic acids in 12 animal and plant matrices were quantified. Additionally, the profile and concentration of organic acids could achieve the classification of samples. The fruit quality traits and important organic acids content during the storage of cherry tomatoes were monitored via our method. Nine organic acids changed significantly in 16 days of storage, especially citric acid, as the most predominant organic acid, decreased from 4260 to 2290 μg/g, leading to a decline in sourness of 46.2 %. In contrast, after 16 days of storage, galacturonic, gluconic, malonic and quinic acids increased by 155 %, 88 %, 162 %, and 112 %, respectively, which had a potential effect on softening and deteriorating of cherry tomatoes. [Display omitted] • 21 organic acids in animal and plant matrices were quantified simultaneously. • The organic acid profile of 12 various samples was presented. • Nine organic acids changed signicifantly during cherry tomato storage. • Citric acid affected sourness of cherry tomato during storage. • Galacturonic acid, gluconic acid, malonic acid, quinic acid were vital indicator. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The potential of high-rate TN removal in three aerated horizontal subsurface-flow constructed wetlands to treat high-strength anaerobic digestate supernatant was evaluated. Different strategies of intermittent aeration and effluent recirculation were applied to compare their effect on nitrogen depuration performance. Additional glucose supply and iron-activated carbon based post-treatment systems were established and examined, respectively, to further remove nitrate that accumulated in the effluents from aerated wetlands. The results showed that intermittent aeration (1 h on:1 h off) significantly improved nitrification with ammonium removal efficiency of 90% (18.1 g/(m 2 ·d)), but limited TN removal efficiency (53%). Even though effluent recirculation (a ratio of 1:1) increased TN removal from 53% to 71%, the effluent nitrate concentration was still high. Additional glucose was used as a post-treatment option and further increased the TN removal to 82%; however, this implementation caused additional organic pollution. Furthermore, the iron-activated carbon system stimulated with a microelectrolysis process achieved greater than 85% effluent nitrate removal and resulted in 86% TN removal. Considering the high TN removal rate, aerated constructed wetlands integrated with a microelectrolysis-driven system show great potential for treating high-strength digestate supernatant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) interacts with cytokines. Although both BDNF and cytokines occur at abnormal levels in schizophrenia patients, their interactions have not yet been examined. We therefore compared serum BDNF, TNF-α, interleukin (IL)-2, IL-6, and IL-8 levels in 92 chronically medicated schizophrenia patients and 60 healthy controls. We correlated these serum levels within these subject groups with each other and with clinical symptoms assessed according to the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). Compared to the control group, the schizophrenia patients had significantly lower BDNF and TNF-α levels, and higher IL-2, IL-6, and IL-8 levels. The patients also showed a significant positive correlation between BDNF and both IL-2 and IL-8 levels, and low BDNF and TNF-α levels together were associated with poor performance on the PANSS cognitive factor. Thus, an interaction between cytokines and neurotrophic factors may be implicated in the pathophysiology of chronic schizophrenia. In particular, the cytokine TNF-α may interact with BNDF causing cognitive impairment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In production, increasing Selenium (Se) level of rice grain could be achieved by adding exogenous Se and selecting Se efficient rice cultivars. However, the accumulation and distribution of Se in rice cultivars with high- and low-efficiency after Se application is not well documented. A pot experiment with two Se levels was carried out on two rice cultivars. Se concentration in grain, shoot and root of Se efficient rice was significantly higher than that of Se inefficient rice with Se application (p < 0.05). Besides, Se application significantly increased the expression of NRT1.1B gene in stem nodes of Se efficient rice in comparison to Se inefficient rice. The proportion of Se accumulation in shoot and spike of Se efficient rice was 18.3% and 9.5% higher than that in Se inefficient rice when Se was applied. Moreover, the contents of various mineral elements in leaf showed that Se enhanced the concentration of most elements in Se efficient rice, indicating that it seems to be a better cooperative transport relationship between Se and other mineral elements in Se efficient rice. The spatial distribution of Se, Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn in Se efficient rice grains was tended to be distributed distal to the embryo, while such elements in Se inefficient rice grains was more concentrated proximal to the embryo, which indicated that Se efficient rice could make better use of the storage capacity of grain. Higher Se accumulation in Se efficient rice primarily attributed to the increase of Se transport capability and Se source as well as better synergistic effects between Se and other mineral elements. The findings will provide theoretical support for breeding new rice varieties and developing Se-enriched rice industry. [Display omitted] • Se significantly increased NRT1.1B expression in stem nodes of Se efficient rice. • Se application enhanced the concentration of various mineral elements in flag leaf. • Stem node played a critical role in Se transport as a kinetic pump. • Better synergistic effects between Se and mineral elements in Se efficient rice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scallop is popular for its delicious taste and rich nutrition value. This study investigated the metabolomic changes in free amino acid (FAA), 5′-nucleotide, and lipid composition of scallops collected in different seasons. Results showed that the content of the FAA and 5′-nucleotide in summer was significantly higher than in other seasons. Adenosine 5′-monophosphate, glycine, and alanine were dominant from June to August. A total of 176 lipids, including 50 triacylglycerols (TAG), 60 phosphatidylcholines (PC), and 30 phosphatidylethanolamines (PE), were identified in the scallop adductor muscle. PC and PE were dominant from February to June, and TAG was dominant in November. The unsaturation degree of TAG was increased from July to November, and the highest proportion of polyunsaturated phospholipids appeared in August and September. Overall, scallops have high nutritional value in summer. This study is helpful for the development of scallop products with high nutrition and high value. • FAA, nucleotide and lipid in scallop were analyzed by metabolomic approaches. • PLS-DA showed that sweetness FAA and nucleotides were higher from June to August. • TAG were higher from August to November while PC and PE had less content. • The unsaturation degree of TAG was clearly increased from July to November. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the changes in free amino acids (FAAs), 5′-nucleotides, and lipid compositions of Manila clams (Ruditapes philippinarum) collected from December 2017 to November 2018. High-performance liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry was used to quantify twenty-one FAAs and six 5ʹ-nucleotides. Lipid profiles were explored by ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with a Q-Exactive Orbitrap mass spectrometer with an untargeted lipidomic approach. Results showed significant monthly changes of FAAs, 5′-nucleotides, and lipids profiles. Alanine, glutamic acid, glycine, and aspartic acid, which contributed to the sweet and umami flavor, were the most abundant FAAs in Manila clams. Totally 90 glycerides, 76 glycerophospholipids, 21 lyso-glycerophospholipids, and 52 fatty acids were identified in Manila clams. Among these lipids, most of them possessed a high-level of unsaturation degree. The unsaturation degree of lipids in February, March, and April was the highest, showing the best nutritional value of Manila clams. • FAAs and 5′-nucleotides of Manila clams in different seasons were analyzed. • Changes of lipid profiles in different seasons were analyzed by lipidomics methods. • PLS-DA was used to describe the changes of FAAs, 5′-nucleotides and lipids. • Significant changes of FAAs, 5′-nucleotides and lipids profiles were observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]