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• We examine the role of UGPs' visual information and appearance on review helpfulness. • We use deep learning to calculate the breadth and depth of photos. • We show visual breadth and depth positively impact on review helpfulness. • Reviewer status and review length moderate these effects. Images have become integral to consumers' sharing of consumption experiences due to their abilities of carrying rich and vivid information. Drawing from the perspective of information theory and the elaboration likelihood model (ELM), this study investigates impacts of visual information and visual appearance of user-generated photos (UGPs) on customers' perceived review helpfulness. We utilize deep learning techniques to calculate the breadth and depth of photos (visual information), and evaluate the aesthetic value of the photos (visual appearance). By collecting a substantial amount of review, reviewer and restaurant information from the Yelp platform, our results demonstrate that the visual breadth and visual depth of review photos have a significant positive impact on review helpfulness. Notably, reviewer status and review length moderate these effects. These insights offer valuable strategies for both restaurant managers and online restaurant platforms regarding UGP management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • CVB-D exerted inhibitory effect on osteosarcoma cells in vivo and in vitro. • PI3K-AKT-TOR signaling pathway might be involved in the anti-OS process. • CVB-D initiated autophagy, but impaired autophagy flux. • CVB-D over-acidified lysosomes and inhibited CTSD maturing by binding to ATP6V0A1. Osteosarcoma (OS) is an aggressive primary tumor with the highest incidence in children and adolescents. Natural plant compounds (NPCs) have long been promising resources in the field of antitumor drug discovery because of their high efficacy and low toxicity. Here, the aim of this study is to investigate the potential inhibitory effects of Cyclovirobuxine D (CVB-D), a natural bioactive isolated from the traditional Chinese medicinal herb Huangyang, on OS cells. We showed that CVB-D reduced OS cell growth in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, CVB-D inhibited PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway and initiated autophagy. On the other hand, CVB-D induced lysosomal over-acidification by interacting with the V-type proton ATPase 116 kDa subunit a1 (ATP6V0A1), ultimately leading to autophagy flux arrest which might be related to the inhibitory effect of CVB-D on OS cells. Conclusively, our results propose a potential foundation for CVB-D to be developed into an anti-OS drug and an autophagy inhibitor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Immune dysregulation, polyendocrinopathy, enteropathy, X-linked (IPEX) syndrome is a rare disorder caused by mutation of the forkhead box protein 3 (FOXP3) gene, often leading to intractable and life-threatening diarrhea. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), has been regarded in recent years as an available approach to reconstruct disrupted gut microbiome and successfully used to attenuates diarrhea induced by different underlying diseases. Therefore, FMT may have curative potential on the symptoms of enteropathy in patients with IPEX syndrome. Physical and laboratory examinations were performed, and clinical data were collected. FMT was administered via frozen fecal microbial solution, and the fecal microbiota composition was analyzed using 16S rDNA sequencing before and after FMT. The patient was diagnosed with IPEX syndrome with a mutation detected in the FOXP3 gene, which was identified as c.767T > C (p.M256T). He presented with recurrent watery diarrhea and respiratory infections after birth and developed a significant failure to thrive. Disturbances in the gut microbiota composition and marked decreased bacterial diversity were observed to be involved in the persistent and refractory diarrhea. After receiving FMT treatment, the patient responded with remission of the diarrhea without apparent side effects. His stool output significantly decreased, corresponding to increased microbial diversity and modification of his microbiota composition. The patient finally achieved full recovery after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Our data suggest an association between the gut microbiota and clinical symptoms of patient with IPEX syndrome and demonstrate FMT as an alternative therapy for severe diarrhea unresponsive to routine therapy in these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Inhibited RA-RARα signaling and increased microglial activation in valproic acid (VPA) induced autism rats. • RA administration can ameliorate autistic-like behaviors and normalize the microglial activation in VPA rats. • Increased microglial activation might be caused by lower RARα and regulation of the TREM2 gene in VPA rats. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disease with an unclear underlying pathogenesis. Disruption of retinoic acid (RA)-retinoic acid receptor α (RARα) signaling and aberrant microglial activation were reported to be involved in the pathogenesis of ASD. However, the effect of RA-RARα signaling on microglial activation in ASD and the underlying mechanisms are unknown. Herein, we found inhibited RA-RARα signaling and increased microglial activation in valproic acid (VPA)-induced autism rats. Furthermore, we administered RA to VPA rats and found that RA ameliorated autism-like behaviors, inhibited microglial activation and normalized microglial polarization in VPA rats. Additionally, the expression levels of RARα and triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2) were increased in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) of VPA rats given RA. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) and dual luciferase reporter assays confirmed that RARα can regulate the transcriptional activity of the TREM2 gene by binding to its promoter. We conclude that RA administration ameliorates autism-like behaviors in VPA rats by inhibiting microglial activation and normalizing microglial polarization through the regulation of TREM2 transcription by RARα. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Listeria monocytogenes is a foodborne pathogen frequently isolated from raw pork meat. This study was designed to investigate the prevalence and molecular characteristics of L. monocytogenes in raw pork from open markets in China. The survey was conducted monthly over a 12-month period in Zigong, China. L. monocytogenes was isolated from 262 of 1641 samples collected (16.0%) including minced meat samples (131/608, 21.5%), pork pieces samples (111/857, 13.0%) and environmental swabs (20/176, 11.4%). The isolation rates in spring and winter were significantly higher than those in summer and autumn ( X 2 = 68.85, P < 0.05). All isolates were subjected to serotyping, multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) and AscI pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). The 262 isolates were subtyped into five serotypes: 1/2b (43.1%), 1/2c (35.5%), 1/2a (19.1%), 4b (1.1%), 3a (1.1%); 20 sequence types (STs) with four most frequent STs, being ST9 (35.9%), ST87 (19.8%), ST3 (16.0%) and ST8 (14.1%); and 39 pulsotypes (PTs) with PT4 (26.3%), PT30 (14.5%) and PT11 (12.6%) being most frequent. Two primary pulsotypes from pork pieces were previously isolated from clinical listeriosis cases in the local hospitals. The six markets from different districts differed in the level of contamination and strain types. Persistent contamination of L. monocytogenes was found in the markets especially in meat mincers, which were found to be one likely source of continuous cross contamination. These findings will help develop strategies to reduce L. monocytogenes contamination in open markets for better public health control and prevention of foodborne L. monocytogenes infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alkylated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are abundant in petroleum, and alkylated phenanthrenes are considered as the primary PAHs during some oil spill events. Bacterial strain of Sphingobium sp. MP9-4, isolated from petroleum-contaminated soil, was efficient to degrade 1-methylphenanthrene (1-MP). A detailed metabolism map of 1-MP in this strain was delineated based on analysis of metabolites with gas chromatograph–mass spectrometer (GC–MS). 1-MP was initially oxidized via two different biochemical strategies, including benzene ring and methyl-group attacks. Benzene ring attack was initiated with dioxygenation of the non-methylated aromatic ring via similar degradation pathways of phenanthrene (PHE) by bacteria. For methyl-group attack, mono oxygenase system was involved and more diverse enzymes were needed than that of PHE degradation. This study enhances the understanding of the metabolic pathways of alkylated PAHs and shows the significant potential of Sphingobium sp. MP9-4 for the bioremediation of alkylated PAHs contaminated environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Commercial pea protein isolates (CPPI) after HPH showed improved solubility. • HPH can disrupt insoluble pea protein aggregates to soluble ones. • Increased-pressure HPH can break both non-covalent and covalent bonds within CPPI. • HPH improved emulsifying and foaming capacity of insoluble pea proteins. High-pressure homogenization (HPH) is a technique that impacts the aggregation of globular proteins. In this study, the effect of HPH (at a pressure of 30/50 MPa for three cycles) was investigated on the aggregation states and functional properties of insoluble commercial pea protein isolates (CPPI). Results showed that HPH significantly improved the solubility, foaming and emulsifying capacity of CPPI. Samples treated at 50 MPa demonstrated better foaming and emulsifying capacity than that at 30 MPa. Surface hydrophobicity, intrinsic fluorescence, SDS-PAGE and FTIR analysis revealed that insoluble precipitates/aggregates (most legumins included) of CPPI were broken down and converted into soluble aggregates. Low-pressure HPH (30 MPa) can break non-covalent bonds (hydrophobic interactions), whereas higher pressure (50 MPa) can further break covalent bonds (S S). The study sheds light on the mechanism of disruption of insoluble CPPI under HPH and proposes a method to enhance their techno-functional properties for application in food formulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Neferine is a Chinese traditional medicine, has shown inhibitory effects in osteosarcoma. • Evaluate the inhibitory effects of Neferine in vivo and vitro. • Inhibiting tumor growth by Wnt/β-catenin and P38/JNK pathway. • Find an efficient and secure solution for osteosarcoma. Osteosarcoma (OS) is one of the most common types of bone malignant tumors. Clinical commonly used therapeutic drugs of OS treatment are prone to toxic and side effects, so it is supposed to develop new drugs with low toxicity and low side effects. As a Chinese traditional medicine, Neferine(C38H44N2O6) has inhibitory effects in various tumors. In the present study, we investigated the effects of Nef on OS cells in vitro and in vivo. We found that Nef inhibited cell proliferation, reduced migration, decreased invasion, and induced cell cycle arrest of OS cells. Notably, we demonstrated that Nef had no obvious effect on proliferation and apoptosis of normal cells. Besides, Nef repressed tumor growth of OS cells in xenograft mouse model. Mechanically, we found that Nef increased the phosphorylation level of P38 and JNK and suppressed Wnt/β-Catenin signaling pathway. In summary, our research validates that Nef may inhibit the proliferation, migration, and invasion of OS and promote apoptosis possibly by activating P38/JNK and suppressing Wnt/β-Catenin signaling pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Colletotrichum gloeosporioides sensu lato (s.l.) is one of the most economically and scientifically important fungal pathogens, causing serious diseases in tropical and subtropical region. The detection of C. gloeosporioides s.l. is of importance for disease control. In this study, an ACT-based real-time PCR assay was developed for quantification of C. gloeosporioides s.l., which reliably detected as little as 100 fg genomic DNA, 100 copies of target DNA and 20 conidia. This method could recognize all four tested C. gloeosporioides s.l. isolates, while no amplification was observed in other Colletotrichum species and Botrytis cinerea , indicating the specificity of this assay. Detection and quantification of C. gloeosporioides s.l. was demonstrated in artificially and naturally infected host leaves. First, the real-time PCR analysis was performed using leaf samples collected at different time points post inoculation to monitor the growth of C. gloeosporioides s.l. over time. Secondly, the method was used to compare the resistance in two Stylosanthes cultivars and two Arabidopsis cultivars. Finally, naturally infected and symptomless leaves of Stylosanthes in the fields were tested by the real-time PCR method. Overall, the real-time PCR assay could allow the detection at early symptomless phase of infection; and the results was well correlated with microscopic observation and later disease symptoms. Therefore, our studies have provided a rapid and effective detection method for studying the plant- Colletotrichum interaction as well as disease prediction and control. [Display omitted] • Established a detection method for C. gloeosporioides. • The specificity and sensitivity of the method. • Suitable for the detection in Stylosanthes and Arabidopsis. • Suitable for the natural infected host samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The removal and transformation of seven high molecular weight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), namely benz[a]anthracene, benzo[b]fluoranthene, benzo[k]fluoranthene, benzo[a]pyrene, dibenzo[a,h]anthracene, indeno[1,2,3-c,d]pyrene and benzo[g,h,i]perylene, by a freshwater microalga Selenastrum capricornutum under gold and white light irradiation was studied. The two light sources did not result in significant differences in the biodegradation of the selected PAHs in live algal cells, but white light was more effective in promoting photodegradation than was gold light in dead cells. The removal efficiency of seven PAHs, as well as the difference between live and dead microalgal cells, was PAH compound-dependent. Benz[a]anthracene and benzo[a]pyrene were highly transformed in live and dead algal cells, and dead cells displayed greater transformation levels than live cells. Further investigation comparing the transformation of single PAH compound, benzo[a]pyrene, by S. capricornutum and another green microalgal species, Chlorella sp., demonstrated that the transformation in dead cells was similar, indicating the process was algal-species independent. Dead algal cells most likely acted as a photosensitizer and accelerated the photodegradation of PAHs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Dihydroquercetin (DHQ) is a flavonoid with strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. However, its protective activity against cigarette smoke-induced ferroptosis in the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and its underlying mechanisms remain unclear.Purpose: The present study was conducted to investigate the protective role of DHQ in the pathogenesis of COPD in vivo and in vitro.Methods: A cigarette smoke-induced COPD mouse model was established by cigarette smoke (CS) exposure combined with intraperitoneal injection of cigarette smoke extract (CSE). During the modeling process, the mice were intraperitoneally injected with DHQ daily. HBE cells were cultured with CSE with or without pretreatment with DHQ (40, 80 μM) or ML385 (10 μM). Cell viability was assessed by a cell counting kit 8 (CCK-8). The contents of malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were determined by MDA and SOD assay kits, respectively, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation was detected by DCFH-DA assays. Protein expression levels of solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11), glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPx4) and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) were measured by western blot. Lipid peroxidation was determined by C11-BODIPY staining. Transmission electron microscopy was used to observe the morphological features of the mitochondria.Results: Treatment with DHQ significantly elevated ferroptosis-related protein (SLC7A11 and GPx4) expression in vivo and in vitro. The mRNA levels of SLC7A11 and GPx4 were also increased after DHQ treatment. The excessive MDA and ROS production and depleted SOD activity induced by CSE were reversed by DHQ. DHQ notably reduced the increased lipid peroxidation induced by CSE in HBE cells. In addition, treatment with DHQ attenuated the morphological changes in the mitochondria caused by CSE. Moreover, we also found that DHQ increased the levels of Nrf2 in a concentration-dependent manner in the cigarette smoke-induced COPD mouse model and CSE-treated HBE cells. Additionally, after administering an Nrf2-specific inhibitor, ML385, to HBE cells, the elevated SLC7A11 and GPx4 mRNA and protein levels induced by DHQ were reversed. Moreover, ML385 treatment attenuated the protective effect of DHQ on lipid peroxidation.Conclusion: Our results show that treatment with DHQ significantly reverses the ferroptosis induced by cigarette smoke both in vivo and in vitro via a Nrf2-dependent signaling pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: According to the climatic characteristics in Tianjin where lies in the cold climate regions of China, the passage describes a technique called adjustable external blinds which is to enhance the architectural thermal comfort degree. This technique based on a series of experiments of architectures with different orientations in local climatic condition and numerical analysis of thermal environment with finite element method afterwards. This paper shows that alumina shutter has great advantages which can isolate indoor heat greatly in summer of Tianjin, and some optimization measures has also been adopted in order to improve indoor thermal comfort. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Zn2SnO4–SnO2 heterojunction nanocomposites (ZTO–SnO2) with high mass amount of ZTO were synthesized by a two-step technique. The route involves firstly the synthesis of monodispersed ZnSn(OH)6 nanocubes with a 50–60nm edge length as precursors by simple coprecipitation of Na2SnO3·3H2O and ZnCl2 aqueous solution, assisted by ultrasonic treatment and then followed by calcination of the precursors at 800°C under N2 atmosphere. The as-synthesized nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffractometer (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Heterojunction between ZTO and SnO2 nanoparticle was confirmed by the electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) elemental mapping and high-resolution TEM (HRTEM). The photovoltaic performance of the ZTO–SnO2 based DSSC was examined by measuring the J-V curves both in dark and under illumination. The results show that the ZTO–SnO2 based DSSC exhibits superior photovoltaic performance as compared to the single phase ZTO based DSSCs. Under illumination of AM 1.5 simulated sunlight (100 mW/cm2), the open circuit voltage of the cell based on ZTO–SnO2 is 706mV, the short-current density is 2.85mA/cm2, and the efficiency is 1.29% which is increased by 43% from 0.90% to 1.29% compared with pure ZTO. The formation of the heterojunctions between ZTO and SnO2 nanoparticles is believed to reduce the recombination between injected electrons and redox I−/I3 − and improve the performance of the DSSC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The effects of metals (cadmium, zinc, copper and nickel in a mixture) on biosorption and biodegradation of five mixed polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), namely fluorene (FLU), phenanthrene (PHE), fluoranthrene (FLA), pyrene (PYR) and benzo[a]pyrene (BAP), by Selenastrum capricornutum were investigated. Exposure to metals significantly influenced the interactions between cells and PAHs and, such impact was PAH species dependent. For low molecular weight PAHs (FLU and PHE), both metal dosage and exposure time posed a significant, positive effect on their removal, with up to 99% of FLU and 89% of PHE were removed from the medium in seven days, which was mainly due to the cellular degradation induced by metal stress. For high molecular weight PAHs (FLA, PYR and BAP), the presence of metals did not affect the removal efficiency, but the uptake in the ethyl acetate-extractable fraction of the biomass was increased. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• This is the first study to investigate whether pirfenidone could mediate cigarette smoke extract (CSE) induced inflammation and oxidative stress in vitro and in vivo. • Our study reveals the potential role of pirfenidone in regulating inflammatory response and oxidative stress induced by CSE. Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects are two main pharmacological mechanisms of pirfenidone (PFD) besides the anti-fibrotic effect. This study aims to investigate whether PFD could mediate cigarette smoke extract (CSE) induced inflammation and oxidative stress in vitro and in vivo. BALB/C mice and alveolar epithelial (A549) cells treated with CSE were established as disease models in vivo and in vitro. Effects of PFD treatment on disease models were further measured. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining was used to evaluate the pathological changes in lung tissues of mice. CCK-8 assay kit was applied to measure the viability of A549 cells treated by different concentrations of PFD. Inflammation cytokine expression in cell supernatants was measured with ELISA kits. The mRNA and protein levels of inflammation and oxidative stress-related factors were determined by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis (RT-qPCR) and Western blotting. Furthermore, myeloperoxidase (MPO), malondialdehyde (MDA), and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) were measured to detect the antioxidative activity of lung tissues. Moreover, an assay kit with fluorescent probe 2′,7′-dichlorofluorescin diacetate (DCFH-DA) was used to evaluate the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. In vitro and in vivo, PFD significantly reversed TNF-α, IL-6, CCL2, SOD1, and CAT mRNA level changes led by CSE; in addition, PFD significantly decreased the ratios of p-p65 to p65, p-ikBα to ikBα and increased Nrf-2 protein level compared with CSE group. In mice, high-dose (100 mg/kg/d) PFD significantly reversed MPO and MDA increases induced by CSE. However, PFD didn't significantly reverse T-AOC decrease induced by CSE. In A549 cell supernatant, PFD dramatically reversed the elevated levels of TNF-α and IL-1β induced by CSE. Furthermore, PFD could significantly reverse the increased level of ROS induced by CSE in A549 cells. Our study reveals the potential role of PFD in regulating inflammatory response and oxidative stress induced by CSE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• More hydrophobic areas of nisin were exposed after interacting with SSPS. • The addition of SSPS greatly improved the EE of curcumin in nisin. • The curcumin-loaded nisin-SSPS NPs exhibited a desirable particle size (119 nm). • Curcumin-nisin-SSPS NPs protected the biological activities of curcumin and nisin. • An antioxidant and antimicrobial nanoparticle with curcumin and nisin was fabricated. Curcumin was recently attracted great interest owing to its multiple bioactivities; however, the use of curcumin was hindered by its poor solubility and stability. In this study, curcumin-nisin-soy soluble polysaccharide nanoparticles (Cur-Nisin-SSPS-NPs, size = 118.76 nm) have been successfully elaborated to improve the application of curcumin. The formation of Cur-Nisin-SSPS-NPs was mediated by amphiphilic and positively charged nisin: SSPS encapsulated nisin, which was mainly driven by electrostatic attraction. And nisin-SSPS complex encapsulated curcumin mainly through hydrophobic interactions between nisin and curcumin. The encapsulation efficiency of curcumin (91.66%) in this novel nanocarriers was significantly higher than that in nanoparticles prepared by a single SSPS (31.82%) or nisin (41.69%), most likely because more hydrophobic regions of nisin were exposed after interacting with SSPS through electrostatic interaction. Consequently, this facile and green nanocarriers improved the solubility/dispersibility and stability of curcumin and nisin, as well as endowed SSPS-based nanoparticles with antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alkylated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (APAHs) are the main components of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in petroleum-contaminated waters. In our study, three kinds of green microalgae (Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata, Chlorella vulgaris and Scenedesmus obliquus) were shown to degrade six kinds of methylphenanthrenes (1-methylphenanthren, 2-methylphenanthrenem, 3-nmmethylphenanthrene, 4-methylphenanthren, 9-methylphenanthrene and 3,6-dimethylphenanthrene) with different degrading abilities. Among the six methylphenanthrenes, 99.8% of 1-methylphenanthrene (1-MP) was removed and 75.6% of 3,6-dimethylphenanthrene (3,6-DMP) was removed by P. subcapitata after 7 days of incubation. The metabolites of 1-MP and 3,6-DMP were identified by gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer (GC-MS). Six metabolites of 1-MP and one metabolite of 3,6-DMP were found, they were all monohydroxylated methylphenanthrenes. The –OH group was added to either methyl-group or benzene ring through the monooxygenase system, and the methyl-group attack was the main pathway. This research increases our knowledge of the degrading ability of APAHs by green microalgae and offers information for the bioremediation of APAHs. Quantum chemical calculation was conducted to elucidate the biodegradation metabolites of methylphenanthrene by green microalgae, which is a helpful tool in the bioremediation of environmental pollution. Image 1 • Microalgae degraded methylphenanthrenes with different degrading abilities. • Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata had great ability to degrade methylphenanthrenes. • Methylphenanthrenes were biodegraded through monooxygenase system with microalgae. • Quantum chemical calculation can elucidate the metabolites of methylphenanthrenes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Nisin was encapsulated with 99.8% efficiency in soy soluble polysaccharides (SSPS). • Nisin-loaded SSPS nanoparticles exhibited a desirable particle size (112 nm). • Nisin has high stability and antimicrobial activity after being loaded by SSPS. • Nisin-loaded SSPS nanoparticles increases the shelf-life of the fresh tomato juice. Nisin is a natural antimicrobial agent and food-grade material, while the poor stability and short duration of antimicrobial activity limit its widespread use in the food industry. In the present work, soluble soybean polysaccharide (SSPS)-based nanoparticles have been developed to improve the stability and sustained antimicrobial activity of nisin. The encapsulation efficiency (EE) of nisin-loaded SSPS nanoparticles (Nisin-SSPS-NPs) prepared under the optimized conditions can be up to 99.8%, and the particle size is about 112 nm. The formation of Nisin-SSPS-NPs was mainly mediated by the electrostatic interactions and hydrogen bonding, which was evidenced by the results of zeta potential and Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Agar diffusion assay exhibited that Nisin-SSPS-NPs had confirmed antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria, such as Listeria monocytogenes , Bacillus subtilis , and Staphylococcus aureus. The sustained release of nisin in Nisin-SSPS-NPs endows nisin with a long-lasting antimicrobial activity, which increases the shelf-life of the fresh tomato juice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary The impacts of different macronutrients on body weight regulation remain unresolved, with different studies suggesting increased dietary fat, increased carbohydrates (particularly sugars), or reduced protein may all stimulate overconsumption and drive obesity. We exposed C57BL/6 mice to 29 different diets varying from 8.3% to 80% fat, 10% to 80% carbohydrate, 5% to 30% protein, and 5% to 30% sucrose. Only increased dietary fat content was associated with elevated energy intake and adiposity. This response was associated with increased gene expression in the 5-HT receptors, and the dopamine and opioid signaling pathways in the hypothalamus. We replicated the core findings in four other mouse strains (DBA/2, BALB/c, FVB, and C3H). Mice regulate their food consumption primarily to meet an energy rather than a protein target, but this system can be over-ridden by hedonic factors linked to fat, but not sucrose, consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Cigarette smoke can significantly induced inflammation and apoptosis in vivo and vitro. • Our results proved the protective effects of TAX against cigarette smoke induced inflammation and apoptosis in COPD. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide and is characterized by chronic airway inflammation and lung parenchymal cell apoptosis. Cigarette smoke is the major risk factor for the occurrence and development of COPD. Taxifolin (TAX) showed promising pharmacological effects in the management of inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis. In the present study, our results demonstrated that TAX significantly alleviated cigarette smoke-induced inflammation and apoptosis both in vivo and in vitro. TAX notably lowered the elevated total cell count in mouse BALF compared with that in the COPD group. The cigarette smoke-induced emphysematous changes were remarkably reversed by TAX. In addition, treatment with TAX suppressed the elevated mRNA and protein levels of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α in COPD mouse lung tissue and cigarette smoke extract (CSE)-treated human bronchial epithelial cells (HBECs). Additionally, TAX significantly decreased the ratios of p-iκB to iκB and p-p65 to p65 compared with the COPD group and CSE-treated HBECs. Moreover, the results of the TUNEL assay and flow cytometry also demonstrated the anti-apoptotic effect of TAX in mouse lung tissue and HBECs. Furthermore, the elevated Bax and CCP3 levels and decreased Bcl-2 levels induced by cigarette smoke were significantly reversed by TAX treatment in vivo and in vitro. Our results highlight the ameliorating effects of TAX against cigarette smoke-induced inflammation and apoptosis in the pathogenesis of COPD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]