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Background and Aims: Data are limited regarding the association between long-term burden of higher body mass index (BMI) from childhood and cardiometabolic biomarkers.Methods and Results: A total of 1553 individuals aged 6-15 years, who were examined 4 or more times for BMI since childhood and followed for 30 years were included in our analysis. Total area under the curve (AUCt) and incremental AUC (AUCi) were calculated as the long-term burden and trends of BMI. Cardiometabolic biomarkers including serum uric acid (SUA), fasting blood-glucose (FBG), and triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (TG/HDL-C) were obtained from venous blood samples. The results showed a positive association of BMI AUCt and AUCi with cardiometabolic biomarkers. After adjusting for demographic variables, the AUCt and AUCi of BMI were significantly associated with a higher level of SUA (β = 3.71; 2.87), FBG (β = 0.09; 0.09), and TG/HDL-C (β = 0.14; 0.11). We performed further studies after dividing subjects into four groups according to AUCt and AUCi of BMI by quartiles. Compared with the lowest quartile group, the highest quartile group had significantly increased risk ratios of hyperuricemia (RR = 2.01; 1.74), type 2 diabetes mellitus (RR = 8.18; 3.96), and high-risk TG/HDL-C (RR = 4.05; 3.26).Conclusion: Our study identifies all subjects' BMI growth curve from childhood and indicates that the long-term burden of higher BMI significantly increases the cardiometabolic risk, and the impact of excessive body weight on cardiometabolic health originates in early life. We emphasize the importance of weight control from childhood for cardiometabolic health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Asymptomatic patients and infected patients with normal chest CT imaging are considered carriers of SARS-CoV-2. Before a diagnosis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is made, these patients with negative chest CT findings may be ignored, causing the possibility of virus transmission. For patients with suspected infections, reliable epidemiological information and clinical symptoms, clinical management is necessary even when the chest CT is negative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] The main phenolic components of purple potato were identified. [•] Selenium significantly increased the main phenolic components. [•] Selenium significantly increased tuber numbers and total production. [•] Single tuber weight was negatively correlated with selenium. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary of the process applied in the study. Schematic diagram of the mechanism of action of nanoparticle injection after subcutaneous injection. [Display omitted] • Poly sulfonamide-phenylboronic acid-co-N-vinylcaprolactam p(SAPBA-co-NVCL), was synthesized. • p(SAPBA-co-NVCL) had high stability and good glucose sensitivity. • Nanoparticle size and insulin release increased with the glucose concentration. • p(SAPBA-co-NVCL) was non-toxic to normal cells but lethal to tumor cells. • p(SAPBA-co-NVCL) nanoparticles can be used for subcutaneous injection of insulin. A novel glucose- and temperature-responsive random copolymer, poly sulfonamide-phenylboronic acid-co-N-vinylcaprolactam p(SAPBA-co-NVCL), was synthesised via the "one-pot" method. After the polymer was made into nanoparticles, their properties, including insulin loading capacity and encapsulation efficiency, were investigated; their cytotoxicity and treatment effectiveness were also explored. Thermogravimetric results confirmed that p(SAPBA-co-NVCL) had high stability. Performance test results showed that p(SAPBA-co-NVCL) nanoparticles had round morphology and good glucose sensitivity under physiological conditions. Concurrently, we found that the size of the nanoparticles and the amount of insulin released increased significantly with the increase of glucose concentration. In addition, cytotoxicity results suggested that p(SAPBA-co-NVCL) nanoparticles were non-toxic to normal cells, but had a certain lethality effect on tumour cells. Animal experiments showed that p(SAPBA-co-NVCL) nanoparticles stably lowered blood sugar within 12 h. Moreover, they did not cause toxic damage to the tissue; however, there was a small amount of bleeding at the injection site. In conclusion, our results suggested that p(SAPBA-co-NVCL) nanoparticles are safe and can be used for the subcutaneous injection of insulin or other hypoglycaemic proteins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To identify distinct body mass index (BMI) trajectories across the life-course and explore the effects of BMI trajectories on the adult cardiovascular disease outcomes using a dataset with 30 years of follow-up in northern China.Study Design: A total of 2839 participants aged 6-18 years whose BMIs were measured 3-6 times during the Hanzhong Adolescent Hypertension Study were included in our analysis. Latent mixture modeling was used to clarify distinct BMI trajectories in longitudinal analyses.Results: Three groups with distinct trajectories in BMI were identified by the latent mixed models: a low-increasing group (n = 1324 [36.64%]), a moderate-increasing group (n = 1178 [16.89%]), and a high-increasing group (n = 337 [39.46%]). Compared with the participants in the low-increasing group, the risk ratios of hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, high-risk triglycerides, and high-risk high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were more than 3.0 in the high-increasing group (all P < .001) after being fully adjusted. Increased risks existed in high brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity for the high-increasing group compared with the low-increasing group (RR, 2.75; 95% CI, 1.94-3.91; P < .001). Additionally, participants in the moderate-increasing group had a 2.31-fold increased risks of left ventricular hypertrophy (95% CI, 1.25-4.30; P = .008).Conclusions: Our study indicates that BMI trajectories from childhood to adulthood vary and that an elevated BMI trajectory in early life is predictive of an increased the risk of developing cardiovascular disease risks.Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02734472. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A Zn 5 functionalized monolithic column was prepared via copolymerization. • Zn 5 adsorption sites and copolymerization improved the adsorption selectivity and capacity of monolith. • The monolith was used for pipette tip micro-solid phase extraction of 4 PAHs. • An µ-SPE-HPLC-UV method was established and applied for the analysis of 4 PAHs. • The limits of detection ranged from 0.050 to 1.5 μg L−1 for analytes in edible oils. The contamination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in edible oil is a health threat. Thus, trace analysis of PAHs is of high necessity. Based on the efficient adsorption of PAHs on Zn 5 metal cluster, a Zn 5 functionalized copolymer monolithic column was rationally designed for pipette tip micro-solid phase extraction (μ-SPE). The modified Zn 5 improved the adsorption selectivity and capacity of the monolith for naphthalene, phenanthrene, fluoranthene and pyrene. Chemical doping and copolymerization stabilized the monolith with a long life. Under optimal extraction conditions, a μ-SPE-high performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detector method was established for the detection of 4 PAHs in edible oils. The method yielded detection ranges of 0.15–250 μg L−1 (R 2 > 0.997), detection limits of 0.050–1.5 μg L−1, satisfactory recoveries (86.3–101.5 %), and high precisions (RSDs < 7.9 %). The results indicated that the Zn 5 functionalized copolymer monolithic column was an ideal separation medium for the detection of PAHs residues in edible oils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transient high salt intake causes a sustained increase in blood pressure (BP) even after returning to a normal-salt diet, a phenomenon known as "salt memory." However, the molecular mechanisms of this phenomenon remain to be elucidated. Dahl salt-sensitive (SS) rats were fed a high-salt (8% NaCl) or high-salt diet and treated with drugs for 8 to 16 weeks and then returned to a normal-salt diet for 3 months. This study investigated the molecular mechanisms of salt memory and its mediation of SS hypertension and renal damage. We show that transient high salt intake caused persistent elevation of BP and exacerbation of kidney damage in Dahl SS rats even after returning to a normal-salt diet. Both epigenetic changes and inflammatory activation also persisted after resumption of a normal diet. Arterial BP, renal injury and the inflammatory response returned to normal levels in rats administered mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) during the 8-week period of high salt intake, resulting in the disappearance of salt memory. However, the vasodilator hydralazine did not ameliorate kidney damage or inflammatory activation, although it decreased BP to control levels. Transient high salt intake increased histone 3 lysine 4 monomethylation (H3K4me1) levels at the nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) subunit p65 promoter in SS rats, promoting p65 gene transcription and NF-κB activation and further leading to a series of inflammatory responses. Our findings demonstrate that transient high salt-induced epigenetic changes and persistent inflammatory activation play important roles in salt memory and its mediation of SS hypertension and renal damage. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Eleven compounds were isolated from potato peels and identified. Their structures were determined by interpretation of UV, MS, 1D, and 2D NMR spectral data and by comparison with reported data. The main components of the potato peels were found to be chlorogenic acid and other phenolic compounds, accompanied by 2 glycoalkaloids, 3 low-molecular-weight amide compounds, and 2 unsaturated fatty acids, including an omega-3 fatty acid. The potato peels showed more potent radical scavenging activity than the flesh. The quantification of the 11 components indicated that the potato peels contained a higher amount of phenolic compounds than the flesh. These results suggest that peel waste from the industry of potato chips and fries may be a source of useful compounds for human health. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Uranium induced apoptosis of root border cells in Vicia faba. • Uranium exposure damaged DNA and blocked the mitosis. • Uranium interfered with the antioxidant enzyme system and DNA repair system. This study revealed the cytotoxicity, genotoxicity and toxicity mechanism of uranium (U) in plants. The cytotoxic effect of U was evaluated by detecting the survival status of root border cells; the genotoxic effect was evaluated by micronuclear experiments; and the toxicity mechanism of U to plants was primarily revealed by combining with transcriptome. Results showed that after U exposure, the proportion of late apoptotic cells and dead cells was significantly higher than the control, indicating that U could induce the apoptosis or necrosis of root border cells. The micronucleus rate increased dramatically after U exposure, reaching a maximum of 4.89 times the control, whereas the mitotic index decreased significantly, reaching a minimum of 26.00% of the control. Moreover, the activities of superoxide dismutase and peroxidase decreased, triggering severe oxidative stress. Combined with the transcriptome data, this study showed that U interfered with the expression of genes related to antioxidant enzymes, the cell cycle and the DNA repair system. In conclusion, U strongly terminated the root border cells and blocked the mitosis, therefore inhibiting the growth of the Vicia faba root. It also caused DNA damage by interfering with the antioxidant enzymes to trigger oxidative stress and prevented DNA self-repair by interfering with the DNA repair system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grifolic acid is a natural compound isolated from the fungus Albatrellus confluens . In the present study, we assessed the effects of grifolic acid on human osteosarcoma cells. We found that grifolic acid dose- and time-dependently induced cell death in the U-2 OS, MG-63, Saos-2, and 143B human osteosarcoma cell lines. Grifolic acid decreased osteosarcoma cell mitochondrial membrane potential, ATP production, and cellular NADH levels, but did not impact mitochondrial membrane potential in isolated mitochondria from human osteosarcoma cells. Intratumoral injection of grifolic acid also promoted tumor cell death and prolonged survival in nude mice bearing human osteosarcoma xenografts. Grifolic acid had no obvious toxicity in mice, with no histological changes in liver, kidney, lung, or heart, and no changes in blood cell counts or levels of plasma total protein, alanine aminotransferase, or aspartate aminotransferase. These results show that grifolic acid induces osteosarcoma cell death by inhibiting NADH generation and ATP production without obvious toxicity. Intratumoral injection of grifolic acid may be a promising anti-osteosarcoma therapeutic option in patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pathological angiogenesis plays a major role in many disease processes, including cancer and diabetic retinopathy. Antiangiogenic therapy is a potential management for pathologic angiogenesis. The novel synthetic compound 221S-1a, derived from captopril, tanshinol and borneol, may have antiangiogenic properties. On the basis of MS, NMR and HPLC analysis, the structure of 221S-1a was identified. The cellular uptake and metabolism of this compound was also observed. Next, the antiangiogenic properties of 221S-1a were evaluated in tumor-xenograft and OIR models in vivo. The inhibitory properties of 221S-1a on endothelial cell proliferation, migration, tube formation and sprouting were detected in vitro. Furthermore, 221S-1a induced G1/S phase arrest was detected by PI staining flow cytometry analysis and Cyclin D, Cyclin E expression. 221S-1a inhibited ERK1/2 activation and nuclear translocation, in addition to downregulation of c-Myc, a transcription factor that regulates cell cycle progression. Molecular docking indicated the interaction of 221S-1a with the ATP-binding site of ERK2, leading to the inhibition of ERK2 phosphorylation and a concomitant inhibition of ERK1 phosphorylation. In conclusion, 221S-1a inhibited the G1/S phase transition by blocking the ERK1/2/c-Myc pathway to reduce tumor and OIR retinal angiogenesis. These novel findings suggest that 221S-1a is a potential pharmacologic candidate for treating pathological angiogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Therapeutics based on short interfering RNAs (siRNAs) have great potential to treat human diseases. However, the clinical application of siRNAs has been limited by their poor intracellular uptake, low serum stability, and inability to target specific cells. In this study, we addressed this lack of specificity by synthesizing a molecularly targeted CXCR4-siRNA (CXCR4si) for the treatment of HER2 + breast cancers using a HER2-scFv-arginine nonamer peptide fusion protein (e23sFv-9R) as an siRNA carrier. The e23sFv-9R binding siRNA is able to specifically deliver the siRNA to HER2 + breast cancer cells and concentrate and persist in orthotopic HER2 + breast cancer xenografts for at least 36 h. CXCR4si delivered by e23sFv-9R inhibited CXCR4 gene expression, reduced proliferation and metastasis and induced apoptosis in the HER2 + breast cancer BT-474 cell line in vitro . Moreover, the systemic delivery of CXCR4si by e23sFv-9R is able to suppress tumor growth, reduce metastasis and prolong survival in mice bearing HER2 + xenografts. This approach causes no systemic toxicity and does not activate the innate immune response, suggesting that a fusion protein carrying CXCR4si shows promise in the treatment of HER2-overexpressing breast cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The present paper describes a new type of composite photo-anode of SiO2/TiO2 that was prepared by adding nano-sized SiO2 into the TiO2 (P25) paste during the fabrication of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The effects of the added SiO2 on the performance of DSSCs were investigated and the preparative procedures of DSSCs were optimized. It was found that certain amount of SiO2 added in the P25 powder was crucial to reduce the agglomeration and enhance the dispersion of P25 powders, which helps to achieve a better connection and thus higher electron transfer efficiency not only between the TiO2 particles but also between the TiO2 particles and the FTO substrate. Under the same standard air mass 1.5 illumination (100mWcm−2), the DSSCs constructed by SiO2/P25 composite photo-anodes show higher solar energy-to-electricity conversion efficiency (e.g., η =8.4%) compared to those by bare P25 electrodes (typically η =5.8%). The higher η mainly results from its higher short-circuit photocurrent density (J sc =18.7mAcm−2) while the open-circuit voltage (V oc) remains unchanged and was found to be ∼780mV. The fill factor (FF) was 0.57. The great enhancement in J sc of DSSCs is ascribed to the SiO2 energy barrier layer which increases the separation of injected electrons and oxidized dyes/redox couple as well as retards the recombination reactions in the resulting DSSCs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]