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Chronic alcohol exposure induces cognitive impairment and NLRP3 inflammasome activation in the mPFC (medial prefrontal cortex). Mitophagy plays a crucial role in neuroinflammation, and dysregulated mitophagy is associated with behavioral deficits. However, the potential relationships among mitophagy, inflammation, and cognitive impairment in the context of alcohol exposure have not yet been studied. NRF2 promotes the process of mitophagy, while alcohol inhibits NRF2 expression. Whether NRF2 activation can ameliorate defective mitophagy and neuroinflammation in the presence of alcohol remains unknown. BV2 cells and primary microglia were treated with alcohol. C57BL/6J mice were repeatedly administered alcohol intragastrically. BNIP3-siRNA, PINK1-siRNA, CCCP and bafilomycin A1 were used to regulate mitophagy in BV2 cells. RTA-408 acted as an NRF2 activator. Mitochondrial dysfunction, mitophagy and NLRP3 inflammasome activation were assayed. Behavioral tests were used to assess cognition. Chronic alcohol exposure impaired the initiation of both receptor-mediated mitophagy and PINK1-mediated mitophagy in the mPFC and in vitro microglial cells. Silencing BNIP3 or PINK1 induced mitochondrial dysfunction and aggravated alcohol-induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation in BV2 cells. In addition, alcohol exposure inhibited the NRF2 expression both in vivo and in vitro. NRF2 activation by RTA-408 ameliorated NLRP3 inflammasome activation and mitophagy downregulation in microglia, ultimately improving cognitive impairment in the presence of alcohol. Chronic alcohol exposure-induced impaired mitophagy initiation contributed to NLRP3 inflammasome activation and cognitive deficits, which could be alleviated by NRF2 activation via RTA-408. [Display omitted] • Alcohol exposure leads to the impairment of both receptor-mediated mitophagy and Pink1-mediated mitophagy in the PFC. • Silencing BNIP3 or Pink1 induced mitochondrial dysfunction and NLRP3 inflammasome activation in BV2 cells. • NRF2 activation by RTA-408 exerted neuroprotection on mice chronically exposed to alcohol. • RTA-408 alleviated alcohol-induced inflammation with the modulation of mitophagy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a star vegetable, sprouts have many advantages, such as high nutritional value, crisp and juicy taste, short growth cycle and simple cultivation conditions, which have been widely welcomed around the world. As consumers' demand for healthier foods grows, new technologies need to be developed urgently to improve the quality of sprouts. Among them, electrolyzed water (EW) and plasma-activated water (PAW), which have merits of green, sustainable and low-cost, have wide potential for application in hydroponic sprout cultivation. This work reviews the effects of EW and PAW on growth, chemical compositions, microbiological safety and postharvest quality of sprouts and compares the effects of EW and PAW comprehensively. In addition, some regulations and challenges in practical application were also discussed. EW and PAW show outstanding effects during sprout production, including: 1) promoting seed germination and sprout growth during cultivation; 2) accelerating hydrolysis of macromolecules compounds and accumulation of bioactive compounds in sprouts during cultivation; 3) inhibiting growth of microorganisms on sprouts during cultivation; 4) improving postharvest quality of sprouts during postharvest washing. In addition, EW and PAW each seem to have more obvious advantages in improving certain qualities of sprouts, thus producers need to use them wisely to maximize their strengths. On these grounds, EW and PAW are promising technologies to develop considerable application value in sprout industry. • Electrolyzed water (EW) and plasma-activated water (PAW) show promising performance in sprouts hydroponic production. • EW and PAW improve growth, nutritional and functional value, microbiological safety and postharvest quality of sprouts. • Effects of EW and PAW in sprouts production are compared and their respective advantages are discussed. • Mechanisms of action of EW and PAW, and combined application of multiple technologies are key research trends. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multi-objective optimization is an important tool for sustainable decision making. In process operations, the nature of tradeoffs between objectives may change over time, due to, for example, changes in power cost and emissions signals. This work seeks to understand the correlating vs. competing nature of demand response objectives, and their variation in time, through a time-varying ammonia production case study. Results show that correlation between cost and emissions is near perfect when the time-varying cost and emissions factor profiles are in phase, and low when they are anti-phase. Furthermore, analysis of real historical data from different locations around the world suggests that for the majority of the time, cost and emissions objectives are strongly correlated. Trends observed are robust over different times of the year and different locations in the same ISO; however, considering ISOs in different parts of the world can provide different results due to variation in generator mix. An approach for determining compromise operating strategies when cost and emissions are competing is also presented. • Relationship between demand response driven by cost and carbon emissions signals studied. • Four-objective case study of time-varying ammonia production analyzed. • Objective correlation graph determines correlating vs. competing nature of cost and emissions. • Illustrative example demonstrates extreme cases of correlation and competition. • Historical price and emissions data from multiple locations mostly shows correlation between objectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Mitochondrial dysfunction led to robust amounts of ROS and cytosolic oxidized mt-DNA which acted as binding motif for NLRP3. • Activation of NLRP3 in neuron after OGD/R depended on microglial-neuronal communication. • Idebenone decreased ROS and cytosolic oxidized mt-DNA, suppressing uncontrolled NLRP3 activation. • Idebenone ameliorating NLRP3-mediated inflammatory injury in ischemia and reperfusion. Idebenone is a well-appreciated mitochondrial protectant while the mechanisms underlying the neuroprotection in cerebral ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) remain elusive. It has been manifested NLRP3 inflammasom activation contributed to I/R induced damage. It raises questions how exactly NLRP3 inflammasom was activated in microglia and neuron and whether idebenone reverses the process in I/R. I/R rat model was utilized and BV2, primary microglia and PC12 cells were subjected to oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD). Then, western-blotting, q-PCR, immunofluorescence staining, ELISA, flow cytometry and immunoprecipitation analysis were performed. We found ROS-NLRP3 singaling was activated in BV2 cells at OGD/R 24 h. Importantly, microglial NLRP3 activation was essential for NLRP3 activation in PC12 cells under microglial-neuronal co-culture circumstance, which has been confirmed to induced neuronal apoptosis. Further, we found mitochondrial dysfunction in OGD/R led to mt-DNA translocation as well as generation of mt-ROS, resulting cytosolic accumulation of oxidized mt-DNA. Ultimately, oxidized mt-DNA binding to NLRP3 contributed to further activation of NLRP3 and dramatically augmented inflammation in BV2 and PC12 cells. Furthermore, idebenone treatment inhibited the process, thus suppressing the NLRP3-mediated inflammatory injury after OGD/R. In vivo, NLRP3 was activated in microglia of I/R rats and inhibition of NLRP3 was observed in idebenone treatment group, which had less neurological deficit and less infarct volume. Our data revealed the anti-inflammatory effects of idebenone via suppressing activation of NLRP3 and ameliorating NLRP3-mediating damage in I/R, which may provide new insight in therapeutic strategy for ischemic stroke. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The effect of the addition of 0.1 wt% Sc and 0.1 wt% Er on the deformation microstructure, Vickers microhardness, and electrical conductivity of Al-0.2 wt% Zr-based alloy cables annealed at 400 °C for different times was investigated. The comprehensive properties of Al-0.2Zr-0.1Sc were better than those of Al-0.2Zr-0.1Er. The optimal conditions for the Al-0.2Zr-01Sc alloy cable were a microhardness of 575 MPa, an electrical conductivity of 34.5 MS/m for an annealing time of 36 h, and those for the Al-0.2Zr-0.1Er alloy cable were a microhardness of 550 MPa, an electrical conductivity of 33.6 MS/m for an annealing time of 8 h. During the annealing process, dispersed Al 3 (Zr,Sc/Er) precipitates were generated, which substantially impeded recrystallization by Zener pining of grain boundaries. Based on the ratio of volume fraction (F V) to average diameter (d ¯) of the precipitates, their capability to inhibit recrystallization was as follows: Al 3 (Zr, Sc) > Al 3 (Zr, Er) > Al 3 Zr. Moreover, the electrical conductivity of Al-0.2Zr-0.1Sc was better than that of Al-0.2Zr-0.1Er, probably because Sc could better inhibit recrystallization than Er, leading to fewer grain boundaries and hence lesser electron scattering. Highlights • The comprehensive properties of Al-0.2Zr-0.1Sc were better than those of Al-0.2Zr-0.1Er alloy cable. • The microstructures evolved from fibrous grains to equiaxed grains with increasing annealing time. • The Zener drag force increased with increasing ratio of volume fraction (F V) to average diameter F V / d ¯. • The capability to inhibit recrystallization was as follows: Al 3 (Zr, Sc) > Al 3 (Zr, Er) > Al 3 Zr. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pancreatic lipase and cholesterol esterase are key enzymes in the lipid digestion and absorption pathway and are also targeted for control in response to obesity and other related disorders of lipid metabolism. Fruit and vegetable polyphenols (FVP), as the focus of attention as natural active substances, have been reported to possess pancreatic lipase and cholesterol esterase inhibitory activities. This systematic review describes various fruit and vegetable-derived polyphenols and their contribution to the inhibition of pancreatic lipase and cholesterol esterase activities. In particular, the mechanisms of polyphenol-enzyme interactions are illustrated through several different dimensions: quantitative-effect relationship of polyphenol-enzyme activity, enzyme structure and microenvironment exploration, and polyphenol-enzyme binding analysis. Factors that may affect the enzyme-inhibiting activity of polyphenols are also investigated and potential challenges of polyphenol-enzyme binding are discussed in an attempt to facilitate the further advancement of related research and the practical application of the achievements. [Display omitted] • The pancreatic lipase and cholesterol esterase inhibitory activities of different fruit and vegetable polyphenols were summarized. • Enzyme inhibition kinetics combined with multispectral probed the effect of polyphenols on enzyme structure and microenvironment. • Particle size, ζ-potential, turbidity, thermodynamics and molecular docking were combined to analyze inhibition mechanisms. • Factors that may affect the ability of polyphenols to exert enzyme inhibitory activity were discussed. • Potential contributions and challenges of polyphenol binding to enzymes were presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Strigolactones (SLs) are involved in the nutrient-dependent control of plant root and shoot architecture. The total sufficient uptake of nitrogen (N), and also its appropriate distribution, is essential for the normal growth and development of plants; however, the effect of SLs on N translocation in plants remains unknown. Here, the SL-signaling mutant dwarf 3 ( d3 ), the biosynthesis mutant dwarf 10 ( d10 ), and wild-type (WT) rice ( Oryza sativa ssp. Japonica cv. Nipponbare) were used to investigate the relationship between N nutrition and the regulatory role of SLs. Relative to WT, the d10 mutant had a higher N concentration in older leaves but a lower N concentration in younger leaves, while the d3 mutant showed a considerably lower N concentration, especially in its younger leaves under normal N levels. By contrast, both d3 and d10 mutants contained higher N in their leaves under N-deficient conditions. The 15 N uptake and distribution analysis revealed that the significantly different N concentrations among the d3 , d10 , and WT plants only occurred in their leaves, not in their roots. Moreover, when provided with an external supply of GR24, the synthetic SLs altered the leaf N distribution of the d10 mutant but not those of the d3 mutant and WT. Together, these results suggested that the effect of SLs on plant growth and development may be linked to N translocation to different shoot tissues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the effects of apple polyphenols on ACE2 and its antibody binding, computer simulation and experiments in vitro were conducted. The results of molecular docking and molecular dynamics showed that apple polyphenols had a good binding effect on RBD and RBD-ACE2 complex. Fluorescence analysis exhibited that the three main apple polyphenols had a fluorescence quenching effect on the ACE2 antibodies, and the quenching mechanism was static. The results of the circular dichroism experiment suggested that apple polyphenols could change the secondary structure of the ACE2 antibodies. Western blot results displayed that apple polyphenols inhibited the binding of ACE2 and its antibodies. This study confirmed that apple polyphenols could bind ACE2 antibodies in vitro. Therefore, it is speculated that apple polyphenols have similar effects on a class of proteins with similar ACE2 recognition sites, which may potentially inhibit viral protein and ACE2 recognition, thus preventing viruses from entering host cells. [Display omitted] • 1, Polyphenol compounds rich in apples had a good binding ability with RBD and ACE2-RBD complex. • 2, Apple polyphenols could quench the fluorescence of ACE2 antibody by static quenching. • 3, pple polyphenols bound to antibodies to ACE2, thereby inhibiting the recognition of ACE2 and its antibodies. • 4, Apple polyphenols may have a potential inhibitory effect on viruses targeting ACE2 for host recognition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review summarizes the role of catalysts with highly dispersed and isolated active sites (active sites: supported atoms f⩽0.5%) in the selective oxidation of light hydrocarbons, such as methane, ethane and propane, into oxygenates' and the epoxidation of olefins. The plausible structures of the highly dispersed and isolated active species, as well as their effects on the catalytic performances are discussed. The special physico-chemical properties and the functional mechanism of the catalysts with highly dispersed and isolated active sites, as well as the preparation, characterization of the catalysts with highly dispersed and isolated active sites and their applications in other types of reactions of lower hydrocarbons are summarized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Morphine is one of the most effective and widely used analgesic drugs. However, chronic morphine use caused opioid-induced hyperalgesia (OIH). The development of OIH limits the use of morphine. The mechanisms of OIH are not fully understood. Toll-like receptor4 (TLR4) and glutamate receptors in the periaqueductal gray (PAG) are critical in OIH, however, the association between TLR4 and N-methyl-D-aspartate Receptors (NMDARs) activation in PAG remains unclear. Microglia activation, increased TLR4/p65 nuclear factor-kappa B (p65 NF-κB) and proinflammatory cytokines in microglia, and phosphorylation of NMDAR1 subunit (NR1) and NMDAR2B subunit (NR2B) in neurons were observed in PAG of OIH mice. Up-regulations of TLR4/p65 NF-κB and proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α) in BV2 cells were prevented by inhibiting and knocking down TLR4. By inhibiting myeloid differentiation factor 2 (MD2) and knocking down the High-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), we found that morphine activated TLR4 by HMGB1 but not MD2. We co-cultured Neuro- 2a (N2A) with BV2 microglial cell line and found that instead of directly phosphorylating NMDAR subunits, morphine increased the phosphorylation of NR1 and NR2B by inducing TLR4-mediated microglia inflammation. Knocking TLR4 out of PAG by Lentivirus-GFP-TLR4 shRNA reversed these changes and relieved OIH. Our findings suggested that the secretion of HMGB1 induced by morphine-activated TLR4 in microglia, and the proinflammatory factors released by activated microglia phosphorylated NR1 and NR2B of adjacent neurons, induced increased neuronal excitability. In conclusion, TLR4/NMDARs in PAG were involved in the development and maintenance of OIH and supported novel strategies for OIH treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• CGA + SA treatment enhanced the texture at wound sites and improved postharvest quality of pears. • CGA + SA treatment led to the deposition of SPP and lignin at pear wound sites. • CGA + SA promoted phenylpropane metabolic so that stimulating wound healing of pear fruits. Water loss and microbial infection induced by mechanical injury are the main sources of harvested loss of fruits and vegetables. Plenty studies have shown that regulating phenylpropane-related metabolic pathways can effectively accelerate wound healing. The combination treatment of chlorogenic acid and sodium alginate coating on postharvest wound healing of pear fruit were investigated in this work. The result shows combination treatment reduced weight loss and disease index of the pears, enhanced texture of healing tissues, maintained the integrity of cell membrane system. Moreover, chlorogenic acid increased the content of total phenols and flavonoids, and ultimately leads to the accumulation of suberin poly phenolic (SPP) and lignin around wound cell wall. Activities of phenylalanine metabolism-related enzymes (PAL, C4H, 4CL, CAD, POD and PPO) in wound-healing tissue were enhanced. The contents of major substrates such as trans -cinnamic, p-coumaric, caffeic, and ferulic acids also increased. The presented results suggested that the combination treatment of chlorogenic acid and sodium alginate coating stimulated wound healing in pears by elevating the phenylpropanoid metabolism pathway, so that maintain high postharvest fruit quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Pectin was innovatively modified by cross-linking with β-cyclodextrin. • The modification sensibly raised pectin's cholesterol adsorption capacity. • Modified pectins adsorbed sodium cholate better than β-cyclodextrin or pectin. • The best adsorption was achieved when β-cyclodextrin to pectin ratio was 10:1. • Modified pectins were in line with Langmuir model and pseudosecond-order kinetic. A novel adsorbent β-cyclodextrin-modified pectin was synthesized for removing cholesterol and bile salts from the gastric-intestinal passage. Different amounts of β-cyclodextrin were cross-linked to pectin by aldol condensation reaction via glutaraldehyde. The prepared β-cyclodextrin-modified pectins were successfully confirmed by characterization, showing a higher specific surface area and improved thermal stability with satisfactory cellular compatibility. The introduction of β-cyclodextrins dramatically improved the cholesterol adsorption capacity of pectin due to their hydrophobic cavities. Meanwhile, the modified pectins exhibited superior adsorption for sodium cholate than β-cyclodextrin or pectin itself, which was attributed to hydrophobic interactions. P 10:1 displayed the strongest adsorption performance, with a maximum adsorption ability of 44.21 mg/g for cholesterol and 21.38 mg/g for sodium cholate. Furthermore, their adsorption favored the Langmuir isotherm model and pseudosecond-order kinetic model. These results indicate that modified pectin has potential as a nature-based adsorbent for removal of cholesterol and bile salts in the health food industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Low doses of Ag+ had hormetic effects on root growth, pigment contents, and antioxidase activity. • 84.59 % of total Ag absorbed on average was accumulated in the roots. • ROS level/ion leakage/cell mortality rate corresponded to decreased antioxidase activity at high dosages. • Tissue structure was obviously destroyed by prolonged exposure to Ag+. • Wide existence of SNVs-containing genes possibly evidenced Ag+ lesion to the genetic material. In our research, a series of toxicity tests with the underlying toxic mechanisms were conducted with Trifolium pratense L. (red clover). After a different silver exposing time (e.g., 1 d, 3 d, and 8 d), noticeable alterations had occurred in root elongation, photosynthetic pigments, ion leakage, cell death, reactive oxygen species (ROS), superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione (GSH), and ascorbate (AsA) assays. On average, the root tissues of red clover retained on approximately 84.59 % of the total Ag absorbed as a tolerance strategy to Ag+ stress. Ultrastructural damages in morphological characteristics were observed and speculated to be related to severe free radical attack induced by Ag+ and argentiferous NPs synthesis in vivo. Whole genome resequencing detected 1, 900, 266 and 1, 996, 263 single nucleotide variants (SNVs) and 868, 643 and 924, 957 insertions and deletions (InDels) for the two experimental plants (i.e., 4-day treated and 8-day treated) compared to controls. In addition, genomic resequencing data revealed structural variations (SVs) and copy number variations (CNVs) in experimental groups under Ag+ stress. Gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis for genes containing SNVs indicated that their molecular functions were mostly related to DNA binding transcription factor activity. These findings might provide a critical insight into the regulatory pathways of Ag+ affected plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]