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Background: Reduced muscle strength, as measured by handgrip strength (HS), has been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The aim of this study was to examine the association between different HS indexes and CVD risk factors in elderly Chinese individuals. We also determine optimal cutoffs of HS indexes for predicting CVD risk factors.Methods: Data were obtained from 603 men and 789 women aged ≥60 years (average age 66.8 ± 6.4 y). These study participants were recruited in the suburb area of Tianjin, China. An individual was considered a patient when they exhibited any one of three CVD risk factors: diabetes mellitus, hypertension and dyslipidemia. All participants were interviewed face-to-face. In addition, serum samples were collected from all participants, and all participants underwent measures of anthropometry and HS.Results: The optimal cutoffs were 0.376 of HS/weight in men and 0.726 of HS/body fat mass in women for predicting diabetes mellitus. The adjusted odds ratios (ORs) of at least one CVD risk factor for those with low muscle strength identified by HS/body fat mass were 2.14 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.53, 3.44; p < 0.001) in men and 2.32 (95% CI: 1.60, 3.29; p < 0.001) in women.Conclusion: HS/body fat mass appear to be the index best associated with CVD risk factors except diabetes mellitus in men. The optimal cutoffs of HS indexes have the potential to identify elderly adults at risk of CVD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new bufadienolides, 3β,14β,16β-trihydroxy-5α-bufa-20,22-dienolide ( 1 ) and 14β-hydroxy-3β-[β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→6)-(β-D-glucopyranosyl)oxy]-5α-bufa-20,22-dienolide ( 2 ), one new pregnane, 3β-hydroxypregna-5,16-diene-20-one-1β-yl sulfate ( 3 ), along with one known pregnane ( 4 ) were isolated from the dried roots and rhizomes of Helleborus thibetanus . Their structures were elucidated by the extensive use of 1D and 2D NMR experiments, together with IR and HRESIMS spectra and the results of enzymatic hydrolysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Hippocampal autophagic deficits contribute to age-related cognitive disorder in mice. [•] CR activated hippocampal autophagy and ameliorated age-related cognition deficits. [•] The activity of mTOR and its upstream signaling in hippocampus declines with aging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the roles of rootstocks in Cu accumulation and tolerance in Malus plants by grafting 'Hanfu' (HF) scions onto M. baccata (Mb) and M. prunifolia (Mp) rootstocks, which have different Cu tolerances. The grafts were exposed to basal or excess Cu for 20 d. Excess Cu-treated HF/Mb had less biomass, and pronounced root architecture deformation and leaf ultrastructure damage than excess Cu-challenged HF/Mp. Root Cu concentrations and bio-concentration factor (BCF) were higher in HF/Mp than HF/Mb, whereas HF/Mb had higher stem and leaf Cu concentrations than HF/Mp. Excess Cu lowered root and aerial tissue BCF and translocation factor (T f) in all plants; however, T f was markedly higher in HF/Mb than in HF/Mp. The subcellular distribution of Cu in the roots and leaves indicated that excess Cu treatments increased Cu fixation in the root cell walls, which decreased Cu mobility. Compared to HF/Mb, HF/Mp sequestered more Cu in its root cell walls and less Cu in leaf plastids, nuclei, and mitochondria. Moreover, HF/Mp roots and leaves had higher concentrations of water-insoluble Cu compounds than HF/Mb, which reduced Cu mobility and toxicity. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis showed that the carboxyl, hydroxyl and acylamino groups of the cellulose, hemicellulose, pectin and proteins were the main Cu binding sites in the root cell walls. Excess Cu-induced superoxide anion and malondialdehyde were 28.6% and 5.1% lower, but soluble phenolics, ascorbate and glutathione were 10.5%, 41.9% and 17.7% higher in HF/Mp than HF/Mb leaves. Compared with HF/Mb, certain genes involved in Cu transport were downregulated, while other genes involved in detoxification were upregulated in HF/Mp roots and leaves. Our results show that Mp inhibited Cu translocation and mitigated Cu toxicity in Malus scions by regulating Cu mobility, antioxidant defense mechanisms, and transcription of key genes involved in Cu translocation and detoxification. [Display omitted] • Apple rootstocks can affect scion copper tolerance and accumulation. • M. prunifolia rootstock reduced copper toxicity in scion better than M. baccata. • M. prunifolia rootstock reduced copper accumulation and mobility. • M. prunifolia rootstock activated antioxidant systems to quench Cu-induced ROS. • M. prunifolia rootstock downregulated Cu transport genes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One risk of growing Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) crops is the potential nontarget effects which are likely related to the environmental behavior of crystal (Cry) toxins. Bt rice residues left in field after harvest constitute a main source of Cry toxins entering the environment. To our knowledge, very few studies have simultaneously evaluated the persistence of Cry toxins in Bt rice residues under field conditions using different methods. Here, we established a bioassay method with a target insect: the striped stem borer (SSB), Chilo suppressalis Walker. The reaction limit of the SSB to Cry toxins ranged from 5.4 to 12.7 ng g−1 in artificial diet, indicating that the detection limit of the bioassay ranged from 54 to 127 ng g−1 rice residues. A field decomposition experiment lasting for 210 d was conducted with the straw of two Bt rice lines transformed with either cry1Ab / 1Ac or cry2A. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) revealed that the Cry toxins in the Bt rice residues experienced rapid degradation to below 25% of the initial level in the first 42 d, and then decreased to below 100 ng g−1 rice residues within 100 to 140 d. Flooded conditions accelerated the degradation in the beginning compared with buried conditions. The Cry toxins were still detectable by ELISA, although at levels below 10 ng g−1 rice residues (<0.3% of the initial level) 210 d after harvest. However, the bioassay revealed that the SSB no longer had a significant reaction to Bt rice residues added into artificial diets 16 to 18 d after harvest under both conditions, which indicated that the level of bioactive Cry toxins had declined to below the detection limit. Our results suggest that ELISA overestimate the persistence of Cry toxins and that the potential risks mediated by Cry toxins may be much smaller than originally expected. Unlabelled Image • A bioassay method for detection Cry toxins in Bt rice residues was established. • ELISAs revealed that Cry toxins decreased to 100 ng g−1 rice residues over 100+ days. • Bioassays revealed that Cry toxins decreased to 100 ng g−1 rice residues in 20 days. • This study indicates the persistence of Cry toxins may be overestimated by ELISAs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the utilization of solar photothermal gain (SPG) (0.28μm–2.5 μm) or infrared radiation cooling (IRC) (2.5 μm–25 μm) enables the thermochromic smart window to play a role in decreasing building energy consumption, the fragmented current research on these properties unfortunately leads to a low efficacy. Herein, based on the simulation of SPG and IRC properties on building energy consumption, a tailored hydrogel is employed in a reversible glass mold with anisotropic infrared radiation emission (ε) in the different surfaces, successfully integrating excellent SPG parameters (phase transition temperature (τ C), 28 ° C , post-phase solar transmittance (T sol − HT), 3.52%) and IRC parameters (switchable infrared emissivity (Δε), 0.75–0.90). By utilizing summer and winter climate data from Wenzhou, as well as annual climate data from Singapore and Helsinki, it is determined that this gel window may save up to 64.68 MJ/m2, 11.31 MJ/m2, 201.84 MJ/m2, and 60.16 MJ/m2 in the respective locations, when compared to regular glass using the same model in EnergyPlus software. With the exceptional pre-phase visible light transmittance (T lum − LT = 84.86 %) and building energy saving performance, the all-day and all-region smart window deserves attention, further investigation, and discourse for alleviating the energy crisis and mitigating greenhouse emissions. • A low energy consumption smart window with high transmittance. • Both SPG and IRC jointly reduce the energy consumption. • The SPG includes τ C and T sol − HT , which are 28.79 °C and 3.52%, respectively. • The IRC ability has a large control range (Δε , 0.75–0.90). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: An investigation of the aliphatic nitrocompounds in Indigofera kirilowii resulted in the identification of two new esters of glucose with 3-nitropropanoic acid and acrylic acid — kirilowin C (1) and kirilowin D (2), together with four new glucose 3-nitropropanoates — kirilowins E–H (3–6). Their structures were identified by spectroscopic data. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Seven rare oxylipins, siegesbeckins A–G (1 – 7) representing further bioactive constituents different from the general terpenyl compounds found in Siegesbeckia species, have been obtained from the aerial parts of Siegesbeckia glabrescens. These isolates were identified to be a series of methyl 4-methylpentanoates incorporating fatty acid moieties of different chain lengths, based on spectroscopic techniques, and their absolute configurations were determined via chemical degradation and comparison of experimental and theoretically calculated ECD spectra. With respect to bioactivity, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic properties of selected compounds were evaluated. Compounds 1 and 5 showed moderate antibacterial activity against two Gram-positive bacteria with MIC values of 4.3 μg/mL, while 3 showed no pronounced activity in these assays. Unlabelled Image • Seven rare oxylipins were separated and identified from the aerial parts of Siegesbeckia glabrescens. • The absolute configurations were established via chemical degradation and analysis of ECD data. • Two compounds with shorter fatty acid chains displayed mild antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The phytochemical investigation on the leaves of Craibiodendron yunnanense W.W. Smith resulted in the isolation of 21 compounds, including 11 known ursane triterpenes, 8 oleanane triterpenes, and 2 sterols. Their structures were clarified by analyses of their NMR spectroscopic data as well as by comparison of these data with those published in the literature. From the present investigation, compounds 1 – 2, 6, 8 – 10, 13 – 16, 18 and 21 were isolated for the first time from the family Ericaceae, and their chemotaxonomic significance was discussed. Additionally, compounds 21 exhibited in vitro cytotoxicity against human MDA-MB-231 and BT-549 cancer cell lines with IC 50 value of 14.19 μM and 21.45 μM, respectively. • Nineteen triterpenes and two sterols were isolated from Craibiodendron yunnanense. • The isolates were evaluated for their cytotoxic activities. • The chemotaxonomic significance of the isolated compounds was summarized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Increasing RBCs number might improve resistance to 4-HBA stress. • RBCs can resist 4-HBA stress by regulating metabolites in the mucilage. • The secondary metabolites have important role in resistance for Fusarium solani. • RBCs may resist 4-HBA stress by increasing the expression level of lignin synthesis and SOD genes. Autotoxins are a major cause of grapevine replant disease. Root border cells (RBCs) of 'Beta' grapevine seedlings were selected to investigate the mechanism underlying the changes in the composition of grapevine root secretions mediated by autotoxins ρ-hydroxybenzoic acid (4-HBA) and their effect on harmful soil fungi (Fusarium solani). The results showed that, compared with control, the root length and number of RBCs were increased under 50 μg·mL–1 4-HBA treatment but inhibited under 200 μg·mL–1 treatment (T200), and no significant difference was found under 100 μg·mL–1 treatment (T100). In the T100 vs CK group, RBCs enhanced metabolites involved in the respiratory pathway and released carbon source substances, such as saccharides and organic acids. In addition, most metabolites of the flavonoid biosynthesis pathway and gallic acid (GA) of tannins were abundant in the RBC mucilage possibly due to the action of shikimate dehydrogenase (SDH). In the T200 vs CK group, abundance of some metabolites of the respiratory pathway decreased, and dihydroquercetin (DHQ), catechin (C), epicatechin gallate (ECG), quercetin derivative, and hesperetin derivative abundances of flavonoid biosynthesis pathway were inhibited possibly due to the declined expression level of PAL and CHS genes. Tannins [such as GA and ellagic acid (EA)] were also decreased in the mucilage of RBCs. Plate confrontation experiments showed that flavonoids [C, DHQ, and naringenin (NAR)] and tannin (GA) inhibited the growth of Fusarium solani to some extent. RBCs may also resist 4-HBA stress by increasing the expression level of lignin synthesis and SOD genes. Our research indicates that RBCs and their mucilage play an important role in protecting the root tips of grapevine against 4-HBA stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]