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Cichoric acid (CA), extracted from edible plants and vegetables, is a potential natural nutraceutical, with antioxidant and hypoglycaemic biological functions. The objective of this study was to explore the potential underlying molecular mechanisms involved in normalizing diabetes-related changes in hyperglycaemia via pancreas apoptosis and muscle injury induced by multiple low-dose STZ (MLD-STZ) injection in response to dietary supplementation with CA. To induce the MLD-STZ diabetic mice, the C57BL/6J mice were intraperitoneally injected with STZ (50 mg/kg body weight) for consecutive five days. CA (60 mg/kg/d) was supplemented in drinking water for 4 weeks. Compared with control, CA inhibited pancreas apoptosis and adjusted islet function in diabetic mice, leading to an increase in insulin generation and secretion. Moreover, CA regulated mitochondrial biogenesis, glycogen synthesis, and inhibited inflammation via activating antioxidant responses, which contributes to the improvement in athletic ability and diabetic myopathy. In general, CA is a natural food-derived compound with the potential application for regulating glucose homeostasis and improving diabetes and its complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this paper, we combine differential evolution with particle swarm intelligence as a hybrid evolution algorithm to improve the performance of conventional spectral clustering. Traditional k-means method at the final step of spectral clustering is easily to converge into local optimal, since it is sensitive to initial centroids. In our proposed algorithm, we first map original dataset into the lower-dimensional space to realize dimension reduction, and then use DEPSO to find a series of optimal centroids for k-means. Finally apply k-means as a local refining operation and acquire the cluster centers. This strategy makes full use of the capacity of global searching of evolutionary algorithm and maximizes local search ability of k-means, which effectively overcomes the deficiencies of traditional spectral clustering. Experimental results over artificial dataset and UCI dataset demonstrate DEPSO''s superiority in difficult clustering, steady performance and better accuracy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: An improved spectral clustering approach based on differential evolution algorithm (DESC) is proposed in this paper. In our algorithm, we replace k-means with differential evolution (DE) as the final step in spectral clustering, thus it overcomes the deficiencies in sensitivity to initialization and local optima. Experimental results over artificial dataset and UCI dataset demonstrate DESC''s superiority in difficult clustering, steady performance and better accuracy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Atmospheric pollution has been demonstrated to be associated with ocular surface diseases characterized by corneal epithelial damage, including impaired barrier function and squamous metaplasia. However, the specific mechanisms underlying the impact of atmospheric pollution on corneal damage are still unknow. To address this gap in knowledge, we conducted a study using a whole-body exposure system to investigate the detrimental effects of traffic-related air pollution, specifically diesel exhaust (DE), on corneal epithelium in C57BL/6 mice over a 28-day period. Following DE exposure, the pathological alterations in corneal epithelium, including significant increase in corneal thickness and epithelial stratification, were observed in mice. Additionally, exposure to DE was also shown to disrupt the barrier functions of corneal epithelium, leading to excessive proliferation of basal cells and even causing squamous metaplasia in corneal epithelium. Further studies have found that the activation of yes-associated protein (YAP), characterized by nuclear translocation, may play a significant role in DE-induced corneal squamous metaplasia. In vitro assays confirmed that DE exposure triggered the YAP/β-catenin pathway, resulting in squamous metaplasia and destruction of barrier functions. These findings provide the preliminary evidence that YAP activation is one of the mechanisms of the damage to corneal epithelium caused by traffic-related air pollution. These findings contribute to the knowledge base for promoting eye health in the context of atmospheric pollution. [Display omitted] • A whole-body exposure system was conducted to study the effects of diesel exhaust on mice' corneal epithelium. • Diesel exhaust promoted basal cells proliferation in corneal epithelium. • Diesel exhaust caused squamous metaplasia in corneal epithelium. • YAP activation contribute to squamous metaplasia in corneal epithelium caused by diesel exhaust. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genome-wide functional genetic studies of food-borne pathogens could provide a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms underline their survival and pathogenesis in the harsh environments during food processing and infections. Traditional methods such as physical mutagenesis, chemical mutagenesis, and labeled DNA fragment insertion mutation techniques are time-consuming, labor-intensive and low precision. Although RNA-Seq and other omics methods enable high-throughput research on a genome-wide scale, the obtained results of gene transcription or expression cannot establish direct causal connection between the genetic determinants and particular functions. Transposon sequencing (Tn-seq) is an emerging microbial functional genomic technology based on transposon mutagenesis and high-throughput sequencing technologies, which is able to quantitatively track millions of independent mutants in a single experiment, and therefore efficiently map the "genotype-phenotype" relationship and the genetic interaction networks of a bacterium. This article summarizes the common types and hazards of food-borne pathogens, the development of Tn-seq technology, and its applications in studying the physiology, pathogenesis, and environmental survival of food-borne pathogens. • Food-borne pathogens are a common concern of food safety worldwide. • Transposon sequencing (Tn-seq) is an emerging microbial functional genomics technology. • Tn-seq can efficiently establish "genotype-phenotype" correspondence. • The development and applications of Tn-seq are reviewed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Co-culturing two or more species has recently been used in fermenting foods for product flavor or safety control. Ethyl carbamate (EC) is a potential carcinogenic compound presented in Chinese yellow rice wine which can be reduced by fermentation starters modification. In this work, the effect of Lactobacillus brevis (L. brevis) on EC in yellow rice wine fermentation with Saccharomyces cerevisiae (S. cerevisiae) was studied and an optimal mixed-culture fermentation method was constructed according to comparative analyses of EC concentration and fundamental quality. EC concentration could be further reduced by 68.4% at most through adding 108 cfu/L L. brevis during S. cerevisiae fermentation. L. brevis also had beneficial influence on hedonic quality of yellow rice wine. Meanwhile, the effect of gallic acid on EC formation in this mixed-culture fermentation system was elucidated. Unfortunately, the coexistence of gallic acid and L. brevis attenuated their inhibitory effect on EC formation. Image 1 • Lactobacillus brevis is added to regulate EC in Chinese yellow rice wine. • An optimal mixed-culture fermentation with Lactobacillus brevis is constructed. • EC level can be reduced by 68.4% at most by adding 108 cfu/L Lactobacillus brevis. • Lactobacillus brevis has beneficial influence on hedonic quality of yellow rice wine. • Coexistence of gallic acid and Lactobacillus brevis attenuates their inhibitory effect on EC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A novel and practical method to inhibit ethyl carbamate (EC) is proposed. • Bamboo leaves extract (BLE) is added to regulate EC in Chinese yellow rice wine. • BLE addition can inhibit EC in the multi-microbial fermented wine. • BLE prevents the transformation from urea/citrulline to EC. • BLE dramatically influences arginine transport in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Bamboo leaves extract (BLE) contains various effective ingredients, including phenolic compounds. In this study, the effect of BLE on ethyl carbamate (EC) formation was investigated in Chinese yellow rice wine brewing with three different fermentation starters (Saccharomyces cerevisiae , Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Lactobacillus brevis , and Chinese yeast). As a result, BLE showed significant inhibition effect on EC in multi-microbial fermented rice wine, by preventing the reactions between urea/citrulline and ethanol. We found that BLE had influence on arginine transport (GAP1, CAN1, ALP1, and VBA2 gene) in Saccharomyces cerevisiae (S. cerevisiae) , which significantly up-regulated arginine uptake gene expression in vacuole (VBA2 gene) so that inhibited arginine metabolism. Besides, the presence of BLE could improve the overall quality of Chinese yellow rice wine. Consequently, it was worthwhile applying BLE to Chinese rice wine fermentation, especially the wine brewing with S. cerevisiae and Lactobacillus brevis starter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Near-infrared (NIR) dyes have shown increasing popularity for photothermal cancer therapy. Here, we report the synthesis and photophysical properties of selenadiazolobenzotriazole based organic small molecule NIR dyes SeNz and SeNzBr , both of which demonstrate strong intramolecular charge transfer and an excellent photothermal effect. Through self-assembly, hydrophilic nanoparticles (NPs) SeNz NPs and SeNzBr NPs were prepared by taking DSPE-PEG 2000 as the polymer matrix and exhibited excellent photothermal conversion efficiency of 57.4% and 42.5%, respectively. In addition, both NPs displayed excellent photothermal stability and photostability. Furthermore, both NPs show low dark cytotoxicity and high phototoxicity by taking HeLa cells as the model. All results suggest that selenadiazolobenzotriazole based NIR dyes SeNz and SeNzBr are promising for photothermal therapy. Graphical abstract Image 1 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are vital post-transcriptional regulators that participate in host-pathogen interactions by modulating the expression of cellular factors. Previous studies have demonstrated that feline panleukopenia virus (FPV) alters miRNA expression levels within host cells. However, the relationship between FPV replication and host miRNAs remains unclear. Here, we demonstrated that FPV infection significantly altered cellular miR-92a-1–5p expression in F81 cells by upregulating the expression of specificity protein 1 (SP1). Furthermore, we observed that miR-92a-1–5p enhanced interferon (IFN-α/β) expression by targeting the suppressors of cytokine signaling 5 (SOCS5) that negatively regulates NF-κB signaling and inhibits FPV replication in host cells. These findings revealed that miR-92a-1–5p plays a crucial role in host defense against FPV infection. • FPV significantly altered miR-92a-1–5p expression in F81 cells by upregulating the expression of SP1. • SP1 is a vital transcriptional factor for miR-92a-1–5p expression. • MiR-92a-1–5p activated the NF-κB signaling pathway to promote IFN-I expression and inhibit FPV replication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Listeria monocytogenes is an important food-borne pathogen that can cause fatal listeriosis. High hydrostatic pressure (HHP) in combination with antimicrobial agent is a potential antibacterial strategy for controlling L. monocytogenes in the food industry. The aim of this study was to investigate the antibacterial effect and the underlying mechanisms of HHP alone and HHP in combination with Mannosylerythritol Lipid-A (MEL-A), an antimicrobial biosurfatant, on L. monocytogenes. The results of antibacterial rate and morphological changes showed that a combined HHP (100, 200, 300 MPa) and MEL-A (16 μg/mL, 32 μg/mL) treatment had a synergistic bactericidal effect on L. monocytogenes. The synergistic treatment caused severe damage to the cell membrane structure of L. monocytogenes. To further explore the antibacterial mechanism of the synergistic treatment of HHP and MEL-A on L. monocytogenes , genome-wide transcriptome analysis was carried out and identified 1392 differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Enrichment analysis of the DEGs showed that HHP induced significant down-expression of membrane-related genes and up-regulation of ribosome-related pathways (50 S and 30 S ribosomal proteins). Interestingly, ribosome was also the most significantly enriched pathway in the synergistic treatment group. Moreover, compared to HHP treatment alone, synergistic treatment also affected pathways related to the PTS system. In addition, the good safety performance in vivo and in vitro indicates that MEL-A could be potentially used as a potential additive for controlling L. monocytogenes in the food industry. This study reveals the synergistic bactericidal effect and mechanisms of a combined HHP and MEL-A treatment against L. monocytogenes , which may provide potential strategies for prevention and control of food-borne pathogens. • High hydrostatic pressure (HHP) and mannosylerythritol lipids-A (MEL-A) exhibited synergistic bactericidal effect. • Severe damage in cell membrane structure were observed by SEM and TEM. • Ribosome related pathways were significantly enhanced in both HHP and MH treatment groups. • In vitro and in vivo safety assessment experiments revealed the safety of MEL-A. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]