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It has been reported that LXR agonist can inhibit Aβ generation and alleviate Aβ-induced various adverse reactions in vivo and in vitro experiments, but the mechanisms have not been clarified. The study aimed to observe the effect of LXR agonist TO901317 on the cognitive function of AD transgenic mice fed with cholesterol-rich diet (CRD), and to explore the possible mechanism. Methods: 32 male 6-month-old double transgenic AD mice were enrolled and randomly divided into 4 groups: control (normal diet) group, CRD treatment group, TO901317 treatment group and GSK2033 treatment group. After 3 month, Morris water maze was for the changes of spatial exploration and memory ability; ELISA was for detecting the production of Aβ42 in the brain; the concentration of total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein (LDL) and high density lipoprotein (HDL) in serum were detected by cholesterol enzyme colorimetry; Finally, the expression of LXR-β, RXR-α, ABCA1, caveolin-1, BACE1 and APP at protein level in the brains was measured by Western blotting. Compared with the control group, the learning, memory ability and spatial exploration ability of the mice were more significantly serious in the CRD group (P<0.05); The contents of TC and LDL in the serum and the production of Aβ42 in the brains were significantly increased (P<0.05), but HDL was remarkably decreased (P<0.05); The protein levels of LXR-β, RXR-α and ABCA1 were also significantly decreased (P<0.05); The expression of caveolin-1, APP and BACE1 were evidently increased (P<0.05). However, after treatment with TO901317, the impaired learning and memory and spatial exploration ability of the mice were significantly improved (P<0.05); The contents of TC and LDL in serum and the production of Aβ42 in the brains were significantly decreased (P<0.05), but HLD was increased (P<0.05); The protein levels of LXR-β, RXR-α, ABCA1were all significantly increased (P<0.05), while, the expression of caveolin-1, APP and BACE1 were all significantly decreased (P<0.05). All the changes were reversed by GSK2033 (P<0.05). TO901317 attenuated the more serious impairment of spatial exploration, learning and memory in transgenic AD mice induced by CRD, and the mechanism may be that TO901317 could activate the LXR-β/RXR-α/ABCA1 transmembrane transport system, promote the cholesterol efflux, and decreased caveolin-1, APP and BACE1, further reduce Aβ42 in the brains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To discover new agrochemicals with prominent pesticidal properties, a series of novel β-naphthol derivatives containing benzothiazolylamino and various heteroaryl groups (8a-q) were efficiently synthesised via Betti reaction. The bioassay results showed that most of the synthesised compounds exhibited favourable insecticidal potentials, particularly towards oriental armyworm (50-100% at 200mg⋅L-1) and diamondback moth (50-95% at 10mg⋅L-1). Compounds 8b, 8f, 8g, 8j, 8k, 8n, and 8o possessed LC50 values of 0.0988-5.8864 mg⋅L-1 against diamondback moth. Compounds 8i, 8l, and 8 m also displayed lethality rates of 30-90% against spider mite at the concentration of 100mg⋅L-1. Overall, some compounds could be considered as new insecticidal/acaricidal leading structures for further investigation. The calcium imaging experiments revealed that 8h, 8i, and viii could activate the release of calcium ions in insect (M. separata) central neurons at a higher concentration (50mg⋅L-1). The SAR analysis provided valuable information for further structural modifications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Macrophages of the M2 phenotype in malignant tumors significantly aid tumor progression and metastasis, as opposed to the M1 phenotype that exhibits anti-cancer characteristics. Raising the ratio of M1/M2 is thus a promising strategy to ameliorate the tumor immunomicroenvironment toward cancer inhibition. We report here that tumor necrosis factor superfamily-15 (TNFSF15), a cytokine with anti-angiogenic activities, is able to facilitate the differentiation and polarization of macrophages toward M1 phenotype. We found that tumors formed in mice by Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) cells artificially overexpressing TNFSF15 exhibited retarded growth. The tumors displayed a greater percentage of M1 macrophages than those formed by mock-transfected LLC cells. Treatment of mouse macrophage RAW264.7 cells with recombinant TNFSF15 led to augmentation of the phagocytic and pro-apoptotic capacity of the macrophages against cancer cells. Mechanistically, TNFSF15 activated STAT1/3 in bone marrow cells and MAPK, Akt and STAT1/3 in naive macrophages. Additionally, TNFSF15 activated STAT1/3 but inactivated STAT6 in M2 macrophages. Modulations of these signals gave rise to a reposition of macrophage phenotypes toward M1. The ability of TNFSF15 to promote macrophage differentiation and polarization toward M1 suggests that this unique cytokine may have a utility in the reconstruction of the immunomicroenvironment in favor of tumor suppression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Calyx-end browning in ‘Fuyu’ persimmon (Diospyros kakiThumb.) fruits was investigated to learn how meteorological factors and calcium (Ca) concentrations in soil, fruiting shoot, and fruit were related to the symptom occurrences, how longitudinal sections in fruits and fruiting height contribute nutrient partitioning of fruits, and how Ca soaking into fruits affects the cell structure in the flesh. Low humidity with extended radiation reduced fruit browning. Fruiting shoots without browning fruits had greater Ca and lower potassium (K) concentrations than the shoots with browning fruits. Proximal flesh had a greater Ca concentration than middle and distal end parts in calyx-end browning fruits that had lower ratios of Ca:K, Ca:magnesium (Mg), and Ca:K+Mg. Nutrient concentrations were similar to the fruiting height within a canopy, except for manganese, and boron. Calcium dipping into fruit under a vacuum increased Ca concentration in flesh and core parts, which had apparent cell wall strength. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

2,4-di-tert-butylphenol (2,4-DTBP) was produced by alkylation of phenol and tert-butyl alcohol with mesoporous molecular sieves containing tungstophosphoric acid (TPA-SBA-15) as catalysts that were directly synthesized by the sol-gel technique. TPA-SBA-15 exhibits the highest catalytic ability compared with several pure tungstophosphoric acids and the post-synthesized catalysts. Conversion of phenol can reach 99.6%, and selectivity can reach 77%. Effects of operating parameters on alkylation, including reaction temperature, composition of the feedstock, space velocity, and composition of the catalysts, were investigated. The reaction temperature and composition of catalysts and feedstock are the primary contributors to the reaction. Furthermore, the catalyst's (0.88 mol%) stability was also checked, and was shown to be still stable after 160 hours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A simplified model problem of the/low inside solid rocket motors H-as investigated through a direct numerical simulation technique to understand how the turbulent temperature field is modified by wall Mowing. The strong wall injection displaced the thermal boundary layer a way from the wall farther than the hydrodynamic boundary layer. This resulted in a decrease of correlations between velocity and temperature in the near-wall region. Even though turbulent diffusivity and micro-time scale for temperature field showed large variations in the main flow direction, the turbulent Prandtl number did not vary significantly in the middle of the channel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]