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Objective: Carotid atherosclerosis is a chronic progressive vascular disease that can be complicated by stroke in severe cases. Prompt diagnosis and treatment of high‐risk patients are quite difficult due to the lack of reliable clinical biomarkers. This study aimed to explore potential plaque metabolic markers of stroke‐prone risk and relevant targets for pharmacological intervention. Method: Carotid intima and plaque sample tissues were obtained from 20 patients with cerebrovascular symptoms of carotid origin. An untargeted metabolomics approach based on liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry was utilized to characterize the metabolic profiles of the tissues. Multivariate and univariate analysis tools were used. Results: A total of 154 metabolites were significantly altered in carotid plaque when compared with thickened intima. Of these, 62 metabolites were upregulated, whereas 92 metabolites were downregulated. Support vector machines identified the 15 most important metabolites, such as N‐(cyclopropylmethyl)‐N′‐phenylurea, 9(S)‐HOTrE, ACar 12:2, quinoxaline‐2,3‐dithiol, and l‐thyroxine, as biomarkers for high‐risk plaques. Metabolic pathway analysis showed that abnormal purine and nucleotide metabolism, amino acid metabolism, glutathione metabolism, and vitamin metabolism may contribute to the occurrence and progression of carotid atherosclerotic plaque. Conclusions: Our study identifies the biomarkers and related metabolic mechanisms of carotid plaque, which is stroke‐prone, and provides insights and ideas for the precise prevention and targeted intervention of the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) is one of the most famous spice plants belonging to the Lamiaceae family as a remarkably beautiful horticultural plant and economically agricultural crop. The essential oil of rosemary has been enthusiastically welcome in the whole world for hundreds of years. Now, it is wildly prevailing as a promising functional food additive for human health. More importantly, due to its significant aroma, food, and nutritional value, rosemary also plays an essential role in the food/feed additive and food packaging industries. Modern industrial development and fundamental scientific research have extensively revealed its unique phytochemical constituents with biologically meaningful activities, which closely related to diverse human health functions. In this review, we provide a comprehensively systematic perspective on rosemary by summarizing the structures of various pharmacological and nutritional components, biologically functional activities and their molecular regulatory networks required in food developments, and the recent advances in their applications in the food industry. Finally, the temporary limitations and future research trends regarding the development of rosemary components are also discussed and prospected. Hence, the review covering the fundamental research advances and developing prospects of rosemary is a desirable demand to facilitate their better understanding, and it will also serve as a reference to provide many insights for the future promotion of the research and development of functional foods related to rosemary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ammonia is a common environmental stress factor that constrains aquaculture industry development. This study evaluated the effect of carbohydrate levels and ammonia stress in oriental river prawn (Macrobrachium nipponense). The experiment had six treatments containing two water ammonia levels (0 and 5 mg/L) and three dietary carbohydrate levels (low carbohydrate diet (LCD, 10%), medium carbohydrate diet [MCD, 20%], and high carbohydrate diet [HCD, 30%]), and lasted six weeks. The results showed that the prawns fed on MCD had higher weight gain than those fed on LCD and HCD during ammonia stress. Moreover, the prawns fed on MCD had significantly lower acid phosphatase and alkaline phosphatase activities during ammonia stress. Feeding the prawns on the MCD increased B cells in the hepatopancreas during ammonia stress. Interestingly, the prawns fed on MCD had significantly lower superoxide dismutase activity compared to LCD and HCD during ammonia stress. Moreover, the prawns fed on MCD had significantly lower pyruvate kinase activity and pyruvate and lactic acid contents, while those fed on LCD had significantly higher succinic dehydrogenase, 6‐phosphogluconic dehydrogenase, and phosphoenol pyruvate carboxykinase activities during ammonia stress. The prawns fed on the MCD increased significantly glutaminase activity and decreased the ammonia content in the serum during ammonia exposure. In addition, feeding the prawns on MCD decreased significantly the expression of apoptosis and inflammation‐related genes. Taken together, the MCD supplied energy required to counteract ammonia stress, which increased growth, improved antioxidant capacity, facilitated ammonia excretion, and alleviated inflammation and apoptosis of the oriental river prawn. Highlights: Chronic ammonia stress inhibited growth and induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in prawns.Medium dietary carbohydrate alleviated oxidative stress and apoptosis of prawns.Medium dietary carbohydrate met the energy requirements of prawns and improved growth.Medium dietary carbohydrate enhanced ammonia excretion of Macrobrachium nipponense during ammonia stress.Prawns farmers should supplement 20% carbohydrate in the diets for M. nipponense juveniles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clinical application of doxorubicin (Dox) in cancer chemotherapy is limited by its cardiotoxicity. Present study aimed to demonstrate the effect and mechanism of hyperoside in Dox‐induced cardiotoxicity. C57BL/6 mice were injected with 12 mg/kg of Dox, and 1 μM Dox was exposed to primary cardiomyocytes. Cardiac function was evaluated by echocardiographic and myocardial enzyme levels. Cardiomyocyts apoptosis was analyzed by TUNEL staining and flow cytometry. Network pharmacology and molecular docking were utilized to explore potential targets of hyperoside. Protein expressions were detected by western blot and enzyme activities were determined by colorimetry. Cardiac dysfunction and cardiomyocyte apoptosis induced by Dox were attenuated by hyperoside. Mechanism of hyperoside was mainly related to "oxidative stress" pathway. Hyperoside exhibited strong binding activities with nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidases (NOXs, the main source of ROS in cardiomyocytes) and cyclooxygenases (COXs). Experiments proved that hyperoside suppressed the ROS generation and the elevated activities of NOXs and COXs induced by Dox. Dox also triggered the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome, which was reversed by hyperoside. Hyperoside bound to NOXs and COXs, which prevents Dox‐induced cardiotoxicity by inhibiting NOXs/ROS/NLRP3 inflammasome signaling pathway. Hyperoside holds promise as a therapeutic strategy for Dox‐induced cardiotoxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: Although Helicobacter pylori is recognized as an extracellular infection bacterium, it can lead to an increase in the number of CD8+ T cells after infection. At present, the characteristics of H. pylori antigen‐specific CD8+ T cells and the epitope response have not been elucidated. This study was focused on putative protective antigen UreB to detect specific CD8+ T‐cell responses in vitro and screen for predominant response epitopes. Methods: The PBMCs collected from H. pylori‐infected individuals were stimulated by UreB peptide pools in vitro to identify the immunodominant CD8+ T‐cell epitopes. Furthermore, their HLA restriction characteristics were detected accordingly by NGS. Finally, the relationship between immunodominant responses and appearance of gastric symptoms after H. pylori infection was conducted. Results: UreB‐specific CD8+ T‐cell responses were detected in H. pylori‐infected individuals. Three of UreB dominant epitopes (A‐2 (UreB443–451: GVKPNMIIK), B‐4 (UreB420–428: SEYVGSVEV), and C‐1 (UreB5–13: SRKEYVSMY)) were firstly identified and mainly presented by HLA‐A*1101, HLA‐B*4001 and HLA‐C*0702 alleles, respectively. C‐1 responses were mostly occurred in H. pylori‐infected subjects without gastric symptoms and may alleviate the degree of gastric inflammation. Conclusions: The UreB dominant epitope‐specific CD8+ T‐cell response was closely related to the gastric symptoms after H. pylori infection, and the C‐1 (UreB5‐13) dominant peptides may be protective epitopes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ammonia is one of the common stress factors in aquaculture. However, the effect of chronic ammonia exposure in juvenile oriental river prawn (Macrobrachium nipponense) is currently unexplored. This study explored the effects of chronic ammonia on juvenile healthy oriental river prawns. Fifty prawns (0.123 ± 0.003 g) were exposed to 0, 5, and 15 mg/L total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) in triplicates for 28 days. The effects of chronic ammonia challenge were evaluated on growth, antioxidant capacity, hepatopancreas and gill morphology, and glucose and ammonia metabolism. The results showed that, the chronic ammonia exposure reduced significantly survival rate and weight gain of prawns. The prawns exposed to 15 mg/L ammonia had induced oxidative stress. However, the prawn exposed to 15 mg/L ammonia had significantly lower aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and acid phosphatase activities in the serum. Furthermore, exposure of prawns to 15 mg/L ammonia increased the activities of hexokinase, pyruvate kinase, pyruvate and lactic acid content, and glutamine synthase activity. However, the prawns exposed to 15 mg/L ammonia, reduced succinic dehydrogenase, 6‐phosphogluconic dehydrogenase, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, glutamate synthase, and glutamate dehydrogenase activities but increased ammonia content in serum. The exposure of ammonia deformed lumen, damaged basement membrane and decreased secretory cells in the hepatopancreas, disordered gill epithelial and pillar cells, and caused gill filament base vacuolation. Our study indicates that chronic ammonia stress impairs growth performance, tissue morphology, induces oxidative stress, and alters glucose and ammonia metabolism in juvenile oriental river prawns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The spatial dispersion of photoelements within a vegetation canopy, quantified by the clumping index (CI), directly regulates the within‐canopy light environment and photosynthesis rate, but is not commonly implemented in terrestrial biosphere models to estimate the ecosystem carbon cycle. A few global CI products have been developed recently with remote sensing measurements, making it possible to examine the global impacts of CI. This study deployed CI in the radiative transfer scheme of the Community Land Model version 5 (CLM5) and used the revised CLM5 to quantitatively evaluate the extent to which CI can affect canopy absorbed radiation and gross primary production (GPP), and for the first time, considering the uncertainty and seasonal variation of CI with multiple remote sensing products. Compared to the results without considering the CI impact, the revised CLM5 estimated that sunlit canopy absorbed up to 9%–15% and 23%–34% less direct and diffuse radiation, respectively, while shaded canopy absorbed 3%–18% more diffuse radiation across different biome types. The CI impacts on canopy light conditions included changes in canopy light absorption, and sunlit–shaded leaf area fraction related to nitrogen distribution and thus the maximum rate of Rubisco carboxylase activity (Vcmax), which together decreased photosynthesis in sunlit canopy by 5.9–7.2 PgC year−1 while enhanced photosynthesis by 6.9–8.2 PgC year−1 in shaded canopy. With higher light use efficiency of shaded leaves, shaded canopy increased photosynthesis compensated and exceeded the lost photosynthesis in sunlit canopy, resulting in 1.0 ± 0.12 PgC year−1 net increase in GPP. The uncertainty of GPP due to the different input CI datasets was much larger than that caused by CI seasonal variations, and was up to 50% of the magnitude of GPP interannual variations in the tropical regions. This study highlights the necessity of considering the impacts of CI and its uncertainty in terrestrial biosphere models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Microsatellite instability‐high (MSI‐H) subgroup of gastric cancer (GC) is characterized by a high tumor mutational burden, increased lymphocytic infiltration, and enhanced inflammatory cytokines. GC patients with MSI‐H status have a good response to immune checkpoint blockade management. However, heterogeneity within the subtype and the underlying mechanisms of shaping tumor microenvironments remain poorly understood. Methods: RNA expression levels and clinical parameters of GC were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases. The data were analyzed using single‐sample Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (ssGSEA), univariate Cox regression, multivariate Cox regression, and Least Absolute Shrinkage Selection Operator (LASSO) regression. In addition, multiplex immunohistochemistry (mIHC) was used in our clinical cohort for the tumor microenvironment study. Results: By ssGSEA and survival analysis, the EMT signaling pathway was identified as a representative pathway, which can stratify the patients with MSI‐H GC with significant survival predictive power. Then, a novel representative EMT‐related five‐gene signature (namely CALU, PCOLCE2, PLOD2, SGCD, and THBS2) was established from EMT signaling gene set, which sensitivity and specificity were further validated in the independent GEO database (GSE62254) cohort for disease outcome prediction. Based on public single‐cell data and in situ immunohistochemistry, we found that most of these five genes were abundantly expressed in cancer‐associated fibroblasts. Furthermore, patients with high or low risk divided by this five‐gene signature exhibited a strong correlation of the distinct patterns of tumor immune microenvironment. By mIHC staining of sections from 30 patients with MSI‐H status, we showed that the patients with better prognoses had the increased infiltration of CD8+ cells in the primary tumoral tissue. Conclusion: Our study developed a simple five‐gene signature for stratifying MSI‐H GC patients with survival predictive power. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In general, it is accepted that gap formation significantly affects the placement of scatter‐hoarded seeds by small rodents, but the effects of different forest gap sizes on the seed‐eating and scatter‐hoarding behaviors of small rodents remain unclear. Thus, we examined the effects of a closed‐canopy forest, forest edge, and gaps with different sizes on the spatial dispersal of Quercus variabilis acorns and cache placement by small rodents using coded plastic tags in the Taihang Mountains, China. The seeds were removed rapidly, and there were significant differences in the seed‐eating and caching strategies between the stand types. We found that Q. variabilis acorns were usually eaten after being removed from the closed‐canopy forest and forest edges. By contrast, the Q. variabilis acorns in the forest gap stands were more likely to be scatter‐hoarded. The dispersal distances of Q. variabilis acorns were significantly longer in the forest gap plots compared with the closed canopy and forest edge plots. However, the proportion of scatter‐hoarded seeds did not increase significantly as the gap size increased. In small‐scale oak reforestation projects or research, creating small gaps to promote rodent‐mediated seed dispersal may effectively accelerate forest recovery and successional processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cordyceps sinensis (CS) is a traditional Chinese medicine that is known for treating various diseases, and particularly for exerting therapeutic effects in immune disorders. The adaptive immunoregulatory effects of CS aqueous extract (CSAE) on γ‐irradiated mice have not been reported previously. The study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effects of CSAE in mice immunosuppressed by irradiation. We observed that CSAE administration significantly increased body weight and spleen index, as well as the number of white blood cells, lymphocytes, and platelets in peripheral blood, T and B lymphocytes in spleen tissue, and total serum immunoglobulins in irradiated mice, whereas total serum pro‐inflammatory cytokine levels were decreased. Collectively, CSAE maintained the structural integrity of spleen tissue and repaired its damage in irradiated mice as shown by hematoxylin and eosin staining, and decreased the number of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase‐mediated dUTP nick end labeling‐positive splenocytes. Mechanistically, CSAE upregulated Bcl‐2, and downregulated Bax and cleaved caspase‐3 in spleen of irradiated mice. However, there were no significant differences in red blood cells and neutrophils in different groups. The results revealed that CSAE had protective effects against irradiation‐induced immunosuppression, which was likely associated with an antiapoptotic effect and the regulation of adaptive immunity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The kernel water concentration (KWC) varies more intensely during the physiological dehydration phase, and the dehydration process during this phase has been demonstrated to be closely associated with internal physiological processes in maize kernels. To better illustrate the physiological dehydration process (PDP) of maize kernels, moisture characteristic parameters were consecutively recorded after pollination, and the timing of the occurrence of net water loss was confirmed. Additionally, a tandem mass tag (TMT) based proteomic analysis was performed to identify the significantly differentially expressed proteins during the critical period of the PDP (PDPcp). The results showed that maize varieties presented significant variance in the KWC, kernel water content, dry‐down rate (DR) and absolute DR; nevertheless, the KWC was similar (below 65%) when net water loss occurred. In addition, 20–28 days after pollination was indicated to be the PDPcp in this study. Based on proteome analysis, Yuyu 30 and Suyu 41 showed 163 and 132 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs), respectively during the PDPcp and 99 DEPs overlapped between the varieties. During the PDPcp, the desiccation tolerance, antioxidation capability, detoxification and other stress response abilities of maize kernels were significantly increased. The increased defense abilities enabled the maize kernels to establish coordinated, diverse, stable defense mechanisms that accelerated water loss from maize kernels during the PDPcp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dysfunction of the blood‐brain barrier (BBB) is one of the main pathological features of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Memantine (MEM), an N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, has been reported that been used widely for AD therapy. This study was performed to demonstrate the role of the MEM in regulating BBB permeability in AD microenvironment as well as its possible mechanisms. The present study showed that LINC00094 was dramatically increased in Abeta1‐42‐incubated microvascular endothelial cells (ECs) of BBB model in vitro. Besides, it was decreased in MEM‐incubated ECs. Silencing LINC00094 significantly decreased BBB permeability, meanwhile up‐regulating the expression of ZO‐1, occludin and claudin‐5. Furthermore, silencing LINC00094 enhance the effect of MEM on decreasing BBB permeability in AD microenvironment. The analysis of the mechanism demonstrated that reduction of LINC00094 inhibited Endophilin‐1 expression by up‐regulating miR‐224‐4p/miR‐497‐5p, promoted the expression of ZO‐1, occludin and claudin‐5, and ultimately alleviated BBB permeability in AD microenvironment. Taken together, the present study suggests that the MEM/LINC00094/miR‐224‐5p (miR‐497‐5p)/Endophilin‐1 axis plays a crucial role in the regulation of BBB permeability in AD microenvironment. Silencing LINC00094 combined with MEM provides a novel target for the therapy of AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Ternary composite films of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), boric acid (BA), and detonation nanodiamond (DND) were prepared by aqueous solution method. Because of its excellent mechanical/thermal properties and low friction coefficient, DND is expected to offer PVA film superior performance if the puzzles of particle agglomeration in polymer matrix and fragile interface reaction between DND and PVA can be settled. BA was used as a crosslinking agent to form a strong network structure between DND and PVA. Investigation on microstructure of PVA/BA/DND films and bonding mechanisms therein shows that BA, DND, and PVA may crosslink by oxo-bridges owing to the interaction of hydroxyl groups. The Young's modulus ( E) of composite films was enhanced by nearly 3.3 times with only 0.8 wt % DND loading, and the antiwear, thermal stability, and waterproof properties can be significantly improved after the crosslinking. Meanwhile, the transparency of composite films can be well preserved even with large DND content. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 45449. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Starch was treated with three kinds of compatibilizers (coupling agents or modifying agents), KH-550, KH-570, and glycerin monostearate. Blends of polypropylene (PP) and treated starch were prepared by a twin-screw extruder. The effects of the starch before and after treatments and the kinds and contents of the compatibilizers on the mechanical and thermal properties of the PP/starch blends were investigated in this study. We found that the mechanical properties (tensile strength, impact strength, and elongation at break) of the blends were obviously improved with increasing content of different kinds of compatibilizers. Meanwhile, the most significant improvement in the mechanical properties was obtained in the samples containing just a 1 wt % loading of compatibilizers, and KH-570 had the best improved effects among the different kinds of compatibilizers. The results of thermogravimetric analysis demonstrate that to some extent, the thermal stability of the PP/starch blends was improved after the addition of compatibilizers. Scanning electron microscopy showed that the dispersion of starch in the PP matrix and adhesion between the starch and PP matrix were obviously improved after the addition of compatibilizers. KH-570 not only had the best improved effects among the coupling agents but also still acted as a similar plasticizer. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 133, 43332. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Although Helicobacter pylori is recognized as an extracellular infection bacterium, it can lead to an increase in the number of CD8 + T cells after infection. At present, the characteristics of H. pylori antigen-specific CD8 + T cells and the epitope response have not been elucidated. This study was focused on putative protective antigen UreB to detect specific CD8 + T-cell responses in vitro and screen for predominant response epitopes., Methods: The PBMCs collected from H. pylori-infected individuals were stimulated by UreB peptide pools in vitro to identify the immunodominant CD8 + T-cell epitopes. Furthermore, their HLA restriction characteristics were detected accordingly by NGS. Finally, the relationship between immunodominant responses and appearance of gastric symptoms after H. pylori infection was conducted., Results: UreB-specific CD8 + T-cell responses were detected in H. pylori-infected individuals. Three of UreB dominant epitopes (A-2 (UreB 443-451 : GVKPNMIIK), B-4 (UreB 420-428 : SEYVGSVEV), and C-1 (UreB 5-13 : SRKEYVSMY)) were firstly identified and mainly presented by HLA-A*1101, HLA-B*4001 and HLA-C*0702 alleles, respectively. C-1 responses were mostly occurred in H. pylori-infected subjects without gastric symptoms and may alleviate the degree of gastric inflammation., Conclusions: The UreB dominant epitope-specific CD8 + T-cell response was closely related to the gastric symptoms after H. pylori infection, and the C-1 (UreB 5-13 ) dominant peptides may be protective epitopes., (© 2023 The Authors. Helicobacter published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)