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Purpose Acute lung injury (ALI) with high rates of morbidity is often accompanied by the apoptosis in the type I alveolar epithelial cells (ATIs). Thus, the transdifferentiation of type II alveolar epithelial cells (ATIIs) into ATIs is crucial for the maintenance of alveolar epithelial functions. We aimed to elucidate the role of sesamin in the transdifferentiation of ATIIs to ATIs and the involvement of the TRPV1/AKT pathway. Methods In vivo, the mouse model of ALI was simulated by intraperitoneal and intratracheal injections of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), respectively. The protective effects of sesamin on ALI were investigated using the survival rate, lung/body weight ratio, histological analysis of lung with HE staining, and mRNA levels of inflammatory factors. Western blot analysis and immunofluorescence detection of ATIs marker AQP5 were used to evaluate the protective effect of sesamin on ATIs. Western blot, EdU, and qPCR analyses were applied to detect changes in apoptosis, proliferation, and transdifferentiation markers of ATII A549 cell lines. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) was used to detect the involvement and relationships between the sesamin receptors (ANXA1 and TRPV1) and the AKT pathway in transdifferentiation. Results Sesamin (200 mg/kg) significantly improved LPS-induced ALI and inhibited LPS-induced ATIs reduction. A low concentration of sesamin (20 [mu]M) promoted the transdifferentiation of ATIIs to ATIs. Both ANXA1 and TRPV1 were involved in sesamin-promoted transdifferentiation, while the P-AKT (S473) level was down-regulated by TRPV1 siRNA. Conclusion Sesamin may promote transdifferentiation of ATII to ATI to ultimately rescue ALI, with TRPV1/AKT pathway involved in this transdifferentiation. This study revealed a novel role of sesamin in promoting the transdifferentiation of ATIIs to ATIs, providing experimental supports for the potential targets of ALI therapy. Graphical abstract, Author(s): Jiaojiao Zhang [sup.1], Jinrun Zhou [sup.1], Yifan Yu [sup.1], Yuqing Cai [sup.1], Zhiliang Li [sup.1], Yao Lu [sup.1], Jing Zhao [sup.1] Author Affiliations: (1) grid.27255.37, 0000 0004 1761 1174, [...]

This work investigates the ignition and flame development processes of low reactivity fuel combustion under compression ignition conditions based on the large eddy simulation approach. The chemical explosive mode analysis (CEMA) is employed to characterize the local combustion features, including gas-liquid fuel zone, auto-ignition, diffusion-assisted, extinction, cool flame and post-ignition zone, among which auto-ignition and post-ignition are found to play a key role in the overall heat release process. The local flame propagation modes in gasoline compression ignition (GCI) are determined by quantifying the relative magnitude of diffusion/chemistry at a representative progress variable in the pre-ignition zone. The results show that autoignition fronts and deflagration waves exist simultaneously in the ignition and intense high temperature heat release (HTHR) stages, but autoignition fronts dominate. In addition, the chemical kinetic processes of four heat release periods are analyzed. The heat release during the ignition period is found to be dominated by the reactions CH3+ H (+M) <=> CH4 (+M) and CH3CHO + H <=> CH2CHO + H2. The reaction CH2OH + OH <=> CH2O + H2O always plays an important role in the heat releases during the other three combustion stages including intense HTHR, moderate HTHR and post-combustion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to explore whether the addition of quinoa husks can affect the substance composition, flavor and biological activity of fermented Huangjiu, the traditional self-made Chenfuqu was used to ferment Huangjiu and two groups were set up inclouding ordinary Huangjiu and quinoa husks Huangjiu. The content of heavy metals in the two groups of wine samples was determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometer, and the basic physical and chemical indicators, differential compounds and flavor substances of the two groups of Huangjiu were analyzed and compared by highperformance liquid chromatography mass spectrometer (HPLC-MS) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometer (GC-MS), and the antioxidant activity of Huangjiu was analyzed. The results showed that the content of total saponins and total phenolic acids in quinoa husks Huangjiu was significantly higher than that of ordinary Huangjiu, and the lead content was lower. Aflatoxin B1 was not detected in both groups of Huangjiu. There were 48 different compounds in the two kinds of Huangjiu, of which alcohols and amides substances were the most abundant, both of which were ten, followed by four kinds of acid substances and two kinds of carbohydrate substances. There were 19 kinds of volatile substances detected by GCMS, 12 kinds of direct sampling, 12 kinds of headspace sampling, four kinds of substances were calibrated by external standard method, and the substances in ordinary Huangjiu were butyl formate, acetic acid and butyric acid, the contents were 5.10±1.10, 4.40±1.70, 10.80±2.20 μg/mL respectively. The substances in quinoa husks Huangjiu were butyl formate, n-butanol, acetic acid and butyric acid, the contents were 9.00±1.80, 7.40±2.10, 4.50±1.00, 9.50±2.10 μg/mL respectively. In terms of antioxidant activity, the Fe2+ chelation rates of the quinoa husks Huangjiu and ordinary Huangjiu were 45.79% and 6.51%, and the tyrosinase inhibition rates were 94.84% and 71.11%, respectively. The quinoa husks Huangjiu was significantly better than ordinary Huangjiu. Compared with ordinary Huangjiu, self-made quinoa husks Huangjiu had higher content of non-volatile substances and volatile flavor substances in the wine body, and higher antioxidant capacity. The results of this study would provide a theoretical basis for brewing a new quinoa husks Huangjiu, and lay a foundation for the high-value utilization of quinoa husks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]