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The scientific community knows little about the long-term influence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on olfactory dysfunction (OD). With the COVID-19 pandemic ongoing worldwide, the risk of imported cases remains high. In China, it is necessary to understand OD in imported cases. A prospective follow-up design was adopted. A total of 11 self-reported patients with COVID-19 and OD from Xi'an No. 8 Hospital were followed between August 19, 2021, and December 12, 2021. Demographics, clinical characteristics, laboratory and radiological findings, and treatment outcomes were analyzed at admission. We surveyed the patients via telephone for recurrence and sequelae at the 1-, 6-, and 12-month follow-up. Eleven patients with OD were enrolled; of these, 54.5% (6/11) had hyposmia and 45.5% (5/11) had anosmia. 63.6% (7/11) reported OD before or on the day of admission as their initial symptom; of these, 42.9% (3/7) described OD as the only symptom. All patients in the study received combined treatment with traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine, and 72.7% (8/11) had partially or fully recovered at discharge. In terms of OD recovery at the 12-month follow-up, 45.5% (5/11) reported at least one sequela, 81.8% (9/11) had recovered completely, 18.2% (2/11) had recovered partially, and there were no recurrent cases. Our data revealed that OD frequently presented as the initial or even the only symptom among imported cases. Most OD improvements occurred in the first 2 weeks after onset, and patients with COVID-19 and OD had favorable treatment outcomes during long-term follow-up. A better understanding of the pathogenesis and appropriate treatment of OD is needed to guide clinicians in the care of these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel highly selective chemosensor Z based on rhodamine B hydrazone derivatives was designed and synthesized, and it showed both colorimetric and “turn-on” fluorescence responses for CN− in an aqueous solution. The results showed that after adding CN− ions in aqueous solution, the chemosensor Z showed significant color change from colorless to pale-yellow, which was visible to the naked eye, and it rapidly produced strong green fluorescence. The probe could distinguish CN− by deprotonation and intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) mechanisms, as evidenced by 1H-NMR titration and DFT calculations. In addition, the detection limit of the fluorescence response of the sensor for CN− was 5.81 × 10−8 M, which was measured by titration. The chemosensor Z has been successfully used to detect CN− in sprouting potatoes. Z-containing test strips have also been prepared, and they can be used as a colorimetric tool for CN− detection in potential applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) are a type of glia from the mammalian olfactory system, with neuroprotective and regenerative properties. β-Amyloid peptides are a major component of the senile plaques characteristic of the Alzheimer brain. The amyloid beta (Aβ) precursor protein is cleaved to amyloid peptides, and Aβ is regarded to be the functional domain of Aβ, responsible for its neurotoxic properties. It has been reported that Aβ triggers reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated oxidative damage, altering the structure and function of mitochondria, leading to the activation of the mitochondrial intrinsic apoptotic pathway. Our goal is to investigate the effects of OECs on the toxicity of aggregated Aβ, in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. For such purpose, SH-SY5Y cells were incubated with Aβ and OEC-conditioned medium (OECCM). OECCM promoted the cell viability and reduced the apoptosis, and decreased the intracellular ROS and the lipid peroxidation. In the presence of OECCM, mRNA and protein levels of antioxidant enzymes (SOD1 and SOD2) were upregulated. Concomitantly, OECCM decreased mRNA and the protein expression levels of cytochrome c, caspase-9, caspase-3, and Bax in SH-SY5Y cells, and increased mRNA and the protein expression level of Bcl-2. However, OECCM did not alter intracellular Ca concentration in SH-SY5Y cells. Taken together, our data suggest that OECCM ameliorates Aβ-induced oxidative damage in neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells by inhibiting the mitochondrial intrinsic pathway. These data provide new insights into the functional actions of OECCM on oxidative stress-induced cell damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was designed to investigate the protective effects of extracellular superoxide dismutase (SOD3) against amyloid beta (Aβ)-induced damage in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells and to elucidate the mechanisms responsible for this beneficial effect. SH-SY5Y cells overexpressing SOD3 were generated by adenoviral vector-mediated infection and Aβ was then added to the cell culture system to establish an in vitro model of oxidative stress. Cell viability, the generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), the expression and activity of antioxidant enzymes, the levels of lipid peroxidation malondialdehyde (MDA), the expression of mitochondrial apoptosis-related genes and calcium images were examined. Following Aβ exposure, SOD3 overexpression promoted the survival of SH-SY5Y cells, decreased the production of ROS, decreased MDA and calcium levels, and decreased cytochrome c, caspase-3, caspase-9 and Bax gene expression. Furthermore, SOD3 overexpression increased the expression and activity of antioxidant enzyme genes and Bcl-2 expression. Together, our data demonstrate that SOD3 ameliorates Aβ-induced oxidative damage in neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells by inhibiting the mitochondrial pathway. These data provide new insights into the functional actions of SOD3 on oxidative stress-induced cell damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The potted Red globe/Beta grapevines were selected to irrigated with NaCl, Na2 SO4, NaHCO3, NH4Cl, (NH4)2SO4. Hence, the ions which induced leaf etiolation were screened and the impacts of different salt and alkali on ion distribution in different organs of grapevines were investigated. It was found that NaHCO3 exerted the greatest effects on grapevines, leaf etiolation at 14 days after treatment. By contrast, NaCl and NH4Cl treatments induced leaf etiolation at 28 days after treatment. The Na+ content in all the detected organs were significantly increased under NaHCO3 and NaCl treatment, and Na+ content in root under NaHCO3 treatment was 6.4 times as that in control root. NaHCO3 and NaCl treatments significantly decreased K+ content in the organs with the exception of leaf. NaHCO3 treatment significantly decreased K/Na in different organs, which declined to 0.1 in root. By contrast, NaCl treatment significantly decreased K/Na in the detected organs with exception of stem. Besides, the transport of Ca2+, Mg2+, Fe2+ to aboveground organs was significantly decreased by NaHCO3 and NaCl treatments. K/Na ratio in the detected organs were decreased under NH4Cl, (NH4)2SO4 and Na2SO4 treatments, especially under NH4 Cl treatment. Taken together, NaHCO3 was the primary factor resulting in leaf etiolation, followed by NaCl and NH4Cl, while (NH4)2SO4 and Na2SO4 produced impacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We designed and synthesized a carboxylic acid-functionalized coumarin derivative sensor F3, which has a dual-channel response to CN− in DMSO/H2O (2:3, v/v) solution with a fluorescence detection limit of 3.09 × 10–8 M. After adding AcOH to F3-CN system, the fluorescence of the system recovered to its initial state, so F3 is a reversible fluorescence chemical sensor. Based on this, we applied it to the ultrasensitive IMPLICATION logic gate. In addition, we made a test strips that can be used to quickly and conveniently detect CN−. According to various characteristics and applications of F3, it can be concluded that sensor F3 is a promising sensor. The detection methods have strong anti-interference ability, convenient use, fast response speed and low detection limit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]