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This study proposes a straightforward strategy utilizing metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) to obtain efficient electrocatalysts for synthesizing C2 products (C2H4 and C2H5OH) via a CO2 reduction reaction. Cu-MOF-74 was chosen as the precursor, while copper oxide nanoparticles were obtained through a calcination method. During the calcination process, by controlling the calcination conditions, the porous structure of the MOF framework was successfully retained, leading to CuO-400 with a high catalytic activity and C2 production efficiency. Compared to CuO-n formed by the calcination of Cu(NO3)2, CuO-400 derived from MOFs exhibits a 1.6 times higher C2 activity as an electrocatalytic material at −1.15 V vs. RHE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental stress at high altitudes drives the development of distinct adaptive mechanisms in plants. However, studies exploring the genetic adaptive mechanisms of high-altitude plant species are scarce. In the present study, we explored the high-altitude adaptive mechanisms of plants in the Himalayas through whole-genome resequencing. We studied two widespread members of the Himalayan endemic alpine genus Roscoea (Zingiberaceae): R. alpina (a selfing species) and R. purpurea (an outcrossing species). These species are distributed widely in the Himalayas with distinct non-overlapping altitude distributions; R. alpina is distributed at higher elevations, and R. purpurea occurs at lower elevations. Compared to R. purpurea, R. alpina exhibited higher levels of linkage disequilibrium, Tajima's D, and inbreeding coefficient, as well as lower recombination rates and genetic diversity. Approximately 96.3% of the genes in the reference genome underwent significant genetic divergence (FST ≥ 0.25). We reported 58 completely divergent genes (FST = 1), of which only 17 genes were annotated with specific functions. The functions of these genes were primarily related to adapting to the specific characteristics of high-altitude environments. Our findings provide novel insights into how evolutionary innovations promote the adaptation of mountain alpine species to high altitudes and harsh habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The present study aims to (1) follow up with 4-year changes in the efficacy outcome, defense style questionnaire (DSQ) score, and clinical features of patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and (2) analyze the relationship between different levels of efficacy and changes in the patients' psychological defense mechanisms.Methods: The following data collection and 4-year follow-up were completed for 153 patients with OCD: (1) the treatment process, efficacy outcome, course of disease, and clinical features of OCD were collected using a self-made general information questionnaire and (2) the control method was used to analyze the changes in clinical symptoms (Yale-Brown obsessive compulsive scale [YBOCS], Hamilton anxiety score [HAMA], and Hamilton depression scale [HAMD]) in patients with OCD. Moreover, the changes in the psychological defense mechanism (measured by DSQ) and the relation between the prognosis and DSQ score were investigated.Results: (1) The HAMA score (8.7 ± 4.8 points), HAMD score (12.0 ± 6.6 points) and YBOCS score (16.4 ± 8.4 points) were significantly lower during the follow-up than at the time of enrollment (p < 0.01). In the two DSQ evaluations, there were no significant differences in the factors, with the exception of a significant decrease in the use of "reaction formation" (t = 2.533, p = 0.015). The changes of mature defense factors in the significant efficacy group significantly increased (p < 0.01). Which was mainly manifested in the significant increase in the score of "sublimation" item, and the difference was extremely significant (t = -3.093, p = 0.006).Conclusion: An abnormal psychological defense mechanism plays an important role in OCD, and the use of a mature defense mechanism is significantly related to the treatment efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By identifying the model of a relativistic spin-half neutral particle which possesses magnetic and electric dipole moments interacting with an electromagnetic field as the U (1) gauge theory, we study the Anandan phase in (2 + 1) -dimensional noncommutative space–time by applying the Seiberg–Witten map. We find that up to the first order of the noncommutative parameter, Anandan phase does not receive any corrections due to the spatial noncommutativity. Our result also indicates that phases of either Aharonov–Casher or He–Mckellar–Wilkens effects can receive corrections due to spatial noncommutativity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Litopenaeus vannamei easily blackens during cold storage. To inhibit blackening and improve the storage quality of prawns, in this study, konjac glucomman (KGM)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) topological microgel was formed and used for storage and preservation of prawns to improve their antioxidant properties. The effect of KGM-EGCG topological microgel on inhibiting shrimp blackening was studied by measuring the sensory evaluation score, pH value, TVB-N value, K value, PPO activity, and the effect of changes in the total number of bacteria of KGM-EGCG-treated prawns during storage. SEM and FTIR results showed that during the KGM-EGCG binding process, the number of hydrogen bond connections and the intermolecular force increased. Results also showed that the KGM microgel can effectively embed EGCG and enhance its stability to achieve a better controlled release effect. Compared with the EGCG group and untreated group, KGM-EGCG microgel has better anti-PPO activity and can better maintain the organoleptic quality and inhibit bacterial growth of Litopenaeus vannamei. Therefore, the KGM-EGCG microgel could slow down the increase in pH value, the production of volatile base nitrogen, and the increase in K value, and effectively extend the shelf life of Litopenaeus vannamei from 3 d to 6 d, providing a theoretical basis for the research of KGM functional gel and a reference for the deep processing and value enhancement of green tea and shrimp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Childhood trauma and empathy deficits have been found to be related to borderline personality disorder (BPD), but the mechanisms of action remain unclear. This study aims to investigate the characteristics of empathy in male offenders with BPD tendencies and to test its mediating role in the relationship between childhood trauma and BPD tendencies. Two hundred and fifty-seven male offenders and 43 male nonoffender controls completed the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire Short From (CTQ-SF), the Questionnaire of Cognitive and Affective Empathy (QCAE) and the Chinese version of the computerized Yoni Task. ANOVA, Mixed-model ANOVAs and the PROCESS macro were used to analyze the inventory data and task performances. Compared to male offenders without BPD tendencies and nonoffender controls, offenders with BPD tendencies showed more severe childhood abuse, lower cognitive empathy and poorer task performances in second-order cognitive and second-order affective theory of mind. Furthermore, cognitive empathy was found to play a mediating role in the relationship between childhood trauma and BPD tendencies. Our findings indicate the effects of childhood trauma and empathy impairments on BPD and suggest the possible application value of the precision empathy ability training in the intervention of offenders with BPD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Isorhapontigenin (ISO), a novel derivative of stilbene compound, possessess good pharmacological activities such as antiviral, antioxidant, and anticancer. The purpose of this study is to investigate the pharmacokinetic of ISO in mice plasma, after oral administration of three doses (40, 80, and 160 mg/kg). Isorhapontigenin was detected by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), and a reliable LC-MS/MS assay for ISO in mice plasma was developed. The method was linear over a concentration range of 5–2000 ng/ml, and the lower limit of quantification was 5 ng/ml. The results indicated that there was a linear relationship between AUC(0–t), AUC(0–∞), and Cmax of ISO and dosages. ISO underwent quick absorption and elimination in mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The chemical constituents of the fungus Pestalotiopsis sp. YMF1.0474 were studied. Five compounds, including a new pestalrone C (1) and four known compounds, namely, 6-[1-hydroxy-(1S)-pentyl]-4-methoxy-(6S)-2H,5H-pyran-2-one (2), LL-P880β (3), pestalrone A (4), and methyl (E)-octadec-9-enoate (5), were isolated from the culture broth of strain YMF1.0474. Compounds 1–4 showed acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activity with IC50 33.90, 81.54, 16.43, and 95.22 μM, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Salvia miltiorrhiza (Danshen [DS]) and Carthamus tinctorius (Honghua [HH]) are commonly used traditional Chinese medicines for activating blood and removing stasis, and they were usually used as DS-HH (Danshen-Honghua [DH]) herbal pair in clinical applications. Characterizing the antioxidant active ingredients in DH herbal pair may be helpful for understanding their curative effect on cardiovascular diseases. Objective: The objective of the study is to screen the 1, 1-diphenyl-2-trinitrophenylhydrazine (DPPH) scavenging active compounds in DH herbal pair by spectrum-effect relationship analysis. Materials and Methods: First, the water extracts of DH herbal pair with different ratios (DS: HH = 1:0, 0:1, 1:1, 2:1, 3:1, 5:1, 1:5, 1:3, and 1:2) were prepared. Then, the clearance effects of DH herbal pair and single drugs on DPPH were compared, meanwhile, high performance liquid chromatography was applied for chemical analysis of DH extracts. Finally, DPPH scavengers in DH herbal pair were predicted and identified by spectrum-effect relationship analysis and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis. Results: Compared with single drugs, the extracts of herbal pairs had higher clearance rate to DPPH. Eighteen potential active compounds (peaks) in the extract of DH herbal pair were predicted, and 13 of them were tentatively identified by LC-MS analysis. Furthermore, antioxidant activities of eight pure compounds from the DH herbal pair were validated by DPPH radical scavenging assay with Vitamin C as positive control drug. Among them, six compounds including danshensu, protocatechuic acid, coffee acid, chlorogenic acid, rutin, and salvianolic acid A were found to have high antioxidant activity. Conclusion: DH herbal pair showed strong clearance effect on DPPH, and danshensu, protocatechuic acid, coffee acid, chlorogenic acid, rutin and salvianolic acid A are the active components. Abbreviations Used: DS: Danshen, HH: Honghua, DH: Danshen-Honghua, TCMs: Traditional Chinese medicines, LC-MS: Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, DPPH: 1, 1-diphenyl-2-trinitrophenylhydrazine, VC: Vitamin C, CCA: Canonical correlation analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Selaginella tamariscina (P. Beauv.) Spring (Selaginellaceae) (ST) has been widely used in China as a medicine for improving blood circulation. However, its processed product, S. tamariscina carbonisatus (STC), possesses opposite haemostatic activity. Objective: To comprehensively evaluate the activity of ST and STC on physiological coagulation system of rats, and seek potential active substances accounting for the activity transformation of ST during processing. Materials and methods: The 75% methanol extracts of the whole grass (fine powder) of ST and STC were prepared, respectively. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into five groups: control group, model group, model + ST group, model + STC group and positive control group (model + Yunnanbaiyao). The duration of intragastric administration was 72 h at 12 h intervals. Haemorheology parameters were measured using an LB-2 A cone-plate viscometer and the existed classic methods, respectively. SC40 semi-automatic coagulation analyzer was employed to determine coagulation indices. Meanwhile, HPLC and LC-MS were applied for chemical analyses of ST and STC extracts. Results: STC shortened tail-bleeding time, increased whole blood viscosity (WBV) and plasma viscosity (PV), decreased erythrocyte sedimentation rate blood (ESR), reduced activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and increased the fibrinogen (FIB) content in the plasma of bleeding model rats. Although ST could shorten APTT and TT, the FIB content was significantly decreased by ST. Dihydrocaffeic acid with increased content in STC vs. ST showed haemostatic activity for promoting the platelet aggregation induced by collagen and trap-6, and reducing APTT and PT significantly with a concentration of 171.7 μM in vitro. Amentoflavone with reduced content in STC vs. ST inhibited ADP and AA-induced platelet aggregation significantly with a concentration of 40.7 μM. Discussion and conclusions: As the processed product of ST, STC showed strong haemostatic activity on bleeding rat through regulating the parameters involved in haemorheology and plasma coagulation system. Two active compounds, dihydrocaffeic acid and amentoflavone, might be partially responsible for the haemostatic and anticoagulant activity of STC and ST, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mechanical action of zearalenone (ZEA) on different species has been the focus of attention. However, current knowledge of the mode of action and detailed mechanism of ZEA in aquatic species remains limited. According to the maximum detectable dose of commercial fish feed (511 μg kg−1), 1440 freshwater edible grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) with an initial weight of 15.34 ± 0.06 g that were fed six graded levels of dietary ZEA (0, 535, 1041, 1548, 2002 and 2507 μg kg−1 diet). After 70 d, impaired gill epithelial barrier function was confirmed in ZEA-exposed grass carp in terms of the differential expression of tight junctions (TJs), increased oxidative stress levels, and excessive apoptosis promoted cell death. Subsequently, the health status of the fish was determined by immersion (3 h) of Flavobacterium columnare. ZEA-exposed fish displayed the highest incidence of gill rot at 3 d postinfection. Concordantly, at higher doses, ZEA could significantly decrease immune component [(e.g., acid phosphatase (ACP), lysozyme (LZ) and Complement 3 (C 3)] activities and antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) transcription abundance and increase substantially inflammatory cytokines. Furthermore, we found that the nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), the nuclear factor κB (NF-κB), and the target of rapamycin (TOR) may be partially involved in associated regulation, thus indicating a potential regulatory network affected by ZEA. In summary, our findings suggest that ZEA disrupts the barrier function of fish gills and increases the risks of pathogen infection. The current recommended guidance values for ZEA in aquaculture (2000 μg kg−1) are insufficient to preclude toxic potential, and increased public concern about ZEA in feed and feedstuff is essential. [Display omitted] • ZEA residues lead to gill morphology changes (e.g., weak or lose tension). • ZEA leads to an increase in the gill rot morbidity by 42% at 1000 μg kg−1. • Lower levels of immune components were detected in ZEA-exposed grass carp. • There is a potential regulatory network affected by ZEA: TOR/NF-κB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tyrosinase (TYR) is a rate-limiting enzyme in the synthesis of melanin, while direct TYR inhibitors are a class of important clinical antimelanoma drugs. This study established a spectrum-effect relationship analysis method and high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis method to screen and identify the active ingredients that inhibited TYR in Salvia miltiorrhiza–Carthamus tinctorius (Danshen–Honghua, DH) herbal pair. Seventeen potential active compounds (peaks) in the extract of DH herbal pair were predicted, and thirteen of them were tentatively identified by LC-MS analysis. Furthermore, TYR inhibitory activities of five pure compounds obtained from the DH herbal pair were validated in the test in which kojic acid served as a positive control drug. Among them, three compounds including protocatechuic aldehyde, hydroxysafflor yellow A, and tanshinone IIA were verified to have high TYR inhibitory activity (IC50 value of 455, 498, and 1214 μM, resp.) and bind to the same amino acid residues in TYR catalytic pocket according to the results of the molecular docking test. However, the other two compounds lithospermic acid and salvianolic acid A had a weak effect on TYR, as they do not combine with the active amino acid residues or act on the active center of TYR. Therefore, the developed methods (spectrum-effect relationship analysis and molecular docking) could be used to effectively screen TYR inhibitors in complex mixtures such as natural products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the highly ordered array of CoPc-vacancies and the single-molecule rotors inside the vacancies. When CoPc molecules are deposited on Cd(0001) at low-temperature, three types of molecular vacancies appeared randomly in the CoPc monolayer. Annealing the sample to higher temperature leads to the spontaneous phase separation and self-organized arrangement of the vacancies. Highly ordered arrays of two-molecule vacancies and single-molecule vacancies have been obtained. In particular, there is a rotating CoPc molecule inside each single-molecule vacancy, which constitutes the array of single-molecule rotors. These results provide a new routine to fabricate the nano-machines on a large scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S), a novel neuromodulator, is linked to the pathogenesis of several neurodegenerative disorders. Exogenous application of H 2 S exerts neuroprotection via anti-inflammation and anti-oxidative stress in animal and cellular models of Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, the role of endogenous H 2 S and the contribution of its various synthases in PD remain unclear. In the present study, we found a decline of plasma and striatal sulfide level in 1-methy-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) induced PD mouse model. Interestingly, among the three H 2 S generating enzymes, only cystathionine β-synthase (CBS) expression was largely reduced in the striatum of MPTP-treated mice. The in vitro study confirmed a significant decrease of CBS expression in 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP + )-stimulated astrocytes and microglia, but not in neurons or SH-SY5Y dopaminergic cells. Striatal CBS overexpression, elicited by stereotaxic delivery with Cbs gene using recombinant adeno-associated-virus ( rAAV-Cbs ), successfully enhanced the sulfide level in the striatum and partially rescued the MPTP-induced dopaminergic neurotoxicity in the midbrain. Specifically, striatal CBS overexpression alleviated the motor deficits and dopaminergic neuron losses in the nigro-striatal pathway, with a concomitant inhibition of glial activation in MPTP-treated mice. Furthermore, compared to rAAV-Vector , rAAV-Cbs injection reduced the aberrant accumulation of nitric oxide and 3-nitrotyrosine (an indicator of protein nitration) in the striatum of MPTP-treated mice. Notably, it also attenuated the increase of nitrated α-synuclein level in MPTP mice. The in vitro study demonstrated that lentivirus-mediated CBS overexpression elevated the sulfide generation in glial cells. Moreover, glial CBS overexpression offered protection to midbrain dopaminergic neurons through repressing nitric oxide overproduction in both glial and neuronal cells induced by MPP + . Taken together, our data suggest that impaired CBS-H 2 S axis may contribute to the pathogenesis of PD, and that modulation of this axis may become a novel therapeutic approach for PD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intracellular calcium is a key factor in most cellular processes, including cell growth, differentiation, proliferation and neurotransmitter release. Dopamine (DA) mediates synaptic transmission by regulating the intracellular calcium content. It is not clear, however, which specific subunit of the DA receptor contributes to DA modulation of intracellular calcium content changes. Through the traditional technique of Fura-2 calcium imaging, this study demonstrated that the DA can induce transient calcium in cultured hippocampal neurons and that this response can be mimicked by a selective dopamine receptor 4 (DR4) agonist PD168077 (PD). PD-induced calcium transience can be blocked by a calcium chelator, such as BAPTA-AM, or by pre-treatment of neurons with thapsigargin, a IP 3 receptor antagonist, or a micromolar concentration of ryanodine, a ryanodine receptor (RyR) antagonist. However PD-induced calcium transience cannot be blocked by pre-treatment of neurons with a free-calcium medium or a cocktail of NMDA receptor, L-type calcium channel and alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor blockers. These results indicate that the calcium response induced by DR4 activation is mainly through activation of IP 3 receptor in internal stores, which is likely to contribute to the DA modulation of synaptic transmission and cognitive function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Tigecycline is an antibiotic agent with a broad spectrum, which has an antibacterial effect against many multidrug-resistant organisms. However, its clinical efficacy in the treatment of hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) is disputed. Materials and Methods: In this report, a systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of tigecycline for the treatment of HAP. The primary outcome was the rate of clinical cure, and the secondary outcomes were mortality and adverse events (AEs). Results: Four trials involving 1,234 patients were included. The standard-dose tigecycline and comparator groups did not differ significantly in their rates of clinical cure. However, high-dose tigecycline was more effective than standard-dose tigecycline or the comparators for the treatment of HAP. There was no significant difference in mortality between the standard-dose or high-dose regimen and the comparators. Although the safety profile of standard- dose tigecycline was similar to the comparators, the high-dose regimen exhibited more AEs compared with the other groups. Conclusion: High-dose tigecycline is efficient for the treatment of HAP but is associated with more AEs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Emotional and cognitive dysregulation in major depressive disorder (MDD) have been consistently considered to be attributed to structural and functional abnormalities in affective network (AN) and cognitive control network (CCN). This study was to investigate the functional connectivity (FC) patterns and altered functional interactions between both networks in MDD. We investigated resting-state functional connectivity magnetic resonance imaging in the AN and the CCN in 25 MDD and 35 healthy controls (HC). The seeds were from voxel-based morphometry (VBM) analysis results. Then FC within the AN was assessed from a seed placed in the left amygdala (AMG) and FC within CCN was determined by placing seeds in the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). Compared with HC, MDD showed reduced FC between left AMG and bilateral precuneus and right anterior cingulated cortex (ACC) within AN and reduced FC between right DLPFC and left cuneus, left lingual gyrus, and right ACC within CCN. An interaction hub of altered FC in MDD between AN and CCN located in the right ACC. Interestingly, the altered FC between right ACC and left AMG was negatively correlated with depressive symptom score while the altered FC between right ACC and DLPFC was positively correlated the executive function in MDD. The right ACC not only supports the cognitive and emotional processes, but also is an altered functional interaction hub between AN and CCN in MDD. It further suggest multiple sources of dysregulation in AN and CCN implicate both top-down cognitive control and bottom-up emotional expression dysfunction in MDD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Sunitinib is a first-line drug in the treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma, but patients will inevitably develop drug resistance after 6–15 months of systematic treatment, which seriously affects the prognosis in KIRC. During the study, the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database was used to perform a systematic bioinformatics analysis,so that we could determine the genes (DEGs) which are differentially expressed between sunitinib-sensitive and sunitinib-resistant RCC (SRRC) cells. A total of 31 DEGs were identified. Gene ontology (GO) was used to analyze the function of DEGS. These DEGs were found mainly enriched in organic aniontransmembrane transporter. • The Cytohubba plug-in, STRING database and Cytoscape software were involved to construct a protein–protein interaction (PPI) network, and the pivot genes were identified by single-gene and multi-gene Cox regression analysis. Finally, DDX58 and MX2 were identified as prognostic genes. Survival analysis was performed by using prognostic nomogram, prognostic histogram and GEPIA database to verify the relationship between DDX58 and MX2 expression and survival. The relationship between the two pivot genes and the prognosis of patients was further verified by using the KM survival analyses and Time Dependency ROC curve analyses from TCGA database. • Immunohistochemical analyses confirmed that, in tumor tissues and normal tissues, DDX58 and MX2 were differentially expressed. The expression of these two genes have relationship with the immune checkpoint. And we detected the protein expression of MX2 and DDX58 in the tissues by IHC. Results demonstrated that MX2 and DDX58 were significantly increased in sunitinib-resistant KIRC tissues compared with sunitinib-sensitive KIRC tissues. This study provides insights into the molecular mechanisms of SRRC, as well as the selection of therapeutic and prognostic biomarkers for SRRC. Sunitinib is a first-line drug in the treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma, but patients will inevitably develop drug resistance after 6–15 months of systematic treatment, which seriously affects the prognosis in KIRC. During the study, the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database was used to perform a systematic bioinformatics analysis,so that we could determine the genes (DEGs) which are differentially expressed between sunitinib-sensitive and sunitinib-resistant RCC (SRRC) cells. A total of 31 DEGs were identified. Gene ontology (GO) was used to analyze the function of DEGS. These DEGs were found mainly enriched in organic aniontransmembrane transporter. The Cytohubba plug-in, STRING database and Cytoscape software were involved to construct a protein–protein interaction (PPI) network, and the pivot genes were identified by single-gene and multi-gene Cox regression analysis. Finally, DDX58 and MX2 were identified as prognostic genes. Survival analysis was performed by using prognostic nomogram, prognostic histogram and GEPIA database to verify the relationship between DDX58 and MX2 expression and survival. The relationship between the two pivot genes and the prognosis of patients was further verified by using the KM survival analyses and Time Dependency ROC curve analyses from TCGA database. Immunohistochemical analyses confirmed that, in tumor tissues and normal tissues, DDX58 and MX2 were differentially expressed. The expression of these two genes have relationship with the immune checkpoint. This study provides insights into the molecular mechanisms of SRRC, as well as the selection of therapeutic and prognostic biomarkers for SRRC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • SLC18A2, SYNGR3 and CALB1 were identified as the potential biomarkers in PD by bioinformatics analysis. • Dendritic cells (DCs) and activated dendritic cells (aDCs) had significant higher infiltration in PD. • CD27, CEACAM1, and CTLA4 had negative correlation with the expression of SLC18A2, SYNGR3 and CALB1. • The expression of SCL18A2 and SYNGR3 were down-regulated in clinical peripheral blood samples of PD. Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder that affects 1%–2% of the population over 60 years old. Immune response dysfunction in the brain contributes to the occurrence and development of PD. This study aimed to uncover the potential diagnostic genes for PD and characterize the immune cell infiltrates. We downloaded the microarray data of patients with PD samples from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Weighted Gene Co-Expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) was used to identify the modules linked to PD in the GSE20163 dataset. Meanwhile, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the healthy control samples and PD samples were also identified. Then the PD-related genes were integrated based on the genes in the key module and DEGs. Functional enrichment analysis was used to explore the molecular mechanisms of these PD-related genes. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) analysis were used to further screen candidate genes for PD. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was applied to explore the biological functions of these candidate genes. The infiltration of immune cells was detected by single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) algorithm in the GSE20163 dataset, and Pearson analysis was used to investigate the correlation of candidate genes with immune cells and immune checkpoint proteins. The expression of candidate genes in clinical samples was verified by qPCR. Altogether, we found a unique gene module related to PD, where 109 DEGs were identified in the GSE20163 dataset. Following these results, we screened 68 genes associated with PD. Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses suggested that these genes were markedly enriched in the pathway of synthesis and transport of neurons. Three candidate genes (SLC18A2, CALB1, and SYNGR3) were further identified in PD patients through PPI network and LASSO analysis. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve indicated that the three candidate genes had a good performance in distinguishing the PD samples from healthy control samples. The proportions of the aDC, DC, NK CD56dim cells, and follicular helper T cells (TFH) were obviously different between the healthy control and PD samples. Moreover, CTLA4, LAG3, CEACAM1, and CD27 were highly expressed in the PD group. GSEA analysis for candidate genes revealed that they were all closely related to the neurogenic disease. Additionally, the three candidate genes were all strongly correlated with the above immune cells and immune checkpoint proteins. The qPCR results validated the expression differences of SLC18A2 and SYNGR3 in the clinical PD and control samples. The three candidate genes may be a useful tool for diagnosing PD patients. These findings provide a reference for exploring new therapeutic targets and strategies for PD treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two Mn(II) complexes based on two nitronyl nitroxide radicals with different substituent R groups have been synthesized, and characterized structurally and magnetically: [[Mn(hfac) 2 ] 3 (NITPyOMe) 2 ] ( 1 ) (hfac = hexafluoroacetylacetonate, NITPyOMe = 2-(5′-(2″-methoxy)pyridyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazozoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide) and [[Mn(hfac) 2 ] 3 (NITPhOEt) 2 ] ( 2 ) (NITPhOEt = 4′-ethoxyphenyl-4,4,5,5- tetra-methylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide). The X-ray crystal structure analyses show that modifying the substituent R groups with a donor N atom helps to get the one-dimensional Mn(hfac) 2 -bridged [Rad–Mn(hfac) 2 ] 2 chain complex 1 , while the large steric hindrance of the NITPhOEt radical induces complex 2 to be a mononuclear tri-spin compound, in which the central Mn(II) ion is coordinated by two hfac and two NITPhOEt radicals. Variable temperature magnetic susceptibility studies reveal that there are antiferromagnetic interactions between the Mn(II) ions and the radical through the N–O group in both of the two complexes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Samples of electrolytic tough pitch (ETP) pure copper were subjected to 12 passes of Equal-Channel Angular Pressing (ECAP) at room temperature with and without back pressure. Subsequent annealing was performed to evaluate the influence of back pressure during ECAP on the thermal behavior of ultrafine-grained copper. The microstructural and hardness changes caused by annealing were characterized by orientation imaging microscopy (OIM) and microhardness measurements. The application of back pressure resulted in an earlier drop in hardness upon annealing, which is believed to be associated with a lower critical temperature for the initiation of recrystallization and a rapid coarsening of microstructure. Regardless of whether back pressure was applied or not, structure coarsening during short-time annealing of ECAP-processed copper was governed by discontinuous static recrystallization. This is seen as a result of microstructure heterogeneity. Analysis of recrystallization kinetics was carried out based on observations of the microstructure after annealing in terms of the Avrami equation. The magnitude of the apparent activation energies for recrystallization in the absence of back pressure and in the case of back pressure of 100 MPa was estimated to be ~99 kJ/mol and ~91 kJ/mol, respectively. The reasons for reduced activation energy in the case of processing with back pressure are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inosine 5′-monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH) is one of the crucial enzymes in the de novo biosynthesis of guanosine nucleotides. It has served as an attractive target in immunosuppressive, anticancer, antiviral, and antiparasitic therapeutic strategies. In this study, pharmacophore mapping and molecular docking approaches were employed to discover novel Homo sapiens IMPDH (hIMPDH) inhibitors. The Güner-Henry (GH) scoring method was used to evaluate the quality of generated pharmacophore hypotheses. One of the generated pharmacophore hypotheses was found to possess a GH score of 0.67. Ten potential compounds were selected from the ZINC database using a pharmacophore mapping approach and docked into the IMPDH active site. We find two hits (i.e., ZINC02090792 and ZINC00048033) that match well the optimal pharmacophore features used in this investigation, and it is found that they form interactions with key residues of IMPDH. We propose that these two hits are lead compounds for the development of novel hIMPDH inhibitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Four new copper(II) complexes containing different nitronyl nitroxide radicals have been synthesized, characterized structurally and magnetically: [(Cu(hfac)2)3(NITPh-3-Br-4-OMe)2] (1), [(Cu(hfac)2)3(NITPyOMe)2] (2), [Cu(hfac)2(2-QNNN)] (3) and [Cu(hfac)2(NITmNO2)2] (4) (hfac=hexafluoro-acetylacetonate; and NITPh-3-Br-4-OMe=2-3′-Br-4′-methoxyphenyl-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide, NITPyOMe=2-4′-methoxy-3′-pyridyl-4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-imidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide, 2-QNNN=2-2′-quinolyl-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide, NITmNO2 =2-(3-nitrophenyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-imidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide). The X-ray crystal structure analyses show that complexes 1 and 2 have similar centrosymmetric five-spin structures built by three Cu(hfac)2 units bridged by two nitroxide ligands through their NO groups. While complex 3 consists of isolated molecule where the nitronyl nitroxide radical acts as chelating ligand towards copper(II), and complex 4 is a rare mononuclear tri-spin compound, in which central Cu(II) ion is coordinated by two hfac and two NITmNO2 radicals. The variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility studies reveal strong antiferromagnetic interactions between Cu(II) ions and radicals in complexes 1–2, practically diamagnetic in complex 3 and weak ferromagnetic interaction in complex 4. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective To screen the differential expression of DNA damage repair-related genes between the different radioresistant cervical cancer cells to investigate radiation tolerance mechanism of cervical cancer. Methods A radioresistant cell line, SiHaR, was established from a human cervical squamous carcinoma cell line SiHa by repeated high-dose 9MeV-ß irradiation. The differential gene expressions were screened with cDNA microarray by DNA damage repair-related gene chip. Portions of differential genes screened were confirmed by Western blotting. Results The SiHa and SiHaR cells were exponentially killed after irradiation. The survival fraction (SF) value of SiHaR cells was higher at the same dose irradiation. As to SF2, the radioresistance of SiHaR cells was 2.26 times that of SiHa cells. Totally 41 DNA damage repair-related genes with differential expressions were screened out between radioresistant SiHaR cell line and its parental SiHa cell line, with 27 up-regulated and 14 down-regulated genes. Among them, there were 13 genes whose ratio was higher than 6.0 or lower than 0.1. Western blot prompted to verify the results of four differentially expressed proteins compared with SiHa cells, in which the expression levels of ras-related associated with diabetes (RRAD1) and replication factor C2 (RCF2) were significantly down-regulated in SiHaR, while the expressions of X-ray repair complementing defective repair (XRCC1) and excision repair cross-complementing (ERCC1) at the protein level were significantly up-regulated. Conclusion A stable radioresistant cell line denoted by SiHaR and induced from the SiHa cell line was successfully isolated by repeated high-dose 9MeV-ß irradiation. The radioresistance of cervical cancer is significantly related to gene mutation that occurs in DNA damage repair after exposure to irradiation, which provides several gene targets for sensitizing the radioresistant cells for improving the radiocurability of cervical cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A single random phase encoding is introduced into ptychography for the first time. Since the diffractive wave front is encoded with the random phase modulator, the information of the sample cooperated with each probe can be uniformly distributed onto an entire diffraction pattern. It leads to the much faster convergent speed of the iterative algorithm for ptychographical imaging. It is more important for practice that the robustness to resist the noises and especially the transverse shift errors of probes are considerably improved compared with the conventional ptychographic algorithm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Five novel Ln(III) complexes based on a new nitronyl nitroxide radical have been synthesized, characterized structurally and magnetically: [Ln(hfac)3(NITPh-3-Br-4-OMe)2] (Ln(III)=Eu(1), Gd(2), Tb(3), Dy(4), Ho(5); hfac=hexafluoroacetylacetonate; and NITPh-3-Br-4-OMe=2-3′-Br-4′-methoxyphenyl-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide). The single-crystal structures analyses show that these complexes have similar mononuclear tri-spin structures, in which central Ln(III) ions are all eight coordinated by three hfac molecules and two NITPh-3-Br-4-OMe radicals. The variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility studies reveal the antiferromagnetic interactions between the paramagnetic ions (Ln(III) and radicals) in complexes 1, 2, 3 and 5 and ferromagnetic interaction in complex 4. The luminescence characterizations of complexes Eu(1), Tb(3) and Dy(4) are also studied in this paper. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Generalized ptychography is established with diverse probes, which not only extend the core spirit of ptychography that is the overlapping of neighboring probes, but also enhance the imaging quality. We find that in one of suggested configurations with visible light, the performances of two types of diversified probes are improved in comparison with the traditional circular probes. This may open up some new possibilities of ptychographic imaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Three new lanthanide complexes based on a novel nitronyl nitroxide radical [Ln(hfac)3(NITPhiPr)2] (Ln=Gd(1), Tb(2), Dy(3); hfac=hexafluoroacetylacetonate, NITPhiPr=4′-isopropyl-phenyl-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide) have been successfully synthesized, characterized structurally and magnetically, which all display radical-Ln(III)-radical tri-spin structures. The magnetic studies reveal the ferromagnetic interactions between the Gd(III) ion and radicals and the antiferromagnetic interaction between two radicals in the complex 1. And both Ln(III)–radical ferromagnetic interactions exist in complexes 2 and 3. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Two new lanthanide–radical complexes, [Tb(hfac)3(EtVNIT)2] (1) and [Dy(hfac)3(EtVNIT)2] (2) (EtVNIT = 2-(4′-ethoxy-3′-methoxyphenyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide, hfac = 1,1,1,5,5,5-hexafluoroacetylacetonate), were synthesized; both display radical–Ln(III)–radical (Ln=Tb (1), Dy (2)) tri-spin structures. Magnetic studies reveal that interactions between the lanthanide ions and radicals are ferromagnetic. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Abstract: Three new lanthanide-radical complexes containing the same radical ligand were successfully synthesized, which all display radical-Ln(III)-radical (Ln=Pr (1), Gd (2), Ho(3)) tri-spin structures. The magnetic studies revealed that, for complex 2, the interactions between the Gd(III) ion and radical are ferromagnetic, while the interaction between two radicals is antiferromagnetic. In complexes 1 and 3, antiferromagnetic couplings exist between the lanthanide ions and radicals. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The epigenetic changes of tumor suppressor genes are now recognized as an alternative mechanism contributing to the development of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). The expression of DNA-damage-inducible transcript 3 (DDIT3) gene has been found down-regulated in myeloid malignancies including MDS. In this study, we performed methylation-specific PCR (MSP) to investigate the methylation status of the CpG island of DDIT3 promoter region in MDS. Aberrant methylation of DDIT3 was detected in 31.8% (21/66) of the cases analyzed. No correlation was found between DDIT3 promoter methylation and clinical parameters and MDS subtypes. Although the estimated 50% survival time of the methylated DDIT3 group was shorter than that of unmethylated group (12.0 months vs. 23.0 months), the difference was not statistically significant (P =0.137). These findings suggest that the hypermethylation of DDIT3 promoter might be one of early events in the development of MDS. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this paper, study on the absorbable bioactive components of Angelica sinensis (AS) in rabbit was carried out. Based on two-dimensional spectrochromatograms obtained from HPLC-DAD-MS, multicomponent spectral correlative chromatography (MSCC) algorithm was used to detect the common components in chromatographic fingerprints from A. sinensis and rabbit plasma samples after AS administration. This procedure was introduced particularly to detect whether two overlapping peaks were spectrally correlated with each other. The results have shown that the proposed method makes the common components found in different chromatographic fingerprints more efficient and reliable, especially for the coeluted or unknown compounds within some chromatographic peak clusters. With the help of MSCC algorithm upon the chromatographic fingerprints of both AS and rabbit plasma samples after AS administration, it was found that over 40 chemical ingredients in AS were absorbed into rabbit body after AS administration. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a vascular complication of diabetes mellitus that leads to visual injury and blindness. Both angiogenesis and inflammation play an important role in the pathogenesis of DR. Here we aimed to explore the mechanisms of mitsugumin 53 (MG53) in ameliorating the dysfunction induced by high glucose (HG) in humans retinal microvascular endothelial cells (HRECs). HRECs were subjected to HG in the presence or absence of MG53 overexpression. The effect of MG53 on cell viability and inflammatory response in HG-treated HRECs was measured using the Cell Counting Kit-8 and ELISAs, respectively. Expression of MG53, EGR1, p-STAT3, FGF2, TGFB1, and Angiopoietin-1 in HG-treated HRECs was quantified by western blot or quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. HG significantly downregulated MG53 in HRECs, which reduced cell viability while inducing angiogenesis and inflammatory response. Upregulation of MG53 reversed these effects of HG. MG53 directly interacted with EGR1 and repressed its expression, which decreased phosphorylation of STAT3 and downregulated FGF2, TGFB1, and Angiopoietin-1. EGR1 up-regulation or STAT3 activation antagonized the protective effects of MG53. MG53 alleviates HG-induced dysfunction in HRECs by repressing EGR1/STAT3 signaling. Thereby MG53 may have therapeutic potential in DR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A soft-hard template cooperative organization approach for simultaneous introduction of mesoporous and nitrogen defects into g-C 3 N 4. • The method greatly increases the specific surface area of g-C 3 N 4 through mesopore connectivity. • The combination of soft and hard template creates a large number of nitrogen defects. • This material has excellent adsorption and catalytic properties. The mesoporous graphitic carbon nitride (g-C 3 N 4) was prepared by a facile soft-hard template cooperative organization approach to creating pores, with the melamine used as the precursor, and the mixture of silica sol and F127 was employed as mesoporous templates. Nitrogen-deficient mesoporous g-C 3 N 4 samples were obtained by modifying the addition of F127. In addition, samples prepared with combined templates (FMCN-x) were compared with those using only soft (FCN) and hard (MCN) templates, and the results showed there was a significant increase in specific surface area and photocatalytic performance. Among them, sample FMCN-4 exhibited the maximum specific surface area of 104.18 m2/g and pore volume of 0.346 cm3/g. The presence of F127 enhances the pore formation effect of the silica sol, resulting in even higher specific surfaces with even smaller additions of silica sol. This situation reduces the amount of template etchant used subsequently and produces it in a more environmentally friendly cooperative organization. On the other hand, the soft-hard template cooperative organization approach introduced nitrogen defects in the g-C 3 N 4 material, and the C/N ratio increased to 1.09 for FMCN-4, which improved the photocatalytic performance. FMCN-4 exhibited 95.71 % degradation efficiency to methyl orange in 90 min under simulated visible light irradiation. FMCN-4 also exhibits excellent visible light photocatalytic properties and good cycling stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A ligand-based and docking-based virtual screening was carried out to identify novel MDM2 inhibitors. A pharmacophore model with four features was used for virtual screening, followed by molecular docking. Seventeen compounds were selected for an in vitro MDM2 inhibition assay, and compounds AO-476/43250177, AG-690/37072075, AK-968/15254441, AO-022/43452814, and AF-399/25108021 showed promising MDM2 inhibition activities with K i values of 9.5, 8.5, 23.4, 3.2, and 23.1 μM, respectively. Four compounds also showed antiproliferative activity, and compound AO-022/43452814 was the most potent hit with IC50 values of 19.35, 26.73, 12.63, and 24.14 μM against MCF7 (p53 +/+), MCF7 (p53 -/-), HCT116 (p53 +/+), and HCT116 (p53 -/-) cell lines, respectively. Compound AO-022/43452814 could be used as a scaffold for the development of anticancer agents targeting MDM2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Asymmetric electrosynthesis provides an efficient and controllable route for chiral synthesis. In comparison to traditional symmetric synthesis methods, asymmetric electrosynthesis typically operates under milder conditions, reducing waste generation and energy consumption. This aligns with the current trend in green chemistry, contributing to the development of environmentally friendly synthetic pathways. Apart from reactions initiated with chiral substrates, introducing appropriate chiral factors during the electrochemical process is crucial. In this context, chiral electrodes have garnered significant attention due to their advantages such as high catalytic activity, enantioselectivity, and reusability. This concept aims to introduce the preparation of three main types of chiral electrodes over the past decade, including chiral modified electrodes, chiral immobilized electrodes and chiral imprinted electrodes, and their applications in asymmetric electrosynthesis. The article provides insights into the current state of the field and outlines prospects for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Tandem C2 domains, nuclear (TC2N) is a C2 domain-containing protein that belongs to the carboxyl-terminal type (C-type) tandem C2 protein family, and acts as an oncogenic driver in several cancers. Previously, we preliminarily reported that TC2N mediates the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway to inhibit tumor growth of breast cancer (BC) cells. Beyond that, its precise biological functions and detailed molecular mechanisms in BC development and progression are not fully understood. Methods: Tumor tissues of 212 BC patients were subjected to tissue microarray and further assessed the associations of TC2N expression with pathological parameters and FASN expression. The protein levels of TC2N and FASN in cell lines and tumor specimens were monitored by qRT-PCR, WB, immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry. In vitro cell assays, in vivo nude mice model was used to assess the effect of TC2N ectopic expression on tumor metastasis and stemness of breast cancer cells. The downstream signaling pathway or target molecule of TC2N was mined using a combination of transcriptomics, proteomics and lipidomics, and the underlying mechanism was explored by WB and co-IP assays. Results: Here, we found that the expression of TC2N remarkedly silenced in metastatic and poorly differentiated tumors. Function-wide, TC2N strongly inhibits tumor metastasis and stem-like properties of BC via inhibition of fatty acid synthesis. Mechanism-wise, TC2N blocks neddylated PTEN-mediated FASN stabilization by a dual mechanism. The C2B domain is crucial for nuclear localization of TC2N, further consolidating the TRIM21-mediated ubiquitylation and degradation of FASN by competing with neddylated PTEN for binding to FASN in nucleus. On the other hand, cytoplasmic TC2N interacts with import proteins, thereby restraining nuclear import of PTEN to decrease neddylated PTEN level. Conclusions: Altogether, we demonstrate a previously unidentified role and mechanism of TC2N in regulation of lipid metabolism and PTEN neddylation, providing a potential therapeutic target for anti-cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To study the viscosity coefficient and thickness of the viscous layer on the Tibetan Plateau, the relationship between the change in viscosity coefficient and thickness of a lower crustal flow and the change in elevation has been investigated based on the principle of a pipeline flow with different viscosity and thickness of terrain elevation. The viscosity and thickness of the lower crustal flow in different directions were determined based on the changes in the terrain along different directions on the Tibetan Plateau. The following results were obtained: (1) The greater the viscosity and the smaller the thickness of the lower crustal conduit flow, the steeper the ground elevation change formed; (2) The maximum viscosity coefficient in the region from India to the Kunlun Mountains in the southern Tibetan Plateau through the Himalayan boundary is approximately 1020Pas, and the thickness of the conduit flow is approximately 25 km. (3) The maximum value of the viscosity coefficient of the lower crustal flow in the region ranging from the Tibetan Plateau to the Qinghai- Gansu section is attained when the flow thickness in this region approaches 40 km (4) The maximum value of the viscosity coefficient of the lower crustal flow in the region ranging from the Tibetan Plateau to the Qinghai- Gansu section is attained when the flow thickness in this region approaches 40 km., which does not substantially differ from that of the region ranging from the Tibetan Plateau to the Qinghai-Gansu area. (5) The maximum viscosity coefficient of the lower crustal flow from the southeast of the Tibetan Plateau to Yunnan is approximately 1018Pas, and the thickness is approximately 32 km, which differs from the flow thickness in the Sichuan Basin and Qinghai-Gansu regions. The results show variations in the viscosity of the flow along different directions on the Tibetan Plateau, in addition to considerable variation in the thickness of the lower crustal channel flow from region to region, with the overall characteristics of thinness in the west and thickness in the east. The results of the four profiles reveal that the channel flow thickness is the steepest at the southwest border of the Tibetan Plateau with India. This paper presents a reasonable interpretation of the geomorphology of the Tibetan Plateau using different thickness and viscosity coefficients of the lower crustal channel flow model. In this paper, a possible mechanism for the formation of the Tibetan Plateau topography is explained using a horizontal pipe flow for four profiles of the Tibetan Plateau. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zearalenone (ZEA) is a prevalent mycotoxin with high toxicity in animals. In order to study its effect on juvenile grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella), six diets supplemented with different levels of ZEA (0, 535, 1041, 1548, 2002, and 2507 μg/kg diet) for 10 weeks were studied to assess its toxicity on intestinal structural integrity and potential mechanisms of action. Our report firstly proved that ZEA led to growth retardation and body deformity, and impaired the intestinal structural integrity of juvenile grass carp, as revealed by the following findings: (1) ZEA accumulated in the intestine and caused histopathological lesions; (2) ZEA resulted in oxidative injury, apoptosis, and breached tight junctions in the fish intestine, which were probably associated with Nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), p38 mitogen activated protein kinases (p38MAPK), and myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) signaling pathways, respectively. ZEA had no influence on the antioxidant gene levels of Kelch-like ECH associating protein 1 (Keap1)b (rather than Keap1a), glutathione-S-transferase (GST)P1, GSTP2 (not in the distal intestine (DI)), tight junctions occludin, claudin-c (not in the proximal intestine (PI)), or claudin-3c (not in the mid intestine (MI) or DI). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Asymmetric porous cordierite ceramic membranes were fabricated by phase inversion tape casting method. It is shown that the membranes consist of a relatively dense skin layer on the top, a sponge layer at the bottom and a finger-like layer in the middle. The membranes have a hierarchical pore structure, where macrovoids (denoted as dozens-micron-sized (DMS) pores) are present in the finger-like layer and micron-sized (MS) pores are located in the skin layer, sponge layer and the wall of macrovoids. After surface silylation by post-grafting with 1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorodecyltriethoxysilane (FAS), the sample with a starting powder/polyethersulfone (PESf) weight ratio of 9 (M − 4) becomes hydrophobic, with a water contact angle of 150°. At a NaCl concentration of 3.5 wt%, a feed rate of 18L/h and a feed temperature of 80 °C, the hydrophobic M − 4 membrane exhibits a water permeate flux of 22.33 kg/m2h, which is considerably larger than that of the membranes prepared by dry pressing method previously, and a salt rejection of 99.9%. The higher water permeate flux is attributed to the much lower transport resistance of water vapor in the membranes of the present work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aims to discuss the effect of escitalopram in glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels, and 5-Hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in obsessive–compulsive disorder rats. A total of 42 rats were divided into three groups randomly: control group (n = 14), model group (n = 14) (obsessive–compulsive disorder group), and escitalopram group (n = 14) (model + obsessive–compulsive disorder group + escitalopram treatment). The open-field method was used to test the rat behavior, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to determine the serum GDNF and BDNF levels. In addition, Western blot was used to determine the brain tissue protein levels of GDNF and BDNF and high-performance liquid chromatography + electrochemistry method to determine the 5-HT level of brain tissue. Visiting place was changed, rotational frequency and fixed duration enhanced in escitalopram group compared to model group (P < 0.05). Besides, GDNF and BDNF levels of serum and brain tissue were decreased in model group and escitalopram group compared to control group (P < 0.05), while GDNF and BDNF levels of serum and brain tissue were increased in escitalopram group compared to model group (P < 0.05). Moreover, the 5-HT level of brain tissue in escitalopram group was higher than that in model group (P < 0.05). Escitalopram could increase GDNF and BDNF levels and 5-HT content in serum and brain tissue in obsessive–compulsive disorder rats, which contributes to a function on the treatment of obsessive–compulsive disorder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Silica is a main component of cordierite ceramic, in the present work, industrial solid waste was used as main silica source to prepare porous planar cordierite membranes by a solid-phase sintering process with starch as pore-forming agent. It is shown that the concentration of starch plays a critical role in the pore structure and mechanical property and the cordierite membranes with a starch concentration of 40 wt% (M-40) have a desirable pore structure and flexural strength after sintering at 1300 °C for 5 h. After grafted with 1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorooctyltriethoxysilane (FAS, C 8), the ceramic membranes were used for desalination by vacuum membrane distillation (VMD). The results show that the membranes(M-40) possess an average flux of 11.43 kg/m2 h, a high salt rejection of 99.9% under the following operation conditions: a NaCl concentration of 3.5 wt%, a feed rate of 300 ml/min and a temperature of 80 °C. After desalination for 120 h, the water contact angle decreases to 130°. The cordierite membranes exhibit poor resistance to thermal acid/alkali solution(boiling, pH = 1 and 14, respectively, soaked for 8 h) but excellent resistance to ambient temperature acid/alkali solution (25 °C, pH = 1 and 14, respectively, soaked for 120 h). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: For lead compound discovery from natural products, hollow fiber cell fishing with chromatographic analysis is a newly developed method. In this study, an adsorbed hollow fiber‐based biological fingerprinting method was firstly developed to discover potential platelet aggregation inhibitors from Danshen–Honghua decoction. Platelets were seeded on the fiber and their survival rate was tested. Results indicated that more than 92% platelets survived during the whole operation process. Ranitidine and tirofiban were used as positive and negative control respectively to verify the reliability of the presented approach. The main variables such as amount of extract and stirring time that affect the adsorbed hollow fiber‐based biological fingerprinting process were optimized, and the repeatability of this method was also investigated. Finally, 12 potential active compounds in Danshen–Honghua decoction were successfully detected using the established approach and structures for nine of them were tentatively identified by liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry analysis. In addition, the in vitro platelet aggregation inhibition test was carried out for five of the nine hit compounds, and three active components, namely, lithospermic acid, salvianolic acid A, and salvianolic acid B were confirmed. These results proved that the proposed method could be an effective approach for screening platelet inhibitors from plant extracts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Circadian dysfunction is a common non-motor symptom in Parkinson's disease (PD). The potential influence of aggravated α-synuclein (SNCA) on circadian disruption remains unclear. SNCAA53T-overexpressing transgenic mice (SNCAA53T mice) and wild-type (WT) littermates were used in this study. The energy metabolism cage test showed differences in 24-h activity pattern between SNCAA53T and WT mice. When compared with the age-matched littermates, brain and muscle ARNT-like 1 (BMAL1) was downregulated in SNCAA53T mice. BMAL1 was downregulated in PC12 cells overexpressing SNCA. Degradation of BMAL1 protein remained unchanged after overexpression of SNCA, while its mRNA level decreased. miRNA (miR)-155 was upregulated by overexpression of SNCA, and downregulation of BMAL1 was partially reversed by transfection with miR-155 inhibitor. Our findings demonstrated that overexpression of SNCA induced biorhythm disruption and downregulated BMAL1 expression through decreasing stability of BMAL1 mRNA via miR-155. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Six new dimeric 2-(2-phenylethyl)chromones (1 – 6) were successfully isolated from the ethanol extract of agarwood of Aquilaria filaria from Philippines under HPLC-MS guidance. Compounds 1 – 6 are all dimers formed by linking 5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-2-(2-phenylethyl)chromone and flindersia 2-(2-phenylethyl)chromone via a single ether bond, and the linkage site (C5-O-C8′′) of compound 2 is extremely rare. A variety of spectroscopic methods were used to ascertain their structures, including extensive 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic analysis, HRESIMS, and comparison with literature. The in vitro tyrosinase inhibitory and anti-inflammatory activities of each isolate were assessed. Among these compounds, compound 2 had a tyrosinase inhibition effect with an IC 50 value of 27.71 ± 2.60 μM, and compound 4 exhibited moderate inhibition of nitric oxide production in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW264.7 cells with an IC 50 value of 35.40 ± 1.04 μM. [Display omitted] • Six new 2-(2-phenethyl)chromone dimers were isolated from agarwood of Aquilaria filaria. • Compound 2 had tyrosinase inhibition effect with an IC 50 value of 27.71 ± 2.60 μM. • Compound 4 exhibited anti-inflammatory activity with an IC 50 value of 35.40 ± 1.04 μM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To understand the molecular mechanisms of adaptation to different training protocols, this study compared the effects of 4 sessions of 90 min treadmill exercise on alternate days or consecutive days in 1 week on messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein expression of proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator 1-α in rat gastrocnemius muscle. The mRNA significantly increased by 25.8-fold after alternate-day and 10.1-fold after consecutive-day training, while the protein showed no significant cumulative effect, 1.5-1.7-fold above baseline, in the 2 protocols. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The relationships between biome shifts and global environmental changes in temperate zone habitats have been extensively explored; yet, the historical dynamics of taxa found in the tropical rain forest (TRF) remain poorly known. This study aims to reconstruct the relationships between tropical rain forest shifts and global environmental changes through the patterns of historical biogeography of a pantropical family of monocots, the Zingiberaceae. Location: Global. Taxon: Zingiberaceae. Methods: We sampled DNA sequences (nrITS, trnK, trnL‐trnF and psbA‐trnH) from GenBank for 77% of the genera, including 30% of species, in the Zingiberaceae. Global fossil records of the Zingiberaceae were collected from literatures. Rates of speciation, extinction and diversification were estimated based on phylogenetic data and fossil records through methods implemented in BAMM. Ancestral ranges were estimated using single‐tree BioGeoBEARS and multiple‐trees BioGeoBEARS in RASP. Dispersal rate through time and dispersal rate among regions were calculated in R based on the result of ancestral estimation. Results: The common ancestor of the Zingiberaceae likely originated in northern Africa during the mid‐Cretaceous, with later dispersal to the Asian tropics. Indo‐Burma, rather than Malesia, was likely a provenance of the common ancestor of Alpinioideae–Zingiberoideae. Several abrupt shifts of evolutionary rates from the Palaeocene were synchronized with sudden global environmental changes. Main conclusions Integrating phylogenetic patterns with fossil records suggests that the Zingiberaceae dispersed to Asia through drift of the Indian Plate from Africa in the late Palaeocene. Formation of island chains, land corridors and warming temperatures facilitated the emigration of the Zingiberaceae to a broad distribution across the tropics. Moreover, dramatic fluctuations of the speciation rate of Zingiberoideae appear to have been synchronized with global climate fluctuations. In general, the evolutionary history of the Zingiberaceae broadens our understanding of the association between TRF shifts in distribution and past global environmental changes, especially the origin of TRF in Southeast Asia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the perceptions of pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) and rehabilitation care amongst women after radical hysterectomy and to explore ways to improve quality of care.Methods: Thirty-six women who underwent radical hysterectomy at a hospital in southeast China were enrolled via purposive sampling. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted. The texts were analysed via qualitative content analysis.Results: Four themes were obtained: serious lack of knowledge, heavy psychological burden, different coping strategies and great eagerness to receive multiparty support on PFD rehabilitation care.Conclusion: The society and professional staff should strengthen health education on PFD. Professionals should offer education before and after surgery and actively provide rehabilitation consultation to promote the availability of rehabilitation to support women with PFD rehabilitation care. In addition, family-centred care is an important way to support women to return to normal life, and women's need for family support should be more actively expressed. Moreover, knowledge of medical insurance should be popularised, especially in rural areas in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obesity is a significant public health problem worldwide that is characterized by abnormal or excessive fat accumulation. Unfortunately, the application of available weight-loss drugs has been restricted because of their serious adverse effects. Browning of white adipose tissue (WAT), which refers to the transformation of white adipocytes to beige adipocytes under certain stimulations, is regarded as a new strategy to solve the obesity problem. Numerous studies have recently evidenced that traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) could promote browning of WAT with multi-component and multi-target characteristics. This article summarizes natural constituents from TCM with stimulatory effects on browning of WAT in the past two decades. The active ingredients can be generally divided into polyphenols, saponins, alkaloids, terpenoids, phenylpropanoids and others, such as resveratrol, quercetin, curcumin, genistein, capsaicin, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), berberine, menthol, emodin and ginsenosides. Simultaneously, the chemical structures, source, model, efficacy and mechanism of these monomeric compounds are also described. And the mechanisms of these active ingredients are mainly involved in the regulation of PRDM16, PGC-1α, PPARγ, SIRT1, AMPK, β3-adrenergic receptors, TRPV1 and TRPM8 channels, FGF21 and miRNAs. The present article opens opportunities for developing novel drugs or supplements from TCM with wide acceptability to prevent obesity progression and its associated metabolic disorders. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) including exhibits multi-component and multi-target characteristics on promotion of browning of WAT. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]