Alterations in Epidermal Biophysical Properties in Autistic Children.

Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder. Individuals with autism can exhibit multiple neurological symptoms such as deficit in social communication, restricted interests, and repetitive behaviors. Recent study showed that murine model of autism displays an increased transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and dry skin. But whether epidermal functions are also altered in children with autism is unknown. In the present study, TEWL, stratum corneum hydration, and skin surface pH were compared between children with autism (N = 56) and normal controls (N = 48). Our results showed that children with autism exhibited lower stratum corneum hydration levels, higher TEWL, and elevated skin surface pH in comparison to normal controls (p < 0.0001 for all). These results demonstrate that children with autism exhibit epidermal dysfunction.

Elevation of N-acetyltransferase 10 in hippocampal neurons mediates depression- and anxiety-like behaviors.

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is one of the most debilitating and severe mental diseases globally. Increasing evidence has shown that epigenetics is critical for understanding brain function and brain disorders, including MDD. N-acetyltransferase 10 (NAT10), acting on histones, mRNA and other substrates, has been reported to be involved in epigenetic events, including histone acetylation and mRNA modifications. NAT10 is highly expressed in the brain. However, the potential effects of NAT10 on MDD are still unknown. Here, we exploited chronic mild stress (CMS) to induce anxiety- and depression-like behaviors in mice and found that the expression of NAT10 in the mouse hippocampus was upregulated after CMS treatment. Inhibition of NAT10 by pharmacological methods produced anxiolytic- and antidepressant-like effects. Neuron-specific overexpression of NAT10 in the hippocampus resulted in anxiety- and depression-like behaviors, accompanied by higher SIRT1 protein levels, and lower dendritic spine densities. Overall, it was found that elevation of NAT10 in hippocampal neurons is involved in the occurrence of anxiety- and depression-like behaviors, suggesting that NAT10 could be a potential new target for developing anxiolytics and antidepressants.

Efficacy of potato resistant starch prepared by microwave-toughening treatment.

Potato starch was treated by microwaving, toughening, and low-temperature aging to prepare resistant starch (RS). The functional properties of the resultant RS were evaluated and the effects of this microwave-toughening treatment (MTT) on the amylose content, RS content, digestive properties, pasting properties, morphological observation, crystal structure, and thermal performance of potato starch were determined. The optimal MTT parameters were microwaving at 300 W for 100 s, toughening at 55 °C for 16 h, and low-temperature aging at 4 °C for 18 h. After MTT, the amylose and RS contents of potato starch had increased from 26.08% and 11.54% to 35.06% and 27.09%, respectively. Furthermore, the pasting temperature increased from 66.8 °C to 76.36 °C, while the peak viscosity, trough viscosity, and final viscosity decreased significantly. After MTT, the potato starch surface had also changed significantly, and the crystallinity had increased from 32.43% to 51.36%. MTT starch had beneficial effects on fasting blood glucose, body weight, and organ index in mice. Furthermore, it had a protective effect on subcutaneous abdominal fat and liver tissue.