CycC1;1-WRKY75 complex-mediated transcriptional regulation of SOS1 controls salt stress tolerance in Arabidopsis.

SALT OVERLY SENSITIVE1 (SOS1) is a key component of plant salt tolerance. However, how SOS1 transcription is dynamically regulated in plant response to different salinity conditions remains elusive. Here, we report that C-type Cyclin1;1 (CycC1;1) negatively regulates salt tolerance by interfering with WRKY75-mediated transcriptional activation of SOS1 in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). Disruption of CycC1;1 promotes SOS1 expression and salt tolerance in Arabidopsis because CycC1;1 interferes with RNA polymerase II recruitment by occupying the SOS1 promoter. Enhanced salt tolerance of the cycc1;1 mutant was completely compromised by an SOS1 mutation. Moreover, CycC1;1 physically interacts with the transcription factor WRKY75, which can bind to the SOS1 promoter and activate SOS1 expression. In contrast to the cycc1;1 mutant, the wrky75 mutant has attenuated SOS1 expression and salt tolerance, whereas overexpression of SOS1 rescues the salt sensitivity of wrky75. Intriguingly, CycC1;1 inhibits WRKY75-mediated transcriptional activation of SOS1 via their interaction. Thus, increased SOS1 expression and salt tolerance in cycc1;1 were abolished by WRKY75 mutation. Our findings demonstrate that CycC1;1 forms a complex with WRKY75 to inactivate SOS1 transcription under low salinity conditions. By contrast, under high salinity conditions, SOS1 transcription and plant salt tolerance are activated at least partially by increased WRKY75 expression but decreased CycC1;1 expression.

Risk factors for venous ulceration in patients with varicose veins of lower extremities.

The aim of this case-control study was to explore the potential risk factors for venous ulceration in patients with varicose veins of lower extremities and to establish a simplified diagnostic score model. Seventy subjects with varicose veins of lower extremities and venous ulceration were compared with 1164 controls with varicose veins of lower extremities and no history of venous ulceration. Stepwise multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify the risk factors for venous ulceration. The steps in developing the diagnostic score model were based on the Framingham Heart study. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was calculated to assess the diagnostic ability of the diagnostic score model. Multivariate analysis showed that men, overweight, obesity, longer duration varicose veins, deep venous valve insufficiency, low lymphocyte counts, and high fibrinogen content were independently associated with an increased risk of venous ulceration. The AUC for the diagnostic score model was 0.75, which indicated good discriminatory ability. Special attention should be paid to the high-risk group of patients with lower extremity varicose veins. The diagnostic score model might be a useful screening tool for clinicians, policy makers, and patients.

ABA functions in low phosphate-induced anthocyanin accumulation through the transcription factor ABI5 in Arabidopsis.

KEY MESSAGE: ABI5 functions in ABA-mediated anthocyanin accumulation in plant response to low phosphate. Low phosphate (LP)-induced anthocyanin biosynthesis and accumulation play an important role in plant adaptive response to phosphate starvation conditions. However, whether and how the stress phytohormone abscisic acid (ABA) participates in LP-induced anthocyanin accumulation remain elusive. Here, we report that ABA is required for LP-induced anthocyanin accumulation in Arabidopsis thaliana. Disrupting ABA DEFICIENT2 (ABA2), a key ABA-biosynthetic gene, or BETA-GLUCOSIDASE1 (BG1), a major gene implicated in converting conjugated ABA to active ABA, significantly impairs LP-induced anthocyanin accumulation, as LP-induced expression of the anthocyanin-biosynthetic genes Chalcone Synthase (CHS) is dampened in the aba2 and bg1 mutant. In addition, LP-induced anthocyanin accumulation is defective in the mutants of ABA signaling pathway, including ABA receptors, ABA Insensitive2, and the transcription factors ABA Insensitive5 (ABI5), suggesting a role of ABI5 in ABA-mediated upregulation of anthocyanin-biosynthetic genes in plant response to LP. Indeed, LP-induced expression of CHS is repressed in the abi5-7 mutant but further promoted in the ABI5-overexpressing plants compared to the wild-type. Moreover, ABI5 can bind to and transcriptionally activate CHS, and the defectiveness of LP-induced anthocyanin accumulation in abi5-7 can be restored by overexpressing CHS. Collectively, our findings illustrates that ABI5 functions in ABA-mediated LP-induced anthocyanin accumulation in Arabidopsis.

Abscisic acid facilitates phosphate acquisition through the transcription factor ABA INSENSITIVE5 in Arabidopsis.

Low phosphate (LP) in soil is a common nutrient stress that severely restricts agricultural production, but the role, if any, of the major stress phytohormone abscisic acid (ABA) in plant phosphate (Pi) starvation responses remains elusive. Here, we report that LP-induced ABA accumulation promotes Pi uptake in an ABA INSENSITIVE5 (ABI5)-dependent manner in Arabidopsis thaliana. LP significantly activated plant ABA biosynthesis, metabolism, and stress responses, suggesting a role of ABA in the plant response to Pi availability. LP-induced ABA accumulation and expression of two major high-affinity phosphate transporter genes PHOSPHATE TRANSPORTER1;1/1;4 (PHT1;1/1;4) were severely impaired in a mutant lacking BETA-GLUCOSIDASE1 (BG1), which converts conjugated ABA to active ABA, and the mutant had shorter roots and less Pi content than wild-type plants under LP conditions. Moreover, a mutant of ABI5, which encodes a central transcription factor in ABA signaling, also exhibited suppressed root elongation and had reduced Pi content under LP conditions. ABI5 facilitated Pi acquisition by activating the expression of PHT1;1 by directly binding to its promoter, while overexpression of PHT1;1 completely rescued its Pi content under LP conditions. Together, our findings illustrate a molecular mechanism by which ABA positively modulates phosphate acquisition through ABI5 in the Arabidopsis response to phosphate deficiency.

CycC1;1 negatively modulates ABA signaling by interacting with and inhibiting ABI5 during seed germination.

Regulation of seed germination is important for plant survival and propagation. ABSCISIC ACID (ABA) INSENSITIVE5 (ABI5), the central transcription factor in the ABA signaling pathway, plays a fundamental role in the regulation of ABA-responsive gene expression during seed germination; however, how ABI5 transcriptional activation activity is regulated remains to be elucidated. Here, we report that C-type Cyclin1;1 (CycC1;1) is an ABI5-interacting partner affecting the ABA response and seed germination in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). The CycC1;1 loss-of-function mutant is hypersensitive to ABA, and this phenotype was rescued by mutation of ABI5. Moreover, CycC1;1 suppresses ABI5 transcriptional activation activity for ABI5-targeted genes including ABI5 itself by occupying their promoters and disrupting RNA polymerase II recruitment; thus the cycc1;1 mutant shows increased expression of ABI5 and genes downstream of ABI5. Furthermore, ABA reduces the interaction between CycC1;1 and ABI5, while phospho-mimic but not phospho-dead mutation of serine-42 in ABI5 abolishes CycC1;1 interaction with ABI5 and relieves CycC1;1 inhibition of ABI5-mediated transcriptional activation of downstream target genes. Together, our study illustrates that CycC1;1 negatively modulates the ABA response by interacting with and inhibiting ABI5, while ABA relieves the CycC1;1 interaction with and inhibition of ABI5 to activate ABI5 activity for the ABA response, thereby inhibiting seed germination.

Different Regulatory Effects of Heated Products and Maillard Reaction Products of Half-Fin Anchovy Hydrolysates on Intestinal Antioxidant Defense in Healthy Animals.

The oxidative state of intestinal tracts of healthy animals were investigated after short-term intake of half-fin anchovy hydrolysates (HAHp) and their thermal or Maillard reaction products (MRPs). After one month of continuous oral gavage of HAHp, HAHp-heated products (HAHp-H), the MRPs of HAHp with 3% of glucose (HAHp-3%G MRPs), and the MRPs of HAHp with 3% of fructose (HAHp-3%F MRPs) at a dose of 1.0 g/kg of body weight per day into healthy ICR male mice, the concentrations of serum low-density and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol did not significantly change compared to the control group (CK, gavage with saline). Similar results were found for the interleukin-6 concentrations of all groups. By comparison, HAHp-H, HAHp-3%G MRPs, and HAHp-3%F MRPs administration decreased serum tumor necrosis factor-α concentration as compared to the CK group (p < 0.05). No histological damage was observed in the jejunum, ileum, and colonic tissues of all groups. However, HAHp-H treatment induced higher upregulation of Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1, transcription factors Nrf-2, associated protective phase-II enzymes of NAD(P)H: quinine oxidoreductase-1, and hemoxygenase-1 in colon tissue, as well as higher upregulation of endogenous antioxidant enzymes, including copper/zinc superoxide dismutase, manganese superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase 2 than other groups (p < 0.05). Additionally, increases in Nε-carboxymethyllysine expression in the colonic tissues of all groups were consistent with their increased oligopeptide transporter 1 expressions. Our results suggest that the thermal products of HAHp might have a broad application prospect in improving antioxidant defense in vivo in healthy animals.

Morphine Withdrawal-Induced Hyperalgesia in Models of Acute and Extended Withdrawal Is Attenuated by l-Tetrahydropalmatine.

Effective pain control is an underappreciated aspect of managing opioid withdrawal, and its absence presents a significant barrier to successful opioid detoxification. Accordingly, there is an urgent need for effective non-opioid treatments to facilitate opioid detoxification. l-Tetrahydropalmatine (l-THP) possesses powerful analgesic properties and is an active ingredient in botanical formulations used in Vietnam for the treatment of opioid withdrawal syndrome. In this study, rats receiving morphine (15 mg/kg, i.p.) for 5 days per week displayed a progressive increase in pain thresholds during acute 23 h withdrawal as assessed by an automated Von Frey test. A single dose of l-THP (5 or 7.5 mg/kg, p.o.) administered during the 4th and 5th weeks of morphine treatment significantly improves pain tolerance scores. A 7-day course of l-THP treatment in animals experiencing extended withdrawal significantly attenuates hyperalgesia and reduces the number of days to recovery to baseline pain thresholds by 61% when compared to vehicle-treated controls. This indicates that the efficacy of l-THP on pain perception extends beyond its half-life. As a non-opioid treatment for reversing a significant hyperalgesic state during withdrawal, l-THP may be a valuable addition to the currently limited arsenal of opioid detoxification treatments.

HbBIN2 Functions in Plant Cold Stress Resistance through Modulation of HbICE1 Transcriptional Activity and ROS Homeostasis in Hevea brasiliensis.

Cold stress poses significant limitations on the growth, latex yield, and ecological distribution of rubber trees (Hevea brasiliensis). The GSK3-like kinase plays a significant role in helping plants adapt to different biotic and abiotic stresses. However, the functions of GSK3-like kinase BR-INSENSITIVE 2 (BIN2) in Hevea brasiliensis remain elusive. Here, we identified HbBIN2s of Hevea brasiliensis and deciphered their roles in cold stress resistance. The transcript levels of HbBIN2s are upregulated by cold stress. In addition, HbBIN2s are present in both the nucleus and cytoplasm and have the ability to interact with the INDUCER OF CBF EXPRESSION1(HbICE1) transcription factor, a central component in cold signaling. HbBIN2 overexpression in Arabidopsis displays decreased tolerance to chilling stress with a lower survival rate and proline content but a higher level of electrolyte leakage (EL) and malondialdehyde (MDA) than wild type under cold stress. Meanwhile, HbBIN2 transgenic Arabidopsis treated with cold stress exhibits a significant increase in the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and a decrease in the activity of antioxidant enzymes. Further investigation reveals that HbBIN2 inhibits the transcriptional activity of HbICE1, thereby attenuating the expression of C-REPEAT BINDING FACTOR (HbCBF1). Consistent with this, overexpression of HbBIN2 represses the expression of CBF pathway cold-regulated genes under cold stress. In conclusion, our findings indicate that HbBIN2 functions as a suppressor of cold stress resistance by modulating HbICE1 transcriptional activity and ROS homeostasis.

Antibacterial Effect of Shrimp By-Products Hydrolysate on Specific Spoilage Organisms of Squid.

In order to further develop and utilize shrimp processing by-products, in this study, a novel antibacterial hydrolysate of shrimp by-products by pepsin hydrolysis (SPH) was prepared. The antibacterial effect of SPH on specific spoilage organisms of squid after end storage at room temperature (SE-SSOs) was investigated. SPH showed an antibacterial effect on the growth of SE-SSOs, with (23.4 ± 0.2) mm of inhibition zone diameter. The cell permeability of SE-SSOs was enhanced after SPH treatment for 12 h. Some bacteria were twisted and shrunk, while pits and pores formed and intracellular contents leaked under scanning electron microscopy observation. The flora diversity of SE-SSOs treated with SPH was determined by a 16S rDNA sequencing technique. Results showed that SE-SSOs were mainly composed of the phyla of Firmicutes and Proteobacteria, among which Paraclostridium (47.29%) and Enterobacter (38.35%) were dominant genera. SPH treatment resulted in a significant reduction in the relative abundance of the genus Paraclostridium and increased the abundance of Enterococcus. Linear discriminant analysis (LDA) of LEfSe conveyed that SPH treatment had a significant impact on altering the bacterial structure of SE-SSOs. The 16S PICRUSt of Cluster of Orthologous Group (COG) annotation revealed that SPH treatment for 12 h could significantly increase the function of transcription level [K], while SPH treatment for 24 h could downregulate post-translational modifications, protein turnover, and chaperone metabolism functions [O]. In conclusion, SPH has a proper antibacterial effect on SE-SSOs and can change the flora structure of SE-SSOs. These findings will provide a technical basis for the development of inhibitors of squid SSOs.

Simultaneous Preparation of Chitin and Flavor Protein Hydrolysates from the By-Products of Shrimp Processing by One-Step Fermentation with Lactobacillus fermuntum.

One-step fermentation, inoculated with Lactobacillus fermentum (L. fermentum) in shrimp by-products, was carried out to obtain chitin and flavor protein hydrolysates at the same time. The fermentation conditions were optimized using response surface methodology, resulting in chitin with a demineralization rate of 89.48%, a deproteinization rate of 85.11%, and a chitin yield of 16.3%. The surface of chitin after fermentation was shown to be not dense, and there were a lot of pores. According to Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction patterns, the fermented chitin belonged to α-chitin. More than 60 volatiles were identified from the fermentation broth after chitin extraction using gas chromatography-ion transfer spectrometry analysis. L. fermentum fermentation decreased the intensities of volatile compounds related to unsaturated fatty acid oxidation or amino acid deamination. By contrast, much more pleasant flavors related to fruity and roasted aroma were all enhanced in the fermentation broth. Our results suggest an efficient one-step fermentation technique to recover chitin and to increase aroma and flavor constituents from shrimp by-products.

Multicomponent prediction of 2-year mortality and amputation in patients with diabetic foot using a random survival forest model: Uric acid, alanine transaminase, urine protein and platelet as important predictors.

The current methods for the prediction of mortality and amputation for inpatients with diabetic foot (DF) use only conventional, simple variables, which limits their performance. Here, we used a random survival forest (RSF) model and multicomponent variables to improve the prediction of mortality and amputation for these patients. We performed a retrospective cohort study of 175 inpatients with DF who were recruited between 2014 and 2021. Thirty-one predictors in six categories were considered as potential covariates. Seventy percent (n = 122) of the participants were randomly selected to constitute a training set, and 30% (n = 53) were assigned to a testing set. The RSF model was used to screen appropriate variables for their value as predictors of 2-year all-cause mortality and amputation, and a multicomponent prediction model was established. Model performance was evaluated using the area under the curve (AUC) and the Hosmer-Lemeshow test. The AUCs were compared using the Delong test. Seventeen variables were selected to predict mortality and 23 were selected to predict amputation. Uric acid and alanine transaminase were the top two most useful variables for the prediction of mortality, whereas urine protein and platelet were the top variables for the prediction of amputation. The AUCs were 0.913 and 0.851 for the prediction of mortality for the training and testing sets, respectively; and the equivalent AUCs were 0.963 and 0.893 for the prediction of amputation. There were no significant differences between the AUCs for the training and testing sets for both the mortality and amputation models. These models showed a good degree of fit. Thus, the RSF model can predict mortality and amputation in inpatients with DF. This multicomponent prediction model could help clinicians consider predictors of different dimensions to effectively prevent DF from clinical outcomes .

Maize PHYTOMELATONIN RECEPTOR1 functions in plant tolerance to osmotic and drought stress.

Phytomelatonin is a universal signal molecule that regulates plant growth and stress responses; however, only one receptor that can directly bind with and perceive melatonin signaling has been identified so far, namely AtPMTR1/CAND2 in Arabidopsis. Whether other plants contain a similar receptor and, if so, how it functions is still unknown. In this study, we identified a new phytomelatonin receptor in the monocot maize (Zea mays), and investigated its role in plant responses to osmotic and drought stress. Using homology searching, we identified a plasma membrane-localized protein, Zm00001eb214610/ZmPMTR1, with strong binding activity to melatonin as a potential phytomelatonin receptor in maize. Overexpressing ZmPMTR1 in Arabidopsis Col-0 promoted osmotic stress tolerance, and rescued osmotic stress sensitivity of the Arabidopsis cand2-1 mutant. Furthermore, ZmPMTR1 also largely rescued defects in melatonin-induced stomatal closure in the cand2-1 mutant, thereby reducing water loss rate and increasing tolerance to drought stress. In addition, we identified a maize mutant of ZmPMTR1, EMS4-06e2fl, with a point-mutation causing premature termination of protein translation, and found that this mutant had lower leaf temperatures, increased rate of water loss, and enhanced drought stress sensitivity. Thus, we present ZmPMTR1 as the first phytomelatonin receptor to be identified and examined in a monocot plant, and our results indicate that it plays an important function in the response of maize to drought stress.

Receptor activity-modifying protein 1 regulates mouse skin fibroblast proliferation via the Gαi3-PKA-CREB-YAP axis.

BACKGROUND: Skin innervation is crucial for normal wound healing. However, the relationship between nerve receptors and wound healing and the intrinsic mechanism remains to be further identified. In this study, we investigated the role of a calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor component, receptor activity-modifying protein 1 (RAMP1), in mouse skin fibroblast (MSF) proliferation. METHODS: In vivo, Western blotting and immunohistochemical (IHC) staining of mouse skin wounds tissue was used to detect changes in RAMP1 expression. In vitro, RAMP1 was overexpressed in MSF cell lines by infection with Tet-On-Flag-RAMP1 lentivirus and doxycycline (DOX) induction. An IncuCyte S3 Live-Cell Analysis System was used to assess and compare the proliferation rate differences between different treatment groups. Total protein and subcellular extraction Western blot analysis, quantitative real-time-polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analysis, and immunofluorescence (IF) staining analysis were conducted to detect signalling molecule expression and/or distribution. The CUT & RUN assay and dual-luciferase reporter assay were applied to measure protein-DNA interactions. RESULTS: RAMP1 expression levels were altered during skin wound healing in mice. RAMP1 overexpression promoted MSF proliferation. Mechanistically, total Yes-associated protein (YAP) and nuclear YAP protein expression was increased in RAMP1-overexpressing MSFs. RAMP1 overexpression increased inhibitory guanine nucleotide-binding protein (G protein) α subunit 3 (Gαi3) expression and activated downstream protein kinase A (PKA), and both elevated the expression of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) response element-binding protein (CREB) and activated it, promoting the transcription of YAP, elevating the total YAP level and promoting MSF proliferation. CONCLUSIONS: Based on these data, we report, for the first time, that changes in the total RAMP1 levels during wound healing and RAMP1 overexpression alone can promote MSF proliferation via the Gαi3-PKA-CREB-YAP axis, a finding critical for understanding RAMP1 function, suggesting that this pathway is an attractive and accurate nerve target for skin wound treatment. Video Abstract.

Property and Stability of Astaxanthin Emulsion Based on Pickering Emulsion Templating with Zein and Sodium Alginate as Stabilizer.

Astaxanthin loaded Pickering emulsion with zein/sodium alginate (SA) as a stabilizer (named as APEs) was developed, and its structure and stability were characterized. The encapsulation efficiency of astaxanthin (Asta) in APEs was up to 86.7 ± 3.8%, with a mean particle size of 4.763 µm. Freeze-dried APEs showed particles stacked together under scanning electronic microscope; whereas dispersed spherical nanoparticles were observed in APEs dilution under transmission electron microscope images. Confocal laser scanning microscope images indicated that zein particles loaded with Asta were aggregated with SA coating. X-ray diffraction patterns and Fourier transform infrared spectra results showed that intermolecular hydrogen bonding, electrostatic attraction and hydrophobic effect were involved in APEs formation. APEs demonstrated non-Newtonian shear-thinning behavior and fit well to the Cross model. Compared to bare Asta extract, APEs maintained high Asta retention and antioxidant activity when heated from 50 to 10 °C. APEs showed different stability at pH (3.0-11.0) and Na+, K+, Ca2+, Cu2+ and Fe2+ conditions by visual, zeta potential and polydispersity index measurements. Additionally, the first order kinetics fit well to describe APEs degradation at pH 3.0 to 9.0, Na+, and K+ conditions. Our results suggest the potential application of Asta-loaded Pickering emulsion in food systems as a fortified additive.

Digestive properties of half-fin anchovy hydrolysates/glucose Maillard reaction products and modulation effects on intestinal microbiota.

BACKGROUND: The consumption of dietary Maillard reaction products (MRPs) might lead to positive or negative effects on health. The digestibility of half-fin anchovy hydrolysates/glucose MRPs (HAHp(9.0)-G MRPs) was therefore determined. The intestinal microbiota modulation of HAHp(9.0)-G MRPs in mice was also evaluated after administration for 14 days (1 g kg-1 •bodyweight). RESULTS: Different levels of digestibility of MRPs of fructosamine and advanced glycation products of Nε -carboxymethyllysine were detected in HAHp(9.0)-G MRPs during simulated gastrointestinal digestion. An increased relative proportion of soluble fluorescent melanoidins (SFMs) was observed during gastric digestion as compared to that in the original HAHp(9.0)-G MRPs, followed by decreases in SFMs in intestinal digestion. After feeding with HAHp(9.0)-G MRPs for 14 days, increased goblet cells were observed in the ileum regions of female and male mice. High-throughput 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing of fecal samples revealed that HAHp(9.0)-G MRPs administration increased the density of the phylum Bacteriodetes and reduced the density of the phylum Firmicutes in male mice. By comparison, a relatively higher density of members of the phylum Saccharibacteria was observed in female mice. A consistent increase in the abundance of Bacteroidales_S24-7_group_norank was found in female and male groups fed with HAHp(9.0)-G MRPs. Female and male mice treated with HAHp(9.0)-G MRPs also showed higher levels of propionic and butyric acids in feces than their corresponding controls. CONCLUSION: Half-fin anchovy hydrolysates/glucose MRPs can be partly hydrolyzed in the simulated gastrointestinal digestion system. Treatment with HAHp(9.0)-G MRPs induced sex-related differences in bacterial abundance and diversity in mice; however, the up-regulation of anti-inflammatory activity was predicted in both female and male mice. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

Astaxanthin absorption modulated antioxidant enzyme activity and targeted specific metabolic pathways in rats.

BACKGROUND: Saponification contributed to an increase in the in vitro antioxidant activity of astaxanthin (Asta) extracts derived from Penaeus sinensis (Solenocera crassicornis) by-products. However, the influence of non-saponification (N-Asta) and saponification Asta (S-Asta) absorption on antioxidant activity in vivo was limited. The antioxidant properties of N-Asta and S-Asta were therefore compared in Sprague Dawley male rats after 6 h and 12 of absorption using biochemistry assays combined with an untargeted metabonomics strategy. RESULTS: Non-saponified Asta and S-Asta showed similar digestive properties in a stimulated gastrointestinal tract. Increased glutathione content and decreased malondialdehyde content were measured in the liver tissues of N-Asta and S-Asta treated rats after 12 h of absorption. Absorption of N-Asta increased liver total superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase activity. Treatment with S-Asta up-regulated NAD(P)H: quinine oxidoreductase-1, and heme oxygenase-1 expression was associated with the nuclear erythroid 2-related factor 2/antioxidant responsive element pathway at the end of 12 h absorption. With partial least square-discriminant analysis and metabolite heatmap profiles, the S-Asta group was clearly separated from the N-Asta group. The S-Asta treatment also demonstrated stronger influences on plasma metabolites than the N-Asta treatment. Both N-Asta and S-Asta absorption showed critical roles in the regulation of specific metabolites, and 15 potential biomarkers were identified in eight key pathways to separate these experimental groups after 12 h of absorption. However, an increased serotonin level was only detected in the S-Asta group after 12 h absorption. CONCLUSION: Absorption of N-Asta and S-Asta induced different antioxidant effects in normal rats, which were associated with metabolite changes. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

A simple threat-detection strategy in mice.

BACKGROUND: Avoiding danger and accessing environmental resources are two fundamental, yet conflicting, survival instincts across species. To maintain a balance between these instincts, animals must efficiently distinguish approaching threats from low-threat cues. However, little is known about the key visual features that animals use to promptly detect such imminent danger and thus facilitate an immediate and appropriate behavioral response. RESULTS: We used an automatic behavior detection system in mice to quantify innate defensive behaviors, including freezing, flight, and rearing, to a series of looming visual stimuli with varying expanding speeds and varying initial and final sizes. Looming visual stimuli within a specific "alert range" induced flight behavior in mice. Looming stimuli with an angular size of 10-40° and an expanding speed of 57-320°/s were in this range. Stimuli with relatively low expanding speeds tended to trigger freezing behavior, while those with relatively high expanding speeds tended to trigger rearing behavior. If approaching objects are in this "alert range," their visual features will trigger a flight response; however, non-threatening objects, based on object size and speed, will not. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate a simple strategy in mice that is used to detect predators and suggest countermeasures that predators may have taken to overcome these defensive strategies.

One-Dimensional Face-Shared Perovskites with Broad-Band Bluish White-Light Emissions.

In recent years, two-dimensional (2D) hybrid lead halide perovskites based on corner-shared [PbX6] octahedrons have received extensive attention with important potentials in single-component white-light emitting diodes (WLEDs) due to the soft and distorted crystal lattices. However, limited research focused on the one-dimensional (1D) perovskites although they possess similar structural superiorities to achieve this performance. Herein, by using different types of organic amine cations as structural direction reagents, we report one new type of hybrid 1D perovskites of APbCl3 (A = (DTHPE)0.5, DMTHP, DBN) based on the same 1D face-shared octahedral [PbCl3]- chains. Upon UV light excitation, these 1D APbCl3 perovskites exhibit intrinsic broad-band bluish white-light emissions covering entire visible light spectra with the highest photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) of 6.99%, which catches up with the values of previously reported 2D perovskites. Through the systematical studies of time-resolved, temperature-dependent PL emissions, theoretical calculations, and so on, these broad-band light emissions can be ascribed to the radiative transition within conjugated organic cations. The facile assembly process, intrinsic broad-band light emissions, and high PLQYs enable these 1D APbCl3 perovskites as new types of promising candidates in fabricating single-component WLEDs.

Novel Antibacterial Peptides Isolated from the Maillard Reaction Products of Half-Fin Anchovy (Setipinna taty) Hydrolysates/Glucose and Their Mode of Action in Escherichia coli.

The Maillard reaction products (MRPs) of half-fin anchovy hydrolysates and glucose, named as HAHp(9.0)-G MRPs, were fractionated by size exclusion chromatography into three major fractions (F1⁻F3). F2, which demonstrated the strongest antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and showed self-production of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), was extracted by solid phase extraction. The hydrophobic extract of F2 was further isolated by reverse phase-high performance liquid chromatography into sub-fractions HE-F2-1 and HE-F2-2. Nine peptides were identified from HE-F2-1, and two peptides from HE-F2-2 using liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization/multi-stage mass spectrometry. Three peptides, FEDQLR (HGM-Hp1), ALERTF (HGM-Hp2), and RHPEYAVSVLLR (HGM-Hp3), with net charges of -1, 0, and +1, respectively, were synthesized. The minimal inhibitory concentration of these synthetic peptides was 2 mg/mL against E. coli. Once incubated with logarithmic growth phase of E. coli, HGM-Hp1 and HGM-Hp2 induced significant increases of both extracellular and intracellular H2O2 formation. However, HGM-Hp3 only dramatically enhanced intracellular H2O2 production in E. coli. The increased potassium ions in E. coli suspension after addition of HGM-Hp1 or HGM-Hp2 indicated the destruction of cell integrity via irreversible membrane damage. It is the first report of hydrolysates MRPs-derived peptides that might perform the antibacterial activity via inducing intracellular H2O2 production.

Nanocomposite of Half-Fin Anchovy Hydrolysates/Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Exhibits Actual Non-Toxicity and Regulates Intestinal Microbiota, Short-Chain Fatty Acids Production and Oxidative Status in Mice.

The nanocomposite of half-fin anchovy hydrolysates (HAHp) and zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) (named as HAHp(3.0)/ZnO NPs) demonstrated increased antibacterial activity compared to either HAHp(3.0) or ZnO NPs as per our previous studies. Also, reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation was detected in Escherichia coli cells after treatment with HAHp(3.0)/ZnO NPs. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the acute toxicity of this nanocomposite and to investigate its effect on intestinal microbiota composition, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) production, and oxidative status in healthy mice. The limit test studies show that this nanoparticle is non-toxic at the doses tested. The administration of HAHp(3.0)/ZnO NPs, daily dose of 1.0 g/kg body weight for 14 days, increased the number of goblet cells in jejunum. High-throughput 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing of fecal samples revealed that HAHp(3.0)/ZnO NPs increased Firmicutes and reduced Bacteriodetes abundances in female mice. Furthermore, the microbiota for probiotic-type bacteria, including Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, and SCFAs-producing bacteria in the Clostridia class, e.g., Lachnospiraceae_unclassified and Lachnospiraceae_UCG-001, were enriched in the feces of female mice. Increases of SCFAs, especially statistically increased propionic and butyric acids, indicated the up-regulated anti-inflammatory activity of HAHp(3.0)/ZnO NPs. Additionally, some positive responses in liver, like markedly increased glutathione and decreased malonaldehyde contents, indicated the improved oxidative status. Therefore, our results suggest that HAHp(3.0)/ZnO NPs could have potential applications as a safe regulator of intestinal microbiota or also can be used as an antioxidant used in food products.