Fluorescence fingerprint as an indicator to identify urban non-point sources in urban river during rainfall period.

Nowadays, the urban non-point source (NPS) pollution gradually evolved as the main contributor to urban water contamination since the point source pollution was effectively controlled. It was imperative to perform urban NPS identification in urban river to meet the requirements of precise source governance. In this study, the real-time detection about water quality parameters and fluorescence fingerprints (FFs) was performed for BX River and its outlets during rainfall period. EEM-PARAFAC and component similarity analyses discovered that the pollution encountered by BX River mainly came from road runoff and untreated municipal wastewater (UMWW) overflow. The C1 (tryptophan-like) and C3 (terrestrial humic-like) components located at Ex/Em = âˆ¼230(280)/340 and ∼275/430 nm were both detected in these two kinds of urban NPS. The C2 components of road runoff and UMWW overflow displayed remarkable differences, which located at Ex/Em = 250/385 and 245/365 nm, respectively, thus could be served as indicators for distinguishing them. During rainfall period, the outflow from rainwater outlets (RWOs) constantly showed similar FF features to road runoff, while the FFs of outflow from combined sewer outlets (CSOs) alternated between those of road runoff and UMWW overflow. The FF features of sections in BX River changed in response to the dynamic variations in FFs of the outlets, which revealed real-time pollution causes of BX River. This work not only realized the identification and differentiation of urban NPS, but also elucidated the dynamic variations of pollution characteristics throughout the entire process of "urban NPS-outlets-urban river", and demonstrated the feasibility of FF technique in quickly diagnosing the pollution causes of urban river during rainfall period, which provided important guidance for urban NPS governance.

Effectiveness and Safety of Early Versus Routine Switching from Low-Molecular-Weight Heparin to Maintenance Therapy of Rivaroxaban for Acute Iliofemoral Vein Thrombosis: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: The anticoagulation strategy of switching to rivaroxaban after 1 week of initial low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) therapy is recommended by a guideline for the treatment of acute iliofemoral deep vein thrombosis (DVT). However, the initial rivaroxaban dose in the switching strategy, as well as the effectiveness and safety of the early switching (less than 1 week) to rivaroxaban, remain inadequately substantiated. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of early switching from LMWH to maintenance therapy of rivaroxaban (20 mg once daily) for acute iliofemoral DVT. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using data from patients with acute iliofemoral DVT who received initial LMWH anticoagulation followed by rivaroxaban maintenance therapy. The clinical outcomes were compared between early (LMWH course ≤7 days) and routine (LMWH course >7 days) switching strategies within 3 months of initiating anticoagulation. RESULTS: 217 patients were included, 59 (27.2%) receiving early switching and 158 (72.8%) receiving routine switching. Compared with routine switching, patients with early switching had a significantly shorter hospital stay (7 days vs. 14 days, P < 0.001). The length of hospital stay was significantly positively correlated with the duration of LMWH (r = 0.762, P < 0.001). The incidences of recurrent venous thromboembolism (5.1% vs. 2.5%, P = 0.606), major bleeding (0% vs. 1.9%, P = 0.564), clinically relevant nonmajor bleeding (1.7% vs. 2.5%, P = 1.000) and all-cause mortality (6.8% vs. 2.5%, P = 0.283) were not statistically different between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: Direct early switching from LMWH to maintenance therapy of rivaroxaban is effective and safe for acute iliofemoral DVT.

Association Between IL10 Polymorphisms and the Susceptibility to Sepsis: A Meta-Analysis.

Many genetic variations have been identified to associate with sepsis in numerous studies, but the function of these variants in influencing sepsis is a complex process. We make use of mate-analysis and other analytic strategies (eQTL analysis and PPI network) to investigate the effect of interleukin-10 (IL10) on sepsis. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in IL10 were analyzed in 3011 septic cases and 2976 controls from 22 studies. In results, the IL10-rs1800871 showed a significant association with sepsis in Asians (P < 0.05). Moreover, there is a association between rs1800896 and sepsis in pooled populations and Asians (P < 0.05). However, there is no association between rs1800872 and sepsis in different models. The three polymorphisms were also identified for the regulation of IL10 expression in an eQTL analyze, and the increased IL10 expression was related to the development of sepsis. Furthermore, the IL10 was discovered to associate with the expression of DRD1, TANK, MKL1, and STARD3NL genes in another independent cohort, which are functionally enriched for IRF3 (interferon regulatory factor 3)/IRF7 (interferon regulatory factor 7) and hormone pathways. In conclusion, the study confirmed the association between IL10 polymorphisms (rs1800871, rs1800872, rs1800896) and sepsis, and suggested the role of the variants in inflammatory pathologies.

Exposure to bisphenol A induces neurotoxicity associated with synaptic and cytoskeletal dysfunction in neuro-2a cells.

Bisphenol A (BPA) has been reported to injure the developing and adult brain. However, the underlying mechanism still remains elusive. This study used neuro-2a cells as a cellular model to investigate the neurotoxic effects of BPA. Microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2) and tau protein maintain microtubule normal function and promote the normal development of the nervous system. Synaptophysin (SYP) and drebrin (Dbn) proteins are involved in regulating synaptic plasticity. Cells were exposed to the minimum essential medium (MEM), 0.01% (v/v) DMSO, and 150 µM BPA for 12, 24, or 36 h. Morphological analysis revealed that the cells in the BPA-treated groups shrank and collapsed compared with those in the control groups. CCK-8 and lactate dehydrogenase assay (LDH) assays showed that the mortality of neuro-2a cells increased as the BPA treatment time was prolonged. Ultrastructural analysis further revealed that cells demonstrated nucleolar swelling, dissolution of nuclear and mitochondrial membranes, and partial mitochondrial condensation following exposure to BPA. BPA also decreased the relative protein expression levels of MAP2, tau, and Dbn. Interestingly, the relative protein expression levels of SYP increased. These results indicated that BPA inhibited the proliferation and disrupted cytoskeleton and synaptic integrity of neuro-2a cells.

Traditional Chinese Nursing Using Fennel With Coarse Salt for Ironing and Umbilical Moxibustion for Epigastric Pain With Spleen-stomach Vacuity Cold.

Context: Spleen-stomach vacuity cold is the primary TCM pattern for epigastric pain, accounting for 75% of the patients. According to the TCM theory of treating both the tip and the root, epigastric pain requires the caregiver to dissipate cold and relieve pain, the treatments for the tip, which warm and supplement the spleen and stomach, the treatments for the root. Objective: This study aimed to explore effectiveness of traditional Chinese nursing care using fennel mixed with coarse salt for ironing,with umbilical moxibustion, for epigastric pain, with a pattern of spleen-stomach vacuity cold. Design: The research team designed a randomized control trial (RCT). Setting: The study was conducted at Ruikang Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine in the capital city of the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region in the People's Republic of China. Participants: Participants were 96 patients who had been admitted to the hospital between October and November 2020 with epigastric pain resulting from the TCM spleen-stomach vacuity cold pattern, equivalent to chronic atrophic gastritis in Western medicine. Intervention: The research team randomly divided participants into an intervention group (n = 48) and a control group (n = 48) using a random digits table. The intervention group received fennel mixed with coarse salt for ironing, combined with umbilical moxibustion, whereas the control group received routine care. Outcome Measures: The study's instruments included the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Syndrome Score Scale (TCMSSS), Medical Outcome Study (MOS) Short Form 36 (SF-36), and Satisfaction with TCM Nursing Program (STCMNP). Data were collected and analyzed through descriptive statistics a Chi-square test and independent t test. A significance level of P < .05 was accepted for all statistical analyses. Results: The intervention group had mean scores that indicated significantly higher decreases in epigastric pain, and increases in quality of life and level of satisfaction with the traditional Chinese nursing care than the control group did (P < .05). Conclusions: The traditional Chinese nursing care was able to improve epigastric pain, enhance quality of life, and increase satisfaction with the traditional Chinese nursing care.

Bone mineral density and trabecular bone score in Chinese subjects with sarcopenia.

BACKGROUND: As the general population is aging worldwide, the incidence of sarcopenia and osteoporosis is also rapidly increasing. Studies have found the link between sarcopenia and osteoporosis, but the relationship between sarcopenia and osteoporosis, especially bone microarchitecture, remains unclear. AIMS: To investigate the relationship between components of sarcopenia (muscle mass, handgrip strength, and gait speed) and components of osteoporosis [bone mass measured by bone mineral density (BMD) and bone microarchitecture measured by trabecular bone score (TBS)] in Chinese subjects. METHODS: 318 Chinese men and 203 Chinese women were included in our study. Muscle mass and BMD were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). TBS iNsight® software was used for TBS. Jamar hydraulic hand dynamometer was used to assess muscle strength, and gait speed was used to assess physical performance. RESULTS: We found that the relative appendicular skeletal muscle mass (RASM) in both genders and handgrip strength in women correlated positively with TBS, RASM in men and handgrip strength in women correlated positively with BMDs. In the multiple linear regression model, RASM was positively associated with TBS in both genders, but no significant association was observed between RASM and BMDs. Interestingly, handgrip strength showed positive association with all evaluated BMDs and TBS in women, but not in men. Women with sarcopenia had lower TBS and BMDs at all evaluated sites. Men with sarcopenia had lower BMDs only at femur neck and total hip. CONCLUSIONS: The reduction of muscle mass and strength was significantly associated with decreased bone mass and deteriorated bone microarchitecture. More importantly, low muscle mass is an independent risk factor for bone microarchitecture in Chinese subjects.

Association of thyroid function with sarcopenia in elderly Chinese euthyroid subjects.

OBJECTIVES: With the increase in aging population worldwide, the incidence of sarcopenia is also increasing. Thyroid hormones are important regulators that can affect body composition and physical function. The association between thyroid hormone levels and sarcopenia in susceptible elderly euthyroid subjects remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the effect of thyroid hormone concentrations on body muscle mass, muscle strength and physical function related to sarcopenia in elderly Chinese euthyroid subjects. METHODS: A total of 94 elderly Chinese euthyroid subjects (73 men, 21 women) without medications or diseases which obviously affected muscle metabolism or thyroid function were included in our study. Concentrations of free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) were determined by immunoassays. Appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM) was assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Handgrip strength was measured using a Jamar hand dynamometer, and physical function was assessed by the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB). RESULTS: Muscle function, both handgrip strength and SPPB, was negatively associated with age, and FT3 demonstrated age-dependent decline. Pearson's correlation analysis showed positive associations of FT3 with ASM, handgrip strength and SPPB. Neither FT4 nor TSH was associated with these parameters of sarcopenia in euthyroid subjects. Significantly positive correlations between FT3 and ASM, handgrip strength and SPPB were also observed in multiple linear regression analysis adjusted for age, gender and BMI, while no significant correlations were found between FT4 or TSH and aforementioned four parameters of sarcopenia. Subjects with sarcopenia had lower level of FT3. CONCLUSIONS: Higher FT3 concentration within normal range was correlated to muscle mass and muscle function in elderly subjects.

Identification and Characterization of High-Molecular-Weight Proteins Secreted by Plasmodiophora brassicae That Suppress Plant Immunity.

Plasmodiophora brassicae is an obligate intracellular parasitic protist that causes clubroot disease on cruciferous plants. So far, some low-molecular-weight secreted proteins from P. brassicae have been reported to play an important role in plant immunity regulation, but there are few reports on its high-molecular-weight secreted proteins. In this study, 35 putative high-molecular-weight secreted proteins (>300 amino acids) of P. brassicae (PbHMWSP) genes that are highly expressed during the infection stage were identified using transcriptome analysis and bioinformatics prediction. Then, the secretory activity of 30 putative PbHMWSPs was confirmed using the yeast signal sequence trap system. Furthermore, the genes encoding 24 PbHMWSPs were successfully cloned and their functions in plant immunity were studied. The results showed that ten PbHMWSPs could inhibit flg22-induced reactive oxygen burst, and ten PbHMWSPs significantly inhibited the expression of the SA signaling pathway marker gene PR1a. In addition, nine PbHMWSPs could inhibit the expression of a marker gene of the JA signaling pathway. Therefore, a total of 19 of the 24 tested PbHMWSPs played roles in suppressing the immune response of plants. Of these, it is worth noting that PbHMWSP34 can inhibit the expression of JA, ET, and several SA signaling pathway marker genes. The present study is the first to report the function of the high-molecular-weight secreted proteins of P. brassicae in plant immunity, which will enrich the theory of interaction mechanisms between the pathogens and plants.

A review of advancements in chitosan-essential oil composite films: Better and sustainable food preservation with biodegradable packaging.

In response to the environmental pollution caused by non-degradable and non-recyclable plastic packaging films (PPFs) and the resulting health concerns due to the migration of microplastics into food, the development of biodegradable food packaging films has gained great attention. Chitosan has been extensively utilized in the food industry owing to its abundant availability, exceptional biocompatibility, degradability, and antimicrobial properties. Chitosan-essential oil composite films (CEOs) represent a promising avenue to replace conventional PPFs. This review provides an overview of the advancements in CEOs over the past decade, focusing on the effects of essential oils (EOs) on CEOs in terms of antimicrobial activity, antioxidant effect, gas barrier, light barrier, and mechanical properties. It also offers insights into the controlled release of EOs in CEOs and summarizes the application of CEOs in fresh food preservation.

Meiotic transcriptional reprogramming mediated by cell-cell communications in humans and mice revealed by scATAC-seq and scRNA-seq.

Meiosis is a highly complex process significantly influenced by transcriptional regulation. However, studies on the mechanisms that govern transcriptomic changes during meiosis, especially in prophase I, are limited. Here, we performed single-cell ATAC-seq of human testis tissues and observed reprogramming during the transition from zygotene to pachytene spermatocytes. This event, conserved in mice, involved the deactivation of genes associated with meiosis after reprogramming and the activation of those related to spermatogenesis before their functional onset. Furthermore, we identified 282 transcriptional regulators (TRs) that underwent activation or deactivation subsequent to this process. Evidence suggested that physical contact signals from Sertoli cells may regulate these TRs in spermatocytes, while secreted ENHO signals may alter metabolic patterns in these cells. Our results further indicated that defective transcriptional reprogramming may be associated with non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA). This study revealed the importance of both physical contact and secreted signals between Sertoli cells and germ cells in meiotic progression.

Silibinin Targeting Heat Shock Protein 90 Represents a Novel Approach to Alleviate Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease by Simultaneously Lowering Hepatic Lipotoxicity and Enhancing Gut Barrier Function.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a clinicopathological condition characterized by intrahepatic ectopic steatosis. Due to the increase in high-calorie diets and sedentary lifestyles, NAFLD has surpassed viral hepatitis and become the most prevalent chronic liver disease globally. Silibinin, a natural compound, has shown promising therapeutic potential for the treatment of liver diseases. Nevertheless, the ameliorative effects of silibinin on NAFLD have not been completely understood, and the underlying mechanism is elusive. Therefore, in this study, we used high-fat diet (HFD)-induced mice and free fatty acid (FFA)-stimulated HepG2 cells to investigate the efficacy of silibinin for the treatment of NAFLD and elucidate the underlying mechanisms. In vivo, silibinin showed significant efficacy in inhibiting adiposity, improving lipid profile levels, ameliorating hepatic histological aberrations, healing the intestinal epithelium, and restoring gut microbiota compositions. Furthermore, in vitro, silibinin effectively inhibited FFA-induced lipid accumulation in HepG2 cells. Mechanistically, we reveal that silibinin possesses the ability to ameliorate hepatic lipotoxicity by suppressing the heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90)/peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ) pathway and alleviating gut dysfunction by inhibiting the Hsp90/NOD-like receptor pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) pathway. Altogether, our findings provide evidence that silibinin is a promising candidate for alleviating the "multiple-hit" in the progression of NAFLD.

Overexpression of Calcineurin B-like Interacting Protein Kinase 31 Promotes Lodging and Sheath Blight Resistance in Rice.

A breakthrough "Green Revolution" in rice enhanced lodging resistance by using gibberellin-deficient semi-dwarf varieties. However, the gibberellic acid (GA) signaling regulation on rice disease resistance remains unclear. The resistance test showed that a positive GA signaling regulator DWARF1 mutant d1 was more susceptible while a negative GA signaling regulator Slender rice 1 (SLR1) mutant was less susceptible to sheath blight (ShB), one of the major rice diseases, suggesting that GA signaling positively regulates ShB resistance. To isolate the regulator, which simultaneously regulates rice lodging and ShB resistance, SLR1 interactors were isolated. Yeast two-hybrid (Y2H), bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC), and Co-IP assay results indicate that SLR1 interacts with Calcineurin B-like-interacting protein kinase 31 (CIPK31). cipk31 mutants exhibited normal plant height, but CIPK31 OXs showed semi-dwarfism. In addition, the SLR1 level was much higher in CIPK31 OXs than in the wild-type, suggesting that CIPK31 OX might accumulate SLR1 to inhibit GA signaling and thus regulate its semi-dwarfism. Recently, we demonstrated that CIPK31 interacts and inhibits Catalase C (CatC) to accumulate ROS, which promotes rice disease resistance. Interestingly, CIPK31 interacts with Vascular Plant One Zinc Finger 2 (VOZ2) in the nucleus, and expression of CIPK31 accumulated VOZ2. Inoculation of Rhizoctonia solani AG1-IA revealed that the voz2 mutant was more susceptible to ShB. Thus, these data prove that CIPK31 promotes lodging and ShB resistance by regulating GA signaling and VOZ2 in rice. This study provides a valuable reference for rice ShB-resistant breeding.

Autoimmune Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (Gfap) Astrocytopa-Thy Accompanied with Reversible Splenial Lesion Syndrome (RESLES): A Case Report and Literature Review.

BACKGROUND: Autoimmune glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) astrocytopathy usually presents as meningoencephalomyelitis. Many patients developed flu-like symptoms preceding the neurologic symptoms. Reversible lesion in the splenium of the corpus callosum (SCC) is a clinical and radiological syndrome secondary to many kinds of etiologies, including infections, which is termed RESLES. CASE PRESENTATION: we reported a case developing irregularly high fever, both temporal pain, low limbs fatigue with frequent urination admitted to our neurology department. CSF test showed GFAP-IgG positive, elevated WBC counts and protein, with low glucose and chlorine, while MRI showed a reversible lesion on SCC, leading us to diagnose autoimmune GFAP autocytopathy accompanied with RESLES. The boy had significantly improved after anti-virus and steroids therapy. DISCUSSION: Autoimmune GFAP autocytopathy accompanied with RESLES is rarely seen, and pathogenesis for the co-existence has not been clarified. Autoimmune GFAP autocytopathy and RESLES are both related to viral infection. Our case covered infectious symptoms and improved after antiviral treatment, suggesting virus infection may perform a key role in pathogenesis.

Effect of combined ultrasonic and enzymatic extraction technique on the quality of noni (Morinda citrifolia L.) juice.

In order to obtain noni juice with high yield and good quality, the effect of combined extraction technique of enzymatic treatment (EZ) and ultrasonication (US) on the overall quality of noni juice was investigated. Moreover, the extraction performance of the EZ-US combined extraction technique was compared with that of EZ-based extraction and the US-based extraction. Response surface methodology (RSM) was designed to optimize the parameters of ultrasonic treatment, by taking consideration of the extraction efficiency, quality parameters and bioactive ingredients of noni juice. The results indicated that combined ultrasonic and enzymatic treatment achieved a synergistic effect on promoting the quality of noni juice. The maximum juice yield of 67.95 % was obtained under ultrasonication for 10 min at 600 W after enzymatic treatment (EZU). In addition, EZU-treated juice exhibited the highest contents of total phenolic and flavonoid, which were 148.19 ± 2.53 mg gallic acid/100 mL and 47.19 ± 1.22 mg rutin/100 mL, respectively, thus contributing to better antioxidant activity. Moreover, the EZU treatment significantly reduced the particle size of noni juice, and improved its suspension stability and rheological properties. FTIR results indicated that the treatments did not bring major changes in the chemical structure and the functional groups of compounds in noni juice. Therefore, EZU treatment can be successfully applied to the extraction of noni juice with better nutritional properties and overall quality.

In situ gelling hydrogel loaded with berberine liposome for the treatment of biofilm-infected wounds.

Background: In recent years, the impact of bacterial biofilms on traumatic wounds and the means to combat them have become a major research topic in the field of medicine. The eradication of biofilms formed by bacterial infections in wounds has always been a huge challenge. Herein, we developed a hydrogel with the active ingredient berberine hydrochloride liposomes to disrupt the biofilm and thereby accelerate the healing of infected wounds in mice. Methods: We determined the ability of berberine hydrochloride liposomes to eradicate the biofilm by means of studies such as crystalline violet staining, measuring the inhibition circle, and dilution coating plate method. Encouraged by the in vitro efficacy, we chose to coat the berberine hydrochloride liposomes on the Poloxamer range of in-situ thermosensitive hydrogels to allow fuller contact with the wound surface and sustained efficacy. Eventually, relevant pathological and immunological analyses were carried out on wound tissue from mice treated for 14 days. Results: The final results show that the number of wound tissue biofilms decreases abruptly after treatment and that the various inflammatory factors in them are significantly reduced within a short period. In the meantime, the number of collagen fibers in the treated wound tissue, as well as the proteins involved in healing in the wound tissue, showed significant differences compared to the model group. Conclusion: From the results, we found that berberine liposome gel can accelerate wound healing in Staphylococcus aureus infections by inhibiting the inflammatory response and promoting re-epithelialization as well as vascular regeneration. Our work exemplifies the efficacy of liposomal isolation of toxins. This innovative antimicrobial strategy opens up new perspectives for tackling drug resistance and fighting wound infections.

Associations of Dietary Zinc-Vitamin B6 Ratio with All-Cause Mortality and Cardiovascular Disease Mortality Based on National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2016.

Previous studies have suggested a possible association among dietary zinc and vitamin B6 intake and CVD mortality and all-cause mortality. However, evidence on the association of dietary zinc and vitamin B6 intake and their interactions with CVD mortality and all-cause mortality remains unclear. This prospective study utilized data from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 1999 to 2016. After a median follow-up of 10.4 years, 4757 deaths were recorded among 36,081 participants. Higher dietary zinc intake levels (≥9.87 mg/day) were associated with lower CVD mortality (hazard ratio (HR) = 0.85, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.83−0.87). Vitamin B6 intake levels (≥1.73 mg/day) were associated with lower CVD mortality (HR = 0.91, 95% CI: 0.86−0.96) and all-cause mortality (HR = 0.91, 95% CI: 0.90−0.93). Higher dietary zinc intake and higher vitamin B6 intake were associated with a lower risk of CVD mortality, with an interaction between dietary zinc intake levels and vitamin B intake levels (LZLV group (HR, CI): 1.21,1.12−1.29; LZHV group (HR, CI): 1.42, 1.34−1.50; LZHV group (HR, CI): 1.28, 1.14−1.45; HZHV group (HR, CI): ref). There was also a J-type association (p for nonlinear < 0.001) between the dietary zinc−vitamin B6 ratio and CVD mortality, with a high dietary zinc−vitamin B6 ratio increasing the risk of CVD mortality (HR = 1.27, 95% CI: 1.19−1.35), whereas a moderate dietary zinc−vitamin B6 ratio appeared to be beneficial for CVD mortality. These results suggest that increasing the appropriate proportion of dietary zinc and vitamin B6 intake is associated with a lower risk of CVD mortality. Furthermore, precise and representative studies are needed to verify our findings.

Expression and tissue distribution analysis of vimentin and transthyretin proteins associated with coat colors in sheep (Ovis aries).

OBJECTIVE: Pigment production and distribution are controlled through multiple proteins, resulting in different coat color phenotypes of sheep. METHODS: The expression distribution of vimentin (VIM) and transthyretin (TTR) in white and black sheep skins was detected by liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem MS (LC-ESI-MS/MS), gene ontology (GO) statistics, immunohistochemistry, Western blot, and quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) to evaluate their role in the coat color formation of sheep. RESULTS: LC-ESI-MS/MS results showed VIM and TTR proteins in white and black skin tissues of sheep. Meanwhile, GO functional annotation analysis suggested that VIM and TTR proteins were mainly concentrated in cellular components and biological process, respectively. Further research confirmed that VIM and TTR proteins were expressed at significantly higher levels in black sheep skins than in white sheep skins by Western blot, respectively. Immunohistochemistry notably detected VIM and TTR in hair follicle, dermal papilla, and outer root sheath of white and black sheep skins. qRT-PCR results also revealed that the expression of VIM and TTR mRNAs was higher in black sheep skins than in white sheep skins. CONCLUSION: The expression of VIM and TTR were higher in black sheep skins than in white sheep skins and the transcription and translation were unanimous in this study. VIM and TTR proteins were expressed in hair follicles of white and black sheep skins. These results suggested that VIM and TTR were involved in the coat color formation of sheep.

Spectroscopic and compositional profiles of dissolved organic matters in urban snow from 2019 to 2021: Focusing on pollution features identification.

Snow owns stronger adsorption capacity for organic pollutants compared with rain. Huge amounts of anthropogenic dissolved organic matters (DOMs) in the atmosphere may enter the water environment with urban snow and increase water pollution risk. Extracting stable pollution features of urban snow is conducive to identifying the urban snow pollution from the water environment. Herein, we systematically explored the spectroscopic and compositional profiles of urban snow in Beijing from three snow events by multiple analytical tools and extracted stable pollution features of urban snow for the first time. Results showed that conventional pollutants with high concentration were detected in urban snow. The fluorescence signals of humic-like and some protein-like materials, the molecular weight distributions of chromophoric DOM at 254 nm and humic-like materials, and 172 kinds of lignin-like molecular formulas were extracted as stable features for urban snow. These stable features of urban snow laid the foundation for the identification of urban snow pollution and the analysis of the impact mechanisms of atmospheric pollution sources on the water environment.

Chitosan-wampee seed essential oil composite film combined with cold plasma for refrigerated storage with modified atmosphere packaging: A promising technology for quality preservation of golden pompano fillets.

The effect of chitosan-wampee seed essential oil (WSEO) composite film coating before cold plasma (CP) treatment on the quality preservation of golden pompano fillets during refrigerated storage was investigated and compared with that of chitosan and CP alone. The results indicated that the chitosan-WSEO composite film coating before CP treatment and modified atmosphere packaging (MAP), referred to as CPCW-M, exhibited the lowest total bacterial count, total volatile base nitrogen, and peroxide and thiobarbituric acid values of 4.03 log culture-forming units (CFU)/g, 13.45 mg/100 g, 24.65 meq/kg, and 1428.4 µg MDAeq/kg, respectively. Simultaneously, it contributed to the most profound inhibition of the lipid hydrolase, lipoxygenase, thus effectively preventing the oxidative deterioration of unsaturated fatty acids. Moreover, minimal color changes, drip loss, and texture deterioration of the fillets were observed. Therefore, the edible chitosan-WSEO composite film, together with CP and MAP, was effective in preserving golden pompano fillets and extending shelf life throughout the refrigerated storage period.

Exposure to fluoride induces apoptosis in the liver, kidney, and heart of Xenopus laevis by regulating the Caspase-8/3 signaling pathway.

Fluoride compounds are abundant and widely distributed in the environment at various concentrations, which can seriously injure the human body. In this study, we aim to evaluate the effects of excessive fluoride exposure on the liver, kidney, and heart tissues of healthy female Xenopus laevis by administering NaF (0, 100, and 200 mg/L) in drinking water for 90 days. The expression level of procaspase-8, cleaved-caspase-8, and procaspase-3 proteins were determined by Western blot. Compared with the control group, the group exposed to NaF exhibited expression levels of procaspase-8, cleaved-caspase-8, and procaspase-3 proteins that were considerably upregulated at a concentration of 200 mg/L in the liver and kidney. The cleaved-caspase-8 protein expression in the group exposed to a high concentration of NaF was lower than that in the control group in heart. Histopathological results by hematoxylin and eosin staining showed that excessive NaF exposure caused necrosis of hepatocytes and vacuolization degeneration. Granular degeneration and necrosis in renal tubular epithelial cells were also observed. Moreover, hypertrophy of myocardial cells, atrophy of myocardial fibers and disorder of myocardial fibers were detected. These results demonstrated that NaF-induced apoptosis and the mediated death receptor pathway activation ultimately damaged the liver and kidney tissues. This finding offers a fresh perspective on the effects of F-induced apoptosis in X. laevis.