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BACKGROUND: Individuals with schizophrenia tend to have negative coping styles and low levels of self-esteem, but it is unclear whether coping styles and self-esteem levels are altered in people in the prodromal phase of psychosis. AIMS: The study was designed to assess the role of coping style and self-esteem in the context of different phases of schizophrenia. METHODS: Recurrent Schizophrenia (ReSch), first-episode schizophrenia patients (FEP), genetic-high risk for psychosis (GHR) patients, and healthy controls (HC) (40 per group) were subjected to in-person clinical interviews. The results of these interviews were then used to gauge coping style and self-esteem using the Coping Styles Questionnaire (CSQ) and the Rosenberg's Self-Esteem Scale (RSES). Data were analyzed through ANCOVAs and logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: The results found that positive coping style (CSQ problem-solving and CSQ seeking for help) generally decline with progression through the HC, GHR, and FEP groups, while negative coping style (CSQ fantasy, CSQ repression and CSQ self-blame) generally increase with progression through the HC, GHR, and FEP groups (except that GHR group was slightly lower than HC group in CSQ self-blame). Results for members of ReSch group were in line with those of members of the FEP group in coping style. At the level of self-esteem, the GHR group was similar to the HC group and significantly higher than the FEP group and the ReSch group. Logistic regression analyses indicated that GHR group patients exhibited increased negative coping styles (CSQ fantasy) relative to members of the HC group, but had greater Positive coping style (CSQ problem-solving) than did members of the FEP group. DISCUSSION: These findings suggest that both GHR individuals experience impaired negative coping styles which expands the understanding of the psychological characteristics of the prodromal group. Further explorations are warranted to develop optimal psychosocial interventions.
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Electrorefinery of polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) waste plastic, specifically conversion of a PBT-derived 1,4-butanediol (BDO) monomer into value-added succinate coupled with H2 production, emerges as an auspicious strategy to mitigate severe plastic pollution. Herein, we report the synthesis of Mn-doped NiNDA nanosheets (NDA: 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid), a metal-organic framework (MOF) through a ligand exchange method, and its utilization for electrocatalytic BDO oxidation to succinate. Interestingly, the transformation of doped layered-hydroxide (d-LH) precursors to MOF promotes BDO oxidation while hindering the competitive oxygen evolution reaction. Experimental and theoretical results indicate that the MOF has a higher affinity (i.e., alcoholophilic) for BDO than the d-LH, while Mn doping into NiNDA results in electron accumulation at Ni sites with an upward shift in the d-band center and convenient spin-dependent charge transfer, which are all beneficial for BDO oxidation. The as-constructed two-electrode membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) flow cell, by coupling BDO oxidation and hydrogen evolution reaction, attains an industrial current density of 1.5 A cm-2@1.82 V at 50 °C, corresponding to a specific energy consumption of 3.68 kWh/Nm3 H2. This represents an energy saving of >25% for hydrogen production on an industrial scale compared to conventional water electrolysis (â¼5 kWh/Nm3 H2) in addition to the production of valuable chemicals.
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Aiming to develop flat rice noodles with both desirable textural quality and lower starch digestibility, we investigated the effect of adding indica rice debranched starch (RDBS) on the quality of flat rice noodles. In this study, adding RDBS to flat rice noodles enhanced their mechanical properties. Cooking characteristic analysis showed that incorporating RDBS into dried flat rice noodles increased the rehydration ratio by 16.1 % and reduced rehydration time by 26.5 %. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed the presence of microparticles formed through the self-assembly of RDBS within the network of flat rice noodles. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis demonstrated that the addition of RDBS elevated the crystallinity of the flat rice noodles, rising from 9.59 % to 22.57 %. In addition, the in vitro simulated digestion test suggested the addition of RDBS led to a threefold increase in the content of slowly digestible starch (SDS) and a ninefold increase in resistant starch (RS) content in flat rice noodles. This study found that adding RDBS into flat rice noodles can effectively reduce their digestion rate and improve their eating quality. It could be a promising approach for creating functional rice noodles aimed at alleviating public health concerns such as diabetes and obesity.
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Digestión , Oryza , Almidón , Oryza/química , Almidón/química , Almidón/metabolismo , Fenómenos Químicos , Culinaria , Difracción de Rayos XRESUMEN
This research investigated the effect of lecithin on the complexation of lauric acid with maize starch, potato starch, waxy maize starch, and high amylose maize starch. Rapid visco analysis showed that lecithin altered the setback pattern of potato starch-lauric acid and maize starch-lauric acid mixtures but not waxy maize starch-lauric acid. Further investigation, including differential scanning calorimetry, complex index, and X-ray diffraction, showed that lecithin enhanced the complexation of maize starch, potato starch, and high amylose maize starch with lauric acid. Fourier transform infrared and Raman spectroscopy revealed increasingly ordered structures formed in maize starch-lauric acid-lecithin, potato starch-lauric acid-lecithin, and high amylose maize starch-lauric acid-lecithin systems compared to corresponding binary systems. These highly ordered complexes of maize starch, potato starch, and high amylose maize starch also demonstrated greater resistance to in vitro enzymatic hydrolysis. Waxy maize starch complexation however remained unaffected by lecithin. The results of this study show that lecithin impacts complexation between fatty acids and native starches containing amylose, with the starch source being critical. Lecithin minimally impacted the complexation of low amylose starch and fatty acids.
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Amilosa , Ácidos Láuricos , Lecitinas , Almidón , Zea mays , Ácidos Láuricos/química , Lecitinas/química , Almidón/química , Amilosa/química , Zea mays/química , Solanum tuberosum/química , Hidrólisis , Difracción de Rayos X , Espectroscopía Infrarroja por Transformada de Fourier , Rastreo Diferencial de CalorimetríaRESUMEN
Herein, the construction of a heterostructured 1D/3D CoN-Co2 N@NF (nickel foam) electrode used for thermodynamically favorable hydrazine oxidation reaction (HzOR), as an alternative to sluggish anodic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in water splitting for hydrogen production, is reported. The electrode exhibits remarkable catalytic activities, with an onset potential of -0.11 V in HzOR and -71 mV for a current density of 10 mA cm-2 in hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Consequently, an extraordinary low cell voltage of 53 mV is required to achieve 10 mA cm-2 for overall hydrazine splitting in a two-electrode system, demonstrating significant energy-saving advantages over conventional water splitting. The HzOR proceeds through the 4e- reaction pathway to release N2 while the 1e- pathway to emit NH3 is uncompetitive, as evidenced by differential electrochemical mass spectrometric measurements. The X-ray absorption spectroscopy, in situ Raman spectroscopy, and theoretical calculations identify cobalt nitrides rather than corresponding oxides/(oxy)hydroxides as catalytic species for HzOR and illustrate advantages of heterostructured CoN-Co2 N in optimizing adsorption energies of intermediates/reagents and promoting catalytic activities toward both HzOR and HER. The CoN-Co2 N@NF is also an excellent supercapacitive material, exhibiting an increased specific capacity (938 F g-1 at 1 A g-1 ) with excellent cycling stability (95.8%, 5000 cycles).
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BACKGROUND: Progressive peritoneal fibrosis is a worldwide public health concern impacting patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD), yet there is no effective treatment. Our previous study revealed that a novel compound, micheliolide (MCL) inhibited peritoneal fibrosis in mice. However, its mechanism remains unclear. Brahma-related gene 1 (BRG1) is a key contributor to organ fibrosis, but its potential function in PD-related peritoneal fibrosis and the relationship between MCL and BRG1 remain unknown. METHODS: The effects of MCL on BRG1-induced fibrotic responses and TGF-ß1-Smads pathway were examined in a mouse PD model and in vitro peritoneal mesothelial cells. To investigate the targeting mechanism of MCL on BRG1, coimmunoprecipitation, MCL-biotin pulldown, molecular docking and cellular thermal shift assay were performed. RESULTS: BRG1 was markedly elevated in a mouse PD model and in peritoneal mesothelial cells cultured in TGF-ß1 or PD fluid condition. BRG1 overexpression in vitro augmented fibrotic responses and promoted TGF-ß1-increased-phosphorylation of Smad2 and Smad3. Meanwhile, knockdown of BRG1 diminished TGF-ß1-induced fibrotic responses and blocked TGF-ß1-Smad2/3 pathway. MCL ameliorated BRG1 overexpression-induced peritoneal fibrosis and impeded TGF-ß1-Smad2/3 signaling pathway both in a mouse PD model and in vitro. Mechanically, MCL impeded BRG1 from recognizing and attaching to histone H3 lysine 14 acetylation by binding to the asparagine (N1540) of BRG1, in thus restraining fibrotic responses and TGF-ß1-Smad2/3 signaling pathway. After the mutation of N1540 to alanine (N1540A), MCL was unable to bind to BRG1 and thus, unsuccessful in suppressing BRG1-induced fibrotic responses and TGF-ß1-Smad2/3 signaling pathway. CONCLUSION: Our research indicates that BRG1 may be a crucial mediator in peritoneal fibrosis and MCL targeting N1540 residue of BRG1 may be a novel therapeutic strategy to combat PD-related peritoneal fibrosis.
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Diálisis Peritoneal , Fibrosis Peritoneal , Animales , Ratones , Modelos Animales de Enfermedad , Simulación del Acoplamiento Molecular , Diálisis Peritoneal/efectos adversos , Fibrosis Peritoneal/tratamiento farmacológico , Factor de Crecimiento Transformador beta1RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: This study aimed to compare the efficacy and postoperative quality of life for patients with esophageal cancer treated by either the modified or the traditional thoracolaparoscopic McKeown procedure. METHODS: This retrospective case-control study included 269 patients with esophageal cancer admitted to three medical centers in China from February 2020 to August 2022. The patients were divided according to surgical method into the layered hand-sewn end-to-end invagination anastomosis group (modified group) and the traditional hand anastomosis group (traditional group). Propensity score-matching (PSM) was used to maintain balance and comparability between the two groups. RESULTS: The differences in age and tumor location between the patients in the traditional and modified groups were statistically significant. After PSM, the aforementioned factors were statistically insignificant. After PSM, each group had 101 patients. The modified group showed the greater advantage in terms of postoperative hospital stay (P = 0.036), incidence of anastomotic leak (P = 0.009), and incidence of gastroesophageal reflux (P < 0.001), and the difference was statistically significant. The results of the Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 (QLQ-C30) and Quality of Life Questionnaire Oesophageal Cancer Module 18 (QLQ-OES18) scales showed that the modified group also had the advantage over the traditional group in terms of physical function, overall health status, loss of appetite, eating, reflux, obstruction, and loss of appetite scores at the first and third months after surgery. CONCLUSION: The modified thoraco-laparoscopic McKeown procedure is a safe and effective surgical approach that can significantly reduce the incidence of postoperative anastomotic leak and gastroesophageal reflux, shorten the postoperative hospital stay, and improve the postoperative quality of life for patients with esophageal cancer.
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Neoplasias Esofágicas , Reflujo Gastroesofágico , Laparoscopía , Humanos , Fuga Anastomótica/etiología , Calidad de Vida , Estudios Retrospectivos , Estudios de Casos y Controles , Puntaje de Propensión , Laparoscopía/métodos , Anastomosis Quirúrgica/métodos , Reflujo Gastroesofágico/etiología , Reflujo Gastroesofágico/cirugía , Neoplasias Esofágicas/patología , Esofagectomía/efectos adversos , Complicaciones Posoperatorias/etiologíaRESUMEN
Peritoneal fibrosis (PF) is the main cause of peritoneal ultrafiltration failure in patients undergoing long-term peritoneal dialysis (PD). Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is the key pathogenesis of PF. However, currently, no specific treatments are available to suppress PF. N-methylpiperazine-diepoxyovatodiolide (NMPDOva) is a newly synthesized compound that involves a chemical modification of ovatodiolide. In this study, we aimed to explore the antifibrotic effects of NMPDOva in PD-related PF and underlying mechanisms. A mouse model of PD-related PF was established via daily intraperitoneal injection of 4.25% glucose PD fluid. In vitro studies were performed using the transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-ß1)-stimulated HMrSV5 cell line. Pathological changes were observed, and fibrotic markers were significantly elevated in the peritoneal membrane in mice model of PD-related PF. However, NMPDOva treatment significantly alleviated PD-related PF by decreasing the extracellular matrix accumulation. NMPDOva treatment decreased the expression of fibronectin, collagen â , and alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in mice with PD-related PF. Moreover, NMPDOva could alleviate TGF-ß1-induced EMT in HMrSV5 cells, inhibited phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of Smad2/3, and increased the expression of Smad7. Meanwhile, NMPDOva inhibited phosphorylation of JAK2 and STAT3. Collectively, these results indicated that NMPDOva prevents PD-related PF by inhibiting the TGF-ß1/Smad and JAK/STAT signaling pathway. Therefore, because of these antifibrotic effects, NMPDOva may be a promising therapeutic agent for PD-related PF.
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Fibrosis Peritoneal , Ratones , Animales , Fibrosis Peritoneal/tratamiento farmacológico , Fibrosis Peritoneal/etiología , Fibrosis Peritoneal/patología , Factor de Crecimiento Transformador beta1/metabolismo , Factor de Crecimiento Transformador beta/metabolismo , Transducción de Señal , Peritoneo/metabolismo , Peritoneo/patología , Transición Epitelial-Mesenquimal , FibrosisRESUMEN
Objective: Familial dysalbuminemic hyperthyroxinemia (FDH) has not been thoroughly studied in the Chinese population to date. The clinical characteristics of FDH in Chinese patients were summarized, and the susceptibility of common free thyroxine (FT4) immunoassay methods was evaluated. Methods: The study included 16 affected patients from eight families with FDH admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University. The published FDH patients of Chinese ethnicity were summarized. Clinical characteristics, genetic information, and thyroid function tests were analyzed. The ratio of FT4 to the upper limit of normal (FT4/ULN) in three test platforms was also compared in patients with R218H ALB mutation from our center. Results: The R218H ALB mutation was identified in seven families and the R218S in one family. The mean age of diagnosis was 38.4 ± 19.5 years. Half of the probands (4/8) were misdiagnosed as hyperthyroidism previously. The ratios of serum iodothyronine concentration to ULN in FDH patients with R218S were 8.05-9.74 for TT4, 0.68-1.28 for TT3, and 1.20-1.39 for rT3, respectively. The ratios in patients with R218H were 1.44 ± 0.15, 0.65 ± 0.14, and 0.77 ± 0.18, respectively. The FT4/ULN ratio detected using the Abbott I4000 SR platform was significantly lower than Roche Cobas e801 and Beckman UniCel Dxl 800 Access platforms (P < 0.05) in patients with R218H. In addition, nine Chinese families with FDH were retrieved from the literature, of which eight carried the R218H ALB mutation and one the R218S. The TT4/ULN of approximately 90% of patients (19/21) with R218H was 1.53 ± 0.31; the TT3/ULN of 52.4% of patients (11/21) was 1.49 ± 0.91. In the family with R218S, 45.5% of patients (5/11) underwent TT4 dilution test and the TT4/ULN was 11.70 ± 1.33 and 90.9% (10/11) received TT3 testing and the TT3/ULN was 0.39 ± 0.11. Conclusions: Two ALB mutations, R218S and R218H, were found in eight Chinese families with FDH in this study, and the latter may be a high-frequency mutation in this population. The serum iodothyronine concentration varies with different mutation forms. The rank order of deviation in measured versus reference FT4 values by different immunoassays (lowest to highest) was Abbott < Roche < Beckman in the FDH patients with R218H.
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Hipertiroxinemia Disalbuminémica Familiar , Humanos , Adolescente , Adulto Joven , Adulto , Persona de Mediana Edad , Hipertiroxinemia Disalbuminémica Familiar/diagnóstico , Hipertiroxinemia Disalbuminémica Familiar/genética , Tiroxina , Pueblos del Este de Asia , Hormonas Tiroideas , InmunoensayoRESUMEN
The renewable-electricity-driven CO2 reduction to formic acid would contribute to establishing a carbon-neutral society. The current catalyst suffers from limited activity and stability under high selectivity and the ambiguous nature of active sites. Herein, we report a powerful Bi2 S3 -derived catalyst that demonstrates a current density of 2.0â A cm-2 with a formate Faradaic efficiency of 93 % at -0.95â V versus the reversible hydrogen electrode. The energy conversion efficiency and single-pass yield of formate reach 80 % and 67 %, respectively, and the durability reaches 100â h at an industrial-relevant current density. Pure formic acid with a concentration of 3.5â mol L-1 has been produced continuously. Our operando spectroscopic and theoretical studies reveal the dynamic evolution of the catalyst into a nanocomposite composed of Bi0 clusters and Bi2 O2 CO3 nanosheets and the pivotal role of Bi0 -Bi2 O2 CO3 interface in CO2 activation and conversion.
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This work developed a novel strategy for producing starch straws with desirable mechanical properties by a combination of extrusion, retrogradation, and sodium trimetaphosphate (STMP) cross-linking. The straws were prepared by first extruding starch, glycerin, and water (10:1:1) with a double screw extruder, then retrograding the resulting straws at 4 °C for 6 h, and finally cross-linking the straws. Rapid visco-analyzer profiles showed decreases in the viscosity of milled straws with increases in the cross-linking duration, perhaps reflecting a higher degree of crosslinking. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy showed evidence of more hydrogen bonds in the straws with a longer cross-linking duration, while thermogravimetric analysis indicated higher thermal stability for the cross-linked straws than for the controls. The straw cross-linked for 3 h showed 1.52 times higher stiffness after soaking in room-temperature water for 30 min (4967.56 g/s), and 1.88 times higher stiffness after soaking in 60 °C hot water for 5 min (5371.89 g/s) than the original straw. STMP cross-linking also improved the starch straw mechanical properties after soaking in common soft drinks. These findings identify a potential new way to produce biodegradable straws with desirable properties from starch, an affordable biomaterial, while also addressing the problem of petroleum-based plastic pollution.
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Almidón , Agua , Almidón/química , Viscosidad , Agua/química , Enlace de Hidrógeno , Espectroscopía Infrarroja por Transformada de FourierRESUMEN
Conventional hydrothermal methods are lengthy and require high energy consumption. In this study, a quick and energy-saving direct vapor-heat moisture treatment (DV-HMT) method was used to improve the pasting and gelling properties of potato starch under the condition of high temperature (130 °C) and short periods (1, 3, 5, and 7 min). X-ray diffraction analysis exhibited that the relative crystallinity of DV-HMT starches decreased with the extension of treatment time. Small angle X-ray scattering measurements showed that the average thickness of the crystalline lamellae decreased from 6.193 to 5.937 nm, while the average thickness of the amorphous lamellae increased from 3.160 to 3.395 nm. Rapid visco-analyzer measurements exhibited that the breakdown values decreased to 0 mPa s for DV-HMT starches, indicating that this hydrothermal treatment led to starches with high resistance to heating and shearing. The gel hardness of starch treated by DV-HMT for 3 min (266 g) was around 5.4-fold higher than for non-treated starch (41 g). Considering the simple operation of DV-HMT and the short treatment periods (≤ 7 min) used in this study, DV-HMT could be a superior option to enhance the physicochemical and functional properties of starch.
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Calor , Solanum tuberosum , Cristalografía por Rayos X , Geles , Solanum tuberosum/química , Almidón/química , Viscosidad , Difracción de Rayos XRESUMEN
Sedum plumbizincicola (Crassulaceae), a cadmium (Cd)/zinc (Zn)/lead (Pb) hyperaccumulator native to Southeast China, is potentially useful for the phytoremediation of heavy metal-contaminated soil. Basic leucine zipper (bZIP) transcription factors play vital roles in plant growth, development, and abiotic stress responses. However, there has been minimal research on the effects of Cd stress on the bZIP gene family in S. plumbizincicola. In this study, 92 SpbZIP genes were identified in the S. plumbizincicola genome and then classified into 12 subgroups according to their similarity to bZIP genes in Arabidopsis. Gene structure and conserved motif analyses showed that SpbZIP genes within the same subgroup shared similar intron-exon structures and motif compositions. In total, eight pairs of segmentally duplicated SpbZIP genes were identified, but there were no tandemly duplicated SpbZIP genes. Additionally, the duplicated SpbZIP genes were mainly under purifying selection pressure. Hormone-responsive, abiotic and biotic stress-responsive, and plant development-related cis-acting elements were detected in the SpbZIP promoter sequences. Expression profiles derived from RNA-seq and quantitative real-time PCR analyses indicated that the expression levels of most SpbZIP genes were upregulated under Cd stress conditions. Furthermore, a gene co-expression network analysis revealed that most edge genes regulated by hub genes were related to metal transport, responses to stimuli, and transcriptional regulation. Because its expression was significantly upregulated by Cd stress, the hub gene SpbZIP60 was selected for a functional characterization to elucidate its role in the root response to Cd stress. In a transient gene expression analysis involving Nicotiana benthamiana leaves, SpbZIP60 was localized in the nucleus. The overexpression of SpbZIP60 enhanced the Cd tolerance of transgenic Arabidopsis plants by inhibiting ROS accumulation, protecting the photosynthetic apparatus, and decreasing the Cd content. These findings may provide insights into the potential roles of the bZIP family genes during the S. plumbizincicola response to Cd stress.
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This study developed a novel method for the facile and efficient preparation of the cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) by using a simultaneous collaborative process combining sulfuric acid hydrolysis and heat-moisture treatment. In this work, we significantly reduced acid dosage compared to conventional acid solution hydrolysis methods to prepare CNCs. The weight of diluted sulfuric acid is no more than 25% on dry basis weight of microcrystalline cellulose. In a relatively short time (2 h), the yield could reach 93.68%, which is higher than the existing methods. The obtained CNCs displayed a normal rod-like shape (100 nm) and unusual spherical shape (10 nm) and showed high relative crystallinity ranged from 70.92% to 81.13%. The combination of acidolysis and heat-moisture treatment may be an economical and effective method for large-scale production of CNCs and provides a new method for preparing short CNCs, which can be used in membrane strengthening and food packages.
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Calor , Nanopartículas , Ácidos , Celulosa/química , Hidrólisis , Nanopartículas/químicaRESUMEN
In recent years, infectious diseases caused by viral infections have seriously endangered human health, especially COVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2, which continues to spread worldwide. The development of broad-spectrum antiviral inhibitors is urgently needed. Here, we report a series of small-molecule compounds that proved effective against human coronaviruses (HCoV), such as SARS-CoV-2 and its variants of concern (VOCs), including Alpha (B.1.1.7), Beta (B.1.351), Gamma (P.1), Delta (B.1.617.2), and Omicron (B.1.1.529), SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, HCoV-OC43, and other viruses with class I viral fusion proteins, such as influenza virus, Ebola virus (EBOV), Nipah virus (NiV), and Lassa fever virus (LASV). They are also effective against class II enveloped viruses represented by ZIKV and class III enveloped viruses represented by vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV). Further studies have shown that these compounds may exert antiviral effects through a variety of mechanisms, including inhibiting the formation of the six-helix bundle, which is a typical feature of enveloped virus fusion with cell membranes, and/or targeting viral membrane to inactivate cell-free virions. These compounds are expected to become drug candidates against SARS-CoV-2 and other enveloped viruses.
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Tratamiento Farmacológico de COVID-19 , Rodanina , Infección por el Virus Zika , Virus Zika , Humanos , SARS-CoV-2RESUMEN
Sedum plumbizincicola, a cadmium (Cd) hyperaccumulating herbaceous plant, can accumulate large amounts of Cd in the above-ground tissues without being poisoned. However, the molecular mechanisms regulating the processes are not fully understood. In this study, Transcriptional and proteomic analyses were integrated to investigate the response of S. plumbizincicola plants to Cd stress and to identify key pathways that are potentially responsible for Cd tolerance and accumulation. A total of 630 DAPs (differentially abundant proteins, using fold change >1.5 and adjusted p-value <0.05) were identified from Tandem Mass Tag (TMT)- based quantitative proteomic profiling, which were enriched in processes including phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, protein processing in endoplasmic reticulum, and biosynthesis of secondary metabolites. Combined with the previous transcriptomic study, 209 genes and their corresponding proteins showed the identical expression pattern. The identified genes/proteins revealed the potential roles of several metabolism pathways, including phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, oxidative phosphorylation, phagosome, and glutathione metabolism, in mediating Cd tolerance and accumulation. Lignin staining and Cd accumulation assay of the transgenic lines over-expressing a selected Cd up-regulated gene SpFAOMT (Flavonoid 3',5'-methyltransferase) showed its functions in adapting to Cd stress, and provided insight into its role in lignin biosynthesis and Cd accumulation in S. plumbizincicola during Cd stress.
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Type â enveloped viruses bind to cell receptors through surface glycoproteins to initiate infection or undergo receptor-mediated endocytosis and initiate membrane fusion in the acidic environment of endocytic compartments, releasing genetic material into the cell. In the process of membrane fusion, envelope protein exposes fusion peptide, followed by an insertion into the cell membrane or endosomal membrane. Further conformational changes ensue in which the type 1 envelope protein forms a typical six-helix bundle structure, shortening the distance between viral and cell membranes so that fusion can occur. Entry inhibitors targeting viral envelope proteins, or host factors, are effective antiviral agents and have been widely studied. Some have been used clinically, such as T20 and Maraviroc for human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) or Myrcludex B for hepatitis D virus (HDV). This review focuses on entry inhibitors that target the six-helical bundle core against highly pathogenic enveloped viruses with class I fusion proteins, including retroviruses, coronaviruses, influenza A viruses, paramyxoviruses, and filoviruses.
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VIH-1 , Internalización del Virus , Endocitosis , VIH-1/metabolismo , Humanos , Fusión de Membrana , Proteínas del Envoltorio Viral/metabolismo , Proteínas del Envoltorio Viral/farmacologíaRESUMEN
The impact of lutein-loaded nanoemulsions and excipient nanoemulsions mixed with lutein-based dietary supplements (capsules and soft gels) on the bioaccessibility of lutein was explored using a simulated gastrointestinal tract (GIT). The particle size, particle size distribution, ζ-potential, microstructure, lipid digestibility, and lutein bioaccessibility of all the samples were measured after they were exposed to different environments (stomach and small intestine environments) within a simulated GIT. As expected, the bioaccessibility of lutein from the capsules (1.5%) and soft gels (3.2%) was relatively low when they were administered alone. However, the co-administration of excipient nanoemulsions significantly increased the bioaccessibility of lutein from both the capsules (35.2%) and soft gels (28.7%). This phenomenon was attributed to the fast digestion of the small oil droplets in the excipient nanoemulsions and the further formation of mixed micelles to solubilize any lutein molecules released from the supplements. The lutein-loaded nanoemulsions exhibited a much higher lutein bioaccessibility (86.8%) than any of the supplements, which was attributed to the rapid release and solubilization of lutein when the lipid droplets were rapidly and extensively digested within the small intestine. This study indicates that the bioaccessibility of lutein is much higher in nanoemulsion droplets than that in dietary supplements. However, consuming dietary supplements in the presence of nanoemulsion droplets can greatly increase lutein bioavailability. The results of this study have important guiding significance for the design of more effective lutein supplements.
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Excipientes , Luteína , Disponibilidad Biológica , Suplementos Dietéticos/análisis , Digestión , Emulsiones , Tamaño de la PartículaRESUMEN
The objective of this work was to develop a simple and efficient method to prepare waxy maize starch nanoparticles (SNPs) by hydrochloric acid (HCl) vapor hydrolysis combined with ultrasonication treatment. The size, morphology, thermal property, and crystal structure of the SNPs were systematically studied. HCl treatment introduces a smaller particle diameter of starch particles from 13.73 ± 0.93 µm to 1.52 ± 0.01-8.32 ± 0.63 µm. Further ultrasonication treatment formed SNPs that displayed desirable uniformity and near-perfect spherical and ellipsoidal shapes with a diameter of 150.65 ± 1.91-292.85 ± 0.07 nm. The highest yield of SNPs was 80.5%. Compared with the native starch, the gelatinization enthalpy changes of SNPs significantly decreased from 14.65 ± 1.58 J/g to 7.40 ± 1.27 J/g. Interestingly, the SNPs showed a wider melting temperature range of 22.77 ± 2.35 °C than native starch (10.94 ± 0.87 °C). The relative crystallinity of SNPs decreased to 29.65%, while long-time ultrasonication resulted in amorphization. HCl vapor hydrolysis combined with ultrasonication treatment can be an affordable and accessible method for the efficient large-scale production of SNPs. The SNPs developed by this method will have potential applications in the food, materials, and medicine industries.