Psychometric evaluation of the Chinese version of the Academic Resilience Scale-30 (C-ARS-30) in college students.

Background: Amidst the expansion of student enrollment in higher education, the well-being and retention rates of students have emerged as important concerns. Resilience, especially academic resilience, a multidimensional construct that can lead to academic success in adversity, is pivotal in enabling students to successfully cope with academic challenges. While the Academic Resilience Scale-30 (ARS-30) has been validated as an effective instrument in various languages, its applicability for Chinese students in higher education remains unexplored. Objective: This study aims to translate and validate the ARS-30 in Chinese, assessing its reliability and validity among Chinese college students in higher education. Methods: A convenience sample of 1,542 students participated in this study. The inventory included the demographic form, Chinese version of ARS-30 (C-ARS-30), 10-item Connor Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC-10), and General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES). The assessment of validity was conducted by analyzing content validity, construct validity, convergent and discriminant validity, as well as criterion-related validity. Construct validity was evaluated through Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Exploratory Structural Equation Modeling (ESEM). Reliability analysis was performed using Cronbach's alpha and test-retest reliability. Results: The C-ARS-30 demonstrated commendable content validity, with the CVI value of items ranging from 0.833 to 1.000, and a total scale CVI of 0.986. ESEM analysis revealed a solid four-factor structure, maintaining the scale's 30 items with excellent fit indices (χ2/df = 2.647, CFI = 0.937, TLI = 0.915, RMSEA = 0.057, SRMR = 0.027). The total score of C-ARS-30 exhibited positive correlations with the CD-RISC-10 (r = 0.542) and the GSES (r = 0.488). The scale demonstrated high internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.930) and test-retest reliability (0.794, p < 0.01). Conclusion: The C-ARS-30 is a reliable and valid instrument for assessing academic resilience among Chinese college students, offering a valuable tool for educational and psychological evaluations.

Aromative Dephosphinidenation of a Bisphosphirane-Fused Anthracene toward E-H (E = H, Si, N and P) Bond Activation.

A bisphosphirane-fused anthracene (5) was prepared by treatment of a sterically encumbered amino phosphorus dichloride (3) with MgA•3THF (A = anthracene). X-ray diffraction analysis revealed a pentacyclic framework consisting of 5 with two phosphirane rings fused to the anthracene in a trans-fashion. Compound 5 has been shown to be an efficient phosphinidene synthon, readily liberating two transient phosphinidene units for subsequent downstream bond activation via the reductive elimination of anthracene under mild conditions. The formal oxidative addition of H2 and E-H (E = Si, N, P) bonds by the liberated phosphinidene provided diphosphine and substituted phosphines. Furthermore, phosphinidene transfer to alkenes and alkynes smoothly yielded the corresponding phosphiranes and phosphirenes. The mechanism of the H2 activation by 5 was investigated by density functional theory (DFT) calculations.

Epidemiology of obesity and influential factors in China: a multicenter cross-sectional study of children and adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of and risk factors for overweight and obese among Chinese children and adolescents. METHODS: This analytical cross-sectional study included 16,640 children and adolescents aged 6-18 years across four provinces of China in 2016. Physical characteristics and responses to questionnaires were analyzed. Body Mass Index (BMI) and the prevalence of overweight and obesity were calculated. RESULTS: Among children and adolescents, the overall prevalence of overweight and obesity in 2016 in four regions of China was 27.2% and 29.6%, respectively. Among different stages and sexes, the highest prevalence of obesity (15.8%) was observed in adolescent boys. From childhood to adolescence, the obesity rate among boys increased by 0.7% (from 15.1% to 15.8%), while the obesity rate among girls decreased by 0.9% (from 10.8% to 9.9%). Children and adolescents who were overweight or obese had significantly higher systolic blood pressures, larger waist circumferences and larger hip sizes than those with a normal BMI. Logistic regression analyses identified thirteen factors associated with overweight or obesity in children and adolescents. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that the prevalence of overweight and obesity is high among children and adolescents, especially among male adolescents in four regions of China. A suitable intervention program should not only help parents understand the serious risk of childhood obesity but also, more importantly, help to encourage a healthy lifestyle among children and adolescents.

The diagnostic value of 68Ga-NOTA-MAL-Cys-MZHER2:342 PET/CT imaging for HER2-positive lung adenocarcinoma.

Background: The human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 gene (HER2) has been identified as a potential therapeutic target in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). Non-invasive positron emission tomography (PET) imaging provides a reliable strategy for in vivo determination of HER2 expression through whole-body detection of abnormalities. The PET tracer 68Ga-NOTA-MAL-Cys-MZHER2:342 has shown promising results for HER2-positive breast and gastric cancers. This study aims to evaluate the performance of 68Ga-NOTA-MAL-Cys-MZHER2:342 in vitro and in vivo models and in clinical patients with HER2-positive LUAD. Methods: NOTA-MAL-Cys-MZHER2:342 was synthesized and labeled with 68Ga. Cell uptake, cell binding ability, and stability studies of 68Ga-NOTA-MAL-Cys-MZHER2:342 were assessed both in the Calu-3 lung cancer (LC) cell line and normal mice. In vivo assessment in tumor-bearing mice was conducted using microPET imaging and biodistribution experiments. Additionally, preliminary PET/CT imaging analysis was performed on HER2-positive LC patients. Results: 68Ga-NOTA-MAL-Cys-MZHER2:342 was prepared with a radiochemical purity (RCP) exceeding 95%. The tracer demonstrated high cell uptake in HER2-overexpressing Calu-3 cells, with an IC50 of 158.9, an adequate 1.73 nM. Good stability was exhibited both in vitro and in vivo. MicroPET imaging of Calu-3-bearing mice revealed high tumor uptake and notable tumor-to-background ratios. Positive outcomes were also observed in two HER2-positive LUAD patients. Conclusion: 68Ga-NOTA-MAL-Cys-MZHER2:342 demonstrated satisfactory stability, sensitivity, and specificity. These findings suggest that 68Ga-NOTA-MAL-Cys-MZHER2:342 PET/CT imaging provides a novel tool for non-invasive visual assessment of HER2 expression in LUAD patients.

Fanlian Huazhuo Formula alleviates high-fat diet-induced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease by modulating autophagy and lipid synthesis signaling pathway.

BACKGROUND: Fanlian Huazhuo Formula (FLHZF) has the functions of invigorating spleen and resolving phlegm, clearing heat and purging turbidity. It has been identified to have therapeutic effects on type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in clinical application. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is frequently diagnosed in patients with T2DM. However, the therapeutic potential of FLHZF on NAFLD and the underlying mechanisms need further investigation. AIM: To elucidate the effects of FLHZF on NAFLD and explore the underlying hepatoprotective mechanisms in vivo and in vitro. METHODS: HepG2 cells were treated with free fatty acid for 24 hours to induce lipid accumulation cell model. Subsequently, experiments were conducted with the different concentrations of freeze-dried powder of FLHZF for 24 hours. C57BL/6 mice were fed a high-fat diet for 8-week to establish a mouse model of NAFLD, and then treated with the different concentrations of FLHZF for 10 weeks. RESULTS: FLHZF had therapeutic potential against lipid accumulation and abnormal changes in biochemical indicators in vivo and in vitro. Further experiments verified that FLHZF alleviated abnormal lipid metabolism might by reducing oxidative stress, regulating the AMPKα/SREBP-1C signaling pathway, activating autophagy, and inhibiting hepatocyte apoptosis. CONCLUSION: FLHZF alleviates abnormal lipid metabolism in NAFLD models by regulating reactive oxygen species, autophagy, apoptosis, and lipid synthesis signaling pathways, indicating its potential for clinical application in NAFLD.

Effects of high-quality neurosurgical nursing care on improving clinical nursing quality.

BACKGROUND: With continuous advancements in medical technology, neurosurgical nursing is constantly developing and improving to provide higher-quality nursing services. AIM: To explore the effects of different types of high-quality nursing care on clinical nursing quality and patient satisfaction in neurosurgical nursing. METHODS: Eighty patients who received neurosurgical treatment in the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University from June to December 2020 were selected as study participants and categorised into study and control groups. The study group comprised 40 patients who received 4 different types of high-quality nursing care, whereas the control group comprised 40 patients who received conventional nursing care. After a specific period, nursing satisfaction levels and adverse event and complication rates were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Satisfaction with high-quality care was higher than that with conventional care, and high-quality health services and regional services showed the highest satisfaction levels, with an average score of 12 on the Glasgow scale. The satisfaction levels of the study and control groups were 75% and 57%, respectively, with a statistically significant difference (t = 7.314, P < 0.05). During the nursing period, the adverse event and complication rates were the highest in patients with level III pathology grade and those who underwent neurosurgery (40.02% and 85.93%, respectively), and the difference was statistically significant. CONCLUSION: In neurosurgical nursing, employing appropriate high-quality nursing methods can effectively reduce adverse event and complication rates in patients, thereby improving the quality of nursing care and increasing clinical nursing value.

First Report of Leaf Blight of Ginkgo biloba L. Caused by Neopestalotiopsis clavispora G.F. Atk. in Sichuan, China.

Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba L.), the oldest existing tree species in the world, is an important ornamental and medicinal plant, widely planted in China. In October 2022, a new leaf blight disease was observed in Chengdu city (30°05'to 31°26'N, 102°54'to 104°53'E). Disease incidence averaged 82.5% across five foci. The typical symptomatology begins when leaf margins turn yellow and small black spots appear at the edge of the leaf, chlorotic areas turn brown, dry and deformed. Gradually, the necrotic lesions spreads to the middle of the leaf and eventually the whole leaf falls off. Infected tissues from ten leaves were cut into small pieces (5 × 5 mm); surface sterilized for 30 s in 3% sodium hypochlorite; 60 s in 75% ethanol; rinsed three times in sterile water; placed onto potato dextrose agar (PDA) amended with streptomycin sulfate (50 µg/mL); and incubated at 25°C for 3 to 8 days. A hyphae was removed from the edge of the fungal colony and placed onto potato dextrose agar (PDA) plates. After incubation at 25℃ with a 12-hour light/dark cycle for 8 days, the colony diameter reached 77.5 to 81.5 mm. Colonies grown on PDA were white, cotton, flocculent, undulating on the surface, dense in aerial hyphae and light yellow on the back. Black pycnidia formed superficially, scattered over the PDA, following two weeks of incubation. Pycnidia contained sticky black conidia. The spores were were spindle shaped, with five cells, and four septations measuring 20.9 to 34.8 µm × 6.8 to 8.8 µm (avg. 28.4 × 7.6 µm; n=40). The three median cells were versicolored, typically two dark brown cells and one light brown cell, whereas the basal and apical cells were hyaline. Conidia had a single basal appendage (2.87 to 4.1 µm long; n = 40) and two to three apical appendages (18.3 to 29.1 µm long; n = 40). Based on colony and conidial morphology, the isolate was identified as N. clavispora (Maharachchikumbura et al. 2014). The partial sequence of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS), ß-tubulin gene (TUB2), and translation elongation factor subunit 1-a gene (TEF1) were amplified and sequenced using the universal primer pairs ITS1/ITS4(Zhang et al. 2022), BT2A/BT2B (Li Yuan et al. 2022), and EF1-526F/EF1-1567R (Maharachchikumbura et al. 2012), respectively. Sequences of representative isolate LQYX were deposited in GenBank (ITS: OQ152504, TUB: OQ168328, and TEF1: OQ168329). BLAST results indicated that the ITS, TUB, and TEF1-α sequences showed 99 to 100% identity with N. clavispora sequences at NCBI (GenBank MG729689, MG740735, and MG740758). Identification was confirmed by Bayesian inference using Mr. Bayes. Next, inoculations were conducted on leaves of ten G. biloba in the field to verify the pathogenicity of LQYX. Ten healthy leaves of each plant were surface sterilized with 75% ethanol, and the wound was rubbed out on the leaf edge on the sterilized sanding paper. A conidia suspension (1 × 107 ml-1) was sprayed on the leaves, aseptic water was used as the control, and the transparent plastic bag was used to maintain relative humidity. After 14 days (26 ℃, 14 hours light / 10 hours dark), the inoculated leaves had similar symptoms as the original diseased plants, whereas controls were asymptomatic. The N. clavispora was re-isolated from the infected leaves and identified by morphological characteristics and DNA sequence analysis. The pathogenicity test was repeated three times with similar results, confirming Koch's postulates. To our knowledge, this is the first report of leaf blight of G. biloba caused by N. clavispora in China, which has greatly affected the appearance of the city and should be further studied. This report can help identify this disease and further develop effective control measures.

Correction to "Validation of Serotransferrin in the Serum as Candidate Biomarkers for the Diagnosis of Pulmonary Tuberculosis by Label-Free LC/MS".

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.2c00837.].

SRY-positive 45,X/46,XY karyotype in a phenotypically Turner-like Chinese adolescent female with ovarian dysgerminoma and gonadoblastoma.

OBJECTIVES: 45,X/46,XY mosaicism is a rare condition with clinical and genetic heterogeneity and have a greatly increased risk of developing germ cell tumors. We describe a rare 45,X/46,XY Chinese girl with malignant tumors, especially focusing on the molecular genetics of gonadal tumor. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a phenotypically Turner-like Chinese adolescent girl who presented primary amenorrhea and a pelvic mass as the chief complaint, which finally demonstrated dysgerminoma replacing the left gonad and gonadoblastoma arising from right gonad respectively. Her chromosome karyotype was 45,X(4)/46,XY(46); Y-chromosome microdeletions in AZFb regions were found on gonadal DNA rather than peripheral blood lymphocyte (PBL) DNA, while no variants were found in the promoter and coding region of SRY gene in both PBL and gonadal tissues. She underwent bilateral gonadectomy; no recurrence or serious complications were identified after 3 years of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: This case emphasizes the probable correlation between Y chromosome microdeletions in gonadal tissue and the severity of the phenotype in patients with 45,X/46,XY mosaicism and highlights the importance of clinical genetic testing at the chromosomal and molecular level.

Matrix stiffening facilitates stemness of liver cancer stem cells by YAP activation and BMF inhibition.

Matrix stiffening is one of the major risk factors for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and drives tumor progression. The extracellular matrix (ECM) stiffness of HCC displays mechanical heterogeneity, with stiffness increasing from the core to the invasive frontier. The distribution of liver cancer stem cells (CSCs) is related to this mechanical property. However, it is not sufficiently understood how heterogeneous matrix stiffness regulates the stemness of CSCs. In this study, we developed an adjustable gelatin/alginate hydrogel to investigate the effect of various matrix stiffnesses on CSC stemness under three-dimensional culture conditions. Gelatin/alginate hydrogel with the stiffness of soft (5 kPa), medium (16 kPa), and stiff (81 kPa) were prepared by altering the concentration of calcium ions. It was found that a stiffer matrix promoted stemness-associated gene expression, reduced drug sensitivity, enhanced sphere-forming and clonogenic ability, and tumorigenic potential. Mechanistically, matrix stiffening facilitates CSC stemness by increasing Yes-associated protein (YAP) activity and inhibiting Bcl-2 modifying factor (BMF) expression. Knockdown of YAP or overexpression of BMF significantly attenuated matrix stiffening-induced stemness, suggesting the involvement of YAP and BMF in this process. Together, our results unravel the regulatory mechanism of heterogeneous matrix stiffness on CSC stemness and also provide a novel therapeutic strategy for eradicating CSCs and improving the efficiency of HCC treatment.

NPh3-Mediated WO3-Photocatalyzed Semiheterogeneous Hydroxylation of Aryl and Alkyl Boronic Acids.

With an inexpensive and commercially available WO3 semiconductor as the heterogeneous photocatalyst, a catalytic amount of NPh3 as the single-electron donor, and ambient air as the single-electron acceptor and oxygen source, the semiheterogeneous photocatalytic hydroxylation of alkyl and aryl boronic acids was developed. A broad range of hydroxylated compounds can be obtained in excellent yields.

Unexpected response of terrestrial carbon sink to rural depopulation in China.

China is experiencing large-scale rural-urban migration and rapid urbanization, which have had significant impact on terrestrial carbon sink. However, the impact of rural-urban migration and its accompanying urban expansion on the carbon sink is unclear. Based on multisource remote sensing product data for 2000-2020, the soil microbial respiration equation, relative contribution rate, and threshold analysis, we explored the impact of rural depopulation on the carbon sink and its threshold. The results revealed that the proportion of the rural population in China decreased from 63.91 % in 2000 to 36.11 % in 2020. Human pressure decreased by 1.82% in rural depopulation areas, which promoted vegetation restoration in rural areas (+8.45 %) and increased the carbon sink capacity. The net primary productivity (NPP) and net ecosystem productivity (NEP) of the vegetation in the rural areas increased at rates of 2.95 g C m-2 yr-1 and 2.44 g C m-2 yr-1. Strong rural depopulation enhanced the carbon sequestration potential, and the NEP was 1.5 times higher in areas with sharp rural depopulation than in areas with mild rural depopulation. In addition, the rural depopulation was accompanied by urban expansion, and there was a positive correlation between the comprehensive urbanization level (CUL) and NEP in 75.29 % of urban areas. In the urban areas, the vegetation index increased by 88.42 %, and the urban green space partially compensated for the loss of carbon sink caused by urban expansion, with a growth rate of 4.96 g C m-2 yr-1. Changes in rural population have a nonlinear impact on the NEP. When the rural population exceeds 545.686 people/km2, an increase in the rural population will have a positive impact on the NEP. Our research shows that rural depopulation offers a potential opportunity to restore natural ecosystems and thus increase the carbon sequestration capacity.

Metformin improves cognitive dysfunction through SIRT1/NLRP3 pathway-mediated neuroinflammation in db/db mice.

Diabetes mellitus (DM), an important public health problem, aggravates the global economic burden. Diabetic encephalopathy (DE) is a serious complication of DM in the central nervous system. Metformin has been proven to improve DE. However, the mechanism is still unclear. In this study, the db/db mice, a common model used for DE, were employed to explore and study the neuroprotective effect of metformin and related mechanisms. Behavioral tests indicated that metformin (100 or 200 mg/kg/day) could significantly improve the learning and memory abilities of db/db mice. The outcomes from the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and insulin tolerance test (ITT) demonstrate that metformin effectively modulates glucose and insulin signaling pathways in db/db mice. The results of body weight and blood lipid panel (total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol) show that metformin promotes the level of lipid metabolism in db/db mice. Furthermore, data from oxidative stress assays, which measured levels of malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase, suggest that metformin suppresses oxidative stress-induced brain damage in db/db mice. In addition, western blot, Nissl staining, and immunofluorescence results showed that metformin increased the expressions of nerve growth factor and postsynaptic density 95 and repaired neuronal structural damage. For the mechanism study, metformin activated SIRT1 and inhibited the expression of NLRP3 inflammasome (NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1, IL-1ß, and IL-18) and inflammatory cytokines (TNFα and IL-6). In conclusion, metformin could ameliorate cognitive dysfunction through the SIRT1/NLRP3 pathway, which might be a promising mechanism for DE treatment.

Carbon Dot Nanozyme Ameliorating Ischemia-Reperfusion-Induced Muscle Injury by Antioxidation and Downregulating iNOS/COX-2 Pathway.

Skeletal muscle ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury is a prevalent type of muscle injury caused by events, such as trauma, arterial embolism, and primary thrombosis. The development of an IR injury is associated with oxidative stress and an excessive inflammatory response. Nanozymes, which have exceptional free radical scavenging activities, have gained significant attention for treating oxidative stress. This study demonstrates that carbon dot (C-dot) nanozymes possess superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like activity and can act as free radical scavengers. The carbon dot nanozymes are presented to mitigate inflammation by downregulating the iNOS/COX-2 pathway and scavenging reactive oxygen-nitrogen species to reduce oxidative stress, thereby suppressing inflammation. In the IR injury of skeletal muscle mice, we demonstrate that C-dots can effectively reduce inflammatory cytokines and tissue edema in skeletal muscle following IR injury in the limb. These findings suggest that C-dots have potential as a therapeutic approach for IR injury of skeletal muscle with negligible systemic toxicity. This offers a promising strategy for clinical intervention.

Exploring the mechanisms of Qingdu Fang for the treatment of cervical HR-HPV using UPLC-QTOF-MS, network pharmacology, and cell experimentation.

Background: Qingdu Fang (QDF) is a traditional Chinese herbal formula with remarkable clinical effect in the treatment of HR-HPV, but its mechanism remains unclear. In this study, UPLC-QTOF-MS was used to detect its components, network pharmacology was used to explore the traditional Chinese medicine monomers and their related targets for the treatment of HR-HPV in QDF. Molecular docking and in vitro experiments were performed to verify the results. Methods: QDF constituents and active compounds were identified using UPLC-QTOF-MS analysis. TCMSP and GeneCard databases were used to identify active components, targets, and potential therapeutic targets in HR-HPV. PPI network was constructed using the String database to analyze protein-protein interactions. Cytoscape3.7.2 was used to construct PPI networks, while GO enrichment and KEGG pathway analyses with R. The effect of QDF on H8 cell proliferation was measured using the CCK-8 method, and apoptosis and cell cycle was assessed with flow cytometry. The effects of QDF on PI3K/AKT pathway were detected by Western blotting. Results: A total of 27 compounds were identified on QDF by UPLC-QTOF-MS. Base on Network pharmacology,a total of 254 target genes are involved in the action of QDF on cervical HR-HPV. PPI analysis suggested that TP53, JUN, AKT1, STAT3, TNF and IL6 were potential targets for QDF treatment of HR-HPV. Molecular docking shows that two compounds have strong binding activity with AKT1. CCK-8 and morphological observation have shown that QDF inhibits H8 cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. Flow cytometry experiments suggest that QDF induces apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in H8 cells. Western blotting experiments reveal that QDF inhibits the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Conclusion: QDF has a multi-faceted therapeutic approach for HR-HPV, targeting inflammation, oxidation, and apoptosis. It induces apoptosis in H8 cells by inhibiting the PI3K/AKT pathway.

A network analysis of self-compassion and burnout in a sample of nurses.

BACKGROUND: In the nursing profession, the concept of self-compassion has been associated with burnout. However, to date, the fine-grained relationships between different dimensions of self-compassion and symptoms of burnout have not been investigated. Network analysis provides a new avenue for exploring the fine-grained correlation paths of two related variables. AIM: To analyse the nuanced associations between self-compassion and burnout using network analysis in a large cohort of Chinese nurses. DESIGN: A cross-sectional multi-centre survey design study. METHODS: Participants were recruited from 30 hospitals in China between April and May 2022. These nurses completed the Chinese Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey (C-MBI-GS) and Self-Compassion Scale-Short Form (SCS-SF). Network analysis was performed to illustrate the complex nuanced relationships between self-compassion and burnout. RESULTS: A total of 1467 nurses (age 32.2 [18-56] years; 89.9% were female) participated in the study. Nodes Mindfulness and Isolation had the highest centralities measured by strength. Nodes Mindfulness, reduced personal accomplishment and Isolation were the most negative and positive influential nodes that bridged self-compassion and burnout. There were no differences in terms of gender, age, professional title and job tenure in the structure or connectivity of the self-compassion and burnout network. CONCLUSION: Different components of self-compassion were specifically associated with different dimensions of burnout in registered nurses. Among these, Mindfulness, Isolation and Reduced personal accomplishment were the three most important components of self-compassion for burnout symptoms. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: No patient or public contribution. IMPACT: Understanding the intricate connections between self-compassion and burnout will allow hospital administrators to prioritize the elements of Mindfulness and Isolation within self-compassion and the dimension of Reduced personal accomplishment within burnout when designing preventative measures and interventions aimed at reducing nurse burnout.

Hypolipidemic Effects of Mesona chinensis Benth Polysaccharides with Different Structures and Molecular Weights.

Four novel Mesona chinensis Benth polysaccharides were isolated using aqueous alcohol precipitation. Their molecular weights were determined using high-performance gel permeation chromatography: MA1 (2.3 kDa), MA2 (80.5 kDa), MA3 (180.9 kDa), and MA4 (635.2 kDa), and their compositions were analyzed using GC-MS. The polysaccharides were mainly D-glucose, D-galactose, L-Rhamnose, D-arabinose, D-xylose, and D-mannose. The structural characteristics were further analyzed using infrared spectrophotometry and were identified as a type of pyrrhic sugar. An insulin-induced insulin resistance model of HepG2 cells and oleic acid-induced fat accumulation model of insulin were established to evaluate the hypolipidemic effects. Three Bacteroides spp. [Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron (BT), B. ovatus (BO), and B. cellulosilyticus (BC)] that were negatively correlated with lipid-lowering activity were used to evaluate the lipid-lowering activity of polysaccharides. The Bacteroides metabolites of MA1 and MA2 exhibited hypolipidemic effects and antioxidant activities and could potentially be used as lipid-lowering supplements.

Nicotinamide riboside ameliorates survival time and motor dysfunction in an MPTP-Induced Parkinson's disease zebrafish model through effects on glucose metabolism and endoplasmic reticulum stress.

Nicotinamide riboside (NR) is a precursor and exogenous supplement of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+). NR has been shown to play a beneficial role in a variety of neurodegenerative diseases. A phase 1 clinical trial identified NR as a potential neuroprotective therapy for Parkinson's disease (PD). However, the mechanism of action of NR in PD has not been fully elucidated. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the potential effects of NR on a 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced PD model in zebrafish and its underlying mechanisms. The results showed that NR improved motor dysfunction, survival time, dopamine neurons, and peripheral neurons, as well as the NAD+ levels in the MPTP-affected PD zebrafish model. In addition, transcriptome sequencing analysis revealed that, after NR treatment, differentially expressed genes were significantly enriched in the glucose metabolism and protein processing pathways in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Quantitative PCR (qPCR) revealed that the mRNA levels of the glycoheterotrophic enzyme (involved in glucose metabolism) were significantly decreased, and the glycolytic enzyme mRNA expression levels were significantly increased. The results of the non-targeted metabolomic analysis showed that NR treatment significantly increased the levels of metabolites such as nicotinic acid ,nicotinamide, d-glucose (from the gluconeogenesis and glycolysis metabolism pathways) and some glucogenic amino acids, such as glutamine. Importantly, NR ameliorated MPTP-induced endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) in the PD zebrafish model through the Perk-Eif2α-Atf4-Chop pathway. These results highlight the neuroprotective effect of NR in the present PD zebrafish model through modulation of glucose metabolism and ERS via the Perk-Eif2α-Atf4-Chop pathway and provide valuable mechanistic insights into the treatment of PD.

Targeting FTO suppresses hepatocellular carcinoma by inhibiting ERBB3 and TUBB4A expression.

Fat mass and obesity-associated protein (FTO) is an N6-methyladenosine (m6A) demethylase and plays critical oncogenic roles in multiple cancers. Here we show that FTO is an effective target in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). FTO is highly expressed in patients with HCC. Genetic depletion of Fto dramatically attenuated HCC progression in mice. Pharmacological inhibition of FTO by FB23/FB23-2 markedly suppressed the proliferation and migration of HCC cell lines in vitro and inhibited HCC tumorigenicity in xeno-transplanted mice. Mechanistically, FB23-2 suppressed the expression of Erb-b2 receptor tyrosine kinase 3 (ERBB3) and human tubulin beta class Iva (TUBB4A) by increasing the m6A level in these mRNA transcripts. The decrease in ERBB3 expression resulted in the inhibition of Akt-mTOR signaling, which subsequently impaired the proliferation and survival of HCC cells. Moreover, FB23-2 disturbed the stability of the tubulin cytoskeleton, whereas overexpression of TUBB4A rescued the migration of HCC cells. Collectively, our study demonstrates that FTO plays a critical role in HCC by maintaining the proliferation and migration of cells and highlights the potential of FTO inhibitors for targeting HCC.