Expression of MAF bZIP transcription factor B protects against ulcerative colitis through the inhibition of the NF-κB pathway.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to explore whether MAF bZIP transcription factor B (MAFB) might alleviate ulcerative colitis (UC) in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced mice and LPS-induced IEC-6 cells. METHODS: UC in vivo and in vitro model was established by using DSS and LPS, respectively. The mice body weight and disease activity index (DAI) score were recorded daily, and colon length was measured. Moreover, the permeability was evaluated utilizing a fluorescein isothiocyanate dextran (FITC-Dextran) probe. Histopathological changes of DSS-induced colitis mice was assessed utilizing H&E staining. Next, qRT-PCR was performed to detect IL-1ß, IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-10 level in in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, the level of MDA, SOD, CAT, and GSH were evaluated in colon tissues. Besides, the expressions of tight junction proteins and NF-κB pathway relative proteins were examined in colitis mice and IEC-6 cells using western blot, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence. RESULTS: MAFB level was downregulated in DSS-induced colitis mice. Moreover, the upregulation of MAFB protected mice from DSS-induced colitis by suppressing DSS-induced inflammation, oxidative stress, and intestinal barrier impairment. We also demonstrated that the upregulation of MAFB inactivated NF-κB pathway in DSS-caused colitis mice. Subsequently, we observed that MAFB upregulation could inhibit LPS-caused epithelial barrier impairment and inflammation in IEC-6 cells. Additionally, MAFB overexpression could suppress the activation of NF-κB pathway in IEC-6 cells. CONCLUSION: The upregulation of MAFB could protect against UC via the suppression of inflammation and the intestinal barrier impairment through inhibiting the NF-κB pathway.

Cadmium Exposure in Male Rats Results in Ovarian Granulosa Cell Apoptosis in Female Offspring and Paternal Genetic Effects.

The aim of this study was to investigate whether the damage to male offspring induced by cadmium (Cd) exposure during embryonic period leads to the apoptosis of ovarian granulosa cells (OGCs) in the next generation of female offspring, and whether this apoptosis in the offspring was due to paternal genetic effects. Pregnant Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were exposed to CdCl2 (0, 0.5, 2.0, or 8.0 mg/kg) by gavage daily for 20 days to produce the filial 1 (F1) generation. F1 males were mated with newly purchased females to produce the F2 generation, and the F3 generation was generated in the same way. No apoptotic bodies were observed in the OGCs of either the F2 or F3 generation as shown by electron microscopy, and a reduced OGC apoptosis rate (detected by flow cytometry) was observed in F2 OGCs from the Cd-exposed group. Moreover, the mRNA (qRT-PCR) levels of Bax and Bcl-2 and the protein (western blotting) level of pro-caspase-8 increased in the F2 generation (p < 0.05). The expression of apoptosis-related miRNAs (qRT-PCR) and methylation of apoptosis-related genes (determined via bisulfite-sequencing PCR) in OGCs were further determined. Compared with those of the controls, the expression patterns of microRNAs (miRNAs) in the F2 offspring were different in the Cd-exposed group. The miR-92a-2-5p expression levels were decreased in both the F2 and F3 generations (p < 0.05), while the average methylation level of apoptosis-related genes did not change significantly (except for individual loci). In summary, this study showed that the paternal genetic intergenerational effect of male Cd exposure during embryonic period induced apoptosis of OGCs in the offspring was weakened, and the transgenerational effect disappeared; nevertheless, intergenerational and transgenerational changes in apoptosis-related genes, epigenetic modifications, DNA methylation, and miRNAs were observed, and may be important for understanding the homeostatic mechanisms of the body to alleviate the intergenerational transmission of Cd-induced damage.

Insomnia in Parkinson's Disease: Causes, Consequences, and Therapeutic Approaches.

Sleep disorders represent prevalent non-motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease (PD), affecting over 90% of the PD population. Insomnia, characterized by difficulties in initiating and maintaining sleep, emerges as the most frequently reported sleep disorder in PD, with prevalence rates reported from 27 to 80% across studies. Insomnia not only significantly impacts the quality of life of PD patients but is also associated with cognitive impairment, motor disabilities, and emotional deterioration. This comprehensive review aims to delve into the mechanisms underlying insomnia in PD, including neurodegenerative changes, basal ganglia beta oscillations, and circadian rhythms, to gain insights into the neural pathways involved. Additionally, the review explores the risk factors and comorbidities associated with insomnia in PD, providing valuable insights into its management. Special attention is given to the challenges faced by healthcare providers in delivering care to PD patients and the impact of caregiving roles on patients' quality of life. Overall, this review provides a comprehensive understanding of insomnia in PD and highlights the importance of addressing this common sleep disorder in PD patients.

Advances in research on the main nutritional quality of daylily, an important flower vegetable of Liliaceae.

Daylily (Hemerocallis citrina) is a perennial herb of the genus Hemerocallis of Liliaceae. It is also an economically important crop and is widely cultivated. Daylily has nutritional, medicinal and ornamental values. The research literature shows that daylily is a high-quality food raw material rich in soluble sugars, ascorbic acid, flavonoids, dietary fiber, carotenoids, mineral elements, polyphenols and other nutrients, which are effective in clearing heat and diuresis, resolving bruises and stopping bleeding, strengthening the stomach and brain, and reducing serum cholesterol levels. This article reviews the main nutrients of daylily and summarizes the drying process of daylily. In addition, due to the existence of active ingredients, daylily also has a variety of biological activities that are beneficial to human health. This article also highlights the nutritional quality of daylily, the research progress of dried vegetable rehydration technology and dried daylily. In the end, the undeveloped molecular mechanism and functional research status of daylily worldwide are introduced in order to provide reference for the nutritional quality research and dried processing industry of daylily.

Association between RC/HDL-C ratio and risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in the United States.

Background: The occurrence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is increasing worldwide. The link between serum remnant cholesterol (RC) to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) ratio and NAFLD remains unclear. Therefore, we sought to clarify the relationship between the RC/HDL-C ratio and the NAFLD. Methods: Data for our cross-sectional study came from the 2017-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) with 2,269 participants. Associations between RC/HDL-C levels and the prevalence of NAFLD and hepatic fibrosis were evaluated using adjusted multivariate logistic regression analyses. A generalized additive model examined the non-linear relationship between RC/HDL-C and the probability of developing NAFLD. Results: Among 2,269 participants, 893 (39.36%) were diagnosed with NAFLD. In each of the three models, RC/HDL-C and NAFLD had a strong positive statistical relationship: model 1 (OR = 9.294, 95%CI: 6.785, 12.731), model 2 (OR = 7.450, 95%CI: 5.401, 10.278), and model 3 (OR = 2.734, 95%CI: 1.895, 3.944). In addition, the subgroup analysis by gender and BMI suggested that RC/HDL-C showed a positive correlation with NAFLD. The RC/HDL-C ratio was positively correlated with the degree of liver steatosis. There was an inverted U-shaped connection between the prevalence of NAFLD and RC/HDL-C, with an inflection point of 0.619 for all participants and 0.690 for men. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis showed that the predictive value of RC/HDL-C for NAFLD (area under the curve: 0.7139; 95%CI: 0.6923, 0.7354; P < 0.001), was better than traditional lipid parameters. Conclusion: Increased RC/HDL-C levels are independently associated with an increased risk of NAFLD and the severity of liver steatosis in the American population. In addition, the RC/HDL-C ratio can be used as a simple and effective non-invasive biomarker to identify individuals with a high risk of NAFLD.

Efficacy of Agricultural Residue-Derived Biochar for Tackling Cadmium Contamination in an Aqueous Solution.

This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of biochar, produced from different agricultural residues varying in lignin and cellulose content and subjected to different pyrolysis temperatures, in removing cadmium ions (Cd (II)) from an aqueous solution. This removal process is crucial for protecting human health and the environment. Specifically, the study focused on the adsorption behaviors of Cd (II) by the biochars made from rice husk biochar (RHB), maize straw biochar (MSB), peanut shell biochar (PSB), cottonseed shell biochar (CHB), and mulberry leaf biochar (MLB), which were prepared at 300 °C and 600 °C. The results indicated that the type of agricultural residue used to produce biochar significantly influenced the adsorption of Cd (II). Notably, mulberry leaf biochar prepared at 300 °C (MLB-300) demonstrated the highest adsorption efficiency, achieving a maximum adsorption capacity of 42.2 mg g-1. Batch adsorption experiments assessed the impact of various factors, including system pH, NO3- concentration, and adsorption duration. The adsorption kinetics were better described by the pseudo-second-order model than the pseudo-first-order model. Moreover, the study found that the lignin content of the biochar plays a major role in determining the adsorption capacity. The surface characteristics of biochar, influenced by the types of agricultural residues and preparation temperature, directly impact its adsorption mechanism and capacity. While biochar produced at 300 °C showed optimal Cd(II) adsorption, those processed at 600 °C were less effective, likely due to the loss of functional groups at higher temperatures.

Combination of microwave ablation and systemic treatments achieve a long survival time for a patient with metachronous advanced double primary lung and colon adenocarcinoma: A case report.

Despite significant improvements that have been made in terms of progression-free survival and overall survival rates brought about by targeted therapy in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the emergence of drug resistance remains a limiting factor. However, a previous study has shown promising results by combining local microwave ablation (MWA) with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy for patients with oligometastatic NSCLC. The current study presented the case of a Chinese female patient who was identified as having lung adenocarcinoma (LADC) with EGFR exon 19 deletions (Del) in January 2014, and who experienced multiple instances of oligoprogression but showed a positive response to a combination of chemotherapy, MWA and a TKI drug. First, the patient was treated with four cycles of chemotherapy (120 mg docetaxel on day 1 and 40 mg cisplatin on days 1, 2 and 3; every three weeks as one cycle) and gefitinib (Iressa; 250 mg/day), maintaining a partial response for 17 months. In August 2015, a new solitary lesion was identified in the right lung and erlotinib (Tarceva; 150 mg/day) was administered for 3 months thereafter. In response, the patient underwent ablation of both the new right lung lesion and the primary left lung lesion in January 2016. Subsequently, a treatment course consisting of six cycles of chemotherapy (0.8 g pemetrexed on day 1 and 70 mg nedaplatin on days 1 and 2; every three weeks as one cycle) resulted in stable disease. In May 2016, the patient began treatment with osimertinib (AZD9291; 80 mg/day), resulting in a rapid shrinkage of the mediastinal lymph node after one month, which has been providing a benefit for the patient for 82 months and counting. Of note, the patient also developed metachronous colon cancer in January 2020, followed by the identification of right posterior liver metastases in February 2020 and lung metastases in May 2021 and in February 2022. To address this, the patient underwent radical resection of colon cancer and liver metastasectomy and received a combination of chemotherapy with bevacizumab, along with MWA for lung metastases. Remarkably, the patient has achieved long-term survival of 110 months. In conclusion, this case highlights the promising potential of combining MWA with systemic therapy for a patient with advanced LADC harboring EGFR exon 19 Del and metachronous lung and liver-metastasized colon adenocarcinoma. MWA effectively controlled both in situ oligoprogression and new oligoprogression, thereby enhancing the efficacy of systematic chemotherapy/TKI therapy. Furthermore, this case report emphasizes the importance of repeated histologic biopsies and genetic testing as reliable indicators for adjusting treatment regimens. Physicians should also remain vigilant regarding the occurrence of secondary primary carcinomas, and timely and accurate adjustments to treatment plans will be of significant benefit to patients in terms of treatment efficacy and overall quality of life.

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.

Spatiotemporal dynamics of reactive oxygen species and its effect on beta-blockers' degradation in aquatic plants' rhizosphere.

The pathway for pollutant degradation involving reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the rhizosphere is poorly understood. Herein, a rootchip system was developed to pinpoint the ROS hotspot along the root tip of Iris tectorum. Through mass balance analysis and quenching experiment, we revealed that ROS contributed significantly to rhizodegradation for beta-blockers, ranging from 22.18 % for betaxolol to 83.83 % for atenolol. The identification of degradation products implicated ROS as an important agent to degrade atenolol into less toxic transformation products during phytoremediation. Moreover, an active production of ROS in rhizosphere was identified by mesocosm experiment. Across three root-associated regions aquatic plants inhabiting the rhizosphere accumulated the highest •OH of ∼1200 nM after 3 consecutive days, followed by rhizoplane (∼230 nM) and bulk environment (∼60 nM). ROS production patterns were driven by rhizosphere chemistry (Fe and humic substances) and microbiome variations in different rhizocompartments. These findings not only deepen understanding of ROS production in aquatic plants rhizosphere but also shed light on advancing phytoremediation strategies.

Long-term agricultural cultivation decreases microbial nutrient limitation in coastal saline soils.

Soil enzyme activities are pivotal for diverse biochemical processes and are sensitive to land use changes. They can indicate soil microbial nutrient limitations. Nonetheless, the mechanism governing the response of soil microbial nutrient limitation to land use alterations in coastal regions remains elusive. We assessed soil nutrients, microbial biomass, and extracellular enzyme activities across various land use types-natural (wasteland and woodland) and agricultural (farmland and orchard)-in the Hangzhou Bay area, China. All four land use types experience co-limitation by carbon (C) and phosphorus (P). However, the extent of microbial resource limitations varies among them. Long-term agricultural practices diminish microbial C and P limitations in farmland and orchard soils compared to natural soils, as evidenced by lower ecoenzymatic C:N ratios and vector lengths, alongside higher microbial carbon use efficiency (CUE). Soil nutrient stoichiometric ratios and CUE are primary factors influencing microbial C and P limitations. Thus, fostering appropriate land use and management practices proves imperative to regulate soil nutrient cycles and foster the sustainable management of coastal areas.

Ecological risk of per-and polyfluorinated alkyl substances in the phytoremediation process: a case study for ecologically keystone species across two generations.

The potential ecological risk of per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFASs) in phytoremediation has raised social concerns, promoting a need to better understand their distribution and risks in the recovery process of aquatic plants. Herein, we aim to fill this knowledge gap by investigating the distribution and ecotoxicological effects of PFASs on the structure and function of water-macrophyte-sediment microcosm systems. Among the entire system, 63.0 %-73.1 % PFOA was found in sediments and submerged plants, however, 52.5 %-53.0 % of PFPeA and 47.0 %-47.5 % of PFBS remained in the water under different treatments. PFOA was more bioavailable than the other substances, as demonstrated by the bioaccumulation factors (BAF) with ranges exposed to PFPeA and PFBS. Bioaccumulation PFASs induced plant oxidative stress which generates enzymes to suppress superoxide, and disturbed the processes of lysine biosynthesis, in which allysine, meso-2,6-diaminoheptanedioate, and Nsuccinyl-2-amino-6-ketopimelate were downregulated. PFASs were detected in the propagator (turions) of an ecological restoration species, where short-chain PFASs (70.1 % and 45.7 % for 2 or 20 µg/L PFAS exposure, respectively) were found to spread further into new individuals and profoundly influence ecological processes shaping populations. PFASs significantly enhanced the number of microbial species in the sediment, but the degree of differentiation in the microbial community structure was not significantly different. This study enhances our understanding of the ecological mechanisms of PFASs in the water-macrophyte-sediment systems and potential threats to the recovery process of macrophytes.

Do Negative Self-Evaluative Emotions Enhance Healthier Food Choices? Exploring the Moderating Role of Self-Affirmation.

Negative self-evaluative emotions arise when an individual engages in behavior that is perceived as inadequate or inconsistent with personal or societal norms and values, leading to feelings of inadequacy, shame, and dissatisfaction with oneself. These emotions are a central motivating force for changing unhealthy behaviors. However, negative evaluative emotions may also direct individuals towards defensive reactions such as reactance and avoidance. This can cause negative self-evaluative emotions to be less effective in reducing unhealthy behavior. More importantly, empirical evidence is needed to explore strategies for enhancing the effectiveness of interventions. In this study, we used an online experiment with 100 student participants to examine if increasing self-affirmation can increase the effectiveness of negative self-evaluative emotions in reducing unhealthy food consumption. We found that negative self-evaluative emotions can significantly increase healthy food consumption. However, our analysis did not reveal a significant moderating impact of self-affirmation on the effectiveness of negative self-evaluative emotions in reducing unhealthy consumption. This is the first study to explore the moderating impact of self-affirmation on the effectiveness of negative self-evaluative emotions on health behavioral change, which opens new avenues for studying how to apply the combination of stimulating negative self-evaluative emotions and increasing self-affirmation to induce behavioral change regarding healthy diets and even a broader range of fields.

Medical education challenges in Mainland China: An analysis of the application of problem-based learning.

BACKGROUND: The medical education system in mainland China faces numerous challenges and the lack of learner-centered approaches may contribute to passive learning and reduced student engagement. While problem-based learning (PBL) is common in Western medical schools, its feasibility in China is questioned due to cultural differences. This systematic review aims to summarize the application of PBL in medical education in mainland China based on existing literature, as well as to identify the challenges and opportunities encountered in its implementation. METHODS: A systematic literature review was conducted using electronic databases, including MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Web of Science, Wan fang and CNKI databases. Grey literature sources were explored using Google Scholar. The search was limited to articles that include at least one English abstract up to May 1st, 2023. The inclusion criteria were studies that reported the use of PBL in medical education in mainland China. RESULTS: A total of 21 articles were included in the final analysis. The findings indicate that PBL is a well-adopted and effective learning method in most medical education, especially for developing critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork skills. However, the application of PBL in mainland China is limited due to various challenges, including faculty resistance, inadequate resources and cultural barriers. To effectively address these challenges, it is essential to provide faculty training, develop appropriate assessment methods to evaluate student progress within the PBL framework and create conducive spaces and resources that support collaborative learning and critical thinking. CONCLUSION: The utilization of PBL in mainland China holds potential for enhancing medical education. However, its successful implementation requires significant efforts to address the identified challenges. It is crucial to engage stakeholders in a collaborative effort to promote the application of PBL and ultimately improve the quality of medical education in mainland China.

Clinical features associated with maternal uniparental disomy for chromosome 6.

BACKGROUND: Maternal uniparental disomy for chromosome 6 (upd(Cajaiba MM, Witchel S, Madan-Khetarpal S, Hoover J, Hoffner L, Macpherson T, et al. Prenatal diagnosis of trisomy 6 rescue resulting in paternal UPD6 with novel placental findings. Am J Med Genet Part A. 2011;155 A(8):1996-2002.)mat) has been previously reported to cause intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), but the specific clinical phenotype has not been defined. Based on clinical data from two new cases and patients from the literature, specific phenotypes and mechanisms will be discussed further. CASE PRESENTATION: In case 1, a maternal isodisomy mixed with a heterodisomy was found on chromosome 6, including a regional absence of heterozygosity between 6q23.3 and 6q27. In case 2, a homozygous SCUBE3 mutation and upd(Cajaiba MM, Witchel S, Madan-Khetarpal S, Hoover J, Hoffner L, Macpherson T, et al. Prenatal diagnosis of trisomy 6 rescue resulting in paternal UPD6 with novel placental findings. Am J Med Genet Part A. 2011;155 A(8):1996-2002.)mat, involving the 6p21.1-25.1 region were found. Clinical data related to upd(Cajaiba MM, Witchel S, Madan-Khetarpal S, Hoover J, Hoffner L, Macpherson T, et al. Prenatal diagnosis of trisomy 6 rescue resulting in paternal UPD6 with novel placental findings. Am J Med Genet Part A. 2011;155 A(8):1996-2002.)mat were also reviewed. Of all the 21 reported cases with upd(Cajaiba MM, Witchel S, Madan-Khetarpal S, Hoover J, Hoffner L, Macpherson T, et al. Prenatal diagnosis of trisomy 6 rescue resulting in paternal UPD6 with novel placental findings. Am J Med Genet Part A. 2011;155 A(8):1996-2002.)mat (including our 2 cases), 18 (85.7%) presented IUGR. CONCLUSIONS: The phenotypes of the two newly identified patients with upd(Cajaiba MM, Witchel S, Madan-Khetarpal S, Hoover J, Hoffner L, Macpherson T, et al. Prenatal diagnosis of trisomy 6 rescue resulting in paternal UPD6 with novel placental findings. Am J Med Genet Part A. 2011;155 A(8):1996-2002.)mat further suggest that IUGR is associated with upd(Cajaiba MM, Witchel S, Madan-Khetarpal S, Hoover J, Hoffner L, Macpherson T, et al. Prenatal diagnosis of trisomy 6 rescue resulting in paternal UPD6 with novel placental findings. Am J Med Genet Part A. 2011;155 A(8):1996-2002.)mat and case 2 is the first reported upd(Cajaiba MM, Witchel S, Madan-Khetarpal S, Hoover J, Hoffner L, Macpherson T, et al. Prenatal diagnosis of trisomy 6 rescue resulting in paternal UPD6 with novel placental findings. Am J Med Genet Part A. 2011;155 A(8):1996-2002.)mat patient with a homozygous SCUBE3 gene mutation. However, the specific phenotypes involved in upd(Cajaiba MM, Witchel S, Madan-Khetarpal S, Hoover J, Hoffner L, Macpherson T, et al. Prenatal diagnosis of trisomy 6 rescue resulting in paternal UPD6 with novel placental findings. Am J Med Genet Part A. 2011;155 A(8):1996-2002.)mat and the related mechanisms need to be further studied.

A separation-free paper-based hydrogel device for one-step reactive oxygen species determination by a smartphone.

Paper-based analytical devices (PADs) are very convenient for determining biomarkers in point-of-care (POC) diagnosis while requiring sample pre-treatment or impurity separation. This study reports a novel hydrogel-coupled, paper-based analytical device (PAD) for separation-free H2O2 colorimetric detection in both aqueous solution and cell lysis with sample-to-answer analysis by directly loading into the sample test zone. By encapsulating an inorganic mimic enzyme and chromogenic substrate into the sodium alginate (SA) hydrogel, amplification of the color signal after catalyzing the substrate could be achieved. Taking advantage of the nanoscale porous structure of the hydrogel and the lateral flow channel of the PAD, large interference fragments or bio-macromolecules are prevented from diffusing into the chromogenic reaction, whereas the small target molecules enter the sensing region to trigger the catalytic reaction. This method demonstrated a rapid and accurate analysis with a limit of detection as low as 0.06 mM and detection selectivity. Our proposed device requires no enzyme and is separation-free, portable, easy-to-fabricate, and low-cost, and may offer a platform for quantitative or qualitative analysis of other analytes in body fluids for POC applications.

The role of ACE2 in RAS axis on microglia activation in Parkinson's disease.

BACKGROUND: The classic renin-angiotensin system (RAS) induces organ damage, while the ACE2/Ang-(1-7)/MasR axis opposes it. However, the role of ACE2 in the brain is unclear. We studied ACE2's role in the brain. METHOD: We used male C57BL/6J (WT) mice, ACE2 knockout (KO) mice, and MPTP-induced mice. Behavioral tests confirmed successful modeling. We assessed the impact of ACE2 KO on the RAS axis and PD index, including ACE, ACE2, AT1, AT2, MasR, TH, α-syn, and Iba1. We investigated ACE2 and MasR's involvement in microglial activation via western blot and immunofluorescence. GSE10867 and GSE26532 datasets were used to analyze the effects of AT1 antagonists and in vitro PD models on microglia. RESULT: Behavioral tests revealed that MPTP mice displayed motor deficits, depression, anxiety, and increased inflammatory markers in the SN and CPU, with reduced antioxidant capacity. ACE2 KO worsened these symptoms and exacerbated inflammation and oxidative stress. LPS-induced ACE2/MasR activation in BV2 cells demonstrated anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects by modulating microglial polarization. Antagonists inhibited microglial activation via inflammation and ROS processes. CONCLUSION: The RAS axis regulates inflammation and oxidative stress to maintain CNS function, suggesting potential targets for neurologic disease treatment. Understanding microglial RAS activation can offer new therapeutic strategies.

Mechanical, Dielectric and Flame-Retardant Properties of GF/PP Modified with Different Flame Retardants.

With the rapid development of electronic information technology, higher requirements have been put forward for the dielectric properties and load-bearing capacity of materials. In continuous glass fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composites, polypropylene matrix is a non-polar polymer with a very low dielectric constant and dielectric loss, but polypropylene is extremely flammable which greatly limits its application. Aiming at the better application of flame retardant-modified continuous glass fiber-reinforced polypropylene composites (FR/GF/PP) in the field of electronic communication, the effects of four different kinds of flame retardants (Decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE), halogen-free one-component flame retardant (MONO), halogen-free compound flame retardant (MULTI), and intumescent flame retardant (IFR)) on the properties of FR/GF/PP were compared, including the mechanical properties, dielectric properties and flame-retardant properties. The results showed that among the FR/GF/PP, IFR has the highest performance in mechanical properties, MULTI has better performance in LOI, DBDPE and IFR have better performance in flame retardant rating, and DBDPE and IFR have lower dielectric properties. Finally, gray relational analysis is applied to propose an approach for selecting the optimal combination (flame retardant type and flame-retardant content) of comprehensive performance. In the application exemplified in this paper, the performance of IFR-3-modified GF/PP is optimized.

Genome-Wide Identification of CHYR Gene Family in Sophora alopecuroides and Functional Analysis of SaCHYR4 in Response to Abiotic Stress.

Sophora alopecuroides has important uses in medicine, wind breaking, and sand fixation. The CHY-zinc-finger and RING-finger (CHYR) proteins are crucial for plant growth, development, and environmental adaptation; however, genetic data regarding the CHYR family remain scarce. We aimed to investigate the CHYR gene family in S. alopecuroides and its response to abiotic stress, and identified 18 new SaCHYR genes from S. alopecuroides whole-genome data, categorized into 3 subclasses through a phylogenetic analysis. Gene structure, protein domains, and conserved motifs analyses revealed an exon-intron structure and conserved domain similarities. A chromosome localization analysis showed distribution across 12 chromosomes. A promoter analysis revealed abiotic stress-, light-, and hormone-responsive elements. An RNA-sequencing expression pattern analysis revealed positive responses of SaCHYR genes to salt, alkali, and drought stress. SaCHYR4 overexpression considerably enhanced alkali and drought tolerance in Arabidopsis thaliana. These findings shed light on SaCHYR's function and the resistance mechanisms of S. alopecuroides, presenting new genetic resources for crop resistance breeding.

Impact of O-acetylation on chitin oligosaccharides modulating inflammatory responses in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells and mice.

Chitin oligosaccharides have garnered significant attention due to their biological activities, particularly their immunomodulatory properties. However, O-acetylation in chemically preparing chitin oligosaccharides seems inevitable and leads to some uncertainty on the bioactivity of chitin oligosaccharides. In this study, an O-acetyl-free chitin oligosaccharides and three different O-acetylated chitin oligosaccharides with degree of polymerization ranging from 2 to 6 were prepared using ammonia hydrolysis, and their structures and detailed components were further characterized with FTIR, NMR and MS. Subsequently, the effects of O-acetylation on the immunomodulatory activity of chitin oligosaccharides were investigated in vitro and in vivo. The results suggested that the chitin oligosaccharides with O-acetylation exhibited better inflammatory inhibition than pure chitin oligosaccharides, significantly reducing the expression of inflammatory factors, such as IL-6 and iNOS, in the LPS-induced RAW264.7 macrophage. The chitin oligosaccharides with a degree of O-acetylation of 93 % was found to effectively alleviate LPS-induced endotoxemia in mice, including serum inflammation indices reduction and damage repairment of the intestinal liver, and kidney tissues.

Biodegradation of bisphenol A by a Pichia pastoris whole-cell biocatalyst with overexpression of laccase from Bacillus pumilus and investigation of its potential degradation pathways.

Bisphenol A (BPA), an endocrine disrupter with estrogen activity, can infiltrate animal and human bodies through the food chain. Enzymatic degradation of BPA holds promise as an environmentally friendly approach while it is limited due to lower stability and recycling challenges. In this study, laccase from Bacillus pumilus TCCC 11568 was expressed in Pichia pastoris (fLAC). The optimal catalytic conditions for fLAC were at pH 6.0 and 80 °C, with a half-life T1/2 of 120 min at 70 °C. fLAC achieved a 46 % degradation rate of BPA, and possible degradation pathways were proposed based on identified products and reported intermediates of BPA degradation. To improve its stability and degradation capacity, a whole-cell biocatalyst (WCB) was developed by displaying LAC (dLAC) on the surface of P. pastoris GS115. The functionally displayed LAC demonstrated enhanced thermostability and pH stability along with an improved BPA degradation ability, achieving a 91 % degradation rate. Additionally, dLAC maintained a degradation rate of over 50 % after the fourth successive cycles. This work provides a powerful catalyst for degrading BPA, which might decontaminate endocrine disruptor-contaminated water through nine possible pathways.