L-Histidine attenuates NEFA-induced inflammatory responses by suppressing Gab2 expression.

Non-esterified fatty acids (NEFAs), key to energy metabolism, may become pathogenic at elevated levels, potentially eliciting immune reactions. Our laboratory's findings of reduced L-histidine in ketotic states, induced by heightened NEFA concentrations, suggest an interrelation with NEFA metabolism. This observation necessitates further investigation into the mitigating role of L-histidine on the deleterious effects of NEFAs. Our study unveiled that elevated NEFA concentrations hinder the proliferation of Bovine Mammary Epithelial Cells (BMECs) and provoke inflammation in a dose-responsive manner. Delving into L-histidine's influence on BMECs, RNA sequencing revealed 2124 genes differentially expressed between control and L-histidine-treated cells, with notable enrichment in pathways linked to proliferation and immunity, such as cell cycle and TNF signaling pathways. Further analysis showed that L-histidine treatment positively correlated with an increase in EdU-555-positive cell rate and significantly suppressed IL-6 and IL-8 levels (p < 0.05) compared to controls. Crucially, concurrent treatment with high NEFA and L-histidine normalized the number of EdU-555-positive cells and cytokine expression to control levels. Investigating the underlying mechanisms, Gab2 (Grb2-associated binder 2) emerged as a central player; L-histidine notably reduced Gab2 expression, while NEFA had the opposite effect (p < 0.05). Gab2 overexpression escalated nitric oxide (NO) production and IL6 and IL8 expression. However, L-histidine addition to Gab2-overexpressing cells resulted in NO concentrations indistinguishable from controls. Our findings collectively indicate that L-histidine can counteract NEFA-induced inflammation in BMECs by inhibiting Gab2 expression, highlighting its therapeutic potential against NEFA-related metabolic disturbances.

Localisation of the centre of the highest region of muscle spindle abundance of anterior forearm muscles.

The centre of the highest region of muscle spindle abundance (CHRMSA) in the intramuscular nerve-dense region has been suggested as the optimal target location for injecting botulinum toxin A to block muscle spasms. The anterior forearm muscles have a high incidence of spasticity. However, the CHRMSA in the intramuscular nerve-dense region of the forearm anterior muscle group has not been defined. This study aimed to accurately define the body surface position and the depth of CHRMSA in an intramuscular nerve-dense region of the anterior forearm muscles. Twenty-four adult cadavers (57.7 ± 11.5 years) were included in this study. The curved line close to the skin connecting the medial and lateral epicondyles of the humerus was designated as the horizontal reference line (H line), and the line connecting the medial epicondyle of the humerus and the ulnar styloid was defined as the longitudinal reference line (L line). Modified Sihler's staining, haematoxylin-eosin staining and computed tomography scanning were employed to determine the projection points (P and P') of the CHRMSAs on the anterior and posterior surfaces of the forearm. The positions (PH and PL) of point P projected onto the H and L lines, and the depth of each CHRMSA, were determined using the Syngo system. The PH of the CHRMSA of the ulnar head of pronator teres, humeral head of pronator teres, flexor carpi radialis, palmaris longus, flexor carpi ulnaris, ulnar part of flexor digitorum superficialis, radial part of flexor digitorum superficialis, flexor pollicis longus, ulnar part of flexor digitorum profundus, radial portion of flexor digitorum profundus and pronator quadratus muscles were located at 42.48%, 45.52%, 41.20%, 19.70%, 7.77%, 25.65%, 47.42%, 53.47%, 12.28%, 38.41% and 51.68% of the H line, respectively; the PL were located at 18.38%, 12.54%, 28.83%, 13.43%, 17.65%, 32.76%, 57.32%, 64.12%, 20.05%, 45.94% and 88.71% of the L line, respectively; the puncture depths were located at 21.92%, 27.25%, 23.76%, 18.04%, 15.49%, 31.36%, 26.59%, 41.28%, 38.72%, 45.14% and 53.58% of the PP' line, respectively. The percentage values are the means of individual values. We recommend that the body surface puncture position and depth of the CHRMSA are the preferred locations for the intramuscular injection of botulinum toxin A to block anterior forearm muscle spasms.

A Novel Preparation Method for Effervescent Tablets of Xianganfang Containing Fresh Juice using a Semi-Solid Extrusion 3D Printer with Three Cartridge Holders.

This study aimed to prepare effervescent tablets of traditional Chinese medicine Xianganfang with fresh juice using a semi-solid 3D printer with three cartridge holders to seperate acid and alkali source by drug paste through model design to avoid sticking impact and premature effervescence during the tableting in the conventional preparation process. The powder of Xianganfang including fresh juice of Phyllanthus emblica and licorice extract was obtained by vacuum freeze-drying with 50% mannitol as cryoprotectant. Then, the formulation of 3D-printed effervescent tablets was investigated. Further 5% HPMC hydroalcoholic gel was mixed with sodium bicarbonate and freeze-dried Xianganfang powder to prepare alkali source and drug paste respectively while 30% PVP ethanol solution was mixed with tartaric acid to prepare acid source paste; these three pastes had good printability. The pastes of drug, acid, and alkali were loaded into three syringe cartridges separately and numbered as "3," "5," and "7," according to cartridge holders of the 3D printer, and printed in the order of "537,353,735" for separating acid and alkali by drug to avoid premature effervescence. And the basic printing parameters were optimized. The tablets were evaluated by the appearance, tablet weight variation, hardness, disintegration time, friability, pH, and stability. The physicochemical properties all conformed to the Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2020 edition. The content of the active ingredient gallic acid was 0.769 ± 0.019 mg/g. This study provided a new method to prepare effervescent tablets of traditional Chinese medicine with fresh juice using 3D printing technology.

Overall distribution pattern of the intramuscular nerves of the extraocular muscles and its clinical implications / Patrón de distribución general de los nervios intramusculares de los músculos extraoculares y sus implicaciones clínicas

SUMMARY: The purpose of this study was to reveal the overall distribution pattern of the intramuscular nerves of each extraocular muscle and provide morphological guidance for the selection of the neuromuscular compartment during extraocular muscle transplantation and target localization of the botulinum toxin A injection to correct strabismus. We studied 12 Chinese head specimens that were fixed with formalin. The extraocular muscles from both sides of each head were removed, and a modified Sihler's staining technique was used to reveal the overall distribution pattern of the intramuscular nerves. We observed an intramuscular nerve-dense region formed by the intramuscular arborized branches in the semitransparent superior rectus, inferior rectus, medial rectus, lateral rectus, superior oblique, inferior oblique, and levator palpebrae superioris muscles with Sihler's staining technique. The seven extraocular muscles can each be divided into two neuromuscular compartments. The intramuscular nerve-dense regions of the superior, inferior, medial, and lateral rectus and the superior oblique, inferior oblique, and levator palpebrae superioris muscles were positioned at 33.50 % -72.72 %, 40.21 % - 66.79%, 37.92 % - 64.51 %, 31.69 % - 56.01 %, 26.35 % - 64.98 %, 40.46 % - 73.20 %, and 27.72 % - 66.07 % of the lengths of the muscle bellies, respectively, and the centers of intramuscular nerve dense regions were located at 59.50 %, 54.18 %, 51.68 %, 50.08 %, 48.38 %, 56.49 %, and 50.77 % of the length of each muscle belly, respectively. The aforementioned values are the means of the actual values. These results suggest that when the strabismus is corrected with muscle transplantation, the extraocular muscle should be transplanted based on the neuromuscular compartment, which would benefit the function of both donor and recipient muscles. The localization of these nerve dense regions is recommended as an optimal target for the injection of botulinum toxin A to treat strabismus.

RESUMEN: El objetivo de este estudio fue revelar el patrón de distribución de los nervios intramusculares de cada músculo extraocular y, proporcionar una guía morfológica para la selección del compartimento neuromuscular durante el trasplante de músculo extraocular, y la localización de la inyección de toxina botulínica A para corregir el estrabismo. Estudiamos 12 muestras de cabezas de individuos chinos fijadas en formalina. Se extrajeron los músculos extraoculares de ambos lados de cada cabeza y, se utilizó una técnica de tinción de Sihler modificada para revelar el patrón de distribución general de los nervios intramusculares. Observamos una región densa en nervios intramusculares formada por los ramos intramusculares en los músculos recto superior semitransparente, recto inferior, recto medial, recto lateral, oblicuo superior, oblicuo inferior y elevador del párpado superior con técnica de tinción de Sihler. Los siete músculos extraoculares se pueden dividir cada uno en dos compartimentos neuromusculares. Las regiones intramusculares densamente nerviosas de los músculos recto superior, inferior, medial y lateral y los músculos oblicuo superior, oblicuo inferior y elevador del párpado superior se colocaron en 33,50 % -72,72 %, 40,21 % -66,79 %, 37,92 % -64,51 % , 31,69 % -56,01 %, 26,35 % -64,98 %, 40,46 % -73,20 % y 27,72 % -66,07 % de las longitudes de los vientres musculares, respectivamente, y los centros de las regiones densamente nerviosas intramusculares se ubicaron en 59,50 %, 54,18 % , 51,68 %, 50,08 %, 48,38 %, 56,49 % y 50,77 % de la longitud de cada vientre muscular, respectivamente. Los valores antes mencionados son medios de los valores reales. Estos resultados sugieren que cuando el estrabismo se corrige con trasplante de músculo, el músculo extraocular debe trasplantarse en función del compartimento neuromuscular, lo que beneficiaría la función tanto de los músculos donantes como receptores. Se recomienda la localización de estas regiones densas en nervios, como un objetivo óptimo para la inyección de toxina botulínica A para tratar el estrabismo.

Warpage optimization and influence factors analysis of 3D printing personalized JJY tablets.

To explore the feasibility of preparing traditional Chinese medicine using 3 D printing technology and reduce warpage commonly occurs in large-size tablets, we investigated the prescription, warpage optimization and influence factors of 3 D printing Jiuxiang Jianpi Yangwei (JJY) tablets. The procedures used conformed to the requirements of the 2015 edition of the Chinese Pharmacopeia. The results of the prescription screening showed that 75% ethanol and HPMC (9%) could be adhesives. Meanwhile, stevia (0.5%) and citric acid (0.5%) improved the taste of the 3 D printed JJY tablets. To ensure the quality and appearance of the printed tablets, the best parameters were as follows: drying at room temperature, 40% of the filling density, a 3 mm model height, two outer ring numbers and a printing speed of 15 mm/s. The optimized printed tablets had a smooth appearance, suitable hardness, with the weight uniformity in accordance with the Pharmacopeia. We also prepared personalized JJY cartoon tablets (which contained images of a big-headed pig and a small yellow duck) which were designed to increase the compliance of children when taking their medications. In conclusion, this study reported that 3 D printing technology has great potential for preparing traditional Chinese medicines, and it provided guidance for 3 D printing tablets without warpage.

Relation between ADIPOQ Gene Polymorphisms and Type 2 Diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: The manuscript investigates the relation between adiponectin gene (ADIPOQ) polymorphisms and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in a Chinese population. METHODS: We designed a case-control study involving 340 normal glucose tolerant (NGT) subjects and 340 type 2 diabetes patients. Three SNPs (rs182052, rs1501299, and rs7627128) were genotyped by TaqMan methods. RESULTS: We found that rs7627128, rs1501299 and rs182052 were significantly associated with T2DM. Haplotypes analysis indicated that the frequency of the haplotypes A-A-T was frequent in T2DM patients (OR = 2.10; 95%CI: 1.44-2.90; p < 0.001), but G-A-T was more frequent in the control group than in the T2DM group (OR = 0.66; 95%CI: 0.54-0.81; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The ADIPOQ genetic polymorphisms were associated with type 2 diabetes in a Chinese population.

Materials science. Assembly of micro/nanomaterials into complex, three-dimensional architectures by compressive buckling.

Complex three-dimensional (3D) structures in biology (e.g., cytoskeletal webs, neural circuits, and vasculature networks) form naturally to provide essential functions in even the most basic forms of life. Compelling opportunities exist for analogous 3D architectures in human-made devices, but design options are constrained by existing capabilities in materials growth and assembly. We report routes to previously inaccessible classes of 3D constructs in advanced materials, including device-grade silicon. The schemes involve geometric transformation of 2D micro/nanostructures into extended 3D layouts by compressive buckling. Demonstrations include experimental and theoretical studies of more than 40 representative geometries, from single and multiple helices, toroids, and conical spirals to structures that resemble spherical baskets, cuboid cages, starbursts, flowers, scaffolds, fences, and frameworks, each with single- and/or multiple-level configurations.

Epidermal photonic devices for quantitative imaging of temperature and thermal transport characteristics of the skin.

Characterization of temperature and thermal transport properties of the skin can yield important information of relevance to both clinical medicine and basic research in skin physiology. Here we introduce an ultrathin, compliant skin-like, or 'epidermal', photonic device that combines colorimetric temperature indicators with wireless stretchable electronics for thermal measurements when softly laminated on the skin surface. The sensors exploit thermochromic liquid crystals patterned into large-scale, pixelated arrays on thin elastomeric substrates; the electronics provide means for controlled, local heating by radio frequency signals. Algorithms for extracting patterns of colour recorded from these devices with a digital camera and computational tools for relating the results to underlying thermal processes near the skin surface lend quantitative value to the resulting data. Application examples include non-invasive spatial mapping of skin temperature with milli-Kelvin precision (±50 mK) and sub-millimetre spatial resolution. Demonstrations in reactive hyperaemia assessments of blood flow and hydration analysis establish relevance to cardiovascular health and skin care, respectively.

Identification and characterization of microRNAs in small brown planthopper (Laodephax striatellus) by next-generation sequencing.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous non-coding small RNAs that regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level and are thought to play critical roles in many metabolic activities in eukaryotes. The small brown planthopper (Laodephax striatellus Fallén), one of the most destructive agricultural pests, causes great damage to crops including rice, wheat, and maize. However, information about the genome of L. striatellus is limited. In this study, a small RNA library was constructed from a mixed L. striatellus population and sequenced by Solexa sequencing technology. A total of 501 mature miRNAs were identified, including 227 conserved and 274 novel miRNAs belonging to 125 and 250 families, respectively. Sixty-nine conserved miRNAs that are included in 38 families are predicted to have an RNA secondary structure typically found in miRNAs. Many miRNAs were validated by stem-loop RT-PCR. Comparison with the miRNAs in 84 animal species from miRBase showed that the conserved miRNA families we identified are highly conserved in the Arthropoda phylum. Furthermore, miRanda predicted 2701 target genes for 378 miRNAs, which could be categorized into 52 functional groups annotated by gene ontology. The function of miRNA target genes was found to be very similar between conserved and novel miRNAs. This study of miRNAs in L. striatellus will provide new information and enhance the understanding of the role of miRNAs in the regulation of L. striatellus metabolism and development.

[Serum leptin, adiponectin, visfatin levels in adult GHD patients and correlation studies].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the change of leptin, adiponectin and visfatin levels in adult growth hormone deficiency (GHD) patients, and its relationship with other indicators. METHODS: 40 adult GHD patients (19 males) entered the observation group with 36 cases of healthy individuals (18 males) as the control group. Basic information (height, body mass, waistline, hipline etc.) was collected from both groups. Fasting venous blood samples were collected to measure the leptin, adiponectin and visfatin levels. RESULTS: The GHD group had a higher waist to hip ratio, and higher levels of cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), leptin, adiponectin and visfatin, but lower levels of growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) when campared with that of the control group (P < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that adult GHD patients are associated with elevated levels of visfatin (OR = 1. 430, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our study implied that adult GHD patients are associated with elevated levels of visfatin.

[Experimental study of non-traumatic ultrasonic testing for pork quality].

We carried out experiments with B-scan technology, computer image processing technology and statistical analysis, to extract feature parameters from histogram of different organizations in order to establish prediction methods of the meat quality of pigs. We then Explored and solved the assessment problems of intramuscular fat (IMF) content, to provide reference standards of using ultrasound for the classification of pork.

Experimental study and analysis of mechanical properties of frozen rabbit aorta by fracture mechanics approach.

In order to investigate fracture problems associated with cryopreservation of aorta, experiments were carried out to study the effects of temperature, freezing rate and cryoprotective agent on the fracture mechanics properties of frozen rabbit aorta and a test method for crack criterion of frozen rabbit aorta was developed. Results showed that as temperature decreases, the fracture modes of frozen rabbit aorta changed from typical ductile fracture to typical brittle fracture, the crack was more difficult to grow as temperature decreased, and its resist-fracture ability weakened remarkably from -20 to -80 degrees C. However, freezing rates had no effects on the fracture modes when sample was cooled to -50 degrees C, while the resist-fracture ability was stronger when the sample was cooled at a higher freezing rate. Due to the hydration action of dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO), the rabbit aorta permeated by 10% (v/v) DMSO presented typical ductile fracture when it was cooled to -50 degrees C, so its resist-fracture ability was enhanced obviously. Compared to the axial sample, the circumferential sample's resist-fracture ability is better because of its larger deformation energy available.

Effects of freezing rates and dimethyl sulfoxide concentrations on thermal expansion of rabbit aorta during freezing phase change as measured by thermo mechanical analysis.

Thermal expansion data are essential for thermal stress analysis in order to predict the likelihood of fracture formation in tissues during cryopreservation as well as cryosurgery. The current study focuses on examining the thermal expansion behavior of rabbit aorta during freezing, especially phase change processes. Thermo mechanical analysis (TMA) was used to investigate the effects of different concentrations of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) cryoprotective agent (CPA) (0%, 5%, 10%, and 15% (v/v) DMSO) and different freezing rates (3, 5 and 10 degrees C/min). The results showed that (1) the maximum of thermal strain for 10 degrees C/min was approximately four times greater than that for 3 degrees C/min, and 1.4 times greater than that for 5 degrees C/min, and the higher the freezing rate, the larger the corresponding thermal expansion coefficient; (2) the maximum thermal strain of sample permeated by 5% DMSO approached that of 0% DMSO (i.e., no DMSO was added); however, it showed very significant difference from that of 15% DMSO (only half of that with 5% DMSO), and the thermal expansion coefficient decreased when the concentration of DMSO solution increased; (3) comparison with data available from the literature and with theoretically calculated values illustrated that the thermal expansion change was not equal to the volume change from free water to ice during freezing, but was related to the freezing rate of samples and the DMSO concentration.

Experimental study on fracture mechanics properties of frozen rabbit aorta.

To more scientifically discuss fracture problems associated with cryopreservation of aorta, the effects of temperature, cooling rate and cryo-protective agent on the fracture mechanics properties of frozen rabbit aorta have been investigated with Dynamical Mechanics Analyser (DMA), and the test method for crack criterion of frozen rabbit aorta was also explored. The results show that: As temperature decreasing, the fracture modes of frozen rabbit aorta are from typical ductile fracture to typical brittle fracture, and its resist-fracture ability weakens remarkably from -20 centigrade to -80 centigrade. The cooling rates have no effects on the fracture modes when cooled to -50 centigrade, but the resist-fracture ability of frozen rabbit aorta will be stronger when the sample treated by a higher cooling rate. Due to the hydration action of dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO), the rabbit aorta permeated by 10% (V/V) DMSO presents typical ductile fracture when it was cooled to -50 centigrade, so its resist-fracture ability is enhanced obviously. Compared to the axial sample, the peripheral sample's resist-fracture ability is larger than that of the former.

Thermal analysis of tertiary butyl alcohol/sucrose/water ternary system.

The purpose of this work is to investigate the freezing properties of tertiary butyl alcohol (TBA)/sucrose/water ternary system. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) is employed to determine the glass transition temperature of the maximally freeze-concentrated solution Tg' and the crystallization (or devitrification) temperature Tr. DSC measurements show that the presence of sucrose hinders the crystallization of TBA during cooling. The residual TBA in the glassy state will cause a decrease in Tg' and will crystallize during heating. An increase in the cooling rate causes a decrease in Tg'. For 10% TBA/10% sucrose/water ternary system, the critical heating rate is approximately 250 degrees C/min. Annealing treatment at temperatures below Tg' causes the crystallization of TBA, which indicates that TBA molecules still have appreciable mobility even at temperatures below Tg'. When the ratio of TBA to sucrose is less than 0.2, TBA cannot crystallize during cooling.