Lycium barbarum polysaccharide ameliorates the accumulation of lipid droplets in adipose tissue via an ATF6/SIRT1-dependent mechanism.

Lipid droplets (LDs) are dynamic organelles that store neutral lipids and are closely linked to obesity. Previous studies have suggested that Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP) supplements can ameliorate obesity, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we hypothesize that LBP alleviates LD accumulation in adipose tissue (AT) by inhibiting fat-specific protein 27 (Fsp27) through an activating transcription factor-6 (ATF6)/small-molecule sirtuin 1 (SIRT1)-dependent mechanism. LD accumulation in AT is induced in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice, and differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes (PAs) is induced. The ability of LBP to alleviate LD accumulation and the possible underlying mechanism are then investigated both in vivo and in vitro. The influences of LBP on the expressions of LD-associated genes ( ATF6 and Fsp27) are also detected. The results show that HFD and PA differentiation markedly increase LD accumulation in ATs and adipocytes, respectively, and these effects are markedly suppressed by LBP supplementation. Furthermore, LBP significantly activates SIRT1 and decreases ATF6 and Fsp27 expressions. Interestingly, the inhibitory effects of LBP are either abolished or exacerbated when ATF6 is overexpressed or silenced, respectively. Furthermore, SIRT1 level is transcriptionally regulated by LBP through opposite actions mediated by ATF6. Collectively, our findings suggest that LBP supplementation alleviates obesity by ameliorating LD accumulation, which might be partially mediated by an ATF6/SIRT1-dependent mechanism.

Identification of Potential Abnormal Methylation-Modified Genes in Coronary Artery Ectasia.

Background: Coronary artery ectasia (CAE) is an easily recognized abnormality of coronary artery anatomy and morphology. However, its pathogenesis remains unclear. Objectives: This study aimed to identify abnormal methylation-modified genes in patients with CAE, which could provide a research basis for CAE. Methods: Peripheral venous blood samples from patients with CAE were collected for RNA sequencing to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs), followed by functional enrichment. Then, the DNA methylation profile of CAE was downloaded from GSE87016 (HumanMethylation450 BeadChip data, involving 11 cases and 12 normal controls) to identify differentially methylated genes (DMGs). Finally, after taking interaction genes between DEGs and DMGs, abnormal methylation-modified genes were identified, followed by protein-protein interaction analysis and expression validation using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Results: A total of 152 DEGs and 4318 DMGs were obtained from RNA sequencing and the GSE87016 dataset, respectively. After taking interaction genes, 9 down-regulated DEGs due to hypermethylation and 11 up-regulated DEGs due to hypomethylation were identified in CAE. A total of 10 core abnormal methylation-modified genes were identified, including six down-regulated DEGs due to hypermethylation (netrin G1, ADAM metallopeptidase domain 12, immunoglobulin superfamily member 10, sarcoglycan dela, Dickkopf WNT signaling pathway inhibitor 3, and GATA binding protein 6), and four up-regulated DEGs due to hypomethylation (adrenomedullin, ubiquitin specific peptidase 18, lymphocyte antigen 6 family member E, and MX dynamin-like GTPase 1). Some signaling pathways were identified in patients with CAE, including cell adhesion molecule, O-glycan biosynthesis, and the renin-angiotensin system. Conclusions: Abnormal methylation-modified DEGs involved in signaling pathways may be involved in CAE development.

Antimicrobial efficacy, mode of action and in vivo use of hypochlorous acid (HOCl) for prevention or therapeutic support of infections.

The objective is to provide a comprehensive overview of the rapidly developing field of the current state of research on in vivo use of hypochlorous acid (HOCl) to aid infection prevention and control, including naso-pharyngeal, alveolar, topical, and systemic HOCl applications. Also, examples are provided of dedicated applications in COVID-19. A brief background of HOCl's biological and chemical specifics and its physiological role in the innate immune system is provided to understand the effect of in vivo applications in the context of the body's own physiological defense mechanisms.

Microecological preparation combined with an modified low-carbon diet improves glucolipid metabolism and cardiovascular complication in obese patients.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impact of microecological preparation combined with modified low-carbon diet on the glucolipid metabolism and cardiovascular complication in obese patients. METHODS: From August 2017 to July 2020, 66 obese patients were recruited, and administrated with an modified low-carbon diet with (group A) or without (Group B) microecology preparation and a balanced diet in control group (group C) for 6 months. Meanwhile, 20 volunteers administrated with a balanced diet were recruited as the healthy control group (group D). RESULTS: After 6-month intervention, obese subjects in group A and B showed significant improvement of body and liver fat mass, reduction of serum lipid levels, intestinal barrier function markers, insulin resistance index (IRI), high blood pressure (HBP) and carotid intima thickness, as compared with subjects in group C. More importantly, subjects in group A had better improvement of vascular endothelial elasticity and intimal thickness than subjects in group B. However, these intervention had no effect on carotid atherosclerotic plaque. CONCLUSION: Administration of microecological preparation combined with modified low-carbon diet had better improvement of intestinal barrier function, glucose and lipid metabolism, and cardiovascular complications than low-carbon diet in obese patients, but the effect of a simple low-carb diet on carotid atherosclerotic plaque need to be further addressed.

Acid deposition critical loads modeling for the simulation of sulfur exceedance and reduction in Guangdong, China.

The current acid deposition critical loads in Guangdong, China were calculated using the PROFILE model with a 3 km x 3 km resolution. Calculations were carried out for critical loads of potential acidity, actual acidity, sulfur and nitrogen, with values in extents of 0-3.5, 0-14.0, 0-26.0 and 0-3.5 kmol/(hm2 x year), respectively. These values were comparable to previously reported results and reflected the influences of vegetation and soil characteristics on the soil acid buffering capacity. Simulations of SO2 emission and sulfur deposition in this study showed that sulfur deposition core areas mirrored SO2 emission centers. The prediction of sulfur deposition after 20% and 40% reduction of SO2 emission suggested that the reduction of area sources contributed greatly to the decrease of sulfur deposition. Thus, abatement of area source emissions could be the primary way to mitigate sulfur deposition in Guangdong to meet both the provincial and national regulations of air pollution control.

[Physicochemical changes and maturity evaluation of solid organic waste compost].

Composting is one of the most effective ways for recycling of organic solid waste. Various characteristics of different kinds of organic solid waste cause various physicochemical changes during composting, as well as the different composting conditions. Stability and maturity evaluation are the measurement for compost quality and the safe guarantee for its agricultural utilization. Stability evaluation of compost focuses on the impacts to environment after its agricultural utilization, while maturity evaluation pays attention on the phytotoxicity to plant. Stability and maturity of compost are affected by several factors, such as the characteristics of raw materials, the composting condition, and so on. Stability could be assessed by compost temperature, color, evolution rate of CO2, consumption rate of O2, content of NO3(-)-N and quantities of pathogen, etc. Temperature was suggested to be one of the most convenient parameters for stability evaluation. Maturity could be assessed by various parameters, including the chemical, biological, and phytotoxical parameters. Seed germination index, as the phytotoxical parameter, was recommended to be one of the most convenient and reliable parameters of maturity evaluation.

[On nitrogen transformations and maturity during composting of pig manure].

The contents of T-N, the ratios of soluble NO3-N/soluble T-N and soluble organic-N/soluble T-N increased after co-composting for 63 days of pig manure and sawdust with or without additional leaves, while the ratios of soluble NH4-N/soluble T-N decreased. In this study, addition of leaves was beneficial for maturation of pig manure composting, and it could shorten the composting time from 42 d to 35 d. The ratios of soluble NH4-N/soluble T-N, soluble NO3-N/soluble T-N and soluble organic N/soluble T-N correlated with seed germination index (GI) significantly, and it could be used for maturity evaluation.