The adsorption-desorption behavior of chlorothalonil in the cuticles of apple and red jujube.

The distribution fate of chlorothalonil (CHT) in the environment (soil and water) and fruits is controlled by the capacity of cuticles to adsorb and desorb CHT, which directly affects the safety of both the environment and fruits. Batch experiments were conducted to reveal the adsorption-desorption behaviors of CHT in the cuticles of apple and red jujube. The adsorption kinetics showed that both physisorption and chemisorption occurred during the adsorption process. Furthermore, the isothermal adsorption of CHT in the fruit cuticles followed the Freundlich model. The thermodynamic parameters (ΔG ≤ -26.16 kJ/mol, ΔH ≥ 31.05 kJ/mol, ΔS ≥ 0.20 kJ/(mol K) showed that the whole CHT adsorption process was spontaneous, and the hydrophobic interaction was predominant. The CHT adsorption capacity of the apple cuticle was higher than that of the red jujube cuticle, potentially due to the significantly higher alkanes content of apples than that of red jujubes. An appropriate ionic strength (0.01 moL/L) could induce a higher adsorption capacity. In addition, the desorption kinetics were shown to conform to a Quasi-first-order model, meaning that not all the adsorbed CHT could be easily desorbed. The desorption ratios in apple and red jujube cuticles were 41.38 % and 35.64 %, respectively. The results of Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy further confirmed that CHT could be adsorbed and retained in the fruit cuticles. Investigating the adsorption-desorption behavior of CHT in the apple and red jujube cuticles allowed to determine the ratio of its final distribution in the fruits and environment, providing a theoretical basis to evaluate the risk of residue pesticide.

Identification and Visualization of Polystyrene Microplastics/Nanoplastics in Flavored Yogurt by Raman Imaging.

The contamination of food by microplastics has garnered widespread attention, particularly concerning the health risks associated with small-sized microplastics. However, detecting these smaller microplastics in food poses challenges attributed to the complexity of food matrices and instrumental and method limitations. Here, we employed Raman imaging for visualization and identification of polystyrene particles synthesized in polymerization reactions, ranging from 400 to 2600 nm. We successfully developed a quantitative model of particle size and concentration for polystyrene, exhibiting excellent fit (R2 of 0.9946). We established procedures for spiked flavored yogurt using synthesized polystyrene, providing fresh insights into microplastic extraction efficiency. Recovery rates calculated from models validated the method's feasibility. In practical applications, the assessment of the size, type, shape, and quantity of microplastics in unspiked flavored yogurt was conducted. The most common polymers found were polystyrene, polypropylene, and polyethylene, with the smallest polystyrene sizes ranging from 1 to 10 µm. Additionally, we conducted exposure assessments of microplastics in branded flavored yogurt. This study established a foundation for developing a universal method to quantify microplastics in food, covering synthesis of standards, method development, validation, and application.

Comparison of Machine Learning Models Using Diffusion-Weighted Images for Pathological Grade of Intrahepatic Mass-Forming Cholangiocarcinoma.

Is the radiomic approach, utilizing diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), capable of predicting the various pathological grades of intrahepatic mass-forming cholangiocarcinoma (IMCC)? Furthermore, which model demonstrates superior performance among the diverse algorithms currently available? The objective of our study is to develop DWI radiomic models based on different machine learning algorithms and identify the optimal prediction model. We undertook a retrospective analysis of the DWI data of 77 patients with IMCC confirmed by pathological testing. Fifty-seven patients initially included in the study were randomly assigned to either the training set or the validation set in a ratio of 7:3. We established four different classifier models, namely random forest (RF), support vector machines (SVM), logistic regression (LR), and gradient boosting decision tree (GBDT), by manually contouring the region of interest and extracting prominent radiomic features. An external validation of the model was performed with the DWI data of 20 patients with IMCC who were subsequently included in the study. The area under the receiver operating curve (AUC), accuracy (ACC), precision (PRE), sensitivity (REC), and F1 score were used to evaluate the diagnostic performance of the model. Following the process of feature selection, a total of nine features were retained, with skewness being the most crucial radiomic feature demonstrating the highest diagnostic performance, followed by Gray Level Co-occurrence Matrix lmc1 (glcm-lmc1) and kurtosis, whose diagnostic performances were slightly inferior to skewness. Skewness and kurtosis showed a negative correlation with the pathological grading of IMCC, while glcm-lmc1 exhibited a positive correlation with the IMCC pathological grade. Compared with the other three models, the SVM radiomic model had the best diagnostic performance with an AUC of 0.957, an accuracy of 88.2%, a sensitivity of 85.7%, a precision of 85.7%, and an F1 score of 85.7% in the training set, as well as an AUC of 0.829, an accuracy of 76.5%, a sensitivity of 71.4%, a precision of 71.4%, and an F1 score of 71.4% in the external validation set. The DWI-based radiomic model proved to be efficacious in predicting the pathological grade of IMCC. The model with the SVM classifier algorithm had the best prediction efficiency and robustness. Consequently, this SVM-based model can be further explored as an option for a non-invasive preoperative prediction method in clinical practice.

Urolithin A Ameliorates Athletic Ability and Intestinal Microbiota in Sleep Deprivation from the Perspective of the Gut-Muscle Axis.

SCOPE: Urolithin A (UA), a gut-microbiota-derived metabolite of ellagic acid, presents various benefits to intestinal microecology. The presence of "gut-muscle axis" regulating the onset and progression of exercise-related physical frailty and sarcopenia has been recently hypothesized. This study aims to explore the underlying mechanism of gut-muscle axis by which UA enhances muscle strength and fatigue resistance of sleep-deprived (SD) mice. METHODS AND RESULTS: UA is gavaged to C57BL/6 mice (50 mg kg-1 bw) before 48-h SD. The results indicate that pretreatment of UA significantly enhances motor ability and energy metabolism. The inflammation is suppressed, and intestinal permeability is improved after prophylactic treatment with UA. The decreased level of serum lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is concomitant with augmentation of the intestinal tight junction proteins. 16s rRNA analysis of colonic contents reveals that UA significantly reduces the abundance of Clostridia_UCG-014 and Candidatus_Saccharimonas, and upregulates Lactobacillus and Muribaculaceae. UA probably influences on gut microbial functions via several energy metabolism pathways, such as carbon metabolism, phosphotransferase system (PTS), and ATP binding cassette (ABC) transporters. CONCLUSIONS: The dietary intervention of UA helps to create a systemic protection, a bidirectional communication connecting the gut microbiota with muscle system, able to alleviate SD-induced mobility impairment and gut dysbiosis.

Echinacea purpurea polysaccharide intervene in hepatocellular carcinoma via modulation of gut microbiota to inhibit TLR4/NF-κB pathway.

Echinacea purpurea polysaccharide (EPP) exhibit various pharmacological activities, including immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, and anti-tumor effects. In this study, we investigated the potential mechanism of EPP intervention in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The results demonstrated that EPP effectively mitigated liver injury caused by HCC, inhibited the proliferation of HCC, and induced apoptosis. Following EPP intervention, there was a significant increase in propionic acid and butyric acid-producing gut microbiota such as Coprococcus, Clostridium and Roseburia, leading to enhanced expression of intestinal tight junction proteins and the repair of the intestinal barrier. This controls lipopolysaccharide (LPS) leakage, which in turn inhibits the TLR4/NF-κB pathway and reduces the expression of inflammatory factors such as IL-6, as well as migration factors like MMP-2. Metabolomics revealed the downregulation of pyrimidine metabolism and nucleotide metabolism, along with the upregulation of butyrate metabolism in tumor cells. This study demonstrated that EPP effectively regulated LPS leakage by modulating gut microbes, and this modulation influenced the TLR4/NF-κB pathway, ultimately disrupting tumor cell survival induced by HCC in mice.

Effects of different extraction methods on the physico-chemical characteristics and biological activities of polysaccharides from Clitocybe squamulosa.

This study comparatively evaluated the effects of the commonly used six extraction methods (acidic, alkaline, enzymatic, ultrasonic, high-pressure, and microwave) on the physico-chemical properties, processing characteristics, and biological activities of polysaccharides from Clitocybe squamulosa (CSFPs). The results show that polysaccharides extracted using an enzyme-assisted extraction method has a relatively high extraction yield (4.46 ± 1.62 %) and carbohydrate content (70.79 ± 6.25 %) compared with others. Furthermore, CSFPs were all composed of glucose, galactose, mannose, xylose, and glucosamine hydrochloride. Only ultrasonic-assisted extraction of polysaccharides (CSFP-U) has a triple helix chain conformation. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed significant differences in the microstructure of polysaccharides prepared using different methods. Besides that, the polysaccharides prepared by alkali extraction (CSFP-B) and high-pressure assisted extraction (CSFP-H) have good water (2.86 ± 0.29 g/g and 3.15 ± 0.29 g/g) and oil (8.13 ± 0.32 g/g and 7.97 ± 0.04 g/g) holding properties. The rheological behavior demonstrated that CSFPs solutions were typical non-Newtonian fluid. Apart from this, the antioxidant capacity (clearing DPPH (IC50 = 0.29) and ABTS free radicals (IC50 = 0.19), total reduction ability (IC50 = 3.02)) of polysaccharides prepared by the microwave-assisted extraction (CSFP-M) method was significantly higher than that of other extraction methods. By contrast, the polysaccharide prepared by acid extraction (CSFP-A) has the optimum binding capacity (bile acid salt (71.30 ± 6.78 %) and cholesterol (57.07 ± 3.26 mg/g)). The antibacterial activity of CSFPs was positively correlated with their concentration. Thus, the research results can provide a theoretical basis for the development and utilization of polysaccharides from C. squamulosa.

Extracellular polysaccharides from Sporidiobolus pararoseus alleviates rheumatoid through ameliorating gut barrier function and gut microbiota.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is becoming a prevalent autoimmune disease affecting people worldwide, necessitating the exploration of novel therapeutic approaches due to the associated adverse effects of conventional therapeutic drugs. Sporidiobolus pararoseus polysaccharide (SPP) has been shown to exhibit significant immune stimulation and antioxidant activities. In this study, we constructed a mouse model of type II collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) to investigate the effects and potential mechanisms of SPP intervention on RA. Results showed that SPP intervention alleviated the degree of ankle swelling, joint histopathologic changes, joint pathological score and the expression of serum-associated inflammatory mediators (such as IL-1ß and IL-6). 16S rRNA sequencing results indicated that SPP intervention significantly remodeled the intestinal microbiota composition. In particular, SPP intervention significantly increased the relative abundance of beneficial bacteria (Parabacteroides, Bacteroides and Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group) with the potential to degrade fungal polysaccharides or produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). The production of SCFAs (especially acetic acid, propionic acid and butyric acid) indeed increased significantly. These SCFAs played an important role in maintaining intestinal barrier function and regulating immune homeostasis, which helped reduce inflammatory responses and alleviate the symptoms of RA.

A combined effect of fish-originated collagen peptides and caffeine on the cognitive function of sleep-deprived mice.

Refreshing beverages, consumed worldwide, commonly take advantage of caffeine's impacts on attention and motor performance. However, excessive long-term caffeine intake might disturb sleep/wake rhythms and exacerbate daily anxiety. Fish-originated collagen peptides (FCP) are of high nutrient value with stimulating, calming or relaxing effects, which could reduce the excitotoxicity of caffeine. This study aims to investigate two facets: (1) the combined effect of caffeine and FCP (namely C&F) on the cognitive function of sleep-deprived mice by different administration strategies with dose dependence (low and high dose) or time dependence (intervention in a day and prevention for a week); (2) the potential "microbiota-gut-brain" mechanism by which C&F improves sleep deprivation (SD)-induced cognitive impairments. Here, C57BL/6 mice were administered caffeine (10 or 20 mg per kg per bw) combined with FCP (100 or 200 mg per kg per bw) and were then subjected to 48 h SD. The open-field and Morris water maze tests were performed to evaluate the cognitive function and spatial learning capacities of mice. Our results indicated that the cognitive impairments of SD mice were significantly relieved to a different degree by treating C&F in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The pathological observation of the hippocampus indicated both intervention (time of a day) and prevention (time of a week) of the C&F protected brain tissue from SD-induced injuries. The accumulated pro-inflammatory neurometabolites and factors were significantly inhibited by C&F via the hypothalamus-hippocampal circuit. Furthermore, 16S rDNA analysis of colonic contents showed that the level of Lactobacillus murinus was significantly upregulated and that of Clostridia_UCG-014 was suppressed in the C&F group. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of Lactobacillus murinus indicated a certain diagnostic utility to distinguish C&F intervention (AUC = 0.52) or prevention (AUC = 0.68). Pathways of ko04622 (immune system) and ko00472 (metabolism processes) were significantly regulated by C&F in a time-dependent manner. Based on PICRUSt2 algorithm analysis, C&F might potentially regulate gut microbial functions through several metabolic pathways, including the RIG-I-like receptor signaling pathway and limonene and pinene degradation. In conclusion, C&F plays a key role in brain function and behavior, which could synergistically relieve cognitive impairments via the microbiota-gut-brain axis.

Chlorogenic acid improves the cognitive deficits of sleep-deprived mice via regulation of immunity function and intestinal flora.

BACKGROUND: Sleep deprivation (SD) has become a global health concern with serious consequences containing memory deficits and gastrointestinal dysfunctions. The gut-brain axis serves as a crucial link between the brain and gut, and the utilization of chlorogenic acid (CGA) presents a compelling strategy for mitigating or potentially resolving various neuroinflammation-associated disorders. However, it is still unknown how CGA may interact with the gut, microbiota and the brain during SD. PURPOSE: This study aims to explore the therapeutic effect and underlying mechanism of microbiota-gut-brain axis by which CGA prevents SD-induced cognitive deficits. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: CGA (30, 60 mg/kg.bw.) was gavaged to C57BL/6 mice, and then they were submitted to 48-h SD. The cognitive and spatial learning abilities were investigated through behavioral tests. Furthermore, we explored the action mechanism of this compound with haematological analysis, histopathological examination, Western blot, ELISA and 16S rRNA gene pyrosequencing from colonic contents. RESULTS: The cognitive deficits induced by SD were significantly relieved by administration of CGA in a dose-dependent manner. The hematoxylin and eosin staining of hippocampus and colon tissues indicated that pretreatment of CGA not only protected brain tissue from SD, but also maintained intestinal integrity. In the hippocampus, the increased pro-inflammatory neurometabolites were significantly prevented by CGA, and an immune profile capable of hippocampal-dependent spatial memory was improved via Nrf2/PPAR signaling pathways. The observed immunomodulatory effect was concomitant with augmentation of the intestinal barrier, as evidenced by the heightened expressions of tight junction proteins. 16S rRNA analysis of colonic contents revealed that levels of Clostridia_UCG-014 and lipopolysaccharide were significantly inhibited, and those of Lactobacillus and intestinal tight junction proteins were upregulated in the CGA group. Pathways of ko05322 (immune disease) and ko04610 (immune system) were significantly regulated by CGA. Based on PICRUSt2 algorithm, CGA probably influenced gut microbial functions via several metabolism pathways, such as arginine biosynthesis, pyrimidine metabolism and purine metabolism. CONCLUSION: The present study first proved the efficacy and mechanism of CGA in alleviating SD-induced cognitive impairment and neuroinflammation via creating a systemic protection, a bidirectional communication system connecting the gut with the brain. The intestinal barrier improvement and the reshaped "SD microbiota" profiles restored immunity functions, which were probably the main contributors to Nrf2/PPAR activation and the neuroprotective effect of CGA. Overall, this work provided novel insights of CGA, which might guide the more reasonable clinical use of CGA in the pathogenesis of sleep-related disorders.

Aqueous Extract of Brassica rapa L.'s Impact on Modulating Exercise-Induced Fatigue via Gut-Muscle Axis.

Exercise-induced fatigue is a common physiological response to prolonged physical activity, often associated with changes in gut microbiota and metabolic responses. This study investigates the potential role of Brassica rapa L. in modulating these responses. Using an animal model subjected to chronic exercise-induced stress, we explored the effects of Brassica rapa L. on fatigue-related biomarkers, energy metabolism genes, inflammatory responses, intestinal integrity, and gut microbiota composition. Our findings revealed that Brassica rapa L. exhibits significant antioxidant activity and effectively modulates physiological responses to fatigue. It influences gene expression related to the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle in muscle tissue through the AMPK/PGC-1α/TFAM signaling pathway. Furthermore, Brassica rapa L. has been found to alleviate inflammation by inhibiting lipopolysaccharide (LPS) infection and suppressing the activation of the NF-κB pathway. It also maintains intestinal integrity and controls Gram-negative bacterial growth. A correlation analysis identified several pathogenic bacteria linked with inflammation and energy metabolism, as well as beneficial probiotic bacteria associated with improved energy metabolism and reduced inflammation. These findings underscore Brassica rapa L.'s potential for managing prolonged exercise-induced fatigue, paving the way for future therapeutic applications. The results highlight its impact on gut microbiota modulation and its role in nutrition science and sports medicine.

Monolithic three-dimensional integration of RRAM-based hybrid memory architecture for one-shot learning.

In this work, we report the monolithic three-dimensional integration (M3D) of hybrid memory architecture based on resistive random-access memory (RRAM), named M3D-LIME. The chip featured three key functional layers: the first was Si complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) for control logic; the second was computing-in-memory (CIM) layer with HfAlOx-based analog RRAM array to implement neural networks for feature extractions; the third was on-chip buffer and ternary content-addressable memory (TCAM) array for template storing and matching, based on Ta2O5-based binary RRAM and carbon nanotube field-effect transistor (CNTFET). Extensive structural analysis along with array-level electrical measurements and functional demonstrations on the CIM and TCAM arrays was performed. The M3D-LIME chip was further used to implement one-shot learning, where ~96% accuracy was achieved on the Omniglot dataset while exhibiting 18.3× higher energy efficiency than graphics processing unit (GPU). This work demonstrates the tremendous potential of M3D-LIME with RRAM-based hybrid memory architecture for future data-centric applications.

Immunosenescence and macrophages: From basics to therapeutics.

Ageing decreases the function of the immune system and increases susceptibility to some chronic, infectious, and autoimmune diseases. Senescence cells, which produce senescence-associated secretory phenotypes (SASPs), can activate the innate and adaptive immune responses. Macrophages are among the most abundant innate immune cell types in senescent microenvironments. Senescence-associated macrophages, recruited by SASPs, play a vital role in establishing the essential microenvironments for maintaining tissue homeostasis. However, it's important to note that these senescence-associated macrophages can also influence senescent processes, either by enhancing or impeding the functions of tissue-resident senescent cells. In this discussion, we describe the potential targets of immunosenescence and shed light on the probable mechanisms by which macrophages influence cellular senescence. Furthermore, we analyze their dual function in both clearing senescent cells and modulating age-related diseases. This multifaceted influence operates through processes including heightened inflammation, phagocytosis, efferocytosis, and autophagy. Given the potential off-target effects and immune evasion mechanisms associated with traditional anti-ageing strategies (senolytics and senomorphics), 'resetting' immune system tolerance or targeting senescence-related macrophage functions (i.e., phagocytotic capacity and immunosurveillance) will inform treatment of age-related diseases. Therefore, we review recent advances in the use of macrophage therapeutics to treat ageing and age-associated disorders, and outline the key gaps in this field.

Rapid magnetization and removal of microplastics from environment and food based on magnetic metal-organic framework Fe3O4@SiO2@MIL-53(Al).

Microplastics (MPs) are now not only emerging as pollutants in the environment, but their current state of contamination in food is also a cause for concern. It is necessary to focus how to control, reduce, and even remove MPs. In this study, a magnetic metal-organic framework (MOF) material, Fe3O4@SiO2@MIL-53(Al), was synthesized and applied to simulate the magnetization and removal of four types of MPs. Fe3O4@SiO2@MIL-53(Al) was characterized by various means to demonstrate its successful synthesis as a core-shell nanomaterial. The conditions of the method were optimized by examining the effect of time, the mass ratio of material to MPs, temperature, and pH on the removal effect. The removal rates of four MPs were 54.10-94.17%, and the maximum adsorption capacities of Fe3O4@SiO2@MIL-53(Al) that can be adsorbed were 10511.45-44390.24 mg g-1. Notably, the material can effectively magnetize and remove MPs from liquid food containing alcohol with highest efficiency of 97.10 ± 1.21%. Potential adsorption mechanisms were analyzed using kinetic, isothermal, and thermodynamic models, and electrostatic attraction and hydrogen bonding were found to play a dominant role in the adsorption process. In addition, not only can Fe3O4@SiO2@MIL-53(Al) be reused up to five times to maintain high removal rates, but it can also be used in food systems. Therefore, Fe3O4@SiO2@MIL-53(Al) not only has the advantages of ease of use and stability, but also can efficiently and quickly magnetize and remove many common MPs in more complex matrices such as food.

Pharmacological Effects of Urolithin A and Its Role in Muscle Health and Performance: Current Knowledge and Prospects.

Urolithin A (UA) is a naturally occurring compound derived from the metabolism of gut microbiota, which has attracted considerable research attention due to its pharmacological effects and potential implications in muscle health and performance. Recent studies have demonstrated that Urolithin A exhibits diverse biological activities, encompassing anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-tumor, and anti-aging properties. In terms of muscle health, accumulating evidence suggests that Urolithin A may promote muscle protein synthesis and muscle growth through various pathways, offering promise in mitigating muscle atrophy. Moreover, Urolithin A exhibits the potential to enhance muscle health and performance by improving mitochondrial function and regulating autophagy. Nonetheless, further comprehensive investigations are still warranted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of Urolithin A and to assess its feasibility and safety in human subjects, thereby advancing its potential applications in the realms of muscle health and performance.

Edge learning using a fully integrated neuro-inspired memristor chip.

Learning is highly important for edge intelligence devices to adapt to different application scenes and owners. Current technologies for training neural networks require moving massive amounts of data between computing and memory units, which hinders the implementation of learning on edge devices. We developed a fully integrated memristor chip with the improvement learning ability and low energy cost. The schemes in the STELLAR architecture, including its learning algorithm, hardware realization, and parallel conductance tuning scheme, are general approaches that facilitate on-chip learning by using a memristor crossbar array, regardless of the type of memristor device. Tasks executed in this study included motion control, image classification, and speech recognition.

Recent advance in probiotics for the elimination of pesticide residues in food and feed: mechanisms, product toxicity, and reinforcement strategies.

The extensive utilization of pesticides in agriculture has resulted in the presence of pesticide residues in food and feed, which poses a significant threat to human health. Various physical and chemical methods have been proposed to remove pesticides, but most of these methods are either costly or susceptible to secondary contamination. Consequently, the utilization of microorganisms, such as probiotics, for eliminating pesticides, has emerged as a promising alternative. Probiotics, including lactic acid bacteria, yeasts, and fungi, have demonstrated remarkable efficiency and convenience in eliminating pesticide residues from food or feed. To promote the application of probiotic decontamination, this review examines the current research status on the utilization of probiotics for pesticide reduction. The mechanisms involved in microbial decontamination are discussed, along with the toxicity and potential health risks of degradation products. Furthermore, the review explores strategies to enhance probiotic detoxification and outlines prospects for future development.

Monolithic 3D Integration of Analog RRAM-Based Computing-in-Memory and Sensor for Energy-Efficient Near-Sensor Computing.

In the era of the Internet of Things, vast amounts of data generated at sensory nodes impose critical challenges on the data-transfer bandwidth and energy efficiency of computing hardware. A near-sensor computing (NSC) architecture places the processing units closer to the sensors such that the generated data can be processed almost in situ with high efficiency. This study demonstrates the monolithic three-dimensional (M3D) integration of a photosensor array, analog computing-in-memory (CIM), and Si complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) logic circuits, named M3D-SAIL. This approach exploits the high-bandwidth on-chip data transfer and massively parallel CIM cores to realize an energy-efficient NSC architecture. The 1st layer of the Si CMOS circuits serves as the control logic and peripheral circuits. The 2nd layer comprises a 1 k-bit one-transistor-one-resistor (1T1R) array with InGaZnOx field-effect transistor (IGZO-FET) and resistive random-access memory (RRAM) for analog CIM. The 3rd layer comprises multiple IGZO-FET-based photosensor arrays for wavelength-dependent optical sensing. The structural integrity and function of each layer are comprehensively verified. Furthermore, NSC is implemented using the M3D-SAIL architecture for a typical video keyframe-extraction task, achieving a high classification accuracy of 96.7% as well as a 31.5× lower energy consumption and 1.91× faster computing speed compared to its 2D counterpart.

Folic acid relieves bone cancer pain by downregulating P2X2/3 receptors in rats.

BACKGROUND: Bone cancer pain (BCP) remains a clinical challenge due to the limited and side effects of therapeutic methods. Folic acid has been known as an FDA approved dietary supplement and proved to have an analgesic effect in neuropathic pain. Here we investigate the role and mechanism of folic acid in bone cancer pain of a rat model. METHODS: Walker 256 tumor cells were inoculated into the left tibia of rats to induce bone cancer pain model. Pain reflex were assessed by paw withdrawal threshold (PWT) response to Von Frey filaments and paw withdrawal latency (PWL) response to thermal stimulation. Folic acid was injected intraperitoneally to evaluate its analgesic effect in rats with bone cancer pain. Western blotting and qPCR were used to determine P2X2/3 receptor protein and mRNA levels in ipsilateral L4-6 dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and spinal dorsal horn (SDH). RESULTS: The PWT and PWL of rats with bone cancer pain were obviously decreased compared to the naïve and sham rats. Interestingly, continuous folic acid treatment significantly increased the PWT and PWL of rats with bone cancer pain. P2X2 and P2X3 receptors were clearly upregulated at both mRNA and protein expression in L4-6 DRG and SDH of rats with bone cancer pain. P2X2 and P2X3 receptors were mainly localized with CGRP (calcitonin gene-related peptide) or IB4 (isolectin B4) positive neurons in L4-6 DRG of rats with bone cancer pain. Notably, continuous folic acid treatment significantly reduced the expression of P2X2 and P2X3 receptors in L4-6 DRG and SDH of rats with bone cancer pain. Finally, intrathecal injection of A317491 (a selective antagonist of P2X2/3 receptors) markedly elevated the PWT and PWL of rats with bone cancer pain. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that folic acid has an effective antinociceptive effect on bone cancer pain, which is mediated by downregulating P2X2/3 receptors in L4-6 DRG and SDH of rats with bone cancer pain. Folic acid may be a novel therapeutic strategy in cancer patients for pain relief.

Interaction between Six Waxy Components in Summer Black Grapes (Vitis vinifera) and Mancozeb and Its Effect on the Residue of Mancozeb.

Mancozeb, an antifungal typically used for the growth of fruits, has the characteristic of non-internal absorption, and has a risk of binding to the waxy components of fruits. This work investigated the interaction of pesticide molecules with the waxy layer on the grape surface and their effects on pesticide residues in grapes. The study observed significant changes in the compositions of the waxy layer on the grape surface after soaking in a mancozeb standard solution. The six substances-oleanolic acid, ursolic acid, lupeol, octacosanol, hexacosanal, and γ-sitosterol-with discernible content differences were chosen for molecular docking. Docking results were further visualized by an independent gradient model based on Hirshfeld partition (IGMH). Hydrogen bonds and van der Waals forces were found between mancozeb and the six waxy components. Moreover, the negative matrix effects caused by the presence or absence of wax for the determination of mancozeb were different through the QuEChERS-HPLC-MS method. Compared with the residue of mancozeb in grapes (5.97 mg/kg), the deposition of mancozeb in grapes after dewaxing was significantly lower (1.12 mg/kg), which further supports that mancozeb may interact with the wax layer compositions. This work not only provides insights into the study of the interaction between pesticides and small molecules but also provides theoretical guidelines for the investigation of the removal of pesticide residues on the surface of fruits.

Ultrasound-Assisted Fermentation to Remove Cadmium from Rice and Its Application.

Rice, which is a major part of the daily diet, is becoming more and more contaminated by cadmium (Cd). This study combined low-intensity ultrasonic waves with the Lactobacillus plantarum fermentation method and optimized this technique by a single-factor and response surface experiment, aiming to solve the practical problems that the current Cd removal methods for rice cannot address, due to the fact that they require a long time (nearly 24 h), which prevents meeting the rice production demands. The described technique required a short time (10 h), and the highest Cd removal reached 67.05 ± 1.38%. Further analysis revealed that the maximum adsorption capacity of Lactobacillus plantarum for Cd increased by nearly 75%, and the equilibrium adsorption capacity increased by almost 30% after the ultrasonic intervention. Additionally, a sensory evaluation and other experiments proved that the properties of the rice noodles prepared from Cd-reduced rice obtained by ultrasound-assisted fermentation were comparable to those of traditional rice noodles, indicating that this method can be used in actual rice production.