Tunable Colloidal Properties of Lauramidopropyl Betaine and Li Co-modified Montmorillonite in Ethanol/Water.

Montmorillonite (Mt) is a hydrophilic clay mineral with a generally high cationic exchange capacity and a remarkable swellability in water. Yet the application of Mt in cosmetics, paints, polymer nanocomposites, drug delivery systems, and tissue engineering are limited due to its unfavorable swelling and dispersion in alcohol/water mixtures. Improving the swellability and dispersibility of Mt in mixtures of ethanol and water remains challenging. Here, we showed that the swellability and dispersibility of Mt in ethanol/water could be significantly enhanced when lithium-Mt (Li-Mt) was intercalated by zwitterionic surfactant lauramidopropyl betaine (LPB). The binding mechanism of the LPB intercalate to Li-Mt originated from a combination of van der Waals forces, ion-dipole interaction, and electrostatic attraction. Due to the synergistic effect of Li+ and LPB, the comodified Mt (LPB-Li-Mt) exhibited excellent swellability, dispersibility, and rheological properties. The structure, morphology, zeta potential, dispersibility, and gel-forming performance of LPB-Li-Mt can be modulated by the concentrations of ethanol in ethanol/water mixtures. When the ethanol concentration increased to 75% v/v ethanol solution, the free swelling of LPB-Li-Mt remained above 80%. The results from X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoemission spectrometry, and small-angle X-ray scattering confirmed the full exfoliation of LPB-Li-Mt at 75% (v/v) ethanol solution. The formation of a stable colloidal LPB-Li-Mt dispersion in a mixture of ethanol/water might be derived from the association between water molecules and the Li+, the hydrophobic interaction, and the ion-dipole of ethanol with the LPB molecules. The findings provide a guide for improving dispersion and swelling of Mt and modified ones in water-miscible organic solvents.

Dynamic foraging strategy adaptation to heterogeneous environments contributes to social aggregation in snub-nosed monkeys.

The dynamics of animal social structures are heavily influenced by environmental patterns of competition and cooperation. In folivorous colobine primates, prevailing theories suggest that larger group sizes should be favored in rainforests with a year-round abundance of food, thereby reducing feeding competition. Yet, paradoxically, larger groups are frequently found in high-altitude or high-latitude montane ecosystems characterized by a seasonal scarcity of leaves. This contradiction is posited to arise from cooperative benefits in heterogeneous environments. To investigate this hypothesis, we carried out a six-year field study on two neighboring groups of golden snub-nosed monkey ( Rhinopithecus roxellana), a species representing the northernmost distribution of colobine primates. Results showed that the groups adjusted their movement and habitat selection in response to fluctuating climates and spatiotemporal variability of resources, indicative of a dynamic foraging strategy. Notably, during the cold, resource-scarce conditions in winter, the large group occupied food-rich habitats but did not exhibit significantly longer daily travel distances than the smaller neighboring group. Subsequently, we compiled an eco-behavioral dataset of 52 colobine species to explore their evolutionary trajectories. Analysis of this dataset suggested that the increase in group size may have evolved via home range expansion in response to the cold and heterogeneous climates found at higher altitudes or latitudes. Hence, we developed a multi-benefits framework to interpret the formation of larger groups by integrating environmental heterogeneity. In cold and diverse environments, even smaller groups require larger home ranges to meet their dynamic survival needs. The spatiotemporal distribution of high-quality resources within these expanded home ranges facilitates more frequent interactions between groups, thereby encouraging social aggregation into larger groups. This process enhances the benefits of collaborative actions and reproductive opportunities, while simultaneously optimizing travel costs through a dynamic foraging strategy.

Variations of pollen concentration in urban alleys of park city and the transmission pattern during the period of high allergenic risk: Taking Qingyang District of Chengdu City as an example.

Pollen (spores and pollen) allergy caused by green areas is one of the most serious environmental epidemics endangering urban public health. The pollen allergy rate in China reached 17.8% in 2022, characterized by a wide age range of onset, severity and diversity of symptoms. The aims of this study were to verify the consistency of the prediction results of pollen concentration and the index of allergenicity of urban green zones (IUGZA) equation, and to clarify the dispersal pattern of tree pollen in the urban alleys of cities with high density of static wind. We selected representative high, medium and low allergenic areas based on the allergenic stress in urban alleys of Qingyang District, Chengdu calculated by IUGZA equation, and monitored the pollen concentrations by selecting points and indicator species within the three allergenic areas. There was a consistency in the variation of pollen concentration in urban alleys of the three areas, with the highest pollen concentration in March. Mean pollen concentration showed a pattern of spring > autumn > summer > winter. The main pollen sources belonged to Ginkgo, Platanus, Firmiana and Cedrus, accounting for 42.4%, 16.3%, 9.0% and 6.5% of the total pollen, respectively. Wind speed had the greatest effect on pollen concentration and its dispersal distance in the urban alley. The horizontal dispersal distance of pollen was up to 260 m, and the number of pollen showed a significant negative linear correlation with the distance away from the pollen sources. The concentration of exotic pollen collected at the high site (4.5 m above ground) was much lower than that at the near-ground site (1.5 m above ground), but without difference in the types of pollen. The results of allergenic risk predicted by the IUGZA equation were consistent with the actual measured pollen concentration, which could be used in high-density static wind city.

Exposure to low levels of antidiabetic glibenclamide had no evident adverse effects on intestinal microbial composition and metabolic profiles in amphibian larvae.

Unmetabolized human pharmaceuticals may enter aquatic environments, and potentially exert adverse effects on the survival of non-target organisms. Here, Pelophylax nigromaculatus tadpoles were exposed to different concentrations of antidiabetic glibenclamide (GLB) for 30 days to evaluate its potential ecotoxicological effect in amphibians using intestinal microbiomic and metabolomic profiles. The mortality rate of GLB-exposed groups appeared to be lower than that of the control group. Despite not being statistically significant, there was a tendency for a decrease in intestinal microbial diversity after exposure. The relative abundance of bacteria phylum Firmicutes was shown to decrease, but those of other phyla did not in GLB-exposed tadpoles. Some potentially pathogenic bacteria (e.g., Clostridium, Bilophila, Hafnia) decrease unexpectedly, while some beneficial bacteria (e.g., Akkermansia, Faecalibacterium) increased in GLB-exposed tadpoles. Accordingly, GLB-induced changes in intestinal microbial compositions did not seem harmful to animal health. Moreover, minor changes in a few intestinal metabolites were observed after GLB exposure. Overall, our results suggested that exposure to low levels of GLB did not necessarily exert an adverse impact on amphibian larvae.

Metformin exposure altered intestinal microbiota composition and metabolites in amphibian larvae.

The antidiabetic pharmaceutical metformin (MET) is largely unmetabolized by the human body. Its residues are readily detectable in various aquatic environments and may have adverse impacts on the growth and survival of aquatic species. To date, its toxicological effects have scarcely been explored in non-fish species. Here, we exposed the tadpoles of black-spotted pond frog (Pelophylax nigromaculatus) to different concentrations (0, 1, 10 and 100 µg/L) of MET for 30 days and measured the body size, intestinal microbiota and metabolites to evaluate potential effects of MET exposure in amphibian larvae. MET exposure did not affect the growth and intestinal microbial diversity of tadpoles. However, intestinal microbial composition changed significantly, with some pathogenic bacteria (e.g., bacterial genera Salmonella, Comamonas, Stenotrophomonas, Trichococcus) increasing and some beneficial bacteria (e.g., Blautia, Prevotella) decreasing in MET-exposed tadpoles. The levels of some intestinal metabolites associated with growth and immune performance also changed significantly following MET exposure. Overall, our results indicated that exposure to MET, even at environmentally relevant concentrations, would cause intestinal microbiota dysbiosis and metabolite alteration, thereby influencing the health status of non-target aquatic organisms, such as amphibians.

Embryonic development, hatchling performance and metabolic profile after egg exposure to environmentally relevant levels of chlorpyrifos in an aquatic turtle.

The extensive use of organophosphorus insecticides poses a threat to the survival of non-target organisms. Ecotoxicological outcomes of embryonic exposure to insecticides are rarely evaluated in various oviparous species. In this study, soft-shelled turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis) eggs were incubated in moist substrate containing different levels (0, 2, 20 and 200 µg/kg) of chlorpyrifos to investigate its toxic effects on embryonic development and survival, and hatchling physiological performance. Chlorpyrifos exposure had no significant impacts on embryonic development rate and egg survival in P. sinensis. Similarly, embryonic chlorpyrifos exposure neither obviously affected the size and locomotor performance of hatchlings, nor changed the activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase, and content of malondialdehyde in their erythrocytes. Based on liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis, minor metabolic perturbations related to amino acid, lipid and energy metabolism in hatchlings after embryonic chlorpyrifos exposure were revealed by hepatic metabolite profiling. Overall, our results suggested that embryonic exposure to environmentally relevant levels of chlorpyrifos had only a limited impact on physiological performances of hatchlings, although it would result in a potential risk of hepatotoxicity in P. sinensis.

Dearomative [4 + 2] Annulation of Electron-Poor N-Heteroarenes with Azoalkenes for Access to Polycyclic Tetrahydro-1,2,4-triazines.

A direct dearomative [4 + 2] annulation of electron-poor N-heteroarenes with azoalkenes generated in situ from α-halogeno hydrazones was developed under mild conditions. Accordingly, a series of fused polycyclic tetrahydro-1,2,4-triazines with potential biological activity were obtained in up to 96% yield. Various α-halogeno hydrazones and N-heteroarenes, such as pyridines, quinolines, isoquinolines, phenanthridine, and benzothiazole, were tolerated by this reaction. The general applicability of this method was shown by upscale synthesis and product derivatization.

Hypoglycemic and H2O2-induced oxidative injury protective effects and the phytochemical profiles of the ethyl acetate fraction from Radix Paeoniae Alba.

Radix Paeonia Alba (RPA) is often used as food and medicine. This study aimed to enrich and identify the antioxidant and hypoglycemic bioactive compounds from RPA. The results indicated that the ethyl acetate fraction (EAF) showed the highest total phenolic content, DPPH, ABTS+ scavenging ability, and α-glucosidase inhibition ability (IC50 = 7.27 µg/ml). The EAF could alleviate H2O2-induced oxidative stress in HepG2 cells by decreasing the MDA and ROS levels, improving cell apoptosis, increasing the enzyme activity of GPX-Px, CAT, SOD, Na+/K+-ATP, and Ca2+/Mg2+-ATP, and stimulating T-AOC expression, which also enhanced the glucose uptake of insulin-resistant HepG2 cells. In addition, the EAF significantly reduced the fasting blood glucose level and improved glucose tolerance in diabetic mice. An HPLC-QTOF-MS/MS analysis displayed that procyanidin, digallic acid isomer, methyl gallate, tetragalloylglucose isomer, dimethyl gallic acid, and paeoniflorin were the major compounds in the EAF. These findings are meaningful for the application of the EAF in the medicinal or food industry to prevent and treat oxidative stress and diabetes mellitus.

Mitigation of Paeoniae Radix Alba extracts on H2O2-induced oxidative damage in HepG2 cells and hyperglycemia in zebrafish, and identification of phytochemical constituents.

Paeoniae Radix Alba (PRA), as a Traditional Chinese Medicine, is widely used in Chinese cuisine due to high health-benefits and nutrition, but the effect of different polarity of solvents on the extraction of antioxidant and hypoglycemic constituents, as well as the major active compounds remain unclear. In this research, 40, 70, and 95% ethanol were firstly applied to extract the polyphenols from PRA, the extraction yields, total phenolics, and total flavonoids content, free radical scavenging ability, α-glucosidase inhibition ability, and anti-glycation ability of extracts were evaluated spectroscopically. The oxidative damage protection, hypoglycemic activity, and alleviation on peripheral nerve damage were evaluated by H2O2-induced HepG2 cells and hyperglycemic zebrafish models. UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS was used to identify the major chemical constituents. The results showed that 40, 70, and 95% ethanol exhibited insignificant difference on the extraction of phenolics and flavonoids from PRA. All extracts showed promising DPPH⋅ and ABTS⋅+ scavenging ability, α-glucosidase inhibition and anti-glycation ability. In addition, PRA extracts could restore the survival rate of HepG2 cells induced by H2O2, and alleviate the oxidative stress by reducing the content of MDA and increasing the levels of SOD, CAT, and GSH-Px. The 70% ethanol extract could also mitigate the blood glucose level and peripheral motor nerve damage of hyperglycemic zebrafish. Thirty-five compounds were identified from 70% ethanol extract, gallotannins, gallic acid and its derivatives, and paeoniflorin and its derivatives were the dominant bioactive compounds. Above results could provide important information for the value-added application of PRA in functional food and medicinal industry.

Insights into the mechanisms of triptolide nephrotoxicity through network pharmacology-based analysis and RNA-seq.

Introduction: Triptolide (TPL) is a promising plant-derived compound for clinical therapy of multiple human diseases; however, its application was limited considering its toxicity. Methods: To explore the underlying molecular mechanism of TPL nephrotoxicity, a network pharmacology based approach was utilized to predict candidate targets related with TPL toxicity, followed by deep RNA-seq analysis to characterize the features of three transcriptional elements include protein coding genes (PCGs), long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) and circular RNAs (circRNAs) as well as their associations with nephrotoxicity in rats with TPL treatment. Results & Discussion: Although the deeper mechanisms of TPL nephrotoxcity remain further exploration, our results suggested that c-Jun is a potential target of TPL and Per1 related circadian rhythm signaling is involved in TPL induced renal toxicity.

Asymmetric Retro-Claisen Reaction Catalyzed by Chiral Aza-Bisoxazoline-Zn(II) Complex: Enantioselective Synthesis of α-Arylated Ketones.

An asymmetric retro-Claisen reaction of α-monosubstituted ß-diketones and quinones (or quinone imine) has been developed under the catalysis of a chiral aza-bisoxazoline-Zn(II) complex. The reaction proceeds via a sequence of conjugate addition, arylation, hemiketal anion-initiated C-C bond cleavage, and enantioselective protonation of enolate to provide various functionalized α-arylated ketones bearing a tertiary stereogenic center with high enantioselectivities. Notably, biologically important benzofuran and γ-butyrolactone derivatives could be synthesized by application of the developed protocol.

Serum/glucocorticoid-inducible kinase 1 deficiency induces NLRP3 inflammasome activation and autoinflammation of macrophages in a murine endolymphatic hydrops model.

Ménière's disease, a multifactorial disorder of the inner ear, is characterized by severe vertigo episodes and hearing loss. Although the role of immune responses in Ménière's disease has been proposed, the precise mechanisms remain undefined. Here, we show that downregulation of serum/glucocorticoid-inducible kinase 1 is associated with activation of NLRP3 inflammasome in vestibular-resident macrophage-like cells from Ménière's disease patients. Serum/glucocorticoid-inducible kinase 1 depletion markedly enhances IL-1ß production which leads to the damage of inner ear hair cells and vestibular nerve. Mechanistically, serum/glucocorticoid-inducible kinase 1 binds to the PYD domain of NLRP3 and phosphorylates it at Serine 5, thereby interfering inflammasome assembly. Sgk-/- mice show aggravated audiovestibular symptoms and enhanced inflammasome activation in lipopolysaccharide-induced endolymphatic hydrops model, which is ameliorated by blocking NLRP3. Pharmacological inhibition of serum/glucocorticoid-inducible kinase 1 increases the disease severity in vivo. Our studies demonstrate that serum/glucocorticoid-inducible kinase 1 functions as a physiologic inhibitor of NLRP3 inflammasome activation and maintains inner ear immune homeostasis, reciprocally participating in models of Ménière's disease pathogenesis.

The impact of circulating IGF-1 and IGFBP-2 on cardiovascular prognosis in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

Background: While insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) exerts a cardioprotective effect in the setting of atherosclerosis, insulin-like growth factor binding protein 2 (IGFBP-2) is involved in metabolic syndrome. Although IGF-1 and IGFBP-2 are known to be predictors for mortality in patients with heart failure, their use in clinic as prognostic biomarkers for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) requires investigation. We evaluated the relationship between IGF-1 and IGFBP-2 levels at admission and the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) in patients with ACS. Methods: A total of 277 ACS patients and 42 healthy controls were included in this prospective cohort study. Plasma samples were obtained and analyzed at admission. Patients were followed for MACEs after hospitalization. Results: Among patients who suffered acute myocardial infarction, plasma levels of IGF-1 and IGFBP-2 were lower and higher, respectively, as compared to healthy controls (both p < 0.05). The mean follow-up period was 5.22 (1.0-6.0) months and MACEs incidence was 22.4% (62 of 277 patients). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis revealed that patients with low IGFBP-2 levels had a greater event-free survival rate than patients with high IGFBP-2 levels (p < 0.001). Multivariate Cox proportional hazards analysis revealed IGFBP-2, but not IGF-1, to be a positive predictor of MACEs (hazard ratio 2.412, 95% CI 1.360-4.277; p = 0.003). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that high IGFBP-2 levels are associated with the development of MACEs following ACS. Moreover, IGFBP-2 is likely an independent predictive marker of clinical outcomes in ACS.

Pheromones emitted by both female and male moths regulate coordination between the sexes for Agriphila aeneociliella (Lepidoptera: Crambidae).

The complex and efficient sex pheromone communication system in insects is essential for reproduction and for reproductive isolation of species. In moths, sex pheromone communication starts with male attraction to compounds emitted by females; only a few species act in the reverse. However, how the pheromones that are emitted by both sexes co-regulate and coordinate mate finding and mating remains unknown. Here, we identified both the male and female pheromones of Eastern Grass Veneer moth, Agriphila aeneociliella (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), and demonstrated their efficiency in manipulating behavioral responses of the opposite sex. Combining data from analysis of gas chromatography-electroantennogram detection, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and olfactory behavior assays, the female pheromone of A. aeneociliella was identified as (Z,Z,Z)-9,12,15-octadecatrienal and (Z)-9-hexadecenyl acetate, while the male pheromone was determined to be 1-nonanal. Both the 2 individual components of the female pheromone and their binary mixture were significantly attractive to males, and the 1-nonanal male pheromone induced strong electrophysiological responses in females and induced attraction of females in a Y-tube olfactory test. Depending on the concentration of 1-nonanal, its addition to the binary mixture of the female pheromone either enhanced (10-3 or 10-2  µg/µL) or reduced (1 µg/µL) the aphrodisiac effect of the mixture on males. In wind-tunnel bioassays, different concentrations of pheromones, including the binary mixture of female pheromone and the mixture of male and female pheromones, had significant effects on male behavior. Our findings suggested that the blend of both female and male pheromones plays a significant role in the sexual communication system in some moths.

Systemic Immune-Inflammatory Index as a Novel Biomarker of Carotid Artery Stenosis.

In this manuscript, we discussed some points about systemic immune-inflammatory index (SII) and carotid artery stenosis (CAS) and put forward our comments.

NLRP3 Inflammasome May Be a Biomarker for Risk Stratification in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome.

Purpose: Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) has a high incidence and mortality rate worldwide, which has a considerable negative impact on the global economy. This study aimed to identify a group of ACS patients at a high risk of recurrent adverse cardiac events using the plasma NLRP3 inflammasome. Patients and methods: ACS patients admitted to Liaocheng People's Hospital between June 2021 and March 2022 were enrolled in this study. Patients were divided into low (levels < 3.84 ng/mL) and high (levels ≥ 3.84 ng/mL) groups based on the median NLRP3 inflammasome levels. The patients were divided into three groups according to the Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction Risk Score for Secondary Prevention (TRS-2P): low (scores ≤ 2 points), intermediate (scores = 3 points), and high (score ≥ 4 points) risk. We investigated the relationship between NLRP3 inflammasome and laboratory indicators. Additionally, we examined whether the NLRP3 inflammasome was an independent predictor of high TRS-2P and explored the applicability of the plasma NLRP3 inflammasome for predicting high TRS-2P. Results: Logistic regression analysis revealed that NLRP3 inflammasome was an independent predictor of high TRS-2P (odds ratio [OR]:2.013; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.174-3.452). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve value of the NLRP3 inflammasome was 0.674 (95% CI: 0.611-0.737; P < 0.001). Conclusion: NLRP3 inflammasome levels are an independent predictive factor for high TRS-2P levels, which indicates that the NLRP3 inflammasome may help predict the prognosis of ACS patients.

NlugOBP8 in Nilaparvata lugens Involved in the Perception of Two Terpenoid Compounds from Rice Plant.

Odorant binding proteins (OBPs) play an important role in insect peripheral olfactory systems and exploring the physiological function of OBPs could facilitate the understanding of insects' chemical communication. Here, the functional analysis of an antenna-based NlugOBP8 from brown planthopper (BPH) Nilaparvata lugens (Stål) was performed both in vitro and in vivo. Recombinant NlugOBP8 exhibited strong binding affinity to 13 out of 26 rice plant volatiles and could form a stable complex with 9 of them according to the fluorescence binding and fluorescence quenching experiments. Circular dichroism spectra demonstrated that six volatiles could give rise to significant conformational change of recombinant NlugOBP8. H-tube olfactometer bioassay confirmed that BPHs were significantly attracted by nerolidol and significantly repelled by linalool, caryophyllene oxide, and terpinolene, respectively. Antennae of dsNlugOBP8-injected BPHs exhibited significantly lower electrophysiological response to linalool and caryophyllene oxide. Moreover, the repellent responses of BPHs to these two volatiles were also impaired upon silencing NlugOBP8. These data suggest that NlugOBP8 is involved in recognizing linalool and caryophyllene oxide and provide additional target for the sustainable control of BPHs.