TGR5 signalling in heart and brain injuries: focus on metabolic and ischaemic mechanisms.

The heart and brain are the core organs of the circulation and central nervous system, respectively, and play an important role in maintaining normal physiological functions. Early neuronal and cardiac damage affects organ function. The relationship between the heart and brain is being continuously investigated. Evidence-based medicine has revealed the concept of the "heart- brain axis," which may provide new therapeutic strategies for certain diseases. Takeda protein-coupled receptor 5 (TGR5) is a metabolic regulator involved in energy homeostasis, bile acid homeostasis, and glucose and lipid metabolism. Inflammation is critical for the development and regeneration of the heart and brain during metabolic diseases. Herein, we discuss the role of TGR5 as a metabolic regulator of heart and brain development and injury to facilitate new therapeutic strategies for metabolic and ischemic diseases of the heart and brain.

Highly Adhesive and Self-Healing Zwitterionic Hydrogels as Antibacterial Coatings for Medical Devices.

Bacterial infection of medical devices has caused incalculable losses to maintenance costs and health care. A single coating with antibacterial function cannot guarantee the long-term use of the device, because the coating will be damaged and fall off during reuse. To solve this problem, the development of coatings with high adhesion and self-healing ability is a wise direction. In this paper, a multifunctional polyzwitterionic antibacterial hydrogel coating (PZG) composed of amphozwitterion monomer, anionic monomer, and quaternary ammonium cationic monomer was synthesized by dipping UV photoinitiated polymerization. The structure of PZGs was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Ascribing to the hydrogel internal electrostatic interaction, hydrogen bond, and cation-π interaction, the obtained PZGs exhibited high ductility (>1200% strain) and appropriate strength (>189 kPa). Remarkably, PZGs could also adhere firmly on different substrates through noncovalent interaction, and their adhesion could be controlled by adjusting the amount of zwitterionic. Reversible physical interactions in polymer networks endowed hydrogels with excellent self-healing properties. In addition, PZGs exhibit good antibacterial activity and biocompatibility due to the synergistic effect of quaternary ammonium cation and amphozwitterion monomer. This work provides a multifunctional antibacterial coating for medical equipment and has broad application prospects in the biomedical field.

Fabrication of nano-hammer shaped CuO@HApNWs for catalytic degradation of tetracycline.

With widespread and excessive use of antibiotics in medicine, poultry farming, and aquaculture, antibiotic residues have become a significant threat to both eco-environment and human health. In this paper, using hydroxyapatite nanowires (HApNWs) as an ecologically compatible carrier, a novel nano-hammer shaped conjunction with HApNW conjugating CuO microspheres (CuO@HApNWs) was successfully synthesized by in-situ agglomeration method. The catalytic degradation performance of the nano-hammer shaped CuO@HApNWs with Fenton-like activation was investigated by using tetracycline (TC) as a representative antibiotic pollutant. Remarkably, it exhibited excellent catalytic activity, which the removal rate of TC got to 92.0% within 40 min, and the pseudo-second-order reaction kinetic constant was 18.33 × 10-3 L mg-1·min-1, which was 26 times and 5 times than that of HApNWs and CuO, respectively. Furthermore, after recycling 6 times, the degradation efficiency of TC still remained above 85 %. Based on radical scavenger tests and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, it demonstrated that the excellent activity of CuO@HApNWs was mainly attributed to the fact that Fenton-like activation promotes the circulation of Cu2+ and Cu+, the generated main active oxygen species (•OH and O2-•) achieve efficient degradation of TC. In summary, the nano-hammer shaped CuO@HApNWs could be in-situ synthesed, and used as an eco-friendly Fenton-like catalyst for effectively catalytic degradation of organic pollutants, which has great potential for wastewater treatment.

Single-port plus one in pediatric robotic-assisted Lich-Gregoir ureteral reimplantation for vesicoureteral reflux, a comparative analysis with short-term outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the safety and short-term outcomes of a new way of laparoscopic trocar placement in pediatric robotic-assisted Lich-Gregoir ureteral reimplantation for vesicoureteral reflux. METHODS: The retrospective study included 32 patients under 14 years diagnosed with primary vesicoureteral reflux (VUR). All these patients underwent robotic-assisted Lich-Gregoir ureteral reimplantation in our department from December 2020 to August 2022. These patients were divided into the following groups according to the different ways of trocar placement: 13 patients in group single-port plus one (SR) and 19 patients in group multiple-port (MR). Patients' characteristics as well as their perioperative and follow-up data were collected and evaluated. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the data regarding patients' characteristics and preoperative data. These data included the grade of vesicoureteral reflux according to the voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG), and the differential degree of renal function (DRF) at the following time points: preoperative, postoperative, and comparison of preoperative and postoperative. There was no difference between the two groups. During surgery, the time of artificial pneumoperitoneum establishment, ureteral reimplantation time, and total operative time in the SR group were longer than those in the MR group. Yet only the time of artificial pneumoperitoneum establishment shows a statistical difference (P < 0.0001). Also, the peri-operative data, including the volume of blood loss, fasting time, hospitalization, and length of time that a ureteral catheter remained in place, and the number of postoperative complications demonstrate no difference. In addition, the SFU grade and VCUG grade at the following time point also show no difference between the two groups. CONCLUSION: The study demonstrates that SR in robotic-assisted Lich-Gregoir ureteral reimplantation has reached the same surgical effects as MR. In addition, the single-port plus one trocar placement receives a higher cosmetic satisfaction score from parents and did not increase the surgical time and complexity.

Predicting ambient PM2.5 concentrations via time series models in Anhui Province, China.

Due to rapid expansion in the global economy and industrialization, PM2.5 (particles smaller than 2.5 µm in aerodynamic diameter) pollution has become a key environmental issue. The public health and social development directly affected by high PM2.5 levels. In this paper, ambient PM2.5 concentrations along with meteorological data are forecasted using time series models, including random forest (RF), prophet forecasting model (PFM), and autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) in Anhui province, China. The results indicate that the RF model outperformed the PFM and ARIMA in the prediction of PM2.5 concentrations, with cross-validation coefficients of determination R2, RMSE, and MAE values of 0.83, 10.39 µg/m3, and 6.83 µg/m3, respectively. PFM achieved the average results (R2 = 0.71, RMSE = 13.90 µg/m3, and MAE = 9.05 µg/m3), while the predicted results by ARIMA are comparatively poorer (R2 = 0.64, RMSE = 15.85 µg/m3, and MAE = 10.59 µg/m3) than RF and PFM. These findings reveal that the RF model is the most effective method for predicting PM2.5 and can be applied to other regions for new findings.

The auditory stimulus reduced the visual inhibition of return: Evidence from psychophysiological interaction analysis.

Visual inhibition of return (IOR) is a mechanism for preventing attention from returning to previously examined spatial locations. Previous studies have found that auditory stimuli presented simultaneously with a visual target can reduce or even eliminate the visual IOR. However, the mechanism responsible for decreased visual IOR accompanied by auditory stimuli is unclear. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging, we aimed to investigate how auditory stimuli reduce visual IOR. Behaviorally, we found that the visual IOR accompanying auditory stimuli was significant but smaller than the visual IOR. Neurally, only in the validly cued trials, the superior temporal gyrus showed increased neural coupling with the intraparietal sulcus, presupplementary motor area, and some other areas in audiovisual conditions compared with visual conditions. These results suggest that the reduction in visual IOR by the simultaneous auditory stimuli may be due to a dual mechanism: rescuing the suppressed visual salience and facilitating response initiation. Our results support crossmodal interactions can occur across multiple neural levels and cognitive processing stages. This study provides a new perspective for understanding attention-orienting networks and response initiation based on crossmodal information.

Placental galectins: a subfamily of galectins lose the ability to bind ß-galactosides with new structural features†.

Galectins are a phylogenetically conserved family of soluble ß-galactoside binding proteins. There are 16 different of galectins, each with a specific function determined by its distinct distribution and spatial structure. Galectin-13, galectin-14, and galectin-16 are distinct from other galectin members in that they are primarily found in placental tissue. These galectins, also referred to as placental galectins, play critical roles in regulating pregnancy-associated processes, such as placenta formation and maternal immune tolerance to the embedded embryo. The unique structural characteristics and the inability to bind lactose of placental galectins have recently received significant attention. This review primarily examines the novel structural features of placental galectins, which distinguish them from the classic galectins. Furthermore, it explores the correlation between these structural features and the loss of ß-galactoside binding ability. In addition, the newly discovered functions of placental galectins in recent years are also summarized in our review. A detailed understanding of the roles of placental galectins may contribute to the discovery of new mechanisms causing numerous pregnancy diseases and enable the development of new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for the treatment of these diseases, ultimately benefiting the health of mothers and offspring.

Hectogram-scale synthesis of [Aib8 , Arg34 ]-GLP-1 (7-37) by liquid-phase fragment condensation.

Based on small-scale synthesis (0.3 g), a 100-g scale-up synthesis of crude [Aib8 , Arg34 ]-glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) (7-37) was completed. The crude [Aib8 , Arg34 ]-GLP-1 (7-37) was purified using a dynamic axial compression column 200 (DAC-200). Approximately 61 g of [Aib8 , Arg34 ]-GLP-1 (7-37) with a purity of >99% was obtained through one-step reverse-phase chromatography. The purification yield was approximately 92%. The yield from the total reaction was approximately 60%. In summary, we developed an economical and environmentally friendly route to the synthesis and purification of crude [Aib8 , Arg34 ]-GLP-1 (7-37), laying a foundation for subsequent industrial production.

Potential of green tea EGCG in neutralizing SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant with greater tropism toward the upper respiratory tract.

Background: COVID-19 due to SARS-CoV-2 infection has had an enormous adverse impact on global public health. As the COVID-19 pandemic evolves, the WHO declared several variants of concern (VOCs), including Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, and Omicron. Compared with earlier variants, Omicron, now a dominant lineage, exhibits characteristics of enhanced transmissibility, tropism shift toward the upper respiratory tract, and attenuated disease severity. The robust transmission of Omicron despite attenuated disease severity still poses a great challenge for pandemic control. Under this circumstance, its tropism shift may be utilized for discovering effective preventive approaches. Scope and approach: This review aims to estimate the potential of green tea epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), the most potent antiviral catechin, in neutralizing SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant, based on current knowledge concerning EGCG distribution in tissues and Omicron tropism. Key findings and conclusions: EGCG has a low bioavailability. Plasma EGCG levels are in the range of submicromolar concentrations following green tea drinking, or reach at most low µM concentrations after pharmacological intervention. Nonetheless, its levels in the upper respiratory tract could reach concentrations as high as tens or even hundreds of µM following green tea consumption or pharmacological intervention. An approach for delivering sufficiently high concentrations of EGCG in the pharynx has been developed. Convincing data have demonstrated that EGCG at tens to hundreds of µM can dramatically neutralize SARS-CoV-2 and effectively eliminate SARS-CoV-2-induced cytopathic effects and plaque formation. Thus, EGCG, which exhibits hyperaccumulation in the upper respiratory tract, deserves closer investigation as an antiviral in the current global battle against COVID-19, given Omicron's greater tropism toward the upper respiratory tract.

SBAS-InSAR Based Deformation Monitoring of Tailings Dam: The Case Study of the Dexing Copper Mine No.4 Tailings Dam.

The No.4 tailings pond of the Dexing Copper Mine is the second largest in Asia. The tailing pond is a dangerous source of man-made debris flow with high potential energy. In view of the lack of effective and low-cost global safety monitoring means in this region, in this paper, the time-series InSAR technology is innovatively introduced to monitor the deformation of tailings dam and significant key findings are obtained. First, the surface deformation information of the tailings pond and its surrounding areas was extracted by using SBAS-InSAR technology and Sentinel-1A data. Second, the cause of deformation is explored by analyzing the deformation rate, deformation accumulation, and three typical deformation rate profiles of the representative observation points on the dam body. Finally, the power function model is used to predict the typical deformation observation points. The results of this paper indicated that: (1) the surface deformation of the tailings dam can be categorized into two directions: the upper portion of the dam moving away from the satellite along the Line of Sight (LOS) at a rate of -40 mm/yr, whereas the bottom portion approaching the satellite along the LOS at a rate of 8 mm/yr; (2) the deformation of the dam body is mainly affected by the inventory deposits and the construction materials of the dam body; (3) according to the current trend, deformation of two typical observation points in the LOS direction will reach the cumulative deformation of 80 mm and -360 mm respectively. The research results can provide data support for safety management of No.4 tailings dam in the Dexing Copper Mine, and provide a method reference for monitoring other similar tailings dams.

Seasonal climate conditions impact the effectiveness of improving photosynthesis to increase soybean yield.

Context: Photosynthetic stimulations have shown promising outcomes in improving crop photosynthesis, including soybean. However, it is still unclear to what extent these changes can impact photosynthetic assimilation and yield under long-term field climate conditions. Objective: In this paper, we present a systematic evaluation of the response of canopy photosynthesis and yield to two critical parameters in leaf photosynthesis: the maximum carboxylation rate of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Vcmax) and the maximum electron transport of the ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate regeneration rate (Jmax). Methods: Using the field-scale crop model Soybean-BioCro and ten years of observed climate data in Urbana, Illinois, U.S., we conducted sensitivity experiments to estimate the changes in canopy photosynthesis, leaf area index, and biomass due to the changes in Vcmax and Jmax. Results: The results show that 1) Both the canopy photosynthetic assimilation (An) and pod biomass yields were more sensitive to the changes in Jmax, particularly at high atmospheric carbon-dioxide concentrations ([CO2]); 2) Higher [CO2] undermined the effectiveness of increasing the two parameters to improve An and yield; 3) Under the same [CO2], canopy light interception and canopy respiration were key factors that undermined improvements in An and yield; 4) A canopy with smaller leaf area index tended to have a higher yield improvement, and 5) Increases in assimilations and yields were highly dependent on growing-season climatic conditions. The solar radiation, temperature, and relative humidity were the main climate drivers that impacted the yield improvement, and they had opposite correlations with improved yield during the vegetative phase compared to the reproductive phase. Conclusions: In a world with elevated [CO2], genetic engineering crop photosynthesis should focus more on improving Jmax. Further, long-term climate conditions and seasonal variations must be considered to determine the improvements in soybean canopy photosynthesis and yield at the field scale. Implications: Quantifying the effectiveness of changing Vcmax and Jmax helps understand their individual and combined contributions to potential improvements in assimilation and yield. This work provides a framework for evaluating how altering the photosynthetic rate parameters impacts soybean yield and assimilation under different seasonal climate scenarios at the field scale.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of glucagon-like peptide-1 analogs with the C-terminal helix 3 of albumin-binding domain 3.

Based on peptide 6 (Ser8-GLP-1 [7-35]-GVKALIDEILAA-NH2; GVKALI-DEILAA is the C-terminal helix 3 of albumin-binding domain 3 of protein G from bacterial Streptococcal G strain 148 [G148-ABD3]), a series of its analogs (compounds 0-VI: Aib8-GLP-1 [7-35]-linkers-GVKALIDEILAA-NH2) were designed and synthesized using microwave-assisted solid-phase synthesis. First, to monitor the reaction process and reduce potential risks, the synthesis process of compounds 0-VI was divided into three stages. Next, to explore the effect of these linkers on their albumin-binding rates, albumin-binding assays were performed. Finally, to evaluate their biological activities in vitro and in vivo, receptor potency, surface plasmon resonance (SPR), weight-loss, and glucose-lowering assays were carried out. These results indicated the linkers of different polarities between Aib8-GLP-1 (7-35) and the C-terminal helix 3 of ABD3 can significantly affect the albumin-binding rate of the C-terminal helix 3 of ABD3. And compound IV had the highest albumin-binding rates, weight-loss, and glucose-lowering effects among them.

Efficient synthesis of Aib8 -Arg34 -GLP-1 (7-37) by liquid-phase fragment condensation.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is a potential therapeutic agent for treating Type 2 diabetes, owing to its glucose-dependent capability to stimulate insulin secretion. Semaglutide is currently the best GLP-1 analogue; however, the Aib8 -Arg34 -GLP-1 (7-37) of semaglutide contains an unnatural amino acid at the eighth position (Aib: 2-aminoisobutyric acid), which hinders its fermentation process. Aib8 -Arg34 -GLP-1 (7-37) is mainly synthesised by solid-phase synthesis. However, solid-phase synthesis of Aib8 -Arg34 -GLP-1 (7-37) has many shortcomings: (i) The synthesis requires many organic solvents, (ii) the existence of deletion peptides impedes the subsequent purification process, (iii) the yield is low (approximately 16%), and (iv) it is not suitable for large-scale synthesis. However, the synthesis of Aib8 -Arg34 -GLP-1 (7-37) by liquid-phase fragment condensation of expressed and synthetic peptides (Arg34 -GLP-1 (9-37) and Boc-His (Boc)-Aib) has many advantages: (i) The synthesis process only requires a few organic reagents, (ii) the yield is high (approximately 60%), (iii) the purification conditions are simple and Aib8 -Arg34 -GLP-1 (7-37) with a purity of over 98% is obtained through one-step reverse-phase purification, and (iv) the raw materials are inexpensive and large-scale synthesis is possible. In conclusion, here, we developed an efficient method for synthesising Aib8 -Arg34 -GLP-1 (7-37).

The effects of high-intensity interval training and moderate-intensity continuous training on visceral fat and carotid hemodynamics parameters in obese adults.

Objectives: The present study aimed to examine the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) on visceral fat and hemodynamic parameters in obese adults. Methods: Fifty-two males were included in this study and divided into three groups: HIIT group (n = 21, age = 20.86 ± 1.62 years, BF (%) = 30.10 ± 5.02), MICT group (n = 22, age = 20.76 ± 1.14 years, BF (%) = 30.19 ± 5.76), and control group (CON) (n = 9, age = 21.38 ± 1.77 years, BF (%) = 30.40 ± 5.10). The HIIT and MICT groups received the exercise intervention three to four times per week for eight weeks (HIIT: exercise intensity 80-95% HRmax, circuit; MICT: exercise intensity 60-70% HRmax, running), and the control (CON) group received health education and guidance without exercise intervention. The body compositions and serum lipid indexes were tested to calculated LAP and VAI. The color doppler ultrasound diagnostic technology was used to test the artery diameter and blood velocity before and after the intervention. Based on the test data, MATLAB software and Womersley theory were used to calculate the hemodynamic parameters of the common carotid artery, including wall shear stress, flow rate, blood pressure, oscillatory shear index, elasticity modulus, dynamic resistance, artery diameter, arterial stiffness, circumferential strain and pulsatility index. Results: We found that lipid accumulation product (LAP) was significantly decreased in both the HIIT group (p < 0.01) and MICT (p < 0.05) group but not in the CON group (p > 0.05). In contrast, visceral adiposity index (VAI) decreased in both the HIIT and MICT groups and increased in the CON group, although the difference among groups was not significant (p > 0.05). After 8 weeks of intervention, the blood velocity and wall shear stress were greater after HIIT and MICT intervention (p < 0.01). Artery diameter, oscillatory shear index, arterial stiffness, and pulsatility index decreased significantly, and circumferential strain increased significantly in the HIIT group (all, p < 0.01, p < 0.05) but not in the MICT group (p > 0.05). Dynamic resistance was significantly decreased in the MICT group. There was no difference in the CON group after the period of intervention (all, p > 0.05). LAP was positively related to artery diameter (r = 0.48, p = 0.011), blood pressure (r = 0.46, p = 0.002), flow rate (r = 0.31, p = 0.04), oscillatory shear index (r = 0.44, p = 0.03), and elasticity modulus (r = 0.33, p = 0.029) but inversely related to circumferential strain (r = -0.36, p = 0.028). The VAI was also positively associated with artery diameter (r = 0.33, p = 0.03), elasticity modulus (r = 0.38, p = 0.009), and arterial stiffness (r = 0.39, p = 0.012). In addition, the VAI was negatively correlated with the circumferential strain (r = -0.33, p = 0.04). Conclusion: The present study demonstrated that both HIIT and MICT exercises for 8 weeks could effectively enhance visceral fat indices and partial hemodynamic parameters. Therefore, HIIT and MICT exert important effects on reducing fat content and improving hemodynamic environment. But HIIT on oscillatory shear index, arterial stiffness, circumferential strain, and pulsatility index was superior to MICT. In addition, there are close correlations between visceral fat and partial hemodynamic parameters of the common carotid artery.

Knockdown of LINC00467 contributed to Axitinib sensitivity in hepatocellular carcinoma through miR-509-3p/PDGFRA axis.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common histological class of primary liver cancer with dismal prognosis. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are increasingly documented as participators in cancers. Present study aimed to explore the role of long intergenic nonprotein-coding RNA 467 (LINC00467) in HCC. LINC00467 was upregulated in HCC samples in TCGA database, and was confirmed to be elevated in HCC cell lines. Functionally, LINC00467 depletion impeded proliferation and invasion, induced apoptosis, and promoted cellular sensitivity to Axitinib in HCC. Mechanistically, LINC00467 performed as a sponge of microRNA (miR)-509-3p and upregulated the expression of platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRA) in HCC cells. In conclusion, our study illustrated that LINC00467 promoted proliferation and invasion, impedes apoptosis, and contributed to Axitinib resistance of hepatocellular carcinoma through miR-509-3p/PDGFRA, indicating LINC00467 as a promising biological target for HCC treatment.

Lactic acid bacteria that activate immune gene expression in Caenorhabditis elegans can antagonise Campylobacter jejuni infection in nematodes, chickens and mice.

BACKGROUND: Campylobacter jejuni is the major micro-bacillary pathogen responsible for human coloenteritis. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) have been shown to protect against Campylobacter infection. However, LAB with a good ability to inhibit the growth of C. jejuni in vitro are less effective in animals and animal models, and have the disadvantages of high cost, a long cycle, cumbersome operation and insignificant immune response indicators. Caenorhabditis elegans is increasingly used to screen probiotics for their anti-pathogenic properties. However, no research on the use of C. elegans to screen for probiotic candidates antagonistic to C. jejuni has been conducted to date. RESULTS: This study established a lifespan model of C. elegans, enabling the preselection of LAB to counter C. jejuni infection. A potential protective mechanism of LAB was identified. Some distinct LAB species offered a high level of protection to C. elegans against C. jejuni. The LAB strains with a high protection rate reduced the load of C. jejuni in C. elegans. The transcription of antibacterial peptide genes, MAPK and Daf-16 signalling pathway-related genes was elevated using the LAB isolates with a high protection rate. The reliability of the lifespan model of C. elegans was verified using mice and chickens infected with C. jejuni. CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that different LAB had different abilities to protect C. elegans against C. jejuni. C. elegans provides a reliable model for researchers to screen for LAB that are antagonistic to C. jejuni on a large scale.

Potential protective mechanisms of green tea polyphenol EGCG against COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: The world is in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. In this comprehensive review, we discuss the potential protective effects of (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a major constituent of green tea, against COVID-19. SCOPE AND APPROACH: Information from literature of clinical symptoms and molecular pathology of COVID-19 as well as relevant publications in which EGCG shows potential protective activities against COVID-19 is integrated and evaluated. KEY FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS: EGCG, via activating Nrf2, can suppress ACE2 (a cellular receptor for SARS-CoV-2) and TMPRSS2, which mediate cell entry of the virus. Through inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 main protease, EGCG may inhibit viral reproduction. EGCG via its broad antioxidant activity may protect against SARS-CoV-2 evoked mitochondrial ROS (which promote SARS-CoV-2 replication) and against ROS burst inflicted by neutrophil extracellular traps. By suppressing ER-resident GRP78 activity and expression, EGCG can potentially inhibit SARS-CoV-2 life cycle. EGCG also shows protective effects against 1) cytokine storm-associated acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome, 2) thrombosis via suppressing tissue factors and activating platelets, 3) sepsis by inactivating redox-sensitive HMGB1, and 4) lung fibrosis through augmenting Nrf2 and suppressing NF-κB. These activities remain to be further substantiated in animals and humans. The possible concerted actions of EGCG suggest the importance of further studies on the prevention and treatment of COVID-19 in humans. These results also call for epidemiological studies on potential preventive effects of green tea drinking on COVID-19.

The clinical value of high fluorescent lymphocytes and smudge cells in the diagnosis of infectious mononucleosis.

BACKGROUND: The diagnostic value of high fluorescent lymphocytes (HFLC) and smudge cells in diseases like sepsis has been confirmed. In this study, we explore the diagnostic value of HFLC and smudge cells for infectious mononucleosis (IM). METHODS: Sixty-two IM patients, 67 healthy controls, 84 patients with upper respiratory tract virus infection, and 35 patients with malignant lymphoid diseases were enrolled. The complete blood counts and leukocyte differential counts are tested, and the smudge cells were manually counted. RESULTS: The value of HFLC% and smudge cells of the IM group were significantly higher than those of healthy controls and disease controls (p < 0.05), and the HFLC% value of IM patients was positively correlated with the number of reactive lymphocytes (r = 0.265). When the cutoff value of HFLC% was 0.4%, and the diagnostic value of IM was high (AUC = 0.995). When the smudge cells >2/100 nucleated cells, it can show better (AUC = 1.000). When the cutoff value of the HFLC% was 1.2%, it can effectively distinguish IM patients from upper respiratory tract virus infection patients (AUC = 0.934); when smudge cells >16/100 nucleated cells, it also has high differential diagnosis value (AUC = 0.913). In addition, the AUC of the combination HFLC% and smudge cells for the differential diagnosis can be increased to 0.968. The performance value of single HFLC% (AUC = 0.942) for distinguishing IM from malignant lymphoid diseases was better than smudge cells and combine index with the cutoff value of 0.4%. CONCLUSION: HFLC% and smudge cells can be used as effective indicators in the early diagnosis and differential diagnosis of IM.

Triterpenoid saponins in tea (Camellia sinensis) plants: biosynthetic gene expression, content variations, chemical identification and cytotoxicity.

Very little is known about saponins in tea and their biosynthesis in tea plants despite of the importance. Here, we studied tea saponins and their biosynthesis genes. Saponins were promptly recovered in tea infusions. Cytotoxicity of tea saponin extracts on human tongue squamous and hepatocellular carcinoma lines showed respective IC50 values of 29.2 and 17.5 µg/mL, which may be attributable to over 40 saponins identified in green tea. Saponin contents varied in shoot tips of 42 tea plant varieties but did not change drastically during tea processing. Saponin biosynthetic gene expression was consistent with its contents in plant tissues. Thus, plant tips produce significant amounts of saponins, which are stable during tea processing, and ready to be recovered to tea infusions to provide potent health benefits to consumers. This study paves a road towards clarifying the biosynthesis and genetic improvement of saponins in tea plants.

Facile construction of BiOBr ultra-thin nano-roundels for dramatically enhancing photocatalytic activity.

BiOBr is a kind of promising photocatalyst because of excellent photoelectric separation efficiency and chemical stability. In order to improving practical application performance, a novel BiOBr ultra-thin nano-roundel (BiOBr-nR) was constructed in water-in-oil (WIO) emulsion microspheres, and prepared by hydrothermal reaction. Its specific surface area was increased by changing microtopography and downsizing. After being characterized by FT-IR, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectra (UV-Vis DRS) and photoluminescence (PL), it indicated the BiOBr-nR, being doped by C and N, is 4-5 times smaller and thinner than that of conventional BiOBr. It was also found that BiOBr-nR has narrower band gap energy (2.78 eV), excellent photocatalytic activity, significant reusability, and stability. The obtained BiOBr-nR photocatalysts were applied to remove organics. It presented excellent photocatalytic activity, the degradation rate of organics got to 99.2%. The mechanism of photodegradation was investigated, which indicated superoxide radicals and holes play a major role in the degradation of organics. Therefore, BiOBr-nR is a kind of environmentally friendly photocatalyst with stable photocatalytic activity, the removal rate still more than 97% after recycling for 10 times. In summary, we found a novel insight for designing and preparation of efficient and recyclable BiOBr photocatalytic materials, which exhibits high photoresponse for purifying the wastewater.