Geniposide Attenuates Oxygen-glucose Deprivation/Recovery-induced Retinal Ganglion Cell Injury via Akt/Nrf-2 Signaling Pathway.

Background: Glaucoma is an eye disease. Its pathological process involves retinal ischemia-reperfusion (I/R), which causes irreversible blindness in patients. Geniposide (Gen), a bioactive iridoid glycoside extracted from the fruit of gardenia, exhibits many biological effects, such as anti-oxidative stress, anti-inflammation, anti-apoptosis, anti-endoplasmic reticulum stress, and anti-thrombotic effects.

Low-dose radiation exaggerates HFD-induced metabolic dysfunction by gut microbiota through PA-PYCR1 axis.

Co-exposure of High-fat-diet (HFD) behavior and environmental low-dose radiation (LDR) is common among majority occupational workers, but the synergism of this co-exposure in metabolic health is poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the impact of gut microbiota and its metabolites on the regulation of HFD accompanied by LDR-associated with metabolic dysfunction and insulin resistance. Here, we reported that Parasutterella was markedly elevated in the gut microbiota of mice in co-exposure of HFD and LDR, accompanied by increased pyrrolidinecarboxylic acid (PA) level in both intestine and plasma.

A new way for punicalagin to alleviate insulin resistance: regulating gut microbiota and autophagy.

Background: Insulin resistance, defined as a diminished ability to respond to the stimulation of insulin, is the main line for a variety of metabolic-related diseases. Punicalagin (PU), a hydrolyzable tannin of pomegranate juice, exhibits multiple biological properties, including anti-oxidant, anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory activities.

Objective: This research study aimed at determining the protective effect of PU on insulin resistance and to uncover the underlying mechanism based on the gut microbiota, IKKβ/NF-κB pathway, and autophagy.

Potential liver damage due to co-exposure to As, Cd, and Pb in mining areas: Association analysis and research trends from a Chinese perspective.

There is global concern regarding the public health hazards of environmental exposure to multiple toxic heavy metals. The effects of toxic heavy metals on liver function have been suggested in previous reports, but the association between exposure to multiple toxic heavy metals and liver function has not been elucidated. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of exposure to multiple toxic heavy metals, arsenic(As), lead(Pb), and cadmium(Cd), on liver function through population-based and animal studies.

β-Caryophyllene Ameliorates MSU-Induced Gouty Arthritis and Inflammation Through Inhibiting NLRP3 and NF-κB Signal Pathway: In Silico and In Vivo.

Gouty arthritis serves as an acute reaction initiated by the deposition of monosodium urate (MSU) crystals around the joints. In this study, the anti-inflammatory effects of phytochemical β-caryophyllene on MSU crystal-induced acute gouty arthritis and in silico were explored. Through bioinformatics methods and molecular docking, it screened the specific influence pathway of β-caryophyllene on gout.

Inhibitory Effect of Delphinidin on Oxidative Stress Induced by HO in HepG2 Cells.

Chronic liver diseases (CLDs) are correlated with oxidative stress induced by the accumulation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). In this study, we employed HepG2, a human liver carcinoma cell line containing many antioxidant enzymes, to explore the function of delphinidin against oxidative stress induced by HO and to provide scientific data of the molecular mechanism. Cells were pretreated with different concentrations of delphinidin (10 mol/L, 20 mol/L, and 40 mol/L) for 2 h before treatment with 750 M HO for 1 h.

Biodegradation of microcystin-RR and nutrient pollutants using Sphingopyxis sp. YF1 immobilized activated carbon fibers-sodium alginate.

A novel biological material named activated carbon fibers-sodium alginate@Sphingopyxis sp. YF1 (ACF-SA@YF1) was synthesized for microcystin-RR (MC-RR) and nutrient pollutant degradation in eutrophic water. The synthesized biomaterial was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

Punicalagin Prevents Inflammation in LPS-Induced RAW264.7 Macrophages by Inhibiting FoxO3a/Autophagy Signaling Pathway.

Punicalagin, a hydrolysable tannin of pomegranate juice, exhibits multiple biological effects, including inhibiting production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in macrophages. Autophagy, an intracellular self-digestion process, has been recently shown to regulate inflammatory responses. In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory potential of punicalagin in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced RAW264.

Punicalagin Reversed the Hepatic Injury of Tetrachloromethane by Antioxidation and Enhancement of Autophagy.

Hepatic injury is significant in the pathogenesis and development of many types of liver diseases. Punicalagin (PU) is a bioactive antioxidant polyphenol found in pomegranates. To explore its protective effect against carbon tetrachloride (CCl)-induced liver injury and the mechanism, Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mice and L02 cells were used to observe the changes of serum biochemical indicators, histopathological liver structure, cell viability, antioxidative indices, and autophagy-related proteins were assessed.

[Establishment of evaluation system on food safety management capacity for food production enterprises by Delphi method].

To construct an evaluation indicator system on food safety management capacity for food production enterprises by Delphi method, and to provide a scientific theoretical framework for food safety management capacity for food enterprises.
 Methods: A framework for the evaluation system on food safety management capabilities was established and experts in relevant fields were invited to conduct 2 rounds of expert consultation. Indicators were selected and determined based on expert opinions and statistical analysis results.

Radiotherapy Exposure in Cancer Patients and Subsequent Risk of Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Cancer patients who have undergone radiotherapy may have an increased risk of subsequent stroke. A clear and detailed understanding of this risk has not been established. A search for research articles published from January 1990 to November 2017 in the English language was conducted.

AC-Filtering Supercapacitors Based on Edge Oriented Vertical Graphene and Cross-Linked Carbon Nanofiber.

There is strong interest in developing high-frequency (HF) supercapacitors or electrochemical capacitors (ECs), which can work at the hundreds to kilo hertz range for line-frequency alternating current (AC) filtering in the substitution of bulky aluminum electrolytic capacitors, with broad applications in the power and electronic fields. Although great progress has been achieved in the studies of electrode materials for ECs, most of them are not suitable to work in this high frequency range because of the slow electrochemical processes involved. Edge-oriented vertical graphene (VG) networks on 3D scaffolds have a unique structure that offers straightforward pore configuration, reasonable surface area, and high electronic conductivity, thus allowing the fabrication of HF-ECs.

Resveratrol liposomes and lipid nanocarriers: Comparison of characteristics and inducing browning of white adipocytes.

Trans-resveratrol (R) has a potential to increase energy expenditure via inducing browning in white adipose tissue. However, its low levels of aqueous solubility, stability, and poor bioavailability limit its application. We have successfully synthesized biocompatible, and biodegradable R encapsulated lipid nanocarriers (R-nano), and R encapsulated liposomes (R-lipo).

Bracelet- and self-directed observational therapy for control of tuberculosis: study protocol for a cluster randomized controlled trial.

Background: Approximately 80% of global tuberculosis (TB) cases occur in low-resource settings, with little opportunity for TB control. We hypothesized that the rapid increase in smartphone users and advances in digital technology would render bracelet-based applications possible; specifically, that bracelet- and self-directed observational therapy (BSDOT) can be used by patients with TB to ensure adherence to TB medication regimens and by basic village physicians to monitor care. This will ultimately allow TB to be controlled in low-resource environments.

Ionic and Optical Properties of Methylammonium Lead Iodide Perovskite across the Tetragonal-Cubic Structural Phase Transition.

Practical hybrid perovskite solar cells (PSCs) must endure temperatures above the tetragonal-cubic structural phase transition of methylammonium lead iodide (MAPbI ). However, the ionic and optical properties of MAPbI in such a temperature range, and particularly, dramatic changes in these properties resulting from a structural phase transition, are not well studied. Herein, we report a striking contrast at approximately 45 °C in the ionic/electrical properties of MAPbI owing to a change of the ion activation energy from 0.

[Study on the inhibiting effects of equol on MCF-7 cells proliferation and its molecular mechanisms].

Objective: To investigate the proliferation inhibition effects of equol on human breast cancer cell line MCF-7 and explore its molecular mechanisms.

Methods: MCF-7 cells were treated with different concentration of equol, including 0.1, 0.

Prognostic impact of NDRG2 and NDRG3 in prostate cancer patients undergoing radical prostatectomy.

Aim: To investigate the clinicopathologic significance of NDRG2 and NDRG3, and their involvement in recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) of prostate cancer (PCa).

Methods: NDRG2 and NDRG3 expression in 206 pairs of primary PCa and corresponding noncancerous prostate tissue samples from the same specimens were detected by immunohistochemistry. The association of NDRG2 and NDRG3 expression with the clinicopathologic features and with the prognosis of PCa was subsequently assessed.

[Inhibition effects of black rice pericarp extracts on cell proliferation of PC-3 cells].

Objective: To observe the inhibitive effects of black rice pericarp extracts on cell proliferation of human prostate cancer cell PC-3 and to explore its effecting mechanism.

Methods: The black rice pericarp extract was used to treat the PC-3 cells. The inhibitory effect of black rice pericarp extract on cells proliferation of PC-3 was tested by MTT method.

Highly conductive VO2 treated with hydrogen for supercapacitors.

Reduction of VO2 resistance by nearly 3 orders of magnitude through H2 treatment was reported for supercapacitor application. A specific discharge capacitance of 300 F g(-1) and a specific energy density of 17 W h kg(-1) at a rate of 1 A g(-1) are demonstrated with long-term cycling stability, which is 4 times higher than untreated samples.

[Inhibition of genistein on the proliferation of RWPE-1 cells induced by testosterone under the control of insulin-like growth factor-1].

Objective: To observe the inhibition of genistein (Gen) on the proliferation of RWPE-1 cells under insulin-like growth factor-1(IGF-1) modulation and the molecular mechanism of influences on cell cycles.

Methods: The proliferation of RWPE-1 cells was promoted by testosterone and assessed by morphologic observation. RWPE-1 cells were treated with Gen of 0.

[Effects of soy bean isoflavone on inhibition of benign prostatic hyperplasia and the expressions of NO and NOS of rats].

Objective: To explore the inhibitive effect of soybean isoflavone on the prostatic hyperplasia on the expressions of nitric oxid and nitric oxide synthase in the prostatic hyperplasia rats.

Methods: Subcutaneously injected testosterone propionate were to induce prostate hyperplasia in rats. The changes of prostate wet weight, prostatic index, liver index, the changes of some biochemical indexes in rat prostate tissue in the control and the treatment, the low, moderate, high dose groups of soybean isoflavone groups were observed.

Essential role of Smad3 in infarct healing and in the pathogenesis of cardiac remodeling.

Background: Postinfarction cardiac repair is regulated through timely activation and repression of inflammatory pathways, followed by transition to fibrous tissue deposition and formation of a scar. The transforming growth factor-beta/Smad3 pathway is activated in healing infarcts and may regulate cellular events critical for the inflammatory and the fibrotic responses.

Methods And Results: We examined the effects of Smad3 gene disruption on infarct healing and the pathogenesis of cardiac remodeling.

Critical role of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1/CC chemokine ligand 2 in the pathogenesis of ischemic cardiomyopathy.

Background: Cardiac interstitial fibrosis plays an important role in the pathogenesis of ischemic cardiomyopathy, contributing to systolic and diastolic dysfunction. We have recently developed a mouse model of fibrotic noninfarctive cardiomyopathy due to brief repetitive myocardial ischemia and reperfusion. In this model, fibrotic changes are preceded by marked and selective induction of the CC chemokine monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1).