MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry Reveals the Effect of Acetyl-L-Carnitine on the Lipid Profile of Buffalo Oocytes and Cumulus Cells During In Vitro Maturation.

Lipids in cumulus-oocyte complexes are important actors in molecular signalling pathways and are influenced by maturation conditions. Acetyl-L-carnitine (ALC) is a carrier involved in fatty acid transport and is a promoter of β-oxidation. Although the embryonic development potential of oocytes can be improved when ALC is added to the maturation medium, the effects of ALC on the lipid content and composition of oocytes and cumulus cells remain unknown.

Identification and Quantification of the Main Psychoactive Ingredients of Cannabis in Urine Using Excitation-Eemission Matrix Fluorescence Coupled with Parallel Factor Analysis.

Cannabis is the most prevalent abused substance after alcohol, and its consumption severely harms human health and thus adversely impacts society. The identification and quantification of cannabis in urine play important roles in practical forensics. Excitation-emission matrix (EEM) fluorescence spectroscopy coupled with parallel factor (PARAFAC) analysis was developed to identify and quantify the four main ingredients of cannabis in urine samples.

Identification and classification of ATS in oral fluid based on Ag nanoassemblies on Si surface doped with Au nanobipyramids.

Herein, a novel Ag NP substrate doped with Au nanobipyramids was designed and fabricated via a convenient procedure of galvanic reaction for the identification and classification of amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) in oral fluids in combination with surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). The substrate was shown to have a three-dimensional nanostructure, high SERS activity, and good stability. In combination with SERS, the Ag NP substrate doped with Au nanobipyramids was able to detect ultra-low traces of ATS, including amphetamine, methylamphetamine (MA), 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), and 3,4-methylenedioxymethylamphetamine (MDMA) in oral fluid with limit of detection (LOD) and limit of determination quantitation (LOQ) as low as 10 mg/mL, which is much better than the current spectroscopic techniques.

Toxoplasma gondii infection triggers ongoing inflammation mediated by increased intracellular Cl concentration in airway epithelium.

Toxoplasma gondii is a widespread parasitic protozoan causing toxoplasmosis including pulmonary toxoplasmosis. As the first line of host defense, airway epithelial cells play critical roles in orchestrating pulmonary innate immunity. However, the mechanism underlying the airway inflammation induced by the T.

A low-profile broadband crossed-dipole antenna with fractal structure and inverted-L plates.

A low-profile broadband circularly polarized (CP) crossed-dipole antenna is proposed. In this antenna, the dipole uses a fractal-based structure with multiple similar patches for obtaining broadband CP radiation and impedance matching. The incorporation of the crossed-dipole antenna with four triangular parasitic patches improves both the impedance and axial ratio (AR) bandwidths.

Allicin Facilitates Airway Surface Liquid Hydration by Activation of CFTR.

Airway epithelium plays critical roles in regulating airway surface liquid (ASL), the alteration of which causes mucus stasis symptoms. Allicin is a compound released from garlic and harbors the capacity of lung-protection. However, the potential regulatory effects of allicin on airway epithelium remain elusive.

Lysosomal dysfunction is associated with NLRP3 inflammasome activation in chronic unpredictable mild stress-induced depressive mice.

NLRP3 inflammasome pathway-mediated inflammatory response is closely associated with depression. Increasing attention has been recently paid to the links between autophagy and depression, however, the relationship between autophagy and NLRP3 inflammasome in depressive behavior remain poorly understood. In the present study, the potential roles of autophagy-lysosome pathway in NLRP3 inflammasome regulation were investigated both in vivo (chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS)-induced depressive mouse model) and in vitro (LPS-induced cellular model) model.

Links Between Gut Dysbiosis and Neurotransmitter Disturbance in Chronic Restraint Stress-Induced Depressive Behaviours: the Role of Inflammation.

Accumulating evidence has shown that inflammation, the gut microbiota, and neurotransmitters are closely associated with the pathophysiology of depression. However, the links between the gut microbiota and neurotransmitter metabolism remain poorly understood. The present study aimed to investigate the neuroinflammatory reactions in chronic restraint stress (CRS)-induced depression and to delineate the potential links between the gut microbiota and neurotransmitter metabolism.

A simple pillar[5]arene assembled multi-functional material with ultrasensitive sensing, self-healing, conductivity and host-guest stimuli-responsive properties.

Multi-functional materials have received wide attention due to their potential applications in various fields; therefore, developing a simple and easy strategy for the preparation of multi-functional materials is an interesting issue. In this work, a novel supramolecular gel, TP-QG, has been successfully constructed the assembly of a simple methoxyl-pillar[5]arene host (TP) and a tripodal (tri-pyridine-4-yl)-amido-benzene guest (Q). Interestingly, TP-QG could act as a multi-functional material and showed strong fluorescence, good self-healing, host-guest stimuli-responsiveness and conductive properties.

Discovery of Antioxidant Peptides from Amphibians: A Review.

In recent years, bioactive peptide drugs have attracted growing attention due to the increasing difficulty in developing new drugs with novel chemical structures. In addition, many diseases are linked to excessive oxidation in the human body. Therefore, the role of peptides with antioxidant activity in counteracting diseases related to oxidative stress is worth exploring.

Combination Effect of Three Main Constituents From Inhibits Oxidative Stress in the Mice Following Acute Lung Injury: A Role of MAPK-NF-κB Pathway.

Caffeoylquinic acids, coumarins and dicaffeoyl derivatives are considered to be three kinds of the most abundant bioactive components in , an anti-inflammatory herb mainly found in Southern Asia. The combined anti-inflammatory effect of three typical constituents C + R + I (chlorogenic acid + rosmarinic acid + isofraxidin) from this plant has been investigated. The result implies that targeting the MAPK-NF-κB pathway would be one of the major mechanisms involved, using LPS stimulated RAW 264.

Theoretical and Experimental Insights into the Self-Assembly and Ion Response Mechanisms of Tripodal Quinolinamido-Based Supramolecular Organogels.

The exploration and understanding of self-assembly and stimuli-responsive mechanisms of supramolecular systems are of fundamental importance for researchers to plan syntheses reasonably. Herein, the self-assembly and ions responsive mechanisms of a tripodal quinolinamido-based supramolecular organogel (TBT-gel) were investigated through experiments and theoretical calculations including independent gradient model (IGM), localized orbitals locator (LOL) and hole-electron theory. According to these studies, the self-assembly mechanism of TBT-gel was based on strong threefold H-bonding and π-π interactions, which induced the TBT forming helical, one-dimensional supramolecular polymer.

Metal-Free White Light-Emitting Fluorescent Material Based on Simple Pillar[5]arene-tripodal Amide System and Theoretical Insights on Its Assembly and Fluorescent Properties.

The booming of host-guest assembly-based supramolecular chemistry provides abundant ways to construct functional systems and materials. Attracted by the important application prospect of white light emission and aggregation-induced emission (AIE) materials, herein, we report an efficient way for fabricating metal-free white light-emitting AIE materials through the supramolecular assembly of simple organic compounds: methoxyl pillar[5]arene () and tri-(pyridine-4-ylamido)benzene (). By host-guest assembly, and formed a supramolecular polymer (); meanwhile, the xerogel powder emitted white light at CIE coordinates (0.

Tailoring an HSO anion hybrid receptor based on a phenazine derivative.

A catechol-functionalized phenazine imidazole (PD) was tailored with 2,3-diaminophenazine and 3,4-dihydroxy benzaldehyde, and it served as a hybrid acceptor for capturing HSO anions. The selectivity and sensitivity of the PD receptor for anion sensing were studied. It was found that the PD receptor could not only display a preferable sensitivity to HSO ions with a "turn-off" fluorescence response, but also have a strong anti-interference ability toward other common anions, especially basic anions such as CHCOO, HPO, and HPO.

Analysis of reference genes stability and histidine kinase expression under cold stress in Cordyceps militaris.

The development of fungal fruiting bodies from a hyphal thallus is inducible under low temperature (cold stress). The molecular mechanism has been subject to surprisingly few studies. Analysis of gene expression level has become an important means to study gene function and its regulation mechanism.

Transparency and AIE tunable supramolecular polymer hydrogel acts as TEA-HCl vapor controlled smart optical material.

Stimuli-responsive optical materials attract lots of attention due to their broad applications. Herein, a novel smart stimuli-responsive supramolecular polymer was successfully constructed using a simple tripodal quaternary ammonium-based gelator (TH). The TH self-assembles into a supramolecular polymer hydrogel (TH-G) and shows aggregation-induced emission (AIE) properties.

A bi-component supramolecular gel for selective fluorescence detection and removal of Hg in water.

A bi-component supramolecular gel (RQ) was successfully constructed by the assembly of the gelators 4-aminophenyl functionalized naphthalimide derivative (R) and tri-(pyridine-4-yl)-functionalized trimesic amide (Q) in DMSO-H2O (6.1 : 3.9, v/v) binary solution.

A novel bis-component AIE smart gel with high selectivity and sensitivity to detect CN, Fe and HPO.

A novel bis-component AIE-gel TG was facilely constructed from two "easy-to-synthesize" tripodal gelators by a simple host-guest self-assembly process. Interestingly, the TG shows strong aggregation-induced emission (AIE) and could be used for highly efficient and sensitive detection and separation of ions (CN, Fe and HPO). The LODs (limits of lowest detection) of TG for CN, Fe and HPO are in the range of 4.

Novel cyanide supramolecular fluorescent chemosensor constructed from a quinoline hydrazone functionalized-pillar[5]arene.

Herein, we report a simple and novel approach for the design of fluorescent chemosensor through the self-assembly of functionalized monomer molecules. According to these approach, a novel supramolecular fluorescent chemosensor (SPMS) was successfully constructed by self-assembly of a quinoline hydrazone functionalized pillar[5]arene monomer PM. Interestingly, upon the addition of CN, the solution of SPMS instantly shows dramatic fluorescent enhancement and emitting bright blue emission.

[Effects of Hydrogen Sulfide on Inflammatory Factors and Mitochondrial Energy Metabolic Disorders After Reperfusion Injury in Rats].

Objective To explore the effect of hydrogen sulfide on inflammatory factors and energy metabolism of mitochondria after limbs reperfusion injury in rats. Methods Sixty rats were divided into three groups:sham operation group,control group(ischemia-reperfusion injury + saline group),and experimental group(ischemia-reperfusion injury + HS group).Wistar rat models of limb ischemia-reperfusion injury were established.

[Transcutaneous Electrostimulation of Auricular Otopoints Reduces Epileptic Attack Possibly by Suppressing Hippocampal Gliocyte Proliferation and Regulating IL-6 and IL-10 Expression in Chronic Temporal Lobe Epilepsy Rats].

Objective: To observe the effect of transcutaneous otopoint electrostimulaiton (TCOES) on seizure frequency, immunoreactivity of hippocampal gliocytes and expression of proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-6(IL-6) and anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 in chronic temporal lobe epilepsy (CTLE) rats, so as to investigate its antiepileptic mechanism.

Methods: Thirty-six SD rats were randomly divided into control, model and TCOES groups (=12 in each group). The CTLE model was established by intraperitoneal injection (i.

Effect of electroacupuncture on thermal pain threshold and expression of calcitonin-gene related peptide, substance P and γ-aminobutyric acid in the cervical dorsal root ganglion of rats with incisional neck pain.

Objective: Acupuncture therapy effectively reduces post-surgical pain, but its mechanism of action remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate whether expression of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and the neuropeptides substance P (SP) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in the primary sensory neurons of cervical dorsal root ganglia (DRG) are involved in electroacupuncture (EA)-induced analgesia in a rat model of incisional neck pain.

Methods: The pain model was established by making a longitudinal midline neck incision in 60 rats.

[Effects of Transcutaneous Electrostimulation of Auricular Points on Behavior and Hippocampal IL-1 β and TNF-α Expression in Temporal Lobe Epilepsy Rats].

Objective: To observe the effect of transcutaneous otopoint electrostimulation (TCOES) on behavior and expression of hippocampal interleukin-1 β (IL-1 β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) expression in lithium-pilocarpine induced chronic spontaneous temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) rats, so as to investigate its antiepileptic mechanism.

Methods: Thirty-six SD rats were randomly divided into control, model and TCOES groups (=12 in each group). The epilepsy model was established by intraperitoneal injection of lithium chloride (127.

Absolutely nondestructive discrimination of Huoshan Dendrobium nobile species with miniature near-infrared (NIR) spectrometer engine.

As one very precious traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), Huoshan Dendrobium has not only high price, but also significant pharmaceutical efficacy. However, different species of Huoshan Dendrobium exhibit considerable difference in pharmaceutical efficacy, so rapid and absolutely non-destructive discrimination of Huoshan Dendrobium nobile according to different species is crucial to quality control and pharmaceutical effect. In this study, as one type of miniature near-infrared (NIR) spectrometer, MicroNIR 1700 was used for absolutely nondestructive determination of NIR spectra of 90 batches of Dendrobium from five species of differ- ent commodity grades.