Eight-month intensive meditation-based intervention improves refractory hallucinations and delusions and quality of life in male inpatients with schizophrenia: a randomized controlled trial.

Aim: This study investigated the impact of an 8-month daily-guided intensive meditation-based intervention (iMI) on persistent hallucinations/delusions and health-related quality of life (QoL) in male inpatients with schizophrenia with treatment-refractory hallucinations and delusions (TRHDs).

Methods: A randomized controlled trial assigned 64 male inpatients with schizophrenia and TRHD equally to an 8-month iMI plus general rehabilitation program (GRP) or GRP alone. Assessments were conducted at baseline and the third and eighth months using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), 36-Item Short Form-36 (SF-36), and Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ).

Combination of colorimetry, inner filter effect-induced fluorometry and smartphone‑based digital image analysis: A versatile and reliable strategy for multi-mode visualization of food dyes.

Herein, a multi-mode visualization platform was initiated for in-situ detection of food dyes (FDs) by combining colorimetry, fluorometry and smartphone‑based digital image analysis, in which water-dispersible quantum dots (QDs) were served as nanoprobes. Colorimetry was achieved by color comparison, while both fluorometry and fluorescence quantification were performed through inner filter effect (IFE)-induced fluorescence quenching, then color information (RGB & gray-scale values) of colorimetry and fluorometry was picked by a smartphone to reconstruct digitized alignments. Since IFE mechanism was concentration-dependent but did not rely on the interaction between fluorophore and quencher, the whole process of fluorescence response could be finished within 10 s, and both color gradients and fluorescence changes showed fine mappings to FDs concentrations in the range of 1.

Colorimetry Combined with Inner Filter Effect-Based Fluorometry: A Versatile and Robust Strategy for Multimode Visualization of Food Dyes.

Herein, a strategy combining colorimetry and inner filter effect (IFE)-based fluorometry was developed for multimode visualization of food dyes (FDs) using CdTe quantum-dots-doped fluorescent indicator papers as a sample-to-answer device. Colorimetry was straightforwardly achieved by FDs extraction through electrostatic interaction and hydrophobic effect while fluorometry was implemented by IFE-induced fluorescence quenching. RGB/gray-scale values of colorimetry and fluorometry were furtherly picked by a smartphone application and applied to reconstruct color information-based digital image analysis for both direct alignments and linear regression analysis.

Untargeted Metabolomics Reveals the Function of GPRC6A in Amino Acid and Lipid Metabolism in Mice.

GPRC6A is an amino acid sensor in the cytomembrane. Despite substantial evidence for the role of GPRC6A in metabolism, the specific effects and mechanism by which this gene acts on metabolic processes are still unresolved. In this study, serum biochemical parameters related to liver and kidney function and serum amino acid levels were determined in GPRC6A wild-type (WT) and knockout (KO) mice.

GPRC6A Mediates Glucose and Amino Acid Homeostasis in Mice.

GPRC6A, an important member of the G-protein-coupled receptor superfamily, has been widely studied in body health maintenance and related diseases. However, it is still controversial whether GPRC6A plays a vital role in glucose homeostasis, and the role of GPRC6A on amino acid homeostasis has not been reported. In this study, GPRC6A was knocked out in C57BL6 mice, and we found that GPRC6A plays an important role in the glucose metabolism, mainly affecting the glucose clearance capacity and gluconeogenesis in mice.

A peptide aptamer based electrochemical amperometric sensor for sensitive L-glutamate detection.

L-glutamate (L-Glu) has gained much attention owing to its contribution to the umami taste and it plays important roles in the central nervous system. Herein, an enzyme-free amperometric biosensor based on a peptide possessing an electroactive ferrocene linker as ferrocene-Gly-Gly-Gly-Gly-Ile- Pro-Val-Tyr-Cys-Gly-Leu-Ile-Gly-Gly-Gly-Gly-Lys-(CH)- thioctic acid self- assembled on gold electrode was designed and fabricated for specific determination of L-Glu. The biosensor was characterised via cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy.

Melatonin attenuates AFB1-induced cardiotoxicity via the NLRP3 signalling pathway.

Objective: This study was conducted to investigate the protective effect of melatonin against aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) cardiotoxicity by evaluating NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing protein 3 (NLRP3) signalling.

Methods: Four groups of five rats each were assessed: control group (vehicle only), two AFB1 (0.15 and 0.

Blocking Mammalian Target of Rapamycin (mTOR) Attenuates HIF-1α Pathways Engaged-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) in Diabetic Retinopathy.

Background/aims: Prior studies demonstrate that hypoxia inducible factor subtype 1α (HIF-1α) in retinal tissues is involved in development of diabetic retinopathy (DR). In this report, we particularly examined the role played by mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) in regulating expression of HIF-1α and its downstream pathway, namely vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).

Methods: Streptozotocin (STZ) was systemically injected to induce hyperglycemia in rats.

Raf-1 Kinase Inhibitory Protein (RKIP) Promotes Retinal Ganglion Cell Survival and Axonal Regeneration Following Optic Nerve Crush.

Raf-1 kinase inhibitory protein (RKIP), a member of the phosphatidylethanolamine-binding protein (PEBP) family, plays an important role in neuronal apoptosis and cognitive deficits associated with neurodegenerative diseases. However, the biological function of RKIP in the retina is still unclear. Therefore, in the present study, we investigated the expression of RKIP in mouse retina following optic nerve crush (ONC) and evaluated the effects of RKIP on retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) apoptosis and axonal regeneration after ONC.

Activation of toll like receptor-3 induces corneal epithelial barrier dysfunction.

The epithelial barrier is critical in the maintenance of the homeostasis of the cornea. A number of eye disorders are associated with the corneal epithelial barrier dysfunction. Viral infection is one common eye disease type.