Alpha lipoamide inhibits diabetic kidney fibrosis via improving mitochondrial function and regulating RXRα expression and activation.

Previous studies have shown mitochondrial dysfunction in various acute kidney injuries and chronic kidney diseases. Lipoic acid exerts potent effects on oxidant stress and modulation of mitochondrial function in damaged organ. In this study we investigated whether alpha lipoamide (ALM), a derivative of lipoic acid, exerted a renal protective effect in a type 2 diabetes mellitus mouse model.

The role of structural evolution in the complexation and flocculation of heavy metals by the microbial product poly-γ-glutamic acid.

The process and mechanism of heavy metal flocculation with extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) secreted by microorganisms, are crucial to their fate in natural environment, wastewater treatment and soil bioremediation applications. However, the structural features of EPS and the relationship between these features and the flocculation process and mechanism remain unclear. In the present study, structural features of the microbial product poly-γ-glutamic acid (γ-PGA) complexed with the heavy metal ions Pb and Cu were characterized and the evolution of these features was identified as having a key role in the flocculation process and mechanism.

Nanocopper-loaded Black phosphorus nanocomposites for efficient synergistic antibacterial application.

Novel nanocopper-loaded black phosphorus (BP/Cu) nanocomposites were synthesized to synergistically exert enhanced antibacterial activities aimed at reducing antibiotics abuse. First, both BP and Cu display low biotoxicity, broadening their application in the microbiological field. Second, the unique electronic properties of BP enable BP/Cu nanocomposites to amplify antibacterial effects via interfacial charge transfer, resulting in a surge of reactive oxygen species (ROS).

Arterial Spin Labeling for Glioma Grade Discrimination: Correlations with IDH1 Genotype and 1p/19q Status.

Since accurate grading of gliomas has important clinical value, the aim of this study is to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of perfusion values derived from arterial spin labeling (ASL) to grade gliomas. In addition, the correlation between perfusion and isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) genotypes and chromosome arms 1p and 19q (1p/19q) status of gliomas was assessed. A total of 52 cases of supratentorial gliomas in adults who received ASL imaging were enrolled in this retrospective study.

Different predictors of pain severity across age and gender of a Chinese rural population: a cross-sectional survey.

Objectives: To investigate a 4-week period of pain prevalence and the risk factors of experiencing pain among a rural Chinese population sample. To explore the psychosocial and health condition predictors of pain severity and the interactions of age and gender with these factors in real-life situations among the general adult population in China.

Methods: Data were collected from a random multistage sample of 2052 participants (response rate=95%) in the rural areas of Liuyang, China.

Sol-Gel Hydrothermal Synthesis and Visible Light Photocatalytic Degradation Performance of Fe/N Codoped TiO₂ Catalysts.

Using Ti(OC₄H₉)₄ as a precursor, Fe(NO₃)₃⋅9H₂O as the source of iron, and NH₄NO₃ as the source of nitrogen, an Fe/N codoped TiO₂ catalyst was prepared using a sol-gel hydrothermal method. The as-prepared powders were characterized using X-ray powder diffraction, electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry. Fe and N codoping resulted in decreased crystallite size and increased specific surface area.

Sleep quality and covariates as predictors of pain intensity among the general population in rural China.

Purpose: The aims of this study were to investigate the distribution of sleep quality and its relationship with the prevalence of pain among rural Chinese people and to explore the association between sleep quality and pain intensity among the general population in real-life settings.

Methods: This cross-sectional survey included a total of 2052 adults from rural areas in Liuyang, Hunan Province, recruited through random multistage sampling. The distributions of sleep quality and pain prevalence among the participants over a 4-week period were described.

Recognition of depression, anxiety, and alcohol abuse in a Chinese rural sample: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Under-utilization of mental health services is a global health issue. Recognition of mental disorders, as the first step to seeking help from professional sources, has been well studied in developed countries, yet little is known about the situation in rural areas of developing countries like China. The purpose of the study is to understand the recognition of depression, anxiety, and alcohol abuse and its predictive factors in a Chinese rural sample

Methods: Face-to-face interviews were conducted on a representative rural adult sample in a cross-sectional study in China (N = 2052).

PHQ-9 and PHQ-2 for Screening Depression in Chinese Rural Elderly.

Objectives: This study aimed to explore cut-off scores of the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and 2-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-2) for depression screening in Chinese rural elderly.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 839 residents aged 60 years and above in rural areas of Liuyang County. PHQ-9 was adopted to evaluate depression.

Mental Health Help-Seeking Intentions and Preferences of Rural Chinese Adults.

Purpose: We aimed to investigate mental health help-seeking intentions and preferences of rural Chinese adults and determine predictors of the intentions.

Methods: A total of 2052 representative rural residents aged 18-60 completed a cross-sectional survey by face-to-face interviews. The survey included seven questions asking about respondents' help-seeking intentions and preferences, and a series of internationally validated instruments to assess self-perceived health status, depression, anxiety, alcohol abuse, mental health literacy, and attitudes towards mental illness.

Assessment of mental health literacy using a multifaceted measure among a Chinese rural population.

Objectives: The present study aims to assess mental health literacy (MHL) using a standardised multifaceted 20-item instrument called Mental Health Knowledge Questionnaire (MHKQ) developed by the Chinese Ministry of Health, among a rural Chinese population.

Setting: Four villages in Liuyang county of Hunan province, China.

Participants: This was a cross-sectional study.

Association of CYP3A4*18B and CYP3A5*3 polymorphism with cyclosporine-related liver injury in Chinese renal transplant recipients.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the associations between CYP3A4*18B and CYP3A5*3 polymorphism and cyclosporine-related liver injuries in Chinese renal transplant recipients.

Methods: We genotyped 339 renal transplant recipients treated with a triple immunosuppressive regimen including cyclosporine for CYP3A4*18B and CYP3A5*3 polymorphism using the polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism assay.

Results: The incidence of liver injury in the study population was 36.

Determinants of metals exposure to metalworking fluid among metalworkers in Taiwan.

Metalworking fluids (MWFs) aerosols are known to have carcinogenic potential to humans that monitoring of MWFs is necessary to reduce risks. This study summarizes biological monitoring and occupational hygiene findings from a survey of metalworkers exposed to heavy metals in a socket manufacturing plant. Manganese, nickel, iron, copper, chromium, and zinc were selected for target metals.

Determination of trace indium in urine after preconcentration with a chelating-resin-packed minicolumn.

A simple and rapid chelating-resin-packed column has been developed for preconcentration of trace indium in biological samples. A large-sized urine sample was pumped through a minicolumn at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min by using a peristaltic pump, and the eluents were analyzed using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS).

Galangin induces apoptosis of hepatocellular carcinoma cells via the mitochondrial pathway.

Aim: To investigate the mechanism by which galangin, a polyphenolic compound derived from medicinal herbs, induces apoptosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells.

Methods: The 3-(4,5-dimethyl-thiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide assay was used to measure cell viability. Apoptosis was evaluated by in situ uptake of propidium iodide and Hoechst 33258 and was then detected by fluorescence microscopy.

Recovery of indium from etching wastewater using supercritical carbon dioxide extraction.

This study presents supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO(2)) extraction as an inherently safer and cleaner method for the recovery of indium (In) from the real etching wastewater obtained from indium tin oxide (ITO) etching process. Efficient chelation-supercritical fluids extraction (SFE) from etching wastewater was obtained at 80 degrees C, a pressure of 20.7MPa, and with 15 min static extractions followed by 15 min dynamic extraction.

Exposure to culturable airborne bioaerosols during noodle manufacturing in central Taiwan.

Biological hazards associated with the manufacturing of noodles have not been well characterized in Taiwan. This is an issue that flour workers can be exposed to bioaerosols (airborne fungi and bacteria) resulting flour-induced occupational asthma or allergic diseases. This study is to survey the species and concentrations of bioaerosols at different sites within a noodle factory for one year, and to investigate the effects of environmental factors on concentrations of bioaerosols.

Determination of gallium in human urine by supercritical carbon dioxide extraction and graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry.

This study presents supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO(2)) extraction as an inherently safer and cleaner sample treatment method for identifying trace gallium in urine samples. Extraction is performed in the presence of a fluorinated beta-diketones chelating agent, 2,2-dimethyl-6,6,7,7,8,8,8-heptafluoro-3,5-octanedione (HFOD), by unmodified scCO(2). Quantitative extractions are conducted at 80 degrees C and 20.

First total synthesis of louisianin A.

The first total synthesis of louisianin A, 4-allyl-6,7-dihydro-1-hydroxycyclopenta[c]pyridin-5-one, is achieved from 2-chloro-4-cyanopyridine 5 via seven steps in an overall 24% yield. The key step is a cyclization-decarboxylation sequence toward the formation of a cyclopentenone ring.

Synergistic efficacy of magnesium sulfate and FK506 on cerebral ischemia-induced infarct volume in gerbil.

Background: In this study, we administered intraperitoneal magnesium sulfate (90 mg/kg), either alone or in combination with FK506 (0.5 mg/kg) in order to investigate the neuroprotective synergetic effects of both, 30 min before permanent occlusion of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) in gerbil.

Material/methods: Postmortem infarct volume was determined by quantitative image analysis of triphenyltetrazolium-stained brain sections, collected at 1 h, 3 h and 24 h after initiation of cerebral ischemia, to measure consistent infarct volumes of the post -ischemic gerbil brain.

Effect of one week treatment with Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb761) on ischemia-induced infarct volume in gerbils.

The present study was designed to evaluate the neuroprotective effects of Ginkgo biloba leaf extract (EGb761) in male gerbils subjected to focal cerebral ischemia produced by permanent occlusion of the right middle cerebral artery. In this study, gerbils were fed standard chow with or without EGb761 (100 mg/kg/day, i.g.

A comparison of in vitro acylcarnitine profiling methods for the diagnosis of classical and variant short chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency.

Background: Homozygosity and compound heterozygosity for the short chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (SCAD) gene sequence variants 625G-->A and 511C-->T are associated with ethylmalonic aciduria (EMA), a biochemical indicator of SCAD deficiency. The clinical and biochemical implications of these variants are not fully understood. The effect of these variants on the accumulation of butyrylcarnitine by fibroblasts in culture was studied.