Solubilized β-Glucan Supplementation in C57BL/6J Mice Dams Augments Neurodevelopment and Cognition in the Offspring Driven by Gut Microbiome Remodeling.

A maternal diet rich in dietary fiber, such as β-glucan, plays a crucial role in the offspring's acquisition of gut microbiota and the subsequent shaping of its microbiome profile and metabolome. This in turn has been shown to aid in neurodevelopmental processes, including early microglial maturation and immunomodulation via metabolites like short chain fatty acids (SCFAs). This study aimed to investigate the effects of oat β-glucan supplementation, solubilized by citric acid hydrolysis, from gestation to adulthood.

Protocatechuic Acid from Mitigates Scopolamine-Induced Memory Impairment in Mice.

The increasing prevalence of age-related neurodegenerative disorders owing to the aging population worldwide poses substantial challenges. This study investigated the neuroprotective effects of protocatechuic acid (PCA), a compound found in various fruits, vegetables, and grains, using a scopolamine-induced hypomnesia mouse model. Six-week-old male C57BL/6J mice were orally administered PCA at doses of 10 and 100 mg/kg body weight per day for two weeks, along with intraperitoneal injections of scopolamine.

Taming neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's disease: The protective role of phytochemicals through the gut-brain axis.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive degenerative neurological condition characterized by cognitive decline, primarily affecting memory and logical thinking, attributed to amyloid-β plaques and tau protein tangles in the brain, leading to neuronal loss and brain atrophy. Neuroinflammation, a hallmark of AD, involves the activation of microglia and astrocytes in response to pathological changes, potentially exacerbating neuronal damage. The gut-brain axis is a bidirectional communication pathway between the gastrointestinal and central nervous systems, crucial for maintaining brain health.

The Liquid Jet Endstation for Hard X-ray Scattering and Spectroscopy at the Linac Coherent Light Source.

The ability to study chemical dynamics on ultrafast timescales has greatly advanced with the introduction of X-ray free electron lasers (XFELs) providing short pulses of intense X-rays tailored to probe atomic structure and electronic configuration. Fully exploiting the full potential of XFELs requires specialized experimental endstations along with the development of techniques and methods to successfully carry out experiments. The liquid jet endstation (LJE) at the Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) has been developed to study photochemistry and biochemistry in solution systems using a combination of X-ray solution scattering (XSS), X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), and X-ray emission spectroscopy (XES).

Oral Administration of Leaf Extract Ameliorates Alzheimer's Disease Phenotypes in 5xFAD Transgenic Mice.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most prevalent neurodegenerative disease and is frequently characterized by progressive and irreversible impairment of cognitive functions. However, its etiology remains poorly understood, limiting therapeutic interventions. Our previous study showed that the ethanol extract of leaves (EA) positively affected scopolamine-induced hypomnesia in the normal mouse model by promoting nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) activation.

Unraveling Metal-Ligand Bonding in an HNO-Evolving {FeNO} Complex with a Combined X-ray Spectroscopic Approach.

Photolytic delivery of nitric oxide and nitroxide has substantial biomedical and phototherapeutic applications. Here, we utilized hard X-ray spectroscopic methods to identify key geometric and electronic structural features of two photolabile {FeNO} complexes where the compounds differ in the presence of a pendant thiol in [Fe(NO)(PS2)(PS2H)] and thioether in [Fe(NO)(PS2)(PS2CH)] with the former complex being the only transition metal system to photolytically generate HNO. Fe Kβ XES identifies the photoreactant systems as essentially Fe(II)-NO, while valence-to-core XES extracts a NO oxidation state of +0.

Biohybrid CO electrolysis for the direct synthesis of polyesters from CO.

Converting anthropogenic CO to value-added products using renewable energy has received much attention to achieve a sustainable carbon cycle. CO electrolysis has been extensively investigated, but the products have been limited to some C products. Here, we report the integration of CO electrolysis with microbial fermentation to directly produce poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB), a microbial polyester, from gaseous CO on a gram scale.

Electrodeposited Sn-Cu@Sn dendrites for selective electrochemical CO reduction to formic acid.

Large-scale CO electrolysis can be applied to store renewable energy in chemicals. Recent developments in gas diffusion electrodes now enable a commercially relevant current density. However, the low selectivity of the CO reduction reaction (CORR) still hinders practical applications.

Photo-assisted electrochemical CO reduction using a translucent thin film electrode.

Herein, we introduce a new concept of photo-assisted electrochemical CO reduction through a translucent thin film electrode. The light-compatible thin film electrode directly exposes Au nanoparticle-loaded Ag nanowires to gaseous CO, obtaining a CO production rate of 0.7 mmol cm h with a photocurrent density of 6.

Design Principles of NiFe-Layered Double Hydroxide Anode Catalysts for Anion Exchange Membrane Water Electrolyzers.

Much effort has been devoted to developing electrocatalysts applicable to anion exchange membrane water electrolyzers (AEMWEs). Among many candidates for oxygen evolution reaction, NiFe-layered double hydroxide (LDH)-based electrocatalysts show the highest activity in an alkaline medium. Unfortunately, the poor electrical conductivity of NiFe-LDH limits its potential as an electrocatalyst, which was often solved by hybridization with conductive carbonaceous materials.

Anatomic double-bundle medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction with aperture fixation using an adjustable-length loop device: a 2-year follow-up study.

Background: To assess the clinical availability of an adjustable-length loop device for use in the double-bundle technique with aperture fixation at the patella and femur during anatomic double-bundle medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction (DB-MPFLR) for recurrent patellar dislocation.

Methods: We retrospectively investigated 11 patients (12 knees) with recurrent patellar dislocation who underwent anatomic DB-MPFLR with an ipsilateral semitendinosus tendon autograft. The graft was folded in half, and its central portion was hanged using the adjustable-length loop device.

Balancing activity, stability and conductivity of nanoporous core-shell iridium/iridium oxide oxygen evolution catalysts.

The selection of oxide materials for catalyzing the oxygen evolution reaction in acid-based electrolyzers must be guided by the proper balance between activity, stability and conductivity-a challenging mission of great importance for delivering affordable and environmentally friendly hydrogen. Here we report that the highly conductive nanoporous architecture of an iridium oxide shell on a metallic iridium core, formed through the fast dealloying of osmium from an IrOs alloy, exhibits an exceptional balance between oxygen evolution activity and stability as quantified by the activity-stability factor. On the basis of this metric, the nanoporous Ir/IrO morphology of dealloyed IrOs shows a factor of ~30 improvement in activity-stability factor relative to conventional iridium-based oxide materials, and an ~8 times improvement over dealloyed IrOs nanoparticles due to optimized stability and conductivity, respectively.

Identification of Osteoporosis-Associated Protein Biomarkers from Ovariectomized Rat Urine.

Objective: Osteoporotic fracture is one of the most common health risks and aggravates the quality of life among postmenopausal women worldwide. In this study, osteoporosis-associated protein biomarkers were identified from urine of osteoporotic female Sprague-Dawley rats developed by ovariectomy.

Method: Four months after the operation, the bone mineral density of the femur of ovariectomized rats was significantly lowered in comparison with that of the sham operated rats.

Shaped Ir-Ni bimetallic nanoparticles for minimizing Ir utilization in oxygen evolution reaction.

Shaped Ir-Ni bimetallic nanoparticles were synthesized and used for electrocatalytic oxygen evolution reaction (OER). The obtained bimetallic nanoparticles showed significantly enhanced Ir mass activity and durability compared with Ir nanoparticles.

The influence of post-operative surveillance on the prognosis after curative surgery for gastric cancer.

Background/aims: Although routine post-operative surveillance after curative resection for gastric cancer is recommended, there are few reports on the value of postoperative follow-up. The aim of this study was to assess the possible role of post-operative surveillance as a prognostic factor after curative resection for gastric cancer.

Methodology: A total of 192 gastric cancer patients who suffered recurrences after curative resection between January 2001 and June 2012 were included in this study.

Propofol-ketamine or propofol-remifentanil for deep sedation and analgesia in pediatric patients undergoing burn dressing changes: a randomized clinical trial.

Objective: In this study, we compared the propofol-ketamine and propofol-remifentanil combinations for deep sedation and analgesia during pediatric burn wound dressing changes.

Methods: Fifty pediatric patients aged 12-36 months, undergoing burn wound dressing changes, were randomly assigned to receive propofol-remifentanil (group PR) or propofol-ketamine (group PK) for deep sedation and analgesia. Patients in the group PR received 2 mg·kg(-1) propofol and 0.

Improved spatial learning and memory by perilla diet is correlated with immunoreactivities to neurofilament and α-synuclein in hilus of dentate gyrus.

Background: Perilla (Perilla frutescens) oil is very rich in α-linolenic acid, an omega-3 fatty acid. As it is widely reported that omega-3 fatty acid supplementation improves cognitive function in children and adults, feeding rats with perilla diets followed by analysis of proteomic changes in the hippocampus can provide valuable information on the mechanism of learning and memory at the molecular level. To identify proteins playing roles in learning and memory, differentially expressed proteins in the hippocampus of the 5 week old rats fed perilla diets for 3 weeks or 3 months were identified by proteomic analysis and validated by immunological assays.

Simultaneous enhancement of free isoflavone content and antioxidant potential of soybean by fermentation with Aspergillus oryzae.

In order to determine the fungal strain and fermentation period which produce the highest antioxidant activity of fermented soy product, soybean was fermented with Aspergillus oryzae NL 5 isolated from Korean traditional meju produced in Sunchang Yeastopia Land in Korea, and was subjected to analyzing isoflavone profiles and assaying antioxidant activity. Antioxidant potential of the samples was evaluated by ferric reducing antioxidant power assay, 2,2'-azinobis (2-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical scavenging activity and total phenolic contents. In addition, antioxidant assay using fluorescent probes, 2',7'-dichlorofluorescin diacetate and dihydroethidium, in HepG2 cells was conducted for the samples.

Cloning and expression of a bpr gene encoding Bacillopeptidase F from Bacillus amyloliquefaciens CH86-1.

A gene encoding bacillopeptidase F, bpr86-1, was cloned from B. amyloliquefaciens CH86-1 isolated from cheonggukjang. This gene could encode a preproenzyme of 1,431 amino acids.

A RAPD-PCR method for the rapid detection of Bacillus cereus.

Distinction of Bacillus cereus from other closely related bacilli is challenging and new efficient methods are continually demanded. From our previous work on RAPD profiles of bacilli, we found a possibility that B. cereus strains could be distinguished from other bacilli.

Isolation and characterization of a novel thermostable alpha-amylase from Korean pine seeds.

Amylases have significant importance in broad industrial application including bio-ethanol production. Although amylases are widely distributed in microbes, plants and animals, it has been sought for new amylases from various sources with special industrial potential. In this study we firstly isolated and characterized a novel thermostable alpha-amylase from Korean pine seed.

Development of a RAPD-PCR method for identification of Bacillus species isolated from Cheonggukjang.

A RAPD-PCR (Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNA-PCR) method was developed for rapid identification of Bacillus species, especially B. subtilis, B. licheniformis, and B.

PGK1 induction by a hydrogen peroxide treatment is suppressed by antioxidants in human colon carcinoma cells.

Few protein biomarkers for oxidative stress have been reported. In this study, we attempted to identify the proteins selectively overexpressed in human colon tumor cells by treating with hydrogen peroxide as oxidative stress. A proteomic analysis followed by western blotting showed that phosphoglycerate kinase 1 (PGK1) was induced by hydrogen peroxide in a dose-dependent manner, while its expression was suppressed by a co-treatment with delphinidin, a known antioxidant.

Hydrolysis of isoflavone glucosides in soymilk fermented with single or mixed cultures of Lactobacillus paraplantarum KM, Weissella sp. 33, and Enterococcus faecium 35 isolated from humans.

Lactobacillus paraplantarum KM (Lp), Weissella sp. 33 (Ws), and Enterococcus faecium 35 (Ef) were used in single (Lp, Ws, Ef) or mixed cultures (Lp+Ws, Lp+Ef, Ws+Ef) for soymilk fermentation (37 degrees C, 12 h). After 12 h, the cell numbers, pH, and TA of soymilk were 7.