The extracellular vesicle of depressive patient-derived Escherichia fergusonii induces vagus nerve-mediated neuroinflammation in mice.

Background: Gut microbiota dysbiosis is closely associated with psychiatric disorders such as depression and anxiety (DA). In our preliminary study, fecal microbiota transplantation from volunteers with psychological stress and subclinical symptoms of depression (Vsd) induced DA-like behaviors in mice. Escherichia fergusonii (Esf) was found to be more abundant in the feces of Vsd compared to healthy volunteers.

In Vitro Evaluation of Probiotic Properties and Anti-Pathogenic Effects of and Strains as Potential Probiotics.

Probiotics restore gut microbial balance, thereby providing health-promoting effects to the host. They have long been suggested for managing intestinal disorders caused by pathogens and for improving gut health. This study evaluated the probiotic properties and anti-pathogenic effects of specific probiotic strains against the intestinal pathogens and .

A probiotic NVP1704 alleviates stress-induced sleeplessness/depression-like symptoms in mice by upregulating serotonergic and GABAergic systems and downregulating NF-κB activation.

Sleeplessness (insomnia) is a potential symptom of depression. A probiotic NVP1704 alleviates depression-like behavior and neuroinflammation in mice. Therefore, to understand whether NVP1704 could be effective against sleeplessness in vivo, we exposed immobilization stress (IS) in mice, then orally administered NVP1704 for 5 days, and assayed depression/anxiety-like behavior in the open field, elevated plus maze, and tail suspension tests, sleeping latency time, and sleep duration, euthanized then by exposure to CO2, and analyzed their related biomarkers.

Probiotic LB101 alleviates dry eye in mice by suppressing matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression through the regulation of gut microbiota-involved NF-κB signaling.

Tear matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 is an inflammatory signal in patients with dry eye (DE). In the present study, to understand the action mechanism of probiotic LB101 (Lactobacillus plantarum NK151 and Bifidobacterium bifidum NK175 [4:1] mix) against DE, we investigated its effect on tear amount and inflammatory marker expression levels in mice with unilateral exorbital lacrimal gland excision/atropine-benzalkonium chloride application (EB) or fecal microbiota transplantation from mice with EB (eFMT). Oral gavage of LB101 increased EB-suppressed tear amount and decreased EB-induced blinking number.

The Probiotic Properties and Safety of NK41 and NK46.

Probiotics should possess specific properties to exert beneficial effects, and their safety must be ensured for human consumption. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the probiotic properties and safety of NK41 and NK46 isolated from human feces in vitro. Both strains exhibited high resistance to simulated gastrointestinal fluid.

Tetradentate Pt(II) Complexes with Bulky Carbazole Moieties for High-Efficiency and Narrow-Emitting Blue Organic Light-Emitting Devices.

Blue tetradentate Pt(II) complexes, Pt-tBuCz and Pt-dipCz, are synthesized by introducing carbazoles with bulky substituents for improving the rigidity and inhibiting intermolecular interactions of phosphorescent emitter. tert-Butyl and 2,6-diisopropylphenyl groups are substituted as the blocking groups at 3 position of the carbazole in Pt-tBuCz and Pt-dipCz, respectively. These new phosphorescent emitters exhibit a narrow full width at half maximum (FWHM) and a high horizontal emitting dipole orientation ratio.

IL-6 expression-suppressing Lactobacillus reuteri strains alleviate gut microbiota-induced anxiety and depression in mice.

Fecal microbiota transplantation from patients with depression/inflammatory bowel disease (PDI) causes depression with gut inflammation in mice. Here, we investigated the effects of six Lactobacillus reuteri strains on brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF), serotonin, and interleukin (IL)-6 expression in neuronal or macrophage cells and PDI fecal microbiota-cultured microbiota (PcM)-induced depression in mice. Of these strains, L6 most potently increased BDNF and serotonin levels in corticosterone-stimulated SH-SY5Y and PC12 cells, followed by L3.

and Alleviate Liver Injury and Fibrosis in Mice by Regulating NF-κB and AMPK Signaling.

In a preliminary study, live biotherapeutic products (LBPs) LC27 and LC67 inhibited the secretion of alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) in LPS-stimulated HepG2 cells, while K1 (Ec) increased ALT and ALT secretion. Therefore, we examined the effects of LC27 and LC67 on LPS-induced liver injury and fibrosis in mice and the correlation between their biomarkers in cell and animal experiments. Orally administered LC27 or LC67 significantly decreased blood ALT, AST, γ-glutamyl transferase (γGTP), TNF-α, triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TCh), total bile acid, and LPS levels, liver TNF-α, toll-like receptor-4 gene (), α-smooth muscle actin (αSMA), and collagen-1 expression and αSMAGFAP and NF-κBF4/80 cell populations, and colonic , TNF-α, and IL-6 expression and NF-κB-positive cell population in LPS-treated mice.

Effects of Green Network Management of Urban Street Trees on Airborne Particulate Matter (PM) Concentration.

Street trees are crucial for air pollutant reduction in urban areas. Herein, we used computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation to identify changes in airborne particulate matter (PM) concentration based on wind characteristics (direction and velocity) and the green network of street trees. The green network was assessed based on composition of the green area of street trees in the central reserve area and between the motor and pedestrian roads.

Ultrathin Covalent Organic Framework Anchored on Graphene for Enhanced Organic Pollutant Removal.

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) are of great potential as adsorbents owing to their tailorable functionalities, low density and high porosity. However, their intrinsically stacked two-dimensional (2D) structure limits the full use of their complete surface for sorption, especially the internal pores. The construction of ultrathin COFs could increase the exposure of active sites to the targeted molecules in a pollutant environment.

Effects of Probiotic NVP-1704 on Mental Health and Sleep in Healthy Adults: An 8-Week Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

The human gut microbiome is closely linked to mental health and sleep. We aimed to verify the efficacy and safety of probiotic NVP-1704, a mixture of NK33 and NK98, in improving stress, depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbances, along with the measurement of some blood biomarkers. A total of 156 healthy adults with subclinical symptoms of depression, anxiety, and insomnia were retrospectively registered and randomly assigned to receive either NVP-1704 ( = 78) or a placebo ( = 78) for eight weeks.

Rare-earth-platinum alloy nanoparticles in mesoporous zeolite for catalysis.

Platinum is a much used catalyst that, in petrochemical processes, is often alloyed with other metals to improve catalytic activity, selectivity and longevity. Such catalysts are usually prepared in the form of metallic nanoparticles supported on porous solids, and their production involves reducing metal precursor compounds under a H flow at high temperatures. The method works well when using easily reducible late transition metals, but Pt alloy formation with rare-earth elements through the H reduction route is almost impossible owing to the low chemical potential of rare-earth element oxides.

Probiotic NVP-1703 Alleviates Allergic Rhinitis by Inducing IL-10 Expression: A Four-week Clinical Trial.

Although several recent studies reported that probiotics might be beneficial for allergic rhinitis (AR), the effect of probiotics on AR is not consistent and have not been reproduced between studies. We aimed to determine the efficacy and safety of probiotic NVP-1703, a mixture of and , in subjects with perennial AR. Adult subjects with perennial AR received either NVP-1703 ( = 47) or placebo ( = 48) for four weeks.

NK33 and NK98 Alleviate Induced depression and Gut Dysbiosis in Mice.

NK33 (NK33) and NK98 (NK98) alleviate immobilization stress-induced depression. To understand the gut microbiota-mediated mechanisms of NK33 and NK98 against depression, we examined their effects on K1 (K1)-induced depression and gut dysbiosis in mice. NK33, NK98, and their mixtures (1:1, 4:1, and 9:1) mitigated K1-induced depression and colitis.

Capacitively Coupled Arrays of Multiplexed Flexible Silicon Transistors for Long-Term Cardiac Electrophysiology.

Advanced capabilities in electrical recording are essential for the treatment of heart-rhythm diseases. The most advanced technologies use flexible integrated electronics; however, the penetration of biological fluids into the underlying electronics and any ensuing electrochemical reactions pose significant safety risks. Here, we show that an ultrathin, leakage-free, biocompatible dielectric layer can completely seal an underlying layer of flexible electronics while allowing for electrophysiological measurements through capacitive coupling between tissue and the electronics, and thus without the need for direct metal contact.

The Rhizome Mixture of and Attenuates Mesalazine-Resistant Colitis in Mice.

We investigated the effect of DWac on the gut microbiota composition in mice with 2,3,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid- (TNBS-) induced colitis. Treatment with DWac restored TNBS-disturbed gut microbiota composition and attenuated TNBS-induced colitis. Moreover, we examined the effect of DWac in mice with mesalazine-resistant colitis (MRC).

The Efficacy and Safety of Lidocaine-Containing Hyaluronic Acid Dermal Filler for Treatment of Nasolabial Folds: A Multicenter, Randomized Clinical Study.

Background: The use of injectable hyaluronic acid-based gel is well established in aesthetic facial procedures especially on the nasolabial fold (NLF).

Objective: To compare the efficacy and safety of PP-501-A-Lidocaine dermal filler with RestylaneLidocaine(®) when administered to the NLF.

Methods: Sixty-six subjects seeking correction of NLFs, with moderate or severe wrinkle severity, were recruited for this multicenter, randomized, patient and evaluator-blind, matched pairs, and active-controlled design clinical study.

Phytochrome and blue light-mediated stomatal opening in the orchid, paphiopedilum.

Guard cells of the orchid genus, Paphiopedilum have been reported to lack developed chloroplasts and detectable chlorophyll a autofluorescence. Paphiopedilum stomata lack a photosynthesis-dependent opening response but have a blue light-specific opening. The present study found that low fluence rate green and red light elicited stomatal opening in Paphiopedilum and this opening was reversed by far red light, indicating the presence of a phytochrome-mediated opening response.