Aboveground biomass stocks of species-rich natural forests in southern China are influenced by stand structural attributes, species richness and precipitation.

Forests, the largest terrestrial carbon sinks, play an important role in carbon sequestration and climate change mitigation. Although forest attributes and environmental factors have been shown to impact aboveground biomass, their influence on biomass stocks in species-rich forests in southern China, a biodiversity hotspot, has rarely been investigated. In this study, we characterized the effects of environmental factors, forest structure, and species diversity on aboveground biomass stocks of 30 plots (1 ha each) in natural forests located within seven nature reserves distributed across subtropical and marginal tropical zones in Guangxi, China.

Socioeconomic disparities and regional environment are associated with cervical lymph node metastases in children and adolescents with differentiated thyroid cancer: developing a web-based predictive model.

Purpose: To establish an online predictive model for the prediction of cervical lymph node metastasis (CLNM) in children and adolescents with differentiated thyroid cancer (caDTC). And analyze the impact between socioeconomic disparities, regional environment and CLNM.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed clinicopathological and sociodemographic data of caDTC from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database from 2000 to 2019.

Causal association between obesity and hypothyroidism: a two-sample bidirectional Mendelian randomization study.

Introduction: Previous observational studies have reported a positive correlation between obesity and susceptibility to hypothyroidism; however, there is limited evidence from alternative methodologies to establish a causal link.

Methods: We investigated the causal relationship between obesity and hypothyroidism using a two-sample bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with obesity-related traits were extracted from a published genome-wide association study (GWAS) of European individuals.

Monkeypox: An outbreak of a rare viral disease.

Monkeypox is a viral zoonotic disease rarely found outside Africa. Monkeypox can be spread from person to person through close contact with an infected person, and the rate of transmission is not very high. In addition, monkeypox and variola virus are both pox viruses, and the spread of monkeypox virus was also controlled to some extent by the smallpox campaign, so monkeypox was not widely paid attention to.

Influence of Seasonings and Spice Essential Oils on Acrylamide Production in a Low Moisture Model System.

Acrylamide (AA) is a typical contaminant produced during the heating process. In the present study, two seasonings (soy sauce and rice vinegar) and three spice essential oils (chive, ginger, and pepper) were added to the asparagine (Asn)/glucose (Glc) diethylene glycol model system to investigate the production of AA in a low moisture model system. The generation of AA was significantly enhanced when low levels of soy sauce (1% and 3% v/v) were added (p < 0.

Pan-cancer analysis identifies migrasome-related genes as a potential immunotherapeutic target: A bulk omics research and single cell sequencing validation.

Introduction: The migrasome is a newly discovered organelle that resembles extracellular vesicles in structure. However, the function of the migrasome in tumors, particularly in relation to tumor immunity and tumor microenvironment, is unclear.

Methods: Gene expression data, copy number variation raw data, and methylation data of 33 cancer types were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas database.

Acrylamide-Induced Hepatotoxicity Through Oxidative Stress: Mechanisms and Interventions.

Acrylamide (AA) widely exists in the environment. Studies have demonstrated that AA has neurotoxicity and potential carcinogenicity in humans, and genotoxicity and severe hepatotoxicity in animals. As the critical metabolism organ, the liver is the primary attacking target of AA.

Jiawei Yanghe Decoction Regulates Bone-Lipid Balance through the BMP-SMAD Signaling Pathway to Promote Osteogenic Differentiation of Bone Mesenchymal Stem Cells.

Background: The Jiawei Yanghe decoction (JWYHD) is a traditional Chinese medicine formula for the treatment of osteoporosis, but its therapeutic mechanism has not been fully elucidated, and the therapeutic target of the intervention disease needs to be further verified. The dysfunction of bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) is considered to be an important pathogenesis of postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOP). The purpose of this study was to explore how JWYHD regulates BMSC differentiation through the BMP-SMAD signal pathway.

Blueberry Anthocyanins Extract Attenuates Acrylamide-Induced Oxidative Stress and Neuroinflammation in Rats.

Acrylamide (AA) is a widespread environmental and dietary-derived neurotoxin, which can induce oxidative stress and associated inflammation in the brain. Anthocyanins widely occur as natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory phytochemicals. Herein, the protective effects of blueberry anthocyanins extract (BAE) against AA-induced neurotoxicity were investigated in rats.

2-(Naphthalene-2-thio)-5,8-dimethoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone induces apoptosis via ROS-mediated MAPK, AKT, and STAT3 signaling pathways in HepG2 human hepatocellular carcinoma cells.

1,4-naphthoquinone and its derivatives have attracted widespread attention due to their multiple biological activities, such as induction of cancer cell apoptosis; however, most of these compounds have high cytotoxicity. In this study, in order to reduce their toxicity and increase their potential anti-tumor effects, we synthesized a novel 1,4-naphthoquinone derivative named 2-(naphthalene-2-thio)-5,8-dimethoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (NTDMNQ), and investigated its apoptotic effects and underlying mechanism. Our results showed that NTDMNQ inhibited the viability of HepG2, Hep3B, and Huh7 human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells.

Influence of citral on acrylamide formation in model systems.

This work aimed to evaluate the role of citral (Cit) in the formation of acrylamide (AA) in model systems. The asparagine (Asn)/glucose (Glc), Asn/Glc/ginger essential oil (GEO), and Asn/Glc/Cit model systems were prepared and analysed by UPLC-MS/MS. Cit was implicated to be a major product that contributed to the enhancement of AA formation by GEO.

Active and Robust Composite Films Based on Gelatin and Gallic Acid Integrated with Microfibrillated Cellulose.

Background: Gelatin is a renewable, biodegradable, and inexpensive food polymer. The insufficient mechanical and functional properties of gelatin-based films (GBF) restrict their commercial application in food packaging. This work proposed a facile strategy to prepare an active and robust GBF that has the potential to be used in food packaging.

Triacylglycerol and Fatty Acid Compositions of Blackberry, Red Raspberry, Black Raspberry, Blueberry and Cranberry Seed Oils by Ultra-Performance Convergence Chromatography-Quadrupole Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry.

The triacylglycerol (TAG) compositions of blackberry, red raspberry, black raspberry, blueberry and cranberry seed oils were examined using ultra-performance convergence chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPC-QTOF MS). A total of 52, 53, 52, 59 and 58 TAGs were detected and tentatively identified from the blackberry, red raspberry, black raspberry, blueberry and cranberry seed oils, respectively, according to their accurate molecular weight in MS1 and fragment ion profiles in MS2. OLL was the most abundant TAG in the blackberry, red raspberry and black raspberry seed oils.

The simultaneous inhibition of histidine on 5-hydroxymethylfurfural and acrylamide in model systems and cookies.

5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) and acrylamide (AA) are neoformed food contaminants. In this study, the simultaneous inhibition of HMF and AA by histidine (His) were investigated. In the asparagine (Asn)/glucose (Glc) model system, the inhibition ratios of HMF and AA were in the range of 28-58% and 0-71% when 20 mmol/L His was added.

18β-Glycyrrhetinic Acid Has Anti-Cancer Effects via Inducing Apoptosis and G2/M Cell Cycle Arrest, and Inhibiting Migration of A549 Lung Cancer Cells.

Background: 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid (18β-Gly), which is extracted from licorice root, has various pharmacological properties; however, its anti-cancer effects on lung cancer cells have not been fully established.

Purpose: In this study, we investigated the underlying molecular mechanisms of 18β-Gly.

Results: Our results showed that 18β-Gly had significant cytotoxic effects and no apparent side effects.

MiR-27a-5p regulates acrylamide-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and intrinsic apoptosis via targeting Btf3 in rats.

Acrylamide (AA), a potential carcinogen, is commonly formed in foods rich in carbohydrates at high heat. It is known that AA-induced mitochondrial dysfunction is responsible for its toxicity. Previously we found AA exposure increased miR-27a-5p expression in livers of SD rats.

Acrylamide Induces Abnormal mtDNA Expression by Causing Mitochondrial ROS Accumulation, Biogenesis, and Dynamics Disorders.

Acrylamide, a well-documented neurotoxicant, is commonly found as a byproduct of the Maillard reaction in carbohydrate-rich foods. Numerous studies have indicated that acrylamide-induced apoptosis accompanied by mitochondrial dysfunction contributes to its neurotoxicity. However, the mechanisms of how acrylamide causes mitochondrial impairment is not well understood.

Recent trends and advances in the epidemiology, synergism, and delivery system of lycopene as an anti-cancer agent.

Dietary interventions are key nutritional strategies to prevent, improve, and prolong the survival of cancer patients. Lycopene, one of the strongest natural antioxidants, and its biologically active metabolites, have shown significant potential to prevent a variety of cancers, including prostate, breast, and stomach cancers, making it a promising anti-cancer agent. We review the potential regulatory mechanisms and epidemiological evidences of lycopene and its metabolites to delay the progression of cancers at different developmental stages.

PD-1 Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy Malignant Tumor Based on Monotherapy and Combined Treatment Research.

Recently, immunotherapy has become the fourth pillar of cancer treatment in addition to surgery therapy, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. The inhibitors of programed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) and its ligand PD-L1 are the new stars in immunotherapy, as they can overcome tumor immunosuppression. However, the efficacy of PD-1 inhibitors still needs to be further developed for clinical treatment.

Structure and function of soil bacterial communities in the monoculture and mixed plantation of and in southern subtropical China.

Establishing monoculture of native broadleaved tree species and mixed coniferous broadleaved plantations is the tendency for forest management in subtropical China. The variations of structure and function of soil bacterial community in monoculture and mixed tree plantations are still not clear. We examined soil bacterial community structure and function under different soil layers (0-20, 20-40 and 40-60 cm) in three planted forests, including broadleaved coniferous and their mixed plantation, in south subtropical China, using 16S rRNA gene high-throughput sequencing and PICRUSt prediction.

Clinical acupuncture therapy for chronic cholecystitis: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

Abstract: Chronic cholecystitis is a common chronic disease in clinical practice. The incidence of chronic cholecystitis is gradually increasing due to changes in eating habits and even if acute infections aren't treated in time, it can cause serious complications, continue to plague people's daily life and become an economic burden to society. Currently, the curative effect of chronic cholecystitis under the control of western medicine is still lacking and there are adverse reactions.

10-HDA Induces ROS-Mediated Apoptosis in A549 Human Lung Cancer Cells by Regulating the MAPK, STAT3, NF-B, and TGF-1 Signaling Pathways.

10-Hydroxy-2-decenoic acid (10-HDA), also known as royal jelly acid, has a variety of physiological functions, and recent studies have shown that it also has anticancer effects. However, its anticancer mechanisms have not been clearly defined. In this study, we investigated the underlying mechanisms of 10-HDA in A549 human lung cancer cells.

Calycosin induces mitochondrial-dependent apoptosis and cell cycle arrest, and inhibits cell migration through a ROS-mediated signaling pathway in HepG2 hepatocellular carcinoma cells.

Calycosin is one of the main ingredients extracted from the Chinese medical herb, Radix astragali (RA). It has been shown to inhibit cell proliferation and induce apoptosis in several cancer cell lines, but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. The effects of calycosin on the proliferation and apoptosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells, as well as its mechanism, were investigated in this study.