Deep brain stimulation combined with morroniside promotes neural plasticity and motor functional recovery after ischemic stroke.

Background And Objective: Until now, there has been an unmet need for treatments promoting chronic-phase post-stroke functional recovery. We previously found that morroniside promoted endogenous neurogenesis in ischemic stroke, but its therapeutic window was limited to the first 48 h. Here, we aimed to explore whether deep brain stimulation (DBS) combined with morroniside could enhance neurogenesis in rats subjected to focal ischemic stroke and contributes to functional recovery.

Novel curcumin derivatives as potential anticancer agents: design, synthesis and biological evaluation.

Curcumin, originally isolated as natural product from the rhizome of L., is widely known for its anticancer properties. However, the clinical application of curcumin is still limited due to its poor absorption and rapid metabolism.

Foliar application of Fe-fulvic acid: A strategy to reduce heavy metal accumulation and enhance nutritional quality.

Pepper is a key agricultural crop susceptible to accumulating heavy metals like cadmium (Cd) and barium (Ba), posing significant health risks. To address these issues, this study investigated the effects of foliar applications of fulvic acid (FA), Zn-fulvic acid (Zn-FA), and Fe-fulvic acid (Fe-FA) on Ba and Cd uptake in pepper tissues, as well as their impact on nutritional quality, biomass, and leaf enzyme activity. Results indicated that Fe-FA application significantly reduced Cd and Ba in pepper fruit by 25 % and 93 %, respectively.

Compound-specific nitrogen isotope of amino acids: Toward an improved understanding of mercury trophic transfer in different habitats.

Herein, we investigated the trophic transfer of mercury (Hg) through food chains in different habitats (namely aquatic, riparian, and terrestrial) through bulk stable isotope analysis of nitrogen (δN) and compound-specific isotope analysis of nitrogen in amino acids (δN) using bird feathers and their potential food sources from a Hg-contaminated site in southwest China. Results showed similar δN for water birds (4.7 ± 2.

Effects of foliar application of Zn combined with organic matters on Cd accumulation and its chemical forms in rice.

Rice consumption is a key Cd exposure pathway, which poses a health risk to humans. Reducing cadmium (Cd) concentrations in rice remains challenging. In this study, a pot experiment was conducted to examine the effects of foliar spray of Zn combined with organic matters (including Zn-lysine (Zn-Lys), Zn-fulvic acid (Zn-FA), Zn-amino acid (Zn-AA), and Zn combined with glutathione (Zn + GSH)) on Cd accumulation in rice grains.

Significant biomagnification of methylmercury in songbird nestlings through a rice-based food web: Insights from stable mercury isotopes.

To elucidate the sources and transfer of mercury (Hg) in terrestrial food chains, particularly in heavily Hg-contaminated rice paddy ecosystems, we collected rice leaves, invertebrates, and Russet Sparrow nestlings from a clear food chain and analyzed the dietary compositions and potential Hg sources using stable Hg isotopes coupled with a Bayesian isotope mixing model (BIMM). Our findings indicated that MeHg exposure is dominant through the dietary route, with caterpillars, grasshoppers, and katydids being the main prey items, while the less provisioned spiders, dragonflies, and mantises contributed the most of the Hg to nestlings. We found minimal MIF but certain MDF in this terrestrial food chain and identified two distinct MeHg sources of dietary exposure and maternal transfer.

Home-produced eggs: An important pathway of methylmercury exposure for residents in mercury mining areas, southwest China.

In light of the documented elevated concentrations of total mercury (Hg) and methylmercury (MeHg) in poultry originating from Hg-contaminated sites, a knowledge gap persists regarding the levels of Hg found in home-produced eggs (HPEs) and the associated dietary exposure risks in regions affected by Hg mining. To address this knowledge gap, a comprehensive investigation was undertaken with the primary objectives of ascertaining the concentrations of THg and MeHg in HPEs and evaluating the potential hazards associated with the consumption of eggs from the Wanshan Hg mining area in Southwest China. The results showed that THg concentrations in HPEs varied within a range of 10.

Downregulation of inhibits cell migration and invasion and promotes apoptosis by regulation of the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: High expression of in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has been widely reported. During this research, 's effect on the infiltration, migration, and apoptosis of HCC cells was investigated.

Methods: Initially, the knockdown and overexpression of in HCC cells were carried out by short interfering RNA (siRNA) and plasmid transfection.

The mercury flow through a terrestrial songbird food chain in subtropical pine forest: Elucidated by Bayesian isotope mixing model and stable mercury isotopes.

In order to comprehend the transfer of inorganic mercury (IHg) and methylmercury (MeHg) within food chains in terrestrial pine forests, we collected samples of Great Tit nestlings, common invertebrates, plants, and soil in a subtropical pine forest and used Bayesian isotope mixing model analysis, Hg daily intake, and stable Hg isotopes to elucidate the flow of MeHg and IHg in these food chains. Results indicate that caterpillars and cockroaches are the predominant prey items for nestlings, accounting for a combined contribution of 81.5%.

A carbon-11 labeled imidazo[1,2-]pyridine derivative as a new potential PET probe targeting PI3K/mTOR in cancer.

The PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway is frequently dysregulated in cancer due to its central role in cell growth, survival, and proliferation. Overactivation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway may occur through varying mechanisms including mutations, gene amplification, and upstream signaling events, ultimately resulting in cancer. Therefore, PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway has emerged as an attractive target for cancer therapy and imaging.

Enhanced Mercury Accumulation in Riparian Spiders: An Evidence of Insects' Emergence Effect in Aquatic and Upland Terrestrial Crossed Habitat.

Many studies have focused on mercury (Hg) accumulation in both aquatic and terrestrial organisms, but the effects of aquatic Hg on terrestrial organisms have rarely been documented. Here we report the accumulation of Hg in two species of spiders, Argiope bruennichi, inhabiting paddy fields, and Nephila clavata, inhabiting small forests in the riparian zones of two hydroelectric reservoirs in Guiyang, southwest China. The mean concentration of total mercury (THg) was higher in N.

Aquatic methylmercury is a significant subsidy for terrestrial songbirds: Evidence from the odd mass-independent fractionation of mercury isotopes.

In contrast to aquatic food chains, knowledge of the origins and transfer of mercury (Hg) and methylmercury (MeHg) in terrestrial food chains is relatively limited, especially in songbirds. We collected soil, rice plants, aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates, small wild fish, and resident songbird feathers from an Hg-contaminated rice paddy ecosystem for an analysis of stable Hg isotopes to clarify the sources of Hg and its transfer in songbirds and their prey. Significant mass-dependent fractionation (MDF, δHg), but no mass-independent fractionation (MIF, ∆Hg) occurred in the trophic transfers in terrestrial food chains.

Total and methylmercury concentrations in nocturnal migratory birds passing through Mount Ailao, Southwest China.

Despite growing concerns over mercury (Hg) accumulation in birds in recent decades, little is known about Hg exposure in nocturnal migratory birds. Here, total mercury (THg) and methylmercury (MeHg) were detected in the feathers of nocturnal migratory birds (n = 286, belonging to 46 species) passing through Mount Ailao in Southwest China. The stable isotope ratios of carbon (δC) and nitrogen (δN) were also determined to clarify the effects of trophic position, foraging guild, and foraging behavior on Hg bioaccumulation.

Microstructure and Wear of W-Particle-Reinforced Al Alloys Prepared by Laser Melt Injection.

W-particle-reinforced Al alloys were prepared on a 7075 aluminum alloy surface via laser melt injection to improve their wear resistance, and the microstructure, microhardness, and wear resistance of the W/Al layers were studied. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) results confirmed that a W/Al laser melting layer of about 1.5 mm thickness contained W particles, and AlW was formed on the surface of the Al alloys.

Terrestrial mercury and methylmercury bioaccumulation and trophic transfer in subtropical urban forest food webs.

As the "lungs of the city", urban forests can improve air quality by absorbing air pollutants, becoming hotspots for mercury (Hg) pollution from anthropogenic activities. However, the bioaccumulation and transfer of Hg in the urban forest food web are unclear. In this study, total mercury (THg) and methylmercury (MeHg) concentrations, as well as the stable isotopes of carbon (δC) and nitrogen (δN) in organisms with different trophic levels (TLs) were investigated in a mid-subtropical urban forest of the Changpoling Forest Park (CFP) in Guiyang City, Guizhou Province, southwestern China.

Phytochemical profile and anti-oxidation activity changes during ginger () harvest: Baby ginger attenuates lipid accumulation and ameliorates glucose uptake in HepG2 cells.

We determined the phenolic content and anti-oxidation properties of ginger at different harvesting time and tested its effects on lipid droplet formation and glucose uptake in HepG2 cells. Ginger samples at different stages of maturity were harvested every two weeks starting from mid-October for 16 weeks. Our data indicate that ginger has the highest phenolic contents and superior anti-oxidation activity when harvested early (immature baby ginger); however, the concentration of phenolic contents and its anti-oxidation activity were progressively reduced up to 50% as ginger matures.

Biomagnification and trophic transfer of total mercury and methylmercury in a sub-tropical montane forest food web, southwest China.

Little is known about the bioaccumulation and trophic transfer of total mercury (THg) and methylmercury (MeHg) via food webs in terrestrial ecosystems, especially in subtropical forest ecosystems. In the present study, THg and MeHg were determined as well as the carbon (δC) and nitrogen (δN) isotope composition in samples of soils, plants, invertebrates, and songbird feathers to construct food webs in a remote subtropical montane forest in Mt. Ailao, southwest China and assess the bioaccumulation, biomagnification, and trophic transfer of Hg.

A Wide-Range Stiffness-Tunable Soft Actuator Inspired by Deep-Sea Glass Sponges.

Achieving both high compliance and stiffness is a key issue in stiffness-tunable soft robots. A wide-range variable-stiffness method keeping pure soft characteristic is proposed by bioinspired design of deep-sea glass sponges adopting thermoplastic starch. The stiffness-tunable mechanism is designed through force analysis and optimization of its bionic cellular structure.

A Human-Inspired Soft Finger with Dual-Mode Morphing Enabled by Variable Stiffness Mechanism.

Elevating stiffness without compromising compliance and agility is a key problem for soft finger applications, especially for articulate ones. Inspired by human finger, a multijoint soft finger with dual morphing through active/passive variable rigidity is proposed. The fabricated soft finger weighs 27.

Passerine bird reproduction does not decline in a highly-contaminated mercury mining district of China.

Mercury (Hg) is a neurotoxic element with severe effects on humans and wildlife. Widely distributed by atmospheric deposition, it can also be localized near point sources such as mines. Mercury has been shown to reduce the reproduction of bird populations in field observations in North America and Europe, but studies are needed in Asia, where the majority of emissions now occur.

Distributions of Total Mercury and Methylmercury in Dragonflies from a Large, Abandoned Mercury Mining Region in China.

Dragonflies (Order Odonata) often are considered to be biosentinels of environmental contamination, e.g., heavy metals and/or persistent organic pollutants (POPs).

Extremely Elevated Total Mercury and Methylmercury in Forage Plants in a Large-Scale Abandoned Hg Mining Site: A Potential Risk of Exposure to Grazing Animals.

Ninety-five wild forage plants (belonging to 22 species of 18 families) and their corresponding rhizosphere soil samples were collected from wastelands of a large-scale abandoned Hg mining region for total Hg (THg) and methylmercury (MeHg) analysis. The forage plant communities on the wastelands were dominated by the Asteraceae, Crassulaceae, and Polygonaceae families. The THg and MeHg concentrations in the forage plants varied widely and were in the range of 0.

A novel isoform of Homeodomain-interacting protein kinase-2 promotes YAP/TEAD transcriptional activity in NSCLC cells.

Homeodomain-interacting protein kinase-2 (HIPK2) can either promote or inhibit transcription depending on cellular context. In this study, we show that a new HIPK2 isoform increases TEAD reporter activity in NSCLC cells. We detected HIPK2 copy number gain in 5/6 (83.