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In this study, we investigated the neuroprotective effect of a water extract of ginseng (WEG) obtained via low–temperature extraction of the brain of mice with Parkinson's disease (PD) and the ameliorative effect on the damaged intestinal system for the treatment of dyskinesia in PD mice. MPTP (1–methyl–4–phenyl–1,2,3,6–tetrahydropyridine) was injected intraperitoneally into male C57BL/6 mice to establish a PD model, and WEG was given via oral gavage. The results indicated that WEG could protect the damaged neuronal cells of the mice brain, inhibit the aggregation of α-synuclein (α–Syn) in the brain, and increase the positive expression rate of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH). WEG significantly improved intestinal damage and regulated intestinal disorders (P<0.05). WEG intervention increased the levels of beneficial bacteria, such as Lactobacillus, and normalized the abundance and diversity of colonies in the intestine of mice. Our results suggested that WEG protected neurons in the brain of PD mice via inhibiting the aggregation of α–Syn in the brain and increasing the positive expression level of TH in the brain. WEG regulated the gut microbiota of mice, improved the behavioral disorders of PD mice, and offered some therapeutic effects on PD mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solar-driven evaporators (SDEs) have attracted increasing attention in producing potable freshwater. Developing a multitasking SDE with stable self-floating performance, long-term salt resistance, effective heat management, pollutant degradation capability and good scalability for industrial production is significant but challenging. This work demonstrates the fabrication of a cellulose paper-based SDE with rough photothermal coating, controlled Janus wettability and a hierarchical Fenton catalyst for advanced solar desalination. Through the surface deposition of an urchin-like nanocatalyst and polypyrrole coating, a rough photothermal top layer for enhanced light trapping (98.6%) and a Fenton catalytic bottom layer for in situ pollutant degradation (98.1%) are constructed. Benzophenone-terminated polydimethylsiloxane is designed to realize facile asymmetric photo-grafting on porous paper, which further endows the evaporator with controlled Janus wettability, stable self-floating performance, long-term salt resistance, efficient heat management and rapid water transfer. Benefiting from such advantages, high solar-to-vapor efficiency (95.3%) and evaporation rate (1.88 kg m−2 h−1) are obtained. This cellulose paper-based evaporator also exhibits mechanical flexibility, portability and cost-effectiveness. Furthermore, the preparation process, including simple deposition and cleaner photo-grafting, is feasible and scalable for industrial production. This work provides innovative concepts for developing advanced paper evaporators to realize multitasking solar desalination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ginseng root rot, caused by Fusarium oxysporum, is a serious disease in the ginseng industry in northeast China. This study aims to investigate the changes in ginseng physio-biochemistry following infection by Fusarium oxysporum, particularly the activities of cell wall degradation enzymes, antioxidant enzymes, and secondary metabolism-related enzymes. To do so, ginseng was artificially infected with a Fusarium oxysporum spore suspension, and changes in the activity of cell wall degrading enzymes (CWDEs), plant defense enzyme activity, malondialdehyde (MDA) and soluble sugar content were measured. The results showed that the activities of the cell wall degrading enzymes in the infected ginseng were all, to different degrees, higher than those in the control group. In the infection group, the activities of carboxymethyl cellulase (Cx) and β -glucosidase (βG) reached a peak at 7 days after infection, the activities of polymethylgalacturonase (PMG) and polygalacturonase (PG) reached a peak at 14 days, and the activities of pectin methyl trans erasing (PGTE) and polygalacturonase (PMTE) reached peaked at 28 days. These results indicate that when ginseng was infected with Fusarium oxysporum, Cx and βG were the main cellulase, PG and PMG were the main pectinase, and the peak activity of the cellulases was earlier than that of pectinases. After infection with Fusarium oxysporum, the physiological and biochemical indices in ginseng were closely related to its disease resistance response. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and lipoxygenase (LOX) in the infection group reached a peak on a certain day. The results showed that the activities of SOD, CAT, POD, PAL, PPO and LOX were all activated when ginseng was infected by Fusarium oxysporum. The malondialdehyde (MDA) content in the infection group reached a peak at 7 days and was lower than that in the control group, indicating that the cell membrane damage of ginseng reached a maximum 7 days after inoculation. The soluble sugar content in the infection group was always higher than that in the control group. This result may be due to the enhanced respiration of the body, which promotes the degradation of starch and cellulose into soluble sugar, and is a self-protective reaction. In a word, ginseng has a defense effect after being infected by Fusarium oxysporum, and changes in CWDEs, plant defense enzymes activity, malondialdehyde and soluble sugar content in vivo to resist pathogenic invasion. The study provides a scientific basis for further exploring the mechanisms underlying the interaction between ginseng and root rot bacteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]