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Lithium-sulfur batteries (LSBs) have emerged as the research hotspot due to their compelling merits, including high specific capacity (1675 mAh g - 1), theoretical energy density (2600 Wh kg - 1), environmental friendliness, and economic advantages. However, challenges still exist for further application due to their inherent issues such as the natural insulation, shuttle effect, and volume expansion of sulfur cathode during the continuous cycle processes. These factors obstruct the lithium ions (Li + ) transfer process and sulfur utilization, resulting in significant impedance and inducing inferior battery performance. Herein, the core-shell nanocube anchoring ruthenium atoms and dicobalt phosphate (Ru@Co 2 P@NC) were fabricated as the effective catalyst and inhibited barrier for LSBs. On the one hand, the core-shell structure offers numerous channels to expedite Li + diffusion. On the other hand, ruthenium (Ru) and dicobalt phosphate (Co 2 P) active sites facilitate the chemical capture of lithium polysulfides (LiPSs), accelerating sluggish kinetics. Ru@Co 2 P@NC modified cells not only exhibited a high initial specific capacity (1609.35 mAh g -1 ) at 0.5C and enduring stability with high specific capacity retention of 906.60 mAh g -1 at 0.5C after 400 cycles but also possessed low capacity attenuation rate of 0.07 % per cycle after 600 cycles (1C, Sulfur loading: 1.2 mg). Interestingly, the modified cells demonstrated a high specific capacity and long-cycle stability with high sulfur loading (from 1.984 to 3.137 mg), which provides a promising research approach for high-performance LSBs., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes) is a prevalent foodborne pathogen with a remarkable capacity to form biofilms on utensil surfaces. The Listeriolysin O (LLO) exhibits hemolytic activity, which is responsible for causing human infections. In this study, we investigated the inhibitory effect and mechanism of oregano essential oil (OEO) on L. monocytogenes, evaluated the effects on its biofilm removal and hemolytic activity. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of OEO against L. monocytogenes was 0.03 % (v/v). L. monocytogenes was treated with OEO at 3/2 MIC for 30 min the bacteria was decreased below the detection limit (10 CFU/mL) in PBS and TSB (the initial bacterial load was about 6.5 log CFU/mL). The level of L. monocytogenes in minced pork co-cultured with OEO (15 MIC) about 2.5 log CFU/g lower than that in the untreated group. The inhibitory mechanisms of OEO against planktonic L. monocytogenes encompassed perturbation of cellular morphology, elevation in reactive oxygen species levels, augmentation of lipid oxidation extent, hyperpolarization of membrane potential, and reduction in intracellular ATP concentration. In addition, OEO reduced biofilm coverage on the surface of glass slides by 62.03 % compared with the untreated group. Meanwhile, OEO (1/8 MIC) treatment reduced the hemolytic activity of L. monocytogenes to 24.6 % compared with the positive control. Molecular docking suggested carvacrol and thymol might reduce the hemolytic activity of L. monocytogenes. The results of this study demonstrate that OEO exhibits inhibitory effects against L. monocytogenes, biofilms and LLO, which had potential as natural antimicrobial for the inhibition of L. monocytogenes., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interest or personal relationship that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The aim of this study was to explore the effects of low-frequency ultrasound (US) combined with microbubbles (MBs) on breast cancer xenografts and explain its underlying mechanisms. A total of 20 xenografted nude mice were randomly divided into four groups: a group treated with US plus MBs (the US + MBs group), a group treated with US alone (the US group), a group treated with MBs alone (the MBs group), and a control group. In different groups, mice were treated with different US and injection regimens on an alternate day, three times in total. Histological changes, apoptosis of cells, microvascular changes, and the apoptosis index (AI) and microvascular density (MVD) of the breast cancer xenograft were analyzed after the mice were sacrificed. Results indicated that the tumor volume in the US + MBs group was smaller than that in the other three groups ( p < 0.001 for all). The rate of tumor growth inhibition in the US + MBs group was significantly higher than that in the US and MBs groups ( p < 0.001 for both). There were no significant differences in histological changes among the four groups. However, the AI was higher in the US + MBs group than that in the other three groups while the MVD was lower ( p < 0.001 for all). All in all, low-frequency US combined with MBs can effectively slow down the growth of breast cancer in nude mice. In summary, low-frequency US combined with MBs has a significant effect on breast cancer treatment. Cavitation, thermal effects, and mechanical effects all play a vital role in the inhibition of tumor growth., Competing Interests: The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose., (2024, National Center for Global Health and Medicine.)

Ternary nickel-rich layered oxide LiNi 0.8 Co 0.1 Mn 0.1 O 2 (NCM811) is recognized as a cathode material with a promising future, attributed to its high energy density. However, the pulverization of cathode particles, structural collapse, and electrolyte decomposition are closely associated with the fragile cathode-electrolyte interphases (CEI), which seriously affect the electrochemical performances of ternary high-nickel materials. In this paper, fluorine- and nitrogen-containing methyl-2-nitro-4-(trifluoromethyl)benzoate (MNTB) was selected, which was synergistically regulated with fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC) to generate a robust CEI film. The preferential decomposition of MNTB/FEC results in the formation of an inorganic-rich (Li 3 N, LiF, and Li 2 O) CEI film with uniformly dense and stable characteristics, which is conducive to the migration of Li + and the stability of the NCM811 structure and enhances the cycling stability of the battery system. Simultaneously, MNTB effectively suppresses the adverse reaction associated with increased polarization caused by higher interface impedance due to conventional single FEC additives, further improving the rate capability of the battery. Moreover, MNTB/FEC can effectively eliminate HF, preventing its corrosion on the NCM811 cathode. Under the synergistic effect of MNTB/FEC, after 300 discharge cycles at a high cutoff voltage of 4.3 V and a current density of 1 C (2 mA cm -2 ), the discharge capacity of the NCM811||Li battery was 150.12 mA h g -1 with a capacity retention of 81.10%, while it was only 32.8% for the standard electrolyte (STD). The discharged capacity of the MNTB/FEC-containing battery was about 115.43 mA h g -1 at the high rate of 7 C, which was considerably higher than that of the STD (93.34 mA h g -1 ). In this study, the designed MNTB as a novel solvent synergistically regulated with FEC will contribute to the enhanced stability of NCM811 materials at high cutoff voltages and at the same time provide an effective modified strategy to enhance the stability of commercial electrodes.

Granular-ball support vector machine (GBSVM) is a significant attempt to construct a classifier using the coarse-to-fine granularity of a granular ball as input, rather than a single data point. It is the first classifier whose input contains no points. However, the existing model has some errors, and its dual model has not been derived. As a result, the current algorithm cannot be implemented or applied. To address these problems, we fix the errors of the original model of the existing GBSVM and derive its dual model. Furthermore, a particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm is designed to solve the dual problem. The sequential minimal optimization (SMO) algorithm is also carefully designed to solve the dual problem. The latter is faster and more stable. The experimental results on the UCI benchmark datasets demonstrate that GBSVM is more robust and efficient. All codes have been released in the open source library available at: http://www.cquptshuyinxia.com/GBSVM.html or https://github.com/syxiaa/GBSVM.

Development of high-performance metal sulfides anode materials is a great challenge for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs). In this work, a cobalt-based imidazolate framework (ZIF-67) were firstly synthesized and applied as precursor. After the successive surface etching, ion exchange and sulfidation processes, the final cobalt-vanadium sulfide yolk-shell nanocages were obtained (CoS 2 /VS 4 @NC) with VS 4 shell and CoS 2 yolk encapsulated into nitrogen doped carbon frameworks. This yolk-shell nanocage structure effectively increases the specific surface area and provides enough space for inhibiting the volume change during charge/discharge processes. Besides, the nitrogen doped carbon skeleton greatly improves the ionic conductivity and facilitates ion transport. When used as the anode materials for SIBs, the yolk-shell nanocages of CoS 2 /VS 4 @NC electrode exhibits excellent rate capability and stable cycle performance. Notably, it displays a long-term cycling stability with excellent capacity of 417.28 mA h g -1 after 700 cycles at a high current density of 5 A/g. This developed approach here provides a new route for the design and synthesis of various yolk-shell nanocages nanomaterials from enormous MOFs with multitudinous compositions and morphologies and can be extended to the application into other secondary batteries and energy storage fields., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Lithium-sulfur batteries (LSBs) show considerable potential in next-generation high performance batteries, but the heavy shuttle effect and sluggish redox kinetics of polysulfide hinder their further applications. In this paper, to address these shortcomings of LSBs, Co 3 Fe 7 /Co 5.47 N heterostructure were prepared and constructed from their Fe-Co Prussian blue analogue precursors under the condition of high temperature pyrolysis. The obtained Co 3 Fe 7 /Co 5.47 N display excellent immobilization-diffusion-conversion performance for polysulfides by synergistic effect in successfully hindering the shuttle effect of polysulfides. When the Co 3 Fe 7 /Co 5.47 N heterostructure were applied to modify the commercial polypropylene (PP) separator, the batteries displayed fantastic rate capacity and cycling stability. Specifically, the Co 3 Fe 7 /Co 5.47 N-PP batteries exhibit an extremely satisfactory initial specific capacity of 1430 m Ah/g at 0.5C, wonderful rate capacity of around 780 m Ah/g at 3C and superior per cycle decaying rate of 0.08 % for 500 cycles at 0.5C. When the current density reaches to 2C, the batteries still exhibit 501 m Ah/g after 900 cycles with 0.015 % per cycle decay rate. Besides, even in the high loading of sulfur (3.0 mg cm -2 ) at 0.5C, the superior cycling stability (0.075 % per cycle decay rate after 200 cycles) and high specific capacity (741 mAh/g after 200 cycles) can still be performed. Thus, this work provides a facile method for high-powered and long-life Li-S batteries with eminent entrapping-conversion processes of polysulfides., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Postbiotics are defined as "preparation of inanimate microorganisms and/or their components that confers a health benefit on the host". Postbiotics have unique advantages over probiotics, such as stability, safety, and wide application. Although postbiotics are research hotspots, the research on them is still very limited. This review provides comprehensive information on the scope of postbiotics, the preparation methods of inanimate microorganisms, and the application and mechanisms of postbiotics in metabolic syndrome (MetS). Furthermore, the application trends of postbiotics in the food industry are reviewed. It was found that postbiotics mainly include inactivated microorganisms, microbial lysates, cell components, and metabolites. Thermal treatments are the main methods to prepare inanimate microorganisms as postbiotics, while non-thermal treatments, such as ionizing radiation, ultraviolet light, ultrasound, and supercritical CO 2 , show great potential in postbiotic preparation. Postbiotics could ameliorate MetS through multiple pathways including the modulation of gut microbiota, the enhancement of intestinal barrier, the regulation of inflammation and immunity, and the modulation of hormone homeostasis. Additionally, postbiotics have great potential in the food industry as functional food supplements, food quality improvers, and food preservatives. In addition, the SWOT analyses showed that the development of postbiotics in the food industry exists both opportunities and challenges.

The low ionic conductivity, narrow electrochemical window, poor interfacial stability with lithium metal, and non-degradability of raw materials are the main problems of solid polymer electrolytes, restricting the development of lithium solid-state batteries. In this paper, a biodegradable poly (2,3-butanediol/1,3-propanediol/succinic acid/sebacic acid/itaconic acid) ester was designed and used as a substrate to prepare biodegradable polyester solid polymer electrolytes for solid-state lithium batteries using a simple solution-casting method. A large number of ester-based polar groups in the amorphous polymer become a high-speed channel for carrying lithium ions as a weak coordination site. The biodegradable polyester solid polymer electrolyte exhibits a wide electrochemical window of 5.08 V (vs. Li/Li + ), high ionic conductivity of 1.03 mS cm -1 (25 °C), and a large Li + transference number of 0.56. The electrolyte exhibits good interfacial stability with lithium, with stable Li plating/stripping behavior at room temperature over 2100 h. This design strategy for biodegradable polyester solid polymer electrolytes offers new possibilities for the development of matrix materials for environmentally friendly lithium metal solid-state batteries.

Objectives: To explore the impact of diabetes itself and glycemic control status on tuberculosis (TB)., Methods: A total of 3393 patients with TB and diabetes mellitus (DM) who were hospitalized in the Public Health Clinical Center of Chengdu from January 1, 2019, to December 31, 2021, were retrospectively included and divided into three groups according to baseline glycemic control status: two groups according to glycemic status at discharge, two groups according to cavity occurrence, three groups according to sputum results, and three groups according to lesion location. The influencing factors and the differences in cavity occurrence, sputum positivity and lesion location among different glycemic control groups or between different glycemic status groups were analyzed., Results: In this TB with DM cohort, most of the subjects were male, with a male to female ratio of 4.54:1, most of them were 45-59 years old, with an average age of 57.44 ± 13.22 years old. Among them, 16.8% (569/3393) had cavities, 52.2% (1770/3393) were sputum positive, 30.4% (1030/3393) had simple intrapulmonary lesions, 68.1% (2311/3393) had both intra and extrapulmonary lesions, only 15.8% (537/3393) had good glycemic control,16.0% (542/3393) and 68.2% (2314/3393) had fair and poor glycemic control, respectively. Compared with the non-cavity group, the sputum-negative group and the extrapulmonary lesion group, the cavity group, sputum-positive group, intrapulmonary lesion group and the intra and extrapulmonary lesion group all had higher fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and glycosylated hemoglobin A 1c (HbA1c) and lower good glycemic control rates at admission (all P <0.001). Another aspect, compared with the good glycemic control group, the poor glycemic control group had a higher cavity occurrence rate, sputum positive rate, and greater proportion of intrapulmonary lesions. Moreover, FPG and HbA1c levels and poor glycemic control were significantly positively correlated with cavity occurrence, sputum positivity, and intrapulmonary lesions and were the main risk factors for TB disease progression. On the other hand, cavity occurrence, sputum positivity, and intrapulmonary lesions were also main risk factors for hyperglycemia and poor glycemic control., Conclusion: Diabetes itself and glycemic control status could impact TB disease. Good glycemic control throughout the whole process is necessary for patients with TB and DM to reduce cavity occurrence and promote sputum negative conversion and lesion absorption., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Meng, Lan, Wu, Ren, Yuan, Yang, Chen, Peng and Liu.)

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a worldwide health problem with increasing incidence. Diosgenin (DIO) is a natural active ingredient extracted from Chinese yams ( Rhizoma dioscoreae ) with potential antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antidiabetic effects. However, the protective effect of DIO on DN is still unclear. The present study explored the mitigating effects and underlying mechanisms of DIO on DN in vivo and in vitro. In the current study, the DN rats were induced by a high-fat diet and streptozotocin and then treated with DIO and metformin (Mef, a positive control) for 8 weeks. The high-glucose (HG)-induced HK-2 cells were treated with DIO for 24 h. The results showed that DIO decreased blood glucose, biomarkers of renal damage, and renal pathological changes with an effect comparable to that of Mef, indicating that DIO is potential active substance to relieve DN. Thus, the protective mechanism of DIO on DN was further explored. Mechanistically, DIO improved autophagy and mitophagy via the regulation of the AMPK-mTOR and PINK1-MFN2-Parkin pathways, respectively. Knockdown of CaMKK2 abolished AMPK-mTOR and PINK1-MFN2-Parkin pathways-mediated autophagy and mitophagy. Mitophagy and mitochondrial dynamics are closely linked physiological processes. DIO also improved mitochondrial dynamics through inhibiting fission-associated proteins (DRP1 and p -DRP1) and increasing fusion proteins (MFN1/2 and OPA1). The effects were abolished by CaMKK2 and PINK1 knockdown. In conclusion, DIO ameliorated DN by enhancing autophagy and mitophagy and by improving mitochondrial dynamics in a CaMKK2-dependent manner. PINK1 and MFN2 are proteins that concurrently regulated mitophagy and mitochondrial dynamics.

In superconductors possessing both time and inversion symmetries, the Zeeman effect of an external magnetic field can break the time-reversal symmetry, forming a conventional Fulde-Ferrell-Larkin-Ovchinnikov (FFLO) state characterized by Cooper pairings with finite momentum 1,2 . In superconductors lacking (local) inversion symmetry, the Zeeman effect may still act as the underlying mechanism of FFLO states by interacting with spin-orbit coupling (SOC). Specifically, the interplay between the Zeeman effect and Rashba SOC can lead to the formation of more accessible Rashba FFLO states that cover broader regions in the phase diagram 3-5 . However, when the Zeeman effect is suppressed because of spin locking in the presence of Ising-type SOC, the conventional FFLO scenarios are no longer effective. Instead, an unconventional FFLO state is formed by coupling the orbital effect of magnetic fields with SOC, providing an alternative mechanism in superconductors with broken inversion symmetries 6-8 . Here we report the discovery of such an orbital FFLO state in the multilayer Ising superconductor 2H-NbSe 2 . Transport measurements show that the translational and rotational symmetries are broken in the orbital FFLO state, providing the hallmark signatures of finite-momentum Cooper pairings. We establish the entire orbital FFLO phase diagram, consisting of a normal metal, a uniform Ising superconducting phase and a six-fold orbital FFLO state. This study highlights an alternative route to achieving finite-momentum superconductivity and provides a universal mechanism to preparing orbital FFLO states in similar materials with broken inversion symmetries., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Limited.)

Lithium-ion batteries are core components of flexible electronic devices. However, deformation types, such as impinging, bending, stretching, folding, and twisting, can cause internal cracks and, eventually, damage these batteries. The cracks separate the active particles from the conductive particles and the binder, as well as the electrode from the collector. Self-healing binders can alleviate this mechanical damage and improve the stress response of active material particles during high rates of charging and discharging of these batteries and the operation at a high voltage, thereby enhancing their cycle performance. In the present study, a thermoplastic intrinsic self-healing polymer (TISP) binder is proposed. The TISP is obtained by polymerization of butanediol (2,3-BDO), propylene glycol (1,3-PDO), succinic acid (SuA), sebacic acid (SeA), and iconic acid (IA). The hydroxyl and ester groups in its structure can form diverse bonds including the hydrogen and ion-dipole with active particles and the current collector, thereby producing elevated adhesion. Its properties, including a low glass transition temperature (-60 °C), amorphous structure, and low cross-link density, improve the mobility of polymer chains at 40 °C, and this facilitates structural recovery and the maintenance of strong adhesions. Owing to its higher occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) level than the electrolyte solvent, the TISP is likely oxidized before the main component of the electrolyte during charging. This decomposition produces a chemical passivation interphase on the cathode which reduces side reactions of LiCoO 2 and the electrolyte under high-voltage conditions. Tests reveal that a LiCoO 2 electrode battery using the TISP as a binder retains 162.4 mAh g -1 after 349 cycles at 4.5 V, and this represents an 86.5% capacity retention. In addition, heating (40 °C, 1 h) of a scratch-damaged electrode can recover a specific capacity of 156.6 mAh g -1 after 349 cycles at 4.5 V. Relative to a battery without any mechanical scratch, this capacity recovery represents approximately 96%, and this demonstrates the importance of the TISP to the high-voltage damaged electrode.

Diosgenin (DIO) is a dietary steroid sapogenin possessing multiple biological functions, such as the amelioration of diabetes. However, the remission effect of DIO on diabetic nephropathy (DN) underlying oxidative stress and cell apoptosis remains unclear. Here, the effect of DIO on ROS generation and its induced cell apoptosis was studied in vitro and in vivo. Renal proximal tubular epithelial (HK-2) cells were treated with DIO (1, 2, 4 µM) under high glucose (HG, 30 mM) conditions. DN rats were induced by a high-fat diet combined with streptozotocin, followed by administration of DIO for 8 weeks. Our data suggested that DIO relieved the decline of HK-2 cell viability and renal pathological damage in DN rats. DIO also relieved ROS (O 2 - and H 2 O 2 ) production. Mechanistically, DIO inhibited the expression of NOX4 and restored mitochondrial respiratory chain (MRC) complex I-V expressions. Further, DIO inhibited mitochondrial apoptosis by ameliorating mitochondrial membrane potential (MtMP) and down-regulating the expressions of CytC, Apaf-1, caspase 3, and caspase 9, while up-regulating Bcl2 expression. Moreover, the ER stress and its associated cell apoptosis were inhibited through decreasing PERK, p -PERK, ATF4, IRE1, p -CHOP, and caspase 12 expressions. Collectively, DIO inhibited ROS production by modulating NOX4 and MRC complexes, which then suppressed apoptosis regulated by mitochondria and ER stress, thereby attenuating DN.

Diosgenin (DIO) is a dietary and phytochemical steroidal saponin representing multiple activities. The present study investigated the protective effect of DIO on type II diabetes-associated nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (D-NAFLD). The rat model was established by high-fat diet and streptozotocin injection and then administered DIO for 8 weeks. The results showed that DIO reduced insulin resistance index, improved dyslipidemia, and relieved pancreatic damage. DIO decreased hepatic injury markers, including aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT). H&E staining showed that DIO relieved hepatic lipid deposition. Mechanistically, DIO inhibited hepatic de novo lipogenesis (DNL) and increased fatty acid β-oxidation (FAO) through regulation of the AMPK-ACC/SREBP1 pathway. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress was inhibited by DIO through regulation of PERK and IRE1 arms, which may then inhibit DNL. DIO also decreased reactive oxygen species (ROS) and enhanced the antioxidant capacity via an increase in Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAT), and Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities. The mitochondria are the site for FAO, and ROS can damage mitochondrial function. DIO relieved mitochondrial fission and fusion disorder by inhibiting DRP1 and increasing MFN1/MFN2 expressions. Mitochondrial apoptosis was then inhibited by DIO. In conclusion, the present study suggests that DIO protects against D-NAFLD by inhibiting DNL and improving FAO and mitochondrial function.

Linarin is a natural flavonoid compound found in Chrysanthemum indicum , Mentha species and other plants with various biological activities. The study aimed to investigate the protective effect of linarin supplementation on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in C57BL/6J mice and its potential mechanisms. The results showed that doses of linarin at 25 and 50 mg kg -1 day -1 alleviated the DSS-induced histopathological damage, and improved the mucosal layer and intestinal barrier function. Importantly, Linarin significantly suppressed the levels of myeloperoxidase activity and pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α, IFN-γ and IL-1β) in the colon, and enhanced the mRNA level of anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-10). Moreover, 50 mg kg -1 day -1 linarin reversed the gut microbiota damaged by DSS, including Alistipes , Rikenella and Clostridia UCG-014&#95;norank . Linarin also partly increased the relative abundance of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs)-producing bacteria, including Lactobacillus , Roseburia , Parabacteroides and Blautia , and elevated the contents of SCFAs. Collectively, linarin attenuates DSS-induced colitis in mice, suggesting that linarin may be a promising nutritional strategy for reducing inflammatory bowel disease.

Background: Breast cancer is a malignant tumor which threat to women's physical and mental health. Delphinidin, one of the main anthocyanidins, has potent anti-cancer properties. In previous study, we found that delphinidin has the preventive role in MNU-induced breast carcinogenesis of rats, but the molecular mechanism by which delphinidin combats breast cancer has not been completely elucidated.The aim of the present study was to identify metabolic profile that account for delphinidin on the preventive effect on 1-methyl-1-nitrosourea (MNU)-induced breast carcinogenesis of rats., Methods: In the present study, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) was conducted to identify metabolic profiles of rat tissues collected from normal mammary glands (normal group), breast tumors derived from MNU-induced breast carcinogenesis models (control group) and delphinidin administration models (delphinidin group). Principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares-discriminate analysis (PLS-DA) were employed to identify biochemical patterns. The values of variable importance in the projection (VIP) in PLS-DA model combined with the P value of Student's t-test were used to determine important metabolites. An orthogonal partial least square discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) was used to conduct the supervised analysis. The fitness and prediction capabilities of PCA modes were measured by R 2 and Q 2 value respectively. Potential biomarkers were subjected to pathway analysis with Metaboanalyst 3.0 based on the KEGG Pathway Database to identify related metabolic pathways., Results: The PCA and PLS-DA analysis indicated that the proposed method were satisfactory for metabolomic analysis. Metabolites from the obtained features were further filtered by PLS-DA analysis with VIP>1.0 and P<0.05. The significant difference was appeared in 190 metabolites between normal group and control group (P<0.05). Eight most significant metabolic pathways were obtained on the basis of the results of P<0.05 data analysis between control and normal group, embodying in aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis, arginine biosynthesis, biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids, valine, leucine and isoleucine biosynthesis, purine metabolism, alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism, glycerophospholipid metabolism, histidine metabolism. A total of 48 metabolites were identified to be associated with protective effects of delphinidin on MNU-induced rats significantly(P<0.05). Compared with control group, a total of 5 metabolic pathways were significantly perturbed in response to delphinidin administration (p<0.05), including in taurine and hypotaurine metabolism, Glycerophospholipid metabolism, arachidonic acid metabolism, aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis and primary bile acid biosynthesis., Conclusion: Metabolites and metabolic pathways were identified to be associated with protective effects of delphinidin on MNU-induced rats. The findings provided new insights into the precise mechanism of delphinidin in preventing breast carcinogenesis., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

Shigella flexneri , a common Gram-negative foodborne pathogen, is widely distributed in fresh-cut fruits and vegetables, unpasteurized milk, and food processing environments. The aims of this study were to evaluate the antibacterial effects of 405-nm light-emitting diode (LED) treatment on S. flexneri and to investigate the possible mechanism. The results showed that LED irradiation (360 min) reduced the number of S. flexneri in phosphate-buffered saline by 3.29 log colony-forming unit (CFU)/mL (initial bacterial count: 6.81 log CFU/mL). The cells in reconstituted infant formula, cells on fresh-cut carrot slices, and biofilm-associated cells on stainless steel surfaces were reduced by 1.83 log CFU/mL, 7.00 log CFU/cm 2 , and 4.35 log CFU/cm 2 following LED treatment for 360, 120, and 120 min, respectively. LED treatment damaged both DNA and cell wall of S. flexneri and changed cell morphology and cell membrane permeability. In addition, LED treatment decreased total cell protein concentration of S. flexneri . These results indicated that 405-nm LED treatment effectively controlled S. flexneri contamination of foods and food contact surfaces and that the bacterial inactivation may be the result of damage to multiple cellular components. These findings highlight the potential of LED technology in controlling S. flexneri during food processing, storage, and preparation.

Graphene moiré superlattice formed by rotating two graphene sheets can host strongly correlated and topological states when flat bands form at so-called magic angles. Here, we report that, for a twisting angle far away from the magic angle, the heterostrain induced during stacking heterostructures can also create flat bands. Combining a direct visualization of strain effect in twisted bilayer graphene moiré superlattices and transport measurements, features of correlated states appear at "non-magic" angles in twisted bilayer graphene under the heterostrain. Observing correlated states in these "non-standard" conditions can enrich the understanding of the possible origins of the correlated states and widen the freedom in tuning the moiré heterostructures and the scope of exploring the correlated physics in moiré superlattices.

Dioscin is a steroidal saponin isolated from various kinds of vegetables and herbs and possesses various biological activities. In this study, the protective effect of dioscin on diabetic nephropathy (DN) was explored. Dioscin and metformin (positive control) were administered orally to diabetic rats daily for 8 weeks. The biochemistry parameters, pancreas and kidney histological changes, oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, autophagy, and mitochondrial quality and quantity control (mitophagy and mitochondrial fission/fusion) were measured. Our results showed that dioscin effectively reduced blood glucose, pancreatic injury, renal function markers and renal pathological changes in DN rat kidneys. Dioscin reduced O 2- and H 2 O 2 levels, decreased MDA levels, enhanced antioxidant enzyme (SOD, CAT) activities, and reduced inflammatory factor expressions. Moreover, NOX4 expression and the disorder of the mitochondrial respiratory chain were reversed by dioscin. Furthermore, apoptosis mediated by the mitochondria and ER stress was inhibited by dioscin through downregulating the expressions of Bax, CytC, Apaf-1, caspase 9, p-PERK, p-EIF2α, IRE1, p-IRE1, XBP1s, ATF4, p-CHOP and caspase 12. In addition, autophagy was enhanced by dioscin via an AMPK-mTOR pathway. Mitophagy and mitochondrial fission/fusion belong to the mitochondrial quality and quantity control process, which was improved by dioscin via regulating Parkin, PINK1, DRP1, p-DRP1 and MFN2 expressions. Collectively, these results suggested that dioscin protected against DN through inhibiting oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis mediated by the mitochondria and ER stress. Autophagy and mitochondrial quality and quantity control (mitophagy and mitochondrial fission/fusion) were also improved by dioscin.

3-Chloro-1, 2-propanediol (3-MCPD) is a widespread food contaminant with kidney as the main target organ. The exploration of ingredients as intervention strategy towards 3-MCPD induced nephrotoxicity is needed. Diosgenin (DIO) is a steroidal saponin presented in several plants and foods. Here we assessed whether DIO attenuates nephrotoxicity induced by 3-MCPD using Human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK293) cells and Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. The results showed that DIO (2, 6, 8 μM) increased cell viability and exerted inhibitory effect on caspase 3 and caspase 9 activities. Histological examination of rats showed that 15 mg/kg bw DIO ameliorated renal pathological changes caused by 3-MCPD (30 mg/kg bw). DIO also induced autophagy and the blockade of autophagy with 3-Methyladenine (3-MA) aggravated mitochondrial apoptosis induced by 3-MCPD in HEK293 cells. Moreover, treatment with DIO caused an increase in p-LKB1/LKB1 and p-AMPK/AMPK expressions and a decrease in p-mTOR/mTOR, p-ULK1(Ser 757 ), p-P70S6K and p-4EBP1 expressions. Additionally, DIO improved mitochondrial dynamics mainly through inhibiting the relocation of DRP1 on mitochondria and enhancing MFN1 and MFN2 expressions. In conclusion, our study demonstrated for the first time that DIO protected against kidney injury induced by 3-MCPD through the induction of autophagy via LKB1-AMPK-mTOR pathway and the improvement of mitochondrial fission and fusion., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Diosgenin (DIO) is a kind of steroid sapogenin derived from natural plants. It exerts strong anti-infection, antiallergy, antiviral, and antishock pharmacological properties. In this article, the protective effects of DIO against dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in mice were researched. Compared with the 2.5% DSS treatment group, 15 mg/kg body weight of diosgenin alleviated colitis disease, evidenced by the increased body weight, the decrease in the disease activity index, and the histological scores. Furthermore, 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing results demonstrated that DIO improved the colon homeostasis through modulating the gut microbiota, including increases in the relative abundance of several probiotic bacteria, such as Prevotellaceae (from 1.4% to 5.8%), Lactobacillus (from 12.3% to 29.7%), Mucispirillum (from 0.07% to 0.49%), and decreases in the pathogenic bacteria, such as Streptococcus (from 1.6% to 0.6%) and Pseudomonadaceae (from 0.004% to 0%). In addition, the concentration of gut microbial metabolites, total short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), acetic acid, and propionic acid were significantly increased after DIO supplementation. In conclusion, our findings suggested that DIO attenuates DSS-induced colitis in mice by means of modulating imbalanced gut microbiota and increases in SCFA generation.

3-Monochloropropane-1,2-diol (3-MCPD), as a heat-induced food process contaminant, possesses strongly toxic effect on kidney. The present study focuses on characterizing the proteome and clarifying the underlying molecular regulatory mechanisms in a model of kidney injury in rats treated with 3-MCPD. Data-independent acquisition (DIA)-mass spectrometry (MS) based proteomics was used to identify dysregulated proteins in kidney tissues of Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats treated with 30 mg/kg/day 3-MCPD by gavage for 28 days. It was found that a total of 975 proteins were deregulated after 3-MCPD treatment. Bioinformatic analyses revealed that several enzymes related to the metabolisms of amino acid, lipid and carbohydrate in endogenous metabolism were altered in response to 3-MCPD treatment. Moreover, some proteins involved in these pathways were also changed, mainly including oxidative stress, oxidative phosphorylation, apoptosis and autophagy. Our study unravels the vital roles of loss of mitochondrial homeostasis and function and cell death pathways in the development of renal damage induced by 3-MCPD, which provides further valuable insights into the initiation and resolution of 3-MCPD nephrotoxicity. The proposed DIA-MS workflow not only provides a choice for proteomic analysis in toxicological research, but also provides a more comprehensive understanding of the molecular mechanisms of nephrotoxicity induced by toxins., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare no competing interests., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Occupational stress is associated with sleep quality among workers and the human variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) polymorphism of the period circadian regulator 3 (PER3) gene relates to sleep-wake regulation. The main aims of the present study were to examine the effects of PER3 VNTR genotypes, occupational stress, and their interactions on sleep quality. A cross-sectional study was conducted and 729 workers were recruited in Sichuan. Sleep quality were assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Occupational stress was measured using the Generic Job Stress Questionnaire. PER3 genotypes were determined with polymerase chain reaction. High and medium occupational stress were linked to a higher risk of poor sleep quality than low levels. Unconditional logistic regression indicated that PER3 genotype was significantly associated with sleep quality, and an increased risk of poor sleep of >1.5-times was observed in those with the allele 5 compared to allele 4. The 5/5 genotype was associated with both sleep latency and sleep duration. Crossover analysis showed an occupational stress × PER3 interaction. Compared to subjects with both low and medium occupational stress and 4/4 + 4/5 genotype, those with both high occupational stress and 5/5 genotype had a higher risk of poor sleep quality. Stratified logistic analyses found that compared with low and medium occupational stress, high occupational stress increased the risk of poor sleep by more than five-times in 5/5 genotype carriers. Occupational stress and PER3 genotype had both separate and combined effects on poor sleep quality of workers. The results suggest that occupational stress may increase the risk of poor sleep quality through interaction with the PER3 gene polymorphism., (© 2021 European Sleep Research Society.)

Jujuboside A (JuA) is a triterpenoid saponins isolated from the seed of jujube (semen Ziziphi spinosae) with anti-oxidant, anti-inflammation and anti-apoptosis properties. The present study aimed to investigate the reno-protective effects of JuA on type II diabetes. JuA (20 mg/kg) and Metformin (Met, 300 mg/kg) were administrated to diabetic Sprague Dawley rat for 8 weeks daily. Our results showed that JuA reduced blood glucose and kidney function markers including 24 h urinary protein, urinary β-NAG/urinary creatinine, serum urea nitrogen, serum uric acid and serum creatinine, and relieved renal pathological changes. In addition, JuA decreased O 2 - and H 2 O 2 level, enhanced SOD, CAT and GPx activities, decreased NOX4 expression and improved mitochondrial respiratory chain function through regulating respiratory chain complex expression. Moreover, JuA downregulated the expressions of mitochondrial apoptosis proteins: Bax, CytC, Apaf-1 and caspase 9. Apoptosis mediated by ER stress also been inhibited by JuA via downregulating p-PERK, p-IRE1, XBP1s, ATF4, p-CHOP and caspase 12 expressions. JuA also enhanced autophagy and mitophagy via regulating CaMKK2-AMPK-p-mTOR and PINK1/Parkin pathways. Collectively, these results indicated that JuA protected against type II diabetic nephropathy through inhibiting oxidative stress and apoptosis mediated by mitochondria and ER stress. In addition, autophagy and mitophagy was enhanced by JuA., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Delphinidin is an anthocyanidin monomer, commonly found in vegetables and fruits, and has demonstrated antitumor effects in the HER-2-positive MDA-MB-453 breast cancer cell line, with low cytotoxicity on normal breast cells. However, the direct functional mechanisms underlying the effect of delphinidin on HER-2-positive breast cancer cells has not been fully characterized. In the present study, it was found that delphinidin could induce G 2 /M phase cell cycle arrest by inhibiting the protein expression level of cyclin B1 and Cdk1 in HER-2-positive breast cancer cell lines. In addition, delphinidin promoted the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway by inhibiting the ERK and NF-κB signaling pathway and activating the JNK signaling pathway. Therefore, delphinidin markedly suppressed the viability of the HER-2-positive breast cancer cell lines by modulating the cell cycle and inducing apoptosis. Overall, the findings from the present study demonstrated that delphinidin treatment could induce the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway in human HER-2-positive breast cancer cell lines, providing an experimental basis for the prevention and treatment of HER-2-positive breast cancer by flavonoids., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no competing interests., (Copyright: © Wu et al.)

Foodborne Staphylococcus aureus ( S. aureus ) has attracted widespread attention due to its foodborne infection and food poisoning in human. Shikonin exhibits antibacterial activity against a variety of microorganisms, but there are few studies on its antibacterial activity against S. aureus . This study aims to explore the antibacterial activity and mechanism of shikonin against foodborne S. aureus . The results show that the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and the minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) of shikonin were equal for all tested strains ranging from 35 μg/mL to 70 μg/mL. Shikonin inhibited the growth of S. aureus by reducing intracellular ATP concentrations, hyperpolarizing cell membrane, destroying the integrity of cell membrane, and changing cell morphology. At the non-inhibitory concentrations (NICs), shikonin significantly inhibited biofilm formation of S. aureus , which was attributed to inhibiting the expression of cidA and sarA genes. Moreover, shikonin also markedly inhibited the transcription and expression of virulence genes ( sea and hla ) in S. aureus . In addition, shikonin has exhibited antibacterial ability against both planktonic and biofilm forms of S. aureus . Importantly, in vivo results show that shikonin has excellent biocompatibility. Moreover, both the heat stability of shikonin and the antimicrobial activity of shikonin against S. aureus were excellent in food. Our findings suggest that shikonin are promising for use as a natural food additive, and it also has great potential in effectively controlling the contamination of S. aureus in food and reducing the number of illnesses associated with S. aureus .

3-Chloro-1, 2-propanediol (3-MCPD) is a food-borne toxic substance well-known for more than 40 years that is mainly associated with nephrotoxicity. A better understanding of 3-MCPD nephrotoxicity is required to devise efficacious strategies to counteract its toxicity. In the present work, the role of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress along with its underlying regulatory mechanism in 3-MCPD-mediated renal cytotoxicity was investigated in vivo and in vitro. Our data indicated that 3-MCPD-stimulated ER stress response evidenced by sustained activation of PERK-ATF4-p-CHOP and IRE1 branches in Sprague Dawley (SD) rats and human embryonic kidney (HEK293) cells. Moreover, ER stress-associated specific apoptotic initiator, caspase 12, was over-expressed. Blocking ER stress with its antagonist, 4-phenylbutyric acid (4-PBA), improved the morphology and function of kidney effectively. 4-PBA also increased cell viability, relieved mitochondrial vacuolation, and inhibited cell apoptosis through regulating caspase-dependent intrinsic apoptosis pathways. Furthermore, the enhanced expressions of two mitochondrial fission proteins, DRP1/p-DRP1 and FIS1, and the relocation of DRP1 on mitochondria subjected to 3-MPCD were reversed by 4-PBA, while the expression of the fusion protein, MFN2, was restored. Moreover, cellular Ca 2+ overload, the over-expression of CaMKK2, and the loss of mitochondria-associated membranes (MAM) were also relieved after 4-PBA co-treatment. Collectively, our data emphasized that ER stress plays critical role in 3-MCPD-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction and subsequent apoptosis as well as blockage of ER stress ameliorated kidney injury through improving mitochondrial fission/fusion and Ca 2+ homeostasis. These findings provide a novel insight into the regulatory role of ER stress in 3-MCPD-associated nephropathy and a potential therapeutic strategy. Graphical Headlights 1. 4-PBA inhibits ER stress mainly through regulating PERK-ATF4-CHOP and IRE1-XBP1s branches. 2. Inhibition of ER stress by 4-PBA mitigates ER associated and mitochondrial apoptosis 3. Inhibition of ER stress by 4-PBA helps maintaining calcium homeostasis and mitochondrial dynamic., (© 2021. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V. part of Springer Nature.)

Patulin (PAT) belongs to the family of food-borne mycotoxins. Our previous studies revealed that PAT caused cytotoxicity in human embryonic kidney cells (HEK293). In the present research, we systematically explored the detailed mechanism of ROS production and ROS clearance in PAT-induced HEK293 cell apoptosis. Results showed that PAT treatment (2.5, 5, 7.5, 10 μM) for 10 h could regulate the expression of genes and proteins involved in the mitochondrial respiratory chain complex, resulting in dysfunction of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation and induction of ROS overproduction. We further investigated the role of N -acetylcysteine (NAC), an ROS scavenger, in promoting the survival of PAT-treated HEK293 cells. NAC improves PAT-induced apoptosis of HEK293 cells by clearing excess ROS, modulating the expression of mitochondrial respiratory chain complex genes and proteins, and maintaining normal mitochondrial function. In addition, NAC protects the activity of antioxidant enzymes, maintains normal GSH content, and relieves oxidative damage. Additionally, 4 mM NAC alleviated 7.5 μM PAT-mediated apoptosis through the caspase pathway in HEK293 cells. In summary, our study demonstrated that ROS is significant in PAT-mediated cytotoxicity, which provides valuable insight into the management of PAT-associated health issues.

Scope: Diosgenin (DIO) is a natural steroid sapogenin presented in various plants. It exerts anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic nephropathy properties. The present study evaluates the intervention effect of DIO on nephrotoxicity induced by food contaminant 3-chloro-1, 2-propanediol (3-MCPD) in vivo and in vitro., Methods and Results: Treatment with DIO (15 mg kg -1 d -1 ) in Sprague-Dawley rats for 4-week relieves kidney injury induced by 3-MCPD (30 mg kg -1 d -1 ). In vitro, DIO (2, 6, and 8 µM) alleviates cell injury and apoptosis effectively in human embryonic kidney (HEK293) cells. DIO realizes its protective function via the regulation of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and mitochondrial apoptosis pathway. Blockage of ER stress by 4-phenylbutyric acid (4-PBA), a specific ER stress antagonist, inhibits mitochondrial apoptosis, suggesting a connection between mitochondrial apoptosis and ER stress. Furthermore, the study demonstrates that the maintenance of Ca 2+ homeostasis and Bcl2 expression, two main targets of ER stress, contributes to the protection role of DIO on mitochondrial-dependent apoptosis. In addition, DIO relieves the impairment of oxidative phosphorylation., Conclusion: This study demonstrates that DIO exerts protective effect against kidney injury, mitochondrial dysfunction, and apoptosis through the inhibition of ER stress and the further maintenance of Ca 2+ homeostasis and Bcl2 expression., (© 2021 Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

Mitochondrial dynamics and bioenergetics are considered play pivotal roles in the maintenance of mitochondrial function and cell viability. During the widely distributed food contaminant 3-chlorpropane-1,2-diol (3-MCPD) induced nephrotoxicity, mitochondrial morphology and function were impaired, but the specific mechanism responsible for the process has not been fully elucidated. In the present study, using an in vitro human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK293) cell culture model, the role of LKB1/AMPK pathway and mitochondrial fission and fusion dynamics in 3-MCPD-induced cell apoptosis was investigated by using the AMPK inhibitor dorsomorphin and mitochondrial division inhibitor 1 (Mdivi-1), respectively. The results revealed that 3-MCPD significantly decreased the ATP levels, activated the energy-sensing regulator AMPKα and its upstream protein kinase LKB1, disrupted mitochondrial dynamics equilibrium characterized by promoting division and inhibiting fusion, thus inducing cell apoptosis. Notably, suppression of AMPK by dorsomorphin mitigated 3-MCPD-induced cytotoxicity through improvement of the function and dynamics of mitochondria and alleviated apoptosis via the mitochondria-dependent pathway. Moreover, inhibition of mitochondrial fission by Mdivi-1 protected against apoptosis induced by 3-MCPD. Taken together, these results suggest that 3-MCPD triggers apoptosis through activation of LKB1/AMPKα signaling pathway and regulation of mitochondrial fission and fusion dynamics in HEK293 cells., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Patulin (PAT) is a kind of mycotoxins that commonly found in decayed fruits and their products. Our previous studies have shown that PAT induced cell apoptosis and the overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in human embryonic kidney (HEK293) cells. The present study aimed to further investigate the functional role of NADPH oxidase, one of the main cellular sources of ROS, in PAT-induced apoptosis and oxidative damage in HEK293 cells. We demonstrated that the protein and mRNA expression levels of NADPH oxidase catalytic subunit NOX2 and regulatory subunit p47phox were up-regulated under PAT stress. Inhibiting of NADPH oxidase with the specific antagonist diphenyleneiodonium (DPI) suppressed cytotoxicity and apoptosis induced by PAT as evidenced by the increase of cell viability, the decrease of LDH release and the inhibition of caspase activities. Furthermore, DPI re-established mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and enhanced cellular ATP content. Importantly, DPI supplementation elevated endogenous GSH contents as well as the ratio of GSH/GSSG. Meanwhile, the antioxidant-enzyme activities of GPx, GR, CAT and SOD were significantly promoted. Collectively, our results suggested that NADPH oxidase played a critical role in PAT-induced nephrotoxicity, and inhibition of NADPH oxidase by DPI attenuated cell injury and apoptosis via regulation of oxidative damage., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Scope: Punicalagin (PU)-rich pomegranate peel extract has been shown before to exert protective effects against high fat-induced hepatic damage. The aim of this study is to explore whether and how PU antagonizes hepatic steatosis in Western diet-fed (WD) mice., Methods and Results: Mice are fed either chow diet, WD (containing 42% fat, 15% protein, and 43% carbohydrates), or WD supplemented with PU (50 mg kg -1 body weight/day) for 13 weeks. Weight gain, hepatic fat content, and inflammation in the liver and adipose tissues are measured. Compared to the WD group, PU-treated mice have lower fat content, decreased levels of alanine transaminase, and inflammation in liver. PU also changed the transcriptional expression of important genes in fatty acid oxidation pathway and alleviated glucose intolerance. Furthermore, PU improved adiponectin signaling and lipid metabolism in visceral adipose tissue. Moreover, PU improved gut microbiota dysbiosis induced by WD and enhanced gut barrier function., Conclusions: The findings suggest that PU improves hepatic steatosis induced by WD, in part through regulating lipid homeostasis and inflammation in liver and adipose tissue and restoring microbiota shift and impaired gut barrier function. Thus, PU can be potentially developed as a potential prevention strategy in combating nonalcoholic fatty liver disease., (© 2021 Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

Cu 2 SnS 3 , as a modified material for high-capacity tin-based anodes, has great potential for lithium-ion battery applications. The solvothermal method is simple, convenient, cost-effective, and easy to scale up, and has thus been widely used for the preparation of nanocrystals. In this work, Cu 2 SnS 3 nanoparticles were prepared by the solvothermal method. The effects of high-temperature annealing on the morphology, crystal structure, and electrochemical performance of a Cu 2 SnS 3 nano-anode were studied. The experimental results indicate that high-temperature annealing improves the electrochemical performance of Cu 2 SnS 3 , resulting in higher initial coulombic efficiency and improved cycling and rate characteristics compared with those of the as-prepared sample.

In this study, we explored the prevalence of oxacillin-susceptible mecA -positive Staphylococcus aureus (OS-MRSA) in staphylococcal food poisoning outbreak isolates and foodborne isolates, and then investigated their molecular characteristics, classical staphylococcal enterotoxins (SEs), and drug resistance. Eight (2.9%) of 275 isolates from food poisoning outbreaks and 7 (3.8%) of 184 isolates from retail foods were identified as OS-MRSA isolates. Among the 15 OS-MRSA isolates, the most frequently detected toxin genes were hld (100%), hla (93.3%), pvl (80.0%), and hlb (46.7%) followed by seg and seq (33.3%, each), hlg (26.7%), seb and hlgv (20.0%, each), sec , seh , sel , sep , and tst (13.3%, each), and sei , sem , sen , and seo (6.7%, each). None of isolates carried other tested virulence genes. The most frequently detected classical SEs were SEB and SEC (26.7%, each), followed by SEA and SEE (20.0%, each), and SED (6.7%). Resistance was most frequently observed in ampicillin, penicillin, and cefoxitin (100%, each), followed by trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (93.3%), erythromycin (73.3%), amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (46.7%), tetracyclines (26.7%), and ciprofloxacin (6.7%). All isolates were susceptible to other tested antibiotics. A dominant molecular type belonged to ST398-IVa-t034 (26.7%), followed by ST59-IVa-t437 (20.0%), ST88-III-t14340 and ST1-IVa-t114 (13.3%, each), and ST5-II-t002, ST630-t4549, ST5-II, and ST4495-t10738 (6.7%, each). Our findings indicated that OS-MRSA strains had a low prevalence rate among outbreak strains and foodborne strains, which frequently harbored SCCmec IVa, and carried a variety of toxin genes, and also expressed numerous classical SEs. In addition, all OS-MRSA isolates were susceptible to the majority of antibacterial agents except β -lactam. Our study is the first to report that OS-MRSA isolates are associated with food poisoning outbreaks worldwide.

Background: The prevalence of smoking among Chinese medical students in medical colleges is a matter of significant concern. This study aimed to explore the prevalence of smoking and the associated factors among these students., Methods: A total of 7,728 students from 16 colleges in 12 provinces were surveyed to measure their smoking behaviors, attitudes toward tobacco control, and knowledge about smoking risk. An evaluation of campus environment and policy was conducted at the same time. Frequencies were calculated using weighted estimators for complex sampling. A two-level logistic regression model was used to assess factors associated with current smoking., Results: The prevalence of smoking among male medical students in the 16 medical colleges was 12.8%. Students' participation in smoking, smoking initiation after school enrollment, and intention-to-quit-smoking rates may be influenced by their anti-tobacco attitude, the belief that smoking can help to relieve stress, their parents' smoking behaviors, their best friend's attitude towards smoking and second-hand smoke exposure (SHSE), and their awareness of tobacco hazards., Conclusions: This study provides sufficient evidence to support the implementation of systematic intervention strategies to decrease the smoking rate among male medical students. These strategies may include tobacco control education, smoking cessation technologies, communication, and the enforcement of smoke-free policies to create a tobacco-controlled campus environment.

3-chlorpropane-1,2-diol (3-MCPD) is a heat-induced food process contaminant that threatens human health. As the primary target organ, the morphological and functional impairment of kidney and the related mechanism such as apoptosis and mitochondrial dysfunction were observed. However, the precise molecular mechanism remains largely unclear. This study aimed to explore the important role of mitochondrial fission and autophagy in the 3-MCPD-caused apoptosis of human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK293) cells. The results showed that blockage of dynamin-related protein-1 (Drp1) by mitochondrial division inhibitor 1 (Mdivi-1, 15 μM) apparently restored 3-MCPD-induced mitochondrial dysfunction, accompanied by prevented the collapse of mitochondrial membrane potential and ATP depletion, and suppressed the occurrence of autophagy. Induction of autophagy occurred following 2.5-10 mM 3-MCPD treatment for 24 h via AMPK mediated mTOR signaling pathway. Meanwhile, enhancement of autophagy by pretreatment with rapamycin (1 nM) alleviated the loss of cell viability and apoptosis induced by 3-MCPD whereas suppression of autophagy by 3-methyladenine (1 mM) further accelerated apoptosis, which was modulated through the mitochondria-dependent apoptotic pathway. Taking together, this study provides novel insights into the 3-MCPD-induced apoptosis in HEK293 cells and reveals that autophagy has potential as an effective intervention strategy for the treatment of 3-MCPD-induced nephrotoxicity., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Patulin (PAT) is a natural mycotoxin that commonly contaminates fruits and fruit-based products. Previous work indicated that PAT-induced apoptosis in which reactive oxygen species (ROS) are involved in human embryonic kidney (HEK293) cells. To uncover novel aspects of the possible mechanism of PAT nephrotoxicity, the transcriptome and proteome profiles were investigated using the digital gene expression (DGE) and isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ) proteomic approaches. A total of 127 genes and 85 proteins were found to express differentially in response to 5 μM PAT for 10 h in HEK293 cells. The most dramatic changes of expression were noticed with genes or proteins related to apoptosis, oxidative phosphorylation ribosome and cell cycle. Especially, the activation of caspase 3, UQCR11, active transport form and endocytosis appeared to be crucial in PAT kidney cytotoxicity. PAT also seemed to be associated with cancer and neuropathic disease as pathways associated with carcinogenesis, Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease were induced. Overall, this study served to uncover overall insights associated with signaling pathway that modulated the PAT toxicity mechanism.

Aristolochic acid I (AA-I) remains a leading cause of aristolochic acid nephropathy (AAN), however few prevention and treatment strategies exist. In this work, the nephroprotective effect of diosgenin, a steroidal saponin distributed abundantly in several plants, on AA-I-induced renal injury and its underlying mechanism were investigated. Sprague-Dawley rats were intragastrically administered with 30 mg kg-1 d-1 diosgenin two hours before exposure to 10 mg kg-1 d-1 AA-I for consecutive four weeks, and the histological change, the renal and liver function, apoptosis, autophagy and the involved pathways were investigated. The results showed that diosgenin relieved AA-I-induced renal histological damage, including mild edematous disorder of renal tubular arrangement and widening of renal tubular lumen. No obvious changes in the hepatic tissue structure were observed in all treatment groups. Moreover, diosgenin up-regulated the expression of Bcl-2 and down-regulated Bax, and subsequently inhibited AIF expression and the cleaved form of Caspase-3, thereby alleviating apoptosis triggered by AA-I. Diosgenin also mitigated AA-I-induced renal mitochondrial dynamics disorder by increasing the expression of mitochondrial dynamics-related proteins including DRP1 and MFN2. Diosgenin inhibited AA-I-evoked autophagy via ULK1-mediated inhibition of the mTOR pathway. Overall, these results suggest that diosgenin has a protective effect against AA-I-induced renal damage and it may be a potential agent for preventing AA-I-induced AAN.

Lithium metal batteries are promising candidates for next generation high energy batteries. However, an undesirable dendrite growth hinders their practical applications. Herein, a three-dimensional (3D) porous carbon nanotube film decorated with Ag nanoparticles (CNT/Ag) has been synthesized via the thermal decomposition reaction of AgNO 3 into Ag nanoparticles, and then is transformed into a 3D porous CNT/Ag/Li film via thermal infusion to obtain a high-performance free-standing lithium host. This as-formed 3D CNT/Ag/Li host can effectively restrain the dendrite growth by guiding Li deposition via the highly lithiophilic Ag nanoparticle seeds and lowering local current density of the highly conductive matrix. The as-prepared CNT/Ag/Li electrode exhibits long-term cycling stability over 200 cycles at a current density of 1 mA cm -2 with an areal capacity of 1.0 mA h cm -2 . Moreover, the full cell paired with a sulfur/C cathode shows good cycling stability. Therefore, the 3D porous CNT/Ag/Li film formed via a facile three-step fabrication process can enlarge the cycle lifetime of a lithium metal anode., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing financial interest., (This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry.)

The ingestion of excessive free fatty acid could induce lipotoxicity in tissues and then lead to the initiation of many metabolism diseases. In this work, the protective effect of apigenin on palmitate-induced lipotoxicity in human aortic endothelial cells (HAEC) was investigated. Compared with 150 μM palmitate treatment alone, pretreatment with 10 μM apigenin for 6 h significantly increased the cell viability from 71.55 ± 3.62 to 91.06 ± 4.30% and improved mitochondrial membrane potential to the normal level (101.62 ± 11.72% of control). In addition, the production of nitric oxide was markedly elevated by apigenin cotreatment from 7.10 ± 3.95 to 94.20 ± 21.86%. The data-independent acquisition-based proteomic approach was used to study the protective mechanism, and the results revealed that 242 proteins were differently expressed in cells treated with palmitate and 93 proteins were reversed after apigenin supplementation. Apigenin realized its protective function mainly via regulating pathways such as IL-17, TNF, Fox O, cell adhesion, and endoplasmic reticulum protein processing. Collectively, these data demonstrated that apigenin supplement may serve as an alternative nutritional intervention to protect HAEC against lipotoxicity.

Kisspeptin, encoded by the Kiss1 gene, and its receptor GPR54 have a central regulatory role in the male reproduction. However, their functions in peripheral tissues, such as testes, remain unclear. This study investigated the local expressions and function of Kiss1/GPR54 in goats' testes. The mRNA expression of Kiss1/GPR54 in pubertal goat Leydig cells was detected through reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR), and its protein expression in Leydig cells or the testis was examined by immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis. Isolated and cultured Leydig cells were treated with different concentration of kisspeptin (0, 1, 10 and 100 μM) and kisspeptin antagonist for 4, 24 or 72 h. The direct effect of kisspeptin on testosterone secretion and Kiss1/GPR54 mRNA expression was evaluated by ELISA and RT-PCR. Kiss1/GPR54 mRNA and protein were expressed in Leydig cells and spermatids, and GPR54 were expressed in Sertoli cells. Kisspeptin treatment significantly stimulated testosterone secretion in Leydig cells, with the highest levels found under 24 h of treatment with 10 μM kisspeptin. Treatment with kisspeptin + kisspeptin antagonist significantly reduced the kisspeptin-stimulated testosterone secretion in Leydig cells. Kisspeptin treatment significantly enhanced the expression of Kiss1/GPR54 mRNA in Leydig cells. These data suggest the local expressions of Kiss1/GPR54 in goats' testes and its autocrine role in Leydig cells, which is helpful in understanding the regulation role of kisspeptin/GPR54 system in other peripheral tissues., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Delphinidin, one of the main anthocyanidins, has potent anti-cancer properties. In this study, we investigated the effect of delphinidin on 1-methyl-1-nitrosourea (MNU)-induced breast carcinogenesis on rats and the mechanism of delphinidin via negative regulation of the HOTAIR/microRNA-34a axis. We found administration of delphinidin could effectively suppress MNU-induced mammal breast carcinogenesis. Delphinidin downregulated the level of HOTAIR and upregulated miR-34a in breast carcinogenesis. Western blot analysis confirmed that delphinidin treatment can significantly decrease the expression of β-catenin, glycogen synthase kinase-3β (Gsk3β), c-Myc, cyclin-D1, and matrix metalloproteinase-7(MMP-7) expression in breast cancer cells, and inhibition of miR-34a significantly reduced the effect of delphinidin on c-Myc, cyclin-D1, and MMP-7. HOTAIR overexpression also blocked the effect of delphinidin on miR-34a and the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in MDA-MB-231 cells. RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay results showed that delphinidin upregulated miR-34a by inhibiting HOTAIR, coupled with enhancement of the zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) and histone H3 Lys27 trimethylation (H3K27me3). This study indicated that delphinidin may potentially suppress breast carcinogenesis and exert its anti-cancer effect through the HOTAIR/miR-34a axis. These findings provided new evidence for the use of delphinidin in preventing breast carcinogenesis., (© 2019 The Authors. Cancer Science published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Japanese Cancer Association.)

Disinfectant resistance and biofilm formation capacity are two important characteristics that contribute to the persistence of microorganisms in food processing environments and contamination of food products. This study investigated the susceptibility of 510 Escherichia coli isolates against 5 disinfectants and the prevalence of 10 disinfectant-resistant genes in these isolates. The biofilm formation capacity of 194 isolates was determined, and the correlation between disinfectant resistance and biofilm formation was analyzed. The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), benzalkonium chloride (BC), cetylpyridinium chloride, and chlorhexidine (CHX) against isolates were 32-512, 16-256, 32-256, and 2-32 mg/L, respectively. The MICs of triclosan against 88.43% of isolates were 8-1,024 mg/L, while the MICs for the rest of isolates exceed 2,048 mg/L. The presence of ydgE , ydgF , and qacF genes was significantly correlated with the CHX resistance of E. coli isolates, while the presence of qacF and qacEΔ1 genes was significantly correlated with CTAB and BC resistance, respectively. The biofilm formation capacity (adjusted optical density value) was positively correlated with BC resistance ( r  = 0.201, p  < 0.01) and showed no correlation with other disinfectants. The presence of sugE(p) was positively correlated with biofilm formation, while four genes were negatively correlated with biofilm formation. This study provides useful data on disinfectant resistance and biofilm formation capacity of E. coli contaminating poultry products, which could be helpful in guiding proper disinfectant usage and establishing effective biofilm eradication strategy in food industry.

Coenzyme Q0 (CoQ0), one of benzoquinone compounds, has been demonstrated to possess antineoplastic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. However, its antimicrobial effect has not been extensively reported. In this study, antimicrobial activity of CoQ0 against Staphylococcus aureus was evaluated by measurement of inhibition zone, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), and growth curves. Time-kill assay was performed to assess the bactericidal activity of CoQ0 against S. aureus in tryptone soya broth and pasteurized milk. The possible mechanism of action was explored through measuring changes in intracellular ATP concentrations, membrane potential, and cell morphology. Furthermore, propidium iodide (PI) staining assay was performed to evaluate the effect of CoQ0 on cell membrane integrity. The MIC of CoQ0 against tested strains ranged from 7.8 to 62.5 μg/mL. CoQ0 at 2 × MIC showed bactericidal effect on S. aureus in tryptic soy broth (TSB) and pasteurized milk. Decrease in intracellular ATP concentration and membrane potential were detected when cells were treated with CoQ0. PI staining demonstrated destruction of bacterial cell membrane. CoQ0 also induced abnormal cell morphological changes, as confirmed by field emission scanning electron microscopy. These findings suggested that CoQ0 exhibited antimicrobial effect on S. aureus , which was partly because of its ability to damage cell membrane.

Apigenin (API) is a kind of important flavonoid present in temperate and tropical fruit and vegetables, especially the celery. It exerts anticancer, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidation properties. In the present study, the mechanism of protective action of apigenin on 3-chloro-1, 2-propanediol (3-MCPD)-induced renal injury was investigated in rat. Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were divided into five groups: control group (ultrapure water treated), CMC group (sodium carboxymethylcellulose treated), 3-MCPD treatment group (30 mg/kg body weight/day), 3-MCPD plus API co-treatment group (20, 40 mg/kg body weight/day). The results showed that API significantly reduced renal function markers, serum creatinine and urea nitrogen content. Besides, the renal tissue lesion in 3-MCPD treatment group was restored by API to some extent. We indicated that API exerted renoprotective effect by modulating oxidative phosphorylation especially up-regulated the expressions of ATP6 and ATP8, re-establishing mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), relieving the increase of Bax/Bcl2 ratio, reducing cytochrome c release, thus inhibiting the activation of Caspase 9 and Caspase 3. In conclusion, apigenin possesses excellent protective effect against 3-MCPD-induced renal injury by modulating mitochondria dependent Caspase cascade pathway., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

I-III-VI 2 compounds have shown great interests in the application of functional semiconductors. Among them, Cu(In,Ga)S 2 has been a promising candidate due to its excellent optoelectronic properties. Although the polymorphs of Cu(In,Ga)S 2 have been attracted extensive attentions, the efforts to developing the methodologies for phase-controlled synthesis of them are rare. In this paper, we reported a phase-selective synthesis of CIGS nanoparticles with metastable phases via simply changing the composition of solvents. For the wet chemistry synthesis, the microstructure of the initial nuclei is decisive to the crystal structure of final products. In the formation of Cu(In,Ga)S 2 , the solvent environment is the key factor, which could affect the coordination of monomers and influence the thermodynamic conditions of Cu-S nucleation. Moreover, wurtzite and zincblende Cu(In,Ga)S 2 nanoparticles are selectively prepared by choosing pure en or its mixture with deionized water as reaction solvent. The as-synthesized wurtzite Cu(In,Ga)S 2 possess a band gap of 1.6 eV and a carrier mobility of 4.85 cm 2 /Vs, which indicates its potential to construct a heterojunction with hexagonal-structured CdS for solar cells.

Background: Most studies on immunocastration currently focused on male animals. However, immunization of male animals does not completely inhibit sexual behavior and fertility. This study aimed to compare the immunocastration effect of KISS1 DNA vaccines encoding different lengths of kisspeptins in female rats for effective castration effects on both male and female rats., Methods: Fifteen female rats were randomly divided into three groups. The rats in T1 group or T2 group was orally given respectively KISS1-54 or KISS1-10 DNA vaccines with fused tPA signal peptide, and the control group (Group C) was orally administered with empty vector vaccine, at a dose of 5 × 10 9 CFU/rat at weeks 0, 3 and 6 of the study. Blood samples were collected by retroorbital bleeding before primary immunization and at weeks 3 and 9 after primary immunization., Results: Both KISS1-54 and KISS1-10 DNA vaccines induced the body's humoral immune response, and the anti-kisspeptin antibody titres in the T1 group were significantly higher than that in T2 and C groups (p < 0.05). The rats in T1 group has lower serum kisspeptin and estradiol levels than those in T2 and C groups and smaller litter size of rats than those in the control group after mating (p < 0.05). No significant difference was observed between T2 and C groups. The levels of KISS1 and GPR54 mRNA in the hypothalamus and ovaries of the T1 group were significantly lower than that in control group. However, the levels of KISS1 mRNA in the T2 group were significantly lower than that in the control group only in ovaries (p < 0.05)., Conclusion: The oral KISS1-54 DNA vaccine with fused tPA signal peptide was more effective than that KISS1-10 DNA vaccine in suppressing fertility of female rats., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

A flexible self-powered ultraviolet (UV) photodetector based on ZnO nanorods (NRs) and a novel iodine-free quasi solid-state electrolyte was fabricated. The obtained device has a fast and high response to UV light illumination at zero bias and also shows long-term stability. The responsivity is 50.5 mA W -1 and the response time is less than 0.2 s. Strain-induced piezo-phototronic potential within wurtzite-structured ZnO can optimize the performance of corresponding optoelectronic devices since it could effectively tune the charge carriers' separation and transport. The photoresponse performances of the photodetector under different upward angles (tensile strain) and downward angles (compressive strain) at 0 V bias were studied in detail. A 163% change of responsivity was obtained when the downward angle reached 60°. The enhancement could be interpreted by the piezo-phototronic effect. The piezoelectric potential (piezopotential) at the ZnO NRs/electrolyte interface can expand the built-in field, and as a result, it is easier for charge carriers to separate and transport., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts to declare., (This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry.)