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Purpose: Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is the progressive form of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which has a high risk of cirrhosis, liver failure, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Piperine (Pip) is an extract of plants with powerful anti-inflammatory effects, however, the function of Pip in NASH remains elusive. Here, we aim to explore the role of Pip in NASH and to find the possible mechanisms. Methods: Methionine and choline-deficient (MCD) diets were used to induce steatohepatitis, methionine- and choline-sufficient (MCS) diets were used as the control. After Pip treatment, H&E staining, Oil Red O staining, hepatic triglyceride (TG) content and F4/80 expression were performed to analysis liver steatosis and inflammation; Masson's staining, COL1A1 and α-SMA were detected liver fibrosis. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) -treated AML12 cells were used to as the cell model to induce pyroptosis. Then, pyroptosis-related proteins, IL-1β and LDH release were detected in vivo and in vitro. Finally, NF-κB inhibitor, BAY11-7082, was used to further demonstrate the mechanism of Pip in NASH. Results: The study found that Pip alleviated liver steatosis, inflammation, hepatocyte injury, and fibrosis in mice fed with MCD diets. Moreover, the pyroptosis markers (NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1 p20, and GSDMD), IL-1β and LDH release were decreased by Pip treatment. NF-κB activation was suppressed by Pip treatment and pyroptosis-related proteins were down regulated by BAY11-7082. Conclusion: Pip ameliorates NASH progression, and the therapeutical effect was associated with inhibition of hepatocyte pyroptosis induced by NF-κB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aquaporins (AQPs) regulate the transport of water and other substrates, aiding plants in adapting to stressful environments. However, the knowledge of AQPs in salt‐secreting and viviparous Avicennia marina is limited. In this study, 46 AmAQPs were identified in A. marina genome, and their subcellular localisation and function in transporting H2O2 and boron were assessed through bioinformatics analysis and yeast transformation. Through analysing their expression patterns via RNAseq and real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, we found that most AmAQPs were downregulated in response to salt and tidal flooding. AmPIP (1;1, 1;7, 2;8, 2;9) and AmTIP (1;5, 1;6) as salt‐tolerant candidate genes may contribute to salt secretion together with Na+/H+ antiporters. AmPIP2;1 and AmTIP1;5 were upregulated during tidal flooding and may be regulated by anaerobic‐responsive element and ethylene‐responsive element cis‐elements, aiding in adaptation to tidal inundation. Additionally, we found that the loss of the seed desiccation and dormancy‐related TIP3 gene, and the loss of the seed dormancy regulator DOG1 gene, or DOG1 protein lack heme‐binding capacity, may be genetic factors contributing to vivipary. Our findings shed light on the role of AQPs in A. marina adaptation to intertidal environments and their relevance to salt secretion and vivipary. Summary statement: AmAQPs respond to salinity and tidal inundation in Avicennia marina, some of which play a role in salt gland secretion and function as water effluxes. The absence of TIP3, an aquaporin isoform, and the loss of DOG1, or its ability to bind to heme, may be one of the causes of vivipary in mangrove plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chrysanthemum morifolium cv. ‘Huaihuang’ has great medicinal and commercial value. However, limited genomic and transcriptional information restricts the further research of ‘Huaihuang’. In this study, using ‘Huaihuang’ leaf as the sample, we performed RNA-Seq and obtained numerous unigene sequences for functional characterization, and developed new EST-SSR markers. The results show that 176 unigenes were assigned to the ‘antioxidant activity’ in GO annotations, 998 unigenes were assigned to ‘Secondary metabolite biosynthesis, transport and catabolism’ in the KOG database, 381 unigenes were assigned to ‘Biosynthesis of other secondary metabolites’, and 377 unigenes were assigned to ‘Metabolism of terpenoids and polyketides’ in the KEGG database. A number of genes involved in the biosynthesis of flavones and terpenes, such as CHS, CHI, FLS, HMGR and MVD, were found in the transcription data of ‘Huaihuang’. Also, 36 new polymorphic EST-SSR markers were developed and validated. Using them, the genetic diversity was analyzed and a dendrogram of six clades was constructed among 15 medicinal chrysanthemum varieties. The excavated unigenes and identified new ESTSSR markers will provide useful resources for the study of biosynthesis of active components, genetic diversity analysis, population structure identification and in molecular breeding research of ‘Huaihuang’ and related species.

From the perspective of complexity economics, this paper studied the international dry bulk freight rate system, put forward the concept and structure model of the international dry bulk freight rate system and summarized its characteristics such as emergent properties, dynamicity, evolution and innovation, nonlinearity and non-equilibrium, which provides a new idea and research method for the study of the international dry bulk freight rate system.

Impaired wound healing and ulcer complications are major causes of morbidity in patients with diabetes. Impaired wound healing is associated with increased inflammation and poor angiogenesis in diabetes patients. Here, we demonstrate that topical administration of a secreted recombinant protein (Meteorin-like [Metrnl]) accelerates wound epithelialization and angiogenesis in mice. We observed a significant increase in Metrnl expression during physiological wound healing; however, its expression remained low during diabetic wound healing. Functionally, the recombinant protein Metrnl significantly accelerated wound closure in normal and diabetic mice models including db/db, high-fat diet/streptozotocin (HFD/STZ), and STZ mice. Mechanistically, keratinocytes secrete quantities of Metrnl to promote angiogenesis; increase endothelial cell proliferation, migration, and tube formation; and enhance macrophage polarization to the M2 type. Meanwhile, M2 macrophages secrete Metrnl to further stimulate angiogenesis. Moreover, the keratinocyte- and macrophage-produced cytokine Metrnl drives postinjury angiogenesis and reepithelialization through activation of AKT phosphorylation (S473) in a KIT receptor tyrosine kinase (c-Kit)–dependent manner. In conclusion, our study suggests that Metrnl has a biological effect in accelerating wound closure through c-Kit–dependent angiogenesis and epithelialization. Article Highlights: The topical application of Metrnl hydrogel accelerates wound healing in both normal and diabetic mice. Metrnl has multiple roles in cell proliferation, migration, tube formation, and macrophage M2 polarization, and thus promotes angiogenesis and reepithelialization in mouse models. Metrnl drives postinjury angiogenesis and reepithelialization in a c-Kit/AKTS473–dependent manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ectopic lipid accumulation in renal tubules is closely related to the pathogenesis of diabetic kidney disease (DKD), and mitochondrial dysfunction is thought to play a key role in lipid accumulation. Therefore, maintaining mitochondrial homeostasis holds considerable promise as a therapeutic strategy for the treatment of DKD. Here, we report that the Meteorin-like (Metrnl) gene product mediates lipid accumulation in the kidney and has therapeutic potential for DKD. We confirmed the reduced expression of Metrnl in renal tubules, which was inversely correlated with DKD pathological changes in human patients and mouse models. Functionally, pharmacological administration of recombinant Metrnl (rMetrnl) or Metrnl overexpression could alleviate lipid accumulation and inhibit kidney failure. In vitro, rMetrnl or Metrnl overexpression attenuated palmitic acid–induced mitochondrial dysfunction and lipid accumulation in renal tubules accompanied by maintained mitochondrial homeostasis and enhanced lipid consumption. Conversely, shRNA-mediated Metrnl knockdown diminished the protective effect on the kidney. Mechanistically, these beneficial effects of Metrnl were mediated by the Sirt3-AMPK signaling axis to maintain mitochondrial homeostasis and through Sirt3-uncoupling protein-1 to promote thermogenesis, consequently alleviating lipid accumulation. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that Metrnl regulated lipid metabolism in the kidney by modulating mitochondrial function and is a stress-responsive regulator of kidney pathophysiology, which sheds light on novel strategies for treating DKD and associated kidney diseases. Article Highlights: Metrnl is expressed in renal tubules and is reduced under diabetic conditions. The concentration of Metrnl in the kidney is correlated with lipid accumulation and serum creatinine. Metrnl-specific overexpression in the kidney or recombinant Metrnl administration alleviates renal injuries in diabetic mice. Metrnl regulates renal tubules lipid metabolism through Sirt3-AMPK/UCP1 signaling axis–mediated mitochondrial homeostasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat. 'Huaihuang' is a traditional Chinese medicinal plant. However, a black spot disease caused by Alternaria sp., a typical necrotrophic fungus, has a serious damaging influence on the field growth, yield, and quality of the plant. 'Huaiju 2#' being bred from 'Huaihuang', shows resistance to Alternaria sp. bHLH transcription factor has been widely studied because of their functions in growth development, signal transduction, and abiotic stress. However, the function of bHLH in biotic stress has rarely been studied. To characterize the resistance genes, the CmbHLH family was surveyed in 'Huaiju 2#'. On the basis of the transcriptome database of 'Huaiju 2#' after Alternaria sp. inoculation, with the aid of the Chrysanthemum genome database, 71 CmbHLH genes were identified and divided into 17 subfamilies. Most (64.8%) of the CmbHLH proteins were rich in negatively charged amino acids. CmbHLH proteins are generally hydrophilic proteins with a high aliphatic amino acid content. Among the 71 CmbHLH proteins, five CmbHLHs were significantly upregulated by Alternaria sp. infection, and the expression of CmbHLH18 was the most significant. Furthermore, heterologous overexpression of CmbHLH18 could improve the resistance of Arabidopsis thaliana to necrotrophic fungus Alternaria brassicicola by enhancing callose deposition, preventing spores from entering leaves, reducing ROS accumulation, increasing the activities of antioxidant enzymes and defense enzymes, and promoting their gene expression levels. These results indicate that the five CmbHLHs, especially CmbHLH18, may be considered candidate genes for resistance to necrotrophic fungus. These findings not only increase our understanding of the role CmbHLHs play in biotic stress but also provide a basis by using CmbHLHs to breed a new variety of Chrysanthemum with high resistance to necrotrophic fungus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magnetic core‐regular nanostructures composed of magnetite and regular Prussian blue was prepared by self‐sacrificial macro‐oriented method. Magnetic graphene oxide (MGO) was vertically oriented on the surface of home‐made screen‐printing electrode with the help of constant magnetic field (CMF).Then regular nanostructured Prussian blue (RPB) was realized by chemical reaction through an aerosol deposition. Finally, glucose oxidase (GOx) was immobilized by glutaraldehyde cross‐linking to fabricate glucose biosensors. The linear range of CMF‐RPB/MGO sensor towards glucose was 0.03∼1.35 mM, and the detection limit was 13.4 μM. The CMF‐RPB/MGO sensor could apply to analyze glucose in human serum samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lysosome associated membrane protein 3 (LAMP3), a highly glycosylated protein, is one member of the LAMPs family. LAMPs family plays a critical role in the autolysosome fusion process. Autophagy was recently confirmed to regulate hepatic lipolysis. However, the physiological function of LAMP3 in lipid metabolism is not clear. In the current study, we discovered that the LAMP3 expression level was higher in the liver tissues of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients and high-fat diet and ob/ob mice than in the matched control groups. LAMP3 expression was also obviously increased in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells treated with free fatty acids. Moreover, marked accumulation of intracellular lipid droplets and triglycerides (TG) was observed after LAMP3 overexpression in HCC cells. Further study showed that LAMP3 overexpression activated Akt and upregulated the expression of the lipogenic enzymes FASN and SCD-1 in HepG2 cells. Additionally, the increased TG content induced by LAMP3 overexpression was attenuated by treatment with a PI3K/Akt pathway inhibitor. Our findings demonstrated that LAMP3 is an important regulator of hepatic lipid metabolism, which provides a line of evidence for taking LAMP3 as a drug target in lipid metabolism disorder-associated diseases, such as NAFLD and obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Novel lotus root slice-like self-assembled hierarchical In2O3 microspheres with porous structure are fabricated successfully by a facile, template-free solvent-thermal method. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) are employed to characterize their structures and morphologies. The results reveal that the as-synthesized microspheres after calcination are cubic phase In2O3 and subunits are lotus root slice-like nanosheets with porous structure benefiting enhancement of gas sensing. The sensing properties of the sensors based on the In2O3 microspheres are investigated. The sensors show fast and excellent response to NO2. We think this higher response more than that of In2O3 nanoparticles is attributed to unique hierarchical and porous structures. Furthermore, the obtained NO2 sensor has a prominent long-term stability. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: 11β-Hydroxylase deficiency (11OHD) is a common form of congenital adrenal hyperplasia that has been shown to result from inactivating CYP11B1 mutations, and pathogenic CYP11B2/CYP11B1 chimeras contribute to a minority of cases. Heterozygote cases (chimeras combined with missense mutation) are very rare, and genetic analysis of these cases is difficult. Case presentation: We describe an 11OHD patient presenting with precocious pseudopuberty and hypokalemia hypertension who harbored a chimeric CYP11B2/CYP11B1 with a novel breakage point located at g.9559–9742 of CYP11B2. Interestingly, the other allele exhibited a new mutation, p.L340P, in CYP11B1. Bioinformatics and molecular dynamics simulation indicated that p.L340P decreased the stability and changed the surface configuration of 11β-hydroxylase, indicating a disease-causing mutation. Further pedigree study, PCR and next-generation sequencing indicated that the proband carried both the chimera and p.L340P, and coexistence of the two increased the severity of 11OHD in this family. After treatment with combined medications, blood pressure and clinical parameters improved. Conclusions: Our results suggest that chimera screening and CYP11B1 mutation screening should be simultaneously conducted, and pedigree study is necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, CdIn 2 O 4 nanofibers with diameter about 100 nm have been synthesized successfully through an electrospinning method with the assistance of poly (vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) followed by calcinating in air at 800 °C. The morphology, structure and composition of the as-prepared products were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The characterization results indicated that high-purity CdIn 2 O 4 nanofibers could be obtained by using the electrospinning method with optimal Cd/In molar-ratio. By using as-prepared CdIn 2 O 4 nanofibers as sensing material, semiconductor-type gas sensors were constructed and used to detect ethanol vapor at ppm level. Compared to CdIn 2 O 4 materials with conventional particulate shape, the as-prepared CdIn 2 O 4 nanofibers sensing material exhibited improved sensing performance in sensitivity and long-term stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this paper, we considered an important nonlinear reaction-diffusion equations describing a two-species ratio-dependent predator–prey system with diffusion terms and stage structure. By using the linearized method, we investigated the locally asymptotical stability of the nonnegative equilibria of the above mentioned system and obtained the locally stable conditions. And by combining the approach introduced by J. Canosa (see [J. Canosa, On a nonlinear diffusion equation describing population growth, IBM J. Res. Deve. 17 (1973) 307–313]) with the method of upper and lower solutions, we proved that the traveling wavefronts which connect the zero solution with the positive constant equilibrium of the system exist and appear to be monotone. Finally, we gave a conclusion to summarize the achievements of the work. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Advanced sensing devices based on metasurfaces have emerged as a revolutionary platform for innovative label-free biosensors, holding promise for early diagnostics and the detection of low-concentration analytes. Here, we developed a chip-based ultrasensitive terahertz (THz) metasensor, leveraging a quasi-bound state in the continuum ( q- BIC) to address the challenges associated with intricate operations in trace biochemical detection. The metasensor design features an open-ring resonator metasurface, which supports magnetic dipole q -BIC combining functionalized gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) bound with a specific antibody. The substantial enhancement in THz-analyte interactions, facilitated by the potent near-field enhancement enabled by the q -BICs, results in a substantial boost in biosensor sensitivity by up to 560 GHz/refractive index units. This methodology allows for the detection of conjugated antibody-AuNPs for cardiac troponin I at concentrations as low as 0.5 pg/ml. These discoveries deliver valuable insight for AuNP-based trace biomolecule sensing and pave the path for the development of chip-scale biosensors with profound light-matter interactions., Competing Interests: Competing interests: The authors declare that they have no competing interests., (Copyright © 2024 Ride Wang et al.)