Search

Study regions: The Guizhou Province (GZP) in southwestern China, where mainly comprises Karst regions. Study focus: The rainfall records were collected from 45 rain gauges within GZP during 1960–2019 to calculate the Rainfall Erosivity (RE). In addition, the spatio-temporal characteristics of RE were analyzed using statistical analysis methods, and the effect of El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) on RE under different rainfall intensities was also explored for the first time. New hydrological insights for the region: The annual average RE was 4774 MJ·mm·hm−2·h−1, exhibiting a persistent increasing trend. RE demonstrated an increasing trend in most months, except for April and May, and the trend would continue in the future. The southern region of the GZP exhibited higher RE values, while the northern region displayed lower values. The spatial distribution varied across different seasons and months. On an annual scale, RE was significantly (P < 0.01) negatively correlated with elevation, indicating a decrease in erosive precipitation with increasing elevation. On a monthly scale, except for June to September, RE showed a significant (P < 0.001) negative correlation with elevation. Additionally, the study revealed a significant positive correlation (P < 0.05) with a lag time of 1 year between the total RE and RE under rainfall intensities exceeding 40 mm/day and the Multivariate ENSO Index (MEI). This finding provides a possibility for predicting high-intensity RE with one year ahead.

Abstract Many types of tumors feature aerobic glycolysis for meeting their increased energetic and biosynthetic demands. However, it remains still unclear how this glycolytic phenomenon is achieved and coordinated with other metabolic pathways in tumor cells in response to growth stimuli. Here we report that activation of AKT1 induces a metabolic switch to glycolysis from the mitochondrial metabolism via phosphorylation of cytoplasmic malic enzyme 2 (ME2), named ME2fl (fl means full length), favoring an enhanced glycolytic phenotype. Mechanistically, in the cytoplasm, AKT1 phosphorylates ME2fl at serine 9 in the mitochondrial localization signal peptide at the N-terminus, preventing its mitochondrial translocation. Unlike mitochondrial ME2, which accounts for adjusting the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, ME2fl functions as a scaffold that brings together the key glycolytic enzymes phosphofructokinase (PFKL), glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) and pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2), as well as Lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA), to promote glycolysis in the cytosol. Thus, through phosphorylation of ME2fl, AKT1 enhances the glycolytic capacity of tumor cells in vitro and in vivo, revealing an unexpected role for subcellular translocation switching of ME2 mediated by AKT1 in the metabolic adaptation of tumor cells to growth stimuli.

Abstract The rigid hull encasing Tartary buckwheat seeds necessitates a laborious dehulling process before flour milling, resulting in considerable nutrient loss. Investigation of lignin composition is pivotal in understanding the structural properties of tartary buckwheat seeds hulls, as lignin is key determinant of rigidity in plant cell walls, thus directly impacting the dehulling process. Here, the lignin composition of seed hulls from 274 Tartary buckwheat accessions is analyzed, unveiling a unique lignin chemotype primarily consisting of G lignin, a common feature in gymnosperms. Furthermore, the hardness of the seed hull showed a strong negative correlation with the S lignin content. Genome‐wide detection of selective sweeps uncovered that genes governing the biosynthesis of S lignin, specifically two caffeic acid O‐methyltransferases (COMTs) and one ferulate 5‐hydroxylases, are selected during domestication. This likely contributed to the increased S lignin content and decreased hardness of seed hulls from more domesticated varieties. Genome‐wide association studies identified robust associations between FtCOMT1 and the accumulation of S lignin in seed hull. Transgenic Arabidopsis comt1 plants expressing FtCOMT1 successfully reinstated S lignin content, confirming its conserved function across plant species. These findings provide valuable metabolic and genetic insights for the potential redesign of Tartary buckwheat seed hulls.

Abstract The genome of an organism is inherited from its ancestor and continues to evolve over time, however, the extent to which the current version could be altered remains unknown. To probe the genome plasticity of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, here we replace the native left arm of chromosome XII (chrXIIL) with a linear artificial chromosome harboring small sets of reconstructed genes. We find that as few as 12 genes are sufficient for cell viability, whereas 25 genes are required to recover the partial fitness defects observed in the 12-gene strain. Next, we demonstrate that these genes can be reconstructed individually using synthetic regulatory sequences and recoded open-reading frames with a “one-amino-acid-one-codon” strategy to remain functional. Finally, a synthetic neochromsome with the reconstructed genes is assembled which could substitute chrXIIL for viability. Together, our work not only highlights the high plasticity of yeast genome, but also illustrates the possibility of making functional eukaryotic chromosomes from entirely artificial sequences.

Abstract The conversion of lignocellulosic feedstocks to fermentable sugar for biofuel production is inefficient, and most strategies to enhance efficiency directly target lignin biosynthesis, with associated negative growth impacts. Here we demonstrate, for both laboratory- and field-grown plants, that expression of Pag-miR408 in poplar (Populus alba × P. glandulosa) significantly enhances saccharification, with no requirement for acid-pretreatment, while promoting plant growth. The overexpression plants show increased accessibility of cell walls to cellulase and scaffoldin cellulose-binding modules. Conversely, Pag-miR408 loss-of-function poplar shows decreased cell wall accessibility. Overexpression of Pag-miR408 targets three Pag-LACCASES, delays lignification, and modestly reduces lignin content, S/G ratio and degree of lignin polymerization. Meanwhile, the LACCASE loss of function mutants exhibit significantly increased growth and cell wall accessibility in xylem. Our study shows how Pag-miR408 regulates lignification and secondary growth, and suggest an effective approach towards enhancing biomass yield and saccharification efficiency in a major bioenergy crop.

Abstract The artificial photosynthesis technology has been recognized as a promising solution for CO2 utilization. Photothermal catalysis has been proposed as a novel strategy to promote the efficiency of artificial photosynthesis by coupling both photochemistry and thermochemistry. However, strategies for maximizing the use of solar spectra with different frequencies in photothermal catalysis are urgently needed. Here, a hierarchical full‐spectrum solar light utilization strategy is proposed. Based on this strategy, a Cu@hollow titanium silicalite‐1 zeolite (TS‐1) nanoreactor with spatially separated photo/thermal catalytic sites is designed to realize high‐efficiency photothermal catalytic artificial photosynthesis. The space–time yield of alcohol products over the optimal catalyst reached 64.4 μmol g−1 h−1, with the selectivity of CH3CH2OH of 69.5%. This rationally designed hierarchical utilization strategy for solar light can be summarized as follows: (1) high‐energy ultraviolet light is utilized to drive the initial and difficult CO2 activation step on the TS‐1 shell; (2) visible light can induce the localized surface plasmon resonance effect on plasmonic Cu to generate hot electrons for H2O dissociation and subsequent reaction steps; and (3) low‐energy near‐infrared light is converted into heat by the simulated greenhouse effect by cavities to accelerate the carrier dynamics. This work provides some scientific and experimental bases for research on novel, highly efficient photothermal catalysts for artificial photosynthesis.

Abstract Objective To investigate the relationship between physical activity and the severity of menopausal symptoms in middle-aged women in northwest China. Methods This was a cross-sectional online survey study. Using a snowball sampling method, 468 women aged 45 to 60 were recruited from northwest China and their demographic information was collected. The modified Kupperman Menopausal Index scale and International Physical Activity Questionnaire short form were used in this study. Random forest was used to rank the importance of variables and select the optimal combination. The direction and relative risk (odds ratio value) of selected variables were further explained with an ordinal logistic regression model. Results The prevalence of menopausal syndromes was 74.8% and more than one-half of the participants had moderate or severe symptoms (54.3%). The Mantel-Haenszel linear-by-linear chi-square test showed a strong and negative correlation between physical activity level and the severity of menopausal symptoms (P 1, P

Abstract Aim To test and compare the Self‐Care of Hypertension Inventory (SC‐HI) and Hypertension Self‐Care Profile (HBP SCP) among older patients with hypertension in China. Design A cross‐sectional observational study. Methods A convenience sampling of 220 older adults (120 male patients and 100 female patients) with hypertension and a mean age of 73.74 years was surveyed using the Chinese version of SC‐HI, the Chinese version of HBP SCP and the Chinese version of Exercise of Self‐Care Agency Scale (ESCA) during July‐September 2019. Psychometric analyses and Receiver Operating Characteristic curve analyses were performed on the collected data. Results The Cronbach's α of SC‐HI and HBP SCP was 0.858 and 0.953, respectively. The Pearson's coefficients between the SC‐HI total score and the ESCA total score, the HBP SCP total score and the ESCA total score were 0.494 and 0.700, respectively. The satisfactory sensitivity, specificity, cut‐off point and Area under the curve of SC‐HI were 0.8292, 0.5495, 120.5 and 0.754, respectively. As for HBP SCP, the values were 0.7907, 0.7582, 169.5 and 0.838, respectively. There was no significant difference between these two scales. Each has its own characteristics. However, the HBP SCP is more precise and effective for measuring self‐care ability in older patients.

Background: Transdermal delivery has become a crucial field in pharmaceutical research. There has been a proliferation of innovative methods for transdermal drug delivery. In recent years, the number of publications regarding transdermal drug delivery has been rising rapidly. To investigate the current research trends and hotspots in transdermal drug delivery, a comprehensive bibliometric analysis was performed.Methods: An extensive literature review was conducted to gather information on transdermal drug delivery that had been published between 2003 and 2022. The articles were obtained from the Web of Science (WOS) and the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) databases. Subsequently, the collected data underwent analysis and visualization using a variety of software tools. This approach enables a deeper exploration of the hotspots and emerging trends within this particular research domain.Results: The results showed that the number of articles published on transdermal delivery has increased steadily over the years, with a total of 2,555 articles being analyzed. The most frequently cited articles were related to the optimization of drug delivery and the use of nanotechnology in transdermal drug delivery. The most active countries in the field of transdermal delivery research were the China, United States, and India. Furthermore, the hotspots over the past 2 decades were identified (e.g., drug therapy, drug delivery, and pharmaceutical preparations and drug design). The shift in research focus reflects an increasing emphasis on drug delivery and control release, rather than simply absorption and penetration, and suggests a growing interest in engineering approaches to transdermal drug delivery.Conclusion: This study provided a comprehensive overview of transdermal delivery research. The research indicated that transdermal delivery would be a rapidly evolving field with many opportunities for future research and development. Moreover, this bibliometric analysis will help researchers gain insights into transdermal drug delivery research’s hotspots and trends accurately and quickly.

Abstract Aim To investigate the status and predictors of self‐care among older adults with hypertension in China by the Chinese version of Self‐Care of Hypertension Inventory. Design A cross‐sectional questionnaire survey. Methods A convenience sampling of 544 older adults with hypertension was surveyed using the Chinese version of Self‐Care of Hypertension Inventory. SPSS25.0 software was used for statistical analysis of the data. Generalized liner model univariate analysis and the optimal scaling regression analysis were performed to investigate the predictors of self‐care. Results The status of self‐care was poor with the median and inter‐quartile range of total scores of self‐care (140.00 ± 67), the scores of self‐care maintenance (50 ± 24.76), the scores of self‐care management (56.25 ± 29.41) and the scores of self‐care confidence (54.79 ± 29.17). Age, family model, primary caregiver, maximum systolic blood pressure, coverage of medical insurance, disease duration, receiving self‐care education, education level, economic burden and family history of hypertension were the most powerful predictors of self‐care among older adults with hypertension.

Improving the efficiency and flexibility of fossil-fired power plants remains a current and challenging issue. In that regard, supercritical CO2 Brayton cycles offer promising potential. This paper aims to apply a process synthesis approach to the design of a closed Brayton cycle using supercritical CO2 as a working fluid with a coal furnace as a heat source. The general methodology presented here for designing closed power cycles includes the construction of a superstructure containing all relevant possible cycle layouts, the formulation of the cycle-synthesis problem as a mathematical optimization problem, and its solution using an appropriate algorithm. This study was conducted with the help of a process simulation commercial software (PROSIM) and using the Mixed-Integer Distributed Ant Colony Optimization (MIDACO) as a commercial optimization algorithm. This work highlights the limits of a purely technical optimization approach that would ignore the economical layer. The optimal structure obtained regarding Levelized Cost Of Electricity (LCOE) minimization is a configuration with one reheat of the supercritical CO2 in the boiler, two recuperators, and one recompression loop around the low-temperature recuperator; it is associated with a cycle efficiency of 49.35 % and a 10% reduction in the LCOE in comparison to the optimal case found through energy optimization under typical design heuristics constraints.

Mechanical strength is essential for the upright growth habit, which is one of the most important characteristics of terrestrial plants. Lignin, a phenylpropanoid-derived polymer mainly present in secondary cell walls plays critical role in providing mechanical support. Here, we report that the prostrate-stem cultivar of the legume forage Medicago ruthenica cultivar ‘Mengnong No. 1’ shows compromised mechanical strength compared with the erect-stem cultivar ‘Zhilixing’. The erect-stem cultivar, ‘Zhilixing’ has significantly higher lignin content, leading to higher mechanical strength than the prostrate-stem cultivar. The low abundance of miRNA397a in the Zhiixing cultivar causes reduced cleavage of MrLAC17 transcript, which results in enhanced expression level of MrLAC17 compared to that in the prostrate-stem cultivar Mengnong No. 1. Complementation of the Arabidopsis lac4 lac17 double mutants with MrLAC17 restored the lignin content to wild-type levels, confirming that MrLAC17 perform an exchangeable role with Arabidopsis laccases. LAC17-mediated lignin polymerization is therefore increased in the ‘Zhilixing’, causing the erect stem phenotype. Our data reveal the importance of the miR397a in the lignin biosynthesis and suggest a strategy for molecular breeding targeting plant architecture in legume forage.

In this paper, a fault location method based on divide-and-conquer (DAC) is proposed to solve the inadequacy problem that arises when using the traditional fault section location method based on the optimization model of logic operation. The problem is that it is difficult to balance speed and accuracy after the scale of the distribution network is expanded. First, the causal link between fault information and the faulty device was described using the road vector, the equivalent transformation of the logical operations in the traditional model was implemented with the properties of the road vector, and the numerical computational model of the fault location was constructed. Based on this, the optimization-seeking variable “approximation gain” was introduced to prove that the proposed model conforms to the recursive structure of DAC, and the method of applying DAC to locate faults is proposed. The method applies the “Divide-Conquer-Combine” recursive mode to locate faults, and each level of recursion contains only linear-time “approximation gain” operations and constant-time decomposition and combination operations. The efficiency analysis and simulation results show that the proposed method has linear-time complexity and can accurately locate faults in milliseconds, providing a reference for solving the fault location problem in large distribution networks.

Lignin is a complex phenolic polymer that imparts cell wall strength, facilitates water transport and functions as a physical barrier to pathogens in all vascular plants. Lignin biosynthesis is a carbon-consuming, non-reversible process, which requires tight regulation. Here, we report that a major monomer unit of the lignin polymer can function as a signal molecule to trigger proteolysis of the enzyme L-phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, the entry point into the lignin biosynthetic pathway, and feedback regulate the expression levels of lignin biosynthetic genes. These findings highlight the highly complex regulation of lignin biosynthesis and shed light on the biological importance of monolignols as signaling molecules.

BACKGROUND The dissolution of antimony ore by aqua regia is often incomplete and antimony is easy to hydrolyze in the process of extraction, which leads to inaccurate results. Although atomic fluorescence spectrometry has been widely used in the determination of antimony, it is easy to introduce large dilution error for the determination of high-content antimony (>5%) due to the narrow linear range of the instrument. OBJECTIVES To solve the problem of incomplete dissolution of antimony ores and hydrolysis of antimony in the extraction process, and establish a new method with wider linear range for determination of antimony in antimony ores. METHODS Based on inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), the antimony ore was fully dissolved by hydrofluoric acid, nitric acid and hydrochloric acid, and the hydrolysis of antimony was fully inhibited by the complexation of tartaric acid and antimony. RESULTS The results showed that the solution of the mixed hydrofluoric acid, nitric acid and hydrochloric acid can effectively decompose the silicate components in antimony ores, which can make antimony ores dissolve more completely. The determination result of antimony was better than that of aqua regia, and the detection limit was lower (1.10μg/g). The determination result of antimony obtained by the mixed extraction method of tartaric acid and hydrochloric acid was better than that of aqua regia. The precision of the method was 0.11%-1.11%, which was more stable than that of hydrochloric acid or aqua regia. By using an inductively coupled plasma emission spectrometer, a wider linear range can be obtained by optimizing the spectrum of antimony element analysis, therefore realizing the accurate determination of high-content antimony. CONCLUSIONS This method can dissolve antimony ore quickly and effectively, and avoid the hydrolysis of antimony. The method is confirmed by national first grade standard materials, and the result is in agreement with the certified values. This method is suitable for the analysis of 0.7%-40% antimony in antimony ores.

To study the vibration characteristics of the poppet valve induced by cavitation, the signal analysis method based on the ensemble empirical mode decomposition (EEMD) method was studied experimentally. The component induced by cavitation was separated from the vibration signals through the EEMD method. The results show that the IMF2 component has the largest amplitude and energy of all components. The root mean square (RMS) value, peak value of marginal spectrum, and center frequency of marginal spectrum of the IMF2 component were studied in detail. The RMS value and the peak value of the marginal spectrum decrease with a decrease of cavitation intensity. The center frequency of marginal spectrum is between 12 kHz and 20 kHz, and the center frequency first increases and then decreases with a decrease of cavitation intensity. The change rate of the center frequency also decreases with an increase of inlet pressure.

Implant-related infection (IRI) is a major problem in orthopedics. Copper (Cu) is an essential trace element with strong bactericidal activity and, thus, presents potential for reducing IRI. The present study explored a straightforward strategy for releasing Cu2+ from titanium (Ti) implants, and we conducted a preliminary study to assess the feasibility of this approach in clinical translation. Polylactic acid (PLA) coatings containing different concentrations of copper ions were prepared on Ti discs. The antibacterial activity and biocompatibility of the copper ion-incorporated Ti implants were evaluated using Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) and animal models. In vitro, the coatings produced burst release of Cu2+ in 12 h, and inhibited S. aureus growth in a dose-dependent manner. The coatings prepared from PLA solutions containing 0.5 or 1.0 mg/mL reduced the viability and osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs, but these effects were negated after the coatings were immersed in culture medium for 6 h. Four weeks after implantation, the Cu-free K-wires challenged with S. aureus had persistent infection and inferior fracture healing to the other three groups, while Cu-coated wires had no evidence of infection. Furthermore, the Cu-coated wires placed in rabbits without S. aureus challenge showed superior fracture healing to the other three groups. These results suggest that PLA coatings containing Cu2+ may be an effective design for reducing IRI without adversely affecting adjacent bone healing.

Research on vibration characteristics of hydraulic valves is helpful to improve the performance of the hydraulic valve. In this article, a visualization experimental method is designed to capture the cone valve core vibration, and the image sequence of the vibration is obtained. And the least-squares contour fitting of the valve core is proposed to analyze the vibration characteristics of the valve core, which could eliminate noise in the vibration signal and improve accuracy. The difference of the least-squares variance between adjacent data points obtained by least-squares contour fitting is one order of magnitude smaller than corner detection method, while the signal-to-noise ratio is more than twice the corner detection. Furthermore, the frequency spectrum and amplitude of the valve core vibration are also discussed. The deviation of the valve core from the coordinate origin will increase with increasing of the pressure difference and decreasing of the pre-compression of the spring and the amplitude of vibration increases too. The vibration signal of the valve core under different conditions has similar frequency spectrum, which is mainly composed of the vibration signal spectrum caused by the fluctuation of oil pressure and turbulence of the liquid system.

The prevalence of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) is rapidly increasing and mostly occurring in patients aged 65 years or older. The main cause of death in these patients is cardiovascular disease (CVD). Novel markers of vascular integrity may thus be of clinical value for identifying patients at high risk for CVD. Here we associated the levels of selected circulating angiogenic miRNAs, angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) and asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) with cardiovascular structure and function (as determined by cardiovascular MRI) in 67 older patients reaching ESKD that were included from ‘The Cognitive decline in Older Patients with End stage renal disease’ (COPE) prospective, multicentered cohort study. We first determined the association between the vascular injury markers and specific heart conditions and observed that ESKD patients with coronary heart disease have significantly higher levels of circulating ADMA and miR-27a. Moreover, circulating levels of miR-27a were higher in patients with atrial fibrillation. In addition, the circulating levels of the vascular injury markers were associated with measures of cardiovascular structure and function obtained from cardiovascular MRI: pulse wave velocity (PWV), ejection fraction (EF) and cardiac index (CI). We found Ang-2 and miR-27a to be strongly correlated to the PWV, while Ang-2 also associated with ejection fraction. Finally, we observed that in contrast to miR-27a, Ang-2 was not associated with a vascular cause of the primary kidney disease, suggesting Ang-2 may be an ESKD-specific marker of vascular injury. Taken together, among older patients with ESKD, aberrant levels of vascular injury markers (miR-27a, Ang-2 and ADMA) associated with impaired cardiovascular function. These markers may serve to identify individuals at higher risk of CVD, as well as give insight into the underlying (vascular) pathophysiology.

The title compound, C21H26N4S, was synthesized by the condensation reaction of 4-isopropylbenzaldehyde with thiocarbohydrazide in ethanol. The planes of the two benzene rings in the molecule are inclined at 22.6 (1)°. In the crystal, pairs of intermolecular N—H...S hydrogen bonds link the molecules into inversion dimers.

The rare wild species of snow lotus Saussurea involucrata is a commonly used medicinal herb with great pharmacological value for human health, resulting from its uniquely high level of phenylpropanoid compound production. To gain information on the phenylpropanid biosynthetic pathway genes in this critically important medicinal plant, global transcriptome sequencing was performed. It revealed that the phenylpropanoid pathway genes were well represented in S. involucrata. In addition, we introduced two key phenylpropanoid pathway inducing transcription factors (PAP1 and Lc) into this medicinal plant. Transgenic S. involucrata co-expressing PAP1 and Lc exhibited purple pigments due to a massive accumulation of anthocyanins. The over-expression of PAP1 and Lc largely activated most of the phenylpropanoid pathway genes, and increased accumulation of several phenylpropanoid compounds significantly, including chlorogenic acid, syringin, cyanrine and rutin. Both ABTS (2,2'-azinobis-3-ethylbenzotiazo-line-6-sulfonic acid) and FRAP (ferric reducing anti-oxidant power) assays revealed that the antioxidant capacity of transgenic S. involucrata lines was greatly enhanced over controls. In addition to providing a deeper understanding of the molecular basis of phenylpropanoid metabolism, our results potentially enable an alternation of bioactive compound production in S. involucrata through metabolic engineering.

Polarization imaging technique (PIT) based on a backward scattering 3 x 3 Mueller matrix polarization imaging experimental setup is able to study the optical information and microstructure of glioma and non-glioblastoma tissues from clinical treatment. However, the image contrast of Mueller Matrix Elements (MME) is far from sufficient to provide supplemental information in the clinic, especially in off-diagonal MME. The aim of this work is to propose an innovative method to improve the contrast and quality of PIT images of glioma and non-glioma tissues. The work first confirms the robustness of the method by evaluating the enhanced images and assessment coefficients on ex vivo unstained glioma and non-glioma sample bulks, then the optimal enhancement results are tested and presented based on the multi-sample tests. This PIT image enhancement method can greatly improve the contrast and detailed texture information of MMEs images, which can provide more useful clinical information, and further be used to identify glioma and residues in the intraoperative environment with PIT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fermentation is the main process to form the unique flavor and health benefits of dark tea. Numerous studies have indicated that the microorganisms play a significant part in the fermentation process of dark tea. Dark tea has the quality of “The unique flavor grows over time,” but unscientific storage of dark tea might cause infestation of harmful microorganisms, thereby resulting in the remaining of fungi toxins. Mycotoxins are regarded as the main contributor to the quality of dark tea, and its potential mycotoxin risk has attracted people’s attention. This study reviews common and potential mycotoxins in dark tea and discusses the possible types of masked mycotoxins in dark tea. A summary of the potential risks of mycotoxins and masked mycotoxins in dark tea is presented, intending to provide a reference for the prevention and risk assessment of harmful fungi in dark tea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Instant dark teas (IDTs) were individually liquid-state fermented using the fungi Aspergillus cristatus, Aspergillus niger, and Aspergillus tubingensis. To understand how the chemical constituents of IDTs were affected by the fungi, samples were collected and measured by liquid chromatography-tandem mass-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Untargeted metabolomics analysis revealed that 1,380 chemical constituents were identified in positive and negative ion modes, and 858 kinds of chemical components were differential metabolites. Through cluster analysis, IDTs were different from the blank control, and their chemical constituents mostly included carboxylic acids and their derivatives, flavonoids, organooxygen compounds, and fatty acyls. And the metabolites of IDTs fermented by A. niger and A. tubingensis had a high degree of similarity and were classified into one category, which showed that the fungus used to ferment is critical to the formation of certain qualities of IDTs. The biosynthesis of flavonoids and phenylpropanoid, which involved nine different metabolites such as p-coumarate, p-coumaroyl-CoA, caffeate, ferulate, naringenin, kaempferol, leucocyanidin, cyanidin, and (-)-epicatechin, were significant pathways influencing the quality formation of IDTs. Quantification analysis indicated that the A. tubingensis fermented-IDT had the highest content of theaflavin, theabrownin, and caffeine, while the A. cristatus fermented-IDT had the lowest content of theabrownin, and caffeine. Overall, the results provided new insights into the relationship between the quality formation of IDTs and the microorganisms used in liquid-state fermentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, there has been an increasingly heated debate on whether Chinese dark tea is contaminated with mycotoxins and whether it poses health risks to consumers. In this study, a rapid method based on high-performance liquid chromatography was used to detect ochratoxin A (OTA) in Chinese dark tea samples from different regions of China and different years. Of the 228 Chinese dark tea samples tested, 21 were detected for OTA contamination, with a concentration ranging from 2.51 ± 0.16 to 12.62 ± 0.72 μg/kg. Subsequently, a dark tea drinking risk assessment was conducted, and the hazard quotient for each group was far below the acceptable level of 1.0. Of the 12 Aspergillus spp. strains isolated, one strain of Aspergillus niger had the ability to produce OTA. We also found that tea polyphenols and epigallocatechin gallate inhibited the growth of ochratoxin-producing Aspergillus niger and the expression of nonribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS), a key gene for ochratoxin synthesis. Thus, OTA contamination of dark tea is at an acceptable risk level, and the inhibition of ochratoxigenic Aspergillus niger by polyphenols provides new insights into the safety of dark tea consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blood-brain barrier (BBB) breakdown and inflammation occurring at the BBB have a key, mainly a deleterious role in the pathophysiology of ischemic stroke. Neddylation is a ubiquitylation-like pathway that is critical in various cellular functions by conjugating neuronal precursor cell-expressed developmentally down-regulated protein 8 (NEDD8) to target proteins. However, the roles of neddylation pathway in ischemic stroke remain elusive. Here, we report that NEDD8 conjugation increased during acute phase after ischemic stroke and was present in intravascular and intraparenchymal neutrophils. Inhibition of neddylation by MLN4924, also known as pevonedistat, inactivated cullin-RING E3 ligase (CRL), and reduced brain infarction and improved functional outcomes. MLN4924 treatment induced the accumulation of the CRL substrate neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1). By using virus-mediated NF1 silencing, we show that NF1 knockdown abolished MLN4924-dependent inhibition of neutrophil trafficking. These effects were mediated through activation of endothelial P-selectin and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), and blocking antibodies against P-selectin or anti-ICAM-1 antibodies reversed NF1 silencing-induced increase in neutrophil infiltration in MLN4924-treated mice. Furthermore, we found that NF1 silencing blocked MLN4924-afforded BBB protection and neuroprotection through activation of protein kinase C 6 (PKC6), myristoylated alanine-rich C-kinase substrate (MARCKS), and myosin light chain (MLC) in cerebral microvessels after ischemic stroke, and treatment of mice with the PKC6 inhibitor rottlerin reduced this increased BBB permeability. Our study demonstrated that increased neddylation promoted neutrophil trafficking and thus exacerbated injury of the BBB and stroke outcomes. We suggest that the neddylation inhibition may be beneficial in ischemic stroke. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To examine the association of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and its risk factors with cognitive impairment in older adults. Methods Six hundred and fourteen subjects, aged = 65 years, from one center (2016-2018) underwent clinical, laboratory assessments and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Using regression analysis, the relationship between ASCVD and its risk factors was evaluated in subjects with and without cognitive impairment (MoCA score < 26). Results Older age (β = -1.3 per 5 years, 95% CI: -1.7 to -0.9, P < 0.001), history of stroke (β = -1.6, 95% CI: -3.0 to -0.3, P = 0.01), and myocardial infarction (MI; β = -2.2, 95% CI: -3.6 to -0.8, P = 0.003) were independently associated with lower MoCA scores, whereas more education (β = 1.5 per 3 years, 95% CI: 1.1 to 1.9, P < 0.001), higher body mass index (BMI; β = 0.5 per 3 kg/m2, 95% CI: 0.0 to 1.0, P = 0.04), higher estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR; β = 0.8 per 15 U, 95% CI: 0.1 to 1.4, P = 0.03), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF; β = 0.4 per 5%, 95% CI: 0 to 0.8, P = 0.04) and statin use (β = 1.3, 95% CI: 0.3 to 2.3, P = 0.01) were associated with a higher MoCA score. Cognitive impairment was independently associated with older age (OR = 1.51 per 5 yrs, 95% CI: 1.28 to 1.79, P < 0.001), less education (OR = 0.55 per 3 years, 95% CI: 0.45 to 0.68, P < 0.001), lower BMI (OR = 0.78 per 3 kg/m2, 95% CI: 0.62 to 0.98, P = 0.03) and higher levels of high sensitivity c-reactive protein (hsCRP; OR = 1.08 per 1 mg/L, 95% CI: 1.02 to 1.15, P = 0.01). Conclusions Beyond age, cognitive impairment was associated with prior MI/stroke, higher hsCRP, statin use, less education, lower eGFR, BMI and LVEF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hypertension is highly prevalent among the older adults. Self-care is an effective method for the secondary prevention of hypertension, but until now, there has been no specialized instrument to evaluate the ability for self-care in elderly Chinese patients with hypertension. Objectives: The aims of this study were to cross-culturally translate the Self-care of Hypertension Inventory into Chinese and apply it to elderly patients with preliminary hypertension. Methods: This is a methodological study with steps that included translation, synthesis, back-translation, back-translation review, expert committee review, pretesting, and submission to authors. We conducted preliminary psychometric analyses that included content validity, item-total correlation, internal consistency reliability, principal factor analysis, and test/retest reliability. Results: The translation equivalence was obtained between the adapted version and the original scale. The item-level content validity index had a range of 0.833 to 1. The scale-level content validity average method and Cronbach a were 0.986 and 0.858 for the total scale, respectively. The test/retest reliability was 0.949. Principal factor analyses showed the presence of 4, 1, and 1 latent factors in 3 separate subscales. Conclusions: The Self-care of Hypertension Inventory has been successfully translated and cross-culturally adapted to Chinese. It is suitable for application to elderly Chinese patients with hypertension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]