Search

As the aging population continues to increase, aging-related inflammation, oxidative stress, and neurodegenerative diseases have become serious global health threats. Resveratrol, a star molecule in natural polyphenols, has been widely reported to have physiological activities such as anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotection. However, its poor water solubility, rapid metabolism, low bioavailability and poor targeting ability, which limits its application. Accordingly, a brain-targeted resveratrol liposome (ANG-RES-LIP) was developed to solve these issues. Experimental results showed that ANG-RES-LIP has a uniform size distribution, good biocompatibility, and a drug encapsulation rate of over 90%. Furthermore, in vitro cell experiments showed that the modification of the targeting ligand ANG significantly increased the capability of RES to cross the BBB and neuronal uptake. Compared with free RES, ANG-RES-LIP demonstrated stronger antioxidant activity and the ability to rescue oxidatively damaged cells from apoptosis. Additionally, ANG-RES-LIP showed the ability to repair damaged neuronal mitochondrial membrane potential. In vivo experiments further demonstrated that ANG-RES-LIP improved cognitive function by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation levels in the brains of aging model mice, repairing damaged neurons and glial cells, and increasing brain-derived neurotrophic factor. In summary, this study not only provides a new method for further development and application of resveratrol but also a promising strategy for preventing and treating age-related neurodegenerative diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An investigation on the thermal property, fracture mechanism of substrate and coating layer, liquid‐metal embrittlement (LME) crack, coating layer morphology, microstructure, and hardness of Zn‐coated hot‐stamping steel is presented. The effect of forming temperature on the LME is studied. The crack mechanism of substrate at elevated temperature is ductile fracture with various‐sized dimples. The inclusions in the dimples are also detected and researched. However, the fracture mechanism of coating layer and weld spot is different from that of substrate. At high temperature, the liquid Zn invades into the substrate with oxidation reaction, which reduces the thermal formability. The complex chemical reaction and different phase formation occur in the coating layer. The coating layer breaks and peels off from the substrate with sharp edge, indicating brittle fracture. The phase of substrate mainly transforms into martensite phase with the microhardness Vickers hardness 0.2 of 410–490. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fabrication of microgrids to harness renewable resources for local load provision has emerged as a promising concept. Efficient energy management and resource utilization within the electricity market have become crucial tasks for microgrid operation. This article presents a comprehensive model that addresses economic and technical considerations, as well as uncertainties associated with load, wind speed, and solar radiation. Specifically, the focus is on optimizing the utilization and energy consumption of controllable loads within a distributed energy system, taking into account consumer preferences and operational constraints. A two-stage planning problem is formulated to minimize microgrid operation costs and consumer payments, while considering load requirements, restrictions, and utility-imposed constraints. To solve this problem, an enhanced algorithm based on the mountain gazelle optimizer with improved local search operators is proposed, significantly enhancing its search capabilities. The retail electricity market is modeled using real-time pricing (RTP) and incentive-based regulation (IBR) tariffs to capture wholesale price fluctuations and discourage simultaneous consumption. Notably, price forecasting becomes essential in scheduling controllable loads, introducing uncertainties that are addressed by a two-point estimate method. Simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed approach, exhibiting low standard deviation and high resilience. The results highlight the potential of the proposed method in achieving cost-effective and reliable operation of microgrids in the face of uncertainties and dynamic market conditions. [Display omitted] • Framework cuts microgrid & user costs, models preferences, load limits. • Uses RTP, IBR tariffs for price flux, needs forecast. • Paper presents energy scheduling framework, accounts for distributed sources, prices. • MGO algorithm boosts microgrid optimization, factors in economy, tech, uncertainties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The integration of solar and geothermal energy sources presents a promising avenue for enhancing the efficiency and output of energy systems. This research introduces a novel hybrid system combining solar and geothermal energy for the co-generation of power, cooling, and ammonia. The proposed system integrates several cycles and technologies, including an organic Rankine cycle, an ejector refrigeration cycle, an organic flash cycle, a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer, and an ammonia synthesis reactor. Through a comprehensive 4E (energy, exergy, economic, and environmental) analysis, utilizing thermodynamic, exergoeconomic, and exergoenvironmental methodologies, this study evaluates the system's performance. The findings reveal that solar collectors are the primary contributors to system irreversibility, accounting for 78 % of the total. Notably, an increase in the condenser outlet temperature significantly decreases the cooling load, whereas elevating the turbine 1 exit pressure enhances overall power production. At optimal operating conditions, the system generates a net power of 104 kW, provides 26.07 kW of cooling capacity, and produces 3.55 kg/h of ammonia. This performance translates into a product cost of 1.193 USD/h and an exergoenvironmental impact rate of 25.31 mPts/h, alongside achieving an exergy efficiency of 9.34 %. Financially, the system promises a payback period of 2.34 years and a net present value of 1.259 million USD, highlighting its economic viability and environmental benefits. • Proposing a hybrid multi-generation for power, cooling, and ammonia production. • Designing a novel ORC-ERC-OFC integration for co-power and cooling generation. • Achieving products exergoenvironmental impact rates of 25.31 Pt/h. • Producing an ammonia rate of 3.55 kg/h with a NPV of 1.259 M$. • Providing an exergy efficiency of 9.34 % with a payback period of 2.34 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the integration of solar energy via parabolic trough collectors (PTC) with the Goswami cycle, focusing on evaluating life cycle costs (LCC) and energy performance in both steady-state and transient conditions. A suitable system configuration of a single-turbine Goswami cycle is designed for integration with PTC. Then, in the system's steady-state, a parametric study is performed based on the change in the design components. Subsequently, a multi-objective optimization method using energy and lifetime cost objectives are defined to identify the best system performance. This optimization technique utilizes artificial neural network (ANN) and the grey wolf optimizer (GWO) algorithm. Accordingly, the transient performance of the system is investigated during its optimal operating point using the TRNSYS software. Suitable controllers are considered for regulating power production and cooling system. Annual transient performance graphs of the systems are obtained. Following these investigations, a novel multi-turbine system is proposed. This configuration aims to enhance system reliability and diminish the reliance on storage devices by optimizing performance. The proper configuration of the five-turbine system with the required controllers is also provided. Hence, the method of dividing the turbine into similar turbines with lower capacity is a new concept proposed in this study. In the optimal state, it is observed that for 100 kW of net power output, 161 kW of effective cooling load can be achieved. At this configuration, the system's LCC amounts to 2.91 M. Moreover, during transient operation, an average power of 90 kW is attainable with a cooling load of 120 kW. The findings indicate that modifying the system from single turbine to five-turbines incurs an additional cost of approximately 9.2 % and reduces power output by 6 %. However, this modification significantly mitigates the transient impact of solar fluctuations. • Solar cooling-power system is optimized through AI and Grey Wolf algorithm. • Transient performance of the proposed system is evaluated at optimum conditions. • Five-turbine modification is proposed to mitigate the sunlight intermittence effect. • At constant 100 kW power optimized 161 kW cooling and 2.91 m$ LCC were achieved. • Transient performance results confirmed the five-turbine modification reliability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The preservation of the Lingguizhugan (LGZG) decoction and patient compliance issue often limit the treatment of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). Hence, herein, an LGZG oral solution was developed for alleviating MASLD. Additionally, the potential mechanisms underlying LGZG-mediated MASLD mitigation were explored., Methods: A MASLD mouse model was constructed using oleic and palmitic acid-induced LO2 cells and a high-fat diet. The apoptosis, lipid deposition, and mouse liver function were analyzed to assess the therapeutic effects of the LGZG oral solution on MASLD. Serum untargeted metabolomics, gut microbiota, bile acid (BA) metabolism, immunohistochemistry, and Western blotting analyses were performed to investigate the potential mechanism of action of LGZG oral solution on MASLD., Results: The LGZG oral solution ameliorated lipid deposition, oxidative stress, inflammation, and pathological damage. Serum untargeted metabolomics results revealed the LGZG-mediated regulation of the primary BA biosynthetic pathway. The 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing of the fecal microbiota showed that LGZG oral solution increased the relative abundance of the BA metabolism-associated Bacteroides , Akkermansia , and decreased that of Lactobacillus . Additionally, the BA metabolism analysis results revealed a decrease in the total taurine-α/β-muricholic acid levels, whereas those of deoxycholic acid were increased, which activated specific receptors in the liver and ileum, including farnesoid X receptor (FXR) and takeda G protein-coupled receptor 5 (TGR5). Activation of FXR resulted in an increase in short heterodimer partner and subsequent inhibition of cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase and sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c expression, and activation of FXR also results in the upregulation of fibroblast growth factor 15/19 expression, and consequently inhibition of cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase, which correlated with hepatic BA synthesis and lipogenesis, ultimately attenuating lipid deposition and bile acid stasis, thereby improving MASLD., Conclusion: Altogether, the findings of this study suggest that modulating microbiota-BA-FXR/TGR5 signaling pathway may be a potential mechanism of action of LGZG oral solution for the treatment of MASLD., 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 © 2024 Wang, Zang, Yu, Liu, Cao, Guo, Zhang, Liu, Zhang, Li and Kong.)

Background: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have pivotal roles in gene regulation. Circulating miRNAs have been developed as novel candidate non-invasive biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment response for diseases. However, miRNAs that have causal effects on Parkinson's Disease (PD) remain largely unknown. To investigate the causal relationships between miRNAs and PD, here we conduct a Mendelian randomization (MR) study., Methods: This study utilized the summary-level data of respective genome-wide association studies (GWAS) for 2083 miRNAs and seven PD-related outcomes to comprehensively reveal the causal associations between the circulating miRNAs and PD. Two-sample MR design was deployed and the causal effects were estimated with inverse variance weighted, MR-Egger, and weighted median. Comprehensively sensitive analyses were followed, including Cochran's Q test, MR-Egger intercept test, MR-PRESSO, and leave-one-out analysis, to validate the robustness of our results. Finally, we investigated the potential role of the MR significant miRNAs by predicting their target genes and functional enrichment analysis., Results: Inverse variance weighted estimates suggested that two miRNAs, miR-205-5p (β = -0.46, 95%CI: -0.690 to -0.229, p  = 9.3 × 10 -5 ) and miR-6800-5p (β = -0.389, 95%CI: -0.575 to -0.202, p  = 4.32 × 10 -5 ), significantly decreased the rate of cognitive decline among PD patients. In addition, eight miRNAs were nominally associated with more than three PD-related outcomes each. No significant heterogeneity of instrumental variables or horizontal pleiotropy was found. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis showed that the targets of these causal miRNAs were significantly enriched in cell cycle, apoptotic, and aging pathways., Conclusion: This MR study identified two miRNAs whose genetically regulated expression might have a causal role in the development of PD dementia. Our findings provided potential miRNA biomarkers to make better and early diagnoses and risk assessments of PD., 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 © 2024 Shi, Wu, Li, Zhao, Yin and Zhu.)

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.