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A working model of Cucurbitacin B suppressing AKT/mTORC1 and LXRα/SREBP1 lipogenic pathways. [Display omitted] • Cucurbitacin B mitigates aberrant lipid accumulation and hepatic steatosis in AKT-triggered NAFLD mice. • Cucurbitacin B ameliorates liver function in AKT-injected mice. • Cucurbitacin B impairs AKT/mTORC1 and lipogenic cascades in mice. • Cucurbitacin B restrains AKT-driven lipogenic pathway in vitro. • Cucurbitacin B ameliorates AKT-driven fatty liver disease in mice by suppressing AKT/mTORC1 and LXRα/SREBP1 lipogenic pathways. Dysregulated de novo lipogenesis (DNL) is an essential characteristic of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Cucurbitacin B (CuB) is a triterpenoid found in the edible plants of Cucurbitaceae with a broad spectrum of beneficial effects. Here, we investigate the in vivo anti-steatotic efficacy of CuB in an AKT-driven NAFLD mouse model established using hydrodynamic injection. Hepatocyte lines with artificial activation of AKT were used for in vitro experiments. The results demonstrate that CuB effectively attenuates the content of triglyceride and total cholesterol (P < 0.05) and hepatocyte injury (P < 0.01) in the AKT-injected mice. Mechanically, CuB directly represses AKT/mTORC1 and LXRα/SREBP1 signaling, leading to the downregulation of key lipogenic enzymes, acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) and fatty acid synthase (FASN) in vivo and in vitro. Taken together, CuB attenuates AKT-driven hepatic steatosis by retarding DNL, indicating that CuB may be beneficial for the treatment of NAFLD, especially in the subset displaying activated AKT/mTORC1 and lipogenic cascades. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the correlation between the contrast-enhanced mammography (CEM) imaging characteristics and different molecular subtypes of breast cancer (BC). We retrospectively included 313 eligible female patients who underwent CEM examination and surgery in our hospital from July 2017 to July 2021. Their lesions were confirmed on histopathological examination and immunohistochemical analysis. BC was divided into luminal A, luminal B, HER2-enriched, and triple-negative BC (TNBC) subtypes according to immunohistochemical markers. Nine features were extracted from CEM images, including tumor shape, margins, spiculated mass, lobulated mass, malignant calcification, lesion conspicuity, internal enhancement pattern, multifocal mass, and swollen axillary lymph nodes. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 25.0. Univariate analysis and binomial regression were used to analyze the correlation between CEM imaging features and BC molecular subtypes. There were 184 (58.8 %) Luminal A, 44 (14.1 %) Luminal B, 47 (15.0 %) HER-2-enriched and 38 (12.1 %) TNBC, respectively. Molecular subtypes were significantly related to the tumor shape, margins, spiculated mass, internal enhancement pattern, malignant calcification and swollen axillary lymph nodes. Spiculated and calcified tumors were associated with Luminal subtypes, especially Luminal B (P < 0.05). Irregular tumor shape and malignant calcification were associated with HER-2-enriched subtype (P < 0.05). Oval or round tumor shape, rim enhancement, and swollen axillary lymph nodes were associated with TNBC (P < 0.05). CEM imaging features could distinguish BC molecular subtypes. In particular, TNBC showed oval or round tumor shape, rim enhancement, and swollen axillary lymph nodes, providing insights into the diagnosis and prognosis of TNBC. • Spiculated margins on tumor masses may indicate Luminal B. • Compared to TNBC, Luminal B and HER-2 enriched showed malignant calcification (P < 0.05). • Luminal A showed homogenous enhancement compared to TNBC (OR = 937.77, P < 0.001). • Luminal B showed homogenous enhancement compared to TNBC (OR = 143.946, P < 0.001). • TNBC showed oval shape, rim enhancement, and swollen axillary lymph nodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is seen from this figure that the maximum temperature rise of the cell module decreases as the increasing rate of fluid flow. The maximum temperature rise of the cell module is under 40 °C and 36 °C respectively since the flow rate is 0.40 × 10−3 L·s−1 and 1.20 × 10−3 L·s−1, indicating that increasing flow rate increases the cooling capability of the LCP. • A new cooling plate is developed for controlling undesirable cell temperature field. • Inlet and outlet of cooling plate have big impact on cell temperature distribution. • Increasing flow rate decreases cell temperature rise markedly. • Cooling plate channel width has weak impact on cell temperature distribution. • Channel width has great effect on ratio of power consumption of cooling plate. The thermal management for a lithium ion battery cell plays a pivotal role in enhancing the cell performance and reliability for electric vehicles. In this work, a novel serpentine-channel liquid cooling plate with double inlets and outlets is developed for better managing an undesirable temperature distribution of a cell module. With a simplified model for the cell module, numerical analyses are implemented using the software of FloEFD to study effects of flow directions, flow rates and channel widths of the cooling plate on cell temperature distribution under different operating conditions; Likewise, a ratio of power consumption as a non-dimensional number is defined to analyze the hydraulic performance of the developed cooling plate. Results show that locations of the inlet and the outlet as well as flow directions have great impacts on the cell temperature distribution and the ratio of power consumption of the cooling plate. Increasing fluid flow rate substantially decreases the maximum temperature rise of the cell module while it has little effect on the temperature distribution. Moreover, the channel width of the cooling plate has a strong influence on its ratio of power consumption as well as the cell temperature distribution but it has a weak influence on the cell maximum temperature rise. Interestingly, the developed serpentine-channel cooling plate offers one a new method to design a lithium ion battery thermal management system for controlling temperature distribution of a cell module. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is seen from these two figures that the battery temperature and SOC have a minor effect on its thermal conductivity. Battery thermal conductivity vary with the battery types heavily. • A novel method for determining thermal parameters of lithium ion cells is presented. • Temperature has a linear effect on thermal conductivity and specific heat of cells. • Cell temperature has a higher effect on its specific heat than thermal conductivity. • Cells' thermal conductivity and specific heat vary with the battery types. • The method is more effective to test thermal conductivity and specific heat of cells. Characterizing thermal parameters of a lithium ion battery is a key step to predict the temperature distribution of battery cell modules. In this work, a novel method is developed based on the quasi-steady state heat transfer analysis to determine the thermal conductivity and the specific heat simultaneously. Both prismatic lithium iron phosphate cells and pouch cells with different electrode materials are used in this experimental test. A constant heat flux is applied to the cell surface whereas the heat loss is estimated based upon the temperature drop curve. As such, the quasi-steady state heat transfer can be attained to determine cell thermal parameters. It is observed that cell thermal parameters increase linearly with the increase of the operating temperature. Furthermore, the operating temperature has a more significant influence on the cell specific heat than the thermal conductivity, while the effect of the state of charge has a minimal effect on these two parameters. The current method demonstrates an effective and practical way to determine the thermal conductivity and specific heat of the cell simultaneously. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• CZ48 was incorporated into PLA microbubbles via a double emulsion technique. • The encapsulation efficiency and drug-loading content were ˜85.73% and 26.07%. • The half-life time of CZ48 and CPT of CZ48-loaded microbubbles was enhanced. • Controlled release of CZ48–loaded microbubbles was achieved in vitro and in vivo. CZ48, a prodrug of camptothecin (CPT) with derivative resistant to lactone hydrolysis, suffers from limited application for cancer treatment due to poor water-solubility, thus causing its low bioavailability and absorption in vivo. To echo this problem, CZ48 was incorporated into poly (lactic acid) (PLA) microbubbles via a double emulsion technique (W/O/W), and the successful loading was confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns and confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM). The obtained CZ48-loaded microbubbles had a diameter ranging from 0.5 to 6.7 μm, and the encapsulation efficiency and drug-loading content were as high as 85.73 ± 2.41% and 26.07 ± 0.76%, respectively. The in vitro drug release demonstrated that only about 55% of CZ48 was released for CZ48-loaded PLA microbubbles in 48 h. In contrast, over 90% of CZ48 was released for free CZ48 crystals sample in only 5 h. Besides, in vivo pharmacokinetic studies further revealed that the availability of both CZ48 and its metabolite CPT were obviously enhanced after the incorporation of CZ48 into PLA microbubbles. To be noted, the value of AUC 0-∞ of the CZ48-loaded microbubbles was about 5-fold higher than that of free CZ48 suspension, implying a much higher anticancer effect of the CZ48-loaded microbubbles. The half-life time (T 1/2) of both CZ48 and CPT of the CZ48-loaded microbubbles were also significantly longer than that of the free CZ48, indicating a delayed release time for the microbubbles. Hence, this work promotes a promising drug carrier system for the controlled release of CZ48 as well as other drugs with poor water-solubility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The purpose of present HUVE cells and mice study was to investigate the combined effects of carnosine and asiatic acid (AA) against diabetic progression. In HUVE cells, high glucose decreased cell viability, reduced Bcl-2 mRNA expression and increased Bax mRNA expression. The co-treatment of 0.5 μM carnosine plus 0.5 μM AA led to greater cell viability and Bcl-2 mRNA expression than 1 μM carnosine or 1 μM AA treatment alone. This combination more significantly decreased the production of DNA fragmentation, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and nuclear factor kappa B binding activity than carnosine or AA treatment alone. In diabetic mice, the combination of 0.25% carnosine plus 0.25% AA in diet resulted in higher final body weight, and lower levels of plasma glucose and triglyceride than 0.5% carnosine or 0.5% AA treatment alone. Carnosine and AA combination caused more reduction in renal levels of leukin-6, TNF-alpha and ROS than carnosine or AA treatment alone. This combination also more significantly limited renal cyclooxygenase-2 activity and p-p38 phosphorylation than carnosine or AA treatment alone. These novel findings support that this combination is a more powerful remedy for diabetic control. Graphical abstract Effects of carnosine (Car) and/or AA upon NF-κB p50/65 binding activity (OD value/mg protein). HUVE cells were pre-treated with 1 μM Car, 1 μM AA or 0.5 μM Car+0.5 μM AA for 24 h incubation at 37 °C. Then, cells were treated with DMEM containing high glucose (33 mM), and followed by incubating for another 24 h at 37 °C. Normal group had no Car, AA, or high glucose. Control group had no Car or AA, but with high glucose. Data are mean ± SD (n = 6). Values with different alphabet among bars are significantly different at P < 0.05 as analyzed by Dunnett's t -test. Image 1 Highlights • HUVE cell line and diabetic mice were used to examine the combined effects of carnosine and asiatic acid (AA). • Co-treatment of carnosine plus AA led to grater HUVE cell viability and Bcl-2 mRNA expression. • In diabetic mice, carnosine and AA combination caused more reduction in renal IL-6, TNF-alpha and ROS generation. • This combination led to more decrease in renal cyclooxygenase-2 activity and p-p38 phosphorylation. • These findings support that this combination is a powerful remedy for diabetic control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Two flow regimes were observed in membrane assisted reactive crystallization (MARC). • Reversible transitions between liquid layer and droplet can be achieved on membrane surface. • Controllable mixing and ions diffusion conditions were achieved via MARC. • Crystals with narrow nano/micro size distribution were obtained via MARC. Herein, membrane-assisted reactive crystallization (MARC) with effective interfacial flow regimes was proposed to achieve the effective mass transfer control during reactive crystallization. Three tube-shell side solution systems (EtOH-H 2 O, Butanol-H 2 O and H 2 O-H 2 O) were chosen to form different flow regimes on the membrane surface, including the microscale liquid layer and the uniform droplets. The fundamental mechanisms of 'rising and falling tide' phenomenon, and flexible layer thickness control were uncovered. A force analysis model was established to illustrate the transition behavior of the droplet and liquid layer on the membrane surface. Molecular simulations additionally demonstrated that MARC implemented various ion diffusion conditions in different solution systems. Compared to the conventional reactive crystallization, MARC with multiple flow regimes can achieve effective control of CaCO 3 crystal size ranging from 700 nm to 3 μm and obtain uniform size distribution (coefficient of variation less than 15.1 %), which shed light on the advanced material manufacture with reactive crystallization process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethanol was used to induce acute hepatotoxicity in mice. Effects of cinnamic acid (CA) and syringic acid (SA) post-intake for hepatic recovery from alcoholic injury was investigated. Ethanol treated mice were supplied by CA or SA at 40 or 80 mg/kg BW/day for 5 days. Results showed that ethanol stimulated protein expression of CYP2E1, p47 phox , gp91 phox , cyclooxygenase-2 and nuclear factor kappa B in liver. CA or SA post-intake restricted hepatic expression of these molecules. Ethanol suppressed nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor (Nrf2) expression, and CA or SA enhanced Nrf2 expression in cytosolic and nuclear fractions. Ethanol increased the release of reactive oxygen species, oxidized glutathione, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, nitric acid and prostaglandin E 2 . CA or SA lowered hepatic production of these oxidative and inflammatory factors. Histological data revealed that ethanol administration caused obvious foci of inflammatory cell infiltration, and CA or SA post-intake improved hepatic inflammatory infiltration. These findings support that cinnamic acid and syringic acid are potent nutraceutical agents for acute alcoholic liver disease therapy. However, potential additive or synergistic benefits of cinnamic and syringic acids against ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity need to be investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous studies have indicated that nano-titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) can induce neurotoxicity in vitro and in vivo , however, it is unclear whether nano-TiO 2 affects neurite outgrowth of hippocampal neurons. In order to investigate the mechanism of neurotoxicity, rat primary cultured hippocampal neurons on the fourth day of culture were exposed to 5, 15, and 30 μg/mL nano-TiO 2 for 24 h, and nano-TiO 2 internalization, dendritic growth, glutamate metabolism, expression of N-methyl- d -aspartate (NMDA) receptor subunits (NR1, NR2A and NR2B), calcium homeostasis, sodium current (I Na ) and potassium current (I K ) were examined. Our findings demonstrated that nano-TiO 2 crossed the membrane into the cytoplasm or nucleus, and significantly suppressed dendritic growth of primary cultured hippocampal neurons in a concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore, nano-TiO 2 induced a marked release of glutamate to the extracellular region, decreased glutamine synthetase activity and increased phosphate-activated glutaminase activity, elevated intracellular calcium ([Ca 2+ ]i), down-regulated protein expression of NR1, NR2A and NR2B, and increased the amplitudes of the I Na and I K . In addition, nano-TiO 2 increased nitric oxide and nitrice synthase, attenuated the activities of Ca 2+ -ATPase and Na + /K + -ATPase, and increased the ADP/ATP ratio in the primary neurons. Taken together, these findings indicate that nano-TiO 2 inhibits neurite outgrowth of hippocampal neurons by interfering with glutamate metabolism and impairing NMDA receptor function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Protective effects of maslinic acid (MA) at 10, 15 or 20 mg/kg body weight/day against alcohol-induced acute hepatotoxicity in mice were examined. Mice were administrated by MA for 3 weeks, and followed by alcohol treatment. Results showed that MA pre-intake at three doses resulted in its accumulation in the liver; and dose-dependently lowered cytochrome P450 2E1 activity and protein expression at 23.5–51.2% and 21.4–62.3%, respectively ( P  <   0.05). MA pre-intake decreased subsequent alcohol-induced reactive oxygen species, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, nitric oxide and prostaglandin E 2 production; retained glutathione content; maintained catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities; and declined cyclooxygenase-2 and total nitric oxide synthase activities in the liver ( P  <   0.05). Furthermore, MA pre-intake suppressed 17.3–51.7% nuclear factor kappa (NF-κ)B p50, 23.5–58.8% NF-κB p65, 25.6–62.4% p-p38 and 24.1–63.0% p-JNK expression in the liver ( P  <   0.05). Histological data indicated that MA intake at test doses attenuated hepatic inflammatory infiltrate. These findings support that maslinic acid is a potent preventive agent against acute alcoholic liver disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Responses of Collembola to 7 years of CO2 enrichment (550 ppm) in a Swiss free-air CO2 enrichment (FACE) experiment in a forest with 80- to 120-year-old trees were investigated in this study. Contrary to our expectations, increased CO2 caused a significant decrease in Collembola numbers, including a significant decrease in euedaphic Collembola. Increased CO2, however, did not affect community group richness. Collembola biomass was not significantly changed by CO2 enrichment, regardless of whether it was considered in terms of the total community, life-strategy groups, or individual species (with an exception of Mesaphorura krausbaueri). The reason for this is that CO2 enrichment caused a general increase in individual body size, which compensated for reduced abundances. The results are consistent with the idea that the rhizosphere is important for soil fauna, and the combination of reduced fine root growth and increased soil moisture might trigger a reduction in Collembola abundance. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Soil erosion process, which is affected by both natural and artificial factors,is extremely complicated. This article selects SPOT5 remote sensing image, rainfall, DEM and soil data and other related material in the three gorges reservoir area in 1992 and the 2002, extracts soil erosion every environment factor information by using 3S technology, and makes stastical analyzation of the soil erosion of three gorges reservoir area, namely environmental topography, climate, soil, vegetation and land use; by combining the changing trend of the various factors with soil erosion intensity change in the three gorges reservoir area, obtains the correlation between various environmental factors and soil erosion in the three gorges reservoir area,and puts forward soil erosion control strategy in the three gorges reservoir area in the light of current condition of soil erosion, thus providing aided decision-making and support.for management department. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: MODIS sensor has a high temporal resolution, spectral resolution, and moderate spatial resolution. The data products are widely used in Large-scale and long period dynamic monitoring of drought. This paper focuses on characters of farming rice dominated in Jiangxi province, and analysis on remote sensing monitoring model and drought monitoring indicators which selection the MODIS data products and drought information related from 2000-2008. Established standard for classification of drought in Jiangxi province, and verified instances of 2003 drought in Jiangxi. This study may have a certain significance to agricultural drought monitoring based on rice planting in southern China, because the correspondencematch between the selected TD indices and cloud cover with precipitation and daily maximum temperature evolution curve. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper studies on Poyang Lake natural wetlands. we calculation each month''s vegetation area in Poyang Lake that according to cloudless images of MODIS in 2009. And it had a quantitative analysis for the changes of annual by Poyang Lake wetland vegetation with time; space; and the water level. Poyang Lake wetland vegetation is mainly located in the delta of the river lower reaches. The area is changing with month, each year there are two peaks. Before the flood season that the vegetation area increase from spring to April and May. Entering the flood season, the area had been decreased by water level raised; after season, the area increase again with water level dropped. To the autumn and winter, the areas decreased cause of vegetation withered. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The response of specific groups of organisms, like Collembola to atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition is still scarcely known. We investigated the Collembola community in a subalpine forest (Alptal, Switzerland) as subjected for 12 years to an experimentally increased N deposition (+25 on top of ambient 12kgNha−1 year−1). In the 0–5cm soil layer, there was a tendency of total Collembola densities to be lower in N-treated than in control plots. The density of Isotomiella minor, the most abundant species, was significantly reduced by the N addition. A tendency of lower Collembola group richness was observed in N-treated plots. The Density-Group index (d DG) showed a significant reduction of community diversity, but the Shannon–Wiener index (H′) was not significantly affected by the N addition. The Collembola community can be considered as a bioindicator of N inputs exceeding the biological needs, namely, soil N saturation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Thermal characteristics of lithium-ion battery cells are crucial in the thermal design of power battery packs for electric vehicles. In this paper, a calibration calorimetry method of considering the heat loss is proposed to investigate the thermal characteristics of a commercial cylindrical 21700 cell. In the meantime, an existing heat-flux meter method is employed to analyze the present method effectiveness. Furthermore, a cell thermal model by considering the physical specifications and thermal parameters is established to predict the cell's temperature rise during its operation. It is shown that the proposed calibration calorimetry method matches well with the existing heat-flux meter method in determining the cell heat generation rate. The cell heat generation rate increases as the decreasing temperature and the increasing discharge rate, and there exists a quadratic-relationship in them between each other. The established thermal model to predict the cell temperature rise is effective with accuracy of within 3.0 °C. This work is fast and cost-effective in characterizing the thermal characteristics of the commercial cylindrical cells, without resorting to the specialized instruments. • A calibration calorimetry method to analyze cell thermal characteristics is proposed. • The present method is compared with the heat flux meter method. • Cell heat generation is increased at ascending discharge rate and lower temperature. • The established thermal model predicts cell temperature profile is highly feasible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Develops a lightweight liquid cooling solution to cool a prismatic hard cased cell. • Effect of fluid flowing on cell thermal distribution is studied numerically. • Dimensionless analysis of cooling performance in cooling plate is performed. • Effectiveness of the lightweight solution was authenticated by an experimental test. The lightweight thermal design is a critical factor that must be taken into consideration during the lithium-ion battery pack manufacturing for electric vehicles. This work develops a lightweight liquid cooling solution to cool a prismatic hard-cased cell from its small lateral surfaces. The effects of fluid flow directions, flow rates, channel dimensions, and cooling mediums on the cell′s thermal distribution were studied. Meanwhile, a dimensionless analysis for the cooling plate performance was imposed. The simulation effectiveness was corroborated through experiments. Simulations show that the lightweight thermal design has a similar cooling effect with the conventional thermal design; crucially, the former can lower the cooling plate weight by 57% compared with the later. Effect of increasing fluid flow rate on minimizing the cell′s temperature rise and difference is positive and negative, respectively. Increasing fluid flow rate and channel width can promote the cooling plate performance. The glycol aqueous solution outperforms the liquid water to weaken the cell′s temperature difference. Experiments authenticating that an excellent effectiveness residing in the current lightweight thermal design to control the cell thermal profile within a desirable level. This work would be valuable for one to design a lightweight cooling system for a battery pack consists of prismatic hard-cased cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Micro antisolvent layer on the membrane interface was observed and investigated. • Tube side pressure and shell side velocity can regulation the antisolvent layer. • MAAC with intensified mass transfer rendered the desire product property. Herein, an interfacial mass transfer process based on hollow fiber membrane assisted antisolvent crystallization (MAAC) was studied via real-time microscopic and computational fluid dynamic (CFD) method. The micro-scale antisolvent liquid layer was clearly detected on the antisolvent/solution interface. The antisolvent concentration and layer thickness were determined by different refractive index of the mixing fluid. CFD simulation results also confirmed the formation of uniform supersaturation gradient, indicating the approximate two-dimensional liquid layer mass transfer on the membrane surface. The competition effect between the feed solution shear force and antisolvent permeation flow rendered the high adjustability of the liquid layer features. Experimental comparison between MAAC and conventional AC indicated that crystal production obtained by MAAC possessed narrower size distribution and great morphology without defects. This novel interfacial liquid layer mass transfer mechanism opens a new approach for novel antisolvent crystallization with intensified interfacial mass transfer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Post-stroke depression (PSD) is one of the most common neuropsychiatric consequence of stroke, affecting cognitive function, recovery of somatic function, and patient survival. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether Chaihu-Shugan-San, a traditional Chinese medicine formula used clinically to treat depression, could improve symptoms in a rat model for PSD, to investigate the potential mechanisms, and to validate the findings in an in vitro oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD) model. Male rats were subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) and to chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS). The rats were then allocated to experimental groups (n = 15) that were treated with Chaihu-Shugan-San, a JAK-STAT3 inhibitor, a GSK3β overexpressing virus, or an empty virus (control). The subjects allocated to each group, as well as those that received no treatment and rats that did not undergo MCAO/CUMS, were then subjected to forced swimming, tail suspension, and sugar water preference tests, and their neurological deficit score was determined. Inflammatory factor levels and the expression of proteins related to the JAK/STAT3-GSK3β/PTEN/Akt pathway were measured, and the synaptic ultrastructure was observed using transmission electron microscopy. Flow cytometry showed microglia polarization towards the M1 phenotype in an in vitro PSD model, which was reversed after treatment with a GSK3β overexpression virus, Chaihu-Shugan-San, or a JAK-STAT3 inhibitor. The results showed that Chaihu-Shugan-San has a therapeutic effect on an in vivo model for PSD and can regulate microglia polarization through the activation of the JAK/STAT3-GSK3β/PTEN/Akt pathway, suggesting that it exerts its effect via the inhibition of neuroinflammation. [Display omitted] • Post-stroke depression (PSD) is a common neuropsychiatric consequence of stroke. • We used both an in vivo and an in vitro model to evaluate potential therapies for PSD. • Chaihu-Shugan-San, a traditional Chinese medicine formula, improved PSD symptoms. • This effect involved the activation of the JAK/STAT3-GSK3β/PTEN/Akt pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tooth root supports dental crown and bears occlusal force. While proper root shape and size render the force being evenly delivered and dispersed into jawbone. Yet it remains unclear what shape and size of a biological tooth root (bio-root), which is mostly determined by the scaffold geometric design, is suitable for stress distributing and mastication performing. Therefore, this study hypothesized scaffold fabricated in proper shape and size is better for regeneration of tooth root with approving biomechanical functional features. In this study, we optimized shape and size of scaffolds for bio-root regeneration using computer aided design (CAD) modeling and finite element analysis (FEA). Statical structural analysis showed the total deformation (TD) and equivalent von-mises stress (EQV) of the restored tooth model mainly concentrated on the scaffold and the post, in accordance with the condition in a natural post restored tooth. Design sensitivity analysis showed increasing the height and upper diameter of the scaffold can tremendously reduce the TD and EQV of the model, while increasing the bottom diameter of scaffold can, to some extent, reduce the EQV in post. However, increase on post height had little influence on the whole model, only slightly increased the native EQV stress in post. Through response surface based optimization, we successfully screened out the optimal shape of the scaffold used in tissue engineering of tooth root. The optimal scaffold adopted a slightly tapered shape with the upper diameter of 4.9 mm, bottom diameter of 3.4 mm; the length of the optimized scaffold shape was 9.4 mm. While the analysis also suggested a height of about 9 mm for a metal post with a diameter of 1.4 mm suitable for crown restoration in bio-root regeneration. In order to validate the physiological function of the shape optimized scaffold in vivo , we transplanted the shape optimized treated dentin matrix (TDM) scaffold, seeding with dental stem cells, into alveolar bone of swine and further installed porcelain crown. Results showed that tooth root has not only been successfully regenerated histologically but also performed masticatory function and maintained stable for three months after crown restoration. Our results suggested that TDM scaffold with 9.4 mm in length and 4.9 mm/3.4 mm in upper/bottom diameter is a suitable biological scaffold for tooth root regeneration. These results also provided a recommendable design protocol for fabricating other scaffolds in tooth root reconstruction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oxy-coal combustion produces a combustion environment that contains large amounts of CO 2 , H 2 O compared to conventional air combustion. Silica (SiO 2 ) is a major component of the mineral impurities in coal and the vaporization of silicon containing species controls the initial phase of formation of ultrafine particulate matter (ultrafine PM) via vaporization–condensation mechanism. To investigate the vaporization behavior of silica in wet recycle oxy-coal combustion conditions, synthetic chars with SiO 2 inclusions were burned at 1873 K in the O 2 /CO 2 /H 2 O environments with steam of up to 10 vol.%. Experiments were carried out with a high temperature drop tube furnace (HDTF) system and ultrafine PM was collected with a low pressure impactor (LPI). Meanwhile, modeling work was carried out for further investigation of the effect of H 2 O on the vaporization of silica. The improved model was developed based on a model built in conventional air combustion conditions and verified by the experiment. The results indicate that, under the wet recycle oxy-coal combustion conditions, H 2 O in combustion atmosphere significantly enhanced the vaporization of SiO 2 and considerably increased the yield of the ultrafine PM. The variation of char combustion characteristics such as burning temperature and gas properties surrounding the mineral inclusions caused by H 2 O seemed to be the primary cause. Especially, effect of H 2 inside the char particle cannot be ignored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influence of blueberry anthocyanins-enriched extracts (BAE) on cyclophosphamide (CTX)-induced lung damage was investigated. BAE (20 and 80 mg/kg/d) were orally dosed to rats 7 d both before and after CTX administration (100 mg/kg, intraperitoneal injection, single dose). The results showed CTX treatment induced obvious pathological pulmonary injury with raised injury score and lung/body weight ratio. In CTX group, the activity of lysosomal proteases, lung permeability and the number of neutrophil infiltrates all elevated. On the other hand, claudin-4 and zonula occluden-1 protein levels decreased. And also changes of oxidative stress and inflammatory cytokines parameters together with nuclear factor-κB activation were shown. Improvement of all above-mentioned physiological and biochemical parameters was exhibited in BAE groups, with a dose-dependent manner. In conclusion, BAE attenuate the CTX-induced lung toxicity, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory characteristics are involved in the protective mechanism of BAE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Phoxim exposure resulted in decrease of the cocooning rate of B. mori. [•] TiO2 NPs could increase the cocooning rate of B. mori under phoxim toxicity. [•] Phoxim exposure damaged silk gland and decreased Fib-L, Ser2, Ser3, and P25 expressions. [•] TiO2 NPs could relieve silk gland damage and increase Fib-L, Ser2, Ser3, and P25 expressions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Highlights: [•] The sodium aluminosilicate plays an important role in PM2.5 reduction by kaolin. [•] The capability of kaolin to reduce PM2.5 depends on the sodium occurrence in coals. [•] The effect of kaolin on PM2.5 reduction becomes weaker during O2/CO2 combustion. [•] Particle collision may be taken into consideration for PM2.5 reduction. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Highlights: [•] Exposure to lanthanides impaired renal function in mice. [•] Exposure to lanthanides induced cell necrosis in kidney. [•] Exposure to lanthanides promoted ROS accumulation in kidney. [•] Exposure to lanthanides caused the reduction of antioxidant capacity in kidney. [•] The order of kidney damages was Ce exposure>Nd exposure>La exposure. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Numerous studies have demonstrated that the brain is one of the target organs in acute or chronic titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles (NPs) toxicity, and oxidative stress plays an important role in this process. However, whether brain oxidative injury responds to TiO2 NPs by activating the P38-nuclear factor-E2-related factor-2 (Nrf-2) pathway is not fully understood. The present study aimed to examine activation of the P38-Nrf-2 signaling pathway associated with oxidative stress in the mouse brain induced by intranasal administration of TiO2 NPs for 90 consecutive days. Our findings indicate that TiO2 NPs caused overproliferation of spongiocytes and hemorrhage in the mouse brain. Furthermore, TiO2 NPs significantly activated p38, c-Jun N-terminal kinase, nuclear factor kappa B, Nrf-2 and heme oxygenase-1 expression in the brain, which in turn, led to increased production of reactive oxygen species, as well as lipid, protein and DNA peroxidation. These findings suggest that TiO2 NPs-induced oxidative damage in the mouse brain may occur via the p38-Nrf-2 signaling pathway. Therefore, application of TiO2 NPs in the environment should be performed with caution. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: An essential aspect of tooth tissue engineering is the identification of suitable scaffolding materials to support cell growth and tissue regeneration. Treated dentin matrix (TDM) from a rat has recently been shown to be a suitable scaffold for rat dentin regeneration. However, due to species-specific differences, it remains unclear whether a similar fabrication method can be extended to human TDM and human dentin regeneration. Therefore, this present study explored the biological response to a human TDM (hTDM) created using a modified dentin treatment method. Various biological characteristics, including cell proliferation, cell migration, cell viability, and cytotoxity were investigated. To assess the inductive capacity of hTDM, dental follicle cells (DFCs) were combined with hTDM and were implanted in vivo for 8 weeks in a mouse model. The resulting grafts were studied histologically. The results showed hTDM released dentinogenic factors, indicating that hTDM could play a sustained role in odontogenesis. DFC attachment, growth, viability, and cytotoxicity on the surface of hTDM showed a notable improvement over those on calcium phosphate controls. Most importantly, in vivo hTDM induced and supported regeneration of complete dentin tissues, which expressed dentin markers DSP and DMP-1. As cells in and around the regenerated dentin were positive for human mitochondria, implanted DFCs and hTDM were responsible for the regenerated dentin tissues. In conclusion, hTDM is indicated as an ideal biomaterial for human dentin regeneration. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Lithium dendrite growth has long been regarded as the main obstacle for the practical usage of lithium metal battery. In this paper, we heat-treat the copper collector at a low temperature to prepare a Cu x O (x = 1–2)/Cu composite electrode. The samples heat-treated at 250 °C are mainly composed of Cu 2 O confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis, which has the best wettability with propylene carbonate (PC)-based electrolyte. The as-prepared Li–Cu cell (composite electrode) can run more than 150 cycles. However, boric acid additive can prolong the cycle number of Li–Cu cell to more than 300 cycles at a current density of 0.5 mA cm−2 with a Coulombic efficiency larger than 85%. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) image shows that the Cu 2 O/Cu composite electrode with boric acid additive in the electrolyte can inhibit the formation of lithium dendrite on the surface of the electrode, and a uniform and dense nano-columnar lithium layer can be obtained even at 5 mA cm−2. The synergistic effect is attributed to the improved interfacial properties for Cu 2 O/Cu composite collectors when boric acid (BA) is used as additives. Image 1 • A simple method was used to prepare the composite collector of Cu 2 O. • The collaboration of Cu 2 O with boric acid can inhibit lithium dendrite in 5 mA cm−2. • The synergistic effect prolongs the half-cell life with higher coulombic efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Danhong injection (DHI) treatment enhanced angiogenesis after myocardial infarction (MI). • DHI upregulated miR-126 expression in hypoxic endothelial cells and post-infarct hearts. • DHI enhanced the post-infarct angiogenesis after MI by activating the miR-126/ERK/VEGF pathway. Danhong injection (DHI) is a Chinese drug used for relieving cardiovascular diseases. This study aimed to identify the effect and mechanism of action of DHI on post-infarct angiogenesis, especially the epigenetic regulation of angiogenesis. A myocardial infarction (MI) mouse model was induced by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery. A 4-week daily treatment with or without DHI via intraperitoneal injection was started immediately following MI. The changes in cardiac function, pathology, and angiogenesis following MI were measured by echocardiography and immunostaining. Matrigel tube formation and scratch wound assays were used to evaluate the effect of DHI on the proliferation and migration of hypoxic human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). The expression of miR-126, Spred-1, and angiogenesis-related mRNAs was measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The expression of related proteins and the phosphorylated levels of extracellular signal–regulated kinase (ERK) and protein kinase B were detected by Western blot analysis. The loss-of-function study was performed using antagomir-126. The DHI-treated mice had significantly reduced infarct area, improved ejection fraction, and increased capillary density 4 weeks after MI. Also, DHI promoted the proliferation and migration of hypoxic HUVECs. The qRT-PCR and Western blot analysis revealed that DHI intervention upregulated miR-126, suppressed Spred-1 expression, and activated the ERK pathway, but not the Akt pathway. The loss-of-function study showed the blockade of the pro-angiogenic effect of DHI by antagomir-126 involving the ERK/vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) pathway. DHI enhanced post-infarct angiogenesis after MI by activating the miR-126/ERK/VEGF pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]