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• The full-length cDNA sequences of ClJHAMT and ClJHE were obtained. • Juvenile hormone could regulate the reproduction of Cyrtorhinus lividipennis. • Imidacloprid induced the reproduction of C. lividipennis via juvenile hormone. • The finding could improve the integration of C. lividipennis and insecticides. The Hemipteran predator, Cyrtorhinus lividipennis , feeds on the eggs and nymphs of rice planthoppers and leafhoppers. We previously demonstrated that sublethal concentrations of imidacloprid stimulated the reproduction of C. lividipennis. Considering the essential roles of juvenile hormone (JH) in insect reproduction, we speculated that sublethal concentrations of imidacloprid may stimulate the reproduction of C. lividipennis by regulating JH level. To test this, we cloned C. lividipennis JH acid methyl transferase (ClJHAMT) and JH esterase (ClJHE), which are responsible for JH biosynthesis and degradation genes, respectively. We then knocked down ClJHAMT by injecting dsRNA into C. lividipennis nymphs and found that emerging female adults exhibited 88.8% lower expression of the vitellogenin gene (ClVg) and the number of eggs was reduced by 41.5% as compared with controls. Silencing ClJHE increased ClVg mRNA expression by 275.0% but did not affect fecundity. A sublethal concentration of imidacloprid (LC 20) increased the JH titer in females by 35.3% and 60.6% at 24 and 48 h post-emergence, respectively. In treatments containing both imidacloprid and dsJHAMT, the silencing of CLJHAMT reduced the number of eggs produced by adult females by 21.4% as compared to the control (imidacloprid + dsGFP). Our results indicated that sublethal concentration of imidacloprid may induce C. lividipennis reproduction by upregulating JH level via JHAMT. The finding could provide valuable information for improved integration of C. lividipennis and insecticides in pest management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) has become a worldwide health problem, leading to high morbidity and mortality, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is considered a risk factor for CKD. The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between NAFLD fibrosis score (NFS) and the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and identify possible risk factors related to the NFS among Taiwanese subjects. Subjects were enrolled from the database of the Department of Preventive Medicine of Kaohsiung Municipal Hsiao-Kang Hospital. The eGFR was calculated according to the Taiwanese Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (TMDRD) equation, and the NFS was employed to evaluate the fibrotic level. In total, 11,376 subjects were enrolled in this study, with a mean age of 52.0 ± 6.81 years, including 4529 (39.8%) males. A fasting sugar level ≥100 mg/dL (OR = 1.70, 95% CI = 1.52–1.87) and an abnormal waist circumference (OR = 1.81, 95% CI = 1.65–1.99) were significant factors associated with NFS (p < 0.05). Trends of a decreasing TMDRD score and an increasing NFS with increasing age were noted (p < 0.05). The NFS was significantly negatively correlated with the TMDRD score (standard coefficients: −0.067, p < 0.001). A higher NFS is associated with an impaired eGFR in Taiwanese subjects. Controlling risk factors, especially fasting sugar level and waist circumference, may be useful in preventing NFS deterioration, which is negatively correlated with the eGFR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Chronic stress can provoke depressive-like behaviors through activation of inflammation and apoptosis, leading to a reduction of neurons. Antidepressant therapy may contribute to inhibiting inflammation responses and have neuroprotective effects. Baicalin (BA) has an antidepressant effect in the chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) animal model and exerts anti-inflammation, anti-apoptosis, as well as neuroprotective effects in many central nervous system (CNS)-related diseases. But the effects of BA on neuroprotection, apoptosis, and neuroinflammation and the potential mechanisms in depression are unclear. Here, we focused on examining the therapeutic effects of BA in CUMS-induced depression rats and investigating the molecular mechanisms. Results showed that administration of BA improved depressive-like behaviors and significantly increased the levels of doublecortin (DCX), Neuron-specific enolase (NSE), and Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in hippocampus. Furthermore, administration of BA increased the cell survival by reducing the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) and increasing the level of superoxide dismutase (SOD). Finally, administration of BA significantly decreased CUMS-induced apoptosis and inflammatory cytokines (caspase-1 and IL-1β) in hippocampus. These responses were mediated by Glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK3) β/Nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB)/Nucleotide-binding domain, leucine-rich repeat, pyrin domain containing protein 3 (NLRP3) signal pathway. Taken together, these results indicate that BA could promote neuronal maturation and rescue neurons from apoptosis via inhibiting activation of GSK3β/NF-κB/NLRP3 signal pathway that is known to be associated with inflammation, thus exerting neuroprotective effects and preventing CUMS-induced depressive-like behaviors. Highlights • CUMS procedure was used to establish a rat depression model. • Administration of BA improved the depressive-like behaviors. • Administration of BA protected hippocampal neurons. • Administration of BA decreased apoptosis and protected cells from oxidative stress. • BA ameliorated CUMS-induced neuroinflammation via inhibiting activation of GSK3β/NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electric power systems maintain system security by keeping instantaneous reserves that can substitute for a credible loss of generation. Instantaneous reserves are fast responding generators that maintain electric power system frequency immediately following a sudden mismatch between generation and load, and these are an indispensable system security tool. These are typically offered by partially or unloaded generators which are already synchronised to the AC network. The reserve requirement constrains generator operation, and reduces system flexibility and efficiency. These are important issues in a renewables-based power system. A compressed air energy storage and hydraulic actuation system is proposed to provide instantaneous reserves without constraining existing generators. By rapidly accelerating and synchronising a generator to the AC grid through a pressurised hydraulic drive, the cost of running unloaded or under-loaded spinning generators can be eliminated. This paper presents a novel hydraulic actuation system which is capable of achieving simultaneous frequency and phase matching between the power system and a 100 kW generator within 1 s. The hydraulic drive system, instrumentation, and the nonlinear controller design are described. In simulations, successful synchronisation is achieved under a wide range of system uncertainties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several γ-glutamyl compounds are known to have attractive features for food industry applications. In this study, we report a straightforward procedure for the biocatalytic synthesis of γ-glutamyl-phenylalanine (γ-Glu-Phe) using recombinant Bacillus licheniformis γ-glutamyltranspeptidase ( Bl GGT). The qualitative analysis of reaction products was carried out by thin-layer chromatography technique and computer-assisted image analysis. The optimized conditions for the biocatalytic process were pH 9.0, 50 °C, l -glutamine and l -phenylalanine in a 1:1 ratio, and Bl GGT at a working concentration of 2.0 U/ml. Preparative synthesis of γ-Glu-Phe was also performed at mmol scale. The desired product from the reaction mixture was then verified by mass spectrometry/nuclear magnetic resonance analyses. Strikingly, the experimental results suggest the high potentiality of Bl GGT-catalyzed reaction in the enzymatic synthesis of γ-glutamyl peptides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Cockayne syndrome (MIM #133540, Cockayne syndrome B; 216400, Cockayne syndrome A) is a rare autosomal recessive inherited disease in which the characteristic symptoms are premature aging, cachectic dwarfism, lack of subcutaneous fat, neurological alterations, light sensitivity, and failure to thrive. The mutated gene responsible for this syndrome has been identified as usually either CSA ( CKN1 , ERCC8 ) or CSB ( ERCC6 ). In this study, we describe the case of a 7-year-old Chinese boy with characteristic symptoms of Cockayne syndrome A and the conduction of mutation screening of the CSA gene. Methods The patient was diagnosed with Cockayne syndrome in the pediatrics clinic for growth failure and developmental delay. We collected peripheral blood samples of the patient and his parents and then extracted the genomic DNA. DNA samples from control subjects and the patient were subjected to polymerase chain reaction amplification. All exons and the flanking intron-exon boundaries of CSA were amplified; then, the polymerase chain reaction products were directly sequenced for mutation screening. Results Two novel heterozygous CSA mutations, c.551-2A>C and c.394_398delTTACA, were identified in the patient. The c.551-2A>C mutation originates from his father and changed the splice acceptor site AG to CG, thus possibly causing alternative splicing. The c.394_398delTTACA from his mother caused a frameshift after the amino acid at position 132, thus introducing a premature stop codon in the gene sequence. Conclusions These mutations extend the mutation spectrum of Cockayne syndrome in the context of Chinese race and provide possibilities of prenatal diagnosis for future offsprings in this family. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the practical application of Bacillus licheniformis γ-glutamyltranspeptidase ( Bl GGT), we describe a straightforward enzymatic synthesis of γ-L-glutamyl- S -allyl-L-cysteine (GSAC), a naturally occurring organosulfur compound found in garlic, based on a transpeptidation reaction involving glutamine as the γ-glutamyl donor and S -allyl-L-cysteine as the acceptor. With the help of thin layer chromatography technique and computer-assisted image analysis, we performed the quantitative determination of GSAC. The optimum conditions for a biocatalyzed synthesis of GSAC were 200 mM glutamine, 200 mM S -allyl-L-cysteine, 50 mM Tris–HCl buffer (pH 9.0), and Bl GGT at a final concentration of 1.0 U/mL. After a 15-h incubation of the reaction mixture at 60 °C, the GSAC yield for the free and immobilized enzymes was 19.3% and 18.3%, respectively. The enzymatic synthesis of GSAC was repeated under optimal conditions at 1-mmol preparative level. The reaction products together with the commercially available GSAC were further subjected to an ESI-MS/MS analysis. A significant signal with m / z of 291.1 and the protonated fragments at m / z of 73.0, 130.1, 145.0, and 162.1 were observed in the positive ESI-MS/MS spectrum, which is consistent with those of the standard compound. These results confirm the successful synthesis of GSAC from glutamine and S -allyl-L-cysteine by Bl GGT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Berberine (BBR) is one of the main constituents in Rhizoma coptidis and it has widely been used for the treatment of diabetic nephropathy. The aims of the study were to investigate the effects and mechanism of action of berberine on renal damage in diabetic rats. Diabetes and hyperglycaemia were induced in rats by a high-fat diet and intraperitoneal injection of 40mg/kg streptozotocin (STZ). Rats were randomly divided into 5 groups, such as i) control rats, ii) untreated diabetic rats iii) 250mg/kg metformin-treated, iv and v) 100 and 200mg/kg berberine-treated diabetic rats and treated separately for 8 weeks. The fasting blood glucose, insulin, total cholesterol, triglyceride, glycosylated hemoglobin were measured in rats. Kidneys were isolated at the end of the treatment for histology, Western blot analysis and estimation of malonaldehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and renal advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs). The results revealed that berberine significantly decreased fasting blood glucose, insulin levels, total cholesterol, triglyceride levels, urinary protein excretion, serum creatinine (Scr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) in diabetic rats. The histological examinations revealed amelioration of diabetes-induced glomerular pathological changes following treatment with berberine. In addition, the protein expressions of nephrin and podocin were significantly increased. It seems likely that in rats berberine exerts an ameliorative effect on renal damage in diabetes induced by high-fat diet and streptozotocin. The possible mechanisms for the renoprotective effects of berberine may be related to inhibition of glycosylation and improvement of antioxidation that in turn upregulate the expressions of renal nephrin and podocin. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Purpose: The etiology and mechanism of nasal polyps are still not well known. A newly discovered transcriptional factor, hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF), is a DNA-binding protein. Hypoxia-inducible factor is demonstrated to associate with various neoplasms. We investigate the expression of HIF-1alpha protein in nasal polyps compared with inferior turbinate mucosa, further examining the correlation to the computed tomography (CT) scoring and duration of symptoms with HIF-1alpha expression. Materials and Methods: Surgical specimens of polyps from 38 patients undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery had immunohistochemical staining for HIF-1alpha and vascular endothelial growth factor. Thirty-six patients who had undergone septomeatoplasty were collected as a control group. The severity of the disease was judged by the Lund-Mackay scoring system by CT scanning. Result: The expression of HIF-1alpha and vascular endothelial growth factor were significantly increased in nasal polyps than in the control group. No correlation was found between the severity of CT scan and duration of symptoms to the HIF-1alpha expression. Conclusion: We suggest that HIF-1alpha may play a role in the pathogenesis of nasal polyps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A series of novel metallo-polymers containing light-emitting poly(fluorene/ethynylene/(terpyridyl)zinc(II)) backbones and electron-transporting 1,3,4-oxadiazole (OXD) pendants (attached to the C-9 position of fluorene by long alkyl spacers) were synthesized by self-assembled reactions. The integrated ratios of 1H NMR spectra reveal a facile result to distinguish the well-defined main-chain metallo-polymeric structures which were constructed by different monomer ligand systems (i.e. single, double, and triple monomer ligands with various pendants). Furthermore, UV–vis and photoluminescence (PL) spectral titration experiments were carried out to verify the metallo-polymeric structures by varying the molar ratios of zinc(II) ions to monomers. As a result, the enhancement of thermal stability (T d) and quantum yields were introduced by the metallo-polymerization, and their physical properties were mainly affected by the nature of the pendants. The photophysical properties of these metallo-polymers exhibited blue PL emissions (around 418nm) with quantum yields of 34–53% (in DMF). In contrast to metallo-polymers containing alkyl pendants, the quantum yields were greatly enhanced by introducing 1,3,4-OXD pendants but reduced by carbazole (CAZ) pendants. Moreover, electroluminescent (EL) devices with these light-emitting metallo-polymers as emitters showed green EL emissions (around 550nm) with turn-on voltages of 6.0–6.5V, maximum efficiencies of 1.05–1.35cdA−1 (at 100mA/cm−2), and maximum luminances of 2313–3550cd/m2 (around 15V), respectively. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

As handheld electronic products move toward smaller and thinner form factor, the demand of high reliability under stringent field usage also increasing. Drop test, based on the JEDEC JESD22-B111A, accompanied with temperature cycling (TC) test, based on JEDEC JESD22-A104F, are two of the most critical board-level reliability tests for handheld makers. In terms of solder joint reliability (SJR), total 7 candidates of LF35-liked lead-free solder alloys are investigated for its drop performance, and TC reliability evaluation. Among 7 solders, leg 4 and 5 exhibit both decent drop and TC behavior, which are likely owing to the silver (Ag) precipitation hardening and bismuth (Bi) solid solution hardening effect respectively. In addition, the shearing mechanical characterization of 7 solder alloys are being studied. Shear strength of leg 4 and 5 shows higher strength value than others. In terms of failure analysis under drop test, three main fracture modes are observed, including via cracking at PCB side, solder/intermetallic compound (IMC) cracking at package side, and Cu trace broken at package side. Furthermore, in terms of failure modes of TC test, solder/IMC cracking at package side are the main fracture modes. In summary, this study provides an overall reliability performance mapping for 7 solders, and list out a table comprising of shear strength, void% analysis, TC reliability, and drop reliability performance for each LF35 solders which lays out potential future solder alloy to meet higher handheld phone drop reliability margin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water electrolysis, a pivotal process for the production of green hydrogen, is a crucial step toward realizing the hydrogen economy. To advance its industrialization, it is essential to develop a highly efficient and economical catalyst along with a low-resistance electrolyzers. In pursuit of this goal, we synthesize a cost-effective iron-doped nickel phosphide electrocatalyst through a hydrothermal synthesis followed by post-phosphorization process. This catalyst exhibits exceptional performance, with an overpotential at 10 mA cm-2 (η 10) of 216 mV for oxygen evolution reaction, the rate-determining step for water electrolysis. It overperforms the that of pristine nickel phosphide (NiPx, η 10 = 284 mV). Operando X-ray absorption spectroscopy reveals the robust nature of the iron-doped nickel phosphide catalyst during water electrolysis, in stark contrast to the pristine nickel phosphide, which undergoes oxidation, thereby impacting overall catalytic activity. When integrated into a membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) system, our iron-doped nickel phosphide displays voltages of 1.51 V at 10 mA cm-2 (EE = 81.5%) and 1.66 V at 100 mA cm-2 (EE = 76.4%) without iR-correction. Moreover, it achieves a current density of 345 mA cm-2 at an applied voltage of 2 V without iR-correction, meeting industrial criteria. These findings underscore the superior catalytic activity of the robust phosphide phase for water electrolysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Though previous studies have documented various clinical outcomes after cervical arthroplasty for degenerative cervical disc disease, none of them reported the impact of cervical arthroplasty on severe cervical disc degeneration (CDD). This retrospective cohort study included severe 40 CDD (C3-C7) patients who underwent single-level cervical arthroplasty using ProDisc-C between January 2017 and December 2019. After surgical intervention, the range of motion (ROM) was determined, whereas clinical outcomes were measured in terms of the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Neck Disability Index (NDI) to evaluate neck pain and disability, respectively. Compared to the mean preoperative ROM (6.57 ± 4.85°), the cervical dynamic ROM was increased 3 months after cervical arthroplasty, and the increment was maintained for at least 1 year. The increased ROM is attributed to the extension and not flexion components. The mean preoperative ROM of 6.57 ± 4.85° significantly increased to 11.67 ± 4.98° (P = 0.0005), 10.05 ± 5.18° (P = 0.0426) and 10.46 ± 4.73° (P = 0.0247) after 3 months, 6 months and 1 year, respectively. The extension ROM also revealed a similar trend. VAS for neck and arm decreased from 7.4 and 6.6 to 1.4 and 1.2, respectively. Consistently, the preoperative mean Neck Disability Index (NDI) score of 27.6 decreased to 14.6. We recorded a case of device subsidence, but without extrusion. Cervical arthroplasty can improve clinical outcomes and restore ROM in severe CDD patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Limited data support the notion that lipid ratios are risk factors for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We evaluated the association between lipid ratios and NAFLD. Methods This was a large population, cross-sectional, retrospective study. Data on NAFLD severity, blood pressure, fasting glucose, total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels were obtained from 44,767 examinees at single health checkup center. The enrollees were stratified into four subgroups based on their TC/HDL-C and TG/HDL-C ratios. We used multivariate analyses to evaluate the odds between lipid ratios and NAFLD. Results The prevalence rate of fatty liver in this study was 53.76%. In the baseline subgroup with the lowest TC/HDL-C and TG/HDL-C ratios, the prevalence of NAFLD, hypertension, and diabetes was lower than that of the other three subgroups. Patients with higher lipid ratios had a significantly greater risk for advanced NAFLD. Conclusions Adults with high TC/HDL-C or TG/HDL-C ratios, or both, have a greater risk for NAFLD, especially advanced NAFLD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The oligomeric states of Bacillus licheniformis and Escherichia coli γ-glutamyltranspeptidases (BlGGT and EcGGT) in solution have been investigated by analytical ultracentrifugation. The results showed that BlGGT has a sedimentation coefficient of 5.12S, which can be transformed into an experimental molecular mass of approximately 62,680Da. The monomeric conformation is conserved in EcGGT. SDS-PAGE analysis and cross-linking studies further proved that the autocatalytically processed BlGGT and EcGGT form a heterodimeric association. Unfolding analyses using circular dichroism and tryptophan emission fluorescence revealed that these two proteins had a different sensitivity towards temperature- and guanidine hydrochloride (GdnHCl)-induced denaturation. BlGGT and EcGGT had a T m value of 59.5 and 49.2°C, respectively, and thermal unfolding of both proteins was found to be highly irreversible. Chemical unfolding of BlGGT was independent to the pH value ranging from 5 to 10, whereas the pH environment was found to significantly influence the GdnHCl-induced denaturation of EcGGT. Both enzymes did not reactivate from the completely unfolded states, accessible at 6M GdnHCl. BlGGT was active in the presence of 4M NaCl, whereas the activity of EcGGT was significantly decreased at the high-salt condition. Taken together, these findings suggest that the biophysical properties of the homologous GGTs from two mesophilic sources are quite different. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]