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Background and Purpose Experimental Approach Key Results Conclusion and Implications Tolerance to the analgesic effects of opioids and resultant dose escalation is associated with worsening of side effects and greater addiction risk. Here, we compare the development of tolerance to the conventional opioid fentanyl with a novel pH‐sensitive μ‐opioid receptor (MOR) agonist, (±)‐N‐(3‐fluoro‐1‐phenethylpiperidine‐4‐yl)‐N‐phenyl propionamide (NFEPP) that is active only in acidic inflammatory microenvironments.An opioid tolerance model was developed in male C57BL/6 mice, with and without dextran sulphate sodium colitis, using increasing doses of either fentanyl or NFEPP over 5 days. Visceral nociception was assessed in vivo by measuring visceromotor responses (VMRs) to noxious colorectal distensions and in vitro measuring colonic afferent nerve activity of mesenteric nerves and performing patch‐clamp recordings from isolated dorsal root ganglia neurons. Somatic thermal nociception was tested using a tail immersion assay. Cardiorespiratory effects were analysed by pulse oximeter experiments.VMRs and tail immersion tests demonstrated tolerance to fentanyl, but not to NFEPP in colitis mice. Cross‐tolerance also occurred to fentanyl, but not to NFEPP. The MOR agonist DAMGO inhibited colonic afferent nerve activity in colitis mice exposed to chronic NFEPP, but not those from fentanyl‐treated mice. Similarly, in patch‐clamp recordings from isolated dorsal root ganglia neurons, DAMGO inhibited neurons from NFEPP‐, but not fentanyl‐treated mice.NFEPP did not exhibit tolerance in an inflammatory pain model, unlike fentanyl. Consequently, dose escalation to maintain analgesia during an evolving inflammation could be avoided, mitigating the potential risk of side effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since concrete is exposed to chemical, mechanical, or physical deteriorating effects simultaneously or successively under environmental conditions, this study focused on the durability of geopolymer concretes containing ground blast furnace slag (GGBFS) and fly ash (FA) under the effects of sulfate and salt after elevated temperatures. For this aim, five FA‐based geopolymer concrete mixtures with different GGBFS contents were produced and cured at 90°C for 72 h. First, the produced samples were exposed to 200, 400, 600, and 800°C for 2 h. Then, the samples were put into 5% sodium sulfate (Na2SO4) and 5% sodium chloride (NaCl) solutions for 30 days. The impacts of elevated temperature + Na2SO4 and elevated temperature + NaCl on geopolymer concrete were investigated by compressive strength, mass loss, visual examination, capillary water absorption, x‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR). As a result, although cracking or strength decreases in concrete have been observed after only elevated temperatures, it has exhibited significant resistance to the integrated deterioration influences, has not disintegrated, and maintained its integrity under appropriate mix design and curing conditions. Shortly, the results demonstrated the ability of geopolymer concrete subjected to elevated temperatures with acceptable strength and durability under chemical effects, even if left for a short time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Characterization of crystallization processes in situ is of great importance to furthering knowledge of how nucleation and growth processes direct the assembly of organic and inorganic materials in solution and, critically, understanding the influence that these processes have on the final physico‐chemical properties of the resulting solid form. With careful specification and design, as demonstrated here, it is now possible to bring combined X‐ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy, coupled to a range of fully integrated segmented and continuous flow platforms, to the laboratory environment for in situ data acquisition for timescales of the order of seconds. The facility used here (Flow‐Xl) houses a diffractometer with a micro‐focus Cu Kα rotating anode X‐ray source and a 2D hybrid photon‐counting detector, together with a Raman spectrometer with 532 and 785 nm lasers. An overview of the diffractometer and spectrometer setup is given, and current sample environments for flow crystallization are described. Commissioning experiments highlight the sensitivity of the two instruments for time‐resolved in situ data collection of samples in flow. Finally, an example case study to monitor the batch crystallization of sodium sulfate from aqueous solution, by tracking both the solute and solution phase species as a function of time, highlights the applicability of such measurements in determining the kinetics associated with crystallization processes. This work illustrates that the Flow‐Xl facility provides high‐resolution time‐resolved in situ structural phase information through diffraction data together with molecular‐scale solution data through spectroscopy, which allows crystallization mechanisms and their associated kinetics to be analysed in a laboratory setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sintering dust is a typical refractory secondary iron resource. A technology‐based utilization of sintering dust as iron carbide by applying chlorination, carburization, and magnetic separation is proposed. Under optimized conditions, an electric furnace burden comprised of 83.51% Fe and 6.52% C and with a corresponding iron recovery rate of 81.21% is prepared. Meanwhile, 96.97% Pb can be removed by chlorination and magnetic separation. Furthermore, the separation mechanism is revealed using scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray powder diffraction, and optical microscopy. The results show that sodium sulfate can promote the carburizing efficiency of sintering dust, strengthen the growth of iron carbide particles, and improve the embedding relationship between iron carbide and gangue minerals, which significantly promotes the separation efficiency. The study demonstrates that the preparation of iron carbide from sintering dust using the proposed technology is a feasible method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Unbalanced gut microbiota is considered to cause dysfunction of the gut barrier function. Lactobacillus johnsonii MG, isolated from mouse feces as gut associating lactobacilli, enhanced gut barrier function in Caco‐2 cells via interaction with JAM‐2 in tight junctions. In this study, the anti‐inflammatory effects of L. johnsonii MG were investigated in a colitis mouse model developed by treating mice with 3% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) for 9 days. Results: MG treatment of colitis mice resulted in fast recovery of the body weight and showed significant improvement in the disease activity index and histopathological scores. The histomorphological score increased by DSS treatment was significantly improved in the MG‐treated group. In the intestine, the expression of Ocln, Zo1, Itga6, Lama3, and Jam2 genes, which are involved in tight junction functions, were significantly upregulated in MG‐treated colitis mice. In the microflora analysis, the abundance of Ruminococcaceae, Bacteroides, and Lachnospiraceae were reduced in DSS‐treated mice and recovered by MG treatment. Conclusion: We reported the potential of L. johnsonii MG in the regeneration of crypts and integrity of matrix proteins in the gut of mice with colitis through its association with tight junctions. The experimental results provide new insights into the probiotic effect of tight junction associating L. johnsonii MG. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our newly developed menthyl esters of valine and isoleucine exhibit anti‐inflammatory properties beyond those of the well‐known menthol in macrophages stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and in a mouse model of colitis induced by sodium dextran sulfate. Unlike menthol, which acts primarily through the cold‐sensitive TRPM8 channel, these menthyl esters displayed unique mechanisms that operate independently of this receptor. They readily penetrated target cells and efficiently suppressed LPS‐stimulated tumour necrosis factor‐alpha (Tnf) expression mediated by liver X receptor (LXR), a key nuclear receptor that regulates intracellular cholesterol and lipid balance. The menthyl esters showed affinity for LXR and enhanced the transcriptional activity through their non‐competitive and potentially synergistic agonistic effect. This effect can be attributed to the crucial involvement of SCD1, an enzyme regulated by LXR, which is central to lipid metabolism and plays a key role in the anti‐inflammatory response. In addition, we discovered that the menthyl esters showed remarkable efficacy in suppressing adipogenesis in 3T3‐L1 adipocytes at the mitotic clonal expansion stage in an LXR‐independent manner as well as in mice subjected to diet‐induced obesity. These multiple capabilities of our compounds establish them as formidable allies in the fight against inflammation and obesity, paving the way for a range of potential therapeutic applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Esomeprazole (ESO) is one of the proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) that is commonly used to treat extreme acidity and gastrointestinal irritation. Since it is used at a high rate, it is now classified as a pollutant of emerging concern (CEC). ESO gravely jeopardizes the health of living beings because it persists in water and wastewater sources even after standard treatment. Studies on the effective removal of PPIs, especially ESO, are scarce. In the current study, esomeprazole is disintegrated in water using electrochemical oxidation (EO). Titanium cathode with sodium sulfate electrolyte and carbon coated titanium (C/Ti) anode were used to apply EO. Through optimization studies utilizing COD measurement, it was discovered that 93% of the COD could be removed at pH 3, 60 mM sodium sulfate concentration, 300 min treatment period, and 115 mA cm−2 current density. Whereas TOC research revealed only 44% mineralization, HPLC‐PDA experiments revealed 100% ESO transformation. High resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) studies were used to propose a degradation mechanism and pathway. The primary processes of degradation included desulfurization, thioperoxole group formation, sulfinyl benzimidazole group breakage, and demethylation. More than 20 reuses of the anode and cathode materials were possible without significantly lowering their oxidation efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the role of mechano-regulated proteins YAP and TAZ in promoting gut regeneration in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The study found that alterations in mechanotransduction can impact gut regeneration, with mechano-stimulatory drugs aiding regeneration and low mechanical treatments exacerbating gut injury. The researchers also identified the importance of smooth muscle cells' WNT4 in gut regeneration and the role of YAP/TAZ in regulating WNT4 levels. The study suggests that mechanotransduction promotes gut regeneration through the YAP/TAZ-WNT4 signaling axis. [Extracted from the article]

In this work, porous poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) hydrogels with different pore sizes were fabricated using inorganic non‐metallic porogens by an environmentally friendly method, providing a potential solution for the field of wastewater treatment. PVA hydrogels have gained much attention in the field of wastewater treatment due to their excellent adsorption performance and porous network structure. However, the employment of inorganic non‐metallic salts as porogens for PVA hydrogels has received limited attention so far. In this study, porous PVA hydrogels were prepared by freeze‐thawing and freeze‐drying with sodium sulfate (Na2SO4) and calcium carbonate (CaCO3) as porogens. PVA‐Na exhibited denser network structure with the concentration of Na2SO4 solution increased, and the tensile stress was enhanced by about 45 times. Meanwhile, the tensile stress of PVA‐Ca was improved significantly from 0.06 to 1.67 MPa, and the network structure became looser after adding CaCO3. Moreover, a comprehensive investigation was conducted on the adsorption performance of porous PVA hydrogel for Congo red (CR). Finally, five adsorption models were fitted to investigate the adsorption mechanism of porous PVA hydrogels, in which the maximum adsorption capacity of CR by PVA‐Na‐0.5 was predicted to be 215 mg/g by the Langmuir isothermal model fitting. Highlights: The structure of PVA hydrogels was adjusted by Na2SO4 and CaCO3, respectively.The tensile stress of PVA‐Na with dense network structure increased 45 times.Compared to PVA‐FD, swelling equilibrium time of PVA‐Na reduced from 24 to 6 h.Equilibrium swelling rate of PVA‐Ca declined by half in comparison to PVA‐FD.Langmuir isothermal model predicted qmax of 215 mg/g for CR by PVA‐Na‐0.5. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drag reducers are indispensable components of slickwater fracturing fluids and play a pivotal role in the reconstitution of unconventional oil and gas reservoirs. Water‐in‐water emulsion (W/W) drag reducers have garnered significant attention owing to their rapid dissolution and environmentally benign properties. The solubility and viscosity enhancing ability of W/W drag reducers were further enhanced by synthesizing a novel W/W drag reducer through dispersion polymerization, thereby meeting the requirements of real‐time mixed fracturing construction technology. The solubility, viscosity enhancement, and synthesis state of the synthetic drag reducer were employed as evaluation criteria, whereby the synthetic systems underwent screening and optimization of the synthesis conditions. The final synthetic conditions were determined as follows: the monomer (AM and DMC) had a total mass concentration of 25 wt%, with an AM to DMC molar ratio of 95:5. The dispersion medium (sodium sulfate and sodium chloride) had a total mass concentration of 12 wt%, with a sodium sulfate to sodium chloride mass ratio of 1:2. The dispersion stabilizer PVP K60 had a mass concentration of 7 wt%. The initiator had a total mass concentration of 0.05 wt%, with an ammonium persulfate to sodium bisulfite mass ratio of 1:1. The reaction was conducted at 35°C and a stirring speed of 500 r min−1 for a duration of 8 h. The successful synthesis of the polymer was demonstrated using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Environmental scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy have characterized that the drag reducer has good viscosity enhancement potential. The performance evaluation results show that the solid content of drag reducer was 32.68%, and the residue content was 11.70 mg L−1. The viscosity enhancement rate of 1.3 wt% drag reducer was 93.7%. The dissolution time of 0.1 wt% drag reducer was only 25 s. The drag‐reduction rate of drag reducer reached 73.52%. Experimental results have proved that the drag reducer has the advantages of instant solubility, appreciable viscosity enhancement and drag‐reduction efficiency, fully meeting the real‐time mixing fracturing construction conditions, improving construction efficiency, and reducing construction costs. We expect that this study can broaden the application of W/W drag reducers in unconventional reservoir and provide a theoretical basis for field applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diallyl trisulfide (DATS), a sulphur‐containing compound isolated from the medicinal food plant garlic, has been previously reported to attenuate experimental colitis induced by either dextran sodium sulphate (DSS) or 2,4,6‐trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS) in mice; however, the underlying mechanism remains to be identified. In this study, we deciphered the key mechanism by which DATS alleviates ulcerative colitis (UC). We showed that oral administration of DATS for 10 consecutive days greatly restrained the infiltration of macrophages and the pathological changes in colonic tissues of mice with DSS‐induced colitis. DATS treatment notably dampened the content of IL‐1β and IL‐18 and suppressed NLRP3 inflammasome activation in colon. Mechanistically, DATS effectively diminished the generation of ROS in macrophages. The suppressive effect of DATS on the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome and downregulation of IL‐18 and IL‐1β levels was blunted by xanthine oxidase. Further studies revealed that DATS inhibited NF‐κB pathway activation by suppressing the expression of Trx‐1, thereby inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Trx‐1 overexpression and interference in macrophages promoted and diminished NLRP3 inflammasome activation, respectively. In summary, garlic and its main active ingredient DATS have potentials to prevent and treat UC, and DATS functions by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation via Trx‐1/ROS pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the encapsulation and controlled release of perfume within micellar systems. We explored how perfume‐surfactant interactions and micelle structure influence fragrance delivery. Two mixed‐micelle systems, one with branched‐tail and the other with linear‐tail surfactants, were subjected to varying perfume concentrations, dilution, and time. Using small‐angle neutron scattering (SANS), gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC‐MS), and statistical analysis, we determined that micelle size and shape are significantly affected by perfume content and dilution. While both systems exhibited similar trends, the branched‐tail system uniquely formed a lamellar phase at higher perfume levels. Our findings reveal a strong correlation between micelle geometry and headspace perfume concentration, highlighting the role of surfactant tail structure. This research provides fundamental insights into perfume‐micelle interactions, with potential applications in materials science and active ingredient delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Owing to the diverse biological application, photophysical behaviour of Hoechst 33258 (H33258) is an important topic in biophysical research. Here, we have reported the photophysical behavior of H33258 in model biomembrane mimicking micellar microenvironment. In order to understand the molecular mechanism of the interaction of H33258 with micelles, we have used cationic (Hexadecetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB)), anionic (sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS)), and non‐ionic (t‐octylphenoxypolyoxyethanol, Triton‐X100 (TX 100)) micelles. From the steady‐state emission study the evaluated apparent binding constant (Kb) values for the complex formation between H33258 and CTAB, SDS and TX 100 micelle were (1.45±0.42)×105, (31.95±4.89)×105 and (3.10±0.73)×105 M−1, respectively. Thus, it was found that the Kb value was greater in the case of anionic micelle than non‐ionic and cationic micelles. Such differences in Kb values were due to the electrostatic interaction and hydrogen bond formation between the probe molecule and micelles. In addition, time‐resolved fluorescence decay and time‐resolved fluorescence anisotropy studies were performed to understand the dynamical behavior of H33258 in presence of micelles. The interaction of H33258 with micelles might be useful to study the structure and dynamics of different bio‐membranes and to formulate new drug delivery system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The quaternary ammonium complex of (2‐(methylthio)indeno[1,2,3‐gh]phenanthridin‐1‐yl)(phenyl)methanone (QAC) has been employed as a new and simple fluorescence sensor for detection of the anionic surfactant; sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS), through fluorescence light‐up. The generation of electrostatic interaction and associated intermolecular arrangement between the probe and anionic surfactant is responsible for the fluorescence enhancement and subsequent selectivity towards the anionic surfactant. Concurrently, the probe was unaltered by the presence of cationic and non‐ionic systems. Utilizing this property, we were able to construct a facile and efficient method for the detection of anionic surfactants, featuring LOD values up to 1.1 μM concentrations in dimethylsulfoxide solvent. The light‐up detection was also confirmed via lifetime studies, with superior increments in average lifetime decay values (0.33–2.7 ns). The practical/real‐time applications of probe QAC as a sensor have also been investigated and successfully demonstrated via its ability to detect anionic surfactants from commercially available home usage products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of Green banana (GB) starch in prebiotic foods to address health problems such as diabetes. It is modified by phosphate cross‐linking to increase the resistant starch content, improve functional properties, and reduce digestible starch consumption. The starch is modified using a mixture of sodium trimetaphosphate (STMP) and sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP) with 6 to 12 wt%ratios in the presence of sodium sulfate. The results showed an increase in phosphorus content from 0.18% to 0.45% corresponding to the increase in sodium trimetaphosphate/sodium tripolyphosphate ratios. Resistant starch reached 60 wt% after increasing the concentration of phosphate agent above 10 wt% and rapidly digestible starch decreased significantly. Accordingly, the physicochemical properties of starch changed significantly. Phosphate cross‐linking led to disruption of the crystalline structure of starch granules and fragmentation, reducing enthalpy and increasing gelatinization temperature. The oil and water absorption and freeze‐thaw stability of treated starch increased. While water absorption and solubility index of starch decreased significantly as the result of phosphate cross‐linking. Modified starch is used for the production of rice noodles. From 10 to 30 wt% of 10P modified starch mixed, cooking fracture rate is not more than 10% and resistant starch content is over 41 wt%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lop Nur is located at the eastmost end of the Tarim Basin in Xinjiang, Northwestern China. This study reviews the hydrochemical characteristics and evolution of underground brine in Lop Nur, based on analytical data from 429 water samples (mainly brine). It is found that in the NE–SW direction, from the periphery to the Luobei sub‐depression, while the hydrochemical type varies from the sodium sulfate subtype (S) to the magnesium sulfate subtype (M), the corresponding brine in the phase diagram transfers from the thenardite phase (Then) area, through the bloedite phase (Blo), epsomite phase (Eps), picromerite phase (Picro), finally reaching the sylvite phase (Syl) area. As for the degree of evolution, the sequence is the periphery < Luobei horizontally and the overlying glauberite brine < the underlying clastic brine vertically. It is concluded that the oxygen and hydrogen isotopic compositions of the brine have evidently been affected through the effects of evaporation and altitude, as well as the changes in local water circulation in recent years. Boron and chloride isotopic compositions show that the glauberite brine is formed under more arid conditions than the clastic one. The strontium isotopic composition indicates that the Lop Nur brine primarily originates from surface water; however, deep recharge may also be involved in the evolution of the brine, according to previous noble gas studies. It is confirmed that the brine in Lop Nur has become enriched with potassium prior to halite precipitation over the full course of the salt lake's evolution. Based on chemical compositions of brine from drillhole LDK01 and previous lithological studies, the evolution of the salt lake can be divided into three stages and it is inferred that the brine in Lop Nur may have undergone at least two significant concentration‐dilution periods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The practical application of a sulphur black dye relies on its ability to dye cotton fibres with pure black colour and maintain the colour with high light fastness. Here, we report a synthesis method to prepare a novel water‐soluble reactive sulphur black dye. The approach involves the reduction of CI Sulphur Black 1 to its leuco form and subsequent reaction with a water‐soluble intermediate containing reactive groups synthesised from amino acid and cyanuric chloride. The optimal carboxyl and reactive group content of the water‐soluble reactive sulphur black dye is 141 mmol/100 g, and the water solubility can reach 92 g/L. The fixation of the reactive sulphur black dye on cotton reaches 89% in a pad dyeing process without using sodium sulphate. The reactive sulphur black dye can achieve a light fastness of grade 6‐7, a dry rub fastness of grade 4 and a wet rub fastness of grade 2, comparable or higher than the conventional CI Sulphur Black 1. The dyeing results showed that the novel water‐soluble reactive sulphur black dye has excellent performance and good application prospects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Engineered cementitious composites (ECC) are a class of high‐performing fibre‐reinforced cementitious materials recognised for their increased ductility and durability compared to conventional cement‐based materials, owing to their autogenously controlled tight crack widths, even when subjected to high strains. To reduce ECC's environmental impact, this research examines the use of a low‐clinker binder − limestone‐calcined clay cement (LC3) − as an alternative to portland cement (PC), along with fly ash to further reduce the clinker proportion and the embodied CO2 of the formulations. In conventional concrete, LC3 hydrates to a denser microstructure resulting from the synergistic reaction between limestone and calcined clay. At the lower water contents typical of ECC and with the presence of fly ash, the influence of the binder composition on the microstructure is difficult to anticipate. To examine the influence of these compositional variables on microstructure, permeability and durability, the sulphate resistance of LC3‐based ECC is explored. Specifically, the ECC‐LC3 blends are designed with high clinker replacement rate of 75% by mass of binder and contain either conventional fly ash or reclaimed fly ash at 50% by mass of binder. Expansion of ECC‐LC3 samples subjected to standard sodium sulphate test conditions was measured up to 12 months and the depth of penetration of sulphates into the ECC‐LC3 of varying compositions was quantified using micro‐X‐Ray Fluorescence (microXRF) imaging and modelling. The expansion results show that the ECC‐LC3 formulations performed better than the PC samples and can provide adequate resistance to external sulphate attack, even when reclaimed fly ashes are used in place of the conventional ash. In addition, the shallow penetration of sulphate into these cementitious composites demonstrates the low diffusion coefficients values that were determined using the quantitative data from MicroXRF imaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mineral crude drug has revolutionized the treatment landscape in precision oncology niche that leads to the improvement in therapeutic efficiency on various tumor subtypes. Mangxiao (MX), a mineral crude drug in traditional Chinese medicine, has been used for treating gastrointestinal diseases for thousands of years. However, the action mechanisms are still ambiguous. Here, we attempt to explore inhibitory roles and associated pharmacological mechanisms of MX upon colorectal cancer (CRC) in APCMin/+ male mice by integrating metabolomics, 16S rDNA sequencing analyses, and metagenomic‐based microbiota analysis. We found that MX can significantly inhibit the occurrence of CRC through the regulation of the dysregulated gut microbe metabolism. Furthermore, the correlation analysis of metabolomes and 16S rDNA revealed that MX could restore the disorders of gut microbes by specifically enriching the abundance of Lactobacilli to improve bile acid metabolism, which further activated the farnesoid X receptor (FXR) in CRC mice, then the improvement of gut dysbiosis could inhibit the development of CRC. Collectively, our effort confirmed MX has the capacity to intervene the development of CRC and further discovered that it targets Lactobacillus–bile acid–intestinal FXR axis, which can be regarded as a candidate medicine for future drug discovery and development against CRC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a complex inflammatory disease of colorectum that induces abnormal immune responses and severely affects the quality of life of the patients. Grape seed proanthocyanidin extract (GSPE) exerts anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant functions in many inflammatory diseases. The objective of this study was to investigate the potential therapeutic effects and underlying mechanisms of GSPE in UC using a dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)‐induced mouse UC model and a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐stimulated RAW264.7 macrophage model. In this study, we found that the GSPE markedly prevented DSS‐induced weight loss and colon length shortening in UC mice. Further investigations showed that GSPE significantly attenuated the expression of pro‐inflammatory cytokines TNF‐α, IL‐6, and IL‐1β, and elevated the expression of anti‐inflammatory cytokine IL‐10 in the colon tissues and serum of DSS‐induced colitis mice by suppressing NF‐κB signaling pathway. Furthermore, LPS‐induced inflammation in RAW264.7 cells was also reversed by GSPE. Taken together, our results confirm that GSPE can ameliorate inflammatory response in experimental colitis via inhibiting NF‐κB signaling pathway. This study advances the research progress on a potentially effective therapeutic strategy for inflammatory bowel diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a significant global health concern. The gut microbiota plays an essential role in the onset and development of IBD. Sanghuangporus (SH), a traditional Chinese medicinal mushroom, has excellent anti‐inflammatory effects and is effective at modulating the gut microbiota. Despite these attributes, the specific anticolitic effects of SH and the mechanisms through which the gut microbiota mediates its benefits remain unclear. Herein, we demonstrated that polyphenol‐rich extract from SH effectively alleviated the pathological symptoms of dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)‐induced colitis in mice by modulating the gut microbiota. Treatment with SH distinctly enriched Alistipes, especially Alistipes onderdonkii, and its metabolite 5‐hydroxyindole‐3‐acetic acid (5HIAA). Oral gavage of live A. onderdonkii or 5HIAA potently mitigated DSS‐induced colitis in mice. Moreover, both 5HIAA and SH significantly activated the aromatic hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), and the administration of an AhR antagonist abrogated their protective effects against colitis. These results underscore the potent efficacy of SH in diminishing DSS‐induced colitis through the promotion of A. onderdonkii and 5HIAA, ultimately activating AhR signaling. This study unveils potential avenues for developing therapeutic strategies for colitis based on the interplay between SH and the gut microbiota. Highlights: Sanghuangporus (SH) polyphenol extract potently alleviated symptoms of colon colitis in dextran sodium sulfate‐induced colitis mice.The gut microbiota especially Alistipes onderdonkii mediates the anticolitic effect of SH.The SH‐enriched microbial metabolite 5‐hydroxyindole‐3‐acetic acid exhibited an anticolitic effect via the activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor.The "gut microbiota‐metabolites‐signaling pathway" provides an effective perspective for the study of complex Chinese medicine systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Stressed, damaged or very aged skin is predominantly characterized by a malfunctioning skin barrier. Underlying skin barrier malfunction is a reduced or defective calcium gradient in the epidermis. Consequently, replenishing the compromised skin's calcium stores with topical calcium could be a potential therapeutic approach. Methods: We investigated the effect of our novel Ca2+ double cone vector system on improving the differentiation and barrier function of reconstructed human epidermis (RHE), cultured at low basal calcium (0.3 mM) to represent very aged skin. Furthermore, in a randomized placebo‐controlled clinical study the skin barrier of 20 healthy volunteers was challenged with 2% sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) for 24 h under occlusion, following and/or prior to treatment with a gel containing 2% of our calcium vector system. Results: Culture in reduced basal calcium conditions (0.3 mM) strongly impeded the formation of a dense stratified epidermis. The apical treatment with 1.1 mM CaCl2 was not able to restore a functional differentiation. Treatment with 0.1% of the Ca2+ delivery system rescued the differentiation process and resulted in a normal stratified epidermis. Clinically, application of the Ca2+ vector system prior to and following SLS stress prevented increases in skin irritation and transepidermal water loss (TEWL) compared to placebo controls. Importantly, the treatment also significantly accelerated the recovery time following SLS stress. Conclusion: With our novel Ca2+ vector system, we highlight the delivery of bioavailable Ca2+ ions into the skin as a new and successful approach to treat a damaged barrier present in stressed, aged or atopic skin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bay laurel (Laurus nobilis L.) contains active antioxidative phenolic components that are beneficial to human health. However, none was examined and reported utilizing health effects related to inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) mainly ulcerative colitis (UC) in correlation to gut microbiota (GM). Thus, the current study aimed to investigate the impacts of bay leaves on UC albino rats targeting on the GM composition and their metabolites production (i.e., short‐chain fatty acids; SCFAs) for improving the gut barrier functions. UC models were induced by supplementing 5% DSS into their drinking water. The models were then divided randomly for the diet with 1%, 2%, and 3% of bay leaves, as well as two control studies (positive and negative). Colon‐to‐body weight ratio was used as an indicator for the presence of edema tissue. From the collected fecal samples at 0, 24 h, and final day, the population changes of gut microbiota (Lactobacillus, Bifidobacteria, Clostridium, and sulfate‐reducing bacteria) and SCFAs production were evaluated using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and gas–liquid chromatography (GC). The colon‐to‐body weight ratio of the rat models consuming 2% and 3% bay leaves was found to be significantly lower with better recovery of colonic function. Models consuming 3% bay leaves showed the best treatment effects on GM compositions; promoting the growth of Bifidobacteria and Lactobacillus in addition to producing high butyric acid levels. Meanwhile, the number of Clostridium and SRB was significantly reduced. Conclusively, consuming bay leaves brought significant colon health benefits other than stimulating appetite for a better taste. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: It is known that heparinoid, a mucopolysaccharide polysulfate, is effective in improving rough skin and promoting blood circulation as medicines for diseased areas. However, heparinoid has a molecular weight of more than 5000 and cannot penetrate healthy stratum corneum. Objective: We tested the efficacy of sulfated oligosaccharides with a molecular weight of less than 2000 on the human skin barrier function and moisturizing function. Methods: We measured the transepidermal water loss (TEWL) of a three‐dimensional human epidermis model cultured for 3 days after topical application of sulfated oligosaccharides, then observed the effects on TEWL suppression. The mRNA levels of proteins involved in intercellular lipid transport and storage in the stratum corneum, and moisture retention were measured using RT‐qPCR. Results: An increase in the mRNA levels of the ATP‐binding cassette subfamily A member 12 (ABCA12), which transports lipids into stratum granulosum, was confirmed. Increases were also observed in the mRNA levels of filaggrin (FLG), which is involved in the generation of natural moisturizing factors, and of caspase‐14, calpain‐1 and bleomycin hydrolase, which are involved in the degradation of FLG. Antibody staining confirmed that the application of sodium trehalose sulfate to 3D model skin resulted in more ABCA12, ceramide, transglutaminase1, and FLG than those in controls. In a randomized, placebo‐controlled, double‐blind study, participants with low stratum corneum water content applied a lotion and emulsion containing sodium trehalose sulfate to their faces for 4 weeks. Sodium trehalose sulfate decreased the TEWL and increased the stratum corneum water content. Conclusion: These results suggest that cosmetics containing sodium trehalose sulfate act on the epidermis by increasing barrier factors and moisturizing factors, thereby ameliorating dry skin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel quaternary copolymer of AA/AM/AOS/C16‐DMAAC was synthesized with acrylic acid (AA), acrylamide (AM), sodium α‐alkenyl‐sulfonate (AOS), and dimethyl‐hexadecyl‐allyl‐ammonium chloride (C16‐DMAAC), using ammonium persulfate and sodium bisulfate (NH4)2S2O8‐NaHSO3) as initiators. The structure of AA/AM/AOS/C16‐DMAAC was characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance hydrogen spectroscopy. It can be found that the thickening capacity, shearing resistance, temperature‐resistance, salt‐resistance, and emulsification properties of AA/AM/AOS/C16‐DMAAC were superior to those of most widely and cost‐effective partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide (HPAM) solution at the same concentration. Specifically, the viscosity retention rate of AA/AM/AOS/C16‐DMAAC (3000 mg/L) solution was 86%, which was better than that of HPAM solution (52%) after 30 s of mechanical shearing at 28000 r/min. In addition, the enhanced oil recovery of AA/AM/AOS/C16‐DMAAC solution was 16% at 65 °C, which was about 1.5 times higher than that of HPAM solution (11%). Significantly, successful synthesis of zwitterionic quaternary copolymer emphasizes the importance of a systematic approach to designing appropriate copolymers for enhanced oil recovery. Highlights: A novel zwitterionic quaternary copolymer of AA/AM/AOS/C16‐DMAAC was successfully synthesized.The performance on thickening capacity, shearing resistance, temperature‐resistance, salt‐resistance, and emulsification properties of AA/AM/AOS/C16‐DMAAC was superior to that of the most widely used partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide (HPAM).The enhanced oil recovery of AA/AM/AOS/C16‐DMAAC (16%) was about 1.5 times higher than that of HPAM (11%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have previously reported the first formal hydroamination of enamines for the synthesis of chiral 1,2‐diamines. Here, we describe: (i) the discovery, optimization, and substrate expansion of this reaction; (ii) a novel and straightforward protocol for the "click‐type" synthesis of enamines in quantitative yield utilizing sodium sulfate in a dual role as an ancillary and dehydrating agent without the need for workup or purification; (iii) the application of this methodology to the first enantioselective synthesis of orthogonally protected 1,1′‐(1‐(4‐fluorophenyl)ethane‐1,2‐diyl) piperazines, a scaffold for rapid lead optimization in drug discovery; (iv) a computational investigation into the mechanism and rationalization of the enantioselectivities of the reaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interaction study between sulfanilamide (SM) and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) in an aqueous environment has been conducted using electrical conductivity, emission, and absorption spectroscopy techniques. Conductivity measurements were performed over the temperature range of (288.15 to 318.15) K and SM concentrations ranging from (c=0.005 to 0.03) mol ⋅ L−1. Thermodynamic parameters: Gibbs free energy (ΔGom), enthalpy (ΔHom), and entropy (ΔSom) associated with micellization have been calculated. To further investigate the interactions between (SM and SDS), the absorption and emission spectroscopy were employed at premicellar concentrations of SDS. Resulting SM‐SDS conjugate was then utilized to examine its interaction behavior with electrolytes and vitamins commonly found in biofluids namely chlorides and sulfates of sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium, along with L‐ascorbic acid (LAA) and nicotinic acid (NA). Moreover, SM drug has been transformed into its nanoaggregates (SMNA). These nanoaggregates have been characterized using dynamic light scattering (DLS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Interactions between SMNA‐SDS conjugates were also studied in the presence of the above‐mentioned electrolytes and vitamins. The findings of this study have been interpreted within the context of the interactions occurring in the solution phase. This research provides valuable insights into the complicated interactions between SM, SDS, electrolytes, and vitamins in aqueous system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the context of climate change, high temperature is one of the main abiotic stresses hampering durum wheat production. Through the characterization of an international panel of 271 genotypes, this study investigates the effects of heat stress on quality traits and identifies which glutenins (Glu‐1, Glu‐2 and Glu‐3 loci) alleles are the most important to obtain high gluten strength under optimal and high temperature conditions. In parallel with the wide variability observed in the panel, the genotype and environmental effects, including their interaction, showed highly significant effect on test weight, thousand kernel weight, grain protein content (GPC), sodium dodecyl sulphate sedimentation volume (SDSS) and SDSS index. Only one genotype maintained test weight and thousand kernel weight under heat‐stress conditions whereas for GPC, SDSS and SDSS index, most genotypes increased values. All Glu loci had significant effects on grain protein content (with the exception of Glu‐B2), SDSS and SDSS Index. None of the Glu loci interacted with the environment or years under study. Among the identified alleles, Glu‐A1b, Glu‐B1an, Glu‐B1a, Glu‐B2a, Glu‐A3a.x, Glu‐A3d, Glu‐B3a and Glu‐B3ax (including the LMW‐2 pattern) were associated with high values for SDSS and SDSS Index. Genotypes identified in this study, with good performances under optimal and high temperature growing conditions, could be useful for breeding programs. The non‐interaction of the Glu loci with the environment facilitates the introgression of desired alleles regardless of high growing temperatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronically relapsing inflammatory disease with severe diarrhea, fatigue and weight loss. α‐Lipoic acid (LA), a well‐known antioxidant, is able to scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS) and maintain a healthy cellular redox state. However, the role of LA in protecting IBD is still unclear. Hence the aim of this research was to investigate the protective effect of LA on dextran sulfate sodium salt‐induced ulcerative colitis (UC) and its underlying mechanism. RESULTS: Here, our findings showed that LA significantly alleviated UC symptoms and the overproduction of pro‐inflammatory cytokines in UC mice. In addition, LA treatment inhibited intestinal cell apoptosis by regulating the expression levels of p53/caspase‐3 pathway‐related protein in UC mice. Meanwhile, the inhibitory effects of LA on colonic oxidative stress and ferroptosis were revealed. Our study further demonstrated that LA treatment could regulate the Kelch‐like ECH‐associating protein 1 (Keap1)–nuclear factor E2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling pathway. Interestingly, we confirmed that LA inhibited ferroptosis by attenuating endoplasmic reticulum stress and suppressing apoptosis in erastin‐induced ferroptosis model in vitro. CONCLUSION: Taken together, this study's findings suggest that LA could be considered as a therapeutic agent protecting against IBD. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The stability of polymer composite can be enhanced by altering the structure of the functionalised material with surface modifiers, such as silane coupling agents, organic modifiers, surfactants and others. Surfactant has emerged as a potential modifier since it is eco‐friendly and simple. In this study, the surface of functionalised silica (SiO2) was modified using sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) in a polyacrylamide (PAM) composite. Characterisation of the drilling fluid was examined through Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, surface tension, contact angle and rheological tests. According to the results, FTIR proved that the modification of PAM was successful. However, all modified PAM showed more hydrophilic properties with low surface tension than bare PAM. The rheological properties of all the modified PAM were varied over all the concentrations of SDS. Meanwhile, the rheological properties of the modified PAM were better than that of bare PAM. Due to the synergistic effect between the surfactant and functionalised material involved, the drilling fluid achieved low plastic viscosity in modified PAM. With a flat gel strength and better rheological properties, 0.2 wt% SDS in modified PAM is a great and promising formula in this study. In the future, further investigation can be conducted on bored pile drilling using this formulation. Highlights: Role of sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) in silica (SiO2)/polyacrylamide (PAM) composite.Synthesis of bare PAM and modified PAM doped with various concentrations of SDS.Effect of SDS on the surface properties of SiO2/PAM composite.Effect of SDS on the rheological behaviour of SiO2/PAM composite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A low‐cost plasma‐chemical hybrid process (PCHP) is proposed for simultaneous NOx and SOx treatment. PCHP can be integrated into existing desulfurization reactors by combining plasma oxidation and chemical reduction. PCHP is applied to glass melting furnace emissions with limited denitration technology, achieving higher removal efficiencies of NO, NOx, and SO2 (43%, 38%, and 28%, respectively) by optimizing reductant spray and installation angles. PCHP also improves fuel consumption, with a 0.04 increase in air ratio reducing energy consumption by 3.6 kL/day (equivalent to 6.6 t(CO2)/day reduction). In addition, PCHP allows for the collection and reuse of treated SO2 as sodium sulfate particles, making it a suitable aftertreatment technology for glass manufacturing exhaust. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The excessive use of plastic packaging, even though it is possible to recycle it, is one of the main causes of global warming. In this study, dissolvable shower gel tablets for multiple uses have been developed in order to reduce the use of fresh plastic packaging. Methods: The appropriate ratio of two surfactants, cocoyl glutamic acid (CGA) and sodium coco sulphate (SCS), was optimized using design of experiments. Additionally, skin hydration of the emollient either omega oil or glycerine was taken into account when determining its concentration. After that, powdered shower gel formulations were made and tested for their properties, including cleaning power, and foamability. On 30 human volunteers, the effects of reconstituted shower gel on skin redness, cleaning effectiveness and overall satisfaction were evaluated. Results: The study found that, when cleaning power and foam height were taken into account, the proper surfactant ratio was 7.5:0 (SCS:CGA). The 5% glycerine shower gel formula demonstrated significantly greater skin hydration than other formulas. The in vivo study's findings demonstrated that there was no statistically significant difference between selected formulas (5% glycerine and 2.5% omega oil) in terms of cleaning ability. Comparing both formulas to the control, neither showed any skin redness. Additionally, it was discovered that the developed products were much more effective at cleaning and easier to use when washing for the volunteers than regular liquid soap. Overall satisfaction and the moisturizing feel were not significantly different among all products. Conclusion: The formula with 7.5% SCS and 5% glycerine is said to be the best one for both cleaning ability and moisturizing effect. These findings suggest that dissolvable shower gel tablets with enhanced skin benefits could offer a promising innovation in the personal care industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Low‐volume bowel preparation solutions, including 1‐L polyethylene glycol plus ascorbate (PEG‐A), have been developed to improve tolerability. The oral sodium sulfate tablet (OST) is a new agent with simethicone as a preloaded component. We investigated the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of OST compared to 1‐L PEG‐A. Methods: A single‐center, prospective, controlled study was performed with randomization into the OST (group A) and 1‐L PEG‐A (group B) groups. Bowel preparation efficacy was assessed on the Boston Bowel Preparation Scale (BBPS) and Bubble Scale. Safety and tolerability were evaluated using a questionnaire and laboratory examination. Results: Final analysis was performed on 171 patients (group A: 87, group B: 84). The proportion of bowel preparation success (BBPS ≥ 2 for each colonic segment) in group A was not inferior compared to group B (95.4% vs 96.4%, P = 0.736, 1‐sided 97.5% lower confidence limit −7.0%). The adenoma detection rate was not different (59.6% vs 41.9%; P = 0.087). The bubble scale was better in group A (0.2 ± 0.9 vs 1.9 ± 1.7, P < 0.001). All adverse events were mild in both groups. Nausea was less frequent in group A (14.9% vs 38.1%, P = 0.001). Overall satisfaction was better in group A (8.1 ± 2.1 vs 6.4 ± 2.8, P < 0.001). No clinically significant laboratory abnormality developed in both groups. These findings were similarly shown in old patients ≥65 years. Conclusions: Both OST and 1‐L PEG‐A were efficacious, safe, and tolerable for bowel preparation of colonoscopy. The OST showed fewer bubbles and slightly better tolerability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: 5‐hydroxytryptamine 4 receptors (5‐HT4Rs) are expressed in the colonic epithelium, and previous studies have demonstrated that luminal administration of agonists enhances motility, suppresses nociception, and is protective in models of inflammation. We investigated whether stimulation with a luminally acting 5‐HT4R agonist is comparable to previously tested absorbable compounds. Methods: The dextran sodium sulfate (DSS), trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS), and interleukin 10 knockout (IL‐10KO) models of colitis were used to test the protective effects of the luminally acting 5‐HT4R agonist, 5HT4‐LA1, in the absence and presence of a 5‐HT4R antagonist. The compounds were delivered by enema to mice either before (prevention) or after (recovery) the onset of active colitis. Outcome measure included disease activity index (DAI) and histological evaluation of colon tissue, and effects on wound healing and fecal water content were also assessed. Key Results: Daily enema of 5HT4‐LA1 attenuated the development of, and accelerated recovery from, active colitis. Enema administration of 5HT4‐LA1 did not attenuate the development of colitis in 5‐HT4R knockout mice. Stimulation of 5‐HT4Rs with 5HT4‐LA1 increased Caco‐2 cell migration (accelerated wound healing). Daily administration of 5HT4‐LA1 did not increase fecal water content in active colitis. Conclusions and Inferences: Luminally restricted 5‐HT4R agonists are comparable to absorbable compounds in attenuating and accelerating recovery from active colitis. Luminally acting 5‐HT4R agonists may be useful as an adjuvant to current inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) treatments to enhance epithelial healing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC) is still an intractable medical problem. Polysaccharides are promising candidates for the treatment of UC and have received widespread attention in recent years. The objective of this study was to explore the protective effect and underlying mechanism of dandelion polysaccharide (DP) on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)‐induced colitis in mice. Our results showed that oral administration of DP could dramatically alleviate colonic lesions, as evidenced by reduced DAI scores, shortening of colon length, and ameliorating pathologic abnormalities in colons. Additionally, the expressions of pro‐inflammatory factors (TNF‐α, IL‐1β, and IL‐6) and the infiltration of inflammation‐regulation cells, marked by myeloperoxidase and F4/80, were also inhibited after DP treatment. Moreover, DP treatment also markedly suppressed the nuclear translocation of NF‐κB‐p65 and the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome. Furthermore, DP also activated the Nrf2/HO‐1 pathway and reduced the oxidative stress induced by DSS. Overall, these results suggest that DP could be a promising novel therapeutic approach for the treatment of UC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, we described local aldosterone production in the murine large intestine. Upregulated local aldosterone synthesis in different tissues has been linked with inflammatory conditions, which have been attenuated by the aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2) inhibitor, fadrozole (FAD286). Therefore, we investigated the effect of inhibition of intestinal aldosterone synthesis on the development of intestinal inflammation. Sprague‐Dawley rats were administered 5% (v/w) dextran sodium sulphate (DSS) for 7 days with or without daily FAD286 (30 mg/kg/d) subcutaneous injections on 3 days before, during and one day after DSS. Tissue aldosterone concentrations were evaluated by ELISA, CYP11B2 by Western blot and RT‐qPCR. FAD286 halved adrenal aldosterone production but, intriguingly, increased the colonic aldosterone concentration. The lack of inhibitory effect of FAD286 in the colon might have been affected by the smaller size of colonic vs. adrenal CYP11B2, as seen in Western blot. When combined with DSS, FAD286 aggravated the macroscopic and histological signs of intestinal inflammation, lowered the animals' body weight gain and increased the incidence of gastrointestinal bleeding and the permeability to iohexol in comparison to DSS‐animals. To conclude, FAD286 exerted harmful effects during intestinal inflammation. Local intestinal aldosterone did not seem to play any role in the inflammatory pathogenesis occurring in the intestine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Watermelon frost, a traditional Chinese medicine produced using watermelon and Glauber's salt, has been widely used for the therapy of oral and throat disorders. Watermelon contains various phytochemical compounds including cucurbitacins and their glycoside derivatives, which have attracted considerable attention because of their medicinal values. However, whether the composition of cucurbitacins existed in watermelon frost was rarely reported. In this study, three cucurbitacins including cucurbitacin B, isocucurbitacin B, and cucurbitacin E were found from watermelon frost extract assisted by ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry and molecular networking guided strategy, and the compounds were verified using standard solutions. Furthermore, a quantification method for simultaneously targeted analysis of cucurbitacins was established using ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry operating in the multiple reaction monitoring mode. Among them, cucurbitacin B and cucurbitacin E in watermelon frost samples were determined, and the concentrations were 3.78 ± 0.18 and 0.86 ± 0.19 ng/ml, respectively. While isocucurbitacin B was not detected due to the lower content possibly. In conclusion, ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry combined with molecular networking is a very useful technique for the rapid identification of unknown cucurbitacin components in watermelon frost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We aim to investigate the therapeutic effect of dauricine on ulcerative colitis (UC). Our results indicated that dauricine attenuated the reduction of colonic length, weight loss, disease activity index, colonic tissue damage, and inflammatory cytokine levels in dextran sulfate sodium mice. In addition, dauricine reduced lipopolysaccharide‐induced inflammation in HT‐29 cells. Mechanically, dauricine docked with p65, a member of nuclear transcription factor kappaB (NF‐κB) family, through which reduced the inflammatory cytokine release from HT‐29 cells. Together, the above results inferred that dauricine had therapeutic effect for UC by suppressing NF‐κB pathway, which provided a promising mean for UC treatment. Significance statement: Dauricine has been reported to exert anti‐inflammatory actions against diverse human diseases, including lung injury, focal cerebral ischemia, and neuroinflammation. Nuclear transcription factor kappaB (NF‐κB) was a key signaling pathway for many drugs for therapy of ulcerative colitis (UC), such as shaoyao, srtemisinin analogue SM934, and so forth. Herein, we investigated if dauricine ameliorated UC through regulating NF‐κB signaling pathway, which will provide preclinical data for the use of dauricine in treating UC in the clinic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Banxia Xiexin decoction (BXD), a traditional Chinese medicine, was widely used in treating ulcerative colitis (UC). However, the active components of BXD and its mechanism in UC remain elusive. Therefore, we used network pharmacology in vivo experiments, molecular docking, and surface plasmon resonance strategy (SPR) to uncover BXD's potential mechanism. A UC rat model was established by orally administering 7% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) in drinking water, BXD and palmatine were orally administered for 7 days. Network pharmacology was used to investigate the main bioactive components and crucial targets of BXD in treating UC. Molecular docking was used to investigate interactions between components and crucial targets, verifying the results by SPR. By network pharmacology predicting, 20 active components and 44 candidate anti‐UC targets of BXD were identified, and the crucial proteins were screeded from PPI network, including extracellular regulated protein kinases (ERK), AKT1, and tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF). In addition, some key active components (palmatine, sexangularetin, and skullcapflavone II) were screened out from the active components‐targets network. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment and in vivo experiments showed that protein‐serine‐threonine kinase (Akt)/MAPK pathway was involved in BXD treatment for UC; BXD and palmatine significantly ameliorated the severity of DSS‐induced UC in rats. Our study might assist in further investigation of the active components in Chinese medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hydroperoxides of limonene (Lim‐OOHs) and linalool (Lin‐OOHs) are potent contact sensitizers. Objectives: To investigate the prevalence of positive patch test (PT) reactions to Lim‐OOHs and Lin‐OOHs in consecutive patients, their demographic factors and concomitant reactions. Methods: Between 7/2018 and 12/2020, Lim‐OOHs 0.3% pet. and Lin‐OOHs 1% pet. were patch tested in 5511 consecutive patients. We assessed PT reactivity and analysed data from patients with either positive or negative PTs to Lim‐OOHs and Lin‐OOHs. Results: Positive PT results to Lim‐OOHs (n = 170, 3.1%) and Lin‐OOHs (n = 483, 8.8%) were frequent. Most of the positive reactions were weak (LimOOHs n = 134/LinOOHs n = 429), and even more frequently, doubtful (n = 252/n = 578) or irritant reactions (n = 81/n = 178) were documented. PT reactivity to Lim‐OOHs and Lin‐OOHs was increased in patients with irritant reactions to sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS). The proportion of leg dermatitis and concomitant positive reactions to fragrances and essential oils was increased in patients with reactivity to these hydroperoxides. Conclusion: The observed reaction pattern suggests that both test preparations display an irritant potential with an increased risk of false positive reactions. Preparations should be chemically monitored in order to reduce irritancy. Mindful interpretation of PT results and aimed patch testing of lower concentrations is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The tumourigenesis of various cancers is influenced by epigenetic deregulation. Among 591 epigenetic regulator factors (ERFs) examined, AF9 showed significant inhibition of malignancy in colorectal cancer (CRC) based on our wound healing assays. However, the precise role of AF9 in CRC remains to be explored. Methods: To investigate the function of AF9 in CRC, we utilised small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) to knock down the expression of 591 ERFs. Subsequently, we performed wound healing assays to evaluate cell proliferation and migration. In vitro and in vivo assays were conducted to elucidate the potential impact of AF9 in CRC. Clinical samples were analysed to assess the association between AF9 expression and CRC prognosis. Additionally, an Azoxymethane‐Dextran Sodium Sulfate (AOM/DSS) induced CRC AF9IEC‐/‐ mouse model was employed to confirm the role of AF9 in CRC. To identify the target gene of AF9, RNA‐seq and coimmunoprecipitation analyses were performed. Furthermore, bioinformatics prediction was applied to identify potential miRNAs that target AF9. Results: Among the 591 ERFs examined, AF9 exhibited downregulation in CRC and showed a positive correlation with prolonged survival in CRC patients. In vitro and in vivo assays proved that depletion of AF9 could promote cell proliferation, migration as well as glycolysis. Specifically, knockout of MLLT3 (AF9) in intestinal epithelial cells significantly increased tumour formation induced by AOM/DSS. We also identified miR‐145 could target 3′untranslated region of AF9 to suppress AF9 expression. Loss of AF9 led to decreased expression of gluconeogenic genes, including phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase 2 (PCK2) and fructose 1,6‐bisphosphatase 1 (FBP1), subsequently promoting glucose consumption and tumourigenesis. Conclusions: AF9 is essential for the upregulation of PCK2 and FBP1, and the disruption of the miR‐145/AF9 axis may serve as a potential target for the development of CRC therapeutics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental pollutions are the most significant problem worldwide. Rhodococcus sp. has a high potential for the production of secondary metabolites and degradation activity. This study aims to screen and characterize biodegradable Rhodococcus from Iranian ecosystems. The Rhodococcus isolates were recovered from 90 environmental samples and identified using conventional and molecular methods. The growth rate in the presence of pollutants and chromatography (high‐performance liquid chromatography [HPLC]) was used to determine their biodegradation capability. A total of 13 Rhodococcus isolates were characterized from the cultured samples (14.5%) that belonged to seven species. The prevalent species were R. erythropolis (4 isolates; 30.8%), R. atherivorans (3 isolates; 23%), R. ruber (2 isolates; 15.4), and R. zopfii, R. phenolicus, R. equi and R. rhodochrous 1 isolate each. The result showed that these isolates could degrade and consume phenol, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) and sulfate sodium. Our results showed that the Rhodococcus species have significant potential for bioremediation of diverse types of pollutants. Therefore, more studies are recommended for the biodegradation activity of Rhodococcus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brick‐aggregate‐concrete with a greater permeability is susceptible to decay at a faster rate under the action of acid and sulfate. This study tries to improve the durability of brick aggregate concrete by the addition of rice husk ash, which has been termed brick‐ash concrete in this paper. The permeability and sorptivity of stone‐aggregate‐concrete, brick‐aggregate concrete, and brick‐ash concrete samples with different percentages of rice husk ash and different water‐to‐binder ratios were investigated. The concrete samples were also exposed to 1.5 % hydrochloric acid and 5 % sodium sulfate along with periodic drying and wetting cycle and periodic observations in terms of compressive strength, weight loss, and ultrasonic pulse velocity test for 360 days. 5 % to 10 % rice husk ash can significantly improve the permeability and resistance to the harsh environment of brick aggregate concrete. Additionally, this study also presents the equations to predict the actual strength from ultrasonic pulse velocity values for the brick ash concrete specimen exposed to acid and sulfate environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to explore the anti‐inflammatory effect of stachyose, a tetrasaccharide extracted from Stachys sieboldii Miq. A lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages model and a dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)‐induced ulcerative colitis BALB/C mice model was used to assess the anti‐inflammatory effect of stachyose both in vitro and in vivo. The levels of nitric oxide (NO) and cytokines (interleukin‐1β, interleukin‐6 and tumour necrosis factor‐α) were detected using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay methods; moreover, haematoxylin–eosin staining was used to observe changes in intestinal morphology of mice. In addition, the possible mechanisms were explored by reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction and western blot. Results showed that stachyose and four other oligosaccharides (galacto‐oligosaccharides, xylo‐oligosaccharides, inulin and resistant dextrin) inhibited NO secretion and the production of pro‐inflammatory cytokines in LPS‐stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages in a dose‐dependent manner, whereas stachyose was most effective in vitro. In mice, different doses of stachyose significantly alleviated the symptoms of DSS‐induced ulcerative colitis and stachyose also significantly inhibited the production of inflammatory cytokines and myeloperoxidase in vivo. In addition, our findings illustrated that stachyose inhibited expression of toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4) and suppressed the phosphorylation of nuclear factor (NF)‐κB p65 both in vitro and in vivo. Taken together, results demonstrated that stachyose exerted anti‐inflammatory effect through inhibition of the TLR4/NF‐κB signalling pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, CO2 capture was experimentally investigated by forming tetra‐n‐butyl ammonium bromide (TBAB) semiclathrate in a new system of TBAB + graphite nanofluids. The experiments were carried out at 3.5 MPa and 277.15 K. Compared to the TBAB solution and the TBAB + sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) solution, it was found that the system of TBAB + graphite nanofluids was preferable for CO2 capture, and 0.2 wt.% graphite nanoparticles (GNP) was an optimal concentration for the enhancement of hydrate growth in TBAB + graphite nanofluids. At this GNP concentration, CO2 consumption gained at 0.29 mol% TBAB is greater than that acquired at 0.62 and 2.57 mol% TBAB. CO2 consumption obtained in TBAB + graphite nanofluids is larger than other systems containing GNP. Moreover, the morphologies of TBAB + CO2 semiclathrate formed in TBAB solution, TBAB + SDS solution, and TBAB + graphite nanofluids were presented, and the mechanism of CO2 capture using TBAB semiclathrate formation in graphite nanofluids was presented. Therefore, it is an efficient way to capture CO2 by forming TBAB semiclathrate in graphite nanofluids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Ulcerative colitis is associated with intestinal inflammation and dysbiosis. Previous studies have shown that probiotics are potential agents for treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Jiang‐shui is a traditional fermented vegetable that is rich in lactic acid bacteria (LABs), but the preventive effect of LABs in jiang‐shui on IBD is not yet fully understood. Results: We isolated 38 LAB strains from jiang‐shui, and Lactobacillus plantarum JS19 exhibited the strongest antioxidant activity among them. Our data indicate that oral administration of L. plantarum JS19 significantly inhibited body weight loss, colon shortening and damage, and reduced the disease activity index score in the mice with dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)‐induced colitis. In addition, L. plantarum JS19 also alleviated inflammatory responses and oxidative stress through reducing lipid peroxidation, tumor necrosis factor‐α expression, and myeloperoxidase activity and enhancing the antioxidant enzyme activity. Importantly, L. plantarum JS19 significantly rebalanced DSS‐induced dysbiosis of gut microbiota. Conclusion: L. plantarum JS19 may be used as a potential probiotic to prevent IBD, particularly ulcerative colitis. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work introduced copper oxide nanoparticles as an efficient electrode modifier for sensitive adsorptive differential pulse voltammetric assaying of marbofloxacin (MRB) in pharmaceutical formulations and surface water samples. In the presence of sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) at pH 4.0, the marbofloxacin molecule was irreversibly oxidized at the electrode surface showing an anodic oxidation peak at 0.954 V. The electrode reaction mechanism was assumed as adsorption‐reaction controlled accompanied by the transferring of two electrons and proton exchange in agreement with the molecular orbital calculations performed on MRB molecule suggesting the oxidation of the amino group in the piperazinyl ring. At the optimized measuring conditions, the recorded peak heights were linearly correlated with the MRB concentration within the range from 6.67 to 360 ng mL−1, and the estimated LOD value was 2.2 ng mL−1. The integrated sensor showed a prolonged operational lifetime with good reproducibility of measurements. Based on the selectivity and sensitivity of the proposed method, MRB was successfully assayed in pharmaceutical formulations and surface water samples with mean average recoveries agreeable with the official method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alkali surfactant polymer (ASP) flooding is an enhanced oil recovery (EOR) technology with an impressive potential for increasing incremental oil production from conventional hydrocarbon bearing reservoirs. A challenge to ASP application is the complexity of determining an effective formulation, typically requiring extensive laboratory screening of nearly countless combinations of surfactants and cosolvents. This paper focuses on demonstrating the utility of the hydrophilic–lipophilic deviation (HLD) concept for EOR application to simplify surfactant formulation workstreams seeking an economically viable ASP formulation for field application. In describing work performed for EOR application of ASP under customer conditions using crude oil, the discussion covers the initial evaluation of the promising surfactant formulation (interfacial tension and solubility), the improvement upon the formulation via HLD principles, and the evaluation of the improved surfactant formulation (coreflood studies). The final ASP formulation identified consisted of a 9 to 1 mixture of alkyl propoxy sulfate sodium salt (APS) to alkyl ethoxy sulfate sodium salt (AES) totaling 2000 ppm active surfactant content, 2.0 wt% Na2CO3, and 3000 ppm polyacrylamide polymer (all commercially available products). This formulation had ultra‐low interfacial tension and favorable mixing behavior under reservoir conditions. In coreflood studies, the final formulation reproducibly achieved cumulative oil recovery of 96.4%–98.5% of original oil in place with only 0.3 PV of ASP injection with a chase alkali polymer injection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Glove occlusion might enhance skin sensitivity to a subsequent detergent challenge (occlusion effect). Thus, some skin protection creams (PC) claim to protect against this effect of occlusion, and are recommended to be used before wearing liquid‐proof gloves. Objectives: To evaluate the effect of PC applied prior to glove occlusion on the 'occlusion effect'—refers to increased susceptibility of the skin to a model detergent. Methods: One hundred and eleven volunteers were enrolled in a single‐blind, randomized study. Seven PCs were applied before glove occlusion over 7 days (D1–D7). After sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) challenge, we compared the irritation between the areas treated with PC and occlusion alone. Clinical scoring and bioengineering methods (capacitance, transepidermal water loss [TEWL], and colourimetry [erythema]) were used to quantify the irritant reactions. Results: After 1 week of occlusion and PC application, we did not observe significant changes in TEWL, nor in erythema, whereas skin hydration raised in three cream‐treated areas. On day 10, after a challenge with SLS, some products significantly aggravated the skin irritation as compared to occlusion alone. Conclusions: The 'occlusion effect'—shown as higher skin susceptibility to a model detergent—was not mitigated by PCs when applied prior to glove occlusion. On the contrary, some PCs might have negative effects on skin barrier function and augment such sensitivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]