Search

11β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1) is a key enzyme involved in the conversion of cortisone to active cortisol in the liver. Elevated cortisol levels can trigger oxidative stress, inflammation, and hepatocyte damage, highlighting the importance of 11β-HSD1 inhibition as a potential therapeutic approach. This study aimed to explore the effects of INU-101, an inhibitor of 11β-HSD1, on the development of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and fibrosis. Our findings demonstrated that INU-101 effectively mitigated cortisol-induced lipid accumulation, reactive oxygen species generation, and hepatocyte apoptosis. Furthermore, 11β-HSD1 inhibition suppressed hepatic stellate cell activation by modulating β-catenin and phosphorylated SMAD2/3. INU-101 administration significantly reduced hepatic lipid accumulation and liver fibrosis in mice fed fast-food diet. This study suggests that INU-101 holds promise as a clinical candidate for treating MASLD and fibrosis, offering potential therapeutic benefits by targeting the intricate processes involving 11β-HSD1 and cortisol regulation in the liver.

A solar-driven photoelectrochemical (PEC) cell is emerging as one of the promising clean hydrogen generation systems. Engineering of semiconductor heterojunctions and surface morphologies of photoelectrodes in a PEC cell has been a primitive approach to boost its performance. This study presents that a molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) nanoflakes photoanode on 3-dimensional (3D) porous carbon spun fabric (CSF) as a substrate effectively enhances hydrogen generations due to sufficiently enlarged surface area. MoS2 is grown on CSFs utilizing a hydrothermal method. Among three different MoS2 coating morphologies depending on the amount of MoS2 precursor and hydrothermal growth time, film shape MoS2 on CSFs had the largest surface area, exhibiting the highest photocurrent density of 26.48 mA/cm2 and the highest applied bias photon-to-current efficiency (ABPE) efficiency of 5.32% at 0.43 VRHE. Furthermore, with a two-step growth method of sputtering and a subsequent hydrothermal coating, continuous TiO2/MoS2 heterojunctions on a porous CSF further promoted the photoelectrochemical performances due to their optimized bandgap alignments. Enlarged surface area, enhanced charge transfer, and utilization of visible light enable a highly efficient MoS2/TiO2/CSF photoanode with a photocurrent density of 33.81 mA/cm2 and an ABPE of 6.97 % at 0.87 VRHE. The hydrogen generation amount of the PEC cell with MoS2/TiO2/CSF photoanode is 225.4 μmol/L after light irradiation of 60 s.

Zaluzanin C (ZC), a sesquiterpene lactone isolated from Laurus nobilis L., has been reported to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. However, the mechanistic role of ZC in its protective effects in Kupffer cells and hepatocytes has not been elucidated. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the efficacy and mechanism of action of ZC in Kupffer cells and hepatocytes. ZC inhibited LPS-induced mitochondrial ROS (mtROS) production and subsequent mtROS-mediated NF-κB activity in Kupffer cells (KCs). ZC reduced mRNA levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (Il1b and Tnfa) and chemokines (Ccl2, Ccl3, Ccl4, Cxcl2 and Cxcl9). Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α-induced hepatocyte mtROS production was inhibited by ZC. ZC was effective in alleviating mtROS-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction. ZC enhanced mitophagy and increased mRNA levels of fatty acid oxidation genes (Pparα, Cpt1, Acadm and Hadha) and mitochondrial biosynthetic factors (Pgc1α, Tfam, Nrf1 and Nrf2) in hepatocytes. ZC has proven its anti-lipid effect by improving lipid accumulation in hepatocytes by enhancing mitochondrial function to facilitate lipid metabolism. Therefore, our study suggests that ZC may be an effective compound for hepatoprotection by suppressing inflammation and lipid accumulation through regulating mtROS.

In this study, we investigated the effects of InGaN/GaN-based interlayer (IL) and electron emitting layer (EEL) consisting of a GaN barrier layer grown with different metal-organic (MO) precursors of gallium (Ga), which were grown underneath the active layer. The growth behavior of GaN with triethyl Ga (TEGa) showed an increasing growth time due to a lower growth rate compared with GaN grown with trimethyl Ga (TMGa), resulting in the formation of columnar domains and grain boundary with reduced defect. UV-A light emitting diode (LED) chips with three types of ILs and EELs, grown with different MO sources, were fabricated and evaluated by light output power (LOP) measurements. The LOP intensity of UVLED-III with the GaN barrier layer-based IL and EEL grown by TEGa was enhanced by 1.5 times compared to that of the IL and EEL grown with TMGa at 300 mA current injection. Use of the GaN barrier layer in ILs and EELs grown by TEGa improved the crystal quality of the post grown InGaN/GaN multiple quantum well, which reduces leakage current. Therefore, for the UV-A LED with ILs and EELs grown with TEGa MO precursors, electrical and optical properties were improved significantly.

Patient with end stage renal disease have characteristics in common with heart failure patients, and volume overload in heart failure is associated with poorer outcomes. Fluid removal during the hemodialysis (HD) is the cornerstone of volume management in this population. The objective of this study is to assess the long-term prognostic effect of interdialytic fluid retention (IDFR) and its relationship with cardiovascular (CV) events in incident HD patients who newly started dialysis. IDFR is defined as the difference between the predialysis weight and the weight at the end of the previous dialysis session, and it mainly reflects the consequence of salt and water intake between two consecutive dialysis sessions. We retrospectively reviewed the 172 patients who newly started and maintained HD over 6 months at Gachon University Gil Hospital between 1 January 2003 and 31 December 2008. The average data were collected for 3 months during the beginning period, including total IDFR and IDFR/dry weight (IDFR%), nutritional parameters, blood pressure, and other biochemical parameters. Patients were classified into 3 cohorts according to the tertile of IDFR%; low (T1; ≤ 3.21%), intermediate (T2; 3.21%-4.56%), and high (T3; ≥ 4.56%). The high IDFR% group showed higher prevalence of diabetes and better nutritional status. The adjusted odds ratio for CV events was 1.562 (95% confidence interval, 1.026-2.378) for high IDFR% group, compared with the low IDFR% group. In incident HD patients, greater IDFR% soon after HD initiation showed an independent association with higher risk for CV events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we report on an ultraviolet (UV) photodetector based on a pn junction structure hollow anatase n-TiO2 nanosphere monolayer film on a p-GaN template. In order to form and transfer the well-arrayed hollow TiO2 nanosphere monolayer film onto polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), a facile rubbing method and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) aqueous solution was used. To investigate the effects of different-sized hollow TiO2 nanospheres, anatase-TiO2 spheres of various diameters were prepared by combining template synthesis and thermal treatment. The responsiveness of the fabricated UV photodetectors using anatase n-TiO2 monolayer/p-GaN was increased from 0.17 to 0.21 A W−1 upon reducing the size of the anatase-phased hollow n-TiO2 spheres from 660 to 360 nm. Our suggested transferable anatase-TiO2 monolayer film is a new n-type single-layer material for electronic and optical device fields developed through the universal usage of displaceable material for targeted hetero-templates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zaluzanin C (ZC), a sesquiterpene lactone isolated from Laurus nobilis L., has been reported to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. However, the mechanistic role of ZC in its protective effects in Kupffer cells and hepatocytes has not been elucidated. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the efficacy and mechanism of action of ZC in Kupffer cells and hepatocytes. ZC inhibited LPS-induced mitochondrial ROS (mtROS) production and subsequent mtROS-mediated NF-κB activity in Kupffer cells (KCs). ZC reduced mRNA levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (Il1b and Tnfa) and chemokines (Ccl2, Ccl3, Ccl4, Cxcl2 and Cxcl9). Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α-induced hepatocyte mtROS production was inhibited by ZC. ZC was effective in alleviating mtROS-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction. ZC enhanced mitophagy and increased mRNA levels of fatty acid oxidation genes (Pparα, Cpt1, Acadm and Hadha) and mitochondrial biosynthetic factors (Pgc1α, Tfam, Nrf1 and Nrf2) in hepatocytes. ZC has proven its anti-lipid effect by improving lipid accumulation in hepatocytes by enhancing mitochondrial function to facilitate lipid metabolism. Therefore, our study suggests that ZC may be an effective compound for hepatoprotection by suppressing inflammation and lipid accumulation through regulating mtROS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the field of organic display devices, the solution process of organic materials still requires a lot of research in order to realize advantages such as a simple manufacturing process and flexible characteristics. Here, we propose novel small-molecule hole-transporting materials of 1,3,5-tri(10H-phenothiazin-10-yl)benzene (3PTZ) and 1,3,5-tri(10H-phenoxazin-10-yl)benzene (3PXZ) applicable to spin-coating techniques for solution-processed polymer light-emitting diodes (PLEDs). With optical analysis, electrical analysis, and density functional theory (DFT) modeling, accurate energy band diagrams of 3PTZ and 3PXZ as hole transport layers (HTLs) in the PLED structure were revealed. The current–voltage (I–V) and electroluminescence (EL) results of PLEDs with 3PTZ (3PXZ) HTLs showed enhanced luminance and quantum efficiency. The maximum luminance and quantum efficiencies of PLEDs with the 3PTZ HTL increased 1.4 and 1.76 times compared to those of the reference PLED without a HTL. The 3PTZ (3PXZ) HTLs with the optimal energy band structure exhibited similar performances regardless of the deposition processes like spin-coating and thermal evaporation. Devices based on 3PTZ (3PXZ) materials show 1.2 (1.11) times increased quantum efficiencies compared with that of devices based on poly-TPD, a representative polymer HTL material. Comparing two small molecular materials as a HTL, the PLED with 3PTZ showed 1.08 times increased quantum efficiency compared with the PED with 3PXZ, attributed to the higher electron barrier height of 3PTZ than that of 3PXZ. To investigate parameters for quantum efficiency improvement of PLEDs with small molecular 3PTZ HTL, time-resolved photoluminescence (TRPL) and I–V curve fittings were additionally analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For the purpose of good greenish property, we have developed a new HADS structure which is using novel separated Vcom method. HADS structure have a good aperture ratio and good LC efficiency, but in terms of display quality, especially greenish is bad due to large Vcom delay. We proposed separated Vcom method that is composed of two separated Vcom, Pixel Vcom and Shielding Vcom. Because Vcom of Pixel area and Vcom of shielding area is electrically separated, so Vcom coupling of pixel area can reduced. Therefore Vcom delay of pixel Vcom can be reduced, so good greenish can be achieved. This method was successfully applied to 18.5-inch Full-HD (1080X1920) TFT-LCD display. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we report a one-step, sunlight-irradiated synthesis of ZnO nanostructures (NSs) covered with Ag nanoparticles (NPs) using Tamarindus indica pulp extract (TPE) and their applications to photocatalytic and antibacterial activity. TPE contains phytochemicals that act as reducing and stabilizing agents for the distribution of uniform Ag NPs of approximately 5 nm on the surface of ZnO NSs. The photocatalysis of the synthesized bare ZnO and ZnO/Ag (0.5 wt%) NSs was evaluated under UVA light and dye degradation results for methylene blue (MB) are 68% for ZnO and 94% for ZnO/Ag after 120 min. For methylene orange (MO), bare ZnO and ZnO/Ag NSs were degraded 40% and 81%, respectively, after 150 min. Moreover, the photocatalyst also showed good recycling stability even after five cycles. In addition to dye degradation, the ZnO/Ag NSs were able to show antibacterial activity against E. coli, P. aeruginosa, S. aureus, and B. subtilis at a concentration of 2 mg/ml. They showed higher activity against Gram-positive than gram-negative bacteria, which showed the influence of Ag metal on the enhanced photocatalytic and antibacterial activity of ZnO NSs. Our findings suggested that ZnO/Ag NSs can be synthesized by a facile and ecofriendly method using TPE and showed superior performance for UVA photocatalysis and antibacterial activity compared to bare ZnO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we investigated the effects of InGaN/GaN-based interlayer (IL) and electron emitting layer (EEL) consisting of a GaN barrier layer grown with different metal-organic (MO) precursors of gallium (Ga), which were grown underneath the active layer. The growth behavior of GaN with triethyl Ga (TEGa) showed an increasing growth time due to a lower growth rate compared with GaN grown with trimethyl Ga (TMGa), resulting in the formation of columnar domains and grain boundary with reduced defect. UV-A light emitting diode (LED) chips with three types of ILs and EELs, grown with different MO sources, were fabricated and evaluated by light output power (LOP) measurements. The LOP intensity of UVLED-III with the GaN barrier layer-based IL and EEL grown by TEGa was enhanced by 1.5 times compared to that of the IL and EEL grown with TMGa at 300 mA current injection. Use of the GaN barrier layer in ILs and EELs grown by TEGa improved the crystal quality of the post grown InGaN/GaN multiple quantum well, which reduces leakage current. Therefore, for the UV-A LED with ILs and EELs grown with TEGa MO precursors, electrical and optical properties were improved significantly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we investigated the hepatoprotective and anti-fibrotic effects of zingerone, one of the active components of ginger, against carbon tetrachloride (CCl)- and dimethylnitrosamine (DMN)-induced liver injuries in rats, respectively. Oral administration of zingerone (10 mg/kg) reduced CCl-induced abnormalities in liver histology, serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels, and liver malondialdehyde levels. Zingerone treatment attenuated CCl-induced increases in inflammatory mediators, including tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, cyclooxygenase-2, and inducible nitric oxide synthase mRNA levels. Western blot analysis showed that zingerone suppressed activation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) p65 and phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase, c-Jun NH-terminal kinase, and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). Liver fibrosis induced by DMN (10 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) was ameliorated by administration of zingerone (10 and 20 mg/kg, orally). Zingerone treatment reduced DMN-induced elevation of hydroxyproline content and hepatic stellate cell activation. In conclusion, zingerone showed antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects in CCl-intoxicated rats by inhibiting oxidative stress and NF-κB activation via blockade of the activation of upstream MAPKs. Moreover, zingerone had hepatoprotective and anti-fibrotic effects against DMN-induced liver injury suggesting its usefulness in the prevention of liver inflammation and the development of hepatic fibrosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mn doped ZnO nanopowder was prepared by simple sonochemical method. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis, optical absorption (UV-Vis), photoluminescence (PL), Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and magnetization have been used to characterize the sample. XRD study revealed that Mn doped ZnO had wurtzite hexagonal structure. Composition analysis by EDX indicated the presence of small amounts of manganese. Crystal field (Dq) and interelectronic repulsion (B, C) parameters are evaluated from optical absorption. Spin-Hamiltonian and bonding parameters are evaluated from the EPR study. Optical and EPR confirms that the Mn entered into ZnO lattice as distorted octahedral site symmetry. FT-IR spectrum exhibited vibrational bands of Zn-O bonds. PL spectrum shows the emission bands in UV and visible region. Magnetization loop was measured and clearly shows typical ferromagnetic saturation behavior. The results suggest oxygen vacancies, especially singly ionized oxygen vacancies, play a crucial role in mediating ferromagnetism in the Mn doped ZnO system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acute hepatic inflammation is regarded as a hallmark of early stage fibrosis, which can progress to extensive fibrosis and cirrhosis. Sinapic acid is a phenylpropanoid compound that is abundant in cereals, nuts, oil seeds, and berries and has been reported to exhibit a wide range of pharmacological properties. In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effect of sinapic acid in carbon tetrachloride (CCl)-induced acute hepatic injury in rats. Sinapic acid was administered orally (10 or 20 mg/kg) to rats at 30 min and 16 h before CCl intoxication. Sinapic acid treatment of rats reduced CCl-induced abnormalities in liver histology, serum alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase activities, and liver malondialdehyde levels. In addition, sinapic acid treatment significantly attenuated the CCl-induced production of inflammatory mediators, including tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1β mRNA levels, and increased the expression of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB p65). Sinapic acid exhibited strong free radical scavenging activity in vitro. Thus, sinapic acid protected the rat liver from CCl-induced inflammation, most likely by acting as a free radical scavenger and modulator of NF-κB p65 activation and proinflammatory cytokine expression. Sinapic acid may thus have potential as a therapeutic agent for suppressing hepatic inflammation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sinapic acid is a member of the phenylpropanoid family and is abundant in cereals, nuts, oil seeds, and berries. It exhibits a wide range of pharmacological properties. In this study, we investigated the hepatoprotective and antifibrotic effects of sinapic acid on dimethylnitrosamine (DMN)-induced chronic liver injury in rats. Sinapic acid remarkably prevented DMN-induced loss of body weight. This was accompanied by a significant increase in levels of serum alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, and liver malondialdehyde content. Furthermore, sinapic acid reduced hepatic hydroxyproline content, which correlated with a reduction in the expression of type I collagen mRNA and histological analysis of collagen in liver tissue. Additionally, the expression of hepatic fibrosis-related factors such as α-smooth muscle actin and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), were reduced in rats treated with sinapic acid. Sinapic acid exhibited strong scavenging activity. In conclusion, we find that sinapic acid exhibits hepatoprotective and antifibrotic effects against DMN-induced liver injury, most likely due to its antioxidant activities of scavenging radicals, its capacity to suppress TGF-β1 and its ability to attenuate activation of hepatic stellate cells. This suggests that sinapic acid is a potentially useful agent for the protection against liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]