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Abstract Diabetes often induces bone loss and the dysregulation of gut microbiota (GM) is an important cause. Punicalagin (PU) was reported to regulate GM. Therefore, we hypothesized that PU could alleviate diabetes‐induced bone loss through GM and their metabolites. In this study, high‐fat diet‐induced diabetic mice showed bone erosion and poor biomechanical properties, while PU intake significantly improved the bone condition of diabetic mice. Further investigation revealed that the abundance of some beneficial bacteria, such as Akkermansia and Ruminiclostridium_9, was higher after PU intake and highly positively correlated with the concentrations of short‐chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and serum vitamin K2, respectively. In addition, these bacteria were associated with the levels of bone metabolism‐related markers such as procollagen type I N‐terminal propeptide (P1NP) and runt‐related transcription factor‐2 (Runx2). Mechanistically, PU, on the one hand, promotes the metabolism of SCFAs, thereby increasing the levels of bone synthesis markers and inhibiting the secretion of bone absorption markers. On the other hand, the higher level of vitamin K2 greatly accelerated bone mineralization and enhanced bone strength. This work provides a new perspective to explore the mechanism by which PU intervention alleviates diabetes‐induced bone loss by regulating the GM and their metabolic products.

Abstract Rainfall interception loss (Ei) is a difficult to study and poorly understood flux compared to transpiration and soil evaporation. The influence of climate and vegetation on Ei is not well known at continental‐to‐global and annual‐to‐decadal scales. Here, we use a long‐term multi‐product approach to examine the global trends in Ei, and further utilize a recently developed and validated dataset to isolate the relative contributions of precipitation, vegetation and evaporative demand. At decadal timescales, increasing Ei is largely driven by global vegetation greening through an increase in the intercepting surface and storage capacity, while its inter‐annual variations are mainly controlled by changes in precipitation, largely related to El Niño/Southern Oscillation. Increasing evaporative demand, driven by atmospheric warming, also positively contributes to the global rise in Ei. This study provides new perspectives for further understanding the impacts of climate change on the terrestrial hydrological cycle.

To instruct the production of millet porridge, the effect of cooking methods on flavor and texture of millet porridge was investigated. A total of 91 volatiles were detected and most volatile compounds decreased with cooking time, e.g. alcohols. The esters as major volatiles had a high content in electric rice cooker (IC). Multiple chemometric results indicated that volatiles from different cooking methods were distinguished respectively. Texture analysis indicated that the hardness of millet porridge prepared in IC had a more dominant decrease trend than electromagnetic oven and the electric pressure cooker before 40 min. In conclusion, different cooking methods had a more significant influence on the volatiles than cooking time, while the texture is opposite. The comprehensive sensory score reached its peak in IC-30 min. The comprehensive sensory scores of IC and EC decreased with the prolongation of cooking time. This study helps to improve the sensory attributes of millet porridge.

Abstract Background Malnutrition is related to impaired oral health and function that causes poor dietary intake, declining the general health of older adults. The role of dietary intake in the association between oral function and nutritional status of Chinese older adults (aged 75 and above) was examined in this cross-sectional study. Methods Through the randomized cluster sampling method, 267 older adults living in rural areas of Qingdao, Shandong (aged 81.4 ± 4.3, 75–94 years) were chosen as the primary research participants. A Mini Nutritional Assessment - Short Form was used to determine nutritional status, and Food Frequency Questionnaire and 24-hour Food Intake Recall were used to assess dietary intake. The oral function was evaluated by analyzing the teeth, oral problems, bite force, tongue pressure, lip sealing pressure, chewing function questionnaire, whole saliva flow rate, 10-Item Eating Assessment Tool, and water swallow test. Results Based on the MNA-SF score, it was divided into a well-nourished group and a malnutrition group, with the malnutrition group comprising 40.6% of participants. The participants in the malnutrition group showed a higher rate of xerostomia, lower bite force, tongue pressure, and lip sealing pressure, and higher Chewing Function Questionnaire and 10-Item Eating Assessment Tool scores. Furthermore, their plant fat, iron, cereals and potatoes, vegetables, fruits, and seafood intake were relatively low. The regression model indicated that exercise frequency, stroke, chewing and swallowing function, intake of vegetables and fruits were risk factors for nutritional status of older adults. Conclusion Malnutrition was relatively common among the Chinese older adults aged 75 and above, and it was significantly correlated with exercise frequency, stroke, chewing and swallowing function, and intake of vegetables and fruits. Therefore, nutrition management should be carried out under the understanding and guidance of the oral function and dietary intake of the older adults.

BackgroundAs China rapidly ages, it has now become a deeply aging society with the largest number of older individuals in the world. The issue is particularly severe in rural areas. With the aging population growing and the older population expanding, health problems are becoming more prevalent among older individuals, particularly frailty and cognitive impairments. This study aimed to identify the profiles of physical frailty, social frailty, and cognitive impairment among older adults and explore the influencing factors.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, participants were recruited from six villages in four cities in Shandong Province, China from July to October 2023 through cluster random sampling. Latent profile analysis was used to determine the profiles of physical frailty, social frailty, and cognitive impairment. Chi-square tests and Mann–Whitney U tests were used for univariate analysis, while binary logistic regression was used to analyze the related factors.ResultsSeven hundred and sixty-nine older adult care in rural areas showed two profiles: the “high cognitive function and low frailty” group (73.7%, n = 567) and the “low cognitive function and high frailty” group (26.3%, n = 202). A binary logistic regression found that older people were more likely to be aged 80 or older (OR = 2.253, p = 0.029), have a low income level (OR = 1.051, p = 0.007), have one or two (OR = 2.287, p = 0.004), or more than three chronic diseases (OR = 3.092, p = 0.002), and report moderate (OR = 3.406, p = 0.024) or poor health status (OR = 9.085, p

To investigate the optimal processing of maize porridge, the volatile compounds and texture under different cooking methods and time have been studied. A total of 51 volatile compounds were identified in maize porridge. Notably, the major volatiles, aldehydes and esters exhibited a relatively high content in electric pressure cooker (EPC), and esters tend to significantly increase after cooking. Among aldehydes, nonanal and hexanal played a great role in flavor due to their relatively high content. Volatile compounds of maize porridge in different cooking methods could be clearly distinguished by multiple chemometrics. Furthermore, texture analysis revealed that almost all the indicators in the EPC can reach the lowest value at 60 min. To summarize, different cooking methods had a more significant influence on the volatile compounds and texture compared to time. This study helps to improve the sensory attributes of maize porridge, and thus contributes to healthier and more sustainable production.

Thiosulfate influences the bioreduction and migration transformation of arsenic (As) and iron (Fe) in groundwater environments. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of microbially-mediated sulfur cycling on the bioreduction and interaction of As and Fe. Microcosm experiments were conducted, including bioreduction of thiosulfate, As(V), and Fe(III) by Citrobacter sp. JH012–1, as well as the influence of thiosulfate input at different initial arsenate concentrations on the bioreduction of As(V) and Fe(III). The results demonstrate that Citrobacter sp. JH012–1 exhibited strong reduction capabilities for thiosulfate, As(V), and Fe(III). Improving thiosulfate level promoted the bioreduction of Fe(III) and As(V). When 0, 0.1, 0.5, and 1 mM thiosulfate were added, Fe(III) was completely reduced within 9 days, 3 days, 1 day, and 0.5 days, simultaneously, 72.8%, 82.2%, 85.5%, and 90.0% of As(V) were reduced, respectively. The products of As(III) binding with sulfide are controlled by the ratio of As-S. When the initial arsenate concentration was 0.025 mM, the addition of thiosulfate resulted in the accumulation of soluble thioarsenite. However, when the initial arsenate level increased to 1 mM, precipitates of orpiment or realgar were formed. In the presence of both arsenic and iron, As(V) significantly inhibits the bioreduction of Fe(III). Under the concentrations of 0, 0.025, and 1 mM As(V), the reduction rates of Fe(III) were 100%, 91%, and 83%, respectively. In this scenario, the sulfide produced by thiosulfate reduction tends to bind with Fe(II) rather than As(III). Therefore, the competition of arsenic-iron and thiosulfate concentration should be considered to study the impact of thiosulfate on arsenic and iron migration and transformation in groundwater.

Recent studies have revealed that endophytes in plants can produce metabolites with activity that is comparable to or identical to the host. Dendrobine has attracted much attention in the field of neurodegenerative diseases by exhibiting anti-oxidative stress and neuroprotective effects. This study aimed to investigate the protective effects and mechanisms of metabolites of dendrobium endophytes Pseudomonas protegens CM-YJ44 and Priestia megaterium D-HT207 against H2O2-induced oxidative stress injury in SH-SY5Y cells. Results showed that there were 50 neuroprotective compounds in CM-YJ44 and 72 neuroprotective compounds in D-HT207. Those both increased significantly cell viability, decreased contents of ROS in H2O2-induced SH-SY5Y cells. It was confirmed that metabolites of CM-YJ44 and D-HT207 inhibited the H2O2-induced oxidative stress injury in SH-SY5Y cells, which mechanism is related to inhibition of ROS production, alteration of MMP, and inhibition of apoptosis and inflammatory factors expression via the Nrf2/Keap1 pathway.

Introduction: Within the global framework of carbon emissions constraints, the digital economy has become a new strategy for cities to achieve sustainable development. Scholarly literature exploring the spatial spillover and spatial mechanisms of the digital economy on carbon emissions is notably scarce.Methods: To estimate the spatial impact of digital economy on carbon emissions, this paper conducted spatial analysis with the spatial Dubin model and panel data of 215 cities in China from 2011 to 2019.Results: The results show that there is a growing regional agglomeration of the digital economy, whereas the spatial evolution of carbon emissions displays low liquidity and high stability. Second, the digital economy directly reduces urban carbon emissions, and this conclusion is supported through a series of robustness tests. However, there exist negative spatial spillover effects of digital economy on carbon emissions reduction in neighboring cities. Third, mechanism analysis reveals that the digital economy mainly affects urban carbon emissions through two paths: industrial structure upgrading and green technology innovation. Moreover, the influence of digital economy exhibits heterogeneity, with a more pronounced effect observed in the central cities and in large and medium-sized cities, as well as in cities with a high agglomeration of the new energy industry.Discussion: Our paper not only presents new documentary evidence for understanding the relationship between digitalization and decarbonization, but also provides specific references for policy making to accelerate low-carbon urban development.

PurposeThis study aimed to explore the association between health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and diet quality using three evidence-based dietary indices among older people in rural China.MethodsThis cross-sectional study included 1,258 rural older people (mean age 72.32 years; 55.6% female). HRQOL was assessed using the European Five Dimension Health Scale (EQ-5D), and dietary intake was assessed using a Food Frequency Questionnaire. Three dietary scoring indices, including the Alternate Healthy Eating Index, Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, and Dietary Diversity Score (DDS), were calculated to assess and analyze the relationship between these dietary indices and quality of life.ResultsThe EQ-5D score was 0.95 ± 0.10, and the EQ-Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score was 76.76 ± 14.44. All three groups with higher dietary indices had higher quality of life scores. After controlling for covariates in multivariate adjusted binary logistic regression analyzes, participants in the top tertile of DDS had higher quality of life scores than those in the bottom tertile. DDS was consistently associated with EQ-5D (Model 2: OR = 1.567, p = 0.001; Model3: OR = 1.351, p = 0.044) and EQ-VAS (Model 2: OR = 1.830, p

High-fill culverts placed in valley topography have a complex earth pressure distribution law due to their locations around culverts in various valley topography conditions. In order to investigate the influence of valley topography on the earth pressure around the culvert of high-fill arch culverts, an interaction model of "topography-culvert-fill" was established by using centrifugal model test and numerical simulation method. Additionally, the distribution laws of earth pressure around the arch culverts and earth pressure concentration coefficient Ks at the top of the culvert under different valley widths B and valley slopes α were analyzed and were compared with the latest Chinese culvert design code. Furthermore, the mechanism of earth pressure formation of high-fill arch culverts under valley topography was presented. The research findings are as follows: (1) The influence of the valley width B on the earth pressure concentration coefficient Ks at the top of the culvert is significant, and the increment of the earth pressure concentration coefficient Ks at the top of the culvert is larger when B is 4D−6D（D is the clear span of arch culvert）. (2) When B is less than 4D, the topography would play the role of load reduction to the culvert. (3) With valley slopes ranging from 45° to 60°, the earth pressure at the tops and Ks would be affected dramatically. (4) When fill height is 20 m with α >70°, Ks≤1; and when 40 m fill height with α >50°, Ks≤1. (5) The Ks recommended by the latest Chinese culvert design code differs to some extent from those by centrifugal model test and numerical simulation. In the case of α =45° with a small B value, the earth pressure concentration coefficient Ks at the top of a culvert of the code is more conservative. (6) Ks of high-fill arch culvert in valley is related to the formation of arch top compaction area and isobaric surface. The arch top compaction area can cause the earth pressure concentration on the top of the arch culvert, and cause the vertical earth pressure of the soil around the compaction area to be arched. At a certain depth approaching the surface of the fill, the arch distribution gradually transits to the horizontal distribution, thus forming an isobaric surface. The upper load of the isobaric surface will be dispersed on the valley slope, so the unloading effect of the valley topography can be exerted.

The effects of intrinsic and substitutional point defects MX (M = Li, Na, Mg, Al, K, Sc, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er; X = C, Si) and NMX (NM = H, B, N, P, S) on the formation energy, mechanical and thermodynamic properties of 3C-SiC at various temperatures and pressures have been studied based on density functional theory (DFT) with quasi-harmonic approximation (QHA). The results show that the antisite defects are easier to form than the vacancies under various conditions, and MX is usually more difficult to form than NMX. The vacancies and MX defects greatly reduce the Young's modulus E and shear modulus G of 3C-SiC; whereas the antisite and NMX possess little effects. The decrements of E and G of 3C-SiC with NMC and MC are twice as those with NMSi and MSi. The bulk modulus B and Poisson's ratio ν of 3C-SiC are difficult to be varied by defects. These results can be well interpreted by bond characteristics, which is closely related to the Cauchy pressure C12−C44. The defects only slightly change the phonon free energy Fvib, vibrational entropy Svib, constant heat capacity CV, Gibbs free energy G and isobaric heat capacity CP, whereas they have a great influence on the coefficient of thermal expansion αT of 3C-SiC. With the increase of external pressure, the G and CP of all defective compounds increases and decreases linearly, respectively, while the αT presents multiplex variation characteristic.

IntroductionSoil ammonia oxidation, which acts as the first and rate-limiting step of nitrification, is driven by ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB), ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) and complete ammonia oxidizer (comammox, amoA gene of clade-A and clade-B). Straw returning, widely used ecological technology in China, is an effective measure for promoting straw decomposition and soil nutrient cycling when combined with earthworm addition. However, the effects of straw returning combined with earthworm addition on soil ammonia oxidizers remain poorly understood.MethodsA 2-year plot experiment was conducted with 5 treatments: no fertilizer (CK); regular fertilization (RT); straw returning (SR); earthworm addition (W); straw returning + earthworm addition (SRW). The AOA, AOB, comammox clade-A and clade-B community microbial diversities and structures were investigated by high-throughput sequencing.ResultsThe results showed that (1) compared to RT treatment, W, SR, and SRW treatments all significantly increased the richness of AOA and comammox clade-A and clade-B (p

In order to study the long-term loss law of anchorage force and the calculation method of prestress loss of anchorage force, a calculation method of the prestress loss of anchorage force was proposed to account for three factors. The proposed method is based on the generalized Hooke’s law, relaxation rate time-history response equation and improved coupling constitutive model. It was adopted to calculate the theoretical loss value of the anchor cable prestress coupled with the internal sliding lock of the anchor plate, the stress relaxation of the cable body steel strand, and the rock mass creep, respectively. In order to verify the accuracy of the long-term loss calculation method, the anchor cable pull-out failure test was also carried out. By analyzing the transfer mechanism of the pull-out load, it was determined that the pull-out stage of the free section of the load-incremental displacement curve was the working load interval of the anchor cable. The median value of the working load interval was taken as the effectiveness force of the anchor cable, and the measured value of the long-term loss of prestress was also obtained. Results show that the prestress loss of the anchor cable is about 17.5%-27.5% during 20 years. The rock mass creep is the most significant factor affecting the long-term loss of the anchor cable. Besides, there is an error of about 4.2% between the calculated value of the three-factor loss calculation method and the measured value of prestress loss at site. This verifies the accuracy of the three-factor loss calculation method, and also shows that the three-factor calculation method of long-term prestress loss mentioned here meets accuracy requirements and is feasible.

Excessive fructose intake from desserts and beverages may influence bone development among adolescents. The gut microbiota (GM) and energy metabolism play important roles in bone development. In this study, 40 female adolescent rats were randomly assigned to the control group, the fructose group with two concentrations, and the glucose group as the positive control group. After 10 weeks, serum glucose and lipids were detected by means of an automatic analyzer, and the bone microstructure was analyzed by Micro-CT. Then, the GM was determined via 16S rRNA sequencing analysis, and energy metabolism was detected by measuring serum carbohydrate metabolites. At last, bone metabolism markers were measured via ELISA kits. The results showed that excessive fructose intake could increase body weight and influence the glucolipid metabolism of female adolescent rats. Meanwhile, the bone microstructures were impaired with excessive fructose intake. Mechanistically, excessive fructose intake shifted the GM of rats with the decrease of Lachnospiraceae, Ruminococcaceae, and increase of Allobaculum, Lachnospiraceae. Energy metabolism analysis suggested that most metabolites of fructose did not enter the tricarboxylic acid cycle to provide energy for the body’s development. Furthermore, serum bone metabolism markers showed that excessive fructose intake could decrease both bone formation and resorption. Our results suggested that excessive fructose intake could inhibit skeletal development in adolescents. One potential mechanism might be that it affected the intestinal microbiota homeostasis in the juvenile body, thus changing the energy metabolism level, and ultimately affecting the bone metabolic balance.

Chiral 1,2-diamines are useful chemicals used as ligands in asymmetric catalysis. Here, the authors report a copper(I)-catalyzed asymmetric α-addition of ketimines derived from trifluoroacetophenone and 2- or 4-NO2-benzylamines to aldimines, affording a series of chiral anti-1,2-diamine derivatives.

Abstract Background Sepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE) increases the mortality of septic patients, but its mechanism remains unclear. The present study aimed to investigate the roles of T lymphocytes, proBDNF, and their interaction in the pathogenesis of SAE. Methods Fear conditioning tests were conducted for cognitive assessment in the lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 5 mg kg−1)-induced septic mice. Meninges and peripheral blood were harvested for flow cytometry or qPCR. FTY720 and monoclonal anti-proBDNF antibody (McAb-proB) were used to investigate the effect of lymphocyte depletion and blocking proBDNF on the impaired cognitive functions in the septic mice. Results In the septic mice, cognitive function was impaired, the percentage of CD4+ T cells were decreased in the meninges (P = 0.0021) and circulation (P = 0.0222), and pro-inflammatory cytokines were upregulated, but the anti-inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-4 (P < 0.0001) and IL-13 (P = 0.0350) were downregulated in the meninges. Lymphocyte depletion by intragastrically treated FTY720 (1 mg kg−1) for 1 week ameliorated LPS-induced learning deficit. In addition, proBDNF was increased in the meningeal (P = 0.0042) and peripheral (P = 0.0090) CD4+ T cells. Intraperitoneal injection of McAb-proB (100 μg) before LPS treatment significantly alleviated cognitive dysfunction, inhibited the downregulation of meningeal (P = 0.0264) and peripheral (P = 0.0080) CD4+ T cells, and normalized the gene expression of cytokines in the meninges. However, intra-cerebroventricular McAb-proB injection (1 μg) did not have such effect. Finally, exogenous proBDNF downregulated the percentage of CD4+ T cells in cultured splenocytes from septic mice (P = 0.0021). Conclusion Upregulated proBDNF in immune system promoted the pathogenesis of SAE through downregulating the circulating CD4+ T cells, limiting its infiltration into the meninges and perturbing the meningeal pro-/anti-inflammatory homeostasis.

Removal of lake sediment has been shown to be an effective method for lake restoration. High phosphorus (P) content makes it possible for lake sediment to provide fertility for agricultural production. However, little research has focused on the responses of the soil-phosphorus-related microbial community to the sediment-derived fertilizer enriched in phosphorus content. The phoD-harboring gene, important to the global phosphorus cycle, encodes alkaline phosphatase hydrolyzing organic P in soil. Accordingly, a plot experiment was performed to compare the effects of four different fertilization treatments—no-fertilizer control (CK), 50% chemical fertilization with compressed sediment (CS), 50% chemical fertilization with original lake sediment (S), and conventional chemical fertilization treatment (CT)—on the phoD gene community using QPCR and high-throughput sequencing analysis. Relationships among soil physicochemical properties, phoD-harboring microbial community abundance and composition were also evaluated. Results showed that compared to CT, CS significantly increased soil organic matter (SOM) content by 20.29%, and S enhanced the humus content by 20.75% (p < 0.05). There was no significant influence on phoD gene microbial community richness (Chao1 and Sobs indexes) and diversity (Shannon index) between all treatments. The CS treatment significantly altered the phoD community structure and enhanced the Chinese cabbage yield by 40.19% (p < 0.05). Pearson analysis showed that phoD gene abundance (copy number) had significant and negative relationships with SOM, total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), available nitrogen (AN), available phosphorus (AP), and the Chao1 index. Redundancy analysis showed that shifts in the phoD community structure were related to soil physicochemical properties (SOM, TN, TP, AN, AP, and humus) rather than soil pH. In conclusion, the compressed sediment can be used in farmland since it optimizes the phoD-harboring microbial community abundance, composition, and structure, and thus significantly increases the Chinese cabbage yield.

Abstract Background A methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) program to curb the dual epidemics of HIV/AIDS and drug use has been administered by China since 2004. Little is known regarding the geographic heterogeneity of HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections among MMT clients in the resource-constrained context of Chinese provinces, such as Guangxi. This study aimed to characterize the geographic distribution patterns and co-clustered epidemic factors of HIV, HCV and co-infections at the county level among drug users receiving MMT in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, located in the southwestern border area of China. Methods Baseline data on drug users’ demographic, behavioral and biological characteristics in the MMT clinics of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region during the period of March 2004 to December 2014 were obtained from national HIV databases. Residential addresses were entered into a geographical information system (GIS) program and analyzed for spatial clustering of HIV, HCV and co-infections among MMT clients at the county level using geographic autocorrelation analysis and geographic scan statistics. Results A total of 31,015 MMT clients were analyzed, and the prevalence of HIV, HCV and co-infections were 13.05%, 72.51% and 11.96% respectively. Both the geographic autocorrelation analysis and geographic scan statistics showed that HIV, HCV and co-infections in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region exhibited significant geographic clustering at the county level, and the Moran’s I values were 0.33, 0.41 and 0.30, respectively (P

Golgi staining, though invented hundreds of years ago, is still a reliable method to study the cytoarchitecture of the brain. Almost all published Golgi staining protocols and methods were used for microtome, and rarely applied in cryosection, which restricted the application of this technique. Currently, several commercial Golgi-stain kits are available for both vibratome section and cryosection, but these kits are costly, and it is still challenging for researchers to obtain significant results. In the present study, we described a protocol of Golgi-Cox Staining for Cryosection, with the modified cryosection protection solution based on the Golgi-Cox method, which makes cryosection easy to apply in the section of the Golgi-Cox impregnated tissue. Our methods provide a low-cost and simple option for Golgi staining, and it will facilitate researchers to obtain useful Golgi staining results for neuronal architecture studies.

Depression and anxiety are two affective disorders that greatly threaten the mental health of a large population worldwide. Previous studies have shown that brain-derived neurotrophic factor precursor (proBDNF) is involved in the development of depression. However, it is still elusive whether proBDNF is involved in anxiety, and if so, which brain regions of proBDNF regulate these two affective disorders. The present study aims to investigate the role of proBDNF in the hippocampus in the development of depression and anxiety. Rat models of an anxiety-like phenotype and depression-like phenotype were established by complete Freund's adjuvant intra-plantar injection and chronic restraint stress, respectively. Both rat models developed anxiety-like behaviors as determined by the open field test and elevated plus maze test. However, only rats with depression-like phenotype displayed the lower sucrose consumption in the sucrose preference test and a longer immobility time in the forced swimming test. Sholl analysis showed that the dendritic arborization of granule cells in the hippocampus was decreased in rats with depression-like phenotype but was not changed in rats with anxiety-like phenotype. In addition, synaptophysin was downregulated in the rats with depression-like phenotype but upregulated in the rats with anxiety-like phenotype. In both models, proBDNF was greatly increased in the hippocampus. Intra-hippocampal injection anti-proBDNF antibody greatly ameliorated the anxiety-like and depressive behaviors in the rats. These findings suggest that despite some behavioral and morphological differences between depression and anxiety, hippocampal proBDNF is a common mediator to regulate these two mental disorders.

A high level of circulating free fatty acids (FFAs) is known to be an important trigger for macrophage apoptosis during the development of atherosclerosis. However, the underlying mechanism by which FFAs result in macrophage apoptosis is not well understood. In cultured human macrophage Thp-1 cells, we showed that palmitate (PA), the most abundant FFA in circulation, induced excessive reactive oxidative substance production, increased malondialdehyde concentration, and decreased adenosine triphosphate levels. Furthermore, PA treatment also led to mitochondrial dysfunction, including the decrease of mitochondrial number, the impairment of respiratory complex IV and succinate dehydrogenase activity, and the reduction of mitochondrial membrane potential. Mitochondrial apoptosis was also detected after PA treatment, indicated by a decrease in cytochrome c release, downregulation of Bcl-2, upregulation of Bax, and increased caspase-3 activity. PA treatment upregulated the expression of adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein (A-FABP), a critical regulator of fatty acid trafficking and lipid metabolism. Inhibition of A-FABP with BMS309403, a small-molecule A-FABP inhibitor, almost reversed all of these indexes. Thus, this study suggested that PA-mediated macrophage apoptosis through A-FABP upregulation, which subsequently resulted in mitochondrial dysfunction and reactive oxidative stress. Inhibition of A-FABP may be a potential therapeutic target for macrophage apoptosis and to delay the progress of atherosclerosis.

Background. Glucose fluctuation confers additional risks on diabetes-related vascular diseases, but the underlying mechanisms are unknown. Macrophage activation mediated by TLR4-JNK signaling plays an important role during the progress of diabetes. In the present study, we hypothesize that glucose fluctuation results in macrophage inflammation through TLR4-JNK signaling pathways. Methods. THP-1 cells were treated with normal glucose (5 mM), constant high glucose (25 mM), and intermittent high glucose (rotation per 6 h in 5 mM or 25 mM) for 24 h. The mRNA and protein expression levels of TLR4, p-JNK, and adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein (A-FABP) were determined, and the proinflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-1β were quantified. Results. In constant high glucose, TLR4 expression and JNK phosphorylation levels increased, and this effect was more pronounced in intermittent high glucose. Accordingly, the expression of A-FABP and the release of the proinflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-1β also increased in response to constant high glucose, an effect that also was more evident in intermittent high glucose. The inhibition of p-JNK by SP600125 did not attenuate TLR4 expression, but totally inhibited both A-FABP expression and the production of the proinflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-1β in both constant and intermittent high glucose. Conclusions. Intermittent high glucose potentiates A-FABP activation and inflammatory responses via TLR4/p-JNK signaling in THP-1 cells. These findings suggest a more detrimental impact of glucose fluctuation on macrophage inflammation in diabetes-related vascular diseases than thus far generally assumed.

Crystalline (Cry) proteins from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) are used extensively for insect control in sprays and transgenic plants, but their efficacy is reduced by evolution of resistance in pests. Here we evaluated reduced activation of Cry1Ac protoxin as a potential mechanism of resistance in the invasive pest Helicoverpa armigera. Based on the concentration killing 50% of larvae (LC50) for a laboratory-selected resistant strain (LF120) divided by the LC50 for its susceptible parent strain (LF), the resistance ratio was 1600 for Cry1Ac protoxin and 1200 for trypsin-activated Cry1Ac toxin. The high level of resistance to activated toxin as well as to protoxin indicates reduced activation of protoxin is not a major mechanism of resistance to Cry1Ac in LF120. For both insect strains, treatment with either the trypsin inhibitor N-a-tosyl-L-lysine chloromethyl ketone (TLCK) or the chymotrypsin inhibitor N-a-tosyl-L-phenylalanine chloromethyl ketone (TPCK) did not significantly affect the LC50 of Cry1Ac protoxin. Enzyme activity was higher for LF than LF120 for trypsin-like proteases, but did not differ between strains for chymotrypsin-like proteases. The results here are consistent with previous reports indicating that reduced activation of protoxin is generally not a major mechanism of resistance to Bt proteins.

Linear programming problem is a common problem, and to solve the linear model is more plagued. The paper generating algorithm is based on mathematical theory and composition. The design of feasible solution algorithm illustrates key linear programming model, then we can find a better way to solve the linear programming model solutions.

Let G(V, E) be a simple graph and k is a positive integer, if it exists a mapping of f, and satisfied with f(e1)≠6 = f(e2) for two incident edges e1,e2∉E(G), f(e1)≠6=f(e2), then f is called the k-proper-edge coloring of G(k-PEC for short). The minimal number of colors required for a proper edge coloring of G is denoted by X′ (G) and is called the proper edge chromatic number. It exists a k-proper edge coloring of simple graph of G, for any two adjacent vertices u and v in G, the set of colors assigned to the edges incident to u differs from the set of colors in cident to v, then f is called k-adjacent-vertex-distinguishing proper edge coloring, is avvreviated k-AVDEC, also called a adjacent strong edge coloring. The minimal number of colors required for a adjacent-vertex-distinguishing edge coloring of G is denoted by X′ad (G) and is called adjacent-vertex-distinguishing edge chromatic number. The new class graphs of equal degree graph are be introduced, and this class graphs adjacent-vertex-distinguishing edge chromatic numbers of path, cycle, fan, complete graph, wheel, star are presented in this paper.