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In obesity, macrophages and other immune cells accumulate in insulin target tissues, promoting a chronic inflammatory state and insulin resistance. Galectin-3 (Gal3), a lectin mainly secreted by macrophages, is elevated in both obese subjects and mice. Administration of Gal3 to mice causes insulin resistance and glucose intolerance, whereas inhibition of Gal3, through either genetic or pharmacologic loss of function, improved insulin sensitivity in obese mice. In vitro treatment with Gal3 directly enhanced macrophage chemotaxis, reduced insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in myocytes and 3T3-L1 adipocytes and impaired insulin-mediated suppression of glucose output in primary mouse hepatocytes. Importantly, we found that Gal3 can bind directly to the insulin receptor (IR) and inhibit downstream IR signaling. These observations elucidate a novel role for Gal3 in hepatocyte, adipocyte, and myocyte insulin resistance, suggesting that Gal3 can link inflammation to decreased insulin sensitivity. Inhibition of Gal3 could be a new approach to treat insulin resistance.

Aim: Non‐alcoholic fatty liver is the most common cause of chronic liver disease. GPR40 is a potential therapeutic target for energy metabolic disorders. GPR40 is a potential therapeutic target for energy metabolic disorders. SZZ15‐11 is a newly synthesized GPR40 agonist. In this study, we estimate the potency of SZZ15‐11 in fatty liver treatment. Methods: In vivo, diet‐induced obese (DIO) mice received SZZ15‐11 (50 mg/kg) and TAK875 (50 mg/kg) for 6 weeks. Blood glucose and lipid, hepatocyte lipid and liver morphology were analysed. In vitro, HepG2 cells and GPR40‐knockdown HepG2 cells induced with 0.3 mM oleic acid were treated with SZZ15‐11. Triglyceride and total cholesterol of cells were measured. At the same time, the AMPK pathway regulating triglycerides and cholesterol esters synthesis was investigated via western blot and quantitative polymerase chain reaction in both liver tissue and HepG2 cells. Results: SZZ15‐11 was found to not only attenuate hyperglycaemia and hyperlipidaemia but also ameliorate fatty liver disease in DIO mice. At the same time, SZZ15‐11 decreased triglyceride and total cholesterol content in HepG2 cells. Whether examined in the liver of DIO mice or in HepG2 cells, SZZ15‐11 upregulated AMPKα phosphorylation and then downregulated the expression of the cholesterogenic key enzyme 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase and inhibited acetyl‐CoA carboxylase activity. Furthermore, SZZ15‐11 promotes AMPK activity via [cAMP]i accumulation. Conclusion: This study confirmed that SZZ15‐11, a novel GPR40 agonist, improves hyperlipidaemia and fatty liver, partially via Gs signalling and the AMPK pathway in hepatocytes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

β -Ga2O3 has been widely investigated for its stability and thermochemical properties. However, the preparation of β -Ga2O3 thin films requires complex growth techniques and high growth temperatures, and this has hindered the application of β -Ga2O3 thin films. In this study, β -Ga2O3 thin films with good crystalline quality were prepared using a green method, and an ultraviolet (UV) detector based on β -Ga2O3 with a photocurrent of 2.54 × 10–6 A and a dark current of 1.19 × 10–8 A has been developed. Two-dimensional materials have become premium materials for applications in optoelectronic devices due to their high conductivity. Here, we use the suitable energy band structure between Nb2C and Ga2O3 to create a high carrier migration barrier, which reduces the dark current of the device by an order of magnitude. In addition, the device exhibits solar-blind detection, high responsiveness (28 A W−1) and good stability. Thus, the Nb2C/ β -Ga2O3 heterojunction is expected to be one of the promising devices in the field of UV photoelectric detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: People often look to the opinions and actions of others to guide their food choices, especially when they are uncertain or unfamiliar with a particular food. This influence can be positive or negative depending on the context and can have an impact on food consumption and health outcomes. Design/methodology/approach: The paper analysed data from 500 young adult consumers in China and employed a multi-study design to examine various aspects of social proof and herd behaviour in food choices. Experiment 1 examined the influence of testimonials from an influential person on buying decisions and eating behaviour. Experiment 2 explored whether herd behaviour drives food options. Experiment 3 assessed the influence of social proof on food choices. Chi-square tests of independence were conducted to examine the relationship between social proof and food choice, as well as herd behaviour and food decision-making. Several logit regression analyses were performed to identify the factors that drive consumers' susceptibility to social proof and herding. Findings: The results indicated that the source of feedback, whether from an influential person or a family member, did not have a statistically significant effect on the likelihood of following the food guide recommendations. The preference for a healthier food option was stronger than following the herd. In contrast, social proof in the form of reviews and ratings influenced participants' choices. The paper highlights the usefulness for stakeholders and policymakers seeking to promote healthier eating habits. Originality/value: The originality lies in its comprehensive approach, combining multiple experiments and analytical methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic glucocorticoid therapy has serious side effects, including diabetes and fatty liver. However, the molecular mechanisms responsible for steroid-induced diabetes remain largely enigmatic. Here, we show that hepatic Kruppel-like factor 9 (Klf9) gene expression is induced by dexamethasone and fasting. The overexpression of Klf9 in primary hepatocytes strongly stimulated Pgc1a gene expression through direct binding to its promoter, thereby activating the gluconeogenic program. However, Klf9 mutation abolished the stimulatory effect of dexamethasone on cellular glucose output. Adenovirus-mediated overexpression of KLF9 in the mouse liver markedly increased blood glucose levels and impaired glucose tolerance. Conversely, both global Kf9-mutant mice and liver-specific Klf9-deleted mice displayed fasting hypoglycemia. Moreover, the knockdown of Klf9 in the liver in diabetic mouse models, including ob/ob and db/db mice, markedly lowered fasting blood glucose levels. Notably, hepatic Klf9 deficiency in mice alleviated hyperglycemia induced by chronic dexamethasone treatment. These results suggest a critical role for KLF9 in the regulation of hepatic glucose metabolism and identify hepatic induction of KLF9 as a mechanism underlying glucocorticoid therapy-induced diabetes., Introduction In mammals, glucose homeostasis is maintained through the hormonal regulation of both hepatic glucose production (HGP) and peripheral glucose uptake. In the fasted state, the secretion of the pancreatic [...]

Soil carbon and nitrogen pools are crucial for maintaining the balance of carbon and nitrogen cycling in ecosystems and also for reducing the impacts of global climate change. However, current research lacks an understanding of the effects of long-term vegetation restoration on soil carbon and nitrogen pools and their storage in vulnerable ecosystems. Therefore, we studied the characteristics of soil carbon (soil organic carbon, microbial biomass carbon, dissolved organic carbon) and nitrogen pools (total nitrogen, ammonium nitrogen, nitrate nitrogen) and their storage under four types of vegetation restoration (Stipa bungeana Trin., SB; Caragana korshinskii Kom., CK; Xanthoceras sorbifolia Bunge., XS; Picea asperata Mast., PA) in the Longzhong Loess Plateau area. We found that the carbon and nitrogen pools in the 0–40 cm soil layer under the XS and PA vegetation restoration types were higher compared to those under the SB and CK vegetation, and the values of soil ammonium–nitrogen ratios ranged from 0.72 to 0.83 under different vegetation types. Carbon and nitrogen interactions were stronger in the 0–40 cm soil under PA vegetation, which had significantly higher soil carbon (49.06 t·ha−1) and nitrogen (1.78 t·ha−1) storage than did the other vegetation types. We also found that soil carbon and nitrogen stores differed among different types of vegetation restoration. These elements were mainly distributed in soils from 0 to 20 cm depth, where the carbon and nitrogen pools in soils from 0 to 10 cm exceeded those in the lower layers. Furthermore, we discovered that redundancy analysis (RDA) supported by soil enzyme activity and physical properties significantly explained the variation in soil carbon and nitrogen triggered by vegetation restoration. According to this research, the stability and transformation of soil carbon and nitrogen pools in the region can be influenced by various forms of vegetation restoration. Additionally, the findings highlight that forest vegetation restoration can be a successful strategy for effectively sequestering soil carbon and nitrogen within the Longzhong Loess Plateau area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Residual stress plays an important role in the formation and growth of cracks in thermal barrier coatings and single-crystal superalloy substrates. In this study, a finite element model for a planar double-layer thermal barrier coating and a crystal plasticity finite element model based on dislocation slip-induced plastic deformation of single-crystal materials were established to analyze the residual stress in the coatings and the substrate, considering the creep and crystal plasticity of the substrate materials. The simulation results show that the thermal barrier coatings bear most of the stress generated by high temperatures, and the residual stress of the substrate is small. By comparing the two material properties to calculate the interface stress when the amplitude of the interface between the substrate and the coating is 30 μm and the thickness of the thermal grown oxide layer is 5 µm, the interfacial stress of the substrate at the macro scale was found to be similar to the interfacial stress at the micro slip system scale. Based on the cumulative shear strain, it was determined that the [001]-, [011]-, and [111]-oriented alloys activated the 12, 8, and 4 groups, respectively, under the combined action of thermal stress and centrifugal force of the coating. Comparing the activation of different initial orientation slip systems and the magnitude of the yield stress provides a theoretical foundation to study the structural integrity of single-crystal alloys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]