Search

Studies have suggested an association between metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) and intestinal barrier function. The present study aims to investigate the association between MAFLD and intestinal barrier impairment in humans and identify potential risk factors for MAFLD.A total of 491 patients were retrospectively enrolled in this study. The serum levels of diamine oxidase, D-lactate and lipopolysaccharide were measured to evaluate intestinal barrier integrity in patients with and without MAFLD. Binary logistic regression and correlational analyses were conducted to verify the association between MAFLD and serum levels of intestinal barrier biomarkers.We enrolled 294 patients with MAFLD and 197 patients without MAFLD in this study. Patients with MAFLD had higher serum levels of diamine oxidase, D-lactate and lipopolysaccharide (P 0.001) than those without MAFLD. Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that BMI [odds ratio (OR) 1.324; P 0.001], triglycerides (OR 2.649; P = 0.002), nonesterified fatty acids (OR 1.002; P = 0.011), diamine oxidase (OR 1.149; P = 0.011) and D-lactate (OR 1.221; P 0.001) were independent risk factors for MAFLD. Additionally, serum levels of diamine oxidase and D-lactate increase as liver steatosis became more severe. MAFLD patients with ≥2 metabolic abnormalities had higher serum levels of lipopolysaccharide (P = 0.034).MAFLD is associated with intestinal barrier impairment. Diamine oxidase and D-lactate are potential predictors of MAFLD, and their serum levels are related to liver steatosis. Intestinal barrier impairment is related to metabolic disorders in patients with MAFLD.

Fish is an important source of antimicrobial peptides. This study aimed to identify and screen antibacterial peptides with excellent antibacterial activity derived from sturgeon spermary peptides (SSPs) and to analyze their antibacterial activity and mechanism. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry methods were used to analyze and identify peptide sequences, computational prediction tool and molecular docking methods were used for virtual screening of antimicrobial peptides, and finally, candidate peptides were synthesized by solid-phase synthesis method. The results demonstrate that SSPs have excellent inhibitory activity against Escherichia coli with an inhibitory rate of 76.46%. Most parts of the SSPs were derived from the sturgeon (Acipenser ruthenus) histones, and the coverage of histone H2B was the highest (45%). Two novel peptides (NDEELNKLM and RSSKRRQ) were obtained by in silico prediction tools and molecular docking, which may interact with the DNA gyrase and dihydrofolate reductase of E. coli by forming salt bridges and hydrogen bonds. Compared to the individual peptides, the antibacterial effect was significantly improved by mixing the two peptides in equal proportions. Two novel peptides change the permeability of the E. coli cell membranes and may exert antimicrobial activity by inhibiting the metabolic process of the nucleic acids.

Under the guidance of a symmetry-breaking and π-bridge-extending strategy, three asymmetric and symmetric non-fullerene acceptors (L1, L2, and L3) with DA′D core units and two 2-(5,6-difluoro-3-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-1-ylidene)malononitrile electron-withdrawing units (A) have been designed and synthesized via changing the alkoxy-substituted thiophene bridge unit. The asymmetric A–DA′D–π-A-type non-fullerene acceptor (NFA) L2 displays much improved solubility and a slightly larger molar absorption coefficient than its symmetric counterparts (L1 and L3). In addition, blend film based on the asymmetric NFA L2 shows suitable nanoscale phase morphology and much higher and more balanced hole and electron mobilities. Hence, compared with L1- and L3-based organic solar cells (OSCs), optimal L2-based devices can deliver a high power-conversion efficiency (PCE) of 14.06% with simultaneously enhanced current density and fill factor values. Our study indicates that a combined symmetry-breaking and π-bridge-extending strategy is powerful for the design of high-performance NFAs.

The side chain engineering of photoactive materials is one of the most commonly used molecular design strategies for developing high performance organic solar cells (OSCs). Herein, two alkyl (or alkoxyl) chains, corresponding to 4TIC-C8-2F and 4TIC-OC8-2F, are introduced to the two outmost thiophene rings of the A–D–A type fused ring electron acceptor (4TIC-2F). We demonstrate that the molecular orientation, crystallinity and blend film morphology can be effectively regulated by side chain engineering. Moreover, the introduction of the flexible chains can also lead to reduced energy loss of photovoltaic devices and give rise to a higher open-circuit voltage. The power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of the PM6:4TIC-C8-2F and PM6:4TIC-OC8-2F based solar cells are 10.75% and 10.13%, respectively, higher than the PM6:4TIC-2F based devices (10.03%). Furthermore, the optimized devices based on PM6:4TIC-C8-2F give an enhanced PCE of 12.65%. Our results have revealed that side chain engineering is an efficient molecular design strategy in developing high performance small molecular acceptors.

Background Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) may be characterized by skeletal muscle abnormalities. Pioglitazone has a certain therapeutic effect on skeletal muscle metabolism in PCOS patients.Objective To investigate the other effects of pioglitazone on skeletal muscle and its mechanism.Methods We used weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) to identify potential key genes and signaling pathways involved in pioglitazone affecting skeletal muscle in PCOS patients. First, download the chip data of GSE8157 from GEO database. Then, modules related to genes expressed in skeletal muscle of PCOS patients before and after pioglitazone treatment were screened by WGCNA, and core genes and differential gene analysis methods were further selected according to the correlation characteristics between modules and clinical manifestations. Finally, the selected genes were enriched for analysis.Results Four significantly up-regulated genes were screened out by differential gene analysis: MTBP, MAPK14, RBBP6 and PTPRC. They are both associated with cell cycle regulation and immune cell (T cell) antigen receptor signaling.Conclusions The effect of pioglitazone on skeletal muscle of PCOS patients is mainly reflected in the regulation of abnormal expression of cell cycle and immune cell-related genes. Among them, HFE gene has the most obvious regulation effect on T lymphocyte activity, which may be a potential gene target for the treatment of PCOS.

Fused-ring electron acceptors have made significant progress in recent years, while the development of fully non-fused ring acceptors has been unsatisfactory. Here, two fully non-fused ring acceptors, o-4TBC-2F and m-4TBC-2F, were designed and synthesized. By regulating the location of the hexyloxy chains, o-4TBC-2F formed planar backbones, while m-4TBC-2F displayed a twisted backbone. Additionally, the o-4TBC-2F film showed a markedly red-shifted absorption after thermal annealing, which indicated the formation of J-aggregates. For fabrication of organic solar cells (OSCs), PBDB-T was used as a donor and blended with the two acceptors. The o-4TBC-2F-based blend films displayed higher charge mobilities, lower energy loss and a higher power conversion efficiency (PCE). The optimized devices based on o-4TBC-2F gave a PCE of 10.26 %, which was much higher than those based on m-4TBC-2F at 2.63 %, and it is one of the highest reported PCE values for fully non-fused ring electron acceptors.

Molecular orientation is one of the key parameters that would greatly influence the charge transportation in sandwich-type organic photovoltaic devices. Herein, two new A–π–D–π–A type acceptor molecules Ph-DTDPo-OTE and Ph-DTDPo-TE are designed and synthesized based on a 2H-pyran derived ladder-type dipyran core (DTDPo). A branched 2-ethylhexyloxy chain is utilized to replace the linear hexyloxy one so as to improve the solubility and blend morphology. It's interesting that the dominant edge-on orientation for Ph-DTDPo-OTE could be converted to the favorite face-on packing when the alkyloxy chains are replaced by alkyl ones. The desired molecular orientations of both Ph-DTDPo-TE and PBDB-T could guarantee the efficient charge transportation. In addition, good miscibility and interpenetrated fibrils have been observed in the blend of Ph-DTDPo-TE:PBDB-T by both surficial and in-depth morphology characterization experiments. Finally, a high PCE of 12.21% (Voc = 0.82 V, Jsc = 20.83 mA cm−2 and FF = 71.14%) is achieved for Ph-DTDPo-TE, which is one of the highest values for binary OSCs based on a pyran comprising acceptor. Our research demonstrates that appropriate side chain engineering at the π-bridge is an effective strategy to regulate molecular orientations and the morphology of blend films.

The plant Bauhinia brachycarpa Benth (BBB) has been traditionally used for treating muscle aches such as bone pain, and neuralgia for a long time, on account of its sedative and antinociceptive activities in Yunnan province of China. However, there was no experimental evidence to confirm its traditional medicinal use.The antinociceptive effect and possible mechanism of ethanolic extract of BBB on neuropathic pain was evaluated through a model of partial sciatic nerve ligation in mice.A commonly employed animal model induced by partial sciatic nerve ligation (PSNL) in mice was established in the aim of studying neuropathic pain. Ethanolic extract of BBB (1000, 500, 250 mg/kg) and pregabalin (60 mg/kg) were intragastric administrated daily for 7 days post-PSNL. Mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia were assessed throughout the experimental period. After the experiment, the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) in serum were determined by ELISA. The mRNA expressions of ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba-1), CD16, CD206, arginine-1 (Arg-1), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in the spinal cord were detected by qPCR. The protein levels of Iba-1, CD16, CD206, and p38 phosphorylation in the spinal cord were detected by immunohistochemistry and western blotting. The phytochemical analysis of BBB was performed through the colorimetric test.Neuropathic pain induced by PSNL was significantly alleviated by BBB treatment, which decreased pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-1β and iNOS, increased anti-inflammatory cytokine such as IL-10 and Arg-1, and attenuated p38 phosphorylation. BBB also reduced the number of Iba-1 and CD16 positive cells, but it enhanced the number of CD206 positive cells. n-Butanol portion that was partitioned from the ethanolic extract had the highest content of total flavonoids among all the portions, and the antinociceptive effect of n-butanol portion is better than that of other portions.Our findings indicate that the antinociceptive effect of BBB is mediated by inhibiting the inflammatory response and regulating the differentiation of microglia. The antinociceptive effect of BBB was related to the content of total flavonoids.

Summary Site-specific recombination systems (SRSs) are widely used in studies on synthetic biology and related disciplines. Nondirectional SRSs can randomly trigger excision, integration, reversal, and translocation, which are effective tools to achieve large-scale genome recombination. In this study, we designed 6 new nondirectional SRSs named Vika/voxsym1-4 and Dre/roxsym1-2. All 6 artificial nondirectional SRSs were able to generate random deletion and inversion in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Moreover, all six SRSs were orthogonal to Cre/loxPsym. The pairwise orthogonal nondirected SRSs can simultaneously initiate large-scale and independent gene recombination in two different regions of the genome, which could not be accomplished using previous orthogonal systems. These SRSs were found to be robust while working in the cells at different growth stages, as well as in the different spatial structure of the chromosome. These artificial pairwise orthogonal nondirected SRSs offer newfound potential for site-specific recombination in synthetic biology., Graphical abstract, Highlights • Designed six new artificial nondirectional site-specific recombination systems • Pairwise orthogonal nondirected recombination systems in yeast • The deletion efficiency of systems is far greater than the inversion efficiency • These nondirectional recombination systems were found to be robust, Biological sciences; Biotechnology; Genetic engineering; Biological sciences research methodologies; Bioengineering; Synthetic biology

Zn-air batteries have attracted extensive attention for their unique features including high energy density, safety, low cost and environmental friendliness. However, due to their poor chargeability and low efficiency, the practical application remains a challenge. The main obstacles are the intrinsic slow reaction kinetics on air cathodes, including oxygen reduction reaction during the discharging process and oxygen evolution reaction during the recharging process. Searching for efficient bifunctional oxygen electrocatalysts is key to solve these problems. In this review, the configuration and fundamental oxygen electrochemical reactions on air cathodes are briefly introduced for Zn-air batteries first. Then, the latest bifunctional oxygen electrocatalysts are summarized in detail. Finally, the perspectives are provided for the future investigations on bifunctional oxygen electrocatalysts.

Because of the disparity in dative bond strength, three-dimensional (3D) bulky metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) based on the azolate layers and carboxylate pillars can be exfoliated into ultrathin two-dimensional (2D) nanosheets via alkali-etching exfoliation method. The obtained MOFs nanosheets, as giant secondary building layers (SBLs), can assemble with different linkers to form a series of 3D MOFs, thus facilely incorporating diverse functional groups into structures. The strategy reported here presents a low-cost, convenient, and high-throughput method to prepare ultrathin 2D nanosheets not only for potential applications but also for the generation of giant SBLs for rational MOF construction.

Highly active and durable electrocatalysts are desired to promote oxygen reduction reactions (ORR) for Zn-air batteries. Here we report a promising catalyst of Pd nanoparticles supported on boron carbide (Pd/B4C) through a facile hydrothermal route. The Pd/B4C electrode not only shows the same onset potential of 0.96 V vs. RHE as the Pt/C electrode, but also an obviously larger limiting current density. More importantly, compared with noble metal electrodes, Pd/B4C shows higher power density (187 mW cm-2) and much more durable cycle life (up to 1333 h) in Zn-air batteries. To gain insight into the enhanced ORR activity by B4C support, first-principles computations reveal the synergistic effect between B4C and Pd; B4C could significantly promote O2 adsorption and splitting on Pd/B4C composites, while Pd particles on B4C have a major effect on the transformation of O* to OH-. The computations are consistent with the experimental characterizations. This work opens up a new avenue for seeking novel and durable electrocatalysts for Zn-air batteries with B4C substrates, which are chemically and electrochemically stable in hash alkaline electrolytes during operation.

As typic priority pollutants in the marine environment, heavy metals can be accumulated in the human body leading to serious environmental and health problems. The metal regulatory elements (MREs) have been identified to be the main functional parts for the response to heavy metals. To develop a convenient biological monitoring tool for the detection of heavy metals in the oceans, we generated a transgenic marine medaka line Tg(OmMT: eGFP) with a truncated metallothionein promoter, which was only 193 bp and drove the expression of eGFP. After Tg(OmMT:eGFP) embryos were treated with four different heavy metals and different concentrations, the results showed that the expression level of eGFP was consistent with that of the endogenous mt. The transgenic embryos are very sensitive to Hg2+, and the fluorescence could be induced in the 0.0002 μM concentration, which is far lower than the primary water standard. The expression level of eGFP and mt showed a dose-dependent manner to heavy metals concentration. Taken together, the newly established marine medaka is a sensitive, efficient, and convenient tool for monitoring heavy metal pollution in the environment, especially seawater.

Rechargeable Li-O2 batteries have aroused much attention for their high energy density as a promising battery technology; however, the performance of the batteries is still unsatisfactory. Lithium anodes, as one of the most important part of Li-O2 batteries, play a vital role in improving the cycle life of the batteries. Now, a very simple method is introduced to produce a protective film on lithium surface via chemical reactions between lithium metals and 1,4-dioxacyclohexane. The film is mainly composed of ethylene oxide monomers and endows Li-O2 batteries with enhanced cycling stability. The film could effectually reduce the morphology changes and suppress the parasitic reactions of lithium anodes. This simple approach provides a new strategy to protect lithium anodes in Li-O2 batteries.

Rechargeable Li-O2 batteries have aroused much attention for their high energy density. However, the poor rechargeability and low efficiency hinder their practical applications. To solve these issues, free-standing carbon films combined with high-activity NiFe2O4 catalysts are prepared by electrospinning method, and directly used as air cathodes for Li-O2 batteries. The obtained films have 3D networks formed by stacking and interlacing massive nanofibers with uniformly dispersed NiFe2O4 nanoparticles on them. The Li-O2 batteries with such binder-free air cathodes show low charging overpotential even comparable to precious metal cathodes, and can sustain excellent discharge/charge cyclic stability. The unique structure and binder-free superiority greatly facilitates the Li+ and O2 diffusion, accelerates the decomposition of Li2O2, and avoid the disturbance of polymer binders.