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Objective To explore the protective role of DNA damage induced transcription factor 4 (DDIT4) in oxidative stress injury in dermal papilla cells and its underlying mechanisms. Methods Dermal papilla cells were exposed to UVA and H2O2 to establish cellular model of oxidative stress. CCK-8 assay was used to detect cell viability under different treatment conditions, and the production of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) was detected using 2′, 7′-dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA). Autophagic vesicles were observed with electron microscopy. Western blotting was employed to measure the expression of DDIT4 and autophagy-related molecules, including microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3), ubiquitin-binding protein (P62), mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), and p-mTOR. Results UVA and H2O2 resulted in more production of ROS (P < 0.05) and decreased viability of dermal papilla cells (P < 0.05). DDIT4 expression was increased in dermal papilla cells under oxidative stress (P < 0.05), and the antioxidant N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) could effectively inhibit this effect (P < 0.05). After treatment with UVA or H2O2, cell autophagy was enhanced in dermal papilla cells, characterized by an increase in the number of autophagosomes and an increased LC3Ⅱ/Ⅰ ratio (P < 0.05), a decrease in P62 expression (P < 0.05), and 3-methyladenine (3-MA) blocking autophagy led to further reduced cell viability (P < 0.05) and increased intracellular ROS production (P < 0.05). Conversely, rapamycin (RAPA) increased autophagy level and improved the viability of dermal papilla cells under oxidative conditions (P < 0.05), and reduced the generation of intracellular ROS (P < 0.05). Additionally, down-regulation of DDIT4 weakened autophagy in dermal papilla cells under oxidative stress, reduced LC3Ⅱ/Ⅰ (P < 0.05), increased p-mTOR/mTOR and P62 (P < 0.05), inhibited cell viability (P < 0.05), and enhanced intracellular ROS production (P < 0.05). Conclusion DDIT4 may alleviate oxidative stress injury in dermal papilla cells through autophagy.

Comprehensive Summary Herein, we report a rare example of three‐component net‐oxidative sulfonylation of a SO2 surrogate with an oxidatively activated radical precursor under mild and metal‐ and external‐oxidant‐free conditions. The mildness and sustainability of the reaction are enabled by photoelectrocatalysis, and 3‐aza‐1,5‐dienes, organotrifluoroborates and 1,4‐diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane bis(sulfur dioxide) adduct (DABSO) undergo sulfonylative cyclization to afford sulfono 4‐pyrrolin‐2‐ones in an atom‐economical manner with a broad substrate scope and good functional‐group tolerance. The protocol is amenable to the late‐stage diversification of complex molecular architectures as well as the gram‐scale synthesis. Sunlight could be used as the light source, and the reaction could be conducted in an all‐solar mode using a commercially available photovoltaic panel to generate electricity in situ. Mechanistic studies reveal that the in situ generated 1,4‐diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO), which was generally innocent in previous reactions, functions as an electron shuttle between the photocatalytic cycle and the reactants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eleocharis dulcis, an aquatic plant belonging to Cyperaceae family, is indigenous to Asia, and also occurs in tropical Africa and Australia. The edible corm part of E. dulcis is a commonly consumed aquatic vegetable with a planting area of 44.46 × 103 hm2 in China. This work aims to explore the potential of E. dulcis corm for use as a new food source for sufficient nutrients and health benefits by reviewing its nutrients, phytochemicals, functions, processing and food products. Eleocharis dulcis corm contains starches, dietary fibers, non‐starch polysaccharides, proteins, amino acids, phenolics, sterols, puchiin, saponins, minerals and vitamins. Among them, phenolics including flavonoids and quinones could be the major bioconstituents that largely contribute to antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, antibacterial, antitumor, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective and hypolipidemic functions. Peel wastes of E. dulcis corm tend to be enriched in phenolics to a much higher extent than the edible pulp. Fresh‐cut E. dulcis corm can be consumed as a ready‐to‐eat food or processed into juice for beverage production, and anti‐browning processing is a key to prolonging shelf life. Present food products of E. dulcis corm are centered on various fruit and vegetable beverages, and suffer from single categories and inadequate development. In brief, underutilized E. dulcis corm possesses great potential for use as a new food source for sufficient nutrients and health benefits. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Long‐term indwelling catheters assist people who are unable to use another bladder management method. However, urine leakage is a common problem with an indwelling urinary catheter. This study aims to determine whether a modified catheterisation technique would reduce urine leakage incidence. Methods: Participants were randomly divided into conventional or modified catheterisation groups. In the modified technique group, the volume of fluid that needed to be injected into the balloon to obtain a suitable catheter front‐end curvature (120–145°) was measured before catheterisation. Baseline characteristics and first‐time success rates and procedure durations were similar between groups. Results: There were 30 patients in each group. Compared with conventional catheterisation, the modified catheterisation group had smaller residual urine volume (median 11 mL Vs. 30.5 mL, p<0.001) and more leakage‐free days (30 days Vs. 10 days, p<0.001). Leakage‐free survival was longer in the modified catheterisation group (p<0.001). The residual urine volume (>17 vs ≤17 ml (median); incident rate ratio (IRR), 28.710; 95%CI, 4.114–200.331; p=0.001) was independently associated with urine leakage. Conclusions: The modified catheterisation technique may reduce the incidence of urine leakage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sagittaria trifolia is an aquatic plant that is distributed worldwide. The edible tuber part of S. trifolia is a very common and popular vegetable in China. The aim of the present review is to discuss the discovery of nutraceuticals from S. trifolia tuber by reviewing its major constituents, food processing, food products, and health‐promoting benefits. Sagittaria trifolia tuber comprises a series of nutritional and bioactive constituents, including dietary fibers, amino acids, minerals, starches, non‐starch polysaccharides, diterpenoids, colchicine, phenols, and organic acids. Food processing affects its flavor, biocomponents, and bioactivity. Numerous S. trifolia tuber‐based food products and nutraceuticals have been developed, but new categories of products and the anticipated functions still need to be explored. The non‐starch polysaccharides could be the central ingredients that contribute to the plant's antioxidant, hepatoprotective, hypoglycemic, lipid‐regulating, and immunostimulatory properties. Of these, antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects have been thoroughly investigated. Procedures for the extraction and purification of polysaccharides influence their health‐promoting actions. Overall, S. trifolia tuber is an underutilized aquatic vegetable species that is an emerging subject for nutraceutical research. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

NeuropeptideS (NPS) is involved in severe pathological processes. Direct evidence showed NPS regulates the secretion of proinflammato-ry cytokines in pigs. This study investigated the effect of NPS on the secretion of inflammatory cytokines in ducks with H9N2 infection via intramuscular injection with NPS or NPS receptor (NPSR) antagonist. The ducks received 15 nM NPS or 10 nM NPSR antagonist in saline. Samples were collected to analyze the expression levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, IFN-α, NPS, and the H9N2 gene NP by RT-PCR and real time RT-PCR; samples were fixed to observe the histopathological changes by hematoxylin-eosin staining. Serial blood samples were collected (every 30 min, starting 1 h before injections and lasting until 2 h after injections) to measure the serum levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and IFN-α by ELISA. Semiquantitative RT-PCR confirmed that the expression of NPS mRNA wras increased in H9N2 infection group. Morphological data showed NPS treatment could reverse the pathological changes in the duck bursa induced by H9N2 infection. Both the results of real time quantitative RT-PCR and ELISA methods showed NPS and NPSR antagonist treatments could significantly regulate the expression of IFN-α, but not of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α; meanwhile, the levels of increased IFN-α and decreased NP were further prompted by NPS, and NPSR antagonist revered. Conclusion, NPS is involved in the innate immunity response to H9N2 infection via the IFN-α pathway in ducks in vivo. These results indicate NPS affects the immune homeostasis and provides an alternative for anli-H9N2 drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]