Inhibition of eEF2 kinase ameliorates hepatic injury induced by ACR through regulation of the MAPK pathway.

Background And Aims: Acrylamide (ACR) induces hepatotoxicity, yet its underlying mechanisms remain incompletely understood. Our prior proteomic analysis of serum from occupationally ACR-exposed individuals identified significantly elevated levels of eukaryotic elongation factor 2 (eEF2). Given that eEF2 activity is regulated by its phosphorylation status, which is solely mediated by eukaryotic elongation factor 2 kinase (eEF2K), we investigated the role of eEF2K in ACR-induced hepatic injury.

Serum proteins differentially expressed in gestational diabetes mellitus assessed using isobaric tag for relative and absolute quantitation proteomics.

Background: As a well-known fact to the public, gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) could bring serious risks for both pregnant women and infants. During this important investigation into the linkage between GDM patients and their altered expression in the serum, proteomics techniques were deployed to detect the differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) of in the serum of GDM patients to further explore its pathogenesis, and find out possible biomarkers to forecast GDM occurrence.

Aim: To investigation serum proteins differentially expressed in GDM were assessed using isobaric tag for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ) proteomics and bioinformatics analyses.

Deep learning-based inverse design optimization of efficient multilayer thermal emitters in the near-infrared broad spectrum.

This study proposes a deep learning architecture for automatic modeling and optimization of multilayer thin film structures to address the need for specific spectral emitters and achieve rapid design of geometric parameters for an ideal spectral response. Multilayer film structures are ideal thermal emitter structures for thermophotovoltaic application systems because they combine the advantages of large area preparation and controllable costs. However, achieving good spectral response performance requires stacking more layers, which makes it more difficult to achieve fine spectral inverse design using forward calculation of the dimensional parameters of each layer of the structure.

How Do Expectations Modulate Pain? A Motivational Perspective.

Expectations can profoundly modulate pain experience, during which the periaqueductal gray (PAG) plays a pivotal role. In this article, we focus on motivationally evoked neural activations in cortical and brainstem regions both before and during stimulus administration, as has been demonstrated by experimental studies on pain-modulatory effects of expectations, in the hope of unraveling how the PAG is involved in descending and ascending nociceptive processes. This motivational perspective on expectancy effects on the perception of noxious stimuli sheds new light on psychological and neuronal substrates of pain and its modulation, thus having important research and clinical implications.

Association between community environment and dependency among the elderly people from a service provision perspective.

Background: The incidence of dependency is high among the elderly people worldwide and increases with increasing life expectancy. The purpose of this study was to establish from the perspective of resource demand the association between community environmental resources and dependency among the elderly people.

Methods: This study is a cross-sectional design based on community from 22 locations in China.

Stimulating the expression of sphingosine kinase 1 (SphK1) is beneficial to reduce acrylamide-induced nerve cell damage.

Sphingosine kinase 1 (SphK1) is an important signaling molecule for cell proliferation and survival. However, the role of SphK1 in acrylamide (ACR)-induced nerve injury remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role and potential mechanism of SphK1 in ACR-induced nerve injury.

Fabrication of flavour oil high internal phase emulsions by casein/pectin hybrid particles: 3D printing performance.

In this study, three-dimensional (3D) printable oil/water (O/W) high-internal-phase emulsions (HIPEs) (internal phase fraction = 75%) were fabricated using casein (3% w/v)/pectin (1-5% w/v) hybrid particles with flavour oil. The morphologies of the HIPEs, revealed by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and cryo-scanning electron microscopy (cryo-SEM), indicated that the casein/pectin hybrid particles were mainly distributed on the interface of oil droplets. Additionally, the results of rheological and gel-strength measurements indicated that the viscosity (ranging from 1316.

Use of the Dementia Assessment Sheet for Community-based Integrated Care System 21 items among Chinese community-dwelling older adults.

Aim: The objective of this study was to verify the reliability and validity of the Dementia Assessment Sheet for Community-based Integrated Care System 21 items (DASC-21) among Chinese community-dwelling older adults, and to explore the related factors for dementia screening.

Methods: The study adopted a cross-sectional design, and a total of 1152 participants aged ≥60 years were recruited from 26 locations in China. All data were collected using questionnaires through face-to-face interviews.

Association between housing environment and depressive symptoms among older people: a multidimensional assessment.

Background: Depression is a common mental disorder among older people. This study aimed to assess the association between housing environment factors and depressive symptoms among older people using a multidimensional assessment method.

Methods: The study uses a population-based cross-sectional design.

Study on the mechanism of active components of Liupao tea on 3CL based on HPLC-DAD fingerprint and molecular docking technique.

Liupao tea, a drink homologous to medicine and food. It can treat dysentery, relieve heat, remove dampness, and regulate the intestines and stomach. The objective of this study is to explore the material basis and mechanism of Liupao tea intervention in COVID-19 and to provide a new prevention and treatment programme for COVID-19.

The role of social support in the association between dependency and important risk factors among the elderly.

Background: This study aimed to assess the association between social resources and dependency, and explored the effect of social support in modifying important risk factors for dependency among the elderly.

Methods: This was a population-based cross-sectional study. A total of 950 participants aged ≥60 years were selected using a complex multistage sampling design from 22 locations in China.

Aurantio-obtusin improves obesity and insulin resistance induced by high-fat diet in obese mice.

Aurantio-obtusin (AUR) is the main bioactive compound among the anthraquinones, from Cassia seed extract. This study was conducted to identify whether AUR could improve obesity and insulin resistance, induced by a high-fat diet in obese mice. Mice were fed a high-fat diet for 6 weeks and were then assigned to the high-fat diet (HFD) control group, the AUR 5 mg/kg group, or the AUR 10 mg/kg group.

A urinary metabolomic study from subjects after long-term occupational exposure to low concentration acrylamide using UPLC-QTOF/MS.

Because long-term occupational exposure to low concentrations of acrylamide (ACR) has the potential to cause neurological damage, it is important to identify biomarkers that can be used to evaluate this risk. In the present study, urine metabolomics of the ACR-exposed and non-exposed groups to identify potential metabolites was carried out using ultra high performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry. Serum biochemical indexes of the exposed and non-exposed groups were also determined.

Ultrasound pre-fractured casein and in-situ formation of high internal phase emulsions.

Traditional preparation of protein particles is usually complex and tedious, which is a major issue in the development of Pickering high internal phase emulsions (HIPEs). In this study, a facile and in-situ method for the preparation of food-grade Pickering HIPEs was developed using ultrasound pre-fractured casein flocs. The ultrasonic-treated casein protein and resulting Pickering HIPEs were characterised using particle size distribution, confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), cryo-SEM, and rheological measurement.

Nickel-smelting fumes induce mitochondrial damage and apoptosis, accompanied by decreases in viability, in NIH/3T3 cells.

Nickel (Ni) is widely present in the occupational environment and causes various adverse effects on the human body. Apoptosis induced by Ni may be a key mechanism underlying its toxic effect. In the present study, we investigated the effect of Ni-smelting fumes on cell viability, mitochondrial damage, and apoptosis-related proteins in NIH/3T3 cells.

One-pot synthesis of nickel-cobalt hydroxyfluorides nanowires with ultrahigh energy density for an asymmetric supercapacitor.

A novel and unique nickel-cobalt hydroxyfluorides (NiCo-HF) nanowires material is fabricated by one-pot solvothermal synthesis method for asymmetric supercapacitor. The synthesis mechanism and factors that influence the formation of the NiCo-HF nanowires have been further discussed. The as-prepared NiCo-HF electrode exhibits a high specific capacitance of 3,372.

Metabolomics analysis of serum from subjects after occupational exposure to acrylamide using UPLC-MS.

Since occupational exposure to acrylamide (ACR) may cause nerve damage, sensitive biomarkers to evaluate the early effects of ACR on human health are needed. In the present study, we have compared a group of individuals with occupational exposure to ACR (contact group, n = 65) with a group of individuals with no exposure (non-contact group, n = 60). Serum metabolomics analysis of the contact and non-contact groups was carried out using ultra performance liquid chromatograph/time of flight mass spectrometry, combined with multivariate analysis, to identify potential metabolites.

Tea polyphenols dominate the short-term tea (Camellia sinensis) leaf litter decomposition.

Polyphenols are one of the most important secondary metabolites, and affect the decomposition of litter and soil organic matter. This study aims to monitor the mass loss rate of tea leaf litter and nutrient release pattern, and investigate the role of tea polyphenols played in this process. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and classical litter bag method were used to simulate the decomposition process of tea leaf litter and track the changes occurring in major polyphenols over eight months.

Characterization of proteolysis in muscle tissues of sea cucumber .

The proteolysis in muscle tissues of sea cucumber (sjMTs) was characterized. The proteins from sjMTs were primarily myosin heavy chains (MHCs), paramyosin (Pm), and actin (Ac) having a molecular mass of approximately 200, 98, and 42 kDa, respectively. Based on SDS-PAGE analysis and quantification of trichloroacetic acid (TCA)-soluble peptides released, degradation of muscle proteins from sjMTs was favorable at pH 5 and 50°C.

Nickel-Refining Fumes Induced DNA Damage and Apoptosis of NIH/3T3 Cells via Oxidative Stress.

Although there have been numerous studies examining the toxicity and carcinogenicity of nickel compounds in humans and animals, its molecular mechanisms of action are not fully elucidated. In our research, NIH/3T3 cells were exposed to nickel-refining fumes at the concentrations of 0, 6.25, 12.

Effects of nickel-smelting fumes on the regulation of NIH/3T3 cell viability, necrosis, and expression of hMLH1 and RASSF1A.

Nickel is widely used and distributed in various industries. This study investigated the effect of nickel-smelting fumes on the regulation of NIH/3T3 cell viability, apoptosis, and necrosis and the expression of the tumor suppressor genes hMLH1 and RASSF1A. Cell viability was determined using a methylthiazolyl tetrazolium colorimetric assay.

Placebo analgesia, acupuncture and sham surgery.

Invasive procedures, such as surgery and acupuncture, are likely better than the others in terms of eliciting placebo analgesia. Understanding how invasive procedures can elicit enhanced placebo responses may provide new insights into mechanisms underlying placebo analgesia. In this essay, it is argued that sensory, cognitive and emotional factors are major determinants of the magnitude of placebo analgesia.

Screening of differentially expressed genes in the hypothalamus of a rat neuropathic pain model following sciatic nerve injury.

Background: Neuropathic pain is induced by injury or disease of the nervous system. Most studies have so far focused only on a few known molecules and signaling pathways among neurons. However, all signal transmissions involved in neuropathic pain appear to be an integral system at different molecular levels.