Comparison of catalytic activities of aluminum complexes with sulfur and oxygen containing ligands for the ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone.

A series of aluminum complexes bearing various ligands, including -butanolate, -butyl thiolate, 2,6-dimethylphenolate, 2,6-dimethylbenzenethiolate, 2,6-di--butyl-4-methylphenolate, 2,6-di-trimethylsilylbenzenethiolate, furan-2-ylmethanolate, thiophen-2-ylmethanolate, pyridin-2-olate, pyridine-2-thiolate, quinolin-8-olate, and quinoline-8-thiolate were synthesized and assessed for their catalytic activity in the ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone (CL). Polymerization results revealed that SSi-Al exhibited a significantly higher catalytic activity ([CL] : [SSi-Al] : [BnOH] = 100 : 1 : 2; [CL] = 2 M; conv. = 92% at 25 °C after 35 min with = 0.

Casticin inhibits the release of synaptic vesicular glutamate from rat hippocampal nerve terminals.

The effect of casticin, major polymethoxyflavone extracted from Vitex rotundifolia, on glutamate release and its underlying mechanisms was investigated in rat hippocampal synaptosomes. Casticin inhibited 4-aminopyridine (4-AP)-evoked glutamate release, with an IC of approximately 7.2 μM.

Ethanol Extract Restores MK-801-Induced Cytoskeleton Regulation in Neuro2A and IMR-32 Cells and Locomotor Hyperactivity in C57BL/6 Mice by Modulating the Rho Signaling Pathway.

Unlabelled: extract attenuates MK-801-induced hyperactivity via RhoA/ROCK1 pathway modulation in mice.

Background/objectives: (), a traditional East Asian medicinal mushroom, serves as a medicine and nutritional supplement, has been used to improve sleep and mood. Its bioactive compounds may regulate calcium signaling and Rho family proteins, which are linked to cytoskeletal remodeling and psychiatric symptoms.

The effectiveness of orienteering exercise on improving physical fitness and cognitive functions in non-athletes: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objectives: Orienteering exercise combines physical and cognitive function training, but its interventional effects remain unclear. Hence, in this study, we examined the effectiveness of orienteering exercise interventions in improving physical fitness and cognitive functions by a systematic review, meta-analyses, subgroup analyses, and meta-regression.

Study Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Cynarin protects against seizures and neuronal death in a rat model of kainic acid-induced seizures.

The potential therapeutic value of cynarin, a phenolic compound derived from artichoke, in treating epilepsy has not yet been reported. The present study evaluated the effects of cynarin on a kainic acid (KA)-induced seizure rat model and its potential mechanism. Cynarin was administered through oral gavage at a dosage of 10 mg kg daily for 7 days before the induction of seizures with KA (15 mg kg) intraperitoneal injection.

Reduction in presynaptic glutamate release and the prevention of glutamate excitotoxicity by lupeol in rats.

This study aimed to investigate whether lupeol, a pentacyclic triterpenoid, affects glutamate release in isolated nerve terminals (synaptosomes) from the rat cerebral cortex and whether lupeol affects the excitotoxicity induced by kainic acid (KA) in rats. In rat cerebrocortical synaptosomes, lupeol reduced glutamate release in a manner that could be blocked by extracellular Ca-free medium or P/Q-type Ca channel antagonism. The synaptosomal membrane potential was not affected by lupeol treatment.

The Effects of Training on Older Volunteers' Skill Competency, Volunteer Motivation, Self-Efficacy, and Work Satisfaction: A Cluster Randomized Trial.

This longitudinal cluster-randomized trial investigated older volunteers' changes following a 3-month training program. A total of 156 older Taiwanese volunteers in the community care centers participated in this study (  = 80,  = 76).   Older volunteers' skills/competency and psychosocial variables were assessed at baseline, one and three months.

2,3,5,4'-tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-β-D-glucoside-stimulated dental pulp stem cells-derived exosomes for wound healing and bone regeneration.

Background/purpose: -2,3,5,4'-tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-β-D-glucoside (THSG) is a bioactive component in the Chinese herb Polygonum multiflorum, recognized for its anti-inflammatory and lipid-lowering properties. Human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) have excellent capabilities in tooth regeneration, wound healing, and neural repair. The exosomes (Exo) released by hDPSCs contain bioactive molecules that influence cell proliferation, differentiation, and immune responses.

Psychometric Properties of Chinese Version of the Multiple Intelligence Scale (MIS) Among Older Adults: Rasch Analysis and Confirmatory Factor Analysis.

Unlabelled: The present study utilized advanced psychometric methods (i.e., Rasch analysis and confirmatory factor analysis [CFA]) to evaluate the factor structure of the Multiple Intelligence Scale (MIS) and its validity among Taiwanese older adults.

Cobalt Protoporphyrin Downregulates Hyperglycemia-Induced Inflammation and Enhances Mitochondrial Respiration in Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells.

Diabetic retinopathy is characterized by hyperglycemic retinal pigment epithelial cells that secrete excessive pro-inflammatory cytokines and VEGF, leading to retinal damage and vision loss. Cobalt protoporphyrin (CoPP) is a compound that can reduce inflammatory responses by inducing high levels of HO-1. In the present study, the therapeutic effects of CoPP were examined in ARPE-19 cells under hyperglycemia.

Targeting Insulin Resistance, Reactive Oxygen Species, Inflammation, Programmed Cell Death, ER Stress, and Mitochondrial Dysfunction for the Therapeutic Prevention of Free Fatty Acid-Induced Vascular Endothelial Lipotoxicity.

Excessive intake of free fatty acids (FFAs), especially saturated fatty acids, can lead to atherosclerosis and increase the incidence of cardiovascular diseases. FFAs also contribute to obesity, hyperlipidemia, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Palmitic acid (PA) is human plasma's most abundant saturated fatty acid.

The effect of CEO's compensation in driving corporate ESG greenwashing: Evidence from China.

This study examines the relationship between CEO compensation schemes and ESG greenwashing behavior in Chinese listed firms during the period 2013-2022. We find that a CEO's cash (equity) compensation has a significantly positive (negative) correlation with corporate ESG greenwashing behavior. From mechanism analysis, consistent with the agency problem view, firms engage in more severe ESG greenwashing behavior under a higher proportion of cash in the CEO compensation structure.

Effectiveness of Exercise on Fatigue for Patients With Heart Failure: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Exercise is the standard treatment for fatigue in heart failure (HF) patients. However, no study has investigated the effect of exercise on improving fatigue and HR-QoL in HF patients. Our study adhered to the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions and followed the PRISMA statement.

Albiflorin Decreases Glutamate Release from Rat Cerebral Cortex Nerve Terminals (Synaptosomes) through Depressing P/Q-Type Calcium Channels and Protein Kinase A Activity.

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether and how albiflorin, a natural monoterpene glycoside, affects the release of glutamate, one of the most important neurotransmitters involved in neurotoxicity, from cerebrocortical nerve terminals (synaptosomes) in rats. The results showed that albiflorin reduced 4-aminopyridine (4-AP)-elicited glutamate release from synaptosomes, which was abrogated in the absence of extracellular Ca or in the presence of the vesicular glutamate transporter inhibitor or a P/Q-type Ca channel inhibitor, indicating a mechanism of action involving Ca-dependent depression of vesicular exocytotic glutamate release. Albiflorin failed to alter the increase in the fluorescence intensity of 3,3-diethylthiacarbocyanine iodide (DiSC(5)), a membrane-potential-sensitive dye.

Description of Aliirhizobium terrae sp. nov., A Plant Growth-Promoting Bacterium Isolated from a Maize-Rice Rotation Agriculture Field.

A polyphasic taxonomic approach was used to characterize a novel bacterium, designated strain CC-CFT758, isolated from a maize-rice rotation agriculture field in Taiwan. The cells are aerobic, Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped, positive for catalase and oxidase, and grow at 20-30 °C (optimal 30 ℃), at pH 6.0-8.

Inequality in Older Volunteering: Association Between Volunteer Competency and Demographic Profiles.

The present survey research investigated older people's volunteering competency relating to social inequality by exploring the latent ability profile and demographic correlates of 1,000 older volunteers in 73 community care centersin southern Taiwan. Older volunteers were classified into advanced (n = 509), basic (n = 214), and novice (n = 277) groups. Demographics examined included: individualistic characteristics (religious beliefs), resources (education; number of chronic diseases), andsocial factors (serving area and spoken language, volunteering duration, marital status, and gender).

Gypenoside XVII Reduces Synaptic Glutamate Release and Protects against Excitotoxic Injury in Rats.

Excitotoxicity is a common pathological process in neurological diseases caused by excess glutamate. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of gypenoside XVII (GP-17), a gypenoside monomer, on the glutamatergic system. In vitro, in rat cortical nerve terminals (synaptosomes), GP-17 dose-dependently decreased glutamate release with an IC value of 16 μM.

Toward Characterizing Environmental Sources of Non-tuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM) at the Species Level: A Tutorial Review of NTM Phylogeny and Phylogenetic Classification.

Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are any mycobacteria that do not cause tuberculosis or leprosy. While the majority of NTM are harmless and some of them are considered probiotic, a growing number of people are being diagnosed with NTM infections. Therefore, their detection in the environment is of interest to clinicians, environmental microbiologists, and water quality researchers alike.

Development and testing of a four-item version of the physical resilience instrument for older adults (PRIFOR-4).

The 16-item Physical Resilience Instrument for Older Adults (PRIFOR) has good clinimetric properties; however, a shortened PRIFOR would greatly enhance physical resilience measurements in clinical settings. The current analysis aimed to reduce the number of PRIFOR while maintaining its clinimetric properties, emphasizing on its factor structure and convergent validity. A longitudinal study was conducted among 863 patients aged 65 years or older.

Nitric oxide and tumor necrosis factor-⍺ levels are negatively correlated in endotoxin tolerance recovery in vitro.

Endotoxin tolerance (ET) is the hyporesponsiveness to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) after prior exposure. It is characterized by the downregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokine levels. Although ET protects against inflammation, its abolishment or recovery is critical for immunity.

Phillygenin Suppresses Glutamate Exocytosis in Rat Cerebrocortical Nerve Terminals (Synaptosomes) through the Inhibition of Ca2.2 Calcium Channels.

Glutamate is a major excitatory neurotransmitter that mediates neuronal damage in acute and chronic brain disorders. The effect and mechanism of phillygenin, a natural compound with neuroprotective potential, on glutamate release in isolated nerve terminals (synaptosomes) prepared from the rat cerebral cortex were examined. In this study, 4-aminopyridine (4-AP), a potassium channel blocker, was utilized to induce the release of glutamate, which was subsequently quantified via a fluorometric assay.

Establishing psychometric properties of the older volunteer competency scale in the community.

Aim(s): To investigate the factorial structure, test-retest reliability, and internal consistency of the Older Volunteer Competency Scale and establish its psychometric properties.

Design: Cross-sectional survey.

Methods: A total of 1,000 older volunteers were recruited through random sampling and asked to complete the Older Volunteer Competency Scale.

Biological upgrading of biogas assisted with membrane supplied hydrogen gas in a three-phase upflow reactor.

Biogas upgrading via CO conversion to CH is an emerging technology for renewable natural gas production and carbon management, but its development is limited by the low H gas to liquid phase transfer. Herein, an innovative biogas upgrading system employing a three-phase design was studied for CO conversion with H supply via gas-permeable membrane. The system produced biogas consisted of 74.