Minimal change disease (MCD) is a common type of nephrotic syndrome with high recurrence rate. This study aims to explore the impacts of interleukin (IL)-33 in MCD and to discuss its potential mechanism. In adriamycin (ADM) and puromycin aminonucleoside (PAN)-induced MCD rat model, IL-33 was used for treatment. H&E staining was applied for detecting histological changes. Critical proteins were examined by western blot. Corresponding commercial kits tested oxidative stress- and inflammation-related factors. Cell apoptosis was measured by TUNEL assay. ADM-induced podocyte injury model was establish to mimic MCD in vitro. Cell proliferation and apoptosis were detected by CCK-8 and TUNEL assays. Finally, podocyte was stimulated by innate lymphoid type-2 cells-secreted Th2 cytokines (ILC2s: IL-13 and IL-5 respectively), with or without incubation with M1 macrophage medium to further explore the immune-regulation of ILC2s behind the inflammatory environment of MCD. It was found that PAN-induced kidney jury, inflammation, oxidative stress and apoptosis were severer than ADM, and IL-33 treatment significantly alleviated the above injuries in PAN and ADM-induced MCD rat model. Moreover, IL-33 reversed the reduced viability and increased oxidative stress and apoptosis in ADM-induced podocyte injury model. Further, the capacities of IL-13 alone in inducing M1/M2 macrophage polarization, apoptosis, inflammation, kidney injury and reducing cell viability are stronger than IL-5. However, IL-13 reversed reduced cell viability and stimulated apoptosis, inflammation, kidney injury mediated by co-incubation with M1-conditioned medium. Collectively, IL-33 might protect against immunologic injury in MCD via mediating ILC2s-secreted IL-13.
Nowadays, due to the rise of fast-food consumption, the metabolic diseases are increasing as a result of high-sugar and high-fat diets. Therefore, there is an urgent need for natural, healthy and side-effect-free diets in daily life. Whole grain supplementation can enhance satiety and regulate energy metabolism, effects that have been attributed to polyphenol content. Dietary polyphenols interact with gut microbiota to produce intermediate metabolites that can regulate appetite while also enhancing prebiotic effects. This review considers how interactions between gut metabolites and dietary polyphenols might regulate appetite by acting on the gut-brain axis. In addition, further advances in the study of dietary polyphenols and gut microbial metabolites on energy metabolism and gut homeostasis are summarized. This review contributes to a better understanding of how dietary polyphenols regulate appetite via the gut-brain axis, thereby providing nutritional references for citizens' dietary preferences.
Herein, two stable lead(II) molecular-bowl-based metal-organic frameworks and their micro- and nanosized forms with open metal sites were presented. These materials could act as Lewis acid catalysts to cyanosilylation reaction. Moreover, the catalytic performances are size-dependent, with the catalyst with nanosized form being 1 order of magnitude more efficient than those with micro- and millisized forms.
In this study, various HCl-supported hydrochar made from root powder of long-root Eichhornia crassipes were applied to adsorb aqueous sulfachloropyridazine (SCP). Adsorption capacity (qe μg g-1) was positively correlated with combined severity-CS. With CS increasing, carbonization degree, hydrophobicity, porosity and isoelectric point of hydrochar increased, but content of polar functional groups decreased. Hydrophobic interaction was important for SCP adsorption. A 24 × 36 peak area table was generated from 24 FT-IR absorbance spectra computed by peak detection algorithm. Afterwards, correlation analysis between qe μg g-1 and FT-IR peak area were conducted, indicating that wavenumbers at 555.4, 1227.47, 1374.51, 1604.5, 2901.4/2919.2 and 3514.63 cm-1 were helpful for SCP adsorption. Further, multivariate linear regression analyses showed that aromatic skeleton and phenolic hydroxyl were the two biggest contributors. Electrostatic attraction did not exist during the SCP adsorption process. Under strong acid condition, protonated amino groups in cationic SCP acting as a hydrogen donator interacted with electron-rich functional groups onto hydrochar by Hydrogen interaction. Under weak acid condition, neutral SCP served as an π electron donor to bond with hydrochar by π-π electron donator-acceptor interaction. This work could guide the functional groups modification strategy of hydrochar to make better use of it in water purification field.
The Omani socio-cultural context, the mono-gender educational system in schools, and the learning environment at the higher educational institutions significantly affect learners' self-efficacy and academic achievement in the mixed-gender EFL classroom. Different studies have revealed both positive and negative implications of mixed-gender classrooms, especially for those who came from a mono-gender learning environment. The adjustment phase for the tertiary learners from school to the university is not only crucial but also significant for the continuation of higher education. The effects of socio-cultural factors on self-efficacy and academic achievement have not been studied in depth, particularly in eastern countries. So, the current study aimed at investigating the role of gender, learning background, socio-cultural circumstances, and the effect of the learning environment on EFL learners' self-efficacy and their academic achievement within the scenario of the prevailing culture and traditions in the Dhofar Region. To conduct this study, mixed research methods (qualitative and quantitative) have been adopted to investigate the perceptions of both teachers and learners. The sample of the study consists of 117 EFL learners ranging between 18-22 years of age and 25 EFL teachers ranging between 35-60 years of age. We used separate surveys for students and the teachers and interviewed students and teachers on a random basis. The results demonstrate that both genders were comfortable in segregated classes. The results also reveal that female learners were active learners and better performers than male learners in the school learning environment. The students reported that social restrictions discouraged them from mixing with the opposite gender in classroom activities and oral discussions. Most teachers believe that, compared to male learners, female learners performed better and were more engaged and responsive to different learning situations. The study found that there were statistically significant differences between both genders in terms of the effects of socio-cultural environment, self-efficacy, and the learning environment. Female learners were better than male learners in mono-gender schools, and they have higher self-efficacy than male students at the university. In conclusion, EFL teachers should consider the socio-cultural context, learners' learning background, and other challenges of learners to bring out positive outcomes in a mixed-gender classroom.
Antibiotic residues in swine manure when entered the soil would most likely affect the complex composition and functions of the soil microbiome, which is also responsible for degrading these antibiotics. Three different methods of adding ciprofloxacin (CIP), a common antibiotic used in the swine industry, to the soil were used to investigate the effects of CIP on the soil microbiome and the degradation of CIP. Results of the study showed that the microbiome could promote the degradation of CIP in the soil when CIP was incorporated into the soil together with manure. However, the CIP degradation time was prolonged when adding the manure of swine fed with diet containing CIP in the soil. All treatments did not affect the copy number of the resistance genes, except for aac(6')-Ib-cr, as compared with the initial numbers of each treatment. MiSeq Illumina sequencing and Biolog-ECO microplates results showed that CIP had a significant effect on the abundance, structure, and function of the soil microbiome, but different addition methods resulted in distinct effects. Results of the present study demonstrated that the microbiome and fate of CIP responded differently to the different methods of adding CIP to the soil.
The single cell oil (SCO) production by the mono and mixed culture of microalgae Chlorella pyrenoidosa and red yeast Rhodotorula glutinis was investigated using non-detoxified cassava bagasse hydrolysate (CBH) as carbon source. The results suggested that the two strains were able to tolerate and even degrade some byproducts presented in the CBH, and the mixed culture approach enhanced the degradation of certain byproducts. Biomass (20.37 ± 0.38 g/L) and lipid yield (10.42 ± 1.21 g/L) of the mixed culture achieved in the batch culture were significantly higher than that of the mono-cultures (p L and 18.47 ± 3.25 g/L, respectively. The lipids mainly composed of oleic acid and palmitic acid, suggesting the potential applications such as biofuel feedstock, cosmetics, food additives and lubricant. This study provided new insights for the integration of the economical SCO production with agro-industrial waste disposal.
Carbon-based materials have emerged as promising anodes for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) due to the merits of cost-effectiveness and renewability. However, the unsatisfactory performance has hindered the commercialization of SIBs. During the past decades, tremendous attention has been put into enhancing the electrochemical performance of carbon-based anodes from the perspective of improving the compatibility of electrolytes and electrodes. Hence, a systematic summary of strategies for optimizing electrolytes between hard carbon, graphite, and other structural carbon anodes of SIBs is provided. The formulations and properties of electrolytes with solvents, salts, and additives added are comprehensively presented, which are closely related to the formation of solid electrolyte interface (SEI) and crucial to the sodium ion storage performance. Cost analysis of commonly used electrolytes has been provided as well. This review is anticipated to provide guidance in future rational tailoring of electrolytes with carbon-based anodes for sodium-ion batteries.
This study aims to investigate green finance's impact on the synergy between ESG and green innovation (ESGGI) performance and examine the potential influence played by stakeholders' green concerns on this impact. Hence, we calculated the synergy of ESGGI performance based on the entropy method and the coupled coordination degree model and conducted regression analyses on the data of 1143 Chinese companies from 2012 to 2020. The results reveal a remarkable inverted U-shaped relationship between green finance and the synergy of ESGGI performance. Additionally, the green concerns of the government and the media can efficiently moderate green finance's impact on the synergy of ESGGI performance. Further tests show that green finance's impact on the synergy of ESGGI performance of SOEs, HPEs, and HTEs is more significant. This paper demonstrates an association between green finance and the synergy of ESGGI performance, which yields new insights for companies to implement green transformation and sustainable development.
Receiving international industrial transfer (mainly foreign direct investment, FDI) is extremely important for economic development but also brings negative environmental impacts for Southeast Asian developing countries (SEADCs). Due to relatively low labor costs and large market potential, SEADCs have become an attractive destination for industrial transfer after China, while studies were far from sufficient on the associated air pollutant emissions that would worsen air quality and threaten human health. We develop an exploratory framework to estimate the long-term trends of relevant air pollutant emissions in eight major SEADCs, including Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam. During 1990-2018, the emissions generally show a fluctuating upward trend and increased significantly in Cambodia, Laos, Philippines, and Vietnam. The total emissions of CO, NMVOC, SO2, NOX, PM2.5, and NH3 from the eight SEADCs increased from 19.0, 4.3, 3.6, 1.5, 0.5, and 0.4 kilotons (kt) to 391.6, 260.9, 271.1, 182.4, 48.4, and 12.2 kt, respectively. The emission growth in almost all SEADCs accelerated after 2008 and faster than FDI growth. The disparities in emissions among SEADCs basically grew first and then declined to a level lower than that of 1990, but generally exceeded the disparities in FDI. Productivity gain and emission intensity decrease primarily caused the emission growth and reduction, respectively. Relatively small reductions in emission intensity are found for NOX and SO2. In general, most SEADCs have utilized FDI for economic development without sufficient efforts on air pollutant emission controls. Our outcomes can inform the formulation and optimization of relevant policies reconciling economic development and air quality improvement in SEADCs.
The deformation-coordination ability between ductile metal and brittle dispersive ceramic particles is poor, which means that an improvement in strength will inevitably sacrifice ductility in dispersion-strengthened metallic materials. Here, we present an inspired strategy for developing dual-structure-based titanium matrix composites (TMCs) that achieve 12.0% elongation comparable to the matrix Ti6Al4V alloys and enhanced strength compared to homostructure composites. The proposed dual-structure comprises a primary structure, namely, a TiB whisker-rich region engendered fine grain Ti6Al4V matrix with a three-dimensional micropellet architecture (3D-MPA), and an overall structure consisting of evenly distributed 3D-MPA "reinforcements" and a TiBw-lean titanium matrix. The dual structure presents a spatially heterogeneous grain distribution with 5.8 μm fine grains and 42.3 μm coarse grains, which exhibits excellent hetero-deformation-induced (HDI) hardening and achieves a 5.8% ductility. Interestingly, the 3D-MPA "reinforcements" show 11.1% isotropic deformability and 66% dislocation storage, which endows the TMCs with good strength and loss-free ductility. Our enlightening method uses an interdiffusion and self-organization strategy based on powder metallurgy to enable metal matrix composites with the heterostructure of the matrix and the configuration of reinforcement to address the strength-ductility trade-off dilemma.
Citrus polyphenols can modulate gut microbiota and such bi-directional interaction that can yield metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) to aid in gut homeostasis. Such interaction provides citrus polyphenols with powerful prebiotic potential, contributing to guts' health status and metabolic regulation. Citrus polyphenols encompass unique polymethoxy flavonoids imparting non-polar nature that improve their bioactivities and ability to penetrate the blood-brain barrier. Green extraction technology targeting recovery of these polyphenols has received increasing attention due to its advantages of high extraction yield, short extraction time, low solvent consumption, and environmental friendliness. However, the low bioavailability of citrus polyphenols limits their applications in extraction from citrus by-products. Meanwhile, nano-encapsulation technology may serve as a promising approach to improve citrus polyphenols' bioavailability. As citrus polyphenols encompass multiple hydroxyl groups, they are potential to interact with bio-macromolecules such as proteins and polysaccharides in nano-encapsulated systems that can improve their bioavailability. This multifaceted review provides a research basis for the green and efficient extraction techniques of citrus polyphenols, as well as integrated mechanisms for its anti-inflammation, alleviating metabolic syndrome, and regulating gut homeostasis, which is more capitalized upon using nano-delivery systems as discussed in that review to maximize their health and food applications.
Cholesterol and blood pressure (BP) can be effectively and safely lowered with statin drugs and BP-lowering drugs, reducing major cardiovascular (CV) events by 20%-30% within 5 years in high-risk individuals. However, there are limited data in lower-risk populations. The Heart Outcomes Prevention Evaluation-3 (HOPE-3) trial is evaluating whether cholesterol lowering with a statin drug, BP lowering with low doses of 2 antihypertensive agents, and their combination safely reduce major CV events in individuals at intermediate risk who have had no previous vascular events and have average cholesterol and BP levels.
BACKGROUND: Antihypertensive therapy reduces the risk of cardiovascular events among high-risk persons and among those with a systolic blood pressure of 160 mm Hg or higher, but its role in persons at intermediate risk and with lower blood pressure is unclear.
METHODS: In one comparison from a 2-by-2 factorial trial, we randomly assigned 12,705 participants at intermediate risk who did not have cardiovascular disease to receive either candesartan at a dose of 16 mg per day plus hydrochlorothiazide at a dose of 12.5 mg per day or placebo. The first coprimary outcome was the composite of death from cardiovascular causes, nonfatal myocardial infarction, or nonfatal stroke; the second coprimary outcome additionally included resuscitated cardiac arrest, heart failure, and revascularization. The median follow-up was 5.6 years.
RESULTS: The mean blood pressure of the participants at baseline was 138.1/81.9 mm Hg; the decrease in blood pressure was 6.0/3.0 mm Hg greater in the active-treatment group than in the placebo group. The first coprimary outcome occurred in 260 participants (4.1%) in the active-treatment group and in 279 (4.4%) in the placebo group (hazard ratio, 0.93; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.79 to 1.10; P=0.40); the second coprimary outcome occurred in 312 participants (4.9%) and 328 participants (5.2%), respectively (hazard ratio, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.81 to 1.11; P=0.51). In one of the three prespecified hypothesis-based subgroups, participants in the subgroup for the upper third of systolic blood pressure (>143.5 mm Hg) who were in the active-treatment group had significantly lower rates of the first and second coprimary outcomes than those in the placebo group; effects were neutral in the middle and lower thirds (P=0.02 and P=0.009, respectively, for trend in the two outcomes).
CONCLUSIONS: Therapy with candesartan at a dose of 16 mg per day plus hydrochlorothiazide at a dose of 12.5 mg per day was not associated with a lower rate of major cardiovascular events than placebo among persons at intermediate risk who did not have cardiovascular disease. (Funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and AstraZeneca; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00468923.).
Note: Malaysia is a study site (Author: Yusoff K)
Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) refers to the enlargement of the lower artery of the abdominal aorta, and identification of an early detection tool is urgently needed for diagnosis. In the current study, an interdigitated electrode (IDE) sensing surface was used to identify miRNA-335-5p, which reflects the formation of AAAs. The uniformity of the silica material was observed by 3D profilometry, and the chemically modified highly conductive surface improved the detection via the I-V mode. The targeted miRNA-335-5p was detected in a dose-dependent manner and based on linear regression and 3σ analyses, the sensitivity was determined to be 1 fM with a biotinylated probe. The high specificity was shown by discriminating the target sequence from noncomplementary and single- and triple-mismatched sequences. These outputs demonstrated the high-performance detection of miRNA-335-5p with good reproducibility for determination of the severity of AAA.
Cellular microenvironments consist of a variety of cues, such as growth factors, extracellular matrices, and intercellular interactions. These cues are well orchestrated and are crucial in regulating cell functions in a living system. Although a number of researchers have attempted to investigate the correlation between environmental factors and desired cellular functions, much remains unknown. This is largely due to the lack of a proper methodology to mimic such environmental cues in vitro, and simultaneously test different environmental cues on cells. Here, we report an integrated platform of microfluidic channels and a nanofiber array, followed by high-content single-cell analysis, to examine stem cell phenotypes altered by distinct environmental factors. To demonstrate the application of this platform, this study focuses on the phenotypes of self-renewing human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs). Here, we present the preparation procedures for a nanofiber array and the microfluidic structure in the fabrication of a Multiplexed Artificial Cellular MicroEnvironment (MACME) array. Moreover, overall steps of the single-cell profiling, cell staining with multiple fluorescent markers, multiple fluorescence imaging, and statistical analyses, are described.
The size-controlled synthesis of liquid metal nanoparticles is necessary in a variety of applications. Sonication is a common method for breaking down bulk liquid metals into small particles, yet the influence of critical factors such as liquid metal composition has remained elusive. Our study employs high-speed imaging to unravel the mechanism of liquid metal particle formation during mechanical agitation. Gallium-based liquid metals, with and without secondary metals of bismuth, indium, and tin, are analyzed to observe the effect of cavitation and surface eruption during sonication and particle release. The impact of the secondary metal inclusion is investigated on liquid metals' surface tension, solution turbidity, and size distribution of the generated particles. Our work evidences that there is an inverse relationship between the surface tension and the ability of liquid metals to be broken down by sonication. We show that even for 0.22 at. % of bismuth in gallium, the surface tension is significantly decreased from 558 to 417 mN/m (measured in Milli-Q water), resulting in an enhanced particle generation rate: 3.6 times increase in turbidity and ∼43% reduction in the size of particles for bismuth in gallium liquid alloy compared to liquid gallium for the same sonication duration. The effect of particles' size on the photocatalysis of the annealed particles is also presented to show the applicability of the process in a proof-of-concept demonstration. This work contributes to a broader understanding of the synthesis of nanoparticles, with controlled size and characteristics, via mechanical agitation of liquid metals for diverse applications.