Humans have relied on biomass for survival and development since the Stone Age. All aspects of human needs for materials are covered by tools, fuel, and buildings. Nowadays, metals and petroleum-based materials are wi...Humans have relied on biomass for survival and development since the Stone Age. All aspects of human needs for materials are covered by tools, fuel, and buildings. Nowadays, metals and petroleum-based materials are widely used in highly developed industries. Unfortunately, environmental contamination and the loss of natural resources have led to the reemergence of biomass resources as efficient and sustainable energy sources. Notably, simple and direct applications can no longer meet the demand for functionalization, high performance of materials and construction materials. Therefore, it is imperative to modify biomass and combine its utilisation to produce functionalization and high performance materials. For example, construction materials with superior mechanical properties and water resistance can be produced by reinforcing fibres to facilitate crosslinking. Water-oil separation or adsorption effects of hydrogels and aerogels are determined by the porosity and lightness of biomass, biocomposite conductor is prepared by chimaeric conductive material. Here, we review the approaches that have been taken to devise an environmentally friendly yet fully recyclable and sustainable functionalised biocomposites from biomass and its potential directions for future research.展开更多
AIM: To investigate the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) tumor suppressor gene and risk of colon cancer. METHODS: We utilized a population-based c...AIM: To investigate the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) tumor suppressor gene and risk of colon cancer. METHODS: We utilized a population-based casecontrol study of incident colon cancer individuals (n= 421) and controls (n = 483) aged ≥ 30 years to conduct a comprehensive tagSNP association analysis of the PTEN gene. RESULTS: None of the PTEN SNPs were statistically significantly associated with colon cancer when controlled for age, gender, and race, or when additionally adjusted for other known risk factors (P > 0.05). Haplotype analyses similarly showed no association between the PTEN gene and colon cancer. CONCLUSION: Our study does not support PTEN as a colon cancer susceptibility gene.展开更多
Objective:To investigate the cardioprotective effect of beta-glucan against isoproterenol-induced cardiotoxicity in rats,and elucidate the underlying mechanism.Methods:Rats were orally pretreated with beta-glucan(40 m...Objective:To investigate the cardioprotective effect of beta-glucan against isoproterenol-induced cardiotoxicity in rats,and elucidate the underlying mechanism.Methods:Rats were orally pretreated with beta-glucan(40 mg/kg body weight)for 30 d,and isoproterenol(20 mg/100 g body weight)was administered on days 31 and 32.The effects of beta-glucan on markers of cardiac injury,hemodynamic changes,production of proinflammatory cytokines,and the corresponding mRNA expressions were evaluated.In addition,histological analysis was performed.Results:Pretreatment with beta-glucan prevented isoproterenol-induced cardiac injury by preserving the structural and functional integrity of the plasma membrane and attenuating the production of proinflammatory cytokines(NF-κB,TNF-α,IL-6,IL-1β,and IFN-γ)in the heart.Moreover,beta-glucan significantly downregulated the mRNA expression of ACE,AT1R,TNF-α,IL-6,NF-κB,caspase-3,TLR-4,and Bax,and upregulated Bcl-2 in the heart.At the same time,pretreatment with beta-glucan alleviated myocardial damage as reflected in a reduction in myonecrosis,edema,and erythrocyte extravasation with almost imperceptible inflammation.Conclusions:Beta-glucan can protect against isoproterenol-induced cardiotoxicity by attenuating cardiac inflammation and apoptosis and regulating the ACE-AT1R axis,thereby preventing cardiac remodeling.展开更多
A railroad accident on February 3,2023,led to the release and combustion of 115,580 gallons,equivalent to over 437,000 L,of vinyl chloride monomer(VCM)in East Palestine,Ohio[1].This monomer is used in polyvinyl chlori...A railroad accident on February 3,2023,led to the release and combustion of 115,580 gallons,equivalent to over 437,000 L,of vinyl chloride monomer(VCM)in East Palestine,Ohio[1].This monomer is used in polyvinyl chloride(PVC)production,and its burning produces additional toxins such as hydrochloric acid and lethal phosgene,known as a notorious chemical weapon during World War I[2].Acute exposure to these chemicals causes immediate adverse effects on local ecosystems,including the deaths of wild and farmed animals and pets.展开更多
Optical near-field excitations were investigated on the basis of molecular alignment control of liquid crystals (LCs) on an optically rewritable nanostructure of photoreactive molecular thin films. Twisted nematic (TN...Optical near-field excitations were investigated on the basis of molecular alignment control of liquid crystals (LCs) on an optically rewritable nanostructure of photoreactive molecular thin films. Twisted nematic (TN) cells of LC molecules were constructed utilizing ITO substrates with 260 nm gratings of an azobenzene molecular thin film, fabricated using standing evanescent waves. The polarization changes of light transmitted through the TN cells, which were due to the alignment changes of LC molecules locally rubbed by the azobenzene nanogratings, were observed. Furthermore, we demonstrated local plasmon excitation of Au nanowires deposited on the azobenzene nanogratings using oblique vacuum evaporation, a phenomenon that produced strong anti-optical absorption spectra. The modulation of the local plasmon resonance in metallic nanowires decorated with LC molecules was confirmed.展开更多
The genus Paeonia has gained great interest from the scientific community for exploration as a source of bioactive compounds.The current work focused on the chemical characterisation and biological properties of Paeon...The genus Paeonia has gained great interest from the scientific community for exploration as a source of bioactive compounds.The current work focused on the chemical characterisation and biological properties of Paeonia mascula L.from Turkey.The chemical characterisation of the extracts was analysed by LC-DAD-ESI and LC-APCI-MS.The antioxidant,enzyme inhibitory and anticancer properties were evaluated in vitro.The methanol extract was the most effective as antioxidant,metal chelator and was the most effective inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase(AChE)and tyrosinase.The chloroform extract showed highest inhibition of butrylcholinesterase(BChE)and amylase.Ethyl acetate extract displayed glucosidase inhibition.The most abundant compounds were hexagalloyl glucose,penta galloyl glucose,gallic acid,tetragalloyl glucose,paeoniflorin and the most abundant flavonoid was quercetin-3-O-glucoside.β-sitosterol was the most abundant phytosterol.The anticancer effect of P.mascula was evaluated by using HELA cells evaluating different pathways.The possible inhibition effect of P.mascula on the reactive oxygen species(ROS)pathway was controlled by performing the advanced glycation end product(AGE).To determine the effect of P.mascula on active molecular pathways in the HELA cancer cell line,the levels of Phospho-NF-Kβp65,AGE receptor RAGE protein,antiapoptotic BCL-2,proapoptotic BAX and P-53 proteins were checked,respectively.Phospho-NF-Kβp65,RAGE and BCL-2,which are both ROS inducers and play an active role in cancer prognosis,were found to have decreased levels after the application of P.mascula.Our findings provide a scientific basis for Paeonia mascula,which may serve as a source of naturally occurring bioactive compounds for healthpromoting applications.展开更多
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No.32201491)China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (No.2021M690847)+5 种基金Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province (No.BK20200775)Natural Science Foundation of the Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions of China (No.21KJB220011)Science and Technology Innovation Program of Hunan Province (No.2021RC2106)Deputy General Project of Science and Technology of Jiangsu Province (No.FZ20211507)Hunan Province Biomass-based Materials Green and Low-carbon Intelligent Manufacturing Engineering Technology Research centre (No.2022TP2033)Technology centre of Hunan Hongsen Novel Material Technology Co., Ltd. (No.HNJSZX2022290)。
文摘Humans have relied on biomass for survival and development since the Stone Age. All aspects of human needs for materials are covered by tools, fuel, and buildings. Nowadays, metals and petroleum-based materials are widely used in highly developed industries. Unfortunately, environmental contamination and the loss of natural resources have led to the reemergence of biomass resources as efficient and sustainable energy sources. Notably, simple and direct applications can no longer meet the demand for functionalization, high performance of materials and construction materials. Therefore, it is imperative to modify biomass and combine its utilisation to produce functionalization and high performance materials. For example, construction materials with superior mechanical properties and water resistance can be produced by reinforcing fibres to facilitate crosslinking. Water-oil separation or adsorption effects of hydrogels and aerogels are determined by the porosity and lightness of biomass, biocomposite conductor is prepared by chimaeric conductive material. Here, we review the approaches that have been taken to devise an environmentally friendly yet fully recyclable and sustainable functionalised biocomposites from biomass and its potential directions for future research.
文摘AIM: To investigate the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) tumor suppressor gene and risk of colon cancer. METHODS: We utilized a population-based casecontrol study of incident colon cancer individuals (n= 421) and controls (n = 483) aged ≥ 30 years to conduct a comprehensive tagSNP association analysis of the PTEN gene. RESULTS: None of the PTEN SNPs were statistically significantly associated with colon cancer when controlled for age, gender, and race, or when additionally adjusted for other known risk factors (P > 0.05). Haplotype analyses similarly showed no association between the PTEN gene and colon cancer. CONCLUSION: Our study does not support PTEN as a colon cancer susceptibility gene.
文摘Objective:To investigate the cardioprotective effect of beta-glucan against isoproterenol-induced cardiotoxicity in rats,and elucidate the underlying mechanism.Methods:Rats were orally pretreated with beta-glucan(40 mg/kg body weight)for 30 d,and isoproterenol(20 mg/100 g body weight)was administered on days 31 and 32.The effects of beta-glucan on markers of cardiac injury,hemodynamic changes,production of proinflammatory cytokines,and the corresponding mRNA expressions were evaluated.In addition,histological analysis was performed.Results:Pretreatment with beta-glucan prevented isoproterenol-induced cardiac injury by preserving the structural and functional integrity of the plasma membrane and attenuating the production of proinflammatory cytokines(NF-κB,TNF-α,IL-6,IL-1β,and IFN-γ)in the heart.Moreover,beta-glucan significantly downregulated the mRNA expression of ACE,AT1R,TNF-α,IL-6,NF-κB,caspase-3,TLR-4,and Bax,and upregulated Bcl-2 in the heart.At the same time,pretreatment with beta-glucan alleviated myocardial damage as reflected in a reduction in myonecrosis,edema,and erythrocyte extravasation with almost imperceptible inflammation.Conclusions:Beta-glucan can protect against isoproterenol-induced cardiotoxicity by attenuating cardiac inflammation and apoptosis and regulating the ACE-AT1R axis,thereby preventing cardiac remodeling.
文摘A railroad accident on February 3,2023,led to the release and combustion of 115,580 gallons,equivalent to over 437,000 L,of vinyl chloride monomer(VCM)in East Palestine,Ohio[1].This monomer is used in polyvinyl chloride(PVC)production,and its burning produces additional toxins such as hydrochloric acid and lethal phosgene,known as a notorious chemical weapon during World War I[2].Acute exposure to these chemicals causes immediate adverse effects on local ecosystems,including the deaths of wild and farmed animals and pets.
基金supported by a Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research from the Ministry of Education, Science, Sports and Culture of Japan
文摘Optical near-field excitations were investigated on the basis of molecular alignment control of liquid crystals (LCs) on an optically rewritable nanostructure of photoreactive molecular thin films. Twisted nematic (TN) cells of LC molecules were constructed utilizing ITO substrates with 260 nm gratings of an azobenzene molecular thin film, fabricated using standing evanescent waves. The polarization changes of light transmitted through the TN cells, which were due to the alignment changes of LC molecules locally rubbed by the azobenzene nanogratings, were observed. Furthermore, we demonstrated local plasmon excitation of Au nanowires deposited on the azobenzene nanogratings using oblique vacuum evaporation, a phenomenon that produced strong anti-optical absorption spectra. The modulation of the local plasmon resonance in metallic nanowires decorated with LC molecules was confirmed.
文摘The genus Paeonia has gained great interest from the scientific community for exploration as a source of bioactive compounds.The current work focused on the chemical characterisation and biological properties of Paeonia mascula L.from Turkey.The chemical characterisation of the extracts was analysed by LC-DAD-ESI and LC-APCI-MS.The antioxidant,enzyme inhibitory and anticancer properties were evaluated in vitro.The methanol extract was the most effective as antioxidant,metal chelator and was the most effective inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase(AChE)and tyrosinase.The chloroform extract showed highest inhibition of butrylcholinesterase(BChE)and amylase.Ethyl acetate extract displayed glucosidase inhibition.The most abundant compounds were hexagalloyl glucose,penta galloyl glucose,gallic acid,tetragalloyl glucose,paeoniflorin and the most abundant flavonoid was quercetin-3-O-glucoside.β-sitosterol was the most abundant phytosterol.The anticancer effect of P.mascula was evaluated by using HELA cells evaluating different pathways.The possible inhibition effect of P.mascula on the reactive oxygen species(ROS)pathway was controlled by performing the advanced glycation end product(AGE).To determine the effect of P.mascula on active molecular pathways in the HELA cancer cell line,the levels of Phospho-NF-Kβp65,AGE receptor RAGE protein,antiapoptotic BCL-2,proapoptotic BAX and P-53 proteins were checked,respectively.Phospho-NF-Kβp65,RAGE and BCL-2,which are both ROS inducers and play an active role in cancer prognosis,were found to have decreased levels after the application of P.mascula.Our findings provide a scientific basis for Paeonia mascula,which may serve as a source of naturally occurring bioactive compounds for healthpromoting applications.
