Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a global disease characterised by chronic obstruction of lung airflow interfering with normal breathing. Although the microbiota of respiratory tract ...is established to be associated with COPD, the causality of gut microbiota in COPD development is not yet established. We aimed to address the connection between gut microbiota composition and lung COPD development, and characterise bacteria and their derived active components for COPD amelioration.
A murine cigarette smoking (CS)-based model of COPD and strategies evaluating causal effects of microbiota were performed. Gut microbiota structure was analysed, followed by isolation of target bacterium. Single cell RNA sequencing, together with sera metabolomics analyses were performed to identify host responsive molecules. Bacteria derived active component was isolated, followed by functional assays.
Gut microbiota composition significantly affects CS-induced COPD development, and faecal microbiota transplantation restores COPD pathogenesis. A commensal bacterium
was isolated and shown to ameliorate COPD. Reduction of intestinal inflammation and enhancement of cellular mitochondrial and ribosomal activities in colon, systematic restoration of aberrant host amino acids metabolism in sera, and inhibition of lung inflammations act as the important COPD ameliorative mechanisms. Besides, the lipopolysaccharide derived from
is anti-inflammatory, and significantly ameliorates COPD by acting as an antagonist of toll-like receptor 4 signalling pathway.
The gut microbiota-lung COPD axis was connected. A potentially benefial bacterial strain and its functional component may be developed and used as alternative agents for COPD prevention or treatment.
Osteoarthritis (OA) commonly affects the synovial joint and is characterized by degradation of articular cartilage. Increased matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity plays a major role in this ...degradation. Dextrose (D-glucose) prolotherapy has shown promising activity in the treatment of different musculoskeletal disorders, including OA. However, little is known about the role of glucose on MMP inhibition in OA therapy. We found that stimulating chondrocytes with the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-1β (IL-1β) increased the expression of MMP-1, MMP-3, and MMP-13. Glucose reduced this increase in MMP-1 expression, but had no effect upon MMP-3 or MMP-13 expression. Analyses using a focal adhesion kinase (FAK) inhibitor, MEK inhibitors (U0126 and PD98059), an ERK inhibitor, AP-1 inhibitors (curcumin and tanshinone), or siRNAs demonstrated that the FAK, MEK, ERK, and AP-1 pathways mediate IL-1β-induced increases in MMP-1 expression. Glucose antagonized IL-1β-promoted phosphorylation of FAK, MEK, ERK, and c-Jun. Thus, glucose decreased IL-1β-induced MMP-1 expression through the FAK, MEK, ERK, and AP-1 signaling cascades. These findings may provide a better understanding of the mechanisms of prolotherapy on inhibiting MMP expression.
The green behavior of civil servants in the workplace is influenced by personal moral reflectiveness and green conscientiousness. Group discussions and initiatives within organizations can also ...influence individual green behavior. Civil servants with greener lifestyles are more likely to demonstrate green behaviors. This study specifically explores the impact of civil servants’ ritualized performance appraisals and formalism perception on moral reflectiveness and green advocacy. In this study, a sample of 250 civil servants was obtained by means of convenience sampling. This article applies confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling to test research hypotheses. The results of the study found that ritualized performance appraisals positively affect perceived formalism. Perceived formalism negatively affects moral reflectiveness and green advocacy. Green lifestyles and green advocacy positively affect green behavior. Moral reflectiveness mediates the relationship between green conscientiousness and green behavior. This study confirms the influence of moral reflectiveness, green conscientiousness, green lifestyles, and green advocacy on green behavior. This study also found that ritualized performance appraisals and perceived formalism have negative effects on green behavior.
The composites of carbon nanotubes and graphene oxide with carbonized polyaniline have been synthesized and investigated their electrochemical performance as supercapacitors. The free-standing and ...binder-free electrode materials showed an improved specific capacitance with better rate capability and cyclic stability.
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•Free-standing and binder-free electrode material of carbonized PANI over CNTs and GO.•The carbonized PANI formed coral-like nanostructures over the surface of CNTs.•The hierarchically structured composite exhibited excellent electrochemical performance.
Composite materials with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and graphene oxide (GO) are considered to be superior for energy storage applications due to their intriguing structural and electrical properties. The electrochemical performance of CNT/GO-based electrodes can be improved by introducing porous carbon materials into them. Herein, we have carbonized the composite consisted of polyaniline (PANI), GO and CNTs on stainless steel plates and investigated their electrochemical performances as a free-standing and binder-free electrode for supercapacitors. The carbonized PANI with a coral-like nanostructure was formed over CNT and GO surface. Furthermore, the introduction of GO efficiently prevents the excessive agglomeration of PANI in the resultant composite materials. The carbonized composite electrode exhibited the high specific capacitance of 465 mF cm−2 at a current density of 1 mA cm−2. Moreover, the carbon electrode obtained by annealing at a higher temperature of 550 °C showed the excellent rate capability and cyclic stability. For example, the 78% of initial capacitance retention was observed when the current density changed from 1 mA cm−2 to 8 mA cm−2, and the capacitance retention of 84% was achieved after 1000 charge/ discharge cycles. This 3D hierarchically structured carbon electrode can be considered as a potential candidate for next-generation energy storage devices.
The Taiwan Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting System for Herbal Medicine (TADRRS-HM) has systematically documented suspected adverse events from adverse drug reaction (ADR) reports from 1998 (prior to ...its formal establishment in 2001) and evaluates safety profiles of herbal medicines. This article describes findings from 2079 ADR reports filed between 1998 and 2016: 941 reports involved single herbs and 87 involved folk herbals; 842 were generated from clinical trials, while 209 ADR reports involving foods, health foods, dietary supplement foods and herbal cuisine were grouped as Other. Severity assessments using the Modified Hartwig and Siegel scale classified 72.4% of ADRs as mild, 17.4% as moderate and 6.5% as severe. System Organ Class classification of the ADRs identified gastrointestinal system disorders as the most common (33.4%), followed by skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders (21.2%). The TADRRS-HM records indicate that herbal medicines may cause a wide range of ADRs. Aconiti Radix, Xiao-Qing-Long-Tang, and Datura suaveolens were the most commonly reported single herb, herbal formula, and folk herbal, respectively. The data indicate that herbal medicines may cause a wide range of ADRs. This system will confer long-term benefits for the development of Taiwan's herbal medicines adverse reaction database and facilitate epidemiological analysis.
The implementation of Ni-rich cathodes with high energy density has been critically restrained by stress corrosion. Herein, crack-free LiNbO3-coated LiNi0.88Co0.10Mn0.02O2, as theoretically ...predicted, demonstrates highly reversible lithiation/delithiation. Mechanically, the phase transition (H1 → H2 → H3) is significantly alleviated by the excogitation of the interfacial force invoked by the LiNbO3 coating layer, as verified by X-ray absorption spectroscopy and extended X-ray absorption near-edge structure spectroscopy. Meanwhile, the stabilities of the crystal structure are remarkably strengthened by the strong Nb–O bond activated by Nb5+ doping that is confirmed by Rietveld refinement of X-ray diffraction and differential capacitance curves. Chemically, the interface shielding effect is conducive to protecting the electrode against electrolyte corrosion along with subsequent transition-metal dissolution, ultimately rendering a faster/highly convertible lithium-ion diffusion. Greatly, the excellent electrochemical properties (74% capacity retention after 300 cycles at 2 C within 2.5–4.3 V) and structural stability (the morphology remains intact after 500 cycles at 5 C within 2.5–4.3 V) are successfully achieved. Given this, this elaborate work might inaugurate a potential avenue for rationally tuning the structure/interface evolution toward Ni-rich materials.
The strength, appearance time, and latitudinal location of the equatorial ionization anomaly (EIA) crest response to the lunar phase are examined using the total electron content of global ionosphere ...maps during the 18‐year period of 2000–2017. The total electron content of the EIA crest reveals semidiurnal tides with 12.42‐hr period, while the appearance time and latitude of the EIA crests present prominent semimonthly lunar tides of 14.77‐day period. The EIA crests on new/full moon (first/third quarter) lead (lag) those of the overall 18‐year average by about 20–40 min, while the EIA crests move the furthest poleward and equatorward 2–5 days after new/full moon and first/third quarter, respectively. Amplitudes of the semimonthly lunar tide in the EIA crest appearance times and latitudes yield the greatest value around perihelion and the smallest value around aphelion, which shows that the solar declination and seasonal effects are important.
Plain Language Summary
The most prominent feature in the ionosphere is the equatorial ionization anomaly (EIA), which is characterized by two enhanced plasma crests at low latitudes straddling the magnetic equator. Global ionosphere maps of total electron content are analyzed to see how the ionospheric EIA crests respond to changes in lunar phases and solar declinations. The results show that the EIA crests exhibit prominent semimonthly lunar tides with 14.77‐day period. Appearance times of the EIA crests on new/full moon (first/third quarter) lead (lag) those on the associated overall 18‐year average by about 20–40 min, while the EIA crests move the furthest poleward during new/full moon and equatorward during first/third quarter with the delays of about 2–5 days. These indicate that the lunar phase can significantly modulate the ionospheric EIA. The semimonthly lunar tide in the crest appearance times and latitudes become most prominent around perihelion but the least around aphelion, which shows that the solar declination and seasonal effects are important.
Key Points
Appearance times of the EIA crests on new/full moon lead those on first/third quarter
The EIA crests move most poleward (equatorward) 2–5 days after new/full moon (first/third quarter)
The semimonthly lunar tide of the EIA crest becomes most prominent around perihelion
Scope
The disturbance of the hypothalamic–pituitary‐gonadal (HPG) axis, gut microbiota (GM) community, and short‐chain fatty acids (SCFAs) is a triggering factor for pubertal onset. The study ...investigates the effects of the long‐term intake of aspartame on puberty and GM in animals and humans.
Methods and results
Aspartame‐fed female offspring rats result in vaginal opening time prolongation, serum estrogen reduction, and serum luteinizing hormone elevation. , 60 mg kg−1 aspartame treatment decreases the mRNA levels of gonadotropin‐releasing hormone (GnRH), Kiss1, and G protein‐coupled receptor 54 (GPR54), increases the mRNA level of RFamide‐related peptide‐3 (RFRP‐3), and decreases the expression of GnRH neurons in the hypothalamus. Significant differences in relative bacterial abundance at the genus levels and decreased fecal SCFA levels are noted by 60 mg kg−1 aspartame treatment. Among which, Escherichia–Shigella is negatively correlated with several SCFAs. In girls, high‐dose aspartame consumption decreases the risk of precocious puberty.
Conclusions
Aspartame reduces the chance of puberty occurring earlier than usual in female offspring and girls. Particularly, 60 mg kg−1 aspartame‐fed female offspring delays pubertal onset through the dysregulation of HPG axis and GM composition by inhibiting the Kiss1/GPR54 system and inducing the RFRP‐3. An acceptable dose of aspartame should be recommended during childhood.
Aspartame, a non‐nutritive sweetener, delayed pubertal onset through the inhibition of Kiss1/GPR54 system, the dysregulation of hypothalamic‐pituitary‐gonadal axis, and the alteration of gut microbiota composition in female offsprng rats and girls.
Abstract The role of macromolecule‐macromolecule and macromolecule–H 2 O interactions and the resulting perturbation of the H‐bonded network of H 2 O in the liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS) ...process of biopolymers are well‐known. However, the potential of the hydrated state of supramolecular structures (non‐covalent analogs of macromolecules) of synthetic molecules is not widely recognized for playing a similar role in the LLPS process. Herein, LLPS occurred during the co‐assembly of hydrated supramolecular vesicles (bolaamphiphile, BA1 ) with a net positive charge (zeta potential, ζ = +60 ± 2 mV) and a dianionic chiral molecule (disodium l ‐+‐tartrate) is reported. As inferred from cryo‐transmission electron microscopy (TEM), the LLPS‐formed droplets serve as the nucleation precursors, dictating the structure and properties of the co‐assembly. The co‐assembled structure formed by LLPS effectively integrates the counter anion's asymmetry, resulting in the formation of ultrathin free‐standing, chiral 2D crystalline sheets. The significance of the hydrated state of supramolecular structures in influencing LLPS is unraveled through studies extended to a less hydrated supramolecular structure of a comparable system ( BA2 ). The role of LLPS in modulating the hydrophobic interaction in water paves the way for the creation of advanced functional materials in an aqueous environment.
The ionospheric total electron content (TEC) derived from dense ground‐based Global Navigation Satellite System receivers over the continental United States and those from global ionosphere maps are ...utilized to find the ionosphere response to the August 21, 2017 total solar eclipse. Maximum obscurations and their associated TEC major depressions appear simultaneously at midlatitudes, while major depressions elongate toward the magnetic equator with some delays in the equatorial ionization anomaly (EIA) region. The former is due to the photochemical loss process, while the latter is caused by the plasma transport of E×B drifts and lunar gravitation forces. TECs of predawn reductions, morning enhancements, afternoon reductions, and nighttime enhancements reveal that the semidiurnal lunar tide are essential. Since a solar eclipse always occurs on a new moon day, the lunar tide results in the early EIA appearance and major depressions being underestimated/diminished before and overestimated/enhanced after about 14:00 local time.
Plain Language Summary
Observations during an eclipse offer a special opportunity for studying the Earth's ionospheric response to changes in solar ionizing radiation. Although ionospheric solar eclipse signatures in many events have been studied, we report the lunar tide effect on the signatures for the first time. A total solar eclipse swept across the continental United States (CONUS) from the west to east coast on August 21, 2017. The total electron content (TEC) along seven longitudes of the US continent derived from more than 2,200 ground‐based Global Navigation Satellite System receivers in the CONUS and extracted from global ionosphere maps (GIMs) is employed to study ionospheric solar eclipse signatures. The most prominent solar eclipse signature is major depressions (MDs) in both the CONUS and GIM TECs, when the maximum obscuration occurs. TEC extrema of predawn reductions, morning enhancements, afternoon reductions, and nighttime enhancements reveal that the semidiurnal lunar tide of about 12.42‐h period is prominent. The lunar tide causes the early appearance of equatorial ionization anomalies, which further results in the MDs being weakened in the morning and enhanced in the afternoon on the solar eclipse day. The lunar tide has to be taken into consideration for studying ionospheric solar eclipse effects.
Key Points
The lunar tide results in the early appearance of the equatorial ionization anomaly on solar eclipse days
Total electron contents tend to enhance before and decrease after 14:00 local time (LT) on a solar eclipse day
The lunar tide causes major depressions being weakened before and enhanced after 14:00 LT
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