Abietic acid (AA), an antibacterial terpenoid, was initially isolated from rosin which has been used as a traditional Chinese medicine to treat psoriasis. In our previous works, we found that ...water-processed rosin (WPR) can alleviate imiquimod (IMQ)-induced psoriasis-like inflammation in mice. However, the efficacy of AA, the main component of WPR, against psoriasis remains unclear.
In this study, we confirmed the anti-psoriasis efficacy of AA (40 mg/kg daily for 7 days) in IMQ-induced psoriasis-like inflammation BALB/c mouse model by the psoriasis area severity index (PASI), flow cytometry, ELISA, histopathological and immunohistochemical analysis. Furthermore, we detected the relative abundance of gut microbe using high-throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing to validate whether AA modulate gut microbe.
Oral administration of AA ameliorates IMQ-induced psoriasis-like skin inflammation through reducing PASI scores, regulating the balance of Th17/Treg cells in the mouse spleen, and downregulating the level of serum cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-17A, TGF-1β, and IL-23. 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed that the relative abundance of gut bacteria related to inflammation, such as, Anaerotruncus and Christensenella at genus level were decreased, while Kurthia, Citrobacter, and Klebsiella at genus level were increased in AA group mice. Additionally, the correlation analysis illustrated that the key microbiota had a close relationship with the psoriasis-like inflammation related indexes.
AA might exert the anti-psoriasis effect via inhibiting Th17-related immune responses, hinting that it might be a candidate for treating psoriasis. Meanwhile, the alteration of intestinal microbiota by AA treatment is another possible explanation for the amelioration of imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like inflammation.
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Cross-laminated timber (CLT) elements are becoming increasingly popular in multi-storey timber-based structures, which have long been built in many different countries. Various challenges are ...connected with constructions of this type. One such challenge is that of stabilizing the structure against vertical loads. However, the calculations of the stability bearing capacity of the CLT members in axial compression in the structural design remains unsolved in China. This study aims to determine the stability bearing capacity of the CLT members in axial compression and to propose the calculation method of the stability coefficient. First, the stability coefficient calculation theories in different national standards were analyzed, and then the stability bearing capacity of CLT elements with four slenderness ratios was investigated. Finally, based on the stability coefficient calculation formulae in the GB 50005-2017 standard and the regression method, the calculation method of the stability coefficient for CLT elements was proposed, and the values of the material parameters were determined. The result shows that the average deviation between fitting curve and calculated results of European and American standard is 5.43% and 3.73%, respectively, and the average deviation between the fitting curve and the actual test results was 8.15%. The stability coefficients calculation formulae could be used to predict the stability coefficients of CLT specimens with different slenderness ratios well.
•Tai chi and yoga are effective in relieving chronic pain in older adults.•The effects of tai chi and yoga are not superior to traditional physical exercises.•There are no differences between the ...effects of mind-body exercises in relieving chronic pain.•Mind-body exercises alone cannot mitigate pain-related disability in older adults.
Mind-body exercises (MBEs) were shown to be effective in managing chronic pain among older adults in several recent studies. However, the differences in the effects of different MBEs remained unclear.
To compare the effects of different MBEs in managing chronic pain in older adults.
Eight databases were searched for studies published between 2012 and 2023, and 14 studies were included in this systematic review and network meta-analysis (NMA). The NMA was performed using R and Metainsight.
Results showed that tai chi and yoga were effective in alleviating chronic pain, but their effects were not superior to traditional physical exercises and other MBEs. In addition, none of the MBEs were shown to be effective in mitigating chronic pain-related disabilities.
Tai chi and yoga can be used for relieving chronic pain in older adults; however, MBE programs alone were not sufficient to mitigate chronic pain-related disabilities.
Sialic acid (SA) is a naturally occurring monosaccharide found in glycoproteins and glycolipids. Changes in the expression of SA are associated with several diseases; thus, the detection of SA is of ...great significance for biological research, cancer diagnosis, and treatment. Boronic acid analogs have emerged as a promising tool for detecting sugars such as SA due to its reversible covalent bonding ability. In this study, 11 bis-boronic acid compounds and 2 mono-boronic acid compounds were synthesized
a highly efficient Ugi-4CR strategy. The synthesized compounds were subjected to affinity fluorescence binding experiments to evaluate their binding capability to SA. Compound A1 was shown to have a promising binding constant of 2602 ± 100 M
at pH = 6.0. Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations examining the binding modes between A1 and SA indicated that the position of the boronic acid functional group was strongly correlated with its interaction with SA's α-hydroxy acid unit. The DFT calculations were consistent with the observations from the fluorescence experiments, demonstrating that the number and relative positions of the boronic acid functional groups are critical factors in enhancing the binding affinity to SA. DFT calculations of both
and
configuration of A1 indicated that the effect of the
/
configuration of A1 on its binding with β-sialic acid was insignificant as the Ugi-4CR generated racemic products. A fluorine atom was incorporated into the R
substituent of A1 as an electron-withdrawing group to produce A5, which possessed a significantly higher capability to bind to SA (
= 7015 ± 5 M
at pH = 6.0). Finally, A1 and A5 were shown to possess exceptional binding selectivity toward β-sialic acid under pH of 6.0 and 6.5 while preferring to bind with glucose, fructose, and galactose under pH of 7.0 and 7.5.
A rapid, productive, and efficient process was invented to produce hybrid catalysts for transition metal oxide water electrolysis. The microwave-assisted hydrothermal method was applied to synthesize ...transition metal oxide catalysts by controlling the amount of cobalt and iron. This work solves the cracking problem for the catalytic layer during the water electrolysis. It uses Fe2O3 as the support and covers a catalytic layer outside it and a nanoscale gap between each catalyst, which can help to remove the gas and fill up the water. The unique structure of the catalysts can prevent them from accumulating gas and increasing their efficiency for long-term water electrolysis. By using unique catalysts in the water electrolyzer, the current density reaches higher than 200 mA cm−2 at 2.0 V and does not show a significant decay even after 200 h.
High entropy oxides (HEO) represent an innovative group of materials stabilized by incorporating configurational entropy. These materials are expected to display fascinating electrochemical ...properties. Herein, we successfully synthesized a defect-rich (CoCrFeMnNi)3O4 HEO catalyst with a single-phase spinel structure through a hydrothermal route pursued by calcination and, for the first time use it for vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB). Compared with monometallic oxide, Co3O4, and bimetallic oxide, (Fe,Co)3O4, the HEO catalyst reveals the utmost catalytic performance and reversibility towards the VO2+/VO2+ redox couple. Owing to the unique single-phase spinel structure and abundant oxygen vacancies, the VRFB flow cell using the HEO-modified heat-treated graphite felt (HEO-HGF) electrode achieves an outstanding energy efficiency of 79.23 % and 70.58 % at 160 and 240 mA/cm2, respectively, and shows good stability even for 500 cycles. This study provides new insight into other redox flow battery applications.
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•A defect-rich high-entropy spinel oxide catalyst improves the performance of VRFB.•The HEO reveals the optimal catalytic activity towards VO2+/VO2+ redox couple.•HEO-HGF electrode achieves outstanding energy efficiency.•HEO catalyst shows good stability.
Objective
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a preclinical and transitional stage between healthy ageing and dementia. The purpose of our study was to investigate the recent pooled global prevalence ...of MCI.
Methods
This meta-analysis was in line with the recommendations of Cochrane’s Handbook and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020. We conducted a comprehensive search using the PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, CNKI, WFD, VIP, and CBM from their inception to March 1, 2023. Quality assessment was guided by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) methodology checklist. The pooled global prevalence of MCI was synthesized using meta-analysis via random effect model. Subgroup analyses were performed to examine considered factors potentially associated with MCI prevalence.
Results
We identified 233 studies involving 676,974 individuals aged above 50 years. All the studies rated as moderated-to-high quality. The overall prevalence of MCI was 19.7% 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 18.3–21.1%. Subgroup analyses revealed that the global prevalence of MCI increased over time, with a significant rise 32.1% (95% CI: 22.6–41.6%) after 2019. Additionally, MCI prevalence in hospitals 34.0% (95% CI: 22.2–45.7%) was higher than in nursing homes 22.6% (95% CI: 15.5–29.8%) and communities 17.9% (95% CI: 16.6–19.2%), particularly after the epidemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Conclusion
The global prevalence of MCI was 19.7% and mainly correlated with beginning year of survey and sample source. The MCI prevalence increased largely in hospitals after 2019 may be related to the outbreak of COVID-19. Further attention to MCI is necessary in the future to inform allocation of health resources for at-risk populations.
The objective was to screen
Lactobacillus
strains with strong survivability in oro-gastrointestinal tract and adhesion abilities of intestinal mucins and Caco-2 cells, and their effect on absorption ...of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) by epithelial cells was studied. The survival rate of
Lactobacillus
strains was studied after exposure to oral stress, gastric stress and intestinal stress successively, and then their adhesion ability was also researched. The model of intestinal epithelial cells absorbing SCFAs was established, which was used to evaluate the effect of
Lactobacillus
strains on Caco-2 cells absorption of SCFAs. The survival rate of
Lactobacillus plantarum
L58, L67, L97, L123, and L198 and
Lactobacillus fermentum
L146 was significantly higher than others in oro-gastrointestinal tract (
P
< 0.05), which also showed high adhesion to mucins and Caco-2 cells. The model was successfully established with the Caco-2 cell line, which formed a polarized cell monolayer and developed tight junctions with an appropriate permeability coefficient for phenol red lower than 1 × 10
–6
cm/s after culturing for 15 days, and the viability of Caco-2 cells was significantly higher than other concentrations when the content of propionic acid or butyric acid was 1 mmol/L in the model. The propionic acid content in Caco-2 cells inoculated with
L. plantarum
L58, L67, L97, L123, and L198 was significantly higher than that of cells without
L. plantarum
inoculation (
P
< 0.05), and the butyric acid content in cells inoculated with
L. fermentum
L146 was significantly higher than that of cells without inoculation (
P
< 0.05). Our results highlight that
L. plantarum
L58, L67, L97, L123, L198 and
L. fermentum
L146 are more resistant to oro-gastrointestinal conditions and their high adhesion to the intestine can enhance SCFAs uptake in intestinal epithelial cells.
Human leukocyte antigen (
) genes are important in many immune processes and contribute to many adverse drug reactions. Whether genetic variations in the
region are associated with non-steroid ...anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) hypersensitivity remains uncertain. Therefore, the aim of our study was to identify
genetic variations in patients with NSAID hypersensitivity in the Taiwanese population.
This hospital-based, retrospective case-control study enrolled 37,156 participants with NSAID exposure from the Taiwan Precision Medicine Initiative (TPMI), who were all genotyped and imputed to fine map
typing. Our study assigned 1217 cases to the NSAID allergy group and 12,170 controls to a matched group. Logistic regression analyses were utilized to explore associations between
alleles and NSAID hypersensitivity.
Overall, 13,387 patients were genotyped for eight major
alleles. Allele frequencies were different between the two groups. In the NSAID allergy group, the genotype frequencies of
,
, and
were found to be markedly elevated compared to the control group, a significance that persisted even after applying the Bonferroni correction. Furthermore, the risk of NSAID allergy demonstrated a significant association with
(OR = 1.29,
< 0.001) and
(OR = 9.90,
= 0.001), in comparison to their respective counterparts. Notably, the genotype frequency of
exhibited a significant increase in the severe allergy group when compared with the mild allergy group.
We identified
genotypes linked to the onset and severity of NSAID hypersensitivity. Our findings establish a basis for precision prescription in future clinical applications.
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