Early diagnosis and treatment of acute ischemic stroke poses a significant challenge due to its suddenness and short therapeutic time window. Human endogenous cells derived biomimetic drug carriers ...have provided new options for stroke theranostics since these cells have higher biosafety and targeting abilities than artificial carriers. Inspired by natural platelets (PLTs) and their role in targeting adhesion to the damaged blood vessel during thrombus formation, we fabricated a biomimetic nanocarrier comprising a PLT membrane envelope loaded with l-arginine and γ-Fe2O3 magnetic nanoparticles (PAMNs) for thrombus-targeted delivery of l-arginine and in situ generation of nitric oxide (NO). Results demonstrate that the engineered 200 nm PAMNs inherit the natural properties of the PLT membrane and achieve rapid targeting to ischemic stroke lesions under the guidance of an external magnetic field. Subsequent to the release of l-arginine at the thrombus site, endothelial cells produce NO, which promotes vasodilation to disrupt the local PLT aggregation. Rapid targeting of PAMNs to stroke lesions as well as in situ generation of NO prompts vasodilation, recovery of blood flow, and reperfusion of the stroke microvascular. Thus, these PLT membrane derived nanocarriers are diagnostically beneficial for localizing stroke lesions and a promising modality for executing therapies.
A superhard CrAlSiN superlattice coating was deposited by multi-arc ion plating (M-AIP). The coating microstructure and mechanical properties were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray ...photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), nano-indentation, scratch test and pin-on-disk tribo-test. The HRTEM results indicated that the CrAlSiN coating has a superlattice structure containing alternating fcc-(Cr, Al) N and h-(Al, Si) N layers with a period (λ) of 7.0±0.2nm. The coherent epitaxial growth structure was observed along {0001} plane of the h ‐(Al,Si) N phase and {111} plane of the fcc-(Cr,Al) N phase, due to the template effect of fcc-(Cr, Al) N crystal layer. The CrAlSiN coating exhibited a high hardness (52GPa), high resistance to plastic deformation (H3/E⁎2=0.295GPa), and high adhesion strength (critical load: 50N). The wear test showed that the superhard CrAlSiN coating has a very low friction coefficient (0.1–0.2) against the counterpart material of WC/Co. The related mechanisms were discussed.
► A superhard CrAlSiN superlattice coating deposited by a multi-arc ion plating ► Structures of the coating by X-ray diffraction and photoelectron spectroscopy ► Growth mechanism of the coating by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy ► Hardness, adhesion strength and wear behaviors of the coating evaluated
Biomarkers are measurable changes associated with the disease. Urine can reflect the changes of the body while blood is under control of the homeostatic mechanisms; thus, urine is considered an ...important source for early and sensitive disease biomarker discovery. A comprehensive profile of the urinary proteome will provide a basic understanding of urinary proteins. In this paper, we present an in-depth analysis of the urinary proteome based on different separation strategies, including direct one dimensional liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS), two dimensional LC/MS/MS, and gel-eluted liquid fraction entrapment electrophoresis/liquid-phase isoelectric focusing followed by two dimensional LC/MS/MS. A total of 6085 proteins were identified in healthy urine, of which 2001 were not reported in previous studies and the concentrations of 2571 proteins were estimated (spanning a magnitude of 10
) with an intensity-based absolute quantification algorithm. The urinary proteins were annotated by their tissue distribution. Detailed information can be accessed at the "Human Urine Proteome Database" (www.urimarker.com/urine).
•We prepared the WC-base and Cr3C2-base coatings with different binder phases by HVOF.•We investigated the structure, porosity, micro-hardness, fracture toughness and adhesion strength of ...coatings.•We comparatively evaluated the tribological properties of the four coatings at 500°C.
In this work, WC-17Co, WC-10Co-4Cr, WC-12Co and Cr3C2-25NiCr coatings were deposited on stainless steel using WOKAStar-640 HVOF spraying system. Three WC-based coatings were studied and compared with a chromium carbide-based coating. The microstructure, porosity, micro-hardness, indentation fracture toughness and adhesion strength of the coatings were investigated. The wear test was done by using silica grits as abrasive medium using a load of 20N. The result shows that HVOF sprayed carbide-based coating possesses low porosity, high micro-hardness and high adhesion strength. Three WC-based coatings have higher micro-hardness and indentation fracture toughness compared to the Cr3C2-25NiCr coating. HVOF sprayed carbide coating has good wear resistance under 500°C. The decarburization of WC-based coating has great effect on coating wear resistance. In addition, WC-17Co coating has best wear resistance.
Consumption of high fructose corn syrup sweetened drinks and diet soft drinks has increased in the United States. However, the relationship between the intake of high fructose corn syrup sweetened ...drinks and diet soft drinks, and serum sodium has been scarcely studied. Our objective is to evaluate the relation between intake of high fructose corn syrup sweetened drinks and diet soft drinks, and serum sodium, and explore the possible effect modifiers in a nationally representative sample of adults from the United States.
We conducted a cross-sectional study using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2003-2006. The study participants included 6989 adults aged ≥18 years. Using survey-weighted generalized linear regression analyses, we investigated the relationship between high fructose corn syrup sweetened drink, diet soft drink consumption, and serum sodium. Consumption of high fructose corn syrup sweetened drinks and diet soft drinks was evaluated through a food-frequency questionnaire.
Serum sodium levels increased as high fructose corn syrup sweetened drink intake increased. Serum sodium levels were higher in participants in the highest high fructose corn syrup sweetened drink consumption quantile, compared with those in the lowest high fructose corn syrup sweetened drink intake quantile (p = 0.020). The multivariate betas for serum sodium, according to the corresponding high fructose corn syrup sweetened drink intake quantiles, were 0.16, 0.19, and 0.21, respectively (P for trend = 0.051). We found no relationship between diet soft drink consumption and serum sodium after adjustment of confounding. (multivariate P > 0.05).
There was a a step-wise increase in serum sodium concentration with increasing consumption of HFCS sweetened beverages. Even moderate HFCS sweetened soft drink intake was associated with an elevated serum sodium level - a risk factor for hypertension.
Pu-erh tea theabrownins (TBs) exert beneficial effect on egg quality and antioxidant properties of eggs, but the underlying mechanisms behind this response are unclear. In this study, we investigate ...the effect of TBs on egg antioxidative activity, amino acid and fatty acid profiles, and the underlying relationship between the TBs and oxidant-sensitive Nrf2 signaling pathway in laying hens. Eighty layers were fed a basal diet (control) and 400 mg/kg of TBs supplemented diet for 12 wk. TBs led to an increase in albumen height and Haugh unit (P < 0.05). The albumen lysine, valine, and tryptophan were higher in layers fed TBs, whereas yolk tryptophan, methionine, vitamin A, and α-tocopherol content were enhanced by TBs (P < 0.05). Eggs albumen and yolk showed higher total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), reducing power (RP), and the scavenging rate of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl hydrate (DPPH), and lower MDA content than those of eggs from the control group (P < 0.05). Also, magnum Nrf2, hemeoxygenase 1 (HO-1), NAD(P)H quinone dehydrogenase 1 (NQO1), and Bcl2 expression were up-regulated by TBs, whereas magnum proapoptotic gene (Bax, caspase 3, Cyt C) were down-regulated by TBs (P < 0.05). Our findings suggest that TBs improved egg albumen quality and antioxidant activity, and the Nrf2-ARE pathway were found to be involved in this process.
Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) fruit is being cultivated since the civilization is known, and its production and consumption have been increased since the last century due to the scientific ...confirmation of its health benefits. Pomegranate fruits, fruit juice, its seeds, and peels are known to have higher contents of bioactive compounds, viz., phenolic acids, flavonoids, and hydrolysable tannins. The peels of pomegranate fruits are the major by-products produced during food processing of pomegranate enriched in antioxidants and broad-spectrum antimicrobial agents and can prevent food deterioration even. This health potential of pomegranate is known to vary significantly upon the varieties, growing conditions, cultivation practices, stages of the development, and the extraction methods. Herein, the biochemical composition of the pomegranate peel extract (PPE), its efficacy in food preservation, and antimicrobial activities are discussed to provide a comprehensive guide for farmers, food processing, and storage sectors and academia.
•We prepared the TiCN gradient films by multi-arc ion plating under linearly varied N2 and C2H2 gases.•We investigated the texture of the TiCN films by BBXRD and GIXRD.•We investigated the phase ...depth distribution by XPS with different Ar etching levels.•We evaluated the hardness, adhesion and tribological behaviors of the TiCN films.
Gradient TiCN films were deposited in the arc ion plating system with Cr and Ti targets under the mixed Ar, C2H2 and N2 gases at a temperature of 480°C. In this study, the effect of the C2H2 flow rate on composition, microstructure, bonding energy, hardness, modulus, elasticity, plasticity, adhesion and tribological behaviors of the deposited TiCN films were systematically investigated. The XRD result showed that all the films exhibited a highly textured growth with the (111) as the preferred orientation along the surface normal. By increasing the flow rate of C2H2, the contents of TiC and TiCN decreased and increased, respectively, which led to a significant decrease in hardness from 62GPa to 31GPa. The adhesion strength increased and wear rate decreased due to the decrease of the brittle TiC phase in the films.
The metabolic syndrome (MetS) is one of the major health hazards and an epidemic worldwide. There is no known best remedy has been defined yet. In the current investigation, we designed a ...meta‐analysis of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) to evaluate the beneficial effects of tea consumption in alleviating metabolic syndromes. Herein, we accumulated the relevant literature available on PubMed and EMBASE databases from January, 2000 to August, 2019. RCTs bearing impact factor of at least 1 or more were studied for the effect of tea consumption on MetS. This meta‐analysis suggested that tea consumption has beneficial effects on diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and this finding was characterized of all types of tea in the current study and also for body mass index (BMI) value. Furthermore, this analysis also found that black tea consumption has protective effects on systolic SBP, green tea reduces the incidence of diabetes and lower the level of low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. These functions required BMI value at least 28 or higher. The meta data led us to conclude that tea consumption have protective effects on MetS, however, different types of tea might have different protective mechanisms on MetS, but, exact mechanisms are not yet clear and needs to be explored.
Medicinal plants have served humans since prehistoric times to treat various ailments. Both developed and underdeveloped countries rely on traditional systems of medication using natural sources from ...plants.
is one of the largest genus in the family Phyllanthaceae, comprising over 700 well known species cosmopolitan in distribution mainly in the tropics and subtropics.
species are being in constant used in traditional medications to cure an array of human diseases (constipation, inhalation related, arthritis, loss of appetite, injuries, conjunctivitis, diarrhoea, running nose, common cold, malaria, blennorrhagia, colic, diabetes mellitus, dysentery, indigestion, fever, gout, gonorrheal diseases of males and females, skin itching, jaundice, hepatic disorders, leucorrhea, vaginitis, menstrual irregularities, obesity, stomach pains, and tumors), confectionaries, food industry, and in some pesticides.
species are rich in diversity of phytochemicals e.g., tannins, terpenes, alkaloids, glycosidic compounds, saponins, and flavones etc. More in depth studies are a direly needed to identify more compounds with specific cellular functions to treat various ailments.
PDF
