Mule ducks tend to accumulate abundant fat in their livers via feeding, which leads to the formation of a fatty liver that is several times larger than a normal liver. However, the mechanism ...underlying fatty liver formation has not yet been elucidated. Fibroblast growth factor 1 (FGF1), a member of the FGF superfamily, is involved in cellular lipid metabolism and mitosis. This study aims to investigate the regulatory effect of FGF1 on lipid metabolism disorders induced by complex fatty acids in primary mule duck liver cells and elucidate the underlying molecular mechanism. Hepatocytes were induced by adding 1,500:750 µmol/L oleic and palmitic acid concentrations for 36 h, which were stimulated with FGF1 concentrations of 0, 10, 100, and 1000 ng/mL for 12 h. The results showed that FGF1 significantly reduced the hepatic lipid droplet deposition and triglyceride content induced by complex fatty acids; it also reduced oxidative stress; decreased reactive oxygen species fluorescence intensity and malondialdehyde content; upregulated the expression of antioxidant factors nuclear factor erythroid 2 related factor 2 (Nrf2), HO-1, and NQO-1; significantly enhanced liver cell activity; promoted cell cycle progression; inhibited cell apoptosis; upregulated cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1) and BCL-2 mRNA expression; and downregulated Bax and Caspase-3 expression. In addition, FGF1 promoted AMPK phosphorylation, activated the AMPK pathway, upregulated AMPK gene expression, and downregulated the expression of SREBP1 and ACC1 genes, thereby alleviating excessive fat accumulation in liver cells induced by complex fatty acids. In summary, FGF1 may alleviate lipid metabolism disorders induced by complex fatty acids in primary mule duck liver cells by activating the AMPK signaling pathway.
Direct formic acid fuel cells (DFAFCs) possess the advantages of high power density and theoretical cell potential. Exploring robust catalysts for electrochemical formic acid electro‐oxidation (FAO) ...is greatly essential for the wide spread uptake of DFAFCs. However, many electrodes with attractive catalysts suffer limited mass transport due to sluggish CO2 bubble growth and departure steps on its surface. In this study, a superaerophobic electrode is developed by depositing fern‐shaped palladium nanostructured arrays on the carbon paper (Pd‐nanoarray@CP). Its unique superaerophobic feature successfully facilitates the CO2 bubble releasing from the catalyst surface in a significantly small size. With the merits of specific nanoarray morphology, superior under water superaerophobicity, and rapid gas bubble release, the Pd‐nanoarray@CP shows fast charge/mass transport rate, high electrocatalytic activity, and great stability for FAO. A direct formic acid fuel cell equipped with the Pd‐nanoarray@CP anode is successfully fabricated on a microfluidic platform. A peak power density of 35.8 mW cm−2 and limiting current density of 173.3 mA cm−2 are obtained, respectively, which are 49.2% and 33.0% higher than that of conventional Pd‐black anodes. The electrode with superaerophobic interface allows deeper insight into the mechanism of FAO efficiency and holds promise for possible applications of commercially viable DFAFCs.
A superaerophobic anode with a fern‐shaped Pd nanoarray for a direct formic acid fuel cell (DFAFC) is developed. Its unique superaerophobic feature successfully facilitates the CO2 bubble releasing from the catalyst surface in a significantly small size. Excellent electrocatalytic activity and great cell performance highlight its usefulness for commercially viable DFAFCs.
In this paper, a class of two-weight and three-weight linear codes over GF(p) is constructed, and their application in secret sharing is investigated. Some of the linear codes obtained are optimal in ...the sense that they meet certain bounds on linear codes. These codes have applications also in authentication codes, association schemes, and strongly regular graphs, in addition to their applications in consumer electronics, communication and data storage systems.
Salicylic acid (SA) is a key plant hormone required for establishing resistance to many pathogens. SA biosynthesis involves two main metabolic pathways with multiple steps: the isochorismate and the ...phenylalanine ammonia-lyase pathways. Transcriptional regulations of SA biosynthesis are important for fine-tuning SA level in plants. We highlight here recent discoveries on SA biosynthesis and transcriptional regulations of SA biosynthesis. In addition, SA perception by NPR proteins is important to fulfil its function as a defense hormone. We highlight recent work to give a full picture of how NPR proteins support the role of SA in plant immunity. We also discuss challenges and potential opportunities for future research and application related to the functions of SA in plants.
Salicylic acid (SA) serves as a key hormone in plant innate immunity, including resistance in both local and systemic tissue upon biotic attacks, hypersensitive responses, and cell death.Key components involved in the complete metabolic steps of SA biosynthesis through the isochorismate pathway and their detailed functions have been identified.Recent breakthroughs have revealed new mechanisms by which the endogenous SA level controls the transcriptional reprogramming via the perception of NPR proteins and their protein turnovers.Both positive and negative transcriptional regulations of SA biosynthesis are required for fine-tuning the levels of SA for optimal defense without causing unnecessary fitness cost.
The protonic ceramic electrochemical cell (PCEC) is an emerging and attractive technology that converts energy between power and hydrogen using solid oxide proton conductors at intermediate ...temperatures. To achieve efficient electrochemical hydrogen and power production with stable operation, highly robust and durable electrodes are urgently desired to facilitate water oxidation and oxygen reduction reactions, which are the critical steps for both electrolysis and fuel cell operation, especially at reduced temperatures. In this study, a triple conducting oxide of PrNi
Co
O
perovskite is developed as an oxygen electrode, presenting superior electrochemical performance at 400~600 °C. More importantly, the self-sustainable and reversible operation is successfully demonstrated by converting the generated hydrogen in electrolysis mode to electricity without any hydrogen addition. The excellent electrocatalytic activity is attributed to the considerable proton conduction, as confirmed by hydrogen permeation experiment, remarkable hydration behavior and computations.
A series of pyridine-type ligands containing CC bonds were designed and synthesized for selective oxidative Heck reaction. These ligands were utilized as functional units and integrated into the ...skeleton of conjugated microporous polymers. 6,6′-diiodo-2,2′-bipyridine and 1,3,5-triethynylbenzene were polycondensed via Sonogashira cross-coupling strategy to afford CMP-1 material. The resultant CMP-1 was used as a heterogeneous catalytic ligand for the PdII-catalyzed oxidative Heck reaction with high linear selectivity. The linear selectivity of CMP-1 is about 30 times higher than that of bipyridine-based monomer ligand. This work opens a new front of using CMP as an intriguing platform for developing highly efficient catalysts in controlling the regioselectivity in organic reactions.
Three six‐coordinate DyIII single‐molecule magnets (SMMs) Dy(OtBu)2(L)4+ with local D4h symmetry are obtained by optimizing the equatorial ligands. One of the compounds with L=4‐phenylpyridine shows ...an energy barrier (Ueff) of 2075(11) K, which is the third largest Ueff, and the first Ueff>2000 K for SMMs with axial‐type symmetry so far. Ab initio analysis indicates that the exceptional uniaxial magnetic anisotropy is deeply related to the axially compressed octahedral geometry. This work provides a new insight into the local D4h symmetry for high‐performance SMMs.
Building single‐molecule magnets: A compressed octahedral dysprosium(III) single‐molecule magnet with local D4h symmetry exhibits an energy barrier over 2000 K.
During passive solar design of greenhouses, engineers usually encounter issues such as building form parameter selection. Suitable parameters can help to reduce energy losses related to interior ...temperature control and relatively intensive crop production. However, by using bibliometric analyses, no existing review works provide concise parameter selection lists. To fill in this gap, this paper compares and evaluates various passive technologies for greenhouse design in five areas: (1) orientation, (2) building structures, (3) envelope materials, (4) heat storage options, and (5) numerical modeling. First, the orientation of a passive solar greenhouse significantly influences its performance. Second, greenhouses exhibit various architectural shapes, including single- and multispan, with transparent and opaque envelopes. Third, greenhouses usually include envelopes constructed from transparent materials, opaque materials, and movable insulation materials. Fourth, most passive greenhouses provide daily energy storage systems equipped with storage media, including water, soil, rock, brick, and phase change material (PCM). Finally, this paper reviews numerical modeling and performance evaluations for passive greenhouses.
Summary Background The pandemic of physical inactivity is associated with a range of chronic diseases and early deaths. Despite the well documented disease burden, the economic burden of physical ...inactivity remains unquantified at the global level. A better understanding of the economic burden could help to inform resource prioritisation and motivate efforts to increase levels of physical activity worldwide. Methods Direct health-care costs, productivity losses, and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) attributable to physical inactivity were estimated with standardised methods and the best data available for 142 countries, representing 93·2% of the world's population. Direct health-care costs and DALYs were estimated for coronary heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, breast cancer, and colon cancer attributable to physical inactivity. Productivity losses were estimated with a friction cost approach for physical inactivity related mortality. Analyses were based on national physical inactivity prevalence from available countries, and adjusted population attributable fractions (PAFs) associated with physical inactivity for each disease outcome and all-cause mortality. Findings Conservatively estimated, physical inactivity cost health-care systems international $ (INT$) 53·8 billion worldwide in 2013, of which $31·2 billion was paid by the public sector, $12·9 billion by the private sector, and $9·7 billion by households. In addition, physical inactivity related deaths contribute to $13·7 billion in productivity losses, and physical inactivity was responsible for 13·4 million DALYs worldwide. High-income countries bear a larger proportion of economic burden (80·8% of health-care costs and 60·4% of indirect costs), whereas low-income and middle-income countries have a larger proportion of the disease burden (75·0% of DALYs). Sensitivity analyses based on less conservative assumptions led to much higher estimates. Interpretation In addition to morbidity and premature mortality, physical inactivity is responsible for a substantial economic burden. This paper provides further justification to prioritise promotion of regular physical activity worldwide as part of a comprehensive strategy to reduce non-communicable diseases. Funding None.
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