Depression is a mental disease involving complex pathophysiological mechanisms, and there are many ways to establish depressive mouse models. The purpose of this study is to comprehensively compare ...the behavioral changes and its mechanism induced by two different models. This study established two depressive mouse models by maternal separation (MS) or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) administration, and added fluoxetine treatment group respectively for comparison. MS induced more apparent anxiety-like behavior while LPS induced more apparent depressive-like behavior. LPS increased peripheral inflammatory factors more apparent, which were mitigated by fluoxetine. MS inhibited the 5-HT system more obviously and was relieved by fluoxetine. LPS triggered stronger immune response in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex (PFC). MS significantly reduced the expression of neurotrophic proteins and was alleviated by fluoxetine. Overall, LPS induced stronger system inflammation, while MS impaired the function of HPA axis and 5-HT system. Our results will contribute to a deeper understanding of the pathophysiology of different stress-induced depression and will also help researchers select appropriate models of depression for their own needs.
The trnH-psbA intergenic spacer region has been used in many DNA barcoding studies. However, a comprehensive evaluation with rigorous sequence preprocessing and statistical testing on the utility of ...trnH-psbA and its combinations as DNA barcodes is lacking.
Sequences were searched from GenBank for a meta-analysis on the usefulness of trnH-psbA and its combinations as DNA barcodes. After preprocessing, we constructed full and matching data sets that contained 17 983 trnH-psbA sequences and 2190 sets of trnH-psbA, matK, rbcL, and ITS2 sequences from the same sample, repectively. These datasets were used to analyze the ability of trnH-psbA and its combinations to discriminate species by the BLAST and BLAST+P methods. The Fisher's exact test was used to evaluate the significance of performance differences. For the full data set, the identification success rates of trnH-psbA exceeded 70% in 18 families and 12 genera, respectively. For the matching data set, the identification rates of trnH-psbA were significantly higher than those of the other loci in two families and four genera. Similarly, the identification rates of trnH-psbA+ITS2 were significantly higher than those of matK+rbcL in 18 families and 21 genera. CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANE: This study provides valuable information on the higher utility of trnH-psbA and its combinations. We found that trnH-psbA+ITS2 combination performs better or equally well compared with other combinations in most taxonomic groups investigated. This information will guide the optimal usage of trnH-psbA and its combinations for species identification.
China officially implemented the renewable portfolio standard (RPS) on 1 January 2019, and it remains uncertain as to whether this can effectively solve the problem of renewable energy consumption in ...China and ease the pressure of government subsidies. In order to study the impact of this policy on China’s renewable energy power generation and explore RPS policy that is more suitable for the characteristics of China’s renewable energy, we first develop a revenue function model based on the just released RPS policy to explore the effectiveness of the policy, the feasibility conditions for successful implementation, and the problems that may be encountered during the implementation process. Then, we propose policy recommendations based on the possible problems of the current policy and design an “incremental electricity price” supplementary policy to improve the possibility of successful implementation of the RPS policy. Finally, an evolutionary game model is established to simulate and verify the possibility of successful implementation of the supplementary policy. The main research results are: (1) the essence of the current RPS policy is the comprehensive implementation policy of the RPS and feed-in-tariff (FiT); (2) because of the characteristics of China’s energy structure, the implementation of this policy reform is more resistant; (3) the quantitative research on the revenue function model shows that the current transaction price of the green certificate market is very low, which is not conducive to alleviating the state’s subsidy pressure on renewable energy power generation; and (4) analysis of empirical data shows that the successful implementation of the “incremental electricity price” policy relies on the initial strategies of grid companies and users.
Interactions between gluten proteins and water-extractable arabinoxylan (WEAX) during the heating stage are crucial for the organoleptic quality of high-fiber cereal products. To reveal the molecular ...mechanism of WEAX on gluten characteristic upon heating, the current study comparatively investigated the effects of WEAX with different molecular weights (M w) on the heat-evoked conformational variation and polymerization behavior of gluten. Results showed that WEAX, especially low M w WEAX (L-WEAX), facilitated the polymerization ability of α-/γ-gliadins into glutenins, whereas high M w WEAX (H-WEAX) reduced the polymerizing temperature of glutenin and gliadin. L-WEAX could develop more hydrogen bonds with tyrosine of gluten and stabilize the secondary structure more evidently than H-WEAX upon heating. Compared with disulfide bridge formation, hydrophobic interactions were not the driving force involved in the heat-induced polymerization behavior affected by WEAX. WEAX evoked the reinforced glutenin network and heterogeneous distribution of gliadin, with a more uniform molecular surface developed for gluten.
•The low valent salt assisted roasting is developed for selective lithium extraction.•The recovery ratio of lithium reaches highly to 99.39% under the optimized process conditions.•The ...electrochemical performance of regenerated cathode material restores to commercial level.•The remarkable economic benefits provide support for industrial innovation and application.
The efficient recovery of lithium from spent lithium-ion batteries has attracted extensive attention due to serious restriction of sustainable development of the lithium-ion battery industry caused by shortage and high price of lithium resources. The current traditional process faces high energy consumption and low benefit, which is not conducive to the industrial reform of selective lithium extraction from spent lithium-ion batteries. Herein, we propose a novel selective lithium extraction process through low-valent salts assisted roasting and washing to achieve the closed-loop recycling of spent cathode materials. The leaching rate of lithium reach 99.39% under the optimized conditions of the molar ratio of low-valent salts to spent LiCoO2 materials of 3.0 and roasting temperature of 750 ℃ for 40 min. The key to the successful application of low-valent salts assisted roasting process relay on the conversion of insoluble polysulfides achieved by controlling the disproportionation reaction of cobalt with the aid of low valent salts. The regenerated LiCoO2 materials display excellent structure and electrochemical performance with initial discharge specific capacity of 155.5mAh/g at 0.1C and the capacity retention rate 93.89% after 100 cycles. The remarkable economic and environmental benefits of the low-valent salts assisted roasting process provide support for practical industrial innovation and application of recycling of spent lithium-ion batteries.
Gossypol is a polyphenol from the cotton plant with anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidation activities and can also function as a histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor. Sepsis is an inflammatory disease ...with high mortality. Inflammation, oxidative stress, and epigenetic factors are involved in sepsis and its complications. The biological activities of gossypol strongly suggest the potential effects of gossypol on sepsis. In the present study, the beneficial effects of gossypol on sepsis were evaluated. We established a cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) mouse model of sepsis and treated CLP mice with gossypol. The survival rate, serum level of myocardial injury markers, and myocardial level of oxidation markers were measured. We also administered gossypol to lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated primary cardiomyocytes. The production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, activation of protein kinase B (AKT) and IκB kinase (IKK), acetylation of histone, and expression of HDACs were measured. Gossypol prevented the death of CLP mice and ameliorated myocardial damage in CLP mice. Moreover, gossypol decreased oxidative factors, while promoting antioxidant production in CLP mice. Gossypol prevented LPS and cytosine-phosphate-guanosine-induced expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, suppressed LPS-induced activation of AKT and IKK, inhibited histone acetylation, and decreased the expression of HDACs. In conclusion, gossypol ameliorates myocardial dysfunction in mice with sepsis.
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•A novel noble-metal-free Co2P/CdIn2S4 heterojunction was constructed via hydrothermal method.•The noteworthy augmentation of photocatalytic performance for MPCIS composites was put ...down to the effective carrier separation, elevated light absorption and increased active sites.•The H2-evolution rate for the optimum CPCIS (471.87 μmol h−1 g−1) was around 3.6 times than cIS-Pt (130.51 μmol h−1 g−1).•A feasible mechanism of intensive photocatalytic activity was discussed.
Constructing heterojunctions is an effective and controllable approach that can boost the activity of photocatalysts. Inspiringly, this study explored a simple method that can be used to construct novel noble-metal-free Co2P/CdIn2S4 (CPCIS) heterojunction photocatalysts for photocatalytic hydrogen production. The heterojunction was formed by loading CdIn2S4 (CIS) nanoparticles on the surface of Co2P (CP). The structure, morphology, and optical property of the as-prepared samples were characterized by a series of tests. The DRS results showed that, the light absorption range of CPCIS was extended to the full visible light range and its light absorption intensity obviously was enhanced at 500–800 nm. The PL and photoelectrochemical tests manifested that the formed heterojunction promoted the separation of charges. The LSV results indicated that CP reduced the H2 evolution overpotential of the composites. Besides, CP could serve as active sites of H2 evolution in heterojunction composites. Interestingly, the H2-evolution rate for the optimum CPCIS (471.87 μmol h−1 g−1) was around 3.6 times than CIS-Pt. The elevated activity of CPCIS may mainly attribute to the following aspects: its enhanced light absorption, elevated charge separation and increased active site. More importantly, the photocatalytic activity of heterojunction composites didn’t almost decrease after three cycles. This article delivers an idea that can be applied to form heterojunctions between CP and other sulfides for photocatalytic H2 production, easily extending to other transition metal phosphides.
Incorporation of new readout methods with established analytical devices allows methodological innovations in analytical sciences. Herein, we present a new sensing platform by combining an ...ultrasensitive element analyzer, namely the laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) and a lateral flow strip (LFS). AgxAuy bimetallic nanoparticles (AgxAuyBNPs) are selected as the labels to deliver the optimal quantitative performance by analyzing the Ag (I) signal from the test (T) line of LFS. For prototypical application in pathogen detection, the LIBS-LFS sensor can achieve a detection limit of 1.6 cfu mL−1 of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) within 10 min, which is superior to conventional methods. Importantly, the signals of AgxAuyBNPs for visual and LIBS analysis are stable and still readable after the detection is finished and the test strip is stored for up to 13 days, suggesting a potential for long-term data preservation. This combination of LIBS with LFS provides a new concept toward integrated nano/analytical devices that can benefit various application scenarios.
•Quantitative performance of lateral flow strip (LFS) needs to be improved.•The laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is applied to develop a LFS sensor.•LIBS is firstly applied to detect pathogen by in situ analyzing element label on LFS.•The sensor achieves a LOD of 1.6 cfu mL−1 of S. aureus within 10 min.•The LIBS signals are still readable after the detection is finished for 13 days.
Background. Long noncoding RNA nuclear paraspeckle assembly transcript 1 (NEAT1) was reported to be aberrantly upregulated and promote esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) cell progression. ...Nevertheless, the molecular mechanism of NEAT1 involved in the competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) regulatory network in ESCC progression remains poorly defined. Methods. The expressions of NEAT1, miR-129, and C-terminal-binding protein 2 (CTBP2) in ESCC cells were examined by qRT-PCR. The effects of NEAT1 knockdown and miR-129 overexpression, or along with CTBP2 upregulation, on ESCC cell viability and invasion were explored by CCK-8 and transwell invasion assays, respectively. Luciferase reporter assay in combination with RIP was performed to confirm the interaction between NEAT1, miR-129, and CTBP2. Results. NEAT1 and CTBP2 were upregulated and miR-129 was downregulated in ESCC cells. Either NEAT1 knockdown or miR-129 overexpression suppressed ESCC cell viability and invasion. Moreover, NEAT1 functioned as an endogenous sponge to downregulate miR-129 by competitively binding to miR-129, thereby leading to the derepression of CTBP2, a target of miR-129. CTBP2 restoration overturned cell viability and invasion suppression mediated by NEAT1 knockdown or miR-129 overexpression. Conclusion. LncRNA NEAT1 regulated ESCC cell viability and invasion via the miR-129/CTBP2 axis, contributing to the better understanding of the molecular mechanism of ESCC pathogenesis and progression.
BACKGROUNDInsulin resistance (IR) affects the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), which is also influenced by accumulated fine particle air pollution particulate matter (PM) with ...aerodynamic diameter of <2.5μm (PM2.5) exposure. Previous experimental and epidemiological studies have proposed several potential mechanisms by which PM2.5 contributes to IR/T2DM, including inflammation imbalance, oxidative stress, and endothelial dysfunction. Recent evidence suggests that the imbalance of the gut microbiota affects the metabolic process and may precede IR. However, the underlying mechanisms of PM2.5, gut microbiota, and metabolic diseases are unclear. OBJECTIVESWe investigated the associations between personal exposure to PM2.5 and fasting blood glucose and insulin levels, the IR index, and other related biomarkers. We also explored the potential underlying mechanisms (systemic inflammation and sphingolipid metabolism) between PM2.5 and insulin resistance and the mediating effects between PM2.5 and sphingolipid metabolism. METHODSWe recruited 76 healthy seniors to participate in a repeated-measures panel study and conducted clinical examinations every month from September 2018 to January 2019. Linear mixed-effects (LME) models were used to analyze the associations between PM2.5 and health data (e.g., functional factors, the IR index, inflammation and other IR-related biomarkers, metabolites, and gut microbiota). We also performed mediation analyses to evaluate the effects of mediators (gut microbiota) on the associations between exposures (PM2.5) and featured metabolism outcomes. RESULTSOur prospective panel study illustrated that exposure to PM2.5 was associated with an increased risk of higher IR index and functional biomarkers, and our study provided mechanistic evidence suggesting that PM2.5 exposure may contribute to systemic inflammation and altered sphingolipid metabolism. DISCUSSIONOur findings demonstrated that PM2.5 was associated with the genera of the gut microbiota, which partially mediated the association between PM2.5 and sphingolipid metabolism. These findings may extend our current understanding of the pathways of PM2.5 and IR. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP9688.
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