Mitochondrial disorders preferentially affect tissues with high energy requirements, such as the retina and corneal endothelium, in human eyes. Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-based treatment has been ...demonstrated to be beneficial for ocular degeneration. However, aside from neuroprotective paracrine actions, the mechanisms underlying the beneficial effect of MSCs on retinal and corneal tissues are largely unknown. In this study, we investigated the fate and associated characteristics of mitochondria subjected to intercellular transfer from MSCs to ocular cells.
MSCs were cocultured with corneal endothelial cells (CECs), 661W cells (a photoreceptor cell line) and ARPE-19 cells (a retinal pigment epithelium cell line). Immunofluorescence, fluorescence activated cell sorting and confocal microscopy imaging were employed to investigate the traits of intercellular mitochondrial transfer and the fate of transferred mitochondria. The oxygen consumption rate of recipient cells was measured to investigate the effect of intercellular mitochondrial transfer. Transcriptome analysis was performed to investigate the expression of metabolic genes in recipient cells with donated mitochondria.
Mitochondrial transport is a ubiquitous intercellular mechanism between MSCs and various ocular cells, including the corneal endothelium, retinal pigmented epithelium, and photoreceptors. Additionally, our results indicate that the donation process depends on F-actin-based tunneling nanotubes. Rotenone-pretreated cells that received mitochondria from MSCs displayed increased aerobic capacity and upregulation of mitochondrial genes. Furthermore, living imaging determined the ultimate fate of transferred mitochondria through either degradation by lysosomes or exocytosis as extracellular vesicles.
For the first time, we determined the characteristics and fate of mitochondria undergoing intercellular transfer from MSCs to various ocular cells through F-actin-based tunneling nanotubes, helping to characterize MSC-based treatment for ocular tissue regeneration.
Flare events are mainly due to magnetic reconnection and thus are indicative of stellar activity. The Kepler Space Observatory records numerous stellar activities with unprecedented high photometric ...precision in flux measurements. It is perfectly suitable for carrying out a statistical study of flares. Here we present 540 M dwarfs with flare events discovered using Kepler long-cadence data. The normalized flare energy, as defined by the ratio to bolometric stellar luminosity, L flare L bol , is used to indicate the flare activity. We find that, similar to the X-ray luminosity relation, the L flare L bol versus P rot relation can also be described with three phases, supersaturation, saturation, and exponential decay, corresponding to an ultra-short period, a short period, and a long period. The flare activity and the number fraction of flaring stars in M dwarfs rise steeply near M4, which is consistent with the prediction of a turbulent dynamo. The size of starspots are positively correlated with flare activity. The L flare L bol ratio has a power-law dependence on L H L bol , a parameter indicative of stellar chromosphere activity. According to this relation, a small enhancement in chromosphere activity may cause a huge rise in flare energy, which suggests that superflares or hyperflares may not need an extra excitation mechanism. Through a comparison study, we suggest that flare activity is a more suitable indicator for stellar activity, especially in the boundary region. However, contrary to what is expected, some M dwarfs with strong flares do not show any light variation caused by starspots. Follow-up observations are needed to investigate this problem.
A critical pathogenic factor in the development of lethal liver failure is cell death induced by the accumulation of lipid reactive oxygen species. In this study, we discovered and illuminated a new ...mechanism that led to alcoholic liver disease via ferroptosis, an iron-dependent regulated cell death. Study
showed that both necroptosis inhibitor and ferroptosis inhibitors performed significantly protective effect on alcohol-induced cell death, while apoptosis inhibitor and autophagy inhibitor had no such effect. Our data also indicated that alcohol caused the accumulation of lipid peroxides and the mRNA expression of prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2, reduced the protein expression of the specific light-chain subunit of the cystine/glutamate antiporter and glutathione peroxidase 4. Importantly, ferrostatin-1 significantly ameliorated liver injury that was induced by overdosed alcohol both
and
. These findings highlight that targeting ferroptosis serves as a hepatoprotective strategy for alcoholic liver disease treatment.
Soil organic carbon (SOC) is an important component in agricultural soil, and its stock is a major part of global carbon stocks. Estimating the SOC distribution and storage is important for improving ...soil quality and SOC sequestration. This study evaluated the SOC distribution different land uses and estimated the SOC storage by classifying the study area by land use in a small watershed on the Loess Plateau. The results showed that the SOC content and density were affected by land use. The SOC content for shrubland and natural grassland was significantly higher than for other land uses, and cropland had the lowest SOC content. The effect of land use on the SOC content was more significant in the 0–10
cm soil layer than in other soil layers. For every type of land use, the SOC content decreased with soil depth. The highest SOC density (0–60
cm) in the study area was found in shrublandII (
Hippophae rhamnoides), and the other land uses decreased in the SOC density as follows: natural grassland
>
shrublandI (
Caragana korshinskii)
>
abandoned cropland
>
orchard
>
level ground cropland
>
terrace cropland
>
artificial grassland. Shrubland and natural grassland were the most efficient types for SOC sequestration, followed by abandoned cropland. The SOC stock (0–60
cm) in this study was 23,584.77
t with a mean SOC density of 4.64 (0–60
cm).
► Estimating SOC distribution and storage is important for improving soil quality and SOC sequestration. ► SOC distribution and storage for different land uses were evaluated in a small watershed. ► Shrubland and natural grassland were the most efficient land use types for SOC sequestration. ► The SOC stock (0–60
cm) was 23,584.77
t with a mean SOC density of 4.64 (0–60
cm).
Increased consumption of whole grains has been associated with reduced risk of developing major chronic diseases. These health benefits have been attributed in part to their unique phytochemicals. ...Previous studies on black rice mainly focused on anthocyanins. Little is known about the phytochemical profiles and antioxidant activities of different black rice varieties. The objective of this study was to determine the phytochemical profiles and antioxidant activity of rice bran samples from 12 diverse varieties of black rice. The free, bound, and total phenolic contents of black rice bran samples ranged from 2086 to 7043, from 221.2 to 382.7, and from 2365 to 7367 mg of gallic acid equiv/100 g of dry weight (DW), respectively. The percentage contribution of free phenolics to the total ranged from 88.2 to 95.6%. The average values of free, bound, and total phenolic contents of black rice bran were 8, 1.5, and 6 times higher than those of white rice bran, respectively (p < 0.05). The free, bound, and total flavonoid contents of black rice bran samples ranged from 3462 to 12061, from 126.7 to 386.9, and from 3596 to 12448 mg of catechin equiv/100 g of DW, respectively. The percentage contribution of free flavonoids to the total ranged from 96.3 to 97.6%. The average values of free, bound, and total flavonoid contents of black rice bran were 7.4, 1.9, and 6.7 times higher than those of white rice bran, respectively (p < 0.05). The free, bound, and total anthocyanin contents of black rice bran samples ranged from 1227 to 5096, from 4.89 to 8.23, and from 1231 to 5101 mg of cyanidin-3-glucoside equiv/100 g of DW, respectively. The percentage contribution of free anthocyanins to the total ranged from 99.5 to 99.9%. Cyanidin-3-glucoside, cyanidin-3-rutinoside, and peonidin-3-glucoside were detected in black rice bran samples and ranged from 736.6 to 2557, from 22.70 to 96.62, and from 100.7 to 534.2 mg/100 g of DW, respectively. The free, bound, and total antioxidant activities of black rice bran samples ranged from 476.9 to 180, from 47.91 to 79.48, and from 537.5 to 1876 μmol of Trolox equiv/g of DW, respectively. The percentage contribution of free antioxidant activity to the total ranged from 88.7 to 96.0%. The average values of free, bound, and total antioxidant activity of black rice bran were more than 8, 1.5, and 6 times higher than those of white rice bran, respectively (p < 0.05). The total antioxidant activity of black rice bran was correlated to the content of total phenolics, total flavonoids, and total anthocyanins and also was significantly correlated to the contents of cyanidin-3-glucoside, cyanidin-3-rutinoside, and peonidin-3-glucoside. These results indicate that there are significant differences in phytochemical content and antioxidant activity among the different black rice varieties. Black rice bran has higher content of phenolics, flavonoids, and anthocyanins and has higher antioxidant activity when compared to white rice bran. Interestingly, the phenolics, flavonoids, and anthocyanins of black rice bran are mainly present in free form. Knowing the phytochemical profile and antioxidant activity of black rice bran gives insights to its potential application to promote health.
Volumetric-based pricing for irrigation water was introduced as part of a comprehensive reform of agricultural water prices in China. However, operational deficiencies and farmers’ lack of ...willingness to adopt the volumetric pricing policy (VPP) hinder the coordinated implementation of the reform. To address these practical challenges, we employed a binary logistic regression model to analyse farmers’ acceptance of the VPP for agricultural irrigation water usage in Suqian City, Jiangsu Province. A variable set was formed by selecting potential variables from four types of influencing factors: the subject (water users), the object (water supply departments), natural condition factors, and social condition factors. Our results revealed seven factors that determine whether farmers accept the VPP: irrigation water measurement at the water inlet of a lateral canal, the irrigation water-saving rewards scale, enforcement efforts of charging by volume, the irrigation water source type, the use of agricultural water-saving for trade, financial investment in water-saving technology, and the level of irrigation water pricing. We determined the degree of influence of the seven determining factors, among which the irrigation water-saving rewards scale and enforcement efforts of charging by volume most influence farmers’ decisions on the VPP for irrigation water. The results of this study can be used as a reference for innovation of the agricultural water-saving system in Suqian City, optimisation of an accurate fiscal subsidy scale, quantification of irrigation water rights, optimisation of the measurement facility layout, and effective implementation of agricultural water rights trading. More broadly, this study provides a valuable reference for solving the difficulties faced in the comprehensive reform of agricultural water pricing in China, which includes irrigation water pricing mechanisms, management systems, subsidy mechanisms, and water-saving incentive measures.
Background
The function of miR‐20a‐5p in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) and the underlying mechanism remains largely unknown.
Methods
C57BL/6J mice and PASMCs were used for ...constructing pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH) animal and cell models, respectively. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) was employed to detect miR‐20a‐5p and ATP‐binding cassette subfamily A member 1 (ABCA1) messenger RNA expression. CCK‐8, Transwell, and TUNEL experiments were used to determine PASMCs proliferation, migration, and apoptosis. The relationship between miR‐20a‐5p and ABCA1 was detected by luciferase reporter experiment, Western blot analysis, and qRT‐PCR.
Results
miR‐20a‐5p was remarkably elevated in PASMCs of PAH mice and human PASMCs treated by hypoxia, while ABCA1 was remarkably decreased. After transfection of miR‐20a‐5p mimics, PASMCs proliferation and migration were promoted and PASMCs apoptosis was suppressed. ABCA1 was confirmed to be a target of miR‐20a‐5p and restoration of ABCA1 reversed the function of miR‐20a‐5p.
Conclusion
miR‐20a‐5p enhances the proliferation and migration of PASMCs to promote the development of PAH via targeting ABCA1.
Microglia were previously regarded as a homogenous myeloid cell lineage in the mammalian central nervous system (CNS). However, accumulative evidences show that microglia in the brain and SC are ...quite different in development, cellular phenotypes and biological functions. How microglia differ between these two regions and whether such diversity may contribute to CNS development and functions as well as neurological diseases will be discussed here.
Dynamic simulation of thermal systems is crucial for their optimal control but facing the challenge of balancing calculation accuracy and efficiency, where numerically high-efficient and accurate ...heat exchanger (HX) modeling is a key. Herein, we propose a frequency domain model for HXs' dynamic simulation in the to meet this challenge. The governing equations of HXs are first converted to frequency domain through Fourier transform, and the analytical solution of the converted equations yields the frequency domain HX model in the form of transfer matrix that connects the inlet temperature variations and outlet temperature responses. Furthermore, integrating transfer matrices of HXs into the system's transfer matrix enables a high-efficiency thermal system simulation. Numerical cases of a single HX, a HX network, a district heating network, and a thermodynamic cycle are used to validate the developed method and demonstrate its efficacy by comparing it against finite difference/volume method. Results show that the proposed method could reduce the calculation time by 2–3 orders of magnitude, and the maximum deviation of node temperature is around 1 K. The proposed method can be a powerful tool for the analysis of thermal systems and potentially integrated energy systems.
•Propose a dynamic frequency domain model for heat exchangers with Fourier transform.•Analytical solution of the dynamic model gives the outlet temperatures directly.•The proposed HX model can be directly integrated in thermal system simulation.•Calculation time is reduced by 2–3 orders of magnitude with the same accuracy.
Introduction
Zhou Tian Formula (ZTF) is an antidepressant traditional Chinese medicine utilized widely in clinical settings for the treatment of patients with depression. However, shortcomings ...persist in its extraction technology and quality control.
Objective
This study aimed to propose a methodology for ZTF extraction technology based on the analytic hierarchy process (AHP)–criteria importance through intercriteria correlation (CRITIC) method and to establish a quality control framework for the efficient transfer of index components.
Method
Firstly, we analyzed the chemical components of ZTF and determined the optimal extraction technology. Secondly, we calculated the transfer efficiency of the index components during the conversion of water decoction to extract powder and subsequently to granules. Thirdly, we established HPLC fingerprints for 15 batches of ZTF water decoction, extract powder, and granules. We employed SIMCA software to analyze the chemicals responsible for variations in quality among different batches of ZTF granules.
Results
We determined the optimal extraction process. The average transfer efficiency of ferulic acid, puerarin, mirificin, isoferulic acid, and calycosin during the conversion of water decoction to extract powder and subsequently to granules exceeded 41%. The HPLC fingerprints of ZTF exhibited a similarity exceeding 0.890. Variable importance in projection values indicated that calycosin, ferulic acid, and puerarin were the primary contributors to quality variations.
Conclusions
The AHP‐CRITIC method, coupled with an orthogonal array design, could be used for exploring extraction technology. In addition, the rules governing the transfer of index components from water decoction to extract powder, and subsequently to granules, could be applied for the evaluation and quality assessment of ZTF.
This study proposed a methodology for Zhou Tian Formula (ZTF) extraction technology based on the analytic hierarchy process (AHP)–criteria importance through intercriteria correlation (CRITIC) method and established a quality control framework for the efficient transfer of index components. This method enables dynamic monitoring of the quality of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) components, ensuring the appropriateness of the employed process.
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