Natural enemies such as parasitoids and parasites depend on sensitive olfactory to search for their specific hosts. Herbivore-induced plant volatiles (HIPVs) are vital components in providing host ...information for many natural enemies of herbivores. However, the olfactory-related proteins involved in the recognition of HIPVs are rarely reported. In this study, we established an exhaustive tissue and developmental expression profile of odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) from
, an essential natural enemy in the forestry ecosystem. Twenty DhelOBPs displayed various expression patterns in different organs and adult physiological states, suggesting a potential involvement in olfactory perception. In silico AlphaFold2-based modeling and molecular docking showed similar binding energies between six DhelOBPs (DhelOBP4, 5, 6, 14, 18, and 20) and HIPVs from
. While in vitro fluorescence competitive binding assays showed only recombinant DhelOBP4, the most highly expressed in the antennae of emerging adults could bind to HIPVs with high binding affinities. RNAi-mediated behavioral assays indicated that DhelOBP4 was an essential functional protein for
adults recognizing two behaviorally attractive substances:
-cymene and γ-terpinene. Further binding conformation analyses revealed that Phe 54, Val 56, and Phe 71 might be the key binding sites for DhelOBP4 interacting with HIPVs. In conclusion, our results provide an essential molecular basis for the olfactory perception of
and reliable evidence for recognizing the HIPVs of natural enemies from insect OBPs' perspective.
In order to produce an effective and multi-targeted clinical drug that could prevent progressive neurodegeneration, a series of diosgenin carbamate derivatives were designed, synthesized and tested ...for their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-Aβ activities. The results demonstrated that compound M15 was the most promising derivative against inflammatory (NO inhibition 22.7 ± 2.2%,10 μM) and cellular damage induced by H2O2 (SH-SY5Y cell protection = 75.3 ± 3.4%, 10 μM) or Aβ (astrocytes protection = 70.2 ± 6.5%, 10 μM). Molecular docking studies revealed the strong binding affinity of M15 to the active site of nNOS, Aβ42 and pro-inflammatory proteins. Western blot demonstrated that M15 decreased IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α level, which may contribute to its anti-inflammatory effects. In addition, M15 maintained mitochondrial function as well as cell viability through reducing H2O2-induced ROS production. The results indicated that oral administration of M15 attenuated memory deficits and played a neuroprotective effect on subcutaneous (s.c.) D-gal aging mice. In summary, M15 could be considered as a potential multifunctional neuroprotective agent due to the effects of anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-Aβ activities.
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•Design and synthesis of diosgenin carbamate derivatives.•Biological evaluation and structure-activity relationships of these compounds.•Binding between M15 to nNOS, Aβ42 and pro-inflammatory proteins predicted by molecular docking.•M15 possesses antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-Aβ toxicity activities.•M15 is a potential multifunctional neuroprotective agent.
The rapid development of advanced manufacturing technology has promoted the prosperity of micro/nano electronic devices, and flexible sensors based on screen printing have attracted much attention to ...meet the needs of wearable electronic products and human health monitoring in recent years. At the same time, combined with screen printing technology, flexible sensors have also been successfully proved to have very unique advantages and broad prospects in mass production. Here, we reviewed the applications of flexible sensors based on screen printing technology in the field of human health monitoring. Firstly, we introduce the manufacturing process of screen printing and its ink controllability, high resolution printing, and thickness controllability. Then, the different applications of screen-printed flexible sensors in the field of health monitoring are analyzed. In terms of flexible sensors, the specific details in application scenarios are introduced from three types of sensors: mechanical strain sensors, non-strain sensors and sensor arrays. In multiple examples of flexible sensors, the features of screen printing technology for low-cost, large-scale fabrication of flexible sensors are emphasized and highlighted. Finally, the opportunities, challenges and prospects of screen-printed flexible sensors in the field of smart wearable electronics and human health monitoring are summarized, and the feasibility of flexible sensor electronics in building smart wearable microsystems based on screen printing technology is proposed.
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•Three features of screen printing including the high resolution, controllability of ink and thickness are emphasized.•Screen-printed flexible sensors are comprehensively investigated and categorized to strain sensors, non-strain sensors and sensor arrays.•The key factors of screen-printed flexible sensors in application scenarios for human health monitoring are well analyzed.•The challenges and prospects of screen-printed flexible sensors for smart wearable electronics are summarized.
The transmission characteristics of terahertz waves in inhomogeneous magnetized dusty plasma are studied by using the shift-operator finite-difference-time-domain (SO-FDTD) method. The Epstein ...distribution model is employed to simulate the electron density distribution in dusty plasmas. The results given by the SO-FDTD method are in good agreement with those gotten by the Wentzel–Kramers–Brillouin method. Both the left-hand and right-hand circularly polarized (LCP and RCP) waves are taken into account. The transmission characteristics of RCP waves are more complicated than LCP waves. The numerical results show that all the physical parameters, such as the electron density, dust particle density, dust particle radius, effective collision frequency, electron relaxation rate and external magnetic field intensity, and so on, can affect the propagation, absorption and reflection of terahertz waves in dusty plasma. These theoretical results may be useful for alleviating the “blackout” problem and improving electromagnetic waves communication.
Graphical abstract
Introduction
Eleutherococcus senticosus fruit (ESF) is a natural health supplement resource that has been extensively applied as a tonic for the nervous system. The structures and neural ...bioactivities of triterpenoid saponins (TS), which are the major constituents of ESF, have not been comprehensively analyzed thus far.
Objective
We conducted a complete in‐depth MS/MS molecular networking (MN)‐based targeted analysis of TS from the crude extract of ESF and investigated its neuroprotective value.
Methods
An MS/MS MN‐guided strategy was used to rapidly present a series of precursor ions (PIs) of TS in a compound cluster as TS‐targeted information used in the discovery and characterization of TS. In addition, a prepared TS‐rich fraction of ESF was assayed for its restraining effects on β‐amyloid‐induced inhibition of neurite outgrowth.
Results
A total of 87 TS were discovered using a PI tracking strategy, 28 of which were characterized as potentially undescribed structures according to their high‐resolution MS values. Furthermore, the TS‐rich fraction can significantly reduce β‐amyloid‐induced damage to neural networks by promoting the outgrowth of neurites and axons.
Conclusion
Our findings reveal the richness of TS in ESF and will accelerate their application in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.
Eleutherococcus senticosus fruit (ESF) is a natural health supplement resource that has been extensively applied as a tonic for the nervous system. In this paper, a comprehensive LC‐MS analysis of triterpene saponins (TS) from ESF was performed using an MS/MS molecular networking strategy, and 87 TS were finally tracked, of which 28 TS were potential new saponins. In addition, the TS‐rich fraction of ESF was prepared and assayed for their restraining effect on the β‐amyloid‐induced destruction of neurite outgrowth.
Background and Aim
The Chinese version quality of life questionnaire for functional digestive disorders (Chin‐FDDQL) is a useful health assessment instrument for functional dyspepsia. This study aims ...to identify its score interpretation for clinical practice.
Methods
Data of Chin‐FDDQL from the functional dyspepsia patients (≥ 18 years) between November 2009 and April 2013 were enrolled in the 1st and 14th day. After baseline and responsiveness analysis, the single score interpretation and percentile ranks were established. The statistically reliable change was defined with effect size, standardized response mean, minimal detectable change, and others. Then the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis for health improvement was performed to define the clinically important change.
Results
Two hundred two functional dyspepsia patients, 150 healthy participants, and 25 missing data were enrolled for analysis. Compared with the intake patients, the discharged and healthy persons have significant better health status in all domains (P < 0.001, expect discomfort in discharged people, P = 0.142), totally contrast to missing data. The reliability for single total intake and discharge were both ± 1. Based on score distribution, the 25th, 50th, and 75th percentile ranks were 49, 58, and 66 for intake scores and 59, 65, and 72 for discharge scores, respectively. The minimal detectable change and Reliable Change Index were 6 and 11 for total score. Receiver operating characteristic analyses supported that total score changes 4 or more represented minimal clinically important improvement.
Conclusions
The score interpretation system of the Chin‐FDDQL could assist clinician's decision making during the therapy practice.
Background
We aimed to evaluate the tolerability and efficacy of linezolid in children for treating suspected and diagnosed Gram-positive bacterial infections.
Methods
A systematic literature search ...was conducted up to April 23, 2021, using linezolid and its synonyms as search terms. Two reviewers independently identified and extracted relevant randomized controlled trials and prospective cohort studies. The extracted studies were included in a single-rate meta-analysis of adverse events and clinical outcomes using random-effects models.
Results
A total of 1082 articles were identified, and nine studies involving 758 children were included in the meta-analysis. The overall proportion of adverse events was 8.91% 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.64%–36.52%, with diarrhea (2.24%), vomiting (2.05%), and rash (1.72%) being the most common. The incidences of thrombocytopenia and anemia were 0.68% and 0.16%, respectively. Some specific adverse events, including rash and gastrointestinal events, were more frequent in the oral administration subgroup. In terms of efficacy, the overall proportion of clinical improvement was 88.80% (95% CI = 81.31%–93.52%). Children with a history of specific bacteriological diagnosis or concomitant antibiotic therapy had a 1.13-fold higher clinical improvement than children without such histories. The proportion of microbial eradication was 92.68% (95% CI = 84.66%–96.68%). The proportion of all-cause mortality was 0.16% (95% CI = 0.00%–7.75%).
Conclusions
Linezolid was well-tolerated in pediatric patients and was associated with a low frequency of adverse events, such as anemia, thrombocytopenia, and neutropenia. Moreover, linezolid was effective in children with diagnosed and suspected Gram-positive infections.
Electrocapillary rise wetting induced in situ enhancement of the surface free energy and polarity of polymers.
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•The voltage increase can enhance the polar solvent adsorption for ...polymers.•The voltage increase can enhance the surface free energy of polymers.•The voltage increase can enhance the polarity of polymers.
By applying the electrocapillary rise wetting, ECRW, with varied voltages and solvents to wet lignin and polyacrylonitrile, PAN, respectively, this work proven that this method can in situ enhance the surface free energy and polarity of polymers. Results showed that the voltage increase can in situ enhance the adsorption of only polar solvent by polymer to lead the reduction of related contact angle because of the adsorption of non-polar solvent by polymer ignoring the voltage variety. The diiodomethane was greatly adsorbed by both lignin and PAN due to the surface free energy of these polymers dominated by the non-polar Lifshitz-van der Waals interaction component. The voltage increase would enhance the Lewis acid-base interaction component of polymer to cause the enhancement of the surface free energy and polarity of polymers. This work showed that the polymer structure corresponding to the Lewis base may have different electric responses because the voltage increase has been found to cause the Lewis base component enhancement for ring structure-based polymer, e.g. lignin, and reduction for isotacticity structure-based polymer, e.g. PAN.
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