Optimal extraction parameters of Theabrownin from Sichuan Dark Tea

Background: Sichuan Dark Tea is a popular beverage with hypolipidemic and lifting greasy properties in the minority neighborhoods of Sichuan and Tibet regions. The theabrownin, an important pigment of dark tea, has been proven for the role of the hypolipidemic property in Sichuan Dark Tea. The objective of the study investigated the extraction process of theabrownin.Materials and Methods: Theabrownin was extracted from Sichuan Dark Tea with water and organic solvents. The quadratic regression orthogonally rotational combinational design experiment was performed to obtain the optimal extraction parameters.Results: The extraction yield of theabrownin was significantly influenced by both water extraction temperature and solid-liquid ratio, and the contribution of these factors on theabrownin yield was as follows: water temperature﹥solid-liquid ratio﹥organic solvent temperature. Moreover, the polynomial regression model established could predict the experimental value accurately.Conclusion: The optimum extraction process of theabrownin from Sichuan Dark Tea was established, which water temperature at 65.69-77.88℃, organic solvent temperature at 13.65-17.48℃ and a solid liquid ratio of 1:43.58-1:50.75(g/mL).Keywords: theabrownin; extraction; optimization; Sichuan Dark TeaAbbreviations list: SDT: Sichuan Dark Tea; TB: Theabrowni

Farnesoid X Receptor (FXR) Aggravates Amyloid-β-Triggered Apoptosis by Modulating the cAMP-Response Element-Binding Protein (CREB)/Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) Pathway In Vitro

BACKGROUND: Alzheimer’s disease (AD), which results in cognitive deficits, usually occurs in older people and is mainly caused by amyloid beta (Aß) deposits and neurofibrillary tangles. The bile acid receptor, farnesoid X receptor (FXR), has been extensively studied in cardiovascular diseases and digestive diseases. However, the role of FXR in AD is not yet understood. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the mechanism of FXR function in AD. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Lentivirus infection, flow cytometry, real-time PCR, and western blotting were used to detect the gain or loss of FXR in cell apoptosis induced by Aß. Co-immunoprecipitation was used to analyze the molecular partners involved in Aß-induced apoptosis. RESULTS: We found that the mRNA and protein expression of FXR was enhanced in Ab-triggered neuronal apoptosis in differentiated SH-SY5Y cells and in mouse hippocampal neurons. Overexpression of FXR aggravated Aß-triggered neuronal apoptosis in differentiated SH-SY5Y cells, and this effect was further increased by treatment with the FXR agonist 6ECDCA. Molecular mechanism analysis by co-immunoprecipitation and immunoblotting revealed that FXR interacted with the cAMP-response element-binding protein (CREB), leading to decreased CREB and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) protein levels. Low expression of FXR mostly reversed the Aß-triggered neuronal apoptosis effect and prevented the reduction in CREB and BDNF. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that FXR regulates Aß-induced neuronal apoptosis, which may be dependent on the CREB/BDNF signaling pathway in vitro

A \gamma-ray emitting NLS1 galaxy SDSS J095909.51+460014.3 identified by multiwavelength contemporaneous brightening

We report on an identification of a new gamma-ray emitting narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxy (gamma-NLS1), SDSS J095909.51+460014.3 (z = 0.399), by establishing an association with a gamma-ray source 4FGL 0959.6+4606, although its low-energy counterpart was suggested to be a radio galaxy 2MASX J09591976+4603515. WISE long-term light curves of these two sources reveal diverse infrared variability patterns. Brightenings of 2.5 mag are detected for the former source, while flux decays of 0.5 mag are found for the other one. More importantly, the time that the infrared flux of the NLS1 rises, is coincident with the time of flux increase of 4FGL 0959.6+4606. At the same time, no infrared activity of the radio galaxy has been observed. A specific analysis of 15-month Fermi-LAT data, aiming at the high gamma-ray flux state, yields a significant source (TS =43). The corresponding gamma-ray localization analysis suggests that only the NLS1 falls into the uncertainty area, further supporting the updated association relationship. A broadband spectral energy distribution of SDSS J095909.51+460014.3 has been drawn and well described by the classic single-zone homogeneous leptonic jet model. Its jet properties are investigated and found to be comparable with the known gamma-NLS1s.Comment: 8 pages, 7 figures,2 tables, A&A in pres

Astragaloside IV alleviates 1-deoxysphinganine-induced mitochondrial dysfunction during the progression of chronic kidney disease through p62-Nrf2 antioxidant pathway

Introduction: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) can lead to significant elevation of 1-deoxysphingolipids (1-deoxySL). The increase of 1-deoxySL in turn can result in mitochondrial damage and oxidative stress, which can cause further progression of CKD.Methods: This study assessed the therapeutic effect of Astragaloside IV (AST) against 1-deoxySL-induced cytotoxicity in vitro and in rats with CKD. HK-2 cells were exposed to 1-deoxysphinganine (doxSA) or doxSA + AST. doxSA-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress were evaluated by immunostaining, real-time PCR, oxidative stress sensor, and transmission electron microscopy. The potential effects of AST on kidney damage were evaluated in a rat 5/6 nephrectomy (5/6 Nx) model of CKD.Results: The findings of in vitro experiments showed that doxSA induced mitochondrial damage, oxidative stress, and apoptosis. AST markedly reduced the level of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species, lowered apoptosis, and improved mitochondrial function. In addition, exposure to AST significantly induced the phosphorylation of p62 and the nuclear translocation of Nrf2 as well as its downstream anti-oxidant genes. p62 knock-down fully abolished Nrf2 nuclear translocation in cells after AST treatment. However, p62 knock-down did not affect TBHQ-induced Nrf2 nuclear translocation, indicating that AST can ameliorate doxSA-induced oxidative stress through modulation of p62 phosphorylation and Nrf2 nuclear translocation.Conclusion: The findings indicate that AST can activate Nrf2 antioxidant pathway in a p62 dependent manner. The anti-oxidative stress effect and the further mitochondrial protective effect of AST represent a promising therapeutic strategy for the progression of CKD

Ensemble Mapping the Inner Structure of Luminous Quasars

A simple prediction of the well-known unification model of active galactic nuclei is that a sample of sources should exhibit an anti-correlation between the solid angle of the dusty torus and of the ionization cone (as the sum of them shall equal 4$\pi$), which however has never been detected. In this work, we analyze the correlation between [OIII] 5007 narrow emission line equivalent width and $L_{\rm IR}(\lambda)/L_{\rm bol}$ for a large sample of luminous quasars. For the first time, we detect a clear intrinsic anti-correlation between them, which immediately verifies the torus/ionization-cone geometry in luminous quasars. More interestingly, the anti-correlation significantly weakens with increasing wavelength from $\sim$ 2 to 12 $\mu$m, and disappears at $\sim$ 12 $\mu$m. Simulations show a cool dust component (in addition to equatorial torus) with its strength positively correlating with the solid angle of the ionization cone is required to explain the observations. This shows that the polar dust seen in nearby active galaxies also exists in luminous quasars, with its contribution to total dust emission increasing with $\lambda$ (from $\sim$ 2 to 12 $\mu$m) and reaching between 39%-62% (model dependent) at rest frame 12 $\mu$m. Our findings provide a unique approach to map the otherwise spatially unresolvable inner structure of quasars.Comment: 10 pages, 8 figures, accepted for publication in MNRA

Surface ligand controls silver ion release of nanosilver and its antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli

Understanding the mechanism of nanosilver-dependent antibacterial activity against microorganisms helps optimize the design and usage of the related nanomaterials. In this study, we prepared four kinds of 10 nm-sized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) with dictated surface chemistry by capping different ligands, including citrate, mercaptopropionic acid, mercaptohexanoic acid, and mercaptopropionic sulfonic acid. Their surface-dependent chemistry and antibacterial activities were investigated. Owing to the weak bond to surface Ag, short carbon chain, and low silver ion attraction, citrate-coated AgNPs caused the highest silver ion release and the strongest antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, when compared to the other tested AgNPs. The study on the underlying antibacterial mechanisms indicated that cellular membrane uptake of Ag, NAD+/NADH ratio increase, and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation were significantly induced in both AgNP and silver ion exposure groups. The released silver ions from AgNPs inside cells through a Trojan-horse-type mechanism were suggested to interact with respiratory chain proteins on the membrane, interrupt intracellular O2 reduction, and induce ROS production. The further oxidative damages of lipid peroxidation and membrane breakdown caused the lethal effect on E. coli. Altogether, this study demonstrated that AgNPs exerted antibacterial activity through the release of silver ions and the subsequent induction of intracellular ROS generation by interacting with the cell membrane. The findings are helpful in guiding the controllable synthesis through the regulation of surface coating for medical care purpose

Temporal Effects of High Fishmeal Diet on Gut Microbiota and Immune Response in Clostridium perfringens-Challenged Chickens

Necrotic enteritis (NE) caused by Clostridium perfringens is responsible for huge financial losses in the poultry industry annually. A diet highly supplemented with fishmeal is one factor predisposing chickens to the development of clinical NE. However, the effects of fishmeal-rich diets on the gut microbiota and immune response in chickens with C. perfringens challenge over the long-term are not well-understood. Here, a chicken NE model was established in which chickens were fed high fishmeal diet and subsequently infected with C. perfringens (FM/CP). Two control groups of chickens, one that was not infected and had a high fishmeal feeding (FM) and another group only infected with C. perfringens with basic diets (CP), were used as comparators. We analyzed the gut microbiota and immune response of the three groups at the age of 20, 24 [1 day post-infection (dpi)] and 30 days (7 dpi) using 16S rDNA sequencing and real-time PCR, respectively. We found that the composition of the gut microbiota had significant shifted in both the CP and FM/CP groups, although the CP group did not have intestinal lesions. The structure of the gut microbiota in C. perfringens-challenged chickens, independent of a high fishmeal diet, had the tendency to return to their non-infection state if the chickens no longer received C. perfringens challenge. Gut microbiota variation with time in challenged chickens with high fishmeal diet feeding was superimposed upon that of non-infected chickens with high fishmeal feeding. For the immune response, the relative expression of IL-8 in the ileum was significantly higher in infected chickens independent of high fishmeal feeding than in non-infected chickens. However, the expression of alpha 1-acid glycoprotein (AGP) and serum amyloid A (SAA) genes in chicken liver were significantly increased in FM/CP compared to the other groups. In conclusion, high fishmeal feeding induced significant changes to the structure of chicken gut microbiota over time and such changes provided an opening for C. perfringens infection to progress to NE. The relative expression of AGP and SAA in liver tissue may be used as diagnostic biomarkers for poultry NE but such an indication requires further investigation

Evaluation of X-Inactivation Status and Cytogenetic Stability of Human Dermal Fibroblasts after Long-Term Culture

Human primary fibroblasts are a popular type of somatic cells for the production of induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells. Here we characterized biological properties of primary fibroblasts in terms of cell-growth rate, cytogenetic stability, and the number of inactive X chromosomes during long-term passaging. We produced eight lines of female human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) and found normal karyotype and expected pattern of X chromosome inactivation (XCI) at low passages (Passage P1-5). However, four out of the eight HDF lines at high passage numbers (≥ P10) exhibited duplicated hallmarks of inactive X chromosome including two punctuate signals of histone H3 lysine 27 trimethylation (H3K27me3) and X inactive-specific transcript (XIST) RNA signals in approximately 8.5–18.5% of the cells. Our data suggest that the copy number of inactive X chromosomes in a subset of female HDF is increased by a two-fold. Consistently, DNA fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) identified 3-4 copies of X chromosomes in one nucleus in this subset of cells with two inactive Xs. We conclude that female HDF cultures exhibit a higher risk of genetic anomalies such as carrying an increased number of X chromosomes including both active and inactive X chromosomes at a high passage (≥ P10)

An Assessment Method for Debris Flow Dam Formation in Taiwan

Debris flows in tributaries rush into and block the main branches of rivers and often result in serious hazards. Dam failures cause large floods in the downstream area and can lead to fatalities and property damage. This study proposes an assessment method to evaluate the formation of a debris flow dam, which includes two conditions: (1) the sediment transported by the debris flow must reach across the river; and (2) the thickness of the deposit by the debris flow must be higher than the in situ water depth. This methodology was used to study the case of a debris flow dam caused by debris flow across the Er River in Taiwan, which blocked the Chishan River and led to the formation of the Namasha debris flow dam. This methodology can also be applied to identify the formation of debris flow dams.El flujo de detritos que cae en los tributarios de los ríos puede bloquear los ramales principales y eventualmente convertirse en un riesgo. El rompimiento de uno de estos represamientos de agua puede causar inundaciones en las zonas de la corriente, además de víctimas y daños a propiedades. Este estudio propone un método para evaluar la formación de represamientos de agua por flujo de detritos bajo dos condiciones: (1) los sedimentos transportados por el flujo de detritos deben alcanzar el lecho del río; (2) el grosor de los depósitos por el flujo de detritos debe ser mayor que la profundidad de agua in situ. Esta metodología se utilizó para estudiar el caso de represamiento por el flujo de detritos en el río Er de Taiwán, el cual bloqueó el río Chishan y que condujo a la formación de la presa Namasha. Esta metodología también puede aplicarse para identificar la formación de represamientos por flujo de detritos