Non-engineered and Engineered Adult Neurogenesis in Mammalian Brains

Adult neurogenesis has been extensively studied in rodent animals, with distinct niches found in the hippocampus and subventricular zone (SVZ). In non-human primates and human postmortem samples, there has been heated debate regarding adult neurogenesis, but it is largely agreed that the rate of adult neurogenesis is much reduced comparing to rodents. The limited adult neurogenesis may partly explain why human brains do not have self-repair capability after injury or disease. A new technology called “in vivo cell conversion” has been invented to convert brain internal glial cells in the injury areas directly into functional new neurons to replenish the lost neurons. Because glial cells are abundant throughout the brain and spinal cord, such engineered glia-to-neuron conversion technology can be applied throughout the central nervous system (CNS) to regenerate new neurons. Thus, compared to cell transplantation or the non-engineered adult neurogenesis, in vivo engineered neuroregeneration technology can provide a large number of functional new neurons in situ to repair damaged brain and spinal cord

Analysis of Nutritional Components, Active Components and Polysaccharide Properties of Phellinus igniarius

In order to explore the differences of nutrition, active components and antioxidant activity in the fruiting bodies of different Phellinus igniarius, this study compared the nutritional and active ingredient contents of five species of Phellinus igniarius as well as their antioxidant activity of polysaccharides for the sake of obtaining high quality Phellinus igniarius fruiting bodies. The target Phellinus igniarius was identified by rDNA ITS sequence analysis and the antioxidant activity of its polysaccharide was determined. The properties of polysaccharides were analyzed by ultraviolet spectrum, Fourier transform infrared spectrum and high performance liquid chromatography. The results showed that significant differences in the nutrition, active ingredient content and polysaccharide antioxidant activity of different species were observed. The contents of crude fiber, crude protein, polysaccharide, total phenol, total flavone and total triterpene in S-4 were relatively high, while the contents of crude fat and ash were relatively low. S-4 polysaccharides demonstrated excellent DPPH radical, ABTS+ radical and \begin{document}${\rm{O}}_2^-$\end{document} radical scavenging ability, and the half-inhibitory concentration (IC50) were 35.07, 12.87 and 91.34 μg/mL, respectively. The scavenging ability of S-4 polysaccharides against ABTS+ radical was equivalent to that of ascorbic acid. S-4 was used as the target Phellinus igniarius, and was identified as Sanghuangporus vaninii. Ultraviolet, infrared spectrum and monosaccharide composition analysis showed that S-4 polysaccharides had typical polysaccharide characteristic absorption peak, which was composed of glucose, galactose, fucose, glucuronic acid, ribose and mannose, containing β-glycoside bond and furan ring. The S-4 was relatively rich in nutrients and active ingredients, and its polysaccharides had good antioxidant capacity, which would provide a reference for the screening of excellent Phellinus igniarius fruiting bodies and the development and utilization of polysaccharides

Iron induces two distinct Ca²⁺ signalling cascades in astrocytes.

From Europe PMC via Jisc Publications RouterHistory: ppub 2021-05-01, epub 2021-05-05Publication status: PublishedFunder: National Natural Science Foundation of China (National Science Foundation of China); Grant(s): 81871852Iron is the fundamental element for numerous physiological functions. Plasmalemmal divalent metal ion transporter 1 (DMT1) is responsible for cellular uptake of ferrous (Fe2+), whereas transferrin receptors (TFR) carry transferrin (TF)-bound ferric (Fe3+). In this study we performed detailed analysis of the action of Fe ions on cytoplasmic free calcium ion concentration ([Ca2+]i) in astrocytes. Administration of Fe2+ or Fe3+ in μM concentrations evoked [Ca2+]i in astrocytes in vitro and in vivo. Iron ions trigger increase in [Ca2+]i through two distinct molecular cascades. Uptake of Fe2+ by DMT1 inhibits astroglial Na+-K+-ATPase, which leads to elevation in cytoplasmic Na+ concentration, thus reversing Na+/Ca2+ exchanger and thereby generating Ca2+ influx. Uptake of Fe3+ by TF-TFR stimulates phospholipase C to produce inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP3), thus triggering InsP3 receptor-mediated Ca2+ release from endoplasmic reticulum. In summary, these findings reveal the mechanisms of iron-induced astrocytic signalling operational in conditions of iron overload

Functionality of spray-dried strawberry powder: effects of whey protein isolate and maltodextrin

The effectiveness of two drying agents, namely whey protein isolate (WPI) and maltodextrin (MD), was evaluated during spray-drying of strawberry puree. With the increase of WPI substitution in the feed material, the surface tension of strawberry puree decreased, and powder recovery increased. Powder recovery (Rp) increased from 39.2 ± 2.3% (S:MD:WPI = 60:40:0) to 56.5 ± 2.8% when MD was replaced by WPI (S:MD:WPI = 60:39:1). Surface morphology of powders showed that the addition of WPI resulted in shrunken particle surface, which gave rise to smaller DB and particle size. The particles were not spherical, and even with the addition of 0.5% WPI, the particle morphology was altered. The surface shrinkage of strawberry powder increased with increase in WPI from 0.5% to 10%. The production efficiency of strawberry powder could be greatly improved when MD was replaced by 1% WPI

Design of equipment continuously loading and unloading drill rod on gas drainage drilling rig

For the problem that existing gas drainage drilling rig usually caused coal particles to heap in drilled hole, hole wall to collapse and further accidents such as drill rod fracturing, drilling tool losing, drilled hole being unavailable and so on because of frequent start-stop, a new type of equipment continuously loading and unloading drill rod on gas drainage drilling rig was proposed. The whole design scheme of the equipment as well as working process of drill rods connecting one by one were focused on. The equipment has structural components including former and rear power heads, speed measuring device, clamping positioning device, feeding equipment, etc. ,which can realize continuously connecting to the next drill rod without drilling stopping, so as to reduce the damage to drilled hole wall caused by frequent start-stop of the drill. The mechanical property analysis results of the equipment based on ABAQUS element software show that the key structural components of the equipment such as pedestal, guideway and so on have high safety coefficient and meet application requirements

Characterization of Physicochemical Properties of Oil-in-Water Emulsions Stabilized by Tremella fuciformis Polysaccharides

In this paper, emulsions stabilized by Tremella fuciformis polysaccharides (TFP) were prepared and the physiochemical properties were assessed. Results showed that the TFP emulsions illustrated the highest emulsifying activity (EAI) and emulsifying stability (ESI) when the concentration of TFP and oil were 0.8% and 10% (wt%). The higher pH value was in favor of the emulsifying properties, while the addition of NaCl impaired the stability, and the greater the concentration, the lower the EAI and ESI. Besides, the emulsifying and rheological properties and stability analysis were evaluated in comparison with gum arabic, pectin, and carboxymethyl cellulose emulsions. It was discovered that TFP illustrated better storage and freeze-thaw stability, which was proved by the result of zeta-potential and particle size. The rheological measurement revealed that all the emulsions behaved as pseudoplastic fluids, while TFP displayed a higher viscosity. Meanwhile, TFP emulsions tended to form a more stable network structure according to the analysis of the parameters obtained from the Herschel–Bulkley model. FTIR spectra suggested that the O-H bond could be destructed without the formation of new covalent bonds during the emulsion preparation. Therefore, this study would be of great importance for the research of emulsions stabilized by TFP as a natural food emulsifier