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The Journal of Physical Chemistry... Jun 2024Photocatalytic oxidative dehydrogenation of propane (CH) into propene (CH) under mild conditions holds great potential in the chemical industry, but understanding how...
Photocatalytic oxidative dehydrogenation of propane (CH) into propene (CH) under mild conditions holds great potential in the chemical industry, but understanding how active species participate in CH conversion remains a significant challenge. Here, the wavelength-dependent activities of bridging oxygen (O) and the Ti-bound oxygen adatom (O) of model rutile (R) TiO(110) in CH conversion have been investigated. Under 257 and 343 nm irradiation, hole-trapped O and O can abstract the hydrogen atom of CH, forming the CHCHCH radical and CH. However, the rate of CH conversion with hole-trapped O is strongly dependent on the wavelength, primarily producing the CH radical. In the case of hole-trapped O, CH is the main product, which is nearly independent of wavelength. The differences in the wavelength-dependent activity and product selectivity are likely due to dynamic control rather than thermodynamic control. The result provides a deeper understanding of the dynamic processes involved in the conversion of light alkanes in TiO photocatalysis.
PubMed: 38940377
DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.4c01035 -
Lipids in Health and Disease Jun 2024Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a prevalent chronic liver condition. However, the potential therapeutic benefits and underlying mechanism of nicotinate-curcumin...
BACKGROUND
Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a prevalent chronic liver condition. However, the potential therapeutic benefits and underlying mechanism of nicotinate-curcumin (NC) in the treatment of NASH remain uncertain.
METHODS
A rat model of NASH induced by a high-fat and high-fructose diet was treated with nicotinate-curcumin (NC, 20, 40 mg·kg), curcumin (Cur, 40 mg·kg) and metformin (Met, 50 mg·kg) for a duration of 4 weeks. The interaction between NASH, Cur and Aldo-Keto reductase family 1 member B10 (AKR1B10) was filter and analyzed using network pharmacology. The interaction of Cur, NC and AKR1B10 was analyzed using molecular docking techniques, and the binding energy of Cur and NC with AKR1B10 was compared. HepG2 cells were induced by Ox-LDL (25 µg·ml, 24 h) in high glucose medium. NC (20µM, 40µM), Cur (40µM) Met (150µM) and epalrestat (Epa, 75µM) were administered individually. The activities of ALT, AST, ALP and the levels of LDL, HDL, TG, TC and FFA in serum were quantified using a chemiluminescence assay. Based on the changes in the above indicators, score according to NAS standards. The activities of Acetyl-CoA and Malonyl-CoA were measured using an ELISA assay. And the expression and cellular localization of AKR1B10 and Acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACCα) in HepG2 cells were detected by Western blotting and immunofluorescence.
RESULTS
The results of the animal experiments demonstrated that NASH rat model induced by a high-fat and high-fructose diet exhibited pronounced dysfunction in liver function and lipid metabolism. Additionally, there was a significant increase in serum levels of FFA and TG, as well as elevated expression of AKR1B10 and ACCα, and heightened activity of Acetyl-CoA and Malonyl-CoA in liver tissue. The administration of NC showed to enhance liver function in rats with NASH, leading to reductions in ALT, AST and ALP levels, and decrease in blood lipid and significant inhibition of FFA and TG synthesis in the liver. Network pharmacological analysis identified AKR1B10 and ACCα as potential targets for NASH treatment. Molecular docking studies revealed that both Cur and NC are capable of binding to AKR1B10, with NC exhibiting a stronger binding energy to AKR1B10. Western blot analysis demonstrated an upregulation in the expression of AKR1B10 and ACCα in the liver tissue of NASH rats, accompanied by elevated Acetyl-CoA and Malonyl-CoA activity, and increased levels of FFA and TG. The results of the HepG2 cell experiments induced by Ox-LDL suggest that NC significantly inhibited the expression and co-localization of AKR1B10 and ACCα, while also reduced levels of TC and LDL-C and increased level of HDL-C. These effects are accompanied by a decrease in the activities of ACCα and Malonyl-CoA, and levels of FFA and TG. Furthermore, the impact of NC appears to be more pronounced compared to Cur.
CONCLUSION
NC could effectively treat NASH and improve liver function and lipid metabolism disorder. The mechanism of NC is related to the inhibition of AKR1B10/ACCα pathway and FFA/TG synthesis of liver.
Topics: Curcumin; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease; Animals; Humans; Hep G2 Cells; Aldo-Keto Reductases; Rats; Male; Triglycerides; Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase; Aldehyde Reductase; Diet, High-Fat; Molecular Docking Simulation; Liver; Metformin; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Disease Models, Animal; Rhodanine; Thiazolidines
PubMed: 38937844
DOI: 10.1186/s12944-024-02162-5 -
The Journal of Physical Chemistry. A Jun 2024Metal oxide clusters with atomic oxygen radical anions are important model systems to study the mechanisms of activating and transforming very stable alkane molecules...
Metal oxide clusters with atomic oxygen radical anions are important model systems to study the mechanisms of activating and transforming very stable alkane molecules under ambient conditions. It is extremely challenging to characterize the activation and conversion of methane, the most stable alkane molecule, by metal oxide cluster anions due to the low reactivity of the anionic species. In this study, using a ship-lock type reactor that could be run at relatively high pressure conditions to provide a high number of collisions in ion-molecule reactions, the rate constants of the reactions between (MoO)O ( = 1-21) cluster anions and the light alkanes (C-C) were measured under thermal collision conditions. The relationships among the reaction rates of different alkanes were obtained to establish a model to predict the low rate constants with methane from the high rate constants with C-C alkanes. The model was tested by using available experimental results in literature. This study provides a new method to estimate the relatively low reactivity of atomic oxygen radical anions with methane on metal oxide clusters.
PubMed: 38937133
DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpca.4c01163 -
Animal : An International Journal of... Jun 2024Feed efficiency is an important trait of dairy production. However, assessing feed efficiency is constrained by the associated cost and difficulty in measuring...
Feed efficiency is an important trait of dairy production. However, assessing feed efficiency is constrained by the associated cost and difficulty in measuring individual feed intake, especially on pastures. The objective of this study was to investigate short-term feed efficiency traits of herbage-fed dairy cows and screening of potential biomarkers (n = 238). Derived feed efficiency traits were ratio-based (i.e., feed conversion ratio (FCR) and N use efficiency (NUE)) or residual-based (i.e., residual feed intake (RFI), residual energy intake (REI), and residual N intake (RNI)). Thirty-eight Holstein and 16 Swiss Fleckvieh dairy cows underwent a 7-d measurement period during mid- and/or late-lactation. The experimental data (n = 100 measurement points) covered different lactational and herbage-fed system situations: mid-lactation grazing (n = 56), late-lactation grazing (n = 28), and late-lactation barn feeding (n = 16). During each measuring period, the individual herbage intake of each cow was estimated using the n-alkane marker technique. For each cow, biomarkers representing milk constituents (n = 109), animal characteristics (n = 13), behaviour, and activity (n = 46), breath emissions (n = 3), blood constituents (n = 35), surface, and rectal temperature (n = 29), hair cortisol (n = 1), and near-infrared (NIR) spectra of faeces and milk (n = 2) were obtained. The relationships between biomarkers and efficiency traits were statistically analysed with univariate linear regression and for NIR spectra using partial least squares regression with feed efficiency traits. The feed efficiency traits were interrelated with each other (r: -0.57 to -0.86 and 0.49-0.81). The biomarkers showed varying R values in explaining the variability of feed efficiency traits (FCR: 0.00-0.66, NUE: 0.00-0.74, RFI: 0.00-0.56, REI: 0.00-0.69, RNI: 0.00-0.89). Overall, the feed efficiency traits were best explained by NIR spectral characteristics of milk and faeces (R: 0.25-0.89). Biomarkers show potential for predicting feed efficiency in herbage-fed dairy cows. NIR spectra data analysis of milk and faeces presents a promising method for estimating individual feed efficiency upon further validation of prediction models. Future applications will depend on the ability to improve the robustness of biomarkers to predict feed efficiency in a greater variety of environments (locations), managing conditions, feeding systems, production intensities, and other aspects.
PubMed: 38935984
DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2024.101211 -
Inorganic Chemistry Jun 2024Alkane elimination reactions between the diamino- and dianilino-bridged tetrakis(phenolate) proligands and precursors M(CHSiMe)(THF), M(CHCH--NMe) (M = Sc and Y), and...
Alkane elimination reactions between the diamino- and dianilino-bridged tetrakis(phenolate) proligands and precursors M(CHSiMe)(THF), M(CHCH--NMe) (M = Sc and Y), and Hf(CHPh) were investigated. The diamino-bridged afforded nonsymmetric complex incorporating two metal centers in different coordination environments. This one and other dinuclear compounds , , and were characterized by NMR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and X-ray diffraction study (for and ) and turned out to be symmetric in solution. Compound , upon treatment with 2 equiv of 2-phenylpyridine, afforded symmetric bis(aryl) product , which was authenticated by NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. The mechanism of its formation was studied by DFT computations and presumably involves a cooperative reorganization process within the nonsymmetric parent to afford a symmetric isomer prior to its reaction with 2-phenylpyridine.
PubMed: 38935765
DOI: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.4c01111 -
Archives of Microbiology Jun 2024Marine hydrocarbonoclastic bacteria can use polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons as carbon and energy sources, that makes these bacteria highly attractive for bioremediation...
Marine hydrocarbonoclastic bacteria can use polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons as carbon and energy sources, that makes these bacteria highly attractive for bioremediation in oil-polluted waters. However, genomic and metabolic differences between species are still the subject of study to understand the evolution and strategies to degrade PAHs. This study presents Rhodococcus ruber MSA14, an isolated bacterium from marine sediments in Baja California, Mexico, which exhibits adaptability to saline environments, a high level of intrinsic pyrene tolerance (> 5 g L), and efficient degradation of pyrene (0.2 g L) by 30% in 27 days. Additionally, this strain demonstrates versatility by using naphthalene and phenanthrene as individual carbon sources. The genome sequencing of R. ruber MSA14 revealed a genome spanning 5.45 Mbp, a plasmid of 72 kbp, and three putative megaplasmids, lengths between 110 and 470 Kbp. The bioinformatics analysis of the R. ruber MSA14 genome revealed 56 genes that encode enzymes involved in the peripheral and central pathways of aromatic hydrocarbon catabolism, alkane, alkene, and polymer degradation. Within its genome, R. ruber MSA14 possesses genes responsible for salt tolerance and siderophore production. In addition, the genomic analysis of R. ruber MSA14 against 13 reference genomes revealed that all compared strains have at least one gene involved in the alkanes and catechol degradation pathway. Overall, physiological assays and genomic analysis suggest that R. ruber MSA14 is a new haloalkalitolerant and hydrocarbonoclastic strain toward a wide range of hydrocarbons, making it a promising candidate for in-depth characterization studies and bioremediation processes as part of a synthetic microbial consortium, as well as having a better understanding of the catabolic potential and functional diversity among the Rhodococci group.
Topics: Rhodococcus; Biodegradation, Environmental; Genome, Bacterial; Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; Geologic Sediments; Genomics; Naphthalenes; Phylogeny; Phenanthrenes; Salt Tolerance; Pyrenes
PubMed: 38935150
DOI: 10.1007/s00203-024-04050-z -
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024In recent years, there has been a growing interest in developing portable and personal devices for measuring air quality and surrounding pollutants, partly due to the...
In recent years, there has been a growing interest in developing portable and personal devices for measuring air quality and surrounding pollutants, partly due to the need for ventilation in the aftermath of COVID-19 situation. Moreover, the monitoring of hazardous chemical agents is a focus for ensuring compliance with safety standards and is an indispensable component in safeguarding human welfare. Air quality measurement is conducted by public institutions with high precision but costly equipment, which requires constant calibration and maintenance by highly qualified personnel for its proper operation. Such devices, used as reference stations, have a low spatial resolution since, due to their high cost, they are usually located in a few fixed places in the city or region to be studied. However, they also have a low temporal resolution, providing few samples per hour. To overcome these drawbacks and to provide people with personalized and up-to-date air quality information, a personal device (smartwatch) based on MEMS gas sensors has been developed. The methodology followed to validate the performance of the prototype was as follows: firstly, the detection capability was tested by measuring carbon dioxide and methane at different concentrations, resulting in low detection limits; secondly, several experiments were performed to test the discrimination capability against gases such as toluene, xylene, and ethylbenzene. principal component analysis of the data showed good separation and discrimination between the gases measured.
Topics: Environmental Monitoring; Humans; COVID-19; Carbon Dioxide; Air Pollutants; Air Pollution; Gases; SARS-CoV-2; Methane
PubMed: 38931591
DOI: 10.3390/s24123808 -
Nutrients Jun 2024Taurine (2-aminoethanesulfonic acid) is a non-protein β-amino acid essential for cellular homeostasis, with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cytoprotective...
Taurine (2-aminoethanesulfonic acid) is a non-protein β-amino acid essential for cellular homeostasis, with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cytoprotective properties that are crucial for life maintenance. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of taurine administration on hippocampal neurogenesis, neuronal preservation, or reverse damage in rats exposed to forced ethanol consumption in an animal model. Wistar rats were treated with ethanol (EtOH) for a 28-day period (5% in the 1st week, 10% in the 2nd week, and 20% in the 3rd and 4th weeks). Two taurine treatment protocols (300 mg/kg i.p.) were implemented: one during ethanol consumption to analyze neuroprotection, and another after ethanol consumption to assess the reversal of ethanol-induced damage. Overall, the results demonstrated that taurine treatment was effective in protecting against deficits induced by ethanol consumption in the dentate gyrus. The EtOH+TAU group showed a significant increase in cell proliferation (145.8%) and cell survival (54.0%) compared to the EtOH+Sal group. The results also indicated similar effects regarding the reversal of ethanol-induced damage 28 days after the cessation of ethanol consumption. The EtOH+TAU group exhibited a significant increase (41.3%) in the number of DCX-immunoreactive cells compared to the EtOH+Sal group. However, this amino acid did not induce neurogenesis in the tissues of healthy rats, implying that its activity may be contingent upon post-injury stimuli.
Topics: Animals; Taurine; Neurogenesis; Rats, Wistar; Doublecortin Protein; Ethanol; Male; Neuroprotective Agents; Rats; Hippocampus; Cell Proliferation; Dentate Gyrus; Neurons; Cell Survival; Disease Models, Animal
PubMed: 38931326
DOI: 10.3390/nu16121973 -
Nutrients Jun 2024Taurine, a non-proteogenic amino acid and commonly used nutritional supplement, can protect various tissues from degeneration associated with the action of the...
Taurine, a non-proteogenic amino acid and commonly used nutritional supplement, can protect various tissues from degeneration associated with the action of the DNA-damaging chemotherapeutic agent cisplatin. Whether and how taurine protects human ovarian cancer (OC) cells from DNA damage caused by cisplatin is not well understood. We found that OC ascites-derived cells contained significantly more intracellular taurine than cell culture-modeled OC. In culture, elevation of intracellular taurine concentration to OC ascites-cell-associated levels suppressed proliferation of various OC cell lines and patient-derived organoids, reduced glycolysis, and induced cell protection from cisplatin. Taurine cell protection was associated with decreased DNA damage in response to cisplatin. A combination of RNA sequencing, reverse-phase protein arrays, live-cell microscopy, flow cytometry, and biochemical validation experiments provided evidence for taurine-mediated induction of mutant or wild-type p53 binding to DNA, activation of p53 effectors involved in negative regulation of the cell cycle (p21), and glycolysis (TIGAR). Paradoxically, taurine's suppression of cell proliferation was associated with activation of pro-mitogenic signal transduction including ERK, mTOR, and increased mRNA expression of major DNA damage-sensing molecules such as DNAPK, ATM and ATR. While inhibition of ERK or p53 did not interfere with taurine's ability to protect cells from cisplatin, suppression of mTOR with Torin2, a clinically relevant inhibitor that also targets DNAPK and ATM/ATR, broke taurine's cell protection. Our studies implicate that elevation of intracellular taurine could suppress cell growth and metabolism, and activate cell protective mechanisms involving mTOR and DNA damage-sensing signal transducti.
Topics: Taurine; Humans; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases; Female; Ovarian Neoplasms; DNA Damage; Cisplatin; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Proliferation; Signal Transduction; Glycolysis; Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases; Antineoplastic Agents
PubMed: 38931171
DOI: 10.3390/nu16121816 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), a multifactorial and complicated metabolic disorder, is a growing public health problem. Numerous studies have indicated that bioactive... (Review)
Review
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), a multifactorial and complicated metabolic disorder, is a growing public health problem. Numerous studies have indicated that bioactive compounds from herbal medicine have beneficial effects on T2DM prevention and treatment, owing to their numerous biological properties. Curcumin, the major curcuminoid of turmeric, is one of the most studied bioactive components of herbal supplements, and has a variety of biological activities. Clinical trials and preclinical research have recently produced compelling data to demonstrate the crucial functions of curcumin against T2DM via several routes. Accordingly, this review systematically summarizes the antidiabetic activity of curcumin, along with various mechanisms. Results showed that effectiveness of curcumin on T2DM is due to it being anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, antihyperglycemic, anti-apoptotic, and antihyperlipidemic, among other activities. In light of these results, curcumin may be a promising prevention/treatment choice for T2DM.
Topics: Curcumin; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Humans; Hypoglycemic Agents; Animals; Antioxidants; Anti-Inflammatory Agents
PubMed: 38930998
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29122934