A spotlight on dosage and subject selection for effective neuroprotection: exploring the central role of mitochondria

Neurons are notoriously vulnerable cell types.Even the slightest change in their internal and/or external environments will cause much distress and dysfunction,leading often to their death.A range of pathological conditions,including stroke,head trauma,and neurodegenerative disease,can generate stress in neurons,affecting their survival and proper function.In most neural pathologies,mitochondria become dysfunctional and this plays a pivotal role in the process of cell death.The challenge over the last few decades has been to develop effective interventions that improve neuronal homeostasis under pathological conditions.Such interventions,often referred to as disease-modifying or neuroprotective,have,however,proved frustratingly elusive,at both preclinical and,in particular,clinical levels.In this perspective,we highlight two factors that we feel are key to the development of effective neuroprotective treatments.These are:firstly,the choice of dose of intervention and method of application,and secondly,the selection of subjects,whether they be patients or the animal model.

Assessing the corrosion protection property of coatings loaded with corrosion inhibitors using the real-time atmospheric corrosion monitoring technique

The atmospheric corrosion monitoring(ACM)technique has been widely employed to track the real-time corrosion behavior of metal materials.However,limited studies have applied ACM to the corrosion protection properties of organic coatings.This study compared a bare epoxy coating with one containing zinc phosphate corrosion inhibitors,both applied on ACM sensors,to observe their corrosion protection properties over time.Coatings with artificial damage via scratches were exposed to immersion and alternating dry and wet environments,which allowed for monitoring galvanic corrosion currents in real-time.Throughout the corrosion tests,the ACM currents of the zinc phosphate/epoxy coating were considerably lower than those of the blank epoxy coating.The trend in ACM current variations closely matched the results obtained from regular electrochemical tests and surface analysis.This alignment highlights the potential of the ACM technique in evaluating the corrosion protection capabilities of organic coatings.Compared with the blank epoxy coating,the zinc phosphate/epoxy coating showed much-decreased ACM current values that confirmed the effective inhibition of zinc phosphate against steel corrosion beneath the damaged coating.

Protective activity of adipose-derived stem cell extracellular vesicles in ischemia and/or reperfusion

Increasing evidence of the significant clinical value of protection against ischemia/reperfusion injury has contributed to the realization of the independent importance of this approach in improving prognosis and reducing cardiovascular mortality.Extracellular vesicles(EVs)derived by adipose mesenchymal stem cells may mediate the paracrine effects of stem cells and provide regenerative and anti-inflammatory properties,which are enhanced byγ-aminobutyric acid.The protective effects on cardiac myocytes may result from the EV embarked by miR-21-5p,which is a target for thioredoxin-interacting protein,regulating the formation of thioredoxin-interacting protein-thioredoxin complexes and subsequently enhancing the antioxidant activity of thioredoxin.It has been found thatγ-aminobutyric acid governs myocardial bioenergetics through suppressing inflammation and supporting mitochondrial structure.Finally,stem cell-based cell-free therapy based on adipose-derived stem cell EVs is considered a promising approach to individualized management of ischemia-induced cardiomyopathy.

Assessment of ecological geological vulnerability in Mu Us Sandy Land based on GIS and suggestions of ecological protection and restoration

Eco-geological vulnerability assessment is a significant research topic within the field of eco-geology,but it remains poorly studied.The Mu Us Sandy Land,located in the central part of the farming-pastoral ecotone in northern China,plays a critical role in maintaining the ecological security pattern in this region.However,this sandy land also faces severe sandy desertification and ecological degradation.This study conducted a regional eco-geological vulnerability assessment of the Mu Us Sandy Land using a comprehensive index evaluation method based on eco-geological theories and survey results.To construct an appropriate index system for the eco-geological vulnerability assessment of the Mu Us Sandy Land,the study considered the sandy land’s unique characteristics and identified 15 factors of five categories,namely geology,meteorology,soil,topography,and vegetation.The paper calculated the comprehensive weights of all the indices using the analytic hierarchy process(AHP)and the entropy weight method(EWM).Furthermore,it established the eco-geological vulnerability index(EGVI)and obtained the assessment results.The results showed that the eco-geological vulnerability of the Mu Us Sandy Land gradually intensifies from east to west,manifested as vulnerable eco-geological conditions overall.Specifically,extremely vulnerable zones are found in the northwestern and southeastern parts of the study area,highly vulnerable zones in the western and southern parts,moderately vulnerable zones in the central part,and slightly and potentially vulnerable zones in the eastern and southern parts.Areas with high spatial autocorrelations include the northern Uxin Banner-Otog Banner-Angsu Town area,the surrounding areas of Hongdunjie Town in the southeastern part of the study area,the Hongshiqiao Township-Xiaohaotu Township area,Otog Front Banner,and Bainijing Town,which should be prioritized in the ecological conservation and restoration.Additionally,the paper proposed suggestions for the ecological conservation and restoration of county-level administrative areas in the study area.Overall,the findings provide a valuable reference for the ecological conservation and restoration of the Mu Us Sandy Land and other desert areas in arid and semi-arid regions.

Liquid-liquid Extraction System Based on Non-ionic Surfactant-salt-H_2O and Mechanism of Drug Extraction

Extraction behavior of chlorpromazine hydrochloride (CPZ) and procaine hydro- chloride (PCN) in the system described in the title was studied. Research shows that the extraction efficiency of CPZ can amount to 96% by twice extraction, while that of PCN is 77%. This system produces the distribution coefficients (KD) of 12.3 and 2.6 respectively for CPZ and PCN. Extraction mechanism is deduced according to ultraviolet and molecular fluorescence spectra variation of the drugs in the system studied.

A Simple and Rapid Method for the Detection of Non-Ionic Surfactants

A spectrophotometric approach for the detection of non-ionic surfactant (Triton X-100) has been proposed in this paper. This method does not involve extraction of the ion-associate with harmful solvents, but employs adhesion of the ion-association of potassium/non-ionic surfactants complex and tetraphenylporphyrin tetrasulfonic acid obtained by vigorous shaking. The adhered ion-associate was dissolved with water and its absorbance was measured. The sensitivity for Triton X-100 was determined to be 0.146 (expressed as absorbance of 1 mg/L solution). The adhesion tendency of ion-associate was found to be dependent on the water contact angle, which in turn was influenced by a high adhesion of the ion-associate and by low blank values. In this respect, a tetrafluo-roethylene vessel was found to be the most suitable for the detection of non-ionic surfactants. This spectrophotometrical method is simply and rapidly performed by a procedure based on mechanical shaking and can be employed to detect non-ionic surfactants containing more than 7 polyethylene oxide units.

The future of artificial hibernation medicine:protection of nerves and organs after spinal cord injury

Spinal cord injury is a serious disease of the central nervous system involving irreversible nerve injury and various organ system injuries.At present,no effective clinical treatment exists.As one of the artificial hibernation techniques,mild hypothermia has preliminarily confirmed its clinical effect on spinal cord injury.However,its technical defects and barriers,along with serious clinical side effects,restrict its clinical application for spinal cord injury.Artificial hibernation is a futureoriented disruptive technology for human life support.It involves endogenous hibernation inducers and hibernation-related central neuromodulation that activate particular neurons,reduce the central constant temperature setting point,disrupt the normal constant body temperature,make the body adapt"to the external cold environment,and reduce the physiological resistance to cold stimulation.Thus,studying the artificial hibernation mechanism may help develop new treatment strategies more suitable for clinical use than the cooling method of mild hypothermia technology.This review introduces artificial hibernation technologies,including mild hypothermia technology,hibernation inducers,and hibernation-related central neuromodulation technology.It summarizes the relevant research on hypothermia and hibernation for organ and nerve protection.These studies show that artificial hibernation technologies have therapeutic significance on nerve injury after spinal co rd injury through inflammatory inhibition,immunosuppression,oxidative defense,and possible central protection.It also promotes the repair and protection of res pirato ry and digestive,cardiovascular,locomoto r,urinary,and endocrine systems.This review provides new insights for the clinical treatment of nerve and multiple organ protection after spinal cord injury thanks to artificial hibernation.At present,artificial hibernation technology is not mature,and research fa ces various challenges.Neve rtheless,the effort is wo rthwhile for the future development of medicine.

Effects of Initial Infestation Levels of Callosobruchus maculatus (F.)(Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) on Cowpea and Use of Nicotiana tabacum L.Aqueous Extract as Grain Protectant

This study determined the effects of initial infestation of cowpea seeds （Ife brown variety） with different insect densities （0, 2, 4 and 6 pairs per 50 g seeds） of Callosobruchus maculatus （F.） and evaluated the effects of aqueous leaf extract of Nicotiana tabacum L. on C. maculatus in the laboratory. It was observed that adult beetle population increased significantly （p〈0.05） with increase in insect density. The increase in population of beetles and corresponding weight loss of the seeds in different levels of infestation showed that the cowpea variety was susceptible to beetle infestation, emergence and survival of progeny. Significantly more adults emerged on higher infestation compared to lower and no infestation. In Nigeria, Nicotiana tabacum L. is a locally available plant, with known insecticidal properties. The plant leaf extract was easily extracted with water and confirmed its effectiveness as a protective agent for stored cowpea seeds. Experiment was conducted to assess the effects of aqueous extracts ofN. tabacum at 0, 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3 mL＂ 50 g-1 cowpea seeds on C. maculatus. Data was recorded and showed varying levels of effectiveness against C. maculatus. Result showed that seed appearance was dependent on levels of insect population, while N. tabacum aqueous extract exerted effects on survival of C. maculatus. Aqueous leaf extract of N. tabacum probably contained some insecticidal properties which might have significantly conferred beetle mortality and reduced beetle emergence leading to a decrease in seed weight loss.

A Simple Determination of Polyethylene Oxide-type Non-ionic Surfactant by Adhesion Method

A simple and rapid method for the determination of polyethylene oxide-type non-ionic surfactants is reported herein. This method is based on the adhesion of calcium/non-ionic surfactant complexes with tetra phenyl porphine sulfonic acid （TPPS） to the wall of reaction vessel upon vigorous shaking. The ion-associate adhering to the inner wall of the vessel was dissolved with water after discarding the solution and spectrophotometrically assayed at 412 nm. From the standard curve for Triton X-100, the order of the sensitivity for different ions was as follows： Ca^2＋〉 K^＋〉 NH4^＋〉 Ba^2＋. The proposed method does not involve extraction of the ion-associated with harmful solvents and can be simply performed by combining a procedure based on hand shaking and the use of a spectrophotometer.

Apigenin as a promising myocyte protectant against damage and degradation

Myocytes power the movement of all organs in the body.Damage to and degradation of myocytes causes hypokinesia and muscle-related degenerative diseases.Apigenin,a kind of flavone,is being used to treat many disorders.It exerts a host of different pharmacological activities,such as anti-inflammatory,anti-mutagenic,cardioprotective,and antioxidant effects.Accordingly,apigenin is considered a promising candidate for myocyte protection.In this review,we introduced the characteristics of apigenin.The means of apigenin protection of myocytes as well as the mechanism were summarized and discussed.The protective effects can be classified into proliferation-promoting,anti-inflammatory,atrophy-preventing,metabolism-increasing,and antioxidative effects.Additionally,we provided some outlook on the valuable applications of apigenin in sports medicine,which eagerly require further fundamental research.

Efficient unequal error protection for online fountain codes

In this paper,an efficient unequal error protection(UEP)scheme for online fountain codes is proposed.In the buildup phase,the traversing-selection strategy is proposed to select the most important symbols(MIS).Then,in the completion phase,the weighted-selection strategy is applied to provide low overhead.The performance of the proposed scheme is analyzed and compared with the existing UEP online fountain scheme.Simulation results show that in terms of MIS and the least important symbols(LIS),when the bit error ratio is 10-4,the proposed scheme can achieve 85%and 31.58%overhead reduction,respectively.

Network pharmacology and subsequent experimental validation reveal the synergistic myocardial protection mechanism of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge.and Carthamus tinctorius L.

Objective:To reveal the molecular mechanism underlying the compatibility of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge(S.miltiorrhiza,Dan Shen)and C.tinctorius L.(C.tinctorius,Hong Hua)as an herb pair through network pharmacology and subsequent experimental validation.Methods:Network pharmacology was applied to construct an active ingredient-efficacy target-disease protein network to reveal the unique regulation pattern of s.miltiorrhiza and C.tinctorius as herb pair.Molecular docking was used to verify the binding of the components of these herbs and their potential targets.An H9c2 glucose hypoxia model was used to evaluate the efficacy of the components and their synergistic effects,which were evaluated using the combination index.Western blot was performed to detect the protein expression of these targets.Results:Network pharmacology analysis revealed 5 pathways and 8 core targets of s.miltiorrhiza and C.tinctorius in myocardial protection.Five of the core targets were enriched in the hypoxia-inducible factor-1(HIF-1)signaling pathway.S.miltiorrhiza-C.tinctorius achieved vascular tone mainly by regulating the target genes of the HIF-1 pathway.As an upstream gene of the HIF-1 pathway,STAT3 can be activated by the active ingredients cryptotanshinone(Ctan),salvianolic acid B(Sal.B),and myricetin(Myric).Cell experiments revealed that Myric,Sal.B,and Ctan also exhibited synergistic myocardial protective activity.Molecular docking verified the strong binding of Myric,Sal.B,and Ctan to STAT3.Western blot further showed that the active ingredients synergistically upregulated the protein expressionof STAT3.Conclusion:The pharmacodynamic transmission analysis revealed that the active ingredients of S.miltiorrhiza and C.tinctorius can synergistically resist ischemia through various targets and pathways.This study provides a methodological reference for interpreting traditional Chinese medicine compatibility.

Borderline Products between Bio-fertilizers/ Bio-effectors and Plant Protectants： The Role of Microbial Consortia

In the delicate normative balance, at European Union （EU） level of the borderline products （i.e., between plant protectants and bio-fertilizers/bio-effectors） containing microbial consortia （MC） instead of single microbial strains, the most relevant factors influencing the categorization of the products are the intention of use, the cell density and the mode of action. For the latter, the basic difference between the two types of products is that a plant protectant has a targeted activity on plant pathogens, while a bio-fertilizer acts indirectly by nourishing and fortifying the host plant （healthier plant）, thus inducing a generalized resistance to the onset of pathological status, irrespective of its origin and nature. Case-studies are presented on the effectiveness of MC as bio-fertilizers/bio-effectors on different crops. Bio-fertilizers exhibit a double effect--biotic and abiotic, leading to the fortification of the crop plant linked to its more effective water and nutrient uptakes as well asto a generalized healthier status. This in turn leads to a higher resistance to diseases. In addition, bio-fertilizers play a relevant role on the reduction of environmental impacts due to chemical fertilizers, e.g., by facilitating the uptake of phosphorus （P）, thus reducing the need of P fertilization. Although finding a scientifically-based balance between regulatory need and marketing constraint is not always an easy task, the availability of scientific advancements combined to common sense should help in describing positive effects and risk profiles of MC in agriculture.

Composite armor philosophy(CAP):Holistic design methodology of multi-layered composite protection systems for armored vehicles

A philosophy for the design of novel,lightweight,multi-layered armor,referred to as Composite Armor Philosophy(CAP),which can adapt to the passive protection of light-,medium-,and heavy-armored vehicles,is presented in this study.CAP can serve as a guiding principle to assist designers in comprehending the distinct roles fulfilled by each component.The CAP proposal comprises four functional layers,organized in a suggested hierarchy of materials.Particularly notable is the inclusion of a ceramic-composite principle,representing an advanced and innovative solution in the field of armor design.This paper showcases real-world defense industry applications,offering case studies that demonstrate the effectiveness of this advanced approach.CAP represents a significant milestone in the history of passive protection,marking an evolutionary leap in the field.This philosophical approach provides designers with a powerful toolset with which to enhance the protection capabilities of military vehicles,making them more resilient and better equipped to meet the challenges of modern warfare.

Self-actuating protection mechanisms for safer lithium-ion batteries

Safety issue is still a problem nowadays for the large-scale application of lithium-ion batteries(LIBs)in electric vehicles and energy storage stations.The unsafe behaviors of LIBs arise from the thermal run-away,which is intrinsically triggered by the overcharging and overheating.To improve the safety of LIBs,various protection strategies based on self-actuating reaction control mechanisms(SRCMs)have been proposed,including redox shuttle,polymerizable monomer additive,potential-sensitive separator,thermal shutdown separator,positive-temperature-coefficient electrode,thermally polymerizable addi-tive,and reversible thermal phase transition electrolyte.As build-in protection mechanisms,these meth-ods can sensitively detect either the temperature change inside battery or the potential change of the electrode,and spontaneously shut down the electrode reaction at risky conditions,thus preventing the battery from going into thermal runaway.Given their advantages in enhancing the intrinsic safety of LIBs,this paper overviews the research progresses of SRCMs after a brief introduction of thermal runaway mechanism and limitations of conventional thermal runaway mitigating measures.More importantly,the current states and issues,key challenges,and future developing trends of SRCTs are also discussed and outlined from the viewpoint of practical application,aiming at providing insights and guidance for developing more effective SRCMs for LIBs.

Hydroxytyrosol and Parkinson's disease:protective actions against alpha-synuclein toxicity

Parkinson’s disease:Parkinson’s disease(PD) is the second most prevalent neurodegenerative disease,after Alzheimer’s disease,affecting 1%of the general population over the age of 65years.According to data from the World Health Organization(WHO),its prevalence has doubled in the past 25 years.In 2019,global estimates indicated over 8.5 million individuals with PD and it is suggested that PD caused 329000 deaths,an increase of over 100% since 2000(WHO,2022).

Ambroxol,the cough expectorant with neuroprotective effects

Ambroxol hydrochloride(2-amino-3,5-dibromo-N-methylbenzylamine hydrochloride)has been used as a mucolytic agent in the treatment of respiratory diseases since the late 1970s.Its effects on mucus membranes such as mucus disruption,increased mucus production,and low toxicity profile were addressed in its original German patent in 1966.These first described properties have kept Ambroxol available worldwide and over the counter in the pharmaceutical market to this day.

Corrigendum to“Targeted metabolomics reveals the aberrant energy status in diabetic peripheral neuropathy and the neuroprotective mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine JinMaiTong”[J.Pharm.Anal.14(2024)225e243]

Original statement in the caption of Fig.5:Fig.5.JinMaiTong(JMT)treatment restored the perturbed central carbohydrate metabolism in the circulation and sciatic nerve of diabetic peripheral neuropathy(DPN)rats.Dash line arrows indicate the direct metabolic reactions,and solid line arrows indicate the indirect reactions.*P<0.05 and**P<0.01.ns:no significant difference.CON:control;TCA:tricarboxylic acid cycle;ADP:adenosine diphosphate:ATP:adenosine triphosphate;GDP:guanosine diphosphate;GTP:guanosine triphosphate.

Experimental and numerical study on protective effect of RC blast wall against air shock wave

Prototype experiments were carried out on the explosion-proof performance of the RC blast wall.The mass of TNT detonated in the experiments is 5 kg and 20 kg respectively.The shock wave overpressure was tested in different regions.The above experiments were numerically simulated,and the simulated shock wave overpressure waveforms were compared with that tested and given by CONWEP program.The results show that the numerically simulated waveform is slightly different from the test waveform,but similar to CONWEP waveform.Through dimensional analysis and numerical simulation under different working conditions,the equation for the attenuation rate of the diffraction overpressure behind the blast wall was obtained.According to the corresponding standards,the degree of casualties and the damage degree of the brick concrete building at a certain distance behind the wall can be determined when parameters are set.The above results can provide a reference for the design and construction of the reinforced concrete blast wall.

A novel live attenuated vaccine candidate protects chickens against subtype B avian metapneumovirus

Avian metapneumovirus(aMPV) is a highly contagious pathogen that causes acute upper respiratory tract diseases in chickens and turkeys, resulting in serious economic losses. Subtype B aMPV has recently become the dominant epidemic strain in China. We developed an attenuated aMPV subtype B strain by serial passaging in Vero cells and evaluated its safety and efficacy as a vaccine candidate. The safety test showed that after the 30th passage, the LN16-A strain was fully attenuated, as clinical signs of infection and histological lesions were absent after inoculation.The LN16-A strain did not revert to a virulent strain after five serial passages in chickens. The genomic sequence of LN16-A differed from that of the parent wild-type LN16(wtLN16) strain and had nine amino acid mutations. In chickens, a single immunization with LN16-A induced robust humoral and cellular immune responses, including the abundant production of neutralizing antibodies, CD4^(+) T lymphocytes, and the Th1(IFN-γ) and Th2(IL-4 and IL-6)cytokines. We also confirmed that LN16-A provided 100% protection against subtype B aMPV and significantly reduced viral shedding and turbinate inflammation. Our findings suggest that the LN16-A strain is a promising live attenuated vaccine candidate that can prevent infection with subtype B aMPV.