<i>In Vitro</i>Introduction of Hardy Alcohol Resistant Bacillus spp. through Aseptically Grown Watermelon Seedlings

The present study was taken up with a view to ascertain the possibility of introduction of alcohol resistant bacteria in vitro through the aseptically raised watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) seedlings in the backdrop of isolating such organisms from micropropagated watermelon stocks. Watermelon cv. Arka Manik seedlings grown in vitro from surface-sterilized seeds with the intact seed coat on MS medium appeared visibly clean largely, but upon subjecting them to tissue-indexing, the segments from the collar or root tissue showed bacterial colony growth on Nutrient Agar (NA) from 72% of such healthy seedlings and the cotyledon and hypocotyl tissue of 44% seedlings. The pooled colony growth from NA upon challenge with 90% alcohol yielded 10 distinct colony types, identified as B. pumilus (4×), B. subtilis (4×), B. cereus (1×) or B. safensis (1×) based on partial 16S rRNA sequence analysis. The shoot-tip tissue from the healthy index-negative seedlings cultured on watermelon proliferation medium partly turned index-positive within 2 - 4 sub-culture cycles while being apparently clean. On the other hand, those from the previously index-positive cultures tended to show obvious bacterial growth during subsequent in vitro culturing. The observations suggested the possibility of introduction of spore-forming Bacillus spp. through surface-sterilized seeds, their gradual emergence in vitro in visibly clean seedlings, possible transmittal of spores to the alcohol through tissue-culturing tools and the survival therein with the chances of unsuspected lateral spread. Seed coat removal followed by surface sterilization with sodium hypochlorite facilitated the raising of clean seedlings with no detectable bacterial association.

2型糖尿病患者非酒精性脂肪肝与内脏脂肪面积及甲状腺结节的相关性研究

背景非酒精性脂肪肝(NAFLD)在2型糖尿病(T2DM)患者中患病率明显升高,目前关于T2DM中NAFLD与内脏脂肪面积(VFA)及甲状腺结节的相关研究鲜有报道。目的 探讨T2DM患者发生NAFLD的相关因素及NAFLD与VFA、甲状腺结节及甲状腺功能的相关性。方法 回顾性选择2018年1月—2023年4月在广西医科大学第四附属医院(柳州市工人医院)内分泌科住院的T2DM患者为研究对象,依据腹部彩超结果将研究对象分为NAFLD组及非NAFLD组,比较两组的一般资料,VFA、腹部皮下脂肪面积(SFA)、胰岛素功能、甲状腺功能、甲状腺结节患病率、血糖、血脂、肝肾功能水平等指标的差异。依据VFA将研究对象分为内脏性肥胖组(VFA≥100 cm^(2))和非内脏性肥胖组(VFA<100 cm^(2)),比较两组年龄、性别、NAFLD及甲状腺结节患病率的差异。使用Spearman秩相关分析探讨NAFLD、VFA的相关因素及两者与甲状腺结节的相关性分析,同时探讨甲状腺结节面积大小的相关因素。采用二元Logistic回归分析明确T2DM患者NAFLD及甲状腺结节发生的危险因素。采用受试者工作特征(ROC)曲线评估BMI、腰臀围、腰臀比、VFA、胰岛素抵抗指数(HOMA-IR)对T2DM患者发生NAFLD的预测价值及最佳截断值。结果 本研究共纳入578例T2DM患者,NAFLD组293例,NAFLD患病率50.69%,非NAFLD组285例。NAFLD组年龄小于非NAFLD组[(57.0±12.8)岁与(59.3±11.6)岁,P<0.05],NAFLD组体质量、BMI、腰围、臀围、VFA、SFA、糖化血红蛋白(HbA_(1c))、空腹胰岛素(FINS)、空腹C肽(FCP)、HOMA-IR、胰岛素分泌指数(HOMA-β)、游离三碘甲状腺原氨酸(FT_(3))、血尿酸(SUA)、总胆固醇(TC)、三酰甘油(TG)、C反应蛋白(CRP)均高于非NAFLD组,但其血肌酐(SCr)水平低于非NAFLD组(P<0.05)。内脏性肥胖组251例,非内脏性肥胖组327例,内脏性肥胖组年龄小于非内脏性肥胖组[(55.3±13.4)岁与(60.3±10.8)岁,P<0.05]。内脏性肥胖组患者NAFLD发生率高于非内脏性肥胖组(P<0.05)。内脏性肥胖组与非内脏性肥胖组甲状腺结节患病率(64.94%与59.82%)比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。Spearman秩相关分析显示:T2DM患者发生NAFLD与体质量、BMI、腰围、臀围、腰臀比、VFA、SFA、HbA_(1c)、FINS、FCP、HOMA-IR、HOMA-β、总三碘甲状腺原氨酸(TT_(3))、FT_(3)、CRP呈正相关(P<0.05),与年龄呈负相关(P<0.05)。T2DM患者VFA与性别、年龄、身高、体质量、BMI、腰围、臀围、腰臀比、SFA、舒张压、FINS、FCP、HOMA-IR、HOMA-β、TT_(3)、FT_(3)、CRP、NAFLD相关(P<0.05);甲状腺结节面积大小与身高、促甲状腺激素(TSH)、腰臀比呈负相关(P<0.05),与性别、年龄、TT_(3)、总甲状腺素(TT_(4))、甲状腺球蛋白呈正相关(P<0.05)。单因素非条件Logistic回归分析显示,年龄、体质量、BMI、腰围、臀围、VFA、SFA、HbA_(1c)、FCP、HOMA-IR、FT_(3)、SCr、SUA、TC、TG是T2DM患者发生NAFLD的影响因素;二元Logistic回归分析显示,体质量(OR=0.962)、VFA(OR=1.025)、SFA(OR=1.006)、FT_(3)(OR=1.429)、HOMA-IR(OR=1.140)是T2DM发生NAFLD的影响因素;性别(OR=0.342)、年龄(OR=1.073)、游离甲状腺素(FT_(4))(OR=1.140)是甲状腺结节的影响因素(P<0.05)。ROC曲线结果显示,各指标预测T2DM患者发生NAFLD的ROC曲线下面积依次为:BMI0.704、腰围0.704、臀围0.705、腰臀比0.629、VFA 0.757、HOMA-IR 0.569,最佳截断值依次为:BMI 25.37 kg/m^(2)(灵敏度67.7%,特异度36.0%)、腰围84.5 cm(灵敏度67.3%,特异度36.4%)、臀围96.5 cm(灵敏度69.4%,特异度38.9%)、腰臀比0.895(灵敏度38.8%,特异度19.1%)、VFA88.4 cm^(2)(灵敏度78.9%,特异度35.3%)(其中女性88.40 cm^(2),男性99.45 cm^(2))、HOMA-IR 3.08(灵敏度64.3%,特异度49.8%)。结论 T2DM患者NAFLD与甲状腺结节患病率明显升高,但两者之间无明显相关性。肥胖的T2DM患者,尤其内脏性肥胖患者更易罹患NAFLD、甲状腺结节及高脂血症、高尿酸血症等代谢性疾病。HOMA-IR是T2DM患者发生NAFLD的影响因素之一,但不是T2DM患甲状腺结节的影响因素。BMI、腰围、臀围、VFA均可用于预测T2DM患者发生NAFLD,但VFA的预测价值最高,HOMA-IR的价值最低;VFA预测T2DM患者NAFLD最佳截断值为88.4 cm^(2),女性与总体一致,男性为99.45 cm^(2)。

外泌体与肥胖及其相关代谢性疾病研究进展

人体内绝大部分细胞具备产生外泌体的能力,细胞外囊泡通过旁分泌和内分泌机制在不同器官、组织、细胞之间发挥信息传递及调控的关键作用。近年来,外泌体在胰岛素抵抗、2型糖尿病、非酒精性脂肪性肝病等肥胖相关代谢性疾病发生发展中的作用受到关注,其参与多种疾病的病理生理学机制,可能作为代谢性疾病的生物标志物和药物载体。因此,深入研究外泌体有助于揭示肥胖及其相关代谢性疾病的发病机制,并在研发新型治疗药物中具有广阔的应用前景。

Pediatric non-alcoholic fatty liver disease:New insights and future directions

One of the most common complications of childhood obesity is the non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD),which is the most common form of liver disease in children.NAFLD is defined by hepatic fat infiltration > 5% hepatocytes,as assessed by liver biopsy,in the absence of excessive alcohol intake,viral,autoimmune and drug-induced liver disease.It encompasses a wide spectrum of liver diseases ranging from simple steatosis to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis,which,in turn,can evolve into cirrhosis and end stage liver disease.Obesity and insulin resistance are the main risk factors for pediatric NAFLD.In fact,NAFLD is strongly associated with the clinical features of insulin resistance especially the metabolic syndrome,prediabetes and type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2D).In particular,it has been clearly shown in obese youth that the prevalence of metabolic syndrome,pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes increaseswith NAFLD severity progression.Evidence that not all of the obese patients develop NAFLD suggests that the disease progression is likely to depend on complex interplay between environmental factors and genetic predisposition.Recently,a non-synonymous SNP(rs738409),characterized by a C to G substitution encoding an isoleucine to methionine substitution at the amino acid position 148 in the patatin like phospholipase containing domain 3 gene(PNPLA3),has been associated with hepatic steatosis in a multiethnic cohort of adults as well as in children.Another important polymorphisms that acts with PNPLA3 to convey susceptibility to fatty liver in obese youths is the rs1260326 polymorphism in the glucokinase regulatory protein.The pharmacological approach in NAFLD children poorly adherent to or being unresponsive/partially responsive to lifestyle changes,is aimed at acting upon specific targets involved in the pathogenesis.There are some therapeutic approaches that are being studied in children.This article reviews the current knowledge regarding the pediatric fatty liver disease,the new insights and the future directions.

Preparation and Properties of Chitosan/Polyvinyl Alcohol Blended Fiber Membrane for Medical Dressing

The antibacterial dressing prepared by the electrospinning can play a role in protecting the wound,preventing infection and promoting wound healing,and have broad application prospects.Chitosan(CS)/polyvinyl alcohol(PVA)blended fiber membrane was successfully prepared by electrospinning.The fiber morphology,thermal properties and material composition of CS/PVA blended fiber membrane were studied,and the interaction between CS and PVA was analyzed,and the optimum blend ratio was also determined.Then glutaraldehyde(GA)steam cross-linking of the blended fiber membrane was carried out in order to improve the water resistance of the fiber membrane.At the same time,the effect of different cross-linking time on the water resistance of fiber membrane was investigated.The apparent morphology of the fiber membrane was observed by a scanning electron microscope(SEM).The results showed that with the increase of spinning solution concentration,the morphology of the fiber became more and more regular,and the fiber diameter increased gradually.The intermolecular interaction between CS and PVA was found by Fourier transform infrared(FTIR)spectroscopy and thermal properties,which improved the spinnability of CS electrospinning.After cross-linking,the water resistance of the fiber membrane was greatly improved,among which the effect of 4 h cross-linking was the best,and the water resistance of the fiber membrane increased by 64.89%.

Silymarin in non alcoholic fatty liver disease

AIM: This study was undertaken to evaluate the hepatic effects of silybum marianum on non alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). METHODS: In 72 patients affected by NAFLD, main metabolic, hepatic and anti-inflammatory parameters were assayed after 3 mo of a restricted diet and before silymarin treatment (twice a day orally). The brightness of liver echography texture (hepatorenal ratio brightness) was also defined at same time. These evaluations were repeated after 6 mo of treatment. RESULTS: Serum levels of some metabolic and anti-inflammatory data nonsignificantly lowered after 6 mo of silymarin. On the contrary, Steato test, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase were significantly (P < 0.001) reduced. Instead, the AST/ALT ratio unchanged. Finally, the hepatorenal brightness ratio, as an index of hepatic steatosis, significantly (P < 0.05) dropped. CONCLUSION: The obtained results indicate that silymarin appears to be effective to reduce the biochemical, inflammatory and ultrasonic indices of hepatic steatosis. Some parameters indicative of early stage of atherosclerosis were also lowered.

Iron overload and cofactors with special reference to alcohol,hepatitis C virus infection and steatosis/insulin resistance

There are several cofactors which affect body iron metabolism and accelerate iron overload. Alcohol and hepatic viral infections are the most typical examples for clarifying the role of cofactors in iron overload. In these conditions, iron is deposited in hepatocytes and Kupffer cells and reactive oxygen species （ROS） produced through Fenton reaction have key role to facilitate cellular uptake of transferrin-bound iron. Furthermore, hepcidin, antimicrobial peptide produced mainly in the liver is also responsible for intestinal iron absorption and reticuloendothelial iron release. In patients with ceruloplasmin deficiency, anemia and secondary iron overload in liver and neurodegeneration are reported. Furthermore, there is accumulating evidence that fatty acid accumulation without alcohol and obesity itself modifies iron overload states. Ineffective erythropoiesis is also an important factor to accelerate iron overload, which is associated with diseases such as thalassemia and myelodysplastic syndrome. When this condition persists, the dietary iron absorption is increased due to the increment of bone marrow erythropoiesis and tissue iron overload will thereafter occurs. In porphyria cutanea tarda, iron is secondarily accumulated in the liver.

Experimental models of metabolic and alcoholic fatty liver disease

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)is a multi-systemic disease that is considered the hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome(MetS).Because alcohol consumption in NAFLD patients is common,there is a significant overlap in the pathogenesis of NAFLD and alcoholic liver disease(ALD).Indeed,MetS also significantly contributes to liver injury in ALD patients.This“syndrome of metabolic and alcoholic steatohepatitis”(SMASH)is thus expected to be a more prevalent presentation in liver patients,as the obesity epidemic continues.Several pre-clinical experimental models that couple alcohol consumption with NAFLDinducing diet or genetic obesity have been developed to better understand the pathogenic mechanisms of SMASH.These models indicate that concomitant MetS and alcohol contribute to lipid dysregulation,oxidative stress,and the induction of innate immune response.There are significant limitations in the applicability of these models to human disease,such as the ability to induce advanced liver injury or replicate patterns in human food/alcohol consumption.Thus,there remains a need to develop models that accurately replicate patterns of obesogenic diet and alcohol consumption in SMASH patients.

WJH 6^(th) Anniversary Special Issues(7): Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease Pathogenesis and therapeutic approaches for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease affects approximately one-third of the population worldwide, and its incidence continues to increase with the increasing prevalence of other metabolic disorders such as type 2 diabetes. As non-alcoholic fatty liver disease can progress to liver cirrhosis, its treatment is attracting greater attention. The pathogenesis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is closely associated with insulin resistance and dyslipidemia, especially hypertriglyceridemia. Increased serum levels of free fatty acid and glucose can cause oxidative stress in the liver and peripheral tissue, leading to ectopic fat accumulation, especially in the liver. In this review, we summarize the mechanism underlying the progression of hepatic steatosis to steatohepatitis and cirrhosis. We also discuss established drugs that are already being used to treat non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, in addition to newly discovered agents, with respect to their mechanisms of drug action, focusing mainly on hepatic insulin resistance. As well, we review clinical data that demonstrate the efficacy of these drugs, together with improvements in biochemical or histological parameters.

Therapeutic strategies for pediatric non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: A challenge for health care providers

Non-alcoholic steato-hepatitis (NASH) is related to insulin resistance and, thus, frequently occurs as part of the metabolic changes that accompany obesity, diabetes and hyperlipidemia. In childhood, the overwhelming boost of obesity and its co-morbidities have lead to the extraordinarily increased prevalence of NASH. Establishing effective therapeutic strategies to treat the disease represents the challenge for hepatologists and gastroenterologists in the next decade. Therapeutic approaches have aimed at treating associated conditions (obesity, insulin resistance, hyperlipemia, etc ) or reducing liver oxidative damage (vitamin E).

Metabolic syndrome and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease:Asian definitions and Asian studies

BACKGROUND: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), as conventionally recognized, is a metabolic disorder largely confined to residents of affluent industrialized Western countries. However, obesity and insulin resistance are not restricted to the West, as witnessed by their increasingly universal distribution. In particular, there has been an upsurge in metabolic syndrome in the Asia-Pacific region, although there are critical differences in the extent of adiposity between Eastern and Western populations. DATA SOURCES: An English-language literature search using PubMed (1999-2007) on obesity, metabolic syndrome and NAFLD, focusing on Asian definitions and Asian studies. RESULTS: NAFLD appears to be of long-standing insulin resistance and likely represents the hepatic manifestation of the metabolic syndrome. With insulin resistance as a common factor, the disease is associated with atherosclerosis and cardiovascular risk. All features of the metabolic syndrome and related events are assessed for practical management of NAFLD, although the criteria for the diagnosis of obesity and central obesity differ across racial groups. CONCLUSIONS: The increasing prevalence of obesity, coupled with diabetes, dyslipidemia, hypertension and ultimately metabolic syndrome, puts a very large population at risk of developing NAFLD in the coming decades. The simultaneous identification and appropriate treatment of the components of metabolic syndrome are crucial to reduce hepatic as well as cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.

Role of diet on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: An updated narrative review

The purpose of this article review is to update what is known about the role of diet on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD). NAFLD is the most common cause of chronic liver disease in the developed world and is considered to be a spectrum, ranging from fatty infiltration of the liver alone(steatosis), which may lead to fatty infiltration with inflammation known as non alcoholic steatohepatitis While the majority of individualswith risk factors like obesity and insulin resistance have steatosis, only few people may develop steatohepatitis. Current treatment relies on weight loss and exercise, although various insulin-sensitizing medications appear promising. Weight loss alone by dietary changes has been shown to lead to histological improvement in fatty liver making nutrition therapy to become a cornerstone of treatment for NAFLD. Supplementation of vitamin E, C and omega 3 fatty acids are under consideration with some conflicting data. Moreover, research has been showed that saturated fat, trans-fatty acid, carbohydrate, and simple sugars(fructose and sucrose) may play significant role in the intrahepatic fat accumulation. However, true associations with specific nutrients yet to be clarified.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors as targets to treat non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Lately, the world has faced tremendous progress in the understanding of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD) pathogenesis due to rising obesity rates. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors(PPARs) are transcription factors that modulate the expression of genes involved in lipid metabolism, energy homeostasis and inflammation, being altered in diet-induced obesity. Experimental evidences show that PPAR-alpha is the master regulator of hepatic beta-oxidation(mitochondrial and peroxisomal)and microsomal omega-oxidation, being markedly decreased by high-fat(HF) intake. PPAR-beta/delta is crucial to the regulation of forkhead box-containing protein O subfamily-1 expression and, hence, the modulation of enzymes that trigger hepatic gluconeogenesis. In addition, PPAR-beta/delta can activate hepatic stellate cells aiming to the hepatic recovery from chronic insult. On the contrary, PPAR-gamma upregulation by HF diets maximizes NAFLD through the induction of lipogenic factors, which are implicated in the fatty acid synthesis. Excessive dietary sugars also upregulate PPAR-gamma, triggering de novo lipogenesis and the consequent lipid droplets deposition within hepatocytes. Targeting PPARs to treat NAFLD seems a fruitful approach as PPAR-alpha agonist elicits expressive decrease in hepatic steatosis by increasing mitochondrial beta-oxidation, besides reduced lipogenesis. PPAR-beta/delta ameliorates hepatic insulin resistance by decreasing hepatic gluconeogenesis at postprandial stage. Total PPAR-gamma activation can exert noxious effects by stimulating hepatic lipogenesis. However, partial PPAR-gamma activation leads to benefits, mainly mediated by increased adiponectin expression and decreased insulin resistance. Further studies are necessary aiming at translational approaches useful to treat NAFLD in humans worldwide by targeting PPARs.

Role of ezetimibe in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) encompasses a histological spectrum ranging from simple steatosis to steatohepatitis,advanced fibrosis and inflammatory changes.Ezetimibe inhibits cholesterol absorption from the intestinal lumen into enterocytes.The molecular target of ezetimibe is the sterol transporter Niemann-Pick C1-like 1 protein (NPC1L1).Human NPC1L1 is abundantly expressed in the liver and may facilitate the hepatic accumulation of cholesterol.Ezetimibe ex-erts beneficial effects on several metabolic variables.Ezetimibe treatment attenuates hepatic steatosis and is beneficial in terms of NAFLD biochemical markers.The combination of ezetimibe with other interventions may also be beneficial in NAFLD patients.Our group inves-tigated the ezetimibe-orlistat combination treatment in overweight and obese patients with hypercholeste-rolemia,with beneficial effects on NAFLD biochemical markers.These results are promising for patients with NAFLD,who usually have increased cardiovascular disease risk and need a multifactorial treatment.How-ever,it should be mentioned that most results are from animal studies and,although modest elevation of liver function tests may raise the suspicion of NAFLD,none of these tests are sensitive to establish the diagnosis of NAFLD with great accuracy.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: the problems we are facing

OBJECTIVE: To review the current state of research in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). DATA RESOURCES: Searching Medline (1994-2002) and Chinese Medical Journals Index (1998- 2002) for articles on NAFLD. RESULTS: NAFLD is a new and challenging field with increasing recognition although its pathogenesis is poorly understood. 'Two hits' hypothesis is still the leading theory guiding current research. CONCLUSIONS: Genetic study is a promising way that might lead to breakthrough in NAFLD research. NAFLD study in China is at an initial stage and there is a long way to go.

Elevated alanine aminotransferase activity is not associated with dyslipidemias,but related to insulin resistance and higher disease grades in non-diabetic non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Objective:To explore demographic and metabolic factors associated with increased alanine aminotransferase(ALT)activity in non-diabetic non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)patients.Methods:Overall 372 patients who consecutively attended to Gastroenterology Clinic of Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences,Tehran,Iran awere diagnosed as NAFLD entered into analysis.Exclusion criteria were having diabetes mellitus and fasting blood glucose over126 mg/dL,active hepatitis B virus infection,having hepatitis C virus positive serology,and to be under corticosteroid therapy.ALT levels were considered pathologically high when it was over30 IU/L for men and over 19 IU/L for women.Results:Bivariate analyses using t test and chisquare test showed that patients with pathologically augmented ALT levels had significantly higher NAFLD grades in their ultrasonographic evaluations(P=0.003).Moreover,these patients represented significantly higher homeostatic model assessment levels(P=0.003),levels of serum insulin(P=0.002),fasting blood glucose(P<0.001),and uric acid(P=0.02).The prevalence of insulin resistance was also higher in patients with increased serum ALT concentrations.Multifactorial logistic regression models showed that ultrasonographic grading of NAFLD(P=0.027)and insulin resistance(P=0.013)were the only variables significantly associated with abnormal ALT levels.Conclusions:This study shows that the associations of increased ALT serum levels in NAFLD patients are different from what are supposed before.By excluding diabetic patients from our population,we find that increased ALT levels are not associated with dyslipidemias but are independently associated with insulin resistance and NAFLD grading on ultrasonographic evaluations.Further studies are needed to confirm our results.

Ameliorative effects of lutein on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in rats

AIM: To investigate the therapeutic effects of lutein against non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD) and the related underlying mechanism.METHODS: After 9 d of acclimation to a constant temperature-controlled room(20 ℃-22 ℃) under 12h light/dark cycles,male Sprague-Darley rats were randomly divided into two groups and fed a standard commercial diet(n = 8) or a high-fat diet(HFD)(n = 32) for 10 d.Animals receiving HFD were then randomly divided into 4 groups and administered with 0,12.5,25,or 50 mg/kg(body weight) per day of lutein for the next 45 d.At the end of the experiment,the perinephric and abdominal adipose tissues of the rats were isolated and weighed.Additionally,serum and liver lipid metabolic condition parameters were measured,and liver function and insulin resistance state indexes were assessed.Liver samples were collected and stained with hematoxylin eosin and Oil Red O,and the expression of the key factors related to insulin signaling and lipid metabolism in the liver were detected using Western blot and real-time polymerase chain reaction analyses.RESULTS: Our data showed that after being fed a high-fat diet for 10 d,the rats showed a significant gain in body weight,energy efficiency,and serum total cholesterol(TC) and triglyceride(TG) levels.Lutein supplementation induced fat loss in rats fed a highfat diet,without influencing body weight or energy efficiency,and decreased serum TC and hepatic TC and TG levels.Moreover,lutein supplementation decreased hepatic levels of lipid accumulation and glutamic pyruvic transaminase content,and also improved insulin sensitivity.Lutein administration also increased the expression of key factors in hepatic insulin signaling,such as insulin receptor substrate-2,phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase,and glucose transporter-2 at the gene and protein levels.Furthermore,high-dose lutein increased the expression of peroxisome proliferators activated receptor-α and sirtuin 1,which are associated with lipid metabolism and insulin signaling.CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that lutein has positive effects on NAFLD via the modulation of hepatic lipid accumulation and insulin resistance.

Modification of Wood by Tannin-Furfuryl Alcohol Resins-Effect on Dimensional Stability,Mechanical Properties and Decay Durability

Furfurylation is a well-known wood modification technology.This paper studied the effect of tannin addition on the wood furfurylation.Three kinds of dicarboxylic acids,adipic acid,succinic acid,and tartaric acid,as well as glyoxal as a comparing agent,were used to catalyse the polymerisation of furanic or tannin-furanic solutions during wood modification.Impregnation of furanic or tannin-furanic solution at a certain concentration into the wood followed with curing at 103℃for a specific duration was performed for the wood modification.Different properties of the modified woods like dimensional stability,resistance of treatment to leaching,mechanical properties,decay durability against white-rot(Coriolus versicolor,Pycnoporus sanguineus)and brown-rot(Coniophora puteana)as well as their chemical and anatomical characteristics were evaluated.Results revealed that the partial substitution of FA by the tannins improved the fixation of the chemicals impregnated in wood.Further,dimensional stability,leaching resistance,Brinell hardness,modulus of elasticity/modulus of rupture,and decay durability properties of the furfurylated wood were also improved in the presence of tannins.Scanning electron microscopy revealed the deposition of the polymer in the wood lumen cells and in the wood cell walls.

Review on the Effect of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists and Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 Inhibitors for the Treatment of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease（NAFLD） is a common liver disease and it represents the hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome, which includes type 2 diabetes mellitus（T2DM）, dyslipidemia, central obesity and hypertension. Glucagon-like peptide-1（GLP-1） analogues and dipeptidyl peptidase-4（DPP-4） inhibitors were widely used to treat T2 DM. These agents improve glycemic control, promote weight loss and improve lipid metabolism. Recent studies have demonstrated that the GLP-1 receptor（GLP-1R） is present and functional in human and rat hepatocytes. In this review, we present data from animal researches and human clinical studies that showed GLP-1 analogues and DPP-4 inhibitors can decrease hepatic triglyceride（TG） content and improve hepatic steatosis, although some effects could be a result of improvements in metabolic parameters. Multiple hepatocyte signal transduction pathways and m RNA from key enzymes in fatty acid metabolism appear to be activated by GLP-1 and its analogues. Thus, the data support the need for more rigorous prospective clinical trials to further investigate the potential of incretin therapies to treat patients with NAFLD.

Temperature Dependent Surface Resistivity Measures of Commercial, Multiwall Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNT), and Silver Nano-Particle Doped Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) Films

Pure and doped Polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) films, for the detection of infrared radiation, have been well documented using the mechanism of pyroelectricity. Alternatively, the electrical properties of films made from Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) have received considerable attention in recent years. The investigation of surface resistivities of both such films, to this point, has received far less consideration in comparison to pyroelectric effects. In this research, we report temperature dependent surface resistivity measurements of commercial, and of multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT), or Ag-nanoparticle doped PVA films. Without any variation in the temperature range from 22°C to 40°C with controlled humidity, we found that the surface resistivity decreases initially, reaches a minimum, but rises steadily as the temperature continues to increase. This research was conducted with the combined instrumentation of the Keithley Model 6517 Electrometer and Keithley Model 8009 resistivity test fixture using both commercial and in-house produced organic thin films. With the objective to quantify the suitability of PVDF and PVA films as IR detector materials, when using the surface resistivity phenomenon, instead of or in addition to the pyroelectricity, surface resistivity measurements are reported when considering bolometry. We found that the surface resistivity measurements on PVA films were readily implemented.