Expression and Characterization of a Novelλ-Carrageenase Cgl150A_Wa from Wenyingzhuangia aestuarii

λ-Carrageenan is a highly sulfated polysaccharide alternating of 1,4-O-α-D-galactopyranose-2,6-sulfate(D2S,6S)and 1,3-O-β-D-galactopyranose-2-sulfate(G2S).λ-Carrageenases are desirable tools forλ-carrageenan degradation.Based on the genome mining,a novelλ-carrageenase Cgl150A_Wa was cloned from the bacterium Wenyingzhuangia aestuarii and expressed in Escherichia coli.Cgl150A_Wa was an endo-acting enzyme and exhibited its maximum activity at 30℃and pH 8.0.By employing a glycomics strategy that combined ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis and glycoinformatics,Cgl150A_Wa was proven to degradeλ-carrageenan octaose and hexaose,and the major hydrolysis product of Cgl150A_Wa wasλ-carrageenan tetrose.In addition to the typicalλ-carrageenan motifs,the active center of Cgl150A_Wa might tolerate desulfatedλ-carrageenan motifs.Cgl150A_Wa is a potential biotechnological tool for preparingλ-carrageenan oligosaccharides and structural investigation.

Physiology of medicinal and aromatic plants under drought stress

Drought poses a significant challenge,restricting the productivity of medicinal and aromatic plants.The strain induced by drought can impede vital processes like respiration and photosynthesis,affecting various aspects of plants’growth and metabolism.In response to this adversity,medicinal plants employ mechanisms such as morphological and structural adjustments,modulation of drought-resistant genes,and augmented synthesis of secondary metabolites and osmotic regulatory substances to alleviate the stress.Extreme water scarcity can lead to leaf wilting and may ultimately result in plant death.The cultivation and management of medicinal plants under stress conditions often differ from those of other crops.This is because the main goal with medicinal plants is not only to increase the yield of the above-ground parts but also to enhance the production of active ingredients such as essential oils.To elucidate these mechanisms of drought resistance in medicinal and aromatic plants,the current review provides a summary of recent literature encompassing studies on the morphology,physiology,and biochemistry of medicinal and aromatic plants under drought conditions.

Utilization of pH-driven methods to fortify nanoemulsions with multiple polyphenols

Simple but effective methods are required to incorporate multiple bioactive polyphenols into delivery systems to increase their dispersibility,stability and bioavailability.We developed and tested three p Hdriven protocols for creating nanoemulsions loaded with multiple lipophilic polyphenols.These protocols differed in how the different polyphenols were incorporated into the nanoemulsions.The impact of these three methods on the formation,properties,and gastrointestinal fate of nanoemulsions loaded with curcumin,resveratrol,and quercetin was investigated.The three methods produced nanoemulsions with similar initial particle properties:droplet diameters(0.15,0.16,and 0.15μm)and zeta-potentials(–59,–58,and–58 m V),respectively.However,the average encapsulation efficiencies(82%,88%,and 61%),gastrointestinal stabilities(83%,97%,and 29%)and bioaccessibilities(77%,90%,and 73%)for curcumin,resveratrol,and quercetin were somewhat different.In particular,more quercetin degradation occurred using the approach that held it under alkaline conditions for extended periods.In general,the p H-driven method provides researchers with a versatile approach of incorporating multiple polyphenols with different characteristics into functional food and beverages using a simple and inexpensive method.

Comparative utility of vestibular function tests in patients with peripheral and central vestibular dysfunction

Background: Bithermal caloric irrigation, video head impulse test(vHIT), and rotational testing are commonly used to assess peripheral vestibular function, but the relative clinical utility of each test in differentiating patients with peripheral vestibulopathy is debated.Objectives: To determine whether(1) the combination of two or more vestibular tests enhances diagnostic utility over a single test;(2) abnormal test results on vestibular tests correlate with one another.Methods: Retrospective analysis of data collected from multidisciplinary vestibular clinics at two academic medical centers from 2016 to 2022.Results: 150 patients(54.10 ± 15.09 years, 88 females) were included. No individual test was significantly better at predicting the presence of peripheral vestibular damage(p > 0.05). vHIT test results improved significantly when combined with either the caloric test(p = 0.007) or rotary chair test(p = 0.039). Caloric and rotational testing had high sensitivity(74.65% and 76.06%, respectively) and specificity(83.54% and 78.48%, respectively). vHIT demonstrated excellent specificity(89.87%) but poor sensitivity(47.89%). Caloric, vHIT, and rotary chair tests results did not correlate with one another(p > 0.05).Conclusions: Vestibular function tests have comparable diagnostic utility, yet each offers unique advantages. Caloric and rotational testing may be best suited for screening peripheral damage and vHIT may function ideally as a confirmatory test.

Multimodal comparison of plasma proteins associated with blood-brain barrier impairment in Alzheimer’s disease

Background:Vascular impairment is one of the major contributors to dementia.We aimed to identify blood biomarkers suggestive of potential impairment of the blood-brain barrier(BBB)in subjects with Alzheimer’s disease(AD).Methods:We used administrative data from the VA Informatics and Computing Infrastructure Resource Center to study both inpatients and outpatients with AD.Plasma samples from healthy control and AD individuals were analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and proteomics approaches to identify differentially expressed proteins.Bioinformatic analysis was applied to explore significantly enriched pathways.Results:In the same cohort of patients with AD,we found twice number of subjects with cerebral amyloid angiopathy in the two-year period after the onset of AD,compared to the number of subjects with cerebral amyloid angiopathy in the two-year period prior to AD onset.Different pathways related to BBB,like cell adhesion,extracellular matrix organization and Wnt signaling,were activated and differentially expressed proteins such as ADAM22,PDGFR-α,DKK-4,Neucrin and RSOP-1 were identified.Moreover,matrix metalloproteinase-9,which is implicated in causing degradation of basal lamina and BBB disruption,was significantly increased in the plasma of AD patients.Conclusions:Alteration of proteins found in AD subjects could provide new insights into biomarkers regulating permeability and BBB integrity.

Effect of ionic strength and mixing ratio on complex coacervation of soy protein isolate/Flammulina velutipes polysaccharide

Soy protein isolate(SPI)is a commercial protein with balanced amino acids,while the poor solubility impedes its use in traditional foods.To overcome the problem,the complex coacervation of SPI/Flammulina velutipes polysaccharide(FVP)were investigated.Initial results revealed that the suitable amounts of FVP contributed to reducing the turbidity of SPI solution.Under electrostatic interaction,the formation of SPI/FVP coacervates were spontaneous and went through a nucleation and growth process.Low salt concentration(C_(NaCl)=10,50 mmol/L)led to an increase in the critical pH values(pHc,pHφ1)while the critical pH values decreased when C_(NaCl)≥100 mmol/L.The concentration of NaCl ions increased the content ofα-helix.With the increase of FVP,the critical pH values decreased and the content ofβ-sheet increased through electrostatic interaction.At SPI/FVP ratio of 10:1 and 15:1,the complex coacervation of SPI/FVP were saturated,and the coacervates had the same storage modulus value.SPI/FVP coacervates exhibited solid-like properties and presented the strongest storage modulus at C_(NaCl)=50 mmol/L.The optimal pH,SPI/FVP ratio and NaCl concentration of complex coacervation were collected,and the coacervates demonstrated a valuable application potential to protect and deliver bioactives and food ingredients.

The protective effect of carnosic acid on dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis based on metabolomics and gut microbiota analysis

Accumulating evidence suggests that the gut microbiota plays an important role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease(IBD).Carnosic acid(CA)is a major antioxidant component of rosemary and sage.Herein,we investigated the protective effects of dietary CA on dextran sodium sulfate(DSS)-induced colitis mouse model with an emphasis on its impact on the composition and metabolic function of gut microbiota.We found that CA effectively attenuated DSS-stimulated colitis in mice,as evidenced by reduced disease activity index(DAI),and systemic and colonic inflammation.Additionally,CA restored microbial diversity and improved the composition of gut microbiota in DSS-treated mice.Moreover,Spearman’s correlation coefficient showed a significant correlation between the fecal metabolites and the gut microbiota species.Changes in gut microbiota and the correlated metabolites might partially explain CA’s anti-inflammatory effects against colitis.Future clinical trials are needed to determine the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of CA on IBD in humans.

Case-control analysis of venous thromboembolism risk in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis diagnosed by transient elastography

BACKGROUND Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)is the most common cause of chronic liver disease worldwide.Studies have shown a strong association between nonalcoholic steatohepatitis(NASH)cirrhosis and portal vein thrombosis.Specifically,there is paucity of data on the association of NASH and venous thromboembolism(VTE),with one such study predicting a 2.5-fold increased risk for VTE compared to other liver diseases in hospitalized patients.The mechanism is believed to be a hepatocellular injury,which causes a chronic inflammatory state leading to the unregulated activation of procoagulant factors.There has been no prior analysis of the degree of steatosis and fibrosis(measured using transient elastography,commonly known as FibroScan)in NASH and its association with VTE.AIM To examine the association between the degree of hepatic steatosis and fibrosis,quantified by transient elastography,and the incidence of VTE in patients with NASH.METHODS In our case-control study,we included patients with a documented diagnosis of NASH.We excluded patients with inherited thrombophilia,hemoglobinopathy,malignancy,alcohol use disorder,autoimmune hepatitis,and primary biliary cirrhosis.The collected data included age,demographics,tobacco use,recreational drug use,medical history,and vibration controlled transient elastography scores.VTE-specific data included the location,type of anticoagulant,need for hospital stay,and history of VTE recurrence.Steatosis was categorized as S0-S1(mild)and S2-S3(moderate to severe)based on the controlled attenuation parameter score.Fibrosis was classified based on the kilopascal score and graded as F0-F1(Metavir stage),F2,F3,and F4(cirrhosis).χ^(2) and Mann-Whitney U tests were used for the qualitative and quantitative variable analyses,respectively.Furthermore,we performed a logistic regression using VTE as the dependent variable.RESULTS A total of 415 patients were analyzed,and 386 met the inclusion criteria.51 and 335 patients were included in the VTE and non-VTE groups,respectively.Patients with VTE had a mean age of 60.63 years compared to 55.22 years in the non-VTE group(P<0.014).Patients with VTE had a higher body mass index(31.14 kg/m²vs 29.30 kg/m²)and a higher prevalence of diabetes mellitus(29.4%vs 13.1%).The history of NASH was significantly higher in the VTE group(45.1%vs 30.4%,P<0.037).Furthermore,moderate-to-severe steatosis was significantly higher in the VTE group(66.7%vs 47.2%,P<0.009).Similarly,the F2-F4 fibrosis grade had a prevalence of 58.8%in the VTE group compared to 38.5%in the non-VTE group(P<0.006).On logistic regression,using VTE as a dependent variable,diabetes mellitus had an odds ratio(OR)=1.702(P<0.015),and F2-F4 fibrosis grade had an OR=1.5(P<0.033).CONCLUSION Our analysis shows that NASH is an independent risk factor for VTE,especially deep vein thrombosis.There was a statistically significant association between the incidence of VTE,moderate-to-severe steatosis,and fibrosis.All hospitalized patients should be considered for medical thromboprophylaxis,particularly those with NASH.

Risk of hepatitis B reactivation in patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms treated with ruxolitinib

Classical Philadelphia-negative myeloproliferative neoplasms(MPNs),i.e.,polycythemia vera,essential thrombocythemia,and primary/secondary myelofibrosis,are clonal disorders of the hematopoietic stem cell in which an uncontrolled proliferation of terminally differentiated myeloid cells occurs.MPNs are characterized by mutations in driver genes,the JAK2V617F point mutation being the most commonly detected genetic alteration in these hematological malignancies.Thus,JAK inhibition has emerged as a potential therapeutic strategy in MPNs,with ruxolitinib being the first JAK inhibitor developed,approved,and prescribed in the management of these blood cancers.However,the use of ruxolitinib has been associated with a potential risk of infection,including opportunistic infections and reactivation of hepatitis B.Here,we briefly describe the association between ruxolitinib treatment in MPNs and hepatitis B reactivation.

The Birth and Custody of Infant Bacchus

This article discusses the visual aspects of the birth of Dionysus/Bacchus,the God of Agriculture,Revelry,and Wine,in classical art.It examines the historical and iconographic aspects of the infant Dionysus’s custody by two deities,Silenus and Mercury,in ancient classical art,particularly in Roman frescoes and sculptural reliefs,and its echoes in Italian Renaissance engravings.

Josefa deÓbidos’s Vedute:Discovering the Realms of Nature

Josefa Figueira de Ayala de Cabrera D’Óbidos was a renowned Baroque painter from Portugal who lived between 1630 and 1684.She was an accomplished artist and one of the most notable female artists of her time.Her works included both secular and religious themes,and she used a variety of mediums with great skill.Despite having different surnames,she signed her paintings under Josepha emÓbidos.This article concentrates on the artist’s landscapes(vedute)and integrated still-life paintings(bodegones).It delves into her capacity to depict the changing seasons through these themes.Josefa expertly combined Baroque tenebrism and illusionism with her love of Nature,highlighting both the physical and spiritual aspects of the natural world.Her paintings are visually captivating,with beautiful colors and intricate details.She incorporated emblematic and mystical symbolism,which added to their spiritual significance in portraying the flora and fauna of her homeland.

Giorgio Vasari’s Tondo for the Madonna of the Rosary: Angels With Roses, Emblems of Love

In 1569,Giorgio Vasari(1511-1574)completed painting an altarpiece of the Madonna of the Rosary and a Tondo of angels dispersing roses.The commission was for the private chapel of the Capponi family in the church of Santa Maria Novella in Florence.In his Ricordanze(Book of Records),Vasari explained the commission as well as documenting the assistance of his favorite Florentine pupil,Jacopo Zucchi(1541-1590),in the completion of the commission.This essay focusses on Vasari’s design,location,and meaning of the Tondo and its emblematic symbolism of love through the rose motif.

Toxicity of targeted anticancer treatments on the liver in myeloproliferative neoplasms

The liver has a central role in metabolism,therefore,it is susceptible to harmful effects of ingested medications(drugs,herbs,and nutritional supplements).Druginduced liver injury(DILI)comprises a range of unexpected reactions that occur after exposure to various classes of medication.Even though most cases consist of mild,temporary elevations in liver enzyme markers,DILI can also manifest as acute liver failure in some patients and can be associated with mortality.Herein,we briefly review available data on DILI induced by targeted anticancer agents in managing classical myeloproliferative neoplasms:Chronic myeloid leukemia,polycythemia vera,essential thrombocythemia,and myelofibrosis.

Budd-Chiari syndrome in myeloproliferative neoplasms:A review of literature

Myeloproliferative neoplasms(MPNs)are defined as clonal disorders of the hematopoietic stem cell in which an exaggerated production of terminally differentiated myeloid cells occurs.Classical,Philadelphia-negative MPNs,i.e.,polycythemia vera,essential thrombocythemia and primary myelofibrosis,exhibit a propensity towards the development of thrombotic complications that can occur in unusual sites,e.g.,portal,splanchnic or hepatic veins,the placenta or cerebral sinuses.The pathogenesis of thrombotic events in MPNs is complex and requires an intricate mechanism involving endothelial injury,stasis,elevated leukocyte adhesion,integrins,neutrophil extracellular traps,somatic mutations(e.g.,the V617F point mutation in the JAK2 gene),microparticles,circulating endothelial cells,and other factors,to name a few.Herein,we review the available data on Budd-Chiari syndrome in Philadelphia-negative MPNs,with a particular focus on its epidemiology,pathogenesis,histopathology,risk factors,classification,clinical presentation,diagnosis,and management.

Effect of Two Substrate Types on Feeding Efficiency by Juvenile Chinese Sturgeon Acipenser sinensis on Barcheek Goby Rhinogobius giurinus

We conducted experiments in an artificial stream tank with wild juvenile Chinese sturgeon Acipenser sinensis captured in the Yangtze Estuary to test the null hypothesis that their feeding efficiency on Barcheek goby Rhinogobius giurinus was not affected by sand vs. smooth glass substrate. Gobies are among the most common prey eaten by wild juvenile A. sinensis in the estuary. Test results found neither substrate type significantly affected feeding efficiency by juveniles. Previous research found a strong innate habitat preference of A. sinensis for sand substrate. The present results indicate that the preference for sand is not related to efficiently capturing R. giurinus on sand, but is an adaptation predisposing juvenile A. sinensis to seek sandy substrate where R. giurinus and other benthic forage are the most abundant in the Yangtze Estuary.

Health behavior outcomes in stroke survivors prescribed wearables for atrial fibrillation detection stratified by age

BACKGROUND Smartwatches have become readily accessible tools for detecting atrial fibrillation(AF).There remains limited data on how they affect psychosocial outcomes and engagement in older adults.We examine the health behavior outcomes of stroke survivors prescribed smartwatches for AF detection stratified by age.METHODS We analyzed data from the Pulsewatch study,a randomized controlled trial that enrolled patients(≥50 years)with a history of stroke or transient ischemic attack and CHA2DS2-VASc≥2.Intervention participants were equipped with a cardiac patch monitor and a smartwatch-app dyad,while control participants wore the cardiac patch monitor for up to 44 days.We evaluated health behavior parameters using standardized tools,including the Consumer Health Activation Index,the Generalized Anxiety Disorder questionnaire,the 12-Item Short Form Health Survey,and wear time of participants categorized into three age groups:Group 1(ages 50-60),Group 2(ages 61-69),and Group 3(ages 70-87).We performed statistical analysis using a mixedeffects repeated measures linear regression model to examine differences amongst age groups.RESULTS Comparative analysis between Groups 1,2 and 3 revealed no significant differences in anxiety,patient activation,perception of physical health and wear time.The use of smartwatch technology was associated with a decrease in perception of mental health for Group 2 compared to Group 1(β=-3.29,P=0.046).CONCLUSION Stroke survivors demonstrated a willingness to use smartwatches for AF monitoring.Importantly,among these study participants,the majority did not experience negative health behavior outcomes or decreased engagement as age increased.

Guido Reni’s Infant Bacchus: “In vino veritas”

This article delves into the significance of Guido Reni’s Infant Bacchus,created during the Italian Baroque period.By examining historical and iconographic elements,the study aims to interpret the symbolism depicted in the painting.The historical aspects include the birth of Dionysus or Bacchus in classical and Italian Renaissance imagery and literary and visual sources that influenced Reni’s solo painting.The iconographic components encompass the infant’s nude body,the child’s bodily functions,and the attributes associated with Bacchus,the God of Agriculture,Revelry,and Wine,such as the grapevines,grapes,ivy,glass flask,kantharos(wine cup),and wine barrel.The emblematic and cosmological associations of Bacchus’s divinity are considered as well.

When Conscious Consumerism Backfires:A Critical Study on Social Exclusion,Partnerships,and White Saviorism

Purpose:What factors influence conscious consumerism,especially related to race and gender identities?This scholarship explores three white women-led social responsibility organizations’(SROs)aspirations to encourage conscious consumerism as well as factors that influence conscious consumerism.Design/methodology/approach:Using the Black feminist thought and sustainability development theory,the data were analyzed using a thematic analysis to explore the activation of the white savior industrial complex(WSIC)in SROs.Interviews provided in-depth knowledge of the SRO culture including,but not limited to,insight on social exclusion and partnerships.Findings:Noonday Collection,Sseko Designs,and Trades of Hope,all SROs,aspire to be dedicated to people,planet,and profit and encourage conscious consumerism as a means for their customer base and sales consultants to“do their part”,and yet,an unintended consequence of the SROs’work is social exclusion and white saviorism.Originality:This scholarship investigates what can be done to dismantle the overreliance of conscious consumerism in an effort to finally strip white saviorism,and its role in the white savior industrial complex(WSIC),of its power.

Emerging role of microRNAs in liver diseases

MicroRNAs are a class of small non-coding RNAs that are found in plants, animals, and some viruses. They modulate the gene function at the post-transcriptional level and act as a fine tuner of various processes, such as development, proliferation, cell signaling, and apopto-sis. They are associated with different types and stages of cancer. Recent studies have shown the involvement of microRNAs in liver diseases caused by various factors, such as Hepatitis C, Hepatitis B, metabolic disorders, and by drug abuse. This review highlights the role of microRNAs in liver diseases and their potential use as therapeutic molecules.

Microbial Community Characteristics in a Degraded Wetland of the Yellow River Delta

Five different sites with a soluble salt gradient of 3.0-17.7 g kg-1 dry soil from the coast to the inland were selected, and the microbial population size, activity and diversity in the rhizospheres of five common plant species and the adjacent bulk soils (non-rhizosphere) were compared in a degraded wetland of the Yellow River Delta, Shandong Province, China to study the effiects of soil environment (salinity, seasonality, depth, and rhizosphere) on microbial communities and the wetland's ecological function, thus providing basic data for the bioremediation of degraded wetlands. There was a significant negative linear relationship between the salinity and the total number of microorganisms, overall microbial activity, or culturable microbial diversity. Salinity adversely affected the microbial community, and higher salinity levels resulted in smaller and less active microbial communities. Seasonal changes were observed in microbial activity but did not occur in the size and diversity. The microbial size, activity and diversity decreased with increasing soil depth. The size, activity and diversity of culturable microorganisms increased in the rhizospheres. All rhizospheres had positive effiects on the microbial communities, and common seepweed had the highest rhizosphere effect. Three halophilic bacteria (Pseudomonas mendocina, Burkholderia glumae, and Acinetobacter johnsonii) were separated through BIOLOG identification, and common seepweed could be recommended for bioremediation of degraded wetlands in the Yellow River Delta.