End Products Research Articles

Triacylglycerol stability limits futile cycles and inhibition of carbon capture in oil-accumulating leaves.

Engineering plant vegetative tissue to accumulate triacylglycerols (TAG, e.g., oil) can increase the amount of oil harvested per acre to levels that exceed current oilseed crops. Engineered tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) lines that accumulate 15% to 30% oil of leaf dry weight resulted in starkly different metabolic phenotypes. In-depth analysis of the leaf lipid accumulation and 14CO2 tracking describe metabolic adaptations to the leaf oil engineering. An oil-for-membrane lipid tradeoff in the 15% oil line (referred to as HO) was surprisingly not further exacerbated when lipid production was enhanced to 30% (LEC2 line). The HO line exhibited a futile cycle that limited TAG yield through exchange with starch, altered carbon flux into various metabolite pools and end products, and suggested interference of the glyoxylate cycle with photorespiration that limited CO2 assimilation by 50%. In contrast, inclusion of the LEAFY COTYLEDON 2 (LEC2) transcription factor in tobacco improved TAG stability, alleviated the TAG-to-starch futile cycle, and recovered CO2 assimilation and plant growth comparable to wild type but with much higher lipid levels in leaves. Thus, the unstable production of storage reserves and futile cycling limit vegetative oil engineering approaches. The capacity to overcome futile cycles and maintain enhanced stable TAG levels in LEC2 demonstrated the importance of considering unanticipated metabolic adaptations while engineering vegetative oil crops.

Mitochondrial damage and clearance in retinal pigment epithelial cells.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a devastating eye disease that causes permanent vision loss in the central part of the retina, known as the macula. Patients with such severe visual loss face a reduced quality of life and are at a 1.5 times greater risk of death compared to the general population. Currently, there is no cure for or effective treatment for dry AMD. There are several mechanisms thought to underlie the disease, for example, ageing-associated chronic oxidative stress, mitochondrial damage, harmful protein aggregation and inflammation. As a way of gaining a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms behind AMD and thus developing new therapies, we have created a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (PGC1α/NFE2L2) double-knockout (dKO) mouse model that mimics many of the clinical features of dry AMD, including elevated levels of oxidative stress markers, damaged mitochondria, accumulating lysosomal lipofuscin and extracellular drusen-like structures in retinal pigment epithelial cells (RPE). In addition, a human RPE cell-based model was established to examine the impact of non-functional intracellular clearance systems on inflammasome activation. In this study, we found that there was a disturbance in the autolysosomal machinery responsible for clearing mitochondria in the RPE cells of one-year-old PGC1α/NFE2L2-deficient mice. The confocal immunohistochemical analysis revealed an increase in autophagosome marker microtubule-associated proteins 1A/1B light chain 3B (LC3B) as well as multiple mitophagy markers such as PTE-induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1) and E3 ubiquitin ligase (PARKIN), along with signs of damaged mitochondria. However, no increase in autolysosome formation was detected, nor was there a colocalization of the lysosomal marker LAMP2 or the mitochondrial marker, ATP synthase β. There was an upregulation of late autolysosomal fusion Ras-related protein (Rab7) in the perinuclear space of RPE cells, together with autofluorescent aggregates. Additionally, we observed an increase in the numbers of Toll-like receptors 3 and 9, while those of NOD-like receptor 3 were decreased in PGC1α/NFE2L2 dKO retinal specimens compared to wild-type animals. There was a trend towards increased complement component C5a and increased involvement of the serine protease enzyme, thrombin, in enhancing the terminal pathway producing C5a, independent of C3. The levels of primary acute phase C-reactive protein and receptor for advanced glycation end products were also increased in the PGC1α/NFE2L2 dKO retina. Furthermore, selective proteasome inhibition with epoxomicin promoted both nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase and mitochondrial-mediated oxidative stress, leading to the release of mitochondrial DNA to the cytosol, resulting in potassium efflux-dependent activation of the absent in melanoma 2 (AIM2) inflammasome and the subsequent secretion of interleukin-1β in ARPE-19 cells. In conclusion, the data suggest that there is at least a relative decrease in mitophagy, increases in the amounts of C5 and thrombin and decreased C3 levels in this dry AMD-like model. Moreover, selective proteasome inhibition evoked mitochondrial damage and AIM2 inflammasome activation in ARPE-19 cells.

Differential mRNA profiles reveal the potential roles of genes involved in lactate stimulation in mouse macrophages

Lactate is a glycolysis end product, and its levels are markedly associated with disease severity, morbidity, and mortality in sepsis. It modulates key functions of immune cells, including macrophages. In this investigation, transcriptomic analysis was performed using lactic acid, sodium lactate, and hydrochloric acid-stimulated mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages (iBMDM), respectively, to identify lactate-associated signaling pathways. After 24 h of stimulation, 896 differentially expressed genes (DEG) indicated were up-regulation, whereas 792 were down-regulated in the lactic acid group, in the sodium lactate group, 128 DEG were up-regulated, and 41 were down-regulated, and in the hydrochloric acid group, 499 DEG were up-regulated, and 285 were down-regulated. Subsequently, clinical samples were used to further verify the eight genes with significant differences, among which Tssk6, Ypel4, Elovl3, Trp53inp1, and Cfp were differentially expressed in patients with high lactic acid, indicating their possible involvement in lactic acid-induced inflammation and various physiological diseases caused by sepsis. However, elongation of very long chain fatty acids protein 3 (Elovl3) was negatively correlated with lactic acid content in patients. The results of this study provide a necessary reference for better understanding the transcriptomic changes caused by lactic acid and explain the potential role of high lactic acid in the regulation of macrophages in sepsis.

Skin Autofluorescence and Clinical Outcomes in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease.

This study aimed to investigate whether skin autofluorescence (SAF) is associated with clinical outcomes in patients with coronary artery disease. Advanced glycation end products (AGE) play a crucial role in atherosclerosis. Accumulation of AGE can be measured non-invasively by SAF. We performed a single-center prospective study of 896 patients with coronary artery disease treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) between January 2014 and December 2015. SAF was measured before the PCI procedure. The primary endpoint was patient-oriented composite endpoints (POCE) defined as a composite of all-cause death, any myocardial infarction, any stroke, and any revascularization. Patients were significantly older and suffered higher rates of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in the high SAF group. A higher SAF was associated with an increased risk for POCE (HR 1.43; 95% CI 1.19-1.71, p＜0.001) that was mainly driven by any coronary revascularization (HR 1.33; 95% CI 1.08-1.65, p=0.01) including target lesion revascularization (HR 1.41; 95% CI 1.02-1.94, p=0.04). The higher SAF group also experienced worse outcomes in stroke (HR 2.08; 95% CI 1.38-3.15, p=0.001). Multivariate analyses indicated that SAF was an independent predictor of POCE (HR 1.36; 95% CI 1.13-1.63, p=0.001). SAF as a measure of AGE deposition is independently associated with cardiovascular events amongst patients with coronary artery disease treated with PCI. SAF also predicts the incidence of restenosis and stroke.

Dough-Kneading-Inspired Design of an Adhesive Cardiac Patch to Attenuate Cardiac Fibrosis and Improve Cardiac Function via Regulating Glycometabolism.

Recently, hydrogel adhesive patches have been explored for treating myocardial infarction. However, achieving secure adhesion onto the wet beating heart and local regulation of pathological microenvironment remains challenging. Herein, a dough-kneading-inspired design of hydrogel adhesive cardiac patch is reported, aiming to improve the strength of prevalent powder-formed patch and retain wet adhesion. In mimicking the polysaccharide and protein components of natural flour, methacrylated polyglutamic acid (PGAMA) is electrostatically interacted with hydroxypropyl chitosan (HPCS) to form PGAMA/HPCS coacervate hydrogel. The PGAMA/HPCS hydrogel is freeze-dried and ground into powders, which are further rehydrated with two aqueous solutions of functional drug, 3-acrylamido phenylboronic acid (APBA)/rutin (Rt) complexes for protecting the myocardium from advanced glycation end product (AGEs) injury by reactive oxygen species (ROS) -responsive Rt release, and hypoxanthine-loaded methacrylated hyaluronic acid (HAMA) nanogels for enhancing macrophage targeting ability to regulate glycometabolism for combating inflammation. The rehydrated powders bearing APBA/Rt complexes and HAMA-hypoxanthine nanogels are repeatedly kneaded into a dough-like gel, which is further subjected to thermal-initiated crosslinking to form a stabilized and sticky patch. This biofunctional patch is applied onto the rats' infarcted myocardium, and the outcomes at 28 days post-surgery indicate efficient restoration of cardiac functions and attenuation of cardiac fibrosis.

Insights into processes and consequent metal(loid) behavior in dredged estuarine sediments upon electrokinetic treatment

The use and reuse of natural and waste materials after treatment has become increasingly crucial as a means of achieving sustainable and environmentally-friendly solutions, and is part of a broader trend towards embracing circular economy principles. This study aims to understand the behavior of different elements (metal(loid)s and non-metals) and minerals during and after electrokinetic remediation (EKR) and to develop an effective approach to monitor its progress and overcome unwanted occurrences. In this regard, estuarine sediments, collected from Tancarville (Seine River estuary, France), were electrokinetically treated using a 64 L laboratory reactor; treatment was done 8 h per day for 21 days. The physico-chemical properties (pH, electric conductivity, and oxido-reduction potential) and current were monitored during treatment. The spatial evolution of the physico-chemical, physical (grain size distribution), mineral (mainly carbonates), organic, and elemental (As, Ca, Cl, Mg, Na, Pb, Sr, Zn, and Zr) characteristics was studied to assess the treatment efficiency. The results showed that the acidic conditions in the anodic sediments caused the dissolution of carbonates (calcite, dolomite, and aragonite), resulting in a considerable reduction in As, Zn, and Pb. Additionally, Cl as well as electric conductivity were significantly reduced from most sediments, which is essential in agricultural practices. Furthermore, materials had precipitated and settled in the anolyte and catholyte chambers, which acted as sorbents for elements that were released from the sediments (mainly Zn and As). Finally, three distinct phases occurred during treatment and were mainly linked to the current intensity and electric conductivity on the one hand, and the dissolution of carbonates and metal(loid) release on the other. This approach can be used to treat sediments and other media to improve the overall efficiency of remediation processes and create an end product with desired characteristics.

The HMGB1-RAGE axis in nucleus accumbens facilitates cocaine-induced conditioned place preference via modulating microglial activation.

Repeated exposure to cocaine induces microglial activation. Cocaine exposure also induces a release of high mobility group box-1 (HMGB1) from neurons into the extracellular space in the nucleus accumbens (NAc). HMGB1 is an important late inflammatory mediator of microglial activation. However, whether the secretion of HMGB1 acts on microglia or contributes to cocaine addiction is largely unknown. Rats were trained by intraperitoneal cocaine administration and cocaine-induced conditioned place preference (CPP). Expression of HMGB1 was regulated by viral vectors. Activation of microglia was inhibited by minocycline. Interaction of HMGB1 and the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) was disrupted by peptide. Cocaine injection facilitated HMGB1 signaling, together with the delayed activation of microglia concurrently in the NAc. Furthermore, the inhibition of HMGB1 or microglia activation attenuated cocaine-induced CPP. Box A, a specific antagonist to interrupt the interaction of HMGB1 and RAGE, abolished the expression of cocaine reward memory. Meanwhile, the inhibition of HMGB1-RAGE interaction suppressed cocaine-induced microglial activation, as well as the consolidation of cocaine-induced memory. All above results suggest that the neural HMGB1 induces activation of microglia through RAGE, which contributes to the consolidation of cocaine reward memory. These findings offer HMGB1-RAGE axis as a new target for the treatment of drug addiction.

Mentha piperita silver nanoparticle-loaded hydrocolloid film for enhanced diabetic wound healing in rats.

To investigate the role of Mentha piperita silver nanoparticle-loaded carbopol gel for enhanced wound healing in a diabetic rat model. This research further aims to explore bioactive compounds derived from Mentha piperita obtained from high altitude. Methanolic extracts of Mentha piperita (MP), Mentha spicata (MS) and Mentha longifolia (ML) were used to synthesise silver nanoparticles (AgNP). AgNP synthesis was confirmed by ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The antioxidant activity was assessed by 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DDPH) assay. Antiglycation potential was determined by measuring the fluorescent advanced glycation end products. The bioactive compound identified in the Mentha piperita methanolic (MPM) fraction through electrospray ionisation tandem mass spectrometric analysis (ESI-MS) was responsible for the highest antiglycation. The effects of MPM and MPM.AgNP-loaded Carbopol (Sanare Lab, India) on wound healing were compared in male, alloxan-induced, diabetic albino rats (200-250g), divided into control and treated groups. Effects on wound healing were assessed via histopathology. UV-Vis and FTIR confirmed NP synthesis with peaks for flavonoids and polyphenols. SEM and XRD explored the cubical, 30-63nm crystalline NP. The maximum antioxidant and antiglycation potential was observed in order of; MP.AgNP>MS.AgNP>ML.AgNP. The highest antioxidant activity was observed by methanolic and aqueous MP.AgNPs (88.55% and 83.63%, respectively) at 2mg.ml-1, and (75.16% and 69.73%, respectively) at 1mg.ml-1, compared to ascorbic acid (acting as a positive control, 90.01%). MPM.AgNPs demonstrated the best antiglycation potential of 75.2% and 83.3% at 1mg.ml-1 and 2mg.ml-1, respectively, comparable to positive control (rutin: 88.1%) at 14 days post-incubation. A similar trend was observed for antimicrobial activity against Bacillus subtilis, Micrococcus luteus and Escherichia coli with an inhibition zone of 21mm, 21.6mm and 24.6mm. Rosmarinic acid was the active compound present in Mentha piperita, as identified by ESI-MS. MPM.AgNP-loaded Carbopol resulted in 100% wound closure compared with control at 20 days post-wounding. In the treatment group, re-epithelialisation was achieved by day 18, compared with 25 days for the positive control group. MPM.AgNP-loaded Carbopol demonstrated safer and more effective biological properties, hence accelerating the diabetic excision wound healing process in alloxan-induced diabetic rats.

LyondellBasell launches Petrothene T3XL7420: a polymer compound for optimized manufacturing

On January 23, 2024, LyondellBasell (LYB) announced the release of a cross-linkable, all-in-one flame-retardant compound, Petrothene T3XL7420, which is expected to deliver considerable cost savings while streamlining manufacturing processes. This new product offering is also claimed to improve the quality of end products for wire producers in the automotive and appliance industries. Based on customer demand and industry need, LyondellBasell designed this innovative compound to address the need to optimize production line speeds and enhance manufacturing efficiency.

Rapid Investment Casting: Towards Rapid Die Development

Abstract: Presently the cost of investment casting via wax patterns is an expensive endeavor. Its costs are only justified if the end product is to be produced in high volumes, however for customized products or small Industries, the costs are not viable. In Pakistan, die manufacturing is especially costly due to the use of modern computerized machines like CNC machining and electric discharge machining (EDM). The cost of manufacturing increases significantly with the complexity of the die, the number of cavities, high surface quality requirements, and the number of undercuts. The purpose of this research is to use modern techniques to investigate the feasibility of dies manufacturing through rapid investment casting technique. 3D printing technology is used to make the patterns for casting of die. The research focuses on the differences in dimensions between the actual casted die, and the designed values.

Association between Osteoporosis and Skeletal Muscle Mass in Men.

Cross-sectional study. This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the risk factors for osteoporosis in men by assessing bone mineral density (BMD), skeletal muscle mass, body fat mass, grip strength, and advanced glycation end products (AGEs). Fewer studies have reported the correlation between BMD and skeletal muscle mass in women. Moreover, a few studies have examined the relationship between osteoporosis and skeletal muscle mass. This study included 99 men (mean age, 74.9 years; range, 28-93 years) who visited Qiball Clinic for BMD and body composition examinations. The osteoporosis group consisted of 24 patients (mean age, 72.5 years; range, 44-92 years), and the control group consisted of 75 individuals (mean age, 74.9 years; range, 28-93 years). Whole-body skeletal muscle mass was measured using a bioelectrical impedance analyzer. BMD was measured by dual X-ray absorptiometry. Skin autofluorescence (SAF), a marker of dermal AGE accumulation, was measured using a spectroscope. Osteoporosis was defined as a bone density T score of -2.5 or less. Physical findings, skeletal muscle mass, BMD, grip strength, and SAF were compared between the osteoporosis and control groups. The osteoporosis group had significantly lower trunk muscle mass (23.1 kg vs. 24.9 kg), lower leg muscle mass (14.4 kg vs. 13.0 kg), and skeletal mass index (7.1 kg/m2 vs. 6.7 kg/m2) than the control group (all p<0.05). Lower limb muscle mass was identified as a risk factor for osteoporosis in men (odds ratio, 0.64; p=0.03). Conservative treatment of osteoporosis in men will require an effective approach that facilitates the maintenance or strengthening of skeletal muscle mass, including exercise therapy with a focus on lower extremities and nutritional supplementation.

Advanced Glycation End Products Upregulate CD40 in Human Retinal Endothelial and Müller Cells: Relevance to Diabetic Retinopathy.

CD40 induces pro-inflammatory responses in endothelial and Müller cells and is required for the development of diabetic retinopathy (DR). CD40 is upregulated in these cells in patients with DR. CD40 upregulation is a central feature of CD40-driven inflammatory disorders. What drives CD40 upregulation in the diabetic retina remains unknown. We examined the role of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) in CD40 upregulation in endothelial cells and Müller cells. Human endothelial cells and Müller cells were incubated with unmodified or methylglyoxal (MGO)-modified fibronectin. CD40 expression was assessed by flow cytometry. The expression of ICAM-1 and CCL2 was examined by flow cytometry or ELISA after stimulation with CD154 (CD40 ligand). The expression of carboxymethyl lysine (CML), fibronectin, and laminin as well as CD40 in endothelial and Müller cells from patients with DR was examined by confocal microscopy. Fibronectin modified by MGO upregulated CD40 in endothelial and Müller cells. CD40 upregulation was functionally relevant. MGO-modified fibronectin enhanced CD154-driven upregulation of ICAM-1 and CCL2 in endothelial and Müller cells. Increased CD40 expression in endothelial and Müller cells from patients with DR was associated with increased CML expression in fibronectin and laminin. These findings identify AGEs as inducers of CD40 upregulation in endothelial and Müller cells and enhancers of CD40-dependent pro-inflammatory responses. CD40 upregulation in these cells is associated with higher CML expression in fibronectin and laminin in patients with DR. This study revealed that CD40 and AGEs, two important drivers of DR, are interconnected.

Nanostructured Lipid Carrier for Hyperpigmentation Treatment - a Dermal Prospective

The normal human skin is exposed to different types of infection like wrinkles, pigmentation, acne, pimples in which pigmentation is most common in women over 30-40 years. The field of nanotechnology is currently intensely exploited for drug delivery technology for passive and active targeting via various routes of administration, such things can be effectively treated by incorporating the drug, loaded in a Nanostructured lipid carrier (NLC). NLCs have shown potential in delivering poorly soluble active components and in depigmenting. NLC springs up as the second generation of lipid nanoparticles to overcome the shortcomings of first generation through the topical route. NLC in topical administration provides some added advantages like increasing skin hydration and modified release profile and increase in skin penetration leading to avoidance of systemic absorption. NLCs are composed of biocompatible lipids, surfactants, and cosurfactants which help enhance drug loading capacity and stabilize the formulation. NLC's remarkable physicochemical and subsequently biocompatible qualities have created an ongoing need for the development of beneficial and safe drug delivery methods. The key attributes of NLC that make them a promising drug delivery system are ease of preparation, biocompatibility, the feasibility of scale-up, non-toxicity, improved drug loading, and stability Their ingredients have a special impact on the end product's physicochemical characteristics and efficacy. The present review aims to focus on the recent advancement in the preparation, characterization, and applications of NLC in treating hyperpigmentation.

Importance 0f Green Washing and its Impact on Consumers and Businesses

One of the important factors contributing to success of organizations is how closely ethical values are woven into their organizational culture. In the long run an ethical firm builds loyalty and trust among its customers. But even the largest of the corporate seem to overlook these ethical values by indulging in greater profiteering through green washing activities. The awareness about the drawbacks of green washing will help the consumers to make an informed decision in favor of genuine green products. It will also help the companies by educating them on how green washing activities negatively impact their brand image and brand loyalty eventually resulting in decreased revenues and market share. The rapid industrialization and globalization in past decade has led to severe environmental degradation. This has become a cause of great concern for individuals, companies and governments worldwide. Consumers are becoming highly conscious about the products which they purchase and their environmental impacts, which is clearly evident in their purchase behaviour.The acceptance of green products by increased number of consumers has led the manufacturers to adopt eco-friendly practices not only in the production process but also in the end product itself. Green marketing has been considered as the most preferred strategy to attract a huge mass of eco-friendly customers. n marketing.

Unveiling the biomedical potential of thiophene‐derived Schiff base complexes: A comprehensive study of synthesis, spectral characterization, antimicrobial efficacy, antioxidant activity, and computational insights

In our pursuit of designing potent bioactive compounds, we synthesized six novel tellurium (IV) complexes through the condensation of 5‐methyl‐2‐thiophene carboxaldehyde and p‐nitroaniline. These compounds underwent rigorous investigation using various analytical techniques (TGA, SEM, EDAX, and powder XRD) and spectral analyses (NMR, mass spectrometry, UV–Vis, and FTIR). Spectroscopic analysis suggested an octahedral geometry for the complexes, revealing chelation through the thiophene sulfur and azomethine nitrogen atoms. Thermal analysis indicated a three‐step degradation process, ultimately leaving behind metal oxide as the end product. We conducted in‐vitro antimicrobial screening using the broth micro‐dilution method, highlighting the significant antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of complexes 3c and 3d, as well as the potent antimicrobial activity of 3b and 3f against various bacterial strains, including Candida albicans. To further substantiate our findings, we performed advanced computational analyses, including molecular docking, pharmacophore modeling, DFT, MESP, and ADMET studies. Molecular docking validated our antimicrobial results, whereas pharmacophore models enhanced our understanding of molecular interactions with proteins, potentially identifying novel bioactive compounds. Furthermore, DFT and MESP investigations underscored the superior biological efficacy of tellurium (IV) complexes over thiophene‐derived ligands, emphasizing their potential as therapeutic agents. ADMET analysis revealed their favorable profile as precursors for drug development with minimal adverse effects. In summary, our research seamlessly integrates experimental and theoretical aspects, offering innovative insights into drug design and potential applications in pharmaceuticals. This study represents a significant milestone, paving the way for future advancements in the field of pharmaceutical science.

The Prolonged Activation of the p65 Subunit of the NF-Kappa-B Nuclear Factor Sustains the Persistent Effect of Advanced Glycation End Products on Inflammatory Sensitization in Macrophages.

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) prime macrophages for lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation. We investigated the persistence of cellular AGE-sensitization to LPS, considering the nuclear content of p50 and p65 nuclear factor kappa B (NFKB) subunits and the expression of inflammatory genes. Macrophages treated with control (C) or AGE-albumin were rested for varying intervals in medium alone before being incubated with LPS. Comparisons were made using one-way ANOVA or Student t-test (n = 6). AGE-albumin primed macrophages for increased responsiveness to LPS, resulting in elevated levels of TNF, IL-6, and IL-1beta (1.5%, 9.4%, and 5.6%, respectively), compared to C-albumin. TNF, IL-6, and IL-1 beta secretion persisted for up to 24 h even after the removal of AGE-albumin (area under the curve greater by 1.6, 16, and 5.2 times, respectively). The expressions of Il6 and RelA were higher 8 h after albumin removal, and Il6 and Abca1 were higher 24 h after albumin removal. The nuclear content of p50 remained similar, but p65 showed a sustained increase (2.9 times) for up to 24 h in AGE-albumin-treated cells. The prolonged activation of the p65 subunit of NFKB contributes to the persistent effect of AGEs on macrophage inflammatory priming, which could be targeted for therapies to prevent complications based on the AGE-RAGE-NFKB axis.

Effects of seasoning addition and cooking conditions on the formation of free and protein-bound heterocyclic amines and advanced glycation end products in braised lamb

The accumulation of heterocyclic amines (HAs) and advanced glycation end products (AGEs) in thermally processed meats has been arising safety concerns. The effects of cooking conditions and seasoning addition on the formation of HAs and AGEs in Chinese traditional braised lamb were investigated by UPLC-MS/MS analysis. Soy sauce significantly increased the formation of HAs and AGEs, among which light soy sauce had the greatest promoting effect (69.45–15300.62 %). Conversely, spices inhibited HAs and AGEs formation, the inhibition rate of free HAs and AGEs reached 22.06–34.72 % when using 70 % ethanol extract. Hot blanching treatment and adding soy sauce and spices at a later stage could significantly suppress HAs and AGEs production. Flavonoids, including galangin, hesperidin, narirutin, etc., were identified as key effectors in spices. These findings help to promote awareness of the formation of HAs and AGEs in braised lamb and provide valuable insights for optimizing processing techniques to minimize their production.

Aldosterone, Methylglyoxal, and Glycated Albumin Interaction with Macrophage Cells Affects Their Viability, Activation, and Differentiation.

The inflammatory response in diabetes is strongly correlated with increasing amounts of advanced glycation end products (AGEs), methylglyoxal (MGO), aldosterone (Aldo), and activation of macrophages. Aldo is known to be associated with increased pro-inflammatory responses in general, but its significance in inflammatory responses under glycated circumstances has yet to be understood. In the current work, the aim of our study was to study the macrophage immune response in the presence of AGEs, MGO, and Aldo to comprehend their combined impact on diabetes-associated complications. The viability of macrophages upon treatment with glycated HSA (Gly-HSA) promoted cell growth as the concentration increased from 100 to 500 μg/mL, whereas MGO at a high concentration (≥300 μM) significantly hampered cell growth. At lower concentrations (0.5-5 nM), Aldo strongly promoted cell growth, whereas at higher concentrations (50 nM), it was seen to inhibit growth when used for cell treatment for 24 h. Aldo had no effect on MGO-induced cell growth inhibition after 24 h of treatment. However, compared to MGO or Aldo treatment alone, an additional decrease in viability could be seen after 48 h of treatment with a combination of MGO and Aldo. Treatment with Aldo and MGO induced expression of TNF-α independently and when combined. However, when combined, Aldo and MGO significantly suppressed the expression of TGF-β. Aldo, Gly-HSA, and MGO strongly induced the transcription of NF-κB and RAGE mRNA and, as expected, also promoted the formation of reactive oxygen species. Also, by inducing iNOS and MHC-II and suppressing CD206 transcript expression, Gly-HSA strongly favored the differentiation of macrophages into M1 type (pro-inflammatory). On the other hand, the combination of Aldo and MGO strongly induced the expression of MHC-II, CD206, and ARG1 (M2 macrophage marker). These findings suggest that Gly-HSA, MGO, and Aldo differently influence macrophage survival, activation, and differentiation. Overall, this study gives an insight into the effects of glycated protein and MGO in the presence of Aldo on macrophage survival, activation, differentiation, and inflammatory response.

Traditional adhesive production systems in Zambia and their archaeological implications

This study explores traditional adhesives using an ethnobiological approach within a multisocioecological context in Zambia. Through semi-structured interviews, videotaped demonstrations, and herbarium collections, we investigated the traditional adhesives people know and use, the flexibility of production processes, resource usage, and knowledge transmission in adhesive production. Our findings reveal flexibility in adhesive production systems. People use a wide range of organic and inorganic materials in their adhesive recipes. Recipes are flexible, demonstrating the ability to adapt to changes and substitute materials as needed to achieve the desired end product. Additionally, our study reveals a variety of redundant pathways for knowledge transmission typically confined within individual population groups. These include same-sex vertical transmission and distinct learning spaces and processes. Also, we identified material procurement zones showing that people are prepared to travel 70 km for ingredients. We use our findings to review the archaeology and we discuss the identification of archaeological adhesives, the functional roles of adhesive materials, adhesive storage, and the sustained human interaction with species from families such as Euphorbiaceae and Apiade. Our findings underscore the diversity and adaptability of traditional adhesive production and suggest that further research on adhesives would reveal similar diversity within the archaeological record.

Impact of Khat (Catha edulis) Chewing on Inflammatory Markers and Advanced Glycation End Products among Yemeni Women

Khat chewing has spread widely among women in Yemeni society. This modifiable lifestyle may increase the level of inflammatory markers and advanced glycation end productions (AGE, s). Limited data are available. There is limited data on the impact of khat chewing on inflammatory markers and AGE, s. Therefore, this project aimed to study the effect of khat chewing on inflammatory markers and AGE, s in Yemeni females. One hundred and eighty Yemeni females signed the consent form and donated blood 60 of them were non-khat chewers (control group), and 120 were daily khat chewers. The levels of high-sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP) and interleukin were higher in khat chewers than in non-Khat chewers. There were no differences in total white blood cells, neutrophils, and lymphocytes between khat chewer and non-Khat chewer females. The levels of (AGEs) were similar between khat chewers and non-khat chewers females (P=0.612). Analysis of covariantcet (ANCOVA) showed that khat chewing increased hs-CRP and interleukin-6 levels among khat chewers (p &lt; 0.005; p &lt; 0.034) compared to non-khat chewer. In conclusion, khat chewing increased hs-CRP, a cardiovascular risk prediction factor, and interleukin-6, which is associated with obesity, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Therefore, women with continuous khat chewing are at a high risk of developing cardiovascular diseases and T2DM.