Kg-1 Day-1 Research Articles

Hypoglycemic and intestinal microbiota-regulating effects of melanoidins in diabetic mice.

The aqueous extraction of sesame oil is a traditional process that generates a large amount of melanoidins. However, little is known about the characteristics and bioactive functions of these melanoidins. Electronic tongue, fluorescence emission spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analyses indicated that melanoidins from sesame residues (MELs) are brown macromolecular compounds with protein skeletons and heteroaromatic ring structures, a bitter taste, and instability in strong oxidative and reductive environments. The MELs demonstrated inhibitory effects on α-glucosidase, α-amylase and pancreatic lipase in vitro. These MELs mitigated weight loss in mice with type 2 diabetes (T2DM), reduced their fasting blood glucose to 54.73% (500 mg kg-1 day-1) of the initial value, increased the glycogen levels in the liver and skeletal muscles, lowered blood lipid levels, and protected the liver. Western blot analysis revealed that MELs inhibited the activities of enzymes such as PEPCK, FBPase, and G6Pase through the IRS-1/PI3K/Akt and AMPK pathways, increased the activity of the enzymes hexokinase (HK) and pyruvate kinase (PK), enhanced liver glycolytic ability, and promoted liver glycogen synthesis, thereby reducing blood glucose levels in T2DM mice. Moreover, MELs reduced the ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroides (F/B) in the intestines of T2DM mice, increased the relative abundance of beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacillus, Coprococcus, and Ruminococcus, and reduced the propionic acid content. Melanoidins can regulate T2DM by activating the IRS-1/PI3K/Akt and AMPK-signaling pathways and ameliorating gut microbiota imbalances in T2DM mice. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Super Moisture-Sorbent Sponge for Sustainable Atmospheric Water Harvesting and Power Generation.

Sorption-based atmospheric water harvesting (SAWH) shows great promise to mitigate the worldwide water scarcity, especially in the arid regions. Salt-based composite materials are the extensively used sorbents for SAWH, however, they suffer from complex preparation to avoid salt leakage. Furthermore, the significant amount of heat produced during water harvesting process is often neglected and wasted. Herein, an integrated strategy is developed to synthesis salt-based stable super moisture-sorbent sponge by using the chelation of LiCl and dopamine (DA), and the simultaneous polymerization of DA on melamine sponge (PMS). The as-prepared LiCl/PMS/CNTs showed high water uptake, reaching 1.26 and 1.81g g-1 at 15% and 30% RH, respectively, and no salt leakage is observed during the water absorption process. Remarkable daily water production of 3.47kg kg-1 day-1 in an arid environment (30% RH) is achieved. Moreover, a dual-function system is successfully constructed by combining the LiCl/PMS/CNTs with a thermoelectric module to fully utilize the heat generated from the SAWH process, which can realize the simultaneous production of fresh water and electricity. The maximum output power density is up to 35.4 and 454.4mW m-2 during the water absorption and desorption process, respectively.

Microplastic contamination in Indian rice: A comprehensive characterization and health risk assessment

In this study, we investigate, for the first time, the abundance, distribution, chemical composition, and exposure of microplastics (MPs) in Indian rice and their impact on human health. The physical and chemical characteristics of MPs were measured using a stereomicroscope, μ-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and μ-Raman spectroscopy. MPs were identified in all samples, with an average abundance of 30.3 ± 8.61 particles/100 g. The abundance of MPs was higher in RS-4 and lower in RS-3. Notably, the size of MPs found is between <0.05 to 1.00 mm. The results showed that four types of MPs were identified: polyethylene and polyethylene terephthalate were dominant, followed by polypropylene and polyamide. MPs were ubiquitous in all rice sample, indicating ingestion as a potential pathway for the entry of plastics into the human body. According to the pollution load index values, which ranged from 1.00 to 1.528, the contamination of MPs in the rice samples was minimal. The highest estimated daily intake values of MPs from rice consumption by Indian males, females, and children were 1.292, 1.527, and 1.313 particles kg-1 day-1, respectively. Our study sheds light on MP exposure and provides fundamental data for evaluating the potential health risks associated with MPs.

Anti-echinococcal effect of metformin in advanced experimental cystic echinococcosis: reprogrammed intermediary carbon metabolism in the parasite.

Metformin, a safe biguanide derivative with antiproliferative properties, has shown antiparasitic efficacy against the Echinococcus larval stage. Hence, we assessed the efficacy of a dose of 250 mg kg-1 day-1 in experimental models of advanced CE, at 6 and 12 months post-infection with oral and intraperitoneal administration, respectively. At this high dose, metformin reached intracystic concentrations between 0.7 and 1.7 mM and triggered Eg-TOR inhibition through AMPK activation by AMP-independent and -dependent mechanisms, which are dependent on drug dose. Cystic metformin uptake was controlled by increased expression of organic cation transporters in the presence of the drug. In both experimental models, metformin reduced the weight of parasite cysts, altered the ultrastructural integrity of their germinal layers, and reduced the intracystic availability of glucose, limiting the cellular carbon and energy charge and the proliferative capacity of metacestodes. This glucose depletion in the parasite was associated with a slight increase in cystic uptake of 2-deoxiglucose and the transcriptional induction of GLUT genes in metacestodes. In this context, drastic glycogen consumption led to increased lactate production and altered intermediary metabolism in treated metacestodes. Specifically, the fraction of reducing soluble sugars decreased twofold, and the levels of non-reducing soluble sugars, such as sucrose and trehalose, were modified in both cystic fluid and germinal cells. Taken together, our findings highlight the relevance of metformin as a promising candidate for CE treatment and warrant further research to improve the therapeutic conditions of this chronic zoonosis in humans.

Assessing the effect of therapeutic level of oxytetracycline dihydrate on pharmacokinetics and biosafety in Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum, 1792).

The aim of the experiment was to investigate the pharmacokinetics of oxytetracycline dihydrate after a single oral administration of 80mg kg-1 day-1 in rainbow trout and assess its biosafety at concentration of 80, 240, 400, and 800mg kg-1 day-1 over 30 days, focusing on various aspects such as effective feed consumption, physiological responses, drug tolerance, and detection of low drug concentrations in rainbow trout. The pharmacokinetics study spanned a duration of 5 days, while the assessment of biosafety extended for a 30-day safety margin, followed by a subsequent 10-day residual analysis. Pharmacokinetic analysis revealed slow absorption with low-rate constant in tissues. Absorption rates vary among tissues, with the gill showing the highest rate (0.011h-1) and plasma exhibiting the slowest (0.0002h-1). According to pharmacokinetic analysis, the highest concentration, Cmax (µg kg-1) was observed in the kidney (9380µg kg-1) and gill (8710µg kg-1), and lowest in muscle (2460µg kg-1). The time (Tmax) to reach peak concentration (Cmax) varied among tissues, ranging from 3h in the gill to 32h in the muscle, with 24h in plasma, 32h in the kidney, and 16h in both the liver and skin. The liver and kidney had the highest area under the concentration-time curve (AUC(0-128)), indicating widespread drug distribution. Prolonged elimination occurred at varying rates across tissues, with the gill showing the highest rate. The study found that OTC concentrations exceeded the LOD and LOQ values. Biosafety evaluation showed effective feed consumption, physiological responses, and low drug concentrations in muscle at the recommended dosage of 80mg kg-1 fish day-1.

A biocompatible polydopamine platform for targeted delivery of nicotinamide mononucleotide and boosting NAD+ levels in the brain.

Nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN), a precursor of the coenzyme nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+), has gained wide attention as an anti-aging agent, which plays a significant role in intracellular redox reactions. However, its effectiveness is limited by easy metabolism in the liver and subsequent excretion as nicotinamide, resulting in low bioavailability, particularly in the brain. Additionally, the blood-brain barrier (BBB) further hinders NMN supply to the brain, compromising its potential anti-aging effects. Herein, we developed a biocompatible polydopamine (PDA) platform to deliver NMN for boosting NAD+ levels in the brain for the first time. The lactoferrin (Lf) ligand was covalently attached to the PDA spheres to improve BBB transport efficiency. The resultant PDA-based system, referred to as PDA-Lf-NMN, not only exhibited superior BBB penetration ability but also improved the utilization rate of brain NMN in elevating NAD+ levels compared to NMN alone for both young (3 months) and old (21 months) mice. Moreover, after the old mice were treated with low-dose PDA-Lf-NMN (8 mg kg-1 day-1), they exhibited improved spatial cognition. Importantly, these nanomedicines did not induce any cellular necrosis or apoptosis. It provides a promising avenue for delivering NMN specifically to the brain, boosting NAD+ levels for promoting longevity and treating brain aging-related diseases.

S-Methyl-L-cysteine targeting MsrA attenuates Ang II-induced oxidative stress and atrial remodeling via the p38 MAPK signaling pathway.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most prevalent sustained tachyarrhythmia in patients with cardiovascular diseases. Recently, it has been discovered that oxidative stress is an important contributor to AF. Therefore, antioxidant therapies for AF have great potential for clinical applications. Methionine, a sulfur-containing amino acid residue other than cysteine, is recognized as a functional redox switch, which could be rescued from the reversible oxidation of methionine sulfoxide by methionine sulfoxide reductase A (MsrA). S-Methyl-L-cysteine (SMLC), a natural analogue of Met, which is abundantly found in garlic and cabbage, could substitute for Met oxidations and mediate MsrA to scavenge free radicals. However, whether SMLC alleviates AF is unclear. This study aims to clarify the effects of SMLC on AF and elucidate the underlying pharmacological and molecular mechanisms. In vivo, SMLC (70, 140 and 280 mg kg-1 day-1) was orally administered to mice for 4 weeks with angiotensin II (Ang II) by subcutaneous infusion using osmotic pumps to induce AF. Ang II significantly prompted high AF susceptibility and atrial remodeling characterized by oxidative stress, conductive dysfunction and fibrosis. SMLC played a remarkable protective role in Ang II-induced atrial remodeling dose-dependently. Moreover, RNA sequencing was performed on atrial tissues to identify the differentially expressed mRNA, which was to screen out MSRA, CAMK2 and MAPK signaling pathways. Western blots confirmed that Ang II-induced downregulation of MsrA and upregulation of oxidized CaMKII (ox-CaMKII) and p38 MAPK could be reversed in a concentration-dependent manner by SMLC. To investigate the underlying mechanisms, HL-1 cells (mouse atria-derived cardiomyocytes) treated with Ang II were used for an in vitro model. SMLC alleviated Ang II-induced cytotoxicity, mitochondrial damage and oxidative stress. Additionally, knockdown MsrA could attenuate the protective effects of SMLC, which were eliminated by the p38 MAPK inhibitor SB203580. In summary, the present study demonstrates that SMLC protects against atrial remodeling in AF by inhibiting oxidative stress through the mediation of the MsrA/p38 MAPK signaling pathway.

Preventive Effect of Royal Jelly and 10-HDA on Skin Damage in Diabetic Mice through Regulating Keratinocyte Wnt/β-Catenin and Pyroptosis Pathway.

The objective of this study is to elucidate how Royal jelly (RJ) and 10-hydroxy-2-decanoic acid (10-HDA) prevents diabetic skin dysfunction by modulating the pyroptosis pathway. Type 2 diabetes models are induced by fat diet consumption and low dose of streptozotocin (STZ) in C57BL/6J mice and treated with RJ (100 mg kg-1 day-1) and 10-HDA, the major lipid component of royal jelly (100 mg kg-1 day-1) for 28 weeks. The results show that serum concentrations of glucose and triglyceride are significantly lower in the RJ group or 10-HDA than diabetes mellitus (DM)group. Compared to the control group, pyroptosis proteins, GSDMD, ASC, Caspase-1, and IL-1β are increased in the skin of the diabetic model, accompanied by the activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signal pathway. Further evaluations by RJ exhibit superior improvement of skin damage, repress activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, and attenuate keratinocyte pyroptosis, but 10-HDA cannot completely suppress the activation of Wnt/β-catenin pathway and pyroptosis, which shows a relatively weak protective effect on skin damage which shows that RJ is a better effect on skin injury after DM.

Kinanthropometry and dietary habits of non-professional rugby players.

Evaluating the body composition and dietary habits of non-professional athletes can help identify areas for improvement to enhance sports performance. The present study aimed to describe the anthropometric and body composition features, as well as the dietary habits, of non-professional rugby players in Argentina. Fifty-seven rugby players from a Group III Club of the Unión de Rugby de Buenos Aires (URBA) were assessed using extensive anthropometric measurements according to the International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry (ISAK) protocol. Reference data from professional rugby players in Group I clubs were used as a control for body composition comparisons. Dietary intake was evaluated using the 24-h recall method, and nutrient analysis was performed with SARA software. Non-professional rugby players were shorter (Forwards: 175.9 vs. 181.5 cm; Backs: 172.5 vs. 175.7 cm), had higher body fat percentages (Forwards: 16.4 vs. 12.3%; Backs: 11.0 vs. 9.3%), and were less muscular (Forwards: 46.0 vs. 48.8%; Backs: 48.4 vs. 50.2%) compared to professional rugby players. The average dietary intake was 3,363 Kcal, with protein and carbohydrate intakes of 1.4 g kg-1 day-1 and 4.1 g kg-1 day-1, respectively, and 35% of energy intake from fat. Backs reported a higher caloric intake than forwards (3,682 vs. 2,827 Kcal). There was a high prevalence of insufficient intake of calcium (58%), vitamin A (49%), and vitamin C (65%), the latter two corresponding with a low intake of fruits and vegetables (6% of total energy intake). Meal pattern analysis showed that 46% of total energy was ingested at dinner. The body composition of non-professional rugby players from low-income clubs could be improved to enhance rugby performance, as compared to players in more competitive tiers. Economic constraints might contribute to a sub-optimal nutritional profile, potentially affecting body composition and on-field performance negatively. Recommendations to improve dietary intake should be made considering the budget constraints of these players.

Projected WIMP sensitivity of the CDEX-50 dark matter experiment

CDEX-50 is a next-generation project of the China Dark Matter Experiment (CDEX) that aims to search for dark matter using a 50-kg germanium detector array. This paper comprises a thorough summary of the CDEX-50 dark matter experiment, including an investigation of potential background sources and the development of a background model. Based on the baseline model, the projected sensitivity of weakly interacting massive particle (WIMP) is also presented. The expected background level within the energy region of interest, set to 2–2.5 keVee, is ∼0.01 counts keVee-1 kg-1 day-1. At 90% confidence level, the expected sensitivity to spin-independent WIMP-nucleon couplings is estimated to reach a cross-section of 5.1 × 10-45 cm2 for a WIMP mass of 5 GeV/c2 with an exposure objective of 150 kg·year and an analysis threshold of 160 eVee. This science goal will correspond to the most sensitive results for WIMPs with a mass of 2.2–8 GeV/c2.

Dendrobium officinale flos water extract ameliorates ethanol-induced acute gastric mucosal injury via inhibiting oxidative stress and inflammation.

Dendrobium officinale flos (DOF), a novel food raw material, is used in Chinese folk medicine to nourish the stomach. However, there is still no available study to evaluate the effects of DOF on animal models of acute gastric injury and its mechanism by modern pharmacological research. Herein, we characterized the major components of an aqueous extract of DOF and assessed its potential ameliorative effects in a rat model of acute gastric mucosal injury. The DOF water extract showed significant protective effects on the gastric mucosa and exhibited excellent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Acute gastric injury rat models induced by ethanol (6 mL kg-1) were pretreated with different doses of DOF water extract (50-100 mg kg-1 day-1), and the biological effects of DOF extract in gastric tissues were evaluated. DOF extract alleviated the symptoms of ethanol-stimulated acute gastric mucosal injury, as evidenced by a significant reduction in gastric injury index and the degree of gastric pathological changes. Additionally, treatment with DOF extract upregulated mucin expression in the gastric mucosa, attenuated oxidative stress, decreased the release of inflammatory mediators (TNF-α, IL-6), suppressed the expression of key proinflammatory enzymes (COX-2 and iNOS), reduced the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and p65 NF-κB and increased the level of PGE2 in gastric tissues. DOF exerts protective effects against ethanol-induced acute gastric mucosal injury, mainly by inhibiting inflammation and oxidative stress. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

N-glucuronidation and Excretion of Perfluoroalkyl Sulfonamides in Mice Following Ingestion of Aqueous Film-Forming Foam.

Perfluoroalkyl sulfonamides (FASAs) and other FASA-based per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) can transform into recalcitrant perfluoroalkyl sulfonates in vivo. We conducted high-resolution mass spectrometry suspect screening of urine and tissues (kidney and liver) from mice dosed with an electrochemically fluorinated aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) to better understand the biological fate of AFFF-associated precursors. The B6C3F1 mice were dosed at five levels (0, 0.05, 0.5, 1, and 5 mg kg-1 day-1) based on perfluorooctane sulfonate and perfluorooctanoate content of the AFFF mixture. Dosing continued for 10 days followed by a 6-day depuration. Total oxidizable precursor assay of the AFFF suggested significant contributions from precursors with three to six perfluorinated carbons. We identified C4 to C6 FASAs and N-glucuronidated FASAs (FASA-N-glus) excreted in urine collected throughout dosing and depuration. Based on normalized relative abundance, FASA-N-glus accounted for up to 33% of the total excreted FASAs in mouse urine, highlighting the importance of phase II metabolic conjugation as a route of excretion. High-resolution mass spectrometry screening of liver and kidney tissue revealed accumulation of longer-chain (C7 and C8) FASAs not detected in urine. Chain-length-dependent conjugation of FASAs was also observed by incubating FASAs with mouse liver S9 fractions. Shorter-chain (C4) FASAs conjugated to a much greater extent over a 120-min incubation than longer-chain (C8) FASAs. Overall, this study highlights the significance of N-glucuronidation as an excretion mechanism for short-chain FASAs and suggests that monitoring urine for FASA-N-glus could contribute to a better understanding of PFAS exposure, as FASAs and their conjugates are often overlooked by traditional biomonitoring studies. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;43:2274-2284. © 2024 The Author(s). Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.

Drug-drug interaction and initial dosage optimization of aripiprazole in patients with schizophrenia based on population pharmacokinetics.

The present study aimed to investigate the drug-drug interaction and initial dosage optimization of aripiprazole in patients with schizophrenia based on population pharmacokinetics. A total of 119 patients with schizophrenia treated with aripiprazole were included to build an aripiprazole population pharmacokinetic model using nonlinear mixed effects. The weight and concomitant medication of fluoxetine influenced aripiprazole clearance. Under the same weight, the aripiprazole clearance rates were 0.714:1 in patients with or without fluoxetine, respectively. In addition, without fluoxetine, for the once-daily aripiprazole regimen, dosages of 0.3 and 0.2 mg kg-1 day-1 were recommended for patients with schizophrenia weighing 40-95 and 95-120 kg, respectively, while for the twice-daily aripiprazole regimen, 0.3 mg kg-1 day-1 was recommended for those weighing 40-120 kg. With fluoxetine, for the once-daily aripiprazole regimen, a dosage of 0.2 mg kg-1 day-1 was recommended for patients with schizophrenia weighing 40-120 kg, while for the twice-daily aripiprazole regimen, 0.3 and 0.2 mg kg-1 day-1 were recommended for those weighing 40-60 and 60-120 kg, respectively. This is the first investigation of the effects of fluoxetine on aripiprazole via drug-drug interaction. The optimal aripiprazole initial dosage is recommended in patients with schizophrenia.

Hepatoprotective effects and mechanisms of l-theanine and epigallocatechin gallate combined intervention in alcoholic fatty liver rats.

Chronic excessive alcohol consumption can lead to alcoholic fatty liver, posing substantial health risks. l-Theanine (LTA) and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) in tea exert antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects. However, the combined effects of LTA and EGCG on rats with alcoholic fatty liver, and the underlying mechanisms of such effects, remain unclear. In this study, Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were fed with alcohol for 6 weeks to induce alcoholic fatty liver. Subsequently, for another 6 weeks, the rats were administered LTA (200 mg kg-1 day-1), EGCG (200 mg kg-1 day-1), or a combination of LTA with EGCG (40 mg kg-1 day-1 l-Thea +160 mg kg-1 day-1 EGCG), respectively. The combined use of LTA and EGCG for alcoholic fatty liver disease had more significant effects than their individual administration. This combination reduced the activity of serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) as well as the levels of hepatic triglyceride (TG), malondialdehyde (MDA), and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the rats. The combined intervention also increased hepatic superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase activity. Reductions in hepatic fat accumulation and inflammatory responses were observed. The mechanism underlying these effects primarily involved the inhibition of fatty acid synthesis and the alleviation of lipid peroxidation through the downregulation of the mRNA and protein expression of TNF-α, SREBP1c, and CYP2E1 and the upregulation of the mRNA and protein expression of ADH1, ALDH2, Lipin-1, PPARαPPARα, AMPK, and PGC-1α, thereby promoting the oxidative decomposition of fatty acids and reducing the synthesis of cholesterol and glucose. l-Theanine and EGCG appear to be able to alleviate alcoholic fatty liver by modulating lipid metabolism and ameliorating oxidative stress, indicating their potential as natural active ingredients in anti-alcoholic fatty liver food products. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Dose-dependent protective effects of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG against stress-induced ulcer.

Stress-related diseases are on the rise and stress is one of the common factors that lead to ulcer. Stress-induced mucosal bleeding is a serious complication observed in many critically ill patients. Due to the harmful side effects of proton pump inhibitors, natural and active alternative treatment methods for peptic ulcer treatment that are safe in terms of side effects are an urgent need for human health. We aimed to investigate the dose-dependent protective effects of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) against stress ulcer induced by cold restraint stress in rats. This study was performed in a total of 42 rats, in control group (C), stress group (S), pantoprazole (20 mg kg-1 day-1) group (P), LGG (3 × 108 cfu mL-1 day-1) + stress group (M1), LGG (15 × 108 mL-1 day-1) + stress group (M5) and LGG (30 × 108 mL-1 day-1) + stress group (M10) (each n = 7). Ulceration areas (mm2) were determined quantitatively with ImageJ software. Glucocorticoid, catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) levels were determined by ELISA and malondialdehyde levels were determined by spectrophotometric measurement. Histopathological examinations were performed in gastric tissue. Therapeutic dose of LGG increased CAT, SOD and GPx levels; prevented excessive activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis; reduced ulceration and bleeding in the gastric mucosal layer; and provided stabilization of mast cells. We can suggest that LGG may be beneficial for reducing the negative effects of stress on the body, for protecting against ulcer disease and for reducing or preventing the risk of stress-induced gastrointestinal bleeding in patients staying in intensive care units. © 2024 The Author(s). Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Qingzhuan dark tea polysaccharides-zinc alleviates dextran sodium sulfate-induced ulcerative colitis.

Qingzhuan dark tea polysaccharides (QDTP) have been complexed with Zinc (Zn) to form the Qingzhuan dark tea polysaccharides-Zinc (QDTP-Zn) complex. The present study investigated the protective effects of QDTP-Zn on ulcerative colitis (UC) in mice. The UC mouse model was induced using dextran sodium sulfate (DSS), followed by oral administration of QDTP-Zn (0.2 and 0.4 g kg-1 day-1). QDTP-Zn demonstrated alleviation of UC symptoms in mice, as evidenced by a decrease in disease activity index scores. QDTP-Zn also regulated colon tissue injury by upregulating ZO-1 and occludin protein expression, at the same time as downregulating tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6β levels. Furthermore, QDTP-Zn induced significant alterations in the abundance of bacteroidetes and firmicutes and notably increased levels of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), particularly acetic acid, propionic acid, and butyric acid. In summary, QDTP-Zn exhibits therapeutic potential in alleviating enteritis by fortifying the colonic mucosal barrier, mitigating inflammation and modulating intestinal microbiota and SCFAs levels. Thus, QDTP-Zn holds promise as a functional food for both the prevention and treatment of UC. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Wuliangye strong aroma baijiu promotes intestinal homeostasis by improving gut microbiota and regulating intestinal stem cell proliferation and differentiation.

Wuliangye strong aroma baijiu (hereafter, Wuliangye baijiu) is a traditional Chinese grain liquor containing short-chain fatty acids, ethyl caproate, ethyl lactate, other trace components, and a large proportion of ethanol. The effects of Wuliangye baijiu on intestinal stem cells and intestinal epithelial development have not been elucidated. Here, the role of Wuliangye baijiu in intestinal epithelial regeneration and gut microbiota modulation was investigated by administering a Lieber-DeCarli chronic ethanol liquid diet in a mouse model to mimic long-term (8 weeks') light/moderate alcohol consumption (1.6 g kg-1 day-1) in healthy human adults. Wuliangye baijiu promoted colonic crypt proliferation in mice. According to immunofluorescence and reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction analyses, compared with the ethanol-only treatment, Wuliangye baijiu increased the number of intestinal stem cells and goblet cells and the expression of enteroendocrine cell differentiation markers in the mouse colon. Furthermore, gut microbiota analysis showed an increase in the relative abundance of microbiota related to intestinal homeostasis following Wuliangye baijiu administration. Notably, increased abundance of Bacteroidota, Faecalibaculum, Lachnospiraceae, and Blautia may play an essential role in promoting stem-cell-mediated intestinal epithelial development and maintaining intestinal homeostasis. In summary, these findings suggest that Wuliangye baijiu can be used to regulate intestinal stem cell proliferation and differentiation in mice and to alter gut microbiota distributions, thereby promoting intestinal homeostasis. This research elucidates the mechanism by which Wuliangye baijiu promotes intestinal health. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Day-to-Day Glycemic Variability Using Continuous Glucose Monitors in Endurance Athletes.

The application of continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) to measure interstitial glucose in athletic populations is limited by the lack of accepted athlete-specific reference values. The aim of this study was to develop athlete-specific reference ranges for glycemic variability under standardized diet and exercise conditions. A total of 12 elite racewalkers (n = 7 men, 22.4 ± 3.5 years, VO2max 61.6 ± 7.3 mL kg-1 min-1) completed two 4-d trials separated by 4-d. Athletes were provided a high-energy, high-carbohydrate diet (225 ± 1.6 kJ kg-1 day-1, 8.4 ± 0.3 g kg-1 day-1 carbohydrate) and completed standardized daily exercise. The timing of food consumed and exercise undertaken were matched each day across the 4-d trials. Interstitial glucose data were collected via Freestyle Libre 2 CGMs. Glycemic variability was calculated as the mean amplitude of glycemic excursions (MAGEs), mean of daily differences (MODD), and standard deviation (SD). Twenty-four hour MODD, MAGE, and SD for interstitial glucose were 12.6 ± 1.8 mg/dL (0.7 ± 0.1 mmol/L), 36.0 ± 5.4 mg/dL (2.0 ± 0.3 mmol/L), and 16.2 ± 1.8 mg/dL (0.9 ± 0.1 mmol/L), respectively. Twenty-four hour mean glucose (MG; 102.6 ± 5.4 mg/dL [5.7 ± 0.3 mmol/L]) was higher than overnight (91.8 ± 5.4 mg/dL [5.1 ± 0.3 mmol/L]; P < .0001) and was lower in women than men (99.0 ± 3.6 mg/dL [5.5 ± 0.2 mmol/L] vs 104.4 ± 3.6 mg/dL [5.8 ± 0.2 mmol/L]; P = .059, d = 1.4). This study provides reference indices under standardized diet and exercise conditions for glycemic variability derived from CGMs in endurance athletes which are similar than previously reported for healthy individuals, despite strenuous daily training and a high daily energy and carbohydrate diet.

Searching for WIMPs with TREX-DM: achievements and challenges

The TREX-DM detector, a low background chamber with microbulk Micromegas readout, was commissioned in the Canfranc Underground Laboratory (LSC) in 2018. Since then, data taking campaigns have been carried out with argon and neon mixtures, at different pressures from 1 to 4 bar. By achieving a low energy threshold of 1 keV ee and a background level of 80 counts keV-1 kg-1 day-1 in the region from 1 to 7 keV ee , the experiment demonstrates its potential to search for low-mass WIMPs. Two of the most important challenges currently faced are the reduction of both, background level and energy threshold. With respect to the energy threshold, recently a new readout plane is being developed, based on the combination of Micromegas and GEM technologies, aiming to have a pre-amplification stage that would permit very low energy thresholds, close to the single-electron ionization energy. With respect to the background reduction, apart from studies to identify and minimize contamination population, a high sensitivity alpha detector is being developed in order to allow a proper material selection for the TREX-DM detector components. Both challenges, together with the optimization of the gas mixture used as target for the WIMP detection, will take TREX-DM to explore regions of WIMP's mass below 1 GeV c -2.

Pollution and health risk assessment of co-existing microplastics and heavy metals in urban dust of Riyadh city, Saudi Arabia

Microplastics (MPs) and heavy metals have recently attracted much attention due to their widespread distribution in the environment. Co-occurrence of MPs and heavy metals in dust poses potential health risks for humans. The objectives of this study were to investigate pollution and health risk factors associated with co-occurring MPs and heavy metals in urban dust. Here, 20 dust samples (both indoor and outdoor environments) were collected from different places in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia using sweeping method. The MPs were separated from dust samples via density separation using ZnCl2 Microscopic techniques were used to investigate MPs while inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry was used heavy metals analyses in the collected samples. The results of the study showed that all the collected dust samples were contaminated with MPs of different shapes, sizes, and colors. Fragment-shaped MPs were the most dominant, followed by granules, fibers, and lines, while the majority of the MP particles were red and black. Furthermore, the size distribution analyses demonstrated that particles above 1,000 µm were abundant. Also, the number of MPs was in the range of 20 particles g-1 to 1,052 particles g-1. Human exposure estimations showed that toddlers could inhale more MPs (0.86 MPs particles kg-1 day-1 and 312.93 particles kg-1 year-1) than children, teenagers, and adults. In addition, the concentrations of heavy metals varied from one site to another, however, the average concentrations were lower than their corresponding values in the guidelines (except for Zn). The integrated potential ecological risk in dust samples was characterized as a low-risk criterion. The enrichment factor for Zn in dust samples at all sites was more than 2, indicating a major contamination concern and anthropogenic sources responsible for the existence of Zn. The estimated hazard quotient indicates that children and adults are saved from the adverse effects of dust inhalation in the studied area. These findings could serve as a preliminary step for efficient pollution management and environmental quality maintenance in Riyadh.