Reduction In Uptake Research Articles

Nitric oxide as integral element in priming- induced tolerance and plant stress memory.

The beneficial effects of priming technology are aimed at the promotion of growth and development and stress tolerance in plants. Different seed pre-treatment and vegetative priming approaches (osmo-, chemical, physical, hormonal, redox treatments) increase the level of nitric oxide (NO) being an active contributor to growth regulation and defence responses. On the other hand, seed pre-treatment or vegetative priming mainly with the NO donor, sodium nitroprusside (SNP) helps to mitigate different abiotic stresses like salinity, cold, drought, excess metals. The effect of SNP/NO covers the alleviation of stress-specific effects (e.g. reduction of cadmium uptake in case of cadmium loading, improvement of water balance in case of drought), as well as general effects, such as alleviating oxidative stress. Seed pre-treatment or vegetative priming with SNP/NO up-regulates antioxidant enzymes at the activity level and increases the amount of a wide range of non-enzymatic antioxidants. However, due to adverse effects of SNP we urge the testing of other conventional NO donors (e.g. S-nitrosoglutathione) as well as new substances with more favourable properties (e.g. NO-releasing nanomaterials, plasmas, plasma treated liquids, combined donors) as seed pre-treating and vegetative priming materials. This review gives further suggestions on the methodology and future directions of fundamental research in relation to NO-associated pre-treatment and priming.

Segregation of Factors Leading to Temperature-Dependent Ion Transport in Mixed Cationic Systems in Cation Exchange Membranes.

This study delves into the interplay of temperature, composition, tortuosity, and electrostatic interactions on ion diffusion within cation exchange membranes. It explores the temperature dependence (16-60 °C) of the self-diffusion coefficients (SDCs) of Ba2+ and Eu3+ ions within the Nafion 117 cation exchange membrane, particularly in the presence of Na+ ions. Radiotracer techniques and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were employed to investigate these SDCs. Significant differences were observed between the SDCs of Ba2+ and Eu3+ ions in both monoionic (only Na+, Ba2+, or Eu3+) and binary (Ba2+-Na+ and Eu3+-Na+) systems. Temperature-induced reduction in water uptake was probed by the gravimetric as well as 3H radiotracer techniques for the first time, and the effect of the tortuosity factor on ion diffusion was understood. This enabled quantification of the electrostatic interaction factor as a function of temperature, revealing a decreasing trend with increasing temperature in both mono- and binary systems. An attempt was also made to correlate the activation energy (Arrhenius-type plots) and the net interaction potential within this temperature range. The findings indicate that ion diffusion is primarily influenced by electrostatic interaction, especially for multivalent ions, while tortuosity plays a negligible role in determining the overall diffusion trend.

Angiotensin-converting gene and hypoxic exercise tolerance: a randomized crossover trial.

Hypoxic training enhances endurance sports tolerance. However, individual responses vary due to physiological differences. This study investigated the relationship between genetic factors and exercise tolerance in hypoxic conditions. This randomized crossover study included 22 male university students (age 20.8±1.3 years, peak oxygen uptake 54.5±6.5 mL/min/kg). Incremental load tests were conducted to assess the symptomatic limit on separate days under normoxic and hypoxic conditions (oxygen concentration 15.4±0.8%) using an ergometer. The initial test environment was randomized. The peak oxygen uptake and blood lactate were monitored every minute, and Δ peak oxygen uptake (peak oxygen uptake under hypoxia - peak oxygen uptake under normoxia) was calculated. Sixteen genotypes linked to exercise tolerance (such as angiotensin-converting enzyme [ACE]) were examined. Peak oxygen uptake significantly decreased under hypoxia (p<0.01). Δ peak oxygen uptake varied among individuals (minimum: 0.7 and maximum: - 18.9). Among analyzed genetic polymorphisms, ACE-II genotypes showed significantly greater Δ peak oxygen uptake than ACE-ID/ACE-DD genotypes (p=0.02). ACE-II genotypes exhibited lower blood lactate elevation at peak exercise in normoxic (p=0.01) and hypoxic (p=0.03) conditions. Participants with the ACE-II genotype had lower lactate concentrations and greater reductions in peak oxygen uptake under hypoxic conditions. Optimizing hypoxic training requires individualized programs incorporating genetic analysis.

Silicon reduces lead accumulation in Moso bamboo via immobilization and suppression of metal cation transporter genes in roots.

Lead (Pb) is a hazardous element that affects the growth and development of plants, while silicon (Si) is a beneficial element for alleviating the stress caused by heavy metals, including Pb. However, the mechanisms of Si reduce Pb accumulation in Moso bamboo remain unclear. In this study, physiological assessments and transcriptome analyses were conducted to investigate the interaction between Si and Pb. Our findings showed that Si application has no significant effect on alleviating Pb-induced inhibition of root elongation and dry weight in short-term and long-term experiments, respectively. However, it did rescue leaf yellowing, reduce Pb accumulation, particularly in the shoot. Pre-treatment with Si led to a reduction in Pb uptake, translocation, and accumulation, coupled with an increase in Pb fixation within the hemicellulose of the root cell wall, resulting in a lower Pb concentration in the cell sap. At the cellular level, Pb was found to be distributed in all cells of roots, and Si pre-treatment did not alter Pb distribution. Additionally, Si application down-regulated the expression of genes related to ABC and metal cation transporters. These findings indicate that Si reduces Pb accumulation in Moso bamboo by immobilizing Pb in the hemicellulose of root cell walls and down-regulating the expression of transporter genes involved in Pb uptake and transport.

Development of an Irreversible Peptidomimetic Radioligand for PET Imaging of ST14 Protease.

To enhance the affinity of peptide ligands for their targets, covalent warheads can be engineered to facilitate irreversible binding. This study aimed at exploring the potential of a 68Ga-labeled peptidomimetic radioligand, [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-RQAR-kbt, for PET imaging through its irreversible binding to the suppression of tumorigenicity 14 (ST14). An Arg-Gln-Ala-Arg (RQAR) tetrapeptide was conjugated with 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid for gallium-68 radiolabeling. The covalent warhead ketobenzothiazole was constructed as a serine trap for ST14 protease, resulting in the formation of DOTA-RQAR-kbt. We compared both the in vitro and in vivo properties of [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-RQAR-kbt with those of its reversible-binding counterparts, [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-RQAR-OH. DOTA-RQAR-kbt exhibits high affinity for ST14 and irreversibly binds to ST14, as evidenced by the lack of ST14 activity recovery following ultrafiltration. In contrast, DOTA-RQAR-OH shows reversible binding and has low affinity for ST14. PET/CT imaging confirmed the superior tumor targeting of [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-RQAR-kbt compared to the [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-RQAR-OH, with robust signals observed at 0.5, 1, and 2 h postinjection. Blocking studies underscored the probe's specificity, as they revealed a marked reduction in tumor uptake in the presence of excess RQAR-kbt. Biodistribution studies demonstrated significantly higher tumor uptake for [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-RQAR-kbt, with 0.89 ± 0.03%ID/g at 1 h postinjection, which was reduced to 0.25 ± 0.03%ID/g (P < 0.01) in the presence of excess RQAR-kbt. In this proof-of-concept study, an irreversibly binding peptidomimetic radioligand targeting ST14 was evaluated, demonstrating improved tumor uptake in vivo compared with its reversibly binding counterparts. This approach holds promise for improving the potency of covalent radiotracers as PET agents.

Decades of coffee plantation alters soil methane uptake and soil organic carbon pools in China

AbstractThe conversion of forest into coffee plantation through deforestation has become one of the main land use changes in tropical region, yet its impact on soil organic carbon (SOC) and methane (CH4) uptake remains unclear, leading to uncertainties in estimating carbon fluxes in tropical area. The main coffee planting areas in China and the adjacent forests were selected to explore the effects of forest‐to‐coffee conversion and coffee stand ages on SOC and CH4 uptake. We conducted our study by comparing coffee plantations of varying ages to the nearby forests within the same area. We treated the different‐aged coffee plantations as our experimental groups and used the forests as our control groups. This paired comparison allowed us to exclude external factors such as climate, soil type, and vegetation differences, ensuring that our analysis focused on the effects of stand age alone. The 25‐year, 43‐year, and 55‐year coffee plantations reduced SOC by 51%, 66%, and 65% compared to nearby forests, while soil microbial biomass carbon decreased by approximately 60%. Coffee stand age influenced ambient CH4 uptake significantly: soils in 43‐ and 55‐year‐old coffee plantations and natural forests acted as CH4 sinks, while the 25‐year‐old stand showed weak CH4 emission. In 25‐year, 43‐year, and 55‐year coffee plantations, the CH4 uptake rates were 87%, 54%, and 65% lower, respectively, compared to the CH4 uptake rates in the natural forests nearby. Soil moisture, inorganic nitrogen content, and CH4 monooxygenase (MMO) activity were the main factors affecting CH4 uptake rates across land uses in the ambient CH4 background. Further CH4 metabolism indicated a close relationship between ambient CH4 uptake, CH4 oxidation, and methanogenesis pathways. Our study highlights the reduction of SOC pools in coffee plantations in China is accompanied with the reduction of CH4 uptake and changed metabolism of CH4‐oxidizing microorganisms.

Chemical cross-linking facilitates antigen uptake and presentation and provides improved protection from Mpox with a dual-antigen subunit vaccine.

Antigen uptake, processing, and presentation are crucial for the immune responses of protein-based vaccines. Herein, we introduced a reversible chemical cross-linking strategy to engineer protein antigens, which can be tracelessly removed upon antigen-presenting cell (APC) uptake and cellular reduction. The chemically cross-linked antigen proteins presented significantly enhanced uptake and epitope presentation by APC. We applied this strategy to monkeypox virus antigens A29L and A35R to construct dual-antigen subunit vaccines. Our results revealed that chemical cross-linking was robust enough to improve both proteins' APC uptake and lymph node accumulation, with each protein being chemically cross-linked and administered separately. In vivo validation revealed that the chemical cross-linking of the two antigen proteins improved immune responses, with increases in antigen-specific antibody and live virus-neutralizing antibody production. Monkeypox virus challenge experiments revealed that dual-antigen vaccines prepared via the chemical cross-linking strategy mitigated tissue damage, reduced the virus load, and extended mouse survival, which proved that the chemical cross-linking strategy is valuable for protein-based subunit vaccine development. In consideration of the current threats from the monkeypox virus and potential future emerging pathogens, the chemical cross-linking strategy provide powerful tools.

Economic evaluation of mass screening as a strategy for hepatitis C virus elimination in South Korea.

This study examines Hepatitis C virus (HCV) screening scenarios to meet World Health Organization (WHO) elimination targets (incidence ≤5 per 100,000, mortality ≤2 per 100,000) and assesses their timeframes and cost-effectiveness. A closed cohort model of Koreans aged 30-79 in 2020 projected HCV incidence and mortality over 20 years. Economic evaluations used a dynamic transmission model, considering prevalent and annual incident cases. This approach addresses the limitations of previous models that neglected annual new HCV infections. Nine scenarios with varying screening intervals were created considering health checkup uptake, treatment rates, and HCV incidence reduction. Economic evaluations from the healthcare system's perspective employed cost-utility and cost-benefit analyses. Without national HCV screening, incidence slightly decreases, whereas mortality triples over 20 years. Introducing HCV screening offers five scenarios to meet WHO targets in 20 years. The quickest, involving biennial screening, high uptake, and a 30% incidence reduction, meets the incidence target at 6 years and mortality target at 14 years. For the most cost-efficient scenario, screening every 4 years with moderate uptake and a 20% incidence reduction meets the incidence target at 17 years and mortality target at 18 years. The Incremental Cost-Effectiveness Ratio (ICER) is $8,867 per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY), with a Benefit-Cost Ratio (BCR) of 1.60. The absence of HCV screening impedes elimination goals and increases mortality. Biennial screening, with high participation and treatment rates, rapidly achieves targets but is less economically efficient. Screening every 4 years with moderate uptake and treatment rates is economically feasible and meets elimination goals within 20 years. Rapid screening implementation is crucial for effective HCV elimination.

Effects of Beech Wood Surface Treatment with Polyethylenimine Solution Prior to Finishing with Water-Based Coating.

The surfaces of beech wood samples were treated with polyethylenimine (PEI) solutions at three different concentrations-0.5%, 1% and 2%-and two molecular weights-low molecular weight (LMW) and high molecular weight (HMW). The effects of PEI surface treatment of wood were characterized by FT-IR spectroscopy, the penetration depth of PEI (EPI fluorescence spectroscopy), the bonding position of PEI (by SEM), the wetting and surface energy, and the water uptake. After PEI treatment, the samples were coated with a water-based transparent acrylic coating (WTAC). The dry film thickness, the penetration depth of the coating, the adhesion strength and the surface roughness of the coated wood surface were evaluated. EPI fluorescence and SEM micrographs showed that PEI HMW chains were deposited on the surface, in contrast to PEI LMW, which penetrates deeper into layers of the wood cells. Treatment with a 1% PEI HMW solution resulted in a 72% reduction in water uptake of the wood (compared to untreated samples after 5 min of applying water droplets to the surface) and a 23.2% reduction in surface energy (compared to untreated samples) while maintaining the adhesion strength of the applied WTAC. The lower water uptake of the treated wood samples reduced the roughness of the coated surface, which is particularly important when the wood surface is finished with water-based coatings.

Acrylamide Contamination, Shelf-Life and Sensory Properties of Puffed Potato Starch Chips Deep-Fried in Rapeseed Oil-Based Oleogels

The utilization of oleogels as a frying medium has been studied in recent years. In this research, rapeseed oil structured by rice bran wax (RW) and beeswax (BW) was used as a frying medium for the production of puffed potato starch chips. Chips and their lipid fractions were analyzed for their changes in quality during 9 weeks of storage. It was observed that the addition of beeswax contributed to the increase in the acid value of the puffed chips’ lipid fraction. The level of unsaturated fatty acids decreased in all fried products; however, the lowest changes were observed for products fried in RW oleogel. The presence of waxes slowed down oxidation which was indicated by the lowering of the peroxide value from 67.84 (for rapeseed oil) to 52.62 meq O2/kg (BW oleogel) at the end of storage. A similar situation was observed in the case of changes in the hardness and water activity of puffed chips. The addition of waxes to the frying medium contributed to a significant reduction in oil uptake in the puffed chips, where products fried in oil with RW fat were 17.7% lower than the control sample. The addition of BW 5 g/1 L of frying oil can increase the acrylamide content from 57 μg/kg for rapeseed oil to 97 μg/kg. Sensory evaluation of the puffed chips showed no statistically significant differences between products fried in oil with or without the addition of waxes.

Monosaccharide coating modulate the intracellular trafficking of gold nanoparticles in dendritic cells

Dendritic cells (DCs) have emerged as a promising target for drug delivery and immune modulation due to their pivotal role in initiating the adaptive immune response. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have garnered interest as a platform for targeted drug delivery due to their biocompatibility, low toxicity and precise control over size, morphology and surface functionalization. Our investigation aimed to elucidate the intracellular uptake and trafficking of AuNPs coated with different combinations of monosaccharides (mannose, galactose, and fucose) in DCs. We used 30 unique polymer-tethered monosaccharide combinations to coat 16 nm diameter spherical gold nanoparticles and investigated their effect on DCs phenotype, uptake, and intracellular trafficking.DCs internalised AuNPs coated with 100% fucose, 100% mannose, 90% mannose + 10% galactose, and 80% mannose + 20% galactose with highest efficiency. Flow cytometry analysis indicated that 100% fucose-coated AuNPs showed increased lysosomal and endosomal contents compared to other conditions and uncoated AuNPs. Imaging flow cytometry further demonstrated that 100% fucose-coated AuNPs had enhanced co-localisation with lysosomes, while 100% mannose-coated AuNPs exhibited higher co-localisation with endosomes.Furthermore, our data showed that the uptake of carbohydrate-coated AuNPs predominantly occurred through receptor-mediated endocytosis, as evidenced by a marked reduction of uptake upon treatment of DCs with methyl-β-cyclodextrins, known to disrupt receptor-mediated endocytosis. These findings highlight the utility of carbohydrate coatings to enable more targeted delivery of nanoparticles and their payload to distinct intracellular compartments in immune cells with potential applications in drug delivery and immunotherapy.

The mayfly Neocloeon triangulifer senses decreasing oxygen availability (PO2) and responds by reducing ion uptake and altering gene expression.

Oxygen availability is central to the energetic budget of aquatic animals and may vary naturally and/or in response to anthropogenic activities. Yet, we know little about how oxygen availability is linked to fundamental processes such as ion transport in aquatic insects. We hypothesized and observed that ion (22Na and 35SO4) uptake would be significantly decreased at O2 partial pressures below the mean critical level (Pcrit, 5.4 kPa) where metabolic rate (ṀO2) is compromised and ATP production is limited. However, we were surprised to observe marked reductions in ion uptake at oxygen partial pressures well above Pcrit, where ṀO2was stable. For example, SO4 uptake decreased by 51% at 11.7 kPa and 82% at Pcrit (5.4 kPa) while Na uptake decreased by 19% at 11.7 kPa and 60% at Pcrit. Nymphs held for longer time periods at reduced PO2exhibited stronger reductions in ion uptake rates. Fluids from whole-body homogenates exhibited a 29% decrease in osmolality in the most hypoxic condition. The differential expression of atypical guanylate cyclase (gcy-88e) in response to changing PO2conditions provides evidence for its potential role as an oxygen sensor. Several ion transport genes (e.g. chloride channel and sodium-potassium ATPase) and hypoxia-associated genes (e.g. ldh and egl-9) were also impacted by decreased oxygen availability. Together, the results of our work suggest that N. triangulifer can sense decreased oxygen availability and perhaps conserves energy accordingly, even when ṀO2is not impacted.

Clinical significance of quantitative assessment of right ventricular amyloid burden with [99mTc]Tc-DPD SPECT/CT in transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis.

To evaluate right ventricular (RV) uptake measured by quantitative [99mTc]Tc-DPD SPECT/CT to investigate its role in predicting and evaluating prognosis and therapeutic outcomes in patients with transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CA). Patients with ATTR-CA were consecutively enrolled for quantitative [99mTc]Tc-DPD SPECT/CT. Ventricular amyloid burden was quantified by SUVmax and TBR. Differences in RV uptake (focal or diffuse) and associations with clinical characteristics and CMR data were evaluated. The primary endpoint was major adverse cardiac events (MACEs), including all-cause deaths, heart failure hospitalizations, complete atrioventricular block, sustained ventricular tachycardia, and atrial fibrillation/flutter. Prognostic associations were evaluated using Cox regression and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. A secondary endpoint involved a longitudinal SPECT/CT analysis during Tafamidis therapy. The study included 76 patients, all showing both RV and LV uptake on SPECT imaging. Compared with patients with focal RV uptake, patients with diffuse RV uptake had higher serum troponin T levels (P < 0.05), septal thickness (P < 0.01), and external cardiac circulation volume (ECV) (P < 0.05). RV uptake was correlated with septal thickness, ECV, LV uptake, NT-proBNP and troponin-T (all P < 0.05). Among 53 patients, high LV and RV uptake significantly predicted MACEs (P < 0.001), with a median follow-up time of 16 months. A subgroup of 20 patients showed significant reductions in LV and RV uptake after Tafamidis treatment (P < 0.001). Increasing RV amyloid burden quantified by SPECT/CT is associated with advanced disease stage and predicts MACEs, serving as valuable markers for prognosis and treatment monitoring in ATTR-CA.

PEEK-Reinforced Sulfonated Poly(phenylene sulfone)-Membrane for Water Electrolysis with Lower Gas Crossover and Lower Resistance Than N115

Fluorine-free hydrocarbon polymers have the potential to be more environmentally friendly and cost-effective than current perfluorinated sulfonic acids (PFSA). These hydrocarbon polymers have a unique morphology that reduces gas transfer while maintaining high proton conductivity, making them a promising alternative to PFSA membranes in water electrolysis.[1] In an initial study, we demonstrate the potential of hydrocarbon membranes in electrolyzers using sulfonated polyphenylene sulfone (sPPS).[2] However, to achieve good performance, a high ion exchange capacity (2.17 - 3.57 meq/g) is required. This results in a high water uptake, which leads to membrane softening and detachment of the electrodes. In addition, excessive swelling makes upscaling, i.e., coating of the electrodes directly onto the membrane, impossible. To solve this problem, we have integrated a woven, open-mesh PEEK substrate (Fig.1, right).[3] The reinforced membrane shows a significant enhancement in the mechanical robustness and dimensional stability of the membrane, which leads to a strong reduction of water uptake from 294% to 115%. This allows direct casting of electrodes onto the membrane, an essential step for scaled production. Moreover, the reinforced membrane demonstrates a significantly lower electrical resistance of 70 mΩ cm² (versus 159 mΩ cm² for Nafion), attributed to its reduced thickness (74 µm compared to 127 µm) and higher ion exchange capacity. At the same time, the crossover is also strongly reduced as displayed in Figure 1. This leads to a better figure of merit, given by the ratio of conductivity to permeability, as shown in Figure 1 (right bottom), where crossover current densities are plotted over the high frequency resistance.[3] Figure 1Illustration of the casting Process of the reinforced membrane and fabrication of a one side coated CCM (left). IV-curve of the PEEK-sPPS membrane and a Nafion 115 reference (top right) and the figure of merit for PEEK-sPPS and two reference membranes (N115 and N212). Literature: [1] Miyake, J.; Taki, R.; Mochizuki, T.; Shimizu, R.; Akiyama, R.; Uchida, M.; Miyatake, K. Design of flexible polyphenylene proton-conducting membrane for next-generation fuel cells. Sci. Adv. 2017, 3(10), eaao0476. DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aao0476[2] Klose, C.; Saatkamp, T.; Münchinger, A.; Bohn, L.; Titvinidze, G.; Breitwieser, M.; Kreuer, K.; Vierrath, S. All‐Hydrocarbon MEA for PEM Water Electrolysis Combining Low Hydrogen Crossover and High Efficiency. Adv. Energy Mater. 2020, 10 (14), 1903995. DOI: 10.1002/aenm.201903995[3] Qelibari, R.; Cruz Ortiz, E.; van Treel, N.; Lombeck, F.; Schare, C.; Münchinger, A.; Dumbadze. N.; Titvinidze, G.; Klose, C.; Vierrath, S. 74 µm PEEK-reinforced sulfonated poly(phenylene sulfone)-membrane for stable water electrolysis with lower gas crossover and lower resistance than Nafion N115. Adv. Energy Mater. 2023, 14 (5), 2303271. DOI: 10.1002/aenm.202303271 Figure 1

Sufficient manganese supply is necessary for OsNramp5 knockout rice plants to ensure normal growth and less Cd uptake

The development of crop cultivars with less Cd uptake in roots and accumulation in shoots is a most efficient and environment-friendly approach to deal with soil Cd contamination. Recently repression of Nramp5 expression or its knockout is commonly recognized to be efficient for reducing Cd accumulation in plants, but such mutant plants suffer from manganese deficiency. In this study, we assessed the efficacy of exogenous Mn addition in mitigating Cd stress in a japonica rice cultivar Xidao 1 (Wild Type, WT) and its OsNramp5 knockout mutant. Exposure to Cd stress resulted in notable low photosynthetic rate, growth inhibition, and high Cd accumulation in rice seedlings. Although the mutant plants contained much lower Cd concentration in both roots and shoots than the WT plants, their growth was significantly inhibited relative to the WT plants under the normal condition. Exogenous application of Mn (40 μM) dramatically reduces root and shoot Cd concentrations and alleviates the toxic effect of Cd stress in both rice types, with the mutant plants demonstrating lower Cd concentration and less Cd toxicity in comparison with WT plants. The alleviation of Cd toxicity by Mn addition was more effective in higher Cd level (1.0 μM) than in lower Cd level (0.1 μM). Mn increases the expression of OsNramp5 and other genes, including OsHMA2, OsHMA3, OsIRT1, and OsIRT2, which encode ion transporters related to Mn uptake and transportation, and meanwhile reduces Cd uptake and accumulation in rice seedlings. In short, the knockout of OsNramp5 results in the significant reduction of Cd uptake, but accompanies with Mn deficiency in rice plants, which can be efficiently overcome through exogenous Mn addition.

Small Leucine Zipper Protein Regulates Glucose Metabolism of Prostate Cancer Cells via Induction of Phosphoglycerate Kinase 1.

Cancer cells exhibit altered metabolism whereby glucose is preferentially utilized to produce lactate through aerobic glycolysis. The increase in lactate production creates an acidic microenvironment that supports tumor progression and metastasis. Human small leucine zipper protein (sLZIP) is involved in the transcriptional regulation of genes related to migration and invasion of prostate cancer. However, the role of sLZIP in modulating glucose metabolism in prostate cancer remains unknown. This study investigates whether sLZIP regulates the transcription of glycolysis-related genes to promote metabolic reprogramming in prostate cancer. Depletion of sLZIP resulted in the downregulation of several glycolytic genes, including glucose transporter 1, phosphofructokinase liver type, phosphoglycerate kinase 1 (PGK1), and lactate dehydrogenase. Among these, only PGK1 showed a prominent dose-dependent decrease in mRNA and protein expression after sLZIP silencing. Mechanistically, increasing or decreasing sLZIP affected the promoter activity of PGK1 in a similar manner. Moreover, the absence of sLZIP attenuated the maximum glycolytic rate in prostate cancer cells. These results were further supported by a reduction in lactate secretion, glucose uptake, and ATP production in sLZIP-knockout prostate cancer cells. sLZIP deficiency hindered cancer growth, as demonstrated by proliferation assays. However, overexpression of PGK1 in sLZIP knockout cells resulted in recovery of aerobic glycolysis. Results of the xenograft experiment revealed that mice injected with sLZIP knockout cells exhibited a decrease in tumor mass compared to those injected with control cells. These findings suggest that sLZIP contributes to the metabolic reprogramming of prostate cancer cells via the transcriptional regulation of PGK1.

Reduction of oil absorption and acrylamide content in banana slices by infrared frying

AbstractBackgroundThe crust characteristics of fried crisps determine their oil absorption. Starch structures, as the main components of fried starchy fruits and vegetables, influence their crust formation and properties. This study investigated the reduction of oil uptake and acrylamide content in infrared‐fried (IF) banana slices by modifying starch structures at varying infrared power levels.ResultsInfrared heating improved heat transfer and surface moisture removal in fried banana slices. It facilitated crust formation in the IF samples and produced increased crust uniformity, crust ratio, and hardness. Analysis of the porous properties showed that the volume fraction of pores sized 100–250 μm was reduced in IF samples but the proportion of pores with a diameter ranging from 0.02 to 10 μm was increased. Infrared frying reduced the total oil uptake, surface oil, and structural oil content in banana slices, and each of these measures decreased as infrared power levels increased. Characterization of the starch structures suggested that the damage to the crystalline structure was increased in IF samples and more starch‐lipid complexes were generated, which would be responsible for the formation of a denser and thicker crust. The acrylamide content in the IF sample was reduced, as determined by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS).ConclusionModifications to starch structures (crystalline structures and chemical structures) play a crucial role in oil absorption in fried starchy fruits and vegetables. Infrared frying can be used as an alternative method to produce low‐fat fruits and vegetable crisps with reduced acrylamide content. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Tribological and Hygroscopic Behavior of Polybutylene Terephthalate/Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate (PBT/ASA) Nanocomposites with Graphene Nanofiller.

Fogging in automotive headlamps is a significant issue that affects both aesthetics and functionality. This study investigates the use of graphene-based nanocomposites to mitigate fogging by enhancing the hygroscopic properties of polybutylene terephthalate/acrylonitrile styrene acrylate (PBT/ASA) composites commonly used in headlamps. The incorporation of functionalized graphene improved the tensile and flexural strength of the nanocomposites, though it led to a reduction in elongation and melt flow. Additionally, the solid lubrication properties and increased surface hardness of the graphene contributed to enhanced wear resistance. The presence of graphene in the nanocomposites also reduced moisture diffusion, lowering the rates of both hygroscopic and desorption when compared to commercial PBT/ASA composites. Furthermore, the nanocomposites exhibited a reduction in maximum moisture uptake. These improvements are expected to reduce the absolute humidity inside the headlamp, thereby effectively mitigating the fogging issue.

Study on the Effect of Jute CNFs Addition on the Water Absorption and Mechanical Properties of Geopolymer Concrete

This study investigates the influence of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) reinforced with jute cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) on the water absorption and mechanical properties of geopolymer concrete. The integration of TPU/jute CNF nanocomposites into geopolymer concrete is explored as a strategy to enhance both its durability and mechanical performance. Geopolymer concrete, a sustainable alternative to traditional Portland cement concrete, is known for its low carbon footprint, but it suffers from high brittleness and water absorption. The water absorption behavior of the modified concrete was assessed, revealing a significant reduction in water uptake due to the hydrophobic nature of TPU and the reinforcing effect of jute CNFs. Additionally, the mechanical properties, including compressive and flexural strengths, were evaluated to understand the impact of the nanocomposites on the structural integrity of the concrete. The addition of TPU/jute CNFs notably enhanced the splitting tensile strength (63.5%), compressive strength (59%), and water absorption (0.59%) of the composite, indicating a promising route for developing high-performance construction materials. The integration of 6 wt% of TPU/jute CNF nanocomposites was found to be optimal, resulting in a uniform matrix, reduced micro-cracks, and improved compressive strength due to enhanced adhesion between the nanocomposites and the geopolymer matrix. Furthermore, a curing temperature of 100 °C was identified as ideal, minimizing unreacted fly ash and enhancing adhesion strength, while higher temperatures (140 °C) led to material deterioration due to rapid water loss. The findings demonstrate that the addition of TPU/jute CNF nanocomposites not only improves resistance to water penetration but also enhances overall mechanical performance. This supports the development of more sustainable and resilient construction materials, contributing to global efforts to reduce the environmental impact of the construction industry. Future research should focus on the long-term durability of these composites under various environmental conditions to validate their effectiveness in real-world applications.

Rosuvastatin effect on atherosclerotic plaque microcalcification

Abstract Background and Aims Atherosclerotic plaque fluorine-18 sodium fluoride (18F-NaF) uptake on positron emission tomography with computed tomography (PET-CT) identifies active microcalcification and has been shown to correlate with clinical instability in patients with cardiovascular (CV) disease. Statin therapy promotes coronary macrocalcification over time. Our aim was to investigate rosuvastatin effect on atheroma 18F-NaF uptake. Methods Subjects with high CV risk but without CV events underwent 18F-NaF-PET-CT in a single-centre. Those with subclinical atherosclerosis and significant 18F-NaF plaque uptake were included in a single-arm clinical trial, treated with rosuvastatin 20mg/daily for six months, and re-evaluated by 18F-NaF-PET-CT. Primary endpoint was reduction in maximum atheroma 18F-NaF uptake in the coronary, aortic or carotid arteries, assessed by the tissue-to-background ratio (TBR). The secondary endpoint was corrected uptake per lesion (CUL) variation. Results Forty individuals were enrolled and 38 included in the pharmacological trial; mean age was 64 years-old, two-thirds were male and most were diabetic. The 10-year expected CV risk was 9.5% (6.0-15.3) for SCORE2 and 31.7±18.7% for ASCVD systems. After six months of rosuvastatin treatment (n=34), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol lowered from 133.6±33.8 to 58.8±20.7 mg.dL-1 (60% relative reduction, p&amp;lt;0.01). There was a significant 19% reduction in maximum plaque 18F-NaF uptake after treatment, from 1.96 (1.78-2.22) to 1.53 (1.40-2.10), p&amp;lt;0.001 (primary endpoint analysis). The secondary endpoint CUL was reduced by 23% (p=0.003). Conclusion In a single-centre non-randomized clinical trial of high CV risk individuals with subclinical atherosclerosis, the maximum atherosclerotic plaque 18F-NaF uptake was significantly reduced after six months of high-intensity statin.Graphical abstractTrial design