Molecular Mechanism of Puerarin Against Diabetes and its Complications

Puerarin is a predominant component of Radix Puerarin. Despite its anti-tumor and anti-virus effects and efficacy in improving cardiovascular or cerebrovascular diseases and preventing osteoporosis, it has been shown to protect against diabetes and its complications. This review summarizes the current knowledge on Puerarin in diabetes and related complications, aiming to provide an overview of antidiabetic mechanisms of Puerarin and new targets for treatment.

«YOUTH» AND «YOUTH WORK»: MEANING OF CONCEPTS

Youth is the predominant component of modern Ukrainian society, major factor of socio-economic progress, the driving force of youth work. The purpose of the article is to analyze the semantic content of the basic concept of «youth» in the context of the development of youth work as a field of scientific and practical activities. Research methods: on the basis of the analysis of scientific literature and legal documents, comparison of scientific sources and regulations characterizing a subject of research, the basic aspects of conceptual-terminological content of concepts «youth» and «youth work» are covered; synthesis and generalization of scientific and regulatory sources helped to form definition of the basic concepts of the study. The article analyzes the definition of «youth», «youth work» in the scientific and formal business literature; the main tasks of youth work are defined; It is noted that young people are the bearers of great intellectual potential, new and modern knowledge from various spheres of public life. The research uses such methods as analysis, comparison and generalization of scientific sources on the researched problem. The study highlights the main needs of young people: social and economic; adherence to a healthy lifestyle; involvement in public life; national and patriotic identity; tolerance; assessment of the effectiveness of public policy; the values of youth are determined in the following directions: values of youth, efficiency of youth policy (assessed by youth); civic and political activity of youth; participation and role of youth in the processes of state reformation; training, education; mobility and migration guidelines for young people; family and family values of young people.We have determined that youth work is work with young people, which is aimed at: personal and professional development with the acquisition of relevant competencies; youth participation in public life; involving young people in planning and decision-making at the local, regional and national levels.

Acaricidal activity of Foeniculum vulgare against Rhipicephalus annulatus is mainly dependent on its constituent from trans-anethone

Globally, the economic losses due to hard ticks infestation and the control of the associated diseases have been calculated at USD $13.9–18.7 billion per year. The economic impact is related to its direct damage to the skins, blood loss, anemia, severe immunological reactions and indirect losses that related to the effects of hemoparasites, cost of treatment for clinical cases and expenses incurred in the control of ticks. The current study evaluated the acaricidal activities of fennel Foeniculum vulgare essential oil and its main components; trans-anethole and fenchone; against R. annulatus. GC–MS analysis revealed that this oil contained 16 components representing 99.9% of the total identified compounds with E-anethole being the predominant component(64.29%), followed by fenchone (9.94%). The fennel oil and trans-anethole showed significant acaricidal activities. The LC50 of the fennel oil was attained at concentrations of 12.96% for adult ticks and 1.75% for tick larvae meanwhile the LC50 of trans-anethole was reached at concentrations of 2.36% for adult tick and 0.56% for tick larvae. On the contrary, fenchone showed no any significant adulticidal activities and its LC50 attained at a concentration of 9.11% for tick larvae. Regarding repellence activities, trans-anethole achieved 100% repellency at the concentration of 10% while fennel showed 86% repellency at the same concentration. Fenchone showed no repellency effect. Treatment of larvae with fennel, trans-anethole, and fenchone LC50 concentrations significantly inhibited the acetylcholinesterase activity. Meanwhile, glutathione s-transferase activity was significantly decreased in fennel treated larvae but no significant effect was found in the larvae of trans-anethole and fenchone groups. These results indicate that the acaricide effect of fennel oil may attributed to its high content of trans-anethole. This was supported by potent adulticidal, larvicidal, and repellency effects of trans-anethole against Rhipeciphalus annulatus tick and therefore it could be included in the list of acaricide of plant origin.

A single dose of Ultraviolet-A induces proteome remodeling and senescence in primary human keratinocytes

Epidermal photoaging contributes to skin fragility over time and it is a risk factor for skin cancer. Photoaging has been associated for a long time with exposure to Ultraviolet-A (UVA) light, the predominant component of the solar ultraviolet radiation. While the cellular mechanisms underlying UVA-induced photoaging in the dermis have been well characterized, UVA’s action on the epidermis remains elusive. Here, proteomic analysis was conducted to derive the cellular responses induced by an environmentally relevant dose of UVA in primary human keratinocytes. We also investigated the effects of UVA on non-transformed immortalized keratinocytes (HaCaT cells), bearing potentially oncogenic mutations. We showed that UVA induces proteome remodeling and senescence in primary keratinocytes, eliciting potent antioxidant and pro-inflammatory responses. Additionally, we showed that UVA modulates the secretory phenotype of these cells to the extent of inducing paracrine oxidative stress and immune system activation in pre-malignant keratinocytes. These observations offer insights into the cellular mechanisms by which UVA drives photoaging in the skin.

Characterization of TBM Muck for Construction Applications

This paper investigates the potential utilization of the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) muck generated from Doha’s Metro Gold Line in different construction applications. The properties of the raw TBM muck were studied, and the results were compared to the specifications of Qatari Construction Standards (QCS 2014) of concrete aggregates, fill material under buildings and road subgrades. Compared to the requirements of concrete aggregates, the results indicated that the gradation of the raw TBM muck does not comply with the QCS 2014 requirements, and hence, sieving and screening may be essential. Moreover, the tests’ results showed that the properties of the muck meet the requirements of the concrete coarse aggregates, except for the water absorption, loss by magnesium sulphate soundness, loss by Los Angeles abrasion and the acid-soluble sulphate. As fill material under buildings or road subgrades, the gradation of the TBM muck complies with the QCS 2014 requirements, while the liquid limit and plasticity index are higher than the QCS 2014 permissible limits. Additionally, the morphological structure and the elemental composition of the raw TBM muck were determined by employing Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), respectively. Digital images were also taken at larger scale to draw a full picture of the TBM muck morphology. A mixture of rough-rounded to angular-elongated shaped particles with relatively large voids could be observed. The EDX analysis demonstrated the presence of silicon (Si) as the predominant component of the muck, which may alter the Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (CTE) values for mixtures prepared using TBM muck. Hence, further investigations should be performed on the mechanical and thermal properties of mixtures containing TBM muck as aggregates’ replacement, and further work should be directed toward this end.

Profile of Carotenoids and Tocopherols for the Characterization of Lipophilic Antioxidants in “Ragusano” Cheese

Lipophilic antioxidants such as carotenoids and tocopherols are appreciated components in food because of their potential health benefits. The aim of this study was to describe the composition of these microconstituents in “Ragusano”, a typical Sicilian historical pasta filata cheese, and to compare them during two different production seasons. Specifically, the tocopherols’ composition was evaluated by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to a fluorescence detector (HPLC-FD); whereas the contents of three main carotenoids were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to a diode array detector with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization and mass spectrometry (HPLC-DAD-APCI-MS). The scope included studying the influence of dietary supplementation on the potential enrichment of “Ragusano” in antioxidants. The main results regarding the composition of lipophilic vitamins of 56 “Ragusano” cheeses, collected in winter and spring, revealed that α-tocopherol was the predominant component amongst tocopherols and carotenoids, while β-carotene prevailed among the carotenoids. The cheeses obtained in spring turned out to contain larger amounts of antioxidants, both tocopherols and carotenoids, while the dietary supplementation with minerals-vitamins led to a barely detectable increase of antioxidants compared to a measured control group.

Acaricidal activity of Cinnamomum cassia (Chinese cinnamon) against the tick Haemaphysalis longicornis is linked to its content of (E)-cinnamaldehyde

Background The tick Haemaphysalis longicornis (Neumann) is a well-known vector of numerous pathogens of veterinary and medical importance. Various control strategies, including the use of synthetic pesticides, have been developed to control this tick species. However, demand for effective and safe alternative pesticides is increasing due to the adverse effects associated with the intensive and injudicious use of synthetic pesticides, which include undesirable effects on non-target species and environmental pollution. Hence, the acaricidal activity of the extract and the essential oil of Cinnamomum cassia (Chinese cinnamon) and their major components, and the underlying mechanisms of this activity, were evaluated against unfed larvae and nymphs of H. longicornis. Methods The components of the extract and essential oil of C. cassia were determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and their larvicidal and nymphicidal activity were evaluated using the larval and nymphal packet test. The underlying detoxification mechanism was elucidated by targeting in vivo esterase and monooxygenase activity, and the toxicological effect was assessed on non-target Tenebrio molitor and Harmonia axyridis by topical application in open Petri dishes. Results (E)-cinnamaldehyde was the predominant component of the extract (50.79%) and essential oil (89.95%). The 50% lethal concentration (LC50) for larvae and nymphs treated with the extract was 11.56 and 49.18 mg/mL, respectively. The essential oil, (E)-cinnamaldehyde and fenvalerate exhibited acaricidal activity, with LC50 values of 3.81, 3.15, and 0.14 mg/mL, respectively, against the larvae, and 21.31, 16.93, and 1.89 mg/mL, respectively, against the nymphs. (E)-cinnamaldehyde significantly increased esterase and monooxygenase activity in both larvae and nymphs. Unlike fenvalerate, C. cassia essential oil and (E)-cinnamaldehyde did not cause mortality of T. molitor or H. axyridis adults. Conclusions This study demonstrates that C. cassia essential oil and (E)-cinnamaldehyde have the potential to be developed into botanical-based larvicidal and nymphicidal agents for tick control. Graphical abstract

Alginite-Rich Layers in the Bazhenov Deposits of Western Siberia

In this study, we identified the luminescent layers containing a significant amount of alginite in the Upper Jurassic–Lower Cretaceous Bazhenov Formation named “the alginite-rich layers”. Lithological and geochemical methods were used to determine distinctive features of these layers and to evaluate their impact on the total petroleum generation potential of the Bazhenov Formation. We have shown that the composition of the alginite-rich layers differs significantly from the organic-rich siliceous Bazhenov rocks. Rock-Eval pyrolysis, bulk kinetics of thermal decomposition, elemental analysis, and the composition of pyrolysis products indicate type I kerogen to be the predominant component of the organic matter (OM). Isotope composition of carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur was used to provide insights into their origin and formation pathways. The luminescent alginite-rich layers proved to be good regional stratigraphic markers of the Bazhenov Formation due to widespread distribution over the central part of Western Siberia. They can also be applied for maturity evaluation of the deposits from immature to middle of the oil window, since the luminescence of the layers changes the color and intensity during maturation.

Physiological Characteristics and Comparative Secretome Analysis of Morchella importuna Grown on Glucose, Rice Straw, Sawdust, Wheat Grain, and MIX Substrates

Morels (Morchella sp.) are economically important edible macro-fungi, which can grow on various synthetic or semi-synthetic media. However, the complex nutritional metabolism and requirements of these fungi remain ill-defined. This study, based on the plant biomass commonly used in the artificial cultivation of morels, assessed and compared the growth characteristics and extracellular enzymes of Morchella importuna cultivated on glucose, rice straw, sawdust, wheat grain, and a mixture of equal proportions of the three latter plant substrates (MIX). M. importuna could grow on all five tested media but displayed significant variations in mycelial growth rate, biomass, and sclerotium yield on the different media. The most suitable medium for M. importuna was wheat and wheat-containing medium, followed by glucose, while rice straw and sawdust were the least suitable. A total of 268 secretory proteins were identified by liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry detection. Functional classification and label-free comparative analysis of these proteins revealed that carbohydrate-active enzyme (CAZYme) proteins were the predominant component of the secretome of M. importuna, followed by protease, peptidase, and other proteins. The abundances of CAZYme proteins differed among the tested media, ranging from 64% on glucose to 88% on rice straw. The CAZYme classes of glycoside hydrolases and carbohydrate-binding module were enriched in the five secretomes. Furthermore, the enzyme activities of CMCase, lignase, amylase, xylase, pNPCase, and pNPGase were detected during the continuous culture of M. importuna in MIX medium, and the relative expression of the corresponding genes were detected by quantitative real-time PCR. The combined data of growth potential, secretome, extracellular enzyme activity, and gene expression on different substrates inferred that M. importuna was weak in lignocellulose degradation but a good starch decomposer. Specifically, in terms of the degradation of cellulose, the ability to degrade cellulose into oligosaccharides was weaker compared with further degradation into monosaccharides, and this might be the speed-limiting step of cellulose utilization in M. importuna. In addition, M. importuna had a strong ability to decompose various hemicellulose glycosidic bonds, especially α- and β-galactosidase. Only a very few lignin-degradation-related proteins were detected, and these were in low abundance, consistent with the presence of weak lignin degradation ability. Furthermore, the presence of lipase and chitinase implied that M. importuna was capable of decomposition of its own mycelia in vitro. The study provides key data that facilitates a further understanding of the complex nutritional metabolism of M. importuna.

Glutathionylation of fibronectin records mechanical history, priming an integrin switch and myofibroblast polarization

The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a protein polymer network that physically supports cells within a tissue and also acts as an important biochemical stimulus directing cell behaviors. For fibronectin, a predominant component of the ECM, these physical and biochemical activities are inextricably linked as physical forces trigger conformational changes that impact its biochemical activity. We analyzed whether oxidative post-translational modifications, specifically glutathionylation, enable fibronectin to ‘record’ physical information through stretch-dependent protein modification. Posttranslational modifications of the ECM are understudied, but represent opportunities for time- or stimuli-dependent changes in structure-function relationships that both persist over time and could have dominant impacts on cell-ECM homeostasis. We provide direct evidence that stretch-dependent glutathionylation of fibronectin irreversibly and significantly alters its mechanical properties with concomitant changes in the binding of integrin receptors and downstream cell signaling events. Stretch-dependent glutathionylation of fibronectin could have significant impact on the balance between tissue homeostasis and pathological progression, particularly in tissues and organs that are exposed to high oxidative stress, such as the lung.