Watkinsgupta3782

Aconitum genus generally contains hypertoxic alkaloids. Poisoning incidents due to the improper ingestion of Aconitum materials frequently occur around the world. DNA barcoding is considered as a powerful tool for species identification, but complete sequences of conventional DNA barcodes are sometimes unattainable from food and highly processed products due to severe DNA degradation. Therefore, a shorter molecular marker will be more profitable for the authentication and poisoning diagnosis of Aconitum materials. In this study, 1246 psbA-trnH sequences and chloroplast genomes representing 183 taxa of Aconitum were collected, and a 23-bp nucleotide signature unique to Aconitum genus (5'-TATATGAGTCATTGAAGTTGCAG-3') was developed. The nucleotide signature was conserved and universal within Aconitum while divergent among other genera. The specific molecular signature was then successfully applied to the detection of processed Aconitum ingredients. To further evaluate the application potential of nucleotide signature in completely unknown mixture samples, boiled food mixtures, containing different ratios of Aconitum materials, were sequenced by high-throughput sequencing technology. The results showed that the nucleotide signature sequence could be directly extracted from raw sequencing data, even at a low DNA concentration of 0.2 ng/µl. Consequently, the 23-bp genus-specific nucleotide signature represents a significant step forward in the use of DNA barcoding to identify processed samples and food mixtures with degraded DNA. This study undoubtedly provides a new perspective and strong support for the identification and detection of Aconitum-containing products, which can be further introduced to the diagnosis of food poisoning.Microplastics are widely distributed, such as oceans, rivers and the atmosphere, with many opportunities for human exposure and potential health risks. Polystyrene microplastic (PS-MPS) exposure has been found to cause sperm damage to mice; however, the mechanism by which this happens remains unclear. Here, GC-2 cells, a mouse spermatocyte line, were exposed to 5 µm PS-MPS to investigate mitochondrial damage. The results showed that 5 µm PS-MPS decreased ATP content, reduced the mitochondrial membrane potential, damaged the integrity of the mitochondrial genome, and caused an imbalance of homoeostasis between mitochondrial division and fusion. The mitochondrial PINK1/Parkin autophagy pathway was activated. Time-series analysis revealed that PS-MPS damaged the mitochondrial structure through cellular oxidative stress, and mitochondrial function was maintained to some extent after PS-MPS damage. This study revealed the mitochondrial toxicity of polystyrene microplastics, thus providing a basis for understanding the causes of sperm damage by polystyrene microplastics.Sphingosine kinase 1 (SphK1) is an important signaling molecule for cell proliferation and survival. However, the role of SphK1 in acrylamide (ACR)-induced nerve injury remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role and potential mechanism of SphK1 in ACR-induced nerve injury. Liquid chromatography triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) were used to detect sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) content in serum and SphK1 content in whole blood from an occupational work group exposed to ACR compared to a non-exposed group. For in vitro experiments, SphK1 in human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells was activated using SphK1-specific activator phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). Our research also utilized cell viability assays, flow cytometry, western blots, RT-qPCR and related protein detection to assess activity of the mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway. The results of the population study showed that the contents of SphK1 and S1P in the ACR-exposed occupational contact group were lower than in the non-exposed group. The results of in vitro experiments showed that expression of SphK1 decreased with the increase in ACR concentration. Activating SphK1 improved the survival rate of SH-SY5Y cells and decreased the apoptosis rate. Activating SphK1 in SH-SY5Y cells also regulated MAPK signaling, including enhancing the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases (ERK) and inhibiting the phosphorylation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38. These results suggest that activating SphK1 can protect against nerve cell damage caused by ACR.Recollection rejection (a form of memory monitoring) involves rejecting false details on the basis of remembering true details (recall to reject), thereby increasing memory accuracy. This study examined how recollection rejection instructions and feedback affect memory accuracy and false recognition in 5-year-olds, 6- and 7-year-olds, 8- and 9-year-olds, and adults. Participants (N = 336) completed three study-test phases. Instructions and item-level feedback were manipulated during the first two phases, with the third phase including a test containing no instructions or feedback to evaluate learning effects. As predicted, in the younger children, as compared with the older children and adults, we found reduced accuracy scores (hits to studied items minus false alarms to related lures), reduced recollection rejection to related lures, and increased false recognition scores. We also found that, in the third phase, prior feedback reduced false recognition scores, potentially by improving monitoring, and typical developmental differences in false recognition were eliminated. However, there were mixed findings of instructions and feedback, and in some conditions these interventions harmed memory. These findings provide initial evidence that combining instructions and feedback with repeated task practice may improve monitoring effectiveness, but additional work is needed on how these factors improve and sometimes harm performance in young children.Attentional set shifting is a core part of cognition, allowing quick and flexible adaption to new demands. The study of its development during early childhood has been hampered by a shortage of measures not requiring language. This article argues for a revival of the Intradimensional/Extradimensional (ID/ED) shift task by presenting a new nonverbal version of the task (Shifting Tray task). Children (N = 95 3- to 5-year-olds; 49 girls; predominantly European White) were presented with pairs of trays, each filled with a substrate and an upside-down cup on top, and were asked to find stickers. In the pre-switch phase, children learned (through trial and error) which dimension (substrate or cup) was predictive of the rewards. In the post-switch phase, all stimuli were exchanged. For children in the intradimensional shift condition, the dimension predictive of the sticker was the same as the one predictive in the pre-switch phase. For children in the extradimensional shift condition, the previously irrelevant dimension was now relevant. Results showed that most 3-year-olds were able to switch, and older children did not outperform younger children. The easy and flexible nature of the task allows researchers to investigate the impact of labels and instructions and to use it in cross-cultural and comparative research.The sense of touch is ubiquitous in vertebrates and relies upon the detection of mechanical forces in the skin by the tactile end-organs of low-threshold mechanoreceptors. Significant progress has been made in understanding the mechanism of tactile end-organ function using mammalian models, but the detailed mechanics of touch sensation in Meissner and Pacinian corpuscles, the principal detectors of transient touch and vibration, remain obscure. The avian homologs of these corpuscles present an opportunity for functional study of mechanosensation in these structures, due to their relative accessibility and high abundance in the bill skin of tactile-foraging waterfowl. Here, we review the current knowledge of mechanosensory end-organs in birds and highlight the utility of the avian model to understand general principles of touch detection in the glabrous skin of vertebrates.

To examine the association of (1) high and low blood pressure (BP) and (2) antihypertensive (AH) drug use with incident frailty.

We conducted a secondary analysis of data from the Multidomain Alzheimer Preventive Trial (MAPT), in which 1394 non-frail community-dwelling participants aged ≥70years were followed up for 5years. BP was measured once at baseline in a lying position using a validated electronic device. Pavulon High BP was defined as systolic BP≥140mmHg and/or diastolic BP≥90mmHg, and low BP as systolic BP≤110mmHg and/or diastolic BP≤70mmHg. AH drugs were assessed at baseline and classified according to the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) code.

Incident frailty over the 5years was assessed using the Fried phenotype. Cox proportional hazards models were used for the analyses.

Low BP was associated with a greater risk of frailty (HR=1.43, 95% CI [1.07-1.92], p=0.02) after adjustment for age, sex, education, AH drug use, BMI, diabetes, ischemic heart disease, congestive heart failure, AF, stroke, MAPT randomization group, sit-to-stand chair test and pre-frailty. Participants with low BP and those on two or more AH drugs were at the greatest risk of frailty. Neither high BP (HR=0.84, 95% CI [0.63-1.22], p=0.24) nor AH drug use (HR=1.21, 95% CI [0.89-1.64], p=0.22) was independently associated with incident frailty.

Low BP could be used as a new marker for identifying older adults at higher risk of frailty.

gov registration number NCT00672685.

gov registration number NCT00672685.

To evaluate whether single measurements of serum estradiol (E

), estrone (E

) and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) concentration distinguishes between women with and without menopausal symptom bother.

We analyzed baseline data from two clinical trials conducted in 2012-2017 MsFLASH 03 (178 peri-/post-menopausal women aged 40-62years with bothersome vasomotor symptoms, mean age 54) and MsFLASH 05 (181 post-menopausal women aged 45-70years with moderate-to-severe vulvovaginal symptoms, mean age 61).

Symptom bother (hot flushes or flashes, night sweats, sweating, aching in muscles and joints, change in sexual desire, vaginal dryness during intercourse, and avoiding intimacy) in the past month was assessed using the Menopause-Specific Quality of Life questionnaire. Using logistic regression, we calculated the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) values for E

, E

, and SHBG concentration in relation to being at least somewhat bothered (symptom bother score ≥3) by each symptom within each trial study population.

AUC values (95% confidence interval) ranged between 0.51 (0.41-0.60) and 0.62 (0.53, 0.72) for MsFLASH 03 and between 0.51 (0.42, 0.59) and 0.64 (0.53, 0.75) for MsFLASH 05. There was little evidence of associations between serum hormone levels and bother by a given menopausal symptom.

These findings do not support the clinical utility of a single measurement of serum of E

, E

, or SHBG concentrations in differentiating between women who are bothered by a given menopausal symptom and those who are not.

These findings do not support the clinical utility of a single measurement of serum of E1, E2, or SHBG concentrations in differentiating between women who are bothered by a given menopausal symptom and those who are not.