Our results provided direct evidence that forest bathing has therapeutic effects on human hypertension and induces inhibition of the renin-angiotensin system and inflammation, and thus inspiring its preventive efficacy against cardiovascular disorders.
As the conversion
of methanol to olefins (MTO) over a zeolite catalyst
is conducted on acid sites derived from framework aluminum (AlF), it is possible to enhance the catalytic performance by
altering the siting of AlF if one knows the catalytic behavior
of specified AlF located at certain sites. In this work,
two series of H-ZSM-5 zeolites, viz., S-HZ-m and
T-HZ-m, were synthesized with silica sol and tetraethyl
orthosilicate, respectively, as the silicon source. Both series of
H-ZSM-5 zeolites exhibit similar acidity, morphology, and textual
properties. However, they are quite different with respect to AlF siting, as determined by UV–vis–DRS of Co(II)
ions and 27Al MAS NMR; AlF of S-HZ-m is enriched in the sinusoidal and straight channels, whereas AlF of T-HZ-m is concentrated in the channel
intersections. When they are used as the catalyst in MTO, T-HZ-m gives higher selectivity to ethene and aromatics and a
larger hydrogen transfer index (HTI) than S-HZ-m,
whereas S-HZ-m exhibits higher selectivity to propene
and higher olefins. Moreover, the 13C/12C-methanol-switching
experiments indicate that the incorporation of 12C into
pentamethylbenzene and hexamethylbenzene is faster on T-HZ-m, whereas the scramble of 12C for C3–C5 olefins is speedier on S-HZ-m. All of these illustrate that AlF in the channel intersections
of H-ZSM-5 is probably more favorable to the propagation of the aromatic-based
cycle, whereas AlF in the sinusoidal and straight channels
is more encouraging for the alkene-based cycle. These results help
to clarify the catalytic behavior of given framework acid sites of
H-ZSM-5 in MTO and then bring forward an effective approach to improving
the catalytic performance by regulating the framework aluminum siting.
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death. However, the mechanism of lung cancer relapse and metastasis has been poorly elucidated. Recent researches have addressed the role of MicroRNAs (miRNAs) in mediating tumor metastasis. In the present study, we identified microRNA-183 (miR-183) as a potential metastasis-inhibitor. Expression level of miR-183 was reversely correlated with the metastatic potential of lung cancer cells. Furthermore, over-expression of miR-183 inhibited migration and invasion of lung cancer cells. Mechanistically, we identified VIL2-coding-protein Ezrin as a bona fide target of miR-183. We also found that miR-183 could regulate the expression of other genes involved in migration and invasion. Taken together, our findings demonstrated a new role and regulatory mechanism of miR-183 in controlling cancer metastasis.
The aim of the current study was to test the hypothesis that forest bathing would be beneficial for elderly patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) as an adjunctive therapy. Two groups of participants with CHF were simultaneously sent to the forest or an urban control area for a four-day trip, respectively. Subjects exposed to the forest site showed a significant reduction of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) in comparison to that of the city group and their own baseline levels. The values for the cardiovascular disease related pathological factors, including endothelin-1 (ET-1), and constituents of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), including renin, angiotensinogen (AGT), angiotensin II (ANGII), and ANGII receptor type 1 or 2 (AT1 or AT2) in subjects exposed to the forest environment were lower than those in the urban control group. Obviously, a decreased level of inflammatory cytokines and improved antioxidant function was observed in the forest group rather than in the city group. The assessment of the profile of mood states (POMS) indicated that the negative emotional mood state was alleviated after forest bathing. As anticipated, a better air quality in the forest site was observed according to the detection of PM2.5 (particulate matter <2.5 μm) and negative ions. These results provided direct evidence that forest bathing has a beneficial effect on CHF patients, and thus may pave the way for potential development of forest bathing as an effective adjunctive therapy on cardiovascular disorders.
Graphene supported Au-Pd bimetallic nanoparticles exhibit high catalytic activity in methanol selective oxidation, with a methanol conversion of 90.2% and selectivity of 100%, to methyl formate at 70 °C, owing to the synergism of Au and Pd particles as well as the strong interaction between graphene and Au-Pd nanoparticles.
Both the epidermal growth factor receptor signaling pathway and microRNA (miRNA) play an important role in lung cancer development and progression. To address the potential role of miRNA in epidermal growth factor receptor signaling, we identified miR-125a-5p as a downstream target, using an miRNA array. We further demonstrated that miR-125a-5p inhibited migration and invasion of lung cancer cells. Moreover, miR-125a-5p regulated the expression of several downstream genes of epidermal growth factor receptor signaling. Importantly, examination of lung cancer samples revealed a significant correlation of miR-125a-5p repression with lung carcinogenesis. Taken together, our results provide compelling evidence that miR-125a-5p, an epidermal growth factor-signaling-regulated miRNA, may function as a metastatic suppressor.
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