The close relationship between increased TLR-2 expression in blood monocytes and insulin resistance in RA patients is shown in this study. Traditional risk factors for metabolic disorders, including the waist circumstance, body mass index (BMI), triglyceride (TG), and ratio of TG to high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, were closely correlated with HOMA (homoeostasis model assessment) index in patients with nondiabetic RA. Expressions of TLR2 in peripheral blood monocytes, following stimulation with peptidoglycan which is known as a TLR2 agonist, were closely correlated with the HOMA index, TNF-α, and IL-6 concentrations. Accordingly, TLR-2 receptor and its related inflammatory cytokines could be potential therapeutic targets in managing insulin resistance in RA patients.
Since the 1970s, polystyrene (PS) plastic marine pollution has become a global concern. Tenebrio molitor and Zophobas morio beetle larva actively respond to a diet of primarily polystyrene. The tantalizing evidence indicates that the gut bacteria of these beetle larva enables them not only to consume polystyrene, but to successfully biodegrade polystyrene. Heretofore, data collection to verify polystyrene degradation by the gut bacteria of these larva has taken up to six months per test. Our laboratory created a platform by dissolving PS into a liquid mineral culture medium to examine PS degradation by the gut bacteria. Under investigation, PS works as main carbon source supporting the growth of gut bacteria. Fourier-transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) is an effective method which can provide relevant information on chemical changes. This study presents a methodology using FTIR and Visible Light Spectrometry as an efficient methodology to verify the physiological degradation of polystyrene.
The objective of this paper is to perform the innovation design of removing most textile dyes that are harmful to the environment and might induce cancer. However, many methodologies had been developed for various chemical and physical processes to remove different dyes, such as ozone oxidation, electrochemical methods, chemical coagulation, hypochlorite oxidation, and adsorption to remove dyes from wastewater. A novel nanoporous filter methodology and mathematic simulations for adsorption were established as an effective medium for removing dyes from wastewater which was compared to other expensive treatments. The different concentrations of the dye liquid are used as a tester, and the different concentrations of nanoporous adsorbent were added in a uniform distribution and were tested with different time courses and under different temperatures. The final readings were measured by a spectrophotometer and fit into a mathematic model. The result indicates that this nanoporous and natural adsorbents are very good at cleaning the dyes in this system. The fit-in mathematic models could be applied in these tests which can be used in the industrial conditions for a low cost without secondary dye pollutions.
Pelodiscus sinensis, commonly known as the Chinese soft-shelled turtle, possesses abundant collagen, proteins, and amino acids in its shell and muscle. Pelodiscus sinensis has been historically utilized as a valuable traditional Chinese medicine. While the Chinese consume the meat and shell of the turtle, the internal visceral organs are typically discarded. The visceral organs contain valuable components, including 8%-15% collagen and 8% blood. This study focused on extracting collagen from the internal visceral organs, while the remaining turtle parts were condensed into a refined product referred to as "Turtle refined," for cosmeceutical applications. We explored the acid solubilization (ASC) and pepsin solubilization (PSC) techniques to extract collagen. Preliminary findings indicate that the PSC method outperformed the ASC method in terms of collagen extraction. To characterize the collagen derived from the visceral organs and blood, SDS-PAGE, FTIR and DSC analyses were employed. Furthermore, we assessed the antioxidant property of the Turtle refined product, utilizing the DPPH radical scavenging activity test.
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