Copyright © 2020 Zhihao Zhang et al.Sleep deprivation adversely affects the digestive system. Multiple studies have suggested sleep deprivation and oxidative stress are closely related. Autophagy can be triggered by oxidative stress as a self-defense strategy to promote survival. In this study, we investigated the effects of sleep deprivation on liver functions, oxidative stress, and concomitant hepatocyte autophagy, as well as the associated pathways. Enzymatic and nonenzymatic biochemical markers in the serum were used to assess hepatic function and damage. To evaluate the occurrence of autophagy, expression of autophagy-related proteins was tested and autophagosomes were labeled. Additionally, methane dicarboxylic aldehyde (MDA), antioxidant enzymes, and the protein kinase B (AKT)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway were analyzed using chemical methods and a Western blot. Serum alanine transaminase, aspartate aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase increased in sleep-deprived rats. Total protein and albumin abundance was also abnormal. Sleep deprivation induced histopathological changes in the liver. The superoxide dismutase level decreased significantly in the liver of sleep-deprived rats. In contrast, the MDA content increased in the sleep deprivation group. Moreover, the microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 beta (LC3B) II/I ratio and Beclin I content increased considerably in the sleep-deprived rats, while p62 levels decreased. Sleep deprivation apparently inhibited the AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. We conclude that sleep deprivation can induce oxidative stress and ultimately cause liver injury. Autophagy triggered by oxidative stress appears to be mediated by the AKT/mTOR pathway and plays a role in relieving oxidative stress caused by sleep deprivation.  https://www.selleckchem.com/products/protosappanin-b.html  Copyright © 2020 Yongmei Li et al.Alzheimer's disease is a complex debilitating neurodegenerative disease for which there is no cure. The lack of reliable biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease has made the evaluation of the efficacy of new treatments difficult and reliant on only clinical symptoms. In an aged population where cognitive function may be deteriorating for other reasons, the dependence on clinical symptoms is also unreliable. However, it is well established that infusion of β-amyloid into the dorsal hippocampus of rats leads to cognitive impairment in a rat model of Alzheimer's disease. Moreover, the blood plasma of β-amyloid-lesioned rats exhibits a distinct variation of the dielectric constant and conductivity when compared to that of normal rats in a time-dependent manner. These two electric parameters of blood plasma may therefore act as potential biomarkers for dementia due to Alzheimer's disease. This review is aimed at highlighting evidences that support blood plasma electrical properties, e.g., dielectric constant and conductivity as possible novel biomarkers for the early development and progression of dementia due to Alzheimer's disease. Copyright © 2020 Ernest Dallé et al.Infundibulicybe geotropa (Bull.) Harmaja is an edible mushroom found in Bolu province in northwestern Turkey. The chemical composition and bioactivity of these mushrooms has not been previously investigated. We examined the phenolic composition, elemental content, and antioxidant and antigenotoxic effects of methanol extracts of fruiting bodies. The phenolic compounds in the fungal samples were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and element content was determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), and oxidative stress index (OSI) were determined using the commercially available Rel assay kit. The antigenotoxic effects of the extract were determined using the MTT assay to assess cell viability and the alkaline single-cell gel electrophoresis assay (Comet assay). The total phenolic content (ppm) of I. geotropa was found to be catechin (361 ± 2.31), clorogenic acid (553.54 ± 5.06), and coumaric acid (9.93 ± 0.25). The TAS, TOS, and OSI of the extract were 1.854 ± 0.051 mmol/L, 30.385 ± 0.399 μmol/L, and 1.639 ± 0.067, respectively. The elemental levels were within "normal" range. In HT22 mouse hippocampal neuronal cells, the extract (100 and 200 μg/ml) showed no genotoxic potential and ameliorated hydrogen peroxide- (H2O2-) induced oxidative DNA damage. I. geotropa may be considered a good nutrient due to its phenolic constituents and antioxidant potential. Copyright © 2020 Mustafa Sevindik et al.Almost all human diseases are strongly associated with inflammation, and a deep understanding of the exact mechanism is helpful for treatment. The NLRP3 inflammasome composed of the NLRP3 protein, procaspase-1, and ASC plays a vital role in regulating inflammation. In this review, NLRP3 regulation and activation, its proinflammatory role in inflammatory diseases, interactions with autophagy, and targeted therapeutic approaches in inflammatory diseases will be summarized. Copyright © 2020 Zheng Wang et al.The purpose of this study was to investigate the protective effect and mechanism of yeast selenium (Se-Y) on ochratoxin- (OTA-) induced nephrotoxicity of chickens. A total of 80 one-day-old healthy chickens were randomly divided into 4 equal groups control, OTA (50 μg/kg OTA), Se-Y (0.4 mg/kg Se-Y), and OTA+Se-Y (50 μg/kg OTA+0.4 mg/kg Se-Y). In the OTA chickens, differences in body weight, kidney coefficient, biochemical histological analysis, antioxidant capability, and the expression levels of the PI3K/AKT and Nrf2/Keap1 signaling pathway-related genes were observed. The levels of total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD), antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), catalase (CAT), and glutathione (T-GSH) significantly decreased, but the malondialdehyde (MDA) level of the kidneys significantly increased in the OTA treatment group. More importantly, treatment with Se-Y improved the antioxidant enzyme activities within the kidneys of chickens exposed to OTA. In addition, administration of OTA resulted in apoptosis and was associated with decreased expression of AKT, PI3K, and Bcl-2, which in turn enhanced expression of Caspase3, Bax, and P53. However, Se-Y improved the antioxidant defense system through activation of the Nrf2/Keap1 signaling pathway. Gene expression of Nrf2 and its target genes (HO-1, GSH-px, GLRX2, MnSOD, and CAT) was downregulated following OTA exposure. Conversely, Se-Y treatment resulted in a significant upregulation of the same genes. Besides, significant downregulations of protein expression of HO-1, CAT, MnSOD, Nrf2, and Bcl-2 and a significant upregulation of Caspase3 and Bax levels were observed after contaminated with OTA. Notably, OTA-induced apoptosis and oxidative damage in the kidney of chickens were reverted back to normal level in the OTA+Se-Y group. Taken together, the data suggest that Se-Y alleviates OTA-induced nephrotoxicity in chickens, possibly through the activation of the PI3K/AKT and Nrf2/Keap1 signaling pathways. Copyright © 2020 Kang Li et al.