#Defense & Protection

[tarotbroad]

New Moon in Virgo Reading using Alexandra Geenetti's Jumbledance Tarot

Where am I too critical of others? – In what ways have I been too harsh on others? Where can I be kinder to others? 3 of Cups RX Where am I too hard on myself? – In what ways have I been too harsh on myself? Where can I be kinder to myself? The Sun What is the effect of my perfectionism? – What things, positive or negative, does my sense of order bring me? Woman of Disks Rx What big picture am…

[amesmonde]

Damaged (2024) — A Cautionary Case Study in IP Infringement and Creative Rights Management

As both the original rights holder, creator, and writer of Shadows of Dismemberment, I’ve spent eight months consulting legal professionals with a background specifically in intellectual property (IP) and copyright law. It’s necessary I address the situation surrounding the 2024 feature film. Following a detailed comparative analysis, it’s apparent the film constitutes an unauthorised derivative…

[maitre-gotta]

Bague de commerçant très puissant pour les commerçants

BAGUE DE COMMERÇANT TRÈS PUISSANT, BAGUE POUR DEVENIR UN GRAND COMMERÇANT BAGUE POUR GRAND COMMERÇANTS OU COMMERÇANTES. Pour les commerçants , avec cette bague puissante. Votre commerce s’élargira car tous les clients viendront a vous et la clientèle sera énorme et abondante et vous deviendrez très célèbre et connue dans votre commerce. BAGUE POUR DEVENIR UN PUISSANT COMMERÇANT D’abord, cette…

[jcmarchi]

Italy: CharGPT Violates Privacy Rules - Technology Org

New Post has been published on https://thedigitalinsider.com/italy-chargpt-violates-privacy-rules-technology-org/

Italy: CharGPT Violates Privacy Rules - Technology Org

Italy’s data protection authority, known as Garante, has declared that OpenAI’s ChatGPT violates data protection regulations.

This decision comes as a result of the continuing investigation initiated last year.

ChatGPT app icon on a smartphone screen. Image credit: Focal Foto via Flickr, CC BY-NC 2.0

Garante, an active enforcer of the EU’s data privacy regime, had previously banned ChatGPT over alleged EU privacy rule violations. Although the service was reinstated after OpenAI addressed concerns, Garante has now found elements suggesting potential privacy violations.

Microsoft-backed OpenAI has been given 30 days to present defense arguments.

The investigation will consider input from a European task force comprising national privacy watchdogs.

Italy was the first Western European country to restrict ChatGPT. Under the EU’s GDPR, violators face fines of up to 4% of their global turnover.

Written by Vytautas Valinskas

You can offer your link to a page which is relevant to the topic of this post.

[pikminlovers]

Don't Tread On Me

a rough james hetfield oneshot

𖤐 a disgruntled james hetfield needs to blow off some steam after a sound mishap on stage. you, the newly promoted—slightly cocky engineer who caused the fuck up, were caught dead in your tracks.

𖤐

content(ﾒ﹏ﾒ)

dubcon...?☻︎ power play, slapping, public humiliation, blowjob, degradation, roughhousing, asshole james and again, ragdoll reader

enjoy:-)

╰─..★.────────────────╯

"What in the fuck was that?!"

An irate voice echos through the halls of the backstage area of the stadium. It was after the show. You knew exactly who that question was for, and the responsibility ripped through you like a machete. A few small mistakes you made as the prime audio engineer—

"Well, where the fuck is she?!"

—led to a livid James Hetfield. Sparing the details, these fuck-ups were definitely not gone unnoticed—by both the crowd, the band, and everyone, you just should've let someone else take over tonight.

The voice grew closer, and everyone around turned to you, knowing who was responsible. Your heartbeat picks up as you feel several pairs of eyes on you, and distant footsteps nearing. Though, you kept yourself together, shooting back a few glares to the company to protect your dignity, trying to remain tall as if you weren't being...for lack of better term, hunted down, at the moment by James Hetfield of Metallica. You loved this job and enjoyed your time working on the tour, and of course, enjoying your time with everyone on it. Though admittedly, you're pretty stubborn with almost everything that you do. Ever since you were promoted to the primary engineer, you've slightly let it get to your head, your coworkers growing more annoyed with you by the minute. You were all family, but like a cousin that needs to be addressed at the family reunion, you were becoming reckless. In your defense, the previous night of drinking and everything that came with it that you did with a handful of other crew and band, lasted until a little after daybreak, but it really caught up to you this time.

You know that you should have let someone else fill in for this show, just like you were wisely advised to, but nooooooo... you insisted everything was fine, and that you were independent, grown, and a professional, that you needed no help or anybody to tell you what you should and should not do; foolishly cocky of you, it must have been the liquor still talking. These words were not just repeated to anyone, but repeated to everyone in the room, including James and Lars. You didn't care for what the drummer had to say, but it was the frontman who clamped down on the suggestion that you should sit this one out. Though, you were fixed on getting the last word in, never liking being told what's good for you.

"I swear to God, when I get my hands on her! Half the show—fucked up!" You all hear, and reassurance from somebody on staff following, telling James that it wasn't that bad, and that they'll communicate with the engineer responsible—you. James shuts them down, saying that he'll handle it. Then finally, his angry voice pairs with his angry person, as he walks into view from around the corner.

Everyone in the room falls quiet, dead as a doorknob, cautiously examining him. James, fresh off the stage, skin and hair still slicked in sweat and pumped with adrenaline—ready to tackle this issue from the root. Your confidence almost diminishes upon seeing him, and hoping that you can slink away before he can catch you. You make the smallest shift in your legs and he instantly snaps his head at you.

Found you!

His jaw clenches, and unclenches, and he starts for you. You instinctively step back but he snatches your arm, towering down at you. Seeing him this amped up, this close, and the anger rightfully directed at you makes you wanna puddle right then and there. "The fuck was that?" His grip was firm, and you're shocked at how he's got you, especially in front of so many people. Your pride gets the best of you as you huff at him, "We can talk this out like adults—" "No. We're past this. I told..." he trails off as he notices you now looking at someone else, seemingly pleading for them to intervene, he responds to this with a slap to your face, grabbing your face afterwards to force you to look at him. "Look at me when I'm fucking talking to you." The little audience around gasped and exclaimed amongst themselves; so big of reaction, and yet nobody steps up. You all knew that James wasn't the friendliest at all when upset, and folks definitely expected the worst given how shitty the show's sound went tonight, primarily thanks to you. Your heart drops to your ass out of shock, slight fear and anger. Not to mention the humiliation of being scolded in front of everyone as if you were a little kid. This was a signal for you to also shut your smart mouth, but you refused to take that.

"What in that actual fuck is wrong with you?!" You spat, the sting on your cheek bringing flustering heat through your entire body. "Are you serious right now?!" You try to break from his hold, reaching your free arm to retaliate, but he quickly dodges you and throws his arms around you, holding you captive under him. You're damn near at loss for words. You don't notice that more people rushed into the room to witness what was going on. You were advised not to come in today, and yet you were the one to roll your eyes, brushing everyone's concerns off, and all with a pounding hangover! But damn, nobody wanted to step in to help you? "You don't fucking listen." He furthers, causing you to blush deeper, and you struggle against his large frame. "Get the fuck—!" You fight, you grumble something about how you both could easily discuss this in private. This outburst shocked you to your core, having rarely seen this side of him. Is he drunk? You call him a big baby and child among other things.

He lets you loose, but at an arm's distance for grabbing you back again. He looks around the room smugly, letting out a loud set of laughter, and gesturing to you. Your threats you made to him translated as weightless to him, which made you feel quite small in the moment.

But before you respond again, he suddenly starts to drag you to an open door a few steps down the hall, calling out on the way there, "I'm the child... fuckin' please." And reaches around to land a punishing smack to your ass, making you exclaim loudly out of shock, cursing him out. You hear distant giggles from bystanders, as they seem to be full of relief watching you finally confronted. That right there drove you mad.

You're dragged into the room, and he doesn't bother with shutting the door. It's sort of empty, a few crates, and almost vacant shelves, fluorescent facility lights beaming down on you. You're pushed into the right facing wall, back smacking it without warning, leaving you out of breath. Purposefully done so that everything could be seen by passerbyers and know that it's you. James reaches down, unfastening his belt, face set on you, "On your knees." He orders. You're just dumbfounded, and you stare wide eyed at the frontman, paralyzed. "God, do I need to use this on you?" his hands grasping along his belt. You perk up and shake your head quickly,

although...

Never mind.

"Then get that sweet ass on the ground." He spat, starting for you. You quickly obeyed, sinking to your knees. James grabs you roughly by your hair, hand sliding down your face, slapping you once again on the same cheek, and grabbing your chin, causing you to whimper. "Open." James growls, but before you could protest, he shuts it down by smacking you roughly again, "Open." Tears swell in your eyes and you, now irritated, open your mouth, tongue resting slightly over your lip, and you look up at him obediently.

"That's what I thought."

He peels his pants down, just enough for him to pop right out, stiffened and already ready to go. Hm, wonder when that happened? With little warning, he slides himself in your mouth, taking you by surprise and gagging you immediately. He pulls out, cackling down at you. "Cat got your tongue now, huh?" James moans as he taps himself on your tongue while you attempt to regather yourself, your heart still beating out your chest, you start to move your lips the slightest bit to protest, one last time, but he quickly shoves himself back in, letting out a gutted moan, furrowing his brows down at you.

"Dumb fucking bitch. Yeah, take my cock down your throat." James' large hands cradle your head, his left holding your hair like a leash, and his right on the side of your face, stretched to the back of your neck. He thrusts himself in deep, and slow, triggering your gag reflex, causing tears to roll down your face. Your hands fly up to his hips to try to create some type of barrier, but he overpowers you greatly. You whine around his cock, but it does nothing. Nothing but winding Hetfield up.

"Shut you up reeeal good," he starts lowly, "not much to say now." He takes himself out again, gracing you with oxygen. A trail of slobber connected the both of you, you try to catch your breath and brace yourself again, because you know that he's not going to let up. He moves his hand off your face, and moves it to cup your neck. "You're gonna learn to fuckin' listen today." The singer grimaces, you look up at him with pleading eyes, wanting so badly to beg for mercy. Mainly because your ego was damaged. A feeling of shame growing—shame from this confrontation being witnessed by your peers and many others, shame that you let yourself almost derail the show, and shame that you were oddly enjoying the way James decided to deal with you. Wrong? Sure, you were definitely in the wrong. Were you gonna admit it, had James not roughed you up in front of the goddamn city backstage? Probably, a little, yeah, sure.

"Don't give me that shit. This was lonnng overdue." He chortles, then forcibly opens your jaw again. James suddenly spits directly in your mouth, dribbles getting on the side of your face,

"Picture fuckin' perfect, darlin'." He moans deeply as he shoves himself back in, this time, rocking his hips with a power behind it. Absolutely throatfucking you. You hum around him, allowing him to turn your throat raw; he grunts as if it were a song, carelessly waving the fact that you're starting to choke, and tears are rolling down your face due to the lack of oxygen. He switches his hair holding hand, giving his left arm a break, resting it on your shoulder.

By this point, you had began to see tiny black floaters in your vision, your eyes starting to flutter. James noticeably close, with the way he's biting his lip, huffing, cock twitching in your full mouth. You thought you were going to pass out, until you notice that someone has walked into the room, calling for James. He had a headset on, and was watching the scene unfold briefly before snapping back into the moment. James slows, and you can't tell if he's aggravated or not by the interruption, but he pulls out and turns his head; you cough and try to catch your breath. The guy clears his throat, stealing glances at you while he begins to speak,

"Um, sir, you uhh." He pauses, rubbing his chin awkwardly. The singer gives a sarcastic grin, "Spit it out." He doesn't even acknowledge the situation, acting so nonchalantly that it's just...scary. The man continues, almost flinching at James—fuck is he the one nervous for?—, "You have that interview? The rest of the guys are waiting for you..." He trails off, half-smiling at the frontman. James keeps smiling, his hand loosening on your hair and shrugs, "Be there in a minute man, tell 'em not to start without me." The man nods, stealing one last glance at you before rushing out the room, reaching to close the door, but James stops him.

"Leave it." He orders, turning his head back to you. The man lets go, and leaves.

James chuckled dryly. "Think they're enjoying our little show?" He grabs himself, jerking roughly. You grumble in response, and spit out a "Fuck you, James." His eyes grow dark, smirking down at you, "Mmm, say that again for me..." A suggestion of rhetoric, because he pumps himself back into your mouth immediately, finishing what he was starting to do, "And leave those fucking hands behind your back."

You oblige, and he follows up with a "good girl."

Moments later, James had worked himself back to the finish line, choice words flying out, which honestly furthered your confusing enjoyment. He looked good, the whole exchange that is, his aggression only adding to it all. To speed him up, you assist him by moaning, whimpering around him. "Fuck, bitch," He clams his eyes shut, roughly thrusting into you a few more times before he pulls out of you, jerking himself to his end, telling you to keep your tongue out. He positions your head for you, relieving himself all over you. Your face, your tongue, even your favorite black long-sleeved shirt. You catch your breath for the final time, throat raw and eyes puffy, you fall back on your thighs, and hang your head, trying to keep your composure. James regathered himself, grabbing his belt once again, he seizes the opportunity to get another quip in over you. He folds it in half, pointing it at you, "I'm far from done with you." Before letting out another laugh. You say nothing, your face speaks for you, a blush pulls at your already slightly reddened face and you quickly look away. He approvingly hums, fastening his belt back to him. He walks towards the exit, turning back to you.

"Do as you're told."

You squint your eyes at him, starting up something else to say, but couldn't find the words, considering they were throat fucked right out of you. Seems you've learned your lesson. At least you knew he wouldn't have you fired off the tour.

He leaves the room.

You stay where you are, recollecting yourself, trying to chalk down what just happened, and think about what's to happen next, shivering with both fear and heated curiosity. Then finally, you rise to your feet.

Somebody walks past the door, slowing down to break their neck into the room, eyes finding you, but then quickly continuing down the hallway. It hits you. That was the supposed to be the person to cover you for this night! At this point, all you can do is groan and look at the ceiling.

You were advised, you were warned and you were told.

Guess you got what you deserved!

♓︎𝔞𝔱𝔢

[carsthatnevermadeitetc]

Archimedes Sting, 2025. Archimedes Defense and Up.Fi have collaborated to create a military version of Tesla's Cybertruck. Three different versions are planned including one with an AMP Drive G125TM aviation-derived 800V genset capable running on a variety of fuels and charging the Cybertruck up to 125 kW. There will be a Baja version, the Sting Protector that comes with amour plating and the Sting APC that has additional protection against IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices) as well as mine protection.

[bardic-tales]

3.19.25 - Goals / Motivations - Breaking Bianca

I've been thinking a lot about Bianca and Sephiroth’s dreamscape and how it might have played a role in her fall, especially as I continue edit my Yanderoth fanfiction. So, I wanted to write this headcanon to explain why they are like they are in the dreamscape in that fic. Keeping post-madness Sephiroth as close to canon as possible in Fantasy Worlds Collide is important to me, but I also want to explore the psychological and emotional manipulation that could deepen their dynamic. I have taken his obsession with molding Cloud into the perfect puppet and amp it up to 11.

The idea of Sephiroth breaking Bianca down in the dreamscape, using her past betrayals, traumas, and even her celestial heritage against her, feels like a natural extension of his obsessive tendencies. His love, twisted by Jenova’s influence and his fragmented memories and his own descent, becomes a possessive force, shaping Bianca into the queen he desires.

This blog post dives into how their dreamscape serves as a battleground for Bianca’s mind, where love, power, and control blur into something far more dangerous.

Content Warning: Abuse (Psychological & Emotional), Betrayal, Body Horror, Brainwashing, Captivity, Gaslighting, Hallucinations/Dream Manipulation, Mind Control/Psychic Influence, Obsession/Possessiveness, Religious Themes, Toxic Relationships, Trauma/PTSD, Yandere Behavior.

After the Nibelheim Incident, during which Bianca rejects Sephiroth’s offer to rule at his side, he is consumed by a rage and heartbreak that he cannot fully understand. Though he throws himself into his destined path of destruction, her defiance festers in his mind, an open wound that refuses to close. Even after his fall into the Lifestream, when his memories are fragmented and distorted by all the knowledge he consumed in the Lifestream, the Red Thread remains: a reminder of what was stolen from him. He cannot purge her existence, no matter how deeply he sinks into madness. He gets flashes of her in the Library: hair, the time they had sex, and her scent, as well as her refusing to join him and Jenova.

His love warps into something darker: an obsession, an unwavering belief that Bianca belongs to him: that she fell into his arms, so she has to be his by right. If she would not willingly stand at his side, then he would make her see the truth. He would reshape her into the queen she was always meant to be.

Trapped in Shinra’s clutches after Nibelheim, Bianca is left vulnerable to both her captors and the lingering presence of Sephiroth. Her mind, already fractured from a year and a half of torment, becomes the perfect battlefield for his influence. Unable to reach her physically, he invades her dreams, turning their dreamscape into his personal domain: a place where her reality bends to his will. In the beginning, his presence is subtle, a whisper in the dark, a comforting voice amidst her nightmares. He soothes her, speaks to her in ways no one else can, and offers her reprieve from the agony of Shinra’s experiments. But this kindness is not without cost. Each night, he pushes deeper, peeling away her defenses, unearthing old wounds, and filling the cracks with his own truth.

Sephiroth does not simply force Bianca into submission. He guides her toward it, twisting her past into a narrative that serves his purpose. Through their bond, he delves into her memories, exposing every betrayal, every moment of abandonment, every failure of angels, demons, and mortals alike. He forces her to relive the pain of Krista’s betrayal, Asmodeus’ skinning her alive, the loss of Mordecai, her mother’s death, and how humanity turned its back on her when the Creator wouldn’t answer their prayers, showing her time and again that the world has only ever sought to break her.

And where was the light she clung to? Where were the celestial beings meant to protect her? Nowhere. Only he remains. Only he understands. He is her everything. Over time, Bianca begins to believe that perhaps he is right. Perhaps the world was never meant for her. Perhaps she has been fighting against her own fate all along.

But Sephiroth is not only cruel. Sephiroth is kind. When Bianca crumbles beneath the weight of her suffering, he is there to catch her and to offer the illusion of choice. He paints vivid dreams of the future they could have together, a world where she is not just his lover but his equal and his queen. He does not demand her submission. No, that is too easy for Sephiroth and his presence is so insidious. He makes her want it. He speaks of a purpose greater than the pain she has endured. It is a destiny that only they can fulfill. He offers her power, a place at his side where no one can ever hurt her again. And the more she dreams of this future, the harder it becomes to resist.

By the time she escapes Shinra and they reunite, Bianca is not simply a willing ally. She is something he has forged, a being reshaped through his influence. She has not been broken so much as she has been rewritten. Her devotion to Sephiroth is no longer conflicted. It is no longer torn between love and morality. She has chosen to stand beside him, but it is a choice sculpted by his manipulation. It is his careful erosion of everything that once held her back. The celestial light within her does not vanish. Oh, no. It is simply consumed, twisted into something dark and unrecognizable.

In the end, Sephiroth does not just get what he wants. He ensures that Bianca wants it too. There is no need to force her hand when she willingly takes it, need to command when she offers her loyalty freely. Through the dreamscape, he has conquered her without ever lifting his blade. And as they stand together at the precipice of destruction, he knows that this time, she will not turn away.

tagging some fellow mutuals: @themaradwrites @acursedduty @megandaisy9 @watermeezer

@prehistoric-creatures @creativechaosqueen @chickensarentcheap @seastarblue

@inkandimpressions @arrthurpendragon

[lynxindisguise]

Obviously Project 2025 and the attack on women and members of the LGBTQ+ community is absolutely horrifying and very much real, no matter how much Trump has tried to distance himself from it.

But I want to talk about what's in the Republican Party's actual plan, because these are probably the things that will happen first, and it may also be helpful in terms of speaking to conservative relatives (especially the ones who are not fully gone far-right MAGA worshippers and are, instead, confused as to why everyone is so upset) about what exactly they voted for.

Mass deportations. This is the main platform he ran on. On a human level, this is horrifying, and it's going to cause unthinkable and unconscionable suffering. Maybe it'd be helpful to discuss how immigrants (including privileged white legal immigrants) pay taxes, can't vote, don't have access to benefits, and cannot risk committing even minor crimes for fear of deportation. Maybe it wouldn't. So. On an inhuman level, this is very expensive and a massive waste of resources. If you can't get people to give a shit about other human beings, you can at the very least ask how these deportations are not going to detract resources and attention away from the 'American needs' they keep harping on about.

Getting rid of all environmental regulations and AI regulations and amping up use of coal and oil. This is devastating for the entire world in the fight against climate change. I think this is how Trump means to reduce inflation, though his entire 'reduce taxes and reduce inflation' plan is so incredibly vague. At best, it's more trickle down theory bullshit.

Reducing American involvement in foreign conflicts. This sounds really great, actually. And yet. No foreign conflicts are specified—except for strengthening support to Israel. So. It would seem that the US is becoming even more involved in genocide, and most likely less involved in aiding Ukraine.

Improving the American education system. Hilariously, Trump's solution to a failing education system is to get rid of the Department of Education and leave everything up to the states? When you read on, it becomes clear that this is so schools can teach exclusively American history—and a very specific, propagandized version of it at that.

He mentions wanting to build a DOME MISSILE DEFENSE SHIELD around the US? Why is no one talking about this? This is formally written down. What the fuck does that mean?

He also talks about REDUCING censorship and protecting freedom of speech. In the coming years, I would ask your conservative relatives to hold him to that.

They also promised affordable housing, college, and healthcare. There's no plan for how the fuck they're going to do this while decreasing taxes, but I'd tell your conservative relatives to hold him to that as well.

The whole plan is here if you feel like reading the word 'great' 800 times. If you don't want propaganized idiots telling you you've fallen for the 'leftist propaganda,' come armed with indisputable facts of what the Republican Party has said they will do.

[girl4music]

My favourite WayHaught scene? The sacrifice scene.

I’m just so much more into emotional content between WLW couples than sexual content. I just really feel the depth of love and devotion in scenes where one has to or decides to sacrifice themselves for the other’s safety or freedom or well being or life. Because think about it. How much love do you have to feel for the other person to be to be able to do that? To have the courage and strength to sacrifice for them?

See that’s the thing with Xena and Gabrielle that I’ve written about many times before. Because they couldn’t show physical intimacy between them much and they had to leave the nature of their relationship ambiguous, what they did instead was amped up the emotional content where no matter how hard you tried, you could not not see how much they loved each other, whether it be as only friends or as lovers. You could interpret for yourself whether it was platonic or romantic but you absolutely could not deny their love and devotion to each other. It was deeply felt. Visceral.

It’s a declaration of commitment as well as love with WayHaught because it’s not just sacrifice what Nicole does in becoming the Angel’s Shield. It’s a way of binding herself to Waverly to always protect her. Binding herself not just to her future wife but to the supernatural being that’s been tasked with protecting the Garden of Eden and thus the entire Ghost River Triangle that surrounds it. By Nicole becoming the Angel’s Shield, she has said: “Let me be and do it.”

It’s a sacrifice FOR her but also a commitment TO her.

And okay yeah, it doesn’t relieve Waverly of the role entirely, but what it does do is puts a defensive wall around Eden so that she does not have to immediately follow through with sitting on the throne as Guardian. So they do not have to be separated from each other. Nicole becoming the Angel’s Shield is a statement of: “Stay here with me and I’ll protect all this with you”because otherwise Waverly would have to leave her and she can’t have that happen. Not again. Not ever.

It’s beautiful. You don’t see that often enough in TV art/entertainment with WLW representation. That wholly encompassing depth of love and devotion to each other through sacrifice. And the reason why is because it requires seasons of narrative set up and build up for it to really work and hit as a climax and conclusion. You don’t get it because the WLW couple are NEVER main characters nor last that long to be able to depict scenes of epic love and romance and to represent emotional content that is this compelling to watch and doesn’t feel forced or contrived because there’s sufficient backstory and foundation behind it.

I’m being completely honest that the only other time I’ve really ever seen it is with Xena and Gabrielle despite them not being confirmed as a couple in the show. It’s hard to express or articulate how much this doesn’t matter when the creators agree with you anyway. When they absolutely see the them this way and do what they can under the restrictions to show it. To represent a love without defining the nature of that love other than a few less-than-subtextual tentative kisses where you can read into it whatever you want.

[phantomthiefgaige]

What if Chihiro Fushimi Joined SEES (Part 2)

Had to rewatch the P3 ending to amp myself up to do this. Don’t mind the tears…or the river of em flowing through the post. That’s normal. Anyway. This part will be covering some misc stuff like School life, minor changes, and right up to the June full moon operation. With that being said. Lets get into it.

TW//Bullying

“SOTERIA!!!”

Soteria is Chihiro Fushimis persona. The goddess of safety and salvation, deliverance, and preservation from harm…funny that she will exactly USE harm to protect others from it.

While Soteria does learn spells like Tetrakarn and Makarakarn and some defensive increasing skills. That’s not all her Persona can do.

This persona is well known for its high magic stat, but more importantly…she’s the teams nuke button.

Her most upgraded move besides the Agi skill line is the Megi skill line. For those who don’t remember. Megi moves are pure almighty damage, a damage type that can’t be blocked.

Why did I decide to give the terrified nervous wreck a nuke? Cause I thought it would be funny. Don’t worry, it drains her magic fast so you can’t go spamming it. You’re gonna have to actually use her fire skills until much later on when she gets an sp cost reduction skill.

Soteria is best described appearance wise as a graceful looking woman with angelic wings yet in her hands are a giant shield and a crackling hand mixed with agi and megi effects. She’d have some unique patterns on her arms and would have her eyes covered by a flower crown.

Now enough about Chihiros Persona, lets see how this girl is with the rest of the teammates and what she does outside of battle.

Of course she’s still the student council treasurer so she’s in there with Mitsuru from time to time but really, it’s more of a “friendly business partners” relationship rather than a true genuine sisterly friendship for right now.

Now on the other end of things are her dorm-mates. Yukari is often really close with Chihiro. She talks to her quite often about her mangas and how club meetings go while Yukari just listens or at least tries to act engaged at the very least.

Yukari can be a bit protective of her but not often. Just helping at times when she gets too nervous around Akihiko. Other times though, despite Chihiros protests, she throws the girl to the wolves with one particular man to help her overcome her fears. That one man is…

Junpei….is…an interesting case with Chihiro. They both like manga and nerdy things at times so besides the male fear thing, you’d think they’d be the best of friends. Well, kinda. She’s too nervous right now to fully hang out with him and watches from a corner usually. Often wondering how he has so much time to slack on his studies when she’s seen his exam scores. She’d reprimand him if she had the courage to…

Yukari is definitely gonna help this girl slightly tolerate this man if it kills her.

Or at least have her join the “Stupei, Ace Defective” roasting club.

Both options work too.

Chihiro doesn’t have much to talk about with Akihiko. If Junpei was a bit much for her at this level, then a guy who talks about getting stronger and fighting with, to her, not much in common is gonna put her off a bit more…but then again, she seems fine with Hidetoshi so who knows? Maybe they’ll be better friends in the near future.

Insert Makoto Yukis/Door Doors social link here.

What? You thought I was gonna write something for Makoto now? It’s basically going the same as her SL. They’re friends and she likes being around him.

…

…

…

Okay fine, maybe I’m planning something but you’ll have to wait until later in the story. For now. They’re friends. Like…rank 4 at best.

In the overworld, Chihiro can often be seen staring at Bookworms, thinking of going in. Heck maybe even considering asking for a part time job, this girl surrounded by books would think it’s a dream job.

She can also be spotted around the mall, checking out the CD shops or wondering if maybe someday Makoto will take her into Club Escapade…but she’s gotta get her own courage in check so we’ll check in on this subplot later.

At night, there is a rare chance that you won’t be able to use the computer there because Chihiro’s on it.

She’s either gonna be studying or looking at this weird new webcomic. It’s apparently about a boy and his three friends playing a video game? You aren’t sure yet because all you see is a boy kissing his poster goodbye while his friend plays the violin. It’s weird but hey, nobody said she can’t have weird interests.

Now that the current dorm life is out of the way, lets get into the story this time.

A reason Yukari may be a bit protectivr if Chihiro is because she’s been hearing about this currently being bullied by three girls.

It’s really starting to piss her off actually. But she bites her tongue for right now.

Most of May and such plays out as normal but instead of the ghost hunting team being just you, Yukari and Junpei, this girl gets in on it too…she wishes she wasn’t because she didn’t know wether to be afraid of ghosts or Junpei in the dark, or confused by how laughable his missing girl story was.

Nevertheless she joins their investigation with some reluctance…mainly Yukari saying it’ll help her.

For once though when they decide to go to the sketchy alleys of Port Island Station at night, she’s siding with Junpei in possibly wanting to back out.

Dear lord the girl was not only not made for scared, but for seeing Junpei get headbutted by a terrifying guy while being harassed by others.

And then there’s Shinji…

Poor girl just about fainted when she saw him. He’s downright terrifying. He seems nice but the poor gi-oh…she passed out. Poor thing.

When she gets back to the dorm she’s out for the whole night, cuddling with a pillow from fear…yeah Yukari may need to apologize later to her for doing that.

Weirdly enough though, the fact she felt like she “survived” something like that feels a bit relieving in her. Like she CAN do scary stuff and will be braver…eventually. For now though. Fuukas case takes high priority.

Hearing this Fuuka girl was getting bullied by Natsuki was bad enough, learning she could be dead is slightly pissing her off…then she learns Mr. Ekoda hid this information from everyone…someone hold this girl back she’s gonna take her paper fan and jam it down his throat.

Thankfully she heard Mitsuru got to him but she’s still pissed. Who knew this sweetheart could have a tipping point that deep.

It doesn’t make her fear into a hatred thankfully, I mean…seeing Junpei get knocked down at the station made her feel scared sure but like she wanted to help and just felt powerless…maybe that’s why when he heard this girl was being bullied and her missing status was hidden was what caused her to lose her cool for a little.

Come the time to save them, she begs Makoto to please go with him to save Fuuka. She feels like she needs to meet this girl.

He doesn’t care

But she’s in the party with Aki and Junpei.

In retrospect, not a good idea for her but she’s holding back her fear to save this woman.

Authors realization: OH SHIT, I FORGOT HOW SHE FEELS ABOUT NATSUKI!!!!

So with Natsuki she feels, understandably, upset that she would bully this girl and locked her up. Though she does promise she’ll help find Fuuka.

Now back in Tartar Sauce, she’s slightly relieved yet worried to be split from the all guys party. When she finds Makoto though, she’s much calmer. When they find Fuuka though…dear lord this girl is so glad she’s alive.

Then she sees Mitsuru and Yukari are down for the count and hey, she can actually do damage to them…it’s weak damage though. If only there were some persona user who could read enemies weaknesses an- oh Fuuka did it.

The rest of the story here mainly plays out as normal.

Now with Fuuka on the team, how are she and Chihiro gonna get along?

Dear lordy, these two are like sisters. Scared, timid, shy, other similar words can best describe them to a T.

Fuuka looks up to Chihiro as her Senpai while Chihiro looks up to her as someone much smarter than her.

These two have a lot of study sessions together and it’s sort of the opposite of Yukari so far.

Instead of having Chihiro try and work past things asap, she’s more into having her take her time and do things at her own speed.

They even suggest starting a manga/book club too.

Fuuka isn’t fully into Mangas? Well by golly Fuuka will try for her new friends sake

And this is where we end for this part. Sorry it’s a bit sloppy and has so much run offs, it’s unorganized and all over the place. Okay a lot more work is needed but there was a lot to go over and I set my ambitions a bit high. I’ll try and organize things a bit better next time and make things more coherent.

Special thanks to my co-author @maze-of-my-design for the relationships list for this gal and helping with ideas for this series.

Hope you enjoyed reading it y’all.

[tarotbroad]

Week 46 - What reality is my own narrative attempting to escape?  (#TarotReading #VintageRWS #52WeekProject)

What is my narrative?  9 of Cups What is my reality?  2 of Wands How can I merge them?  King of Cups Pam’s Vintage Tarot Believe it or not I developed this question after reading this line in a book about folk horror movies.  After reading the sentence I just thought it would make an awesome tarot reading for this week.  When I saw the cards that I drew I realized this reading was giving me…

[mha-grievances]

Can you do a text post about jurou having arguably the strongest quirk

Sure 😊. Kyouka’s in my top three favorite MHA characters so this is something that’s been spiraling in my head for the longest time 😂.

Now, I wouldn’t say it is THE strongest quirk out there, but if written well, Kyouka would make for one of the most terrifying ambush fighters that could take out threats that people like Katsuki couldn’t.

As written, Kyouka uses her quirk in two ways during combat: to scout and to fire shockwaves from her support gear. Her requesting support gear that allows her to turn a short ranged quirk into a long ranged one is a genius move on her end as it covers her biggest weakness. However, unless she’s away from her support gear, she always fights at a range. Again, this is smart when going up against opponents that would normally outrange her, but I believe that she’s at her best in close quarters combat.

Right off the bat, let me say that there seemingly is no limit in regards to what Kyouka can plug her jacks into. She’s plugged them into flesh, concrete, stone, steel, etc. Canon has yet to show her failing to stick her jacks into something.

Secondly, the plug part of her jacks are exactly the same size as the jacks from a regular earphone. I’m sure if you’ve all seen what an earphone jack looks like in real life, so imagine getting stabbed by those things. For most people, those things would puncture through a lot of flesh and muscle to reach some vital areas, such as bone, organ, and vein/artery systems. Keep this in mind as you continue reading cause it’s important.

Now, let’s talk about how a concussion’s made. When someone receives a concussion, it’s because their brain’s received a jolt, bump, or blow that causes it to rattle inside the skull. The impact doesn’t even need to be strong enough to break/damage bone, as long as that brain’s rattled enough, you’re getting a concussion. When it comes to being dealt damage, the entire body functions in a similar way. If a vital organ/system receives enough of a jolt, they’ll collapse and stop working. What protects us are our bone and muscle, but what if someone can bypass all of that protection and deliver a small shock to the body? This is where Kyouka’s quirk truly begins to showcase its strength.

Katsuki has failed to immediately knock out people with even his strongest explosions. Why? Because that person usually has a strong enough defense system to absorb the impact, whether it be a strength enhancing quirk or a hardening quirk. Kyouka has knocked out people without any effort just by stabbing them with her jacks and sending a small shock through them. Sure, it was done as a gag, but in terms of feats, this still counts. She’s been able to knock people unconscious without even trying, so now let’s imagine what would happen if she unleashed her full power into someone’s body. Without the aid of her support gear and just by plugging her jacks into the ground, she’s been shown to be able to crack cement, push back Nine (a guy who was near Tomura’s power level for a while), and send both debris and people flying. If a small jolt is enough for her to knock someone unconscious, then by amping her output by a slight amount, she could send someone into a coma and/or cause several of the person’s internal organs to fail. If she was to unleash a jolt using all of her power, she’d blow them up from the inside.

The only way TO counter her quirk once she’s got her jacks in you would be to have a body capable of withstanding such great force from within. So far, we’ve seen almost no one who can claim such a feat. Ejiro, the representative of what a hardening quirk can do, would drop like a fly to Kyouka. Even in “unbreakable” form, her jacks can pierce him. His quirk also only hardens his skin and some of his muscles, not the rest of the body. The fact he can still feel pain and bleed is proof of this. He may be able to tank an assault from her if she uses her support gear to fire a shockwave, but if she fires one inside his body, he’s done. She can also potentially knock out someone who’d otherwise resist her attacks by aiming her jacks at a more vulnerable area such as the heart or the head.

Now, Kyouka does have some weaknesses. First, she would have to inject her jacks into someone in order to quickly dispose of them. If someone could prevent her from tagging them with her jacks, Kyouka’s going to have a tougher time with swiftly taking them out. In addition, her jacks aren’t invincible, as shown by how AFO managed to take one out during his fight against her. However, between having her support gear and being able to cause massive earthquakes without them, she could knock a person around until she can close the distance. She can also take a page from Shota’s book and rely on ambush tactics. With her super hearing, she’s able to hear people’s heartbeats. Give her some proper training and she’ll be able to use that to determine if a target has spotted her or when they’ve relaxed to the point that they’ll be slower to react.

If Hori wanted to write her as such, Kyouka could be one of the most deadly assassins in the entire series, being able to take out even those who can withstand numerous explosions to the face by Katsuki. She’d a force to be reckoned with if she was allowed to use her abilities to their fullest potential. Sadly, as a side character, she’s shoved to the backseat so we’ll never get to see what a beast this girl can truly be.

[maitre-gotta]

Savon de Chance et de Déblocage, le plus grand marabout honnête

SAVON DE CHANCE ET DE DEBLOCAGE, il s’agit d’un savon puissant de chance, de déblocage et de richesse capable de changer d’un coup votre vie. C’EST QUOI LE SAVON DE CHANCE ET DE DEBLOCAGE Chers internautes chers frères et sœurs voici qu’en ce jour, je vous présente un un savon de chance et de déblocage mystique remarquable pour vous aidez à avoir le vrai bonheur avec un déblocage par la…

[neverendingrelease]

Releasing Today, May 20 2024!

Neural Shock is a top down tower-defense where you play a character who can also shoot the enemies.

Aquium is a fishing simulator where you catch fish for your aquarium.

Margoq's lair is a roguelite dungeon crawler with an inventory system and a spell combination system.

Way of Rhea is a puzzle game based around colored doors and teleporting/timing manipulation.

LOGIX: The Missing Part is an FPS puzzle game where you need to fix the logic in puzzles by using companion cubes. It kinda has a big QUBE vibe going for it.

Yolk Heroes: A Long Tamago is an idler game where you raise a gameboy color hero as they progress through their lives. It seems like there are a bunch of minigames to play along the way.

Little-Known Galaxy is a casual life/farming sim in space where you get to meet/date aliens/clones/etc, while collecting and farming space flora.

Speglar is an old school arcade style multi-person arena game where you pilot spaceships or tanks or something around an arena with mirrors that bounce your bullets around. It's probably fun if you've got some people local to play with. Speglar is a funny word.

Escaping DandyLand is a (frustrating?) 3D platformer that supplies a barrage of colors and looks like it escaped out of ENA or something.

Excelios is an Excel-themed 2D platformer. I have no idea what the story really is, but you basically play the Excel logo, and Clippy helps you out?

[watcher-servant]

Counter guardian ARC

(Including 1st and 2nd ascension)

1st ascension: Rusted Knight

2nd ascension: Professor Arc of the Clock tower

3rd ascension: Counter Guardian (secret/undecided)

Class: Shielder, Pretender, Saber

Parameters:

Strength: B

Endurance: A+

Agility: C

Mana: B

Luck: E

NP: B

Class Skills:

Magic Resistance: B, Cancel spells with a chant below 3 verses. Even if target by greater magecraft and rituals, it is difficult for them to be affected.

Riding: B, Most vehicles and animals can be handled with above average skill, even vehicles that did not exist in the time period one was alive in. Can't ride phantasmal species

Self Defense Field: B

Personal Skills:

Auric Arts: B, Due to gaining a better understanding of aura, along with gaining proficiency in magecraft. He is able to weave techniques together allowing the use of circuits and the manipulation of aura in a tangible form

Guardian Spirit: B, A composite Skill combining effects of Eye of the mind (False) and Battle Continuation. Holds a natural instinct of tactics, which became sharper over time, capable of complete analysis of his enemy and battlefield. Due to his endurance and determination, he is very hard to put down. As he will keep fighting until his foe is dead, he can no longer move or allies can finish. Gains a rank when protecting someone.

Self-loathing: C, Doesn't hold himself highly even with earned wins. Suffers from imposter syndrome, the only pro is that he won't underestimate any enemies.

Noble Phantasm:

Crocea Mors: C+, Originally a weapon that had passed through his family, was upgraded with first partner's weapon, later broken during the fight aganist her killer. In this new world was reforged using a black key. Later with both sword and shield enfused and saturated in his aura started to fuse with his body. Is able to summon a complete copy of the sword in energy form that ripples.

Aura Amp, Enhancing the soul: B, His original semblance allows the amplification of aura's natural abilities. This also applies to prana allowing healing, energy replenishment, and enhancement. Can also infuse his aura into a weapon to strengthen it and apply different effects.

Lore, Abyss of the soul: B, The dark side of aura he discovered by accident. The complete opposite of aura as it allows the absorption of energy and even having its own gravity like a pseudo black hole. Can also be manipulated like aura and usually takes form of a gauntlet shield.

Chevalier's Shard: ???, A mystic code that he created during his time as the Kaleidoscope's apprentice. It allows him to instantly don armor, giving both physical and magical properties. Once infused and enhanced by both lore and his aura, it allows a complete change that further enhances ability. However, its locked due self-imposed restrictions saved for foes up the ranks of world ender or beasts.

Juniper, celestial jackalope: B, the loyal mount of the rusted knight due to bonding with the rider. She can use a form of the knight's abilities. Channeling energy into her horns makes a similar effect of aura Amp and even heal wounds of allies. By calling her true name, she's able to unleash a concentrated beam of energy.

(Context: Lore ability is from Silver by Imyoshi, also a good reference for Jaune using aura more.)

(2nd image is made by Diahwasher1910)

[helen0086]

Progress in the Study of the Protective Effect and Mechanism of C-phycocyanin on Liver Injury

Abstract: C-phycocyanin (C-phycocyanin) is a pigment-containing protein from marine algae that has shown promising results in the treatment of many inflammatory diseases and tumors. C-alpha-cyanobilin is a pigment-containing protein from marine algae that has been shown to be effective in the treatment of various inflammatory diseases and tumors. C-alpha-cyanobilin has a protective effect on various liver diseases, such as drug-induced or toxic substance-induced liver damage, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, hepatic fibrosis, and hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury. The protective effect of C-alginin on liver injury is mainly realized through the regulation of signaling pathways such as nuclear factor (NF)-κB, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) and AMP-dependent protein kinase (AMPK), and the inhibition of oxidative stress, etc., and is not toxic to normal cells. Therefore, C-alginin has a broad application prospect as a potential natural hepatoprotective marine active substance. In recent years, the research progress of the protective effect of C-alginin on liver injury and its mechanism is summarized.

 C-phycocyanin (C-phycocyanin) is a complex protein of cyanobacteria and a natural food protein pigment with pharmacological effects such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor effects, as well as fast-acting and low-toxicity, it can be used as a functional food [1-2]. C-Alginin can also enhance immunity and is safe, without causing acute and subacute toxic reactions [3]. Selenium-enriched PC has been shown to have stronger pharmacological effects [4]. Therefore, C-alginate has important research value both as a drug and a functional food, and has become a hot spot in the field of pharmaceutical research [5]. In this paper, we summarize the progress of research on the application and mechanism of C-alginin in liver diseases.

1 Ameliorative effect of C-phycocyanin on liver injury caused by drugs and toxic substances

The liver is the metabolic center of drugs and exogenous toxic substances, and metabolites are prone to liver injury. C-PC can inhibit the synthesis and release of inflammatory factors such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interferon-γ, and increase the activities of catalase and superoxide dismutase (SOD), which can inhibit hepatic inflammation and alleviate hepatic injury [3]. It has been found that C-PC can significantly prevent thioacetamide-induced liver injury, significantly reduce the levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aliquot aminotransferase (AST), shorten the prothrombin time and reduce the hepatic histopathological damage, and improve the survival rate of rats with fulminant hepatic failure [6]. C-alginin also has a good effect on thioacetamide-induced hepatic encephalopathy, which can be seen in the reduction of tryptophan and lipid peroxidation indexes in different regions of the brain, and the enhancement of catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities in rats with fulminant hepatic failure [6].

Another study found that C-alginin not only attenuates the oxidative stress induced by 2-acetylaminofluorene and reduces the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) radicals, but also inhibits the phosphorylation of protein kinase B (Akt) and the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor (NF)-κB induced by 2-acetylaminofluorene, thus inhibiting the expression of multidrug resistance genes [7]. Osman et al. [8] also showed that C-alginin could normalize the levels of ALT, AST, catalase, urea, creatinine, SOD and glutathione-s-transferase in the livers of rats poisoned with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). This result was also verified in human liver cell line (L02) [9]. C-phycocyanin can effectively scavenge ROS and inhibit CCl4-induced lipid peroxidation in rat liver [10], and C-PC can improve the antioxidant defense system and restore the structure of hepatocytes and hepatic enzymes in the liver of gibberellic acid-poisoned albino rats [11]. As a PC chromophore, phycocyanin can also significantly inhibit ROS generation and improve liver injury induced by a variety of drugs and toxic substances [10]. Liu et al. [12] found that phycocyanin showed strong anti-inflammatory effects in a CCl4-induced hepatic injury model in mice, which could significantly reduce the levels of ALT, AST, the expression of TNF-α and cytochrome C, increase the levels of albumin and SOD, and proliferate cytosolic nuclei. It can significantly reduce ALT and AST levels and the expression of TNF-α and cytochrome C, increase albumin levels and the expression of SOD and proliferating cell nuclear antigen, promote hepatocyte regeneration and improve the survival rate of mice with acute liver failure.

Gammoudi et al [13] used response surface method to optimize the extraction process of C-phycocyanin, and obtained high extraction recovery. C-phycocyanin extracted by the optimized method has the ability of scavenging hydroxyl, superoxide anion and nitric oxide radicals as well as the ability of metal chelating, and it has stronger antioxidant effect; C-PC significantly increased the activity of SOD and inhibited the increase of ALT, AST, and bilirubin in cadmium-poisoned rats. C-PC significantly increased the activity of SOD and inhibited the increase of ALT, AST and bilirubin in rats with cadmium poisoning. The above studies show that C-phycocyanin can effectively protect liver injury caused by drugs and toxic substances, and has the efficacy as the basis for drug development.

2 Preventive effect of C-alginin on hepatic fibrosis

Liver fibrosis is an inevitable process in the development of various chronic liver diseases and may be reversed with early and timely treatment. The key to liver fibrosis is the activation of hepatic stellate cells. Previous studies have found that low-dose C-alginin combined with soy isoflavones can inhibit hepatic stellate cell activation by inhibiting the activity of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase［14］, but it is not clear whether C-alginin alone can inhibit the activity of NADPH oxidase. Therefore, the combination of C-algin and soy isoflavones at appropriate doses may have a preventive effect on liver fibrosis in high-risk groups. C-alginin may inhibit the progression of NADPH by suppressing oxidative damage, thereby inhibiting the development of hepatic fibrosis [15].

Epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) is one of the key mechanisms contributing to the development of fibrotic diseases. C-alginin inhibits transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1)-induced human EMT [16]. Although the effect of C-alginin on EMT in hepatic fibrosis has not been reported, it has been found that C-alginin can reduce pulmonary fibrosis by inhibiting epithelial mesenchymal transition [17]. Another study found that C-alginin could reduce the expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) mRNA in human dermal fibroblasts and alleviate fibrous contracture [18]. The results of these studies also have significance for the inhibition of hepatic fibrosis, and provide a theoretical basis for the further study of C-PC as a potential antifibrotic drug.

3 Protective effect of C-alginin on hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury

Liver ischemia/reperfusion injury is an important clinicopathophysiological phenomenon. It was found that the addition of two different doses (0.1 g/L and 0.2 g/L) of C-alginin to the Krebs Henseleit preservation solution significantly decreased hepatic ALT, AST and alkaline phosphatase activities, and reduced the rate of lipid peroxidation and malondialdehyde content in an isolated perfused rat liver model, and increased the activities of hepatic glutathione-s-transferase and glutathione peroxidase, as well as sulfhydryl groups in hepatic tissue. On the other hand, it can increase the activities of hepatic glutathione-s-transferase and glutathione peroxidase and the content of sulfhydryl groups in liver tissues, therefore, C-alginin can significantly reduce hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury as an antioxidant [19]. In isolated perfused mouse livers, it was found that C-alginin significantly reduced the phagocytosis and respiratory burst activity of hepatic macrophages (Kupffer cells), attenuated cytotoxicity and inflammation induced by highly active Kupffer cells, and dose-dependently inhibited carbon phagocytosis and carbon-induced oxygen uptake by perfused livers, and then inhibited the increase of hepatic nitric oxide synthase activity induced by gonadotropins [20]. and thus inhibit the thyroid hormone-induced elevation of hepatic nitric oxide synthase activity [20].

However, C-alginin has a very short half-life in vivo, which limits its application in vivo. It was found that the use of polyethylene glycol-b-(polyglutamic acid-g-polyethyleneimine), a macromolecular material with good drug-carrying capacity and slow-release properties, as a nanocarrier of C-alginin could solve this problem, and the release of C-alginin could be delayed by subcutaneous injection into the abdominal region of rats, which could attenuate islet damage caused by hepatic ischemia/reperfusion and enhance the function of the islets [21]. This study broadens the scope of application of C-alginin in vivo and improves the therapeutic effect of C-alginin.

4 Inhibitory effect of C-alginin on hepatocellular carcinoma

It was found that C-alginin significantly reduced the expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 and the expression of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 2 (TIMP2) mRNA in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells (HepG2 cells) [22]. C-alginin is a natural photosensitizer, and photodynamic therapy (PDT) mediated by alginin microcystin induced a large accumulation of ROS in HepG2 cells, which promoted mitochondrial damage and cytochrome C release, and led to apoptosis of hepatocellular carcinoma cells [23].

Liu et al. [24] used nanoscale C-alginate particles prepared by lactobionic acid grafting and adriamycin loading to enhance the growth inhibition of HepG2 cells when combined with chemo-PDT, and the C-alginate particles could effectively accumulate and diffuse in tumor multicellular spheres. In vitro and in vivo studies on the effects of selenium-enriched PCs on PDT in hepatocellular carcinoma showed that selenium-enriched PCs could migrate from lysosomes to mitochondria in a time-dependent manner, and that selenium-enriched PCs could induce the death of tumor cells through the generation of free radicals in vivo, increase the activities of antioxidant enzymes in vivo, induce mitochondria-mediated apoptosis, and inhibit autophagy, thus offering a relatively safe pathway to tumor treatment and showing new development perspectives [4]. It can provide a relatively safe way to treat tumors and shows a new development prospect [4].

Lin et al. [25] combined C-phycocyanin with single-walled carbon nanohorns and prepared phycocyanin-functionalized single-walled carbon nanohorn hybrids, which enhanced the photostability of C-phycocyanin and protected the single-walled carbon nanohorns from adsorption of plasma proteins, and synergistically used with PDT and photothermal therapy (PTT) to treat tumors. C-phycocyanin covalently coupled with biosilica and PDT or non-covalently coupled with indocyanine green and PTT on tumor-associated macrophages can also increase the apoptosis rate of tumor cells [26-27]. The development of PDT and PTT synergistic methods for the treatment of cancer has broadened the application of C-PC and enhanced its value in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.

In addition, C-phycocyanin can inhibit the expression of multidrug-resistant genes in HepG2 cells through NF-κB and activated protein-1 (AP-1)-mediated pathways, and C-phycocyanin increases the accumulation of adriamycin in HepG2 cells in a dose-dependent manner, which results in a 5-fold increase in the susceptibility of cells to adriamycin [28]. Even in adriamycin-resistant HepG2 cells, C-PC induced the activation of apoptotic pathways such as cytochrome C and caspase-3 [29], and the results of Prabakaran et al. [30] also confirmed the inhibitory effect of C-PC on the proliferation of HepG2 cells, mediated by the inactivation of BCR-ABL signaling and the downstream PI3K/Akt pathway. mediated by BCR-ABL signaling and inactivation of downstream PI3K/Akt pathway. In addition, C-phycocyanin modifies the mitochondrial membrane potential and promotes apoptosis in cancer cells [30]. Currently, C-phycocyanin is a synergistic molecule with other drugs that have been widely used in the treatment of cancer [31]. The above studies demonstrate that C-phycocyanin has good therapeutic potential in the field of hepatocellular carcinoma.

5 Amelioration of metabolic syndrome and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease by C-phycocyanin

It has been found that C-alginin can reduce ALT and AST levels, decrease ROS production and NF-κB activation, and attenuate hepatic fibrosis in rats induced by high-fat choline-deficient diets, and thus C-alginin has a protective effect on NAFLD rats through anti-inflammatory and antioxidant mechanisms [15].

Another study on the effects of aqueous extract of Spirulina (mainly C-alginin) on NAFLD induced by a high-calorie/high-fat Western diet in C57Bl/6J mice showed that aqueous extract of Spirulina significantly improved glucose tolerance, lowered plasma cholesterol, and increased ursodeoxycholic acid in bile in mice [32]. Kaspi-Chadli et al. Kasbi-Chadli et al. [33] showed that aqueous extract of Spirulina could reduce cholesterol and sphingolipid levels in the liver and aortic cholesterol levels in hamsters fed a high-fat diet by significantly decreasing the expression of hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase (HMG CoA) gene, a limiting enzyme for cholesterol synthesis, and TGF-β1 gene, and that ursodeoxycholic acid levels in the feces of hamsters fed high-fat diets were increased in the high Spirulina aqueous extract treatment group.

A daily dose of C-alginin-enriched Spirulina can reduce the harmful effects of oxidative stress induced by a diet rich in lipid peroxides [34]. Ma et al. [35] found that C-alginin promoted the phosphorylation of hepatocyte AMP-dependent protein kinase (AMPK) in vivo and ex vivo, and increased the phosphorylation of acetyl coenzyme A carboxylase. In the treatment of NAFLD in mice, C-alginin can improve liver inflammation by up-regulating the expression of phosphorylated AMPK and AMPK-regulated transcription factor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPAR-α) and its target gene, CPT1, and by down-regulating the expression of pro-inflammatory factors such as TNF-α and CD36 [35]. This suggests that C-phycocyanin can also improve lipid deposition in the liver through the AMPK pathway.

Endothelial dysfunction is associated with hypertension, atherosclerosis and metabolic syndrome. Studies in animal models of spontaneous hypertension have shown that long-term administration of C-alginin may improve systemic blood pressure in rats by increasing aortic endothelial nitric oxide synthase levels, with a dose-dependent decrease in blood pressure, and thus C-alginin may be useful in preventing endothelial dysfunction-related diseases in the metabolic syndrome [36]. In the offspring of ApoE-deficient mice fed C-alginate during gestation and lactation, male littermates had an elevated hepatic reduced/oxidized glutathione ratio and significantly lower hepatic SOD and glutathione peroxidase gene expression.

C-PC is effective in preventing atherosclerosis in adult hereditary hypercholesterolemic mice [37]. In vitro, C-phycocyanin also improved glucose production and expression of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) and glucose-6-phosphatase (G-6-Pase) in high-glucose-induced insulin-resistant HepG2 cells [38]. C-alginin also increases glucose uptake in high glucose-induced insulin-resistant HepG2 cells through the insulin receptor substrate (IRS)/PI3K/Akt and Sirtuin-1 (SIRT1)/liver kinase B1 (LKB1)/AMPK signaling pathways, activates glycogen synthase, and increases the amount of glycogen [38]. C-phycocyanin can improve blood glucose and fasting serum insulin levels in tetracycline-induced diabetic mice [39]. Therefore, C-phycocyanin can maintain cellular glucose homeostasis by improving insulin resistance in hepatocytes.

6 Hepatoprotective role of C-phycocyanin in other liver diseases

Studies have shown that C-alginin can inhibit total serum cholesterol, triacylglycerol, LDL, ALT, AST, and malondialdehyde levels in mice modeled with alcoholic liver injury, significantly increase SOD levels in the liver, and promote the activation and proliferation of CD4+ T cells, which can have an ameliorative effect on alcoholic liver injury [40]. In addition, C-phycocyanin may enhance the intestinal barrier function, regulate the intestinal flora, reduce the translocation of bacteria and metabolites to the liver, and inhibit the activity of the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/NF-κB pathway, which may reduce the inflammation of the liver and prevent the occurrence of hepatic fibrosis in mice [41]. In mice with X-ray radiation-induced liver injury, C-phycocyanin can reduce radiation-induced DNA damage and oxidative stress injury by up-regulating the expression of nuclear factor (NF)-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and downstream genes, such as HO-1, and play a hepatoprotective role by enhancing the activities of SOD and glutathione peroxidase [42].

7 Outlook

Liver fibrosis is the common final process of chronic liver diseases, and there is no effective therapeutic drug at present. Although some research progress has been made in the field of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) on the reversal of liver fibrosis [43], its toxicological effects have not yet been clarified. Although the incidence of viral hepatitis has gradually decreased with the development and popularization of vaccines and antiviral drugs, the incidence of drug-induced liver injury (DILI) and liver diseases such as NAFLD has been increasing year by year with the improvement of people's living conditions [44]. Therefore, there is an urgent need to find drugs or nutrients that can help maintain normal hepatocyte function and effectively inhibit liver inflammation and fibrosis. C-alginin, with its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antitumor effects, as well as good food coloring, has a wide range of applications in both the pharmaceutical and food industries.

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