Effects of butyrate on intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury via the HMGB1-TLR4-MyD88 signaling pathway.

BACKGROUND: This study combined bioinformatics and experimental verification in a mouse model of intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) to explore the protection mechanism exerted by butyrate against IRI. METHODS: GeneCards, Bioinformatics Analysis Tool for Molecular Mechanisms of Traditional Chinese Medicine and GSE190581 were used to explore the relationship between butyrate and IRI and aging. Protein-protein interaction networks involving butyrate and IRI were constructed via the STRING database, with hub gene analysis performed through Cytoscape. Functional enrichment analysis was conducted on intersection genes. A mouse model of IRI was established, followed by direct arterial injection of butyrate. The experiment comprised five groups: normal, sham, model, vehicle, low-dose butyrate, and high-dose butyrate. Intestinal tissue observation was done via transmission electron microscopy (TEM), histological examination via hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, tight junction proteins detection via immunohistochemistry, and Western blot analysis of hub genes. Drug-target interactions were evaluated through molecular docking. RESULTS: Butyrate protected against IRI by targeting 458 genes, including HMGB1 and TLR4. Toll-like receptor pathway was implicated. Butyrate improved intestinal IRI by reducing mucosal damage, increasing tight junction proteins, and lowering levels of HMGB1, TLR4, and MyD88. Molecular docking showed strong binding energies between butyrate and HMGB1 (-3.7 kcal/mol) and TLR4 (-3.8 kcal/mol). CONCLUSIONS: According to bioinformatics predictions, butyrate mitigates IRI via multiple-target and multiple-channel mechanisms. The extent of IRI can be reduced by butyrate through the inhibition of the HMGB1-TLR4-MyD88 signaling pathway, which is related to senescence.

Identifying Potential Sources of Phthalate Contamination in the Leaves of Stevia Rebaudiana (Bertoni) and the Development of Removal Technology.

Steviosides extracted from the leaves of the plant Stevia rebaudiana are increasingly used in the food industry as natural low-calorie sweeteners. Phthalates in food are often assumed to arise from food containers or packaging materials. Here, experiments were carried out to identify the potential sources of DMP, DBP, DIBP, and DEHP in the leaves of stevioside through investigation of their content in native stevioside tissues, soils, and associated agronomic materials. The results show that phthalate contamination was present in all the samples tested, and the influence of regional factors at the provincial level on the content of plasticizers in stevia leaves was not significant. Phthalates in stevia leaves can be absorbed into the plant body through leaves and roots. Using resin removal, the phthalate content in stevioside glycosides was reduced to less than 0.05 ppm, and some indicators were far lower than the limit standard in EU food.

Mycobacterium vaccae alleviates allergic airway inflammation and airway hyper-responsiveness in asthmatic mice by altering intestinal microbiota.

Host immunity can influence the composition of the gut microbiota and consequently affect disease progression. Previously, we reported that a Mycobacterium vaccae vaccine could ameliorate allergic inflammation in asthmatic mice by regulating inflammatory immune processes. Here, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of M. vaccae on allergic asthma via gut microbiota modulation. An ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthmatic murine model was established and treated with M. vaccae. Gut microbiota profiles were determined in 18 BALB/c mice using 16S rDNA gene sequencing and metabolomic profiling was performed using liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Mycobacterium vaccae alleviated airway hyper-reactivity and inflammatory infiltration in mice with OVA-induced allergic asthma. The microbiota of asthmatic mice is disrupted and that this can be reversed with M. vaccae. Additionally, a total of 24 differential metabolites were screened, and the abundance of PI(14:1(9Z)/18:0), a glycerophospholipid, was found to be correlated with macrophage numbers (r = 0.52, p = 0.039). These metabolites may affect chemokine (such as macrophage chemoattractant protein-1) concentrations in the serum, and ultimately affect pulmonary macrophage recruitment. Our data demonstrated that M. vaccae might alleviate airway inflammation and hyper-responsiveness in asthmatic mice by reversing imbalances in gut microbiota. These novel mechanistic insights are expected to pave the way for novel asthma therapeutic strategies.

Effects of stevia extract on production performance, serum biochemistry, antioxidant capacity, and gut health of laying hens.

In the present study, we aimed to elucidate the effects of stevia extract on production performance, serum immune indexes, intestinal structure, and cecum microbial structure. We randomly divided eight hundred 46-wk-old Roman hens into 5 groups, with 8 replicates in each group and 20 chickens in each replicate. The control group was fed a basal diet, whereas the 4 experimental groups were fed 50, 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg stevia extracts. The study period was 24 wk. The addition of different concentrations of the stevia extract to the diet resulted in significant secondary changes in the egg production rate at 1 to 12 wk (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the addition of 50 and 100 mg/kg stevia extract to the diet significantly increased serum IgM and IgG levels in laying hens (P < 0.05) but linearly decreased serum IL-1ß levels (P < 0.05). Serum T-SOD activity linearly increased (P = 0.057); however, serum biochemical indexes showed no significant differences. Stevia extract tended to increase the ratio of the duodenal villi height to the depth of the crypt (P = 0.067), with no obvious lesions in the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. In addition, stevia extract increased the relative abundance of species at the phylum level, with the abundance of Bacteroides and Firmicutes exhibiting significant secondary changes (P < 0.05). The ACE and Chao1 indexes suggested that stevia extract addition significantly increased the alpha diversity of cecum microorganisms in laying hens. Furthermore, NMDS analysis based on operational taxonomic units revealed that stevia extract addition increased the beta diversity of cecum microorganisms in laying hens. Adding a certain amount of stevia extract to feed can improve the production performance, immune ability, and intestinal health of laying hens to some extent, and we recommend an effective level of 200mg/kg of stevia extract for laying hen diets.

Nonvolatile Memory Organic Light-Emitting Transistors.

In the field of active-matrix organic light emitting display (AMOLED), large-size and ultra-high-definition AMOLED applications have escalated the demand for the integration density of driver chips. However, as Moore's Law approaches the limit, the traditional technology of improving integration density that relies on scaling down device dimension is facing a huge challenge. Thus, developing a multifunctional and highly integrated device is a promising route for improving the integration density of pixel circuits. Here, a novel nonvolatile memory ferroelectric organic light-emitting transistor (Fe-OLET) device which integrates the switching capability, light-emitting capability and nonvolatile memory function into a single device is reported. The nonvolatile memory function of Fe-OLET is achieved through the remnant polarization property of ferroelectric polymer, enabling the device to maintain light emission at zero gate bias. The reliable nonvolatile memory operations are also demonstrated. The proof-of-concept device optimized through interfacial modification approach exhibits 20 times improved field-effect mobility and five times increased luminance. The integration of nonvolatile memory, switching and light-emitting capabilities within Fe-OLET provides a promising internal-storage-driving paradigm, thus creating a new pathway for deploying storage capacitor-free circuitry to improve the pixel aperture ratio and the integration density of circuits toward the on-chip advanced display applications.

RIP3/MLKL regulates necroptosis via activating 4EBP1-eIF4E pathway. / RIP3/MLKL通过激活4EBP1-eIF4E通路诱导程序性坏死.

OBJECTIVES: Necroptosis is a cell death type mediated by receptor interacting protein 3 (RIP3)/mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein (MLKL). It has been reported that mammalian target of rapamycin plays a regulatory role in necroptosis. Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E-binding protein 1 (4EBP1)-eukaryotic initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) pathway is a key down streamer of mammalian target of rapamycin. However, whether 4EBP1-eIF4E pathway is involved in necroptosis is still unknown. This study aims to investigate the changes of 4EBP1-eIF4E pathway in necroptosis. METHODS: TNF-α/SM-164/Z-VAD-FMK (TSZ), a necroptosis inducer, was used to induce necroptosis in murine fibroblastoid cell line L929. Cell necrosis was observed under an optical microscope. Then, TSZ was added to L929 cells with RIP3 and MLKL gene knockout. Propidium iodide (PI) staining was used to observe cell necrosis. Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR and Western blotting were used to determine the mRNA and protein expression of 4EBP1 and eIF4E, respectively. RESULTS: After treating L929 cells with TSZ, the number of necrotic cells was increased, the mRNA and protein expression levels of 4EBP1 were significantly downregulated, and the ratio of phosphorylated 4EBP1 (p-4EBP1) to 4EBP1 was increased (P<0.05 or P<0.01); the mRNA expression level of eIF4E was significantly upregulated, and the ratio of phosphorylated eIF4E (p-eIF4E) to eIF4E was increased (both P<0.01). After knocking out RIP3 and MLKL in L929 cells, PI positive necrotic cells were significantly reduced, the mRNA and protein expression levels of 4EBP1 were significantly upregulated, and the ratio of p-4EBP1 to 4EBP1 was decreased (P<0.05 or P<0.01); the mRNA expression level of eIF4E was significantly downregulated, and the ratio of p-eIF4E to eIF4E was decreased (both P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: 4EBP1-eIF4E pathway is activated in the RIP3/MLKL mediated-necroptosis.

[Effect of moxibustion on the indicators of autophagy and apoptosis in synovium of rats with adjuvant arthritis].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of moxibustion on the indicators of autophagy and apoptosis in the synovium of toes of rats with adjuvant-induced arthritis (AA), so as to explore the underlying mechanism of moxibustion in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. METHODS: Forty-five SD rats were randomly divided into the blank control group, model group, moxibustion group, methotrexate group and rapamycin group, with 9 rats in each group. The rat model of AA was established by injecting Freund's complete adjuvant. Rats in the moxibustion group received moxibustion treatment at "Zusanli" (ST36) and "Guanyuan" (CV4) for 20 min, once a day. The methotrexate group was given methotrexate intragastrically (0.35 mg/kg) twice a week. The rapamycin group was given rapamycin by intraperitoneal injection (1 mg/kg), once every other day. The toe volume of the left hind limb was measured by the toe volume measuring instrument after 3-day modeling and 3-week intervention respectively. The contents of interlukin(IL)-1 and tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α in serum were detected by ELISA. The autophagosomes of synovial cells of the toe joint were observed under transmission electron microscope. The expressions of mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR)C1, p-mTORC1, Caspase-3, Fas and FasL in synovial tissue were detected by Western blot. RESULTS: Under transmission electron microscope, the model group showed decreased autophagosomes in synovial tissues, but the moxibustion, methotrexate, and rapamycin groups showed increased autophagosomes. Compared with the blank control group, the toe volume, the contents of IL-1 and TNF-α in serum and the expression of p-mTORC1 protein in synovial tissue were significantly increased (P<0.01, P<0.001), while the expressions of Caspase-3, Fas and FasL proteins in synovial tissue were significantly decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01) in the model group. Compared with the model group, the toe volume, the contents of IL-1 and TNF-α in the serum, and expression of p-mTORC1 protein were significantly decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01, P<0.001) in the moxibustion group and the methotrexate group, while the expression of Caspase-3, Fas and FasL proteins in synovial tissue in the moxibustion group and the methotrexate group, the expression of Caspase-3 in the rapamycin group were significantly increased (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Moxibustion can improve joint swelling in AA rats and decrease the contents of serum IL-1 and TNF-α. The mechanism may be related to regulating the expressions of p-mTORC1, Caspase-3, Fas and FasL proteins, and promoting autophagy and apoptosis of synovial cells.

Speculation of Sphingolipids in Capsanthin by Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography Coupled with Electrospray Ionization-Quadrupole-Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry.

Sphingolipids are constituents of cellular membranes and play important roles in cells. As nutraceutical compounds in foods, sphingolipids have been proven to be critical for human health. Therefore, the sphingolipids content of capsanthin was established based on ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry. A total number of 40 sphingolipids were successfully identified, including 20 Glucosylceramides and 20 Ceramides. The predominant GlcCers contain 4-hydroxy-8-sphingenine t18:1 (8) with different structures of α-OH fatty acids. For the Cers, the main long-chain bases are 4-hydroxy-8-sphingenine t18:1 (8) and 4-hydroxysphingenine (t18:0) with different structures of α-OH or α, ß-di (OH) fatty acids.

[Effect of moxibustion on AMPK/ULK1 signaling pathway in synovium tissue of toes in rats with rheumatoid arthritis].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of moxibustion on AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/UNC-51-like kinase 1 (ULK1) signaling pathway in the synovial tissue of toes in rheumatoid arthritis rats, so as to explore the mechanism of mo-xibustion in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: A total of 45 SD rats were randomly divided into blank, model， moxibustion, methotrexate and rapamycin groups, with 9 rats in each group. RA rat model was established by injection of Freund's complete adjuvant. Moxibustion was applied to "Zusanli" (ST36) and "Guanyuan" (CV4) for 20 min, once a day for 3 weeks. Methotrexate group was given methotrexate (0.35 mg/kg) by gavage, twice a week for 3 weeks. Rapamycin group was intraperitoneally injected with rapamycin (1 mg/kg)，once every other day for 3 weeks. The toe volume of the left hind limb of rats was measured by the toe volume measuring instrument. The content of AMP in toe synovium was detected by ELISA. The expression of AMPK and VPS34 protein in toe synovium was detected by Western blot.The expression of ULK1 and Atg13 mRNA in toe synovium was detected by RT-PCR. RESULTS: Compared with the blank group, the volume of toe in the model group was increased (P<0.01)，while the content of AMP, the expression of AMPK and VPS34 proteins, the expression of ULK1 and Atg13 mRNAs were significantly decreased(P<0.01).Compared with the model group, the volume of toe in the moxibustion，methotre-xate and rapamycin groups was decreased (P<0.05); the content of AMP, the expression of AMPK and VPS34 proteins, the expression of ULK1 and Atg13 mRNAs were significantly increased(P<0.05) in the moxibustion group; the content of AMP, the expression of VPS34 protein, the expression of Atg13 mRNA were significantly increased(P<0.05) in the methotrexate group; the expression of AMPK and VPS34 proteins, the expression of ULK1 and Atg13 mRNAs were significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01) in the rapamycin group. Compared with the moxibustion group, the expression of AMPK protein in the methotrexate group and the content of AMP in the rapamycin group were significantly decreased (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Moxibustion can improve joint swelling in RA rats, and the mechanism may be related to promoting the activity of AMPK/ULK1 signaling pathway.

Cardiac electrical storm induced by anesthesia was successfully managed during surgery: a case report.

BACKGROUND: At present, the overall number of cardiac storms is small, there is a paucity of published literature describing cardiac storms in patients undergoing superficial surgery under general anesthesia (GA). In recent years, cardiac storm has attracted much clinical attention due to its high mortality, difficult management and poor prognosis. CASE DESCRIPTION: This paper reports a 57-year-old male with cardiac electrical storm. He presented with clinical symptoms such as exudation, bad breath, restricted mouth opening, and mucous leukoplakia on local skin, without history of cardiac disease and cardiovascular disease, undergoing superficial face surgery under GA. At 2 hours after anesthesia induction, several premature ventricular beats were detected on monitoring. Hematocrit and plasma potassium were found to be markedly decreased. The patient subsequently experienced a cardiac electrical storm, with repeated episodes of polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (VT) not degenerating to ventricular fibrillation (VF). Combining these clinical symptoms and examinations, we made the diagnosis of cardiac electrical storm. At the first occurrence of bradycardia, we administered atropine, which resolved bradycardia. However, this was followed 10 minutes later by VT, which we treated with atropine and epinephrine. Epinephrine and amiodarone were given in the second episode; epinephrine and lidocaine were used to treat the third episode. Finally, he was treated successfully with pharmacologic therapy and chest compressions. No abnormal electrocardiograph events occurred in the patient after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: This case highlights the possibility of anesthesia-induced autotransfusion and cardiac electrical storm occurring in patients without known cardiac disease. For this kind of case needs as soon as possible electric defibrillation and electric cardioversion, timely intravenous application effective anti-arrhythmic drugs and other treatment measures. We expect that this case report adds to the existing literature on this subject.

Effects of long-term exposure to sevoflurane on the proliferation, migration, invasion, and cisplatin sensitivity of esophageal cancer.

Background: Esophageal cancer has a high incidence and one of the highest mortality rates worldwide. There are few studies on the effects of sevoflurane on postoperative metastasis and recurrence of esophageal cancer. This study aimed to investigate the effect of sevoflurane on the progression of esophageal cancer and the underlying mechanism of the sensitivity to cisplatin. Methods: We used the esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) line EC109 and esophageal adenocarcinoma (EADC) line SKGT-4. Cell proliferation and stemness potential were determined by MTT assay and sphere-forming assays, respectively. The protein expression of (sex determining region Y)-box 2 (SOX2) and octamer-binding transcription factor 4 (OCT4) was determined by western blot. Cell migration and invasion ability were separately determined by scratch assay and transwell assays, respectively. The distribution of cell cycle and apoptosis were detected by flow cytometry, and the levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were measured by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: In the SKGT-4 cells, exposure to sevoflurane inhibited proliferation, increased the migration and invasion potential, increased the number of cells in S phase, promoted self-renewal ability, and up-regulated the expression of SOX2 and OCT4 compared with control cells. Compared with the cisplatin treated group, treatment with sevoflurane plus cisplatin reduced the level of LDH and inhibited apoptosis in the SKGT-4 cells. However, sevoflurane did not affect EC109 cells. Conclusions: Long-term exposure to sevoflurane inhibited the proliferation, increased migration and invasion capacity, and decreased the sensitivity to cisplatin in EADC by promoting stemness. However, sevoflurane had no effect on the behavior of ESCC.

Characterization of soil microbial community activity and structure for reducing available Cd by rice straw biochar and Bacillus cereus RC-1.

The combination of biochar and specific bacteria has been widely applied to remediate Cadmium-contaminated soil. But little is known about how such composites affect the dynamic distribution of metal fractions. This process is accompanied by the alternations of soil properties and microbial community structures. Composite of rice straw biochar and Bacillus cereus RC-1 were applied to investigate its impacts on Cd alleviation and soil microbial diversity and structure. The bacterial/biochar composite treatment decreased the fraction of HOAc-extractable Cd by 38.82%, and increased residual Cd by 23.95% compared to the untreated control. Moreover, compared with the untreated control, the composite treatment significantly increased the soil pH by about 1.5 units, and the activities of catalase, urease and invertase enzymes were increased by 42.39%, 30.50% and 31.20%, respectively. Composite treatment increased soil bacterial and fungal alpha diversity, the relative abundance of Bacillus, Streptomyces, Arthrobacter, and Aspergillus species were also increased. Mantel test and correlation analysis indicated that the effects associated with fungal communities in influencing soil properties were lower than that those of bacterial communities by different treatment. Aggregated boosted tree (ABT) models analysis showed that soil chemical proprieties (as determined by SOM, CEC, AN, etc.,) contributed over 50% of the changes in bacterial and fungal communities by the composite treatment. The co-occurrence network results showed that all treatments enhanced the correlation between OUT groups and improved the possible relationships in the bacterial and fungal communities, especially the interrelationships between bacteria and fungi after the Cd fractions stabilized. These findings provide a new insight to optimal strategies for the remediation of Cd-contaminated soil.

Selexipag Improves Lipopolysaccharide-Induced ARDS on C57BL/6 Mice by Modulating the cAMP/PKA and cAMP/Epac1 Signaling Pathways.

Selexipag, a long-acting and selective prostacyclin (PGI2) IP receptor agonist, has in aged rats with stroke revealed effects of inhibiting inflammation, ameliorating damage to the blood-brain barrier, and alleviating oxidative stress. However, in the case of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) characterized by diffuse alveolar damage and lung capillary endothelial injury, its effects yet remain unknown. In this study, we investigated effects of the prophylaxis by Selexipag on a mouse model of ARDS established by the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge and potential mechanism. Compared to the LPS-challenged mice, the LPS-challenged mice with the prophylaxis by 0.5 or 1 mg/kg of Selexipag exhibited significantly alleviated lung histological manifestations, reduced protein leakage, decreased levels of interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-6, and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), diminished expressions of E-selectin and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) mRNA, noticeably increased expressions of zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) and vascular endothelial cadherin (VE-cadherin) protein, escalated lung cAMP levels, and raised levels of lung relative phosphorylated-protein kinase A catalytic subunit (p-PKA C) at Thr197 and exchange protein activated by cAMP 1 (Epac1) protein. These results suggest that, through suppressing inflammation and reducing vascular endothelial damage, Selexipag can effectively ameliorate the LPS-induced ARDS on mice. The lung cAMP and its downstream signaling modules, PKA and Epac1, possibly constitute the main regulative molecular mechanism. Selexipag appears to hold promise to become a new potential therapeutic option for ARDS.

Relative Contribution of Metal Content and Soil Particle Mass to Health Risk of Chromium-Contaminated Soil.

Three soil samples from a chromium (Cr)-contaminated field were classified into five particle fractions (i.e., 0-50 µm, 50-100 µm, 100-250 µm, 250-500 µm, and 500-1000 µm) and were further characterized to study their physicochemical properties and Cr bioaccessibility. The results indicated that the gastrointestinal bioaccessibility estimated by the Solubility Bioaccessibility Research Consortium (SBRC) method was on average 15.9% higher than that by the physiologically based extraction test (PBET) method. The health risk of all samples was within the safe range, and the health risk based on total Cr content may be overestimated by an average of 13.2 times compared to the bioaccessibility-based health risk. The health risk investigated from metal content was mainly contributed by the 50-250 µm fraction, which was 47.5, 50.2, and 43.5% for low-, medium-, and high-level polluted soils, respectively. As for the combined effect, the fractions of 100-250 µm and 500-1000 µm contributed the highest proportion to health risk, which was 57.1, 62.1, and 64.4% for low-level, medium-level, and high-level polluted soils, respectively. These results may further deepen the understanding of health risk assessment and quantify the contribution of the soil particle mass to health risk.

Effect of rice straw biochar on three different levels of Cd-contaminated soils: Cd availability, soil properties, and microbial communities.

Biochar can be effective in immobilizing soil cadmium (Cd), but the difference in its immobilization mechanisms for different levels of Cd-contaminated soils was overlooked. In this study, rice straw biochar (BC) was added to three Cd-contaminated soils following 180 days of incubation, in the process of which the dynamic changes of Cd speciation, soil properties and microbial community diversity were determined. BC could significantly reduce the ratio of acid-soluble in the three soils, especially in light and medium Cd-contaminated soils by more than 20%. The addition of biochar could significantly increase the soil pH, soil organic matter, cation exchange capacity, and the activities of catalase, but decrease the richness and diversity of bacterial communities in all soils. The associations between microbial communities were inhibited in light and medium Cd-contaminated soils, but promoted in heavy Cd-contaminated soils. Furthermore, the main pathway of BC effect on soil Cd availability was also analyzed by partial least squares model (PLS-PM), which indicated that BC indirectly reduced Cd availability mainly by regulating the microbial community in light Cd-contaminated soil, whereas BC directly reduced Cd availability primarily by its own adsorption in medium and heavy Cd-contaminated soils. This research deepened understanding of the mechanisms of stabilization of Cd by biochar for agricultural soils.

[Effects of miR-155-3p on the degradation rate of EAF1 mRNA and malignant proliferation in HANK1 cells].

Objective: To investigate the effects and mechanisms of miR-155-3p on the malignant behavior of human NK/T cell lymphoma cell line HANK1. Methods: Targetscan database was used to predict the target gene of miR-155-3p. HANK1 cells in logarithmic growth period were cultured, and the cells were divided into blank group, over-expressed group, control group and interference group, which were transfected with pENTER-puro vector, pENTER-miR-155-3p vector, GV248 control vector and GV248-miR-155-3p siRNA interference vector, respectively. Meanwhile, actinomycin D (ActD) was used to treat each group of cells, and the expressions of miR-155-3p, EAf1, ß-catenin and c-Myc in each group were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (n=5). The degradation rate of EAF1 mRNA, the expressions of EAF1, ß-catenin and c-Myc protein were detected by Western blot (n=3), and the malignant proliferation abilities of cells were detected by CCK-8 (n=5). Results: Compared with the blank group, the expression levels of miR-155-3p, ß-catenin and c-Myc in the over-expressed group were significantly higher, the expression level of EAF1 was lower, the half-life of EAF1 mRNA was shortened, and the malignant proliferation ability of the cells was strengthened (P＜0.05). Compared with the control group, the expression levels of miR-155-3p, ß-catenin and c-Myc in the interference group were significantly lower, and the expression level of EAF1 was increased, the half-life of mRNA was prolonged and the ability of cell proliferation was decreased (P＜0.05). Conclusion: miR-155-3p can promote EAF1 mRNA degradation and proliferation in HANK1 cells.

Physiological responses and health risks of edible amaranth under simultaneous stresses of lead from soils and atmosphere.

Lead (Pb) is widely distributed in the environment that can impose potential risks to vegetables and humans. In this work, we conducted a pot experiment in Southern China to examine the physiological response and risk of edible amaranth (Amaranthus tricolor L.) under the simultaneous stresses of lead from soil and atmosphere. The results indicate that the lead content of amaranth substantially exceeded China's national standard when Pb concentration from soils and atmosphere was high, and comparing to teenagers and adults, children exposed a higher health risk after consuming the contaminated amaranth. Under the co-stress, the lead in roots of amaranth mainly came from the soil, but the Pb from atmospheric deposition can significantly affect the lead concentration in leaves. While lead from atmospheric deposition is found to promote the growth of amaranth, the stress of lead from the soils shows an inhibitory effect, as indicated by the increase in H2O2 content, the damage in cell membranes, and the limitation in chlorophyll synthesis. The antioxidant system in stems and leaves of amaranth can effectively alleviate the Pb toxicity. However, the stress of high lead concentration from soils can substantially suppress the antioxidant enzyme activity of roots. While it is found that heavy metals in soils can significantly affect the vegetables grown in a multi-source pollution environment, we also call for the attention on the potential health risk imposed by the lead from atmospheric deposition. This study provides an important reference for the prevention and control of crop contamination in multi-source pollution environments.

HIF­1α protein SUMOylation is an important protective mechanism of action of hypothermia in hypoxic cardiomyocytes.

Different degrees of myocardial ischemia­reperfusion injury during open­heart surgery are inevitable. Therapeutic hypothermia is an important technique for reducing ischemia­reperfusion injury; however, there are numerous potential adverse effects. Furthermore, the underlying molecular mechanisms of action of therapeutic hypothermia remain unclear. In the present study, rat hearts were perfused for 30 min and subjected to 30 min of regional ischemia, followed by 120 min of reperfusion. Animals received intraperitoneal injection of spectomycin B1 at 30 min prior to the start of surgery. Total myocardial area, infarct area, myocardial injury, and apoptosis were assessed. H9C2 cells were incubated for 24  h at 34˚C with 5% CO2 to simulate therapeutic hypothermic stress, and cell viability and mitochondrial injury were evaluated. The levels of protein SUMOylation, hypoxia­inducible factor (HIF)­1α and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were determined by western blot analysis. It was demonstrated that hypoxia significantly increased the overall modification by the small ubiquitin­related modifier protein (SUMO) of various proteins in cardiomyocytes, both in vitro and ex vivo. In turn, this increased the protein levels of HIF­1α, continuously stimulated downstream VEGF expression. Therapeutic hypothermia further increased protein SUMOylation, whereas inhibiting the SUMOylation pathway reduced the protective effect of therapeutic hypothermia on hypoxic cardiomyocytes. Overall, these data suggested that increasing SUMOylation of HIF­1α may be an important molecular mechanism underlying the protective effects of therapeutic hypothermia following hypoxia in myocardial cells. These findings may aid in the use of therapeutic hypothermia for treatment of myocardial ischemia­reperfusion and help avoid excessive side effects.

Solution-Processed Efficient Perovskite Nanocrystal Light-Emitting Device Utilizing Doped Hole Transport Layer.

Light-emitting devices (LEDs) with inorganic perovskite nanocrystals (PNCs) fabricated through the all-solution process have tremendous potential for new-generation illumination and displays on account of their large area and cost-effective manufacturing. However, the development of efficient solution-processed PNC LEDs remains challenge, which mainly results from the fact that only a few types of charge transport layers can be employed for the subsequent deposition steps, thus leading to injection barriers and charge injection imbalance inside these LEDs. Herein 4,4'-bis(carbazole-9-yl) biphenyl (CBP) is introduced as a dopant into the poly(9,9-dioctylfluorene-co-N-(4-(3-methylpropyl)) diphenylamine) (TFB) hole transport layer (HTL), which efficiently modulates the mobility of charge carrier as well as the energy level of the HTL, resulting in the barrier-free injection of the charge carrier in the as-fabricated solution-processed PNC LEDs. Consequently, the luminance of red LEDs (688 nm) reaches 2990 cd m-2, and the external quantum efficiency achieves 8.1%, which is the optimal performance for solution-processed PNC LEDs to date. Additionally, the turn-on voltage and roll-off have also been improved by the more balanced charge injection.

Anti-hyperuricemic potential of stevia (Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni) residue extract in hyperuricemic mice.

Hyperuricemia (HUA) is considered a potent risk factor for the development of gout, renal failure, and cardiovascular disease. The current project was designed to use stevia (Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni) byproduct, named stevia residue extract (STVRE), for the treatment of HUA. Male Kunming mice were divided into six groups: normal control, model control, positive control (allopurinol, 5 mg per kg body weight [bw]), STVRE-1 (75 mg per kg bw), STVRE-2 (150 mg per kg bw), and STVRE-3 (300 mg per kg bw). HUA was induced by the administration of potassium oxonate (100 mg per kg bw), fructose (10% w/v), and yeast extract (100 mg per kg bw) for 8 weeks. STVRE significantly (p < 0.05) decreased uric acid (UA) production and ameliorated UA excretion by interacting with urate transporters. The STVRE remarkably attenuated oxidative stress mediated by UA and downregulated inflammatory-related response markers such as COX-2, NF-κB, PGE2, IL-1ß, and TNF-α. Furthermore, STVRE also reversed HUA-induced abnormalities in kidneys compared with the MC group. The results of our study suggest that STVRE has potential to attenuate hyperuricemia and renal protective effects, and may be used as a natural supplement for the possible treatment of UA-related disorders.