Exposure to microplastics renders immunity of the thick-shell mussel more vulnerable to diarrhetic shellfish toxin-producing harmful algae.

Despite both microplastics (MPs) and harmful algae blooms (HABs) may pose a severe threat to the immunity of marine bivalves, the toxification mechanism underlying is far from being fully understood. In addition, owing to the prevalence and sudden occurrence characteristics of MPs and HABs, respectively, bivalves with MP-exposure experience may face acute challenge of harmful algae under realistic scenarios. However, little is known about the impacts and underlying mechanisms of MP-exposure experience on the susceptibility of immunity to HABs in bivalve mollusks. Taking polystyrene MPs and diarrhetic shellfish toxin-producing Prorocentrum lima as representatives, the impacts of MP-exposure on immunity vulnerability to HABs were investigated in the thick-shell mussel, Mytilus coruscus. Our results revealed evident immunotoxicity of MPs and P. lima to the mussel, as evidenced by significantly impaired total count, phagocytic activity, and cell viability of haemocytes, which may result from the induction of oxidative stress, aggravation of haemocyte apoptosis, and shortage in cellular energy supply. Moreover, marked disruptions of immunity, antioxidant system, apoptosis regulation, and metabolism upon MPs and P. lima exposure were illustrated by gene expression and comparative metabolomic analyses. Furthermore, the mussels that experienced MP-exposure were shown to be more vulnerable to P. lima, indicated by greater degree of deleterious effects on abovementioned parameters detected. In general, our findings emphasize the threat of MPs and HABs to bivalve species, which deserves close attention and more investigation.

Effect of Lactobacillus plantarum ZFM4 in Helicobacter pylori-infected C57BL/6 mice: prevention is better than cure.

Objectives: This study was performed to explore the preventive and therapeutic effects of Lactobacillus plantarum ZFM4 on H. pylori infections of the stomach tissue in C57BL/6 mice. Methods: In this study, 40 specific-pathogen-free female C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into five groups, namely, the control, ZFM4 pretreatment) ZFM4 pretreatment before H. pylori infected), model (H. pylori infected), triple therapy (H. pylori infected and treated with triple therapy), and ZFM4 treatment groups (H. pylori infected and treated with ZFM4). The preventive and therapeutic effects of Lactobacillus plantarum ZFM4 were evaluated in H. pylori-infected C57BL/6 mice by assessing gastric tissue morphology, inflammatory cytokine levels, microbial composition, and microbial diversity. Results: Lactobacillus plantarum ZFM4 was able to survive in low gastric pH and play a role in preventing H. pylori infection. This was evident from a reduction in both, the gastric inflammatory response and expression of inflammatory factors caused by H. pylori infection. Lactobacillus plantarum ZFM4 could also inhibit the growth of H. pylori via its beneficial impact on the gastric microbiota. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that Lactobacillus plantarum ZFM4 offers superior preventive effects against H. pylori infections when used alone. However, the therapeutic effect on established infections is weaker. Further clinical trials are needed to confirm the specific dosage, duration, and other aspects of administration.

Helicobacter pylori infection eradication for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: a randomized controlled trial.

Previous studies have suggested that Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of H. pylori eradication treatment on NAFLD patients. Two hundred NAFLD patients who tested positive for H. pylori infection were randomized into the H. pylori eradication treatment group or the control group. Metabolic and inflammatory parameters and FibroScan were measured in all subjects at baseline and 1 year after treatment. At 1 year after treatment, the decrease in metabolic indicators, such as fasting blood glucose, glycosylated haemoglobin, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), triglycerides, body mass index and controlled attenuation parameter values, were more obvious in the treatment group. Moreover, the inflammatory indicators white blood count and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and the inflammatory factors interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were also significantly decreased. H. pylori eradication can further reduce the metabolic indices of NAFLD and the degree of liver steatosis. H. pylori infection may participate in the occurrence and development of NAFLD through its influence on inflammatory factors. Thus, checking for the presence of H. pylori infection in patients at risk of NAFLD may be beneficial.

Real-world outcomes of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy for retinal vascular vein occlusion in Tibet, China.

AIM: To evaluate the outcomes of intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) agents for patients with retinal vein occlusion (RVO) related-macular edema (ME) in Tibetan. METHODS: A retrospective, observational, single-center study. The demographic and clinical data of 90 RVO Tibetan patients (93 eyes) treated with either ranibizumab or conbercept in Tibet Autonomous Region People's Hospital from Jan 2018 to December 2019 were collected. RESULTS: The mean patient age was 56.8±10.6y, 45 (50%) of them were female. The mean living altitude was 3867.8±567.9 m. At the last visit, the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) significantly increased (52.2±21.8 letters) in comparison with the baseline (38.2±24.1 letters, P<0.001); while the central retinal thickness (CRT) significantly reduced (245.5±147.6 µm) in comparison with the baseline (504.1±165.2 µm, P<0.001). The 43.0% of the eyes gained ≥15 letters, 60.2% of the eyes gained ≥10 letters, and 78.5% of the eyes gained ≥5 letters. No vision loss was noted in 92.5% of the eyes, 4 eyes lost more than 10 letters during follow-up period. The mean number of injections was 2.4±1.8. No severe ocular or systemic adverse events related to either the drug or injection were noted. CONCLUSION: Anti-VEGF therapy is effective and safe in Tibetan patients for the treatment of RVO related ME.

Reduction of natural killer cells is associated with poor outcomes in patients with hepatitis B virus-related acute-on-chronic liver failure.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Natural killer (NK) cells are critical innate effectors that respond to viral infections and contribute to immunopathology. Here, we aimed to investigate the role of NK cells in hepatitis B virus-related acute-on-chronic liver failure (HBV-ACLF) and elucidate the underlying mechanism by examining their phenotypic and functional profiles. METHODS: We included patients with HBV-ACLF (n = 37) and chronic hepatitis B (n = 19), and healthy controls (n = 13) in our study. We examined the phenotype and function of different subsets of peripheral NK cells using flow cytometry and RNA-sequencing analysis, and screened liver NK cells using immunohistochemistry. We detected inflammatory cytokines using a Luminex assay. In addition, we analyzed the relationships between these parameters and disease severity. RESULTS: Peripheral NK cells were decreased and characterized by high expression of caspase-3, Ki67, CXCR3, NKG2D, NKp46, CD107a, and GM-CSF, and typified by higher cell migration and immune response by RNA-sequencing analysis in patients with HBV-ACLF than in those with chronic hepatitis B. Accumulations of CXCL-10 and NK cells were found in the liver, and excessive production of CXCL-10 in the peripheral blood contributed to the apoptosis of NK cells in vitro. The decrease in NK cells was associated with the level of HBV DNA and disease severity and had good prognostic performance in predicting the outcome of patients with HBV-ACLF through AUROC analysis. CONCLUSION: NK cells were significantly decreased and showed dysfunction of phenotypic and functional profiles across distinct subsets in the peripheral blood of patients with ACLF. Crosstalk between CXCL-10 and NK cells may mediate the unbalanced distribution of NK cells. Understanding the dysfunction and decrease in NK cells may provide new insights into ACLF pathogenesis.

Effect of cataract incision type on corneal spherical aberration.

Corneal spherical aberration (CSA) plays an important role in the ocular refractive system. However, ophthalmologists have not considered the effect of difference cataract incisions on it. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of transparent corneal incision (TCI) and scleral tunnel incision (STI) on CSA after the cataract phacoemulsification with foldable IOLs. One hundred ninety-three eyes (61 males and 79 females) for 1-month observation and 114 eyes (29 males and 51 females) for 3-month observation with age-related cataracts (ARC) were included in this study. CSA was measured with dilated pupil by Pentacam Scheimpflug system at 1 day preoperative and 1, 3-month postoperative. Preoperative CSA >1.00 µm was excluded. Both TCI and STI are 3 mm incisions with Infiniti system and Ozil handpiece. No significant difference of age or gender was found between TCI and STI groups in 1 or 3-month observation. In 1-month observation, preoperative CSA for TCI and STI are 0.31 ± 0.29 and 0.41 ± 0.19 µm, which of postoperative are 0.42 ± 0.17 and 0.44 ± 0.35 µm, respectively. The change of CSA is 0.11 ± 0.32 and 0.04 ± 0.33 µm (P = .233). For 3-month observation, preoperative CSA for TCI and STI are 0.32 ± 0.28 and 0.36 ± 0.23 µm, which of postoperative are 0.43 ± 0.16 and 0.39 ± 0.26 µm, respectively. The change of CSA is 0.10 ± 0.34 and 0.03 ± 0.21 µm (P = .312). For the phacoemulsification combined with foldable IOL implantation, STI has minimal effect on CSA, but TCI might increase postoperative CSA.

miRNA and mRNA expression analysis reveals the effects of continuous heat stress on antibacterial responses to Aeromonas hydrophila lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella).

Grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) is the largest economic fish in freshwater culture in China, which is predisposed to infectious diseases under high temperature. Under the background of global warming, the industrialization of the Pearl River Delta region has led to aggravated thermal pollution, which has increasingly serious impacts on the aquatic ecological environment. This will result in more frequent exposure of grass carp to overheated water temperatures. Previous studies have only identified the regulatory genes of fish that respond to pathogens or temperature stress, but the transcriptional response to both is unknown. In this study, the histopathological analysis showed heat stress exacerbated spleen damage induced by Aeromonas hydrophila. The transcriptional responses of the spleens from A. hydrophila lipopolysaccharide (LPS) -injected grass carp undergoing heat stress and at normal temperatures for 6, 24, and 72 h were investigated by mRNA and microRNA sequencing. We identified 28, 20, and 141 differentially expressed (DE) miRNAs and 126, 383, and 4841 DE mRNAs between the two groups after 6, 24, and 72 h, respectively. There were 67 DE genes mainly involved in the cytochrome P450 pathway, antioxidant defense, inflammatory response, pathogen recognition pathway, antigen processing and presentation, and the ubiquitin-proteasome system. There were 5 DE miRNAs involved in regulating apoptosis and inflammation. We further verified 17 DE mRNAs and 5 DE miRNAs using quantitative real-time PCR. Based on miRNAs and mRNAs analysis, continuous heat stress will affect the antibacterial responses of grass carp spleens, resulting in aggravation of spleen injury. Together, these results provide data for further understanding of the decreased tolerance of fish to pathogen infection in persistent high-temperature environments.

Astragaloside IV improved antioxidative stress capacity and related gene expression of the Keap1-Nrf2 pathway in grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) hepatocytes under heat stress.

This study aims to investigate the protective effects of astragaloside IV (AS-IV) on the hepatocytes of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) on heat stress. Cultured cells were treated with AS-IV (0, 50, 100 and 200 µg/ml) at 28°C for 24 h and then exposed to heat stress by increasing the culturing temperature (32 ± 0.5°C) for 6 h. The increased temperatures significantly reduced cell viability and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and increased malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in the 0 µg/ml AS-IV treatment group at 32°C, but the grass carp hepatocytes treated with 100 and 200 µg/ml AS-IV had significantly increased cell viability and SOD activity and decreased MDA levels. The mRNA levels of keap1a, keap1b, nrf2, gsh-px, cat, cu-zn sod, mgst1 and il-6 were significantly lower in the 0 µg/ml AS-IV treatment group at 32°C, while those of keap1a, nrf2, gsh-px, cat, cu-zn sod, gstp1, ho-1 and il-6 were significantly higher in cells treated with 100 or 200 µg/ml AS-IV. Our findings indicate that AS-IV could enhance the antioxidative stress capacity of grass carp hepatocytes under heat stress, and its mechanism may be associated with the activation of the Keap1-Nrf2 pathway. Thus, these results provide new insights into how to alleviate heat stress in grass carp.

pH-Triggered Transition from Micellar Aggregation to a Host-Guest Complex Accompanied by a Color Change.

A pH-triggered transition from micellar aggregation to a host-guest complex was achieved based on the supramolecular interactions between calixpyridinium and pyrroloquinoline quinone disodium salt (PQQ-2Na) accompanied by a color change. Our design has the following three advantages: (1) a regular spherical micellar assembly is fabricated by the supramolecular interactions between calixpyridinium and PQQ-2Na at pH 6 in an aqueous solution, (2) increasing the pH can lead to a transition from micellar aggregation to a host-guest complex due to the deprotonation of calixpyridinium, and at the same time (3) increasing the pH can lead to a color change owing to the deprotonation of calixpyridinium and the complexation of deprotonated calixpyridinium with PQQ-2Na. Benefitting from the low toxicity of calixpyridinium and PQQ-2Na, this pH-induced transition from micellar aggregation to a host-guest complex was further studied as a controllable-release model.

Triamcinolone as an adjunct to the combination of anti-VEGF for the management of diabetic macular edema.

AIM: To assess the efficacy of intravitreal triamcinolone (IVTA) as an adjunct to the combination of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) for the management of diabetic macular edema (DME). METHODS: A total of 51 patients with visual disabilities causing by DME from two sites were retrospectively collected and assigned to two groups according to the therapeutic method: intravitreal conbercept (IVC) combined with focal laser (24 eyes) and IVC combined with focal laser and IVTA (27 eyes). Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), the required number of IVCs, central retinal thickness (CRT), the mean costs of treatment burden and safety were compared over 12mo. RESULTS: From baseline to month 1 through month 12, IVC combined with focal laser and IVTA improved the mean average change in BCVA superior to IVC combined with focal laser (+5.20 vs +2.71 letters). At month 12, 20.83% of the IVC combined with focal laser and 37.04% of IVC combined with focal laser and IVTA arms gained more than 10 BCVA letters. During the period, the mean CRT decreased significantly in the IVC combined with focal laser and IVTA arm (-245.9 µm) compared to the IVC combined with focal laser arm (-98.45 µm). The average of 6.45 and 1.25 conbercept injections performed in the IVC combined with focal laser and IVC combined with focal laser and IVTA arms, respectively. The mean cost of treatment burden for 12mo was $6247.44±4069.18 in the IVC combined with focal laser arm and $1679.19±542.73 in the IVC combined with focal laser and IVTA arm, with a statistically significant difference. Apart from occasional minor subconjunctival hemorrhage, no other significant ocular adverse events (AEs) were observed in either group during the12-month period. CONCLUSION: It is effective and cost-effective to treat DME by utilizing triamcinolone as an adjunct to the combination of anti-VEGF.

Soil legacy of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Gigaspora margarita: The potassium-sequestering glomalin improves peanut (Arachis hypogaea) drought resistance and pod yield.

In agroecosystems, drought stress severely threatens crops development. Although potassium (K) is required in amounts by crops under drought stress, the mobilization and availablity of K are limited by the soil water status. Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi can form mutualistic associations with most crops and play direct or indirect roles in the host drought resistance. Considering that the glomalin generated by living AM fungal hyphae can sequester multiple minerals, however, the function of mineral-sequestering glomalin in the crop drought resistance remains unclear. In this study, peanuts cultivated in the sterilized soil with a history of AM fungi inoculation showed significantly enhanced leaf K accumulation, drought resistance and pod yield under drought stress. Through the collection of different types of mineral-sequestering glomalin from living AM fungal hyphae, the peanut drought resistance was improved only when K-sequestering glomalin was added. Moreover, we found that peanut root exudates could prime the dissociation of glomalin-bound K and further satisfy the K requirement of crops. Our study is the first report that K-sequestering glomalin could improve drought performance and peanut pod yield, and it helps us to understand the ecological importance of improving AM symbiosis to face agricultural challenges.

Iron chelators reverse organ damage in type 4B hereditary hemochromatosis: Case reports.

RATIONALE: Hereditary hemochromatosis (HH) is a hereditary disorder of iron metabolism. It is classified into 4 main types depending on the underlying genetic mutation: human hemochromatosis protein (HFE) (type 1), hemojuvelin (HJV) (type 2A), HAMP (type 2B), transferrin receptor-2 (TFER2) (type 3), and ferroportin (type 4). Type 4 HH is divided into 2 subtypes according to different mutations: type 4A (classical ferroportin disease) and type 4B (non-classical ferroportin disease). Type 4B HH is a rare autosomal dominant disease that results from mutations in the Solute Carrier Family 40 member 1 (SLC40A1) gene, which encodes the iron transport protein ferroportin. PATIENT CONCERNS: Here we report 2 elderly Chinese Han men, who were brothers, presented with liver cirrhosis, diabetes mellitus, skin hyperpigmentation, hyperferritinaemia as well as high transferrin saturation. DIAGNOSIS: Subsequent genetic analyses identified a heterozygous mutation (p. Cys326Tyr) in the SLC40A1 gene in both patients. INTERVENTIONS: We treated the patient with iron chelator and followed up for 3 years. OUTCOMES: Iron chelator helped to reduce the serum ferritin and improve the condition of target organs, including skin, pancreas, liver as well as pituitary. LESSONS: Type 4B HH is rare but usually tends to cause multiple organ dysfunction and even death. For those patients who have difficulty tolerating phlebotomy, iron chelator might be a good alternative.

The early response expression profiles of miRNA-mRNA in farmed yellow catfish (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco) challenged with Edwardsiella tarda infection.

Edwardsiella tarda, the bacterial pathogen that causes ascites disease and red-head disease, poses a serious threat to yellow catfish (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco) aquaculture. In this study, the spleens of E. tarda-infected and non-infected yellow catfish were sequenced to obtain the microRNA (miRNA) and mRNA expression profiles. We obtained 657 differentially expressed (DE) miRNAs and 6867 DE mRNAs between two groups and annotated them using the KEGG database. In addition, the 43 negatively correlated miRNA-mRNA pairs were identified using integrated miRNA-mRNA analysis, which including immune-related miRNAs and target genes such as miR-144, miR-1260, miR-1388, miR-33, miR-338, miR-181b, miR-34c, miR-135 and CLEC4E, LITR, PIKfyve, NCF4, IL-12ß, IP6K2, TNFRSF9, IL-4Rα, IRF2, Mx2. We verified 8 DE miRNAs pairs and 10 DE mRNAs by quantitative real-time PCR. Finally, the CLEC4E and Mx2 mRNAs were selected for further verification using in situ hybridization. Together, our results provide valuable information for further analyses of the mechanisms of yellow catfish defense against E. tarda infection.

Estrogen-ERα signaling and DNA hypomethylation co-regulate expression of stem cell protein PIWIL1 in ERα-positive endometrial cancer cells.

BACKGROUND: We previously identified PIWIL1 as an oncogene involved in endometrial carcinogenesis. However, the mechanism of Piwil1 mediated regulation of tumorigenesis remains poorly understood. METHODS: The expression levels of target genes in endometrial cancer cells were detected by quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (RT-qPCR) and western blotting. Up- or down-regulation of ERα or PIWIL1 was achieved by transient transfection with expressing plasmids or short hairpin RNA (shRNA). Dual-luciferase reporter assays and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) were used to demonstrate the ERα bound to the half estrogen response element (half-ERE) located in PIWIL1 promoter. The expression of PIWIL1 and ERα in endometrial carcinoma tissues were investigated using immunohistochemistry and RT-qPCR. The proliferation ability of cancer cells were evaluated by MTT. Methylation status of the PIWIL1 promoter was detected by bisulfite sequencing PCR (BSP). RESULTS: In the present study, we found that PIWIL1 mediated E2-stimulated cancer cell proliferation. In ERα-positive endometrial cancer cells, we demonstrated that estrogen-ERα signaling significantly up-regulated the expression of PIWIL1, which was mediated by binding of the ERα onto the PIWIL1 promoter. Furthermore, we found that a half-ERE in the PIWIL1 promoter was essential for ERα binding. The PIWIL1 promoter was hypomethylated in ERα-positive endometrial cancer cells. Treatment with 5-aza-deoxycytidine (5-aza-dC) could up-regulate PIWIL1 expression. CONCLUSIONS: These findings uncover a novel molecular mechanism by which estrogen-ERα signaling and DNA hypomethylation co-regulate PIWIL1 expression. These findings provide novel insights into the hormonal regulation of PIWIL1 in endometrial cancer and the PIWIL1's role in estrogen-stimulated endometrial carcinogenesis. Video Abstract. (MP4 41319 kb).

Ruthenium-106 plaque brachytherapy for the treatment of diffuse choroidal hemangioma in Sturge-Weber syndrome.

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of ruthenium-106 plaque brachytherapy for the treatment of diffuse choroidal hemangioma (DCH) in Sturge-Weber syndrome (SWS). METHODS: A total of 8 patients with DCH in SWS managed with plaque brachytherapy were retrospectively included. Patients were treated with ruthenium-106 plaque therapy (median apex dose: 83 Gy) at the thickest tumor region. On follow-up, we recorded the tumor thickness, the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), subretinal fluid (SRF) status, and complications following treatment. RESULTS: At a median follow-up of 43mo, tumor regression was observed in all cases, with a complete resolution of SRF and reduction in tumor-thickness. No radiation complications were recorded during the follow up time. CONCLUSION: Ruthenium-106 plaque therapy to the thickest portion of the tumor seems to be a useful treatment in patients with DCH in SWS.

Propagation of toroidal localized spoof surface plasmons using conductive coupling.

Here, on a platform of two split-ring resonator (SRR) disks in the microwave regime, we have numerically and experimentally investigated the coupling of toroidal localized spoof surface plasmons (LSSPs). The coupling effect is investigated both theoretically and experimentally. We observe that magnetic dipole coupling exists in the toroidal LSSPs coupling and causes a rearrangement of the toroidal LSSPs, which suppresses the propagation of toroidal LSSPs. To realize the propagation of toroidal LSSPs, we introduce conductive coupling into the SRR disks. The conductive coupling can correct magnetic dipole coupling and enhance toroidal LSSPs coupling. Both numerical simulations and experiments are in good agreement. The toroidal LSSPs can be effectively propagated, even in the three right-angle-bent SRR disks. This study paves the way toward a better understanding of toroidal LSSPs coupling and finds many applications in the transfer of electromagnetic energy using toroidal moments.

The associations among Helicobacter pylori infection, white blood cell count and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in a large Chinese population.

Reported relationships among Helicobacter pylori infection, white blood cell (WBC) count and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are inconsistent and controversial. We, therefore, conducted a cross-sectional study to investigate the associations among the presence of NAFLD, WBC count and H pylori infection, as diagnosed using the C-urea breath test (UBT).This study included 20,389 subjects enrolled at the International Health Care Center of the Second Affiliated Hospital of the Zhejiang University School of Medicine from January 2015 to December 2015. All participants underwent a C-UBT for the diagnosis of H pylori infection and ultrasonography for NAFLD as well as a blood test to determine WBC count. Multivariate logistic regression was then performed to evaluate the relationship among H pylori infection, WBC count and NAFLD.H pylori infection was detected in 38.49% (7,848/20,389) of the subjects via the UBT, and NAFLD was present in 37.24% (7,592/20,389) of the subjects. The prevalence of H pylori infection was higher in the NAFLD group than in the control group (41.25% vs 36.85%, P <.001). Significant differences were found between various WBC quartiles and H pylori infection, age, gender, body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (HS-CRP), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C), fasting blood glucose (FPG), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and smoking. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that the combination of H pylori infection and WBC count (odds ratio [OR] = 1.067, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.014, 1.093; P = .007; OR = 1.165, 95% CI: 1.023, 1.488; P <.001; OR = 1.183, 95% CI: 1.085, 1.559; P <.001, respectively) was positively associated with NAFLD.H pylori infection and WBC count may contribute to the pathogenesis of NAFLD.

Detoxification and immunoprotection of Zn(II)-curcumin in juvenile Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) feed with aflatoxin B1.

Aflatoxins, which was produced by Aspergillus flavus or Aspergillus parasiticus fungi during grain and feed processing or storage, could cause severe health problems and reduction of yield during shrimp cultures. To evaluate toxic effects of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in juvenile Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) and potential protective effect of Zn(II)-curcumin (Zn-CM), four experimental diets (control, 500 µg/kg AFB1, 500 µg/kg AFB1+100 mg/kg Zn-CM, 500 µg/kg AFB1+200 mg/kg Zn-CM) were formulated in quadruplicate to feed the shrimp for 8 weeks. The results revealed that AFB1 could induce significant decrease in final body weight (FBW), weight gain (WG, %) and visible variations of the hepatopancreas structures in L.vannamei. Compared with AFB1 group, AFB1+100 mg/kg Zn-CM group significantly ameliorated the toxic effects of AFB1 on growth performance, while AFB1+100 mg/kg Zn-CM group had no effect on growth performance. Dietary AFB1+100 mg/kg Zn-CM enhanced phenoloxidase (PO) (P < 0.05) activity. Both dietary AFB1+100 mg/kg Zn-CM and AFB1+200 mg/kg Zn-CM reduced inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) activity and glutathione (GSH) level, decreased the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) (P < 0.05) in hepatopancreas compared with AFB1 group. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis demonstrated that Zn-CM could relieve the microvilli transformation and mitochondria accumulation reduction caused by AFB1. Consequently, the results demonstrated that suitable Zn-CM could mitigate the AFB1-induced hepatotoxicity and immunotoxicity effects on L.vannamei.

Antitumor potential of a novel camptothecin derivative, ZBH-ZM-06.

Camptothecin (CPT) is a cytotoxic quinoline alkaloid that is used clinically as an anticancer drug. However, the clinical application of CPT is limited due to its low solubility as well as serious and unfathomable side-effects. In the present study, we created a novel 10-hydroxy CPT prodrug, ZBH-ZM­06. Its cellular cytotoxic activity was analyzed in terms of cellular viability, acetylcholinesterase (AchE) inhibition, DNA relaxation, cellular cycling and apoptosis properties. Our results showed that the AchE inhibition rate of 10 µmol/l ZBH-ZM-06 was 12.5%, compared to 96.5% for carbonyl-oxycamptothecin (CPT-11). In a chemical stability assay, only 4.9% of ZBH-ZM-06 remained after 4 h at pH 7.4. In addition, 10 µmol/l ZBH-ZM-06 significantly inhibited the tumor cell viability of nine tumor cell lines, compared to CPT-11 and the CPT active ingredient, 7-ethyl-10-hydroxy-camptothecin (SN38) (p<0.01-0.05). In the apoptosis assay, ZBH-ZM-06 increased the ratio of annexin V+/propidium iodide (PI)-/+ cells by flow cytometric analysis (p<0.05). Moreover, ZBH-ZM-06 activated caspase-3 and poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase (PARP) expression by immunoblotting. Furthermore, ZBH-ZM-06 induced a greater G2/M phase arrest ratio, compared to CPT-11 and SN38. These results indicated that ZBH-ZM-06 had higher antitumor activity than CPT-11 and SN38, which was shown by its: i) release of the effective ingredient; ii) growth inhibition of a broad spectrum of tumor cells; iii) inhibition of DNA topoisomerase (Topo-1); and iv) promotion of apoptosis through an intrinsic signaling pathway. Thus, ZBH-ZM-06 may be applied in the preclinic study for cancer treatment.

Dianthus chinensis L.: The Structural Difference between Vascular Bundles in the Placenta and Ovary Wall Suggests Their Different Origin.

Dianthus chinensis is a perennial herbaceous plant with great ornamental, botanical, ecological, and medicinal value. The pistil of D. chinensis is composed of two fused carpels with free central placenta and two separate styles. The placenta is a columnar structure extending about two-thirds the length of the maturing fruit, which is typical of the Caryophyllaceous. Traditionally, free central placenta is thought to have evolved from axial placenta by septal disappearance, and axial placenta to have occurred through fusion of conduplicate carpels with marginal placenta. However, the traditional opinion is becoming more and more inconsistent with the new data gained in recent research of angiosperm systematics. To clarify the origin of D. chinensis pistil, the present anatomical study was carried out. The results show that the vascular system of placenta is independent to that of the ovary wall in D. chinensis. Moreover, in the central part of placenta there are one or two amphicribral bundles, and correspondingly numerous ones in the pistil which supply the ovules/seeds. It is obvious that the central amphicribral bundles in placenta are comparable to the counterparts in branches but not to those in leaves or their derivatives. Therefore, it is reasonable to deduce that the placenta of D. chinensis was not derived from conduplicate carpels through fusion of collateral vascular bundles, and actually a floral axis with ovules/seeds laterally adhering. On the contrary, the ovary wall was the lateral appendages of the floral axis. The result of the present study is completely in agreement with Unifying Theory, in which the placenta is taken as an ovule-bearing branch. Except for D. chinensis, the similar vascular organization has been observed in placenta of numerous isolated taxa. But till now, it is uncertain that whether this vascular organization pattern is popular in the whole angiosperms or not. More intensive and extensive investigations are needed.