Hyaluronic acid-mediated epithelial-mesenchymal transition of human lens epithelial cells via CD44 and TGF-β2

ABSTRACT Purpose: The epithelial-mesenchymal transition of human lens epithelial cells plays a role in posterior capsule opacification, a fibrotic process that leads to a common type of cataract. Hyaluronic acid has been implicated in this fibrosis. Studies have investigated the role of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β2 in epithelial-mesenchymal transition. However, the role of TGF-β2 in hyaluronic acid-mediated fibrosis of lens epithelial cell remains unknown. We here examined the role of TGF-β2 in the hyaluronic acid-mediated epithelial-mesenchymal transition of lens epithelial cells. Methods: Cultured human lens epithelial cells (HLEB3) were infected with CD44-siRNA by using the Lipofectamine 3000 transfection reagent. The CCK-8 kit was used to measure cell viability, and the scratch assay was used to determine cell migration. Cell oxidative stress was analyzed in a dichloro-dihydro-fluorescein diacetate assay and by using a flow cytometer. The TGF-β2 level in HLEB3 cells was examined through immunohistochemical staining. The TGF-β2 protein level was determined through western blotting. mRNA expression levels were determined through quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: Treatment with hyaluronic acid (1.0 μM, 24 h) increased the epithelial-mesenchymal transition of HLEB3 cells. The increase in TGF-β2 levels corresponded to an increase in CD44 levels in the culture medium. However, blocking the CD44 function significantly reduced the TGF-β2-mediated epithelial-mesenchymal transition response of HLEB3 cells. Conclusions: Our study showed that both CD44 and TGF-β2 are critical contributors to the hyaluronic acid-mediated epithelial-mesenchymal transition of lens epithelial cells, and that TGF-β2 in epithelial-mesenchymal transition is regulated by CD44. These results suggest that CD44 could be used as a target for preventing hyaluronic acid-induced posterior capsule opacification. Our findings suggest that CD44/TGF-β2 is crucial for the hyaluronic acid-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition of lens epithelial cells.

Choroiditis following severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection in unvaccinated identical twins

ABSTRACT Unvaccinated identical twins developed bilateral anterior uveitis soon after the onset of coronavirus disease 2019 symptoms. During follow-up, both patients developed choroiditis, and one twine developed posterior scleritis and serous retinal detachment. Prompt treatment with oral prednisone ameliorated the lesions, and no recurrence was observed at the 18-month follow-up. Choroiditis may rarely be associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection, and it responds well to corticosteroid therapy. Although the exact mechanism is unknown, we hypothesize that the virus may act as an immunological trigger for choroiditis.

Protein Kinase R (PKR) as a Novel dsRNA Sensor in Antiviral Innate Immunity.

Protein kinase R (PKR), a key double-stranded RNA (dsRNA)-activated sensor, is pivotal for cellular responses to diverse stimuli. This protocol delineates a comprehensive methodological framework employing single luciferase assays, yeast assays, immunoblot assays, and quantitative PCR (qPCR) to discern and validate PKR activities and their downstream impacts on NF-κB-activating signaling pathways. These methodologies furnish a systematic approach to unraveling the role of PKR as a dsRNA sensor and effector in antiviral innate immunity, enabling in-depth analyses of dsRNA sensor activities.

Serum CYFRA 21-1 and CK19-2G2 as Predictive Biomarkers of Response to Transarterial Chemoembolization in Hepatitis C-related Hepatocellular Carcinoma Among Egyptians: A Prospective Study.

Background and aim: Cytokeratin 19 (CK19)-positive HCC is a subtype of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with poor biological behavior and resistance to different treatments including transarterial chemoembolization (TACE). The current study aimed to investigate the predictive value of serum CK 19 fragment 21-1 (CYFRA 21-1) and serum CK 19 fragment 2G2 (CK 19-2G2) for TACE response in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related HCC. Methods: This prospective study assessed the pretreatment serum CYFRA 21-1 and CK 19-2G2 levels in 64 patients with HCV-related naïve HCC who underwent TACE to predict 1-year overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and objective response rate (ORR). Additionally, 40 healthy individuals were included as controls. Pretreatment alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) was also measured for comparison. Results: After exclusions, 60 patients completed TACE sessions, and the 1-year OS was 52%, and ORR post TACE was 71.8%. HCC patients with elevated levels of CYFRA 21-1, CK 19-2G2, or baseline AFP measuring ≥400 ng/ml have decreased 1-year OS and PFS after TACE. Serum CK19-2G2 was an independent predictor of 1-year OS using multivariate hazard regression analysis. Pretreatment normal serum CYFRA 21-1 levels (P = 0.047), serum AFP measuring <400 ng/ml (P = 0.016), and lower AST (P = 0.002) were independent predictors of ORR to TACE using multivariate logistic regression analysis. The predictive ability of pretreatment elevated serum CYFRA 21-1, AFP measuring ≥400 ng/ml, AFP + CYFRA 21-1, AFP + CK 19-2G2, or AFP + CYFRA 21-1+ CK19-2G2 to predict nonresponse (progressive disease) to TACE (area under the curve = 0.795, 0.690, 0.830, 0.725, and 0.850, respectively). Conclusions: This study demonstrated that incorporating the measurement of serum CYFRA 21-1 or CK19-2G2 levels, along with AFP, during the initial diagnosis can aid in predicting poor 1-year OS, PFS, and ORR to TACE in patients with HCV-related HCC.

Approaching Pharmacological Space: Events and Components.

The pharmacological space comprises all the dynamic events that determine the bioactivity (and/or the metabolism and toxicity) of a given ligand. The pharmacological space accounts for the structural flexibility and property variability of the two interacting molecules as well as for the mutual adaptability characterizing their molecular recognition process. The dynamic behavior of all these events can be described by a set of possible states (e.g., conformations, binding modes, isomeric forms) that the simulated systems can assume. For each monitored state, a set of state-dependent ligand- and structure-based descriptors can be calculated. Instead of considering only the most probable state (as routinely done), the pharmacological space proposes to consider all the monitored states. For each state-dependent descriptor, the corresponding space can be evaluated by calculating various dynamic parameters such as mean and range values.The reviewed examples emphasize that the pharmacological space can find fruitful applications in structure-based virtual screening as well as in toxicity prediction. In detail, in all reported examples, the inclusion of the pharmacological space parameters enhances the resulting performances. Beneficial effects are obtained by combining both different binding modes to account for ligand mobility and different target structures to account for protein flexibility/adaptability.The proposed computational workflow that combines docking simulations and rescoring analyses to enrich the arsenal of docking-based descriptors revealed a general applicability regardless of the considered target and utilized docking engine. Finally, the EFO approach that generates consensus models by linearly combining various descriptors yielded highly performing models in all discussed virtual screening campaigns.

Tissue chips as headway model and incitement technology.

Tissue on a chip or organ-on-chip (OOC) is a technology that's dignified to form a transformation in drug discovery through the use of advanced platforms. These are 3D in-vitro cell culture models that mimic micro-environment of human organs or tissues on artificial microstructures built on a portable microfluidic chip without involving sacrificial humans or animals. This review article aims to offer readers a thorough and insightful understanding of technology. It begins with an in-depth understanding of chip design and instrumentation, underlining its pivotal role and the imperative need for its development in the modern scientific landscape. The review article explores into the myriad applications of OOC technology, showcasing its transformative impact on fields such as radiobiology, drug discovery and screening, and its pioneering use in space research. In addition to highlighting these diverse applications, the article provides a critical analysis of the current challenges that OOC technology faces. It examines both the biological and technical limitations that hinder its progress and efficacy and discusses the potential advancements and innovations that could drive the OOC technology forward. Through this comprehensive review, readers will gain a deep appreciation of the significance, capabilities, and evolving landscape of OOC technology.

Construction of bismuth based MOF for efficient removal of sodium diclofenac via adsorption and photocatalysis.

The mass production and widespread use of Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products (PPCPs) have posed a serious threat to the water environment and public health. In this work, a green metal-based Metal Organic Framework (MOF) Bi-NH2-BDC was prepared and characterized, and the adsorption characteristics of Bi-NH2-BDC were investigated with typical PPCPs-diclofenac sodium (DCF). It was found that DCF mainly covered the adsorbent surface as a single molecular layer, the adsorption reaction was a spontaneous, entropy-increasing exothermic process and the adsorption mechanisms between Bi-NH2-BDC and DCF were hydrogen bonding, π-π interactions and electrostatic interactions. In addition, Bi-NH2-BDC also had considerable photocatalytic properties, and its application in adsorbent desorption treatment effectively solved the problem of secondary pollution, achieving a green and sustainable adsorption desorption cycle.

N-doped Cu2O with the tunable Cu0 and Cu+ sites for selective CO2 electrochemical reduction to ethylene.

The electrochemical carbon dioxide reduction reaction (CO2RR) to high value-added fuels or chemicals driven by the renewable energy is promising to alleviate global warming. However, the selective CO2 reduction to C2 products remains challenge. Cu-based catalyst with the specific Cu0 and Cu+ sites is important to generate C2 products. This work used nitrogen (N) to tune amounts of Cu0 and Cu+ sites in Cu2O catalysts and improve C2-product conversion. The controllable Cu0/Cu+ ratio of Cu2O catalyst from 0.16 to 15.19 was achieved by adjusting the N doping amount using NH3/Ar plasma treatment. The major theme of this work was clarifying a volcano curve of the ethylene Faraday efficiency as a function of the Cu0/Cu+ ratio. The optimal Cu0/Cu+ ratio was determined as 0.43 for selective electroreduction CO2 to ethylene. X-ray spectroscopy and density functional theory (DFT) calculations were employed to elucidate that the strong interaction between N and Cu increased the binding energy of NCu bond and stabilize Cu+, resulting in a 92.3% reduction in the potential energy change for *CO-*CO dimerization. This study is inspiring in designing high performance electrocatalysts for CO2 conversion.

Regulating the valence and size of the active center of Co/Al2O3 catalyst improved the performance and selectivity of NH3-SCO.

To improve the activity of Co/Al2O3 catalysts in selective catalytic oxidation of ammonia (NH3-SCO), valence state and size of active centers of Al2O3-supported Co catalysts were adjusted by conducting H2 reduction pretreatment. The NH3-SCO activity of the adjusted 2Co/Al2O3 catalyst was substantially improved, outperforming other catalysts with higher Co-loading. Fresh Co/Al2O3 catalysts exhibited multitemperature reduction processes, enabling the control of the valence state of the Co-active centers by adjusting the reduction temperature. Changes in the state of the Co-active centers also led to differences in redox capacity of the catalysts, resulting in different reaction mechanisms for NH3-SCO. However, in situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectra revealed that an excessive O2 activation capacity caused overoxidation of NH3 to NO and NO2. The NH3-SCO activity of the 2Co/Al2O3 catalyst with low redox capacity was successfully increased while controlling and optimizing the N2 selectivity by modulating the active centers via H2 pretreatment, which is a universal method used for enhancing the redox properties of catalysts. Thus, this method has great potential for application in the design of inexpensive and highly active catalysts.

Efficient electroreduction of carbon dioxide to formate enabled by bismuth nanosheets enriched dual VBi0 vacancy.

The electrocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2ER) into formate presents a compelling solution for mitigating dependence on fossil energy and green utilization of CO2. Bismuth (Bi) has been gaining recognition as a promising catalyst material for the CO2ER to formate. The performance of Bi catalysts (named as Bi-V) can be significantly improved when they possess single metal atom vacancy. However, creating larger-sized metal atom vacancies within Bi catalysts remains a significant challenge. In this work, Bi nanosheets with dual VBi0 vacancy (Bi-DV) were synthesized utilizing in situ electrochemical transformation, using BiOBr nanosheets with triple vacancy associates (VBi″'VO··VBi″', VBi″' and VO·· denote the Bi3+ and O2- vacancy, respectively) as a template. The obtained Bi-DV achieved higher CO2ER activity than Bi-V, showing Faradaic efficiency for formate production of >92% from -0.9 to -1.2 VRHE in an H-type cell, and the partial current density of formate reached up to 755 mA/cm2 in a flow cell. The comprehensive characterizations coupled with density functional theory calculations demonstrate that the dual VBi0 vacancy on the surface of Bi-DV expedite the reaction kinetics toward CO2ER, by reducing the thermodynamic barrier of *OCHO intermediate formation. This research provides critical insights into the potential of large atom vacancies to enhance electrocatalysis performance.

Reaction kinetics of CO2 capture into AMP/PZ/DME solid-liquid biphasic solvent.

The non-aqueous solid-liquid biphasic solvent of 2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol (AMP)/piperazine (PZ)/dipropylene glycol dimethyl ether (DME) features a high CO2 absorption loading, favorable phase separation behavior and high regeneration efficiency. Different with the liquid-liquid phase change solvent, the reaction kinetics of CO2 capture into solid-liquid biphasic solvent was rarely studied. In the present work, the reaction kinetics of CO2 absorption into AMP/PZ/DME solid-liquid biphasic solvent was investigated into the double stirred kettle reactor. The absorption reaction followed a pseudo-first-order kinetic model according to the zwitterion mechanism. The overall reaction rate constant (kov) and the enhancement factor (E) of CO2 absorption both increased with increasing temperature. The total mass transfer resistance of the absorbent decreased with increasing temperature and increased with increasing absorption loading, so the higher reaction temperature was conducive to the absorption, and the liquid phase mass transfer resistance was the main factor affecting the absorption rate.

Comparative evaluation of single and multiple exposure to PM2.5 in respirable air on cardiac physiology, structure and function in a Wistar rat model.

Many studies have shown the negative relationship between long term exposure to PM2.5 and cardiac dysfunction. Recently, studies have shown that even a single exposure of PM2.5 from air sample in permissible range can induce very mild cardiac pathological changes. In the present study, we revisited the toxic effect of PM2.5 on rat heart by adopting single and multiple exposure durations. Female Wistar rats were exposed to PM2.5 at a concentration of 250 µg/m3 daily for 3 hr for single (1 day) and multiple (7, 14, 21 days) durations. The major pathological changes noted in 21 days exposed myocardium comprised of an elevated ST segment (the segment between the S wave and the T wave), development of cardiac fibrosis, hypertrophy, cardiac injury, tissue inflammation and declined cardiac function. With 14 days exposed heart, the electrocardiograms (ECG),data showed insignificantly declined heart rate and an increased QT (the time from the start of the Q wave to the end of the T wave) interval along with mild fibrosis, hypertrophy and lesser number of TUNEL positive cells. On the other hand, single- and 7-days exposure to PM2.5 did not impart any significant changes in the myocardium. To determine the reversibility potential of PM2.5 induced cardiotoxicity, a washout period of 24 hours was adopted and all observed changes in the myocardium were reversed till day 7, but not in 14- and 21-days exposed samples. Based on the above findings we concluded that PM2.5 associated cardiac dysfunction is the cumulative outcome of ineffective cardiac adaptive and repair process that accumulate additively over the time due to prolonged exposure durations.

A methodological framework for estimating ambient PM2.5 particulate matter concentrations in the UK.

Scientific evidence sustains PM2.5 particles' inhalation may generate harmful impacts on human beings' health; therefore, their monitoring in ambient air is of paramount relevance in terms of public health. Due to the limited number of fixed stations within the air quality monitoring networks, development of methodological frameworks to model ambient air PM2.5 particles is primordial to providing additional information on PM2.5 exposure and its trends. In this sense, this work aims to offer a global easily-applicable tool to estimate ambient air PM2.5 as a function of meteorological conditions using a multivariate analysis. Daily PM2.5 data measured by 84 fixed monitoring stations and meteorological data from ERA5 (ECMWF Reanalysis v5) reanalysis daily based data between 2000 and 2021 across the United Kingdom were attended to develop the suggested approach. Data from January 2017 to December 2020 were employed to build a mathematical expression that related the dependent variable (PM2.5) to predictor ones (sea-level pressure, planetary boundary layer height, temperature, precipitation, wind direction and speed), while 2021 data tested the model. Evaluation indicators evidenced a good performance of model (maximum values of RMSE, MAE and MAPE: 1.80 µg/m3, 3.24 µg/m3, and 20.63%, respectively), compiling the current legislation's requirements for modelling ambient air PM2.5 concentrations. A retrospective analysis of meteorological features allowed estimating ambient air PM2.5 concentrations from 2000 to 2021. The highest PM2.5 concentrations relapsed in the Mid- and Southlands, while Northlands sustained the lowest concentrations.

Dietary sn-2 palmitate influences cognitive behavior by increasing the transport of liver-produced lysophosphatidylcholine VLCPUFAs to the brain.

Investigations indicated that sn-2 palmitate have positive effects on brain development, although its mechanism remains largely unexamined. This research delved into how a diet abundant in sn-2 palmitate influenced the cognitive behavior of mice and elucidated the associated mechanisms using metabolomics and lipidomics. The study demonstrated that dietary sn-2 palmitate led to improved working memory and cognition in mice, as well as an increase in brain BDNF concentration when compared to those fed blend vegetable oil (BVO). This was because sn-2 palmitate feeding promoted the synthesis of very long-chain fatty acids (VLCPUFAs) for the lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) and lysophosphatidylethanolamine (LPE) in the liver. This led to more efficient delivery of VLCPUFAs to the brain, as indicated by elevated concentration of LPC/LPE-VLCPUFAs in the liver and heightened expression of the major facilitator superfamily domain containing 2a (MFSD2A). In essence, this paper offered a potential mechanism by which sn-2 palmitate enhanced mouse neurodevelopment.

2D Janus carrier-enabled trojan horse: Gallium delivery for the sequential therapy of biofilm associated infection.

Biofilm-associated infections (BAIs) continue to pose a major challenge in the medical field. Nanomedicine, in particular, promises significant advances in combating BAIs through the introduction of a variety of nanomaterials and nano-antimicrobial strategies. However, studies to date have primarily focused on the removal of the bacterial biofilm and neglect the subsequent post-biofilm therapeutic measures for BAIs, rendering pure anti-biofilm strategies insufficient for the holistic recovery of affected patients. Herein, we construct an emerging dual-functional composite nanosheet (SiHx@Ga) that responds to pHs fluctuation in the biofilm microenvironment to enable a sequential therapy of BAIs. In the acidic environment of biofilm, SiHx@Ga employs the self-sensitized photothermal Trojan horse strategy to effectively impair the reactive oxygen species (ROS) defense system while triggering oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation of bacteria, engendering potent antibacterial and anti-biofilm effects. Surprisingly, in the post-treatment phase, SiHx@Ga adsorbs free pathogenic nucleic acids released after biofilm destruction, generates hydrogen with ROS-scavenging and promotes macrophage polarization to the M2 type, effectively mitigating damaging inflammatory burst and promoting tissue healing. This well-orchestrated strategy provides a sequential therapy of BAIs by utilizing microenvironmental variations, offering a conceptual paradigm shift in the field of nanomedicine anti-infectives.

Near-infrared fluorescent probe visual detection of Hg2+ and its application in biological system and ecological system.

Mercury ion (Hg2+), a heavy metal cation with greater toxicity, is widely present in the ecological environment and has become a serious threat to human health and environmental safety. Currently, developing a solution to simultaneously visualize and monitor Hg2+ in environmental samples, including water, soil, and plants, remains a great challenge. In this work, we created and synthesized a near-infrared fluorescent probe, BBN-Hg, and utilized Hg2+ to trigger the partial cleavage of the carbon sulfate ester in BBN-Hg as a sensing mechanism, and the fluorescence intensity of BBN-Hg was significantly enhanced at 650 nm, thus realizing the visualization of Hg2+ with good selectivity (detection limit, 53 nM). In live cells and zebrafish, the probe BBN-Hg enhances the red fluorescence signal in the presence of Hg2+, and successfully performs 3D imaging on zebrafish, making it a powerful tool for detecting Hg2+ in living systems. More importantly, with BBN-Hg, we are able to detect Hg2+ in actual water samples, soil and plant seedling roots. Furthermore, the probe was prepared as a test strip for on-site determination of Hg2+ with the assistance of a smartphone. Therefore, this study offers an easy-to-use and useful method for tracking Hg2+ levels in living organisms and their surroundings.

Alkyl effects on charge recombination in copper electrolyte-based dye-sensitized solar cells: Insights for targeted molecular design towards high performance.

Two quinoxaline dyes utilized in copper-electrolyte-based dye-sensitized solar cells (Cu-DSSCs) are theoretically investigated to analyze the impact of alkyl chains on dye performance. The investigation shows that ZS4, known for its record efficiency of up to 13.2 %, exhibits higher electron coupling and fewer binding sites for dye-[Cu(tmby)2]2+ interaction compared to ZS5. Contrary to common belief, alkyl chains are found to not only provide shielding but also hinder the interaction between dye and [Cu(tmby)2]2+ by influencing the optimal conformation of dyes, thereby impeding the charge recombination process. It is crucial to consider the influence of alkyl chains on dye conformation when discussing the relationship between dye structure and performance, rather than oversimplifying it as often done traditionally. Building on these findings, eight dyes are strategically designed by adjusting the position of the alkyl chain to further decrease charge recombination compared to ZS4. Theoretical evaluation of these dyes reveals that changing the alkyl chain on the nitrogen atom from 2-ethylhexyl (ZS4) to 1-hexylheptyl (D3-2) not only reduces the charge recombination rate but also enhances light harvesting ability. Therefore, D3-2 shows potential as a candidate for experimental synthesis of high-performance Cu-DSSCs with improved efficiency.

20S-Ginsenoside Rh2, the major bioactive saponin in Panax notoginseng flowers, ameliorates cough by inhibition of NaV1.7 and TRPV1 channel currents and downregulation of TRPV1 expression.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Panax notoginseng flowers, which are the buds of the traditional Chinese medicinal herb Sanqi, are widely used in China for their cough-ameliorating properties, with demonstrated therapeutic effects in the treatment of both acute and chronic coughs. However, both the antitussive mechanism and active compound basis of P. notoginseng flowers remain poorly understood. AIM OF THE STUDY: We investigated the antitussive effects of P. notoginseng flowers, identified the bioactive constituents responsible for alleviating cough symptoms, and elucidated the underlying pharmacological mechanisms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed the major chemical constituents of aqueous extracts of P. notoginseng flowers using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and quantitatively analyzed the key component, 20S-ginsenoside Rh2, using high-performance liquid chromatography. Using a cough reflex model in healthy mice and an ovalbumin-induced, highly sensitive guinea pig cough model, we verified the suppressive effects of P. notoginseng flowers and their saponin constituents on coughing. Furthermore, we explored the mechanisms of action of the key ion channels, NaV1.7 and TRPV1, using whole-cell patch-clamp techniques and molecular docking. Finally, the therapeutic mechanisms of P. notoginseng flowers on pathological cough were revealed using hematoxylin and eosin staining, immunohistochemistry, and western blotting. RESULTS: The active components of P. notoginseng flowers were primarily protopanaxadiol-type saponins, among which 20S-ginsenoside Rh2 had the highest content (51.46 mg/g). In the mouse model, P. notoginseng flowers exhibited antitussive effects comparable to those of pentoxyverine citrate. Although its main saponin component, 20S-ginsenoside Rh2, showed slightly weaker effects, it still demonstrated concentration-dependent inhibition of channel activity. The whole-cell patch-clamp technique and virtual molecular docking showed that Rh2 might exert its effects by directly binding to the NaV1.7 and TRPV1 channels. In the guinea pig model, P. notoginseng flowers and their saponin components not only reduced cough frequency and prolonged the latency period before cough onset, but also significantly inhibited tracheal and pulmonary inflammation and the overexpression of TRPV1. CONCLUSIONS: 20S-Ginsenoside Rh2, the major bioactive saponin in P. notoginseng flowers, exhibits potent antitussive effects. The potential mechanism of action of 20S-Ginsenoside Rh2 in the treatment of cough may involve inhibiting NaV1.7 and TRPV1 channel currents through direct binding to core protein active sites and downregulating TRPV1 expression.

Perilla frutescens leaf extracts alleviate acute lung injury in mice by inhibiting KAT2A.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Acute lung injury (ALI) can lead to respiratory failure and even death. KAT2A is a key target to suppress the development of inflammation. A herb, perilla frutescens, is an effective treatment for pulmonary inflammatory diseases with anti-inflammatory effects; however, its mechanism of action remains unclear. AIM OF THE STUDY: The purpose of this study was to investigate the therapeutic effect and underlying mechanism of perilla frutescens leaf extracts (PLE), in the treatment of ALI by focusing on its ability to treat inflammation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In vivo and in vitro models of ALI induced by LPS. Respiratory function, histopathological changes of lung, and BEAS-2B cells damage were assessed upon PLE. This effect is also tested under conditions of KAT2A over expression and KAT2A silencing. RESULTS: PLE significantly attenuated LPS-induced histopathological changes in the lungs, improved respiratory function, and increased survival rate from LPS stimuation background in mice. PLE remarkably suppressed the phosphorylation of STAT3, AKT, ERK (1/2) and the release of cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1ß) induced by LPS via inhibiting the expression of KAT2A. CONCLUSIONS: PLE has a dose-dependent anti-inflammatory effect by inhibiting KAT2A expression to suppress LPS-induced ALI n mice. Our study expands the clinical indications of the traditional medicine PLE and provide a theoretical basis for clinical use of acute lung injury.

A near-infrared ratiometric fluorescent probe for the sensing and imaging of sulfur dioxide derivatives in living systems.

As a reactive sulfur species, sulfur dioxide (SO2) and its derivatives play crucial role in various physiological processes, which can maintain redox homeostasis at normal levels and lead to the occurrence of many diseases at abnormal levels. So, the development of a suitable fluorescent probe is a crucial step in advancing our understanding of the role of SO2 derivatives in living organisms. Herein, we developed a near-infrared fluorescent probe (SP) based on the ICT mechanism to monitor SO2 derivatives in living organisms in a ratiometric manner. The probe SP exhibited excellent selectivity, good sensitivity, fast response rate (within 50 s), and low detection limit (1.79 µM). In addition, the cell experiment results suggested that the SP has been successfully employed for the real-time monitoring of endogenous and exogenous SO2 derivatives with negligible cytotoxicity. Moreover, SP was effective in detecting SO2 derivatives in mice.