Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG ameliorates hyperuricemia in a novel model.

Hyperuricemia (HUA) is a metabolic syndrome caused by abnormal purine metabolism. Although recent studies have noted a relationship between the gut microbiota and gout, whether the microbiota could ameliorate HUA-associated systemic purine metabolism remains unclear. In this study, we constructed a novel model of HUA in geese and investigated the mechanism by which Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) could have beneficial effects on HUA. The administration of antibiotics and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) experiments were used in this HUA goose model. The effects of LGG and its metabolites on HUA were evaluated in vivo and in vitro. Heterogeneous expression and gene knockout of LGG revealed the mechanism of LGG. Multi-omics analysis revealed that the Lactobacillus genus is associated with changes in purine metabolism in HUA. This study showed that LGG and its metabolites could alleviate HUA through the gut-liver-kidney axis. Whole-genome analysis, heterogeneous expression, and gene knockout of LGG enzymes ABC-type multidrug transport system (ABCT), inosine-uridine nucleoside N-ribohydrolase (iunH), and xanthine permease (pbuX) demonstrated the function of nucleoside degradation in LGG. Multi-omics and a correlation analysis in HUA patients and this goose model revealed that a serum proline deficiency, as well as changes in Collinsella and Lactobacillus, may be associated with the occurrence of HUA. Our findings demonstrated the potential of a goose model of diet-induced HUA, and LGG and proline could be promising therapies for HUA.

Research Note: Xylooligosaccharide directly attenuates Salmonella Typhimurium colonization and its induction of impairments in intestinal barrier and growth performance of broilers.

Xylooligosaccharide (XOS) is known as a prebiotic, however, it is unknown whether XOS can directly protect against bacterial infection. This study aimed to investigate the direct inhibitory effects of XOS on Salmonella Typhimurium colonization and the inductive impairments in gut health and growth performance in broilers. We first probed the inhibitory effects of XOS on S. Typhimurium adhesion and its induction of intestinal epithelial cell (IPEC-J2) injuries. Afterward, 168 one-day-old yellow-feathered broilers were randomly divided into 3 groups (7 replicates/group): negative control (NC, received a basal diet), positive control (PC, received a basal diet with S. Typhimurium challenge) and XOS group (PC birds + 1,500 mg/kg XOS). All birds except those in NC were orally challenged with S. Typhimurium from 8 to 10 d of age. Parameters were analyzed on d 11. The results showed that XOS inhibited S. Typhimurium adhesion and the inductive injuries of IPEC-J2 cells by lowering (P < 0.05) certain adhesion-related genes expression of this bacterium. It also alleviated S. Typhimurium-induced increase (P < 0.05) in the expression of certain inflammatory cytokines and tight junction (TJ) proteins of IPEC-J2 cells. Supplementing XOS to S. Typhimurium-challenged broilers attenuated the elevations (P < 0.05) in S. Typhimurium colonization of ileal mucosa and its translocation to the liver and spleen, as well as increased (P < 0.05) certain TJ proteins expression of ileum. Besides, XOS addition normalized S. Typhimurium-induced impairments (P < 0.05) in ileal morphology, final body weight and average daily gain in broilers. Collectively, supplemental XOS directly suppressed intestinal colonization of S. Typhimurium by diminishing its adhesiveness and subsequently mitigated destructions in intestinal barriers, thus contributing to weaken growth retardation in challenged broilers. Our findings provide a new insight into the mechanisms of XOS limiting Salmonella infection in chickens.

Validation and modification of simplified Geriatric Assessment and Elderly Prognostic Index: Effective tools for older patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

Geriatric assessment can aid in optimizing treatment strategies and supportive interventions for older patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Fondazione Italiana Linformi has recently introduced novel geriatric assessment tools, simplified Geriatric Assessment (sGA) and Elderly Prognostic Index (EPI), aimed at tailoring the treatment and predicting the outcomes for older patients with DLBCL. The objectives of this study are the validation and possible modification of the sGA and EPI in China. In the study, both sGA and EPI demonstrated the predictive capabilities for overall survival (OS) and early mortality (both p < 0.05) in older individuals with DLBCL. Albumin, serving as an independent predictive biomarker for OS (p = 0.006), was utilized to adjust the measurements, resulting in the establishment of sGA-A and EPI-A. The sGA-A effectively addressed the shortcomings of the sGA and EPI in predicting PFS and surpassed them in predicting OS and early mortality. Nevertheless, there is insufficient evidence to support the use of sGA and EPI as treatment guidance tools. In conclusion, the modified sGA-A model proved to be a successful instrument for geriatric assessment of older patients with DLBCL.

N-acyl homoserine lactonase attenuates the virulence of Salmonella typhimurium and its induction of intestinal damages in broilers.

This study aimed to investigate the potential mitigating effects of N-acyl homoserine lactonase (AHLase) on the virulence of Salmonella typhimurium and its induction of intestinal damages in broilers. In vitro study was firstly conducted to examine if AHLase treatment could attenuate the virulence of S. typhimurium. Then, an in vivo experiment was performed by allocating 240 broiler chicks at 1 d old into 3 groups (8 replicates per group): negative control (NC), positive control (PC), and PC supplemented with 10,000 U/kg AHLase. All chicks except those in NC were orally challenged by S. typhimurium from 8 to 10 d of age. Parameters were measured on d 11 and 21. The results showed that treatment with 1 U/mL AHLase suppressed the biofilm-forming ability (including biofilm biomass, extracellular DNA secretion and biofilm formation-related gene expression), together with swarming motility and adhesive capacity of S. typhimurium. Supplemental 10,000 U/kg AHLase counteracted S. typhimurium-induced impairments (P < 0.05) in broiler growth performance (including final body weight, average daily gain and average daily feed intake) during either 1-11 d or 12-21 d, and increases (P < 0.05) in the indexes of liver, spleen and bursa of Fabricius on d 11, together with reductions (P < 0.05) in ileal villus height and its ratio to crypt depth on both d 11 and 21. AHLase addition also normalized the increased (P < 0.05) mRNA expression of ileal occludin on both d 11 and 21 in S. typhimurium-challenged broilers. However, neither S. typhimurium challenge nor AHLase addition altered (P > 0.05) serum diamine oxidase activity of broilers. Noticeably, S. typhimurium challenge caused little change in the mRNA expression of ileal inflammatory cytokines except for an increase (P < 0.05) in interleukin-8 expression on d 11, whereas AHLase addition normalized (P < 0.05) this change. In conclusion, AHLase treatment could attenuate the virulence and pathogenicity of S. typhimurium, thus contributing to alleviate S. typhimurium-induced growth retardation and intestinal damages in broilers.

A Potential Adhesin/Invasin STM0306 Participates in Host Cell Inflammation Induced by Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium.

Salmonella enterica serovar typhimurium (S. Typhimurium) is a common Gram-negative foodborne pathogenic bacterium that causes gastrointestinal disease in humans and animals. It is well known that adhesins and invasins play crucial roles in the infection mechanism of S. Typhimurium. S. Typhimurium STM0306 has been denoted as a putative protein and its functions have rarely been reported. In this study, we constructed the STM0306 gene mutant strain of S. Typhimurium and purified the recombinant STM0306 from Escherichia coli. Deletion of the STM0306 gene resulted in reduced adhesion and invasion of S. Typhimurium to IPEC-J2, Caco-2, and RAW264.7 cells. In addition, STM0306 could bind to intestinal epithelial cells and induced F-actin modulation in IPEC-J2 cells. Furthermore, we found that STM0306 activated the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway and increased the mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1ß, TNF-α, as well as chemokine CXCL2, thus resulting in cellular inflammation in host cells. In vivo, the deletion of the STM0306 gene led to reduced pathogenicity of S. Typhimurium, as evidenced by lower fecal bacterial counts and reduced body weight loss in S. Typhimurium infected mice. In conclusion, the STM0306 of S. Typhimurium is an important adhesin/invasin involved in the pathogenic process and cellular inflammation of the host.

MicroRNA-27a inhibits porcine type I muscle fibre gene expression by directly targeting peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1α.

MicroRNAs are one of the key determinants of muscle fibre development and phenotype in mammals. The preliminary experiment implied that microRNA-27a (miR-27a) might involve in regulation of muscle fibre type composition of pigs. Thereby, the present study aimed to confirm the regulatory effect of miR-27a on porcine type I muscle fibre-encoding gene (myosin heavy chain gene 7, MYH7) expression and its related mechanism. We firstly observed opposite expression patterns between miR-27a and MYH7 as well as between miR-27a and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α) during differentiation of porcine skeletal muscle satellite cells. Through the subsequent transfection analysis in porcine myotubes, we found that miR-27a suppressed the expression of MYH7 and PGC-1α. Besides, miR-27a induced inhibition of PGC-1α downstream targets, namely myocyte enhancer factor-2C (MEF2C) along with mitochondrial biogenesis and oxidative metabolism-related factors such as nuclear respiratory factor 1 (NRF-1), mitochondrial transcription factor A (mtTFA), cytochrome c (Cytc) and cytochrome oxidase IV (COX Ⅳ) and succinodehydrogenase (SDH). Dual-luciferase reporter analysis revealed that miR-27a could bind to the predicted target site in the 3'-untranslated regions of PGC-1α mRNA, confirming a direct targeting of PGC-1α by miR-27a. Moreover, PGC-1α silencing abolished the promotive effects of miR-27a inhibitor on MYH7, PGC-1α and its downstream targets (MEF2C, NRF-1, mtTFA, COX Ⅳ, Cytc and SDH) in porcine myotubes. Collectively, miR-27a inhibits porcine MYH7 expression by negatively regulating PGC-1α and PGC-1α-controlled MEF2C expression as well as mitochondrial biogenesis and oxidative metabolism. Our findings may provide a molecular target for genetic or nutritional control of muscle fibre phenotype of pigs, probably having an important implication for regulating pork quality.

Supplemental N-acyl homoserine lactonase alleviates intestinal disruption and improves gut microbiota in broilers challenged by Salmonella Typhimurium.

BACKGROUND: Salmonella Typhimurium challenge causes a huge detriment to chicken production. N-acyl homoserine lactonase (AHLase), a quorum quenching enzyme, potentially inhibits the growth and virulence of Gram-negative bacteria. However, it is unknown whether AHLase can protect chickens against S. Typhimurium challenge. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of AHLase on growth performance and intestinal health in broilers challenged by S. Typhimurium. A total of 240 one-day-old female crossbred broilers (817C) were randomly divided into 5 groups (6 replicates/group): negative control (NC), positive control (PC), and PC group supplemented with 5, 10 or 20 U/g AHLase. All birds except those in NC were challenged with S. Typhimurium from 7 to 9 days of age. All parameters related to growth and intestinal health were determined on d 10 and 14. RESULTS: The reductions (P < 0.05) in body weight (BW) and average daily gain (ADG) in challenged birds were alleviated by AHLase addition especially at 10 U/g. Thus, samples from NC, PC and PC plus 10 U/g AHLase group were selected for further analysis. S. Typhimurium challenge impaired (P < 0.05) intestinal morphology, elevated (P < 0.05) ileal inflammatory cytokines (IL-1ß and IL-8) expression, and increased (P < 0.05) serum diamine oxidase (DAO) activity on d 10. However, AHLase addition normalized these changes. Gut microbiota analysis on d 10 showed that AHLase reversed the reductions (P < 0.05) in several beneficial bacteria (e.g. Bacilli, Bacillales and Lactobacillales), along with increases (P < 0.05) in certain harmful bacteria (e.g. Proteobacteria, Gammaproteobacteria, Enterobacteriaceae and Escherichia/Shigella) in PC group. Furthermore, AHLase-induced increased beneficial bacteria and decreased harmful bacteria were basically negatively correlated (P < 0.05) with the reductions of ileal IL-1ß and IL-8 expression and serum DAO activity, but positively correlated (P < 0.05) with the increased BW and ADG. Functional prediction revealed that AHLase abolished S. Typhimurium-induced upregulations (P < 0.05) of certain pathogenicity-related pathways such as lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis, shigellosis, bacterial invasion of epithelial cells and pathogenic Escherichia coli infection of gut microbiota. CONCLUSIONS: Supplemental AHLase attenuated S. Typhimurium-induced growth retardation and intestinal disruption in broilers, which could be associated with the observed recovery of gut microbiota dysbiosis.

Dietary Catalase Supplementation Alleviates Deoxynivalenol-Induced Oxidative Stress and Gut Microbiota Dysbiosis in Broiler Chickens.

Catalase (CAT) can eliminate oxygen radicals, but it is unclear whether exogenous CAT can protect chickens against deoxynivalenol (DON)-induced oxidative stress. This study aimed to investigate the effects of supplemental CAT on antioxidant property and gut microbiota in DON-exposed broilers. A total of 144 one-day-old Lingnan yellow-feathered male broilers were randomly divided into three groups (six replicates/group): control, DON group, and DON + CAT (DONC) group. The control and DON group received a diet without and with DON contamination, respectively, while the DONC group received a DON-contaminated diet with 200 U/kg CAT added. Parameter analysis was performed on d 21. The results showed that DON-induced liver enlargement (p < 0.05) was blocked by CAT addition, which also normalized the increases (p < 0.05) in hepatic oxidative metabolites contents and caspase-9 expression. Additionally, CAT addition increased (p < 0.05) the jejunal CAT and GSH-Px activities coupled with T-AOC in DON-exposed broilers, as well as the normalized DON-induced reductions (p < 0.05) of jejunal villus height (VH) and its ratio for crypt depth. There was a difference (p < 0.05) in gut microbiota among groups. The DON group was enriched (p < 0.05) with some harmful bacteria (e.g., Proteobacteria, Gammaproteobacteria, Enterobacteriales, Enterobacteriaceae, and Escherichia/Shigella) that elicited negative correlations (p < 0.05) with jejunal CAT activity, and VH. DONC group was differentially enriched (p < 0.05) with certain beneficial bacteria (e.g., Acidobacteriota, Anaerofustis, and Anaerotruncus) that could benefit intestinal antioxidation and morphology. In conclusion, supplemental CAT alleviates DON-induced oxidative stress and intestinal damage in broilers, which can be associated with its ability to improve gut microbiota, aside from its direct oxygen radical-scavenging activity.

Effects of glucose oxidase on growth performance, clinical symptoms, serum parameters, and intestinal health in piglets challenged by enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli.

Glucose oxidase (GOD) could benefit intestinal health and growth performance in animals. However, it is unknown whether GOD can protect piglets against bacterial challenge. This study aimed to evaluate the protective effects of GOD on growth performance, clinical symptoms, serum parameters, and intestinal health in piglets challenged by enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC). A total of 44 male weaned piglets around 38 days old were divided into four groups (11 replicates/group): negative control (NC), positive control (PC), CS group (PC piglets +40 g/t colistin sulfate), and GOD group (PC piglets +200 g/t GOD). All piglets except those in NC were challenged with ETEC (E. coli K88) on the 11th day of the experiment. Parameter analysis was performed on the 21st day of the experiment. The results showed that the ETEC challenge elevated (p < 0.05) the rectal temperature and fecal score of piglets at certain time-points post-challenge, reduced (p < 0.05) serum glucose and IgG levels but increased (p < 0.05) serum alanine aminotransferase activity, as well as caused (p < 0.05) intestinal morphology impairment and inflammation. Supplemental GOD could replace CS to reverse (p < 0.05) the above changes and tended to increase (p = 0.099) average daily gain during the ETEC challenge. Besides, GOD addition reversed ETEC-induced losses (p < 0.05) in several beneficial bacteria (e.g., Lactobacillus salivarius) along with increases (p < 0.05) in certain harmful bacteria (e.g., Enterobacteriaceae and Escherichia/Shigella). Functional prediction of gut microbiota revealed that ETEC-induced upregulations (p < 0.05) of certain pathogenicity-related pathways (e.g., bacterial invasion of epithelial cells and shigellosis) were blocked by GOD addition, which also normalized the observed downregulations (p < 0.05) of bacterial pathways related to the metabolism of sugars, functional amino acids, nucleobases, and bile acids in challenged piglets. Collectively, GOD could be used as a potential antibiotic alternative to improve growth and serum parameters, as well as attenuate clinical symptoms and intestinal disruption in ETEC-challenged piglets, which could be associated with its ability to mitigate gut microbiota dysbiosis. Our findings provided evidence for the usage of GOD as an approach to restrict ETEC infection in pigs.

Efficacy of combination of endo-xylanase and xylan-debranching enzymes in improving cereal bran utilization in piglet diet.

OBJECTIVE: This study was aimed to explore the efficacy of combination of endo-xylanase (Xyn) and xylan-debranching enzymes (arabinofuranosidase, Afd and feruloyl esterase, FE) in improving utilization of bran in piglet diet. METHODS: In vitro experiments were firstly conducted to examine the enzymological properties of Xyn, Afd, and FE, concurrent with their effect on degradation of arabinoxylan (Abx) in bran. In vivo experiment was then implemented by allocating two hundred and seventy 35-d-old postweaning piglets into 3 groups (6 replicates/group), which received bran-containing diet supplemented with Xyn (1,600 U/kg) or its combination with Afd (0.8 U/kg) and FE (4 U/kg) or without enzyme. RESULTS: Both Xyn, Afd, and FE are relatively stable against the changes in temperature and pH value. Combining Xyn with Afd and FE had a superiority (p<0.05) over Xyn alone and its combination with Afd or FE in promoting (p<0.05) degradation of Abx in different brans. Combined treatment with Xyn, Afd, and FE was more beneficial than Xyn alone to induce increasing trends (p<0.10) of average daily gain, final body weight and feed efficiency of piglets fed bran-containing diet. Moreover, combination of Xyn, Afd, and FE showed advantages (p<0.05) over Xyn alone in causing reductions (p<0.05) in diarrhea rate and cecal pH value, concurrent with increases (p<0.05) in cecal and colonic acetic acid and total volatile fatty acid concentrations, as well as cecal butyric acid concentration of piglets fed bran-containing diet. CONCLUSION: Combining Xyn with Afd and FE was more beneficial than Xyn alone in promoting degradation of Abx in bran, along with growth performance and intestinal volatile fatty acid profile of piglets received bran-containing diet. Thereby, combination of Xyn, Afd, and FE had a superior efficacy relative to Xyn alone in improving application of cereal bran in piglet diet.

Investigating the Daytime Visibility Requirements of Pavement Marking Considering the Influence of CCT and Illuminance of Natural Light.

Pavement marking in daylight with poor quality cannot provide a reference for drivers to specify their own position relative to nearby vehicles. Luminance and Correlated color temperature (CCT) of sunlight is of importance for daytime visibility of in-service pavement markings, which lacks detailed consideration. This paper aims to explore the daytime visibility requirements of in-service pavement markings considering the influence of natural light characteristics. Based on analyzing the mechanism and impact factors of daytime visibility of pavement markings, a subjective scale of pavement markings state in the drivers' field of view was proposed and a short and bold line was recommended as the standard state. Thirty-six tested drivers were randomly selected to detect white and yellow markings of both 15 cm and 20 cm width under 2000 to 23,000 lx and 5500 to 8500 K for outdoor natural light environment. The luminance contrast of the pavement marking to the surrounding road surface ranged from 0 to 10. The result indicated that the natural light with 2000 to 3000 lx and 7500 to 8500 K is the most unfavorable light environment for drivers to recognize pavement markings during daytime. The detection distance is becoming longer with the increase of luminance contrast. The detection distance does not increase with the increase of luminance contrast when the luminance contrast of white markings is greater than 4 and that of yellow markings is greater than 3. The model was established expressing the relationship between luminance contrast and Qd contrast. The preview time 3.65 s was selected to calculate the minimum requirements of Qd at speeds of 60, 80, 100 km/h, respectively, for different types of markings. The results can provide scientific evidence for quality evaluation and maintenance management of pavement markings in service for daytime visibility.

Involvement of the Heat Shock Protein HtpG of Salmonella Typhimurium in Infection and Proliferation in Hosts.

Salmonella Typhimurium is a common pathogen infecting the gastrointestinal tract of humans and animals, causing host gastroenteritis and typhoid fever. Heat shock protein (HtpG) as a molecular chaperone is involved in the various cellular processes of bacteria, especially under environmental stress. However, the potential association of HtpG with S. Typhimurium infection remains unknown. In this study, we clarified that HtpG could also play a role as an effector in S. Typhimurium infection. RNA-seq indicated that the flagellar assembly pathway, infection pathway, and chemotaxis pathway genes of S. Typhimurium were downregulated after the mutation of HtpG, which resulted in compromises of S. Typhimurium motility, biofilm formation, adhesion, invasion, and inflammation-inducing ability. In addition, HtpG recombinant protein was capable of promoting the proliferation of S. Typhimurium in host cells and the resultant inflammation. Collectively, our results illustrated an important role of HtpG in S. Typhimurium infection.

Guar gum-derived galactomannan induces inflammatory responses and increased energy expenditure in the intestine.

Guar gum-derived galactomannan (GGGM) has been widely used in the food industry for a long time and its adverse impacts have been scarcely reported. Galactomannan is considered to have a structure similar to the surface components of certain pathogens, and the present study was thus conducted to investigate if oral administration of GGGM could cause physiological effects that were hypothesized to be related to intestinal inflammatory responses. The results showed that oral administration of GGGM resulted in compromises on growth performance, an increase of the relative weight of spleen and epididymal fat, and an elevation of the α1-acid glycoprotein content in both serum and livers of mice. With regard to energy metabolism-related indices, the activities of intestinal lactic dehydrogenase and succinic dehydrogenase were all increased by the GGGM treatment in both in vivo and in vitro experiments, the latter of which also showed an elevation in the consumption of reducing sugar by intestinal epithelial cells along with a reduced viability of these cells in response to the GGGM treatment. Notably, the GGGM treatment triggered intestinal inflammatory responses that were evidenced by the increased expression of intestinal inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α and IL-6 both in vivo and in vitro, which were at least partially responsible for the increased energy expenditure in the intestine and the retardation of growth. The results of this study could expand our knowledge of GGGM administration and provide integrated insights into the consumption of GGGM-containing foods.

Rational design of hollow mesoporous titania nanoparticles loaded with curcumin for UV-controlled release and targeted drug delivery.

Curcumin (Cur), appeared to provide huge potential in biomedical application. However, its therapeutic efficacy was greatly limited as the result of poor solubility and instability. To address these limitations, we create a new type of hollow mesoporous titania nanoparticle (HMTN) to encapsulate Cur. HMTN was decorated with a layer of hydrophilic polyethylenimine (PEI), which controlled the release rate of Cur inside the pore due to its dendritic structure. Combined with the folic acid (FA) mediated targeting effect, the potential multifunctional Cur loaded titania nanoparticle (Cur-FA-PEI-HMTN) showed excellent biocompatibility and bioavailability, as well as the UV-responsive drug release properties. The operating parameters to prepare hollow structure were studied and the Cur-FA-PEI-HMTN nanosystem had been fully characterized by Brunauer-Emmet-Teller, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscope, thermal gravity analysis, differential thermal analysis, x-ray diffraction, dynamic light scattering and zeta potential. In addition, the hemolytic test, as well as CCK8, flow cytometry, Hoechst 33342 staining experiment, were carried out to confirm the low cytotoxity and high biocompatibility. The confocal microscopy analysis results also revealed the increasing uptake of Cur@FA-PEI-HMTN by MCF-7 cells. The synthesized nanoparticles displayed great potential as drug nanovehicles with high biocompatibility.

Experimental measurement of the quantum geometric tensor using coupled qubits in diamond.

Geometry and topology are fundamental concepts, which underlie a wide range of fascinating physical phenomena such as topological states of matter and topological defects. In quantum mechanics, the geometry of quantum states is fully captured by the quantum geometric tensor. Using a qubit formed by an NV center in diamond, we perform the first experimental measurement of the complete quantum geometric tensor. Our approach builds on a strong connection between coherent Rabi oscillations upon parametric modulations and the quantum geometry of the underlying states. We then apply our method to a system of two interacting qubits, by exploiting the coupling between the NV center spin and a neighboring 13C nuclear spin. Our results establish coherent dynamical responses as a versatile probe for quantum geometry, and they pave the way for the detection of novel topological phenomena in solid state.

The active fraction from the tuber of Bolboschoenus yagara inhibits melanoma B16 cells metastasis LPS-induced in vitro and in vivo.

This study was to identify anti-metastatic active fractions and compounds of Bolboschoenus yagara (B. yagara). The results indicated that 50 µg/mL ethyl acetate fraction (Et) can dramatically inhibit mouse melanoma B16 cells migration and invasion in vitro. In B16 cells pulmonary and hepatic metastasis assays, 50 µg/mL Et alleviated mouse lung and liver weights, the number of metastatic nodules and the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in mouse serum and organs. Histological studies showed that Et fraction was able to prevent liver and lung metastasis. And the inhibition of 50 µg/mL Et fraction against hepatic metastasis was almost equivalent to that of 1 µM TAK242. In addition, fourteen compounds of Et were quantified by HPLC analysis, in which, isocoumarins, stilbenes and xanthones obviously abated LPS-modulated B16 cells migration and invasion.[Formula: see text].

Observation of Floquet Raman Transition in a Driven Solid-State Spin System.

We experimentally observe Floquet Raman transitions in the weakly driven solid-state spin system of a nitrogen-vacancy center in diamond. The periodically driven spin system simulates a two-band Wannier-Stark ladder model and allows us to observe coherent spin state transfer arising from a Raman transition mediated by Floquet synthetic levels. It also leads to the prediction of an analog photon-assisted Floquet Raman transition and dynamical localization in a driven two-level quantum system. The demonstrated rich Floquet dynamics offers new capabilities to achieve effective Floquet coherent control of a quantum system with potential applications in various types of quantum technologies based on driven quantum dynamics. In particular, the Floquet Raman system may be used as a quantum simulator for the physics of periodically driven systems.

Inhibition of p38 and ERK1/2 pathways by Sparstolonin B suppresses inflammation-induced melanoma metastasis.

BACKGROUND: Cancer related inflammation plays a fatal role in the metastatic process, which can foster tumor growth, angiogenesis and dissemination. Sparstolonin B (SsnB), derived from Chinese medicine of the tubers of Scirpus yagara, is a TLR2 and TLR4 antagonists. It has exhibited multiple activities of anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-obesity and anti-hepatitis. However, whether SsnB is involved in the regulation of inflammation-induced tumor metastasis is not well elucidated. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of SsnB as a treatment of inflammation-induced tumor metastasis and identify the underlying mechanisms of its anti-tumor metastatic activity. METHOD: The anti-tumor metastatic activity in vitro was estimated by MTT, wound-healing assay, matrigel invasion analysis and extracellular matrix adhesion assay. Mice lung metastasis and hepatic metastasis experiments were performed to assess the activities in vivo. Lungs or livers were weighed and the number of metastatic nodules was determined after mice were sacrificed. The levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the serum, lungs and livers were detected by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Micro-metastasis nodules in lungs or livers were analyzed by histological examination. Immunohistochemistry and western blot analysis were conducted to determine protein expression. RESULT: Herein, SsnB dose-dependently inhibited cell migration and invasion in mouse melanoma B16 cells with or without stimulation of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), Pam3csk4 or molecules from damaged tumor cells (DTC-Ms). The expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-2 was also significantly abated by SsnB in LPS-modulated B16 cells. And SsnB reduced LPS-activated B16 cells adhesion to extracellular matrix components collagen I and fibronectin in a dose-dependent manner. In vivo, SsnB obviously attenuated LPS-activated pulmonary metastasis in mice by reduction the number of metastatic nodules on the lung surfaces, lung weight and levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-6 in serums and lungs. Moreover, in experimental hepatic metastasis model mice, SsnB remarkably repressed LPS-stimulated the number of metastatic nodules along with liver weight; and SsnB significantly suppressed LPS-activated increase levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in livers. Immunohistochemistry analysis indicated that SsnB inhibited the expression of TLR4 in livers. Furthermore, SsnB remarkably blocked p38 and ERK1/2 signaling pathway in LPS-induced B16 cells. P38 and ERK1/2 signaling silencing, using BIRB0796 (small molecular inhibitor of p38 MAPK) and PD184352 (inhibitor of MEK1/2 kinases that activate ERK1/2), significantly abated LPS-induced migration and invasion of B16 cells. CONCLUSION: The present study reports a novel use of SsnB in mitigating TLRs ligands-induced melanoma metastasis by inhibition of p38 and ERK1/2 pathway.

Structure and Property of Nano-TiO2 Doped with Ag+ Membrane Photocatalyst.

Highly transparent silver incorporated titania (Ag/TiO2) composite nanomembranes were fabricated by a simple, reproducible dip-coating process on ceramic substrates. The obtained membrane samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectrometer (EDX), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The photocatalytic activity of the Ag/TiO2 nanomembranes was assessed by the degradation of methylene blue under visible light irradiation. Compared with pure TiO2 nanomembranes, no significant shift in the TiO2 crystal structure was detected after doping with silver ions. The results from the SEM and EDX analyses showed that homogeneous spherical silver nanoparticles were produced and scattered on the surface of the TiO2 nanomembrane that was coated on the surface of the ceramic substrates. The doping with silver ions could effectively improve the photocatalytic activity of TiO2 under visible light irradiation. The Ag/TiO2 composite nanomembrane also exhibited improved hydrophilicity compared to that of a pure TiO2 nanomembrane.