A novel proteomic prognostic signature characterizes the immune landscape and predicts nasopharyngeal carcinoma prognosis.

Background: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a highly diverse and aggressive cancer type, leading to varying prognoses and responses to immunotherapy. This study aims to develop a protein-based signature that provides new insights into assessing the prognosis and immunotherapeutic response in NPC patients. Methods and Results: We obtained transcriptomic and proteomic data for NPC from TCGA and CPTAC databases, respectively. Differentially expressed proteins with prognostic significance were identified using limma combined with uniCox analysis. A prognostic protein signature was created utilizing the LASSO algorithm. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis along with Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was conducted to assess the predictive accuracy of this signature. To evaluate immune infiltration levels among patients categorized by high or low risk scores (RPscores), we employed ssGSEA and ESTIMATE methods, while TIDE was used to forecast responses to immunotherapy. Our research pinpointed four critical prognostic proteins: CdSTA, AGR3, DUSP14, and LRRC17, allowing us to compute risk scores (RPscores). Kaplan-Meier curves demonstrated that individuals in the low-risk category exhibited better survival rates. Furthermore, RPscore effectively predicted overall survival across both training and testing cohorts. The ssGSEA results indicated that RPscore is linked with an immune-suppressive microenvironment correlating with diminished immune responses. Notably, DUSP14 showed significant upregulation in NPC cases; its role in promoting cell invasion and metastasis was confirmed through in vitro studies. Conclusion: We have established a robust protein-related signature capable of accurately forecasting prognosis as well as immunotherapy outcomes for NPC patients. Moreover, DUSP14 emerged as a potential therapeutic target due to its strong association with patient prognosis in nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

A Catechol-Meter Based on Conventional Personal Glucose Meter for Portable Detection of Tyrosinase and Sodium Benzoate.

In this study, the personal glucose meter (PGM) was first used as a fast and user-friendly meter for analyzing catechol (CA) based on the reduction of the mediator K3[Fe(CN)6] to K4[Fe(CN)6] in the glucose test strip. Then, an easy, low-cost, and convenient PGM-based method for detecting tyrosinase (TYR) activity and sodium benzoate (SBA) was developed on the basis of the TYR-catalyzed reaction. In this method, CA is oxidized to form o-benzoquinone by TYR, thereby reducing the residual amount of CA and the PGM readout. On the other hand, SBA can inhibit the oxidation of CA catalyzed by TYR and increase the residual amount of CA after the enzymatic reaction. Therefore, the activity of TYR is proportional to the difference in the PGM readout of CA, and the concentration of SBA is positively correlated with the residual amount of CA. After the relevant experimental conditions were systematically optimized, the proposed PGM-based method for the detection of TYR and SBA was successfully validated. The liner ranges are 1.0-103.3 U/mL and 6.25-1000 ppm, and the quantification limits are 1.0 U/mL and 6.25 ppm for TYR and SBA, respectively. Moreover, the spiked recovery tests in normal human serum and carbonate beverages (i.e., Cola, Sprite, and Fanta) were performed, and the recoveries (91.6-106.8%) further confirm the applicability of the PGM-based method in real sample analysis.

A Paper-Based Analytical Device Integrated with Smartphone: Fluorescent and Colorimetric Dual-Mode Detection of ß-Glucosidase Activity.

In this work, indoxyl-glucoside was used as the substrate to develop a cost-effective, paper-based analytical device for the fluorescent and colorimetric dual-mode detection of ß-glucosidase activity through a smartphone. The ß-glucosidase can hydrolyze the colorless substrate indoxyl-glucoside to release indoxyl, which will be self-oxidized to generate green products in the presence of oxygen. Meanwhile, the green products emit bright blue-green fluorescence under ultraviolet-visible light irradiation at 365 nm. Fluorescent or colorimetric images were obtained by a smartphone, and the red-green-blue channels were analyzed by the Adobe Photoshop to quantify the ß-glucosidase activity. Under the optimum conditions, the relative fluorescent and colorimetric signals have a good linear relationship with the activity of ß-glucosidase, in the range of 0.01-1.00 U/mL and 0.25-5.00 U/mL, and the limits of detection are 0.005 U/mL and 0.0668 U/mL, respectively. The activities of ß-glucosidase in a crude almond sample measured by the fluorescent and colorimetric methods were 23.62 ± 0.53 U/mL and 23.86 ± 0.25 U/mL, respectively. In addition, the spiked recoveries of normal human serum and crude almond samples were between 87.5% and 118.0%. In short, the paper-based device, combined with a smartphone, can provide a simple, environmentally friendly, and low-cost method for the fluorescent and colorimetric dual-mode detection of ß-glucosidase activity.

Multicolor colorimetric assay for copper ion detection based on the etching of gold nanorods.

An effective, selective, and multicolor colorimetric assay for Cu2+ detection based on the regulation of peroxidase-like nanozyme-mediated etching of gold nanorods (Au NRs) is proposed. Cu2+-creatinine complex is selected as the nanozyme that exhibits excellent peroxidase-like activity even in the case of low concentration of Cu2+, which can catalyze 3,3,5,5-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) to produce oxidized TMB (TMB+) in the presence of hydrogen peroxide, and TMB+ is oxidized to generate TMB2+ after adding H+, and the TMB2+ can etch Au NRs. The determination of Cu2+ is achieved based on the blue shift of the longitudinal localized surface plasmon resonance peak of Au NRs. Under the optimal conditions, the developed colorimetric assay exhibits high sensitivity for the detection of Cu2+ (limit of detection is 0.034 µM) with a wide linear range of 0.05-4.0 µM (R2 = 0.987). The solution shows a rainbow-like color in response to the increase of Cu2+ concentration, which can realize the semi-quantitative detection of Cu2+ by naked eyes. In addition, the developed method exhibits excellent selectivity for Cu2+-detection. The established method was used for the determination of Cu2+ in lake water, soil, and normal human serum with satisfactory recovery of spiked samples.

Preparation of Fe3O4@SW-MIL-101-NH2 for selective pre-concentration of chlorogenic acid metabolites in rat plasma, urine, and feces samples.

An innovative sandwich-structural Fe-based metal-organic framework magnetic material (Fe3O4@SW-MIL-101-NH2) was fabricated using a facile solvothermal method. The characteristic properties of the material were investigated by field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, vibrating sample magnetometry, and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller measurements. Fe3O4@SW-MIL-101-NH2 is associated with advantages, such as robust magnetic properties, high specific surface area, and satisfactory storage stability, as well as good selective recognition ability for chlorogenic acid (CA) and its metabolites via chelation, hydrogen bonding, and π-interaction. The results of the static adsorption experiment indicated that Fe3O4@SW-MIL-101-NH2 possessed a high adsorption capacity toward CA and its isomers, cryptochlorogenic acid (CCA) and neochlorogenic acid (NCA), and the adsorption behaviors were fitted using the Langmuir adsorption isotherm model. Then, a strategy using magnetic solid-phase extraction (MSPE) and ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF MS/MS) was developed and successfully employed for the selective pre-concentration and rapid identification of CA metabolites in rat plasma, urine, and feces samples. This work presents a prospective strategy for the synthesis of magnetic adsorbents and the high-efficiency pretreatment of CA metabolites.

Investigation on the Peroxidase-like Activity of Vitamin B6 and Its Applications in Colorimetric Detection of Hydrogen Peroxide and Total Antioxidant Capacity Evaluation.

The peroxidase-like activity of vitamin B6 (VB6) was firstly demonstrated by catalyzing the peroxidase chromogenic substrate 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) at the existence of H2O2. The influence of different factors on the catalytic property of VB6, including pH, temperature, VB6 concentration, and incubation time, were investigated. The steady-state kinetic study results indicate that VB6 possesses higher affinity to H2O2 than natural horseradish peroxidase and some other peroxidase mimics. Besides, the radical quenching experiment results confirm that hydroxyl radical (•OH) accounts for the catalytic process. Based on the excellent peroxidase-like catalytic activity of VB6, the colorimetric methods for H2O2 and gallic acid (GA) detection were developed by measuring the absorbance variance of the catalytic system. Under the optimal conditions, the linear ranges of the methods for H2O2 and GA determination with good selectivity are 50.0-600.0 µM and 10.0-50.0 µM, respectively. In addition, the developed method was applied in the detection of H2O2 in milk samples and evaluation of total antioxidant capacity of different tea infusions. This study may broaden the application prospect of VB6 in environmental and biomedical analysis fields, contribute to profound insight of the physiological functions of VB6, as well as lay foundation for further excavation of small-molecule peroxidase mimics.

Effect of neoadjuvant iodine-125 brachytherapy upon resection of glioma.

BACKGROUND: A more extensive surgical resection of glioma contributes to improved overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). However, some patients miss the chance of surgical resection when the tumor involves critical structures. PURPOSE: The present study aimed to assess the feasibility of neoadjuvant 125I brachytherapy followed by total gross resection for initially inoperable glioma. METHODS: Six patients diagnosed with inoperable glioma due to invasion of eloquent areas, bihemispheric diffusion, or large tumor volume received 125I brachytherapy. Surgical resection was performed when the tumor shrank, allowing a safe resection, assessed by the neurosurgeons. Patients were followed up after surgery. RESULTS: Shrinkage of the tumor after adjuvant 125I brachytherapy enabled a total gross resection of all six patients. Four patients were still alive at the last follow-up, with the longest survival time of more than 50 months, two of which returned to everyday life with a KPS of 100. Another two patients had neurological injuries with KPSs of 80 and 50, respectively. One patient with grade II glioma died 34 months, and another with grade IV glioma died 40 months after the combined therapy. CONCLUSIONS: In the present study, the results demonstrated that 125I brachytherapy enabled a complete resection of patients with initially unresectable gliomas. 125I brachytherapy may offer a proper neoadjuvant therapy method for glioma.

Upregulation of miR-140-5p uncouples mitochondria by targeting Bcl-xL in vascular smooth muscle cells in angiotensin II-induced hypertension.

Angiotensin II-induced vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) remodeling and dysfunction is a major contributor to the development of hypertension. In spite of the low content of mitochondria and their low contribution to bioenergetics in VSMCs, recent studies have suggested that mitochondria play an important role in the regulation of VSMC function. However, the role of mitochondria in angiotensin II-induced VSMC dysfunction remains unknown. Here, we found that angiotensin II decreased the expression of Bcl-2-like protein 1 (Bcl-xL), a newly identified protein in inhibition of uncoupled proton flux in mitochondria through interaction with the ß-subunit of ATP synthase, and uncoupled mitochondria in VSMCs both in vivo and in vitro. Overexpression of Bcl-xL restored the mitochondrial and VSMC function in response to angiotensin II treatment in vitro, suggesting that angiotensin II uncouples mitochondria through downregulation of Bcl-xL. Mechanistically, angiotensin II increased the expression of miR-140-5p, which targeted and downregulated Bcl-xL in VSMCs. Inhibition of miR-140-5p using antagomir-140-5p in vivo attenuated mitochondrial uncoupling and hypertension in angiotensin II-treated mice. These results suggested that upregulation of miR-140-5p uncouples mitochondria by targeting Bcl-xL in VSMCs in angiotensin II-induced hypertension, and miR-140-5p and Bcl-xL are potential targets for treatment of vascular dysfunction.

Highly sensitive visual colorimetric sensor for trichlorfon detection based on the inhibition of metallization of gold nanorods.

In this study, a highly sensitive visual colorimetric sensor was designed for the detection of trichlorfon based on inhibiting ascorbate oxidase (AAO)-induced metallization of gold nanorods (Au NRs). Ascorbic acid (AA) can reduce silver ion (Ag+) to metal silver (Ag) that will be deposited on the surface of Au NRs, which results in the blue shift of longitudinal localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) peak of Au NRs, accompanying by perceptible color changes from red to cyan to red to yellow. In the presence of trichlorfon, the activity of AAO will be inhibited, resulting in less AA is hydrolyzed to dehydroascorbic acid (DHA), and therefore more Ag+ is reduced to Ag by AA. Under the optimized conditions, detection of trichlorfon has a wide linear range of 27.8-11111.1 µg/L with a limit of detection as low as 132.6 ng/L. Moreover, the sensor has a good sample spiked recovery (84.7-96.8%) for the determination of trichlorfon in lake water samples. The proposed method can achieve rapid analysis (about 10 min) of trichlorfon with simple operation when there are no other types of organophosphorus pesticides in the real samples.

BDNF-overexpressing MSCs delivered by hydrogel in acute ischemic stroke treatment.

Background: Ischemic stroke treatment is a challenge worldwide. The efficacy and safety of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) for stroke have been confirmed. However, poor survival of MSCs in the ischemic environment limits the therapy efficacy. Changes in MSC status in the ischemic environment after transplantation is difficult to monitor. This study aimed to deliver brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)-overexpressing MSCs by hydrogel (H-B-MSCs) to promote recovery after ischemic stroke. Methods: MSCs were transfected with lentivirus carrying luc2 and BDNF cassette. The properties of hydrogel were tested after synthesis with thiolated gelatin (Gel-SH), thiolated hyaluronic acid (HA-SH), and polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA). Oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) test was carried out to confirm the protective effects of hydrogel in the ischemic environment. Three days after stroke induction, H-B-MSCs, hydrogel carrying MSCs (H-MSCs), or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) was injected into the brains of mice, respectively. Bioluminescence imaging (BLI) was performed at 3, 7, 14, and 21 days post-cell-transplantation to monitor the dynamic status of MSCs. In the meantime, histology, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), western blot, and behavior tests were carried out at different time points. Results: Hydrogel with good biocompatibility was synthesized. Lentivirus transfection significantly increased the expression of BDNF. BDNF-MSCs could be tracked by BLI in vitro. In vitro OGD/reperfusion (OGD/R) test results suggested that MSCs carried by hydrogel could survive longer in an environment with low oxygen and glucose. H-B-MSCs significantly improved functional recovery after ischemic stroke. Furthermore, H-B-MSCs treatment promoted neurogenesis, white matter recovery, and angiogenesis after ischemic stroke. MSC dynamics could be monitored in vivo with BLI. Conclusions: We effectively established a robust MSC delivery system with hydrogel. Prolonged survival of transplanted BDNF-MSCs with a hydrogel delivery system could promote the recovery of ischemic stroke via the continuous release of BDNF.

Clinical importance of ADC in the prediction of 125I in the treatment for gliomas.

Objectives: To determine whether the minimum apparent diffusion coefficient (minADC) value can stratify survival in patients with glioma before 125I brachytherapy. Methods: The study was approved by the Institutional Review Board, and the requirement for informed consent was waived. Twenty-three patients (16 male, 7 female; median age, 48 years) with high-grade glioma (HGG) (n=9) or recurrence after multimodal treatment (n=14) were included in this study. minADC values were obtained before 125I implantation. Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were analyzed with Cox proportional hazards regression models and the Kaplan-Meier method with the log-rank test. Results: For 125I-treated patients, the hazard ratio for OS in patients with ADC≥1.0*10^-3 mm2·sec-1 (high minADC) versus ADC<1.0*10^-3 mm2·sec-1 (low minADC) was 0.220 (95% confidence interval: 0.066, 0.735). The median OS was 12 months for patients with high minADC values and 6.0 months for those with low minADC values, and the differences were significant (p=0.032). The median PFS was 12 months for patients with high minADC values and 4 months for those with low minADC values. Significant differences were found in the long-rank test (p=0.013). The multivariate analysis results showed that minADC pre-125I implantation was an independent predictor of OS and PFS in patients receiving 125I brachytherapy. Conclusions: Pre-125I implantation ADC analysis can stratify prognosis in 125I-treated patients with glioma, which may aid in choosing a suitable therapy for glioma patients.

Correction to: Permanent iodine-125 brachytherapy for patients with progressive or recurrent high-grade gliomas.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.

Multifocal tuberculosis simulating a cancer-a case report.

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis is a disease that may affect any organ of the body. Multifocal tuberculosis involving multiple systems with associated symptoms are rare, which makes the diagnosis challenging. Distinguishing multifocal tuberculosis from lesions metastatic from system malignancy is difficult. Single detection method is difficult to make a diagnosis. A combination of multiple methods is essential. CASE PRESENTATION: A 17-year-old male presented with a 20 days weakness of lower limbs, which aggravated for 6 days. The PET/CT showed increased metabolism of ileocecal intestinal and terminal ileum wall, multiple enlarged lymph node (LNs), multiple osteolytic bone lesions, and soft tissue intensity belong T7 and T8 vertebrae. To confirm the diagnosis of the disease, a biopsy of the mediastinum lymph nodes was carried out. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test of the specimen was positive for the Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the T-SPOT and Xpert MTB/RIF test were also positive, which suggested the presence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The final diagnosis was multifocal tuberculosis, the patients received the resection of the mass in the spine. Anti-tuberculosis drugs were given. The myodynamia and muscle tension of the patients recovered following the therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicated that Multifocal tuberculosis should also be taken into consideration when lesions metastatic from system malignancy were suspected from images results even without the clinical symptoms of tuberculosis, and combination of multiple diagnosis methods were essential for the diagnosis of multifocal disease.

Permanent iodine-125 brachytherapy for patients with progressive or recurrent high-grade gliomas.

BACKGROUND: The prognosis of patients with progressive or recurrent high-grade gliomas (HGGs) after surgery remains poor. Iodine-125 brachytherapy is emerging as a salvage method for the treatment of gliomas. This study aimed to investigate whether permanent iodine-125 brachytherapy could be used as an effective therapeutic method even without radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy for progressive or recurrent HGG after gross total resection. METHODS: Between March 2004 and August 2016, 58 patients with progressive or recurrent HGG after gross total resection were included in this study. Twenty-nine patients underwent radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy and then permanent iodine-125 brachytherapy (SRCI group). Twenty-nine patients underwent permanent iodine-125 brachytherapy alone (SI group). Follow-up was carried out at 1, 3, and 6 months and then at 1, 2, 3, and 5 years after iodine-125 implantation. The median overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS), procedure-related complications and clinical outcomes were evaluated. RESULTS: No procedure-related fatal events happened. The temporary morbidity rate was 11.9%. The median OS and PFS for patients in the SI group were 22 and 8 months compared with 21 and 7 months in the SRCI group. No significant differences were found. Age and Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) were independent prognostic factors for OS. Age, KPS and histology were independent prognostic factors for PFS. CONCLUSIONS: Permanent iodine-125 brachytherapy could be used as an effective therapeutic method even without radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy for progressive or recurrent HGG after gross total resection.

Characteristics of Cd accumulation and distribution in two sweet potato cultivars.

In this study, we compared the chemical forms and subcellular distribution of Cd in high-Cd (X16) and low-Cd (N88) sweet potato cultivars through hydroponic experiments and examined the Cd distribution in their roots by histochemical staining. The results showed that inorganic and pectate/protein-integrated Cd predominated in the leaves, and Cd concentrations were significantly higher in X16 than in N88. However, in the roots, Cd was mostly integrated with pectate and protein, and Cd concentration was higher in N88 than in X16. It was mainly stored through vacuolar sequestration and cell wall binding. In the leaves and stems, Cd concentrations in all subcellular fractions were higher in X16 than in N88; the opposite was observed in the roots. In X16, Cd was mostly accumulated in the root stele, and its Cd translocation factor was higher than that of N88. Overall, the subcellular fractions of X16 roots retained less Cd than N88 roots, and more Cd entered the root stele of X16 and subsequently moved to the shoots. The higher amounts of inorganic, water-soluble, and pectate/protein-integrated Cd with high mobility in the shoots of X16 than in N88 might facilitate Cd remobilization to other tissues, but this needs to be further studied.

The efficacy of 99mTc-MIBI imaging in 125I seed implantation treatment of rabbit VX2 transplanted liver cancer.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of 99mTc-MIBI imaging in the evaluation of 125I radioactive particle implantation for treatment of rabbit VX2 transplanted liver cancer. METHODS: Twelve New Zealand white rabbit VX2 liver cancer models were successfully prepared by tumor cell suspension method and randomly divided into a control group and treatment group. The treatment group received 125I particle implantation according to the TPS plan, and the control group received the same number of hollow particle implantation. 99mTc-MIBI imaging was performed before and 7 d, 14 d, and 28 d after implantation. The target lesion (target, T) and normal liver tissue (nontarget, N) were determined by region of interest (ROI) technique. Radioactivity count was used to calculate the 99mTc-MIBI uptake ratio (target-to-nontarget ratio, T/N) between the target lesion and normal liver tissue, thereby obtaining early ratio (ER) and delayed ratio (DR), respectively. The retention index (RI) was calculated. The mice were sacrificed after 28 days for histopathologic observation. RESULTS: The T/N ratio, ER, and DR showed no statistical changes following the implantation time in the control group. In the treatment group, ER and DR gradually decreased after implantation of 125I seeds (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in RI during different observation times between the treatment group and the control group. Compared with the treatment group, RI exhibited no statistical difference between before and 7 d, 7~14 d, and 14~28 d after implantation (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: This method has value in evaluating the efficacy of 125I seed implantation treatment of rabbit VX2 transplanted liver cancer. The T/N ratio is independent of the tumor diameter, but is related to the blood perfusion and metabolic state of the tumor. Implantation of 125I particles into the rabbit transplanted liver cancer can effectively inhibit tumor growth, thus is a safe and effective method.

Clinical study on minimally invasive liquefaction and drainage of intracerebral hematoma in the treatment of hypertensive putamen hemorrhage.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to compare the curative effect of different treatment methods of hypertensive putamen hemorrhage, in order to determine an ideal method of treatment; and to explore the curative effect of the application of soft channel technology-minimally invasive liquefaction and drainage of intracerebral hematoma in the treatment of hypertensive putamen hemorrhage. METHODS: Patients with hypertensive cerebral hemorrhage, who were treated in our hospital from January 2015 to January 2016, were included into this study. Patients were divided into three groups: minimally invasive drainage group, internal medical treatment group and craniotomy group. In the minimally invasive drainage group, puncture aspiration and drainage were performed according to different hematoma conditions detected in brain CT, the frontal approach was selected for putamen and intracerebral hemorrhage, and drainage was reserved until the hematoma disappeared in CT detection. Drug therapy was dominated in the internal medical treatment group, while surgery under general anesthesia was performed to remove the hematoma in the craniotomy group. RESULTS: Post-treatment neurological function defect scores in minimally invasive drainage group and internal medical group were 16.14 ± 11.27 and 31.43 ± 10.42, respectively; and the difference was remarkably significant (P< 0.01). Post-treatment neurological function defect scores in the minimally invasive drainage group and craniotomy group were 16.14 ± 11.27 and 24.20 ± 12.23, respectively; and the difference was statistically significant (P< 0.05). There was a remarkable significant difference in ADL1-2 level during followed-up in survival patients between the minimally invasive drainage group and internal medical treatment group (P< 0.01), and there was a significant difference in followed-up mortality between these two groups (P< 0.01). CONCLUSION: Clinical observation and following-up results revealed that minimally invasive drainage treatment was superior to internal medical treatment and craniotomy.

Identification of low-Cd cultivars of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.) after growing on Cd-contaminated soil: uptake and partitioning to the edible roots.

Cadmium (Cd) contamination in agricultural products presents a threat to humans when consumed. Sweet potato is the world's seventh most important food crop. The aims of this study were to screen for low-Cd sweet potato cultivars and clarify the mechanisms of low-Cd accumulation in edible roots. A pot experiment was conducted to investigate the variation of Cd uptake and translocation among 30 sweet potato cultivars grown in contaminated soils with three different Cd concentrations. Cadmium concentrations in edible roots were significantly different among cultivars and were significantly affected by Cd treatment, and the interaction between cultivar and Cd treatment. High-Cd cultivars have higher ratios of edible root/shoot Cd concentration and edible root/feeder root Cd concentration than low-Cd cultivars; however, the ratio of shoot/feeder root Cd concentration seems unrelated to the ability of Cd accumulation in edible roots. Four sweet potato cultivars, Nan88 (No. 10), Xiang20 (No. 12), Ji78-066 (No. 15), and Ji73-427 (No. 16), were identified as low-Cd cultivars. Cadmium translocation from feeder roots to edible roots via the xylem, and from shoots to edible roots via the phloem, controls Cd accumulation in edible roots of sweet potato cultivars.

Roles of rhizosphere and root-derived organic acids in Cd accumulation by two hot pepper cultivars.

Cultivars of hot pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) have different abilities to accumulate Cd in their fruits. Previously, we suggested that low-Cd cultivars take up more Cd, but can better prevent the Cd translocation from roots to aerial parts. However, the mechanisms involved in those processes are still unclear. In this study, we explored the roles of rhizosphere soil Cd fractions and root secretions of low molecular weight organic acids in the uptake, translocation, and accumulation of Cd in a low-Cd and high-Cd cultivar. The results showed that there was no significant difference in exchangeable Cd between rhizosphere soils of the two cultivars, which might be related to their similar root's Cd uptake ability. The total content of low molecular weight organic acids released from roots of the low-Cd cultivar was almost equal to that released from roots of the high-Cd cultivar at the same Cd level; however, the composition of low molecular weight organic acids were determined by cultivars and Cd exposure levels. In the higher Cd (10 µM) treatment, the roots of the low-Cd cultivar excreted significantly less tartaric acid and more oxalic and acetic acids than those of the high-Cd cultivar. Additionally, there was no difference in the concentration of citric or succinic acid between the two cultivars. These results indicate that some kinds of low molecular weight organic acids efflux from hot pepper roots played an important role in the difference of Cd accumulation between low- and high-Cd cultivars.

The anti-atherogenic effects of berberine on foam cell formation are mediated through the upregulation of sirtuin 1.

Berberine (BBR) is a botanical alkaloid that has been reported to have effects in cardiovascular diseases; however, the mechanisms involved are not yet fully understood. In the present study, the protective effects of BBR were evaluated, and the underlying molecular mechanisms were investigated. The effects of a combination of atorvastatin and BBR on foam cell formation were also investigated. THP-1-derived macrophages were pre-treated with BBR (5, 10 and 20 mg/l) for 2 h prior to the addition of oxidized low density lipoprotein (ox-LDL; 50 mg/l). Small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) and the adenosine 5'-monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) inhibitor, compound C, were used to investigate the mechanisms through which BBR exerts its effects. To determine the effect of a combination of atorvastatin and BBR, the macrophages were treated with atorvastatin and BBR separately or jointly for 2 h, and then treated with ox-LDL (50 mg/l) or lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 10 µM) for 12 h. Oil Red O staining was used to detect foam cell formation. Lipid amounts were assessed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Gene and protein expression was evaluated by RT-qPCR, western blot analysis and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) carried out separately or jointly. The results from Oil Red O staining and HPLC revealed that BBR effectively suppressed foam cell formation and lipid and cholesterol accumulation. Furthermore, BBR upregulated the expression of SIRT1 and AMPK and downregulated the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ). Pre-treatment of the cells with SIRT1-siRNA or compound C attenuated the anti-atherosclerotic effects of BBR. The results obtained in the present study demonstrate that the combination of atorvastatin and BBR is more effective in inhibiting foam cell formation than using atorvastatin alone. These data suggest that BBR suppresses foam cell formation by activating the AMPK-SIRT1-PPAR-γ pathway and diminishing the uptake of ox-LDL. Combination therapy with BBR and atorvastatin was more effective in preventing atherosclerotic processes than atorvastatin alone.