NADPH oxidase 2 mediates cardiac sympathetic denervation and myocyte autophagy, resulting in cardiac atrophy and dysfunction in doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy.

Doxorubicin has been used extensively as a potent anticancer agent, but its clinical use is limited by its cardiotoxicity. However, the underlying mechanisms remain to be fully elucidated. In this study, we tested whether NADPH oxidase 2 (Nox2) mediates cardiac sympathetic nerve terminal abnormalities and myocyte autophagy, resulting in cardiac atrophy and dysfunction in doxorubicin-induced heart failure. Nox2 knockout (KO) and wild-type (WT) mice were randomly assigned to receive a single injection of doxorubicin (15 mg/kg, i.p.) or saline. WT doxorubicin mice exhibited the decreases in survival rate, left ventricular (LV) wall thickness and LV fractional shortening and the increase in the lung wet-to-dry weight ratio 1 week after the injections. These alterations were attenuated in Nox2 KO doxorubicin mice. In WT doxorubicin mice, myocardial oxidative stress was increased, myocardial noradrenergic nerve fibers were reduced, myocardial expression of PGP9.5, GAP43, tyrosine hydroxylase and norepinephrine transporter was decreased, and these changes were prevented in Nox2 KO doxorubicin mice. Myocyte autophagy was increased and myocyte size was decreased in WT doxorubicin mice, but not in Nox2 KO doxorubicin mice. Nox2 mediates cardiac sympathetic nerve terminal abnormalities and myocyte autophagy-both of which contribute to cardiac atrophy and failure after doxorubicin treatment.

Application of Amorphous-Crystalline Coupling Materials in Electrocatalysis.

Interface engineering has proven to be a highly efficient strategy for modulating the physicochemical properties of electrocatalysts and further enhancing their electrochemical performance in related energy applications. In this context, the newly proposed crystalline-amorphous (c-a) heterostructures with unusual atomic arrangements at interfaces show strong competitiveness. Nonetheless, few efforts have been made to reveal and summarize the structure-activity relationship at the two-phase interface and the corresponding electrocatalytic mechanism. This concept is devoted to comprehensively discussing the fundamental characteristics of crystalline-amorphous electrocatalysts and their application in the field of energy conversion with typical examples. In addition, the development prospects and opportunities of crystalline-amorphous heterostructure are summarized to provide potential development directions for other types of clean energy development.

Insights into Ganoderma fungi meroterpenoids opening a new era of racemic natural products in mushrooms.

Ganoderma meroterpenoids (GMs) containing 688 structures to date were discovered to have multiple remarkable biological activities. 65.6% of meroterpenoids featuring stereogenic centers from Ganoderma species are racemates. Further, GMs from different Ganoderma species seem to have their own characteristics. In this review, a comprehensive summarization of GMs since 2000 is presented, including GM structures, structure corrections, biological activities, physicochemical properties, total synthesis, and proposed biosynthetic pathways. Additionally, we especially discuss the racemic nature, species-related structural distribution, and structure-activity relationship of GMs, which will provide a likely in-house database and shed light on future studies on GMs.

NADPH oxidase 2 inhibitor GSK2795039 prevents doxorubicin-induced cardiac atrophy by attenuating cardiac sympathetic nerve terminal abnormalities and myocyte autophagy.

Doxorubicin is widely used for the treatment of human cancer, but its clinical use is limited by a cumulative dose-dependent cardiotoxicity. However, the mechanism of doxorubicin-induced cardiac atrophy and failure remains to be fully understood. In this study, we tested whether the specific NADPH oxidase 2 (Nox2) inhibitor GSK2795039 attenuates cardiac sympathetic nerve terminal abnormalities and myocyte autophagy, leading to the amelioration of cardiac atrophy and dysfunction in chronic doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy. Mice were randomized to receive saline, doxorubicin (2.5 mg/kg, every other day, 6 times) or doxorubicin plus GSK2795039 (2.5 mg/kg, twice a day, 9 weeks). Left ventricular (LV) total wall thickness and LV ejection fraction were decreased in doxorubicin-treated mice compared with saline-treated mice and the decreases were prevented by the treatment of the specific Nox2 inhibitor GSK2795039. The ratio of total heart weight to tibia length and myocyte cross-sectional area were decreased in doxorubicin-treated mice, and the decreases were attenuated by the GSK2795039 treatment. In doxorubicin-treated mice, myocardial Nox2 and 4-hydroxynonenal levels were increased, myocardial expression of GAP43, tyrosine hydroxylase and norepinephrine transporter, markers of sympathetic nerve terminals, was decreased, and these changes were prevented by the GSK2795039 treatment. The ratio of LC3 II/I, a marker of autophagy, and Atg5, Atg12 and Atg12-Atg5 conjugate proteins were increased in doxorubicin-treated mice, and the increases were attenuated by the GSK2795039 treatment. These findings suggest that inhibition of Nox2 by GSK2795039 attenuates cardiac sympathetic nerve terminal abnormalities and myocyte autophagy, thereby ameliorating cardiac atrophy and dysfunction after chronic doxorubicin treatment.

Abnormal expression of miR-3653-3p, caspase 1, IL-1ß in peripheral blood of schizophrenia.

Schizophrenia (SCZ) is a chronic, highly relapsing, severe mental disorder with an unclear etiology. Cytokine-mediated neuroimmune abnormalities have been repeatedly revealed. IL-1ß was reported to play a vital role in expanding the inflammatory response. However, the underlying molecular mechanism is poorly understood. In this study, we found that miR-3653-3p with the NLRP3 binding site in Targetscan was differentially expressed in miRNA high-throughput sequencing in schizophrenia (SCZ), and indeed, its downregulation in SCZ peripheral blood was also verified by RT-qPCR (P-value = 0.015). Furthermore, we found that the mRNAs of caspase 1 and IL-1ß are elevated in people who suffer from SCZ (P = 0.044 and P = 0.001, respectively). Moreover, the interaction of NLRP3, Caspase1, and IL-1ß was found in the peripheral blood of patients with SCZ. The expression level of miR-3653-3p was negatively correlated with NLRP3 and IL-1ß mRNA contents (r = 0.487, P = 0.04 and r = 0.508, P = 0.037, respectively). NLRP3 mRNA was positively correlated with caspase1 mRNA. Meanwhile, the expression of miR-3653-3p was also negatively correlated with negative symptom subscores of PANSS (r = 0.450, P = 0.046). IL-1ß mRNA is positively correlated with the total scores of PANSS (r = 0.690, P = 0.002) and the sub-scores of general psychopathology of PANSS (r = 0.583, P = 0.014). Additionally, a significant positive relationship exists between IL-1ß and the total duration (r = 0.638, P = 0.006). We found that the combination of miR-3653-3p, caspase 1, and IL-1ß have better diagnostic values. The results indicate that miR-3653-3p, caspase 1, and IL-1ß can potentially be biomarkers of SCZ, identifying negative symptoms or a chronic course. A further understanding of the involvement of IL-1ß in SCZ may be a crucial molecular effector for the chronic course to intervene.

Exploring choices of early nutritional support for patients with sepsis based on changes in intestinal microecology.

BACKGROUND: Sepsis exacerbates intestinal microecological disorders leading to poor prognosis. Proper modalities of nutritional support can improve nutrition, immunity, and intestinal microecology. AIM: To identify the optimal modality of early nutritional support for patients with sepsis from the perspective of intestinal microecology. METHODS: Thirty patients with sepsis admitted to the intensive care unit of the General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, China, between 2019 and 2021 with indications for nutritional support, were randomly assigned to one of three different modalities of nutritional support for a total of 5 d: Total enteral nutrition (TEN group), total parenteral nutrition (TPN group), and supplemental parenteral nutrition (SPN group). Blood and stool specimens were collected before and after nutritional support, and changes in gut microbiota, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), and immune and nutritional indicators were detected and compared among the three groups. RESULTS: In comparison with before nutritional support, the three groups after nutritional support presented: (1) Differences in the gut bacteria (Enterococcus increased in the TEN group, Campylobacter decreased in the TPN group, and Dialister decreased in the SPN group; all P < 0.05); (2) different trends in SCFAs (the TEN group showed improvement except for Caproic acid, the TPN group showed improvement only for acetic and propionic acid, and the SPN group showed a decreasing trend); (3) significant improvement of the nutritional and immunological indicators in the TEN and SPN groups, while only immunoglobulin G improved in the TPN group (all P < 0.05); and (4) a significant correlation was found between the gut bacteria, SCFAs, and nutritional and immunological indicators (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: TEN is recommended as the preferred mode of early nutritional support in sepsis based on clinical nutritional and immunological indicators, as well as changes in intestinal microecology.

Crystalline-Amorphous Interface Coupling of Ni3S2/NiPx/NF with Enhanced Activity and Stability for Electrocatalytic Oxygen Evolution.

The rational design of highly efficient and stable electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is an urgent need but remains challenging for various sustainable energy systems. How to adjust the atomic structure and electronic structure of the active center is a key bottleneck problem. Accelerating the electron transfer process and the deep self-reconstruction of active sites could be a cost-effective strategy toward electrocatalytic OER catalyst development. Here, a crystalline-amorphous (c-a) coupled Ni3S2/NiPx electrocatalyst self-supported on nickel foam with an intimate interface was developed via a feasible solvothermal-electrochemistry method. The coupling interface of the crystalline structure with high conductivity and amorphous structure with numerous potential active sites could regulate the electronic structure and optimize the adsorption/desorption of O-containing species, ultimately resulting in high OER catalytic performance. The obtained Ni3S2/NiPx/NF presents a low OER overpotential of 265 mV to obtain 10 mA·cm-2 and a small Tafel slope of 51.6 mV·dec-1. Also, the catalyst with the coupled interface exhibited significantly enhanced long-term stability compared to the other two catalysts, with <5% decay in OER activity over 20 h of continuous operation, while that of Ni3S2/NF and NiPx/NF decreased by about 30 and 50%, respectively. This study provides inspiration for other energy conversion reactions in optimizing the performance of catalysts by coupling crystalline-amorphous structures.

GSK2795039 prevents RIP1-RIP3-MLKL-mediated cardiomyocyte necroptosis in doxorubicin-induced heart failure through inhibition of NADPH oxidase-derived oxidative stress.

Doxorubicin (DOX), which is widely used for the treatment of cancer, induces cardiomyopathy associated with NADPH oxidase-derived reactive oxygen species. GSK2795039 is a novel small molecular NADPH oxidase 2 (Nox2) inhibitor. In this study, we investigated whether GSK2795039 prevents receptor-interacting protein kinase 1 (RIP1)-RIP3-mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein (MLKL)-mediated cardiomyocyte necroptosis in DOX-induced heart failure through NADPH oxidase inhibition. Eight-week old mice were randomly divided into 4 groups: control, GSK2795039, DOX and DOX plus GSK2795039. H9C2 cardiomyocytes were treated with DOX and GSK2795039. In DOX-treated mice, the survival rate was reduced, left ventricular (LV) end-systolic dimension was increased and LV fractional shortening was decreased, and these alterations were attenuated by the GSK2795039 treatment. GSK2795039 inhibited not only myocardial NADPH oxidase subunit gp91phox (Nox2) protein, but also p22phox, p47phox and p67phox proteins and prevented oxidative stress 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine levels in DOX-treated mice. RIP3 protein and phosphorylated RIP1 (p-RIP1), p-RIP3 and p-MLKL proteins, reflective of their respective kinase activities, markers of necroptosis, were markedly increased in DOX-treated mice, and the increases were prevented by GSK2795039. GSK2795039 prevented the increases in serum lactate dehydrogenase and myocardial fibrosis in DOX-treated mice. Similarly, in DOX-treated cardiomyocytes, GSK2795039 improved cell viability, attenuated apoptosis and necrosis and prevented the increases in p-RIP1, p-RIP3 and p-MLKL expression. In conclusion, GSK2795039 prevents RIP1-RIP3-MLKL-mediated cardiomyocyte necroptosis through inhibition of NADPH oxidase-derived oxidative stress, leading to the improvement of myocardial remodeling and function in DOX-induced heart failure. These findings suggest that GSK2795039 may have implications for the treatment of DOX-induced cardiomyopathy.

Searching for the true origin of the red fluorescence of leaf-derived carbon dots.

We report for the first time that the red fluorescence of leaf-derived carbon dots is derived from chlorophyll, and a possible formation structure is proposed. By controlling the solvothermal reaction temperature, the new luminescence center of CDs can be adjusted. This work provides unprecedented insights into the luminescence mechanism of biomass-derived CDs.

Influence of Nitrogen-Doped Carbon Quantum Dots on the Electrocatalytic Performance of the CoP Nanoflower Catalyst for OER.

Cobalt phosphides modified by nitrogen-doped carbon quantum dots (CoP-NCQDs) were successfully constructed by a facile and low-cost hydrothermal treatment, which is expected to replace traditional noble-metal oxygen evolution reaction electrode materials. Detailed experiments and findings show that nitrogen-doped carbon quantum dots (NCQDs) have a significant impact on the morphology of the CoP catalyst, and nitrogen doping can regulate the surface-active sites to obtain the catalyst with abundant structural defects. Simultaneously, nitrogen doping can regulate the content of pyridinic N and pyrrolic N, which exerts positive effects on the formation of the bond structure and electron conduction between NCQDs and CoP.

Role and Clinical Application of Metagenomic Next-Generation Sequencing in Immunocompromised Patients With Acute Respiratory Failure During Veno-Venous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation.

Objectives: There are few studies of metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) in immunocompromised patients assisted by veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (vv-ECMO). The present study is aimed to investigate the pathogen-detected effect and clinical therapy value of mNGS technologies in immunocompromised patients assisted by vv-ECMO. Methods: Our study retrospectively enrolled 46 immunocompromised patients supported by vv-ECMO from Jan 2017 to June 2021 at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, respectively. Patients were divided into the deterioration group (Group D) (n = 31) and improvement group (Group I) (n = 15) according to their outcomes. Baseline characteristics and etiological data of patients during hospitalization of 2 groups were compared. The pathogens detected by mNGS and antibiotic regimens guided by mNGS in immunocompromised patients assisted by vv-ECMO were analyzed. Results: Compared with Group I, the deterioration patients showed a higher percentage of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (32.3% vs. 6.7%, p < 0.01) and were significantly older (47.77 ± 16.72 years vs. 32 ± 15.05 years, p < 0.01). Within 48 h of being ECMO assisted, the consistency of the samples detected by traditional culture and mNGS at the same time was good (traditional culture vs. mNGS detection, the positive rate of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) culture: 26.1% vs. 30.4%; the positive rate of blood sample culture: 12.2% vs. 12.2%, p > 0.05). However, mNGS detected far more pathogen species and strains than conventional culture (30 strains vs. 78 strains, p < 0.01); the most popular pathogen was Klebsiella pneumoniae. Parts of patients had their antibiotic treatment adjustments, and the improvement patients showed less usage of broad-spectrum antibiotics. Conclusions: mNGS may play a relatively important role in detecting mixed pathogens and personalized antibiotic treatment in immunocompromised patients assisted by vv-ECMO.

Heparin-free after 3000 IU heparin loaded in veno-venous ECMO supported acute respiratory failure patients with hemorrhage risk: a novel anti-coagulation strategy.

BACKGROUND: The anti-coagulation protocol of patients with hemorrhage risk primary disease who need extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) supported is controversial. This study evaluated the feasibility of a new anti-coagulation strategy, that is heparin-free after 3000 IU heparin loaded in veno-venous ECMO (VV ECMO) supported acute respiratory failure patients with hemorrhage risk. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed in a series of hemorrhage risk patients supported with VV ECMO at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, between June 2012 to Sept 2020. A total of 70 patients received a low heparin bolus of 3000 units for cannulation but without subsequent, ongoing heparin administration. Patients were divided into survival (n = 25) and non-survival group (n = 45). Data of coagulation, hemolysis and membrane lung function were calculated and analyzed. The complications of patients were recorded. Finally, the binary Logistic regression was conducted. RESULTS: The longest heparin-free time was 216 h, and the mean heparin-free time was 102 h. Compared with survivors, the non-survivors were showed higher baseline SOFA score and lower platelet counts in 0.5 h, 24 h, 48 h and 96 h after ECMO applied. However, there was no significant differences between survivors and non-survivors in ACT, APTT, INR, D-dimer, fibrinogen, LDH, blood flow rate, Δp and Ppost-MLO2 (all p < 0.05) of all different time point. Moreover, only the baseline SOFA score was significantly associated with mortality (p < 0.001, OR(95%CI): 2.754 (1.486-5.103)) while the baseline levels of ACT, APTT, INR, platelet, D-dimer, fibrinogen and LDH have no association with mortality. The percentage of thrombosis complications was 54.3% (38/70) including 3 oxygenator changed but there was no significant difference of complications in survival and non-survival groups (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The anticoagulation protocol that no heparin after a 3000 units heparin bolus in VV ECMO supported acute respiratory failure patients with hemorrhage risk is feasible.

Meroterpenoid Dimers from Ganoderma Mushrooms and Their Biological Activities Against Triple Negative Breast Cancer Cells.

(±)-Dimercochlearlactones A-J (1-10), ten pairs of novel meroterpenoid dimers and one known spirocochlealactone A (11), were isolated from Ganoderma mushrooms. The structural elucidation of new compounds, including their absolute configurations, depends on spectroscopic analysis and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations. Biological studies showed that (+)- and (-)-2, (-)-3, and (+)- and (-)-11 are cytotoxic toward human triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells (MDA-MB-231) with IC50 values of 28.18, 25.65, 11.16, 8.18, and 13.02 µM, respectively. Wound healing assay revealed that five pairs of meroterpenoids (±)-5-(±)-8 and (±)-10 could significantly inhibit cell mobility at 20 µM in MDA-MB-231 cells. The results provide a new insight into the biological role of Ganoderma meroterpenoids in TNBC.

Drug-Induced Liver Injury during Consolidation Therapy in Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia as Assessed for Causality Using the Updated RUCAM.

Purpose: The presence of serious toxicities is a major problem in the treatment of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The objective of this research is to evaluate drug-induced liver injury (DILI) during consolidation therapy in childhood ALL. Methods: Clinical data of pediatric patients who received consolidation therapy between August 2012 and July 2018 were collected. Characteristics (incidences and patterns) of DILI at different stratifications were determined. Risks of DILI were evaluated using binary logistic regression analysis. Drug causality assessment was carried out by the updated Roussel Uclaf Causality Assessment Method (RUCAM). Results: Patients with high risk (HR) and standard risk (SR)/intermediate risk (IR) received 270 and 1539 courses of consolidation therapy, respectively; among these courses, 15 (5.6%) and 38 (2.5%) developed DILI. The occurrences of DILI in SR/IR patients were primarily associated with age (≤5.2 years), treatment course (≥5), and baseline serum parameters before treatment (cystatin C > 0.79 mg/L, albumin ≤45 g/L, and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) > 17 U/L). The ROC curve generated using the parameters assigned to specific values achieved an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.846 (95% CI 0.827-0.863) with a cutoff value of 3, and the sensitivity and specificity were 94.7% and 62.3%, respectively. For HR patients, a decrease in baseline albumin and elevation of baseline liver enzymes (GGT and aspartate aminotransferase) were observed in DILI cases compared with the non-DILI subjects. In the SR/IR group with DILI, the causality gradings for high-dose methotrexate (HD-MTX) were highly probable in 5 (13.2%) cases, probable in 31 (81.6%) cases, and possible in 2 (5.3%) cases. Among the DILI cases in HR-1, HR-2, and HR-3 groups, high causality gradings (probable + highly probable) were detected in "100% of HD-MTX + 57% of high-dose cytarabine (HD-Ara-C)," "100% of HD-MTX + 20% of pegylated asparaginase (PEG-ASP)," and "100% of HD-Ara-C + 33.3% of PEG-ASP," respectively. Conclusion: Incidence of DILI in HR patients was significantly higher than that in SR/IR patients. A number of potential risk factors were identified, among which the preexisting liver conditions were suggested as shared risk factors in all stratification groups. HD-MTX, HD-Ara-C, and PEG-ASP were the main causative agents of DILI. The knowledge generated from this study will be helpful for understanding characteristics of DILI during consolidation treatment in childhood ALL.

Meroterpenoids containing benzopyran or benzofuran motif from Ganoderma cochlear.

Five undescribed benzopyran containing meroterpenoids, ganodercins Q－U, two undescribed benzofuran containing meroterpenoids, ganodercins V and W, and two known meroterpenoids were isolated from Ganoderma cochlear. Their structures were elucidated by using HRESIMS, NMR spectroscopy and computational methods. The results of biochemical studies using a palmitic acid (PA) induced insulin resistance (IR) model show that (-)-ganodercin Q, (+)-ganodercins R and W activate phospho-AKT (p-AKT) at 20 µM and improve glucose uptake in a concentration dependent manner. The results of renoprotection studies show that (+)-ganodercin S, cochlearol F, (+)- and (-)-ganodercins V reduce the expression of collagen I.

Z16b, a natural compound from Ganoderma cochlear is a novel RyR2 stabilizer preventing catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia.

Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) is an inherited, lethal ventricular arrhythmia triggered by catecholamines. Mutations in genes that encode cardiac ryanodine receptor (RyR2) and proteins that regulate RyR2 activity cause enhanced diastolic Ca2+ release (leak) through the RyR2 channels, resulting in CPVT. Current therapies for CPVT are limited. We found that Z16b, a meroterpenoid isolated from Ganoderma cochlear, inhibited Ca2+ spark frequency (CaSF) in R2474S/ + cardiomyocytes in a dose-dependent manner, with an IC50 of 3.2 µM. Z16b also dose-dependently suppressed abnormal post-pacing Ca2+ release events. Intraperitoneal injection (i.p.) of epinephrine and caffeine stimulated sustained ventricular tachycardia in all R2474S/+ mice, while pretreatment with Z16b (0.5 mg/kg, i.p.) prevented ventricular arrhythmia in 9 of 10 mice, and Z16b administration immediately after the onset of VT abolished sVT in 9 of 12 mice. Of translational significance, Z16b significantly inhibited CaSF and abnormal Ca2+ release events in human CPVT iPS-CMs. Mechanistically, Z16b interacts with RyR2, enhancing the "zipping" state of the N-terminal and central domains of RyR2. A molecular docking simulation and point mutation and pulldown assays identified Z16b forms hydrogen bonds with Arg626, His1670, and Gln2126 in RyR2 as a triangle shape that anchors the NTD and CD interaction and thus stabilizes RyR2 in a tight "zipping" conformation. Our findings support that Z16b is a novel RyR2 stabilizer that can prevent CPVT. It may also serve as a lead compound with a new scaffold for the design of safer and more efficient drugs for treating CPVT.

Enhanced oxidative stress mediates pathological autophagy and necroptosis in cardiac myocytes in pressure overload induced heart failure in rats.

In cardiac myocytes in vitro, hydrogen peroxide induces autophagic cell death and necroptosis. Oxidative stress, myocyte autophagy and necroptosis coexist in heart failure (HF). In this study, we tested the hypothesis that excessive oxidative stress mediates pathological autophagy and necroptosis in myocytes in pressure overload-induced HF. HF was produced by chronic pressure overload induced by abdominal aortic constriction (AAC) in rats. Rats with AAC or sham operation were randomised to orally receive an antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) or placebo for 4 weeks. Echocardiography was performed for the assessments of left ventricular (LV) structure and function. AAC rats exhibited decreased LV fractional shortening (FS) at 4 weeks after surgery. NAC treatment attenuated decreased LV FS in AAC rats. In AAC rats, myocardial level of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine assessed by immunohistochemical staining, indicative of oxidative stress, was increased, LC3 II protein, a marker of autophagy, Beclin1 protein and Atg4b, Atg5, Atg7 and Atg12 mRNA expression were markedly increased, RIP1, RIP3 and MLKL expression, indicative of necroptosis, was increased, and all of the alterations in AAC rats were prevented by the NAC treatment. NAC treatment also attenuated myocyte cross-sectional area and myocardial fibrosis in AAC rats. In conclusion, NAC treatment prevented the increases in oxidative stress, myocyte autophagy and necroptosis and the decrease in LV systolic function in pressure overload-induced HF. These findings suggest that enhanced oxidative stress mediates pathological autophagy and necroptosis in myocytes, leading to LV systolic dysfunction, and antioxidants may be of value to prevent HF through the inhibition of excessive autophagy and necroptosis.

Terminal Cyclohexane-Type Meroterpenoids from the Fruiting Bodies of Ganoderma cochlear.

Eleven new cyclohexane-type meroterpenoids (1, 3-5, 7, 8, 11-15) and four known similar meroterpenoids (2, 6, 9, and 10) were isolated from Ganoderma cochlear. Their structures and absolute configurations at stereogenic centers were elucidated by using HRESIMS, NMR spectroscopy and computational methods. In addition, the structure of the known meroterpenoid, cochlearol G (2), was revised, and the absolute configurations at the stereogenic centers of known meroterpenoids 9 and 10 were determined. All the isolated meroterpenoids were evaluated for their activities against renal fibrosis and triple negative breast cancer, and their insulin resistance. The results of the renal fibrosis study showed that meroterpenoid 11 inhibits over-expression of fibronectin, collagen I and α-SMA. Results of the wound healing study revealed that 4, 6 and 8 significantly inhibit migration of BT549 cells. Observations made in Western blotting experiments showed that 6 decreases the levels of TWIST1 and ZEB1, and increases the level of E-cadherin. Finally, meroterpenoids 7, 9, 11, and 15 significantly up-regulate p-AMPK protein expression in normal L6 myotubes cells.

[Investigation of Dominant Plants and Analysis of Ecological Restoration Potential in Lailishan Tin Tailings].

To investigate the dominant plants in ecological restoration of tin mining areas, field investigations were conducted in a tin tailings area in Lailishan, Yunnan Provence, and 15 dominant plants and corresponding rhizosphere soils were collected. The plant root mycorrhizal infection rate; the copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), and tin (Sn) contents; and the chemical properties of the rhizosphere tailings were determined. The transfer and enrichment coefficients of six heavy metals were calculated for each of the 15 plants to comprehensively evaluate the application potential of native plants. The rhizophere tailings had an average pH value of 3.13, which was acidic. The organic matter, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, total potassium, alkaline hydrolyzed nitrogen, and available phosphorus content of the soils was 6.07 g ·kg-1, 5.74 g ·kg-1, 0.62 g ·kg-1, 8.66 g ·kg-1, 30.84 mg ·kg-1, and 2.08 mg ·kg-1 respectively, indicating relatively nutrient-poor soil. The average Cu, Cd, Ni, Pb, As, and Sn contents of the soils were 347.40, 1.02, 1.34, 168.47, 25.81, and 2299.02 mg ·kg-1, respectively. Among the heavy metals, the Cd content reached a third-level pollution warning value. The soil also contained a large amount of Cu and Pb which exhibited a different spatial distribution. This area appears to have a high risk of Cu, Pb, and Cd pollution. In addition, the roots of Olea europaea L. and Eurya japonica Thunb. had a high rate of mycorrhizal infection. Alnus cremastogyne Burk., Bambusa multiplex (Lour.) Raeusch. ex Schult. 'Alphonse-Kar' R. A. Young, Juncus effusus L., and Cyperus rotundus L. var. had a strong ability to absorb and transport heavy metals. The other plants were also adapted to the growth environment of the tin tailings, with the potential to restore the mining area.

Sphingosine-1-phosphate induces myocyte autophagy after myocardial infarction through mTOR inhibition.

Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P)/S1P receptor 1 signaling exerts cardioprotective effects including inhibition of myocyte apoptosis. However, little is known about the effect of S1P treatment on myocyte autophagy after myocardial infarction (MI). In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that S1P induces myocyte autophagy through inhibition of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), leading to improvement of left ventricular (LV) function after MI. Sprague-Dawley rats underwent MI or sham operation. The animals were randomized to receive S1P (50 µg/kg/day, i.p.) or placebo for one week. H9C2 cardiomyocytes cultured in serum- and glucose-deficient medium were treated with or without S1P for 3 h. MI rats exhibited an increase in LV end-diastolic dimension (EDD) and decreases in LV fractional shortening (FS) and the maximal rate of LV pressure rise (+dP/dt). S1P treatment attenuated the increase in LV EDD and decreases in LV FS and +dP/dt. In the MI placebo group, the LC3 II/I ratio, a marker of autophagy, was increased, and increased further by S1P treatment. S1P also enhanced the autophagy-related proteins Atg4b and Atg5 after MI. Similarly, in cultured cardiomyocytes, autophagy was increased under glucose and serum deprivation, and increased further by S1P treatment. The effect of S1P on myocyte autophagy was associated with mTOR inhibition after MI or in cultured cardiomyocytes under glucose and serum deprivation. S1P treatment prevents LV remodeling, enhances myocyte autophagy and inhibits mTOR activity after MI. These findings suggest that S1P treatment induces myocyte autophagy through mTOR inhibition, leading to the attenuation of LV dysfunction after MI.