Gestational Diabetes Mellitus-Induced Milk Fat Globule Membrane Protein Changes of Human Mature Milk Based on TMT Proteomic Analysis.

Breastfeeding by mothers with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) has been shown to reduce maternal insulin demands and diminish the risks of diabetes in infants, leading to improved long-term health outcomes. Milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) proteins play a crucial role in influencing the immunity and cognitive development of infants. Understanding the alterations in MFGM proteins in breastmilk from mothers with GDM is essential for enhancing their self-efficacy and increase breastfeeding rates. The objective of this study is to investigate and compare MFGM proteins in milk from mothers with GDM and without based on tandem mass tag (TMT) labeling and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS) techniques. A total of 5402 proteins were identified, including 4 upregulated proteins and 24 downregulated proteins. These significantly altered proteins were found to be associated with human diseases, cellular processes, and metabolism pathways. Additionally, the oxidative phosphorylation pathway emerged as the predominant pathway through Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) involving all genes.

The cause for the low efficiency of dye sensitized solar cells with a combination of ruthenium dyes and cobalt redox.

It has been a concern that the cobalt redox cannot give a good performance for the dye-sensitized solar cells when it is used with ruthenium dyes. The electron dynamics measurements clarified the electron loss processes, and clarified the cause. The result indicated the direct interaction between the ruthenium dyes with the cobalt redox, and it reduced the charge injection from the triplet state of the dyes to the titanium oxide, and also it increased the electron recombination process with the cobalt redox species. Both the problems of injection and recombination were solved by using the ruthenium dye with alkyl chains keeping a distance between the dye and the cobalt redox.

Control of charge dynamics through a charge-separation interface for all-solid perovskite-sensitized solar cells.

The relationship between the structure of the charge-separation interface and the photovoltaic performance of all-solid dye-sensitized solar cells is reported. This cell is composed of porous a TiO2/perovskite (CH3NH3PbI(x)Cl(3-x))/p-type organic conductor. The porous titania layer was passivated with Al2O3 or Y2O3 to remove surface traps of the porous titania layer. Both passivations were effective in increasing the efficiency of the solar cell. Especially, the effect of Y2O3 passivation was remarkable. After passivation, the efficiency increased from 6.59 to 7.5%. The increase in the efficiency was discussed in terms of the electron lifetime in TiO2, the thermally stimulated current, the measurement of the microwave refractive carrier lifetime, and transition absorption spectroscopy. It was proven that surface passivation resulted in retardation of charge recombination between the electrons in the porous titania layers and the holes in the p-type organic conductors.

Effects of the Oat Hay Feeding Method and Compound Probiotic Supplementation on the Growth, Antioxidant Capacity, Immunity, and Rumen Bacteria Community of Dairy Calves.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of the oat hay feeding method and compound probiotics (CMP) on the growth, health, serum antioxidant and immune indicators, rumen fermentation, and bacteria community of dairy calves from 3 to 5 months of age. Forty-eight female Holstein calves (80 ± 7 days of age, 93.71 ± 5.33 kg BW) were selected and randomly divided into four groups. A 2 × 2 factorial design was adopted for the experiment, with the factors of the oat hay feeding method (fed as free-choice or 16.7% in the diet) and compound probiotics (CMP) inclusion (0.15% or 0%) in the pelleted starter. The results showed that, compared with giving oat hay as free-choice, feeding a diet of 16.7% oat hay increased the pelleted starter intake at 1-84 d (p < 0.05), with an average daily gain (ADG) at 61-84 d (p = 0.02); adding CMP to the pelleted starter did not significantly affect body weight, and reduced the fecal index (p < 0.05). Feeding 16.7% oat hay increased the concentration of IgA, IgG, and IgM (p < 0.01), while adding CMP increased the catalase (p < 0.01) and decreased the concentration of malondialdehyde (p < 0.01) in serum. Feeding 16.7% oat hay increased the ruminal concentration of propionic acid (p < 0.05) and isobutyric acid (p = 0.08), and decreased the ruminal pH (p = 0.08), the concentration of acetic acid (p < 0.05), and the ratio of acetic acid to propionic acid (p < 0.01). Feeding 16.7% oat hay reduced the relative abundance of ruminal Firmicutes, Unidentified-Bacteria, Actinobacteria, Prevotella, NK4A214-group, Olsenella, and Actinobacteriota (p < 0.05); adding CMP increased the relative abundance of ruminal Prevotella, Rikenellaceae-RC9-gut-group, Ruminococcus, NK4A214-group, and Ruminococcus (p < 0.05), and decreased the abundance of Desulfobacterora, Prevotella-7, and Erysipelotricaceae-UCG-002 (p < 0.05). In conclusion, feeding a diet of 16.7% oat hay increased the pelleted starter intake and average daily gain, while slightly reducing the ruminal pH values; adding CMP to the pelleted starter resulted in reduced diarrhea incidence, increased serum antioxidant capacity and immunity, as well as ruminal richness and diversity of microorganisms in dairy calves from 3 to 5 months of age.

Identification of actionable targets for breast cancer intervention using a diversity outbred mouse model.

HER2-targeted therapy has improved breast cancer survival, but treatment resistance and disease prevention remain major challenges. Genes that enable HER2/Neu oncogenesis are the next intervention targets. A bioinformatics discovery platform of HER2/Neu-expressing Diversity Outbred (DO) F1 Mice was established to identify cancer-enabling genes. Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) associated with onset ages and growth rates of spontaneous mammary tumors were sought. Twenty-six genes in 3 QTL contain sequence variations unique to the genetic backgrounds that are linked to aggressive tumors and 21 genes are associated with human breast cancer survival. Concurrent identification of TSC22D3, a transcription factor, and its target gene LILRB4, a myeloid cell checkpoint receptor, suggests an immune axis for regulation, or intervention, of disease. We also investigated TIEG1 gene that impedes tumor immunity but suppresses tumor growth. Although not an actionable target, TIEG1 study revealed genetic regulation of tumor progression, forming the basis of the genetics-based discovery platform.

Preparation and immunological effectiveness of a Swine influenza DNA vaccine encapsulated in PLGA microspheres.

Optimal preparation conditions of DNA vaccine against swine influenza encapsulated in Poly (D,L)-lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) microspheres were determined. The microspheres were prepared by an emulsion-evaporation method using PLGA as the biodegradable matrix forming polymer. Using the optimal preparation conditions, PLGA microspheres containing the DNA vaccine were produced with good morphology as evident from scanning electron micrographs, high encapsulation rate and high stability. The transfection test indicated that the vaccine could be expressed as an antigen in cells and maintained good bioactivity. Moreover, these results demonstrated that the PLGA microspheres containing DNA vaccine can be used to achieve prolonged release of plasmid DNA. These results have laid a foundation for further development before ultimate industrial application.

[Analysis on molecular evolution of MC1R gene in dog].

Melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) gene regulates pigment synthesis in mammals, and therefore is regarded as an important candidate gene for dog coat color. Based on MC1R amino acids and cDNA sequences of 10 vertebrate animals released by NCBI, molecular evolution of dog MC1R gene was analyzed with bioinformatic software and internet resource. Results showed that 10 vertebrate animals were divided into two major groups, a compact group A (7 mammals) and an incompact group B (chicken, zebrafish and fugu). This phylogenetic tree was consistent with putative evolutionary relationship within these 10 species. Positive selection was detected during the evolutionary process of dog (also cat and pig) from cattle by PAML branch model (omega = 90.8177), and five amino acids of 2V, 25E, 184N, 197V and 314L of dog MC1R were predicted under positive selection by site model. Comparative linkage analysis of chromosome showed that "ZFP276-MC1R-GAS8" linkage group was conservative in human, chimpanzee, chicken and dog.

Role of nitric oxide and inducible nitric oxide synthase in human abdominal aortic aneurysms: a preliminary study.

BACKGROUND: Nitric oxide (NO) is an important mediator in the pathophysiology of many vascular diseases. However, the definite role of NO in human abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) formation is unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate production of NO and expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and their possible role in AAA. METHODS: A total of 28 patients with AAA, 10 healthy controls, and 8 patients with arterial occlusive disease were enrolled into this study. Standard colorimetric assay was used to examine NO concentration in plasma from patients with AAA and normal controls, and in cultured smooth muscle cells (SMCs). Expression of iNOS in aortas and cultured SMCs were detected by immunochemistry. The correlation of iNOS expression with age of the patient, size of aneurysm, and degree of inflammation was also investigated by Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel chi2 test and Kendall' Tau correlation. RESULTS: Expression of iNOS increased significantly in the wall of aneurism in the patients with AAA compared to the healthy controls (P < 0.05) and the patients with occlusive arteries (P < 0.05). iNOS protein and media NOx (nitrite + nitrate) also increased in cultured SMCs from human AAA (n = 4, P < 0.05), while plasma NOx decreased in patients with AAA (n = 25) compared to the healthy controls (n = 20). There was a positive correlation between iNOS protein and degree of inflammation in aneurismal wall (Kendall coefficient = 0.5032, P = 0.0029). CONCLUSIONS: SMCs and inflammatory cells were main cellular sources of increased iNOS in AAA, and NO may play a part in pathogenesis in AAA through inflammation.

Role of adhesion molecules and dendritic cells in rat hepatic/renal ischemia-reperfusion injury and anti-adhesive intervention with anti-P-selectin lectin-EGF domain monoclonal antibody.

AIM: To investigate the role of P-selectin, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and dendritic cells (DCs) in liver/kidney of rats with hepatic/renal ischemia-reperfusion injury and the preventive effect of anti-P-selectin lectin-EGF domain monoclonal antibody (anti-PsL-EGFmAb) on the injury. METHODS: Rat models of hepatic and renal ischemia-reperfusion were established. The rats were then divided into two groups, one group treated with anti-PsL-EGFmAb (n = 20) and control treated with saline (n = 20). Both groups were subdivided into four groups according to reperfusion time (1, 3, 6 and 24 h). The sham-operated group (n = 5) served as a control group. DCs were observed by the microscopic image method, while P-selectin and ICAM-1 were analyzed by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: P-selectin increased significantly in hepatic sinusoidal endothelial cells and renal tubular epithelial cells 1 h after ischemia-reperfusion, and the expression of ICAM-1 was up-regulated in hepatic sinusoid and renal vessels after 6 h. CD1a(+)CD80(+)DCs gradually increased in hepatic sinusoidal endothelium and renal tubules and interstitium 1 h after ischemia-reperfusion, and there was the most number of DCs in 24-h group. The localization of DCs was associated with rat hepatic/renal function. These changes became less significant in rats treated with anti-PsL-EGFmAb. CONCLUSION: DCs play an important role in immune pathogenesis of hepatic/renal ischemia-reperfusion injury. Anti-PsL-EGFmAb may regulate and inhibit local DC immigration and accumulation in liver/kidney.

Anthraquinones sensitize tumor cells to arsenic cytotoxicity in vitro and in vivo via reactive oxygen species-mediated dual regulation of apoptosis.

Cellular oxidation/reduction state affects the cytotoxicity of a number of chemotherapeutic agents, including arsenic trioxide. Reactive oxygen species (ROS), the major intracellular oxidants, may be a determinant of cellular susceptibility to arsenic. Our previous studies showed that a naphthoquinone and an anthraquinone (emodin) displayed the capability of producing ROS and facilitating arsenic cytotoxicity in both leukemia and solid tumor cell lines. We therefore attempted to test emodin and several other kinds of anthraquinone derivatives on EC/CUHK1, a cell line derived from esophageal carcinoma, and on a nude mouse model, with regard to their effects and mechanisms. Results showed that anthraquinones could produce ROS and sensitize tumor cells to arsenic both in vivo and in vitro. The combination of emodin and arsenic promoted the major apoptotic signaling events, i.e., the collapse of the mitochondrial transmembrane potential, the release of cytochrome c, and the activation of caspases 9 and 3. Meanwhile a combination of emodin and arsenic suppressed the activation of transcription factor NF-kappaB and downregulated the expression of a NF-kappaB-specific antiapoptotic protein, survivin. These two aspects could be antagonized by the antioxidant N-acetyl-L-cysteine. Therefore anthraquinones exert their effects via a ROS-mediated dual regulation, i.e., the enhancement of proapoptosis and the simultaneous inhibition of antiapoptosis. In vivo study showed that emodin made the EC/CUHK1 cell-derived tumors more sensitive to arsenic trioxide with no additional systemic toxicity and side effects. Taken together, these results suggest an innovative and safe chemotherapeutic strategy that uses natural anthraquinone derivatives as ROS generators to increase the susceptibility of tumor cells to cytotoxic therapeutic agents.

[Localization and role of dendritic cells in rat kidney with renal ischemia/ reperfusion injury].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the localization and the role of dendritic cells (DCs) in rat kidney with renal ischemia/reperfusion injury, and to explore the effect of anti-P-selectin Lectin-epidermal growth factor (EGF) domain monoclonal antibody (PsL-EGFmAb) on DCs. METHODS: (1)Rat model of renal ischemia/reperfusion was established and rats were divided into treated group with PsL-EGFmAb (n=20) and untreated group (n=20), which included four sub-groups respectively according to reperfusion time (1-hour,3-hour, 6-hour, 24-hour), sham group (n=5) severed as control. CD1a(+)CD80(+)DC was observed with microscopy images method and P-selectin was analysed with immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: (1)In renal tissues of untreated group, CD1a(+)CD80(+)DC was found in renal tubules, interstitium and vessels, especially in renal tubules and interstitium, but DCs were hardly observed in sham group (P<0.001). The number of CD1a(+)CD80(+)DC in 24-hour group was greater than those in other groups (P<0.01). The number of DCs was positively associated with blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine (both P<0.05). (2)P-selectin content was increased significantly after ischemia/reperfusion 1 hour. (3)The contents of DC and P-selectin were decreased after treated (P<0.05 and P<0.01) in rat renal tissues. CONCLUSION: DCs play an important role in immune pathogenesis after renal ischemia/reperfusion injury, which is related to renal immigration of DCs mediated by P-selectin. PsL-EGFmAb may inhibit local DCs immigration and accumulation in kidney.

Tablets based on compressed zein microspheres for sustained oral administration: design, pharmacokinetics, and clinical study.

In our previous study, we reported a novel tablet based on compressed zein microspheres as a universal drug delivery system using the hydrophobic protein zein, which shows zero-order release in the presence of pepsin. However, this formulation had difficulty with disintegration under physiological conditions within 48 h, and thus could not be used directly for oral administration. In the present study, a formulation of ivermectin (IVM) tablets based on compressed zein microspheres was improved as a new dosage form. The plasma disposition pharmacokinetics of IVM tablets based on compressed zein microspheres after oral administration was studied over a 7-day period with six dogs (Canis familiaris), using a commercial IVM tablet (5 mg/piece, Yilijia(®) ) as a control. Clinical efficacy was tested using 270 dogs presented as veterinary patients for the treatment of demodicidosis. A formulation with disintegration time within 15 min could be obtained. The acquired C( max), T(max), and AUC were 9.89 ± 0.34 ng/mL, 11.33 ± 2.63 h, and 883.87 ng h/mL for IVM tablets based on compressed zein microspheres and 9.64 ± 1.05 ng/mL, 7.26 ± 2.09 h, and 666.30 ng h/mL for Yilijia(®), respectively. The bioavailability of the tablets based on compressed zein microspheres was 132.65% that of Yilijia( ®). Efficacy for the dogs in all the IVM tablets based on compressed zein microspheres-treated groups reached 100% at 7, 14, and 21 days post administration.

Evaluation of various inverse docking schemes in multiple targets identification.

The lack of accurate and efficient methods for target identification has been the bottleneck in drug discovery. In recent years, inverse docking has been applied as an efficient method in target identification, and several specific inverse docking strategies have been employed in academic and industrial researches. However, the effectiveness of these docking strategies in multiple targets identification is unclear. In this study, five inverse docking schemes were evaluated to find out the most effective approach in multiple targets identification. A target database containing a highly qualified dataset that is composed of 1714 entries from 1594 known drug targets covering 18 biochemical functions was collected as a testing pool for inverse docking. The inverse docking engines including GOLD, FlexX, Tarfisdock and two in-house target search schemes TarSearch-X and TarSearch-M were evaluated by eight multiple target systems in the dataset. The results show that TarSearch-X is the most effective method in multiple targets identification and validation among these five schemes, and the effectiveness of GOLD in multiple targets identification is also acceptable. Moreover, these two inverse docking strategies will also be helpful in predicting the undesirable effects of drugs, such as toxicity.

Emodin enhances cytotoxicity of chemotherapeutic drugs in prostate cancer cells: the mechanisms involve ROS-mediated suppression of multidrug resistance and hypoxia inducible factor-1.

The intrinsic or acquired resistance to multiple drugs (MDR) of cancer cells remains one of the main obstacles for chemotherapy. Development of small molecule targeting to hypoxia inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) has been recently proposed as strategy for treatments of drug-resistant solid tumors. In the present study, emodin, proven as a reactive oxygen species (ROS) generator by our previous work, was applied in combination with cisplatin and other chemotherapeutic drugs in the multidrug resistant prostate carcinoma cell line DU-145 and normal human dermal fibroblasts. Results showed that emodin/cisplatin co-treatment remarkably elevated ROS level and enhanced chemosensitivity in DU-145 cells, compared with cisplatin-only treatment, but exerted little effect on non-tumor cells. The effect of co-treatment on MDR1 gene and its upstream regulator HIF-1 was then investigated in DU-145. Co-treatment downregulated MDR1 expression and promoted drug retention, and meanwhile suppressed transactivation of HIF-1 in response to hypoxia without changing expression of HIF-1 alpha. The experiments on tumor-bearing mice showed that co-treatment inhibited the tumor growth in vivo, owing to oxidative stress and MDR1 down-regulation within tumors. HIF-1 transactivation and clonegenesis were suppressed in cells isolated from the tumors. Finally, examinations for the body weight, the organ histology and the antioxidant capacity of serum suggested that no systemic toxicity related to co-treatment was discernable. In conclusions, emodin, as a novel small inhibitor of HIF-1, may be recognized an effective adjunctive to improve efficacy of cytotoxic drugs in prostate cancer cells with over-activated HIF-1 and potent MDR.

Comparison of cytocompatibility of zein film with other biomaterials and its degradability in vitro.

UNLABELLED: Cytocompatibility of particle zein (Pzein) and film zein (Fzein) was evaluated and compared with polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), its copolymer poly(hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV), polylactic acid (PLA), and collagen, using HL-7702 cells, in terms of cell attachment rate within 3 h, and cell viabilities at 3 and 6 days determined by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) method. The zein degradation test was carried out using collagenase and trypsin, and the degradation product was added to the culture medium at different concentrations in order to examine the concentration-dependent cytotoxic effect. RESULT: The adhesion rate of the HL-7702 cells on both Pzein and Fzein was higher than that on collagen film. Cell viabilities were higher on both Pzein and Fzein than on films of PLA, PHB, PHBV, and collagen from fish skin. Zein can be degraded by both trypsin and collagenase, and the degradation product can enhance cell viability within a certain range of concentrations.

[Influence of dermal template on the biomechanical compliance of wound tissue].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influence of dermal template on the biomechanical compliance of wound tissue during wound repair. METHODS: One hundred and forty-four SD rats subjected to full-thickness skin loss on the dorsum were enrolled in the study, and they were randomly divided into A (n = 6, without grafting on wound), B (n = 6, with full thickness skin grafting on wound), C (n = 6, with razor thin skin grafting on wound) and D [n = 6, with acellular dermal matrix (ADM) and razor thin skin grafting on wound] groups. The tissue samples from the wounds were harvested 1, 2, 4, 6, 12 and 20 weeks after the operation. The biomechanical compliance of the wound was assessed by Instron biomechanics tensiometer. The expression of alpha-SMA in the dermal fibroblasts of each group was determined by immunohistochemistry (ABC) method. RESULTS: The biomechanical compliance of the wound in D group was higher than that in A and C groups (P < 0.05), but lower than that in B group during 4 to 20 weeks after operation (P < 0.05). The expression of alpha-SMA in D group (7.53 +/- 0.98)% was lower than that in A (26.99 +/- 2.90)% and C (2.18 +/- 2.79)% groups (P < 0.01), but higher than that in B group at 4 weeks after operation (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Dermal template might affect the scar formation during wound healing, in improving wound healing quality by enhancing the biomechanical compliance of wound tissue.

A one-dimensional ladder-like coordination polymer derived from chains formed via hydrogen bonds: catena-poly[[aquadipyridinenickel(II)]-mu-2,2'-dithiodibenzoato-kappa3O,O':O"].

The title one-dimensional chain nickel(II)-disulfide complex, [Ni(C14H8O4S2)(C5H5N)2(H2O)]n, has each Ni(II) cation coordinated by two N atoms from two pyridine ligands, three carboxylate O atoms from two different dithiodibenzoate ligands and one O atom from a coordinated water molecule, in a distorted octahedral coordination geometry. Each dithiodibenzoate ion links two Ni(II) cations through its carboxylate O atoms, making the structure polymeric. Hydrogen-bond interactions between two shoulder-to-shoulder chains lead to the formation of a ladder-like structure.

Dicoumarol alters cellular redox state and inhibits nuclear factor kappa B to enhance arsenic trioxide-induced apoptosis.

The effects of a number of cytotoxic drugs are influenced by cellular reduction/oxidation (redox) state. In the present study, we attempt to explore if dicoumarol, an inhibitor of NADPH: quinone oxidoreductase (NQO1), alters the cellular redox state and how this alteration affects the redox-related apoptosis. Flow cytometry was used to assess the reactive oxygen species (ROS) level and apoptotic rates of HeLa cells treated with arsenic trioxide (As2O3) alone or in combination with natural anthraquinone emodin and dicoumarol or plus N-acetyl-cysteine. Western blot, immunofluorescence, electrophoretic mobility shift assay and luciferase assay were used to detect Nuclear Factor kappa B (NF-kappaB) activation. The results showed that dicoumarol synergized with emodin to sensitize HeLa cells to As2O3-induced apoptosis through raising the ROS level. More notably, this enhanced susceptibility was associated with a ROS-mediated inhibition of NF-kappaB activation in which the combinative treatment with dicoumarol prevented NF-kappaB from binding to target DNA. It was suggested that dicoumarol in combination with anthraquinones might be a novel strategy to expand the chemotherapeutic spectrum of As2O3 by means of interfering the cellular redox state.