Effects of various selenium-enriched yeasts, selenomethionine, and nanoselenium on production performance, quality, and antioxidant capacity in laying hens.

This study aimed to compare the effects of various selenium (Se) sources (2 mg/kg) on the performance, quality, and antioxidant capacity of laying hens as well as the Se content in their eggs and blood. We selected 720 34-wk-old Lohmann pink-shell laying hens were randomly assigned into 6 groups and fed a basal diet (control) or a basal diet supplemented with various Se sources (Se-enriched yeast, SY-A, SY-C, SY-N; selenomethionine SM, nano-Se SN) for 16 wk. There were 10 replicates of 120 hens per group. Dietary Se supplementation increased the egg production rate of all laying hens. Egg and serum Se deposition was highest in the SM group. Yolk color scores of SY-A and SY-N groups were significantly lower than those of other groups (P < 0.01). The protein height and Haugh unit were significantly lower in the SN group than in the other groups (P < 0.05). The yolk height was significantly higher in the SN and SY-N groups than in the SY-A group (P < 0.05). Dietary supplementation of selenium can improve the antioxidant capacity of laying hens. The SOD content of SM group was significantly lower than that of SY-A and SN group (P < 0.05). The malondialdehyde (MDA) content was significantly higher in the SM group than in the SY-A group (P < 0.05). The present work empirically demonstrated that the production performance of laying hens supplemented with 2 mg/kg Se was superior to that of the hens receiving only a basal diet. The SY-C group exhibited the best production performance, the SY-A group had the highest antioxidant capacity, and the SM group produced eggs with the highest level of Se enrichment.

B7H3 increases ferroptosis resistance by inhibiting cholesterol metabolism in colorectal cancer.

Ferroptosis, a newly discovered form of regulated cell death, has been reported to be associated with multiple cancers, including colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the underlying molecular mechanism is still unclear. In this study, we identified B7H3 as a potential regulator of ferroptosis resistance in CRC. B7H3 knockdown decreased but B7H3 overexpression increased the ferroptosis resistance of CRC cells, as evidenced by the expression of ferroptosis-associated genes (PTGS2, FTL, FTH, and GPX4) and the levels of important indicators of ferroptosis (malondialdehyde, iron load). Moreover, B7H3 promoted ferroptosis resistance by regulating sterol regulatory element binding protein 2 (SREBP2)-mediated cholesterol metabolism. Both exogenous cholesterol supplementation and treatment with the SREBP2 inhibitor betulin reversed the effect of B7H3 on ferroptosis in CRC cells. Furthermore, we verified that B7H3 downregulated SREBP2 expression by activating the AKT pathway. Additionally, multiplex immunohistochemistry was carried out to show the expression of B7H3, prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2, and SREBP2 in CRC tumor tissues, which was associated with the prognosis of patients with CRC. In summary, our findings reveal a role for B7H3 in regulating ferroptosis by controlling cholesterol metabolism in CRC.

Systemic chemical characterization of Lemna minor by UHPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS coupled with parallel reaction monitoring.

Lemna minor L. (LM) has been used for measles opacity, rubella itching, edema, and oliguria, and the main active ingredients were flavonoids, namely, apigenin, apigenin-7-O-glucoside, and luteolin-7-O-glucoside. However, few systematic analyses of their constituents have been performed; thus, it was necessary to establish a fast and efficient method to identify the chemical composition of LM. In this study, the UHPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap mass spectrometry coupled with parallel reaction monitoring was established. Finally, a total of 112 constituents, including 30 dipeptides, 28 nucleosides, 11 amino acids, 10 organic acids, 10 flavonoids, and 23 other compounds, were identified by MS, diagnostic fragment ions, and retention time. One hundred one of those chemicals were first found in LM, which was very beneficial for the further development and utilization of nutriments and the medicinal use of LM.

Chemical characterization of extracts of leaves of Kadsua coccinea (Lem.) A.C. Sm. by UHPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap Mass spectrometry and assessment of their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities.

Kadsua coccinea (K. coccinea) has long been used as a fruit and folk medicine; however, the composition of its leaves and the activities of its constituents have been seldom studied. A total of 98 chemical constituents, including 53 phenolic acids, 41 flavonoids, and 4 lignans, were identified from the plant of kadsua coccinea by UHPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap Mass spectrometry. All these chemicals were reported for the first time in leaves, and 95 of them have been reported for the first time in the plant of kadsua coccinea. The biological potential of extracts of K. coccinea leaves (EKL) was evaluated by in vitro antioxidant assay and anti-inflammatory assay. EKL are composed of polysaccharides (60%), polyphenols (26%), and proteins (11%). EKL present decent potent •OH and DPPH scavenging abilities and Fe2+ chelating ability. They also inhibit the secretion of NO, reduce the level of Cox2 in proteins, inhibit the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-2 and IL-6, and promote the secretion of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. These results displayed significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of EKL, which will be very beneficial for further development and investigation of kadsua coccinea leaves.

Multi-Omics Revealed the Protective Effects of Rhamnolipids in Lipopolysaccharide Challenged Broilers.

Rhamnolipid (RL) is a glycolipid biosurfactant and exhibits the following outstanding characteristics: strong antibacterial properties, low toxicity, and high biodegradability. The present research was conducted to explore the protective effects and mechanisms of rhamnolipids as an alternative to antibiotics in LPS (lipopolysaccharide)-challenged broilers. 16S rRNA gene sequencing and metabolomics were used for analyzing the cecal microbial composition and serum metabolites. Dietary antibiotics and RLS supplementation decreased the weight loss rate, enhanced serum immunoglobulin levels, reduced serum diamine oxidase and D-lactate acid concentration, and improved the symptoms of intestinal bleeding and villus height, when broilers were challenged with LPS. The addition of RLS in the diet enhanced serum interleukin-4 and interleukin-10 contents and reduced serum interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α levels in LPS-challenged broilers compared with the antibiotics group. Spearman's correlation analysis revealed that RLS may alleviate LPS-induced inflammatory responses through altering the 6-methoxymellein level in broilers. The genus Bacteroides may contribute to the decreased weight loss rate via regulating the serum lysoPC [20:5(5Z,8Z,11Z,14Z,17Z)] secretion. RLS alleviates LPS-induced intestinal injury, enhances the growth and immunity, ameliorates intestinal microflora, and improves serum metabolites in LPS-challenged broilers. RLS exhibited better protective effect than antibiotic supplementation in the diet of LPS-challenged broilers. These findings provide potential regulation strategies and novel insights for RLS enhancing its protective effect in LPS-challenged broilers.

Rapid and Sensitive Analysis of Trace Leads in Medicinal Herbs Using Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy-Laser-Induced Fluorescence (LIBS-LIF).

Toxic metals in medicinal herbs are potentially harmful for people taking herbal medicines. In this work, laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy-laser-induced fluorescence (LIBS-LIF) spectroscopy was first applied to carry out rapid and sensitive trace lead analysis in medicinal herb samples. To overcome the problem of diversity on the sample size, shape, and density for different samples, original samples were pulverized to powder and then pressed into pellets for spectral analysis. A series of standard samples were self-made for building a calibration curve. As an exemplary study, lead in Rheum officinale was analyzed with LIBS-LIF spectroscopy with significantly improved analytical sensitivity. The R2 of the build linear calibration curve was 0.996 and the detection limit of lead in R. officinale was determined to be 0.13 ppm. The enhancement factor on the signal-to-background ratio was >100 under low lead concentrations if compared with LIBS analysis. The lead concentrations in several original R. officinale samples were quantitatively determined. This work demonstrated that LIBS-LIF can be successfully applied to carry out rapid, sensitive, and quantitative trace lead analysis for medicinal herbs.

[Development and application of new-type digital electric plum-blossom needle instrument].

A new-type digital electric plum-blossom needle instrument of controllable and adjustable parameters was developed to achieve an automatic tapping instead of manual tapping technique and integrate the function of plum-blossom needle with that of micropulse electrical phase. The alternating current of periodic variation changes the direction of magnetic field around, induces the vibration of the cone head and tapping movement, outputs the micropulse current and acts on the affected area in treatment. The new-type digital electric plum-blossom needle instrument achieves the automatic tapping movement, precisely adjusts the stimulating strength and frequency according to diseases and integrates the tapping stimulation with pulse current to form circulation loop on the skin and intensify the therapeutic effects. This instrument is the big innovation of traditional plum-blossom needle. It is not only applicable for clinical treatment or family healthcare, but also for scientific research with the adoptable digital therapeutic parameters, which benefits the application and development of plum-blossom needle therapy.