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2.
J Mol Model ; 30(9): 320, 2024 Sep 03.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39223357

ABSTRACT

CONTEXT: This work introduces a method for generating generalized structures of amorphous polymers using simulated polymerization and molecular dynamics equilibration, with a particular focus on amorphous polymers. The techniques and algorithms used in this method are described in the main text, and example input scripts are provided for the GMXPolymer code, which is based on the GROMACS molecular dynamics package. To demonstrate the efficacy of our method, we apply it to different glassy polymers exhibiting varying degrees of functionality, polarity, and rigidity. The reliability of the method is validated by comparing simulation results with experimental data in various structural and thermal properties, both of which show excellent agreement. METHODS: This work implements the GMXPolymer simulated polymerization algorithm on the GROMACS program. GMXPolymer code controls the main polymerization loop. The energy minimizations and molecular dynamics simulations use the GROMACS program called by the GMXPolymer code. A new ITP file is generated when a new bond is formed, and the necessary additions to the ITP file are made to include new bonds, angles, and dihedrals. In preparing the ITP file of the monomer, the charge of the reactive atom must be modified before the code runs so that it is a correct value after bonding.

3.
Rheumatol Adv Pract ; 8(3): rkae096, 2024.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39184533

ABSTRACT

Objectives: To investigate whether circulating endothelial protein C receptor (EPCR) is associated with disease activity and inflammatory markers in rheumatoid arthritis. Methods: Thirty-eight RA patients and 21 healthy controls (HC) were recruited via the A3BC biobank. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells and plasma were isolated from the blood of these participants. Plasma soluble (s)EPCR, IL-6, IL-17 and sCD14 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, cell membrane-associated (m)EPCR by flow cytometry; EPCR gene H3 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), which contributes to high plasma sEPCR levels, by PCR and DNA sequencing. Data were analysed using FlowJo10 and GraphPad Prism 10. Results: RA patients had higher levels of mEPCR on T cells and plasma sEPCR compared with HC. No difference in the EPCR gene H3 SNP G genotype frequency was found between RA and HC. This SNP was significantly correlated with higher sEPCR levels in HC but not in RA patients. In RA, plasma sEPCR levels were positively correlated with IL-6, IL-17, sCD14, anti-CCP and rheumatoid factor. In contrast, mEPCR levels on T cells and natural killer cells (NK) were inversely associated with disease activity measures including 28/66 swollen joint count, 28/68 tender joint count and/or DAS28-CRP/ESR scores, and positively correlated with EPCR gene H3 SNP, which was also correlated with lower disease activity measures in RA. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that EPCR may play an important role in RA, with plasma sEPCR being potentially associated with inflammatory markers and mEPCR and the EPCR gene H3 SNP possibly related to disease activity measures.

4.
Allergol Immunopathol (Madr) ; 52(4): 91-96, 2024.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38970271

ABSTRACT

Asthma is a widely prevalent chronic disease that brings great suffering to patients and may result in death if it turns severe. Jolkinolide B (JB) is one diterpenoid component separated from the dried roots of Euphorbia fischeriana Steud (Euphorbiaceae), and has anti--inflammatory, antioxidative, and antitumor properties. However, the detailed regulatory role and associated regulatory mechanism in the progression of asthma remain elusive. In this work, it was demonstrated that the extensive infiltration of bronchial inflammatory cells and the thickening of airway wall were observed in ovalbumin (OVA)-induced mice, but these impacts were reversed by JB (10 mg/kg) treatment, indicating that JB relieved the provocative symptoms in OVA-induced asthma mice. In addition, JB can control OVA-triggered lung function and pulmonary resistance. Moreover, JB attenuated OVA-evoked inflammation by lowering the levels of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, and IL-13. Besides, the activated nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and transforming growth factor-beta-mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 3 (TGFß/smad3) pathways in OVA-induced mice are rescued by JB treatment. In conclusion, it was disclosed that JB reduced allergic airway inflammation and airway remodeling in asthmatic mice by modulating the NF-κB and TGFß/smad3 pathways. This work could offer new opinions on JB for lessening progression of asthma.


Subject(s)
Airway Remodeling , Asthma , Disease Models, Animal , Diterpenes , Mice, Inbred BALB C , NF-kappa B , Ovalbumin , Animals , Asthma/drug therapy , Asthma/immunology , Airway Remodeling/drug effects , Mice , Diterpenes/pharmacology , Diterpenes/administration & dosage , Diterpenes/therapeutic use , Ovalbumin/immunology , NF-kappa B/metabolism , Female , Transforming Growth Factor beta/metabolism , Cytokines/metabolism , Smad3 Protein/metabolism , Signal Transduction/drug effects , Humans , Anti-Inflammatory Agents/pharmacology , Anti-Inflammatory Agents/therapeutic use , Anti-Asthmatic Agents/pharmacology , Anti-Asthmatic Agents/therapeutic use , Euphorbia/chemistry
5.
Pharmacol Res ; 207: 107327, 2024 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39079577

ABSTRACT

Evidence shows that tropomodulin 1 (TMOD1) is a powerful diagnostic marker in the progression of several cancer types. However, the regulatory mechanism of TMOD1 in tumor progression is still unclear. Here, we showed that TMOD1 was highly expressed in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) specimens, and TMOD1-silencing inhibited cell proliferation by inducing autophagy in AML THP-1 and MOLM-13 cells. Mechanistically, the C-terminal region of TMOD1 directly bound to KPNA2, and TMOD1-overexpression promoted KPNA2 ubiquitylation and reduced KPNA2 levels. In contrast, TMOD1-silencing increased KPNA2 levels and facilitated the nuclear transfer of KPNA2, then subsequently induced autophagy and inhibited cell proliferation by increasing the nucleocytoplasmic transport of p53 and AMPK activation. KPNA2/p53 inhibitors attenuated autophagy induced by silencing TMOD1 in AML cells. Silencing TMOD1 also inhibited tumor growth by elevating KPNA2-mediated autophagy in nude mice bearing MOLM-13 xenografts. Collectively, our data demonstrated that TMOD1 could be a novel therapeutic target for AML treatment.


Subject(s)
Autophagy , Cell Proliferation , Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute , Mice, Nude , Tropomodulin , alpha Karyopherins , Humans , Animals , Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/genetics , Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/metabolism , Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/pathology , alpha Karyopherins/genetics , alpha Karyopherins/metabolism , Tropomodulin/genetics , Tropomodulin/metabolism , Cell Line, Tumor , Mice , Tumor Suppressor Protein p53/metabolism , Tumor Suppressor Protein p53/genetics , Mice, Inbred BALB C , Male , Gene Silencing , Female , THP-1 Cells
6.
Food Chem X ; 22: 101494, 2024 Jun 30.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38846800

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to explore the use of Ulva lactuca polysaccharide (ULP) as a preservative for perch (Lateolabrax maculatus) fillets stored under refrigeration at 4 °C. Fresh perch fillets were treated with ULP (7-10 kDa) and potassium sorbate, respectively, to evaluate their effectiveness in inhibiting bacterial growth and maintain freshness. A 0.5% ULP solution significantly decreased the pH value, total volatile basic nitrogen value, thiobarbituric acid value, and total bacterial count of perch fillets. ULP solution delayed the changes in whiteness and texture of fillets, as well as protein degradation. The acute toxicity experiment further evaluates the safety and reliability of ULP. Simultaneously, utilizing 16S rRNA techniques, the ULP solution inhibited microorganisms known for their strong spoilage capabilities, such as Pseudomonas, Actinetobacter, and Shewanella. Microorganisms with a weaker ability to cause corruption became the dominant bacteria, such as Acetobacter, Lactobacillus, and Faecalibacterium, thereby exerting a degree of inhibition against spoilage.

7.
Cell Death Differ ; 31(8): 1044-1056, 2024 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38762596

ABSTRACT

Adipogenesis significantly contributes to healthy adipose tissue expansion in obesity. Increasing adipocyte number or function to alleviate adipose tissue overload could serve as a therapeutic strategy for both lipodystrophy and obesity-related metabolic syndrome. Inorganic pyrophosphatase (PPA1) is an enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of pyrophosphate (PPi) and is involved in many biochemical reactions, but its function in adipose tissue has not been studied previously. In this study, we demonstrated that adipose-specific PPA1 knockout (PPA1AKO) mice showed lipodystrophy and spontaneously developed hepatic steatosis and severe insulin resistance under normal chow diet feeding. PPA1 deficiency suppressed the differentiation of primary adipocyte precursors and 3T3-L1 cells. Notably, PPA1 overexpression can restore inhibited adipogenesis in preadipocytes isolated from db/db mice and type 2 diabetes patients. Mechanistic studies have revealed that PPA1 acts as a positive regulator of early adipocyte differentiation by promoting CCAAT/enhancer-binding proteinß and δ (C/EBPß and δ) protein stability. Moreover, the function of PPA1 in adipogenesis is independent of its PPi catalytic activity. Collectively, our in vivo and in vitro findings demonstrated that PPA1 is a novel critical upstream regulator of adipogenesis, controlling adipose tissue development and whole-body metabolic homeostasis.


Subject(s)
3T3-L1 Cells , Adipogenesis , CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Proteins , Animals , Humans , Male , Mice , Adipocytes/metabolism , Adipocytes/cytology , CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Proteins/metabolism , Cell Differentiation , Insulin Resistance , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Mice, Knockout , Obesity/metabolism , Obesity/pathology , Protein Stability , Pyrophosphatases/metabolism , Pyrophosphatases/genetics
9.
Bioorg Chem ; 147: 107405, 2024 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38696843

ABSTRACT

The prolonged intravitreal administration of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) drugs is prone to inducing aberrant retinal vascular development and causing damage to retinal neurons. Hence, we have taken an alternative approach by designing and synthesizing a series of cyclic peptides targeting CC motif chemokine receptor 3 (CCR3). Based on the binding mode of the N-terminal region in CCR3 protein to CCL11, we used computer-aided identification of key amino acid sequence, conformational restriction through different cyclization methods, designed and synthesized a series of target cyclic peptides, and screened the preferred compound IB-2 through affinity. IB-2 exhibits excellent anti-angiogenic activity in HRECs. The apoptosis level of 661W cells demonstrated a significant decrease with the escalating concentration of IB-2. This suggests that IB-2 may have a protective effect on photoreceptor cells. In vivo experiments have shown that IB-2 significantly reduces retinal vascular leakage and choroidal neovascularization (CNV) area in a laser-induced mouse model of CNV. These findings indicate the potential of IB-2 as a safe and effective therapeutic agent for AMD, warranting further development.


Subject(s)
Macular Degeneration , Peptides, Cyclic , Receptors, CCR3 , Animals , Peptides, Cyclic/chemistry , Peptides, Cyclic/pharmacology , Peptides, Cyclic/chemical synthesis , Macular Degeneration/drug therapy , Macular Degeneration/pathology , Mice , Receptors, CCR3/antagonists & inhibitors , Receptors, CCR3/metabolism , Humans , Angiogenesis Inhibitors/pharmacology , Angiogenesis Inhibitors/chemical synthesis , Angiogenesis Inhibitors/chemistry , Molecular Structure , Structure-Activity Relationship , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Apoptosis/drug effects , Choroidal Neovascularization/drug therapy , Choroidal Neovascularization/pathology , Choroidal Neovascularization/metabolism , Photoreceptor Cells, Vertebrate/drug effects , Photoreceptor Cells, Vertebrate/pathology , Angiogenesis
10.
Biomater Adv ; 160: 213856, 2024 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38640877

ABSTRACT

Large bone defects cause significant clinical challenges due to the lack of optimal grafts for effective regeneration. The tissue engineering way that requires the combination of biomaterials scaffold, stem cells and proper bioactive factors is a prospective method for large bone repair. Here, we synthesized a three-arm host-guest supramolecule (HGSM) to covalently crosslinking with the naturally derived polymer methacrylated silk fibroin (SFMA). The combination of HGSM and SFMA can form a high strength double-crosslinked hydrogel HGSFMA, that serve as the hydrogel scaffold for bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) growing. Icariin (ICA) loaded in the HGSFMA hydrogel can promote the osteogenesis efficiency of BMSCs and inhibit the osteoclasts differentiation. Our findings demonstrated that the HGSFMA/ICA hydrogel effectively promoted the in vitro adhesion, proliferation, and osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs. Rat femoral defects model show that this hydrogel can completely repair femoral damage within 4 weeks and significantly promote the secretion of osteogenesis-related proteins. In summary, we have prepared an effective biomimetic bone carrier, offering a novel strategy for bone regeneration and the treatment of large-scale bone defects.


Subject(s)
Bone Regeneration , Cell Differentiation , Fibroins , Flavonoids , Hydrogels , Mesenchymal Stem Cells , Osteoclasts , Osteogenesis , Fibroins/chemistry , Fibroins/pharmacology , Animals , Osteogenesis/drug effects , Flavonoids/pharmacology , Flavonoids/chemistry , Flavonoids/administration & dosage , Cell Differentiation/drug effects , Bone Regeneration/drug effects , Mesenchymal Stem Cells/drug effects , Osteoclasts/drug effects , Rats , Hydrogels/chemistry , Hydrogels/pharmacology , Rats, Sprague-Dawley , Tissue Scaffolds/chemistry , Tissue Engineering/methods , Cell Proliferation/drug effects
11.
Front Public Health ; 12: 1320295, 2024.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38686031

ABSTRACT

Objective: Hypertension is the most challenging public health problem worldwide and seriously affects human health. To date, there are no epidemiological studies on the prevalence of and risk factors for hypertension among older people in mainland China. Methods: We conducted a meta-analysis of the prevalence and risk factors of hypertension among the older population in mainland China. We searched Chinese and English databases for Chinese and English literature on hypertension epidemiology published between 2000 and 2022, and hypertension data among the older population were extracted from the included literature. A meta-analysis was performed using a random-effects model (I2 > 50%) with 95% confidence intervals for the forest plots. Data were processed using RevMan 5.3. Forty-nine publications (with data from 84,429 samples) met the evaluation criteria and were included in this study. Results: We found that the total prevalence of hypertension was 47%. The total prevalence rate of the older population in China from 2000 to 2010 was 50%, and the prevalence rate from 2011 to 2021 was 45%, with no significant differences. The total prevalence in Central China was the highest (59%). There was no significant correlation between the prevalence rate of the older population, sex, and urban or rural areas. Conclusion: Hypertension is common among the older population in China, and its control rate is low. Therefore, effective prevention and treatment measures, as well as education, should be formulated to improve the diagnosis and treatment of hypertension in the older population.


Subject(s)
Hypertension , Humans , Hypertension/epidemiology , China/epidemiology , Prevalence , Risk Factors , Aged , Male , Female , Aged, 80 and over , Middle Aged , East Asian People
12.
J Cancer ; 15(4): 908-915, 2024.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38230227

ABSTRACT

Background and objective: Recently, endobronchial ultrasonography with guide sheath-guided (EBUS-GS) has been increasingly used in the diagnosis of peripheral pulmonary lesions (PPLs) from human natural orifice. However, the diagnostic rate is still largely dependent on the location of the lesion and the probe. Here, we reported a new procedure to improve the diagnostic rate of EBUS-transbronchial lung cryobiopsy (EBUS-TBLC), which performed under general anesthesia with laryngeal mask airway (LMA) in all of the patients. This study retrospectively evaluated the diagnosis of PPLs with 'blind-ending' type (Type I) and 'pass-through' type procedures (Type II) of EBUS-GS-TBLB or EBUS-TBLC respectively. Methods: Retrospective review of 136 cases performed by EBUS-GS-TBLB or EBUS-TBLC for PPLs over 2 years. Results: A total of 126 cases EBUS-GS-TBLB or EBUS-TBLC were performed during the study period. Among them, 66 (52.4%) were performed Type I and 60 (47.6%) were performed Type II. Clinical baseline characteristics did not differ between two groups. The overall diagnosis rate of 126 patients with EBUS-GS-TBLB or EBUS-TBLC was 73% (92/126), and different method type have significant influence on the diagnostic yield (P = 0.012, x2 = 4.699). Among them, diagnostic yields for Type I with forceps biopsy (n=34), Type I with cryobiopsy (n=32), Type II with forceps biopsy (n=30), and Type II with cryobiopsy (n=30) were 72.5%, 64.5%, 70.4% and 74.2% respectively (Figure 2A). The study further compared the outcomes of different procedures in concentric and eccentric lesion. Diagnostic yields for Type I with eccentric (n=30), Type I with concentric (n=36), Type II with eccentric (n=34), and Type II with concentric (n=26) were 58.2%, 76.9%, 60.2% and 74.8%, respectively (P < 0.05). The incidence of complications in 126 patients was 2.6%. Conclusion: EBUS-GS-TBLB and EBUS-TBLC both are very safe and highly diagnostic technique; different method types have significant influence on the diagnostic yield. Moreover, Type II procedure has higher diagnostic yield. In addition, Type I with eccentric had the lowest diagnosis yield.

13.
Int J Mol Sci ; 25(2)2024 Jan 19.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38279255

ABSTRACT

Endothelial protein C receptor (EPCR) is a receptor for the natural anti-coagulant activated protein C (aPC). It mediates the anti-inflammatory and barrier-protective functions of aPC through the cleavage of protease-activated receptor (PAR)1/2. Allergic contact dermatitis is a common skin disease characterized by inflammation and defective skin barrier. This study investigated the effect of EPCR and 3K3A-aPC on allergic contact dermatitis using a contact hypersensitivity (CHS) model. CHS was induced using 1-Fluoro-2,4-dinitrobenzene in EPCR-deficient (KO) and matched wild-type mice and mice treated with 3K3A-aPC, a mutant form of aPC with diminished anti-coagulant activity. Changes in clinical and histological features, cytokines, and immune cells were examined. EPCRKO mice displayed more severe CHS, with increased immune cell infiltration in the skin and higher levels of inflammatory cytokines and IgE than wild-type mice. EPCR, aPC, and PAR1/2 were expressed by the skin epidermis, with EPCR presenting almost exclusively in the basal layer. EPCRKO increased the epidermal expression of aPC and PAR1, whereas in CHS, their expression was reduced compared to wild-type mice. 3K3A-aPC reduced CHS severity in wild-type and EPCRKO mice by suppressing immune cell infiltration/activation and inflammatory cytokines. In summary, EPCRKO exacerbated CHS, whereas 3K3A-aPC could reduce the severity of CHS in both EPCRKO and wild-type mice.


Subject(s)
Dermatitis, Allergic Contact , Protein C , Recombinant Proteins , Animals , Mice , Protein C/metabolism , Endothelial Protein C Receptor/metabolism , Receptor, PAR-1/metabolism , Signal Transduction , Cytokines/pharmacology , Dermatitis, Allergic Contact/drug therapy
14.
Exp Neurol ; 373: 114687, 2024 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38199512

ABSTRACT

Glycoprotein non-metastatic melanoma protein B (GPNMB) is ubiquitously expressed and has protective effects on the central nervous system. In particular, it is also expressed in the peripheral nervous system (PNS) and upregulated after peripheral nerve injury. However, the role and underlying mechanism of GPNMB in the PNS, especially in peripheral nerve regeneration (PNR), are still unknown and need to be further investigated. In this study, recombinant human GPNMB (rhGPNMB) was injected into a sciatic nerve injury model. It was found that rhGPNMB facilitated the regeneration and functional recovery of the injured sciatic nerve in vivo. Moreover, it was also confirmed that GPNMB activated the Erk1/2 and Akt pathways via binding with Na+/K + -ATPase α1 (NKA α1) and promoted the proliferation and migration of Schwann cells (SCs) and their expression and secretion of neurotrophic factors and neural adhesion molecules in vitro. Our findings demonstrate that GPNMB facilitates PNR through activation of the Erk1/2 and Akt pathways in SCs by binding with NKA α1 and may be a novel strategy for PNR.


Subject(s)
Melanoma , Peripheral Nerve Injuries , Receptors, Fc , Humans , Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism , Melanoma/metabolism , Melanoma/pathology , Schwann Cells/metabolism , Nerve Regeneration/physiology , Sciatic Nerve/injuries , Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase/metabolism , Glycoproteins , Peripheral Nerve Injuries/metabolism , Membrane Glycoproteins/metabolism
15.
Rheumatology (Oxford) ; 63(2): 571-580, 2024 Feb 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37228024

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Endothelial protein C receptor (EPCR) is highly expressed in synovial tissues of patients with RA, but the function of this receptor remains unknown in RA. This study investigated the effect of EPCR on the onset and development of inflammatory arthritis and its underlying mechanisms. METHODS: CIA was induced in EPCR gene knockout (KO) and matched wild-type (WT) mice. The onset and development of arthritis was monitored clinically and histologically. T cells, dendritic cells (DCs), EPCR and cytokines from EPCR KO and WT mice, RA patients and healthy controls (HCs) were detected by flow cytometry and ELISA. RESULTS: EPCR KO mice displayed >40% lower arthritis incidence and 50% less disease severity than WT mice. EPCR KO mice also had significantly fewer Th1/Th17 cells in synovial tissues with more DCs in circulation. Lymph nodes and synovial CD4 T cells from EPCR KO mice expressed fewer chemokine receptors CXCR3, CXCR5 and CCR6 than WT mice. In vitro, EPCR KO spleen cells contained fewer Th1 and more Th2 and Th17 cells than WT and, in concordance, blocking EPCR in WT cells stimulated Th2 and Th17 cells. DCs generated from EPCR KO bone marrow were less mature and produced less MMP-9. Circulating T cells from RA patients expressed higher levels of EPCR than HC cells; blocking EPCR stimulated Th2 and Treg cells in vitro. CONCLUSION: Deficiency of EPCR ameliorates arthritis in CIA via inhibition of the activation and migration of pathogenic Th cells and DCs. Targeting EPCR may constitute a novel strategy for future RA treatment.


Subject(s)
Arthritis, Experimental , Arthritis, Rheumatoid , Animals , Humans , Mice , Arthritis, Experimental/metabolism , Arthritis, Rheumatoid/metabolism , Dendritic Cells/metabolism , Endothelial Protein C Receptor/metabolism , Synovial Membrane/pathology , Th17 Cells/metabolism
16.
Wound Repair Regen ; 32(1): 90-103, 2024.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38155595

ABSTRACT

Various preclinical and clinical studies have demonstrated the robust wound healing capacity of the natural anticoagulant activated protein C (APC). A bioengineered APC variant designated 3K3A-APC retains APC's cytoprotective cell signalling actions with <10% anticoagulant activity. This study was aimed to provide preclinical evidence that 3K3A-APC is efficacious and safe as a wound healing agent. 3K3A-APC, like wild-type APC, demonstrated positive effects on proliferation of human skin cells (keratinocytes, endothelial cells and fibroblasts). Similarly it also increased matrix metollaproteinase-2 activation in keratinocytes and fibroblasts. Topical 3K3A-APC treatment at 10 or 30 µg both accelerated mouse wound healing when culled on Day 11. And at 10 µg, it was superior to APC and had half the dermal wound gape compared to control. Further testing was conducted in excisional porcine wounds due to their congruence to human skin. Here, 3K3A-APC advanced macroscopic healing in a dose-dependent manner (100, 250 and 500 µg) when culled on Day 21. This was histologically corroborated by greater collagen maturity, suggesting more advanced remodelling. A non-interference arm of this study found no evidence that topical 3K3A-APC caused either any significant systemic side-effects or any significant leakage into the circulation. However the female pigs exhibited transient and mild local reactions after treatments in week three, which did not impact healing. Overall these preclinical studies support the hypothesis that 3K3A-APC merits future human wound studies.


Subject(s)
Endothelial Cells , Protein C , Female , Humans , Animals , Mice , Swine , Protein C/pharmacology , Protein C/metabolism , Protein C/therapeutic use , Endothelial Cells/metabolism , Wound Healing , Fibrinolytic Agents/therapeutic use , Anticoagulants/pharmacology , Anticoagulants/therapeutic use
17.
Environ Pollut ; 343: 123174, 2024 Feb 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38123114

ABSTRACT

High fertilizer input and nitric oxide (NO) emissions characterize the intensive vegetable production system. However, the amount, geographic distribution, and effective mitigation strategies of NO emissions over Chinese vegetable fields remain largely uncertain. In this study, we developed a data-driven estimate of NO emissions and their spatial pattern in Chinese vegetable fields based on the Random Forest (RF) model. Additionally, we conducted a field experiment in a subtropical vegetable field to investigate the effect of climate-smart practices on NO emissions. The RF model results showed that soil NO emissions from Chinese vegetable fields were sensitive to nitrogen application amount, soil clay content, and pH. The total NO emission from Chinese vegetable fields in 2018 was estimated to be 75.9 Gg NO-N. The urgency to reduce NO emissions in vegetable fields was higher in northern than in southern China. Our meta-analysis and field experiment results suggested that biochar amendment and replacing chemical fertilizers with bio-organic fertilizers were win-win climate-smart management practices for mitigating NO emissions while improving vegetable production. Overall, our study provided new insights into NO emissions in vegetable soil ecosystems and can facilitate the development of regional NO emission inventories and effective mitigation strategies. These findings highlight the importance of adopting sustainable and climate-smart agricultural practices to reduce NO emissions and mitigate their adverse environmental impacts.


Subject(s)
Nitric Oxide , Vegetables , Nitric Oxide/analysis , Fertilizers/analysis , Ecosystem , Nitrous Oxide/analysis , Agriculture/methods , Soil/chemistry , China , Nitrogen/analysis
18.
Int J Mol Sci ; 24(23)2023 Nov 29.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38069226

ABSTRACT

Zelkova schneideriana is a fast-growing tree species endemic to China. Recent surveys and reports have highlighted a continued decline in its natural populations; therefore, it is included in the Red List of Threatened Species by The International Union for Conservation of Nature. A new variety "HenTianGao" (H) has been developed with smaller plant height, slow growth, and lower branching points. In this study, we attempted to understand the differences in plant height of Z. schneideriana (J) and its dwarf variety H. We determined the endogenous hormone content in the annual grafted branches of both J and H. J exhibited higher gibberellic acid (GA)-19 and trans-Zeatin (tZ) levels, whereas H had higher levels of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) catabolite 2-oxindole-3-acetic acid (OxIAA), IAA-Glu conjugate, and jasmonic acid (JA) (and its conjugate JA-Ile). The transcriptome comparison showed differential regulation of 20,944 genes enriched in growth and development, signaling, and metabolism-related pathways. The results show that the differential phytohormone level (IAA, JA, tZ, and GA) was consistent with the expression of the genes associated with their biosynthesis. The differences in relative OxIAA, IAA-Glu, GA19, trans-Zeatin, JA, and JA-Ile levels were linked to changes in respective signaling-related genes. We also observed significant differences in the expression of cell size, number, proliferation, cell wall biosynthesis, and remodeling-related genes in J and H. The differences in relative endogenous hormone levels, expression of biosynthesis, and signaling genes provide a theoretical basis for understanding the plant height differences in Z. schneideriana.


Subject(s)
Plant Growth Regulators , Zeatin , Plant Growth Regulators/metabolism , Transcriptome , Indoleacetic Acids/metabolism , Hormones , Ulmaceae/metabolism , Gene Expression Regulation, Plant
19.
Sci Rep ; 13(1): 22238, 2023 12 14.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38097708

ABSTRACT

The risk of high-temperature-related diseases is increasing owing to global warming. This study aimed to assess the trend of disease burden caused by high temperatures in Mainland China from 1990 to 2019 and to predict the trend of disease burden over the next 10 years. The latest data were downloaded from the Global Burden of Disease Database (GBD) for analysis, and the disease burden related to high temperature was described by mortality and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) and stratified by etiology, sex, and age. Statistical analyses were performed using the R software. In 2019, there were 13,907 deaths attributed to high temperatures in Mainland China, and this was 29.55% higher than the 10,735 deaths in 1990. Overall, the age-standardized mortality and DALYs attributed to high temperatures showed a downward trend from 1990 to 2019. We observed an etiological shift in high-temperature-related diseases. The age-standardized DALYs contribution attributed to high temperatures in 1990 was mainly from communicable, maternal, neonatal, and nutritional diseases (CMNND) (21.81/100,000), followed by injury (18.30/100,000) and non-communicable diseases (10.40/100,000). In 2019, the largest contribution shifted to non-communicable diseases (10.07/100,000), followed by injuries (5.21/100,000), and CMNND (2.30/100,000). The disease burden attributed to high temperatures was higher in males than in females and increased with age. In 2030, the mortality rate and DALYs due to high temperatures are predicted to decrease further, and the largest contribution will come from chronic non-communicable diseases, the occurrence of which will remain at a high level over the next 10 years. The burden of disease due to high temperatures in Mainland China is still heavy, mainly due to population aging and an increase in non-communicable diseases.


Subject(s)
Noncommunicable Diseases , Nutrition Disorders , Infant, Newborn , Male , Female , Humans , Life Expectancy , Quality-Adjusted Life Years , Temperature , Cost of Illness , Persistent Infection , China/epidemiology , Risk Factors , Global Health
20.
Food Funct ; 14(23): 10347-10361, 2023 Nov 27.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37930368

ABSTRACT

Liver fibrosis (LF) is an important reparative process in response to acute or chronic hepatic injury, which has the potential to advance towards cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Dietary naringin consumption contributes to protection against LF in animal studies, while the exact protective mechanism of naringin remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the molecular mechanisms behind the potential protective effect of naringin against TAA-induced LF in zebrafish. In this study, we utilized zebrafish to create the LF model and investigate the therapeutic mechanism of naringin. Firstly, we evaluated the changes in hepatic fibrosis and lipid accumulation in the liver following naringin treatment with oil red O, Nile red, and Sirius red and immunohistochemistry. In addition, we employed an ROS probe to directly measure oxidative stress and monitor inflammatory cell migration in a zebrafish transgenic line. Morpholino was used in the knockdown of IDO1 in order to verify its vital role in LF. Our findings demonstrated that naringin exhibited anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic action in conjunction with a reversal in lipid accumulation, oxidative stress and suppression of macrophage infiltration and activation of hepatic stellate cells. Furthermore, the results showed that the antifibrotic effect of naringin was removed upon IDO1 knockdown, proving that naringin exerts a protective effect by regulating IDO1. Naringin demonstrates remarkable protective effects against LF, effectively counteracting inflammation and hepatic steatosis in zebrafish liver. These findings suggest that naringin may function as an effective IDO1 inhibitor, holding the potential for clinical translation as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of LF.


Subject(s)
Lipid Metabolism , Zebrafish , Animals , Liver Cirrhosis/chemically induced , Liver Cirrhosis/drug therapy , Liver Cirrhosis/genetics , Liver/metabolism , Fibrosis , Hepatic Stellate Cells/metabolism , Lipids/pharmacology
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