Comparative Analysis of Antibiotic Resistance and Biofilm Characteristics of Two Major Enterococcus Species from Poultry Slaughterhouses in South Korea.

The spread of antibiotic-resistant Enterococcus in the poultry industry poses significant public health challenges due to multidrug resistance and biofilm formation. We investigated the antibiotic resistance profiles and biofilm characteristics of E. faecalis and E. faecium isolates from chicken meat in poultry slaughterhouses in South Korea. Ninety-six isolates (forty-eight each of E. faecalis and E. faecium) were collected between March and September 2022. Both species were analyzed using MALDI-TOF, PCR, antibiotic susceptibility testing, and biofilm assays. A high level of multidrug resistance was observed in E. faecalis (95.8%) and E. faecium (93.8%), with E. faecium exhibiting a broader range of resistance, particularly to linezolid (52.1%) and rifampicin (47.9%). All E. faecalis isolates formed biofilm in vitro, showing stronger biofilm formation than E. faecium with a significant difference (p < 0.001) in biofilm strength. Specific genes (cob, ccf, and sprE) were found to be correlated with biofilm strength. In E. faecium isolates, biofilm strength was correlated with resistance to linezolid and rifampicin, while a general correlation between antibiotic resistance and biofilm strength was not established. Through analysis, correlations were noted between antibiotics within the same class, while no general trends were evident in other analyzed factors. This study highlights the public health risks posed by multidrug-resistant enterococci collected from poultry slaughterhouses, emphasizing the complexity of the biofilm-resistance relationship and the need for enhanced control measures.

Chlorogenic acid regulates the expression of protein phosphatase 2A subunit B in the cerebral cortex of a rat stroke model and glutamate-exposed neurons.

BACKGROUND: Ischemic stroke is a serious neurological disorder caused by blockages in cerebral artery. Protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) is a phosphatase that performs a critical role in cell signaling and growth. PP2A subunit B acts as a neuroprotective agent in the nerve system. Chlorogenic acid, which is mainly found in roasted coffee, has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic effects. We hypothesized that chlorogenic acid modulates PP2A subunit B expression in ischemic stroke models and glutamate-mediated neurons. Middle artery occlusion (MCAO) surgery was operated and chlorogenic acid (30 mg/kg) or phosphate buffer saline was treated 2 h after MCAO. The cerebral cortex was collected 24 h after surgery and the change of PP2A subunit B expression was analyzed. Glutamate and/or chlorogenic acid were treated in cultured neurons, further study was performed. RESULTS: A decrease in PP2A subunit B expression in MCAO animals was identified. Chlorogenic acid alleviated this decrease due to ischemic injury. Moreover, the number of PP2A subunit B-positive cells in the ischemic cerebral cortex was significantly decreased, chlorogenic acid alleviated this decrease. We also found protective effects of chlorogenic acid in neurons exposed to glutamate. Glutamate decreased the expression of PP2A subunit B and chlorogenic acid mitigated this decrease. Our results elucidated that chlorogenic acid performs neuroprotective functions and attenuates the reduction of PP2A subunit B by brain damage and glutamate-mediated excitotoxicity. CONCLUSIONS: We showed that chlorogenic acid attenuated the decrease of PP2A subunit B in ischemic injury and neurons exposed to glutamate. Since PP2A subunit B contributes to the protection of brain tissue, we can suggest that chlorogenic acid preserves neurons by modulating PP2A subunit B during ischemic damage.

Genetic Characterization and Phylogeographic Analysis of the First H13N6 Avian Influenza Virus Isolated from Vega Gull in South Korea.

Avian influenza virus (AIV) is a pathogen with zoonotic and pandemic potential. Migratory birds are natural reservoirs of all known subtypes of AIVs, except for H17N10 and H18N11, and they have been implicated in previous highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreaks worldwide. This study identified and characterized the first isolate of the H13N6 subtype from a Vega gull (Larus vegae mongolicus) in South Korea. The amino acid sequence of hemagglutinin gene showed a low pathogenic AIV subtype and various amino acid substitutions were found in the sequence compared to the reference sequence and known H13 isolates. High sequence homology with other H13N6 isolates was found in HA, NA, PB1, and PA genes, but not for PB2, NP, M, and NS genes. Interestingly, various point amino acid mutations were found on all gene segments, and some are linked to an increased binding to human-type receptors, resistance to antivirals, and virulence. Evolutionary and phylogenetic analyses showed that all gene segments are gull-adapted, with a phylogeographic origin of mostly Eurasian, except for PB2, PA, and M. Findings from this study support the evidence that reassortment of AIVs continuously occurs in nature, and migratory birds are vital in the intercontinental spread of avian influenza viruses.

Modulation of thioredoxin by chlorogenic acid in an ischemic stroke model and glutamate-exposed neurons.

Ischemic stroke increases the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can eventually lead to neuronal death. Thioredoxin is a small reductase protein that acts as an eliminator of ROS and protects neurons from brain damage. Chlorogenic acid is known as a phenolic compound that has a neuroprotective effect. We investigated the change of thioredoxin expression by chlorogenic acid in a middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) animal model. Adult rats were injected intraperitoneally with phosphate buffered saline or chlorogenic acid (30 mg/kg) 2 h after MCAO. MCAO damage induced neurological defects and increased ROS and lipid peroxidation levels, however, chlorogenic acid mitigated these changes. MCAO damage reduced thioredoxin expression, which was mitigated by chlorogenic acid treatment. The interaction between thioredoxin and apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1) was decreased in MCAO animals, chlorogenic acid treatment prevented this decrease. In cultured neurons, chlorogenic acid dose-dependently attenuated glutamate-induced decreases in cell viability and thioredoxin expression. Glutamate toxicity downregulated bcl-2 and upregulated bax, cytochrome c, and caspase-3, however, chlorogenic acid attenuated these changes. The mitigating effect of chlorogenic acid was lower in thioredoxin siRNA-transfected cells than in non-transfected cells. These results provide evidence that chlorogenic acid exerts potent antioxidant and neuroprotective effects through regulation of thioredoxin and modulation of ASK1 and thioredoxin binding in ischemic brain injury. These findings indicate that chlorogenic acid exerts a neuroprotective effect by regulating thioredoxin expression in cerebral ischemia and glutamate exposure conditions.

Establishment of the Maximum Residual Limit in the Milk of Dairy Cows Injected Intramuscularly with Prednisolone.

We measured the levels of prednisolone (PSL) residues in milk of intramuscularly dosed dairy cows and established a withdrawal time (WT) of PSL in milk. Eight healthy Holstein cows were injected with 10 (PSL-1) or 20 (PSL-2) mL of 10 mg/mL of PSL, and then, their milk was sampled at 12 h intervals for five days. PSL residue concentrations in milk were determined using LC-MS/MS. The correlation coefficient of the calibration curve was 0.9976. The limit of detection (LOD) and the limit of quantification (LOQ) were 0.2 µg/kg and 0.6 µg/kg, respectively. Recoveries ranged from 96.5% to 110.0%, and the coefficient of variation was <5.64%. At 24 h after administration, PSL levels in PSL-1 and PSL-2 were below the LOQ in all milk samples. Although this study had a smaller sample size than the European Medicines Agency's recommendations (n = 20), it was based on the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency guidelines of the Republic of Korea (n = 8) for the determination of withdrawal periods in milk. We established the withdrawal period for both PSL-1 and PSL-2 in milk at 12 h. In conclusion, we developed an analytical method that is sensitive and can reliably detect PSL in milk, and our estimated WT of PSL in bovine milk is shorter than the current 3-day withdrawal period of PSL in commercial PSL products.

Expression of the melatonergic system during meiotic maturation of cynomolgus monkey cumulus-oocyte complexes.

BACKGROUND: Melatonin is a multifunctional hormone synthesized in the pineal gland and peripheral reproductive tissues that regulates many biological processes. There is increasing evidence for a role of melatonin in oocyte maturation and embryonic development in various mammals. However, no study has reported evidence for the existence of melatonergic system, such as melatonin synthesis enzymes, melatonin membrane receptors, or melatonin binding sites in non-human primate cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs). METHODS: Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunocytochemistry were performed to detect transcripts and proteins of the rate-limiting enzyme in melatonin synthesis (arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase, AANAT), melatonin membrane receptors (MT1 and MT2), and a melatonin binding site (NRH: quinone oxidoreductase 2, NQO2) in cynomolgus monkey COCs. RESULTS: RT-PCR analyses revealed the presence of AANAT, MT1, MT2, and NQO2 transcripts in granulosa cells, germinal vesicle (GV)- and metaphase II (MII)-stage cumulus cells, and oocytes. Immunocytochemistry revealed the presence of AANAT, MT1, MT2, and NQO2 proteins in GV- and MII-stage COCs. CONCLUSIONS: Our results provide the first evidence for the existence of the rate-limiting enzyme required for melatonin synthesis, melatonin membrane receptors, and a melatonin binding site in non-human primate COCs.

Effects of Ethanol on Expression of Coding and Noncoding RNAs in Murine Neuroblastoma Neuro2a Cells.

Excessive use of alcohol can induce neurobiological and neuropathological alterations in the brain, including the hippocampus and forebrain, through changes in neurotransmitter systems, hormonal systems, and neuroimmune processes. We aimed to investigate the effects of ethanol on the expression of coding and noncoding RNAs in a brain-derived cell line exposed to ethanol. After exposing Neuro2a cells, a neuroblastoma cell line, to ethanol for 24 and 72 h, we observed cell proliferation and analyzed up- and downregulated mRNAs and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) using total RNA-Seq technology. We validated the differential expression of some mRNAs and lncRNAs by RT-qPCR and analyzed the expression of Cebpd and Rnu3a through knock-down of Cebpd. Cell proliferation was significantly reduced in cells exposed to 100 mM ethanol for 72 h, with 1773 transcripts up- or downregulated by greater than three-fold in ethanol-treated cells compared to controls. Of these, 514 were identified as lncRNAs. Differentially expressed mRNAs and lncRNAs were mainly observed in cells exposed to ethanol for 72 h, in which Atm and Cnr1 decreased, but Trib3, Cebpd, and Spdef increased. On the other hand, lncRNAs Kcnq1ot1, Tug1, and Xist were changed by ethanol, and Rnu3a in particular was greatly increased by chronic ethanol treatment through inhibition of Cebpd. Our results increase the understanding of cellular and molecular mechanisms related to coding and noncoding RNAs in an in vitro model of acute and chronic exposure to ethanol.

Differential Gene Expression in the Hippocampi of Nonhuman Primates Chronically Exposed to Methamphetamine, Cocaine, or Heroin.

OBJECTIVE: Methamphetamine (MA), cocaine, and heroin cause severe public health problems as well as impairments in neural plasticity and cognitive function in the hippocampus. This study aimed to identify the genes differentially expressed in the hippocampi of cynomolgus monkeys in response to these drugs. METHODS: After the monkeys were chronically exposed to MA, cocaine, and heroin, we performed large-scale gene expression profiling of the hippocampus using RNA-Seq technology and functional annotation of genes differentially expressed. Some genes selected from RNA-Seq analysis data were validated with reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). And the expression changes of ADAM10 protein were assessed using immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: The changes in genes related to axonal guidance (PTPRP and KAL1), the cell cycle (TLK2), and the regulation of potassium ions (DPP10) in the drug-treated groups compared to the control group were confirmed using RT-qPCR. Comparative analysis of all groups showed that among genes related to synaptic long-term potentiation, CREBBP and GRIN3A were downregulated in both the MA- and heroin-treated groups compared to the control group. In particular, the mRNA and protein expression levels of ADAM10 were decreased in the MA-treated group but increased in the cocaine-treated group compared to the control group. CONCLUSION: These results provide insights into the genes that are upregulated and downregulated in the hippocampus by the chronic administration of MA, cocaine, or heroin and basic information for developing novel drugs for the treatment of hippocampal impairments caused by drug abuse.

Quantification of renal T2 relaxation rate by use of blood oxygen level-dependent magnetic resonance imaging before and after furosemide administration in healthy Beagles.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the feasibility of blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) MRI for measurement of the renal T2* relaxation rate (R2*; proxy for renal oxygenation) before and after furosemide administration and to evaluate the reliability and repeatability of those measurements in healthy dogs. ANIMALS: 8 healthy adult Beagles (4 males and 4 females). PROCEDURES: Each dog was anesthetized and underwent BOLD MRI before (baseline) and 3 minutes after administration of furosemide (1 mg/kg, IV) twice, with a 1-week interval between scanning sessions. Mapping software was used to process MRI images and measure R2* and the difference in R2* (ΔR2*) before and after furosemide administration. The intraclass correlation coefficient was calculated to assess measurement reliability, and the coefficient of variation and Bland-Altman method were used to assess measurement repeatability. RESULTS: Mean ± SD baseline R2* in the renal medulla (24.5 ± 3.8 seconds-1) was significantly greater than that in the renal cortex (20.6 ± 2.7 seconds-1). Mean R2* in the renal cortex (18.6 ± 2.6 seconds-1) and medulla (17.8 ± 1.5 seconds-1) decreased significantly after furosemide administration. Mean ΔR2* in the medulla (6.7 ± 2.4 seconds-1) was significantly greater than that in the renal cortex (2.1 ± 0.7 seconds-1). All R2* and ΔR2* values had good or excellent reliability and repeatability, except the cortical ΔR2*, which had poor repeatability. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggested that BOLD MRI, when performed before and after furosemide administration, was noninvasive and highly reliable and repeatable for dynamic evaluation of renal oxygenation in healthy dogs.

Renal Diffusion-Weighted Imaging in Healthy Dogs: Reproducibility, Test-Retest Repeatability, and Selection of the Optimal b-value Combination.

Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) magnetic resonance imaging can evaluate alterations in the microstructure of the kidney. The purpose of this study was to assess the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and the intravoxel incoherent motion model (IVIM) parameters of a normal kidney in healthy dogs, to evaluate the effect of b-value combinations on the ADC value, and the reproducibility and test-retest repeatability in monoexponential and IVIM analysis. In this experimental study, the ADC, pure diffusion coefficient (D), pseudodiffusion coefficient (D*), and perfusion fraction (f p) were measured from both kidneys in nine healthy beagles using nine b-values (b = 0, 50, 70, 100, 150, 200, 500, 800, and 1,000 s/mm2) twice with a 1-week interval between measurements. Interobserver and intraobserver reproducibility, and test-retest repeatability of the measurements were calculated. ADC values were measured using 10 different b-value combinations consisting of three b-values each, and were compared to the ADC obtained from nine b-values. All the ADC, D, D*, and f p values measured from the renal cortex, medulla, and the entire kidney had excellent interobserver and intraobserver reproducibility, and test-retest repeatability. The ADC obtained from a b-value combination of 0, 100, and 800 s/mm2 had the highest intraclass correlation coefficient with the ADC from nine b-values. The results of this study indicated that DWI MRI using multiple b-values is feasible for the measurement of ADC and IVIM parameters with high reproducibility and repeatability in the kidneys of healthy dogs. A combination of b = 0, 100, and 800 s/mm2 can be used for ADC measurements when multiple b-values are not available in dogs.

Gene expression in the striatum of cynomolgus monkeys after chronic administration of cocaine and heroin.

Cocaine and heroin cause impairment of neural plasticity in the brain including striatum. This study aimed to identify genes differentially expressed in the striatum of cynomolgus monkeys in response to cocaine and heroin. After chronic administration of cocaine and heroin in the monkeys, we performed large-scale transcriptome profiling in the striatum using RNA-Seq technology and analysed functional annotation. We found that 547 and 1238 transcripts were more than 1.5-fold up- or down-regulated in cocaine- and heroin-treated groups, respectively, compared to the control group, and 3432 transcripts exhibited differential expression between cocaine- and heroin-treated groups. Functional annotation analysis indicated that genes associated with nervous system development (NAGLU, MOBP and TTL7) and stress granule disassembly (KIF5B and KLC1) were differentially expressed in the cocaine-treated group compared to the control group, whereas gene associated with neuron apoptotic process (ERBB3) was differentially expressed in the heroin-treated group. In addition, IPA network analysis indicated that genes (TRAF6 and TRAF3IP2) associated with inflammation were increased by the chronic administration of cocaine and heroin. These results provide insight into the correlated molecular mechanisms as well as the upregulation and down-regulation of genes in the striatum after chronic exposure to cocaine and heroin.

Longitudinal profiling of the blood transcriptome in an African green monkey aging model.

African green monkeys (AGMs, Chlorocebus aethiops) are Old World monkeys which are used as experimental models in biomedical research. Recent technological advances in next generation sequencing are useful for unraveling the genetic mechanisms underlying senescence, aging, and age-related disease. To elucidate the normal aging mechanisms in older age, the blood transcriptomes of nine healthy, aged AGMs (15‒23 years old), were analyzed over two years. We identified 910‒1399 accumulated differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in each individual, which increased with age. Aging-related DEGs were sorted across the three time points. A major proportion of the aging-related DEGs belonged to gene ontology (GO) categories involved in translation and rRNA metabolic processes. Next, we sorted common aging-related DEGs across three time points over two years. Common aging-related DEGs belonged to GO categories involved in translation, cellular component biogenesis, rRNA metabolic processes, cellular component organization, biogenesis, and RNA metabolic processes. Furthermore, we identified 29 candidate aging genes that were upregulated across the time series analysis. These candidate aging genes were linked to protein synthesis. This study describes a changing gene expression pattern in AGMs during aging using longitudinal transcriptome sequencing. The candidate aging genes identified here may be potential targets for the treatment of aging.

Establishment and Characterization of Immortalized Miniature Pig Pancreatic Cell Lines Expressing Oncogenic K-RasG12D.

In recent decades, many studies on the treatment and prevention of pancreatic cancer have been conducted. However, pancreatic cancer remains incurable, with a high mortality rate. Although mouse models have been widely used for preclinical pancreatic cancer research, these models have many differences from humans. Therefore, large animals may be more useful for the investigation of pancreatic cancer. Pigs have recently emerged as a new model of pancreatic cancer due to their similarities to humans, but no pig pancreatic cancer cell lines have been established for use in drug screening or analysis of tumor biology. Here, we established and characterized an immortalized miniature pig pancreatic cell line derived from primary pancreatic cells and pancreatic cancer-like cells expressing K-rasG12D regulated by the human PTF1A promoter. Using this immortalized cell line, we analyzed the gene expression and phenotypes associated with cancer cell characteristics. Notably, we found that acinar-to-ductal transition was caused by K-rasG12D in the cell line constructed from acinar cells. This may constitute a good research model for the analysis of acinar-to-ductal metaplasia in human pancreatic cancer.

Differential expression of microRNAs in the hippocampi of male and female rodents after chronic alcohol administration.

BACKGROUND: Women are more vulnerable than men to the neurotoxicity and severe brain damage caused by chronic heavy alcohol use. In addition, brain damage due to chronic heavy alcohol use may be associated with sex-dependent epigenetic modifications. This study aimed to identify microRNAs (miRNAs) and their target genes that are differentially expressed in the hippocampi of male and female animal models in response to alcohol. METHODS: After chronic alcohol administration (3~3.5 g/kg/day) in male (control, n = 10; alcohol, n = 12) or female (control, n = 10; alcohol, n = 12) Sprague-Dawley rats for 6 weeks, we measured body weights and doublecortin (DCX; a neurogenesis marker) concentrations and analyzed up- or downregulated miRNAs using GeneChip miRNA 4.0 arrays. The differentially expressed miRNAs and their putative target genes were validated by RT-qPCR. RESULTS: Alcohol attenuated body weight gain only in the male group. On the other hand, alcohol led to increased serum AST in female rats and decreased serum total cholesterol concentrations in male rats. The expression of DCX was significantly reduced in the hippocampi of male alcohol-treated rats. Nine miRNAs were significantly up- or downregulated in male alcohol-treated rats, including upregulation of miR-125a-3p, let-7a-5p, and miR-3541, and downregulation of their target genes (Prdm5, Suv39h1, Ptprz1, Mapk9, Ing4, Wt1, Nkx3-1, Dab2ip, Rnf152, Ripk1, Lin28a, Apbb3, Nras, and Acvr1c). On the other hand, 7 miRNAs were significantly up- or downregulated in alcohol-treated female rats, including downregulation of miR-881-3p and miR-504 and upregulation of their target genes (Naa50, Clock, Cbfb, Arih1, Ube2g1, and Gng7). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that chronic heavy alcohol use produces sex-dependent effects on neurogenesis and miRNA expression in the hippocampus and that sex differences should be considered when developing miRNA biomarkers to diagnose or treat alcoholics.

Assessment of Hand Motor Function in a Non-human Primate Model of Ischemic Stroke.

Ischemic stroke results from arterial occlusion and can cause irreversible brain injury. A non-human primate (NHP) model of ischemic stroke was previously developed to investigate its pathophysiology and for efficacy testing of therapeutic candidates; however, fine motor impairment remains to be well-characterized. We evaluated hand motor function in a cynomolgus monkey model of ischemic stroke. Endovascular transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) with an angiographic microcatheter induced cerebral infarction. In vivo magnetic resonance imaging mapped and measured the ischemia-induced infarct lesion. In vivo diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) of the stroke lesion to assess the neuroplastic changes and fiber tractography demonstrated three-dimensional patterns in the corticospinal tract 12 weeks after MCAO. The hand dexterity task (HDT) was used to evaluate fine motor movement of upper extremity digits. The HDT was modified for a home cage-based training system, instead of conventional chair restraint training. The lesion was localized in the middle cerebral artery territory, including the sensorimotor cortex. Maximum infarct volume was exhibited over the first week after MCAO, which progressively inhibited ischemic core expansion, manifested by enhanced functional recovery of the affected hand over 12 weeks after MCAO. The total performance time decreased with increasing success rate for both hands on the HDT. Compensatory strategies and retrieval failure improved in the chronic phase after stroke. Our findings demonstrate the recovery of fine motor skill after stroke, and outline the behavioral characteristics and features of functional disorder of NHP stroke model, providing a basis for assessing hand motor function after stroke.

Enhancement of target specificity of CRISPR-Cas12a by using a chimeric DNA-RNA guide.

The CRISPR-Cas9 system is widely used for target-specific genome engineering. CRISPR-Cas12a (Cpf1) is one of the CRISPR effectors that controls target genes by recognizing thymine-rich protospacer adjacent motif (PAM) sequences. Cas12a has a higher sensitivity to mismatches in the guide RNA than does Cas9; therefore, off-target sequence recognition and cleavage are lower. However, it tolerates mismatches in regions distant from the PAM sequence (TTTN or TTN) in the protospacer, and off-target cleavage issues may become more problematic when Cas12a activity is improved for therapeutic purposes. Therefore, we investigated off-target cleavage by Cas12a and modified the Cas12a (cr)RNA to address the off-target cleavage issue. We developed a CRISPR-Cas12a that can induce mutations in target DNA sequences in a highly specific and effective manner by partially substituting the (cr)RNA with DNA to change the energy potential of base pairing to the target DNA. A model to explain how chimeric (cr)RNA guided CRISPR-Cas12a and SpCas9 nickase effectively work in the intracellular genome is suggested. Chimeric guide-based CRISPR- Cas12a genome editing with reduced off-target cleavage, and the resultant, increased safety has potential for therapeutic applications in incurable diseases caused by genetic mutations.

Prediction-based highly sensitive CRISPR off-target validation using target-specific DNA enrichment.

CRISPR effectors, which comprise a CRISPR-Cas protein and a guide (g)RNA derived from the bacterial immune system, are widely used for target-specific genome editing. When the gRNA recognizes genomic loci with sequences that are similar to the target, deleterious mutations can occur. Off-target mutations with a frequency below 0.5% remain mostly undetected by current genome-wide off-target detection techniques. Here we report a method to effectively detect extremely small amounts of mutated DNA based on predicted off-target-specific amplification. In this study, we used various genome editors to induce intracellular genome mutations, and the CRISPR amplification method detected off-target mutations at a significantly higher rate (1.6~984 fold increase) than an existing targeted amplicon sequencing method. In the near future, CRISPR amplification in combination with genome-wide off-target detection methods will allow detection of genome editor-induced off-target mutations with high sensitivity and in a non-biased manner.

Distinctive Nanogels as High-Efficiency Transdermal Carriers for Skin Wound Healing.

We propose that nanogels (HLGs) prepared by simply blending an epidermal growth factor (EGF)-loaded hyaluronan (HA)-based nanoformulation and poloxamers can be efficient transdermal drug carriers. In particular, due to the thermogelling behavior of poloxamer, when the HLGs, which are liquid at room temperature, are applied to the skin's surface, they form a gel at skin temperature. First, lipid-based nanoformulations (EGF-LNs) were fabricated by the lipid thin film method and then chemically conjugated with HA on the surface of the films to prepare EGF-loaded HA-based nanoformulations (EGF-HLNs). Both EGF-LNs and EGF-HLNs exhibited a uniform size and spherical lamellar structure. The EGF-HLN was added to a poloxamer solution to form EGF-HLG, which is a liquid at room temperature and a gel at skin temperature. HLGs have been shown to be able to deliver and permeate EGF well into the skin using both in vitro and in vivo systems, thus serving as an effective transdermal delivery system. In addition, it has been confirmed that this system could be a possible implantable drug carrier. Therefore, HLGs, which are uncomplicated and easily prepared, are expected to be easily used not only in the pharmaceutical field but also in the cosmetic field.

Effect of Oocyte Quality Assessed by Brilliant Cresyl Blue (BCB) Staining on Cumulus Cell Expansion and Sonic Hedgehog Signaling in Porcine during In Vitro Maturation.

Brilliant cresyl blue (BCB) staining is used to select developmentally competent cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) for in vitro maturation (IVM). However, limited attention has been paid to what drives the higher developmental competence of BCB+ COCs. Sonic hedgehog signaling (SHH) is an important signaling pathway for ovarian follicular development and oocyte maturation. Therefore, this study investigated the effect of oocyte quality assessed by BCB staining on cumulus cell expansion, oocyte nuclear maturation, subsequent embryo development, apoptosis levels, and SHH signaling protein expression, in porcine COCs. After IVM, BCB+ COCs exhibited a significantly higher proportion of complete cumulus cell expansion and metaphase II rate in oocytes than BCB- COCs. After in vitro fertilization, the BCB+ group showed a significantly higher monospermy rate, fertilization efficiency, percentage of cleavage and blastocyst formation, with a higher total cell number and a lower apoptosis in blastocysts as compared with the BCB- group. Furthermore, significantly lower apoptosis levels and a higher expression of SHH-signaling proteins in COCs were observed, before and after IVM. In conclusion, high-quality oocytes had a greater potential to expand their surrounding cumulus cells with active SHH signaling and a lower apoptosis. This could provide COCs with a proper environment for maturation, thereby leading to a better subsequent embryo development.