Glucose Oxidase of a Crucifer-Specialized Insect: A Potential Role in Suppressing Plant Defense via Modulating Antagonistic Plant Hormones.

Glucose oxidase (GOX) is a representative compound found in most insect saliva that can suppress plant-defensive responses. However, little is known about the origin and role of GOX in the crucifer-specialized pest Plutella xylostella. In this study, we showed obvious regurgitation from the larval gut of P. xylostella and identified abundant peptides highly similar to known GOX. Three PxGOX genes were verified with PxGOX2 preferentially expressed in the gut. The heterologously expressed PxGOX2 confirmed its function to be a GOX, and it was detected in plant wounds together with the gut regurgitant. Further experiments revealed that PxGOX2 functioned as an effector and may suppress defensive responses in plant through the production of H2O2, which modulates levels of antagonistic salicylic acid and jasmonic acid. However, excessive H2O2 in the host plant may be neutralized by peroxidase, thus forming defensive feedback. Our findings provided new insights into understanding the GOX-mediated insect-plant interactions.

Spatio-temporal changes and root-cause identification for embodied carbon emissions based on production and consumption in China's Yangtze River Economic Belt.

The Yangtze River Economic Belt (YEB) is at the centre of China's economy and development. Its regional carbon emissions account for about 36.9% of the country's total carbon emissions, and thus, there is an urgent need to sustain the development of a low-carbon economy. However, the complex patterns of embodied carbon flows arising from multi-scale trade in such a megaregion are often ignored in carbon environmental governance. This study incorporates a megaregion into an environmentally extended multi-regional input-output (EEMRIO) framework and identifies the drivers of production and consumption-based carbon emissions using four measures through structural decomposition analysis (SDA). The results show that (1) the YEB strengthens inter-provincial trade links while reducing international trade links; (2) there is obvious carbon transfer in multi-scale trade in the YEB, with a corresponding transfer of responsibility for carbon reduction occurring; and (3) consumption volume and carbon intensity are the main drivers and inhibitors of the increasing carbon emissions, respectively, and the optimisation of production structure and consumption structure are effective ways to control production-based carbon emissions (PBEs) and consumption-based carbon emissions (CBEs), respectively. This study extends the research scale of "national-provincial-city" to a megaregion. Studies based on multiple trade scales would provide additional insights to understand the carbon reduction responsibilities of megaregions and help achieve coordinated regional carbon reductions.

Spatial-temporal differentiation of coupling coordination degree for green finance and green innovation efficiency: a case study in China.

Continued investment in finance and innovation is beneficial to economic development, and the joining of green system can accelerate the process of economic recovery from environmental distress. To better enhance the relationship of green finance and green innovation, it is vital to demonstrate the synergy between the two thoroughly. Thirty provinces in China are selected to examine the coupling coordination relationship between the two, specifically testing the spatial aggregation and evolutionary differences in the coupling coordination by adopting the coupling coordination degree (CCD) model, spatial autocorrelation, and kernel density estimation. Conclusions of the paper show that green finance is calculated by the EW-TOPSIS method, and the overall score of provinces is low. Using super-SBM model to evaluate green innovation, the uneven distribution of efficiency is obvious, although it is gradually increasing. The CCD in most provinces is in low-level or basic coordination, with significant regional heterogeneity. The global Moran's index becomes gradually evident with time. The local Moran scatter diagram presents a downward trend from east to west, but with more L-L aggregation provinces emerging in 2020. The center of the national kernel density curve gradually shifts to the right, indicating that the national overall synergy level is improving. Deepening the understanding of the empirical results facilitates the formulation of reasonable policies that fit the four major regions.

A chitosan derivative-crosslinked hydrogel with controllable release of polydeoxyribonucleotides for wound treatment.

Nucleic acid-based agents have advantages in therapeutic efficacy and biological safety. However, due to its facile degradability, it lacks an effective route of administration in wound treatment. Designing smart hydrogels for the spatiotemporally controllable delivery of nucleic acids is of great significance for clinical applications. Here, a near-infrared (NIR)-responsive nanocomposite hydrogel was prepared using methyl methacrylate (GMA)-modified chitosan as the macromolecular cross-linker, N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm) as the backbone, and molybdenum disulfide nanosheets (MoS2 NSs) as the nanocomponents. The polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN), a nucleic acid-based agent that promotes tissue regeneration, was loaded and delivered. The photothermal conversion capability of MoS2 NSs enables customized care of PDRNs and antibacterial enhancement. In a full-thickness skin defect model, high-quality wound healing effects were demonstrated under the action of nanocomposite hydrogels. The proposed nanocomposite hydrogel provides a new reference for local delivery of nucleic acid-based agents.

Research on Evolutionary Game of Water Environment Governance Behavior from the Perspective of Public Participation.

As an informal environmental regulation, public participation plays a vital role in the multi-governance environmental system. Based on the evolutionary game theory, this paper constructs the game models of government enterprise, public enterprise and government public enterprise, and analyzes the impact of different intensity of government behavior and public participation on enterprise behavior strategies. The results show that: (1) In the two-party evolutionary game, the behavior of each stakeholder is related to its costs and benefits. Still, effective public participation allows the enterprise to choose legal discharge, even if the benefits of legal discharge are smaller than illegal discharge. (2) In the three-party evolutionary game, the steady-state conditions of government and the public are the same as those in two-party evolutionary game models. However, the decision-making behavior of enterprises also needed to consider the impact of public whistle-blowing on their reputation and image. (3) With the increase of the government's ecological protection publicity, subsidies, fines, public concern, and whistle-blowing, the evolution speed of the enterprise towards legal discharge is faster.

Transcription factor Foxp1 stimulates angiogenesis in adult rats after myocardial infarction.

Forkhead box protein P1 (FoxP1) is essential for cardiac development and the regulation of neovascularization, but its potential for cardiac angiogenesis has not been explored. This study aims to investigate the angiogenic role of FoxP1 in a rat model of myocardial infarction (MI). Adult male rats were subjected to MI, and Foxp1 was knocked down with lentivirus FoxP1 siRNA. Endothelial cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and cardiac function were also assessed. Cell scratch assay and tubule formation analysis were used to detect the migration ability and tube formation ability of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Compared with that in the sham group, results showed that the expression of FoxP1 was significantly increased in the MI group. Foxp1 knockdown decreases FoxP1 expression, reduces angiogenesis, and increases collagen deposition. When Foxp1 was knocked down in HUVECs using FoxP1 siRNA lentivirus, cell proliferation, migration, and tube formation abilities decreased significantly. Our study showed that FoxP1 elicits pleiotropic beneficial actions on angiogenesis in the post-MI heart by promoting the proliferation of endothelial cells. FoxP1 should be considered a candidate for therapeutic cardiac angiogenesis.

Glucosinolate Sulfatases-Sulfatase-Modifying Factors System Enables a Crucifer-Specialized Moth To Pre-detoxify Defensive Glucosinolate of the Host Plant.

Numerous herbivores orally secrete defense compounds to detoxify plant toxins. However, little is known about the role of orally secreted enzymes by a specialized pest, Plutella xylostella, in the detoxification of plant defense compounds. Three glucosinolate sulfatases (GSSs) or two sulfatase-modifying factors (SUMF1s) mutant strains were established on the basis of CRISPR/Cas9 technology to validate the existence of a species-specific GSSs-SUMF1s system. In comparison to the bioassay data from mutant strains of GSS1/GSS2 or SUMF1a/SUMF1b, GSS3 had a minimal role because no significant change was found in GSS3-/- under different feeding contexts. Antibody-based technologies were used to examine GSSs-related deficient strains, and the results showed that the GSS1 protein was primarily released through larval oral secretion. On the basis of high-performance liquid chromatography, we found that GSS1 was secreted to pre-desulfate the typical plant defensive glucosinolates known as 4-(methylsulfinyl)butyl glucosinolate (4MSOB-GL) to suppress the production of the toxic substance, which is referred to as pre-detoxification strategy. These findings highlighted that the GSSs-SUMF1s system is the key factor for counteradaptation of P. xylostella to cruciferous plants, which strengthens the concept that herbivores deploy pre-detoxification strategies to disrupt the plant chemical defenses to facilitate the colonization process.

Correlation between plasma sphingosine-1-phosphate and the occurrence and severity of coronary heart disease in postmenopausal women.

OBJECTIVE: Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) is a bioactive sphingosine with antiatherosclerotic effects. The incidence of coronary heart disease (CHD) increases significantly among women after menopause. We explored the relationship between plasma S1P levels and the occurrence and severity of CHD in postmenopausal women. METHODS: Postmenopausal women admitted to our hospital for coronary angiography because of chest pain-like symptoms were included in our study. By 1:1 age matching (age difference ≤5 y), 166 women in the CHD group and control group were enrolled. The plasma S1P concentration was determined, and the Gensini score was calculated to decide the severity of CHD. RESULTS: Plasma S1P levels were significantly lower in the CHD group of postmenopausal women ( P < 0.001). S1P (odds ratio, 0.952; 95% CI, 0.934-0.970) was an independent predictor of the occurrence of CHD in postmenopausal women. The area under the curve for S1P to predict the occurrence of CHD was 0.653 (95% CI, 0.595-0.712), and the cutoff value was 96.89 ng/mL. The plasma S1P level was the lowest in the high-tertile group of the Gensini score ( P < 0.001), and the plasma S1P (odds ratio, 0.948; 95% CI, 0.926-0.970) was an independent predictor of a high Gensini score in postmenopausal women with CHD. CONCLUSIONS: Plasma S1P is an independent risk factor of the occurrence and severity of CHD in postmenopausal women. The occurrence and aggravation of CHD in postmenopausal women may be related to levels of S1P.

Cold Pressor Test in Primary Hypertension: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Objectives: To investigate the characteristics of patients with primary hypertension who had positive responses to the cold pressor test (CPT). Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between November 2018 to November 2019, and the CPT was performed in patients with primary hypertension in 48 hospitals. The demographic characteristics and complications were collected through a questionnaire and physical examinations. A 12-month follow-up was conducted to identify the occurrence of the following events: a) all-cause mortality; b) myocardial infarction; c) stroke; d) hospitalized for heart failure. Results: The CPT was positive in 30.7% of the patients. Compared with the negative CPT group, the positive CPT group was associated with a lower rate of blood pressure control, and was more likely to have a high salt diet, diabetes, hyperuricemia, left ventricular wall thickening, carotid plaques, coronary heart disease and heart failure. A high-salt diet (OR = 1.228, 95%CI: 1.037-1.456) was found to be correlated with the positive result of CPT. Among patients in the positive CPT group, those using diuretics had a significantly higher rate of blood pressure control than those not using diuretics (54.6 vs.42.6%, x2 = 6.756, P = 0.009). After a 12-month follow-up, the incidence of heart failure in the positive CPT group was significantly higher than that in the negative CPT group (7.35 vs.5.01%, x2 = 3.945, P = 0.047). Conclusions: Patients with positive responses to the CPT had lower rates of BP control and a high risk of heart failure, which may be related to their preference for a high-salt diet. The use of diuretics helps to better control blood pressure in those patients.

The Intracellular and Extracellular Microenvironment of Tumor Site: The Trigger of Stimuli-Responsive Drug Delivery Systems.

The tumor microenvironment (TME), including intracellular and extracellular microenvironment, contains many biochemical indicators (such as acidity/alkalinity, oxygen content, and enzymatic activity) that are different from the normal physiological environment. These abnormal biochemical indicators can accelerate the heterogeneity of tumors, but on the other hand, they also provide opportunities for the design of intelligent drug delivery systems (DDSs). The TME-responsive DDSs have shown great potential in reducing the side effects of chemotherapy and improving the curative effect of tumors. In this review, the abnormal biochemical indicators of TME are introduced in detail from both the extracellular and intracellular aspects. In view of the various physiological barriers encountered during drug delivery, the strategy of constructing TME-responsive DDSs is discussed. By summarizing the typical research progress, the authors prospect the development of TME-responsive DDS in the future.

Research on the Spatial and Temporal Differences of China's Provincial Carbon Emissions and Ecological Compensation Based on Land Carbon Budget Accounting.

The establishment of a complete carbon ecological compensation mechanism is of great significance for China to achieve "carbon peak and carbon neutrality" as soon as possible. From the perspective of land carbon budget accounting, this paper measures the carbon emissions and the value of carbon ecological compensation in 30 provinces in China from 2010 to 2019, by constructing a carbon ecological compensation model, and analyzes it from both time and space perspectives. The study found that: (1) during the period 2010-2019, China's carbon absorption remained basically stable, and woodland and grassland were the main carriers of China's land carbon absorption. The total carbon sequestration of woodland and grassland showed a pattern of being high in the west and low in the east, and the total carbon sequestration of cultivated land showed a pattern of being high in the east and low in the west. (2) Construction land is the main source of carbon emissions in China. Cultivated land carbon emissions mainly come from major agricultural provinces such as Henan and Heilongjiang, while construction land carbon emissions are mainly concentrated in energy-consuming provinces such as Shandong and Shanxi. (3) After revising the carbon compensation benchmark value, it is found that provinces such as Guangdong and Jiangsu should receive carbon ecological compensation, while provinces dominated by heavy industries such as Shanxi and Shandong need to pay corresponding carbon compensation fees. Finally, this article puts forward corresponding policy recommendations, such as that China should give full play to the role of the government and the market, accelerate the optimization and improvement of the ecological resource asset property rights system, and optimize the development and utilization of land.

A modular ROS-responsive platform co-delivered by 10-hydroxycamptothecin and dexamethasone for cancer treatment.

Traditional and single treatment strategies are difficult to achieve good results due to tumor resistance and complex mechanisms. Combination therapy through co-delivery systems is one of the methods to improve the effectiveness of cancer treatment. The polyprodrug platform has inherent advantages such as high drug loading and strong stability. Herein, a new reactive oxygen species (ROS)-responsive micelle composed of poly 10-hydroxycamptothecin (pHCPT) and PEG is reported, which loaded dexamethasone (DEX) as synergistic drugs. The micelles collapse in the complex microenvironment of tumor cells to release DEX. The first released DEX can increase the ROS level of tumor cells, thereby facilitating the cleavage of thioketal bonds to release intact HCPT molecules. Meanwhile, DEX can normalize tumor blood vessels, reduce adverse reactions, and further improve the efficacy of HCPT. This co-delivery system shows an ideal tumor suppressive effect in vivo and in vitro. Designing drugs into a modular multi-drug platform and selecting appropriate synergistic drugs according to the treatment plan provides a convenient strategy for future clinical treatment.

Antibodies Can Last for More Than 1 Year After SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Follow-Up Study From Survivors of COVID-19.

Background: COVID-19 is a global pandemic. The prevention of SARS-CoV-2 infection and the rehabilitation of survivors are currently the most urgent tasks. However, after patients with COVID-19 are discharged from the hospital, how long the antibodies persist, whether the lung lesions can be completely absorbed, and whether cardiopulmonary abnormalities exist remain unclear. Methods: A total of 56 COVID-19 survivors were followed up for 12 months, with examinations including serum virus-specific antibodies, chest CT, and cardiopulmonary exercise testing. Results: The IgG titer of the COVID-19 survivors decreased gradually, especially in the first 6 months after discharge. At 6 and 12 months after discharge, the IgG titer decreased by 68.9 and 86.0%, respectively. The IgG titer in patients with severe disease was higher than that in patients with non-severe disease at each time point, but the difference did not reach statistical significance. Among the patients, 11.8% were IgG negative up to 12 months after discharge. Chest CT scans showed that at 3 and 10 months after discharge, the lung opacity had decreased by 91.9 and 95.5%, respectively, as compared with that at admission. 10 months after discharge, 12.5% of the patients had an opacity percentage >1%, and 18.8% of patients had pulmonary fibrosis (38.5% in the severe group and 5.3% in the non-severe group, P < 0.001). Cardiopulmonary exercise testing showed that 22.9% of patients had FEV1/FVC%Pred <92%, 17.1% of patients had FEV1%Pred <80%, 20.0% of patients had a VO2 AT <14 mlO2/kg/min, and 22.9% of patients had a VE/VCO2 slope >30%. Conclusions: IgG antibodies in most patients with COVID-19 can last for at least 12 months after discharge. The IgG titers decreased significantly in the first 6 months and remained stable in the following 6 months. The lung lesions of most patients with COVID-19 can be absorbed without sequelae, and a few patients in severe condition are more likely to develop pulmonary fibrosis. Approximately one-fifth of the patients had cardiopulmonary dysfunction 6 months after discharge.

Alginate/chitosan-based hydrogel loaded with gene vectors to deliver polydeoxyribonucleotide for effective wound healing.

Timely and effective wound treatment is of great significance in acute bleeding caused by accidents and chronic wounds such as diabetic foot ulcers, venous leg ulcers, pressure sores. A hydrogel as wound dressing can provide a suitable microenvironment for wound healing and prevent bacteria and dust from reaching the wound. The loading of therapeutic factors in the hydrogel has been proved to accelerate wound healing. Polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN), as a series of nucleic acid fragments extracted from salmon, has the functions of improving angiogenesis, promoting cell activity, increasing collagen synthesis, and developing the anti-inflammatory response. These effects have positive implications for wound healing. But naked PDRN is difficult to take up by cells. Inspired by gene vectors, we prepared a PDRN-loaded CaCO3 nanoparticle (PCNP) to improve the delivery efficiency of PDRN. PCNPs were encapsulated in an alginate/chitosan-based hydrogel (Gel@PCNPs). The prepared hydrogel has plasticity and is suitable for various irregular wounds. The released gene carrier, PCNP, can be effectively taken up by skin fibroblasts. Under the action of PDRN, the wound healing rate has been confirmed to be significantly accelerated. We believe that this polysaccharide-based hydrogel loaded with PDRN vectors is a promising wound dressing.

PAMAM-Functionalized Cellulose Nanocrystals with Needle-Like Morphology for Effective Cancer Treatment.

Gene therapy is used to correct or compensate for diseases caused by gene defects and abnormalities. Improving the transfection efficiency and reducing the toxicity of gene carriers are the keys to gene therapy. Similar to a typical cationic gene carrier-polyethylenimine (PEI, 25 kDa)-the polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimer also has a large number of amino groups. These amino groups can be complexed with nucleic acids after protonation under physiological conditions. However, the concentrated positive charge can cause undesirable cytotoxicity. Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) have good biocompatibility and unique needle-like morphology, and have been proven to be efficiently taken up by cells. In this article, three-dimensional spherical PMAMA dendrimers are conjugated onto the surface of CNCs to obtain a kind of needle-like cationic carrier (CNC-PAMAM). PAMAM dendrimers act as anchors to bind the plasmid DNAs (pDNA) to the surface of the CNC. The prepared CNC-based carrier showed high transfection efficiency and low toxicity. The CNC-PAMAM can effectively deliver the suicide gene to the tumor site, enabling the suicide gene/prodrug system (cytosine deaminase/5-fluorocytosine (CD/5-FC)) to play an effective anti-tumor role in vivo. This research demonstrates that the functionalization of CNCs with PAMAM dendrimers is an effective method for developing novel gene delivery systems.

Inhibition of Notch Signaling Promotes the Differentiation of Epicardial Progenitor Cells into Adipocytes.

BACKGROUND: The role of Notch signaling pathway in the differentiation of epicardial progenitor cells (EPCs) into adipocytes is unclear. The objective is to investigate the effects of Notch signaling on the differentiation of EPCs into adipocytes. METHODS: Frozen sections of C57BL/6J mouse hearts were used to observe epicardial adipose tissue (EAT), and genetic lineage methods were used to trace EPCs. EPCs were cultured in adipogenic induction medium with Notch ligand jagged-1 or γ-secretase inhibitor DAPT. The adipocyte markers, Notch signaling, and adipogenesis transcription factors were determined. RESULTS: There was EAT located at the atrial-ventricular groove in mouse. By using genetic lineage tracing methods, we found that EPCs were a source of epicardial adipocytes. EPCs had lipid droplet accumulation, and the expression of adipocyte markers FABP-4 and perilipin-1 was upregulated under adipogenic induction. Activating the Notch signaling with jagged-1 attenuated the adipogenic differentiation of EPCs and downregulated the key adipogenesis transcription factor peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ), while inhibiting the signaling promoted adipogenic differentiation and upregulated PPAR-γ. When blocking PPAR-γ, the role of Notch signaling in promoting adipogenic differentiation was inhibited. CONCLUSIONS: EPCs are a source of epicardial adipocytes. Downregulation of the Notch signaling pathway promotes the differentiation of EPCs into adipocytes via PPAR-γ.

The effects of lipid-lowering therapy on coronary plaque regression: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

To assess the influence of lipid-lowering therapy on coronary plaque volume, and to identify the LDL and HDL targets for plaque regression to provide a comprehensive overview. The databases searched (from inception to 15 July 2020) to identify prospective studies investigating the impact of lipid-lowering therapy on coronary plaque volume and including quantitative measurement of plaque volume by intravascular ultrasound after treatment. Thirty-one studies that included 4997 patients were selected in the final analysis. Patients had significantly lower TAV (SMD: 0.123 mm3; 95% CI 0.059, 0.187; P = 0.000) and PAV (SMD: 0.123%; 95% CI 0.035, 0.212; P = 0.006) at follow-up. According to the subgroup analyses, TAV was significantly reduced in the LDL < 80 mg/dL and HDL > 45 mg/dL group (SMD: 0.163 mm3; 95% CI 0.092, 0.234; P = 0.000), and PAV was significantly reduced in the LDL < 90 mg/dL and HDL > 45 mg/dL group (SMD: 0.186%; 95% CI 0.081, 0.291; P = 0.001).Thirty-one studies that included 4997 patients were selected in the final analysis. Patients had significantly lower TAV (SMD: 0.123 mm3; 95% CI 0.059, 0.187; P = 0.000) and PAV (SMD: 0.123%; 95% CI 0.035, 0.212; P = 0.006) at follow-up. According to the subgroup analyses, TAV was significantly reduced in the LDL < 80 mg/dL and HDL > 45 mg/dL group (SMD: 0.163 mm3; 95% CI 0.092, 0.234; P = 0.000), and PAV was significantly reduced in the LDL < 90 mg/dL and HDL > 45 mg/dL group (SMD: 0.186%; 95% CI 0.081, 0.291; P = 0.001). Our meta-analysis suggests that not only should LDL be reduced to a target level of < 80 mg/dL, but HDL should be increased to a target level of > 45 mg/dL to regress coronary plaques.Trial Registration PROSPERO identifier: CRD42019146170.

SGLT2i versus ARNI in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

AIMS: This study aimed to determine the effects of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor (SGLT2i) in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), compare the effect of SGLT2i with angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI), and find whether combination of SGLT2i and ARNI is better than monotherapy. METHODS AND RESULTS: Embase, Medline, and Cochrane Central Registry of Controlled Trials were searched for randomized controlled trials evaluating SGLT2i or ARNI in HFrEF. And a total of six trials were included. SGLT2i was found to significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular death or hospitalization for heart failure by 27% [hazard ratio (HR) 0.73, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.67-0.80], hospitalization for heart failure by 31% (HR 0.69, 95% CI 0.62-0.77), cardiovascular death by 16% (HR 0.84, 95% CI 0.74-0.95), and all-cause death by 16% (HR 0.84, 95% CI 0.75-0.94) in HFrEF only with a statistically higher risk of genital infection (risk ratio (RR) 2.78, 95% CI 1.46-5.29). The reduction in cardiovascular death or hospitalization for heart failure was of similar magnitude in patients with or without diabetes mellitus (HR 0.71, 95% CI 0.64-0.80 vs. HR 0.75, 95% CI 0.65-0.87) using SGLT2i. Indirect treatment comparison showed that SGLT2i and ARNI had similar effects on primary outcome (HR 0.93, 95% CI 0.82-1.06). And combination of SGLT2i and ARNI achieved a better prognosis performance (HR 0.68, 95% CI 0.53-0.89) compared with ARNI monotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: SGLT2i could safely reduce cardiovascular death or hospitalization for heart failure in HFrEF regardless of diabetes mellitus status. SGLT2i and ARNI demonstrate similar effects, while combination of SGLT2i and ARNI results in a better cardiovascular protective effect.

Agrin Yes-associated Protein Promotes the Proliferation of Epicardial Cells.

ABSTRACT: Embryonic epicardial cells make an important contribution to cardiac development. However, their proliferation mechanism is still unclear. Epicardial cells from E12.5 fetal hearts were used in our study. Agrin was used to treat these cells. The expression of Aurora B, Ki67, and pH3 was measured by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and immunofluorescence. The proportion of cells in G1/S/G2 phase was determined by flow cytometry. The results showed that agrin significantly increased the expression of ki67, pH3, and Aurora B in epicardial cells. Flow cytometry results showed that agrin significantly increased the proportion of epicardial cells in S phase. However, blocking yes-associated protein significantly downregulated the levels of ki67, pH3, and Aurora B and the proportion of epicardial cells in S phase. Thus, our results suggest that agrin may promote the proliferation of epicardial cells by regulating the yes-associated protein activity. This may be useful in exploring heart development mechanisms and preventing congenital heart disease.

Versatile Types of Polysaccharide-Based Drug Delivery Systems: From Strategic Design to Cancer Therapy.

Chemotherapy is still the most direct and effective means of cancer therapy nowadays. The proposal of drug delivery systems (DDSs) has effectively improved many shortcomings of traditional chemotherapy drugs. The technical support of DDSs lies in their excellent material properties. Polysaccharides include a series of natural polymers, such as chitosan, hyaluronic acid, and alginic acid. These polysaccharides have good biocompatibility and degradability, and they are easily chemical modified. Therefore, polysaccharides are ideal candidate materials to construct DDSs, and their clinical application prospects have been favored by researchers. On the basis of versatile types of polysaccharides, this review elaborates their applications from strategic design to cancer therapy. The construction and modification methods of polysaccharide-based DDSs are specifically explained, and the latest research progress of polysaccharide-based DDSs in cancer therapy are also summarized. The purpose of this review is to provide a reference for the design and preparation of polysaccharide-based DDSs with excellent performance.