Modulation of Performance, Plasma Constituents, Small Intestinal Morphology, and Cecum Microbiota in Growing Geese by Dietary Citric Acid Supplementation.

To investigate the efficiency and optimum inclusion level of CA in growing geese diets on performance, plasma constituents, and intestinal health, 240 healthy female geese at the age of 28d were randomly allotted six treatment diets incorporated with 0, 0.8, 1.6, 2.4, 3.2, and 4% CA. Each treatment group consisted of five replicates and eight birds per replicate. The findings demonstrated that 3.2% CA supplementation resulted in improved growth performance (ADG, ADFI, and FBW) (p = 0.001), and geese who received CA also showed lower body fat contents (p < 0.05) than the control group. Moreover, geese from the 2.4% and 3.2% CA group had the highest plasma glutathione peroxidase and insulin-like growth factor 1 levels compared to the other groups (p < 0.05). A microbial diversity analysis of the cecum conducted by 16S rDNA sequencing revealed that 3.2% CA supplementation showed a significantly higher abundance of beneficial bacteria (Muribaculaceae, CHKCI001, Erysipelotricha-ceae_UCG_003, and UCG_009) (p < 0.05) and a lower abundance of harmful bacteria (Atopobiaceae, Streptococcus, Acinetobacter, Pseudomonas, and Alistipes) (p < 0.10). Collectively, our results revealed that dietary supplementation with 3.2% CA had several benefits on the performance and physiological health of growing geese by promoting nutrients metabolism, improving antioxidant capacity, and modulating cecum microbiota.

A Periosteum-Bioinspired Electrospun Janus Membrane with Antibacterial and Osteogenic Dual Function.

For a guided bone regeneration membrane, it is critical to possess osteogenic capability while inhibiting infection caused by bacteria. Inspired by the bilayer structure of the native periosteum, an electrospun Janus membrane with osteogenic and antibacterial dual-function is fabricated for guided bone regeneration. Hydrophilic moxifloxacin (MXF) and hydrophobic icariin (ICA) are loaded in the nanofibers made of a mixture of polycaprolactone and gelatin at the top and bottom layers, respectively, leading to the opposing hydrophilic/hydrophobic properties of the bilayer Janus membranes. The as-obtained Janus membrane exhibits excellent physical properties (tensile strength > 6.0 MPa) and robust biocompatibility, indicating the immense potential as a suitable replacement for the native periosteum. The membrane has a superior surface morphology and outstanding degradation performance in vitro. Besides, the rapid release of MXF and the slow release of ICA can meet the different needs of drug release rates. Only ≈30% ICA is released from the as-obtained Janus membrane after 21 d while almost 80% MXF is released. Mimicking the bilayer structure of the native periosteum, the electrospun Janus membrane containing ICA and MXF exhibits excellent comprehensive properties, which provides a promising strategy for preparing multifunctional scaffolds for tissue engineering.

The Latest Sensor Detection Methods for per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) have emerged as a prominent environmental pollutant in recent years, primarily due to their tendency to accumulate and magnify in both the environment and living organisms. The entry of PFASs into the environment can have detrimental effects on human health. Hence, it is crucial to actively monitor and detect the presence of PFASs. The current standard detection method of PFAS is the combination of chromatography and mass spectrometry. However, this requires expensive instruments, extra sample pretreatment steps, complicated operation and long analysis time. As a result, new methods that do not rely on chromatography and mass spectrometry have been developed and applied. These alternative methods mainly include optical and electrochemical sensor methods, which offer great potential in terms of real-time field detection, instrument miniaturization, shorter analysis time, and reduced detection cost. This review provides a summary of recent advancements in PFAS detection sensors. We categorize and explain the principles and mechanisms of these sensors, and compare their limits of detection and sensitivity. Finally, we discuss the future challenges and improvements needed for PFAS sensors, such as field application, commercialization, and other related issues.

Slc26a1 is not essential for spermatogenesis and male fertility in mice.

Thousands of genes are expressed in the testis of mice. However, the details about their roles during spermatogenesis have not been well-clarified for most genes. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of Slc26a1 deficiency on mouse spermatogenesis and male fertility. Slc26a1-knockout (KO) mice were generated using CRISPR/Cas9 technology on C57BL/6J background. We found no obvious differences between Slc26a1-KO and Slc26a1-WT mice in fertility tests, testicular weight, sperm concentrations, or morphology. Histological analysis found that Slc26a1-KO mouse testes had normal germ cell types and mature sperm. These findings indicated that Slc26a1 was dispensable for male fertility in mice. Our results may save time and resources by allowing other researchers to focus on genes that are more meaningful for fertility studies. We also found that mRNAs of two Slc26a family members (Slc26a5 and Slc26a11) were expressed on higher mean levels in Slc26a1-KO total mouse testes, compared to Slc26a1-WT mice. This effect was not found in mouse GC-1 and GC-2 germ cell lines with the Slc26a1 gene transiently knocked down. This result may indicate that a gene compensation phenomenon was present in the testes of Slc26a1-KO mice.

Long non-coding RNA NRSN2-AS1 promotes ovarian cancer progression through targeting PTK2/ß-catenin pathway.

As a common malignant tumor among women, ovarian cancer poses a serious threat to their health. This study demonstrates that long non-coding RNA NRSN2-AS1 is over-expressed in ovarian cancer tissues using patient sample and tissue microarrays. In addition, NRSN2-AS1 is shown to promote ovarian cancer cell proliferation and metastasis both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, NRSN2-AS1 stabilizes protein tyrosine kinase 2 (PTK2) to activate the ß-catenin pathway via repressing MG-53-mediated ubiquitinated degradation of PTK2, thereby facilitating ovarian cancer progression. Rescue experiments verify the function of the NRSN2-AS1/PTK2/ß-catenin axis and the effects of MG53 on this axis in ovarian cancer cells. In conclusion, this study demonstrates the key role of the NRSN2-AS1/PTK2/ß-catenin axis for the first time and explores its potential clinical applications in ovarian cancer.

3D-printed electrospun fibres for wound healing.

Wound management for acute and chronic wounds has become a serious clinical problem worldwide, placing considerable pressure on public health systems. Owing to the high-precision, adjustable pore structure, and repeatable manufacturing process, 3D-printed electrospun fibre (3DP-ESF) has attracted widespread attention for fabricating wound dressing. In addition, in comparison with 2D electrospun fibre membranes fabricated by traditional electrospinning, the 3D structures provide additional guidance on cell behaviour. In this perspective article, we first summarise the basic manufacturing principles and methods to fabricate 3DP-ESF. Then, we discuss the function of 3DP-ESF in manipulating the different stages of wound healing, including anti-bacteria, anti-inflammation, and promotion of cell migration and proliferation, as well as the construction of tissue-engineered scaffolds. In the end, we provide the current challenge faced by 3DP-ESF in the application of skin wound regeneration and its promising future directions.

Identification of SNPs Associated with Goose Meat Quality Traits Using a Genome-Wide Association Study Approach.

(1) Background: Goose meat is highly valued for its economic significance and vast market potential due to its desirable qualities, including a rich nutritional profile, tender texture, relatively low-fat content, and high levels of beneficial unsaturated fatty acids. However, there is an urgent need to improve goose breeding by identifying molecular markers associated with meat quality. (2) Methods: We evaluated meat quality traits, such as meat color, shear force (SF), cooking loss rate (CLR), and crude fat content (CFC), in a population of 215 male Sichuan white geese at 70 days of age. A GWAS was performed to identify potential molecular markers associated with goose meat quality. Furthermore, the selected SNPs linked to meat quality traits were genotyped using the MALDI-TOP MS method. (3) Results: A dataset of 2601.19 Gb of WGS data was obtained from 215 individuals, with an average sequencing depth of 10.89×. The GWAS revealed the identification of 43 potentially significant SNP markers associated with meat quality traits in the Sichuan white goose population. Additionally, 28 genes were identified as important candidate genes for meat quality. The gene enrichment analysis indicated a substantial enrichment of genes within a 1Mb vicinity of SNPs in both the protein digestion and absorption pathway and the Glycerolipid metabolism pathway. (4) Conclusion: This study provides valuable insights into the genetic and molecular mechanisms underlying goose meat quality traits, offering crucial references for molecular breeding in this field.

Hydrogen Bonding Principle-Based Molecular Design of a Polymer Excipient and Impacts on Hydrophobic Drug Properties: Molecular Simulation and Experiment.

Although some commercial excipients for improving the solubility of highly crystalline drugs are widely used, they still cannot cover all types of hydrophobic drugs. In this regard, with phenytoin as the target drug, related molecular structures of polymer excipients were designed. The optimal repeating units of NiPAm and HEAm were screened out through quantum mechanical simulation and Monte Carlo simulation methods, and the copolymerization ratio was also determined. Using molecular dynamics simulation technology, it was confirmed that the dispersibility and intermolecular hydrogen bonds of phenytoin in the designed copolymer were better than those in the commercial PVP materials. At the same time, the designed copolymers and solid dispersions were also prepared during the experiment, and the improvement of their solubility was confirmed, which is in accordance with the simulation predictions. The new ideas and simulation technology may be used for drug modification and development.

Bioinspired Mild Photothermal Effect-Reinforced Multifunctional Fiber Scaffolds Promote Bone Regeneration.

Bone fractures are often companied with poor bone healing and high rates of infection. Early recruitment of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is critical for initiating efficient bone repair, and mild thermal stimulation can accelerate the recovery of chronic diseases. Here, a bioinspired, staged photothermal effect-reinforced multifunctional scaffold was fabricated for bone repair. Uniaxially aligned electrospun polycaprolactone nanofibers were doped with black phosphorus nanosheets (BP NSs) to endow the scaffold with excellent near-infrared (NIR) responsive capability. Apt19S was then decorated on the surface of the scaffold to selectively recruit MSCs toward the injured site. Afterward, microparticles of phase change materials loaded with antibacterial drugs were also deposited on the surface of the scaffold, which could undergo a solid-to-liquid phase transition above 39 °C, triggering the release of payload to eliminate bacteria and prevent infection. Under NIR irradiation, photothermal-mediated up-regulation of heat shock proteins and accelerated biodegradation of BP NSs could promote the osteogenic differentiation of MSCs and biomineralization. Overall, this strategy shows the ability of bacteria elimination, MSCs recruitment, and bone regeneration promotion with the assistance of photothermal effect in vitro and in vivo, which emphasizes the design of a bioinspired scaffold and its potential for a mild photothermal effect in bone tissue engineering.

Endothelial cell-derived exosomes boost and maintain repair-related phenotypes of Schwann cells via miR199-5p to promote nerve regeneration.

BACKGROUND: Schwann cells (SCs) respond to nerve injury by transforming into the repair-related cell phenotype, which can provide the essential signals and spatial cues to promote axonal regeneration and induce target reinnervation. Endothelial cells (ECs) contribute to intraneural angiogenesis contributing to creating a permissive microenvironment. The coordination between ECs and SCs within injury sites is crucial in the regeneration process, however, it still unclear. As the intercellular vital information mediators in the nervous system, exosomes have been proposed to take a significant role in regulating regeneration. Thus, the main purpose of this study is to determine the facilitative effect of ECs-derived exosomes on SCs and to seek the underlying mechanism. RESULTS: In the present study, we collected exosomes from media of ECs. We demonstrated that exosomes derived from ECs possessed the favorable neuronal affinity both in vitro and in vivo. Further research indicated that EC-exosomes (EC-EXO) could boost and maintain repair-related phenotypes of SCs, thereby enhancing axonal regeneration, myelination of regenerated axons and neurologically functional recovery of the injured nerve. MiRNA sequencing in EXO-treated SCs and control SCs indicated that EC-EXO significantly up-regulated expression of miR199-5p. Furthermore, this study demonstrated that EC-EXO drove the conversion of SC phenotypes in a PI3K/AKT/PTEN-dependent manner. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, our research indicates that the internalization of EC-EXO in SCs can promote nerve regeneration by boosting and maintaining the repair-related phenotypes of SCs. And the mechanism may be relevant to the up-regulated expression of miR199-5p and activation of PI3K/AKT/PTEN signaling pathway.

Combining a Density Gradient of Biomacromolecular Nanoparticles with Biological Effectors in an Electrospun Fiber-Based Nerve Guidance Conduit to Promote Peripheral Nerve Repair.

Peripheral nerve injury is a serious medical problem with limited surgical and clinical treatment options. It is of great significance to integrate multiple guidance cues in one platform of nerve guidance conduits (NGCs) to promote axonal elongation and functional recovery. Here, a multi-functional NGC is constructed to promote nerve regeneration by combining ordered topological structure, density gradient of biomacromolecular nanoparticles, and controlled delivery of biological effectors to provide the topographical, haptotactic, and biological cues, respectively. On the surface of aligned polycaprolactone nanofibers, a density gradient of bioactive nanoparticles capable of delivering recombinant human acidic fibroblast growth factor is deposited. On the graded scaffold, the proliferation of Schwann cells is promoted, and the directional extension of neurites from both PC12 cells and dorsal root ganglions is improved in the direction of increasing particle density. After being implanted in vivo for 6 and 12 weeks to repair a 10-mm rat sciatic nerve defect, the NGC promotes axonal elongation and remyelination, achieving the regeneration of the nerve not only in anatomical structure but also in functional recovery. Taken together, the NGC provides a favorable microenvironment for peripheral nerve regeneration and holds great promise for realizing nerve repair with an efficacy close to autograft.

Phase-change composite filled natural nanotubes in hydrogel promote wound healing under photothermally triggered drug release.

It is of great importance to treat a bacterial-infected wound by a smart dressing capable of delivering antibiotics in a smart manner without causing drug resistance. The construction of smart release nanocontainers responsive to near-infrared (NIR) laser irradiation in an on-demand and stepwise way is a promising strategy for avoiding the emergence of multidrug-resistant bacteria. Here, we develop a hydrogel composite made of alginate and nanotubes with an efficient NIR-triggered release of rifampicin and outstanding antibacterial ability. This composite hydrogel is prepared through co-encapsulating antibacterial drug (rifampicin), NIR-absorbing dye (indocyanine green), and phase-change materials (a eutectic mixture of fatty acids) into halloysite nanotubes, followed by incorporation into alginate hydrogels, allowing the in-situ gelation at room temperature and maintaining the integrity of drug-loaded nanotubes. Among them, the eutectic mixture with a melting point of 39 °C serves as the biocompatible phase-change material to facilitate the NIR-triggered drug release. The resultant phase-change material gated-nanotubes exhibit a prominent photothermal efficiency with multistep drug release under laser irradiation. In an in vitro assay, composite hydrogel provides good antibacterial potency against Staphylococcus aureus, one of the most prevalent microorganisms of dangerous gas gangrene. A bacterial-infected rat full-thickness wound model demonstrates that the NIR-responsive composite hydrogel inhibits the bacteria colonization and suppresses the inflammatory response caused by bacteria, promoting angiogenesis and collagen deposition to accelerate wound regeneration. The NIR-responsive composite hydrogel has a great potential as an antibacterial wound dressing functionalized with controlled multistep treatment of the infected sites.

The impairment of intramural periarterial drainage in brain after subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Interstitial fluid (ISF) from brain drains along the basement membranes of capillaries and arteries as Intramural Periarterial Drainage (IPAD); failure of IPAD results in cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA). In this study, we test the hypothesis that IPAD fails after subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH). The rat SAH model was established using endovascular perforation method. Fluorescence dyes with various molecular weights were injected into cisterna magna of rats, and the pattern of IPAD after SAH was detected using immunofluorescence staining, two-photon fluorescent microscope, transmission electron microscope and magnetic resonance imaging tracking techniques. Our results showed that fluorescence dyes entered the brain along a periarterial compartment and were cleared from brain along the basement membranes of the capillaries, with different patterns based on individual molecular weights. After SAH, there was significant impairment in the IPAD system: marked expansion of perivascular spaces, and ISF clearance rate was significantly decreased, associated with the apoptosis of endothelial cells, activation of astrocytes, over-expression of matrix metalloproteinase 9 and loss of collagen type IV. In conclusion, experimental SAH leads to a failure of IPAD, clinically significant for long term complications such as CAA, following SAH.

Combined metabolomics and network pharmacology to elucidate the mechanisms of Dracorhodin Perchlorate in treating diabetic foot ulcer rats.

Background: Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is a severe chronic complication of diabetes, that can result in disability or death. Dracorhodin Perchlorate (DP) is effective for treating DFU, but the potential mechanisms need to be investigated. We aimed to explore the mechanisms underlying the acceleration of wound healing in DFU by the topical application of DP through the combination of metabolomics and network pharmacology. Methods: A DFU rat model was established, and the rate of ulcer wound healing was assessed. Different metabolites were found in the skin tissues of each group, and MetaboAnalyst was performed to analyse metabolic pathways. The candidate targets of DP in the treatment of DFU were screened using network pharmacology. Cytoscape was applied to construct an integrated network of metabolomics and network pharmacology. Moreover, the obtained hub targets were validated using molecular docking. After the topical application of DP, blood glucose, the rate of wound healing and pro-inflammatory cytokine levels were assessed. Results: The levels of IL-1, hs-CRP and TNF-α of the Adm group were significantly downregulated. A total of 114 metabolites were identified. These could be important to the therapeutic effects of DP in the treatment of DFU. Based on the network pharmacology, seven hub genes were found, which were partially consistent with the metabolomics results. We focused on four hub targets by further integrated analysis, namely, PAH, GSTM1, DHFR and CAT, and the crucial metabolites and pathways. Molecular docking results demonstrated that DP was well combined with the hub targets. Conclusion: Our research based on metabolomics and network pharmacology demonstrated that DP improves wound healing in DFU through multiple targets and pathways, and it can potentially be used for DFU treatment.

Polyurethanes Based on Polylactic Acid for 3D Printing and Shape-Memory Applications.

Polylactic acid (PLA) has received increased attention in the development of shape-memory polymers and biomedical materials owing to its excellent physical properties and good biocompatibility and biodegradability. However, the inherent brittleness and high shape-recovery temperature of this material limit its application in the human body. Herein, we fabricated a PLA-based thermoplastic polyurethane (PLA-TPU) prepared from modified PLA-diol, dicyclohexylmethane-4,4'-diisocyanate, and 1,4-butanediol to solve the limitations of pure PLA. The glass transition temperature (Tg) of the designed TPU can be tailored from 6 to 40.5 °C by adjusting the content of hard segments or molecular weight of soft segments. The shape of the designed TPU can be fixed at room temperature and recovered at temperatures above 37 °C. Moreover, the prepared PLA-TPUs exhibited recyclability, three-dimensional printing capability, non-cytotoxicity, blood compatibility, and biodegradability. The shape of PLA-TPU/nano-Fe3O4 composites can be recovered by exposure to near-infrared light. These results collectively indicate that PLA-TPUs and their composites may have potential applications as intelligent flexible medical scaffolds for surgical and medical implantation equipment.

The roles and applications of neural stem cells in spinal cord injury repair.

Spinal cord injury (SCI), which has no current cure, places a severe burden on patients. Stem cell-based therapies are considered promising in attempts to repair injured spinal cords; such options include neural stem cells (NSCs). NSCs are multipotent stem cells that differentiate into neuronal and neuroglial lineages. This feature makes NSCs suitable candidates for regenerating injured spinal cords. Many studies have revealed the therapeutic potential of NSCs. In this review, we discuss from an integrated view how NSCs can help SCI repair. We will discuss the sources and therapeutic potential of NSCs, as well as representative pre-clinical studies and clinical trials of NSC-based therapies for SCI repair.

Accelerating Cell Migration along Radially Aligned Nanofibers through the Addition of Electrosprayed Nanoparticles in a Radial Density Gradient.

Scaffolds capable of promoting cell migration from the periphery towards the center along the radial direction hold promises for tissue regeneration. Here we report a simple and general method based on masked electrospray for the fabrication of such scaffolds by depositing collagen nanoparticles on radially-aligned nanofibers in a radial density gradient. Placed between the metallic needle and the collector, an aperture with tunable opening sizes serves as the mask. By increasing the size of the opening at a fixed speed, the electrosprayed particles take a radial density gradient that decreases from the center to the periphery. When deposited on a glass slide, the radial density gradient of collagen nanoparticles promotes the migration of fibroblasts from the periphery towards the center. By replacing the glass slide with a scaffold comprised of radially-aligned nanofibers, a synergetic effect arises to further accelerate cell migration along the radial direction. The synergistic effect can be attributed to a unique combination of the topographic cue arising from the aligned nanofibers and the haptotactic cue enabled by the graded nanoparticles. This work demonstrates a method to maximize cell migration from the periphery towards the center through a combination of topographic and haptotactic cues.

Identification of proline-rich protein 11 as a major regulator in mouse spermatogonia maintenance via an increase in BMI1 protein stability.

BACKGROUND: Spermatogenesis accompanied by self-renewal and differentiation of spermatogonia under complicated regulation is crucial for male fertility. Our previous study demonstrated that the loss of the B-lymphoma Mo-MLV insertion region 1 (BMI1) could cause male infertility and found a potential interaction between BMI1 and proline-rich protein 11 (PRR11); however, the specific co-regulatory effects of BMI1/PRR11 on spermatogonia maintenance remain unclear. METHODS AND RESULTS: The expression of PRR11 was downregulated in a mouse spermatogonia cell line (GC-1) via transfection with PRR11-siRNAs, and PRR11 knockdown was verified by real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). The proliferative activity of GC-1 cells was determined using the cell counting kit (CCK-8), colony formation, and 5-ethynyl-2-deoxyuridine (EdU) incorporation assay. A Transwell assay was performed to evaluate the effects of PRR11 on GC-1 cell migration. A terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling assay was used to measure GC-1 cell apoptosis. Furthermore, co-immunoprecipitation, RT-qPCR, and western blot analyses were used for investigating the regulatory mechanisms involved in this regulation. It was found that downregulation of PRR11 could cause a marked inhibition of proliferation and migration and induced apoptosis in GC-1 cells. Moreover, silencing of PRR11 obviously led to a reduction in the BMI1 protein level. PRR11 was found to interact with BMII at the endogenous protein level. PRR11 knockdown produced a decrease in BMI1 protein stability via an increase in BMI1 ubiquitination after which derepression in the transcription of protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor type M (Ptprm) occurred. Importantly, knockdown of Ptprm in PRR11-deficient GC-1 cells led to a reversal of proliferation and migration of GC-1 cells. CONCLUSIONS: This study uncovered a novel mechanism by which PRR11 cooperated with BMI1 to facilitate GC-1 maintenance through targeting Ptprm. Our findings may provide a better understanding of the regulatory network in spermatogonia maintenance.