Sulfonamide modified chitosan oligosaccharide with high nematicidal activity against Meloidogyne incognita.

Chitosan oligosaccharide (COS) modification is a feasible way to develop novel green nematicides. This study involved the synthesis of various COS sulfonamide derivatives via hydroxylated protection and deprotection, which were then characterized using NMR, FTIR, MS, elemental analysis, XRD, and TG/DTG. In vitro experiments found that COS-alkyl sulfonamide derivatives (S6 and S11-S13) exhibited high mortality (>98 % at 1 mg/mL) against Meloidogyne incognita second-instar larvaes (J2s) among the derivatives. S6 can cause vacuole-like structures in the middle and tail regions of the nematode body and effectively inhibit egg hatching. In vivo tests have found that S6 has well control effects and low plant toxicity. Additionally, the structure-activity studies revealed that S6 with a high degree of substitution, a low molecular weight, and a sulfonyl bond on the amino group of the COS backbone exhibited increased nematicidal activity. The sulfonamide group is a potential active group for developing COS-based nematicides.

Research progress on morphology and mechanism of programmed cell death.

Programmed cell death (PCD) is a basic process of life that is closely related to the growth, development, aging and disease of organisms and is one of the hotspots of life science research today. PCD is a kind of genetic control, autonomous and orderly important cell death that involves the activation, expression, and regulation of a series of genes. In recent years, with the deepening of research in this field, new mechanisms of multiple PCD pathways have been revealed. This article reviews and summarizes the multiple PCD pathways that have been discovered, analyses and compares the morphological characteristics and biomarkers of different types of PCD, and briefly discusses the role of various types of PCD in the diagnosis and treatment of different diseases, especially malignant tumors.

Evaluation of the tumor-targeting specific imaging and killing effect of a CEA-targeting nanoparticle in colorectal cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a prevalent digestive malignancy with significant global mortality and morbidity rates. Improving diagnostic capabilities for CRC and investigating novel therapeutic approaches are pressing clinical imperatives. Additionally, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) has emerged as a highly promising candidate for both colorectal tumor imaging and treatment. METHODS: A novel active CEA-targeting nanoparticle, CEA(Ab)-MSNs-ICG-Pt, was designed and synthesized, which served as a tumor-specific fluorescence agent to help in CRC near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence imaging. In cell studies, CEA(Ab)-MSNs-ICG-Pt exhibited specific targeting to RKO cells through specific antibody-antigen binding of CEA, resulting in distribution both within and around these cells. The tumor-targeting-specific imaging capabilities of the nanoparticle were determined through in vivo fluorescence imaging experiments. Furthermore, the efficacy of the nanoparticle in delivering chemotherapeutics and its killing effect were evaluated both in vitro and in vivo. RESULTS: The CEA(Ab)-MSNs-ICG-Pt nanoparticle, designed as a novel targeting agent for carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), exhibited dual functionality as a targeting fluorescent agent. This CEA-targeting nanoparticle showed exceptional efficacy in eradicating CRC cells in comparison to individual treatment modalities. Furthermore, it exhibits exceptional biosafety and biocompatibility properties. CEA(Ab)-MSNs-ICG-Pt exhibits significant promise due to its ability to selectively target tumors through NIR fluorescence imaging and effectively eradicate CRC cells with minimal adverse effects in both laboratory and in vivo environments. CONCLUSION: The favorable characteristics of CEA(Ab)-MSNs-ICG-Pt offer opportunities for its application in chemotherapeutic interventions, tumor-specific NIR fluorescence imaging, and fluorescence-guided surgical procedures.

Sustainable upcycling of mixed spent cathodes to a high-voltage polyanionic cathode material.

Sustainable battery recycling is essential for achieving resource conservation and alleviating environmental issues. Many open/closed-loop strategies for critical metal recycling or direct recovery aim at a single component, and the reuse of mixed cathode materials is a significant challenge. To address this barrier, here we propose an upcycling strategy for spent LiFePO4 and Mn-rich cathodes by structural design and transition metal replacement, for which uses a green deep eutectic solvent to regenerate a high-voltage polyanionic cathode material. This process ensures the complete recycling of all the elements in mixed cathodes and the deep eutectic solvent can be reused. The regenerated LiFe0.5Mn0.5PO4 has an increased mean voltage (3.68 V versus Li/Li+) and energy density (559 Wh kg-1) compared with a commercial LiFePO4 (3.38 V and 524 Wh kg-1). The proposed upcycling strategy can expand at a gram-grade scale and was also applicable for LiFe0.5Mn0.5PO4 recovery, thus achieving a closed-loop recycling between the mixed spent cathodes and the next generation cathode materials. Techno-economic analysis shows that this strategy has potentially high environmental and economic benefits, while providing a sustainable approach for the value-added utilization of waste battery materials.

Molecularly imprinted polymer-based SERS sensing of transferrin in human serum.

Specific detection of glycoproteins such as transferrin (TRF) related to neurological diseases, hepatoma and other diseases always plays an important role in the field of disease diagnosis. We designed an antibody-free immunoassay sensing method based on molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) formed by the polymerization of multiple functional monomers for the sensitive and selective detection of TRF in human serum. In the sandwich surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) sensor, the TRF-oriented magnetic MIP nanoparticles (Fe3O4@SiO2-MIPs) served as capture units to specifically recognize TRF and 4-mercaptophenylboronic acid-functionalized gold nanorods (MPBA-Au NRs) served as SERS probes to label the targets. In order to achieve stronger interaction between the recognition cavities of the prepared MIPs and the different amino acid fragments that make up TRF, Fe3O4@SiO2-MIPs were obtained through polycondensation reactions between more silylating reagents, enhancing the specific recognition of the entire TRF protein and achieving high IF. This sensing method exhibited a good linear response to TRF within the TRF concentration range of 0.01 ng mL-1 to 1 mg mL-1 (R2 = 0.9974), and the LOD was 0.00407 ng mL-1 (S/N = 3). The good stability, reproducibility and specificity of the resulting MIP based SERS sensor were demonstrated. The determination of TRF in human serum confirmed the feasibility of the method in practical applications.

Intermediate molecular weight-fucosylated chondroitin sulfate from sea cucumber Cucumaria frondosa is a promising anticoagulant targeting intrinsic factor IXa.

Thromboembolic diseases pose a serious risk to human health worldwide. Fucosylated chondroitin sulfate (FCS) is reported to have good anticoagulant activity with a low bleeding risk. Molecular weight plays a significant role in the anticoagulant activity of FCS, and FCS smaller than octasaccharide in size has no anticoagulant activity. Therefore, identifying the best candidate for developing novel anticoagulant FCS drugs is crucial. Herein, native FCS was isolated from sea cucumber Cucumaria frondosa (FCScf) and depolymerized into a series of lower molecular weights (FCScfs). A comprehensive assessment of the in vitro anticoagulant activity and in vivo bleeding risk of FCScfs with different molecule weights demonstrated that 10 kDa FCScf (FCScf-10 K) had a greater intrinsic anticoagulant activity than low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) without any bleeding risk. Using molecular modeling combined with experimental validation, we revealed that FCScf-10 K can specifically inhibit the formation of the Xase complex by binding the negatively charged sulfate group of FCScf-10 K to the positively charged side chain of arginine residues on the specific surface of factor IXa. Thus, these data demonstrate that the intermediate molecular weight FCScf-10 K is a promising candidate for the development of novel anticoagulant drugs.

Genome editing: An insight into disease resistance, production efficiency, and biomedical applications in livestock.

One of the primary concerns for the survival of the human species is the growing demand for food brought on by an increasing global population. New developments in genome-editing technology present promising opportunities for the growth of wholesome and prolific farm animals. Genome editing in large animals is used for a variety of purposes, including biotechnology to improve food production, animal health, and pest management, as well as the development of animal models for fundamental research and biomedicine. Genome editing entails modifying genetic material by removing, adding, or manipulating particular DNA sequences from a particular locus in a way that does not happen naturally. The three primary genome editors are CRISPR/Cas 9, TALENs, and ZFNs. Each of these enzymes is capable of precisely severing nuclear DNA at a predetermined location. One of the most effective inventions is base editing, which enables single base conversions without the requirement for a DNA double-strand break (DSB). As reliable methods for precise genome editing in studies involving animals, cytosine and adenine base editing are now well-established. Effective zygote editing with both cytosine and adenine base editors (ABE) has resulted in the production of animal models. Both base editors produced comparable outcomes for the precise editing of point mutations in somatic cells, advancing the field of gene therapy. This review focused on the principles, methods, recent developments, outstanding applications, the advantages and disadvantages of ZFNs, TALENs, and CRISPR/Cas9 base editors, and prime editing in diverse lab and farm animals. Additionally, we address the methodologies that can be used for gene regulation, base editing, and epigenetic alterations, as well as the significance of genome editing in animal models to better reflect real disease. We also look at methods designed to increase the effectiveness and precision of gene editing tools. Genome editing in large animals is used for a variety of purposes, including biotechnology to improve food production, animal health, and pest management, as well as the development of animal models for fundamental research and biomedicine. This review is an overview of the existing knowledge of the principles, methods, recent developments, outstanding applications, the advantages and disadvantages of zinc finger nucleases (ZFNs), transcription-activator-like endonucleases (TALENs), and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats associated protein 9 (CRISPR/Cas 9), base editors and prime editing in diverse lab and farm animals, which will offer better and healthier products for the entire human race.

Strong interactions through the highly polar "Early-Late" metal-metal bonds enable single-atom catalysts good durability and superior bifunctional ORR/OER activity.

Simultaneously enhancing the durability and catalytic performance of metal-nitrogen-carbon (M-Nx-C) single-atom catalysts is critical to boost oxygen electrocatalysis for energy conversion and storage, yet it remains a grand challenge. Herein, through the combination of early and late metals, we proposed to enhance the stability and tune the catalytic activity of M-Nx-C SACs in oxygen electrocatalysis by their strong interaction with the M2'C-type MXene substrate. Our density functional theory (DFT) computations revealed that the strong interaction between "early-late" metal-metal bonds significantly improves thermal and electrochemical stability. Due to considerable charge transfer and shift of the d-band center, the electronic properties of these SACs can be extensively modified, thereby optimizing their adsorption strength with oxygenated intermediates and achieving eight promising bifunctional catalysts for ORR/OER with low overpotentials. More importantly, the constant-potential analysis demonstrated the excellent bifunctional activity of SACs supported on MXene substrate across a broad pH range, especially in strongly alkaline media with record-low overpotentials. Further machine learning analysis shows that the d-band center, the charge of the active site, and the work function of the formed heterojunctions are critical to revealing the ORR/OER activity origin. Our results underscore the vast potential of strong interactions between different metal species in enhancing the durability and catalytic performance of SACs.

Enhancing Acid Resistance of Aspergillus niger Pectin Lyase through Surface Charge Design for Improved Application in Juice Clarification.

Pectin lyases (PNLs) can enhance juice clarity and flavor by degrading pectin in highly esterified fruits, but their inadequate acid resistance leads to rapid activity loss in juice. This study aimed to improve the acid resistance of Aspergillus niger PNL pelA through surface charge design. A modification platform was established by fusing pelA with a protein tag and expressing the fusion enzyme in Escherichia coli. Four single-point mutants were identified to increase the surface charge using computational tools. Moreover, the combined mutant M6 (S514D/S538E) exhibited 99.8% residual activity at pH 3.0. The M6 gene was then integrated into the A. niger genome using a multigene integration system to obtain the recombinant PNL AM6. Notably, AM6 improved the light transmittance of orange juice to 45.3%, which was 8.39 times higher than that of pelA. In conclusion, AM6 demonstrated the best-reported acid resistance, making it a promising candidate for industrial juice clarification.

Epstein-Barr virus positive gastric cancer: the pathological basis of CT findings and radiomics models prediction.

PURPOSE: To analyze the clinicopathologic information and CT imaging features of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-positive gastric cancer (GC) and establish CT-based radiomics models to predict the EBV status of GC. METHODS: This retrospective study included 144 GC cases, including 48 EBV-positive cases. Pathological and immunohistochemical information was collected. CT enlarged LN and morphological characteristics were also assessed. Radiomics models were constructed to predict the EBV status, including decision tree (DT), logistic regression (LR), random forest (RF), and support vector machine (SVM). RESULTS: T stage, Lauren classification, histological differentiation, nerve invasion, VEGFR2, E-cadherin, PD-L1, and Ki67 differed significantly between the EBV-positive and -negative groups (p = 0.015, 0.030, 0.006, 0.022, 0.028, 0.030, < 0.001, and < 0.001, respectively). CT enlarged LN and large ulceration differed significantly between the two groups (p = 0.019 and 0.043, respectively). The number of patients in the training and validation cohorts was 100 (with 33 EBV-positive cases) and 44 (with 15 EBV-positive cases). In the training cohort, the radiomics models using DT, LR, RF, and SVM yielded areas under the curve (AUCs) of 0.905, 0.771, 0.836, and 0.886, respectively. In the validation cohort, the diagnostic efficacy of radiomics models using the four classifiers were 0.737, 0.722, 0.751, and 0.713, respectively. CONCLUSION: A significantly higher proportion of CT enlarged LN and a significantly lower proportion of large ulceration were found in EBV-positive GC. The prediction efficiency of radiomics models with different classifiers to predict EBV status in GC was good.

The oncogenic role and regulatory mechanism of ACAA2 in human ovarian cancer.

Acetyl-CoAacyltransferase2 (ACAA2) is a key enzyme in the fatty acid oxidation pathway that catalyzes the final step of mitochondrial ß oxidation, which plays an important role in fatty acid metabolism. The expression of ACAA2 is closely related to the occurrence and malignant progression of tumors. However, the function of ACAA2 in ovarian cancer is unclear. The expression level and prognostic value of ACAA2 were analyzed by databases. Gain and loss of function were carried out to explore the function of ACAA2 in ovarian cancer. RNA-seq and bioinformatics methods were applied to illustrate the regulatory mechanism of ACAA2. ACAA2 overexpression promoted the growth, proliferation, migration, and invasion of ovarian cancer, and ACAA2 knockdown inhibited the malignant progression of ovarian cancer as well as the ability of subcutaneous tumor formation in nude mice. At the same time, we found that OGT can induce glycosylation modification of ACAA2 and regulate the karyoplasmic distribution of ACAA2. OGT plays a vital role in ovarian cancer as a function of oncogenes. In addition, through RNA-seq sequencing, we found that ACAA2 regulates the expression of DIXDC1. ACAA2 regulated the malignant progression of ovarian cancer through the WNT/ß-Catenin signaling pathway probably. ACAA2 is an oncogene in ovarian cancer and has the potential to be a target for ovarian cancer therapy.

Application of covalent modality in proximity-induced drug pharmacology: Early development, current strategy, and feature directions.

With a growing number of covalent drugs securing FDA approval as successful therapies across various indications, particularly in the realm of cancer treatment, the covalent modulating strategy is undergoing a resurgence. The renewed interest in covalent bioactive compounds has captured significant attention from both the academic and biopharmaceutical industry sectors. Covalent chemistry presents several advantages over traditional noncovalent proximity-induced drugs, including heightened potency, reduced molecular size, and the ability to target "undruggable" entities. Within this perspective, we have compiled a comprehensive overview of current covalent modalities applied to proximity-induced molecules, delving into their advantages and drawbacks. Our aim is to stimulate more profound insights and ideas within the scientific community, guiding future research endeavors in this dynamic field.

Circular RNAs: characteristics, functions, mechanisms, and potential applications in thyroid cancer / ARN circulares: características, funciones, mecanismos y posibles aplicaciones en el cáncer de tiroides

Thyroid cancer (TC) is one of the most common endocrine malignancies, and its incidence has increased globally. Despite extensive research, the underlying molecular mechanisms of TC remain partially understood, warranting continued exploration of molecular markers for diagnostic and prognostic applications. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have recently garnered significant attention owing to their distinct roles in cancers. This review article introduced the classification and biological functions of circRNAs and summarized their potential as diagnostic and prognostic markers in TC. Further, the interplay of circRNAs with PI3K/Akt/mTOR, Wnt/β-catenin, MAPK/ERK, Notch, JAK/STAT, and AMPK pathways is elaborated upon. The article culminates with an examination of circRNA's role in drug resistance of TC and highlights the challenges in circRNA research in TC.(AU)

Habitat Suitability and Determinants for Anatidae in Multi-Watershed Composite Wetlands in Anhui, China.

Habitat suitability analysis is essential in habitat and species conservation. Anatidae are known for their migratory behaviour, high population density, and wide distribution range. Understanding their habitat utilzation and influencing factors is crucial in targeted conservation and management. In this study, we collected Anatidae diversity data, including the number of species, through field surveys from October 2021 to March 2022 and thirty habitat variables through an online database in Anhui Province, China. By using MaxEnt, we simulated the habitat suitability of twenty-one Anatidae species, revealing potential distribution sites in Anhui Province. Generalized linear mixed models (GLMM) were employed to identify factors affecting the distribution of geese and ducks. The results showed that high-suitability habitats were predominantly located in the large lakes of the Yangtze River floodplain. The GLMM analysis showed significant correlations between Anatidae richness and altitude, distribution of farmland, and human footprint. In addition, ducks were more sensitive to the human interference factor than geese. In summary, the lakes in the Yangtze River floodplain emerged as the most important Anatidae habitats in Anhui Province due to their abundant wetland resources, flat terrain, and high distribution of farmlands. These findings provide a scientific basis for the development of relevant conservation strategies and measures, aiding in wildlife epidemic monitoring, prevention, and control.

Preclinical imaging evaluation of a bispecific antibody targeting hPD1/CTLA4 using humanized mice.

BACKGROUND: The lack of an efficient way to screen patients who are responsive to immunotherapy challenges PD1/CTLA4-targeting cancer treatment. Immunotherapeutic efficacy cannot be clearly determined by peripheral blood analyses, tissue gene markers or CT/MR value. Here, we used a radionuclide and imaging techniques to investigate the novel dual targeted antibody cadonilimab (AK104) in PD1/CTLA4-positive cells in vivo. METHODS: First, humanized PD1/CTLA4 mice were purchased from Biocytogen Pharmaceuticals (Beijing) Co., Ltd. to express hPD1/CTLA4 in T-cells. Then, mouse colon cancer MC38-hPD-L1 cell xenografts were established in humanized mice. A bispecific antibody targeting PD1/CTLA4 (AK104) was labeled with radio-nuclide iodine isotopes. Immuno-PET/CT imaging was performed using a bispecific monoclonal antibody (mAb) probe 124I-AK104, developed in-house, to locate PD1+/CTLA4+ tumor-infiltrating T cells and monitor their distribution in mice to evaluate the therapeutic effect. RESULTS: The 124I-AK104 dual-antibody was successfully constructed with ideal radiochemical characteristics, in vitro stability and specificity. The results of immuno-PET showed that 124I-AK104 revealed strong hPD1/CTLA4-positive responses with high specificity in humanized mice. High uptake of 124I-AK104 was observed not only at the tumor site but also in the spleen. Compared with PD1- or CTLA4-targeting mAb imaging, 124I-AK104 imaging had excellent standard uptake values at the tumor site and higher tumor to nontumor (T/NT) ratios. CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrated the potential of translating 124I-AK104 into a method for screening patients who benefit from immunotherapy and the efficacy, as well as the feasibility, of this method was verified by immuno-PET imaging of humanized mice.

Rational Design of a Novel Class of Human ClpP Agonists through a Ring-Opening Strategy with Enhanced Antileukemia Activity.

The activation of Homo sapiens Casein lysing protease P (HsClpP) by a chemical or genetic strategy has been proved to be a new potential therapy in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). However, limited efficacy has been achieved with classic agonist imipridone ONC201. Here, a novel class of HsClpP agonists is designed and synthesized using a ring-opening strategy based on the lead compound 1 reported in our previous study. Among these novel scaffold agonists, compound 7k exhibited remarkably enhanced proteolytic activity of HsClpP (EC50 = 0.79 ± 0.03 µM) and antitumor activity in vitro (IC50 = 0.038 ± 0.003 µM). Moreover, the intraperitoneal administration of compound 7k markedly suppressed tumor growth in Mv4-11 xenograft models, achieving a tumor growth inhibition rate of 88%. Concurrently, 7k displayed advantageous pharmacokinetic properties in vivo. This study underscores the promise of compound 7k as a significant HsClpP agonist and an antileukemia drug candidate, warranting further exploration for AML treatment.

Thermal-Rectified Gradient Porous Polymeric Film for Solar-Thermal Regulatory Cooling.

Solar-thermal regulation concerning thermal insulation and solar modulation is pivotal for cooling textiles and smart buildings. Nevertheless, a contradiction arises in balancing the demand to prevent external heat infiltration with the efficient dissipation of excess heat from enclosed spaces. Here, a concentration-gradient polymerization strategy is presented for fabricating a gradient porous polymeric film comprising interconnected polymeric microspheres. This method involves establishing an electric field-driven gradient distribution of charged crosslinkers in the precursor solution, followed by subsequent polymerization and freeze-drying processes. The resulting porous film exhibits a significant porosity gradient along its thickness, leading to exceptional unidirectional thermal insulation capabilities with a thermal rectification factor of 21%. The gradient porous film, with its thermal rectification properties, effectively reconciles the conflicting demands of diverse thermal conductivity for cooling unheated and spontaneously heated enclosed spaces. Consequently, the gradient porous film demonstrates remarkable enhancements in solar-thermal management, achieving temperature reductions of 3.0 and 4.1 °C for unheated and spontaneously heated enclosed spaces, respectively, compared to uniform porous films. The developed gradient-structured porous film thus holds promise for the development of thermal-rectified materials tailored to regulate solar-thermal conditions within enclosed environments.

International Normalized Ratio Predicts Recurrence and Bleeding in Patients With Acute Venous Thromboembolism Who Undergo Direct Oral Anticoagulants.

Prothrombin time/international normalized ratio (PT/INR) is related to both antithrombotic effect and risk of bleeding. Its role in the prediction of venous thromboembolism (VTE) recurrence and bleeding for patients with acute VTE who undergo direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) treatment is unclear, despite previous studies revealed some association between them. The predictive efficiency of INR for VTE recurrence and bleeding were analyzed in a retrospective cohort with VTE patients who underwent DOACs treatment. Then its predictive efficiency for VTE recurrence and bleeding were validated in a prospective cohort with the acquired cutoffs range, and compared with anti-Xa level, DASH and VTE-BLEED scores. In the retrospective cohort (n = 1083), the sensitivity and specificity of INR for the prediction of VTE recurrence were 79.4% and 92.8%, respectively. The area under the curve (AUC) was 0.881 (0.803-0.960)(P = .025). The cutoff value of INR was 0.9. The sensitivity and specificity of INR for the prediction of bleeding were 85.7% and 77.9%, respectively. The AUC was 0.876 (0.786-0.967)(P < .001). The cutoff value of INR was 2.1. In the prospective cohort (n = 202), the calibration showed that there were 4 (50%) patients with VTE recurrence, 156 (97.5%) patients with non-recurrence and bleeding (non-R&B), and 20 (58.8%) patients with bleeding in the low (INR < 0.9)(n = 8), intermediate (0.9 ≤ INR ≤ 2.1)(n = 160), and high (INR > 2.1)(n = 34) groups, respectively. The baseline PT/INR value at the initiation of DOACs treatment is an independent predictor for VTE recurrence and bleeding in patients with acute VTE who undergo DOACs treatment.

Rice OseIF6.1 encodes a eukaryotic translation initiation factor and is essential for the development of grain and anther.

The eIF6 proteins are distributed extensively in eukaryotes and play diverse and essential roles. The bona fide eIF6 protein in Arabidopsis, At-eIF6;1, is essential for embryogenesis. However, the role of eIF6 proteins in rice growth and development remains elusive and requires further investigation. Here, we characterized the functions of OseIF6.1, which is homologous to At-eIF6;1. OseIF6.1 encodes an eukaryotic translation initiation factor with a conserved eIF6 domain. The knockdown of OseIF6.1 resulted in a decrease in grain length and pollen sterility, whereas the overexpression of OseIF6.1 displayed opposite phenotypes. Further studies revealed that OseIF6.1 regulates grain shape by influencing cell expansion and proliferation. In addition, OseIF6.1 interacts with OsNMD3, which is a nuclear export adaptor for the 60S ribosomal subunit. The knockdown of OsNMD3 in plants exhibited reduced fertility and seed setting. Therefore, our findings have significantly enriched the current understanding of the role of OseIF6.1 in rice growth and development.

Mulberry leaf polysaccharide improves cyclophosphamide-induced growth inhibition and intestinal damage in chicks by modulating intestinal flora, enhancing immune regulation and antioxidant capacity.

Polysaccharides are generally considered to have immune enhancing functions, and mulberry leaf polysaccharide is the main active substance in mulberry leaves, while there are few studies on whether mulberry leaf polysaccharide (MLP) has an effect on immunosuppression and intestinal damage caused by cyclophosphamide (CTX), we investigated whether MLP has an ameliorative effect on intestinal damage caused by CTX. A total of 210 1-day-old Mahuang cocks were selected for this experiment. Were equally divided into six groups and used to evaluate the immune effect of MLP. Our results showed that MLP significantly enhanced the growth performance of chicks and significantly elevated the secretion of cytokines (IL-1ß, IL-10, IL-6, TNF-α, and IFN-γ), immunoglobulins and antioxidant enzymes in the serum of immunosuppressed chicks. It attenuated jejunal damage and elevated the expression of jejunal tight junction proteins Claudin1, Zo-1 and MUC2, which protected intestinal health. MLP activated TLR4-MyD88-NF-κB pathway and enhanced the expression of TLR4, MyD88 and NF-κB, which served to protect the intestine. 16S rDNA gene high-throughput sequencing showed that MLP increased species richness, restored CTX-induced gut microbiome imbalance, and enhanced the abundance of probiotic bacteria in the gut. MLP improves cyclophosphamide-induced growth inhibition and intestinal damage in chicks by modulating intestinal flora and enhancing immune regulation and antioxidant capacity. In conclusion, this study provides a scientific basis for MLP as an immune enhancer to regulate chick intestinal flora and protect chick intestinal mucosal damage.