Glycosides of Buyang Huanwu decoction inhibits inflammation associated with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion via the PINK1/Parkin mitophagy pathway.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: A classic stroke formula is Buyang Huanwu Decoction (BYHWD), Glycosides are the pharmacological components found in BYHWD, which are utilized for the prevention and management of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (CIR), as demonstrated in a previous study. Its neuroprotective properties are closely related to its ability to modulate inflammation, but its mechanism is as yet unclear. AIM OF THE STUDY: A research was undertaken to investigate the impact of glycosides on the inflammation of CIR through the PTEN-induced putative kinase-1 (PINK1)/Parkin mitophagy pathway. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Analyzing glycosides containing serum components was performed with ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time of flight-mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS). Glycosides were applied to rat of Middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R) model and primary neural cell of Oxygen glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R) model. The neuroprotective effect and the regulation of mitophagy of glycosides were evaluated through neural damage and PINK1/Parkin mitophagy activation. Moreover, the assessment of the relationship between glycosides regulation of mitophagy and its anti-inflammatory effects subsequent to mitophagy blockade was conducted by examining neural damage, PINK1/Parkin mitophagy activation, and levels of pyroptosis. RESULTS: (1) It was observed that the administration of glycosides resulted in a decrease in neurological function scores, a reduction in cerebral infarction volume, an increase in mitochondrial autophagosome, and the maintenance of a high expression status of light chain 3 (LC3) II/LC3Ⅰ protein. Additionally, there was a significant inhibition of p62 protein expression and an enhancement of PINK1 and Parkin protein expression. Furthermore, it was found that the effect of glycosides at a dosage of 0.128 g · kg-1 was significantly superior to that of glycosides at a dosage of 0.064 g · kg-1. Notably, the neuroprotective effect and inhibition of pyroptosis protein of glycosides at a dosage of 0.128 g · kg-1 were attenuated when mitochondrial autophagy was blocked. (2) Glycosides repaired cellular morphological damage, enhanced cell survival, and reduced Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage, with glycosides (2.36 µg·mL-1 and 4.72 µg·mL-1) neuronal protection being the strongest. Glycosides (4.72 µg·mL-1) maintained LC3II/LC3Ⅰ protein high expression state, inhibited p62 protein expression, and promoted PINK1 and Parkin protein expression, which was stronger than glycosides (2.36 µg·mL-1). The blockade of mitophagy resulted in a reduction of neuroprotection and inhibition of pyroptosis protein exerted by glycosides. CONCLUSION: Glycosides demonstrate the ability to hinder inflammation through the activation of the PINK1/Parkin mitophagy pathway, thereby leading to subsequent neuroprotective effects on CIR.

PM2.5 induces lung inflammation and fibrosis via airway smooth muscle cell expression of the Wnt5a/JNK pathway.

Background: In recent years, particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) exposure has been considered a key dangerous factor in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The dysfunction of airway smooth muscle cells (ASMCs) facilitates lung inflammation and fibrosis in COPD. Therefore, we explored whether PM2.5 could promote the inflammatory response and fibrosis in ASMCs in vivo and in vitro via the wingless-related integration site 5a (Wnt5a)/c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK)/nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) pathway. Methods: Wnt5a expression in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of COPD patients exposed to PM2.5 was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Mice were intratracheally injected with PM2.5 and a Wnt5a antagonist (BOX5). ASMCs were transfected with Wnt5a small interfering RNA (siRNA), BOX5 and the JNK inhibitor SP600125 before PM2.5 stimulation. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining was performed to measure the inflammatory response and airway fibrosis. The production of Wnt5a/JNK/NF-KB pathway factors was analyzed by Western blotting. The secretion of interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-8 and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) was measured by ELISA. The expression levels of alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), collagen I and collagen III were assessed by quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting. Results: We found that the increase in Wnt5a expression in the BALF of COPD patients was positively correlated with the levels of PM2.5 exposure. The Wnt5a/JNK/NF-κB pathway was activated in the lung samples of PM2.5-induced model mice and PM2.5-exposed ASMCs, which promoted the production of α-SMA, collagen I and collagen III and increased the secretion of IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α. Furthermore, our results showed that BOX5 could prevent these effects. Wnt5a siRNA blocked the activation of the Wnt5a/JNK/NF-κB pathway and inhibited the effects of PM2.5 on fibrosis and inflammation in ASMCs. SP600125 blocked the phosphorylation of NF-κB and inhibited inflammation and fibrosis in PM2.5-exposed ASMCs. Conclusions: These findings suggest that PM2.5 stimulation of ASMCs induces pulmonary inflammatory factor expression and collagen deposition during COPD via the Wnt5a/JNK pathway, which indicates that modulating the Wnt5a/JNK pathway could be a promising therapeutic strategy for PM2.5-induced COPD.

Effect of vascular endothelial growth factor 165 on dopamine level in the retinas of guinea pigs with form-deprivation myopia.

Background: Myopia is the most common refractive error because excessive increase in the axial length of a myopic eye leads to the thinning of the posterior scleral pole and can cause serious complications resulting in blindness. Thus, myopia has become a great concern worldwide. Dopamine (DA) plays a role in the development of myopia. Moreover, in Parkinson's disease, it has been proved that vascular endothelial growth factor 165 (VEGF165) can promote the survival and recovery of DA neurons, resulting in increased DA secretion in the striatum, thereby treating neuropathy. Therefore, we speculate that VEGF165 can also promote the release of DA in the retina to inhibit the occurrence and development of myopia. We aimed to investigate the effect of VEGF165 on DA levels in the retinas of guinea pigs with form-deprivation myopia (FDM) and the effects of DA on myopia prevention and control. Methods: Healthy 3-week-old pigmented guinea pigs were randomly divided into blank, FDM, phosphate buffer saline (PBS), 1, 5, and 10 ng groups. The FDM model was established by covering the right eye continuously with a translucent latex balloon pullover for 14 days. The pigs in the PBS, 1, 5, and 10 ng groups were injected with PBS buffer and 1, 5, and 10 ng of VEGF165 recombinant human protein, respectively, in the vitreous of the right eye before masking. The refractive error and axial length were measured before and after modeling. All retinas were used for biomolecular analyses after 14 days. Results: We found that the intravitreal injection of VEGF165 elevated DA levels in the retina and was effective in slowing the progression of myopia, and 1 ng of VEGF165 was the most effective. Moreover, the number of vascular endothelial cell nuclei in the 1 ng group was lower than that in the other VEGF165 groups. Conclusions: Our data suggest that VEGF165 has a promoting effect on DA in the retinas of guinea pigs with FDM, potentially controlling the development of myopia.

Glycosides of Buyang Huanwu decoction inhibits pyroptosis associated with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion through Nrf2-mediated antioxidant signaling pathway both in vivo and in vitro.

BACKGROUND: Glycosides are the pharmacodynamic substances of Buyang Huanwu Decoction (BYHWD) and they exert a protective effect in the brain by inhibiting neuronal pyroptosis of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (CIR). However, the mechanism by which glycosides regulate neuronal pyroptosis of CIR is still unclear. PURPOSE: A significant part of this study aimed to demonstrate whether glycosides have an anti-pyroptotic effect on CIR by nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor (Nrf2)-mediated antioxidative mechanism. METHODS: Rats were used in vivo models of middle cerebral artery occlusion and reperfusion (MCAO/R). Neuroprotective effect of glycosides after Nrf2 inhibiting was observed by nerve function score, Nissl staining, Nrf2 fluorescence staining and pyroptotic proteins detection. SH-SY5Y cells were used in vitro models of oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R). Glycosides was evaluated for their effects by measuring cell morphology, survival rate, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) rate and expression of pyroptotic proteins. Nrf2 si-RNA 54-1 interference with lentivirus was used to create silenced Nrf2 SH-SY5Y cells (si-Nrf2-SH-SY5Y). Glycosides were evaluated on si-Con-SH-SY5Y and si-Nrf2-SH-SY5Y cells based on the expression of Nrf2 signaling pathway, pyroptotic proteins and cell damage manifestation. RESULTS: In vivo, glycosides significantly promoted the fluorescence level of nuclear Nrf2, added more Nissl bodies, reduced neurological function scores and inhibited the pyroptotic proteins level. In vitro, glycosides significantly repaired the morphological damage of cells, promoted the survival rate, reduced the LDH rate, inhibited the pyroptosis. Moreover, antioxidant activity of glycosides was enhanced via Nrf2 activation. Both Nrf2 blocking in vivo and Nrf2 silencing in vitro significantly weakened the pyroptosis inhibitory and neuroprotective effects of glycosides. CONCLUSION: These results suggested for the first time that glycosides inhibited neuronal pyroptosis by regulating the Nrf2-mediated antioxidant stress pathway, thereby exerting brain protection of CIR. As a result of this study, This study improved understanding of the pharmacodynamics and mechanism of BYHWD, as well as providing a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) treatment strategy for CIR .

Proteomic profiling of single extracellular vesicles reveals colocalization of SARS-CoV-2 with a CD81/integrin-rich EV subpopulation in sputum from COVID-19 severe patients.

Background: The global outbreak of COVID-19, and the limited availability of clinical treatments, forced researchers around the world to search for the pathogenesis and potential treatments. Understanding the pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 is crucial to respond better to the current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Methods: We collected sputum samples from 20 COVID-19 patients and healthy controls. Transmission electron microscopy was used to observe the morphology of SARS-CoV-2. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) were isolated from sputum and the supernatant of VeroE6 cells, and were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, nanoparticle tracking analysis and Western-Blotting. Furthermore, a proximity barcoding assay was used to investigate immune-related proteins in single EV, and the relationship between EVs and SARS-CoV-2. Result: Transmission electron microscopy images of SARS-COV-2 virus reveal EV-like vesicles around the virion, and western blot analysis of EVs extracted from the supernatant of SARS-COV-2-infected VeroE6 cells showed that they expressed SARS-COV-2 protein. These EVs have the infectivity of SARS-COV-2, and the addition can cause the infection and damage of normal VeroE6 cells. In addition, EVs derived from the sputum of patients infected with SARS-COV-2 expressed high levels of IL6 and TGF-ß, which correlated strongly with expression of the SARS-CoV-2 N protein. Among 40 EV subpopulations identified, 18 differed significantly between patients and controls. The EV subpopulation regulated by CD81 was the most likely to correlate with changes in the pulmonary microenvironment after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Single extracellular vesicles in the sputum of COVID-19 patients harbor infection-mediated alterations in host and virus-derived proteins. Conclusions: These results demonstrate that EVs derived from the sputum of patients participate in virus infection and immune responses. This study provides evidence of an association between EVs and SARS-CoV-2, providing insight into the possible pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 infection and the possibility of developing nanoparticle-based antiviral drugs.

Clinical features and 1-year outcomes of chronic bronchitis in participants with normal spirometry: results from the ECOPD study in China.

BACKGROUND: Evidence regarding clinical features and outcomes of individuals with non-obstructive chronic bronchitis (NOCB) remains scarce, especially in never-smokers. We aimed to investigate the clinical features and 1-year outcomes of individuals with NOCB in the Chinese population. METHODS: We obtained data on participants in the Early Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Study who had normal spirometry (post-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 s/forced vital capacity ≥0.70). NOCB was defined as chronic cough and sputum production for at least 3 months for two consecutive years or more at baseline in participants with normal spirometry. We assessed the differences in demographics, risk factors, lung function, impulse oscillometry, CT imaging and frequency of acute respiratory events between participants with and without NOCB. RESULTS: NOCB was present in 13.1% (149/1140) of participants with normal spirometry at baseline. Compared with participants without NOCB, those with NOCB had a higher proportion of men and participants with smoke exposure, occupational exposure, family history of respiratory diseases and worse respiratory symptoms (all p<0.05), but there was no significant difference in lung function. Never-smokers with NOCB had higher rates of emphysema than those without NOCB, but airway resistance was similar. Ever-smokers with NOCB had greater airway resistance than those without NOCB, but emphysema rates were similar. During 1-year follow-up, participants with NOCB had a significantly increased risk of acute respiratory events compared with participants who did not have NOCB, after adjustment for confounders (risk ratio 2.10, 95% CI 1.32 to 3.33; p=0.002). These results were robust in never-smokers and ever-smokers. CONCLUSIONS: Never-smokers and ever-smokers with NOCB had more chronic obstructive pulmonary disease-related risk factors, evidence of airway disease and greater risk of acute respiratory events than those without NOCB. Our findings support expanding the criteria defining pre-COPD to include NOCB.

Genetic screening of MMP1 as a potential pathogenic gene in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

BACKGROUND: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a complex and heterogeneous syndrome. Airway inflammation and remodeling are the two key processes involved in COPD pathogenesis. However, the key pathogenic genes driving COPD development have not been revealed. This study aims to identify and validate hub gene(s) underlying COPD development through bioinformatics analysis and experimental validation. METHODS: Three lung tissue sequencing datasets of the COPD (including GSE38974, GSE103174, and GSE106986) were analyzed. Further, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were used to compare patients with COPD with non-COPD individuals, and the Robust Rank Aggregation (RRA) analysis was also performed. Results revealed a series of potential pathogenic genes of COPD. DEGs were subjected to KEGG, GO, and GSEA analyses. The scRNA dataset of human lung tissues (Human Lung Cell Atlas), and human primary airway epithelial cells (GSE134147) were used to identify the cell subtype localization. The qRT-PCR assay was performed in the human lung tissues, COPD mice model, and primary bronchial epithelial cells at the air-liquid interface (ALI) under cigarette smoke extract (CSE) stimulation to verify the expression of the hub genes. LASSO and GLM analysis with the hub genes were performed to identify the most critical gene. RNA-seq was performed after knocking down the critical gene using siRNA in HBECs at ALI. The potential role of the critical gene was confirmed through qRT-PCR, Western blot, and Immunofluorescence (IF) assays. RESULTS: A total of 98 genes were significantly and differently expressed in 3 GEO datasets. The KEGG and GO analyses showed that most of these genes are responsible for inflammation, immunity, and cell proliferation. The core gene set including 15 genes was screened out and consequently, the MMP1 was the most likely responsible for the progression of COPD. Moreover, we confirmed that MMP1 is significantly related to inflammatory effects and cilia function in human bronchial epithelial cells cultured at the air-liquid interface (ALI). CONCLUSION: In summary, we confirmed that inflammation and cell proliferation are potentially critical processes in COPD occurrence and development. A total of 15 potential hub genes were identified among which MMP1 was the most likely gene responsible for the development of COPD. Therefore, MMP1 is a potential molecular target of COPD therapy.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and phosphorus supply accelerate main medicinal component production of Polygonum cuspidatum.

The medicinal plant Polygonum cuspidatum Sieb. Et Zucc is rich in stilbenes (e.g., polygonin and resveratrol) and anthraquinones (e.g., emodin) for the therapy of human diseases, while how to increase the growth and medicinal composition concentrations of P. cuspidatum has become an urgent issue. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of inoculation with an arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus, Funneliformis mosseae, on plant growth, phosphorus (P) acquisition, medicinal component concentrations, and expressions of resveratrol synthesis-associated enzyme genes of P. cuspidatum at two P levels (0 M and 0.2 M). P supply (0.2 M) stimulated root AM fungal colonization rate. F. mosseae inoculation significantly improved growth performance (height, diameter, and biomass) and root morphology (diameter, length, and projected area), irrespectively of substrate P levels. P supply and F. mosseae distinctly increased soil acid and neutral phosphatase activities, as well as root P concentrations. P supply increased root physcion and resveratrol concentrations in inoculated and uninoculated plants, along with up-regulated expressions of PcCHS1, PcCRS1, PcRS11, and PcSTS. AM plants represented significantly higher root aloe-emodin, chrysophanol, emodin, physcion, polydatin, and resveratrol concentrations than non-AM plants irrespective of P levels, coupled with up-regulated expressions of PcCHS1, PcCHS2, PcRS11, PcRS, and PcSTS. It is concluded that 0.2 M P supply and F. mosseae inoculation promoted chrysophanol, physcion, polydatin, and resveratrol concentrations of P. cuspidatum, with the increase in resveratrol associated with up-regulated expressions of related genes.

Peanut shells-derived biochars as adsorbents for the pipette-tip solid-phase extraction of endocrine-disrupting phenols in water, milk and beverage.

In the present work, a type of biochar materials derived from carbonizing peanut shells were obtained and employed as the adsorbents of pipette-tip solid-phase extraction (PT-SPE) for the enrichment and determination of six endocrine-disrupting phenols (EDPs) in combination with high-performance liquid chromatography equipped with ultraviolet detector (HPLC-UV). Abundant aliphatic and aromatic carbon structures and functional groups from polar heteroatoms (N, O, S) were distributed in the low-cost and eco-friendly peanut shells-derived biochar materials and were favorable for the enrichment of target EDPs. Moreover, the theoretical calculation based on density functional theory (DFT) proved that the effective enrichment of EDPs in aqueous samples benefited from the effective adsorption on the peanut shells-derived biochar materials. The experimental factors influencing the extraction efficiency were investigated, including adsorbent amount, aspirating/dispensing cycles, the type of elution solvent and elution times, salt addition, sample solution pH and type and volume of washing solvent. Under the optimal conditions, the proposed PT-SPE method exhibited good linear relationship (R2 > 0.993) in the range of 0.5-400 µg/L and low limits of detections (LODs) from 0.25 to 2.5 µg/L, as well as good precision and accuracy with relative standard deviations (RSDs) of 0.3%-13.2% and recoveries of 83.5%-117.1%. Finally, the biochars-based miniaturized pretreatment method was employed for the determination of six EDPs in bottled water, milk, tea beverage and disposal plastic bag soaked solution with recoveries from 77.5% to 116.5%.

Association Between Extracellular Superoxide Dismutase Activity and 1-Year All-Cause Mortality in Patients With Acute Exacerbations of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Background and Objectives: Accumulating evidence suggests that oxidative stress is involved in the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and its progression. Activity of extracellular superoxide dismutase (ecSOD), the only extracellular enzyme eliminating superoxide radicals, has been reported to decline in acute exacerbations of COPD (AECOPD). However, the association between serum ecSOD activity and 1-year all-cause mortality in AECOPD patients remains unclear. The objective of our study was to explore the usefulness of ecSOD activity on admission in AECOPD as an objective predictor for 1-year all-cause mortality. Methods: We measured serum ecSOD activity in AECOPD patients on admission in a prospective cohort study. We also recorded their laboratory and clinical data. Multivariate Cox regression was used to analyze the association between ecSOD activity and the risk of 1-year all-cause mortality. Restricted cubic spline curves were used to visualize the relationship between ecSOD activity and the hazard ratio of 1-year all-cause mortality. Results: A total of 367 patients were followed up for 1 year, and 29 patients died during a 1-year follow-up period. Compared with survivors, the non-survivors were older (79.52 ± 8.39 vs. 74.38 ± 9.34 years old, p = 0.004) and had increased levels of tobacco consumption (47.07 ± 41.67 vs. 33.83 ± 31.79 pack-years, p = 0.037). Having an ecSOD activity ≤ 98.8 U/ml was an independent risk factor of 1-year all-cause mortality after adjustment for baseline differences, clinical variables and comorbidities [hazard ratio = 5.51, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.35-12.95, p < 0.001]. Conclusion: Lower serum ecSOD activity was a strong and independent predictor of 1-year all-cause mortality in AECOPD patients.

Root Endophytic Fungi Regulate Changes in Sugar and Medicinal Compositions of Polygonum cuspidatum.

Polygonum cuspidatum Sieb. et Zucc is an important industrial crop because it contains a large amount of medicinal secondary metabolites (such as polydatin, resveratrol, chrysophanol, and emodin). However, it is unclear whether root endophytic fungi increase the content of secondary metabolites in the plant. This study aimed to analyze the effects of Funneliformis mosseae (Fm) and Piriformospora indica (Pi) alone or in combination on plant growth, root morphology, thirteen sugars concentrations, and six secondary metabolites (physcion, chrysophanol, emodin, aloe-emodin, polydatin, and resveratrol) concentrations of P. cuspidatum. After 11 weeks of the fungal inoculation, the roots could be colonized by Fm and Pi single or in combination, along with the higher root colonization frequency of Fm > Pi > Fm + Pi in the descending order. In addition, Fm and Pi improved plant growth performance (plant height, stem diameter, leaf number, and shoot and root biomass) and root morphology (average diameter, maximum diameter, total length, area, and volume) to varying degrees, depending on fungal inoculations, in which Pi displayed a relatively better effect on plant growth. Single Fm and Pi inoculation significantly increased three disaccharides (sucrose, maltose, and trehalose) accumulation, while dual inoculum (Fm + Pi) only elevated sucrose concentrations. Most monosaccharides concentrations, such as D-arabinose, D-galactose, D-sorbitol, D-fructose, glucose, and L-rhamnose were not altered or inhibited by the endophytic fungi, except the increase in L-fucose and inositol. All fungal treatments significantly increased root chrysophanol and resveratrol concentrations, while decreased aloe-emodin concentrations. In addition, single Pi and dual Fm + Pi increased emodin concentrations, and single Fm and dual Fm + Pi elevated physcion and polydatin concentrations. It was concluded that Fm and Pi promoted the growth of P. cuspidatum, and the combination of Fm and Pi was more conducive to the production of some secondary metabolites than single inoculation.

Biomass-related PM2.5 induces mitochondrial fragmentation and dysfunction in human airway epithelial cells.

The use of biomass for cooking and heating is considered an important factor associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but few studies have previously addressed its underlying mechanisms. Therefore, this research aimed to evaluate the effects of biomass-related PM2.5 (BRPM2.5) exposure on 16HBE human airway epithelial cells and in mice with regard to mitochondrial dysfunction. Our study indicated that BRPM2.5 exposure of 16HBE cells resulted in mitochondrial dysfunction, including decreased mitochondrial membrane potential, increased expression of fission proteins-phospho-DRP1, increased mitochondrial ROS (mtROS), and decreased levels of ATP. BRPM2.5 altered the mitochondrial metabolism of 16HBE cells by decreasing mitochondrial oxygen consumption and glycolysis. However, Mitochondria targeted peptide SS-31 eliminated mitochondrial ROS and alleviated the ATP deficiency and proinflammatory cytokines release. BRPM2.5 exposure resulted in abnormal mitochondrial morphological alterations both in 16HBE and in lung tissue. Taken together, these results suggest that BRPM2.5 has detrimental effects on human airway epithelial cells, leading to mitochondrial dysfunction, abnormal mitochondrial metabolism and altered mitochondrial dynamics. The present study provides the first evidence that disruption of mitochondrial structure and mitochondrial metabolism may be one of the mechanisms of BRPM2.5-induced respiratory dysfunction.

New low viscous hydrophobic deep eutectic solvents for the ultrasound-assisted dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction of endocrine-disrupting phenols in water, milk and beverage.

In the present work, several new hydrophobic deep eutectic solvents (HDESs) were prepared with quaternary ammonium salts as hydrogen bond acceptors (HBAs) and salicylate esters as hydrogen bond donors (HBDs). Then, the obtained HDESs were used as extraction solvents to establish an ultrasound-assisted dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction method combined with high-performance liquid chromatography-ultraviolet detection technique for the determination of four endocrine-disrupting phenols (EDPs) compounds. One of the obtained HDESs composed of tetrabutylammonium chloride (N4444Cl) and methyl salicylate possessed a viscosity of 89.28 mPa•s lower than most reported ionic HDESs (>200 mPa•s), and the low viscous HDES was selected as the optimal extraction solvent. Several key parameters affecting the extraction efficiency were investigated, including the type and volume of HDES, ultrasound time, sample solution pH and salt addition. Under the optimized experimental conditions, the proposed method had good coefficients of determination (R2 > 0.9976) in the linear range of 0.5-400 µg•L-1, the limits of quantification and limits of detection respectively were 0.5-2.5 µg•L-1 and 0.25-1 µg•L-1, and the recoveries were in the range of 81.79-109.82%. Finally, the method was used for the preconcentration and determination of EDPs in different samples, including bottled water, tea beverage and milk.

PM2.5 Induces Airway Remodeling in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases via the Wnt5a/ß-Catenin Pathway.

BACKGROUND: Fine-particulate matter ≤2.5 µm in diameter (PM2.5)-associated airway remodeling has recently been recognized as a central feature of COPD. Activation of the Wnt/ß-catenin pathway is closely related to the occurrence of airway remodeling. Accordingly, the goal of this study was to determine whether the Wnt5a/ß-Catenin pathway is involved in PM2.5-induced smooth muscle proliferation in vivo and in vitro, which promotes the development of airway remodeling in subjects with COPD. METHODS: The effect of Wnt5a on ß-Catenin-mediated airway remodeling was assessed using an in vivo model of PM2.5-induced COPD and PM2.5-exposed human bronchial smooth muscle cells (HBSMCs) in vitro. Small animal spirometry was used to measure lung function in mice. H&E staining and immunohistochemistry were performed to inspect emphysema and airway remodeling indices. Real-time PCR was used to detect Wnt5a, ß-Catenin, TGF-ß1, CyclinD1 and c-myc mRNA expression. The CCK8 assay was performed to detect cellular activity. Western blotting was performed to assess PCNA, α-SMA, Wnt5a, ß-Catenin, PDGFRß and TenascinC protein expression. ß-Catenin expression was detected using cellular immunofluorescence. RESULTS: Exposure to PM2.5 led to emphysema, airway wall thickening, an increased smooth muscle layer thickness, decreased lung function and increased expression of the Wnt5a, ß-Catenin, PDGFRß and Tenascin C proteins in the mouse lung tissue. BOX5 (a Wnt5a antagonist) alleviated these PM2.5-induced outcomes in mice. Moreover, PM2.5 induced the expression of the Wnt5a, ß-Catenin, TGF-ß1, CyclinD1 and c-myc mRNAs in HBSMCs. BOX5 also inhibited the PM2.5-induced increases in PCNA, α-SMA, Wnt5a, ß-Catenin, PDGFRß and Tenascin C protein expression in HBSMCs. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that PM2.5 exposure induces HBSMC proliferation, contributing to airway remodeling via the Wnt5a/ß-Catenin signaling pathway in vivo and in vitro, which might be a target for COPD treatment.

Changes in the gut microbiome and metabolome in a rat model of pulmonary arterial hypertension.

The gut microbiota is widely considered to be involved in several diseases, including atherosclerosis, obesity, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). This study aimed to determine if changes in the gut microbiome and metabolome play a major role in the early pathogenesis of PAH. Male Wistar rats were injected with monocrotaline (MCT) (55 mg/kg) at day 1 and injected with calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) antagonist NPS2143 (4.5 mg/kg/d) from days 1 to 21. Fecal samples were obtained. The gut microbiota and metabolome were analyzed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing and mass spectrometry-based analysis to investigate the effect of PAH in this rat model. MCT injection had a marked effect on the composition of the gut microbiota. This finding was further confirmed by metabolomic analysis with identification of several metabolites relevant to the gut microflora. However, NPS2143 partially abrogated this intestinal flora disorder and reversed fecal metabolite abnormalities. In conclusion, our study shows correlations between changes in the gut microbiome and the metabolome in PAH, which are affected by NPS2143.

Surface-confined guanidinium ionic liquid as a new type of stationary phase for hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography.

Guanidinium-based ionic liquids possess lower toxicity and greater designability than commonly used species and have presented good performances in liquid-phase extraction and stationary phase for capillary gas chromatography. In the present work, a novel type of surface-confined guanidinium ionic liquid stationary phase was developed by bonding a hexaalkylguanidinium ionic liquid N,N,N',N'-tetramethyl-N",N"-diallylguanidinium bromide onto the surface of 3-mercaptopropyl modified silica. The obtained surface-confined guanidinium ionic liquid silica materials were characterized by elemental analysis, infrared spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis, and then packed as a high-performance liquid chromatography column for the evaluation of chromatographic retention behavior. Typical polar compounds were used to evaluate the separation performances, and the changes of retention with water content in mobile phase further suggested the hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography retention mechanism. Moreover, the effect of different chromatographic factors (salt concentration, mobile phase pH, and column temperature) on retention was investigated with a series of compounds as test solutes to gain insights into the retention mechanism. The results indicated that the surface-confined guanidinium ionic liquid stationary phase exhibited a hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography/anion-exchange mixed-mode retention behavior and possessed promising potential in separating a wide range of compounds as an alternative stationary phase for high-performance liquid chromatography.

Three-dimensional magnetic stannic disulfide composites for the solid-phase extraction of sulfonamide antibiotics.

In the present work, three-dimensional (3D) and flower-like SnS2 materials were coated on the surface of Fe3O4@nSiO2 through an in-situ growth method. The 3D architecture could avoid the accumulation and reaggregation with better stability and was beneficial for the exposure of more active sites. The prepared magnetic SnS2 composites were used for the enrichment of sulfonamide antibiotics (SAs), and various experimental parameters affecting the extraction efficiency were investigated. The results showed the equilibrium of extraction and desorption towards target SAs could be reached within 3 min by using the Fe3O4@nSiO2-SnS2 composites. Under optimized conditions, the proposed approach possessed good linearity in the range of 0.1-200 ng·mL-1 with correlation coefficients r2 above 0.9964 and low limits of detection (LODs) from 0.025 to 0.250 ng·mL-1 for the five target SAs. Moreover, good repeatability was obtained with the intra-day and inter-day precision in terms of relative standard deviations (RSDs) within 1.1%-10.8% and 7.4%-13.1%, and the recoveries under three spiked concentrations were between 81.8% and 119.7% with adequate accuracy. Different samples including tap water, milk and honey were collected for magnetic solid-phase extraction and determination of target SAs by using the obtained Fe3O4@nSiO2-SnS2 composites to demonstrate the utility. All the results indicated that the proposed method had great potential for effective preconcentration and determination of SAs in complex samples.

NOX4-Derived ROS Promotes Collagen I Deposition in Bronchial Smooth Muscle Cells by Activating Noncanonical p38MAPK/Akt-Mediated TGF-ß Signaling.

BACKGROUND: Airway smooth muscle (ASM) remodeling is a hallmark in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). NADPH oxidase 4- (NOX4-) mediated reactive oxygen species (ROS) production plays a crucial role in cell differentiation and extracellular matrix (ECM) synthesis in ASM remodeling. However, the precise mechanisms underpinning its pathogenic roles remain elusive. METHODS: The expression of NOX4 and TGF-ß 1 in the airway of the lung was measured in COPD patients and the control group. Cigarette smoke- (CS-) induced emphysema mice were generated, and the alteration of α-SMA, NOX4, TGF-ß 1, and collagen I was accessed. The changes of the expression of ECM markers, NOX4, components of TGF-ß/Smad, and MAPK/Akt signaling in human bronchial smooth muscle cells (HBSMCs) were ascertained for delineating mechanisms of NOX4-mediated ROS production on cell differentiation and remodeling in human ASM cells. RESULTS: An increased abundance of NOX4 and TGF-ß 1 proteins in the epithelial cells and ASM of lung was observed in COPD patients compared with the control group. Additionally, an increased abundance expression of NOX4 and α-SMA was observed in the lungs of the CS-induced emphysema mouse model. TGF-ß 1 displayed abilities to increase the oxidative burden and collagen I production, along with enhanced phosphorylation of ERK, p38MAPK, and p-Akt473 in HBSMCs. These effects of TGF-ß 1 could be inhibited by the ROS scavenger N-acetylcysteine (NAC), siRNA-mediated knockdown of Smad3 and NOX4, and pharmacological inhibitors SB203580 (p38MAPK inhibitor) and LY294002 (Akt inhibitor). CONCLUSIONS: NOX4-mediated ROS production alters TGF-ß 1-induced cell differentiation and collagen I protein synthesis in HBSMCs in part through the p38MAPK/Akt signaling pathway in a Smad-dependent manner.

Rationale and design of the Early Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (ECOPD) study in Guangdong, China: a prospective observational cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a heterogeneous disease and its clinically relevant subtypes are not well understood. Which clinical characteristics are more likely to be present among individuals who develop COPD remains to be studied in depth. Therefore, we designed a prospective observational cohort study, entitled the Early Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (ECOPD) study, to fill this evidence gap. The ECOPD study has four specific aims: (I) identification of characteristics, parameters, and biomarkers that may predict the development of airflow obstruction and annual decline in lung function with normal spirometry; (II) identification of clinically relevant early COPD subtypes; (III) identification of characteristics, parameters, and biomarkers that may predict disease progression in these early COPD subtypes; (IV) development and validation of machine learning models to predict development of airflow obstruction and disease progression. METHODS: We will recruit approximately 2,000 participants aged 40-80 years, including approximately 1,000 with COPD [post-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1)/forced vital capacity (FVC) <0.7] and approximately 1,000 without COPD, using a population-based survey for COPD. We will assess all participants using standard respiratory epidemiological questionnaires, pulmonary function tests [pre-bronchodilator and post-bronchodilator spirometry, and impulse oscillometry (IOS)], health outcomes [modified British Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnea scale, COPD assessment test (CAT), COPD clinical questionnaire (CCQ)], inspiratory and expiratory chest computed tomography (CT), and biomarker measurements (blood and urine), as well as satellite remote sensing pollutant exposure measures. Subgroup will additionally complete induced sputum, exercise capacity tests [6-minute walk test (6MWT) and cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET)] and home monitoring/personal sampling as pollutant exposure measures. Study procedures will be performed at baseline and every 1 year thereafter. DISCUSSION: The ECOPD study will provide insight into many aspects of early COPD and improve our understanding of COPD development, which may facilitate therapeutic interventions with the potential to modify the course of disease. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR1900024643. Registered on 19 July, 2019.

Identification of a novel homozygous nonsense mutation in the CDHR1 gene in a Chinese family with autosomal recessive retinitis pigmentosa.

BACKGROUND: Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a group of hereditary retinal diseases that often lead to blindness. Although 80 genes associated with RP have been observed, the genetic mechanism of approximately 40% RP cases remains unknown. This study was to investigate the disease-causing gene in a Han Chinese family with autosomal recessive RP (arRP). METHODS: A Chinese arRP family (RP-2373), consisting of three affected siblings and eight unaffected family members, was recruited in this study. All participants underwent complete ophthalmic examinations, including visual field testing, best-corrected visual acuity, fundus photography and electroretinography. Whole exome sequencing was performed on the three patients and Sanger sequencing was utilized to confirm the mutations identified in all family members and 2010 unrelated controls. RESULTS: A novel homozygous nonsense mutation, c.1231C > T (p.Q411X) in the Cadherin-Related Family Member 1 (CDHR1) gene was identified in the RP-2373 family. The proband and her two affected sisters were found to carry a homozygous mutation that led to a substitution of Glutamine to a stop codon. Other unaffected members and 2010 ethnic-matched controls lacked this mutation. These data showed a complete co-segregation of the CDHR1 mutation with arRP in this family. The p.Q411X mutation was observed to affect highly conserved amino acid residue of CHDR1. CONCLUSION: Our study expanded the CDHR1 mutation spectrum of RP in the Chinese population, which might help to better understand RP molecular pathogenesis.