Unveiling the culturable and non-culturable actinobacterial diversity in two macroalgae species from the northern Portuguese coast.

Actinomycetota, associated with macroalgae, remains one of the least explored marine niches. The secondary metabolism of Actinomycetota, the primary microbial source of compounds relevant to biotechnology, continues to drive research into the distribution, dynamics, and metabolome of these microorganisms. In this study, we employed a combination of traditional cultivation and metagenomic analysis to investigate the diversity of Actinomycetota in two native macroalgae species from the Portuguese coast. We obtained and taxonomically identified a collection of 380 strains, which were distributed across 12 orders, 15 families, and 25 genera affiliated with the Actinomycetia class, with Streptomyces making up approximately 60% of the composition. Metagenomic results revealed the presence of Actinomycetota in both Chondrus crispus and Codium tomentosum datasets, with relative abundances of 11% and 2%, respectively. This approach identified 12 orders, 16 families, and 17 genera affiliated with Actinomycetota, with minimal overlap with the cultivation results. Acidimicrobiales emerged as the dominant actinobacterial order in both macroalgae, although no strain affiliated with this taxonomic group was successfully isolated. Our findings suggest that macroalgae represent a hotspot for Actinomycetota. The synergistic use of both culture-dependent and independent approaches proved beneficial, enabling the identification and recovery of not only abundant but also rare taxonomic members.

Development of a "Rigid-Flexible" Structure at the Interface Through Aramid Nanofibers@MXene to Enhance Mechanical Properties of Carbon Fiber/Polyamide Composites.

With the increasing development of nanomaterials, the construction of multiscale nanostructured interphase has emerged as a viable technique to reinforce carbon fiber-reinforced polymer composites. Here, "flexible" aramid nanofibers (ANFs) were first introduced on the surface of carbon fibers (CF) by electrophoretic deposition (EPD), and then "rigid" MXene sheets were grafted by ultrasonic impregnation. This feasible two-step treatment introduces a hierarchical "rigid-flexible" structure at the CF/polyamide (PA) interface. Results showed that this "rigid-flexible" multilayer structure improved the roughness, chemical bonding, mechanical interlocking, and wettability of CF/PA composites. At the same time, the modulus variation between the fiber and the matrix is significantly smoothed due to the increased thickness of the interfacial layer, increasing the payload transfer from the PA matrix to the fiber and decreasing the stress concentration. Compared to the desized CF, the interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) and tensile strength of the modified CF-ANF@MX0.2/PA composite increased by 50.02 and 36.11%, respectively. This innovative interfacial design and feasible treatment method facilitate the construction of firmly interacting interfacial layers in CF/PA composites, offering broad prospects for the production of high-performance CF/PA composites.

Bifunctional ligand Co metal-organic framework derived heterostructured Co-based nanocomposites as oxygen electrocatalysts toward rechargeable zinc-air batteries.

Rational construction of efficient and robust bifunctional oxygen electrocatalysts is key but challenging for the widespread application of rechargeable zinc-air batteries (ZABs). Herein, bifunctional ligand Co metal-organic frameworks were first explored to fabricate a hybrid of heterostructured CoOx/Co nanoparticles anchored on a carbon substrate rich in CoNx sites (CoOx/Co@CoNC) via a one-step pyrolysis method. Such a unique heterostructure provides abundant CoNx and CoOx/Co active sites to drive oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER), respectively. Besides, their positive synergies facilitate electron transfer and optimize charge/mass transportation. Consequently, the obtained CoOx/Co@CoNC exhibits a superior ORR activity with a higher half-wave potential of 0.88 V than Pt/C (0.83 V vs. RHE), and a comparable OER performance with an overpotential of 346 mV at 10 mA cm-2 to the commercial RuO2. The assembled ZAB using CoOx/Co@CoNC as a cathode catalyst displays a maximum power density of 168.4 mW cm-2, and excellent charge-discharge cyclability over 250 h at 5 mA cm-2. This work highlights the great potential of heterostructures in oxygen electrocatalysis and provides a new pathway for designing efficient bifunctional oxygen catalysts toward rechargeable ZABs.

Identification of the prognostic value of LACTB2 and its correlation with immune infiltrates in ovarian cancer by integrated bioinformatics analyses.

Ovarian cancer (OC) is one of the most common reproductive tumors in women, whereas current treatment options are limited. ß-lactamase-like-protein 2 (LACTB2) has been observed to be associated with various cancers, but its function in OC is unknown. Therefore, we evaluate the prognostic value and the underlying function of LACTB2 in OC. In this study, high expression of LACTB2 was observed in OC compared with normal controls. Kaplan-Meier Plotter analysis revealed that overexpressed LACTB2 is strongly correlated with poor prognosis. We conducted GO/KEGG analysis to investigate the potential biological function of LACTB2 in OC. GESA analysis showed that LACTB2 was closely related to immune-related pathways. Subsequently, we explored the relationship between LACTB2 and 24 types of immune cells in OC. The results suggested that LACTB2 was positively associated with multiple tumor-infiltrating immune cells. Importantly, LACTB2 may modulate immune cell infiltration in OC to influence prognosis. In conclusion, LACTB2 can be used as a promising prognostic biomarker and immunotherapy target for OC.

Ridge with no-tillage facilitates microbial N2 fixation associated with methane oxidation in rice soil.

Aerobic methane-oxidizing bacteria (MOB) play a crucial role in mitigating the greenhouse gas methane emission, particularly prevalent in flooded wetlands. The implementation of ridge with no-tillage practices within a rice-rape rotation system proves effective in overcoming the restrictive redox conditions associated with waterlogging. This approach enhances capillary water availability from furrows, especially during periods of low rainfall, thereby supporting plant growth on the ridges. However, the microbe-mediated accumulation of soil organic carbon and nitrogen remains insufficiently understood under this agricultural practice, particularly concerning methane oxidation, which holds ecological and agricultural significance in the rice fields. In this study, the ridge and ditch soils from a 28-year-old ridge with no-tillage rice field experiment were utilized for incubation with 13C-CH4 and 15NN2 to estimate the methane-oxidizing and N2-fixing potentials. Our findings reveal a significantly higher net production of fresh soil organic carbon in the ridge compared to the ditch soil during methane oxidation, with values of 626 and 543 µg 13C g-1 dry weight soil, respectively. Additionally, the fixed 15N exhibited a twofold increase in the ridge soil (14.1 µg 15N g-1 dry weight soil) compared to the ditch soil. Interestingly, the result of DNA-based stable isotope probing indicated no significant differences in active MOB and N2 fixers between ridge and ditch soils. Both Methylocystis-like type II and Methylosarcina/Methylomonas-like type I MOB catalyzed methane into organic biomass carbon pools. Soil N2-fixing activity was associated with the 15N-labeling of methane oxidizers and non-MOB, such as methanol oxidizers (Hyphomicrobium) and conventional N2 fixers (Burkholderia). Methane oxidation also fostered microbial interactions, as evidenced by co-occurrence patterns. These results underscore the dual role of microbial methane oxidation - not only as a recognized sink for the potent greenhouse gas methane but also as a source of soil organic carbon and bioavailable nitrogen. This emphasizes the pivotal role of microbial methane metabolism in contributing to soil carbon and nitrogen accumulation in ridge with no-tillage systems.

Prognostic value and therapeutic potential of IAP family in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) ranks as the eighth most prevalent malignancy globally and has the eighth greatest fatality rate when compared to all other forms of cancer. The inhibitor of apoptosis protein (IAP) family comprises a collection of apoptosis-negative modulators characterized by at least one single baculovirus IAP repeat (BIR) domain in its N-terminal region. While the involvement of the IAP family is associated with the initiation and progression of numerous tumours, its specific role in HNSCC remains poorly understood. Thus, this study aimed to comprehensively examine changes in gene expression, immunomodulatory effects, prognosis, and functional enrichment of HNSCC utilising bioinformatics analysis. Elevated levels of distinct IAP family members were observed to varying degrees in HNSCC, with high BIRC2 expression indicating a worse prognosis. Additionally, Gene Ontology and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) were used to probe the enrichment of gene expression and biological processes related to the IAP family in HNSCC. The infiltration levels of immune cells were shown to be strongly associated with the IAP gene expression, as determined by subsequent analysis. Hence, BIRC2 could be an effective immunotherapy target for HNSCC. Collectively, novel knowledge of the biological roles and prognostic implications of IAP family members in HNSCC is presented in this study.

Laser direct overall water splitting for H2 and H2O2 production.

Hydrogen (H2) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) play crucial roles as energy carriers and raw materials for industrial production. However, the current techniques for H2 and H2O2 production rely on complex catalysts and involve multiple intermediate steps. In this study, we present a straightforward, environmentally friendly, and highly efficient laser-induced conversion method for overall water splitting to simultaneously generate H2 and H2O2 at ambient conditions without any catalysts. The laser direct overall water splitting approach achieves an impressive light-to-hydrogen energy conversion efficiency of 2.1%, with H2 production rates of 2.2 mmol/h and H2O2 production rates of 65 µM/h in a limited reaction area (1 mm2) within a short real reaction time (0.36 ms/h). Furthermore, we elucidate the underlying physics and chemistry behind the laser-induced water splitting to produce H2 and H2O2. The laser-induced cavitation bubbles create an optimal microenvironment for water-splitting reactions because of the transient high temperatures (104 K) surpassing the chemical barrier required. Additionally, their rapid cooling rate (1010 K/s) hinders reverse reactions and facilitates H2O2 retention. Finally, upon bubble collapse, H2 is released while H2O2 remains dissolved in the water. Moreover, a preliminary amplification experiment demonstrates the potential industrial applications of this laser chemistry. These findings highlight that laser-based production of H2 and H2O2 from water holds promise as a straightforward, environmentally friendly, and efficient approach on an industrial scale beyond conventional chemical catalysis.

Efficient and Rapid Hydrogen Extraction from Ammonia-Water via Laser Under Ambient Conditions without Catalyst.

As a good carrier of hydrogen, ammonia-water has been employed to extract hydrogen in many ways. Here, we demonstrate a simple, green, ultrafast, and highly efficient method for hydrogen extraction from ammonia-water by laser bubbling in liquids (LBL) at room temperature and ambient pressure without catalyst. A maximum apparent yield of 33.7 mmol/h and a real yield of 93.6 mol/h were realized in a small operating space, which were far higher than the yields of most hydrogen evolution reactions from ammonia-water under ambient conditions. We also established that laser-induced cavitation bubbles generated a transient high temperature, which enabled a very suitable environment for hydrogen extraction from ammonia-water. The laser used here can serve as a demonstration of potentially solar-pumped catalyst-free hydrogen extraction and other chemical synthesis. We anticipate that the LBL technique will open unprecedented opportunities to produce chemicals.

Effects of freezing and drying programs on IgY aggregation and activity during microwave freeze-drying: Protective effects and interactions of trehalose and mannitol.

The acquisition of high quality lyophilized IgY products, characterized by an aesthetically pleasing visage, heightened stability, and a marked preservation of activity, constitutes an indispensable pursuit in augmenting the safety and pragmatic utility of IgY. Within this context, an exploration was undertaken to investigate an innovative modality encompassing microwave freeze-drying (MFD) as a preparatory methodology of IgY. Morphological assessments revealed that both cryogenic freezing and subsequent MFD procedures resulted in aggregation of IgY, with the deleterious influence posed by the MFD phase transcending that of the freezing phase. The composite protective agent comprised of trehalose and mannitol engendered a safeguarding effect on the structural integrity of IgY, thereby attenuating reducing aggregation between IgY during the freeze-drying process. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) outcomes demonstrated a discernible correlation between IgY aggregation and a notable reduction in its binding affinity towards the pertinent antigen. Comparative analysis vis-à-vis the control sample delineated that when the trehalose-to-mannitol ratio was upheld at 1:3, a two-fold outcome was achieved: a mitigation of the collapse susceptibility within the final product as well as a deterrence of IgY agglomeration, concomitant with an elevated preservation rate of active antibodies (78.57 %).

Effect of gum arabic and thermal modification of whey protein isolate on the characteristics of Cornus officinalis flavonoid microcapsules.

Whey protein isolates (WPIs) were treated at 50, 60, 70, and 80°C to obtain thermally modified WPI. Gum arabic (GA) and thermal modification of WPI were used as novel wall materials to improve the quality of Cornus officinalis flavonoid (COF) microcapsules using microwave freeze-drying technique in this study. Results showed that all the thermal modification treatment decreased emulsifying activity index of WPI, whereas the solubility and emulsifying stability index (ESI) of WPI gradually increased with the increase of heating temperature. Compared to the untreated protein, the thermal modification treatment at 70°C increased the solubility and ESI of WPI by 14.91% ± 0.71% and 26.70% ± 0.94%, respectively. The microcapsules prepared with the modified protein at 60°C had the highest encapsulation efficiency (95.13% ± 2.36%), the lowest moisture content (1.42% ± 0.34%), and the highest solubility (84.41% ± 0.91). Scanning electron microscopy images showed that COF microcapsules were uniformly spherical, and the sizes of the microcapsules were in the following order: 12.42 ± 0.37 µm (80°C) > 11.7 ± 0.23 µm (untreated group) > 9.44 ± 0.33 µm (60°C) > 9.24 ± 0.14 µm (50°C) > 7.69 ± 0.29 µm (70°C). In the simulated in vitro digestion experiments, the release rate of COF microcapsules in the gastric digestion phase was less than that in the intestinal digestion phase, and it reached 66.46% at intestinal digestion phase. These results suggested that heated WPI and GA could be an effective nanocarrier to enhance the stability of COF.

Iron accumulation induced by hepcidin1 knockout accelerates the progression of aging osteoporosis.

OBJECTIVE: Iron accumulation is associated with osteoporosis. This study aims to explore the effect of chronic iron accumulation induced by hepcidin1 deficiency on aging osteoporosis. METHODS: Iron accumulation in hepcidin1 knockout aging mice was assessed by atomic absorption spectroscopy and Perl's staining. Bone microarchitecture was observed using Micro-CT. Hepcidin, ferritin, oxidative stress, and markers of bone turnover in serum were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Bone formation and resorption markers were measured by real-time quantitative PCR. Cell aging was induced by D-galactose treatment. CCK-8, flow cytometry, EdU assays, and Alizarin red staining were performed to reveal the role of hepcidin1 knockout in cell model. Iron Colorimetric Assay Kit and western blot were applied to detect iron and ferritin levels in cells, respectively. RESULTS: In hepcidin1-knockout mice, the ferritin and iron contents in liver and tibia were significantly increased. Iron accumulation induced by hepcidin1 knockout caused a phenotype of low bone mass and deteriorated bone microarchitecture. Osteogenic marker was decreased and osteoclast marker was increased in mice, accompanied by increased oxidative stress level. The mRNA expression levels of osteoclast differentiation markers (RANKL, Mmp9, OPG, Trap, and CTSK) were up-regulated, while bone formation markers (OCN, ALP, Runx2, SP7, and Col-1) were down-regulated in model group, compared to wild type mice. In vitro, hepcidin1 knockdown inhibited proliferation and osteogenic differentiation, while promoted apoptosis, with increased levels of iron and ferritin. CONCLUSION: Iron accumulation induced by hepcidin1 deficiency aggravates the progression of aging osteoporosis via inhibiting osteogenesis and promoting osteoclast genesis.

Effect of constant and variable temperature drying processes on drying characteristics, quality, and volatile profile of rose petals in infrared-assisted spouted bed drying.

The edible rose (Rosa Crimson Glory) petals were dried using infrared-assisted spouted bed drying technology. The effects of different drying temperature conditions (30, 35, 40, 45, and 50°C, as well as stepped heating drying [SHD] and stepped cooling drying) on the drying characteristics, physicochemical properties, antioxidant capacity, and changes in volatile flavor compounds of the rose petals were investigated. The results showed that the drying time was shortened with increasing drying temperature. Both variable temperature drying processes gave the shortest drying times. Optimal color retention of rose petals was achieved at a constant temperature of 40°C and SHD. Increased drying temperature resulted in higher water-soluble polysaccharide content in the dried rose petals, whereas lower temperatures facilitated anthocyanin preservation. The variable temperature drying processes favored the retention of water-soluble polysaccharides in rose petals, but not anthocyanins. Regarding antioxidant capacity, the samples dried at 40°C and those subjected to the two variable temperature drying processes performed better. This study also analyzed the differences in volatile flavor compounds of rose petals dried under different drying conditions. It was found that the majority of volatile flavor compounds in the rose petals dried by SHD exhibited higher content levels than the other drying conditions. Therefore, considering a thorough evaluation of all relevant factors, it was clear that utilizing the SHD process was the most efficient method for obtaining the best quality rose petals overall.

Distributed Sequential Detection for Cooperative Spectrum Sensing in Cognitive Internet of Things.

The rapid development of wireless communication technology has led to an increasing number of internet of thing (IoT) devices, and the demand for spectrum for these devices and their related applications is also increasing. However, spectrum scarcity has become an increasingly serious problem. Therefore, we introduce a collaborative spectrum sensing (CSS) framework in this paper to identify available spectrum resources so that IoT devices can access them and, meanwhile, avoid causing harmful interference to the normal communication of the primary user (PU). However, in the process of sensing the PUs signal in IoT devices, the issue of sensing time and decision cost (the cost of determining whether the signal state of the PU is correct or incorrect) arises. To this end, we propose a distributed cognitive IoT model, which includes two IoT devices independently using sequential decision rules to detect the PU. On this basis, we define the sensing time and cost functions for IoT devices and formulate an average cost optimization problem in CSS. To solve this problem, we further regard the optimal sensing time problem as a finite horizon problem and solve the threshold of the optimal decision rule by person-by-person optimization (PBPO) methodology and dynamic programming. At last, numerical simulation results demonstrate the correctness of our proposal in terms of the global false alarm and miss detection probability, and it always achieves minimal average cost under various costs of each observation taken and thresholds.

Three-dimensional simulation of green soybean infrared-assisted spouted bed drying.

BACKGROUND: The current study introduces a novel infrared-assisted spouted bed drying technique for the dehydration of green soybeans, which aims to enhance the drying quality and efficiency. The investigation involves an examination of the flow pattern in the spouted bed to obtain relevant data, followed by an optimization of the entire drying process. The drying process of green soybeans was simulated using SolidWorks and ANSYS Fluent software, based on the principles of computational fluid dynamics. RESULTS: The simulation test results showed that the simulation outcomes were consistent with the experimental data. The optimal conditions for the process of green soybean infrared-assisted spouted bed drying were found to be an inlet speed of 8 m/s and a temperature of 50 °C with the wavelength and power settings of the infrared board at 10 µm and 500 W, respectively. CONCLUSION: The simulation method selected in this article, based on gas-solid two-phase flow dynamics, is feasible for green soybean infrared-assisted spouted bed drying process. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Structure Characterization and Functional Properties of Flaxseed Protein-Chlorogenic Acid Complex.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of the covalent binding of flaxseed protein (FP) and chlorogenic acid (CA) on the structure and functional properties of FP-CA complexes fabricated using the alkali method. The results suggested that the encapsulation efficiency of CA encapsulated by FP ranged from 66.11% to 72.20% and the loading capacity of CA increased with an increasing addition ratio of CA with a dose-dependent relationship, which increased from 2.34% to 10.19%. The particle size, turbidity, zeta potential and PDI of FP and the FP-CA complexes had no significant discrepancy. UV-Vis and fluorescence spectra showed the existence of the interaction between FP and CA. SEM images showed that the surface of the FP-0.35%CA complex had more wrinkles compared to FP. Differential scanning calorimetry analysis indicated the decomposition temperature of FP at 198 °C was higher than that (197 °C) of the FP-0.35%CA complex, implying that the stability of the FP-CA complexes was lower than FP. The functional properties suggested that the FP-CA complex with 1.40% CA had a higher water holding capacity (500.81%), lower oil holding capacity (273.495%) and lower surface hydrophobicity. Moreover, the FP-CA complexes had better antioxidant activities than that of FP. Therefore, this study provides more insights for the potential application of FP-CA covalent complexes in functional food processing.

Effects of Transglutaminase Concentration and Drying Method on Encapsulation of Lactobacillus plantarum in Gelatin-Based Hydrogel.

Lactobacillus plantarum is a kind of probiotic that benefits the host by regulating the gut microbiota, but it is easily damaged when passing through the gastrointestinal tract, hindering its ability to reach the destination and reducing its utilization value. Encapsulation is a promising strategy for solving this problem. In this study, transglutaminase (TGase)-crosslinked gelatin (GE)/sodium hexametaphosphate (SHMP) hydrogels were used to encapsulate L. plantarum. The effects of TGase concentration and drying method on the physiochemical properties of the hydrogels were determined. The results showed that at a TGase concentration of 9 U/gGE, the hardness, chewiness, energy storage modulus, and apparent viscosity of the hydrogel encapsulation system were maximized. This concentration produced more high-energy isopeptide bonds, strengthening the interactions between molecules, forming a more stable three-dimensional network structure. The survival rate under the simulated gastrointestinal conditions and storage stability of L. plantarum were improved at this concentration. The thermal stability of the encapsulation system dried via microwave vacuum freeze drying (MFD) was slightly higher than that when dried via freeze drying (FD). The gel structure was more stable, and the activity of L. plantarum decreased more slowly during the storage period when dried using MFD. This research provides a theoretical basis for the development of encapsulation technology of probiotics.

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy in multiple myeloma: A pilot study.

Objective: Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy is one of the major toxicities in multiple myeloma patients, often resulting in dose reductions or treatment interruptions. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation is a safe non-invasive neuromodulation therapy with potential benefits for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. The objective of this study was to investigate the efficacy of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation treatment on chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy in multiple myeloma patients. Materials and methods: We screened 30 multiple myeloma patients with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy who underwent repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation treatment in this study. Prior to and following repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation treatment, patients were assessed with nerve conduction velocity, visual analog scale and the European Organization of Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-CIPN 20-item scale (EORTC QLQ-CIPN20). Categorical and continuous variables were analyzed using Fisher's exact test and Mann-Whitney U test respectively. A p-value < 0.05 (2-tailed) was considered statistically significant. Results: Following repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation treatment, 24/30 (80.0%) patients reported a reduction in chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy symptoms. Meanwhile, all 15 patients with grade 2 chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy experienced improvements about themselves, compared to 8/10 patient with grade 3 chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy and 1/5 with grade 4 chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. Visual analog scale scores decreased after repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation treatment (5.40 ± 1.94 vs 3.10 ± 1.60, p < 0.001). We also observed enhancements in both motor conduction velocity and sensory conduction velocity of patients in bilateral median nerves, posterior tibial nerves, common ulnar nerves and peroneal nerves following repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation treatment. Analysis of the European Organization of Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-CIPN 20-item scale data (17.68 ± 8.14 vs 10.50 ± 9.55, p < 0.001) revealed significant reductions in scores. Patients with grade 2-3 (n = 25) exhibited a mean reduction of 8.89 ± 4.24 points, while those with grade 4 (n = 5) showed a difference value of 3.54 ± 3.45, p < 0.001. No adverse events were observed. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation is a safe and effective therapeutic approach for ameliorating peripheral nerve injury and alleviating the chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy symptoms in multiple myeloma patients. Early initiation of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation treatment may yield more favorable outcomes for these patients.

Noncovalent Interaction of Lactoferrin with Epicatechin and Epigallocatechin: Focus on Fluorescence Quenching and Antioxidant Properties.

Lactoferrin (LF) from bovine milk possesses antioxidant activity, immune regulatory and other biological activities. However, the effects of epicatechin (EC) and epigallocatechin (EGC) interacting with LF on the antioxidant activity of LF have not been investigated. Therefore, this study aimed to explore their interaction mechanism and the antioxidant activity of LF. UV spectra revealed that EGC (100 µM) induced a higher blue shift of LF at the maximum absorption wavelength than that of EC (100 µM). Fluorescence spectra results suggested that LF fluorescence was quenched by EC and EGC in the static type, which changed the polarity of the microenvironment around LF. The quenching constants Ksv (5.91 × 103-9.20 × 103) of EC-LF complexes at different temperatures were all higher than that (1.35 × 103-1.75 × 103) of the EGC-LF complex. EC could bind to LF via hydrophobic interactions while hydrogen bonding and van der Waals forces drove the binding of EGC to LF. Both the EC-LF complex and EGC-LF complex could bind to LF with one site. EGC formed more hydrogen bonds with LF than that of EC. The antioxidant activity of LF was increased by the high addition level of EC and EGC. These findings would provide more references for developing LF-catechin complexes as functional antioxidants.

lncRNA MIAT promotes luminal B breast cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in vitro.

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play a role in the emergence and progression of several human tumors, including luminal B breast cancer (BC). The biological functions and potential mechanisms of lncRNA myocardial infarction-associated transcripts (MIAT) in luminal B BC, on the contrary, are unknown. In this work, we used UALCAN database analysis to find high expression of lncRNA MIAT in luminal BC tissues and also confirmed high levels of lncRNA MIAT expression in luminal B BC tissues and cells. In vitro knockdown of MIAT inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of BT474 cells. In addition, we found that miR-150-5p levels were significantly reduced in luminal B BC specimens and cells, and miR-150-5p levels were significantly increased when MIAT was knocked down. And TIMER database analysis showed that MIAT was positively associated with PDL1. Through bioinformatic tools and in vitro experiments, lncRNA MIAT could function as a competitive endogenous RNA (CeRNA) to further regulate programmed cell death ligand 1 (PDL1) expression by directly sponging miR-150-5p. In conclusion, our data suggest that MIAT, an oncogene, may sponge miR-150-5p to regulate PDL1 expression and affect proliferation, migration, and invasion in luminal B BC in vitro.

FTO, PIK3CB serve as potential markers to complement CEA and CA15-3 for the diagnosis of breast cancer.

The diagnostic efficacy of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and carbohydrate antigen 15-3 (CA15-3) is limited in breast cancer (BC), highlighting the necessity of exploring novel biomarkers to improve for BC diagnosis. Therefore, we assessed the diagnostic value of fat mass and obesity-associated protein (FTO), phosphatidylinositol-4,5-biphosphate 3-kinase catalytic subunit ß (PIK3CB) as a potential complementary biomarker to CEA and CA153 in breast cancer by measuring serum FTO,PIK3CB levels. FTO, PIK3CB, CEA and CA15-3 levels were measured in 112 BC patients and 64 healthy controls using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay or electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. Spearman's rank correlation analysis was conducted to assess the correlation between the levels of the 2 markers. The relationships between FTO, PIK3CB, CEA, CA15-3 and clinical characteristics were evaluated. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis was performed to assess the diagnostic value of FTO, PIK3CB, CEA and CA15-3 of BC. Serum FTO, PIK3CB, CEA and CA15-3 levels were significantly increased in BC. There was no correlation between FTO, PIK3CB and CEA, CA15-3. FTO and PIK3CB demonstrated significant diagnostic performance for breast cancer, with FTO achieving a specificity of 90.63%. The diagnostic performance of 2-four biomarker combinations was significantly superior to individual CEA or CA153, with a combined panel of 4 biomarkers yielding an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.918, sensitivity of 81.25% and specificity of 85.94%. In early-stage breast cancer (I + II), the combination of FTO, PIK3CB, CEA and CA153 yielded an AUC of 0.895, sensitivity of 77.22% and specificity of 85.71%. FTO and PIK3CB can be served as potential biomarkers to complement CEA and CA15-3 for BC diagnosis. Combining FTO, PIK3CB, CEA and CA15-3 improves the diagnostic efficiency of breast cancer.