Isotropic super-resolution light-sheet microscopy of dynamic intracellular structures at subsecond timescales.

Long-term visualization of the dynamic interactions between intracellular structures throughout the three-dimensional space of whole live cells is essential to better understand their functions, but this task remains challenging due to the limitations of existing three-dimensional fluorescence microscopy techniques, such as an insufficient axial resolution, low volumetric imaging rate and photobleaching. Here, we present the combination of a progressive deep-learning super-resolution strategy with a double-ring-modulated selective plane illumination microscopy design capable of visualizing the dynamics of intracellular structures in live cells for hours at an isotropic spatial resolution of roughly 100 nm in three dimensions at speeds up to roughly 17 Hz. Using this approach, we reveal the complex spatial relationships and interactions between endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and mitochondria throughout live cells, providing new insights into ER-mediated mitochondrial division. We also examined the motion of Drp1 oligomers involved in mitochondrial fission and revealed the dynamic interactions between Drp1 and mitochondria in three dimensions.

Gomphrena globosa L. extract alleviates carbon tetrachoride-induced liver injury in mice by activating antioxidant signaling pathways and promoting autophagy.

BACKGROUND: Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) is highly toxic to animal liver and is a major contributor to liver injury. Gomphrena globosa L. (GgL) is an edible plant with anti-inflammation and antioxidation properties. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential therapeutic effects of GgL on liver injury. METHODS AND RESULTS: A model of chronic liver injury in mice was established by intraperitoneal injection of CCl4 (0.4 mL/kg) for 3 weeks, and the mice were treated intraperitoneally with different concentrations of GgL crude extract (GgCE; 100, 200, 300 mg/kg) or Bifendatatum (Bif; 20 mg/kg) in the last 2 weeks. The results showed that GgCE treatment alleviated the liver injury, improved the pathological changes caused by CCl4 on the mice liver, and enhance the antioxidant capacity. We also found that GgCE increased the expression of antioxidant stress related proteins, decreased the phosphorylation levels of autophagy related proteins PI3K and mTOR, and decreased the expression of LC3 II and P62 proteins. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that GgCE alleviated CCl4-induced chronic liver injury in mice by activating antioxidant signaling pathways and promoting autophagy, indicating a potential therapeutic effect of GgCE on liver injury.

PI4P-Containing Vesicles from Golgi Contribute to Mitochondrial Division by Coordinating with Polymerized Actin.

Golgi-derived PI4P-containing vesicles play important roles in mitochondrial division, which is essential for maintaining cellular homeostasis. However, the mechanism of the PI4P-containing vesicle effect on mitochondrial division is unclear. Here, we found that actin appeared to polymerize at the contact site between PI4P-containing vesicles and mitochondria, causing mitochondrial division. Increasing the content of PI4P derived from the Golgi apparatus increased actin polymerization and reduced the length of the mitochondria, suggesting that actin polymerization through PI4P-containing vesicles is involved in PI4P vesicle-related mitochondrial division. Collectively, our results support a model in which PI4P-containing vesicles derived from the Golgi apparatus cooperate with actin filaments to participate in mitochondrial division by contributing to actin polymerization, which regulates mitochondrial dynamics. This study enriches the understanding of the pathways that regulate mitochondrial division and provides new insight into mitochondrial dynamics.

The independent risks and specific biomarker of breast cancer-related ischemic stroke.

AIM: This retrospective study was designed to investigate the independent risks and specific biomarker for breast cancer-related ischemic stroke (BCRS). METHODS: Clinical features and laboratory findings were compared between BCRS group and breast cancer group without stroke, and further multivariate analyses were performed to predict independent risks factors for BCRS patients. A receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was configured to estimate the diagnostic efficacy of each independent risk and the product of these risks and to obtain the optimal cut-off value of diagnosis, which was termed the BCRS Index. RESULTS: BCRS patients had elevated plasma D-dimer and CA153 levels and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), as well as more patients received endocrine therapy (all p ＜ 0.05). Moreover, multivariate analysis revealed that D-dimer levels (odds ratio [OR]: 1.002; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.001-1.003; p = 0.000), CA153 levels (OR: 1.005; 95% CI: 1.001-1.008; p = 0.007), PLR (OR: 1.010; 95% CI: 1.004-1.015; p = 0.001), and endocrine therapy (OR: 1.268; 95% CI: 1.087-1.479; p = 0.003) were identified as independent risks of BCRS. Furthermore, ROC analysis displayed that the product of risks had the best diagnostic efficacy, of which the area under the curve was 0.846 ± 0.28. The optimum cut-off point was 2.37 × 106/mL, which was termed the BCRS Index with higher diagnostic accuracy and validity. CONCLUSIONS: Endocrine therapy, as well as elevated plasma D-dimer and CA153 levels and PLR values may be independent risks for BCRS. Furthermore, BCRS Index should be served as a novel specific biomarker for BCRS, which is useful to distinguish BCRS for clinicians.

High LINC00536 expression promotes tumor progression and poor prognosis in bladder cancer.

Growing evidences demonstrate that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) contribute to the cancer initiation and progression and are considered as promising diagnostic and therapeutic targets of multiple cancers. However, the definite role of LINC00536 in bladder cancer (BC) remains unclear. In the present study, we found LINC00536 expression was highly expressed in BC tissues compared with controls and negatively associated with survival rate in BC patients. Gain-of-function assays indicated that LINC00536 overexpression promoted the proliferation, migration and invasion, whereas LINC00536 knockdown attenuated the cell phenotypes above in BC cell lines. In vivo assay illustrated that LINC00536 knockdown inhibited BC growth in vivo. Mechanistically, Wnt3a was identified as the target of LINC00536. LINC00536 promoted malignant phenotypes via activating the Wnt3a/ß-Catenin signaling. Wnt3a knockdown reversed the increase of proliferation, migration, and invasion abilities of BC cells induced by LINC00536 overexpression. In summary, our findings demonstrated that LINC00536 promoted BC progression by modulating the Wnt3a/ß-Catenin signaling.

Related Network and Differential Expression Analyses Identify Nuclear Genes and Pathways in the Hippocampus of Alzheimer Disease.

BACKGROUND Alzheimer disease (AD) is a typical progressive and destructive neurodegenerative disease that has been studied extensively. However, genetic features and molecular mechanisms underlying AD remain unclear. Here we used bioinformatics to investigate the candidate nuclear genes involved in the molecular mechanisms of AD. MATERIAL AND METHODS First, we used Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database to obtain the expression profiles of the mRNAs from hippocampus microarray and identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) the plier algorithm. Second, functional annotation and visualization of the DEGs were conducted by the Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis. Finally, BioGRID, IntAct, STRING, and Cytoscape were utilized to construct a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network. Hub genes were analytically obtained from the PPI network and the microRNA (miRNA)-target network. RESULTS Two hippocampus microarrays (GSE5281 and GSE48350) were obtained from the GEO database, comprising 161 and 253 cases separately. Among these, 118 upregulated genes and 694 downregulated genes were identified. The upregulated DEGs were mainly involved in positive regulation of transcription from RNA polymerase II promoter, positive regulation of cartilage development, and response to wounding. The downregulated DEGs were enriched in chemical synaptic transmission, neurotransmitter secretion, and learning. By combining the results of PPI and miRNA-target network, 8 genes and 2 hub miRNAs were identified, including YWHAZ, DLG4, AGAP2, EGFR, TGFBR3, PSD3, RDX, BRWD1, and hsa-miR-106b-5p and hsa-miR-93-5p. These target genes are highly enriched in various key pathways, such as amyloid-beta formation, regulation of cardiocyte differentiation, and actin cytoskeleton reorganization. CONCLUSIONS In this study, YWHAZ, DLG4, AGAP2, EGFR, TGFBR3, PSD3, RDX, and BRWD1 were identified as candidate genes for future molecular studies in AD, which is expected to improve our understanding of its cause and potential molecular mechanisms. Nuclear genes, DEGs, and related networks identified by integrated bioinformatics analysis may serve as diagnostic and therapeutic targets for AD.

Profiling of the Risk Factors and Designing of a Model to Identify Ischemic Stroke in Patients with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma: A Multicenter Retrospective Study.

BACKGROUND: The occurrence of ischemic stroke in patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is not well understood. This study aimed to determine independent risk factors to identity ischemic stroke in non-Hodgkin lymphoma-associated ischemic stroke (NHLAIS) patients. METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted on NHLAIS patients and age- and gender-matched NHL patients. We collected clinical data of patients in both groups and used multiple logistic regression analysis to identify independent risk factors for NHLAIS. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to establish an identification model based on potential risk factors of NHLAIS. RESULTS: Sixty-three NHLAIS patients and 63 NHL patients were enrolled. Stage III/IV (58/63, 92.1%) and multiple arterial infarcts (44/63, 69.8%) were common among NHLAIS patients. Notably, NHLAIS patients had higher levels of serum fibrinogen (FIB), D-dimer, and ferritin (SF) and prolonged thromboplastin time and prothrombin time (PT) compared with NHL patients (all p < 0.05). Elevated FIB, D-dimer, and SF and prolonged PT were independent risk factors for NHLAIS. The area under the ROC curve of the identification model of NHLAIS patients was largest compared to that of other risk factors (0.838, 95% confidence interval: 0.759-0.899) (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: This study reveals that elevated serum FIB, D-dimer, and SF and prolonged PT are potential independent risk factors of NHLAIS. The identification model established in this study may help monitor NHL patients who are at high risk of developing NHLAIS.

Transurethral-Assisted Transumbilical Laparoendoscopic Single-Site Radical Cystectomy: Initial Short-Term Experience.

INTRODUCTION: Laparoendoscopic single-site (LESS) technique is a less invasive approach for radical cystectomy (RC), which is promising in reducing the incisional morbidity and improving the cosmesis of laparoscopic surgery. This study aimed to investigate the clinical and oncological outcomes for patients with malignant urinary bladder tumors that underwent the transurethral-assisted transumbilical LESS-RC. METHODS: From December 2014 to June 2017, 47 patients underwent LESS-RC combined with unilateral or bilateral cutaneous ureterostomy were enrolled in this study. The urethra was used as a potential approach without additional incision, which could allow for trocar insertion through natural orifices. Assessments were also conducted on preoperative, perioperative, postoperative, pathologic, and functional outcome data. RESULTS: Mean patient age was 73 years. Mean body mass index was 24.0 kg/m2. Median operating time and estimated blood loss measure 217 min and 178 mL, respectively. Four patients were diagnosed with positive lymph nodes. Two patients had positive surgical margins. No major perioperative complications occurred. Median postoperative follow-up time was 20.1 months. Two patients died due to their progressive disease. CONCLUSION: LESS can serve as a feasible and effective surgical procedure for RC to treat bladder cancer. With increasing experience and improvements, LESS-RC is promising to be a relatively acceptable alternative for minimally invasive surgery in some specific patients (with generally poor conditions that cannot be tolerated for a long time surgery, short life expectancy, advanced cancer, or associated with intestinal disease).

Specific Biomarkers of Prostate Cancer-Associated Ischemic Stroke: A Case-Control Study.

BACKGROUND Ischemic stroke in cancer patients is associated with poor prognosis. However, the specific biomarkers of cancer-associated ischemic stroke (CaIS) have not been well defined. MATERIAL AND METHODS A retrospective study was conducted on PCaIS patients. Clinical data and laboratory and imaging findings were collected. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the independent risk factors for PCaIS. A multiple model combining the independent risk factors of PCaIS was developed using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) and area under the ROC curve (AUC). RESULTS A total of 83 PCaIS patients and 83 prostate cancer (PCa) patients were included. PCaIS patients had higher levels of D-dimer, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and total prostate-specific antigen (T-PSA). In the multivariate analysis, D-dimer [OR=1.001, 95% CI: 1.00,1.00, P=0.002], NLR [OR=1.12, 95% CI: 1.04,1.22, P=0.005], and T-PSA [OR=6.275, 95% CI: 2.57,15.31, P<0.001] were independent risk factors of PCaIS. Additionally, the AUC of the multiple model of PCaIS was 0.815 (95% CI, 0.750-0.869), with sensitivity of 81.71% and specificity of 70.21%. CONCLUSIONS Elevated levels of D-dimer and T-PSA and increased NLR are independent risk factors of PCaIS. The multiple model of PCaIS can be a specific biomarker and is a reliable predictor of development of PCaIS.

Transumbilical laparoendoscopic single-site radical prostatectomy and cystectomy with the aid of a transurethral port: a feasibility study.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the surgical technique and report early outcomes of transurethral assisted laparoendoscopic single-site (LESS) radical prostatectomy (RP) and LESS radical cystectomy (RC) in a single institution. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between December 2014 and March 2016, a total of 114 LESS RPs and RCs were performed, comprising 68 LESS RPs, 38 LESS RCs with cutaneous ureterostomy (CU) and eight LESS RCs with orthotopic ileal neobladder (OIN). Access was achieved via a single-port, with four channels placed through a transumblical incision. After the apex of prostate was separated from the urethra, a self-developed port ('Zhu's port') was inserted through the urethra to facilitate resection of prostate and urethrovesical anastomosis. The peri-operative and postoperative data were collected and analysed retrospectively. Patients were followed up postoperatively for evidence of long-term side effects. RESULTS: All the procedures were completed successfully. No conversion to conventional laparoscopic surgery was necessary. For LESS RP, the average operating time was 152 min. Estimated blood loss was 117 mL. The mean hospital stay was 16.4 days after surgery. For LESS RC with CU and LESS RC with OIN, the mean operating times were 215 and 328 min, mean estimated blood loss was 175 and 252 mL, and mean hospital stay was 9.4 and 18.2 days, respectively. Six patients required blood transfusion (5.26%). Intra-operative complications occurred in two patients (1.75%), and postoperative complications in nine (7.89%). Fourteen out of 68 (20.6%) patients who underwent LESS RP had positive surgical margins. Follow-up ranged from 10 to 30.6 months. In the prostate cancer cases, good urinary control was observed in 35.3%, 97.1% and 100% of patients at 1, 6 and 12 months after the operation, respectively, while biochemical recurrence was observed in 11.8% patients. In the bladder cancer cases, two patients had local recurrence and two patients had distant metastasis. CONCLUSION: Our results showed that LESS RP and LESS RC are feasible and safe with the aid of a transurethral port. Operating through the transurethral port might overcome the challenges posed by the single-port laparoscopic approach.

[Design, synthesis and antiproliferative activity in cancer cells of novel dihydropyrazolyl and pyrazolyl artemisinin-phenyl ethers].

To explore potent anticancer agent based on artemisinin scaffold, a series of 10-O-phenyl ethers derivatives containing dihydropyrazolyl or pyrazolyl moiety have been designed and synthesized. Their structures were determined by LC-MS and ¹H-NMR date. Inhibitory effects of the target compounds in human breast cancer MCF-7, MCF/Adr, MDA-MB-231 cells and prostate cell line PC-3 were determined by MTT assay. Those derivatives displayed good antiproliferative activity against the tested cancer cells. Particularly, target compounds exhibited significant cytotoxicity against drug-resistance cells MCF/Adr, which was worthy for further investigation.

Th1, Th17, CXCL16 and homocysteine elevated after intracranial and cervical stent implantation.

The presence of Th1 and Th17 cells has been observed as major inducers in inflammation and immune responses associated stenting. However, there is rare data on the impact of Th1, Th17, CXCL16 and homocysteine after cerebral stent implantation. Here, we performed the statistical analysis to first evaluate the variation of the Th17and Th1 cells and their related cytokines, CXCL16 and homocysteine in the peripheral blood of patients with cerebral stenting. The flow cytometry was used to detect the proportion of Th1 and Th17 cells in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure the serum concentrations of IFN-γ, IL-17 and CXCL16. Plasma homocysteine was examined by immunoturbidimetry. The level of Th1, CXCL16 and homocysteine showed an increase at 3 d, followed by the continuous decrease at 7 d and 3 months. The frequency of Th17 cells increased to a peak at three days, and subsequently decreased with a higher level than baseline. Our data revealed that the variation in Th1, Th17, CXCL16 and homocysteine in peripheral blood of patients with stenting may be implicated in inflammation after intracranial and cervical stent implantation. A better understanding of these factors will provide help for further drug design and clinical therapy.

[Updated treatments of castration-resistant prostate cancer].

The diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer are being improved due to the popularized screening of prostate specific antigen. Advanced prostate cancer, in spite of its response to androgen deprivation therapy, may finally develop into castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) and shorten the overall survival of the patients. Many efforts have been made by worldwide researchers for new approaches to the management of CRPC, including new hormonal therapy, cytotoxic chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and bone metastasis-targeted therapy. This paper reviews the emerging agents undergoing clinical evaluation and drugs that have received approval for the treatment of CRPC in order to provide doctors and patients with more treatment options for CRPC and improve the overall survival rate and quality of life of the patients.

[Indirubin inhibits the proliferation of prostate cancer PC-3 cells].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the antitumoral effect of indirubin on androgen-independent prostate cancer PC-3 cells and its possible mechanisms. METHODS: We measured the inhibitory effect of indirubin on the proliferation of prostate cancer PC-3 cells using MTT assay, detected their cell cycles by flow cytometry, and determined the expressions of the cell cycle regulatory protein cyclin D1 and its related downstream gene c-myc by Western blot. RESULTS: The viability of the PC-3 cells was significantly decreased by indirubin in a concentration-dependent manner, reduced to 52. 2% and 13. 6% at 5 and 10 µmol/L, respectively. The cell cycle of the PC-3 cells was markedly inhibited by indirubin at 5 µmol/L, with the cells remarkably increased in the G0 and G1 phases and decreased in the S and G2/M phases. Meanwhile, indirubin also inhibited the expressions of cyclin D1 and c-myc in the Wnt signaling pathway. CONCLUSION: Indirubin can suppress the proliferation of androgen-independent prostate cancer PC-3 cells, which may be associated with its inhibitory effect on the cell cycle and Wnt signaling pathway.

[Transurethral transumbilical laparoendoscopic single-site surgery for radical prostatectomy].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the feasibility and advantages of transurethral transumbilical laparoendoscopic single-site surgery (TU-LESS) for radical prostatectomy. METHODS: Five patients with prostate cancer underwent TU-LESS for radical prostatectomy, with a four-channel single-port device inserted into a 2. 5 cm periumbilical incision and another placed through the urethra, followed by analysis of the perioperative data. RESULTS: All the operations were successfully accomplished, with neither conversion to open surgery nor additional channel. The mean operation time, intraoperative blood loss, and postoperative hospital stay were 168 min, 120 ml, and 15 d, respectively. No severe perioperative complications were observed. TNM stage classification manifested T2cN0M0 in 2 cases and T2bN0M0 in the other 3. Postoperative pathology showed no negative surgical margins in any of the cases. CONCLUSION: TU-LESS is safe and feasible for radical prostatectomy and can reduce the complication of low urinary tract surgery by single-site laparoendoscopy.

GATA transcription factors in vertebrates: evolutionary, structural and functional interplay.

GATA transcription factors perform conserved and essential roles during animal development, including germ-layer specification, hematopoiesis, and cardiogenesis. The evolutionary history and the changes in selection pressures following duplication of the six GATA family members in vertebrates have not been completely understood. Recently, we explored multiple databases to find GATAs in different vertebrate species. Using these sequences, we have performed molecular phylogenetic analyses using Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian methods, and statistical tests of tree topologies, to ascertain the phylogenetic relationship and selection pressures among GATA proteins. Seventy-one full-length cDNA sequences from 24 vertebrate species were extracted from multiple databases. By phylogenetic analyses, we investigated the origin, conservation, and evolution of the GATAs. Six GATA genes in vertebrates might be formed by gene duplication. The inferred evolutionary transitions that separate members which belong to different gene clusters correlated with changes in functional properties. Selection analysis and protein structure analysis were combined to explain Darwinian selection in GATA sequences and these changes brought putative biological significance. 26 positive selection sites were detected in this process. This study reveals the evolutionary history of vertebrate GATA paralogous and positively selected sites likely relevant for the distinct functional properties of the paralogs. It provides a new perspective for understanding the origin and evolution and biological functions of GATAs, which will help to uncover the GATAs' biological roles, evolution and their relationship with associated diseases; in addition, other complex multidomain families and also larger superfamilies can be investigated in a similar way.

Progression predictors of clinically isolated syndrome to multiple sclerosis: A prospective study in China.

OBJECTIVES: Clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) is a preclinical phase of multiple sclerosis (MS). The progression rate of CIS to clinical definite MS (CDMS) varies significantly across different populations, and identifying predictors of progression is crucial for early diagnosis and treatment. We aimed to investigate predictors of progression from CIS to CDMS in a Chinese cohort. METHODS: A single-center cohort study was conducted with newly diagnosed patients with CIS in China between 2018 and 2021. All patients underwent a comprehensive clinical evaluation, including neurological examination, magnetic resonance imaging, and laboratory tests. Follow-up assessments were conducted at regular intervals to monitor disease progression. Progression to CDMS was defined according to the 2017 McDonald criteria. Age, sex, Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score, number of patients with magnetic resonance imaging gadolinium-enhancing (Gd+) lesions, T2 lesions and Gd+ lesions count, CSF cell count, CSF total protein, CSF and serum neurofilament light chain (NfL), progranulin (PGRN) and Th17-related cytokines (IL-6, IL-17, IL-21, IL-22, IL-23 and TGF-ß) were measured for association with risk of progression to CDMS. RESULTS: A total of 96 CIS patients were recruited in the study. During the at least 24 months follow-up period, 57 (59.38 %) CIS patients progressed to CDMS, while 39 (40.62 %) patients without progression remained stable as CIS. Multivariate analysis revealed that younger age at onset (OR= 43.43, 95 % CI= 1.76-1071.68, p<0.021), higher CSF elevated protein (OR=58.64, 95 % CI=2.72-1264.51, p=0.009), higher CSF NfL levels (OR= 97.00, 95 % CI= 4.68-2012.99, p=0.003) and higher CSF IL-23 levels (OR= 412.02, 95 % CI=6.56-25869.60, p=0.004) were associated with high risk of progression to CDMS. CONCLUSION: Younger age at onset, elevated CSF NfL, IL-23 and protein levels might be progression predictors of CIS to CDMS in Chinese population.

Surface-Functionalized Halo-Tag Gold Nanoprobes for Live-Cell Long-Term Super-Resolution Imaging of Endoplasmic Reticulum Dynamics.

Super-resolution fluorescence microscopy has emerged as a powerful tool for studying endoplasmic reticulum (ER) dynamics in living cells. However, the lack of high-brightness, high-photostability, and stable labeling probes makes long-term super-resolution imaging of the ER still challenging. Herein, we reported a surface-functionalized Halo-tag gold nanofluorescent probe (GNP-Atto565-fR8-CA) that exhibits excellent brightness, photostability, and biocompatibility. GNP-Atto565-fR8-CA can simultaneously load multiple Atto565 dye molecules, significantly improving its brightness. Modifying the cell-penetrating peptide fR8 enables GNP-Atto565-fR8-CA to be efficiently delivered into the cytoplasm, overcoming the challenge of their easy entrapment in vesicles. Fluorescent labeling of ER proteins via Halo tags enables high specificity and stable labeling of GNP-Atto565-fR8-CA to the ER. The SIM super-resolution imaging results showed that GNP-Atto565-fR8-CA can track and observe the long-term dynamic process of the ER, and can also be used for long-term super-resolution imaging of the dynamic interactions between the ER and other organelles. This work offers a practical tool to study live-cell ER ultrastructure and dynamics.

Total flavonoids of Broussonetia papyrifera alleviate non-alcohol fatty liver disease via regulating Nrf2/AMPK/mTOR signaling pathways.

BACKGROUNDS: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most prevalent chronic liver diseases. The leaves of Broussonetia papyrifera contain a large number of flavonoids, which have a variety of biological functions. METHODS: In vitro experiments, free fatty acids were used to stimulate HepG2 cells. NAFLD model was established in vivo in mice fed with high fat diet (HFD) or intraperitoneally injected with Tyloxapol (Ty). At the same time, Total flavonoids of Broussonetia papyrifera (TFBP) was used to interfere with HepG2 cells or mice. RESULTS: The results showed that TFBP significantly decreased the lipid accumulation induced by oil acid (OA) with palmitic acid (PA) in HepG2 cells. TFBP decreased the total cholesterol (TC), the triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC) in serum. TFBP could also effectively inhibit the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and restrained the level of myeloperoxidase (MPO), and enhance the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) to alleviate the injury from oxidative stress in the liver. Additionally, TFBP activated nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathway to increasing the phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). Meanwhile, protein levels of mTORC signaling pathway were evidently restrained with the treatment of TFBP. CONCLUSION: Our experiments proved that TFBP has the therapeutic effect in NAFLD, and the activation of Nrf2 and AMPK signaling pathways should make sense.

Laurocapram, a transdermal enhancer, boosts cephalosporin's antibacterial activity against Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a notorious bacterium with high drug resistance and easy recurrence after surgery, has posed significant clinical treatment challenges. In the current scarcity of new antibiotics, the identification of adjuvants to existing antibiotics is a promising approach to combat infections caused by multidrug-resistant Gram-positive bacteria. The in vitro synergy test, which included a MIC assay, time-kill curve, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, and live/dead bacteria staining assay, revealed that laurocapram, a widely used chemical transdermal enhancer, could potentiate the antibacterial activity of cephalosporins against MRSA. In vitro, laurocapram combined with cefixime showed an excellent synergistic activity against MRSA (FICI = 0.28 ± 0.00). In addition, the combination of laurocapram and cefixime may inhibited the formation of MRSA biofilm and caused cell membrane damage. Following that, we discovered that combining laurocapram with cefixime could alleviate the symptoms of mice in the MRSA skin infection model and the MRSA pneumonia model. In conclusion, laurocapram is a promising and low-cost antibacterial adjuvant, providing a new strategy for further exploring the use of lower doses of cephalosporins to combat MRSA infection.