Enhancing cancer immunotherapy via inhibition of soluble epoxide hydrolase.

Cancer therapy, including immunotherapy, is inherently limited by chronic inflammation-induced tumorigenesis and toxicity within the tumor microenvironment. Thus, stimulating the resolution of inflammation may enhance immunotherapy and improve the toxicity of immune checkpoint inhibition (ICI). As epoxy-fatty acids (EpFAs) are degraded by the enzyme soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH), the inhibition of sEH increases endogenous EpFA levels to promote the resolution of cancer-associated inflammation. Here, we demonstrate that systemic treatment with ICI induces sEH expression in multiple murine cancer models. Dietary omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation and pharmacologic sEH inhibition, both alone and in combination, significantly enhance anti-tumor activity of ICI in these models. Notably, pharmacological abrogation of the sEH pathway alone or in combination with ICI counter-regulates an ICI-induced pro-inflammatory and pro-tumorigenic cytokine storm. Thus, modulating endogenous EpFA levels through dietary supplementation or sEH inhibition may represent a unique strategy to enhance the anti-tumor activity of paradigm cancer therapies.

Morphological, anatomical, and transcriptomics analysis reveals the regulatory mechanisms of cassava plant height development.

BACKGROUND: Cassava is one of three major potato crops and the sixth most important food crop globally. Improving yield remains a primary aim in cassava breeding. Notably, plant height significantly impacts the yield and quality of crops; however, the mechanisms underlying cassava plant height development are yet to be elucidated. RESULTS: In this study, we investigated the mechanisms responsible for cassava plant height development using phenotypic, anatomical, and transcriptomic analyses. Phenotypic and anatomical analysis revealed that compared to the high-stem cassava cultivar, the dwarf-stem cassava cultivar exhibited a significant reduction in plant height and a notable increase in internode tissue xylem area. Meanwhile, physiological analysis demonstrated that the lignin content of dwarf cassava was significantly higher than that of high cassava. Notably, transcriptome analysis of internode tissues identified several differentially expressed genes involved in cell wall synthesis and expansion, plant hormone signal transduction, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, and flavonoid biosynthesis between the two cassava cultivars. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that internode tissue cell division, secondary wall lignification, and hormone-related gene expression play important roles in cassava plant height development. Ultimately, this study provides new insights into the mechanisms of plant height morphogenesis in cassava and identifies candidate regulatory genes associated with plant height that can serve as valuable genetic resources for future crop dwarfing breeding.

Mesenchymal stromal cell extracellular vesicles improve lung development in mechanically ventilated preterm lambs.

Novel therapies are needed for bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) because no effective treatment exists. Mesenchymal stromal cell extracellular vesicles (MSC-sEVs) have therapeutic efficacy in a mouse pup neonatal hyperoxia BPD model. We tested the hypothesis that MSC-sEVs will improve lung functional and structural development in mechanically ventilated preterm lambs. Preterm lambs (∼129 days; equivalent to human lung development at ∼28 wk gestation) were exposed to antenatal steroids, surfactant, caffeine, and supported by mechanical ventilation for 6-7 days. Lambs were randomized to blinded treatment with either MSC-sEVs (human bone marrow MSC-derived; 2 × 1011 particles iv; n = 8; 4 F/4 M) or vehicle control (saline iv; 4 F/4 M) at 6 and 78 h post delivery. Physiological targets were pulse oximetry O2 saturation 90-94% ([Formula: see text] 60-90 mmHg), [Formula: see text] 45-60 mmHg (pH 7.25-7.35), and tidal volume 5-7 mL/kg. MSC-sEVs-treated preterm lambs tolerated enteral feedings compared with vehicle control preterm lambs. Differences in weight patterns were statistically significant. Respiratory severity score, oxygenation index, A-a gradient, distal airspace wall thickness, and smooth muscle thickness around terminal bronchioles and pulmonary arterioles were significantly lower for the MSC-sEVs group. S/F ratio, radial alveolar count, secondary septal volume density, alveolar capillary surface density, and protein abundance of VEGF-R2 were significantly higher for the MSC-sEVs group. MSC-sEVs improved respiratory system physiology and alveolar formation in mechanically ventilated preterm lambs. MSC-sEVs may be an effective and safe therapy for appropriate functional and structural development of the lung in preterm infants who require mechanical ventilation and are at risk of developing BPD.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study focused on potential treatment of preterm infants at risk of developing bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), for which no effective treatment exists. We tested treatment of mechanically ventilated preterm lambs with human mesenchymal stromal cell extracellular vesicles (MSC-sEVs). The results show improved respiratory gas exchange and parenchymal growth of capillaries and epithelium that are necessary for alveolar formation. Our study provides new mechanistic insight into potential efficacy of MSC-sEVs for preterm infants at risk of developing BPD.

2D BA2PbI4 Regulating PbI2 Crystallization to Induce Perovskite Growth for Efficient Solar Cells.

Using seeds to control the crystallization of perovskite film is an effective strategy for achieving high-efficiency perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Owing to their excellent environmental stability brought by their long alkyl chain, n-butylammonium (BA) cations are widely used for fabricating efficient and stable PSCs. However, BA-based 2D perovskite is seldom been investigated as a seed. Here, BA2PbI4 is employed to regulate the crystallization of PbI2, acting as nucleation centers. As a result, porous PbI2 film with high crystallinity is obtained, which allows the realization of perovskite film with preferential crystal orientations of (001) and large grain size of over 2 µm. The corresponding PSC achieves a high power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 24.30% and exhibits satisfactory stability, retaining 91.70% of the initial PCE after 300 h of thermal aging at 85°C.

Evaluation of pathological response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in locally advanced cervical cancer.

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) is a viable therapeutic option for women diagnosed locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC). However, the factors influencing pathological response are still controversial. We collected pair specimens of 185 LACC patients before and after receiving NACT and conducted histological evaluation. 8 fresh tissues pre-treatment were selected from the entire cohort to conducted immune gene expression profiling. A novel pathological grading system was established by comprehensively assessing the percentages of viable tumor, inflammatory stroma, fibrotic stroma, and necrosis in the tumor bed. Then, 185 patients were categorized into either the good pathological response (GPR) group or the poor pathological response (PPR) group post-NACT, with 134 patients (72.4%, 134/185) achieving GPR. Increasing tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes volume (TILV) pre-treatment were correlated with GPR, with TILV emerging as an independent predictive factor for GPR. Additionally, CIBERSORT analysis revealed noteworthy differences in the expression of immune makers between cPR and non-cPR group. Furthermore, a significantly heightened density of CD8 + T cells and a reduced density of FOXP3 + T cells were observed in GPR than PPR. Importantly, patients exhibiting GPR or inflammatory type demonstrated improved overall survival and disease-free survival. Notably, stromal type was an independent prognostic factor in multivariate analysis. Our study indicates the elevated TILV in pre-treatment specimens may predict a favorable response to NACT, while identifying stromal type in post-treatment specimens as an independent prognostic factor. Moreover, we proposed this pathological grading system in NACT patients, which may offer a more comprehensive understanding of treatment response and prognosis.

Bioactive sulforaphane from cruciferous vegetables: advances in biosynthesis, metabolism, bioavailability, delivery, health benefits, and applications.

Chronic inflammation-induced diseases (CID) are the dominant cause of death worldwide, contributing to over half of all global deaths. Sulforaphane (SFN) derived from cruciferous vegetables has been extensively studied for its multiple functional benefits in alleviating CID. This work comprehensively reviewed the biosynthesis, metabolism, bioavailability, delivery, health benefits, and applications of SFN and its potential mechanisms against CID (e.g., cancer, obesity, type 2 diabetes, et al.), and neurological disorders based on a decade of research. SFN exerts its biological functions through the hydrolysis of glucosinolates by gut microbiota, and exhibits rapid metabolism and excretion characteristics via metabolization of mercapturic acid pathway. Microencapsulation is an important way to improve the stability and targeted delivery of SFN. The health benefits of SNF against CID are attributed to the multiple regulatory mechanisms including modulating oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, immune response, and intestinal homeostasis. The clinical applications of SFN and related formulations show promising potential; however, further exploration is required regarding the sources, dosages, toxicity profiles, and stability of SFN. Together, SFN is a natural product with great potential for development and application, which is crucial for the development of functional food and pharmaceutical industries.

Eicosanoid regulation of debris-stimulated metastasis.

Cancer therapy reduces tumor burden via tumor cell death ("debris"), which can accelerate tumor progression via the failure of inflammation resolution. Thus, there is an urgent need to develop treatment modalities that stimulate the clearance or resolution of inflammation-associated debris. Here, we demonstrate that chemotherapy-generated debris stimulates metastasis by up-regulating soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) and the prostaglandin E2 receptor 4 (EP4). Therapy-induced tumor cell debris triggers a storm of proinflammatory and proangiogenic eicosanoid-driven cytokines. Thus, targeting a single eicosanoid or cytokine is unlikely to prevent chemotherapy-induced metastasis. Pharmacological abrogation of both sEH and EP4 eicosanoid pathways prevents hepato-pancreatic tumor growth and liver metastasis by promoting macrophage phagocytosis of debris and counterregulating a protumorigenic eicosanoid and cytokine storm. Therefore, stimulating the clearance of tumor cell debris via combined sEH and EP4 inhibition is an approach to prevent debris-stimulated metastasis and tumor growth.

Pilot dose-ranging of rhIGF-1/rhIGFBP-3 in a preterm lamb model of evolving bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

BACKGROUND: Low levels of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) protein in preterm human infants are associated with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). We used our preterm lamb model of BPD to determine (1) dosage of recombinant human (rh) IGF-1 bound to binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) to reach infant physiologic plasma levels; and (2) whether repletion of plasma IGF-1 improves pulmonary and cardiovascular outcomes. METHODS: Group 1: normal, unventilated lambs from 128 days gestation through postnatal age 5 months defined normal plasma levels of IGF-1. Group 2: continuous infusion of rhIGF-1/rhIGFBP-3 (0.5, 1.5, or 4.5 mg/kg/day; n = 2) for 3 days in mechanically ventilated (MV) preterm lambs determined that 1.5 mg/kg/day dosage attained physiologic plasma IGF-1 concentration of ~125 ng/mL, which was infused in four more MV preterm lambs. RESULTS: Group 1: plasma IGF-1 protein increased from ~75 ng/mL at 128 days gestation to ~220 ng/L at 5 months. Group 2: pilot study of the optimal dosage (1.5 mg/kg/day rhIGF-1/rhIGFBP-3) in six MV preterm lambs significantly improved some pulmonary and cardiovascular outcomes (p < 0.1) compared to six MV preterm controls. RhIGF-1/rhIGFBP-3 was not toxic to the liver, kidneys, or lungs. CONCLUSIONS: Three days of continuous iv infusion of rhIGF-1/rhIGFBP-3 at 1.5 mg/kg/day improved some pulmonary and cardiovascular outcomes without toxicity. IMPACT: Preterm birth is associated with rapid decreases in serum or plasma IGF-1 protein level. This decline adversely impacts the growth and development of the lung and cardiovascular system. For this pilot study, continuous infusion of optimal dosage of rhIGF-1/rhIGFBP-3 (1.5 mg/kg/day) to maintain physiologic plasma IGF-1 level of ~125 ng/mL during mechanical ventilation for 3 days statistically improved some structural and biochemical outcomes related to the alveolar formation that would favor improved gas exchange compared to vehicle-control. We conclude that 3 days of continuous iv infusion of rhIGF-1/rhIGFBP-3 improved some physiological, morphological, and biochemical outcomes, without toxicity, in mechanically ventilated preterm lambs.

Structure-activity relationship, bioactivities, molecular mechanisms, and clinical application of nuciferine on inflammation-related diseases.

Nuciferine aporphine alkaloid mainly exists in Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn and is a beneficial to human health, such as anti-obesity, lowering blood lipid, prevention of diabetes and cancer, closely associated with inflammation. Importantly, nuciferine may contribute to its bioactivities by exerting intense anti-inflammatory activities in multiple models. However, no review has summarized the anti-inflammatory effect of nuciferine. This review critically summarized the information regarding the structure-activity relationships of dietary nuciferine. Moreover, biological activities and clinical application on inflammation-related diseases, such as obesity, diabetes, liver, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer, as well as their potential mechanisms, involving oxidative stress, metabolic signaling, and gut microbiota has been reviewed. The current work provides a better understanding of the anti-inflammation properties of nuciferine against multiple diseases, thereby improving the utilization and application of nuciferine-containing plants across functional food and medicine.

Antidepressant-like effect of acute dose of Naringin involves suppression of NR1 and activation of protein kinase A/cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element-binding protein/brain-derived neurotrophic factor signaling in hippocampus.

Naringin (Nr) has been identified to have antidepressant-like effects through repeated treatment. However, the underlying mechanism of the rapid antidepressant-like effects of Nr was still unclear. The present study used behavioral tests, classic depressive model and pharmacological methods to reveal the rapid antidepressant-like potential of Nr. We found that a single dose of Nr (20 mg/kg) produced antidepressant-like action after 2 h in the tail suspension test (TST) and forced swimming test (FST). Moreover, ketamine-like effects were also demonstrated by using the chronic mild stress model (CMS) and learned helplessness (LH), and the results showed that Nr reversed all behavioral defects, TST, FST, source preference test (SPT) in CMS, and LH testing, TST, FST in LH model, at 2 h after a single administration. In addition, Nr (20 mg/kg) could improve the abnormal expressions of NMDA receptor NR1 and PKA/CREB/BDNF pathway in hippocampus 2 h after a single administration in CMS mice. Further investigation revealed that activation of NMDA receptors by NMDA (750 mg/kg) could block the antidepressant effects of acute administration of Nr (20 mg/kg). However, the inhibition of NMDA receptors by MK-801 (0.05 mg/kg) promoted the subdose of Nr (10 mg/kg) to have antidepressant effect, which was similar to the effective dose Nr (20 mg/kg). Taken together, acute dose of Nr produces rapid antidepressant-like action, and the underlying mechanism could be through inhibiting NMDA receptors in the hippocampus.

Resolution of eicosanoid/cytokine storm prevents carcinogen and inflammation-initiated hepatocellular cancer progression.

Toxic environmental carcinogens promote cancer via genotoxic and nongenotoxic pathways, but nongenetic mechanisms remain poorly characterized. Carcinogen-induced apoptosis may trigger escape from dormancy of microtumors by interfering with inflammation resolution and triggering an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response. While eicosanoid and cytokine storms are well-characterized in infection and inflammation, they are poorly characterized in cancer. Here, we demonstrate that carcinogens, such as aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), induce apoptotic cell death and the resulting cell debris stimulates hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tumor growth via an "eicosanoid and cytokine storm." AFB1-generated debris up-regulates cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH), ER stress-response genes including BiP, CHOP, and PDI in macrophages. Thus, selective cytokine or eicosanoid blockade is unlikely to prevent carcinogen-induced cancer progression. Pharmacological abrogation of both the COX-2 and sEH pathways by PTUPB prevented the debris-stimulated eicosanoid and cytokine storm, down-regulated ER stress genes, and promoted macrophage phagocytosis of debris, resulting in suppression of HCC tumor growth. Thus, inflammation resolution via dual COX-2/sEH inhibition is an approach to prevent carcinogen-induced cancer.

Bioactivities and mechanisms of dietary proanthocyanidins on blood pressure lowering: A critical review of in vivo and clinical studies.

Proanthocyanidins, widespread in natural plant sources, are bioactive substances that exhibit broad benefits to human health. Of note, proanthocyanidins have been reported to lower blood pressure and prevent hypertension, but a critical review of this is lacking. In this review, information on the basic structures and absorption of dietary proanthocyanidins as well as their bioactivities and related mechanisms on the lowering of blood pressure derived via in vivo and clinical studies are summarized. Clinical studies have shown that proanthocyanidins have a pronounced blood pressure-lowering effect, effectively preventing hypertension and reducing the occurrence of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. The potential mechanisms, which are herein reviewed in detail, involve the improvement of vascular function, reduction of oxidative stress and inflammation, and modulation of lipid metabolism. Taken together, this work provides information for a better understanding of the antihypertensive effects of proanthocyanidins, which may promote their use to reduce the risk of developing hypertension.

A comprehensive review of food gels: formation mechanisms, functions, applications, and challenges.

Gels refer to the soft and flexible macromolecular polymeric materials retaining a large amount of water or biofluids in their three-dimensional network structure. Gels have attracted increasing interest in the food discipline, especially proteins and polysaccharides, due to their good biocompatibility, biodegradability, nutritional properties, and edibility. With the advancement of living standards, people's demand for nutritious, safe, reliable, and functionally diverse food and even personalized food has increased. As a result, gels exhibiting unique advantages in food application will be of great significance. However, a comprehensive review of functional hydrogels as food gels is still lacking. Here, we comprehensively review the gel-forming mechanisms of food gels and systematically classify them. Moreover, the potential of hydrogels as functional foods in different types of food areas is summarized, with a special focus on their applications in food packaging, satiating gels, nutrient delivery systems, food coloring adsorption, and food safety monitoring. Additionally, the key scientific issues for future food gel research, with specific reference to future novel food designs, mechanisms between food components and matrices, food gel-human interactions, and food gel safety, are discussed. Finally, the future directions of hydrogels for food science and technology are summarized.

Halomonas binhaiensis sp. nov., isolated from saline-alkali soil.

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic and rod-shaped bacterium, strain Y2R2T, was isolated from a saline-alkali soil sample collected from Binhai New Area, Tianjin, PR China. Growth of strain Y2R2T was observed at 10-45 °C (optimum, 30 °C), at pH 6.0-11.0 (optimum, pH 9.0) and in the presence of 0-15 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 9.0 %). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain Y2R2T was affiliated with the genus Halomonas and showed the highest similarity to Halomonas huangheensis BJGMM-B45T (99.0%) and Halomonas cupida DSM 4740T (98.4%). The digital DNA-DNA hybridization and average nucleotide identity values of 21.0-22.8 % and 73.3-75.7 % with the closely related species H. huangheensis BJGMM-B45T, H. cupida DSM 4740T, H. ventosae AL12T, H. stenophila N12T and H. litopenaei SYSU ZJ2214T were lower than the threshold recommended for species discrimination.The major respiratory quinone of strain Y2R2T was Q-9 and the major cellular fatty acids consisted of C16 : 0, C19 : 0 cyclo ω8c and summed feature 8 (C18 : 1 ω7c and/or C18 : 1 ω6c). The DNA G+C content of strain Y2R2T was 57.0 mol%. On the basis of this polyphasic taxonomic study, strain Y2R2T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Halomonas, for which the name Halomonas binhaiensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is Y2R2T (=CGMCC 1.16974T=KCTC 72578T).

Ruxolitinib-combined doxorubicin-etoposide-methylprednisolone regimen as a salvage therapy for refractory/relapsed haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis: a single-arm, multicentre, phase 2 trial.

We performed a multicentre, non-randomised trial (NCT03533790) to investigate the efficacy of ruxolitinib combined with the doxorubicin-etoposide-methylprednisolone (Ru-DEP) regimen as a salvage therapy for refractory/relapsed haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH). All patients failing to achieve a complete or partial response 2 weeks after initial HLH-94/HLH-04 regimen or relapsed after remission were enrolled in the study between June 2018 and June 2019. The efficacy was evaluated 2 weeks after initiating Ru-DEP salvage therapy. Fifty-four eligible patients with refractory/relapsed (R/R) HLH were enrolled. One case could not be evaluated for efficacy. Excluding 12 patients who had previously received the DEP regimen, the overall response rate was 32 of 41 (78·0%) patients, with eight of 41 (19·5%) achieving complete response and 24 of 41 (58·5%) attaining a partial response. Of the R/R HLH patients who had previously received the DEP regimen, 7 of 12 (58·3%) achieved a partial response. Ferritin and soluble CD25 concentrations were significantly lower (P < 0·05), while the platelet count increased significantly (P = 0·034), and triglycerides decreased significantly (P = 0·002) compared with those before treatment. The Ru-DEP regimen may be a safe and effective salvage therapy, remaining effective in refractory/relapsed HLH following DEP treatment, especially in macrophage activation syndrome. In addition, the regimen can be considered for patients with contraindications to glucocorticoid, especially those with gastrointestinal bleeding.

Co-expression of SOX2 and HR-HPV RISH predicts poor prognosis in small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the uterine cervix.

BACKGROUND: Small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the uterine cervix (SCNEC) is a rare cancer involving the human papilloma virus (HPV), and has few available treatments. The present work aimed to assess the feasibility of SOX2 and HPV statuses as predictive indicators of SCNEC prognosis. METHODS: The associations of SOX2 and/or high-risk (HR)-HPV RNA in situ hybridization (RISH) levels with clinicopathological characteristics and prognostic outcomes for 88 neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC) cases were analyzed. RESULTS: Among these patients with SCNEC, SOX2, P16INK4A and HR-HPV RISH expression and SOX2/HR-HPV RISH co-expression were detected in 68(77.3%), 76(86.4%), 73(83.0%), and 48(54.5%), respectively. SOX2-positive and HR-HPV RISH-positive SCNEC cases were associated with poorer overall survival (OS, P = 0.0170, P = 0.0451) and disease-free survival (DFS, P = 0.0334, P = 0.0309) compared with those expressing low SOX2 and negative HR-HPV RISH. Alternatively, univariate analysis revealed that SOX2 and HR-HPV RISH expression, either separately or in combination, predicted the poor prognosis of SCNEC patients. Multivariate analysis revealed that the co-expression of SOX2 with HR-HPV RISH may be an independent factor of OS [hazard ratio = 3.597; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.085-11.928; P = 0.036] and DFS [hazard ratio = 2.880; 95% CI: 1.199-6.919; P = 0.018] prediction in SCNEC. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the results of the present study suggest that the co-expression of SOX2 with HR-HPV RISH in SCNEC may represent a specific subgroup exhibiting remarkably poorer prognostic outcomes compared with the expression of any one marker alone.

Lipidomic profiling reveals soluble epoxide hydrolase as a therapeutic target of obesity-induced colonic inflammation.

Obesity is associated with enhanced colonic inflammation, which is a major risk factor for colorectal cancer. Considering the obesity epidemic in Western countries, it is important to identify novel therapeutic targets for obesity-induced colonic inflammation, to develop targeted strategies for prevention. Eicosanoids are endogenous lipid signaling molecules involved in regulating inflammation and immune responses. Using an LC-MS/MS-based lipidomics approach, we find that obesity-induced colonic inflammation is associated with increased expression of soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) and its eicosanoid metabolites, termed fatty acid diols, in colon tissue. Furthermore, we find that pharmacological inhibition or genetic ablation of sEH reduces colonic concentrations of fatty acid diols, attenuates obesity-induced colonic inflammation, and decreases obesity-induced activation of Wnt signaling in mice. Together, these results support that sEH could be a novel therapeutic target for obesity-induced colonic inflammation and associated diseases.

Protective effect of ginsenoside Rg5 against kidney injury via inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome activation and the MAPK signaling pathway in high-fat diet/streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice.

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a common and serious complication of diabetes and causes kidney failure. Ginsenoside Rg5 (Rg5) is an important monomer in the main protopanaxadiol component of black ginseng. Rg5 has exhibited some beneficial biological effects, such as anti-cancer, neuroprotection, and anti-depression, but the effect of Rg5 on DN and its potential mechanism remains unclear. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of Rg5 on kidney injury of C57BL/6 diabetic mice induced by high-fat diet and streptozotocin. After treatment with different concentration of Rg5 (30 and 60 mg kg-1·d-1) for 6 consecutive weeks, the fasting blood glucose, insulin levels, serum creatinine, serum urea, and serum UA in Rg5-treated DN mice were significantly reduced, while the renal histopathology was remarkably improved, compared with untreated DN mice. Moreover, ROS production, oxidative stress markers (MDA, SOD, and GSH-PX), Nox4 and TXNIP expressions of kidney in DN mice were significantly reduced after Rg5 treatment. Additionally, the expression levels of the NLRP3 inflammasome (NLRP3, ASC, and Caspase-1) and the inflammatory cytokines IL-1ß and IL-18 were significantly inhibited, and the expression of NF-kB and the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK were also decreased with Rg5 treatment compared with no treatment in DN mice. Together, our results indicate that Rg5 attenuated renal injury in diabetic mice by inhibiting oxidative stress and NLRP3 inflammasome activation to reduce inflammatory responses, indicating that Rg5 is a potential compound to prevent or control diabetic renal injury.

KIF2 mediates the neuroprotection in cerebral ischaemia injury by affecting NF-κB pathway.

Stroke is the most common cerebrovascular disease with high morbidity and mortality around the world. However, the underlying mechanisms involved in nerve injury and cerebral ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R) during cerebrovascular disease are still not completely clear. In the present study, we investigate the role of kinesin family member 2 (KIF2) in the neuroprotection after cerebral I/R injury. KIF2 was aberrantly expressed in the cerebral tissues from middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) rat model in a time dependent manner. A similar changing pattern was found in the cultured hypoxic neurons as well as SK-N-SH cells in vitro. Compared to the control, KIF2 inhibition significantly increased the level of malonic dialdehyde (MDA), and reduced the level of superoxide dismutase (SOD) as well as glutathione peroxidase (GSH-px) activity in cerebral tissues of MCAO rat model. The reactive oxygen species (ROS) level was also up-regulated after KIF2 siRNA knockdown in cultured hypoxic SK-N-SH cells. The apoptosis rates of hypoxic neurons and SK-N-SH cells as well as activated-caspase-3 level were obviously increased after KIF2 silencing. Furthermore, we found that the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) pathway was involved in KIF2-mediated neuroprotection after cerebral I/R injury, and induced apoptosis of hypoxic SK-N-SH cells by KIF2 silencing could be attenuated by the specific inhibitor BAY11-7082 of NF-κB. In conclusion, we demonstrate that KIF2 could mediate the neuroprotection in cerebral I/R injury by inhibiting activation of NF-κB pathway. This might provide a novel therapeutic target for cerebral I/R injury.

[Pollution characteristics and health risk assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in fine particulate matter in Lanzhou community].

OBJECTIVE: To understand the pollution level of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons(PAHs) in community fine particulate matter(PM_(2. 5)) in Lanzhou community, and assess the risk of cancer. METHODS: Samples of atmospheric fine particles were collected in communities A and B of Lanzhou City from 10 to 16 of each month in 2018. The mass concentration and composition of 16 kinds of optimal control to the EPA PAHs, such as naphthalene(Nap), acenaphthylene(Acy), philippines(Phe), acenaphthene(Ace), fluorene(FI), anthracene(Ant), fluoranthene(Flu), pyrene(Pyr), chrysene(Chr), benzo(a) anthracene(BaA), benzene(b) fluoranthracene(BbF), benzene(k) fluoranthracene(BkF), benzo(a) pyrene(BaP), dibenzene(a, h) anthracene(DahA), benzene(g, h, i) perylene(BghiP) and indene(1, 2, 3-cd)pyrene(IcdP), were analysed, and the toxicity were assessed by toxicity equivalent concentration and lifetime excess carcinogenic risk(ECR). RESULTS: The annual average PM_(2. 5) concentrations in community A and B were 70 µg/m~3, 2 times the national standard. The average annual PAHs concentrations in community A and B were 113. 56(5. 22-485. 71) and 55. 68(2. 39-257. 43) ng/m~3, respectively. In addition, in winter, spring and autumn, the PAHs of the two communities were mainly 3-5 rings, 3-ring and 6-ring PAHs were the main components in summer. The result of feature ratio method were shown that BaP of 16 kinds of PAHs was the equivalent mass concentration(BaPeq) range of 0. 00017-3. 19 ng/m~3, ΣBaPeqin community A and B were 7. 64 and5. 11 ng/m3, respectively. BaP and DahA were the most toxic, All of them contributed more than 70% to ΣBaPeq, the total ECR of Σ16 PAHs in community A and B were 6. 64×10~(-4) and 4. 44×10~(-4), respectivel. CONCLUSION: BaP and DahA have certain potential health risks to residents in communities a and B of Lanzhou.