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Abstract Hypoxia frequently occurs in solid tumors, hepatocellular carcinoma included. Hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) upregulated in hypoxia can induce various downstream target genes to resist hypoxia stress, resulting in tumor growth, angiogenesis and metastasis in vivo. Therefore, hypoxia associated genes are usually cancer progression associated genes and can be potential therapy targets for cancer therapy. In our present work, we find that the hypoxia-inducible transcriptional factor, HIF1α, can directly upregulate the expression of the gene Ctnnd2 , which codes the protein δ-Catenin. Then, δ-Catenin can stabilize β-Catenin by disrupting the destruction complex, which leads to the activation of Wnt signaling. As a result, δ-Catenin can promote the proliferation and migration of HCC cells in vitro, further enhance mice HCC tumorigenesis in vivo. In summary, our work reveals that δ-Catenin is a direct downstream target gene of HIF1α. It can activate Wnt signaling via β-Catenin stabilization. δ-Catenin can enhance HCC progression. Highlights • HIF1α can directly induce the expression of the gene Ctnnd2 , which codes the protein δ-Catenin. • δ-Catenin can stabilize β-Catenin by disrupting the destruction complex, which leads to the activation of Wnt signaling. • δ-Catenin enhances HCC cells' proliferation and migration in vitro, further to enhance mice HCC tumor growth in vivo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

TNF-alpha plays an important role in the development of secondary lymphoid tissues. Earlier studies showed that fibroblastic reticular cells express TNF-alpha receptor, suggesting that TNF-alpha may affect the development of FRCs. To test this, we analyzed the development and function of FRCs in wild-type or TNF-alpha knockout mice. We found that GP38 expression was down-regulated in the spleen of TNF-alpha knockout mice. Chemokines, mainly secreted by GP38 + FRCs, were also down-regulated. Additionally, we found that absence of TNF-alpha decreased the homing ability to direct T cells to the spleen. However, absence of TNF-alpha did not affect the development of lymph nodes FRCs. These data reveal that TNF-alpha plays an important role in the development of spleen FRCs. Absence of TNF-alpha could cause abnormality of spleen FRCs, thereby weakening the homing ability of T cells to localize to the spleen T cell zone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Healing of chronic wounds has been critically limited by prolonged inflammation. Carbon monoxide (CO) is a biologically active molecule with high potential based on its efficacy in modulating inflammation, promoting wound healing and tissue remodeling. Strategies to use CO as a gaseous drug to chronic wounds have emerged, but controlling the sustained release of CO at the wound site remains a major challenge. In this work, a porphyrin-Fe based metal organic frameworks, TPyP-FeMOFs was prepared. The synthesized TPyP-FeMOFs was high-temperature vacuum activated (AcTPyP-FeMOFs) and AcTPyP-FeMOFs had a relatively high Fe (II) content. CO sorption isotherms showed that AcTPyP-FeMOFs chemisorbed CO and thus CO release was sustained and prolonged. In vitro evaluation results showed that CO@TPyP-FeMOFs reduced the inflammatory level of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) activated macrophages, polarized macrophages to M2 anti-inflammatory phenotype, and promoted the proliferation of fibroblasts by altering the pathological microenvironment. In vivo study confirmed CO@TPyP-FeMOFs promoted healing in a LPS model of delayed cutaneous wound repair and reduced macrophages and neutrophils recruitment. Both in vitro and in vivo studies verified that CO@TPyP-FeMOFs acted on macrophages by modulating phenotype and inflammatory factor expression. Thus, CO release targeting macrophages and pathological microenvironment modulation presented a promising strategy for wound healing. [Display omitted] • A new CO donor CO@TPyP-FeMOFs was developed and used for macrophage phenotypic polarization regulating. • It reduced the inflammatory level of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) activated macrophages, polarized macrophages to M2 anti-inflammatory phenotype. • Paracrine microenvironment altering by polarizing macrophage from M1 to M2 is beneficial for fibroblast growth and proliferation. • It promoted healing in a LPS model of delayed cutaneous wound repair. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to explore the effects of recombinant serine protease treatment on the development of post-harvest loquat diseases, fruit quality, and disease resistance enzyme activities. It also sought to analyze differential genes expression using RNA-seq technology. Transcriptomics analysis revealed 708 and 398 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in loquat fruits treated with serine protease for 24 and 48 h. Furthermore, 2198 DEGs were obtained between 24 and 48 h after treatment. The genes encoding JAZ, MYC2 and ERF in the plant signal transduction pathway were significantly up-regulated. The resistance-related genes, such as PPO, PAL, TLP, WRKY, and transcription factors were also significantly up-regulated. These results indicated that the recombinant serine protease can induce plant signal transduction pathway in loquat fruit. The expression of some resistance-related genes enhanced the disease resistance of loquat fruit and revealed the molecular mechanism of loquat fruit resistance induced by recombinant serine protease. • Recombinant serine protease prolonged the shelf life of loquat fruit. • Recombinant serine protease increased the resistance enzyme activity. • Recombinant serine protease improved the loquat disease resistance though plant hormone signal transduction pathway. • DEGs related to resistance enzyme were up-regulated after recombinant serine protease treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In subsurface irrigation, emitter orifices can become clogged by root intrusion. Using the technologies of subsurface drip irrigation, porous ceramic moulding and 3D printing, a new ceramic patch type subsurface drip irrigation line (CP-SDIL) with a simple structure was developed. The CP-SDIL consists of a plastic pipe, a plastic patch, a porous ceramic water-seepage pad and a rubber leakage-proof gasket. The CP-SDIL discharge can be adjusted by changing the material of the ceramic water-seepage pad which is the core component. The CP-SDIL pressure–discharge relationship is linear, and the flow region index is one. The working pressure and the ceramic materials had a significant influence on the discharge of water from the CP-SDIL into the soil. The higher the ceramic porosity and the working pressure, the larger the discharge and the movement of the wetting front. Based on a theoretical analysis and using the reference value for the soil saturation zone radius, an equation for calculating the discharge from CP-SDIL into the soil was developed. The results of this study can be used as a reference for the promotion and application of CP-SDIL. • Ceramic patch type subsurface drip irrigation line was developed. • Discharge could be adjusted by changing ceramic material. • Equation to calculated subsurface drip irrigation line discharge was developed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: White, blue, black and purple red wheat bran powders were prepared by ultrafine grinding to the particle size distribution of 0.5–100 μm. The effects of wheat bran addition on the qualities of dry Chinese noodles were investigated. Rapid Visco Analyzer results suggested that peak viscosity, hot paste viscosity, cool paste viscosity, breakdown viscosity and setback viscosity of the blends decreased with the increasing bran levels from 2.0% to 6.0% (P < 0.05). Color of dough sheet (L*) decreased with the addition of wheat bran, while a* and b* values increased distinctly. Water absorption and firmness of the cooked noodles showed up trends with increasing addition of bran, while cooking loss showed a downtrend. Tensile strength and elongation rate decreased when bran addition was 2.0%, but increased when bran addition reached 4.0%–6.0%. Storage modulus (E′) and loss modulus (E″) showed decreasing trends with increases in bran addition at frequencies of 0.1–10 Hz. SEM revealed that bran presence could slightly decrease surface connectivity between starch granules and gluten. It is possible to produce fiber-rich noodles by using 2.0%–6.0% ultrafine-ground bran in wheat flour. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]