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Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is the most toxic mycotoxin contaminant, which is widely present in crops and poses a major safety hazard to animal and human health. To alleviate the cytotoxic effects of AFB1 on the intestine, we tested the protective effects of porcine β-defensin-2 (pBD-2). Results demonstrated that pBD-2 inhibited oxidative stress induced by AFB1 via decreasing the levels of ROS and enhancing the expression of antioxidant factors SOD-2 and NQO-1. In addition, pBD-2 attenuated AFB1-induced intestinal porcine epithelial cell line-J2 (IPEC-J2) injury through blocking mitochondria-mediated apoptosis. In vivo, pBD-2 treatment restored the intestinal mucosal structure and reduced the expression levels of apoptosis factors caspase-3 and Bax/Bcl-2. In conclusion, these results indicated that pBD-2 can alleviate AFB1-induced intestinal mucosal injury by inhibiting oxidative stress and mitochondria-mediated apoptosis. This study provides an effective strategy in developing pBD-2 as green feed additive to prevent AFB1 damage to animals.

Abstract Background Plexiform lesions, which have a dynamic appearance in structure and cellular composition, are the histological hallmark of severe pulmonary arterial hypertension in humans. The pathogenesis of the lesion development remains largely unknown, although it may be related to local inflammation and dysfunction in early progenitor endothelial cells (eEPCs). We tested the hypothesis that eEPCs contribute to the development of plexiform lesions by differentiating into macrophages in the setting of chronic inflammation. Methods The eEPC markers CD133 and VEGFR-2, macrophage lineage marker mannose receptor C-type 1 (MRC1), TNFα and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) in plexiform lesions in a broiler model were determined by immunohistochemistry. eEPCs derived from peripheral blood mononuclear cells were exposed to TNFα, and macrophage differentiation and angiogenic capacity of the cells were evaluated by phagocytotic and Matrigel plug assays, respectively. The role of Nrf2 in eEPC-to-macrophage transition as well as in MRC1 expression was also evaluated. Intratracheal installation of TNFα was conducted to determine the effect of local inflammation on the formation of plexiform lesions. Results Cells composed of the early lesions have a typical eEPC phenotype whereas those in more mature lesions display molecular and morphological characteristics of macrophages. Increased TNFα production in plexiform lesions was observed with lesion progression. In vitro studies showed that chronic TNFα challenge directed eEPCs to macrophage differentiation accompanied by hyperactivation of Nrf2, a stress-responsive transcription factor. Nrf2 activation (Keap1 knockdown) caused a marked downregulation in CD133 but upregulation in MRC1 mRNA. Dual luciferase reporter assay demonstrated that Nrf2 binds to the promoter of MRC1 to trigger its expression. In good agreement with the in vitro observation, TNFα exposure induced macrophage differentiation of eEPCs in Matrigel plugs, resulting in reduced neovascularization of the plugs. Intratracheal installation of TNFα resulted in a significant increase in plexiform lesion density. Conclusions This work provides evidence suggesting that macrophage differentiation of eEPCs resulting from chronic inflammatory stimulation contributes to the development of plexiform lesions. Given the key role of Nrf2 in the phenotypic switching of eEPCs to macrophages, targeting this molecular might be beneficial for intervention of plexiform lesions.

Abstract CuS nanoflowers were loaded on anatase TiO2/polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) fibers by hydrothermal treated electrospun tetrabutyl orthotitanate (TBOT)/PVDF fibers at low temperature. The results indicated that the amount of copper source and sulfur source determined the crystallization and morphology of the resultant products. It was found that the composite of CuS narrowed the band gap energy of TiO2 and enhanced the separation efficiency of the photogenerated electron-hole pairs of TiO2. The photocatalytic reaction rate of CuS/TiO2/PVDF fibers to rhodamine B was 3 times higher than that of TiO2/PVDF fibers under visible light irradiation. Besides, owing to the preparation process was carried out at low temperature, the flexibility of CuS/TiO2/PVDF fibers was ensured. In addition, the self-cleaning performance of the dye droplets on the resultant product surface was demonstrated under visible light. Meanwhile, the resultant product can automatically remove dust on the surface of the material under the rolling condition of droplets due to its hydrophobicity. Therefore, the as-prepared CuS/TiO2/PVDF fibers can not only degrade the contaminated compounds, but also depress the maintenance cost owing to its self-cleaning performance, which means a very practical application prospect.

The effects of tungsten W doping and coating on the electrochemical performance of LiCoO2 cathode are comparatively studied in this work. The amount of modification component is as low as 0.1 wt% and 0.3 wt% respectively. After 100 cycles between 3.0 V–4.6 V, 0.1 wt% W doping provides an optimized capacity retention of 72.3%. However, W coating deteriorates battery performance with capacity retention of 47.8%, even lower than bare LiCoO2 of 55.7%. These different electrochemical performances can be attributed to the surface aggregation of W between doping and coating methods. W substitution is proved to be a promising method to develop high voltage cathodes. Practical performance relies on detailed synthesis method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the title compound, C16H15NO4·CH4O, the dihedral angle between the benzene rings is 75.21 (5)°. The structure is stabilized by an intramolecular O—H...O interaction [O...O = 2.589 (2) Å]. The solvent molecule links symmetry-related molecules of the complex via hydrogen bonds with O...O separations of 2.631 (2) and 2.815 (2) Å. C—H...O hydrogen bonds are also present.