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There is a growing amount of research that highlights the significant connection between the development of colitis and both metabolic imbalance and the inflammatory response. Tagatose, an inherent sweetening agent and alternative to sugar, plays a crucial role in the biosynthesis of several chemicals and metabolic pathways in living organisms. However, the specific biochemical mechanism via which tagatose hinders colitis is still not understood. According to recent study, tagatose plays a crucial role in safeguarding the integrity of tight junctions inside the intestinal mucosal barrier. Furthermore, it is crucial to acknowledge the presence of a correlation between the severity of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and the occurrence of colorectal cancer (CRC), chemically-induced colitis in rodents, and reduced blood levels of tagatose. The treatment of tagatose resulted in a decrease in intestinal mucosal injury in mice with colitis, regardless of whether it was caused by dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) or spontaneous colitis in IL-10-/- mice and C3H/HeJBir mice. The introduction of tagatose in a colitis model triggers a cascade of events, wherein it hinders the expulsion of cathepsin B and enhances lysosomal cohesiveness. The aforementioned method successfully inhibits the activity of myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) in the context of intestinal epithelial damage, hence impeding the deterioration of tight junction integrity and the initiation of mitochondrial dysfunction. In summary, the outcomes of the study have provided empirical evidence that substantiates the beneficial effects of tagatose in mitigating the progression of colitis. The ability to prevent the disruption of the intestinal barrier is responsible for this achievement. Hence, tagatose has promise as a therapeutic adjunct for the management of colitis.

The exploration of safe antibiotic substitutes is one of the research hotspots in animal husbandry. Adding suitable plant essential oils into feed could improve the growth performance and immune capacity of animals. In order to make plant essential oil play a better role in feed application, sodium alginate and chitosan were used as the wall materials, and blended plant essential oils (BEO) as the core material to prepare BEO microcapsules by the sharp-hole condensation method. On the basis of single-factor experiments, the optimal preparation conditions for BEO microcapsules were obtained by response surface experiments. The physicochemical properties were characterized and analyzed by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and field scanning electron microscope (FSEM). Meanwhile, the release mechanism was studied by simulating a gastrointestinal sustained-release experiment. The results showed that under the optimal preparation conditions, the encapsulation efficiency of BEO microcapsules could reach 80.33 ± 2.35%. FTIR and SEM analysis displayed that the microcapsules obtained had uniform color and size and a complete and compact structure. In vitro study indicated that the release amount of BEO microcapsules in the simulated intestinal fluid is higher than that in the simulated intestinal fluid, which was consistent with animal digestive and absorptive characteristics.

Rotifer Brachionus rotundiformis is the first live food for larval fish that can generally be plagued by ammonia (AC) in intensive culture systems. Ammonia accumulates enough to cause rotifer death. L-carnitine (LC) as a supplement of a vitamin-like nutrient can ameliorate rotifer growth performance and reproduction. The present study investigated the effects of LC on growth performance, antioxidant enzymatic activity, bacterial numbers and eradication of AC toxicity in rotifer. During a 7-day culture experiment added different concentration LC, Acute toxicity tests of AC and a batch culture experiment treated with LC and AC were performed. The results indicated that suitable LC concentration (1−100 mgL−1) treatment promoted significantly the rotifer population growth, while the AC was opposite and the AC median lethal concentration (LC50)-24 h was 12.24 mg L-1. Batch culture results showed that, under AC stress, LC significantly increased the rotifer population density and egg rate, and reduced rotifer malondialdehyde (MDA) level, increased rotifer Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) activities. For the bacterial numbers, all treatments presented an increasing trend during the culture period, and there was a significant correlation with the rotifer population density especially in the group LC + AC. Overall, our results indicate that the rotifer growth can be inhibited by the AC, and under AC stress, LC can also improve the population growth, anti-stress ability of rotifer and the bacterial numbers in the medium. The amelioration of rotifer-growth may be linked to the anti-stress ability and the bacterial numbers.

High nutritive microalgae is a key factor that affecting the live feeds nutritional value and subsequently fish fry quality. We evaluated the effect of l-carnitine supplementation level on the population growth, photosynthetic pigment biosynthesis, and antioxidant capability of the pigment-protein complexes in the marine Chlorella sp. Five different l-carnitine levels (0, 5, 50, 100, and 200 mg L−1) were supplemented in the microalgae media for 10 days. The results demonstrated that l-carnitine increased the population density and specific growth rate in LC 5 (P < 0.05). While the β-carotene and iron contents were elevated in LC 5 and LC 50 (P < 0.05). Apart from, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and magnesium contents were higher in the LC 5 (P < 0.05). While LC 5 had higher metal chelation in pigment-protein complexes (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, psy and chld gene expressions were up-regulated in the LC 5 and LC 50 (P < 0.05). Taken together, LC 5 and LC 50 could improve the population growth, pigment synthesis, antioxidant capacity and up-regulate the relative expression levels of photosynthetic pigment synthesis genes in marine Chlorella sp. Therefore, l-carnitine has comprehensive effects on algae production.

Endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) is closely related to the pathogenesis of various diseases, including cardiac fibrosis. Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 strongly induces EndMT, and sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) may play vital roles in TGF-β/Smad pathway inhibition. This study aimed to determine whether SIRT1 activation inhibits EndMT, thereby attenuating cardiac fibrosis. Cardiac fibrosis was induced in C57BL/6 mice by subcutaneously injecting isoproterenol. SIRT1 was activated and then suppressed by intraperitoneally injecting resveratrol (RSV) and EX527, respectively. EndMT was induced by adding TGF-β1 to H5V cells and measured by immunofluorescence and western blot. The role of SIRT1 in EndMT was determined by lentivirus-mediated overexpression of SIRT1. Interactions between SIRT1 and Smad2/3 in the TGF-β/Smad2/3 pathway were examined by immunoprecipitation. SIRT1 activation upregulated CD31 and vascular endothelial-cadherin, and downregulated α-smooth muscle actin, fibroblast-specific protein 1, and vimentin. SIRT1 upregulated and EX527 inhibited TGF-β receptor 1 (TGF-βR1) and P-Smad2/3 expression, respectively. SIRT1 activation and overexpression by RSV/SRT2104 and lentivirus transfection, respectively, reduced TGF-β1-induced EndMT. SIRT1 and Smad2/3 interaction was shown by immunoprecipitation in vivo and in vitro. TGF-βR1 and P-Smad2/3 expression was downregulated and Smad2/3 nuclear translocation was inhibited. In conclusion, SIRT1 activated by RSV attenuated isoproterenol-induced cardiac fibrosis by regulating EndMT via the TGF-β/Smad2/3 pathway.

This study aimed to explore the clinical significance and prognostic value of Fra-1 in hepatocellular carcinoma patients after curative resection. Fra-1 expression was investigated using a combination of techniques: immunohistochemistry for 66 samples of hepatocellular carcinoma and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blotting assays for 19 matched hepatocellular carcinoma specimens. Fra-1 was present in 38 of 66 (57.6%) tumor tissues, with intense staining in the nuclei. There was also positive staining in 14 of 66 (21.2%) adjacent peritumoral tissues, with weak staining in the cytoplasm. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blotting assays confirmed higher expression of Fra-1 messenger RNA and Fra-1 protein in tumor tissues than adjacent non-tumor tissues for 19 hepatocellular carcinoma samples (p

To develop superior rice varieties with improved yield in most rainfed areas of Asia/Africa, we started an introgression-breeding program for simultaneously improving yield and tolerances of multiple abiotic stresses. Using eight BC1 populations derived from a widely adaptable recipient and eight donors plus three rounds of phenotypic selection, we developed 496 introgression lines (ILs) with significantly higher yield under drought, salt and/or non-stress conditions in 5 years. Six new varieties were released in the Philippines and Pakistan and many more are being evaluated in multi-location yield trials for releasing in several countries. Marker-facilitated genetic characterization revealed three interesting aspects of the breeding procedure: (1) the donor introgression pattern in specific BC populations was characteristic; (2) introgression frequency in different genomic regions varied considerably, resulting primarily from strong selection for the target traits; and (3) significantly lower heterozygosity was observed in BC progenies selected for drought and salinity tolerance. Applying strong phenotypic selection under abiotic stresses in early segregating generations has major advantages for not only improving multiple abiotic stress tolerance but also achieving quicker homozygosity in early generations. This breeding procedure can be easily adopted by small breeding programs in developing countries to develop high-yielding varieties tolerant of abiotic stresses. The large set of trait-specific ILs can be used for genetic mapping of genes/QTL that affect target and non-target traits and for efficient varietal development by designed QTL pyramiding and genomics-based recurrent selection in our Green Super Rice breeding technology.

Specificity protein (Sp) 1 mediates the transcription of a large number of constitutive genes encoding physiological mediators. NF-κB mediates the expression of hundreds of inducible genes encoding pathological mediators. Crosstalk between Sp1 and NF-κB pathways could be pathophysiologically significant, but has not been studied. This study examined the crosstalk between the two pathways and defined the role of NF-κB signaling in LPS-induced down-regulation of Sp1 activity.Challenge of wild type mice with samonelia enteritidis LPS (10 mg/kg, i.p.) down-regulated Sp1 binding activity in lungs in a time-dependent manner, which was concomitantly associated with an increased NF-κB activity. LPS down-regulates Sp1 activity by inducing an LPS inducible Sp1-degrading enzyme (LISPDE) activity, which selectively degrades Sp1 protein, resulting in Sp1 down-regulation. Blockade of NF-κB activation in mice deficient in NF-κB p50 gene (NF-κB-KO) suppressed LISPDE activity, prevented Sp1 protein degradation, and reversed the down-regulation of Sp1 DNA binding activity and eNOS expression (an indicator of Sp1 transactivation activity). Inhibition of LISPDE activity using a selective LISPDE inhibitor mimicked the effects of NF-κB blockade. Pretreatment of LPS-challenged WT mice with a selective LISPDE inhibitor increased nuclear Sp1 protein content, restored Sp1 DNA binding activity and reversed eNOS protein down-regulation in lungs. Enhancing tissue level of Sp1 activity by inhibiting NF-κB-mediated Sp1 down-regulation increased tissue level of IL-10 and decreased tissue level of TNF- αin the lungs.NF-κB signaling mediates LPS-induced down-regulation of Sp1 activity. Activation of NF-κB pathway suppresses Sp1 activity and Sp1-mediated anti-inflammatory signals. Conversely, Sp1 signaling counter-regulates NF-κB-mediated inflammatory response. Crosstalk between NF-κB and Sp1 pathways regulates the balance between pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines.

Introduction: Breast cancer is a commonly diagnosed cancer, in which most patients' metastases (about 75%) occurred in 5 years after the initial diagnosis, especially in 3 years. Recrudescence exceeding 20 years is rarely reported in the past several decades.Case information: A 68-year-old female patient presented with breast cancer in which 3 focal increased 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose uptake in the right supraclavicular lymph node, the mediastinum and sternum were found on positron emission tomography and computed tomography. Then we learned that the patient had suffered from breast cancer and been given a right-sided mastectomy 24 years ago. Histopathology from the mediastinum revealed metastatic, moderately differentiated breast adenomatous cell carcinoma., Conclusion: We report this late recurrence of breast cancer 24 years following mastectomy, suggesting that possible recurrence of this disease with a 24-year latency period should be taken into consideration.

In this work, the conduction mechanism of avalanche transistors was demonstrated and the operation condition for generating high-speed pulse using avalanche transistors was illustrated. Based on the above analysis, a high-speed and high-voltage pulse (HHP) generating circuit using avalanche transistors was designed, and its working principle and process were studied. To improve the speed of the output pulse, an approach of reducing the rise time of the leading edge is proposed. Methods for selecting avalanche transistor and reducing the parasitic inductance and capacitance of printed circuit board (PCB) were demonstrated. With these instructions, a PCB with a tapered transmission line was carefully designed and manufactured. Output pulse with amplitude of 2 kV and rise time of about 200 ps was realized with this PCB mounted with avalanche transistors FMMT417, indicating the effectiveness of the HHP generating circuit design.