Characterization of HSP90 expression and function following CNS injury.

Spinal cord injury induces significant cellular stress responses. The Heat Shock Protein 90 (HSP90) plays a pivotal role as a molecular chaperone and is crucial for protein folding, stabilization, and cellular signaling pathways. Despite its important function in stress adaptation, the specific expression patterns and functional roles of HSP90 after nerve injury remain unclear. This study aimed to elucidate the expression dynamics and functional implications of HSP90 following central nervous system (CNS) injury. Using western blotting and immunohistochemical analyses, we observed upregulation of HSP90 expression in spinal cord tissues and within injured neurons in a spinal cord contusion injury model. Additionally, HSP90 was found to enhance neurite outgrowth in primary cortical neurons cultured in vitro. Furthermore, in a glutamate-induced neuronal injury model, the expression of HSP90 was up-regulated, and overexpression of HSP90 promoted neurite re-growth in damaged neurons. Overall, our findings highlight the critical involvement of HSP90 in the neural response to injury and offer valuable insights into potential therapeutic strategies for CNS repair.

High-throughput 16S rRNA gene-based amplicon sequencing reveals the functional divergence of halophilic bacterial communities in the Suaeda salsa root compartments on the eastern coast of China.

The rhizosphere environment of plants, which harbors halophilic bacterial communities, faces significant challenges in coping with environmental stressors, particularly saline soil properties. This study utilizes a high-throughput 16S rRNA gene-based amplicon sequencing to investigate the variations in bacterial community dynamics in rhizosphere soil (RH), root surface soil (RS), root endophytic bacteria (PE) compartments of Suaeda salsa roots, and adjoining soils (CK) across six locations along the eastern coast of China: Nantong (NT), Yancheng (YC), Dalian (DL), Tianjin (TJ), Dongying (DY), and Qingdao (QD), all characterized by chloride-type saline soil. Variations in the physicochemical properties of the RH compartment were also evaluated. The results revealed significant changes in pH, electrical conductivity, total salt content, and ion concentrations in RH samples from different locations. Notably, the NT location exhibited the highest alkalinity and nitrogen availability. The pH variations were linked to HCO3- accumulation in S. salsa roots, while salinity stress influenced soil pH through H+ discharge. Despite salinity stress, enzymatic activities such as catalase and urease were higher in soils from various locations. The diversity and richness of bacterial communities were higher in specific locations, with Proteobacteria dominating PE samples from the DL location. Additionally, Vibrio and Marinobacter were prevalent in RH samples. Significant correlations were found between soil pH, salinity, nutrient content, and the abundance and diversity of bacterial taxa in RH samples. Bioinformatics analysis revealed the prevalence of halophilic bacteria, such as Bacillus, Halomonas, and Streptomyces, with diverse metabolic functions, including amino acid and carbohydrate metabolisms. Essential genes, such as auxin response factor (ARF) and GTPase-encoding genes, were abundant in RH samples, suggesting adaptive strategies for harsh environments. Likewise, proline/betaine transport protein genes were enriched, indicating potential bioremediation mechanisms against high salt stress. These findings provide insight into the metabolic adaptations facilitating resilience in saline ecosystems and contribute to understanding the complex interplay between soil conditions, bacterial communities, and plant adaptation.

Pathophysiological significance and modulation of the transient receptor potential canonical 3 ion channel.

Transient receptor potential canonical 3 (TRPC3) protein belongs to the TRP family of nonselective cation channels. Its activation occurs by signaling through a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) and a phospholipase C-dependent (PLC) pathway. Perturbations in the expression of TRPC3 are associated with a plethora of pathophysiological conditions responsible for disorders of the cardiovascular, immune, and central nervous systems. The recently solved cryo-EM structure of TRPC3 provides detailed inputs about the underlying mechanistic aspects of the channel, which in turn enables more efficient ways of designing small-molecule modulators. Pharmacologically targeting TRPC3 in animal models has demonstrated great efficacy in treating diseases including cancers, neurological disorders, and cardiovascular diseases. Despite extensive scientific evidence supporting some strong correlations between the expression and activity of TRPC3 and various pathophysiological conditions, therapeutic strategies based on its pharmacological modulations have not led to clinical trials. The development of small-molecule TRPC3 modulators with high safety, sufficient brain penetration, and acceptable drug-like profiles remains in progress. Determining the pathological mechanisms for TRPC3 involvement in human diseases and understanding the requirements for a drug-like TRPC3 modulator will be valuable in advancing small-molecule therapeutics to future clinical trials. In this review, we provide an overview of the origin and activation mechanism of TRPC3 channels, diseases associated with irregularities in their expression, and new development in small-molecule modulators as potential therapeutic interventions for treating TRPC3 channelopathies.

Identification, characterization and optimization of culture medium conditions for organic acid-producing lactic acid bacteria strains from Chinese fermented vegetables.

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are widely exploited in fermented foods and are gaining attention for novel uses due to their safety as biopreservatives. In this study, several organic acid-producing LAB strains were isolated from fermented vegetables for their potential application in fermentation. We identified nine novel strains belonging to four genera and five species, Lactobacillus plantarum PC1-1, YCI-2 (8), YC1-1-4B, YC1-4 (4), and YC2-9, Lactobacillus buchneri PC-C1, Pediococcus pentosaceus PC2-1 (F2), Weissella hellenica PC1A, and Enterococcus sp. YC2-6. Based on the results of organic acids, acidification, growth rate, antibiotic activity and antimicrobial inhibition, PC1-1, YC1-1-4B, PC2-1(F2), and PC-C1 showed exceptional biopreservative potential. Additionally, PC-C1, YC1-1-4B, and PC2-1(F2) recorded higher (p < 0.05) growth by utilizing lower concentrations of glucose (20 g/L) and soy peptone (10 g/L) as carbon and nitrogen sources in optimized culture conditions (pH 6, temperature 32 °C, and agitation speed 180 rpm) at 24hr and acidification until 72hr in batch fermentation, which suggests their application as starter cultures in industrial fermentation.

The inducible prostaglandin E synthase (mPGES-1) in neuroinflammatory disorders.

The cyclooxygenase (COX)/prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) signaling pathway has emerged as a critical target for anti-inflammatory therapeutic development in neurological diseases. However, medical use of COX inhibitors in the treatment of various neurological disorders has been limited due to well-documented cardiovascular and cerebrovascular complications. It has been widely proposed that modulation of downstream microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 (mPGES-1) enzyme may provide more specificity for inhibiting PGE2-elicited neuroinflammation. Heightened levels of mPGES-1 have been detected in a variety of brain diseases such as epilepsy, stroke, glioma, and neurodegenerative diseases. Subsequently, elevated levels of PGE2, the enzymatic product of mPGES-1, have been demonstrated to modulate a multitude of deleterious effects. In epilepsy, PGE2 participates in retrograde signaling to augment glutamate release at the synapse leading to neuronal death. The excitotoxic demise of neurons incites the activation of microglia, which can become overactive upon further stimulation by PGE2. A selective mPGES-1 inhibitor was able to reduce gliosis and the expression of proinflammatory cytokines in the hippocampus following status epilepticus. A similar mechanism has also been observed in stroke, where the overactivation of microglia by PGE2 upregulated the expression and secretion of proinflammatory cytokines. This intense activation of neuroinflammatory processes triggered the secondary injury commonly observed in stroke, and blockade of mPGES-1 reduced infarction size and edema, suppressed induction of proinflammatory cytokines, and improved post-stroke well-being and cognition. Furthermore, elevated levels of PGE2 have been shown to intensify the proliferation of glioma cells, mediate P-glycoprotein expression at the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and facilitate breakdown of the BBB. For these reasons, targeting mPGES-1, the central and inducible enzyme of the COX cascade, may provide a more specific therapeutic strategy for treating neuroinflammatory diseases.

Metagenomics analysis reveals the performance of homo- and heterofermentative lactic acid bacteria in alfalfa silage fermentation, bacterial community, and functional profiles.

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is a kind of roughage frequently utilized as an animal feed but challenging to be ensiled due to its low water-soluble carbohydrate (WSC), high water content, and elevated buffering capacity, thus requiring the application of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) to improve its fermentation. This study employed high-throughput metagenomic sequence technology to reveal the effects of homofermentative LAB, Lactobacillus plantarum (Lp), or Pediococcus pentosaceus (Pp), and heterofermentative LAB, L. buchneri (Lb), or their combinations (LbLp or LbPp) (applied at 1.0 × 109 colony forming units (cfu) per kilogram of alfalfa biomass fresh material) on the fermentation, microbial community, and functional profiles of alfalfa silage after 7, 14, 30, and 60 ensiling days. The results indicated a reduction (P < 0.05) in glucose and pH and higher (P < 0.05) beneficial organic acid contents, xylose, crude protein, ammonia nitrogen, and aerobic stability in Lb-, LbPp-, and LbLp-inoculated alfalfa silages after 30 and 60 d. Also, higher (P < 0.05) WSC contents were recorded in LbLp-inoculated alfalfa silages after 30 d (10.84 g/kg dry matter [DM]) and 60 d (10.92 g/kg DM). Besides, LbLp-inoculated alfalfa silages recorded higher (P < 0.05) LAB count (9.92 log10 cfu/g) after 60 d. Furthermore, a positive correlation was found between the combined LAB inoculants in LbLp-inoculated alfalfa silages and dominant LAB genera, Lactobacillus and Pediococcus, with fermentation properties after 30 and 60 d. In addition, the 16S rRNA gene-predicted functional analyses further showed that the L. buchneri PC-C1 and L. plantarum YC1-1-4B combination improved carbohydrate metabolism and facilitated further degradation of polysaccharides in alfalfa after 60 d of ensiling. These findings reveal the significant performance of L. buchneri and L. plantarum in combination with dominant LAB species in suppressing the growth of Clostridia, molds, and yeasts and improving the fermentation characteristics and functional carbohydrate metabolism of alfalfa after 60 d ensiling, thus suggesting the need for further studies to uncover the diverse performance of the LAB combination and their consortium with other natural and artificial inoculants in various kinds of silages.

Current studies are aimed towards utilizing certain lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains with high-yielding beneficial organic acid production for enhancing the quality of forages during preservation (otherwise known as ensiling) and to improve animal feed production. This study addresses the challenges of ensiling alfalfa (a kind of roughage frequently utilized as an animal feed in the livestock industries), such as low water-soluble carbohydrate, high water and fiber content, and high buffering capacity, by unraveling the positive interaction mechanisms of mixed LAB inoculants (homo-and heterofermentative LAB strains) and dominant epiphytic LAB in altering the development of pathogenic microorganisms and consequently improving the fermentation characteristics, chemical compositions, bacterial community, and functional profile of alfalfa after 60 d of ensiling.

Unraveling the role of multi-walled carbon nanotubes in a corn-soil system: Plant growth, oxidative stress and heavy metal(loid)s behavior.

In the age of nanotechnological advancement, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are drawing global attention. However, few studies have been published on the crop growth responses to CNTs in heavy metal(loid)s contaminated environments. A pot experiment was conducted to assess the effect of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) on plant development, oxidative stress, and heavy metal(loid)s behavior in a corn-soil system. Corn (Zea mays L.) seedlings were cultivated in soil containing Cadmium (Cd) and Arsenic (As) that had been primed with 0, 100, 500, and 1000 mg kg-1 MWCNTs. The application of 100 and 500 mg kg-1 MWCNTs improved shoot length by 6.45% and 9.21% after 45 days, respectively. Total plant dry biomass increased by 14.71% when treated with 500 mg kg-1 MWCNTs but decreased by 9.26% when exposed to 1000 mg kg-1 MWCNTs. MWCNTs treatment did not affect Cd accumulation in plants. On the other hand, the bio-concentration factor of As was inversely associated with plant growth (p < 0.05), which was declined in MWCNTs treatments. Oxidative stress was aggravated when plants were exposed to MWCNTs, thus activating the antioxidant enzymes system in the corn. In contrast, TCLP-extractable Cd and As in soil significantly decreased than in the control. Additionally, the soil nutrients were changed under MWCNTs treatments. Our findings also revealed that a particular concentration of MWCNTs can mitigate the toxicity of Cd and As in corn seedlings. Therefore, these results suggest the prospective application of CNTs in agricultural production, ensuring environmental and soil sustainability.

Whole-genome sequence analysis reveals phenanthrene and pyrene degradation pathways in newly isolated bacteria Klebsiella michiganensis EF4 and Klebsiella oxytoca ETN19.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are diverse pollutants of significant environmental concerns, requiring effective biodegradation. This study used different bioinformatics tools to conduct whole-genome sequencing of two novel bacterial strains, Klebsiella michiganensis EF4 and K. oxytoca ETN19, to improve our understanding of their many genomic functions and degradation pathways of phenanthrene and pyrene. After 28 days of cultivation, strain EF4 degraded approximately 80% and 60% of phenanthrene and pyrene, respectively. However, their combinations (EF4 +ETN19) showed tremendous phenanthrene degradation efficiency, supposed to be at the first-level kinetic model with a t1/2 value of approximately 6 days. In addition, the two bacterial genomes contained carbohydrate-active enzymes and secondary metabolites biosynthetic gene clusters associated with PAHs degradation. The two genomes contained the bZIP superfamily of transcription factors, primarily the cAMP-response element-binding protein (CREB), which could regulate the expression of several PAHs degradation genes and enzymes. Interestingly, the two genomes were found to uniquely degrade phenanthrene through a putative pathway that catabolizes 2-carboxybenzalpyruvate into the TCA cycle. An operon containing multicomponent proteins, including a novel gene (JYK05_14550) that could initiate the beginning step of phenanthrene and pyrene degradation, was found in the EF4 genome. However, the degradation pathway of ETN19 showed that the yhfP gene encoding putative quinone oxidoreductase was associated with phenanthrene and pyrene catabolic processes. Furthermore, the significant expression of catechol 1,2-dioxygenase and quinone oxidoreductase genes in EF4 +ETN19 and ETN19 following the quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis confirmed the ability of the bacteria combination to degrade pyrene and phenanthrene effectively. These findings present new insight into the possible co-metabolism of the two bacterial species in the rapid biodegradation of phenanthrene and pyrene in soil environments.

Complementary roles of EP2 and EP4 receptors in malignant glioma.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most aggressive brain tumour in the central nervous system, but the current treatment is very limited and unsatisfactory. PGE2 -initiated cAMP signalling via EP2 and EP4 receptors is involved in the tumourigenesis of multiple cancer types. However, whether or how EP2 and EP4 receptors contribute to GBM growth largely remains elusive. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: We performed comprehensive data analysis of gene expression in human GBM samples and determined their expression correlations through multiple bioinformatics approaches. A time-resolved fluorescence energy transfer (TR-FRET) assay was utilized to characterize PGE2 -mediated cAMP signalling via EP2 and EP4 receptors in human glioblastoma cells. Using recently reported potent and selective small-molecule antagonists, we determined the effects of inhibition of EP2 and EP4 receptors on GBM growth in subcutaneous and intracranial tumour models. KEY RESULTS: The expression of both EP2 and EP4 receptors was upregulated and highly correlated with a variety of tumour-promoting cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors in human gliomas. Further, they were heterogeneously expressed in human GBM cells, where they compensated for each other to mediate PGE2 -initiated cAMP signalling and to promote colony formation, cell invasion and migration. Inhibition of EP2 and EP4 receptors revealed that these receptors might mediate GBM growth, angiogenesis, and immune evasion in a compensatory manner. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS: The compensatory roles of EP2 and EP4 receptors in GBM development and growth suggest that concurrently targeting these two PGE2 receptors might represent a more effective strategy than inhibiting either alone for GBM treatment.

Bacterial biosynthesis of flavonoids: Overview, current biotechnology applications, challenges, and prospects.

Flavonoids are secondary metabolites present in plant organs and tissues. These natural metabolites are the most prevalent and display a wide range of beneficial physiological effects, making them usually intriguing in several scientific fields. Due to their safety for use and protective attributes, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antimicrobial functions, flavonoids are broadly utilized in foods, pharmaceuticals, and nutraceuticals. However, conventional methods for producing flavonoids, such as plant extraction and chemical synthesis, entailed dangerous substances, and laborious procedures, with low product yield. Recent studies have documented the ability of microorganisms, such as fungi and bacteria, to synthesize adequate amounts of flavonoids. Bacterial biosynthesis of flavonoids from plant biomass is a viable and environmentally friendly technique for producing flavonoids on a larger scale and has recently received much attention. Still, only a few bacteria species, particularly Escherichia coli, have been extensively studied. The most recent developments in bacterial biosynthesis of flavonoids are reviewed and discussed in this article, including their various applications as natural food biocontrol agents. In addition, the challenges currently faced in bacterial flavonoid biosynthesis and possible solutions, including the application of modern biotechnology approaches for developing bacterial strains that could successfully produce flavonoids on an industrial scale, were elucidated.

Novel, Brain-Permeable, Cross-Species Benzothiazole Inhibitors of Microsomal Prostaglandin E Synthase-1 (mPGES-1) Dampen Neuroinflammation In Vitro and In Vivo.

Microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 (mPGES-1) is an inducible enzyme of the cyclooxygenase (COX) cascade that generates prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) during inflammatory conditions. PGE2 is known to be a potent immune signaling molecule that mediates both peripheral and central inflammations. Inhibition of mPGES-1, rather than COX, may overcome the cardiovascular side effects associated with long-term COX inhibition by providing a more specific strategy to target inflammation. However, mPGES-1 inhibitor development is hampered by the large differences in cross-species activity due to the structural differences between the human and murine mPGES-1. Here, we report that our thiazole-based mPGES-1 inhibitors, compounds 11 (UT-11) and 19 derived from two novel scaffolds, were able to suppress PGE2 production in human (SK-N-AS) and murine (BV2) cells. The IC50 values of inhibiting PGE2 production in human and murine cells were 0.10 and 2.00 µM for UT-11 and 0.43 and 1.55 µM for compound 19, respectively. Based on in vitro and in vivo pharmacokinetic data, we selected UT-11 for evaluation in a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation model. We found that our compound significantly suppressed proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines in the hippocampus but not in the kidney. Taken together, we demonstrated the potential of UT-11 in treating neuroinflammatory conditions, including epilepsy and stroke, and warrant further optimization.

The discovery of cyclic γ-AApeptides as the promising ligands targeting EP2.

EP2 is a G protein-coupled receptor for prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) derived from cell membrane-released arachidonic acid upon various harmful and injurious stimuli. It is commomly upregulated in tumors and injured brain tissues, as its activation by PGE2 is widely believed to be involved in the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying these conditions via promoting pro-inflammatory reactions. Herein, we report the discovery of two novel macrocyclic peptidomimetics based on the screening of a cyclic γ-AApeptides combinatorial library. These two cyclic γ-AApeptides showed excellent binding affinity with the EP2 protein, and they may lead to the development of novel therapeutic agents and/or molecular probes to modulate the PGE2/EP2 signaling.

Pharmacologically targeting transient receptor potential channels for seizures and epilepsy: Emerging preclinical evidence of druggability.

As one of the most prevalent and disabling brain disorders, epilepsy is characterized by spontaneous seizures that result from aberrant, excessive hyperactivity of a group of highly synchronized brain neurons. Remarkable progress in epilepsy research and treatment over the first two decades of this century led to a dramatical expansion in the third-generation antiseizure drugs (ASDs). However, there are still over 30% of patients suffering from seizures resistant to the current medications, and the broad unbearable adversative effects of ASDs significantly impair the quality of life in about 40% of individuals affected by the disease. Prevention of epilepsy in those who are at high risks is another major unmet medical need, given that up to 40% of epilepsy patients are believed to have acquired causes. Therefore, it is important to identify novel drug targets that can facilitate the discovery and development of new therapies engaging unprecedented mechanisms of action that might overcome these significant limitations. Also over the last two decades, calcium signaling has been increasingly recognized as a key contributory factor in epileptogenesis of many aspects. The intracellular calcium homeostasis involves a variety of calcium-permeable cation channels, the most important of which perhaps are the transient receptor potential (TRP) ion channels. This review focuses on recent exciting advances in understanding of TRP channels in preclinical models of seizure disorders. We also provide emerging insights into the molecular and cellular mechanisms of TRP channels-engaged epileptogenesis that might lead to new antiseizure therapies, epilepsy prevention and modification, and even a cure.

Neuroinflammatory mediators in acquired epilepsy: an update.

Epilepsy is a group of chronic neurological disorders that have diverse etiologies but are commonly characterized by spontaneous seizures and behavioral comorbidities. Although the mechanisms underlying the epileptic seizures mostly remain poorly understood and the causes often can be idiopathic, a considerable portion of cases are known as acquired epilepsy. This form of epilepsy is typically associated with prior neurological insults, which lead to the initiation and progression of epileptogenesis, eventually resulting in unprovoked seizures. A convergence of evidence in the past two decades suggests that inflammation within the brain may be a major contributing factor to acquired epileptogenesis. As evidenced in mounting preclinical and human studies, neuroinflammatory processes, such as activation and proliferation of microglia and astrocytes, elevated production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, blood-brain barrier breakdown, and upregulation of inflammatory signaling pathways, are commonly observed after seizure-precipitating events. An increased knowledge of these neuroinflammatory processes in the epileptic brain has led to a growing list of inflammatory mediators that can be leveraged as potential targets for new therapies of epilepsy and/or biomarkers that may provide valued information for the diagnosis and prognosis of the otherwise unpredictable seizures. In this review, we mainly focus on the most recent progress in understanding the roles of these inflammatory molecules in acquired epilepsy and highlight the emerging evidence supporting their candidacy as novel molecular targets for new pharmacotherapies of acquired epilepsy and the associated behavioral deficits.

Fermentation profile, aerobic stability, and microbial community dynamics of corn straw ensiled with Lactobacillus buchneri PC-C1 and Lactobacillus plantarum PC1-1.

Corn straw is suitable for preservation as silage despite being neglected due to its varying chemical composition, yield, and pathogenic influence during ensiling. This study examined the effects of beneficial organic acid-producing lactic acid bacteria (LAB), including Lactobacillus buchneri (Lb), L. plantarum (Lp), or their combination (LpLb), on fermentation profile, aerobic stability, and microbial community dynamics of corn straw harvested at late maturity stage after 7d, 14d, 30d, and 60d of ensiling. Higher levels of beneficial organic acids, LAB counts, and crude protein (CP), and lower levels of pH and ammonia nitrogen were detected in LpLb-treated silages after 60d. Lactobacillus, Candida, and Issatchenkia abundances were higher (P < 0.05) in Lb and LpLb-treated corn straw silages after 30d and 60d ensiling. Additionally, the positive correlation between Lactobacillus, Lactococcus and Pediococcus, and the negative correlation with Acinetobacter in LpLb-treated silages after 60d emphasizes a potent interaction mechanism initiated by organic acid and composite metabolite production to reduce pathogenic microorganisms' growth. Also, a significant correlation between Lb and LpLb-treated silages with CP and neutral detergent fiber after 60d further highlights the synergistic effect of incorporating L. buchneri and L. plantarum for improved nutritional components of mature silages. The combination of L. buchneri and L. plantarum improved aerobic stability, fermentation quality, and bacterial community and reduced fungal population after 60d of ensiling, which are properties of well-preserved corn straw.

Transient inhibition of microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 after status epilepticus blunts brain inflammation and is neuroprotective.

Status epilepticus (SE) in humans is characterized by prolonged convulsive seizures that are generalized and often difficult to control. The current antiseizure drugs (ASDs) aim to stop seizures quickly enough to prevent the SE-induced brain inflammation, injury, and long-term sequelae. However, sole reliance on acute therapies is imprudent because prompt treatment may not always be possible under certain circumstances. The pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the devastating consequences of SE are presumably associated with neuroinflammatory reactions, where prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) plays a pivotal role. As the terminal synthase for pathogenic PGE2, the microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 (mPGES-1) is rapidly and robustly induced by prolonged seizures. Congenital deletion of mPGES-1 in mice is neuroprotective and blunts gliosis following chemoconvulsant seizures, suggesting the feasibility of mPGES-1 as a potential antiepileptic target. Herein, we investigated the effects of a dual species mPGES-1 inhibitor in a mouse pilocarpine model of SE. Treatment with the mPGES-1 inhibitor in mice after SE that was terminated by diazepam, a fast-acting benzodiazepine, time-dependently abolished the SE-induced PGE2 within the brain. Its negligible effects on cyclooxygenases, the enzymes responsible for the initial step of PGE2 biosynthesis, validated its specificity to mPGES-1. Post-SE inhibition of mPGES-1 also blunted proinflammatory cytokines and reactive gliosis in the hippocampus and broadly prevented neuronal damage in a number of brain areas. Thus, pharmacological inhibition of mPGES-1 by small-molecule inhibitors might provide an adjunctive strategy that can be implemented hours after SE, together with first-line ASDs, to reduce SE-provoked brain inflammation and injury.

The performance of lactic acid bacteria in silage production: A review of modern biotechnology for silage improvement.

Ensiling is a microbial-driven process used to preserve fresh forage in bio-refinery and animal production. The biochemical changes that ensue during ensiling have aided the search for new silage additives, emphasizing the potential of certain microbial strains that are more efficient in biopreservation. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) species are widely recognized for their varied application as additives in the fermentation of crops or forage biomasses during ensiling. However, inconsistency in silage quality in recent times could be interpreted by the lack of information on gene expression and molecular mechanisms of microbiota involved in silage production. Modern research has focused on unraveling nutrient-rich animal feed with improved LAB inoculants. Therefore, this review elucidates the role of LAB inoculants in silage production as well as the modern biotechnology approaches, including metabolomics, proteomics, metagenomics, genomics, transcriptomics, and genetic manipulation, which are powerful tools for identifying, improving, and developing high-performance LAB strains. In addition, the review highlighted the trends and future perspectives of LAB development for silage improvement, pertinent for animal feed breakthroughs in sustainable agriculture.