Asiatic acid inhibits osteosarcoma cell migration and invasion via the AKT/Sp1/MMP1 axis.

Osteosarcoma is a malignant bone tumor affecting adolescents and children. No effective treatment is currently available. Asiatic acid (AA), a triterpenoid compound found in Centella asiatica, possesses anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidant properties in various types of tumor cells. This study aims to determine whether AA exerts antitumor effects in human osteosarcoma cells. Our results indicate that AA does not influence the viability, proliferative rate, or cell cycle phase of human osteosarcoma cells under non-toxic conditions. AA suppressed osteosarcoma cell migration and invasion by down-regulating matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP1) expression. Data in the TNMplot database suggested MMP1 expression was higher in osteosarcoma than in normal tissues, with associated clinical significance observed in osteosarcoma patients. Overexpression of MMP1 in osteosarcoma cells reversed the AA-induced suppression of cell migration and invasion. AA treatment decreased the expression of specificity protein 1 (Sp1), while Sp1 overexpression abolished the effect of AA on MMP1 expression and cell migration and invasion. AA inhibited AKT phosphorylation, and treatment with a PI3K inhibitor (wortmannin) increased the anti-invasive effect of AA on osteosarcoma cells via the p-AKT/Sp1/MMP1 axis. Thus, AA exhibits the potential for use as an anticancer drug against human osteosarcoma.

Copper-cobalt dual-site on N-doped carbon nanotube with dual-promoted synergy for glucose electrochemical detection.

Doping specific active sites and accelerating the decisive step of glucose catalysis to construct highly active glucose sensing electrochemical catalysts remains a major challenge for glucose sensing. Herein, we report the detailed design of Cu-Co dual active site N-doped carbon nanotube (CuCo-NCNTs) obtained by electrodeposition modification, programmed warming and calcination for electrochemical glucose detection. In the CuCo-NCNTs material system, Cu serves as the main active site for glucose sensing. Co with good adsorption of hydroxyl groups acts as the site providing hydroxyl groups to provide oxygen source for Cu oxidized glucose sensing. The synergistic effect between the two active sites in the Cu-Co system and the abundant micro-reactive sites exposed by carbon nanotubes greatly ensure the excellent electrocatalytic performance of glucose oxidation reaction. Therefore, CuCo-NCNTs have good electrocatalytic performance with a sensitivity of 0.84 mA mM-1 cm-2 and a detection limit of 1 µM, and also have excellent stability and specificity. DFT calculations elucidate the decisive steps of H-atom removal in the oxidation of glucose by Cu active site N-doped carbon nanotube (Cu-NCNTs) and Co active site N-doped carbon nanotube (CuCo-NCNTs) materials, illustrating the role of oxygen source provided by hydroxyl group adsorption in the electrochemical sensing process of glucose, thus demonstrating that the electrochemical sensing signal of glucose can be effectively enhanced when cobalt species that readily adsorb hydroxyl groups are introduced into the materials.

Comprehensive analysis indicated that NDE1 is a potential biomarker for pan-cancer and promotes bladder cancer progression.

BACKGROUND: The nuclear distribution E homologue 1 (NDE1) is a crucial dynein binding partner. The NDE1 protein has the potential to disrupt the normal functioning of centrosomes, leading to a compromised ability to generate spindles and ensure precise separation of chromosomes during cell division. The potential consequences of this phenomenon include genomic instability, malignant transformation and the proliferation of neoplastic growths. However, studies examining the connection between NDE1 and cancer is still very rare. METHODS: The expression level, prognostic impact, gene change, DNA methylation, protein interaction, mRNA m6A modification, ceRNA network, associated gene and function enrichment, and immune-related effects of NDE1 in pan-cancer were examined using a range of online analytic tools and the R software package. The CCK-8 test, transwell assay, scratch assay and colony formation assay were used to confirm the effects of NDE1 on the proliferation, invasion and metastasis of bladder cancer cells. RESULTS: Numerous tumour types have elevated NDE1, which is linked to a bad prognosis. NDE1 is an excellent diagnostic tool for many different types of cancer. Numerous malignancies have been linked to genetic changes in NDE1. NDE1 was connected to TMB, MSI, several immunological checkpoint genes and immune cell infiltration. NDE1 is linked to a number of immunological subtypes. NDE1 could affect how well immunotherapy works to treat different types of cancer. NDE1 was mostly associated with cell cycle, chromosomal segregation, DNA replication and mitotic segregation, according to GO and KEGG analyses. NDE1 physically binds to PAFAH1B1 and DCTN1, respectively. The proliferation, invasion and metastasis of bladder cancer cells may be prevented by NDE1 knockdown. Furthermore, knockdown of NDE1 promoted the apoptosis of bladder cancer cells. CONCLUSION: High expression of NDE1 is present in a variety of tumours, which is linked to a bad prognosis for cancer. Knockdown of NDE1 inhibited the proliferation, invasion and metastasis of bladder cancer cells, and promoted the apoptosis. For a number of malignancies, NDE1 may be a biomarker for immunotherapy and prognosis.

HervD Atlas: a curated knowledgebase of associations between human endogenous retroviruses and diseases.

Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs), as remnants of ancient exogenous retrovirus infected and integrated into germ cells, comprise ∼8% of the human genome. These HERVs have been implicated in numerous diseases, and extensive research has been conducted to uncover their specific roles. Despite these efforts, a comprehensive source of HERV-disease association still needs to be added. To address this gap, we introduce the HervD Atlas (https://ngdc.cncb.ac.cn/hervd/), an integrated knowledgebase of HERV-disease associations manually curated from all related published literature. In the current version, HervD Atlas collects 60 726 HERV-disease associations from 254 publications (out of 4692 screened literature), covering 21 790 HERVs (21 049 HERV-Terms and 741 HERV-Elements) belonging to six types, 149 diseases and 610 related/affected genes. Notably, an interactive knowledge graph that systematically integrates all the HERV-disease associations and corresponding affected genes into a comprehensive network provides a powerful tool to uncover and deduce the complex interplay between HERVs and diseases. The HervD Atlas also features a user-friendly web interface that allows efficient browsing, searching, and downloading of all association information, research metadata, and annotation information. Overall, the HervD Atlas is an essential resource for comprehensive, up-to-date knowledge on HERV-disease research, potentially facilitating the development of novel HERV-associated diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

Free Halogen Substitution of Chiral Hybrid Metal Halides for Activating the Linear and Nonlinear Chiroptical Properties.

Halogen substitution has been proven as an effective approach to the band gap engineering and optoelectronic modulation of organic-inorganic hybrid metal halide (OIHMH) materials. Various high-performance mixed halide OIHMH film materials have been primarily obtained through the substitution of coordinated halogens in their inorganic octahedra. Herein, we propose a new strategy of substitution of free halogen outside the inorganic octahedra for constructing mixed halide OIHMH single crystals with chiral structures, resulting in a boost of their linear and nonlinear chiroptical properties. The substitution from DMA4[InCl6]Cl (DMA = dimethylammonium) to DMA4[InCl6]Br crystals through a facile antisolvent vaporization method produces centimeter-scale single crystals with high thermal stability along with high quantum yield photoluminescence, conspicuous circularly polarized luminescence, and greatly enhanced second harmonic generation (SHG). In particular, the obtained DMA4[InCl6]Br single crystal features an intrinsic chiral structure, exhibiting a significant SHG circular dichroism (SHG-CD) response with a highest reported anisotropy factor (gSHG-CD) of 1.56 among chiral OIHMH materials. The enhancements in both linear and nonlinear chiroptical properties are directly attributed to the modulation of octahedral distortion. The mixed halide OIHMH single crystals obtained by free halogen substitution confine the introduced halogens within free halogen sites of the lattice, thereby ensuring the stability of compositions and properties. The successful employment of such a free halogen substitution approach may broaden the horizon of the regulation of structures and the optoelectronic properties of the OIHMH materials.

Proteomic analyses of smear-positive/negative tuberculosis patients uncover differential antigen-presenting cell activation and lipid metabolism.

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major global health concern, ranking as the second most lethal infectious disease following COVID-19. Smear-Negative Pulmonary Tuberculosis (SNPT) and Smear-Positive Pulmonary Tuberculosis (SPPT) are two common types of pulmonary tuberculosis characterized by distinct bacterial loads. To date, the precise molecular mechanisms underlying the differences between SNPT and SPPT patients remain unclear. In this study, we aimed to utilize proteomics analysis for identifying specific protein signatures in the plasma of SPPT and SNPT patients and further elucidate the molecular mechanisms contributing to different disease pathogenesis. Methods: Plasma samples from 27 SPPT, 37 SNPT patients and 36 controls were collected and subjected to TMT-labeled quantitative proteomic analyses and targeted GC-MS-based lipidomic analysis. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) was then performed to uncover enriched pathways and functionals of differentially expressed proteins. Results: Proteomic analysis uncovered differential protein expression profiles among the SPPT, SNPT, and Ctrl groups, demonstrating dysfunctional immune response and metabolism in both SPPT and SNPT patients. Both groups exhibited activated innate immune responses and inhibited fatty acid metabolism, but SPPT patients displayed stronger innate immune activation and lipid metabolic inhibition compared to SNPT patients. Notably, our analysis uncovered activated antigen-presenting cells (APCs) in SNPT patients but inhibited APCs in SPPT patients, suggesting their critical role in determining different bacterial loads/phenotypes in SNPT and SPPT. Furthermore, some specific proteins were detected to be involved in the APC activation/acquired immune response, providing some promising therapeutic targets for TB. Conclusion: Our study provides valuable insights into the differential molecular mechanisms underlying SNPT and SPPT, reveals the critical role of antigen-presenting cell activation in SNPT for effectively clearing the majority of Mtb in bodies, and shows the possibility of APC activation as a novel TB treatment strategy.

PRMT5 and CDK4/6 inhibition result in distinctive patterns of alternative splicing in melanoma.

Drugs targeting cyclin-dependent kinases 4 and 6 (CDK4/6) are promising new treatments for melanoma and other solid malignancies. In studies on CDK4/6 inhibitor resistance, protein arginine methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5) regulation of alternative splicing was shown to be an important downstream component of the CDK4/6 pathway. However, the full effects of inhibition of CDK4/6 on splicing events in melanoma and the extent to which they are dependent on PRMT5 has not been established. We performed full-length mRNA sequencing on CHL1 and A375 melanoma cell lines treated with the CDK4/6 inhibitor palbociclib and the PRMT5 inhibitor GSK3326595 and analysed data for differential gene expression and differential pre-mRNA splicing induced by these agents. Changes in gene expression and RNA splicing were more extensive under PRMT5 inhibition than under CDK4/6 inhibition. Although PRMT5 inhibition and CDK4/6 inhibition induced common RNA splicing events and gene expression profiles, the majority of events induced by CDK4/6 inhibition were distinct. Our findings indicate CDK4/6 has the ability to regulate alternative splicing in a manner that is distinct from PRMT5 inhibition, resulting in divergent changes in gene expression under each therapy.

Comparative genomic analysis reveals differential genomic characteristics and featured genes between rapid- and slow-growing non-tuberculous mycobacteria.

Introduction: Non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) is a major category of environmental bacteria in nature that can be divided into rapidly growing mycobacteria (RGM) and slowly growing mycobacteria (SGM) based on their distinct growth rates. To explore differential molecular mechanisms between RGM and SGM is crucial to understand their survival state, environmental/host adaptation and pathogenicity. Comparative genomic analysis provides a powerful tool for deeply investigating differential molecular mechanisms between them. However, large-scale comparative genomic analysis between RGM and SGM is still uncovered. Methods: In this study, we screened 335 high-quality, non-redundant NTM genome sequences covering 187 species from 3,478 online NTM genomes, and then performed a comprehensive comparative genomic analysis to identify differential genomic characteristics and featured genes/protein domains between RGM and SGM. Results: Our findings reveal that RGM has a larger genome size, more genes, lower GC content, and more featured genes/protein domains in metabolism of some main substances (e.g. carbohydrates, amino acids, nucleotides, ions, and coenzymes), energy metabolism, signal transduction, replication, transcription, and translation processes, which are essential for its rapid growth requirements. On the other hand, SGM has a smaller genome size, fewer genes, higher GC content, and more featured genes/protein domains in lipid and secondary metabolite metabolisms and cellular defense mechanisms, which help enhance its genome stability and environmental adaptability. Additionally, orthogroup analysis revealed the important roles of bacterial division and bacteriophage associated genes in RGM and secretion system related genes for better environmental adaptation in SGM. Notably, PCoA analysis of the top 20 genes/protein domains showed precision classification between RGM and SGM, indicating the credibility of our screening/classification strategies. Discussion: Overall, our findings shed light on differential underlying molecular mechanisms in survival state, adaptation and pathogenicity between RGM and SGM, show the potential for our comparative genomic pipeline to investigate differential genes/protein domains at whole genomic level across different bacterial species on a large scale, and provide an important reference and improved understanding of NTM.

Spatial analysis of overweight prevalence in China: exploring the association with air pollution.

BACKGROUND: Overweight is a known risk factor for various chronic diseases and poses a significant threat to middle-aged and elderly adults. Previous studies have reported a strong association between overweight and air pollution. However, the spatial relationship between the two remains unclear due to the confounding effects of spatial heterogeneity. METHODS: We gathered height and weight data from the 2015 China Health and Retirement Long-term Survey (CHARLS), comprising 16,171 middle-aged and elderly individuals. We also collected regional air pollution data. We then analyzed the spatial pattern of overweight prevalence using Moran's I and Getis-Ord Gi* statistics. To quantify the explanatory power of distinct air pollutants for spatial differences in overweight prevalence across Southern and Northern China, as well as across different age groups, we utilized Geodetector's q-statistic. RESULTS: The average prevalence of overweight among middle-aged and elderly individuals in each city was 67.27% and 57.39%, respectively. In general, the q-statistic in southern China was higher than that in northern China. In the north, the prevalence was significantly higher at 54.86% compared to the prevalence of 38.75% in the south. SO2 exhibited a relatively higher q-statistic in middle-aged individuals in both the north and south, while for the elderly in the south, NO2 was the most crucial factor (q = 0.24, p < 0.01). Moreover, fine particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) also demonstrated an important effect on overweight. Furthermore, we found that the pairwise interaction between various risk factors improved the explanatory power of the prevalence of overweight, with different effects for different age groups and regions. In northern China, the strongest interaction was found between NO2 and SO2 (q = 0.55) for middle-aged individuals and PM2.5 and SO2 (q = 0.27) for the elderly. Conversely, in southern China, middle-aged individuals demonstrated the strongest interaction between SO2 and PM10 (q = 0.60), while the elderly showed the highest interaction between NO2 and O3 (q = 0.42). CONCLUSION: Significant spatial heterogeneity was observed in the effects of air pollution on overweight. Specifically, air pollution in southern China was found to have a greater impact on overweight than that in northern China. And, the impact of air pollution on middle-aged individuals was more pronounced than on the elderly, with distinct pollutants demonstrating significant variation in their impact. Moreover, we found that SO2 had a greater impact on overweight prevalence among middle-aged individuals, while NO2 had a greater impact on the elderly. Additionally, we identified significant statistically interactions between O3 and other pollutants.

The role of LncRNA-regulated autophagy in AKI.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a complex clinical syndrome involving a series of pathophysiological processes regulated by multiple pathways at the molecular and cellular level. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play an important role in the regulation of epigenetics, and their regulation of autophagy-related genes in AKI has attracted increasing attention. However, the role of lncRNA-regulated autophagy in AKI has not been fully elucidated. Evidence indicated that lncRNAs play regulatory roles in most factors that induce AKI. LncRNAs can regulate autophagy in AKI via a complex network of regulatory pathways to affect the development and prognosis of AKI. This article reviewed and analyzed the pathways of lncRNA regulation of autophagy in AKI in recent years. The results provide new ideas for further study of the pathophysiological process and targeted therapy for AKI.

Rapamycin reverses ferroptosis by increasing autophagy in MPTP/MPP+-induced models of Parkinson's disease.

Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder, and ferroptosis plays a significant role in the pathological mechanism underlying Parkinson's disease. Rapamycin, an autophagy inducer, has been shown to have neuroprotective effects in Parkinson's disease. However, the link between rapamycin and ferroptosis in Parkinson's disease is not entirely clear. In this study, rapamycin was administered to a 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine-induced Parkinson's disease mouse model and a 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium-induced Parkinson's disease PC12 cell model. The results showed that rapamycin improved the behavioral symptoms of Parkinson's disease model mice, reduced the loss of dopamine neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta, and reduced the expression of ferroptosis-related indicators (glutathione peroxidase 4, recombinant solute carrier family 7, member 11, glutathione, malondialdehyde, and reactive oxygen species). In the Parkinson's disease cell model, rapamycin improved cell viability and reduced ferroptosis. The neuroprotective effect of rapamycin was attenuated by a ferroptosis inducer (methyl (1S,3R)-2-(2-chloroacetyl)-1-(4-methoxycarbonylphenyl)-1,3,4,9-tetrahyyridoindole-3-carboxylate) and an autophagy inhibitor (3-methyladenine). Inhibiting ferroptosis by activating autophagy may be an important mechanism by which rapamycin exerts its neuroprotective effects. Therefore, the regulation of ferroptosis and autophagy may provide a therapeutic target for drug treatments in Parkinson's disease.

Role of Mutations of Mitochondrial Aminoacyl-tRNA Synthetases Genes on Epileptogenesis.

Mitochondria are the structures in cells that are responsible for producing energy. They contain a specific translation unit for synthesizing mitochondria-encoded respiratory chain components: the mitochondrial DNA (mt DNA). Recently, a growing number of syndromes associated with the dysfunction of mt DNA translation have been reported. However, the functions of these diseases still need to be precise and thus attract much attention. Mitochondrial tRNAs (mt tRNAs) are encoded by mt DNA; they are the primary cause of mitochondrial dysfunction and are associated with a wide range of pathologies. Previous research has shown the role of mt tRNAs in the epileptic mechanism. This review will focus on the function of mt tRNA and the role of mitochondrial aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase (mt aaRS) in order to summarize some common relevant mutant genes of mt aaRS that cause epilepsy and the specific symptoms of the disease they cause.

Enhanced electrochemical glucose sensing of Co/Cu-MOF by hydroxyl adsorption induced reactive oxygen species.

Exploring the factors affecting the electrochemical catalytic signal of an organic-metal material sensor and analyzing the decisive steps of the glucose oxidation behavior are challenging problems. Here, we designed a copper-cobalt-based organic backbone with excellent sensing properties based on the nanostructure of "ultramicroelectrodes", and explored the role of different hydroxyl adsorption capacities in the sensing process of glucose oxidation. Dimethylimidazole was used as a starting substrate, and then copper and cobalt ions were introduced by hydrothermal treatment to prepare a copper-cobalt-based organic backbone (Co/Cu-MOF) with good electrochemical glucose sensing ability. Due to the abundant micro-reaction sites of Co/Cu-MOF and the ability to control the hydroxyl group adsorption by adjusting the Co/Cu ratio, excellent electrocatalytic sensing performance was ensured. Co/Cu-MOF (Co/Cu molar ratio of 20 : 1) showed the best adsorption capacity for hydroxyl groups with a sensitivity of 0.45 mA mM-1 cm-2 and a LOD of 0.82 µM in electrochemical glucose sensing. In summary, the sensing performance was effectively improved by adding adsorbed hydroxyl groups to provide an oxygen source for the glucose oxidation step without changing the specific components.

The Progress in Reconstruction of Mandibular Defect Caused by Osteoradionecrosis.

Osteoradionecrosis (ORN) is described as a disease with exposed, nonviable bone that fails to heal spontaneously or by means of conservative treatment after radiotherapy in at least 3 months. Though traditional theories in the early stage including hypoxic-hypocellular-hypovascular and fibro-atrophic in addition to new findings such as ferroptosis were put forward to explain the mechanisms of the osteoradionecrosis, the etiology of ORN is still unclear. With the high rate of occurrence in the head and neck area, especially in the mandible, this disease can disrupt the shape and function of the irradiated area, leading to a clinical presentation ranging from stable small areas of asymptomatic exposed bone to severe progressive necrosis. In severe cases, patients may experience pain, xerostomia, dysphagia, facial fistulas, and even a jaw defect. Consequently, sequence therapy and sometimes extensive surgery and reconstructions are needed to manage these sequelae. Treatment options may include pain medication, antibiotics, the removal of sequesters, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, segmental resection of the mandible, and free flap reconstruction. Microanastomosed free-flaps are considered to be promising choice for ORN reconstruction in recent researches, and new methods including three-dimensional (3-D) printing, pentoxifylline, and amifostine are used nowadays in trying increase the success rates and improve quality of the reconstruction. This review summarizes the main research progress in osteoradionecrosis and reconstruction treatment of osteoradionecrosis with mandibular defect.

Maxillary Antral Pseudocyst Drift after Osteotome Sinus Floor Elevation with Simultaneous Implant Placement: A Case Report and Literature Review.

This report describes maxillary antral pseudocyst drift after maxillary sinus floor augmentation through osteotome sinus floor elevation with simultaneous implant placement. 3D Slicer was used to measure the pseudocyst and maxilla for the placement of the implants; follow-up visits were scheduled at 6, 12, and 22 months. No adverse effects were observed during or after surgery, and all implants exhibited osseointegration without mobility. At 6 months after surgery, the pseudocyst had moved posterolaterally from the preoperative position near the anterior medial maxillary sinus, then returned to its original position at 12 months. However, it had remigrated to the posterolateral position at 22 months. The preoperative volume of the pseudocyst was 3.795 mm3; it was 2.370, 3.439, and 2.930 mm3 at 6, 12, and 22 months after surgery, respectively. The changes in pseudocyst drift and volume did not have a substantial negative influence on the implants, presumably because of cystic attachment and the recurrence of multiple pseudocysts at different locations. The risks associated with changes in a pseudocyst can be avoided, if an appropriate treatment plan is selected.

Mitophagy Effects of Protodioscin on Human Osteosarcoma Cells by Inhibition of p38MAPK Targeting NIX/LC3 Axis.

Protodioscin (PD) is a steroidal saponin with various pharmacological activities, including neuro-protective, anti-inflammatory, and anti-tumor activities. However, the effect of PD on human osteosarcoma (OS) cells is unclear. In this study, we found that PD significantly inhibits the growth of human HOS and 143B OS cells through the upregulation of apoptotic-related proteins (cleaved caspase-3, cleaved caspase-9, and cleaved PARP) and mitophagy-related proteins (LC3B and NIX), which contribute to the induction of apoptosis, and MMP (mitochondrial membrane potential) dysfunction and mitophagy. The inhibition of LC3 or NIX was shown to decrease apoptosis and mitophagy in PD-treated OS cells. The knockdown of p38MAPK by siRNA decreased mitochondrial dysfunction, autophagy, mitophagy, and the NIX/LC3B expression in the PD-treated OS cells. A binding affinity analysis revealed that the smaller the KD value (-7.6 Kcal/mol and -8.9 Kcal/mol, respectively), the greater the binding affinity in the PD-NIX and PD-LC3 complexes. These findings show the inhibitory effects of PD-induced mitophagy in human OS cells and may represent a novel therapeutic strategy for human OS, by targeting the NIX/LC3 pathways.

Artemisinin exerts a protective effect in the MPTP mouse model of Parkinson's disease by inhibiting microglial activation via the TLR4/Myd88/NF-KB pathway.

AIMS: We performed cell and animal experiments to explore the therapeutic effect of artemisinin on Parkinson's disease (PD) and the TLR4/Myd88 signaling pathway. METHODS: C57 mice were randomly divided into the blank, 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced and artemisinin-treated groups. Clinical symptoms, the number of dopaminergic (DAergic) neurons in the substantia nigra, and microglial cell activation were compared among the three groups. Subsequently, BV-2 cell activation and TLR4/Myd88 pathway component expression were compared among the blank, MPP+ -treated, artemisinin-treated, and TLR4 activator-treated groups. RESULTS: Behavioral symptoms were improved, the number of DAergic neurons in the substantia nigra of the midbrain was increased, and microglial cell activation was decreased in artemisinin-treated MPTP-induced PD model mice compared with control-treated MPTP-induced PD model mice (p < 0.05). The cell experiments revealed that artemisinin treatment reduced MPP+ -induced BV-2 cell activation and inhibited the TLR4/Myd88 signaling pathway. Moreover, the effect of artemisinin on the BV-2 cell model was inhibited by the TLR4 activator LPS (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Artemisinin may reduce damage to DAergic neurons in a PD mouse model by decreasing microglial activation through the TLR4-mediated MyD88-dependent signaling pathway. However, this finding cannot explain the relationship between microglia and DAergic neurons.

Endophytic Bacterium Lysobacter firmicutimachus Strain 5-7 Is a Promising Biocontrol Agent Against Rice Seedling Disease Caused by Pythium arrhenomanes in Nursery Trays.

Rice root rot disease caused by Pythium spp. is a highly destructive disease in rice nurseries. Biocontrol with endophytic bacteria was developed in this study to control rice seedling diseases. An in planta screening assay revealed that two bacterial endophytes, strains 5-7 and 6-4, displayed strong protection of rice seedlings from attack by Pythium arrhenomanes. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that strain 5-7 is Lysobacter firmicutimachus, while strain 6-4 belongs to the Kitasatospora genus. To quickly evaluate the disease severity of the root system damaged by Pythium spp. in nursery trays, a root surface area measurement assay was developed. By using this measurement, the control efficacy in nursery trays was evaluated, and L. firmicutimachus 5-7 showed promising biocontrol activity against Pythium disease. In a field trial, the two endophytes exhibited significant disease control efficacy on rice brown spot disease caused by Bipolaris oryzae naturally occurring in a commercial nursery field. The two endophytes exhibited multiple enzymatic activities and broad-spectrum antagonistic activities against multiple rice pathogens. The two endophytes colonized the root surface and inside of the root. L. firmicutimachus 5-7 primarily colonized the intercellular space and aerenchyma. Antibiosis is the major mechanism used by strain 5-7 to cause Bipolaris hyphal swelling and inhibit Pythium zoospore germination and sporangium formation, while a hyperparasitism-like phenomenon was found in the interaction of strain 6-4 with Pythium and Bipolaris hyphae. In conclusion, we report the promising biocontrol agent L. firmicutimachus 5-7 and the potential biocontrol agent Kitasatospora sp. 6-4 for disease control of rice seedlings in commercial nursery trays and their possible mechanisms of action.

Properties of Light Cementitious Composite Materials with Waste Wood Chips.

The CO2 emissions from the cement industry and the production of waste wood chips are increasing with the rapid growth of the construction industry. In order to develop a green environmental protection building material with low thermal conductivity and up to standard mechanical properties, in this study, pine waste wood chips were mixed into cement-based materials as fine aggregate, and three different kinds of cementitious binders were used, including sulfur aluminate cement (SAC), ordinary Portland cement (OPC), and granulated blast furnace slag (GBFS), to prepare a recycled light cementitious composite material. The mechanical, thermal conductivity, shrinkage, water absorption, and pore structure of a wood chip light cementitious composite material were studied by changing the Ch/B (the mass ratio of wood chip to binder). The results showed that the strength, dry density, and thermal conductivity of the specimens decreased significantly with the increase in the Ch/B, while the shrinkage, water absorption, and pore size increased with the increase in the Ch/B. By comparing three different kinds of cementitious binders, the dry density of the material prepared with OPC was 942 kg/m3, the compressive strength of the material prepared with SAC was 13.5 MPa, and the thermal conductivity of the material prepared with slag was the lowest at 0.15 W/m/K. From the perspective of low-cost and low-carbon emissions, it was determined that the best way to prepare a light cementitious composite with waste wood chips is to use granulated blast furnace slag (GBFS) as the cementitious binder.

A Five-Year Retrospective Study of 746 Cases with Maxillofacial Space Infection in Western China.

Purpose: To grasp the current epidemiological situation of maxillofacial space infection and investigate the risk factors contributing to the longer hospitalization of odontogenic space infection in western China. Patients and Methods: This retrospective study collected the clinical characteristics from 746 hospitalized patients with maxillofacial space infection and investigated the risk factors associated with longer hospitalization. Pearson's chi-square test and multivariable binary logistic regression were performed for statistical analysis. Results: A total of 438 males and 308 females were included in this study, aging from 1 to 90 years (mean age 48.6 years). 74.9% cases resulted from odontogenic infections, with the submandibular space being the most commonly involved space (53.7%). Advanced age (OR (>60 y:19-60 y:≤18 y) = 3.784:3.416:1, p < 0.05), treatment before admission (OR = 2.271, p < 0.05) and number of involved spaces (OR (≥4:2-3:1) = 3.204:1.931:1, p < 0.05) were closely related to longer hospitalization. Streptococcus being the most frequently found aerobic bacteria (268/615, 43.6%) of all the bacteria isolated was resistant to clarithromycin (91.5%) and erythromycin (92.8%). Conclusion: Hospitalization time could be longer for patients with the identified risk factors. Streptococcus, as the most common type of aerobic flora, is highly resistant to clindamycin and erythromycin.