The BLV-miRNAs pathway of BLV inhibits the expression of Lactoferrin, Lactoperoxidase, Alpha-lactalbumin and Beta-lactoglobulin proteins.

Bovine leukemia virus (BLV) is a widespread virus that decreases milk production and quality in dairy cows. As crucial components of BLV, BLV-encoded microRNAs (BLV-miRNAs) affect BLV replication and may impact the synthesis of Lactoferrin (LTF), Lactoperoxidase (LPO), Alpha-lactalbumin (alpha-LA), and Beta-lactoglobulin (beta-LG). In this study, we investigated the targeting relationship between BLV-miRNAs and LTF, LPO, alpha-LA, and beta-LG in cow's milk. Additionally, we investigated the possible mechanisms by which BLV reduces milk quality. The results showed that cow's milk had significantly lower levels of LTF, LPO, and alpha-LA proteins in BLV-positive cows than in BLV-negative cows. BLV-△miRNAs (miRNA-deleted BLV) enhanced the reduction of LPO, alpha-LA, and beta-LG protein levels caused by BLV infection. Multiple BLV-miRNAs have binding sites with LTF and LPO mRNA; however, only BLV-miR-B1-5 P has a targeting relationship with LPO mRNA. The results revealed that BLV-miR-B1-5 P inhibits LPO protein expression by targeting LPO mRNA. However, BLV does not directly regulate the expression of LTF, alpha-LA, or beta-LG proteins through BLV-miRNAs.

LncRNA5251 inhibits spermatogenesis via modification of cell-cell junctions.

BACKGROUND: Male factors-caused decline in total fertility has raised significant concern worldwide. LncRNAs have been identified to play various roles in biological systems, including spermatogenesis. This study aimed to explore the role of lncRNA5251 in mouse spermatogenesis. METHODS: The expression of lncRNA5251 was modulated in mouse testes in vivo or spermatogonial stem cells (C18-4 cells) in vitro by shRNA. RESULTS: The sperm motility in two generations mice after modulation of lncRNA5251 (muF0 and muF1) was decreased significantly after overexpression of lncRNA5251. GO enrichment analysis found that knockdown lncRNA5251 increased the expression of genes related to cell junctions, and genes important for spermatogenesis in mouse testes. Meanwhile, overexpressing lncRNA5251 decreased the gene and/or protein expression of important genes for spermatogenesis and immune pathways in mouse testes. In vitro, knockdown lncRNA5251 increased the expression of genes for cell junction, and the protein levels of some cell junction proteins such as CX37, OCLN, JAM1, VCAM1 and CADM2 in C18-4 cells. LncRNA5251 is involved in spermatogenesis by modulation of cell junctions. CONCLUSION: This will provide a theoretical basis for improving male reproductive ability via lncRNA.

LncRNA8276 primes cell-cell adhesion for regulation of spermatogenesis.

BACKGROUND: Human sperm concentration and motility have dropped dramatically (50%) in the past few decades, and environmental factors are involved in this decline. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNA) have been discovered to be involved in many cellular processes including spermatogenesis. OBJECTIVE: This investigation aimed to explore the role of lncRNA8276 in murine spermatogenesis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The expression of lncRNA8276 was modified by knockdown or overexpression in mouse testes and spermatogonial stem cells (C18-4 cell line). Sperm quality was determined in the F0 and F1 generations of mice. Furthermore, the underlying mechanisms were studied through gene expression and/or protein expression of spermatogenesis-related genes and cell junction-related genes by different methods. RESULTS: In the current investigation, we discovered that sperm lncRNA8276 was decreased by NH3 /H2 S in three generations (F0, F1, and F2) of mouse sperm. In vivo testicular knockdown of lncRNA8276 led to a decline in sperm concentration and motility in both F0 (muF0) and F1 (muF1) generations Moreover, knockdown lncRNA8276 decreased the gene and protein levels of important genes related to cell-cell junctions and spermatogenesis. The data were further confirmed in mouse spermatogonia stem cell line C18-4 cells through knockdown of lncRNA8276. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that lncRNA8276 may be involved in cell-cell junction formation in the mouse testis to regulate spermatogenesis. It may be a target for the modification of spermatogenesis and male fertility, or male contraception. This investigation offers a potential therapeutic strategy for male infertility.

Nano-Pore Structure and Fractal Characteristics of Shale Gas Reservoirs: A Case Study of Longmaxi Formation in Southeastern Chongqing, China.

Pore structure and fractal dimensions can characterize the adsorption, desorption and seepage characteristics of shale gas reservoirs. In this study, pore structure, fractal characteristics and influencing factors were studied of the Longmaxi formation shale gas reservoir in southeastern Chongqing, China. Scanning electron microscopy was used to describe the characteristics of various reservoirs. High pressure mercury intrusion and low temperature liquid N2 and CO2 adsorption experiments were used to obtain pore structure parameters. V-S model, FHH model and Menger sponge model were selected to calculate the micropore, mesopore and macropore fractal dimensions, respectively. The results show that organic matter pores, inter-granular pores, intra-granular pores and micro-fractures are developed within the shale, and the pore morphology is mostly ink pores and parallel plate pores with aperture essentially in the 1-2 nm and 2-50 nm ranges. Moreover, macropores are the most complex in these samples, with mesopores being less complex than macropores, and the micropores being the simplest. D1 (micropore fractal dimension) ranges from 2.31 to 2.50, D2 (mesopore fractal dimension) ranges from 2.74 to 2.83, D3 (macropore fractal dimension) ranges from 2.87 to 2.95, and Dt (comprehensive fractal dimension) ranges from 2.69 to 2.83 of fractal characteristics. D1 and D2 are mainly controlled by TOC content, while D3 and Dt are mainly controlled by brittle and clay mineral content. These results may be helpful for exploration and the development of shale gas in southeastern Chongqing, China.

Grape Seed Polyphenols Ameliorated Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Colitis via Suppression of Inflammation and Apoptosis.

BACKGROUND: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an inflammatory bowel disease. Its onset is typically gradual, usually followed by periods of spontaneous remission and subsequent relapses. Grape seed polyphenols (GSP), a natural product extracted from grape seeds, have strong anti-inflammatory functions. OBJECTIVES: In this study, we investigated whether GSP has an inhibitory effect on UC and its related mechanism or not. METHODS: We induced UC by 2.5% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) and GSP at different doses (500 and 750 mg/kg body weight per day) was administrated to the mice by gavage. Body weight, diarrhea, and bloody stool were recorded every day to evaluate disease activity index. Hemotoxylin-eosin staining and immunohistochemical staining were used to identify the histological damages and inflammatory infiltration in colon tissues. Real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to evaluate mRNA expression of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1ß, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and the expression of phosphorylated-signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and STAT3 were assessed by western blot. The immunofluorescent assay was used to evaluate the apoptosis of intestinal epithelial cells (IECs). RESULTS: GSP could alleviate the loss of body weight, diarrhea, bloody stool, the mucosal damage, and inflammatory infiltration. GSP could also downregulate the mRNA expression of inflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-1ß, and TNF-α as well as the phosphorylation of STAT3 and ameliorate the apoptosis of IECs. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that GSP has protective effects against DSS-induced UC, which may through suppression of inflammation and apoptosis.

Regulation of steroid hormones and energy status with cysteamine and its effect on spermatogenesis.

Although it is well known that cysteamine is a potent chemical for treating many diseases including cystinosis and it has many adverse effects, the effect of cysteamine on spermatogenesis is as yet unknown. Therefore the objective of this investigation was to explore the effects of cysteamine on spermatogenesis and the underlying mechanisms. Sheep were treated with vehicle control, 10mg/kg or 20mg/kg cysteamine for six months. After that, the semen samples were collected to determine the spermatozoa motility by computer-assisted sperm assay method. Blood samples were collected to detect the levels of hormones and the activity of enzymes. Spermatozoa and testis samples were collected to study the mechanism of cysteamine's actions. It was found that the effects of cysteamine on spermatogenesis were dose dependent. A low dose (10mg/kg) cysteamine treatment increased ovine spermatozoa motility; however, a higher dose (20mg/kg) decreased both spermatozoa concentration and motility. This decrease might be due to a reduction in steroid hormone production by the testis, a reduction in energy in the testis and spermatozoa, a disruption in the blood-testis barrier, or a breakdown in the vital signaling pathways involved in spermatogenesis. The inhibitory effects of cysteamine on sheep spermatogenesis may be used to model its effects on young male patients with cystinosis or other diseases that are treated with this drug. Further studies on spermatogenesis that focus on patients treated with cysteamine during the peripubertal stage are warranted.

Tunable surface charge of ZnS:Cu nano-adsorbent induced the selective preconcentration of cationic dyes from wastewater.

A novel environmentally friendly nano-adsorbent is developed by doping Cu(+) cations into the lattice of ZnS microspheres. The adsorbent shows selective adsorbability for cationic dyes in low concentrations in wastewater. The adsorbed dye could be successfully eluted with alcohol, resulting in a 1000 fold enrichment of the dye solution.

Treatment of nanowaste via fast crystal growth: with recycling of nano-SnO2 from electroplating sludge as a study case.

The treatment of industrial sludge containing amorphous/nanophase metal oxides or hydroxides is one of the vital issues in hazardous waste disposal. In this work, we developed a strategy to recycle nano-SnO(2) from tinplate electroplating sludge. It revealed that the major components of this sludge were acid soluble Sn and Fe amorphous phases. By introducing NaOH as a mineralizer, a fast growth of amorphous Sn compound into acid-insoluble SnO(2) nanowires was achieved selectively. Thus, the as-formed nano-SnO(2) could be recycled via dissolving other solid compositions in the sludge by using acid. The role of NaOH on accelerating both the Oriented Attachment (OA) and Ostwald Ripening (OR) growth of SnO(2) was discussed, which was regarded as a critical factor for treating the sludge. A pilot-scale experiment was conducted to treat 2.3 kg original sludge and the recycling of about 90 g nano-SnO(2) was achieved. We anticipate this work can provide a good example for the recycling of valuable metals from industrial sludge containing fine metal oxides or hydroxides.