Neuroprotective potential for mitigating ischemia reperfusion-induced damage.

Reperfusion following cerebral ischemia causes both structural and functional damage to brain tissue and could aggravate a patient's condition; this phenomenon is known as cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. Current studies have elucidated the neuroprotective role of the sirtuin protein family (Sirtuins) in modulating cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. However, the potential of utilizing it as a novel intervention target to influence the prognosis of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury requires additional exploration. In this review, the origin and research progress of Sirtuins are summarized, suggesting the involvement of Sirtuins in diverse mechanisms that affect cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury, including inflammation, oxidative stress, blood-brain barrier damage, apoptosis, pyroptosis, and autophagy. The therapeutic avenues related to Sirtuins that may improve the prognosis of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury were also investigated by modulating Sirtuins expression and affecting representative pathways, such as nuclear factor-kappa B signaling, oxidative stress mediated by adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase, and the forkhead box O. This review also summarizes the potential of endogenous substances, such as RNA and hormones, drugs, dietary supplements, and emerging therapies that regulate Sirtuins expression. This review also reveals that regulating Sirtuins mitigates cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury when combined with other risk factors. While Sirtuins show promise as a potential target for the treatment of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury, most recent studies are based on rodent models with circadian rhythms that are distinct from those of humans, potentially influencing the efficacy of Sirtuins-targeting drug therapies. Overall, this review provides new insights into the role of Sirtuins in the pathology and treatment of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Cellular senescence in metastatic prostate cancer: A therapeutic opportunity or challenge (Review).

The treatment of patients with metastatic prostate cancer (PCa) is considered to be a long­standing challenge. Conventional treatments for metastatic PCa, such as radical prostatectomy, radiotherapy and androgen receptor­targeted therapy, induce senescence of PCa cells to a certain extent. While senescent cells can impede tumor growth through the restriction of cell proliferation and increasing immune clearance, the senescent microenvironment may concurrently stimulate the secretion of a senescence­associated secretory phenotype and diminish immune cell function, which promotes PCa recurrence and metastasis. Resistance to established therapies is the primary obstacle in treating metastatic PCa as it can lead to progression towards an incurable state of disease. Therefore, understanding the molecular mechanisms that underly the progression of PCa is crucial for the development of novel therapeutic approaches. The present study reviews the phenomenon of treatment­induced senescence in PCa, the dual role of senescence in PCa treatments and the mechanisms through which senescence promotes PCa metastasis. Furthermore, the present review discusses potential therapeutic strategies to target the aforementioned processes with the aim of providing insights into the evolving therapeutic landscape for the treatment of metastatic PCa.

Ionic Liquid-Controlled Growth of NiCo2 S4 3D Hierarchical Hollow Nanoarrow Arrays on Ni Foam for Superior Performance Binder Free Hybrid Supercapacitors.

A significant development in the design of a NiCo2 S4 3D hierarchical hollow nanoarrow arrays (HNA)-based supercapacitor binder free electrode assembled by 1D hollow nanoneedles and 2D nanosheets on a Ni foam collector through controlling ionic liquid 1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([OMIm]Cl) concentration is reported. The unique NiCo2 S4 -HNA electrode acquires high specific capacity (1297 C g-1 at 1 A g-1 , 2.59 C cm-2 at 2 mA cm-2 ), excellent rate capability (maintaining 73.0% at 20 A g-1 ), and long operational life (maintaining 92.4% after 10 000 cycles at 5 A g-1 ), which are superior to those for 1D hollow nanoneedle arrays (HNN) and 2D porous nanoflake arrays (PNF). The outstanding electrochemical performance is attributed to the novel 3D structure with large specific surface, hollow cores, high porosity as well as stable architecture. In addition, a hybrid supercapacitor applying 3D NiCo2 S4 -HNA as the positive electrode and active carbon as the negative electrode exhibits a high energy density of 42.5 Wh kg-1 at a power density of 2684.2 W kg-1 in an operating voltage of 1.6 V. Robust cycling stability is also expressed with 84.9% retention after repeating 10 000 cycles at 5 A g-1 , implying their great potential in superior-performance supercapacitors.

IL-6 and IL-20 as potential markers for vitality of skin contusion.

The detection of vitality of wounds is very important in forensic practice. This study is performed using quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) in both mouse and human skin wounds for the application of IL-6 and IL-20 in order to differentiate intravital wounds from postmortem wounds. RT-qPCR analysis of contused mouse skin showed that increased IL-6 and IL-20 mRNA levels were found in comparison to intact skin tissues. The increased mRNA expressions of IL-6 and IL-20 were observed until 72 h after death in contused mouse skin, whereas there were no marked changes in these two cytokines in the postmortem contusion group. The alterations of IL-6 and IL-20 can also be detected in human skin wound samples. These finding suggest that mRNA levels of IL-6 and IL-20 might be used as potential markers for vital reaction.

A combination-decomposition method to synthesize two-dimensional metal sulfide-amine hybrid nanosheets: a highly efficient Fe-based water oxidation electrocatalyst.

Uniform FeS1.4(Dmim)0.5 (Dmim = 1-n-butyl-2,3-dimethylimidazolium cation) hybrid nanosheets were developed through an innovative combination-decomposition approach. More importantly, the obtained hybrid nanosheets demonstrate unprecedentedly high electrocatalytic activity, which represents the discovery of a novel, efficient Fe-based electrocatalyst and expands the scope of new types of electrolytic water oxidation.

Lineage conversion of mouse fibroblasts to pancreatic α-cells

α-cells, which synthesize glucagon, also support β-cell survival and have the capacity to transdifferentiate into β-cells. However, the role of α-cells in pathological conditions and their putative clinical applications remain elusive due in large part to the lack of mature α-cells. Here, we present a new technique to generate functional α-like cells. α-like cells (iAlpha cells) were generated from mouse fibroblasts by transduction of transcription factors, including Hhex, Foxa3, Gata4, Pdx1 and Pax4, which induce α-cell-specific gene expression and glucagon secretion in response to KCl and Arg stimulation. The cell functions in vivo and in vitro were evaluated. Lineage-specific and functional-related gene expression was tested by realtime PCR, insulin tolerance test (ITT), glucose tolerance test (GTT), Ki67 and glucagon immunohistochemistry analysis were done in iAlpha cells transplanted nude mice. iAlpha cells possess α-cell function in vitro and alter blood glucose levels in vivo. Transplantation of iAlpha cells into nude mice resulted in insulin resistance and increased β-cell proliferation. Taken together, we present a novel strategy to generate functional α-like cells for the purposes of disease modeling and regenerative medicine.

Isolation and identification of a novel polysaccharide-peptide complex with antioxidant, anti-proliferative and hypoglycaemic activities from the abalone mushroom.

A novel antioxidant polysaccharide-peptide complex LB-1b from the fruiting bodies of the edible abalone mushroom (Pleurotus abalonus) was purified and identified. The structural characteristic of LB-1b was identified by FTIR (Fourier-transform IR), 13C NMR and 1H NMR spectroscopy. LB-1b is a polysaccharide-peptide complex that contains glucose, rhamnose, glucuronic acid and galactose in the molar ratio of 22.4:1:1.7:1.6 and the N-terminal sequence of its peptide moiety has also been determined. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of LB-1b, IPKERKEFQQAQHLK, showed some resemblance to antioxidant enzymes. LB-1b exhibited high antioxidant activity in erythrocyte haemolysis in vitro and the anti-proliferative activity towards hepatoma HepG2 cells and breast cancer MCF7 cells with an IC50 of 24 and 14 µM respectively. LB-1b also demonstrated hypoglycaemic activity in drug-induced diabetic mice and anti-HIV-1 RT (reverse transcriptase) with an IC50 value of 12.5 µM.

Isolation of a polysaccharide with antiproliferative, hypoglycemic, antioxidant and HIV-1 reverse transcriptase inhibitory activities from the fruiting bodies of the abalone mushroom Pleurotus abalonus.

OBJECTIVE: The intent of this study was to purify and characterize a polysaccharide named LA from the fruiting bodies of the edible mushroom Pleurotus abalones. METHODS: The 120-kDa polysaccharide was obtained by extraction with boiling water, ethanol precipitation, ion exchange chromatography on Diethylaminoethyl-cellulose and gel filtration on Sephadex G-200. KEY FINDINGS: The LA was composed of glucose, rhamnose, glucuronic acid, xylose, galactose and arabinose in the molar ratio of 26.3:2.7:1:1.4:1.8:1.2. The FITR and 1H-NMR spectrum of LA disclosed that it was a saccharide with an α-configuration. Its 13C-NMR spectrum revealed that its main chain was [→6)-α-D-Gly(1→]n. The LA exhibited antioxidant activities, especially in scavenging 1,1- diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl radicals and hydroxyl radicals. It manifested antiproliferative activity towards breast cancer MCF7 cells with an IC50 of 3.7 µm, and also exerted some antiproliferative activity against HepG2 cells. It manifested a hypoglycemic action on diabetic mice. It inhibited HIV-1 reverse transcriptase with an IC50 of 8.7 × 10(-2) µm. CONCLUSIONS: The polysaccharide from the abalone mushroom.

Clinical analysis of coronary artery disease in elderly patients with sleep disordered breathing / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To understand the prevalence of sleep disordered breathing (SDB) in elderly patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and explore the relations between SDB and CAD.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty-two elderly patients with and 18 without CAD identified by coronary angiography underwent examinations by polysomnography (PSG). Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was measured by 99Tc equilibrium radionuclide angiography.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In the 62 elderly patients with CAD, 53.2% had SDB, a rate significantly higher that (22.2%) in the 18 non-CAD patients. The CAD patients with SDB had higher respiratory disturbance index (RDI) and body mass index (BMI) and lower arterial saturation of oxygen (SaO2) during sleep, with longer duration of low SPO2 (less that 90%). The incidence of hypertension was higher in CAD patients with SDB than in those without SDB. No significant correlation was found between the severity of coronary artery disease and RDI (r=-0.16, P>0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The elderly patients with CAD have higher incidence of SDB, and appropriate interventions should be administered in those with severe SDB.</p>

Relationship between chronic congestive heart failure and sleep-disordered breathing in elderly patients / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To determine the prevalence of sleep disordered breathing (SDB) in elderly patients with chronic congestive heart failure (CHF) and explore the relations between SDB and left ventricular function.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>By means of polysomnography, 56 elderly patients with CHF were divided into non-SDB, mild SDB, moderate SDB, and severe SDB groups, and the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was measure by (99)Tc equilibrium radionuclide angiography.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In the 56 elderly patients with CHF, 38 (67.9%) had SDB, including 12 (21.4%) mild SDB, 14 (25.0%) moderate SDB, and 12 (21.4%) severe SDB patients. Thirty (53.6%) of the 56 patients with CHF had obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), 4 (7.1%) had central sleep apnea and 22 (39.2%) had mixed sleep apnea. The moderate and severe SDB groups had lower minimum arterial oxyhemoglobin saturation during sleep than the non-SDB groups, and the apnea-hyponea index was closely related to LVEF (r=-0.74, P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The prevalence of SDB, predominantly OSA, is high in elderly patients with CHF. Moderate and severe SDB might affect the left ventricular function in these patients, who require polysomnography monitoring.</p>