Enhanced axonal regeneration and functional recovery of the injured sciatic nerve in a rat model by lithium-loaded electrospun nanofibrous scaffolds

Increasing evidence indicates that engineered nerve grafts have great potential for the regeneration of peripheral nerve injuries(PNIs).While most studies have focused only on the topographical features of the grafts,we have considered both the biophysical and biochemical manipulations in our applied nanoscaffold.To achieve this,we fabricated an electrospun nanofibrous scaffold(ENS)containing polylactide nanofibers loaded with lithium(Li)ions,a Wnt/β-catenin signaling activator.In addition,we seeded human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells(hADMSCs)onto this engineered scaffold to examine if their differentiation toward Schwann-like cells was induced.We further examined the efficacy of the scaffolds for nerve regeneration in vivo via grafting in a PNI rat model.Our results showed that Li-loaded ENSs gradually released Li within 11 d,at concentrations ranging from 0.02 to(3.64±0.10)mmol/L,and upregulated the expression of Wnt/β-catenin target genes(cyclinD1 and c-Myc)as well as those of Schwann cell markers(growth-associated protein 43(GAP43),S100 calcium binding protein B(S100B),glial fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP),and SRY-box transcription factor 10(SOX10))in differentiated hADMSCs.In the PNI rat model,implantation of Li-loaded ENSs with/without cells improved behavioral features such as sensory and motor functions as well as the electrophysiological characteristics of the injured nerve.This improved function was further validated by histological analysis of sciatic nerves grafted with Li-loaded ENSs,which showed no fibrous connective tissue but enhanced organized myelinated axons.The potential of Li-loaded ENSs in promoting Schwann cell differentiation of hADMSCs and axonal regeneration of injured sciatic nerves suggests their potential for application in peripheral nerve tissue engineering.

转化医学:从转化研究到靶向治疗与个体化医学

生命科学在基因组学、干细胞和微电子技术等领域已取得了突破性进展,然而如何诊断、治疗包括癌症在内的许多重要疾病仍然是医学实践中亟待解决的难题。因此,"转化医学"这一新的概念应运而生,开展和加强"转化研究"已逐渐成为共识。值得注意的是,转化研究不仅包括采用各种新方法、新技术研究疾病的发生机制及诊断和治疗,也强调从临床实践中提出问题,研究和解决与疾病诊治有关的重要课题。转化医学的另一个重要内容是个体化治疗,即根据疾病在分子水平的改变而采用特异的靶向药物治疗。目前能进行个体化靶向治疗的案例仍屈指可数,但随着对许多疾病机制的深入了解,新的诊断技术和生物标记的发现,以及更多靶向药物的开发,个体化治疗有望在不久的将来,从特例成为临床实践中的常规。

Alzheimer’s disease:a tale of two diseases?

Sporadic late-onset Alzheimer’s disease(SLOAD)and familial early-onset Alzheimer’s disease(FEOAD)associated with dominant mutations in APP,PSEN1 and PSEN2,are thought to represent a spectrum of the same disorder based on near identical behavioral and histopathological features.Hence,FEOAD transgenic mouse models have been used in past decades as a surrogate to study SLOAD pathogenic mechanisms and as the gold standard to validate drugs used in clinical trials.Unfortunately,such research has yielded little output in terms of therapeutics targeting the disease’s development and progression.In this short review,we interrogate the widely accepted view of one,dimorphic disease through the prism of the Bmi1+/–mouse model and the distinct chromatin signatures observed between SLOAD and FEOAD brains.

Ornamental Fishes of Coastal West Bengal, India—Prospects of Conservation and Involvement of Local Fishermen

This survey has been conducted to study the ornamental fishes of coastal Bay of Bengal, selecting the region from Digha to Talpati, a stretch of64 Kmcoastal area. Twenty ornamental fish species were identified in the coastal water bodies in this stretch. Some of them are already established as aquarium fishes and rest demand ornamental piscine status for their unique features and qualities. Some of the ornamental fish species of this area like Brachygobious sua, Gobipterus chuno, Badis badis and Brachydanio rario are endangered due to excessive degradation of local ecosystems. Special care should be taken so that they continue to exist. There are ample justifications to establish ornamental fish industry to support the unemployed youth of the area and protect the piscine biodiversity.

A novel role of LncRNA in regulating tumor metabolism and angiogenesis under hypoxia

Tumor cells are characterized by metabolic reprogram-ming,a step that is necessary to support their high demand for energy and nutrients[1,2].Furthermore,once metastatic tumor cells are seeded,tumor microen-vironment remodeling is immediately initiated,leading to the formation of more suitable conditions for growth.Tumor cells secrete several types of growth factors,cytokines,and chemokines to induce angiogenesis and tumor-associated immune cell recruitment,all of which can promote proliferation and metastasis,as well as trig-ger immune tolerance and drug resistance[3].Exploring the synergistic effect between metabolic reprogramming and microenvironment remodeling will likely facili-tate the discovery of novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

Impact of Hierarchical Architecture of Cryptotermes brevis Wing on the Modulation of Bacterial Adhesion

The wing architecture is an inspiration to fabricate novel materials with exquisite properties.The current study characterizes the structure and biological function of a termite’s wing.The topography of the surface of the wing was studied by electron microscopy,and surface profilometer.The physicochemical property of the surface was analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy,X-ray diffraction spectroscopy,energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy,and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of the epicuticle content.Water Contact Angle measurement confirmed the hydrophobicity of the wing surface.When microorganisms come in contact with the surface of the wing,they adhere to the wing surface due to cell surface properties of their own and the surface chemistry of the wing.The current study reported the adhesion behavior of two bacterial species.The bactericidal activity of the wing was confirmed by counting the bacterial cell viability and examination under a confocal laser scanning microscope.Adhesion of bacteria was observed under the electron microscope.Bacterial oxidative stress,the topography of the wing,and the surface chemistry of the wing are the crucial factors that induce bactericidal activity.The nanostructure along with the chemical composition of the wing can be mimicked for the fabrication of novel material with antibacterial properties.

Roles of dietary taurine in fish nutrition

Taurine is a conditionally essential amino acid in fish nutrition.The present study addressed the practical application of examining published data on fish nutrition over the past 20 years,emphasizing the topic of taurine by using computational tools and their applications.According to the published articles,an increased linear growth of research occurred,with Japanese flounder being the most examined fish species.Dietary taurine supplementation has several beneficial effects in fish nutrition,such as survival,growth,feed utilization,protein and energy retention,intermediate metabolism,anti-oxidation,anti-stress,disease resistance,muscle texture and reproductive performance.Also,there are negative effects in some species.Dietary taurine exerted effects on several gene expressions and enzyme activities;these are important in taurine metabolism in fish.These genes and enzymes included taurine transporter(TauT),cysteine dioxygenase(CDO),cysteamine dioxygenase(ADO),cysteine sulfonate decarboxylase(CSD)and pretrypsinogen(Ptry).Plant protein-based diets with taurine supplementation are recommended because of the absence of taurine in plani protein.