Anoctamin 4 defines glucose-inhibited neurons in the ventromedial hypothalamus

Glucose is the primary fuel source of the brain,and therefore glucose levels need to be tightly regulated and maintained within a small physiological range.Certainly,the body necessitates a stable supply of energy mainly provided by glucose for various bodily functions.High or low blood glucose levels would impair the physiological functions of various organs of the body.

Crop growth inhibited by over-liming in tea plantations

Liming is a common strategy applied to attain optimal pH for tea growth in severely acidic soils.Tea however is a calciphobous plant,and the effects of liming on its growth and nutrient uptake remain poorly understand.Therefore,it is necessary to better understand the effects of liming on soil chemical properties and tea nutrient content.In this study,a tea plantation that had exhibited large variation in growth after liming was selected as a study site.We categorized plots into two growth condition groups:Plot 1(poor growth)and Plot 2(excellent growth).Tea nutrient levels,and soil chemical properties were then compared between the two groups.Normalized difference vegetation index(NDVI)and transformed vegetation index(TVI)values were significantly higher and lower,respectively,in Plot 2 than in Plot 1.Yield,number of buds per m2,and 100-bud weight were significantly higher in Plot 2.These results were attributed to higher N,K,and Al concentrations and lower Ca concentrations in leaves,and lower pH and available Ca and higher available Al in soil.Leaf concentrations of K and Al were significantly negatively correlated with leaf concentrations of Ca and soil pH.A positive relationship was observed between leaf concentrations of K and Al,indicating inhibited K and Al uptake due to over-liming,restricting tea growth.In conclusion,our results show that tea growth will be restricted by over-liming,as a result of the high soil pH and Ca concentration inhibiting the K and Al uptake.

Capillary electrophoresis with inhibited electrochemiluminescent detection for the trace analysis of epinephrine and dopamine

In this paper,a novel electrochemiluminescent (ECL) detection approach was developed for highly sensitive detection of ECL inhibitors based on the ECL inhibition of Ru(bpy)32+/2-(Dibutylamino)ethanol (DBAE) system. A microfluidic ECL detection cell was fabricated to couple with the capillary electrophoresis system,the electrochemical system and the postcolumn injection system. Both Ru(bpy)32+ and DBAE solutions were injected directly to the working electrode surface by a micro-infusion system to obtain a high and stable ECL signal. The performance of this setup was demonstrated by the analysis of two typical ECL inhibitors,dopamine and epinephrine. Under the optimal conditions,the limit of detection (LOD) for dopamine and epinephrine was 50nM and 5nM respectively. The proposed method was also successfully used for the trace analysis of dopamine and epinephrine in human serum samples.

Simvastatin inhibited cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice fed a "Western-style diet" by increasing PPAR alpha and gamma expression and reducing TC,MMP-9,and Cat S levels

中国人群血脂水平和血脂异常患病率虽然尚低于多数西方国家,但随着社会经济的发展,人民生活水平的提高和生活方式的变化,曾经吃惯泡饭酱菜、白粥馒头、大饼油条、糍饭豆浆的人们未必意识到,中国人"低脂肪、低蛋白、低热量、高碳水化合物"

Mechanism underlying carbon tetrachloride-inhibited protein synthesis in liver

AIM: To study the mechanism underlying carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced alterations of protein synthesis in liver. METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were given CCl4 (1 mL/100 g body weight) and 3H-leucine incorporation. Malondialdehyde (MDA) level in the liver, in vitro response of hepatocyte nuclei nucleotide triphosphatase (NTPase) to free radicals, and nuclear export of total mRNA with 3'-poly A+ were measured respectively. Survival response of HepG2 cells to CCl4 treatment was assessed by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium. Km and Vmax values of nuclear envelope NTPase activity in liver of rats treated with CCl4 were assayed by a double-reciprocal plot. RESULTS: The protein synthesis was inhibited while the MDA level was signif icantly increased in liver of rats treated with CCl4. In addition, CCl4 decreased the NTPase binding capacity of nuclear envelope (Km value) in cultured HepG2 cells. Moreover, in vitro ferrous radicals from Fenton's system suppressed the NTPase activity of liver nuclear envelope in a dose-dependent manner. Down-regulation of the nuclear envelope NTPase activity indicated a lower energy provision for nucleocytoplasmic transport of mRNA molecules, an evidence in CCl4-treated HepG2 cells correspondingly supported by the nuclear sequestration of poly (A)+ mRNA molecules in morphological hybridization research. CONCLUSION: Inhibition of mRNA transport, suggestive of decreased NTPase activity of the nuclear envelope, may be involved in carbon tetrachloride-inhibited protein synthesis in liver.

Dicranostigma leptopodum (maxim) fedde induced apoptosis in SMMC-7721 human hepatoma cells and inhibited tumor growth in mice

Dicranostigma Leptopodum (Maxim) Fedde (DL- F), which had been previously documented to suppress oxidative hemolysis of erythrocytes and enhance immune functions of murine peri- toneal macrophages, was investigated for its effect on anti-tumor activity. Of alkaloids extracted from DLF, five have been identified with employment of chromatographic analysis. An antiproliferative role of these alkaloids was determined on SMMC-7721 Human Hepatoma Ce- lls in an apoptosis-inducing manner, through MTT assaying, Trypan blue exclusion assaying and cytometric analysis of cell cycle distribution. To further examine their inhibitory effects on tumor progression, murine H22 cells were inoculated into Kunming mice to determine the role of these alkaloids of DLF in inhibiting tumor growth in the tumor-implanted mice. It was found that these alkaloids of DLF enhanced the tumor shrinkage effectively wherein its tumor inhibitory rate and immunohistochemistry stain- ing of the tumor were determined and profiled, respectively.

The ATPase activity of molecular chaperone HSP60 is inhibited by immunosuppressant mizoribine

The molecular chaperone HSP60 is a chaperonin homolog of GroEL. We had previously shown that the immunosuppressant mizoribine is bound directly to HSP60 and inhibited its chaperone activity. However, the inhibitory mechanisms of HSP60 by mizoribine have not yet been fully understood. In the present study, we investigated the influence of mizoribine on a folding cycle of HSP60 and co-chaperone HSP10. Our results showed that mizoribine inhibited the folding cycle of HSP60/HSP10. The ATPase activity of HSP60/HSP10 was decreased in the presence of mizoribine and the dissociation of HSP10 from HSP-60 was also decreased by mizoribine. The same functions of GroEL and/or GroES were slightly affected by mizoribine. Based on our findings, we discuss the inhibitory mechanisms of HSP60 by mizoribine.

Comparative Proteomic Analysis of Spike-Development Inhibited and Normal Tillers of Wheat 3558

Spike number is one of three yield-related factors and is closely related to wheat yield. In the present study, we found that the inhibited and normal tillers of the 3558 line presented phenotypic differences at the elongation stage by morphological and anatomical analysis. We then initiated a proteomic study using two-dimensional electrophoresis （2-DE） and nano- scale liquid chromatography-high-definition tandem mass spectroscopy, to isolate and identify the key proteins and metabolic pathways related to spike-development inhibition. A total of 31 differentially expressed proteins （DEPs）, which were mainly involved in cell cycle regulation, photosynthesis, glycolysis, stress response, and oxidation-reduction reactions, were isolated and identified. 14-3-3-1ike proteins and proliferating cell nuclear antigen （PCNA）, involved in cell-cycle regulation, were dramatically down-regulated in inhibited tillers compared to normal tillers. Six spots corresponding to degraded Rubisco large subunits, involved in photosynthesis, were detected in different locations of the 2-DE gels and were up-regulated in inhibited tillers. In addition, the relative levels of DEPs involved in glycolysis and oxidation- reduction reactions changed dramatically. Development was blocked or delayed at the elongation stage in the inhibited tillers of 3558. Weakened energy metabolism might be one reason that the inhibited tillers could not joint and develop into spikes. These DEPs and related metabolic pathways are significant for understanding the mechanism of spike-development inhibition and studying the spike-development process in wheat.

Studies on Reduced Extent Method for Inhibited Thermokinetics Of Enzyme－Catalyzed Reaction──Inhibition of the laccase－catalyzed oxidation of o－dihydroxybenzene by m－dihydroxybenzene

The thermokinetic reduced extent equations of reversible inhibitions for Michaiels-Menten enzymatic reaction were deduced, and then the criteria for distingushing inhibition type was given and the methods for calculating kinetic parameters, KM,Ki and Urn were suggested. This theory was applied to inverstigate the inhibited thermokinetics of laccase-catalyzed oxidation of o-dihydroxybenzene by m-dihydroxybenzene. The experimental results show the inhibition belongs to reversible competitive type, KM=6.224×10-3 mol L-1, Ki=2. 363 × 10-2 mol. L-1.

Deletion of heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein K in satellite cells leads to inhibited skeletal muscle regeneration in mice

Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein K(hnRNPK)is a predominantly nuclear RNA-binding protein that can bind to DNA or RNA through three KH domains and interact with multiple proteins by interactive region.These binding activities enable hnRNPK to link the function in a wide array of diverse cellular processes,such as chromatin remodeling,gene transcription,RNA metabolism,protein translation,DNA repair,and cell signal transduction,thereby playing crucial roles in many biological processes,including development,axonal regeneration,spermatogenesis,cell cycle,apoptosis,differentiation,and carcinogenesis.

β-Receptor blocker enhances the anabolic effect of PTH after osteoporotic fracture

The autonomic nervous system plays a crucial role in regulating bone metabolism,with sympathetic activation stimulating bone resorption and inhibiting bone formation.We found that fractures lead to increased sympathetic tone,enhanced osteoclast resorption,decreased osteoblast formation,and thus hastened systemic bone loss in ovariectomized(OVX)mice.However,the combined administration of parathyroid hormone(PTH)and theβ-receptor blocker propranolol dramatically promoted systemic bone formation and osteoporotic fracture healing in OVX mice.The effect of this treatment is superior to that of treatment with PTH or propranolol alone.In vitro,the sympathetic neurotransmitter norepinephrine(NE)suppressed PTH-induced osteoblast differentiation and mineralization,which was rescued by propranolol.Moreover,NE decreased the PTH-induced expression of Runx2 but enhanced the expression of Rankl and the effect of PTH-stimulated osteoblasts on osteoclastic differentiation,whereas these effects were reversed by propranolol.Furthermore,PTH increased the expression of the circadian clock gene Bmal1,which was inhibited by NE-βAR signaling.Bmal1 knockdown blocked the rescue effect of propranolol on the NE-induced decrease in PTHstimulated osteoblast differentiation.Taken together,these results suggest that propranolol enhances the anabolic effect of PTH in preventing systemic bone loss following osteoporotic fracture by blocking the negative effects of sympathetic signaling on PTH anabolism.

Targeted knockdown of PGAM5 in synovial macrophages efficiently alleviates osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis(OA)is a common degenerative disease worldwide and new therapeutics that target inflammation and the crosstalk between immunocytes and chondrocytes are being developed to prevent and treat OA.These attempts involve repolarizing pro-inflammatory M1 macrophages into the anti-inflammatory M2 phenotype in synovium.In this study,we found that phosphoglycerate mutase 5(PGAM5)significantly increased in macrophages in OA synovium compared to controls based on histology of human samples and single-cell RNA sequencing results of mice models.To address the role of PGAM5 in macrophages in OA,we found conditional knockout of PGAM5 in macrophages greatly alleviated OA symptoms and promoted anabolic metabolism of chondrocytes in vitro and in vivo.Mechanistically,we found that PGAM5 enhanced M1 polarization via AKT-mTOR/p38/ERK pathways,whereas inhibited M2 polarization via STAT6-PPARγpathway in murine bone marrow-derived macrophages.Furthermore,we found that PGAM5 directly dephosphorylated Dishevelled Segment Polarity Protein 2(DVL2)which resulted in the inhibition ofβ-catenin and repolarization of M2 macrophages into M1 macrophages.Conditional knockout of both PGAM5 andβ-catenin in macrophages significantly exacerbated osteoarthritis compared to PGAM5-deficient mice.Motivated by these findings,we successfully designed mannose modified fluoropolymers combined with siPGAM5 to inhibit PGAM5 specifically in synovial macrophages via intra-articular injection,which possessed desired targeting abilities of synovial macrophages and greatly attenuated murine osteoarthritis.Collectively,these findings defined a key role for PGAM5 in orchestrating macrophage polarization and provides insights into novel macrophage-targeted strategy for treating OA.

Single-cell transcriptomics reveals cell atlas and identifies cycling tumor cells responsible for recurrence in ameloblastoma

Ameloblastoma is a benign tumor characterized by locally invasive phenotypes,leading to facial bone destruction and a high recurrence rate.However,the mechanisms governing tumor initiation and recurrence are poorly understood.Here,we uncovered cellular landscapes and mechanisms that underlie tumor recurrence in ameloblastoma at single-cell resolution.Our results revealed that ameloblastoma exhibits five tumor subpopulations varying with respect to immune response(IR),bone remodeling(BR),tooth development(TD),epithelial development(ED),and cell cycle(CC)signatures.Of note,we found that CC ameloblastoma cells were endowed with stemness and contributed to tumor recurrence,which was dominated by the EZH2-mediated program.Targeting EZH2 effectively eliminated CC ameloblastoma cells and inhibited tumor growth in ameloblastoma patient-derived organoids.These data described the tumor subpopulation and clarified the identity,function,and regulatory mechanism of CC ameloblastoma cells,providing a potential therapeutic target for ameloblastoma.

CD97 inhibits osteoclast differentiation via Rap1a/ERK pathway under compression

Acceleration of tooth movement during orthodontic treatment is challenging, with osteoclast-mediated bone resorption on the compressive side being the rate-limiting step. Recent studies have demonstrated that mechanoreceptors on the surface of monocytes/macrophages, especially adhesion G protein-coupled receptors (aGPCRs), play important roles in force sensing.However, its role in the regulation of osteoclast differentiation remains unclear. Herein, through single-cell analysis, we revealed that CD97, a novel mechanosensitive aGPCR, was expressed in macrophages. Compression upregulated CD97 expression and inhibited osteoclast differentiation;while knockdown of CD97 partially rescued osteoclast differentiation. It suggests that CD97 may be an important mechanosensitive receptor during osteoclast differentiation. RNA sequencing analysis showed that the Rap1a/ERK signalling pathway mediates the effects of CD97 on osteoclast differentiation under compression. Consistently, we clarified that administration of the Rap1a inhibitor GGTI298 increased osteoclast activity, thereby accelerating tooth movement. In conclusion,our results indicate that CD97 suppresses osteoclast differentiation through the Rap1a/ERK signalling pathway under orthodontic compressive force.

PRX1-positive mesenchymal stem cells drive molar morphogenesis

Mammalian teeth,developing inseparable from epithelial-mesenchymal interaction,come in many shapes and the key factors governing tooth morphology deserve to be answered.By merging single-cell RNA sequencing analysis with lineage tracing models,we have unearthed a captivating correlation between the contrasting morphology of mouse molars and the specific presence of PRX1^(+)cells within M1.These PRX1^(+)cells assume a profound responsibility in shaping tooth morphology through a remarkable divergence in dental mesenchymal cell proliferation.Deeper into the mechanisms,we have discovered that Wnt5a,bestowed by mesenchymal PRX1^(+)cells,stimulates mesenchymal cell proliferation while orchestrating molar morphogenesis through WNT signaling pathway.The loss of Wnt5a exhibits a defect phenotype similar to that of siPrx1.Exogenous addition of WNT5A can successfully reverse the inhibited cell proliferation and consequent deviant appearance exhibited in Prx1-deficient tooth germs.These findings bestow compelling evidence of PRX1-positive mesenchymal cells to be potential target in regulating tooth morphology.

RUFY4 deletion prevents pathological bone loss by blocking endo-lysosomal trafficking of osteoclasts

Mature osteoclasts degrade bone matrix by exocytosis of active proteases from secretory lysosomes through a ruffled border.However,the molecular mechanisms underlying lysosomal trafficking and secretion in osteoclasts remain largely unknown.Here,we show with GeneChip analysis that RUN and FYVE domain-containing protein 4(RUFY4)is strongly upregulated during osteoclastogenesis.Mice lacking Rufy4 exhibited a high trabecular bone mass phenotype with abnormalities in osteoclast function in vivo.Furthermore,deleting Rufy4 did not affect osteoclast differentiation,but inhibited bone-resorbing activity due to disruption in the acidic maturation of secondary lysosomes,their trafficking to the membrane,and their secretion of cathepsin K into the extracellular space.Mechanistically,RUFY4 promotes late endosome-lysosome fusion by acting as an adaptor protein between Rab7 on late endosomes and LAMP2 on primary lysosomes.Consequently,Rufy4-deficient mice were highly protected from lipopolysaccharide-and ovariectomy-induced bone loss.Thus,RUFY4 plays as a new regulator in osteoclast activity by mediating endo-lysosomal trafficking and have a potential to be specific target for therapies against bone-loss diseases such as osteoporosis.

Atorvastatin, etanercept and the nephrogenic cardiac sympathetic remodeling in chronic renal failure rats

BACKGROUND Chronic renal failure(CRF) patients are predisposed to arrhythmias, while the detailed mechanisms are unclear. We hypothesized the chronic inflammatory state of CRF patients may lead to cardiac sympathetic remodeling, increasing the incidence of ventricular arrhythmia(VA) and sudden cardiac death. And explored the role of atorvastatin and etanercept in this process.METHODS A total of 48 rats were randomly divided into sham operation group(Sham group), CRF group, CRF + atorvastatin group(CRF + statin group), and CRF + etanercept group(CRF + rhTNFR-Fcgroup). Sympathetic nerve remodeling was assessed by immunofluorescence of growth-associated protein 43(GAP-43) and tyrosine hydroxylase positive area fraction. Electrophysiological testing was performed to assess the incidence of VA by assessing the ventricular effective refractory period and ventricular fibrillation threshold. The levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-α) and interleukin-1beta were determined by Western blotting and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.RESULTS Echocardiogram showed that compared with the Sham group, left ventricular end-systolic diameter and ventricular weight/body weight ratio were significantly higher in the CRF group. Hematoxylin-eosin and Masson staining indicated that myocardial fibers were broken, disordered, and fibrotic in the CRF group. Western blotting, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay,immunofluorescence and electrophysiological examination suggested that compared with the Sham group, GAP-43 and TNF-α proteins were significantly upregulated, GAP-43 and tyrosine hydroxylase positive nerve fiber area was increased, and ventricular fibrillation threshold was significantly decreased in the CRF group. The above effects were inhibited in the CRF + statin group and the CRF + rhTNFR-Fcgroup.CONCLUSIONS In CRF rats, TNF-α was upregulated, cardiac sympathetic remodeling was more severe, and the nephrogenic cardiac sympathetic remodeling existed. Atorvastatin and etanercept could downregulate the expression of TNF-α or inhibit its activity, thus inhibited the above effects, and reduced the occurrence of VA and sudden cardiac death.

Ultrathin Zincophilic Interphase Regulated Electric Double Layer Enabling Highly Stable Aqueous Zinc‑Ion Batteries

The practical application of aqueous zinc-ion batteries for large-grid scale systems is still hindered by uncontrolled zinc dendrite and side reactions.Regulating the elec-trical double layer via the electrode/electrolyte interface layer is an effective strategy to improve the stability of Zn anodes.Herein,we report an ultrathin zincophilic ZnS layer as a model regu-lator.At a given cycling current,the cell with Zn@ZnS electrode displays a lower potential drop over the Helmholtz layer(stern layer)and a suppressed diffuse layer,indicating the regulated charge distribution and decreased electric double layer repulsion force.Boosted zinc adsorption sites are also expected as proved by the enhanced electric double-layer capacitance.Consequently,the symmetric cell with the ZnS protection layer can stably cycle for around 3,000 h at 1 mA cm^(-2) with a lower overpotential of 25 mV.When coupled with an I2/AC cathode,the cell demonstrates a high rate performance of 160 mAh g^(-1) at 0.1 A g^(-1) and long cycling stability of over 10,000 cycles at 10 A g^(-1).The Zn||MnO_(2) also sustains both high capacity and long cycling stability of 130 mAh g^(-1) after 1,200 cycles at 0.5 A g^(-1).

Enhanced stability of FA-based perovskite:Rare-earth metal compound EuBr_(2) doping

It is highly desirable to enhance the long-term stability of perovskite solar cells(PSCs)so that this class of photovoltaic cells can be effectively used for the commercialization purposes.In this contribution,attempts have been made to use the two-step sequential method to dope EuBr_(2)into FAMAPbI_(3)perovskite to promote the stability.It is shown that the device durability at 85℃in air with RH of 20%-40%is improved substantially,and simultaneously the champion device efficiency of 23.04%is achieved.The enhancement in stability is attributed to two points:(ⅰ)EuBr_(2)doping effectively inhibits the decomposition andα-δphase transition of perovskite under ambient environment,and(ⅱ)EuBr_(2)aggregates in the oxidized format of Eu(BrO_(3))_(3)at perovskite grain boundaries and surface,hampering humidity erosion and mitigates degradation through coordination with H_(2)O.

深低温保存下高效抗冻多肽的合理设计和机理探讨

The development of effective antifreeze peptides to control ice growth has attracted a significant amount of attention yet still remains a great challenge.Here,we propose a novel design method based on in-depth investigation of repetitive motifs in various ice-binding proteins(IBPs)with evolution analysis.In this way,several peptides with notable antifreeze activity were developed.In particular,a designed antifreeze peptide named AVD exhibits ideal ice recrystallization inhibition(IRI),solubility,and biocompatibility,making it suitable for use as a cryoprotective agent(CPA).A mutation analysis and molecular dynamics(MD)simulations indicated that the Thr6 and Asn8 residues of the AVD peptide are fundamental to its ice-binding capacity,while the Ser18 residue can synergistically enhance their interaction with ice,revealing the antifreeze mechanism of AVD.Furthermore,to evaluate the cryoprotection potential of AVD,the peptide was successfully employed for the cryopreservation of various cells,which demonstrated significant post-freezing cell recovery.This work opens up a new avenue for designing antifreeze materials and provides peptide-based functional modules for synthetic biology.