Evaluation of the intracellular lipid-lowering effect of polyphenols extract from highland barley in HepG2 cells

Active ingredients from highland barley have received considerable attention as natural products for developing treatments and dietary supplements against obesity.In practical application,the research of food combinations is more significant than a specific food component.This study investigated the lipid-lowering effect of highland barley polyphenols via lipase assay in vitro and HepG2 cells induced by oleic acid(OA).Five indexes,triglyceride(TG),total cholesterol(T-CHO),low density lipoprotein-cholesterol(LDL-C),aspartate aminotransferase(AST),and alanine aminotransferase(ALT),were used to evaluate the lipidlowering effect of highland barley extract.We also preliminary studied the lipid-lowering mechanism by Realtime fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction(q PCR).The results indicated that highland barley extract contains many components with lipid-lowering effects,such as hyperoside and scoparone.In vitro,the lipase assay showed an 18.4%lipase inhibition rate when the additive contents of highland barley extract were 100μg/m L.The intracellular lipid-lowering effect of highland barley extract was examined using 0.25 mmol/L OA-induced HepG2 cells.The results showed that intracellular TG,LDL-C,and T-CHO content decreased by 34.4%,51.2%,and 18.4%,respectively.ALT and AST decreased by 51.6%and 20.7%compared with the untreated hyperlipidemic HepG2 cells.q PCR results showed that highland barley polyphenols could up-regulation the expression of lipid metabolism-related genes such as PPARγand Fabp4.

Lipids,lipid-lowering drug and sepsis:a Mendelian randomization study

lipid-lowering interventions on the disease.Methods:Two-sample Mendelian randomization analyses were conducted to evaluate the associations of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol,low-density lipoprotein cholesterol,triglycerides,apolipoprotein B and apolipoprotein A-I levels with risks for sepsis,and those of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HMGCR,PCSK9,NPC1L1),triglycerides(LPL,ANGPTL3,APOC3)and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(CETP),apolipoprotein A-I(CETP),apolipoprotein B(HMGCR,PCSK9,NPC1L1,LPL,APOC3)with sepsis.Results:HMGCR-mediated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and apolipoprotein B were associated with an increased risk of sepsis,with an odds ratio value of 1.4(95%confidence interval(CI):1.06-1.84,P=0.017)and 1.41(95%CI:1.01-1.98,P=0.046).CETP-mediated high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and apolipoprotein A-I were associated with a reduced risk of sepsis,with an odds ratio of 0.87(95%CI:0.82-0.92,P<0.01)respectively and 0.84(95%CI:0.78-0.9,P<0.01).Sensitivity analysis showed that the results were robust.Conclusion:HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors and CETP inhibitors may contribute to the prevention and treatment of sepsis.

Role of lipid-lowering agents in the management of diabetic retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy affects a substantial proportion of patients with diabetes mellitus(DM) and is the leading cause of blindness in working-aged adults. Even though the incidence of diabetic retinopathy has declined in the last decades, its prevalence increased and is expected to rise further as a result of the increasing incidence of type 2 DM(T2DM) and the longer life expectancy of patients with DM. The pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy is multifactorial. Some observational studies suggested an association between dyslipidemia and the development and progression of retinopathy in patients with DM but others did not confirm this association. Regarding lipid-lowering agents, studies that evaluated the role of statins in the management of these patients are mostly small and yielded discrepant results. Large randomized studies with statins in patients with T2DM showed no benefit of these agents on diabetic retinopathy but were not designed to address this effect. In contrast, both preclinical data and two large randomized controlled studies, the FIELD and the ACCORD trial, showed that fenofibrate delays the progression of diabetic retinopathy. Even though the mechanisms underpinning this favorable effect are not entirely clear, these findings suggest that fenofibrate might represent a useful tool for the management of diabetic retinopathy.

Lipid-lowering effect of Oroxylum indicum(L.)Kurz extract in hyperlipidemic mice

Objective:To investigate the effect of Oroxylum indicum fruit extract on high-fat diet-induced hyperlipidemic mice.Methods:The phytochemical composition of Oroxylum indicum fruit extract was determined by liquid chromatographymass spectrometry/mass spectrometry(LC-MS/MS)and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.Forty-two male mice were used.The mice were divided into six groups:normal control,high-fat diet control,simvastatin treatment(20 mg/kg BW/day),and Oroxylum indicum fruit extract(100,200,300 mg/kg BW/day)treatment groups.Food intake,body weight,serum parameters,lipid profile,and histopathological lesions of the kidney,liver,and epididymal fat were observed.Results:LC-MS/MS results revealed four major components of Oroxylum indicum fruit extract:luteolin,apigenin,baicalein,and oroxylin A.Twenty-seven volatile oils were identified from Oroxylum indicum fruit extract.Daily oral administration of Oroxylum indicum fruit extract at 100 to 300 mg/kg BW/day significantly reduced the body weight,total cholesterol,triglyceride,and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level(P<0.05),whereas high-density lipoprotein cholesterol was higher than the high-fat diet control group.Treatment with 300 mg/kg BW/day Oroxylum indicum fruit extract reduced the pathological lesion and prevented fat accumulation in the kidney and liver.Conclusions:Oroxylum indicum fruit extract has hypolipidemic effect in hyperlipidemic mice,and the active ingredients of Oroxylum indicum fruit extract,both flavonoids and volatile oils,should be further explored as an antihyperlipidemic agent.

Effects of lipid-lowering agents on diabetic retinopathy: a Meta-analysis and systematic review

AIM：To clarify this controversy and to provide evidence for application of lipid lowering agents in treatment of diabetic retinopathy（DR）.METHODS：We searched the databases of Pub Med,Embase and Cochrane Library Central Register of Controlled Trials（CENTRAL）and abstracts from main annual meetings up to January 1,2017.Google scholar and Clinical Trials.gov were also searched for unpublished relevant studies.We included randomized controlled trials（RCTs）that studied lipid-lowering agents in type 1 or type 2 diabetes in this Meta-analysis.The primary endpoint was the progression of DR,and the secondary endpoints included vision loss,development of diabetic macular edema（DME）and aggravation of hard exudates.The pooled odds ratios（OR）with corresponding 95%confidence intervals（95%CIs）were calculated.RESULTS：After systemic and manual literature search by two independent investigators,we included 8 RCTs from 7 published articles with 13 454 participants in this Meta-analysis.The results revealed that lipid-lowering drugs were associated with reduced risk in DR progression[OR=0.77（95%CI：0.62,0.96）,P=0.02].Lipid-lowering agents might have protective effect on DME compared to placebo,although the difference was not statistically significant[OR=0.60（95%CI：0.34,1.08）,P=0.09].However,no significant differences in the worsening of vision acuity[OR=0.96（95%CI：0.81,1.14）,P=0.64]and hard exudates[OR=0.50（95%CI：0.15,1.74）,P=0.28]were found between the lipidlowering drugs and the placebo groups.CONCLUSION：In DR patients,lipid-lowering agents show a protective effect on DR progression and might be associated with reduced risk in the development of DME.However,lipid-lowering agents have no effects on vision loss and hard exudates aggravation.Further clinical trials in larger scale are required to confirm the conclusion of this study and thus justify the use of intensive control lipids with anti-lipid agents at the early stages of DR.

Intensive lipid-lowering therapy,time to think beyond low-density lipoprotein cholesterol

Statins have been shown to be effective in reducing cardiovascular events.Their magnitude of benefits has been proportionate to the reduction in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-c).Intensive lipid-lowering therapies using ezetimibe and more recently proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin 9 inhibitors have further improved clinical outcomes.Unselective application of these treatments is undesirable and unaffordable and,therefore,has been guided by LDL-c level.Nonetheless,the residual risk in the post-statin era is markedly heterogeneous,including thrombosis and inflammation risks.Moreover,the lipoprotein related risk is increasingly recognised to be related to other non-LDL-c markers such as Lp(a).Emerging data show that intensive lipid-lowering therapy produce larger absolute risk reduction in patients with polyvascular disease,post coronary artery bypass graft and diabetes.Notably,these clinical entities share similar phenotype of large burden of atherosclerotic plaques.Novel plaque imaging may aid decision making by identifying patients with propensity to develop lipid rich plagues at multi-vascular sites.Those patients may be suitable candidates for intensive lipid lowering treatment.

Adsorption,in vitro digestion and human gut microbiota regulation characteristics of three Poria cocos polysaccharides

Poria cocos(PC)is a famous traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)and a widely used healthcare ingredient,which has antiobesity,enhancing immunity and improving sleep effects.Traditionally,only water-soluble poria polysaccharide(WSP)is extracted and applied for clinical application,while insoluble polysaccharide(alkali-soluble poria polysaccharide,ASP)is discarded as herb residue.However,the whole PC has also been historically utilized as functional herbal food.Considering the beneficial role of dietary fiber and the traditional use of PC,ASP may also contribute substantially to the therapy function of PC.Compared to WSP,little attention has been paid to ASP and ASP modified product carboxymethyl poria polysaccharide(CMP)which has been used as an antitumor adjuvant drug.In this study,the oil,cholesterol,metal ions and polyphenols adsorption ability,in vitro simulated digestive and the gut microbiota fermentation characteristics of WSP,ASP and CMP were studied to evaluate the functional values of three P.cocos polysaccharides(PCPs).The results showed that all three PCPs had good adsorption capacity on cholesterol,polyphenols and metal ions(Cd^(2+)/Zn^(2+)/Mg^(2+)),among which ASP showed the highest capacity than WSP and CMP.The adsorption capacity of all three PCPs on heavy metal ions(Cd^(2+)/Zn^(2+))was stronger than that of non-heavy metal ions(Mg^(2+));The in vitro digestibility of all three PCPs was very low,but WSP was slightly higher than ASP and CMP;Moreover,the indigestible residue of all three PCPs could improve the richness and diversity of gut microbiota,among which ASP had the greatest influence.In general,ASP and CMP could significantly promote the proliferation of some probiotics and inhibit the growth of some harmful bacteria.The gut microbiota diversity of CMP was reduced,but the richness of probiotics,especially Parabacteroides distasonis was significantly enhanced compared with the ASP group,and the growth of harmful bacteria Klebsiella pneumoniae was inhibited after CMP treatment.The short-chain fatty acids(SCFAs)analysis results showed that all three PCPs could significantly promote the production of acetic acid,propionic acid and the total acid content compared with blank control group,and SCFAs producing activity was positively correlated with the proliferative capacity of probiotics.Taken together,the good adsorption characteristics and gut microbiota regulatory activity of ASP may lay foundation for its lipid-lowering and immune-improving function.Additionally,the probiotic effect of CMP and ASP indicated that except for only use the water extract of PC in clinic,CMP and ASP also can be used in healthcare to take full advantage of this valuable medicine.

Oxygen tension modulates cell function in an in vitro three-dimensional glioblastoma tumor model

Hypoxia is a typical feature of the tumor microenvironment,one of the most critical factors affecting cell behavior and tumor progression.However,the lack of tumor models able to precisely emulate natural brain tumor tissue has impeded the study of the effects of hypoxia on the progression and growth of tumor cells.This study reports a three-dimensional(3D)brain tumor model obtained by encapsulating U87MG(U87)cells in a hydrogel containing type I collagen.It also documents the effect of various oxygen concentrations(1%,7%,and 21%)in the culture environment on U87 cell morphology,proliferation,viability,cell cycle,apoptosis rate,and migration.Finally,it compares two-dimensional(2D)and 3D cultures.For comparison purposes,cells cultured in flat culture dishes were used as the control(2D model).Cells cultured in the 3D model proliferated more slowly but had a higher apoptosis rate and proportion of cells in the resting phase(G0 phase)/gap I phase(G1 phase)than those cultured in the 2D model.Besides,the two models yielded significantly different cell morphologies.Finally,hypoxia(e.g.,1%O2)affected cell morphology,slowed cell growth,reduced cell viability,and increased the apoptosis rate in the 3D model.These results indicate that the constructed 3D model is effective for investigating the effects of biological and chemical factors on cell morphology and function,and can be more representative of the tumor microenvironment than 2D culture systems.The developed 3D glioblastoma tumor model is equally applicable to other studies in pharmacology and pathology.

Corrosion and in vitro cytocompatibility investigation on the designed Mg-Zn-Ag metallic glasses for biomedical application

In the present work,seven Mg-Zn-Ag alloys with the nominal composition of Mg_(96-x)Zn_(x)Ag_(4)(x=17,20,23,26,29,32,35 in at.%)were prepared by induction melting and single-roller melt-spinning.The X-ray diffraction(XRD)analyses indicate the metallic glasses with three composition of Mg_(73)Zn_(23)Ag_(4),Mg_(70)Zn_(26)Ag_(4),and Mg_(67)Zn_(29)Ag_(4)were obtained successfully.The differential scanning calorimetry(DSC)measurement was used to obtain the characteristic temperature of Mg-Zn-Ag metallic glasses for the glass-forming ability analysis.The maximum glass transition temperature(Trg)was found to be 0.525 with a composition close to Mg_(67)Zn_(29)Ag_(4),which results in the best glass-forming ability.Moreover,the immersion test in simulated body fluid(SBF)demonstrate the relative homogeneous corrosion behavior of the Mg-Zn-Ag metallic glasses.The corrosion rate of Mg-Zn-Ag metallic glasses in SBF solution decreases with the increase of Zn content.The sample Mg_(67)Zn_(29)Ag_(4)has the lowest corrosion rate of 0.19mm/yr,which could meet the clinical application requirement well.The in vitro cell experiments show that the Madin-Darby canine kidney(MDCK)cells cultured in sample Mg_(67)Zn_(29)Ag_(4)and its extraction medium have higher activity.However,the Mg-Zn-Ag metallic glasses exhibit obvious inhibitory effect on human rhabdomyosarcoma(RD)tumor cells.The present investigations on the glass-forming ability,corrosion behavior,cytocompatibility and tumor inhibition function of the Mg-Zn-Ag based metallic glass could reveal their biomedical application possibility.

Characteristic chemical profile of Juhe Fang extract with lipid-lowering properties

Objective:The objective of this study was to verify the lipid-lowering effect of Juhe Fang extract(JHFE)and to determine its characteristic chemical profile in vitro and in vivo.Methods:A hyperlipidemia model was established by feeding mice a high-fat diet(HFD).After treatment for 30 days,serum total cholesterol(TC),triglyceride(TG),high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C)and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C)levels were measured with an automatic biochemistry analyzer.The components from JHFE obtained from in vivo and in vitro experiments were investigated using an UPLC-Q Exactive-Orbitrap MS/MS.Results:The TC,TG,and LDL-C in the serum significantly decreased and the HDL-C significantly increased after JHFE treatment.A total of 95 compounds from JHEF including 15 phenolic acids(PA),4 phenylethanoid glycosides(PG),24 flavonoids(F),14 triterpenoids(T),10 diterpenoid glycosides(D),18 alkaloids(A)and 10 others(O)were identified.Trigonelline was discovered for the first time in a herbal medicine of Juhe Fang.Furthermore,68 compounds were identified in vivo including 28 prototype compounds and 40 metabolites.The metabolic characteristics of these components were revealed including identification of new metabolites of 4-hydroxyphenyl ethyl-8-O-[a-L-arabinopyranosyl-(1/6)]-b-D-glucopyranoside(PEG)and lirinidine.A total of 43 components from JHFE were absorbed and/or metabolized.The contribution rate of each type of chemical component from JHFE to its lipidlowering effect from high to low were A,F,PG,PA,D and T.Conclusion:The results of this study showed that JHFE demonstrated a significant lipid-lowering effect in a high-fat diet(HFD)-induced hyperlipidemia mouse model.Specific types of PA,PG,F,D,T and A formed the pharmaceutical architecture of the lipid-lowering effect of JHFE.This study should prove useful for clarifying the components responsible for the lipid-lowering effect of JHFE and provide a basis for precision quality control research.

Effect of wall-disruption on nutrient composition and in vitro digestion of camellia and lotus bee pollens

The nutrient digestion,absorption and biological activity of bee pollen may be limited due to the complex pollen wall.Here,the effect of superfine grinding technology on the release of nutrients from bee pollen were investigated,and their antioxidant activities and in vitro digestion were explored in this study.Results showed that the content of nutrients in bee pollen increased after wall disruption.Among them,fat content increased by 22.55%-8.31%,protein content increased by 0.54%-4.91%,starch content increased by 36.31%-48.64%,soluble sugar content increased by 20.57%-29.67%,total phenolic acid content increased by 11.73%-86.98%and total flavonoids content increased by 14.29%-24.79%.At the same time,the antioxidant activity increased by 14.84%-46.00%.Furthermore,the active components such as phenolic compounds in the wall-disruption bee pollen were more readily to be released during the in vitro digestion,and easier to be absorbed because of their higher bioaccessibility.Antioxidant activities during in vitro digestion were also improved in walldisruption bee pollen.These findings provide evidence that bee pollen wall disruption was suggested,thus,it is more conducive to exerting the value of bee pollen in functional foods.

in vitro新型评价体系研究海洋生物活性物质作为口腔护理材料的应用特性

对氨甲环酸、托玛琳、胶原蛋白、壳寡糖和FGFC1的止血、抗炎和抑菌能力进行了评价。构建了一种新的in vitro止血系统评价体系,结合血小板内cAMP和TXA2的变化来评价5种材料的止血能力。同时通过测定5种材料对细胞内IL-6、IL-1β和TNF-α含量,以及对典型口腔致病菌的抑制作用评定其抗炎和抑菌效果。氨甲环酸、壳寡糖、胶原蛋白肽、托玛琳的血小板聚集促进率超过15%,壳寡糖和FGFC1具有显著抗炎能力(P<0.05),壳寡糖还具有抑菌效果。因此,胶原蛋白和壳寡糖具有抑制牙龈上皮细胞炎症和一定的牙龈止血作用,壳寡糖在抑制口腔致病菌的新型口腔护理产品的应用上具有良好前景。

Network pharmacology study and in vitro experimental validation of Xiaojianzhong decoction against gastric cancer

BACKGROUND Cancer is one of the most serious threats to human health worldwide.Conventional treatments such as surgery and chemotherapy are associated with some drawbacks.In recent years,traditional Chinese medicine treatment has been increasingly advocated by patients and attracted attention from clinicians,and has become an indispensable part of the comprehensive treatment for gastric cancer.AIM To investigate the mechanism of Xiaojianzhong decoction(XJZ)in the treatment of gastric cancer(GC)by utilizing network pharmacology and experimental validation,so as to provide a theoretical basis for later experimental research.METHODS We analyzed the mechanism and targets of XJZ in the treatment of GC through network pharmacology and bioinformatics.Subsequently,we verified the impact of XJZ treatment on the proliferative ability of GC cells through CCK-8,apoptosis,cell cycle,and clone formation assays.Additionally,we performed Western blot analysis and real-time quantitative PCR to assess the protein and mRNA expression of the core proteins.RESULTS XJZ mainly regulates IL6,PTGS2,CCL2,MMP9,MMP2,HMOX1,and other target genes and pathways in cancer to treat GC.The inhibition of cell viability,the increase of apoptosis,the blockage of the cell cycle at the G0/G1 phase,and the inhibition of the ability of cell clone formation were observed in AGS and HGC-27 cells after XJZ treatment.In addition,XJZ induced a decrease in the mRNA expression of IL6,PTGS2,MMP9,MMP2,and CCL2,and an increase in the mRNA expression of HOMX1.XJZ significantly inhibited the expression of IL6,PTGS2,MMP9,MMP2,and CCL2 proteins and promoted the expression of the heme oxygenase-1 protein.CONCLUSION XJZ exerts therapeutic effects against GC through multiple components,multiple targets,and multiple pathways.Our findings provide a new idea and scientific basis for further research on the molecular mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of XJZ in the treatment of GC.

Simulation and fabrication of in vitro microfluidic microelectrode array chip for patterned culture and electrophysiological detection of neurons

To enable the detection and modulation of modularized neural networks in vitro,this study proposes a microfluidic microelectrode array chip for the cultivation,compartmentalization,and control of neural cells.The chip was designed based on the specific structure of neurons and the requirements for detection and modulation.Finite-element analysis of the chip’s flow field was conducted using the COMSOL Multiphysics software,and the simulation results show that the liquid within the chip can flow smoothly,ensuring stable flow fields that facilitate the uniform growth of neurons within the microfluidic channels.By employing MEMS technology in combination with nanomaterial modification techniques,the microfluidic microelectrode array chip was fabricated successfully.Primary hippocampal neurons were cultured on the chip,forming a well-defined neural network.Spontaneous electrical activity of the detected neurons was recorded,exhibiting a 23.7%increase in amplitude compared to neuronal discharges detected on an open-field microelectrode array.This study provides a platform for the precise detection and modulation of patterned neuronal growth in vitro,potentially serving as a novel tool in neuroscience research.

The Effects of Zinc Sulfate on the in Vitro Digestibility of Feeds in Cervids

The captive white-tailed deer industry has an estimated impact of 1.6 billion USD in the state of Texas alone. However, nutritional requirements for cervids are determined through research based on sheep and goats. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of zinc on differences in dry matter digestibility in vitro for white-tailed does (Odocoileus virginianus). Deer (n = 2) were ethically harvested, rumens were collected, and placed into a cooler containing warm water. Rumen contents were agitated, and fluid was filtered using cheese cloth while applying CO2. Fluid was placed into four separate incubator jars with filter bags containing a 1:1 alfalfa to coastal hay blend. Zinc doses of 0.073 mg/kg/d equivalents were added to two of the jars ( Zn), and the additional two jars received 0.00 mg/kg/d (CON). Following 48 h of incubation, in vitro true digestibility (IVTD) showed no significant differences between the control and the treatment groups. Average dry matter digested in vitro was 91.87% and 95.13%, respectively. There were no differences detected in ADF, NDF, IVTD, or OM between the treatment groups. While no detectable differences were observed in this study, this methodology did prove to be viable and functional for microbial digestion in vitro. This study can be replicated with multiple experimental units to confirm the observations of increased digestibility. Formal nutritional guidelines can be created to allow for more efficient feeding of cervids thereby reducing feed costs and continuing the growth of the captive deer industry.

Preclinical Verification of Modulated Electro-Hyperthermia —Part I. In Vitro Research

Modulated electro-hyperthermia (mEHT) targets tissue’s natural electric and thermal heterogeneities to heat the cancer cells selectively. The applied 13.56 MHz radiofrequency (RF) is a carrier of the low-frequency modulation. The high-frequency part was chosen to select the malignant lesion using the specialties of the tumor: the higher conductivity and dielectric constant of the tumor than its host. The electric field selects the tumor, and the low-frequency amplitude modulation polarizes and excites the transmembrane proteins of the malignant cells. The dominant absorption of the energy by the microscopic clusters of the membrane rafts acts like nanoparticle heating. Exciting the membrane produces various apoptotic signals. The processes were modeled using silico and phantom experiments, which proved the concept. The preclinical verification was made in vitro and in vivo, and in the end, clinical proofs validated the method. Our objective is to follow all the development steps from the laboratory to the clinics in a trilogy of articles. This present is the first part, which deals with in silico, phantom, and in vitro research.

Investigation of bioactivity and biodegradability of Mg-bioceramic implants:An in vitro study for biomedical applications

In this study,Mg-based composites,by the addition of ZnO,Ca_(2)ZnSi_(2)O_(7),Ca_(2)MgSi_(2)O_(7),and CaSiO_(3)as bioactive agents,were fabricated using friction stir processing.The microstructure and in vitro assessment of bioactivity,biodegradation rate,and corrosion behavior of the resultant composites were investigated in simulated body fluid(SBF).The results showed that during the immersion of composites in SBF for 28 d,due to the release of Ca^(2+)and PO_(4)^(3-)ions,hydroxyapatite(HA)crystals with cauliflower shaped morphology were deposited on the surface of composites,confirming good bioactivity of composites.In addition,due to the uniform distribution of bioceramic powders throughout Mg matrix,grain refinement of the Mg matrix,and uniform redistribution of secondary phase particles,the polarization resistance increased,and the biodegradation rate of composites significantly reduced compared to monolithic Mg matrix.The polarization corrosion resistance of Mg-ZnO increased from 0.216 to 2.499 kΩ/cm^(2)compared to monolithic Mg alloy.Additionally,Mg-ZnO composite with the weight loss of 0.0217 g after 28 d immersion showed lower weight loss compared to other samples with increasing immersion time.Moreover,Mg-ZnO composite with the biodegradation rate of 37.71 mm/a exhibited lower biodegradation rate compared to other samples with increasing immersion time.

The in vitro digestion fates of diacylglycerol under different intestinal conditions:a potential lipid source for lipid indigestion patients

The in vitro digestion models mimicking the gastrointestinal(GI)tract of general population and lipid indigestion patients(with lower levels of bile salts or pancreatic lipase)were selected to investigate whether diacylglycerols(DAGs)are potential good lipid sources for these patients.Linseed oil-based DAG(LD)and linseed oil(LT)were selected.LD-based emulsion((83.74±1.23)%)had higher lipolysis degree than LT-based emulsion((74.47±1.16)%)when monitoring the GI tract of normal population as previously reported.Indigestion conditions seriously decreased the digestive degree of LT-based emulsion((40.23±2.48)%-(66.50±3.70)%)while showed less influence on LD-based emulsion((64.18±2.41)%-(81.85±3.45)%).As opposed to LT-based emulsion,LD-based emulsion exhibited preference for releasing unsaturated fatty acids(especially oleic acid andα-linolenic acid)due to their different glycerolipid compositions.LD-based emulsion showed potential for providing lipids and nutrients(including essential fatty acids)for lipid indigestion patients.

Microfluidic thermotaxic selection of highlymotile sperm and in vitro fertilization

The selection of the most motile and functionally competent sperm is an essential basis for in vitro fertilization(IVF)and normal embryonic development.Widely adopted clinical approaches for sperm sample processing intensely rely on centrifugation and wash steps that may induce mechanical damage and oxidative stress to sperm.Although a few microfluidic sperm sorting devices may avoid these adverse effects by exploiting intrinsic guidance mechanisms of sperm swimming,none of these approaches have been fully validated by clinical-grade assessment criteria.In this study,a microfluidic sperm sorting device that enables the selection of highly motile and functional sperm via their intrinsic thermotaxis is presented.Bioinspired by the temperature microenvironment in the fallopian tube during natural sperm selection,a microfluidic device with controllable temperature gradients along the sperm separation channel was designed and fabricated.This study investigated the optimal temperature conditions for human sperm selection and fully characterized thermotaxis-selected sperm with 45 human sperm samples.Results indicated that a temperature range of 35–36.5℃along the separation channel significantly improves human sperm motility rate((85.25±6.28)%vs.(60.72±1.37)%;P=0.0484),increases normal sperm morphology rate((16.42±1.43)%vs.(12.55±0.88)%;P<0.0001),and reduces DNA fragmentation((7.44±0.79)%vs.(10.36±0.72)%;P=0.0485)compared to the nonthermotaxis group.Sperm thermotaxis is species-specific,and selected mouse sperm displayed the highest motility in response to a temperature range of 36–37.5℃ along the separation channel.Furthermore,IVF experiments indicated that the selected sperm permitted an increased fertilization rate and improved embryonic development from zygote to blastocyst.This microfluidic thermotaxic selection approach will be translated into clinical practice to improve the IVF success rate for patients with oligozoospermia and asthenozoospermia.

In vitro engineered models of neurodegenerative diseases

Neurodegeneration is a catastrophic process that develops progressive damage leading to functional andstructural loss of the cells of the nervous system and is among the biggest unavoidable problems of our age.Animalmodels do not reflect the pathophysiology observed in humans due to distinct differences between the neuralpathways,gene expression patterns,neuronal plasticity,and other disease-related mechanisms in animals andhumans.Classical in vitro cell culture models are also not sufficient for pre-clinical drug testing in reflecting thecomplex pathophysiology of neurodegenerative diseases.Today,modern,engineered techniques are applied to developmulticellular,intricate in vitro models and to create the closest microenvironment simulating biological,biochemical,and mechanical characteristics of the in vivo degenerating tissue.In THIS review,the capabilities and shortcomings ofscaffold-based and scaffold-free techniques,organoids,and microfluidic models that best reflect neurodegeneration invitro in the biomimetic framework are discussed.