Regulations of Antler Generation and Regeneration by Nutritional Factors

Antler, one of the secondary sex characteristics of male deer, is a highly valued traditional Chinese medicine. The generation and regeneration of deer antler is regulated not only by hormones, but also by nutritional factors. Nutritional factors have great influences on pedicle generation, first antler generation and antler development. Therefore, this paper summarizes recent advances in the study of the influences of nutritional factors on antler generation and regeneration, analyzes the pathways regulating antler generation and regeneration by nutritional factors, and proposes thai nutritional factors regulale antler regeneralion by direct pathway and indirect pathway.

Insilico Identification of Genes and Molecular Pathways during Aging in <i>Drosophila</i>Brain

The regulation of gene expression in brain vicissitudes during aging is still not much known and explored. Differential gene expression and regulation is a key factor involved to identify the important landmarks within the brain transcriptome to study neuronal aging. Recently, transcriptomic studies are highly explored to understand and depict diseased versus normal as next generation sequencing enables to capture the complete biological context to the entire genome. Study of gene expression during aging compared to young flies provides a signature and scenario of gene expression and regulation during aging. In this study, we took advantage of NGS raw data of young and old flies head from SRA database of NCBI and decrypted the gene expression regulation during normal aging in drosophila model. We identified 350 genes with significant differential expression between young and old flies having 0.01% FDR. Various pathways in context to identified genes which are involved in aging include autophagy i.e. cell death and apoptosis, proteolysis, oxidative stress, declination grey and white matter and neurotransmitter levels, mitochondrial discrepancy, electron transport chain, sugar degradation pathways, activation of transcription factors involved in epigenetic changes, regulators involved in negative and positive regulation WNT signaling pathways, G protein coupled receptor etc. as all these factors contribute to neurodegeneration and possibly dementia in normal aging. So, to find the specific genes and regulators which are differentially expressed in normal aging, we investigate brain transcriptome of normal aging flies compared to young flies which offer a repertoire of genes, regulators and factors involved in network of neurodegeneration to establish direct correlation between aging and dementia. We also identified the pathways which are involved in aging and corresponding gene regulation in these pathways in aging flies brain. It is found that there are some common pathways whose genes and regulators are highly differentially regulated in both aging and dementia.

Dynamic Imaging of Autophagy-lysosomal Pathway and Autophagy Function Following Pulmonary Hypoxia/Reoxygenation In Vitro

Alterations of the autophagy-lysosomal pathway（ALP） and autophagy have been involved in lung ischemia-reperfusion（I/R） injury. However, dynamic imaging of ALP function under lung I/R injury particularly is not fully understood. Here we depicted the live-cell fluorescence imaging of autophagosome to monitor ALP activation and autophagy function. The p As Red2-N1-LC3 vectors were transfected into CRL-2192 NR8383（an alveolar macrophage cell line） and CCL149（an alveolar epithelial cell line） successfully. 0-h, 2-h, 4-h, and 6-h hypoxia/0-h, 2-h, 4-h, and 6-h reoxygenation were then induced with an ALP inhibitor（3-MA） or activator（rapamycin） in the culture of transfected cells separately. ALP activation was conformed by up-regulating AMPK and beclin1 expression. Apoptosis was not obvious in 2-h hypoxia/2-h reoxygenation. p As Red2-N1-LC3 CCL149 and p As Red2-N1-LC3 NR8383 cells revealed gradually enhanced As Red2 from 2-h to 6-h hypoxia/reoxygenation. As Red2 varied sensitively to 3-MA and rapamycin interventions during 2-h hypoxia/reoxygenation. Our data provides a simple method of autophagosome imaging to monitor ALP activation and autophagy function in lung I/R injury.

Urolithin a alleviates oxidative stress-induced senescence in nucleus pulposus-derived mesenchymal stem cells through SIRT1/PGC-1α pathway

BACKGROUND In degenerative intervertebral disc(IVD),an unfavorable IVD environment leads to increased senescence of nucleus pulposus(NP)-derived mesenchymal stem cells(NPMSCs)and the inability to complete the differentiation from NPMSCs to NP cells,leading to further aggravation of IVD degeneration(IDD).Urolithin A(UA)has been proven to have obvious effects in delaying cell senescence and resisting oxidative stress.AIM To explore whether UA can alleviate NPMSCs senescence and to elucidate the underlying mechanism.METHODS In vitro,we harvested NPMSCs from rat tails,and divided NPMSCs into four groups:the control group,H2O2 group,H2O2+UA group,and H2O2+UA+SR-18292 group.Senescence-associatedβ-Galactosidase(SA-β-Gal)activity,cell cycle,cell proliferation ability,and the expression of senescence-related and silent information regulator of transcription 1/PPAR gamma coactivator-1α(SIRT1/PGC-1α)pathway-related proteins and mRNA were used to evaluate the protective effects of UA.In vivo,an animal model of IDD was constructed,and Xrays,magnetic resonance imaging,and histological analysis were used to assess whether UA could alleviate IDD in vivo.RESULTS We found that H2O2 can cause NPMSCs senescence changes,such as cell cycle arrest,reduced cell proliferation ability,increased SA-β-Gal activity,and increased expression of senescence-related proteins and mRNA.After UA pretreatment,the abovementioned senescence indicators were significantly alleviated.To further demonstrate the mechanism of UA,we evaluated the mitochondrial membrane potential and the SIRT1/PGC-1αpathway that regulates mitochondrial function.UA protected mitochondrial function and delayed NPMSCs senescence by activating the SIRT1/PGC-1αpathway.In vivo,we found that UA treatment alleviated an animal model of IDD by assessing the disc height index,Pfirrmann grade and the histological score.CONCLUSION In summary,UA could activate the SIRT1/PGC-1αsignaling pathway to protect mitochondrial function and alleviate cell senescence and IDD in vivo and vitro.

Engineering atomic Rb-N configurations to tune radical pathways for highly selective photocatalytic H_(2)O_(2) synthesis coupled with biomass valorization

Photocatalytic oxygen reduction for hydrogen peroxide(H_(2)O_(2))synthesis presents a green and costeffective production method.However,achieving highly selective H_(2)O_(2)synthesis remains challenging,necessitating precise control over free radical reaction pathways and minimizing undesirable oxidative by-products.Herein,we report for the visible light-driven simultaneous co-photocatalytic reduction of O2to H_(2)O_(2)and oxidation of biomass using the atomic rubidium-nitride modified carbon nitride(CNRb).The optimized CNRb catalyst demonstrates a record photoreduction rate of 8.01 mM h^(-1)for H_(2)O_(2)generation and photooxidation rate of 3.75 mM h^(-1)for furfuryl alcohol to furoic acid,achieving a remarkable solar-to-chemical conversion(SCC)efficiency of up to 2.27%.Experimental characterizations and DFT calculation disclosed that the introducing atomic Rb–N configurations allows for the high-selective generation of superoxide radicals while suppressing hydroxyl free radical formation.This is because the Rb–N serves as the new alternative site to perceive a stronger connection position for O2adsorption and reinforce the capability to extract protons,thereby triggering a high selective redox product formation.This study holds great potential in precisely regulating reactive radical processes at the atomic level,thereby paving the way for efficient synthesis of H_(2)O_(2)coupled with biomass valorization.

Correlation between receptor-interacting protein 140 expression and directed differentiation of human embryonic stem cells into neural stem cells

Overexpression of receptor-interacting protein 140（RIP140） promotes neuronal differentiation of N2 a cells via extracellular regulated kinase 1/2（ERK1/2） signaling.However,involvement of RIP140 in human neural differentiation remains unclear.We found both RIP140 and ERK1/2 expression increased during neural differentiation of H1 human embryonic stem cells.Moreover,RIP140 negatively correlated with stem cell markers Oct4 and Sox2 during early stages of neural differentiation,and positively correlated with the neural stem cell marker Nestin during later stages.Thus,ERK1/2 signaling may provide the molecular mechanism by which RIP140 takes part in neural differentiation to eventually affect the number of neurons produced.

Modified Sijunzi Granules Exhibit Hemostatic Effect by Activating Akt and Erk Signal Pathways via Regulating 5-HT and Its Receptors Levels

Objective:To investigate the hemostatic effect of modified Sijunzi Granules(MSG)in primary immune thrombocytopenia(ITP)zebrafish model and explore the potential mechanism.Methods:AB strain wild type zebrafish were treated with simvastatin(6μmol/L)for 24 h to establish the hemorrhage model(model control group).The zebrafish were treated with MSG at different doses(55.6,167,and 500μg/mL),respectively.The hemostatic effect was assessed by examining the intestinal bleeding and hemostatic rate.5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT)content was determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)assay.The expressions of5-HT2aR,5-HT2bR,and SERT genes were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction(PCR).The protein expressions of protein kinase B(Akt),p-Akt,extracellular regulated protein kinases(Erk),and p-Erk were examined using Western blot analysis.Results:The intestinal bleeding rate was 37%,40%,and 80%in the55.6,167,and 500μg/mL dose of MSG,respectively,in which 55.6 and 167μg/mL MSG dose groups were associated with significantly decreased intestinal bleeding rate when compared with the model control group(70%,P<0.05).Significantly higher hemostatic rates were also observed in the 55.6μg/mL(54%)and 167μg/mL(52%)MSG dose groups(P<0.05).MSG increased the 5-HT content and mRNA expression levels of 5-HT2aR,5-HT2bR,and SERT(P<0.05).In addition,caspase3/7 activity was inhibited(P<0.05).Significant increase in p-Akt and p-Erk was also detected after treatment with MSG(P<0.05).Conclusions:MSG could reduce the incidence and severity of intestinal bleeding in zebrafish by activating MAPK/Erk and PI3K/Akt signal pathways through regulating the levels of 5-HT and its receptors,which may provide evidence for the treatment of ITP.

Insulin-like signaling pathway regulates integration and learning in C. elegans

Animals can sense many environment stimuli simultaneously and integrate these signals within the nervous system. However, the neural system and molecular

A nitric oxide-triggered hydrolysis reaction to construct controlled self-assemblies with complex topologies

Hydrolysis reactions are capable of directing the non-equilibrium assembly of biomolecular scaffolds to realize sophisticated structures and functions in natural systems.However,utilizing the proper hydrolysis reactions to construct controlled assemblies with complex topologies is still an arduous challenge in artificial systems and needs to be addressed.Herein,we report a nitric oxide(NO)-triggered slow hydrolysis strategy for the controlled construction of biomimetic supramolecular toroids(STs),thus realizing their visualization of intermediate structures and regulation of geometry parameters.This presented protocol harnesses hydrolysis reactions to control of non-equilibrium self-assembly processes for the construction of self-assemblies with complex topologies successfully,which sheds light on how the hydrolysis reaction rate can modulate the kinetic pathway of assembly,thus realizing the artificial establishment of bio-inspired hierarchical structures.

ZnS-embedded porous carbon for peroxydisulfate activation:Enhanced electron transfer for bisphenol A degradation

Transition metal sulfides have garnered increasing attention for their role in persulfate activation,a crucial process in environmental remediation.However,the function of metal sulfides without reversible valence changes,such as ZnS,remains largely unexplored in this context.Here we report ZnS-embedded porous carbon(ZnS-C),synthesized through the pyrolysis of Zn-MOF-74 and dibenzyl disulfide.ZnS-C demonstrates remarkable activity in activating peroxydisulfate(PDS)across a wide pH range,enabling the efficient mineralization removal of bisphenol A(BPA).Through electrochemical investigation and theoretical simulations of charge density distributions,we unveil that the electron transfer from BPA to PDS mediated by the ZnS-C catalyst governs the reaction.This study,both in theory and experiment,demonstrates metal sulfide as electron pump that enhances electron transfer efficiency in PDS activation.These findings redefine the role of metal sulfide catalysts,shedding new light on their potential for regulating reaction pathways in PDS activation processes.

Inhibition Mechanism of Qingluo Tongbi Granule(清络通痹颗粒)on Osteoclast Differentiation Induced by Synovial Fibroblast and Monocytes Co-Culture in Adjuvant-Induced Arthritic Rats

Objective： To study the mechanism underlying the inhibitory effect of Qingluo Tongbi Granule （清络通痹颗粒, QTG） on osteoclast differentiation in rheumatoid arthritis in rats. Methods： Fibroblast and monocyte co-culture were used to induce osteoclast differentiation in adjuvant-induced arthritic （AIA） rats. Serum containing QTG was prepared and added to the osteoclasts, and activation of the tumor necrosis factor receptorassociated factor 6/mitogen-activated protein kinase/nuclear factor of activated T cells, cytoplasmic1 （TRAF6/ MAPK/NFATcl） pathways was examined. Results： The induced osteoclasts were multinucleated and stained positive for tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase （TRAP） staining. Serum containing QTG at 14.4, 7.2 or 3.6 g/kg inhibited the activation of TRAF6, extracellular regulated protein kinase （ERK）1/2, c-Jun N-terminal kinase （JNK） and p38 and decreased the percentage of cells with nuclear NFATcl in a dose-dependent manner, the high and middle doses exhibited clear inhibitory activity （P〈0.01 and P〈0.05, respectively）. After the addition of MAPK inhibitors, the NFATcl expression showed no significant difference compared with the control group （P〉0.05）. Conclusions： Serum containing QTG could generally inhibit the TRAF6/MAPK pathways and possibly inhibit the NFATcl pathway. In addition, QTG may regulate other signaling pathways that are related to osteoclast differentiation and maturation.

Activation of glycine site and GluN2B subunit of NMDA receptors is necessary for ERK/CREB signaling cascade in rostral anterior cingulate cortex in rats:Implications for affective pain

Objective The rostral anterior cingulate cortex （rACC） is implicated in processing the emotional component of pain. N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors （NMDARs） are highly expressed in the rACC and mediate painrelated affect by activating a signaling pathway that involves cyclic adenosine monophosphate （cAMP）/protein ki- nase A （PKA） and/or extracellular regulated kinase （ERK）/cAMP-response element-binding protein （CREB）. The present study investigated the contributions of the NMDAR glycine site and GluN2B subunit to the activation of ERK and CREB both in vitro and in vivo in rat rACC. Methods Immunohistochemistry and Western blot analy- sis were used to separately assess the expression of phospho-ERK （pERK） and phospho-CREB （pCREB） in vitro and in vivo. Double immunostaining was also used to determine the colocalization of pERK and pCREB. Results Both bath application of NMDA in brain slices in vitro and intraplantar injection of formalin into the rat hindpaw in vivo induced significant up-regulation of pERK and pCREB in the rACC, which was inhibited by the NMDAR antago- nist DL-2-amino-5-phospho-novaleric acid. Selective blockade of the NMDAR GluN2B subunit and the glycine- binding site, or degradation of endogenous D-serine, a co-agonist for the glycine site, significantly decreased the up- regulation of pERK and pCREB expression in the rACC. Further, the activated ERK predominantly colocalized with CREB. Conclusion Either the glycine site or the GluN2B subunit of NMDARs participates in the phosphorylation of ERK and CREB induced by bath application of NMDA in brain slices or hindpaw injection of 5% formalin in rats, and these might be fundamental molecular mechanisms underlying pain affect.