Objective To observe the effect of Jingui Shenqi Wan (JSW) on the content of calcium channel protein CaV1.3 of guinea pigs with ototoxic deafness induced by gentamicin (GM). Methods Forty healthy guinea pigs were randomly divided into normal group, model group and high-, middle-, and low-dose JSW treatment groups. The model group was given intramuscular injection of GM ( 120 mg/kg) per day for 10 continuous days. The high-, middle-, and low-dose JSW treatment groups were given intramuscular injection of GM (120 mg/kg) and intragastric administration of JSW in the dosage of 20.3, 13.5, 6.08 g·kg-1·d-1 respectively per day for 10 days. Immuno histochemistry was used to detect the mean optical density value of CaV1.3 expression in cochlear hair cells. Results There were significant differences of the optical density value of CaV1.3 in cochlear hair cells between the model group and normal group (P<0.01), and between the model group and high-dose JSW treatment group (P<0.05). Conclusion JSW has certain effect on preventing and treating guinea pig with ototoxic deafness induced by GM, thus to protect the hearing function.

Identification and validation of a new target is one of the most important steps for new antituberculosis (TB) drug discovery. Researches have shown that Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) encodes 20 CYP450 enzymes which play important roles in the synthesis and metabolism of lipid, cholesterol utilization, and the electron transport of respiratory chain in Mtb. With the critical roles within the organism as well as the protein structures of six Mtb CYP450 enzymes being clarified, some of them have been highlighted as potential anti-tuberculosis targets. In this paper, the phylogenetic analysis, the structural features, and the enzymatic functions of Mtb CYPs, as well as the mechanism of interactions with selective inhibitors such as azole antifungal agents for the CYPs have been reviewed and summarized. The druggability of the CYPs has also been analyzed for their further utility as targets in high throughput screening and rational design of more selective inhibitors.

Sugarcane molasses containing large amounts of sucrose is an economical substrate for succinic acid production. However, Escherichia coli AFP111 cannot metabolize sucrose although it is a promising candidate for succinic acid production. To achieve sucrose utilizing ability, we cloned and expressed cscBKA genes encoding sucrose permease, fructokinase and invertase of non-PTS sucrose-utilization system from E. coli W in E. coli AFP111 to generate a recombinant strain AFP111/pMD19T-cscBKA. After 72 h of anaerobic fermentation of the recombinant in serum bottles, 20 g/L sucrose was consumed and 12 g/L succinic acid was produced. During dual-phase fermentation comprised of initial aerobic growth phase followed by anaerobic fermentation phase, the concentration of succinic acid from sucrose and sugarcane molasses was 34 g/L and 30 g/L, respectively, at 30 h of anaerobic phase in a 3 L fermentor. The results show that the introduction of non-PTS sucrose-utilization system has sucrose-metabolizing capability for cell growth and succinic acid production, and can use cheap sugarcane molasses to produce succinic acid.
Bioreactors ; Escherichia coli ; genetics ; metabolism ; Escherichia coli Proteins ; genetics ; Fermentation ; Membrane Transport Proteins ; genetics ; Metabolic Engineering ; Molasses ; Saccharum ; chemistry ; Succinic Acid ; chemistry ; Sucrose ; chemistry

Objective To investigate the impact of glucose metabolism-related protein 1 (GMRP1) on the regulation of c-Myc gene transcription, to establish GMRP1 gene knockout mouse model, and to study the influence of GMRP1 on glucose metabolism. Methods Chromatin immunoprecipitation-PCR (ChIP-PCR) was utilized to screen out the genes transcriptionally regulated by GMRP1. Luciferase reporter system was applied to assay the regulation of c-Myc promoter activity by GMRP1. GMRP1 knockout mice were constructed and validated by PCR and western blotting. Body weight and random blood glucose were measured in both knockout and wild type mice fed with either chow diet or high-fat diet. The levels of glucose metabolism in mice of 20 or 28 weeks old were evaluated by intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test. Results GMRP1 was capable of binding to the promoter of c-Myc gene and activating the expression of c-Myc gene. There were no significant differences in body weight, random blood glucose or glucose tolerance between GMRP1-deficient and wild type mice fed with either chow diet or high-fat diet (all P > 0.05). Conclusion GMRP1 may activate the transcription of c-Myc gene. GMRP1 deficiency exerted no significant effects on mouse glucose metabolism.

Objective: To understand the relationships between screen time, physical activity, as well as neck and shoulder pain among university students in Tianjin. Methods: In this study, 904 university students in Tianjin were investigated using the Chinese Musculos Keletal Questionnaire during April-June 2021. Binary Logistic regression analysis was used to understand the neck and shoulder pain and the correlation between screen time and physical activity. Results: There was significant gender differences in the prevalence of neck and shoulder pain ( χ 2=24.35, P <0.05). Binary Logistic regression analysis showed that among male students, the risk of neck and shoulder pain whose screen time more than 6 h/d was 4.55 times that of those with screen time ≤2 h/d, among female students, the risk of neck and shoulder pain whose exercise time ＞150 min/week was 0.63 times than that of students who exercised ≤75 min/week( P <0.05). Among undergraduate and graduate students, physical activity ≥150 min/d was associated with lower rate of neck and shoulder pain( OR =0.52, 1.26, 0.61), while screen time ≥6 h/d was associated with higher rate of neck and shoulder pain( OR =2.39, 6.18, 2.97), and the differences were statistically significant ( P ＜0.05). The prevalence of neck and shoulder pain were higher in male students as well as undergraduate and graduate students who had higher screen time and higher physical activity than those with lower screen time and higher physical activity ( OR =2.96, 2.35, 2.93)( P <0.05). Conclusion High screen time and physical inactivity is associated with higher risk of neck and shoulder pain among college students. The effect of physical inactivity on neck and shoulder pain might be weaker than that of screen time. It is suggested that schools and families should cooperate to control screen activity and increase physical inactivity, so as to prevent the occurrence of neck and shoulder pain in college students.

Objective To report the prenatal molecular diagnosis for two gravida in a family with spondylepiphyseal dysplasia congenita(SEDC)caused by G504S mutation of COL2A1 gene.Methods DNA of the two fetuses was extracted from amniotic fluid at the 19+3 and 18+6 weeks of gestation respectively.Direct sequencing of two samples were performed after amplifying exon 23 of COL2A1 containing the potential mutation.The femur length and biparietal diameter of the first fetus were measured by sonographic scans every two weeks from 17+3 weeks to 27+3 weeks of gestation,and for the second fetus these parameters were measured from 16+1 to 19+1 weeks of gestation.Results Sequncing analysis revealed the first fetus and his mother presented the same mutation which is specifically associated with SEDC,but the second fetus did not show the mutation of COL2A1 gene.Biparietal diameters of the both fetuses were appropriate for gestational age.Femur length of the second fetus was normal for gestational age but that of the first fetus was shortened evidently after the 23 week of gestation.The parents of the first fetus determined to terminate the pregnancy.A medical termination was carried out at 27+5 weeks of gestation and a male fetus with a relatively large head and short limbs was delivered.The radiological findings of the fetus were consistent with SEDC including generalized platy spondesand shortened long bones.Conclusions Prenatal molecular diagnosis is important for the fetus with risk of SEDC and useful for genetic counseling.Genotype of fetus with risk of SEDC can be identified before sonographic scan.Molecular genetic analysis in conjunction with sonographic monitoring was helpful in prenatal diagnosis of SEDC.

Objective To evaluate the effect of quercetin pretreatment on the permeability of blood-brain barrier in a rat model of global cerebral ischemia-reperfusion ( I∕R). Methods Sixty-three clean-grade healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing 300-350 g, aged 4-5 months, were divided into 3 groups (n＝21 each) using a random number table method: sham operation group ( group S), group I∕R and quercetin pretreatment group ( group Q). Global cerebral I∕R was induced by occlusion of bilateral common carotid arteries combined with hypotension ( mean arterial pressure was maintained at 35-45 mmHg) in chloral hydrate-anesthetized rats. Quercetin 25 μmol∕kg was injected intraperitoneally twice a day for 3 consecutive days starting from 3 days before establishment of the model in group Q, while the e-qual volume of normal saline was given instead at the corresponding time points in group S and group I∕R, respectively. The animals were sacrificed at 24 h of reperfusion and brains were removed to determine the brain water content, Evans blue ( EB) content and expression of occludin protein in cerebral cortex ( by Western blot) and to observe the ultrastructure of blood-brain barrier. Results Compared with group S, the brain water content and EB content were significantly increased, the expression of occludin protein was down-regulated (P＜0. 05), and the injury to ultrastructure of blood-brain barrier was accentuated in I∕R and Q groups. Compared with group I∕R, the brain water content and EB content were significantly de-creased, the expression of occludin protein was up-regulated (P＜0. 05), and the injury to ultrastructure of blood-brain barrier was significantly attenuated in group Q. Conclusion Quercetin pretreatment can de-crease the permeability of blood-brain barrier and attenuate brain edema, and the mechanism may be related to up-regulated expression of occludin protein in a rat model of global cerebral I∕R.

Most pathogens initiate their infections at the human mucosal surface. Therefore, mucosal vaccination, especially through oral or intranasal administration routes, is highly desired for infectious diseases. Meanwhile, protein-based antigens provide a safer alternative to the whole pathogen or DNA based ones in vaccine development. However, the unique biopharmaceutical hurdles that intranasally or orally delivered protein vaccines need to overcome before they reach the sites of targeting, the relatively low immunogenicity, as well as the low stability of the protein antigens, require thoughtful and fine-tuned mucosal vaccine formulations, including the selection of immunostimulants, the identification of the suitable vaccine delivery system, and the determination of the exact composition and manufacturing conditions. This review aims to provide an up-to-date survey of the protein antigen-based vaccine formulation development, including the usage of immunostimulants and the optimization of vaccine delivery systems for intranasal and oral administrations.
Adjuvants, Immunologic ; pharmacology ; Administration, Intranasal ; Administration, Oral ; Antigens ; administration & dosage ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Humans ; Proteins ; administration & dosage ; Vaccination

The angiogenic microenvironment is a new blood vessel with different molecular and functional characteristics that sprouts on the original blood vessels through different mechanisms,which directly affects the process of tumor cell growth,proliferation,and migration and has an important impact on the occurrence and development of precancerous lesions of gastric cancer.Correa mode has shown that precancerous lesions of gastric cancer is the key pathological stage before the occurrence of gastric cancer,and it is of great significance to advance the prevention and treatment strategy to this stage.TCM believes that qi deficiency and blood stasis is the key pathogenesis of precancerous lesions of gastric cancer,and its basic treatment is to replenish qi and remove blood stasis,and based on the syndrome differentiation,drugs with the efficacy of nourishing yin and tonifying stomach,soothing the liver and regulating qi,resolving phlegm and dispersing lumps,and clearing heat and dampness for treatment.This article discussed the correlation between precancerous lesions of gastric cancer and angiogenic microenvironment and its regulatory pathways,and summarized the methods and mechanisms of TCM in the treatment of precancerous lesions of gastric cancer from the perspective of regulating angiogenic microenvironment-related pathways,in order to provide a reference for the treatment of precancerous lesions of gastric cancer with TCM.

Objective:To evaluate the relationship between Sestrin2 and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA)-NOD-like receptor associated protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome pathway during endotoxin-induced myocardial injury in mice.Methods:One hundred and eighty-four clean-grade healthy male ICR mice, aged 8-12 weeks, weighing 20-25 g, were used in this study. One hundred and sixty-eight mice were divided into 7 groups ( n=24 each) using the random number table method: normal control group (N group), lipopolysaccaride(LPS) group (L group), mtDNA group, LPS+ mtDNA group (M group), normal control+ negative control adeno-associated virus (AAV-NC)group (NC group), LPS+ mtDNA+ AAV-NC group (MC group), and LPS+ mtDNA+ Sestrin2 overexpression adeno-associated virus (AAV-Sestrin2) group (MSgroup). Another 10 mice were used to detect the transfection effect of AAV-Sestrin2, and the left 6 mice were used for mtDNA extraction. The model of endotoxemia was developed by intraperitoneal injection of LPS 10 mg/kg. mtDNA 5 mg/kg was intraperitoneally injected in mtDNA group, and mtDNA 5 mg/kg was intraperitoneally injected at 30 min after LPS injection in M group.AAV-Sestrin2 150 μl was injected via the tail vein in MS group, and the equal volume of AAV-NC was injected via the tail vein in MC and NC groups. Four weeks after virus injection, LPS 10 mg/kg was intraperitoneally injected and 30 min later mtDNA 5 mg/kg was intraperitoneally injected in MS and MC groups. Blood samples were collected at 24 h after LPS injection for determination of serum creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities (by biochemical assay), concentrations of serum cardiac troponin I (cTnI), interleukin-18 (IL-18) and interleukin-1beta (IL-1β)(by enzyme-linked immunesorbent assay), and expression of mtDNA (by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction). The animals were sacrificed after the end of blood sampling and myocardial tissues were obtained for determination of the contents of reactive oxygen species (ROS), total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and expression of NOD-like receptor associated protein 3 (NLRP3), active subunit p20 of caspase-1 (caspase-1p20) and apoptosis-associated microprotein (ASC) in myocardial tissues (by Western blot) and for microscopic examination of the pathological changes after HE staining (with a light microscope). Results:Compared with N group, the levels of CK-MB, LDH, cTnI, IL-1β and IL-18 in serum were significantly increased, the expression of mtDNA was up-regulated, the ROS content in myocardial tissues was increased, the T-AOC and ATP contents in myocardial tissues were decreased, the expression of NLRP3, caspase-1p20 and ASC in the myocardial tissues was up-regulated( P<0.05), and the pathological changes of myocardial tissues were aggravated in L group and mtDNA group.Compared with L group and mtDNA group, the levels of CK-MB, LDH, cTnI, IL-1β and IL-18 in serum were significantly increased, the expression of mtDNA was up-regulated, the ROS content in myocardial tissues was increased, the T-AOC and ATP contents in myocardial tissues were decreased, the expression of NLRP3, caspase-1p20 and ASC in the myocardial tissues was up-regulated( P<0.05), and the pathological changes of myocardial tissues were aggravated in M group. Compared with M group, the levels of CK-MB, LDH, cTnI, IL-1β and IL-18 in serum were significantly decreased, the expression of mtDNA was down-regulated, the ROS content in myocardial tissues was decreased, the T-AOC and ATP contents in myocardial tissues were increased, the expression of NLRP3, caspase-1p20 and ASC in the myocardial tissues was down-regulated( P<0.05), and the pathological changes of myocardial tissues were significantly attenuated in MS group. Conclusions:Sestrin2 can reduce endotoxin-induced myocardial injury in mice by alleviating mitochondrial damage, inhibiting oxidative stress, protecting mtDNA from oxidative damage, and then inhibiting mtDNA-NLRP3 inflammasome pathway.