Inhibition of macrophage pyroptosis ameliorates silica-induced pulmonary fibrosis.

Macrophage pyroptosis has recently been involved in some inflammatory and fibrosis diseases, however, the role of macrophage pyroptosis in silica-induced pulmonary fibrosis has not been fully elucidated. In this study, we explored the role of macrophage pyroptosis in silicosis in vivo and in vitro. A mouse model of silicosis was established and mice were sacrificed at 7, 14, and 28 days after exposure of silica.

Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles alleviated silica induced lung inflammation and fibrosis in mice via circPWWP2A/miR-223-3p/NLRP3 axis.

Silicosis is a progressive inflammatory disease with poorly defined mechanisms and limited therapeutic options. Recent studies found that microRNAs (miRNAs) and circular RNAs (circRNAs) were involved in the development of respiratory diseases; however, the function of non-coding RNAs in silicosis was still needed to be further explored. We found that miR-223-3p was significantly decreased in macrophages and lung tissues of mice after silica treatment, which were consistent with the results of GEO database microarray analysis.

Exosomal let-7i-5p from three-dimensional cultured human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells inhibits fibroblast activation in silicosis through targeting TGFBR1.

Silicosis of pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is related to long-term excessive inhalation of silica. The activation of fibroblasts into myofibroblasts is the main terminal effect leading to lung fibrosis, which is of great significance to the study of the occurrence and development of silicosis fibrosis and its prevention and treatment. Exosomes derived from human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hucMSC-Exos) are considered to be a potential therapy of silica-induced PF, however, their exact mechanism remains unknown.

A comparative study on the model of PM direct or indirect interaction with bronchial epithelial cells.

The impact of PM on epithelial cells is a pivotal process leading to many lung pathological changes and pulmonary diseases. In addition to PM direct interaction with epithelia, macrophages that engulf PM may also influence the function of epithelial cells. However, among the toxic researches of PM, there is a lack of evaluation of direct or indirect exposure model on human bronchial epithelial cell against PM.

microRNA-149-5p mediates the PM-induced inflammatory response by targeting TAB2 via MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways in vivo and in vitro.

Epidemiological evidence has shown that fine particulate matter (PM)-triggered inflammatory cascades are pivotal causes of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, the specific molecular mechanism involved in PM-induced COPD has not been clarified. Herein, we found that PM significantly downregulated miR-149-5p and activated the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathways and generated the inflammatory response in COPD mice and in human bronchial epithelial (BEAS-2B) cells.

Exosomes derived from three-dimensional cultured human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells ameliorate pulmonary fibrosis in a mouse silicosis model.

Background: Silicosis is an occupational respiratory disease caused by long-term excessive silica inhalation, which is most commonly encountered in industrial settings. Unfortunately, there is no effective therapy to delay and cure the progress of silicosis. In the recent years, stem cell therapy has emerged as an attractive tool against pulmonary fibrosis (PF) owing to its unique biological characteristics.

Pathways of N removal and NO emission from a one-stage autotrophic N removal process under anaerobic conditions.

To investigate the pathways of nitrogen (N) removal and NO emission in a one-stage autotrophic N removal process during the non-aeration phase, biofilm from an intermittent aeration sequencing batch biofilm reactor (SBBR) and organic carbon-free synthetic wastewater were applied to two groups of lab-scale batch experiments in anaerobic conditions using a N isotopic tracer and specific inhibitors, respectively. Then, the microbial composition of the biofilm was analysed using high-throughput sequencing. The results of the N isotopic experiments showed that anaerobic ammonium oxidation (Anammox) was the main pathway of N transformation under anaerobic conditions and was responsible for 83-92% of N production within 24 h.

[Rapid Start-up of One-stage Autotrophic Nitrogen Removal Process in EGSB Reactor for Wastewater with Low Concentration of Ammonia].

Biofilm coming from a reactor in which One-stage Autotrophic Nitrogen Removal Process exists was selected as inoculum in an expanded granular sludge bed reactor. A potential fast start-up procedure was tested in this research. Wastewater with low ammonium concentration between 60-100 mg·L was applied.

An electrochemical sensing platform based on local repression of electrolyte diffusion for single-step, reagentless, sensitive detection of a sequence-specific DNA-binding protein.

In this paper, we report for the first time an electrochemical biosensor for single-step, reagentless, and picomolar detection of a sequence-specific DNA-binding protein using a double-stranded, electrode-bound DNA probe terminally modified with a redox active label close to the electrode surface. This new methodology is based upon local repression of electrolyte diffusion associated with protein-DNA binding that leads to reduction of the electrochemical response of the label. In the proof-of-concept study, the resulting electrochemical biosensor was quantitatively sensitive to the concentrations of the TATA binding protein (TBP, a model analyte) ranging from 40 pM to 25.

Astragaloside IV inhibits adenovirus replication and apoptosis in A549 cells in vitro.

Objectives: Astragaloside IV, purified from the Chinese medical herb Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch) Bge and Astragalus caspicus Bieb, is an important natural product with multiple pharmacological actions. This study investigated the anti-ADVs effect of astragaloside IV on HAdV-3 (human adenovirus type 3) in A549 cell.

Methods: CPE, MTT, quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR), flow cytometry (FCM) and Western blot were apply to detect the cytotoxicity, the inhibition and the mechanisms of astragaloside IV on HAdV-3.

Anti-adenovirus activities of shikonin, a component of Chinese herbal medicine in vitro.

Radix Lithosperm eyrthrorhizon is a common prescription compound in traditional Chinese medicine. Shikonin is a major component of Radix Lithospermi and has various biological activities. We have investigated the inhibitory effect of shikonin on the growth of adenovirus type 3 (AdV3) in vitro.

Fabrication of an oxytetracycline molecular-imprinted sensor based on the competition reaction via a GOD-enzymatic amplifier.

A highly sensitive molecular-imprinted polymer sensor (MIP sensor) for ultratrace oxytetracycline (OTC) determination was prepared based on the competition reaction between template molecule OTC and glucose oxidase (GOD)-labeled OTC (GOD-OTC). Sensitivity improved dramatically due to the detection of a huge amount of enzyme catalytic production, which was inversely proportional to template molecule concentration. The MIP sensor was characterized by alternating current impedance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry, and its voltammetric behavior was also verified.

Molecularly imprinted sensor based on an enzyme amplifier for ultratrace oxytetracycline determination.

A novel strategy for preparing highly sensitive, molecularly imprinted sensors based on enzyme amplifiers was proposed for oxytetracycline (OTC) determination. A molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) film was used as an artificial antibody to interact with OTC and horseradish peroxidase-labeled OTC (HRP-OTC). Oxytetracycline was determined according to the competition reaction.

A gold electrode modified with self-assembled diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid via charge-based discrimination.

A gold electrode modified with diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) has been fabricated to selectively detect dopamine (DA). The influences of experimental parameters were investigated and optimized. The anodic peak current is proportional to the concentration of DA in the range of 1.