Mesoporous silica-stabilized magnetite nanoparticles with peroxidase-like activities for sensitively detecting cholesterol in animal-derived foods.

Sensitive detection of cholesterol in animal-derived foods is crucial for maintaining human healthy diets. In this study, an elegant approach utilizing inorganic nanozyme-based magnetic mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MMSNs) for the highly sensitive detection of cholesterol in animal-derived food products was reported. The results revealed the fabricated MMSNs exhibited remarkably intrinsic peroxidase (POD)-like catalytic activities with improved affinity, and the catalytic behavior aligned well with Michaelis-Menten equation.

CD44 connects autophagy decline and ageing in the vascular endothelium.

The decline of endothelial autophagy is closely related to vascular senescence and disease, although the molecular mechanisms connecting these outcomes in vascular endothelial cells (VECs) remain unclear. Here, we identify a crucial role for CD44, a multifunctional adhesion molecule, in controlling autophagy and ageing in VECs. The CD44 intercellular domain (CD44ICD) negatively regulates autophagy by reducing PIK3R4 and PIK3C3 levels and disrupting STAT3-dependent PtdIns3K complexes.

Polyethylenimine-Modified Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles Induce a Survival Mechanism in Vascular Endothelial Cells Microvesicle-Mediated Autophagosome Release.

Surface-modified mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) have attracted more and more attention as promising materials for biomolecule delivery. However, the lack of detailed evaluation relevant to the potential cytotoxicity of these MSNs is still a major obstacle for their applications. Unlike the bare MSNs and amino- or liposome-modified MSNs, we found that polyethylenimine-modified MSNs (MSNs-PEI) had no obvious toxicity to human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) at the concentrations up to 100 μg/mL.

Mitophagy Improves Ethanol Tolerance in Yeast: Regulation by Mitochondrial Reactive Oxygen Species in .

Ethanol often accumulates during the process of wine fermentation, and mitophagy has critical role in ethanol output. However, the relationship between mitophagy and ethanol stress is still unclear. In this study, the expression of and genes exposed to ethanol stress was accessed by real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR).

Effects of CGA-N12 on the membrane structure of Candida tropicalis cells.

The antimicrobial peptide CGA-N12 (NH2-ALQGAKERAHQQ-COOH) is an active peptide derived from chromogranin A (CGA) and consists of the 65th to 76th amino acids of the N-terminus. The results of our previous studies showed that CGA-N12 exerts anti-Candida activity by inducing apoptosis without destroying the integrity of cell membranes. In this study, the effect of CGA-N12 on the cell membrane structure of Candida tropicalis was investigated.

The chromogranin A-derived antifungal peptide CGA-N9 induces apoptosis in Candida tropicalis.

CGA-N9, a peptide derived from human chromogranin A (CGA), was found to have antimicrobial activity in our previous investigation, but its mechanism of action remains unclear. Herein, the mechanism of action of CGA-N9 was investigated. We found that CGA-N9 induced the depolarization of the cell membrane and uptake of calcium ions into the cytosol and mitochondria.

Ethanol Induces Autophagy Regulated by Mitochondrial ROS in .

Ethanol accumulation inhibited the growth of during wine fermentation. Autophagy and the release of reactive oxygen species (ROSs) were also induced under ethanol stress. However, the relation between autophagy and ethanol stress was still unclear.

Identification of compound CA-5f as a novel late-stage autophagy inhibitor with potent anti-tumor effect against non-small cell lung cancer.

Currently, particular focus is placed on the implication of autophagy in a variety of human diseases, including cancer. Discovery of small-molecule modulators of autophagy as well as their potential use as anti-cancer therapeutic agents would be of great significance. To this end, a series of curcumin analogs previously synthesized in our laboratory were screened.

Magnetic ferroferric oxide nanoparticles induce vascular endothelial cell dysfunction and inflammation by disturbing autophagy.

Despite the considerable use of magnetic ferroferric oxide nanoparticles (Fe3O4NPs) worldwide, their safety is still an important topic of debate. In the present study, we detected the toxicity and biological behavior of bare-Fe3O4NPs (B-Fe3O4NPs) on human umbilical vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs). Our results showed that B-Fe3O4NPs did not induce cell death within 24h even at concentrations up to 400 μg/ml.

Development and psychometric evaluation of the Diabetes Self-Efficacy Scale.

Background And Purpose: No scales measure self-efficacy in women with Type 2 diabetes. A scale was developed and tested.

Methods: Items generated, content validity index (CVI) assessed by experts, the 2-part Diabetes Self-Efficacy Scale (DSLF-I and DSLF-II) was piloted with 62 women, administered to 208 women, and then readministered to 30 women to determine initial reliability.

Highly Efficient Labeling of Human Lung Cancer Cells Using Cationic Poly-l-lysine-Assisted Magnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles.

Cell labeling with magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) is increasingly a routine approach in the cell-based cancer treatment. However, cell labeling with magnetic IONPs and their leading effects on the biological properties of human lung carcinoma cells remain scarcely reported. Therefore, in the present study the magnetic γ-FeO nanoparticles (MNPs) were firstly synthesized and surface-modified with cationic poly-l-lysine (PLL) to construct the PLL-MNPs, which were then used to magnetically label human A549 lung cancer cells.

Novel role for TRPC4 in regulation of macroautophagy by a small molecule in vascular endothelial cells.

Macroautophagy (autophagy) is an important factor affecting the function of vascular endothelial cells (VECs) and must be tightly regulated in these cells. However, the precise mechanisms underlying this process, particularly in the presence of serum, remain obscure. In this study, we identified trans-3,5,4'-trimethoxystilbene (TMS) as a potent small molecule inducer of autophagy in human umbilical vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs) in the presence of serum.

Factors associated with hospital staff nurses working on-call hours: a pilot study.

When nurses work on-call hours, they have limited ability to control the hours they work. Nurses may be required to work extra hours and, if they are unable to detach from work during break time, can experience fatigue and sleep disturbances. Previous studies have not examined factors associated with on-call work.

3,4-Dimethoxystilbene, a resveratrol derivative with anti-angiogenic effect, induces both macroautophagy and apoptosis in endothelial cells.

Angiogenesis plays an important role in many pathological processes. Identification of novel anti-angiogenic agents will provide new insights into the mechanisms for angiogenesis as well as potential lead compounds for developing new drugs. In the present study, a series of resveratrol methylated derivatives have been synthesized and screened.

Pterostilbene, a natural small-molecular compound, promotes cytoprotective macroautophagy in vascular endothelial cells.

Chemical modulators of macroautophagy (herein referred to as autophagy) have aroused widespread interest among biologists and clinical physicians because of their potential for disease therapy. Pterostilbene (PT), a natural small-molecular compound, has been demonstrated to inhibit oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL)-induced apoptosis in vascular endothelial cells (VECs). The aim of the present study was to investigate whether and how PT could induce VEC autophagy.

MicroRNAs in autophagy and their emerging roles in crosstalk with apoptosis.

Macroautophagy (hereafter referred to as autophagy) is an evolutionarily conserved self-degradative process, which involves the regular turnover of cellular components via sequestering damaged macromolecules and transporting them for lysosomal degradation. In the past few years, the scientific community has produced remarkable advances in our understanding of the genes that are involved in autophagy and of their profound effects on various diseases. Recently, a new class of noncoding RNAs, known as microRNAs (miRNAs), has been demonstrated to play crucial roles in diverse biological processes including development, cell differentiation and apoptosis.

Pterostilbene protects vascular endothelial cells against oxidized low-density lipoprotein-induced apoptosis in vitro and in vivo.

Vascular endothelial cell (VEC) apoptosis is the main event occurring during the development of atherosclerosis. Pterostilbene (PT), a natural dimethylated analog of resveratrol, has been the subject of intense research in cancer and inflammation. However, the protective effects of PT against oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL)-induced apoptosis in VECs have not been clarified.

Decreasing the homodimer interaction: a common mechanism shared by the deltaG91 mutation and deamidation in betaA3-crystallin.

Purpose: Cataracts can be broadly divided into two types: congenital cataracts and age-related cataracts. DeltaG91 is a previously discovered congenital mutation in betaA3-crystallin that impairs protein solubility. On the other hand, the deamidation of beta-crystallin is a significant feature in aged and cataractous lenses.

Ephedrine controls heart rhythms by activating cardiac I(ks) currents.

Ephedrine (Eph) is an alkaloid extracted from the Chinese traditional medicine plant Ephedra Sinica or Ma huang, which has been known for effects on the central nervous system, cardiovascular system, and smooth muscles. However, the corresponding molecular mechanism of these effects remains unknown. In this study, we investigated the influences of Eph on heart rate, QTc interval in vivo, and the slowly activated K channels (IKs) that were composed of both KCNQ1 and KCNE1 subunits in vitro.