Genetic and pharmacologic p32-inhibition rescue CHCHD2-linked Parkinson's disease phenotypes in vivo and in cell models.

Background: Mutations in CHCHD2 have been linked to Parkinson's disease, however, their exact pathophysiologic roles are unclear. The p32 protein has been suggested to interact with CHCHD2, however, the physiological functions of such interaction in the context of PD have not been clarified.

Methods: Interaction between CHCHD2 and p32 was confirmed by co-immunoprecipitation experiments.

Diversity and dynamics of endosymbionts in a single population of sweet potato weevil, Cylas formicarius (Coleoptera: Brentidae): a preliminary study.

Endosymbionts live symbiotically with insect hosts and play important roles in the evolution, growth, development, reproduction, and environmental fitness of hosts. Weevils are one of the most abundant insect groups that can be infected by various endosymbionts, such as Sodalis, Nardonella, and Wolbachia. The sweet potato weevil, Cylas formicarius (Coleoptera: Brentidae), is a notorious pest in sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.

Association of environmental cadmium exposure and bone remodeling in women over 50 years of age.

Chronic cadmium (Cd) toxicity is a significant health concern, and the mechanism of long-term low-dose Cd exposure on bone has not been fully elucidated yet. This study aimed to assess the association between long-term environmental Cd exposure and bone remodeling in women who aged over 50. A total of 278 non-smoking subjects from Cd-polluted group (n = 191) and non-Cd polluted group (n = 87) were investigated.

Antioxidant Effects and Cytoprotective Potentials of Herbal Tea against HO-Induced Oxidative Damage by Activating Heme Oxygenase1 Pathway.

Herbal tea with antioxidant ingredients has gained increasing attention in the field of functional foods due to their amelioration potential in aging-related diseases. Wanglaoji herbal tea (WHT) is a kind of traditional beverage made from herbal materials. This study was performed to investigate its antioxidant activity and identify its protective effect on a HO-induced cell damage model.

Low-dose cadmium exposure acts on rat mesenchymal stem cells via RANKL/OPG and downregulate osteogenic differentiation genes.

Chronic cadmium (Cd) toxicity is a significant health concern, and the mechanism of long-term low-dose Cd exposure on bone has not been fully elucidated till date. This study aimed to assess the association between rat mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and long-term Cd exposure through 38-week intake of CdCl at 1 and 2 mg/kg body weight (bw). Increased gene expression of receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL) and decreased gene expression of osteoprotegerin (OPG) were observed.

Associations between Urinary Excretion of Cadmium and Renal Biomarkers in Nonsmoking Females: A Cross-Sectional Study in Rural Areas of South China.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to systematically evaluate the relationship between urinary excretion of cadmium (U-Cd) and biomarkers of renal dysfunction.

Methods: One hundred eighty five non-smoking female farmers (aged from 44 to 71 years) were recruited from two rural areas with different cadmium levels of exposure in southern China. Morning spot urine samples were collected for detecting U-Cd, urinary creatinine (U-cre), β₂-microglobulin (β₂-MG), α₁-microglobulin (α₁-MG), metallothionein (MT), retinol binding protein (RBP), albumin (AB), N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase (NAG), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) and kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1).

Hypoglycemic effects of Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides in type 2 diabetic mice.

Our aims were to investigate the hypoglycemic effects and mechanisms of action of Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides (GLPs) administered for 7 days in type 2 diabetic mice. The mice were randomly divided into four groups (8 mice/group): normal control group, diabetic control group, low-dose GLP-treated diabetic group (50 mg/kg/d), and high-dose GLP-treated diabetic group (100 mg/kg/d). Diabetes was induced by streptozotocin injection and high-fat dietary feeding.

[Study on alternative methods for the acute oral toxicity in detection of chemicals].

Objective: To evaluate three alternative methods for LD50 test-Fixed Dose Procedure (FDP), the Acute Toxic Class Method (ATC) and Up and Down Procedure (UDP).

Methods: Female SD rats (8-12 weeks of age, 160-200 g) were used. Three alternative methods from OECD were applied to assess 22 chemicals (10 cosmetic raw materials and 12 raw materials of personal and home care products).

[Study on the antihyperlipidemia effective constituent of Polygala fallax Hemsl].

Objective: To study the antihyperlipidemia effective constituent of Polygala fallax Hemsl.

Method: Column chromatographic techniques were employed for isolation and purification of chemical constituents of the plant and the structures were elucidated by IR, NMR and MS spectroscopy.

Result: Four triterpenoid saponins were isolated and determined as 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-( 1--> 2) -beta-D-glucopyranosyl presenegenin 28-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-->4 ) -alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2 ) -beta-D-fucopyranosyl ester (I), 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->2) -beta-D-glucopyranosyl presenegenin 28-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-->4) -alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2) -(3-O-acetyl)-beta-D-fucopyranosyl ester (II), 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->2) -beta-D-glucopyranosyl presenegenin 28-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-->4) -alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2) -(4-O-acetyl) -beta-D-fucopyranosyl ester (II) and 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1--2) -beta-D-glucopyranosyl presenegenin 28-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-->4 ) -alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2 ) - (3,4-diacetyl) -beta-D-fucopyranosyl ester (IV).