The widespread use of single-use face masks during the recent epidemic has led to significant environmental challenges due to waste pollution. This study explores an innovative approach to address this issue by repurposing discarded face masks for hydrovoltaic energy harvesting. By coating the face masks with carbon black (CB) to enhance their hydrophilic properties, we developed mask-based hydrovoltaic power generators (MHPGs).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: Breast tumor development is regulated by a sub-population of breast cancer cells, termed cancer stem-like cells (CSC), which are capable of self-renewing and differentiating, and are involved in promoting breast cancer invasion, metastasis, drug resistance and relapse. CSCs are highly adaptable, capable of reprogramming their own metabolism and signaling activity in response to stimuli within the tumor microenvironment. Recently, the nutrient sensor O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT) and O-GlcNAcylation was shown to be enriched in CSC populations, where it promotes the stemness and tumorigenesis of breast cancer cells in vitro and in vivo.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPurpose: Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are the first-line therapy for gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD). Unlike conventional PPIs, non-enteric coated PPIs with antacid salt enable a faster acid suppression through the rapid absorption of the PPI. YPI-011 is a newly developed fixed-dose combination of a rabeprazole with sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFRetinoic acid receptor responder 1 (RARRES1) is among the most commonly methylated loci in multiple cancers. RARRES1 regulates mitochondrial and fatty acid metabolism, stem cell differentiation, and survival of immortalized cell lines . Here, we created constitutive knockout () mouse models to study RARRES1 function .
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCellular senescence is closely related to tissue aging including bone. Bone homeostasis is maintained by the tight balance between bone-forming osteoblasts and bone-resorbing osteoclasts, but it undergoes deregulation with age, causing age-associated osteoporosis, a main cause of which is osteoblast dysfunction. Oxidative stress caused by the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in bone tissues with aging can accelerate osteoblast senescence and dysfunction.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2) is a membrane-spanning tyrosine kinase that mediates FGF signaling. Various FGFR2 alterations are detected in breast cancer, yet it remains unclear if activation of FGFR2 signaling initiates tumor formation. In an attempt to answer this question, a mouse model berrying an activation mutation of FGFR2 (FGFR2-S252W) in the mammary gland is generated.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAtopic dermatitis (AD) is an inflammatory skin disease in which type 2 allergic inflammation plays a critical role. In this study, the anti-inflammatory effect of conditioned media from human umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells (USC-CM) was investigated in order to apply it as an effective treatment with a low risk of side effects that can overcome the limitations of AD treatment which is currently in use. We found that USC-CM has various growth factors and cytokines associated with anti-inflammatory effect.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDesensitization, signaling, and trafficking of G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are critically regulated by multifunctional adaptor proteins, β-arrestins (βarrs). The two isoforms of βarrs (βarr1 and 2) share a high degree of sequence and structural similarity; still, however, they often mediate distinct functional outcomes in the context of GPCR signaling and regulation. A mechanistic basis for such a functional divergence of βarr isoforms is still lacking.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAn Al-based metal-organic framework (MOF), CAU-11-COOH, with a V-shaped ligand, DPSDA (3,3'-4,4'-diphenylsulfonetetracarboxylic dianhydride), was prepared using the solvothermal method, and was characterized using powder X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, elemental analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller analysis, and CO₂ adsorption. The catalytic efficiency of CAU-11-COOH was investigated in the solvent-free cycloaddition of carbon dioxide with epoxides, which yielded five-membered cyclic carbonates under mild reaction conditions. CAU-11-COOH with a co-catalyst, tetrabutylammonium bromide (TBAB), gave higher than 98% yield of epichlorohydrin carbonate at 80 °C without a solvent.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInformation contained in the structure of extracellular ligands is transmitted across the cell membrane through allosterically induced changes in G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) conformation that occur upon ligand binding. These changes, in turn, are imprinted upon intracellular effectors like arrestins and help determine which of its many functions are performed. Intramolecular fluorescein arsenical hairpin (FlAsH) bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET), in which both the fluorescence donor and acceptor are contained within the same protein, can be used to report on activation-induced changes in protein conformation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFRARRES1, a retinoic acid regulated carboxypeptidase inhibitor associated with fatty acid metabolism, stem cell differentiation and tumorigenesis is among the most commonly methylated loci in multiple cancers but has no known mechanism of action. Here we show that RARRES1 interaction with cytoplasmic carboxypeptidase 2 (CCP2) inhibits tubulin deglutamylation, which in turn regulates the mitochondrial voltage dependent anion channel (VDAC1), mitochondrial membrane potential, AMPK activation, energy balance and metabolically reprograms cells and zebrafish to a more energetic and anabolic phenotype. Depletion of also increases expression of stem cell markers, promotes anoikis, anchorage independent growth and insensitivity to multiple apoptotic stimuli.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFG protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) use diverse mechanisms to regulate the mitogen-activated protein kinases ERK1/2. β-Arrestins (βArr1/2) are ubiquitous inhibitors of G protein signaling, promoting GPCR desensitization and internalization and serving as scaffolds for ERK1/2 activation. Studies using CRISPR/Cas9 to delete βArr1/2 and G proteins have cast doubt on the role of β-arrestins in activating specific pools of ERK1/2.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFHDL normally transports about 50-70% of plasma sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P), and the S1P in HDL reportedly mediates several HDL-associated biological effects and signaling pathways. The HDL receptor, SR-BI, as well as the cell surface receptors for S1P (S1PRs) may be involved partially and/or completely in these HDL-induced processes. Here we investigate the nature of the HDL-stimulated interaction between the HDL receptor, SR-BI, and S1PR1 using a protein-fragment complementation assay and confocal microscopy.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Non-invasive devices for fat reduction involving high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) are attracting attention. HIFU can deliver energy to the desired depth and can ablate subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT), but purpura and pain may still limit its use.
Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a novel HIFU device for fat destruction with a contact cooling system compared to HIFU without contact cooling.
Polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN), a deoxyribonucleotide polymer, is popularly used for faster healing of cutaneous wounds and boosting of neocollagenesis of photoaged skin among current dermatologic practitioners. Some patients receiving PDRN injection treatment also reported improvement of photoaging-associated mottled pigmentation (PMP). To investigate the effect of PDRN on cutaneous melanogenesis, we examined the effect of PDRN and an available product (Placentex(®)) containing PDRN on melanogenesis using human melanocytes-keratinocytes cocultures and mouse melanocytes.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDisruption of the TGF-β pathway is associated with liver fibrosis and suppression of liver tumorigenesis, conditions associated with low Vitamin D (VD) levels. However, potential contributions of VD to liver tumor progression in the context of TGF-β signaling remain unexplored. Our analyses of VD deprivation (VDD) in in vivo models of liver tumor formation revealed striking three-fold increases in tumor burden in Smad3(+/-) mice, with a three-fold increase in TLR7 expression compared to controls.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSolar lentigo (SL) is a representative photoaging skin disorder. Alteration of the main epidermal constituent cells-keratinocytes and melanocytes-in relation to the photoaged dermal environment or chemokine/cytokine network is suggested as its pathogenesis. Among these, we focused on monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), as it is known to be associated with tissue aging.
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