Separation of α-amylase inhibitors from Abelmoschus esculentus (L).Moench by on-line two-dimensional high-speed counter-current chromatography target-guided by ultrafiltration-HPLC.

In this study, an on-line two-dimensional high-speed counter-current chromatography system based on a six-port valve was developed. Target-guided by ultrafiltration with high-performance liquid chromatography, the one-step isolation of three potential α-amylase inhibitors from Abelmoschus esculentus (L).Moench was achieved by employing the developed orthogonal system and extrusion elution mode.

The Effect of Exposure to Atrazine on Dopaminergic Development in Pubertal Male SD Rats.

Atrazine (ATR, 2-chloro-4-ethylamino-6-isopropylamino-s-triazine) is used worldwide as a herbicide, and its presence in the environment has resulted in documented human exposure. A lack of strong evidence for genetic heritability of idiopathic Parkinson's disease has focused attention on environmental toxicants in the disease etiology, particularly agrichemicals. Parkinson's disease is associated with advanced age and is characterized by the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons, but it is unclear whether specific neuronal damage could result from insults during development.

Neurotoxicity effects of atrazine-induced SH-SY5Y human dopaminergic neuroblastoma cells via microglial activation.

Atrazine (2-chloro-4-ethytlamino-6-isopropylamine-1,3,5-triazine; ATR) is a broad-spectrum herbicide with a wide range of applications worldwide. However, ATR is neurotoxic; it reduces dopamine levels in the substantia nigra and corpus striatum in the midbrain, affects the absorption of synaptic vesicles and synaptic bodies, and interferes with dopamine storage and uptake in synaptic vesicles, leading to neurodegenerative disorders. Microglia are resident immunocompetent and phagocytic cells that regulate and participate in the microenvironment in the central nervous system.

Transiently impaired neurogenesis in MPTP mouse model of Parkinson's disease.

It is still being debated whether neurogenesis in the subventricular zone (SVZ) is enhanced in response to 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) injury in the adult mouse brain. Our previous studies provided evidence that MPTP induces apoptosis of migrating neuroblasts (neural progenitor cells, A cells) in the SVZ and rostral migratory stream (RMS). We investigated cellular kinetics in the adult SVZ and olfactory bulb (OB) after MPTP damage.

Acetylcholine Inhibits LPS-Induced MMP-9 Production and Cell Migration via the α7 nAChR-JAK2/STAT3 Pathway in RAW264.7 Cells.

Background: Excessive activation of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) has been found in several inflammatory diseases. Previous studies have shown that acetylcholine (ACh) reduced the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and decreased tissue damage. Therefore, this study was designed to explore the potential effects and mechanisms of ACh on MMP-9 production and cell migration in response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation in RAW264.

Barriers to access to care reported by women living with HIV across 27 countries.

Increased access to successful antiretroviral therapy (ART) is necessary in order to achieve an AIDS-free generation. Importantly, slightly over half of the people living with HIV are women. Small studies have described many barriers to accessing treatment and care among women living with HIV.

Acetylcholine ameliorates endoplasmic reticulum stress in endothelial cells after hypoxia/reoxygenation via M3 AChR-AMPK signaling.

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is associated with various cardiovascular diseases. However, its pathophysiological relevance and the underlying mechanisms in the context of hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) in endothelial cells are not fully understood. Previous findings have suggested that acetylcholine (ACh), the major vagal nerve neurotransmitter, protected against cardiomyocyte injury by activating AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK).

Phylogenetic studies of two Anas platyrhynchos (Anatini: Anatinae) in Hunan province of China based on complete mitochondrial DNA sequences.

In this study, we cloned and sequenced the complete mitochondrial DNAs of Chinese duck, Anas platyrhynchos, population from two different areas of Hunan province in China. The Anas platyrhynchos breed Linwu duck (LW) sample was taken from the Linwu county of Chenzhou city, and the Anas platyrhynchos breed Youxian duck (YX) sample was taken from the Youxian county of Zhuzhou city. The lengths of their complete mitochondrial genome were 16,604 bp (LW) and 16,606 bp (YX), respectively.

Reduction of Mitochondria-Endoplasmic Reticulum Interactions by Acetylcholine Protects Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells From Hypoxia/Reoxygenation Injury.

Objective: We explored the role of endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-mitochondria Ca(2+) cross talk involving voltage-dependent anion channel-1 (VDAC1)/glucose-regulated protein 75/inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor 1 complex and mitofusin 2 in endothelial cells during hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R), and investigated the protective effects of acetylcholine.

Approach And Results: Acetylcholine treatment during reoxygenation prevented intracellular and mitochondrial Ca(2+) increases and alleviated ER Ca(2+) depletion during H/R in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Consequently, acetylcholine enhanced mitochondrial membrane potential and inhibited proapoptotic cascades, thereby reducing cell death and preserving endothelial ultrastructure.

Activation of M3 cholinoceptors attenuates vascular injury after ischaemia/reperfusion by inhibiting the Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II pathway.

Background And Purpose: The activation of M3 cholinoceptors (M3 receptors) by choline reduces cardiovascular risk, but it is unclear whether these receptors can regulate ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R)-induced vascular injury. Thus, the primary goal of the present study was to explore the effects of choline on the function of mesenteric arteries following I/R, with a major focus on Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) regulation.

Experimental Approach: Rats were given choline (10 mg · kg(-1), i.

Acetylcholine protects mesenteric arteries against hypoxia/reoxygenation injury via inhibiting calcium-sensing receptor.

The Ca(2+)-sensing receptor (CaSR) plays an important role in regulating vascular tone. In the present study, we investigated the positive effects of the vagal neurotransmitter acetylcholine by suppressing CaSR activation in mesenteric arteries exposed to hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R). The artery rings were exposed to a modified 'ischemia mimetic' solution and an anaerobic environment to simulate an H/R model.

Single-component self-assembled RNAi nanoparticles functionalized with tumor-targeting iNGR delivering abundant siRNA for efficient glioma therapy.

Existing limitations of common RNA interference (RNAi) oncotherapy severely compromised their therapeutic effects. In this study, a novel glioma-targeting RNAi system was developed. Single-component RNAi nanospheres were tactfully self-assembled in vitro, combining the carrier and cargo as a whole.

High Bone Mass-Causing Mutant LRP5 Receptors Are Resistant to Endogenous Inhibitors In Vivo.

Certain missense mutations affecting LRP5 cause high bone mass (HBM) in humans. Based on in vitro evidence, HBM LRP5 receptors are thought to exert their effects by providing resistance to binding/inhibition of secreted LRP5 inhibitors such as sclerostin (SOST) and Dickkopf homolog-1 (DKK1). We previously reported the creation of two Lrp5 HBM knock-in mouse models, in which the human p.

Notum is required for neural and head induction via Wnt deacylation, oxidation, and inactivation.

Secreted Wnt morphogens are essential for embryogenesis and homeostasis and require a lipid/palmitoleoylate modification for receptor binding and activity. Notum is a secreted Wnt antagonist that belongs to the α/β hydrolase superfamily, but its mechanism of action and roles in vertebrate embryogenesis are not fully understood. Here, we report that Notum hydrolyzes the Wnt palmitoleoylate adduct extracellularly, resulting in inactivated Wnt proteins that form oxidized oligomers incapable of receptor binding.

Dimeric drug polymeric nanoparticles with exceptionally high drug loading and quantitative loading efficiency.

Encapsulation of small-molecule drugs in hydrophobic polymers or amphiphilic copolymers has been extensively used for preparing polymeric nanoparticles (NPs). The loadings and loading efficiencies of a wide range of drugs in polymeric NPs, however, tend to be very low. In this Communication, we report a strategy to prepare polymeric NPs with exceptionally high drug loading (>50%) and quantitative loading efficiency.

Cell microenvironment-controlled antitumor drug releasing-nanomicelles for GLUT1-targeting hepatocellular carcinoma therapy.

In clinical therapy, the poor prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is mainly attributed to the failure of chemotherapeutical agents to accumulate in tumor as well as their serious systemic toxicity. In this work, we developed actively tumor-targeting trilayer micelles with microenvironment-sensitive cross-links as a novel nanocarrier for HCC therapy. These micelles comprised biodegradable PEG-pLys-pPhe polymers, in which pLys could react with a disulfide-containing agent to form redox-responsive cross-links.

Linear-dendritic copolymer composed of polyethylene glycol and all-trans-retinoic acid as drug delivery platform for paclitaxel against breast cancer.

A new linear-dendritic copolymer composed of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) was synthesized as the anticancer drug delivery platform (PEG-G3-RA8). It can self-assemble into core-shell micelles with a low critical micelle concentration (CMC) at 3.48 mg/L.

Developmental programming of long non-coding RNAs during postnatal liver maturation in mice.

The liver is a vital organ with critical functions in metabolism, protein synthesis, and immune defense. Most of the liver functions are not mature at birth and many changes happen during postnatal liver development. However, it is unclear what changes occur in liver after birth, at what developmental stages they occur, and how the developmental processes are regulated.

The complete mitochondrial genome of the Wugangtong white goose.

Wugangtong white goose is one of the famous native breed in Hunan province of China. In this study, the complete mitochondrial genome sequence of the Wugangtong white goose was reported in Hunan Province first, which was determined through PCR-based method. The total length of the mitogenome is 16,741 bp.

Fluorescence and room temperature activity of Y₂O₃:(Eu³⁺,Au³⁺)/palygorskite nanocomposite.

The fluorescence and room temperature activity of a palygorskite supported Y2O3:(Eu(3+),Au(3+)) nanocomposite were investigated to design a fluorescence-indicated catalyst. The effects of Au(3+) doping on the structure and surface properties of the host material were systematically characterized. The fluorescence intensity of Y2O3:Eu(3+) was affected by Au(3+) doping, which was related to the crystallinity of Y2O3.

Exploring the social meaning of curing HIV: a qualitative study of people who inject drugs in Guangzhou, China.

Our objective was to explore the social meaning of HIV and perceptions of an HIV cure among people who inject drugs (PWID) in Guangzhou, China, which speaks to ethical and resource challenges to development in this field. We conducted a qualitative research study using in-depth interviews. We analyzed interview transcripts from 29 PWID, eight physicians, and three social workers from an outpatient HIV clinic and two methadone maintenance treatment centers.

Acetylcholine promotes ROS detoxification against hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced oxidative stress through FoxO3a/PGC-1α dependent superoxide dismutase.

Background/aims: Acetylcholine (ACh) is known to modulate the cardiac redox environment and thereby suppress reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation during oxidative stress. However, there is little information about its regulation on ROS clearance. Here we investigate the beneficial effects of ACh on superoxide dismutase (SOD) as key ROS-detoxifying enzyme system in cultured rat cardiomyoblasts.

Reduced HIV symptoms and improved health-related quality of life correlate with better access to care for HIV-1 infected women: the ELLA study.

Introduction: Global HIV-1 prevalence is 35.3 million [1]; women comprise >50% of those infected. The majority of women may lack regular care and only one-fourth are virologically suppressed [2].

Novel strategies and underlying protective mechanisms of modulation of vagal activity in cardiovascular diseases.

Cardiovascular disease remains a major cause of disability and death worldwide. Autonomic imbalance, characterized by suppressed vagal (parasympathetic) activity and increased sympathetic activity, correlates with various pathological conditions, including heart failure, arrhythmia, ischaemia/reperfusion injury and hypertension. Conventionally, pharmacological interventions, such as β-blocker treatment, have primarily targeted suppressing sympathetic over-activation, while vagal modulation has always been neglected.