The crosstalk between immune cells and tumor pyroptosis: advancing cancer immunotherapy strategies.

Pyroptosis is a cell death process characterized by cell swelling until membrane rupture and release of intracellular contents. As an effective tumor treatment strategy, inducing tumor cell pyroptosis has received widespread attention. In this process, the immune components within the tumor microenvironment play a key regulatory role.

AdipoRon reduces cisplatin-induced ototoxicity in hair cells:possible relation to the regulation of mitochondrial biogenesis.

AdipoRon (AR) can exert antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory effects by maintaining mitochondrial structure and function. The present study was designed to explore whether AR protects the auditory cells from cisplatin-induced damage and, if so, to probe the possible mechanisms underlying its action on this type of cells. Cell viability and apoptosis in House Ear Institute-Organization of Corti 1 (HEI-OC1 cells) and mouse cochlea hair cells (HCs) were detected by CCK8 and immunofluorescence.

Inverting the DNA tetrahedron: A novel strategy for sensitive and stable detection of aging-related enzyme MMP2.

In the current study, a novel electrochemiluminescence biosensor based on the entropy-driven DNA tetrahedron for the detection of matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2), an enzyme that regulates extracellular matrix remodeling and affects aging was reported. The biosensor utilizes an inverted DNA tetrahedron structure, which exposes three vertices to the solution, as molecular recognition units for capturing specific biomolecules. The biosensor also employs a ratiometric method and an entropy-driven reaction, which enhance the response rate and sensitivity of the detection.

Mitochondria-targeting two-photon fluorescent probe for sequential recognition of Cu and ATP in neurons and zebrafish.

Highly active mitochondria play a significant role in neuron function. Cu and ATP levels in mitochondria regulate neuronal mitochondrial activity. However, mitochondrial activity was often evaluated by mitochondrial membrane potential.

Electrochemical biosensor strategy combining DNA entropy-driven technology to activate CRISPR-Cas13a activity and triple-stranded nucleic acids to detect SARS-CoV-2 RdRp gene.

By merging DNA entropy-driven technology with triple-stranded nucleic acids in an electrochemical biosensor to detect the SARS-CoV-2 RdRp gene, we tackled the challenges of false negatives and the high cost of SARS-CoV-2 detection. The approach generates a CRISPR-Cas 13a-activated RNA activator, which then stimulates CRISPR-Cas 13a activity using an entropy-driven mechanism. The activated CRISPR-Cas 13a can cleave Hoogsteen DNA due to the insertion of two uracil (-U-U-) in Hoogsteen DNA.

Entropy-driven assisted T7 RNA polymerase amplification-activated CRISPR/Cas13a activity for SARS-CoV-2 detection in human pharyngeal swabs and environment by an electrochemiluminescence biosensor.

In this study, we introduce an electrochemiluminescence (ECL) sensing platform based on the "Entropy-driven triggered T7 amplification-CRISPR/Cas13a system" (EDT-Cas). This platform combines a programmable entropy-driven cycling strategy, T7 RNA polymerase, and the CRISPR/Cas13a system to amplify the determination of the SARS-CoV-2 RdRp gene. The TiCT-compliant ECL signaling molecule offers unique benefits when used with the ECL sensing platform to increase the assay sensitivity and the electrode surface modifiability.

Study on the preparation and biological activities of low molecular weight squid ink polysaccharide from Sepiella maindroni.

Sepiella maindroni ink polysaccharide (SIP) from the ink of cuttlefish Sepiella maindroni and its sulfated derivative (SIP-SII) have been demonstrated to possess diverse biological activities. But little is known about low molecular weight squid ink polysaccharides (LMWSIPs). In this study, LMWSIPs were prepared by acidolysis, and the fragments with molecular weight (M) distribution in the ranges of 7 kDa to 9 kDa, 5 kDa to 7 kDa and 3 kDa to 5 kDa were grouped and named as LMWSIP-1, LMWSIP-2 and LMWSIP-3, respectively.

Cisplatin induces damage of auditory cells: Possible relation with dynamic variation in calcium homeostasis and responding channels.

Aims: The present study was aimed to explore the possible mechanism(s) underlying the action of cisplatin on auditory cells of mice in vitro, with special attention given to the dynamic variation in calcium homeostasis and responding channels.

Methods: The apoptosis of auditory cells was tested by flow cytometry and TUNEL staining. The expressions of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors (IP3R), voltage-dependent anion channel 1 (VDAC1), phosphorylated protein kinase R-like ER kinase (p-PERK), activating transcription factor 6 (ATF6), caspase-12, bcl-2, bax, cleaved caspase-9, cleaved caspase-3, beclin-1 and light chain 3β (LC3B) were measured by immunofluorescence or Western blotting.

Spectrum decomposition in Gaussian scale space for uneven illumination image binarization.

Although most images in industrial applications have fewer targets and simple image backgrounds, binarization is still a challenging task, and the corresponding results are usually unsatisfactory because of uneven illumination interference. In order to efficiently threshold images with nonuniform illumination, this paper proposes an efficient global binarization algorithm that estimates the inhomogeneous background surface of the original image constructed from the first k leading principal components in the Gaussian scale space (GSS). Then, we use the difference operator to extract the distinct foreground of the original image in which the interference of uneven illumination is effectively eliminated.

Characteristics and prognosis of idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss in aged people: a retrospective study.

Few studies focused on the prognosis of sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSHL) of aged people. The aim of this study is to analyze the characteristics, treatment, and prognostic factors of ISSHL in aged people. A total of 278 patients diagnosed of ISSHL in aged people from 2014 to 2019 were retrospectively analyzed.

Curdlan sulfate--linked quaternized chitosan nanoparticles: potential adjuvants to improve the immunogenicity of exogenous antigens via intranasal vaccination.

Introduction: The development of ideal vaccine adjuvants for intranasal vaccination can provide convenience for many vaccinations. As an ideal intranasal vaccine adjuvant, it should have the properties of assisting soluble antigens to pass the mucosal barrier and potentiating both systemic and mucosal immunity via nasal administration.

Methods: By using the advantages of polysaccharides, which can promote both T-helper 1 and 2 responses, curdlan sulfate (CS)--(2-hydroxyl)propyl-3-trimethyl ammonium chitosan chloride (-HTCC) nanoparticles were prepared by interacting CS with -HTCC, and the adjuvancy of the nanoparticles was investigated.

Characterization of heparan sulfate N-deacetylase/N-sulfotransferase isoform 4 using synthetic oligosaccharide substrates.

Background: The final structure of heparan sulfate chains is strictly regulated in vivo, though the biosynthesis is not guided by a template process. N-deacetylase/N-sulfotransferase (NDST) is the first modification enzyme in the HS biosynthetic pathway. The N-sulfo groups introduced by NDST are reportedly involved in determination of the susceptibility to subsequent processes catalyzed by C-epimerse and 3-O-sulfotransferases.

Anti-Inflammatory Effects of a Mytilus coruscus α-d-Glucan (MP-A) in Activated Macrophage Cells via TLR4/NF-κB/MAPK Pathway Inhibition.

The hard-shelled mussel () has been used as Chinese traditional medicine for thousands of years; however, to date the ingredients responsible for the various beneficial health outcomes attributed to are still unclear. An α-d-Glucan, called MP-A, was isolated from , and observed to exert anti-inflammatory activity in THP-1 human macrophage cells. Specifically, we showed that MP-A treatment inhibited the production of inflammatory markers, including TNF-α, NO, and PGE2, inducible NOS (iNOS), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), in LPS-activated THP-1 cells.

Experimental Study on the Efficacy of Site-Specific PEGylated Human Serum Albumins in Resuscitation From Hemorrhagic Shock.

Objectives: To evaluate the resuscitative efficacy and the effect on reperfusion injury of two site-specific PEGylated human serum albumins modified with linear or branched PEG20kDa, compared with saline, 8% human serum albumin and 25% human serum albumin, in a hemorrhagic shock model.

Setting: Laboratory.

Subjects: Male Wistar rats.

Development of a rapid method for simultaneous separation of hyaluronic acid, chondroitin sulfate, dermatan sulfate and heparin by capillary electrophoresis.

This study reports the use of diethylenetriamine as background electrolyte for the simultaneous separation of hyaluronan acid, chondroitin sulfate, dermatan sulfate and heparin. The analytes were baseline separated by using an uncoated fused silica capillary at 37°C with a run time of 23min. The migration order, with hyaluronan acid at first and heparin at last, was related to the sulfation degree.

Anti-tumor activity and the mechanism of SIP-S: A sulfated polysaccharide with anti-metastatic effect.

Our previous studies demonstrated that SIP-S had anti-metastatic activity and inhibited the growth of metastatic foci. Here we report the anti-tumor and immunoregulatory potential of SIP-S. SIP-S could significantly inhibit tumor growth in S180-bearing mice, and the inhibition rates was 43.

A novel pentapeptide originated from calf thymus named TIPP shows an inhibitory effect on lung allergic inflammation.

Thymic immunosuppressive pentapeptide (TIPP) is a novel pentapeptide originally obtained from calf thymic immunosuppressive extract. In this study we aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory effect and mechanisms of TIPP in vivo with an ovalbumin-induced mouse allergic asthma model. We investigated the effects of TIPP on the infiltration of inflammation cells, immune cell subtypes, Th2 cytokines in BALF and IgE in serum, mRNA levels of IL-4, IL-10, TNF-α and eotaxin-1, expression of MCP-1, VCAM-1 and COX-2, and activation of MAP kinases and NF-κB.

Anti-metastatic and anti-angiogenic activities of sulfated polysaccharide of Sepiella maindroni ink.

A previous study demonstrated that SIP-SII, a sulfated Sepiella maindroni ink polysaccharide, suppressed the invasion and migration of cancer cells via the inhibition of the proteolytic activity of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2). Therefore, this study investigated the anti-metastatic effect of SIP-SII in vivo. SIP-SII (15 and 30 mg/kg d) markedly decreased B16F10 pulmonary metastasis in mice models by 85.

N-terminal PEGylation of human serum albumin and investigation of its pharmacokinetics and pulmonary microvascular retention.

Human serum albumin (HSA) is used as an important plasma volume expander in clinical practice. In the present study, HSA was N-terminally PEGylated and a PEGylated HAS (PEG-HSA) carrying one chain of PEG (20 kDa) per HSA molecule was obtained. The purity, secondary structure and hydrodynamic radius of the modified protein were characterized using sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, circular dichroism measurements, and dynamic light scattering, respectively.

Impact of dietary protein on lipid metabolism-related gene expression in porcine adipose tissue.

Background: High dietary protein can reduce fat deposition in animal subcutaneous adipose tissue, but little is known about the mechanism.

Methods: Sixty Wujin pigs of about 15 kg weight were fed either high protein (HP: 18%) or low protein (LP: 14%) diets, and slaughtered at body weights of 30, 60 or 100 kg. Bloods were collected to measure serum parameters.