Open Life Sciences最新文献

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a cancer with poor prognosis, underscoring the urgent need for enhanced detection and management. This study aimed to investigate the role of Collectin Subfamily Member 10 (COLEC10) in HCC, which was revealed to be associated with various diseases. Bioinformatics tools, including GEO, cBioPortal, and TCGA, were used to identify differentially expressed genes. The prognostic significance of COLEC10 was assessed in two patient cohorts, and its functional impact on Hep3B and SMMC7721 cells was evaluated through CCK-8 and Transwell assays. The underlying mechanisms of COLEC10 in HCC progression were explored using flow cytometry and western blot. COLEC10 was downregulated in HCC and associated with poorer overall survival and disease progression. The potential interaction of COLEC10, CCBE1, and FCN3 was predicted. COLEC10, CCBE1, and FCN3 were identified as prognostic indicators for HCC. Overexpression of COLEC10 inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of HCC cells. COLEC10 overexpression induced G0/G1 cell cycle arrest and suppressed epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), COLEC10 regulated protein expression in the Hedgehog pathway and phosphorylation of key proteins in the PI3K-AKT pathway. COLEC10 is an independent prognostic factor of HCC. COLEC10 regulates EMT, Hedgehog, and PI3K-AKT pathways, providing new ideas for targeted therapy of HCC.

The COVID-19 pandemic, an unprecedented global health crisis, has thrust humanity into a relentless battle with a variety of treatments and vaccines against the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Recent developments in nanotechnology have garnered significant interest in the application of metallic nanoparticles (NPs); specifically, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have demonstrated antimicrobial and antiviral properties. This study investigates the molecular interactions between the receptor binding domains of five SARS-CoV-2 spike protein variants (Alpha, Beta, Delta, Omicron, and Gamma) and the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor, followed by the docking of AuNPs and AgNPs and the natural compound Beta-escin onto these complexes. As well as the inspection of both NPs against the virus main protease (Mpro) and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp). Comprehensive computational simulations utilizing Autodock 4.2 and HDOCK server were employed to evaluate the binding affinities of these NPs toward key viral targets, SARS-CoV-2 Mpro, RdRp, and the spike glycoprotein. The results revealed that both AgNPs and AuNPs exhibited successful binding to the active pockets of SARS-CoV-2 Mpro, with slightly varying binding energies. In contrast, for RdRp, AgNPs demonstrated superior binding affinity compared to AuNPs, with differences in the residues involved in the binding pocket. AuNPs exhibited stronger binding affinities in the spike protein pocket. We also determined robust binding affinities between ACE2 and the spike variants, with the Omicron variant exhibiting the highest affinity. Subsequent docking of AuNPs and AgNPs revealed strong interactions with all ACE2-spike complexes, with AuNPs showing slightly higher affinities. The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the interactions between NPs and viral proteins, shedding light on their mechanisms of action and their potential to offer innovative solutions for combating infectious diseases, particularly those caused by SARS-CoV-2.

Perioperative cognitive dysfunction is a common complication in stroke patients undergoing secondary surgeries. This study investigated the effects of tibial fracture internal fixation (TFIF) surgery on cognitive function and the gut microbiota in mice with a history of stroke. Using the middle cerebral artery occlusion method to induce stroke, we assessed cognitive function via the fear conditioning test and analyzed the gut microbiota through 16S rRNA sequencing. Compared with those in the normal and stroke groups, the cognitive function of the mice in the stroke group that underwent TFIF surgery was significantly impaired. Gut microbiota analysis revealed significant changes in beta diversity, but not in alpha diversity, in these mice. Additionally, TFIF surgery increased microglial activation and IL-1β and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) levels in the brain while reducing α-defensin levels and increasing IL-1β and LPS levels in the colon. These results suggest that TFIF surgery exacerbates cognitive impairment in stroke mice, possibly through alterations in the gut microbiota that impair intestinal defense and promote inflammation. This study highlights the critical role of the gut microbiome in cognitive function and perioperative outcomes, offering insights into potential therapeutic strategies for perioperative cognitive dysfunction in stroke patients.

Acne is a serious multifactorial inflammatory disease that leads to significant and long-lasting changes. The widespread occurrence of bacterial acne and the excessive use of antibiotics to treat it have increased resistance to antibiotic treatment and led researchers to seek and develop newer antimicrobial agents suitable for various medical purposes. In this study, alginate-coated gold nanoparticles (GANPs), synthesized by the previously reported known method, using sodium alginate and gold salt, investigated the efficacy of the GANPs against various clinical isolates of Staphylococcus, i.e., Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus lentus, Staphylococcus haemolyticus, and Streptococcus thoraltensis, which were all obtained from patients suffering from acne conditions. The results showed that the GANPs had antibacterial efficacy against all the acne-isolated bacteria. The GANP activity against bacterial resistance suggested that metal-based nanoparticulate materials are a promising alternative for treating multidrug-resistant microorganisms.

Neuroinflammation represents a critical pathway in the brain for the clearance of foreign bodies and the maintenance of homeostasis. When the neuroinflammatory process is dysregulate, such as the over-activation of microglia, which results in the excessive accumulation of free oxygen and inflammatory factors in the brain, among other factors, it can lead to an imbalance in homeostasis and the development of various diseases. Recent research has indicated that the development of numerous neurodegenerative diseases is closely associated with neuroinflammation. The pathogenesis of neuroinflammation in the brain is intricate, involving alterations in numerous genes and proteins, as well as the activation and inhibition of signaling pathways. Furthermore, excessive inflammation can result in neuronal cell apoptosis, which can further exacerbate the extent of the disease. This article presents a summary of recent studies on the relationship between neuronal apoptosis caused by excessive neuroinflammation and neurodegenerative diseases. The aim is to identify the link between the two and to provide new ideas and targets for exploring the pathogenesis, as well as the prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.

The fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda, is a dangerous migratory pest. Evaluating the effect of sex ratio on the FAW offspring population is particularly important for field control. In this study, five different sex ratio treatments (female/male = 3:1, 2:1, 1:1, 1:2, and 1:3) were conducted to investigate the effects of sex ratio on the life history traits of FAW. The results showed that sex ratio significantly affected lifetime fecundity, developmental duration of the preadult stage, hatch rate, and emergence rate but had no effect on longevity of parental and offspring adults, larval duration, pupation rate, or number of eggs/moth of offspring. The lifetime fecundity and hatch rate of parental adults and the number of adult offspring/moth were the lowest when the sex ratio was 3:1, while the lifetime fecundity and number of adult offspring/moth were the highest and pupation duration was the shortest when the sex ratio was 1:1. The number of eggs/moth of parental adults and total adults in the F1 generation were higher in male-biased groups than in female-biased groups, and male annihilation appears to be a more effective control strategy. These findings have implications for improving laboratory rearing, population forecasting, and control of FAW in the field.

The Lamiaceae family is one of the widest plant families among Greek flora, consisting of a great variety of species, with the genus Stachys being one of its largest representatives, spread to most continents. The genus Stachys is also known for its beneficial properties and has been used for years as a traditional remedy for healing various health conditions. Stachys iva, an endemic plant in the Kozani Regional unit, has also been consumed as an infusion by locals and is reported to relieve common cold symptoms, have antimicrobial properties, and contribute to normalizing blood glucose levels. The present study aimed to identify the chemical compounds (such as phenolic acids, flavonoids, and phenylethanoid glycosides) responsible for the herb's pharmacological properties and determine the optimal extraction conditions to gather an extract with high therapeutic value without solvent and energy waste. Experiments conducted proved that extracting by simple stirring with deionized water for 75 min at 80°C is the best option. In contrast, the extract's total polyphenol content was determined, and the compounds were identified by high-performance liquid chromatography analysis. In addition, other methods were utilized (e.g., ferric-reducing antioxidant power assay and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl antiradical activity assay) to reveal potent antioxidant, anti-hydrogen peroxide, and anti-inflammatory activity, while the correlation between these properties and extraction conditions was also examined.

A growing body of evidence has shown that hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) mutations can influence the occurrence of occult hepatitis B infection (OBI), particularly amino acid substitutions in small hepatitis B surface proteins (SHBs). The mechanistic basis for these results, however, remains unclear. This study was designed to explore the potential impact and mechanisms of OBI-related SHBs mutations on serum HBsAg. Huh7 and HepG2 cells were transfected with plasmids encoding wild-type (WT) or OBI-related SHB mutation-containing sequences, after which a chemiluminescence approach was used to detect HBsAg levels in cell culture supernatants. Western blotting was further used to assess HBsAg and endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS)-related protein levels in lysates prepared from these cells, while the localization of HBsAg within cells was assessed via immunofluorescent staining. Cells transfected with OBI-related SHB mutation-encoding plasmids exhibited lower supernatant HBsAg levels than cells transfected with WT plasmids. Intracellular and extracellular HBsAg levels in these mutant plasmid-transfected cells were lower relative to those for WT plasmid-transfected cells, and HBsAg accumulation within the ER was detected via immunofluorescent staining in cells transfected with OBI-related SHB mutation-encoding plasmids, ERS-related protein content was also significantly increased in mutant plasmid-transfected cells as compared to those in the WT group. These results suggest that proteins harboring OBI-related mutations may tend to accumulate in the ER, thereby triggering an ERS response and impairing the transcription and translation of HBsAg via the activation of the unfolded protein response and ER-associated protein degradation pathway. These effects ultimately reduce the overall assembly of HBV virions in the ER and their associated secretion.

Genomic DNA (gDNA) extraction is an important step in many molecular studies of fungal biology, and it is necessary to evaluate the efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and efficacy of different extraction methods to ensure successful amplification of the target gene and minimize deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) degradation. The modified cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) method was found to be effective in releasing high molecular weight gDNA with minimal protein contamination. Based on anticipated gDNA yield and quality, extraction time, cost effectiveness, successful amplification, and waste management, our findings serve as a guide for selecting techniques of gDNA extraction from fungal species. This study presents a modified CTAB method for extracting DNA from a variety of fungal species including Aspergillus, Penicillium, Alternaria, Dothiorella, and Fusarium. Comparison of three cell crushing methods reveals similar gDNA yields, demonstrating the method's effectiveness. Furthermore, the modified CTAB method is cost-effective and safe, eliminating the need for grinding with liquid nitrogen or bead beating. The method has a potential use for nucleic-based fungal disease diagnosis such as fish fungal diseases, plant pathogens, fruit rot associated pathogens, and human fungal diseases as we were successful in PCR amplifying several gene loci from varied fungal pathogens.

Dental pulp stem cells hold significant prospects for tooth regeneration and repair. However, a comprehensive understanding of the molecular differences between dental pulp stem cells (DPSC, from permanent teeth) and stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED, from deciduous teeth) remains elusive, which is crucial for optimizing their therapeutic potential. To address this gap, we employed a novel data-independent acquisition (DIA) proteomics approach to compare the protein expression profiles of DPSC and SHED. Based on nano-LC-MS/MS DIA proteomics, we identified over 7,000 proteins in both cell types. By comparing their expression levels, 209 differentially expressed proteins were identified. Subsequent Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analyses, along with protein-protein interaction network construction, revealed significant metabolic differences and key regulatory nodes. DPSC exhibited significantly higher expression of proteins belonging to the NDUFB family, SMARC family, RPTOR and TLR3. These proteins are known to be involved in critical cellular processes such as mitochondrial energy metabolism, mTOR-related autophagy pathway, and innate immune response. Conversely, SHED displayed elevated expression of AKR1B family, which participated in glycerolipid metabolism and adipogenic differentiation, PRKG1, MGLL and UQCRB proteins associated with thermogenesis. These findings highlight the specific proteomic landscape of DPSC and SHED, suggesting their distinct biological roles and potential applications.