Open Life Sciences最新文献

Atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition is recognized as a pivotal nutrient input in forest ecosystems. However, significant gaps persist in our comprehension of the global-scale fate of N in forest ecosystems. In a pioneering effort, this study analyzed the fluxes and determinants of deposited N by 234 observations from 52 published articles. Our findings indicated that plant uptake, soil retention, and N losses, respectively, accounted for 27.4, 57.9, and 14.6% of the total deposited N. The fate of deposited N was significantly influenced by a suite of factors, including forest type, climatic parameters such as mean annual temperature (MAT) and precipitation (MAP), edaphic characteristics such as soil pH and the carbon to nitrogen ratio (C/N), and experimental factors like nitrogen addition rate (NR), nitrogen forms (NF), plot size (PS) for ¹⁵N studies, and the duration of study. For the uptake of deposited N, MAP emerged as the predominant positive factors, whereas NR was the dominant negative factors; for deposited N soil retention, NR was the key positive factors, while MAT was the key negative factors; for N losses, MAP was the predominant positive factors, with the C/N ratio serving as a significant negative factor. Thus, for a given forest ecosystem with relatively stable climate and soil conditions, NR, NF, and the soil C/N were the main controlling factors regulating the fate of deposited N. These insights significantly advance our grasp of the N cycle in forest ecosystems. Consecutive monitoring of the impact of deposited N on soil N transformations and carbon sequestration is needed in future studies.

A chronic inflammatory skin disorder, psoriasis, affects 2-3% of people worldwide. A bioactive substance, glycitein (GCN), has several pharmacological characteristics. This work aims to evaluate the effects of GCN on the in vitro proliferation and death of human HaCaT keratinocytes. An in vitro model was created to simulate psoriatic features utilizing HaCaT keratinocytes activated by M5 cytokines. The 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide test was used to quantify cell viability, whereas the BrdU assay was used to assess the proliferation rate. Using a DCFH-DA probe and an Annexin V-FITC/propidium iodide detection kit, flow cytometry was used to examine the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and apoptosis, respectively. Western blot and quantitative polymerase chain reaction were employed to determine the amounts of phosphorylated Akt (p-Akt) and Akt proteins. GCN dramatically decreased the inflammation and hyperproliferation that cytokines caused in HaCaT keratinocytes. The alteration of mitochondrial membrane potential promoted apoptosis and caused cell cycle arrest at the sub-G1 phase, which indicates apoptotic DNA fragmentation. The suppression of the PI3K/Akt signalling pathway was linked to increased intracellular ROS levels brought on by GCN therapy. These results imply that GCN reduces inflammation and keratinocyte hyperproliferation by controlling cell cycle progression and apoptosis via ROS-associated inhibition of the PI3K/Akt pathway.

Descurainia sophia (L.) Webb ex Pran known as Flixweed is recognized as an ethnomedicinal plant in Chinese traditional medicine, offering numerous therapeutic benefits. Antioxidant chemicals found in this medicinal plant protect cellular integrity from various sources of damage and may help prevent cancer. In this study, we investigated copper/nickel nanoparticles (Cu/NiBMNPs@Flixweed) that were green-mediated following principles of green chemistry, utilizing the aqueous extract of D. sophia seeds for the treatment of lung carcinoma. The effectiveness of these Cu/Ni nanoparticles' effectiveness was tested against three common human lung cancer cell lines. Methods such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission-scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy, and energy dispersive X-ray were used to analyze the Cu/Ni nanoparticles produced through environmentally friendly methods. The XRD pattern revealed that the crystalline structure of the generated NPs is seen in the XRD pattern. According to the FE-SEM results, the nanoparticles had an average size of 68.52 nm and a semi-spherical shape. The IC₅₀ values of Cu/NiBMNPs@Flixweed against HLC-1, LC-2/ad, and PC-14 cells were found to be 170, 98, and 57 μg/mL, respectively. The IC₅₀ values of Cu/NiBMNPs@Flixweed against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl free radicals was 30 μg/mL. Recent research indicates that Cu/NiBMNPs@Flixweed may be a promising option to assist in the treatment various types of lung cancer.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most prevalent sustained cardiac arrhythmia. A key pathological feature of AF is atrial fibrosis, which promotes arrhythmogenic remodeling. While myocardial fibrosis has been widely observed in AF models, the underlying molecular mechanisms driving fibrotic progression remain incompletely understood. AF rats were modeled using acetylcholine, followed by treatment with different concentrations of dapagliflozin (DAPA) or positive control amiodarone. To elucidate the role of the high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1)/receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) pathway in AF, lipopolysaccharide (LPS; an HMGB1/RAGE pathway activator) and FPS-ZM1 (a RAGE inhibitor) were employed. Cardiac function, myocardial fibrosis, and inflammation-related proteins were assessed using echocardiography, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, histological staining, Western blotting, and reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction. AF rats exhibited marked cardiac dysfunction, fibrosis, and increased expression of inflammatory markers. DAPA restored cardiac function, attenuating fibrosis and inflammation. LPS aggravated cardiac injury, while DAPA attenuated the damage, with the greatest protective effects observed in the LPS + DAPA + FPS-ZM1 group. DAPA attenuates atrial fibrosis and cardiac dysfunction in AF rats by inhibiting the HMGB1/RAGE pathway. This study suggests the potential of DAPA as a therapeutic option for AF.

The Latin scientific name of turmeric is Curcuma longa L., and it belongs to the Zingiberaceae plant family. Curcumin is a yellow compound extracted from the rhizomes of turmeric, known for its various biological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties. This study presents a comprehensive review of the relationship between curcumin and the immune response in breast cancer (BC). Specific therapeutic approaches of curcumin for BC treatment are summarized. The anti-tumor activity of curcumin has garnered significant attention, with unique immunomodulatory effects on inhibiting cancer cell proliferation, inducing autophagy, affecting the cell cycle, and regulating cell apoptosis. Curcumin enhances immune cell-mediated actions against cancer cells through modulation of immune response pathways, alteration of the tumor microenvironment, and influencing immune cell function. Curcumin, via multiple pathways such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, apoptosis-inducing, and immunomodulatory effects, holds important clinical value in BC therapy.

The legalization of cannabis for industrial and medicinal purposes has significantly expanded worldwide. This study delves into the analgesic potential toxicity study of chloroformic extract from the Moroccan Cannabis sativa L. (C. sativa) cultivar, Khardala (KH extract). Our findings reveal that the lethal dose of KH extract is ≥5,000 mg/kg, with mice given 2,000 mg/kg exhibiting neurotoxic symptoms, including piloerection, aggressiveness, and fear, along with marked hepato-renal toxicity indicated by elevated levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, total bilirubin, and creatinine in both male and female subjects. Importantly, no toxicity was observed at 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg doses. Remarkably, at a dose of 500 mg/kg, the KH extract demonstrated a potent analgesic effect superior to cannabidiol (CBD), suggesting a synergistic interaction among the extract's bioactive compounds, such as CBD, cannabidivarin (CBDV), Delta 9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabigerol (CBG), Delta 9 tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV), and β-caryophyllene. In silico analysis supports these findings, showing the strong binding potential of THC, THCV, CBG, and CBDV to delta opioid receptors, with G-scores >-5.0 kcal/mol, highlighting the promising analgesic efficacy of this cannabis cultivar extract. This study underscores the therapeutic potential of the KH cultivar, positioning it as a promising candidate for pain management therapies.

Wound healing is a precisely regulated dynamic process in which signaling pathways play a central role. This article provides a comprehensive review of the signaling pathways involved in wound healing, emphasizing their roles in inflammation, vascular regeneration, cell proliferation, and extracellular matrix remodeling. We further discuss the crosstalk between these pathways and their contributions to wound healing dysregulation. Finally, we explore emerging therapeutic strategies targeting these pathways, including small-molecule inhibitors, gene therapy, and biologics, summarizing their preclinical and clinical efficacy. By elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying wound healing and potential interventions, this review aims to provide valuable insights for future research and translational applications in wound healing.

The aim of this study is to investigate the characteristics and etiology of endometrial hyperemia in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) through two complementary approaches: clinical data analysis to characterize endometrial hyperemia and clinical trials to elucidate its underlying causes. ELISA was employed to quantify inflammatory mediators in endometrial tissue, while reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and Western blot analyses were conducted to assess the expression levels of molecules associated with endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS). Additionally, RT-qPCR was used to determine the mRNA expression levels of HIF-1α, VEGF, and EPO. Compared with non-PCOS patients, those with PCOS exhibited a significantly higher prevalence of chronic endometritis (CE) (P < 0.05) along with increased levels of inflammatory factors (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the mRNA expression levels of HIF-1α, VEGF, and EPO, as well as ERS-related molecules, were significantly elevated in PCOS patients (P < 0.05). These findings indicate that women with PCOS are more likely to suffer from CE and that endometrial hyperemia is the primary manifestation of CE in these patients. The results further suggest that endometrial hypoxia-induced ERS may contribute to the development of endometrial hyperemia in PCOS patients.

Brain metastases (BMs) usually occur in the advanced stage of cancers with a poor prognosis. This study aimed to compare the clinical efficacy and effects on cognitive function of immunotherapy combined with whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) and immunotherapy combined with WBRT plus sequential integrated boost (SEB) in the treatment of multiple BMs. A total of 57 patients diagnosed with BMs were included in Kezhou People's Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University between 2021 and 2023. Patients were allocated into the WBRT group (n = 27) and the WBRT + SEB group (n = 30) based on whether to receive a boost. The WBRT + SEB group showed a higher complete response rate and objective response rate compared to the WBRT group (26.7 vs 14.8%, 90.0 vs 66.7%) (all P < 0.05). The two groups had a median overall survival (OS) time of 11.2 months (95% confidence interval [CI]: 9.3-13.1) and 9.4 months (95% CI: 6.2-12.6), respectively, with no statistically significant difference (P = 0.176). There was no difference in the levels of mini-mental state examination score at 1, 3, and 6 months, as well as the risk of adverse events, after WBRT between the two groups. In conclusion, SEB may improve the remission rate of lesions but not prolong the OS time. The boost would neither increase serious side effects nor would it aggravate cognitive impairment caused by WBRT.

Although citrus essential oils, including lemongrass essential oil, have antibacterial, anti-biofilm, and antioxidant properties, their biological instability and poor water solubility render them unsuitable for industrial usage. Thus, this study aimed to prepare both lemongrass essential oil emulsion (LEO-E) and lemongrass essential oil nanoemulsion (LEO-NE), and evaluate their different bioactivities. Characterization by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) and evaluation of antimicrobial, antibiofilm, antioxidant, and anticancer activities were carried out. GC-MS results illustrated that D-limonene compound is the dominant among other compounds in LEO. According to transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering, LEO-NE appeared as spherical-shaped droplets with a constant size spanning from 29.1 to 37.4 nm with a polydispersity index value of 0.163. Antimicrobial results showed that LEO-NE exhibited promising antimicrobial activity against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans, and Austromerope brasiliensis with inhibition zones of 25.33 ± 1.1, 26.5 ± 0.5, 22 ± 1, 24.33 ± 0.5, 28.6 ± 1, and 27.97 ± 0.9 mm, respectively. Moreover, LEO-NE showed considerable antiـbiofilm efficacy toward S. aureus and P. aeruginosa with inhibition percentages at 1/2 of MIC of 98.92 and 92.62%, respectively. Furthermore, LEO-NE exhibited antioxidant activity using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl method with 88.5% at 100 µg/mL concentration. In addition, LEO-NE displayed potential anticancer activity toward the human prostate cancer cell line (PC3) and human liver cancer cell line (Hep-G2), where IC₅₀ values were 170.09 and 105.06%, respectively. In conclusion, the prepared LEO-NE in the current study had antimicrobial, antibiofilm, antioxidant, and anticancer activities, which can be used in the medical and pharmaceutical fields.