Piperine, a functional food alkaloid, exhibits inhibitory potential against TNBS-induced colitis via the inhibition of IκB-α/NF-κB and induces tight junction protein (claudin-1, occludin, and ZO-1) signaling pathway in experimental mice

BACKGROUND

Inflammatory bowel disease is a chronic immunoinflammatory disease of the gastrointestinal tract. Piperine, an alkaloid, has been reported to possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiapoptotic, and antiulcer potential.

AIM

To elucidate the plausible mechanisms of action of piperine on experimental trinitrobenzenesufonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis by assessing various biochemical, molecular, histological, and ultrastructural modifications.

METHODS

Colitis was induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats via intrarectal instillation of TNBS. Then, the rats were treated with piperine (10, 20, and 40 mg/kg, p.o.) for 14 days.

RESULTS

TNBS induced significant (p < 0.05) colonic damage, which was assessed by disease activity index, macroscopic score, and stool consistency. The administration of piperine (20 and 40 mg/kg) significantly inhibited (p < 0.05) these damages. Treatments with piperine (20 and 40 mg/kg) notably inhibited (p < 0.05) the TNBS-induced elevation of oxido-nitrosative stress (superoxide dismutase, glutathione, malondialdehyde, and nitric oxide), 5-hydroxytryptamine, and hydroxyproline content in the colon. Furthermore, colonic inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOs), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, interferon-gamma, and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) messenger RNA (mRNA) expressions were upregulated after TNBS instillation and piperine (20 and 40 mg/kg) significantly attenuated (p < 0.05) these elevated mRNA expressions. TNBS decreased the expressions of tight junction (TJ) protein (claudin-1, occludin, and zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1)) and increased the expressions of proapoptotic (caspase-1) protein. These expressions were markedly inhibited (p < 0.05) by piperine treatment. Histological and ultrastructural studies of transmission electron microscopy suggested that piperine significantly ameliorated (p < 0.05) TNBS-induced colonic aberrations.

CONCLUSION

Piperine ameliorated the progression of TNBS-induced colitis by modulating the nuclear factor of kappa light polypeptide gene enhancer in B-cells inhibitor-alpha/nuclear factor-kappa B signaling pathway, thus inhibiting the overexpression of proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL's), COX-2, iNOs, oxido-nitrosative stress, and proapoptotic proteins (caspase-1) that may improve the expression of TJ protein (claudin-1, occludin, and ZO-1).

Dorsal-ventral patterned neural cyst from human pluripotent stem cells in a neurogenic niche

Despite its importance in central nervous system development, development of the human neural tube (NT) remains poorly understood, given the challenges of studying human embryos, and the developmental divergence between humans and animal models. We report a human NT development model, in which NT-like tissues, neuroepithelial (NE) cysts, are generated in a bioengineered neurogenic environment through self-organization of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs). NE cysts correspond to the neural plate in the dorsal ectoderm and have a default dorsal identity. Dorsal-ventral (DV) patterning of NE cysts is achieved using retinoic acid and/or sonic hedgehog and features sequential emergence of the ventral floor plate, P3, and pMN domains in discrete, adjacent regions and a dorsal territory progressively restricted to the opposite dorsal pole. This hPSC-based, DV patterned NE cyst system will be useful for understanding the self-organizing principles that guide NT patterning and for investigations of neural development and neural disease.

Quantitative Expression of RNA from Frozen Organs and Formaldehyde-fixed and Paraffin-embedded Tissues

Abstract

Objective Quantitative analysis and comparison of the expression of ribonucleic acid （RNA） from frozen organs and formaldehyde-fixed and paraffin-embedded （FFPE） tissues. Methods Frozen specimens of human brain, myocardium and liver tissues as well as FFPE samples at different postmortem intervals were collected and mass concentration of RNA was extracted and detected. Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction （RT-qPCR） technology was used to analyze the amplification efficiency and relative expression of each RNA marker. Results The mass concentration and integrity of RNA extracted from FFPE samples were relatively low compared with frozen specimens. The amplification efficiency of RNA markers was related with RNA species and the length of amplification products. Among them, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase （GAPDH） and β-actin （ACTB） with relatively long amplification products failed to achieve optimal amplification efficiency, whereas 5S ribosomal RNA （5S rRNA） achieved ideal amplification efficiency and showed quite stable expression across various tissues, therefore it was chosen as internal reference marker. The expression quantity of GAPDH and ACTB in frozen specimens with longer postmortem intervals and in FFPE samples with relatively long amplification products was decreased. The expressions of tissue-specific microRNAs （miRNAs）, GAPDH and ACTB with relatively short amplification products had consistency in the same tissues and FFPE samples. Conclusion Through standardizing the RT-qPCR experiment, selecting the appropriate RNA marker and designing primers of appropriate product length, RNA expression levels of FFPE samples can be accurately quantified.

Genome-wide identification and comparison of mRNAs, lncRNAs and circRNAs in porcine intramuscular, subcutaneous, retroperitoneal and mesenteric adipose tissues

Many types of RNAs, including messenger RNAs (mRNAs), long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) and circular RNAs (circRNAs), play crucial roles in regulating fat cell differentiation and tissue development. However, the expression profiles of these RNAs in different adipose tissues are still largely unknown. To shed light on this issue, we performed a transcriptome analysis of mRNAs, lncRNAs and circRNAs obtained from intramuscular adipose tissue, subcutaneous adipose tissue, retroperitoneal adipose tissue and mesenteric adipose tissue of Chinese Erhualian pigs. A number of differentially expressed mRNAs, lncRNAs and circRNAs were identified among the four adipose tissues. Tissue-specific analysis indicated that circRNAs exhibited the highest tissue specificity among mRNAs, lncRNAs and circRNAs, whereas intramuscular adipose tissue had the most tissue-specific genes among the four adipose tissues. Gene Ontology analysis showed that differentially expressed mRNAs among groups were involved mainly in lipid metabolism and immune inflammatory response processes. Furthermore, the co-expression network construction of mRNAs-lncRNAs revealed that several important lncRNAs, such as MSTRG.426159 and MSTRG.604206, might associate with lipid metabolic process. Taken together, these data provide a genome-wide resource of mRNAs, lncRNAs and circRNAs potentially involved in porcine fat metabolism, thus improving understanding of their function in diverse adipose tissues.

[Analysis of influencing factors and causes of death in elderly residents with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease]

Objective: To understand and analyze the incidence rate, risk factors, independent risk factors and the causes of death in elderly population with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Furthermore, analyze the relationship between metabolic syndrome (MS) and mortality rate in patients with NAFLD to provide evidence for the prevention and control of NAFLD in the elderly population. Methods: A total of 7 619 elderly people aged over 60 years, and local household registered in Kunshan city, Jiangsu province in 2016 were included as subjects to analyze the incidence rate, influencing factors and causes of death in patients with NAFLD and the relationship between MS and mortality rate in patients with NAFLD. According to different data, using Kruskal-Wallis H test, analysis of variance, t-test, chi-square test or logistic regression analysis were performed. Results: The prevalence of NAFLD was14.10% (1 074/7 619) among the elderly over 60 years in Kunshan city, Jiangsu province in 2016, and the female prevalence rate was significantly higher than that of males (P < 0.05). When the body mass index (BMI) was < 32 (kg/m(2)), the prevalence of NAFLD increased with the increase of BMI index. When BMI was 18.5-23.9 kg/m2, 24-27.9 kg/m(2) and > 32 kg/m(2), the prevalence of NAFLD was significantly higher in females than males (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in prevalence between males and females with BMI <18.5 kg/m(2) and 28~31.9 kg/m(2) (P > 0.05). BMI gradually decreased (P < 0.05) with the increase of age, and the incidence of NAFLD showed a downward trend (P < 0.05). An independent risk factors for NAFLD (P < 0.01) were gender (OR = 0.616), age (OR = 0.970), waist circumference (OR = 1.065), triglycerides (OR = 1.162), BMI (OR = 1.238), and diastolic blood pressure (OR = 1.012). The probability of NAFLD combined with three and four kinds of MS was significantly higher than control group (P < 0.05). Subjects' mortality rate during the follow-up period was 1.94%, 2.23% in the NAFLD group, and 1.89% in the control group. Average life expectancy was 75.58 years in NAFLD group and 78.68 years in the control group. All deaths in NAFLD groups were associated with MS, and 70.83% combined with three or more MS. The primary cause of death in NAFLD group was tumors (37.5%), followed by cardiovascular disease (16.67%) and three cases died directly from MS. Conclusion: The prevalence of NAFLD in the elderly population in Kunshan city, Jiangsu province is relatively low, which may be associated with local diet and high-intensity workouts. MS disorders represented by obesity and diabetes mellitus are closely associated to the onset of NAFLD. Obesity is the most important risk factor for the incidence of NAFLD in the local elderly population over 60 years old. However, the risk of NAFLD should not be neglected in people with normal BMI, especially in aged women, and the weight control should be the most important means to prevent and control NAFLD. NAFLD may increase mortality rate and reduce life expectancy in the elderly population. The main reason to cause death in the elderly with NAFLD is cardiovascular disease and malignant tumors. Simultaneously, multiple MS development may increase the death rate in elderly with NAFLD.

Transformation of norfloxacin during the chlorination of marine culture water in the presence of iodide ions

The antibacterial agent norfloxacin (NOR) and sodium hypochlorite (NaClO), which are both widely used in marine culture, react with each other to form the halogenated disinfection byproducts (X-DBPs). The effects of the water characteristics and iodide concentration on the reaction kinetics were investigated. The results showed that the reaction rate of NOR with NaClO increases from 0.0586 min^-1 to 0.1075 min^-1 when the iodide concentration was changed from 0 μg^-1 to 50 μg^-1. This demonstrated the enhancement of NOR oxidation in the presence of iodide ions. Four novel iodinated DBPs (I-DBPs) were identified in the marine culture water. Iodine substitutions occurred at the C3 and C8 positions of NOR. The formation mechanisms of X-DBPs in the marine culture water were proposed based on the intermediate and final products. NOR may undergo a ring-opening reaction, a de-carbonyl reaction and substitution to form intermediates and finally generate the X-DBPs. Furthermore, the predicted logK_OW and logBCF values of the I-DBPs were higher than that of the Br-DBPs and Cl-DBPs. The AOX concentration in the synthetic water samples decreased in the following order: seawater (8.49 mg L^-1) > marine culture water (4.05 mg L^-1) > fresh water (1.89 mg L^-1). The amount of AOX also increased with the increase in iodide concentration. These results indicated that the I-DBPs were more toxic than their brominated and chlorinated analogues.

Sensitive detection of formamidopyrimidine-DNA glycosylase activity based on target-induced self-primed rolling circle amplification and magnetic nanoprobes

We developed a novel approach to determine formamidopyrimidine DNA glycosylase (FPG) activity by taking advantage of target-induced self-primed rolling circle amplification (RCA) and magnetic nanoprobes. Herein, a unique nick (8-oxoguanine, 8-oxoG) was positioned in duplex DNA containing P-circle and P1, which together serve as a FPG substrate, RCA template, and RCA primer probe. The presence of FPG specifically binds 8-oxoG and cleaves the P-circle into two parts, producing 5'-phosphoryl termini. A phosphodiester bond between the 5'-phosphoryl and 3'-hydroxyl termini was formed with the addition of T4 DNA ligase, producing an unnicked circular strand. Using the unnicked strand as the RCA template, the P1 hybridized with the circle probe as a primer will trigger the RCA process. The RCA reaction produces amounts of long tandem-repeat DNA tiles with multiple recognizing regions for the FAM modified DNA probes (FP) and biotin-modified DNA probes (BP). With the streptavidin-biotin interaction, the BPs and FPs can be easily immobilized on the surface of streptavidin-modified magnetic microbeads (MBs). Due to the RCA enhanced and highly-concentrated fluorescence accumulation on the MBs, an ultralow detection limit of 1.033 U mL-1 for FPG was obtained. Combined with the high tolerance capability of human blood serum owing to magnetic isolation, the FPG assays in human blood serum were also obtained using fluorescence and confocal laser scanning microscopy. These results indicate that this robust self-primed RCA combined with magnetic nanoprobes is an excellent candidate for quantitatively monitoring the FPG activity responsible for DNA oxidative damage-related clinical diagnosis and therapy.

[Effects of budesonide aerosol inhalation on the immunological functions of peripheral dendritic cells in patients with allergic rhinitis]

Objective: To investigate the immunologic functional changes of peripheral dendritic cells (DC) in patients with allergic rhinitis (AR) during the treatment by budesonide aerosol inhalation.Method:25 patients with moderate to severe persistent AR were concluded in current study, and they were given budesonide aerosol inhalation for 8 weeks. AR related nasal symptom scores and indices, peripheral DC counts and percentages as well as their activation before and 4 weeks, 8 weeks after treatment were determined.Result:There were significant decrease in nasal symptom scores, eosinophils, AR specific IgE antibodies after 4 and 8 weeks of treatment. The overall clinical efficiency reached 88% at the end of the treatment. Peripheral DC counts and DC/PBMC decreased in comparison with the levels of pre-treatment (P<0.05). Compared with the levels before treatment, DC activation markers CD86 and CD80 reduced to various extent, while glucocorticoid-induced leucine zipper (GILZ) positive cells gradually elevated (P<0.05). In the DC secreted IL-10 decreased against the treatment duration, while IFN-γ from DC conditioned T cells statistically increased after treatment (P<0.05). Conclusion:Budesonide suppressed DC activation and maturation, which might redirect DC-involved Th2 response, in turn alleviating the AR symptoms.

[Outcomes of 27G(+) transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy for posterior segment disease]

Objective: To report the clinical outcomes and safety profile of 27G(+) transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy (TSV) in eyes with posterior segment disease. Methods: Prospective, interventional case series. Eyes undergoing 27G(+) TSV for a vitreoretinal surgery indication were included from Dec 2015 to Mar 2016. Change in visual acuity and occurrence of intraoperative and postoperative complications with minimum follow-up of 6 weeks were recorded. Results: Eighty-three eyes met the inclusion criteria. Surgical indications included epiretinal membrane (n=27), proliferative diabetic retinopathy (n=17), full-thickness macular hole (n=11), rhegmatogenous retinal detachment with or without proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) (n=8), vitreous hemorrhage(n=7), vitreous opacities (n=7), diabetic macular edema non-response to anti-VEGF agents(n=4), intraocular lens or cataract nucleus dropped into vitreous cavity (n=2). Mean follow-up was 19 weeks (range 6-34 weeks). Visual acuity improved in all cases. The cutter incarcerated with trocar in a vitreous hemorrhage case. There were no other intraoperative complications and no case required sutured at the conclusion of surgery. Postoperative complications included transient ocular hypertension in 2 eyes (2.4%) and transient hypotony in 1 eye (1.2%). No cases of postoperative endophthalmitis, sclerotomy related retinal tears, or choroidal detachments were encountered in the follow-up period. Conclusion: The 27G(+) TSV was effective and safe for varied surgical indications with low rates of intraoperative and postoperative complications. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2018, 54:918-922).

Formation of disinfection byproducts from sulfamethoxazole during sodium hypochlorite disinfection of marine culture water

The fates of the antibiotic sulfamethoxazole (SMX) in the chlorination of fresh water, simulated brackish marine culture water, and marine water were investigated. SMX was oxidized by sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) at different reaction rates in the different samples. The oxidation of SMX followed pseudo-first-order kinetics, and the rate constant was the largest in marine water (3.44 min^-1), as Br^- ions promote the oxidation reaction. Moreover, the kinds of disinfection byproducts (DBPs) were also affected by Br^- ions. Br-DBPs were found in the simulated brackish marine culture water and marine water disinfection systems. The structures of the DBPs indicated that S-C cleavage, polymerization, S-N hydrolysis, chlorine/bromine substitution, and desulfonation reactions occurred on SMX during the disinfection process. EPI (Estimation Programs Interface) Suite™ and absorbable organic halogen (AOX) analysis were used to evaluate the toxicity of the DBPs. The results suggested that DBPs in the simulated brackish marine culture water and marine water systems were more toxic than those in the fresh water system.

[Suture under tension across cartilage in the application of the crooked nose surgery]

Objective:Observing the effect of maintain tension across suture between cartilages to fix new nasal structure on balance the asymmetric strength of the two sides of the cartilage and the recurrence of the postoperative crooked nose.Method:A L-shaped struct made of the nasal septum cartilage were fixed to maintain tension across structure between cartilage during rhinoplasty in 39 patients with crooked nasal deformity. Of 21 cases were type I deviation, of 12 cases were C-shaped deviation,and of 6 cases were S-shaped deviation.Result:A 1-5 years follow-up were performed. The effects were divided into three degrees: 30 cases excellent (76.92%), 6 cases good (15.38%) and 3 cases acceptable (7.69%).The rate of excellent and good was 92.31%(36/39). The type I improvement rate was 80.3%,the rate of type C was 83.6% and the improvement rate of type S was 84.1%,the overall improvement rate was about 81.9%.Conclusion:Suture under tension across cartilage can fix reconstruction of nasal structure effectively,improve the postoperative effect, reduce recurrence of crooked nose. The operation is simple and is an essential part of the nasal deformity correction technique.

17β-estradiol as precursors of Cl/Br-DBPs in the disinfection process of different water samples

During chlorine disinfection process, reactions between the disinfectant and 17β-estradiol (E2) lead to the formation of halogenated disinfection byproducts (DBPs) which can be a risk to both ecosystem and human health. The degradation and transformation products of E2 in sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) disinfection processes of different water samples were investigated. The reaction kinetics research showed that the degradation rates of E2 were considerably dependent on the initial pH value and the types of water samples. In fresh water, synthetic marine aquaculture water and seawater, the reaction rate constant was 0.133 min^-1, 2.067 min^-1 and 2.592 min^-1, respectively. The reasons for the above phenomena may be due to the different concentrations of bromide ions (Br^-) in these three water samples which could promote the reaction between NaClO and E2. Furthermore, Br^- could also cause the formation of brominated DBPs (Br-DBPs). The main DBPs, reaction centers and conceivable reaction pathways were explored. Seven halogenated DBPs have been observed including three chlorinated DBPs (Cl-DBPs) and four Br-DBPs. The active sites of E2 were found to be the pentabasic cyclic ring and the ortho position of the phenol moiety as well as C9-C10 position. The identified Cl/Br-DBPs were also confirmed in actual marine aquaculture water from a shrimp pond. The comparison of bio-concentration factors (BCF) values based on calculation of EPI-suite showed that the toxicities of the Br-DBPs were stronger than that of their chloride analogues. The absorbable organic halogens (AOX) analysis also suggested that the DBPs produced in the marine aquaculture water were more toxic than that in the fresh water system.

Activation of PhoBR under phosphate-rich conditions reduces the virulence of Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae

The two-component signal transduction system PhoBR regulates the adaptation to phosphate limitation and the virulence of many animal bacterial pathogens. However, PhoBR in phytopathogens has rarely been investigated. In this study, we found that PhoBR in Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo), the pathogen of rice bacterial leaf blight, also regulates the adaptation to phosphate starvation. Unexpectedly, rice leaves infected by the phoBR-deleted mutant and wild-type PXO99^A showed similar lesions, indicating that PhoBR is unnecessary for the virulence of Xoo. phoBR was found to be silenced during host infection, whereas artificially constitutive PhoBR expression attenuated virulence on host rice and growth in phosphate-rich media. RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) was then performed to investigate the global effect caused by constitutive PhoBR activation. RNA-seq and further experiments revealed that the PhoBR regulon in Xoo comprised a wide range of genes. Nutrient transport and metabolism readjustments that resulted from PhoBR regulon activation may be responsible for growth attenuation. Our findings suggest that growth reduction regulated by PhoBR is a fitness cost of adaptation to phosphate starvation. PhoBR in Xoo is activated under phosphate-limited conditions, which could exist in epiphytic and saprophytic surviving phases, and is strictly repressed within phosphate-rich host plants to minimize fitness costs.

High expression of Sonic hedgehog in allergic airway epithelia contributes to goblet cell metaplasia

Sonic hedgehog (SHH) is abundantly expressed and critical for morphogenesis in embryonic lungs; however, SHH expression drops to a much lower level in mice from E17.5 and in humans from the 21st gestational week. We find that SHH expression is robustly upregulated in the airway epithelia of children with asthma or mouse models with allergic airway disease. Specifically, airway-specific SMO loss of function significantly suppresses allergen-induced goblet cell phenotypes, whereas an airway-specific SMO gain of function markedly enhances the goblet cell phenotypes in mouse models with allergic airway disease. Notably, intratracheal administration with SHH-neutralizing antibody or cyclopamine robustly attenuates goblet cell phenotypes in mouse models with allergic airway disease. Finally, we identify that Muc5AC gene encoding MUC5AC mucin serves as a direct target of GLI transcriptional factors in response to SHH, whereas the SAM-pointed domain-containing ETS transcription factor and Forkhead box A2, critical transcriptional factors for goblet cell phenotypes, both function as the effectors of GLIs in response to SHH stimulation. Together, the upregulation of SHH expression in allergic bronchial epithelia contributes to goblet cell metaplasia; thus, blockage of SHH signaling is a rational approach in a therapeutic intervention of epithelial remodeling in chronic airway diseases.

[Reconstruction of nasal defects of multiple subunits with lateral nasal artery pedicled nasolabial flap]

Objective:To evaluate the effectiveness of the lateral nasal artery pedicled nasolabial flap for reconstruction of nasal defects of multiple subunits. Method:From September 2014 to April 2016, 30 cases of nasal defects in multiple subunits repaired with the lateral nasal artery pedicled nasolabial flap were retrospectively analysed. Result:All flaps survived. Incision at donor and accepted sites healed by first intention. Two patients had mild venous stasis 24 hours after operation and can alleviated spontaneously. Flap revision was performed in 25 cases after 3-6 months. Twentythree cases were followed up 3-12 months. All patients achieved satisfactory results in nasal appearance. Conclusion:The lateral nasal artery pedicled nasolabial flap can reconstruct the nasal defects of multiple subunits, and the texture, color or thickness are similar to the surrounding skin.It is one of the effective methods to repair multiple subunits of nasal defects.

Development and antimicrobial application of plantaricin BM-1 incorporating a PVDC film on fresh pork meat during cold storage

AIMS

The aim of this study was to develop a plantaricin BM-1, a typical IIa bacteriocin produced by Lactocacillus plantarumBM-1, for active polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC) films and to determine the antimicrobial effect of plantaricin BM-1 incorporated into a PVDC film on fresh pork during 7 days of storage at 4°C.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Plantaricin BM-1 solutions (20 480 AU ml^-1 ) that absorbed into the PVDC film increased gradually and reached maximum volumes during exposure for up to 20 h. When soaked in water, the released amount of plantaricin BM-1 from the active PVDC film reached a maximum at 20 h. The plantaricin BM-1 active PVDC film had an obvious antilisterial effect in culture medium and fresh pork inoculated with Listeria monocytogenes. Furthermore, plantaricin BM-1-incorporated PVDC film was also significantly (P < 0·01) reduced to aerobic counts of approximately 1·5 log₁₀ CFU per g after 7 days of storage at 4°C in pork meat, and the pH and total volatile basic nitrogen of pork meat were significantly (P < 0·01, P < 0·05) lower than those of the control.

CONCLUSION

Plantaricin BM-1 active film has an excellent effect to prolong the shelf life of pork meat during cold storage.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

The results of this study suggest a potential application of bacteriocin active film on meat preservation.