Angiotensins promote fluid absorption in the rat ileum after their CNS administration

The Anti-Tumor Efficacy of Verbascoside on Ovarian Cancer via Facilitating CCN1-AKT/NF-κB Pathway-Mediated M1 Macrophage Polarization

Background

Ovarian cancer (OC) is the leading cause of gynecological cancer-related mortality. Verbascoside (VB) is a phenylpropanoid glycoside from Chinese herbs, with anti-tumour activities. This study aimed to investigate the effects and mechanism of VB on OC.

Methods

OC cell lines SKOV3 and A2780 were used in this study. Cell viability, proliferation, and migration were measured using CCK-8, clonogenic, and transwell assays, respectively. Apoptosis and M1/M2 macrophages were detected using flow cytometry. The interaction between VB and CCN1 was predicted by molecular docking. The mRNA expression of CCN1 was detected by RT-qPCR. The protein levels of CCN1, AKT, p-AKT, p65, and p-p65 were determined by western blotting. A xenograft mice model was established for in vivo validation.

Results

VB inhibited OC cell proliferation and migration in a dose-dependent manner, and promoted apoptosis and M1 macrophage polarization. VB downregulated CCN1 and inhibited the AKT/NF-κB pathway. LY294002, an AKT inhibitor, potentiated the anti-tumour effects of VB. CCN1 overexpression weakened the anti-tumour effects of VB and VB + LY294002. In vivo experiments verified that VB inhibited tumour growth and promoted M1 polarization, which is regulated by the CCN1-mediated AKT/NF-κB pathway.

Conclusion

VB triggers the CCN1-AKT/NF-κB pathway-mediated M1 macrophage polarization for protecting against OC.

Estimating above-ground biomass of subtropical forest using airborne LiDAR in Hong Kong

Seventy-percent of the terrestrial area of Hong Kong is covered by vegetation and 40% is protected as the Country Park. The above-ground biomass (AGB) acts as reliable source of carbon sink and while Hong Kong has recognized the importance of carbon sink in forest and urged for forest protection in the latest strategic plan, yet no study has been conducted on assessing the baseline of terrestrial AGB and its carbon storage. This study compared and estimated the AGB by the traditional allometric modeling and the Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) plot metrics at plot-level in a subtropical forest of Hong Kong. The study has tested five allometric models which were developed from pantropical regions, subtropical areas and locally. The best model was then selected as the dependent variable to develop the LiDAR-derived AGB model. The raw LiDAR point cloud was pre-processed to normalized height point cloud and hence generating the LiDAR metric as independent variables for the model development. Regression models were used to estimate AGB at various plot sizes (i.e., in 10-m, 5-m and 2.5-m radius). The models were then evaluated statistically and validated by bootstrapping and leave-one-out cross validation (LOOCV). The results indicated the LiDAR metric derived from larger plot size outperformed the smaller plot size, with model R2 of 0.864 and root-mean-square-error (RMSE) of 37.75 kg/ha. It also found that pantropical model was comparable to a site-specific model when including the bioclimatic variable in subtropical forests. This study provides the approach for delineating the baseline of terrestrial above-ground biomass and carbon stock in subtropical forests upon an appropriate plot size is being deployed.

CNS effects of peptides: a cross-listing of peptides and their central actions published in the journal Peptides, 1986-1993

The centrally mediated effects of peptides as published in the journal Peptides from 1986 to 1993 are tabulated in two ways. In one table, the peptides are listed alphabetically. In another table, the effects are arranged alphabetically. Most of the effects observed after administration of peptides are grouped, wherever possible, into categories such as cardiovascular and gastrointestinal. The species used in most cases has been rats; where other animals were used, the species is noted. The route of administration of peptides and source of information also are included in the tables, with a complete listing provided at the end. Many peptides have been shown to exert a large number of centrally mediated effects.