Extracellular adenosine triphosphate regulates inflammatory responses of periodontal ligament cells

BACKGROUND

Various stimuli, that is, mechanical stresses or inflammation, induce the release of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) by human periodontal ligament cells (HPDLCs). Extracellular adenosine triphosphate (eATP) affects HPDLCs' functions such as immunosuppressive action and inflammatory responses. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is the key factor involved in periodontal inflammation. However, the possible correlation and detailed mechanism of inflammation-mediated eATP by LPS and inflammatory cascade formation in HPDLCs is unclarified. This study aims to examine the role of eATP on the HPDLCs' responses concerning inflammatory actions after LPS treatment.

METHODS

HPDLCs were stimulated with Porphyromonas gingivalis LPS and polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (poly I:C). The amount of ATP release was measured at different time points using a bioluminescence assay. HPDLCs were treated with eATP. The expression of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory genes was determined. Specific P2X purinoreceptor 7 (P2X7) inhibitors (brilliant blue G [BBG] and KN62), a specific P2Y purinoreceptor 1 (P2Y1) inhibitors (MRS2179), calcium chelator (EGTA), protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors, nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF𝜅B) activation inhibitors, and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)-dependent protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitors (H89 dihydrochloride) and activators (forskolin) were used to dissect the mechanism of eATP-induced HPDLCs' inflammatory responses.

RESULTS

LPS and poly I:C induced ATP release. A low concentration of eATP (50 µM) increased pro-inflammatory genes (COX2, IL1B, IL6, IL8, IL12, and TNFA), while a high concentration (500 µM) enhanced anti-inflammatory genes (IL4 and IL10). BBG, KN62, and NF𝜅B activation inhibitors impeded eATP-induced pro-inflammatory genes. MRS2179 and H89 markedly suppressed eATP-induced anti-inflammatory genes. Forskolin induced IL4 and IL10.

CONCLUSION

HPDLCs respond to LPS by releasing ATP. eATP has dose-dependent dual functions on HPDLCs' inflammatory responses via different pathways. As regulation of inflammation is important in regeneration, eATP may help to limit inflammation and trigger periodontal regeneration.

Metabarcoding study to reveal the structural community of strongylid nematodes in domesticated horses in Thailand

BACKGROUND

Mixed strongylid infections significantly impact equine health and performance. Traditional microscopy-based methods exhibit limitations in accurately identifying strongylid species. Nemabiome deep amplicon sequencing approach previously succeeded in describing the strongylid communities in livestock including equids. However, there are no available studies that describe the structural communities of strongylid parasites in horses in Thailand. Therefore, this study was undertaken encompassing the ITS-2 rDNA metabarcoding assay to characterize strongylid species within horse fecal samples collected from a cohort of yearlings at the largest domesticated stud farm in Thailand. In addition, to investigate the capability of ITS-2 rDNA in assessing the phylogenetic relationships among the identified strongylid species.

RESULTS

The study identified 14 strongylid species in the examined equine populations, each with varying prevalence. Notably, Cylicocyclus nassatus and Cylicostephanus longibursatus were identified as the predominant species, with Strongylus spp. conspicuously absent. The phylogenetic analysis of 207 amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) displayed a complex relationship among the investigated cyathostomin species, with some species are positioned across multiple clades, demonstrating close associations with various species and genera.

CONCLUSION

The ITS-2 nemabiome sequencing technique provided a detailed picture of horse strongylid parasite species in the studied population. This establishes a foundation for future investigations into the resistance status of these parasites and enables efforts to mitigate their impact.

Full-length 16S rDNA sequencing based on Oxford Nanopore Technologies revealed the association between gut-pharyngeal microbiota and tuberculosis in cynomolgus macaques

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (Mtbc), which develops from asymptomatic latent TB to active stages. The microbiome was purposed as a potential factor affecting TB pathogenesis, but the study was limited. The present study explored the association between gut-pharyngeal microbiome and TB stages in cynomolgus macaques using the full-length 16S rDNA amplicon sequencing based on Oxford Nanopore Technologies. The total of 71 macaques was divided into TB (-) control, TB (+) latent and TB (+) active groups. The differential abundance analysis showed that Haemophilus hemolyticus was decreased, while Prevotella species were increased in the pharyngeal microbiome of TB (+) macaques. In addition, Eubacterium coprostanoligenes in the gut was enriched in TB (+) macaques. Alteration of these bacteria might affect immune regulation and TB severity, but details of mechanisms should be further explored and validated. In summary, microbiota may be associated with host immune regulation and affect TB progression. The findings suggested the potential mechanisms of host-microbes interaction, which may improve the understanding of the role of microbiota and help develop therapeutics for TB in the future.

Synergistic impact of arbutin and kaempferol-7-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside from Nephelium lappaceum L. on whitening efficacy and stability of cosmetic formulations

Four flavonoid glycosides, namely quercetin-3-O-rhamnoside (1), kaempferol-3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl (2), kaempferol-7-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside (3), and kaempferol-3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-7-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside (4), from Nephelium lappaceum L. seeds were evaluated for their efficacy against melanin inhibition in B16F10 melanoma cells and tyrosinase inhibition. Among them, kaempferol-7-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside (3) displayed the highest potency in both activities without any significant cytotoxicity. The combination of compound 3 and arbutin in specific proportions demonstrated a synergistic effect (CI < 1) in inhibiting melanin production in B16F10 cells and tyrosinase inhibition. Additionally, a cosmetic formulation containing compound 3 and arbutin as active ingredients exhibited favorable stability under accelerated storage conditions. Quantitative analysis indicated that compound 3 and arbutin levels in the formulation were above 90% after one month of storage. Determination of the formulation's shelf life using the Q10 method, estimating it to be around 5.2 months from the date of manufacture. The synergy between arbutin and kaempferol-7-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside (3) extracted from N. lappaceum substantially enhances both the whitening effectiveness and the stability of cosmetic formulations.

Sericin coated thin polymeric films reduce keratinocyte proliferation via the mTOR pathway and epidermal inflammation through IL17 signaling in psoriasis rat model

Therapeutic treatment forms can play significant roles in resolving psoriatic plaques or promoting wound repair in psoriatic skin. Considering the biocompatibility, mechanical strength, flexibility, and adhesive properties of silk fibroin sheets/films, it is useful to combine them with anti-psoriatic agents and healing stimulants, notably silk sericin. Here, we evaluate the curative properties of sericin-coated thin polymeric films (ScF) fabricated from silk fibroin, using an imiquimod-induced psoriasis rat model. The film biocompatibility and psoriatic wound improvement capacity was assessed. A proteomics study was performed to understand the disease resolving mechanisms. Skin-implantation study exhibited the non-irritation property of ScF films, which alleviate eczema histopathology. Immunohistochemical and gene expression revealed the depletion of β-defensin, caspase-3 and -9, TNF-α, CCL-20, IL-1β, IL-17, TGF-β, and Wnt expressions and S100a14 mRNA level. The proteomics study suggested that ScF diminish keratinocyte proliferation via the mTOR pathway by downregulating mTOR protein, corresponding to the modulation of TNF-α, Wnt, and IL-1β levels, leading to the enhancement of anti-inflammatory environment by IL-17 downregulation. Hematology data demonstrated the safety of using these biomaterials, which provide a potential therapeutic-option for psoriasis treatment due to desirable effects, especially anti-proliferation and anti-inflammation, functioning via the mTOR pathway and control of IL-17 signaling.

First-principles demonstration of band filling-induced significant improvement in thermodynamic stability and mechanical properties of Sc[Formula: see text]Ta[Formula: see text]B[Formula: see text] solid solutions

Mixtures of different metal diborides in the form of solid solutions are promising materials for hard-coating applications. Herein, we study the mixing thermodynamics and the mechanical properties of AlB[Formula: see text]-structured Sc[Formula: see text]Ta[Formula: see text]B[Formula: see text] solid solutions using the first-principles method, based on the density functional theory, and the cluster-expansion formalism. Our thermodynamic investigation reveals that the two diborides readily mix with one another to form a continuous series of stable solid solutions in the pseudo-binary TaB[Formula: see text] [Formula: see text]ScB[Formula: see text] system even at absolute zero. Interestingly, the elastic moduli as well as the hardness of the solid solutions show significant positive deviations from the linear Vegard's rule evaluated between those of ScB[Formula: see text] and TaB[Formula: see text]. In case of Sc[Formula: see text]Ta[Formula: see text]B[Formula: see text], the degrees of deviation from such linear trends can be as large as 25, 20, and 40% for the shear modulus, the Young's modulus, and the hardness, respectively. The improvement in the stability as well as the mechanical properties of Sc[Formula: see text]Ta[Formula: see text]B[Formula: see text] solid solutions relative to their constituent compounds is found to be related to the effect of electronic band filling, induced upon mixing TaB[Formula: see text] with ScB[Formula: see text]. These findings not only demonstrate the prominent role of band filling in enhancing the stability and the mechanical properties of Sc[Formula: see text]Ta[Formula: see text]B[Formula: see text], but also it can potentially open up a possibility for designing stable/metastable metal diboride-based solid solutions with superior and widely tunable mechanical properties for hard-coating applications.

Effects of Mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana) Peel Extract Loaded in Nanoemulsion on Growth Performance, Immune Response, and Disease Resistance of Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) against Aeromonas veronii Infection

Nanotechnology can enhance nutrient delivery and bioavailability; hence, it has recently been considered the most practical alternative technology for nutritional supplements and disease control in fish farming. The present study was designed to evaluate the effects of mangosteen peel extract loaded in nanoemulsion (MSNE) on the inhibition of A. veronii (in vitro) and in vivo growth performance, serum biochemical parameters, the immune response, and the disease resistance of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) against A. veronii challenge. The particle size, polydispersity index, and particle surface charge of MSNE were 151.9 ± 1.4 nm, >0.3, and -30 mV, respectively. Furthermore, MSNE, mangosteen peel extract (MPE), and nanoemulsion (NE) improved the antimicrobial activity against A. veronii. Fish fed MSNE, MPE, and NE-supplemented diets had a significantly lower (p < 0.05) feed conversion ratio (FCR) and higher specific growth rate (SGR) than fish fed the control diet. Furthermore, the MSNE had significantly higher serum glucose and protein levels than the control group in Nile tilapia. Total immunoglobulin, serum lysozyme, alternative complement activity, and survival of Nile tilapia fed with MSNE were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than the control diet. Therefore, MSNE has the potential to be employed as a supplement in sustainable Nile tilapia farming.

Bacteriospermia and its antimicrobial resistance in relation to boar sperm quality during short-term storage with or without antibiotics in a tropical environment

BACKGROUND

In tropical environments, boar semen is prepared either from a boar on the same farm as the sow herd or collected in semen collection centers and then transported to other farms. Thus, the semen doses can be used for artificial insemination either immediately or preserved for 2-3 days. The present study investigated the bacteriospermia and its antimicrobial resistance in relation to boar sperm quality during short-term storage in semen extender with or without antibiotics in Thailand. M&M: In total, 20 Duroc ejaculates were collected. Each ejaculate was diluted in Beltsville Thawing Solution extender either with 0.25 g of gentamicin per liter (ANTIBIOTIC) or without gentamicin (NO-ANITIBIOTIC) to create semen doses containing 3,000 × 10⁶ sperm/100 mL. These were stored at 17 °C for 4 days. Semen characteristics and total bacterial count (CFU per mL, log₁₀) were measured after collection and during storage.

RESULTS

Sperm viability was decreased by 6.4% for every 1.0 log₁₀ increase in total bacterial count (p = 0.026) and Staphylococcus spp. were the most frequently isolated across ejaculates. Throughout the 4 days of storage, sperm motility, viability and acrosome integrity in the ANTIBIOTIC group were higher than those in the NO-ANTIBIOTIC group (p < 0.05), while the total bacterial count was lower (1.9 ± 0.1 versus 3.9 ± 0.1 log₁₀, respectively; p < 0.001). Without antibiotic supplementation, the total numbers of bacteria counted on days 2 and 3 of storage were higher than those determined on days 0 and 1 (p < 0.001). Differences in semen quality were detected on days 2 and 3 between the NO-ANTIBIOTIC and ANTIBIOTIC groups in high-viability semen (p < 0.05). However, no differences in sperm quality between the NO-ANTIBIOTIC and ANTIBIOTIC groups were detected in the low-viability semen on each storage day (p > 0.05). On the last day of preservation, Globicatella sanguinis (57.2%), Delftia acidovorans (18.9%) and Micrococcus spp. (5.9%) remained as the top three most abundant contaminants in the semen with antibiotic.

CONCLUSION

Our findings contribute new insights toward reducing antibiotics as well as rational antibiotic use in the boar AI industry. The growth of bacteria was significantly greater only after 2 days of preservation in the semen without antibiotic. For semen doses diluted from highly viable ejaculates, it is possible to store for 2 days without any antibiotic supplementation. Moreover, bacterial counts increased at the end of storage in the presence of gentamycin, suggesting the loss of bacteriostatic properties of gentamicin to the growth of bacteria during storage.

Effects of extended mixing processes on fresh, hardened and durable properties of cement systems incorporating fly ash

Specifications that correspond with system performance may guarantee the addition of value. Most specifications for ready-mixed concrete address limits on discharge time and truck-drum revolution counts. These limits have been developed for conventional concrete. As the uses of supplementary cementing materials (SCMs) become ubiquitous, it is important to determine whether these specifications are applicable to SCMs, that is, systems containing fly ash. This paper presents results of the effects of mixing time and mixer revolution counts on characteristics of lab-made pastes and mortars containing 20% and 50% fly ash. Their characteristics assessed include time-variant ion concentrations, setting time, flow, compressive strength, porosity, and apparent chloride diffusivity coefficient. Results indicate that with increasing mixing time and mixer revolution counts, mixtures with a replacement of fly ash exhibit improved both fresh and hardened characteristics. When mixed for 60 min or 25,505 revolution count, the 28-day compressive strengths of mixtures containing 20% and 50% fly ash are 50% to 100% higher than the neat cement. Fly ash is suggested to adopt in the extended mixing processes of cement systems.

Alteration of gut microbiota in wild-borne long-tailed macaques after 1-year being housed in hygienic captivity

The wild-born long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis) were recently recruited and used as breeders for the National Primate Research Center of Thailand, Chulalongkorn University (NPRCT-CU), and changes in their in-depth gut microbiota profiles were investigated. The Oxford Nanopore Technology (ONT) was used to explore full-length 16S rDNA sequences of gut microbiota in animals once captured in their natural habitat and 1-year following translocation and housing in a hygienic environment at NPRCT-CU. Our findings show that the gut microbiota of macaques after 1 year of hygienic housing and programmed diets feeding was altered and reshaped. The prevalent gut bacteria such as Prevotella copri and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii were enriched after translocation, causing the lower alpha diversity. The correlation analysis revealed that Prevotella copri, Phascolarctobacterium succinatutens, and Prevotella stercorea, showed a positive correlation with each other. Significantly enriched pathways in the macaques after translocation included biosynthesis of essential amino acids, fatty acids, polyamine and butanoate. The effects of microbiota change could help macaques to harvest the energy from programmed diets and adapt their gut metabolism. The novel probiotics and microbiota engineering approach could be further developed based on the current findings and should be helpful for captive animal health care management.