The Prevention Effect of Bacillus subtilis on Escherichia coli–Induced Mastitis in Mice by Suppressing the NF-κB and MAPK Signaling Pathways

Probiotics and Antimicrobial Proteins - Mastitis, common inflammation of the mammary gland, caused by various factors, is a challenge for the dairy industry. Escherichia coli (E. coli), a...     

Design, synthesis, and anti-tumor activity of (2-O-alkyloxime-3-phenyl)-propionyl-1-O-acetylbritannilactone esters

The extracts of Inula britannica have anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-hepatitic, and anti-tumor activities. Various sesquiterpene lactones with cytotoxic properties including 1-O-acetylbritannilactone (1) have been isolated from this Chinese medicinal plant. Eight derivatives of 1-O-acetylbritannilactone, (2-O-alkyloxime-3-phenyl)-propionyl-1-O-acetylbritannilactone esters were designed and synthesized. Four of these compounds were tested to show inhibitory activity on the growth of human leukemia HL-60 and cancer Bel-7402 cell lines.     

Aryl hydrocarbon receptor activation by Lactobacillus reuteri tryptophan metabolism alleviates Escherichia coli-induced mastitis in mice

The intestinal microbiota has been associated with the occurrence and development of mastitis, which is one of the most serious diseases of lactating women and female animals, but the underlying mechanism has not yet been elucidated. Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) activation by microbiota tryptophan metabolism-derived ligands is involved in maintaining host homeostasis and resisting diseases. We investigated whether AhR activation by microbiota-metabolic ligands could influence mastitis development in mice. In this study, we found that AhR activation using Ficz ameliorated mastitis symptoms, which were related to limiting NF-κB activation and enhancing barrier function. Impaired AhR activation by disturbing the intestinal microbiota initiated mastitis, and processed Escherichia coli (E. coli)-induced mastitis in mice. Supplementation with dietary tryptophan attenuated the mastitis, but attenuation was inhibited by the intestinal microbiota abrogation, while administering tryptophan metabolites including IAld and indole but not IPA, rescued the tryptophan effects in dysbiotic mice. Supplementation with a Lactobacillus reuteri (L. reuteri) strain with the capacity to produce AhR ligands also improved E. coli-induced mastitis in an AhR-dependent manner. These findings provide evidence for novel therapeutic strategies for treating mastitis, and support the role of metabolites derived from the intestinal microbiota in improving distal disease.     

Polypeptoid polymers: Synthesis,characterization, and properties

Polypeptoids, a class of peptidomimetic polymers, have emerged at the forefront of macromolecular and supramolecular science and engineering as the technological relevance of these polymers continues to be demonstrated. The chemical and structural diversity of polypeptoids have enabled access to and adjustment of a variety of physicochemical and biological properties (eg, solubility, charge characteristics, chain conformation, HLB, thermal processability, degradability, cytotoxicity and immunogenicity). These attributes have made this synthetic polymer platform a potential candidate for various biomedical and biotechnological applications. This review will provide an overview of recent development in synthetic methods to access polypeptoid polymers with well‐defined structures and highlight some of the fundamental physicochemical and biological properties of polypeptoids that are pertinent to the future development of functional materials based on polypeptoids.     

Pathway of Programmed Cell Death and Oxidative Stress Induced by β-Hydroxybutyrate in Dairy Cow Abomasum Smooth Muscle Cells and in Mouse Gastric Smooth Muscle

The administration of exogenous β-hydroxybutyrate (β-HB), as well as fasting and caloric restriction, is a condition associated with β-HB abundance and decreased appetite in animals. Increased β-HB and decreased appetite exist simultaneously in some diseases, such as bovine left displaced abomasums (LDA) and human chronic gastritis. However, the effects of β-HB on stomach injuries have not been explored. To elucidate the possible effects of exogenous β-HB on the stomach, mice were injected intraperitoneally with β-HB, and bovine abomasum smooth muscle cells (BSMCs) were treated with different concentrations of β-HB. We found that β-HB induced BSMCs endoplasmic reticulum- and mitochondria-mediated apoptotic cell death. β-HB promoted Bax expression and caspase-12, -9, and -3 activation while blocking Bcl-2 expression. β-HB also promoted AIF, EndoG release and p53 expression. β-HB acted on key molecules in the apoptotic cell death pathway and increased p38 and c-June NH2-terminal kinase phosphorylation while inhibiting ERK phosphorylation and PCNA expression. β-HB upregulated P27 and P21 mRNA levels while downregulating cyclin and CDK mRNA levels, arresting the cell cycle. These results suggest that BSMCs treated with β-HB can induce oxidative stress, which can be prevented by intracellular calcium chelators BAPTA/AM but not antioxidant NAC. Additionally, these results suggest that β-HB causes ROS generation through a Ca²⁺-dependent mechanism and that intracellular Ca²⁺ levels play a critical role in β-HB -induced apoptotic cell death. The impact of β-HB on programmed cell death and oxidative stress in vivo was confirmed in murine experiments. For the first time, we show oxidative stress effects of β-HB on smooth muscle. We propose that β-HB is a possible cause of some stomach diseases, including bovine LDA.     

Bacillus licheniformis Zhengchangsheng® Inhibits Obesity by Regulating the AMP-Activated Protein Kinase Signaling Pathway

Probiotics and Antimicrobial Proteins - As a metabolic syndrome, obesity has become a global public health problem. Bacillus licheniformis has been shown to inhibit obesity by regulating the gut...     

草地贪夜蛾成虫触角感器超微结构观察

【目的】草地贪夜蛾是一种严重危害农业生产的迁飞性害虫,本研究旨在了解草地贪夜蛾成虫触角感器的类型、超微结构和分布。【方法】采用扫描电镜对其雌雄成虫触角感器类型及分布进行观察。【结果】草地贪夜蛾雌雄成虫触角由柄节、梗节及鞭节3部分组成,雄蛾触角稍长于雌蛾,且触角表面覆有大量鳞片。共观察到7种类型的感受器,分别为■氏鬃毛(2种亚型,BBⅠ型和BBⅡ型)、毛形感器(2种亚型,ST-Ⅰ和ST-Ⅱ)、刺形感器、锥形感器、腔锥形感器、栓锥形感器、鳞形感器。■氏鬃毛主要位于柄节和梗节,其余感器均分布于鞭节。【结论】草地贪夜蛾雌雄蛾感器种类相同,但同类感器长度均存在显著差异,雄蛾各感器显著长于雌蛾,这种特化与差异是否有利于其功能的发挥还有待通过电生理技术等进一步确定。     

植物乳酸杆菌对小鼠草酸钙结石的干预效果

【背景】草酸钙结石是一种临床常见且易复发的疾病,由于结石质地坚硬,只能通过外科手术的方法治疗,给患者带了很大的痛苦。已有研究证实,肠道菌群可影响草酸钙结石的形成,降低草酸钙结石的发病率。【目的】探究植物乳杆菌对小鼠草酸钙结石的干预效果。【方法】体外实验：在MRS培养基中加入0.02 mol/L草酸钠,制备菌株筛选培养基（MRS-OX）。接种200μL的3.48×10¹²CFU/L植物乳杆菌悬液至MRS-OX制备含菌培养基（B+MRS-OX）。将等体积MRS-OX和B+MRS-OX于37°C恒温培养2 d,测剩余草酸浓度。体内实验：以10周龄雄性昆明小鼠为实验动物,随机分为对照组、植物乳杆菌组、结石组和植物乳杆菌干预组,每组5只小鼠。通过乙醛酸诱导小鼠建立草酸钙结石模型,并给予200μL的3.48×10¹²CFU/L植物乳杆菌进行干预治疗以观察其预防小鼠草酸钙结石的效果。实验结束后,绘制各组小鼠平均体重变化趋势图并计算小鼠肾脏脏器指数,检测每只小鼠血液学指标和氧化应激指标总超氧化物歧化酶（superoxide dismutase,SOD）和丙二...     

Dietary Selenium Influences Calcium Release and Activation of MLCK in Uterine Smooth Muscle of Rats

We sought to elucidate the effects of different concentrations of dietary selenium on calcium ion release, MLCK levels, and muscle contraction in the uterine smooth muscle of rats. The selenium (Se) content of blood and of uterine smooth muscle tissues was detected by fluorescence spectrophotometry. Ca²⁺ content was measured by atomic absorption spectroscopy. Calmodulin (CaM) and MLCK RNA and protein levels were analyzed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot, respectively. Dietary Se intake increased the Se levels in the blood and in uterine smooth muscle tissues and increased the Ca²⁺ concentration in uterine smooth muscle tissues. The addition of Se also promoted CaM expression and enhanced MLCK activation in uterine smooth muscle tissues. In conclusion, Ca²⁺, CaM, and MLCK were regulated by Se in uterine smooth muscle; Se plays a major role in regulating smooth muscle contraction in the uterus.