Controlled Release of Hepatocyte Growth Factor from MPEG‐b‐(PCL‐ran‐PLLA) Diblock Copolymer for Improved Vocal Fold Regeneration

An in situ‐forming gel system comprised of diblock copolymer formed from polyethylene glycol (PEG) and polycaprolactone (PCL) {MPEG‐b‐(PCL‐ran‐PLLA)} could be used in controlled drug delivery for tissue remodeling. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate favorable vocal folds (VF) regeneration by using MPEG‐b‐(PCL‐ran‐PLLA) diblock copolymers (C97L3; CL/LA ratio 97:3) incorporating hepatocyte growth factor (HGF). Gradual release of HGF from C97L3 is detected and biochemical properties of released HGF are maintained. A scar is made with microscissors on both VFs in 32 rabbits, followed by injection of HGF‐only, C97L3‐only, or HGF‐C97L3 composite gel in the left side VF, while the right side VF is left untreated. In vivo fluorescence live imaging system demonstrates that C97L3 enables the sustained release of injected HGF in the scarred VF for 12 weeks. The histological analysis shows increased glycosaminoglycan including hyaluronic acid accumulation and decreased collagen deposition. Videokymographic analysis shows more favorable vibrations of HGF‐C97L3 treated VF mucosa, compared to other treatment groups. In conclusion, the controlled HGF release helps to regulate extracellular matrix synthesis, and leads to the eventual functional improvement of the scarred VF.

     

Microparticle‐Mediated Delivery of BMP4 for Generation of Meiosis‐Competent Germ Cells from Embryonic Stem Cells

Producing meiosis‐competent germ cells (GCs) from embryonic stem cells (ESCs) is essential for developing advanced therapies for infertility. Here, a novel approach is presented for generation of GCs from ESCs. In this regard, microparticles (MPs) have been developed from alginate sulfate loaded with bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4). The results here show that BMP4 release from alginate sulfate MPs is significantly retarded by the sulfated groups compared to neat alginate. Then, BMP4‐laden MPs are incorporated within the aggregates during differentiation of GCs from ESCs. It is observed that BMP4‐laden MPs increase GC differentiation from ESCs at least twofold compared to the conventional soluble delivery method. Interestingly, following meiosis induction, Dazl , an intrinsic factor that enables GCs to enter meiosis, and two essential meiosis genes (Stra8 and Smc1b ) are upregulated significantly in MP‐induced aggregates compared to aggregates, which are formed by the conventional method. Together, these data show that controlled delivery of BMP4 during ESC differentiation into GC establish meiosis‐competent GCs which can serve as an attractive GC source for reproductive medicine.

     

On maximal subalgebras and a generalized Jordan–Hölder theorem for Lie algebras

The purpose of this paper is to continue the study of chief factors of a Lie algebra and to prove a further strengthening of the Jordan–Hölder theorem for chief series.     

Nearly m-embedded subgroups and solvability of finite groups

A subgroup A of a finite group G is called {1≤G}-embedded in G if for each two subgroups K≤H of G, where K is a maximal subgroup of H, A either covers the pair (K,H) or avoids it. Moreover, a subgroup H of G is called nearly m-embedded in G if G has a subgroup T and a {1≤G}-embedded subgroup C such that G?=?HT and H∩T≤C≤H. In this paper, we mainly prove that G is solvable if and only if its Sylow 3-subgroups, Sylow 5-subgroups and Sylow 7-subgroups are nearly m-embedded in G.     

On the largest prime factor of shifted primes

For any integer n ≥ 2, let P(n) be the largest prime factor of n. In this paper, we prove that the number of primes p ≤ x with P(p-1) ≥ p~c is more than(1-c + o(1))π(x) for 0 c 1/2. This extends a recent result of Luca, Menares and Madariaga for1/4≤ c ≤1/2. We also pose two conjectures for further research.     

The Protection of Lactic Acid Bacteria Fermented-Mango Peel against Neuronal Damage Induced by Amyloid-Beta

Mango peels are usually discarded as waste; however, they contain phytochemicals and could provide functional properties to food and promote human health. This study aimed to determine the optimal lactic acid bacteria for fermentation of mango peel and evaluate the effect of mango peel on neuronal protection in Neuron-2A cells against amyloid beta (Aβ) treatment (50 μM). Mango peel can be fermented by different lactic acid bacteria species. Lactobacillus acidophilus (BCRC14079)-fermented mango peel produced the highest concentration of lactic acid bacteria (exceeding 10⁸ CFU/mL). Mango peel and fermented mango peel extracts upregulated brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression for 1.74-fold in Neuron-2A cells. Furthermore, mango peel fermented products attenuated oxidative stress in Aβ-treated neural cells by 27%. Extracts of L. acidophilus (BCRC14079)-fermented mango peel treatment decreased Aβ accumulation and attenuated the increase of subG1 caused by Aβ induction in Neuron-2A cells. In conclusion, L. acidophilus (BCRC14079)-fermented mango peel acts as a novel neuronal protective product by inhibiting oxidative stress and increasing BDNF expression in neural cells.     

Hypertension in Prenatally Undernourished Young-Adult Rats Is Maintained by Tonic Reciprocal Paraventricular–Coerulear Excitatory Interactions

Prenatally malnourished rats develop hypertension in adulthood, in part through increased α₁-adrenoceptor-mediated outflow from the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) to the sympathetic system. We studied whether both α₁-adrenoceptor-mediated noradrenergic excitatory pathways from the locus coeruleus (LC) to the PVN and their reciprocal excitatory CRFergic connections contribute to prenatal undernutrition-induced hypertension. For that purpose, we microinjected either α₁-adrenoceptor or CRH receptor agonists and/or antagonists in the PVN or the LC, respectively. We also determined the α₁-adrenoceptor density in whole hypothalamus and the expression levels of α_1A-adrenoceptor mRNA in the PVN. The results showed that: (i) agonists microinjection increased systolic blood pressure and heart rate in normotensive eutrophic rats, but not in prenatally malnourished subjects; (ii) antagonists microinjection reduced hypertension and tachycardia in undernourished rats, but not in eutrophic controls; (iii) in undernourished animals, antagonist administration to one nuclei allowed the agonists recover full efficacy in the complementary nucleus, inducing hypertension and tachycardia; (iv) early undernutrition did not modify the number of α₁-adrenoceptor binding sites in hypothalamus, but reduced the number of cells expressing α_1A-adrenoceptor mRNA in the PVN. These results support the hypothesis that systolic pressure and heart rate are increased by tonic reciprocal paraventricular–coerulear excitatory interactions in prenatally undernourished young-adult rats.     

脑胶质瘤磁共振弥散张量成像定量参数与VEGF、MMP-9表达的相关性

本研究旨在分析脑胶质瘤患者的磁共振弥散张量成像(DTI)参数与病变组织血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)和基质金属蛋白酶-9(MMP-9)表达的相关性,以及DTI参数对脑胶质瘤进行分级诊断的价值。根据病理分级将102例脑胶质瘤患者分为低级别组(47例)和高级别组(55例),均行MRI和DTI检查,定量测定表观弥散系数(ADC)、各向异性分数(FA)、相对ADC(rADC)、相对FA(rFA)值及相对轴向扩散系数(rAD)值;用免疫组化法检测VEGF和MMP-9表达情况。结果显示,高级别组患者的rADC、ADC、rAD、FA、rFA均低于低级别组(P<0.05);高级别组患者的VEGF和MMP-9阳性表达均高于低级别组(P<0.05)。rADC、ADC、rAD、FA、rFA与VEGF和MMP-9表达均呈负相关(P<0.05);rADC、ADC、rAD、FA、rFA对脑胶质瘤分级诊断的AUC均具有一定诊断价值(P<0.05)。本研究结果提示DTI定量参数与脑胶质瘤VEGF和MMP-9表达具有相关性,且有助于脑胶质瘤的分级诊断。     

超声弹性成像参数联合血清MK和VEGF对分化型甲状腺癌的诊断价值及与肿瘤恶性程度关系研究

本研究选取了分化型甲状腺癌(DTC)患者106例为甲状腺癌组,同期106例甲状腺腺瘤患者为甲状腺腺瘤组,检测比较了两组患者的超声弹性成像参数(弹性比值、蓝色面积比值)、血清中期因子(midkine,MK)、血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)水平。研究结果发现,弹性比值、蓝色面积比值、血清MK和VEGF水平与DTC患者淋巴结转移、包膜侵犯、临床分期相关(P<0.05);弹性比值、蓝色面积比值、血清MK和VEGF水平联合诊断DTC的曲线下面积(AUC)为0.888;弹性比值、蓝色面积比值、血清MK及VEGF水平与DTC患者组织中趋化因子受体(CXCR)4、解聚素金属蛋白酶(ADAM)9、靶向Xklp2靶蛋白(TPX2)基因表达量呈正相关,与程序性细胞死亡因子(PDCD)4基因表达量呈负相关。这些结果提示超声弹性成像参数、血清MK及VEGF水平上调可能用来评估DTC患者病情程度及肿瘤恶性程度,三者联合对DTC具有可靠诊断价值,可为临床诊治提供参考。     

Spectrochemical analysis using LIBS and ICP-OES techniques of herbal medicine (Tinnevelly Senna leaves) and its anti-cancerous/antibacterial applications

Tinnevelly senna leaves are being applied to cure many diseases especially in developing countries and sub-Saharan region due to many bioactive compounds such as sennosides, phenols, and flavonoids. The conventional methods to isolate and analyze plant extracts biomolecules are not very effective as well cost effective as they require hazardous chemical solvents and reagents, which are time-consuming processes. The major objective of the present study is to investigate the feasibility of the Laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) technique for rapid, eco-friendly, and multi-elemental analysis of Senna leaves extracts and study their antibacterial and anticancer potentials. The elegant LIBS technique was applied as a qualitative and quantitative method for Senna leaves sample’s elemental analysis and their biological activities were measured by evaluating anti-cancer and anti-bacterial analysis. The quantitative analysis of Senna leaves extracts was done using the calibration-free laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (CF-LIBS) algorithm showing their appreciable content of several nutrient elements, and the obtained results were in close conformity with these achieved by using the standard analytical ICP OES technique. We studied the bactericidal efficacy of the Senna leaves extract against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) by AWD assays and morphogenesis by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and the anticancer activity was also investigated where different concentrations of Senna leaves extract were tested on cancer cells (HCT-116 and HeLa) and normal cells (HEK-293) using the cell metabolic activity MTT assay and Propidium iodide (PI) staining. We have also calculated the inhibitory concentration (IC50) value for the various extracts concentrations (25 µg/ml, 50 µg/ml, 100 µg/ml, 150 µg/ml, 200 µg/ml, and 225 µg/ml). We have found that IC₅₀ value for HCT-116 cells were 13.5 µg/ml, 17.5 µg/ml, 21.5 µg/ml, 22.5 µg/ml, 26 µg/ml and 33.5 µg/ml and for HeLa cells 15.25 µg/ml, 21.25 µg/ml, 23.5 µg/ml, 262.5 µg/ml, 36.25 µg/ml, and 39.50 µg/ml. The bactericidal efficacy of the Senna leaves extract showed significant inhibition against Gram-positive bacterium. Both MTT and PI analysis showed that Senna leaves extract induced profound inhibition on HCT-116 growth and proliferation. Additionally, Senna leaves extract did not exert an inhibitory influence on normal (HEK-293), which is non-cancerous cells. We suggest that the extract specifically targets the cancerous cells, which could be highly beneficial for the development of future safe anticancer and antibacterial drugs using these extracts.