146 research outputs found

    Knockdown of PAF1 reduces cervical cancer cell proliferation, migration and invasion via retarding FLOT2-mediated MEK/ERK1/2 pathway

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    Cervical cancer (CC) is a very usual reproductive malignant tumor in women. RNA polymerase II-associated factor 1 (PAF1) and flotillin-2 (FLOT2) both have been discovered to key participators in cancers’ progression. However, the effects of PAF1/FLOT2 axis on CC development have not been probed. In this study, PAF1 and FLOT2 exhibited higher expression, and silencing of PAF1 down-regulated FLOT2 expression in CC. In addition, the regulatory effects of PAF1 suppression on CC progression were reversed after FLOT2 overexpression. Next, inhibition of PAF1 slowed the tumor growth in vivo through modulating FLOT2. Besides, down-regulation of PAF1 reduced FLOT2 expression to retard the MEK/ERK1/2 pathway. In conclusion, knockdown of PAF1 suppressed CC progression via retarding FLOT2-mediated MEK/ERK1/2 pathway. Our findings illustrated that the PAF1/FLOT2 axis may be useful bio-targets for CC treatment.</p

    Tracing the Biotransformation of PCBs and PBDEs in Common Carp (<i>Cyprinus carpio</i>) Using Compound-Specific and Enantiomer-Specific Stable Carbon Isotope Analysis

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    Compound-specific and enantiomer-specific carbon isotope composition was investigated in terms of biotransformation of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) as well as atropisomers of chiral PCB congeners in fish by exposing common carp (<i>Cyprinus carpio</i>) to certain PCB and PBDE congeners. The calculated carbon isotope enrichment factors (ε<sub>C</sub>) for PCB 8, 18, and 45 were −1.99, −1.84, and −1.70‰, respectively, providing evidence of the metabolism of these congeners in fish. The stable carbon isotopic compositions of PBDE congeners clearly reflect the debromination of PBDEs in carp. Significant isotopic fractionation was also observed during the debromination process of BDE 153 (ε<sub>C</sub> = −0.86‰). Stereoselective elimination of chiral PCB congeners 45, 91, and 95 was observed, indicating a stereoselective biotransformation process. The similar ε<sub>C</sub> values for E1-PCB 45 (−1.63‰) and E2-PCB 45 (−1.74‰) indicated that both atropisomers were metabolized by the same reaction mechanisms and stereoselection did not occur at carbon bond cleavage. However, the ε<sub>C</sub> values of (+)-PCB 91 (−1.5‰) and (−)-PCB 95 (−0.77‰) were significantly different from those of (−)-PCB 91 and (+)-PCB 95, respectively. In the latter, no significant isotopic fractionations were observed, indicating that the stereoselective elimination of PCB 91 and 95 could be caused by a different reaction mechanism in the two atropisomers

    Additional file 1: of Sunlight-Induced Coloration of Silk

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    The file contains supplementary Figures S1–S6. (DOCX 1.63 MB

    Reduced Graphene Oxide/ZnO Composite: Reusable Adsorbent for Pollutant Management

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    Reduced graphene oxide (RGO) coated with ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) was synthesized by a self-assembly and in situ photoreduction method, and then their application for removing organic pollutant from water was investigated. The RGO@ZnO composite nanomaterial has unique structural features including well-dispersed NPs on the surface and dense NPs loading. This composite exhibited a greatly improved Rhodamine B (RhB) adsorption capacity and an improved photocatalytic activity for degrading RhB compared to neat ZnO NPs. These properties made RGO@ZnO reusable for pollutant adsorbent. The composite showed an excellent cycling performance for organic pollutant removal up to 99% recovery over several cycles via simulated sunlight irradiation

    Effects of Pyriproxyfen on Female Reproduction in the Common Cutworm, <i>Spodoptera litura</i> (F.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

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    <div><p>The common cutworm, <i>Spodoptera litura</i>, is a rapidly reproducing pest of numerous agricultural ecosystems worldwide. The use of pesticides remains the primary means for controlling <i>S</i>. <i>litura</i>, despite their negative ecological impact and potential threat to human health. The use of exogenous hormone analogs may represent an alternative to insecticides. Juvenile hormones (JHs) play an important role in the reproductive systems of female insects, but the effects of pyriproxyfen, a JH analog, on reproduction in <i>S</i>. <i>litura</i> were poorly understood. In this paper, we topically treated the newly emerged females with 20, 60, or 100 μg of pyriproxyfen to determine its effects on reproduction. Then, we examined the expression of vitellogenin (<i>Vg</i>) and three hormone receptors, <i>USP</i>, <i>HR3</i>, and <i>EcR</i>, using quantitative reverse transcription and real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), and found that pyriproxyfen up-regulated the expression of <i>Vg</i>, <i>USP</i>, and <i>HR3</i>, whereas the expression of <i>EcR</i> was unaffected. An analysis of fecundity showed that the peak oviposition day, lifespan, and oviposition period were progressively shortened as the pyriproxyfen dosage increased. We also found that pyriproxyfen decreased egg laying amount, whereas the number of mature eggs that remained in the ovarioles of dead females increased as the pyriproxyfen dosage increased. We examined oocytes using transmission electron microscopy and found that treatment with 100 μg of pyriproxyfen increased the metabolism by increasing the amount of rough endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria in the primary oocytes. Our results suggest that the topical application of pyriproxyfen on newly emerged females can efficiently reduce reproduction in <i>S</i>. <i>litura</i> and may represent an alternative to the use of insecticides for controlling the agricultural pest.</p></div

    Coloration of Cotton Fibers with Anisotropic Silver Nanoparticles

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    Anisotropic silver nanoparticles were assembled on cotton fibers to realize the coloration of cotton. The assembly of silver nanoparticles on fibers was achieved by linking of poly­(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA) at room temperature. The silver nanoparticle treated cotton showed different colors because of localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) property of silver nanoparticles. The coloration was completed through electrostatic interaction between the PDDA treated cotton surface and the anisotropic silver nanoparticles in the reaction system. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) characterization demonstrated that the morphologies of silver nanoparticles remained unchanged during the coloration process, so the treated cotton inherited the LSPR optical features of silver nanoparticles. Moreover, the cotton colorated with silver nanoparticles showed reasonably good color fastness to washing, which will facilitate the practical application of this coloration process

    Effects of pyriproxyfen treatment on the ultrastructure of follicle cells and oocytes in the ovary.

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    <p>The transmission electron micrographs (TEM) images of the pyriproxyfen-treated and control females were compared. The first and second columns represent the TEM of the follicle cells and oocytes of control female <i>S</i>. <i>litura</i>; the third and fourth columns represent the TEM of the follicle cells and oocytes of pyriproxyfen-treated female <i>S</i>. <i>litura</i>. The fifth line represents the developed eggs. The oocytes (Oo) in the stage 5 of the controls were entirely surrounded by follicle cells (Fc) with numerous microvilli (Mv) (A), whereas fewer microvilli were observed in the ovaries of the pyriproxyfen-treated insects (a). FcN = the follicular epithelium cell nucleus. ON = oocyte nucleus. The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) can be observed in the control group (B), and yolk granules (YG) and glycogenosomes (GG) can be observed in pyriproxyfen-treated female <i>S</i>. <i>litura</i> (b). Follicle cells (Fc) and oocytes of control and pyriproxyfen-treated female in stage 6 (C, c), spaces appear between follicle cells. The pyriproxyfen treatment increased the amount of ER or rough ER (RER), the number of mitochondria (Mt), and the accumulation of lipids (L) in stage 6 and stage 7 (D, E and F; d, e and f). In stage 8 and stage 9 oocytes reduced numbers of YG and Mt were observed (G, H and I; g, h and i), and a comb-like dentate structure was observed in the mature oocytes (stage 9) of both groups (J and j). Scale Bars showed on down-left of each Figure.</p

    Calcium(II)–naproxen complex: Synthesis, characterization, and interaction with human serum albumin

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    <p>A new calcium(II) complex with anti-inflammatory drug naproxen as ligand was synthesized and characterized. The binding mechanisms of calcium(II)–naproxen complex to human serum albumin (HSA) were investigated under simulative physiological conditions. The acting forces for the binding mechanisms were hydrogen bonds and van der Waals forces. Calcium(II)–naproxen complex and naproxen sodium may competitively bind to HSA at the same active Site I. Albumin binding weakened under the coexistence of the two substances. Thus, combining naproxen sodium and calcium(II)–naproxen complex may enhance treatment efficacy because of the synergistic effect.</p

    Topical application of pyriproxyfen increased <i>Vg</i>, <i>HR3</i>, <i>USP</i>, and <i>EcR</i> gene expression levels in (A) adults and (B) pupae of <i>S</i>. <i>litura</i>.

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    <p>Total RNA was extracted from the fat body at three time points. Data were collected from three independent experiments with five female insects in each experiment, and were normalized to the level of the β-actin mRNA. Vertical error bars indicate standard errors (*<i>P</i> ≤ 0.05; **<i>P</i> ≤ 0.01; ***<i>P</i> ≤ 0.001).</p

    Probing the binding of Azilsartan to DNA by molecular docking, steady-state/time-resolved fluorescence, viscosity, infrared, and circular dichroism spectra

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    <p>Azilsartan, a new antihypertensive drug, has effects on the sympathetic nervous system and expression of genes. The interaction of Azilsartan with DNA was investigated using molecular docking and multi-spectral techniques. Molecular docking revealed that Azilsartan could interact with DNA via groove binding from a theoretical perspective. Time-resolved fluorescence measurements indicated that the quenching mechanism was static, and further analysis of quenching data demonstrated that the binding was spontaneous and mainly driven by hydrophobic forces. The results of interaction with denatured DNA, viscosity, infrared spectroscopy, and circular dichroism showed that Azilsartan could bind to DNA through groove binding, which was consistent with docking analyses.</p
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