Pomegranate (Punica granatum) extract and its polyphenols reduce the formation of methylglyoxal-DNA adducts and protect human keratinocytes against methylglyoxal-induced oxidative stress

Pomegranate extract (PE) and its polyphenols have been reported to show skin protective effects but their cytoprotective effects against methylglyoxal (MGO)-induced DNA damage and cell dysfunctions are unclear. Herein, we evaluated whether PE, punicalagin (PA), ellagic acid (EA), and urolithin A (UA), can alleviate MGO-induced DNA damage in human keratinocytes. PE (50 µg/mL) and PA (50 µM) protected DNA integrity and reduced the formation of MGO-DNA adducts and tailed DNA by 60.2 and 49.7%, respectively, in HaCaT cells. PE and PA reduced MGO-induced cytotoxicity by increasing the cell viability (by 17.5 and 15.0%) and decreasing reactive oxygen species (by 28.3 and 30.0%), respectively. PE and PA also ameliorated MGO-induced cell dysfunction by restoring cell adhesion, migration, and wound healing capacity. Findings from this study provide insights into the skin protective effects of PE and its polyphenols supporting their applications as potential bioactive ingredients for cosmeceuticals

Complete mitochondrial genomes of Taenia multiceps, T. hydatigena and T. pisiformis: additional molecular markers for a tapeworm genus of human and animal health significance

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Mitochondrial genomes provide a rich source of molecular variation of proven and widespread utility in molecular ecology, population genetics and evolutionary biology. The tapeworm genus <it>Taenia </it>includes a diversity of tapeworm parasites of significant human and veterinary importance. Here we add complete sequences of the mt genomes of <it>T. multiceps</it>, <it>T. hydatigena </it>and <it>T. pisiformis</it>, to a data set of 4 published mtDNAs in the same genus. Seven complete mt genomes of <it>Taenia </it>species are used to compare and contrast variation within and between genomes in the genus, to estimate a phylogeny for the genus, and to develop novel molecular markers as part of an extended mitochondrial toolkit.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The complete circular mtDNAs of <it>T. multiceps</it>, <it>T. hydatigena </it>and <it>T. pisiformis </it>were 13,693, 13,492 and 13,387 bp in size respectively, comprising the usual complement of flatworm genes. Start and stop codons of protein coding genes included those found commonly amongst other platyhelminth mt genomes, but the much rarer initiation codon GTT was inferred for the gene <it>atp</it>6 in <it>T. pisiformis</it>. Phylogenetic analysis of mtDNAs offered novel estimates of the interrelationships of <it>Taenia</it>. Sliding window analyses showed <it>nad</it>6, <it>nad</it>5, <it>atp</it>6, <it>nad</it>3 and <it>nad</it>2 are amongst the most variable of genes per unit length, with the highest peaks in nucleotide diversity found in <it>nad</it>5. New primer pairs capable of amplifying fragments of variable DNA in <it>nad</it>1, <it>rrn</it>S and <it>nad</it>5 genes were designed <it>in silico </it>and tested as possible alternatives to existing mitochondrial markers for <it>Taenia</it>.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>With the availability of complete mtDNAs of 7 <it>Taenia </it>species, we have shown that analysis of amino acids provides a robust estimate of phylogeny for the genus that differs markedly from morphological estimates or those using partial genes; with implications for understanding the evolutionary radiation of important <it>Taenia</it>. Full alignment of the nucleotides of <it>Taenia </it>mtDNAs and sliding window analysis suggests numerous alternative gene regions are likely to capture greater nucleotide variation than those currently pursued as molecular markers. New PCR primers developed from a comparative mitogenomic analysis of <it>Taenia </it>species, extend the use of mitochondrial markers for molecular ecology, population genetics and diagnostics.</p

Genetic Diversity in Echinococcus multilocularis From the Plateau Vole and Plateau Pika in Jiuzhi County, Qinghai Province, China

The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is a highly endemic area of alveolar echinococcosis where a series of intermediate hosts, especially voles and pikas, are infected with Echinococcus multilocularis. The metacestodes of E. multilocularis are fluid-filled, asexually proliferating cysts, and they are mainly found in the host's liver in the form of tumor-like growths. In this study, we investigated the genetic variations of E. multilocularis in four mitochondrial (mt) genes, namely, NADH dehydrogenase subunit 5 (nad5), adenosine triphosphate subunit 6 (atp6), cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1), and NADH dehydrogenase subunit 1 (nad1). The complete nad5, atp6, cox1, and nad1 genes were amplified separately from each hydatid cyst isolate using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and then sequenced. Phylogenetic trees were then generated based on the combined mt genes using MrBayes 3.1.2 and PAUP version 4.0b10. The results showed that thirty of 102 voles and two of 49 pikas were infected with E. multilocularis. The genetic variation distances among all E. multilocularis samples were 0.1–0.4%, 0.2–0.4%, 0.1–0.6%, and 0.1–0.4% for nad5, atp6, nad1, and cox1, respectively. Compared to previous studies of the genetic diversity of E. multilocularis based on the cox1 gene, the genetic distances within the same group were 1.3–1.7% (Mongolia strain), 0.6–0.8% (North American strain), 0.3–0.6% (European strain), and 0.1–0.4% (Asian strain). Based on concatenated sequences of the nad5, atp6, cox1, and nad1 genes all haplotypes were divided into two clusters. In conclusion, the genetic diversity of E. multilocularis based on mt genes on a small local area is at low level but between different regions with long distance and different ecological environment each other, the genetic diversity is at relatively high level; genetic variation is higher in the nad1 gene than that in the other three mt genes. The results on a local scale provide basic information for further study of the molecular epidemiology, genetic differences and control of E. multilocularis in Qinghai Province, China

The efficacy of mitochondrial targeting antiresistant epirubicin liposomes in treating resistant leukemia in animals

Ying Men*, Xiao-Xing Wang*, Ruo-Jing Li, Yan Zhang, Wei Tian, Hong-Juan Yao, Rui-Jun Ju, Xue Ying, Jia Zhou, Nan Li, Liang Zhang, Yang Yu, Wan-Liang LuState Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, and School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, People&amp;#39;s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this manuscriptBackground: Multidrug resistance (MDR) of cancers can be circumvented by inducing programmed cell death, which is known as apoptosis. Mitochondria play a crucial role in apoptosis. Mitochondria-specific therapy would provide an efficient strategy for treating resistant cancers.Design and methods: A strategy was proposed here to overcome MDR by designing cancer mitochondria-specific drug-loaded liposomes, namely, antiresistant epirubicin mitosomes, aimed at treating resistant leukemia by targeting mitochondria. Evaluations were performed on human chronic leukemia K562, MDR K562/ADR cells, and female BALB/c nude mice xenografted with MDR K562/ADR cells. The liposomes were characterized through assays of cytotoxicity, mitochondrial targeting, caspase-9 and caspase-3, antitumor activities, and TUNEL (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling) analysis.Results: The average size of antiresistant epirubicin mitosomes was in the range of 105&amp;ndash;115 nm. Antiresistant epirubicin mitosomes were effective in inhibiting proliferation of MDR K562/ADR cells in vitro and selectively accumulated into the mitochondria. Caspase-9 and caspase-3 activity was increased after applying antiresistant epirubicin mitosomes. In xenografted resistant MDR K562/ADR tumor in nude mice, antiresistant tumor effect of antiresistant epirubicin mitosomes was evidently observed. Apoptotic inducing effects by antiresistant epirubicin mitosomes were noticeably evidenced via mitochondrial pathway.Conclusions: Antiresistant epirubicin mitosomes had significant inhibitory effect against resistant leukemia in vitro and in vivo, hence providing a promising strategy for improving therapeutic efficacy in resistant human leukemia.Keywords: mitosomes, mitochondria signaling pathway, nude mic

Inactivated COVID-19 Vaccination did not affect In vitro fertilization (IVF) / Intra-Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) cycle outcomes

Background: The objective of this study is to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 inactivated vaccine administration on the outcomes of in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles in infertile couples in China. Methods: We collected data from the CYART prospective cohort, which included couples undergoing IVF treatment from January 2021 to September 2022 at Sichuan Jinxin Xinan Women & Children's Hospital. Based on whether they received vaccination before ovarian stimulation, the couples were divided into the vaccination group and the non-vaccination group. We compared the laboratory parameters and pregnancy outcomes between the two groups. Findings: After performing propensity score matching (PSM), the analysis demonstrated similar clinical pregnancy rates, biochemical pregnancy and ongoing pregnancy rates between vaccinated and unvaccinated women. No significant disparities were found in terms of embryo development and laboratory parameters among the groups. Moreover, male vaccination had no impact on patient performance or pregnancy outcomes in assisted reproductive technology treatments. Additionally, there were no significant differences observed in the effects of vaccination on embryo development and pregnancy outcomes among couples undergoing ART. Interpretation: The findings suggest that COVID-19 vaccination did not have a significant effect on patients undergoing IVF/ICSI with fresh embryo transfer. Therefore, it is recommended that couples should receive COVID-19 vaccination as scheduled to help mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic.Comment: 26 pages, 4 figures and 5 table

Multi-ion Mach-Zehnder interferometer with artificial nonlinear interactions

We show how to implement a Mach-Zehnder interferometry based upon a string of trapped ions with artificial nonlinear interactions. By adiabatically sweeping down/up the coupling strength between two involved internal states of the ions, we could achieve the beam splitting/recombination. Based on current techniques for manipulating trapped ions, we discuss the experimental feasibility of our scheme and analyze some undesired uncertainty under realistic experimental environment.Comment: 6 pages, 3 figure

A 5-GHz Southern Hemisphere VLBI Survey of Compact Radio Sources, 2

We report the results of a 5-GHz southern-hemisphere snapshot VLBI observation of a sample of blazars. The observations were performed with the Southern Hemisphere VLBI Network plus the Shanghai station in 1993 May. Twenty-three flat-spectrum, radio-loud sources were imaged. These are the first VLBI images for 15 of the sources. Eight of the sources are EGRET (> 100 MeV) gamma-ray sources. The milliarcsecond morphology shows a core-jet structure for 12 sources, and a single compact core for the remaining 11. No compact doubles were seen. Compared with other radio images at different epochs and/or different frequencies, 3 core-jet blazars show evidence of bent jets, and there is some evidence for superluminal motion in the cases of 2 blazars. The detailed descriptions for individual blazars are given. This is the second part of a survey: the first part was reported by Shen et al. (AJ 114(1997)1999)