Tricin protects rats from ovariectomized-induced osteoporosis by enhancing Wnt/β-catenin pathway

Purpose: To investigate the effects of tricin on ovariectomized-induced osteoporosis, and unravel theunderling mechanism of action.Methods: An osteoporosis rat model was established by conducting ovariectomy (OVX). Changes in the microstructure of the trabecular bone were visualized using Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, and a three-point bending test was employed to assess the biomechanical stability of the femurs, after the administration of tricin (20 and 40 mg/kg). Subsequently, bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) were isolated and treated with tricin (7 and 15 μM). Alizarin red staining was performed to assess mineralization, and Runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2); osteocalcin (OCN) and collagen type I alpha 1 (Col1a1) were quantified using western blot analysis. The Wnt/β-catenin pathway related proteins, i.e., Wnt3a, β-catenin, glycogen synthase kinase-3 β (GSK-3 β) were determined.Results: Ovariectomy induced thinner and discontinuous trabecular bone, with increased marrow cavities, while application of tricin significantly improved the density and regularity meshwork, but reduced marrow cavities. Tricin also enhanced biomechanical competence as seen in the upregulated maximum load, stiffness, young modulus and maximum stress compared with OVX group (p < 0.01). Furthermore, tricin increased calcification in BMSCs, and significantly upregulated the expressions of RUNX2, OCN and COL1A1 when compared with OVX group (p < 0.01). It promoted Wnt/β-catenin signaling by enhancing Wnt3a and β-catenin, while inhibiting GSK3β expression, compared with OVX group (p < 0.05 or p < 0.01).Conclusion: Tricin exerts protective effects against OVX-induced osteoporosis by enhancing Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Thus, tricin is a potential therapeutic agent for the management of osteoporosis

Browning of Pig White Preadipocytes by Co-Overexpressing Pig PGC-1α and Mice UCP1

Background/Aims: Brown adipose tissue (BAT) is critical for mammals’ survival in the cold environment. BAT-dependent non-shivering thermogenesis is attributed to uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1)’s disengagement of oxidative phosphorylation from ATP synthesis and dissipates energy as heat. Thus individuals with a substantial amount of BAT are better equipped during cold stress and less likely to become obese. Recently, our laboratory has shown pig adipocytes have no UCP1 protein. The inability of newborn piglets to generate heat contributed to its high death rate. Repairing the genetic defect of UCP1 in pig adipocytes has implications in defending against cold for piglets and developing an alternative treatment for human obesity. Methods: Q-PCR, western blotting (WB) and oxygen consumption measurement were used to enable functional UCP1 protein in preadipocytes. Immunoprecipitation (IP), chromatin immunoprecipitation (CHIP), and dual-luciferase reporter assay system were used to clarify the thermogenesis mechanism of functional UCP1. Results: Only co-overexpressing mice UCP1 and pig PGC-1α increased not only the mitochondrial number but also the uncoupled respiration rate in the transfected pig adipocytes. The functional mice UCP1 increased the pig PGC-1α activity through the AMPK-SIRT1 pathway. The active form PGC-1α interacted with transcription factors Lhx8, Zic1, ERRα, and PPARα to regulate the expression of mitochondrial energy metabolism and adipocytes browning-related genes. Conclusion: Our data suggest a model in which pig PGC-1α and mice UCP1 work collaboratively to restore uncoupling respiration in pig preadipocytes. These results have great implications for piglet survival and developing an alternative treatment for human obesity in the future

An ex vivo human tumour assay reveals distinct patterns of EGFR trafficking in squamous cell carcinoma correlating to therapeutic outcomes

EGFR overexpression is associated with squamous cell carcinoma development. Altered endocytosis and polarization of receptor tyrosine kinases, including EGFR, affect migration and invasion in 3D culture. These studies have been completed via genetic sequencing, cell line or 3D in vitro and in vivo murine models. Here we describe an imaging method that allows ex-vivo examination of ligand-induced endocytosis of EGFR in non-dissociated human tumours. We analyzed sets of tumour samples from advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma and Head and Neck squamous cell carcinoma, actinic keratosis, intra-epidermal carcinoma and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. We demonstrate that EGFR endocytosis is dysregulated in advanced SCC and correlates with anti-EGFR monoclonal antibody therapy outcomes. In actinic keratosis, intra-epidermal carcinoma and well-differentiated cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma different patterns of epidermal growth factor ligand uptake and binding were observed at the leading edge of different dysplastic lesions, suggesting that these differences in EGFR endocytosis might influence the metastatic potential of dysplastic squamous epithelium. These studies in live ex-vivo human tumours confirm that endocytosis dysregulation is a physiological event in human tumours and has therapeutic implications

KIAA0101 (KIAA0101)

Review on KIAA0101 (KIAA0101), with data on DNA, on the protein encoded, and where the gene is implicated

Hydrodynamic characteristic of synthetic jet steered underwater vehicle

In this paper, the hydrodynamic characteristic of a synthetic jet steered underwater vehicle is studied. The steering motion studied is the lateral motion and the yaw motion. The lateral motion is induced through the in-phase work of this two actuators and the yaw motion is realized through the out-of-phase work. The vehicle studied is REMUS AUV with synthetic jet actuator mounted inside. The hydrodynamic characteristic of the vehicle under different cruising speed is studied. The driving parameters of the SJ actuator keep invariant in different cases. When the two actuators work in phase, the average steering force is smaller than the thrust of the isolated actuator and keeps nearly invariant under different cruising speed. When the two actuators work out of phase, the average steering moment also keeps invariant with cruising speed. The mathematical model of the additional drag of the vehicle, the thrust of the actuator, the steering force as well as the steering moment is given. The velocity distribution is also given to assistant the analysis in this paper. From the analysis given it can be known the steering method based on SJ is realized through position control other than velocity control. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Research on Aerodynamic Characteristics of a Ducted Propeller Hovering near the Water Surface Based on a Lattice Boltzmann Method

Water–air cross-domain vehicles (CDVs) are capable of both flight and underwater navigation, showing broad prospects in marine science, such as underwater observation, disaster response, and rescue operations. It is crucial to investigate the dynamic performance of CDVs hovering above water surfaces to enhance safety and stability. In this study, the performance of a CDV’s ducted propeller hovering at various heights above a water surface was analyzed via computational fluid dynamic (CFD) simulations using the lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) and thrust tests. The results indicate that the air–water mixture formed by the wake of the propeller impacting the water surface is sucked in by the duct, causing the propeller to enter an unstable vortex ring state. At the same rotation speed in the air, the thrust of the propeller system decreases and the required power increases. With an increase in the height of the propeller above the water surface, the thrust and power return to normal. Furthermore, a numerical model was proposed to express the correlation among thrust, propeller rotation speed, and distance from the water surface. This study establishes a foundation for the dynamic modeling of CDVs and can be utilized by other related studies

Effect of intermittent Pringle maneuver on perioperative outcomes and long-term survival following liver resection in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: a meta-analysis and systemic review

Abstract Background Intermittent Pringle maneuver (IPM) is commonly used to control bleeding during liver resection. IPM can cause ischemia–reperfusion injury, which may affect the prognosis of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The present meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the effect of IPM use on perioperative outcomes and long-term survival in patients with HCC. Methods A systemic literature search was performed in the PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases to identify randomized controlled trials and retrospective studies that compared the effect of IPM with no Pringle maneuver during liver resection in patients with HCC. Hazard ratio (HR), risk ratio, standardized mean difference, and their 95% confidence interval (CI) values were calculated based on the type of variables. Results This meta-analysis included nine studies comprising one RCT and eight retrospective studies and involved a total of 3268 patients. Perioperative outcomes, including operation time, complications, and length of hospital stay, except for blood loss, were comparable between the two groups. After removing the studies that led to heterogeneity, the results showed that IPM was effective in reducing blood loss. Five studies reported overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) data and eight studies reported perioperative outcomes. No significant difference in OS and DFS was observed between the two groups (OS: HR, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.85–1.20; p = 0.95; DFS: HR, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.88–1.17; p = 0.86). Conclusion IPM is a useful technique to control blood loss during liver resection and does not affect the long-term survival of patients with HCC