Investigation of Cerium-Lithium Sealing Treatment of Cobalt-based Conversion Coatings Formed on Aluminum Alloys

A study was conducted to examine methods of adjusting cerium-lithium sealing process parameters in order to improve the corrosion protection capabilities of a cobalt-based chemical conversion film. In order to seal the pores of the cobalt-based conversion coatings, samples were treated in a cerium-lithium deposition bath in optimal process conditions. The optimal treatment condition was determined by examination of finished samples using the scanning electron microscope (SEM) and electrochemical test measurements. The corrosion behaviors of the sealing coatings were studied using an open circuit potential-time monitoring technique (OCPT), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and potentiodynamic polarization tests in 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution. It was found that the best treatment process for the cobalt-based conversion coating was sealed in the cerium-lithium sealing solution for 2 h at 90 ℃. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5755/j01.ms.24.4.19132</p

Characterization of aldehyde dehydrogenase isozymes in ovarian cancer tissues and sphere cultures

BACKGROUND: Aldehyde dehydrogenases belong to a superfamily of detoxifying enzymes that protect cells from carcinogenic aldehydes. Of the superfamily, ALDH1A1 has gained most attention because current studies have shown that its expression is associated with human cancer stem cells. However, ALDH1A1 is only one of the 19 human ALDH subfamilies currently known. The purpose of the present study was to determine if the expression and activities of other major ALDH isozymes are associated with human ovarian cancer and ovarian cancer sphere cultures. METHODS: Immunohistochemistry was used to delineate ALDH isozyme localization in clinical ovarian tissues. Western Blot analyses were performed on lysates prepared from cancer cell lines and ovarian cancer spheres to confirm the immunohistochemistry findings. Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reactions were used to measure the mRNA expression levels. The Aldefluor® assay was used to measure ALDH activity in cancer cells from the four tumor subtypes. RESULTS: Immunohistochemical staining showed significant overexpression of ALDH1A3, ALDH3A2, and ALDH7A1 isozymes in ovarian tumors relative to normal ovarian tissues. The expression and activity of ALDH1A1 is tumor type-dependent, as seen from immunohistochemisty, Western blot analysis, and the Aldefluor® assay. The expression was elevated in the mucinous and endometrioid ovarian epithelial tumors than in serous and clear cell tumors. In some serous and most clear cell tumors, ALDH1A1 expression was found in the stromal fibroblasts. RNA expression of all studied ALDH isozymes also showed higher expression in endometrioid and mucinous tumors than in the serous and clear cell subtypes. The expression of ALDH enzymes showed tumor type-dependent induction in ovarian cancer cells growing as sphere suspensions in serum-free medium. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study indicate that ALDH enzyme expression and activity may be associated with specific cell types in ovarian tumor tissues and vary according to cell states. Elucidating the function of the ALDH isozymes in lineage differentiation and pathogenesis may have significant implications for ovarian cancer pathophysiology

Equilibrium between Adenylyl Cyclase and Phosphodiesterase Patterns Adrenergic Agonist Dose-Dependent Spatiotemporal cAMP/Protein Kinase A Activities in Cardiomyocytes

ABSTRACT ␤-Adrenergic receptor induces cAMP/Protein kinase A (PKA) activation to regulate cardiac contraction. Using real-time fluorescence resonance energy transfer imaging for highly sensitive detection of cAMP and PKA activities, we show two distinct phases in isoproterenol dose-dependent responses in cardiomyocytes: a transient and dose-dependent increase in cAMP and PKA activities at lower concentrations from 10 Ϫ12 to 10 Ϫ8 M; and a saturated initial increases at higher concentrations from 10 Ϫ8 to 10 Ϫ5 M followed by a rapid decrease to different levels that were later sustained in a dose-dependent manner. The dose-dependent temporal responses are patterned by equilibrium between receptor-activated adenylyl cyclase (AC) and phosphodiesterase (PDE). At lower concentrations, cAMP is produced in an agonist dose-dependent manner with AC as a rate-limiting factor. However, the cAMP activities are confined within local domains for phosphorylation of PDE isoforms in the receptor complex but not for phosphorylation of phospholamban and troponin I. At higher concentrations, isoproterenol promotes a dose-dependent selective dissociation of PDE4D but not ACVI from the receptor complex, which shifts the equilibrium between AC and PDE. This shifted balance leads to sustained cAMP accumulation and diffusion for PKA phosphorylation of phospholamban and troponin I, and for myocyte contraction. Pharmacological inhibition or overexpression of either ACVI or PDE4D8 disrupts the balance and shapes the temporal responses in cAMP accumulation. Together, our data reveal a new paradigm for adrenergic agonist dose-dependent cAMP/PKA activities for substrate-specific phosphorylation dictated by dual regulation of AC and PDE in cardiomyocytes

RUNX1-Regulated Signaling Pathways in Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of gynecological death worldwide, and its poor prognosis and high mortality seriously affect the life of ovarian cancer patients. Runt-related transcription factor 1 (RUNX1) has been widely studied in hematological diseases and plays an important role in the occurrence and development of hematological diseases. In recent years, studies have reported the roles of RUNX1 in solid tumors, including the significantly increased expression of RUNX1 in ovarian cancer. In ovarian cancer, the dysregulation of the RUNX1 signaling pathway has been implicated in tumor progression, metastasis, and response to therapy. At the same time, the decreased expression of RUNX1 in ovarian cancer can significantly improve the sensitivity of clinical chemotherapy and provide theoretical support for the subsequent diagnosis and treatment target of ovarian cancer, providing prognosis and treatment options to patients with ovarian cancer. However, the role of RUNX1 in ovarian cancer remains unclear. Therefore, this article reviews the relationship between RUNX1 and the occurrence and development of ovarian cancer, as well as the closely regulated signaling pathways, to provide some inspiration and theoretical support for future research on RUNX1 in ovarian cancer and other diseases

Polysaccharide-Peptide from <i>Trametes versicolor</i>: The Potential Medicine for Colorectal Cancer Treatment

The incidence and mortality of colorectal cancer have shown an upward trend in the past decade. Therefore, the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of colorectal cancer still need our continuous attention. Finding compounds with strong anticancer activity and low toxicity is a good strategy for colorectal cancer (CRC) therapy. Trametes versicolor is a traditional Chinese medicinal mushroom with a long history of being used to regulate immunity and prevent cancer. Its extractions were demonstrated with strong cell growth inhibitory activity on human colorectal tumor cells, while the anticancer activity of them is not acted through a direct cytotoxic effect. However, the intricacy and high molecular weight make mechanistic research difficult, which restricts their further application as a medication in clinical cancer treatment. Recent research has discovered a small molecule polysaccharide peptide derived from Trametes versicolor that has a distinct structure after decades of Trametes versicolor investigation. Uncertain molecular weight and a complex composition are problems that have been solved through studies on its structure, and it was demonstrated to have strong anti-proliferation activity on colorectal cancer in vitro and in vivo via interaction with EGFR signaling pathway. It opens up new horizons for research in this field, and these low molecular weight polysaccharide peptides provide a new insight of regulation of colorectal cancer proliferation and have great potential as drugs in the treatment of colorectal cancer

Milk Exosomes Transfer Oligosaccharides into Macrophages to Modulate Immunity and Attenuate Adherent-Invasive E. coli (AIEC) Infection

Exosomes are abundance in human body fluids like urine, milk and blood. They act a critical role in extracellular and intracellular communication, intracellular trafficking and physiological regulation. Multiple immune-modulatory components, such as proteins, RNAs and carbohydrates (glycoproteins), have been found in human milk exosomes, which play immune-regulatory functions. However, little is known about oligosaccharides in milk exosomes, the “free sugars”, which act critical roles in the development of infant’s immature mucosal immune system. In this study, the profile of milk exosomes encapsulated human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) was calibrated with characteristic oligosaccharides in colostrum and mature milk, respectively. The exosomes containing human milk oligosaccharides were uptaken by macrophages, which were responsible for the establishment of intestinal immunity. Furthermore, mice pretreated with exosome encapsulated HMOs were protected from AIEC infection and had significantly less LPS-induced inflammation and intestinal damage. Exosome encapsulated milk oligosaccharides are regarded to provide a natural manner for milk oligosaccharides to accomplish their critical functions in modifying newborn innate immunity. The understanding of the interaction between a mother’s breastfeeding and the development of an infant’s mucosal immune system would be advantageous. The transport of milk oligosaccharides to its target via exosome-like particles appears to be promising

Human colostrum oligosaccharides modulate major immunologic pathways of immature human intestine

The immature neonatal intestinal immune system hyperreacts to newly colonizing unfamiliar bacteria. The hypothesis that human milk oligosaccharides from colostrum (cHMOS) can directly modulate the signaling pathways of the immature mucosa was tested. Modulation of cytokine immune signaling by HMOS was measured ex vivo in intact immature (fetal) human intestinal mucosa. From the genes whose transcription was modulated by colostrum HMOS (cHMOS), Ingenuity Pathway Analysis identified networks controlling immune cell communication, intestinal mucosal immune system differentiation, and homeostasis. cHMOS attenuate pathogen-associated molecular pattern (PAMP)-stimulated acute phase inflammatory cytokine protein levels (IL-8, IL-6, MCP-1/2, IL-1β), while elevating cytokines involved in tissue repair and homeostasis. 3’-, 4-, and 6’-galactosyllactoses of cHMOS account for specific immunomodulation of PIC-induced IL-8 levels. cHMOS attenuate mucosal responses to surface inflammatory stimuli during early development, while enhancing signals that support maturation of the intestinal mucosal immune system

The immune enhancing effect of antimicrobial peptide LLv on broilers chickens

ABSTRACT: To evaluate the effect and its mechanism of heat-resistant antimicrobial peptide LLv on broilers, three hundred 1-day-old healthy AA+ female broilers were allocated into 5 groups with 6 replicates in each group and 10 birds in each replicate. Birds were given a basal diet, an antibiotic diet (10.2 mg/kg chlortetracycline hydrochloride), and the basal diet supplemented with 10, 50, and 100 mg/kg LLv for 42 d, respectively. Compared with the group which birds were fed an antibiotic-free basal diet (control group), supplementing 100 mg/kg LLv increased 21-day IgA, IgM, IL-4, AIV-Ab, IFN-γ levels and 42-day IgA, IgM, IL-4, AIV-Ab levels and reduced 42-day IL-1 levels in serum (P 0.05). Compared with antibiotic group, the 10 mg/kg LLv reduced 21-day sIgA content and the 50 mg/kg LLv reduced 42-d the expression rate of sIgA secretory cells in jejunal mucosa (P < 0.05). Compared with control group, the 100 mg/kg LLv increased the expression of TCR, IL-15, CD28, BAFF, CD86, CD83, MHC-II, and CD40 genes in jejunal mucosa at 21 d and 42 d (P < 0.05). Compared with antibiotic group, the 100 mg/kg LLv increased the expression of 21-day BAFF, CD40, MHC-II, CD83 genes and the expression of 42-day BAFF, TCR, IL-15, CD40, CD83 genes in jejunal mucosa (P < 0.05). The results showed that the addition of LLv to the ration had a promotional effect on the immune function of broiler chickens

Identified Three Interferon Induced Proteins as Novel Biomarkers of Human Ischemic Cardiomyopathy

Ischemic cardiomyopathy is the most frequent type of heart disease, and it is a major cause of myocardial infarction (MI) and heart failure (HF), both of which require expensive medical treatment. Precise biomarkers and therapy targets must be developed to enhance improve diagnosis and treatment. In this study, the transcriptional profiles of 313 patients&rsquo; left ventricle biopsies were obtained from the PubMed database, and functional genes that were significantly related to ischemic cardiomyopathy were screened using the Weighted Gene Co-Expression Network Analysis and protein&ndash;protein interaction (PPI) networks enrichment analysis. The rat myocardial infarction model was developed to validate these findings. Finally, the putative signature genes were blasted through the common Cardiovascular Disease Knowledge Portal to explore if they were associated with cardiovascular disorder. Three interferon stimulated genes (IFIT2, IFIT3 and IFI44L), as well as key pathways, have been identified as potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for ischemic cardiomyopathy, and their alternations or mutations have been proven to be strongly linked to cardiac disorders. These novel signature genes could be utilized as bio-markers or potential therapeutic objectives in precise clinical diagnosis and treatment of ischemic cardiomyopathy