Vitexin attenuates lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury by controlling the Nrf2 pathway

<div><p>Background</p><p>A major feature of acute lung injury (ALI) is excessive inflammation in the lung. Vitexin is an active component from medicinal plants which has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Oxidative stress and inflammation play important roles in the pathophysiological processes in ALI. In the current study, we investigate the effect and potential mechanisms of Vitexin on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALI.</p><p>Methods</p><p>ALI was induced by LPS intratracheal instillation in C57BL/6 wild-type mice and Nrf2 gene knocked down (Nrf2-/-) mice. One hour before LPS challenge, Vitexin or vehicle intraperitoneal injection was performed. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and lung tissues were examined for lung inflammation and injury at 24 h after LPS challenge.</p><p>Results</p><p>Our animal study’s results showed that LPS-induced recruitment of neutrophils and elevation of proinflammatory cytokine levels were attenuated by Vitexin treatment. Vitexin decreased lung edema and alveolar protein content. Moreover, Vitexin activated nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), and increased the activity of its target gene heme oxygenase (HO)-1. The LPS-induced reactive oxygen species were inhibited by Vitexin. In addition, the activation of the nucleotide-binding domain and leucine-rich repeat PYD-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome was suppressed by Vitexin. However, these effects of Vitexin were abolished in the Nrf2-/- mice. Our cell studies showed that Vitexin enhanced the expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 activity. Moreover, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and IL-1β productions were reduced in Vitexin-treated cells. However, knockdown of Nrf2 by siRNA in RAW cells reversed the benefit of Vitexin.</p><p>Conclusions</p><p>Vitexin suppresses LPS-induced ALI by controlling Nrf2 pathway.</p></div

Evaluation of shale gas reservoir reserves and production capacity based on Arps regression

At present, global energy conflicts are prominent and the world’s attention is focused on energy security. In order to evaluate the reserves and production capacity of the shale gas, which is a special fossil energy source, the study proposes a reserve and production capacity evaluation design for its reservoirs based on Arps decrement. The study intersects the material balance method and Arps reconciliation decrement method to achieve the evaluation of shale gas reservoir reserves. The shale gas reservoir production capacity was calculated using Integrated Geostatistical and Geomechanical Modeling (IGIG) based on Genliang Guo’s fractured horizontal wells, and Effective Fracture Radius (EFR) formula based on large capsule-shaped flow zones. Experimental data showed that the capacity evaluation method based on the binomial dynamic coefficient inverse calculation of formation pressure can calculate the current unobstructed flow rate and allotted production rate to provide data support for the extraction of shale gas reservoirs.</p

Effects of Vitexin on pulmonary histopathological analysis, lung injury score, lung permeability, and lung water content in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated mice.

<p>Representative haematoxylin-eosin staining images of pulmonary section (A): a, control group (wild type (WT) mice treated with sterile phosphate-buffered saline (PBS)+vehicle); b, WT mice treated with PBS+Vitexin; c, nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) gene knockout (Nrf2-/-) mice treated with LPS+vehicle; d, WT mice treated with LPS+vehicle; e, WT mice treated with LPS+Vitexin; f, Nrf2-/- mice treated with LPS+Vitexin. All photographs were taken at 100×magnification. Lung injury score (B). Protein concentrations in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) (C). Pulmonary wet to dry (W/D) weight ratio (D). Data was expressed as means ± SEM (n = 6–10 per group). * <i>p</i> < 0.05, versus control group; ^#<i>p</i> < 0.05, versus LPS+vehicle group; ** <i>p</i> < 0.05, versus LPS+Vitexin treated WT mice.</p

Effects of Vitexin on cell viability (A), the expressions of nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) (B), heme oxygenase (HO)-1 activity (C), reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels (D), and interleukin (IL)-1β levels (E) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated RAW cells.

<p>TBP, TATA box binding protein. Data was expressed as means ± SEM of three independent experiments. * <i>p</i> < 0.05.</p

Effects of Vitexin on nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) activity (A), heme oxygenase (HO)-1 activity (B), and the nucleotide-binding domain and leucine-rich repeat PYD-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome (C) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated mice.

<p>Data was expressed as means ± SEM (n = 6–10 per group). * <i>p</i> < 0.05, versus control group (wild type (WT) mice treated with PBS+vehicle); ^#<i>p</i> < 0.05, versus LPS+vehicle group; ** <i>p</i> < 0.05, versus LPS+Vitexin treated WT mice. Nrf2-/-, Nrf2 gene knockout mice.</p

Reduced Graphene Oxide-Based Solid-Phase Extraction for the Enrichment and Detection of microRNA

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous molecules with regulatory functions. The purification and enrichment of miRNA are essential for its precise and sensitive detection. miRNA isolated using commercial kits contains abundant interfering RNAs, and the concentration of miRNA may not be adequate for detection. Herein, we prepared a reduced graphene oxide (rGO)-based magnetic solid-phase extraction material for the enrichment and ultrasensitive detection of miRNA from intricate nucleic acid solutions. <i>In situ</i> reverse transcription (RT) was developed as the most efficient approach to desorb miRNA from rGO among the methods that are compatible for the subsequent amplification reported thus far. Additionally, rolling circle amplification and qPCR were used to detect let-7a with a decrease of the limit of detection by 24.7- and 31.3-fold, respectively. This material was also successfully used to extract and detect miRNA from total RNA isolated from human plasma. Our results show that the material prepared in this study has the potential for cancer biopsy in clinics and the discovery of new miRNAs in scientific research

Synthesis, structure, and characterization of two 1-D homometallic coordination polymers based on carboxylate-functionlized salen ligands

<div><p>Two 1-D homometallic coordination polymers <b>1</b> and <b>2</b> have been prepared by one-step hydrothermal reactions of carboxylate-functionalized salen ligands with Co(II) and Mn(II), respectively. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses reveal that both the 1-D chains give 3-D supramolecular structures through intermolecular hydrogen bonds and <i>π</i><i>π</i> packing interactions. Magnetic investigation of <b>2</b> indicates the presence of antiferromagnetic interactions in 1-D chains.</p></div

Mechanisms Controlling Arsenic Uptake in Rice Grown in Mining Impacted Regions in South China

<div><p>Foods produced on soils impacted by Pb-Zn mining activities are a potential health risk due to plant uptake of the arsenic (As) associated with such mining. A field survey was undertaken in two Pb-Zn mining-impacted paddy fields in Guangdong Province, China to assess As accumulation and translocation, as well as other factors influencing As in twelve commonly grown rice cultivars. The results showed that grain As concentrations in all the surveyed rice failed national food standards, irrespective of As speciation. Among the 12 rice cultivars, “SY-89” and “DY-162” had the least As in rice grain. No significant difference for As concentration in grain was observed between the rice grown in the two areas that differed significantly for soil As levels, suggesting that the amount of As contamination in the soil is not necessarily the overriding factor controlling the As content in the rice grain. The iron and manganese plaque on the root surface curtailed As accumulation in rice roots. Based on our results, the accumulation of As within rice plants was strongly associated with such soil properties such as silicon, phosphorus, organic matter, pH, and clay content. Understanding the factors and mechanisms controlling As uptake is important to develop mitigation measures that can reduce the amount of As accumulated in rice grains produced on contaminated soils.</p></div

The cavitation model.

<p>Schematic model of the evolution of cavitation in PB-1 during stretching. Red arrow indicates that stretching direction is horizontal.</p

The length and misorientation of cavities.

<p>The length (full symbols) and misorientation (cross symbols) of cavities as a function of strain for PB-1 samples crystallized at 40, 50, 60 and 70°C stretched at 100°C.</p