Copper removal from aqueous solutions by white rot fungus Pleurotus ostreatus GEMB-PO1 and its potential in co-remediation of copper and organic pollutants

Addressing the environmental contamination from heavy metals and organic pollutants remains a critical challenge. This study explored the resilience and removal potential of Pleurotus ostreatus GEMB-PO1 for copper. P. ostreatus GEMB-PO1 showed significant tolerance, withstanding copper concentrations up to 2 mM. Its copper removal efficiency ranged from 64.56 % at 0.5 mM to 22.90 % at 8 mM. Transcriptomic insights into its response to copper revealed a marked upregulation in xenobiotic degradation-related enzymes, such as laccase and type II peroxidases. Building on these findings, a co-remediation system using P. ostreatus GEMB-PO1 was developed to remove both copper and organic pollutants. While this approach significantly enhanced the degradation efficiency of organic contaminants, it concurrently exhibited a diminished efficacy in copper removal within the composite system. This study underscores the potential of P. ostreatus GEMB-PO1 in environmental remediation. Nevertheless, further investigation is required to optimize the simultaneous removal of organic pollutants and copper.

Dynamic molecular architecture and substrate recruitment of cullin3-RING E3 ligase CRL3KBTBD2

Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase α, a heterodimer of catalytic p110α and one of five regulatory subunits, mediates insulin- and insulin like growth factor-signaling and, frequently, oncogenesis. Cellular levels of the regulatory p85α subunit are tightly controlled by regulated proteasomal degradation. In adipose tissue and growth plates, failure of K48-linked p85α ubiquitination causes diabetes, lipodystrophy and dwarfism in mice, as in humans with SHORT syndrome. Here we elucidated the structures of the key ubiquitin ligase complexes regulating p85α availability. Specificity is provided by the substrate receptor KBTBD2, which recruits p85α to the cullin3-RING E3 ubiquitin ligase (CRL3). CRL3KBTBD2 forms multimers, which disassemble into dimers upon substrate binding (CRL3KBTBD2-p85α) and/or neddylation by the activator NEDD8 (CRL3KBTBD2~N8), leading to p85α ubiquitination and degradation. Deactivation involves dissociation of NEDD8 mediated by the COP9 signalosome and displacement of KBTBD2 by the inhibitor CAND1. The hereby identified structural basis of p85α regulation opens the way to better understanding disturbances of glucose regulation, growth and cancer.

High gelatinous salted duck egg white protein powder gel: Physicochemical, microstructure and techno-functional properties

Salted duck egg is one of the most popular products, and China is one of the major countries consuming salted duck egg products. However, due to the high salt content of salted egg white and low physical and chemical properties such as gel, many factories generally only use salted egg yolk and discard salted duck egg white (SDEW) as a waste liquid when processing. This is not only a waste of resources, but also a pollution to the environment. In this paper, protein powder was prepared from salted egg white. Then xanthan gum (XG) was added to make it co-gel with ovalbumin to achieve the purpose of preparing high gelatinous salted egg white protein powder. The results showed that the optimum conditions of SDEW-XG composite gel were as follows: the xanthan gum content was 0.08% (w/w), the reaction pH was 6.5, and the heating temperature was 100°C. Under these conditions, the gel strength reaches the maximum value. Meanwhile, compared with the protein powder without xanthan gum, the addition of xanthan gum significantly affected the secondary structure of the protein powder of SDEW and improved the water holding capacity of the gel. In conclusion, the addition of xanthan gum can significantly improve the gel quality of SDEW protein powder, which provides a theoretical basis for the quality improvement of salted egg white.

Loss of immunity-related GTPase GM4951 leads to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease without obesity

Obesity and diabetes are well known risk factors for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), but the genetic factors contributing to the development of NAFLD remain poorly understood. Here we describe two semi-dominant allelic missense mutations (Oily and Carboniferous) of Predicted gene 4951 (Gm4951) identified from a forward genetic screen in mice. GM4951 deficient mice developed NAFLD on high fat diet (HFD) with no changes in body weight or glucose metabolism. Moreover, HFD caused a reduction in the level of Gm4951, which in turn promoted the development of NAFLD. Predominantly expressed in hepatocytes, GM4951 was verified as an interferon inducible GTPase. The NAFLD in Gm4951 knockout mice was associated with decreased lipid oxidation in the liver and no defect in hepatic lipid secretion. After lipid loading, hepatocyte GM4951 translocated to lipid droplets (LDs), bringing with it hydroxysteroid 17β-dehydrogenase 13 (HSD17B13), which in the absence of GM4951 did not undergo this translocation. We identified a rare non-obese mouse model of NAFLD caused by GM4951 deficiency and define a critical role for GTPase-mediated translocation in hepatic lipid metabolism.

Polydatin protects neuronal cells from hydrogen peroxide damage by activating CREB/Ngb signaling

Oxidative stress‑induced neuronal cell death contributes significantly to the physiological processes of a number of neurological disorders. Polydatin (PD) has been reported to protect against Alzheimer's disease (AD), ischemic stroke and traumatic brain injury. However, the underlying neuroprotective mechanisms remain to be elucidated. The current study suggested that PD activates AKT/cAMP response element‑binding protein (CREB) signaling and induces neuroglobin (Ngb) to protect neuronal cells from hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) in vitro. PD inhibited the H₂O₂‑induced neuronal cell death of primary mouse cortical neurons and N2a cells. Functional studies showed that PD attenuated H₂O₂‑induced mitochondrial dysfunction and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species production. Mechanistically, PD was verified to induce the phosphorylation of AKT and CREB and increase the protein level of Ngb. The luciferase assay results showed that Ngb transcriptional activity was activated by CREB, especially after PD treatment. It was further indicated that PD increased the transcription of Ngb by enhancing the binding of CREB to the promoter region of Ngb. Finally, Ngb knockdown largely attenuated the neuroprotective role of PD against H₂O₂. The results indicated that PD protected neuronal cells from H₂O₂ by activating CREB/Ngb signaling in neuronal cells, indicating that PD has a neuroprotective effect against neurodegenerative diseases.

Effects of anode materials on the performance and anode microbial community of soil microbial fuel cell

Five soil microbial fuel cells (SMFCs) with graphite felt, aluminium sheet, activated carbon fibre felt, graphite paper and carbon cloth as anodes were constructed using the petroleum hydrocarbon polluted soils as substrates. After 115 days of operation, the SMFC with graphite felt anode performed the best in both bioelectricity output and removal of target pollutants, with the bioelectricity output parameters of 345 mV for stable voltage, 24.0 mW/m² for power density and 774 Ω for internal resistance, and the removal rates of 59.14 % for total petroleum hydrocarbon, 61.65 % for anthracene, and 55.92 % for pyrene, respectively. The conductivity of the material was the key factor affecting the electron transfer rate of the anode, which determined the electric acclimation and screening intensity of SMFC to soil microbes, leading to the growth and succession of the electricigens-dominanted anode microbial community with various abundances of phyla and genera. The surface structure of the anode material played a critical role in the internal resistance of SMFC through affecting the mass transfer of substrate and metabolites, and it might also change the abundance of microbes especially those non-electricigens on the community through different adhesion.

Tumor necrosis factor α-induced protein 1 as a novel tumor suppressor through selective downregulation of CSNK2B blocks nuclear factor-κB activation in hepatocellular carcinoma

Background

Tumor necrosis factor α-induced protein 1 (TNFAIP1) is frequently downregulated in cancer cell lines and promotes cancer cell apoptosis. However, its role, clinical significance and molecular mechanisms in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are unknown.

Methods

The expression of TNFAIP1 in HCC tumor tissues and cell lines was measured by Western blot and immunohistochemistry. The effects of TNFAIP1 on HCC proliferation, apoptosis, metastasis, angiogenesis and tumor formation were evaluated by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK8), Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP Nick-End Labeling (TUNEL), transwell, tube formation assay in vitro and nude mice experiments in vivo. The interaction between TNFAIP1 and CSNK2B was validated by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), Co-immunoprecipitation and Western blot. The mechanism of how TNFAIP1 regulated nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) pathway was analyzed by dual-luciferase reporter, immunofluorescence, quantitative Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and Western blot.

Findings

The TNFAIP1 expression is significantly decreased in HCC tissues and cell lines, and negatively correlated with the increased HCC histological grade. Overexpression of TNFAIP1 inhibits HCC cell proliferation, metastasis, angiogenesis and promotes cancer cell apoptosis both in vitro and in vivo, whereas the knockdown of TNFAIP1 in HCC cell displays opposite effects. Mechanistically, TNFAIP1 interacts with CSNK2B and promotes its ubiquitin-mediated degradation with Cul3, causing attenuation of CSNK2B-dependent NF-κB trans-activation in HCC cell. Moreover, the enforced expression of CSNK2B counteracts the inhibitory effects of TNFAIP1 on HCC cell proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo.

Interpretation

Our results support that TNFAIP1 can act as a tumor suppressor of HCC by modulating TNFAIP1/CSNK2B/NF-κB pathway, implying that TNFAIP1 may represent a potential marker and a promising therapeutic target for HCC.

Purification and Identification of miRNA Target Sites in Genome Using DNA Affinity Precipitation

Combination with genomic DNA is one of the important ways for microRNAs (miRNAs) to perform biological processes. However, because of lack of an experimental method, the identified genomic sites targeted by microRNA were only located in the promoter and enhancer regions. In this study, based on affinity purification of labeled biotin at the 3'-end of miRNAs, we established an efficiently experimental method to screen miRNA binding sequences in the whole genomic regions in vivo. Biotinylated miR-373 was used to test our approach in MCF-7 cells, and then Sanger and next-generation sequencing were used to screen miR-373 binding sequences. Our results demonstrated that the genomic fragments precipitated by miR-373 were located not only in promoter but also in intron, exon, and intergenic. Eleven potentially miR-373 targeting genes were selected for further study, and all of these genes were significantly regulated by miR-373. Furthermore, the targeting sequences located in E-cadherin, cold-shock domain-containing protein C2 (CSDC2), and PDE4D genes could interact with miR-373 in MCF-7 cells rather than HeLa cells, which is consistent with our data that these three genes can be regulated by miR-373 in MCF-7 cells while not in HeLa cells. On the whole, this is an efficient method to identify miRNA targeting sequences in the whole genome.

Amyloid-β25-35 Upregulates Endogenous Neuroprotectant Neuroglobin via NFκB Activation in vitro

Neuroglobin (Ngb) has been reported to be increased in early and moderately advanced Alzheimer's disease (AD) stages but declined in the severe stage. However, its regulatory mechanisms and pathophysiological roles in the disease remain to be defined. In this study, we found that Ngb expression was significantly upregulated by low dose Aβ25-35, the neurotoxic fragment of Aβ1 - 40 and Aβ1 - 42, but was not further increased by a higher dose of Aβ25-35. Mutation analysis and supershift assay demonstrated that transcription factor Nuclear Factor κB (NFκB), κB2 and κB3 sites located in mouse Ngb promoter region were involved in dynamic regulation of Ngb expression in response to different doses of Aβ25-35 stimulation. In addition, we found that suppression of endogenous Ngb expression exacerbated Aβ25-35-induced neuronal cell death and mitochondrial dysfunction. Our results indicate that endogenous Ngb expression may be upregulated by low dose Aβ25-35, which is responsible for protecting against Aβ25-35-mediated neurotoxicity. These experimental findings suggest that upregulation of endogenous Ngb expression might be an effective intervention approach for AD.

Mercury accumulation plant Cyrtomium macrophyllum and its potential for phytoremediation of mercury polluted sites

Cyrtomium macrophyllum naturally grown in 225.73 mg kg^-1 of soil mercury in mining area was found to be a potential mercury accumulator plant with the translocation factor of 2.62 and the high mercury concentration of 36.44 mg kg^-1 accumulated in its aerial parts. Pot experiments indicated that Cyrtomium macrophyllum could even grow in 500 mg kg^-1 of soil mercury with observed inhibition on growth but no obvious toxic effects, and showed excellent mercury accumulation and translocation abilities with both translocation and bioconcentration factors greater than 1 when exposed to 200 mg kg^-1 and lower soil mercury, indicating that it could be considered as a great mercury accumulating species. Furthermore, the leaf tissue of Cyrtomium macrophyllum showed high resistance to mercury stress because of both the increased superoxide dismutase activity and the accumulation of glutathione and proline induced by mercury stress, which favorited mercury translocation from the roots to the aerial parts, revealing the possible reason for Cyrtomium macrophyllum to tolerate high concentration of soil mercury. In sum, due to its excellent mercury accumulation and translocation abilities as well as its high resistance to mercury stress, the use of Cyrtomium macrophyllum should be a promising approach to remediating mercury polluted soils.

TNFAIP1 contributes to the neurotoxicity induced by Aβ25-35 in Neuro2a cells

BACKGROUND

Amyloid-beta (Aβ) accumulation is a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD) that can lead to neuronal dysfunction and apoptosis. Tumor necrosis factor, alpha-induced protein 1 (TNFAIP1) is an apoptotic protein that was robustly induced in the transgenic C. elegans AD brains. However, the roles of TNFAIP1 in AD have not been investigated.

RESULTS

We found TNFAIP1 protein and mRNA levels were dramatically elevated in primary mouse cortical neurons and Neuro2a (N2a) cells exposed to Aβ25-35. Knockdown and overexpression of TNFAIP1 significantly attenuated and exacerbated Aβ25-35-induced neurotoxicity in N2a cells, respectively. Further studies showed that TNFAIP1 knockdown significantly blocked Aβ25-35-induced cleaved caspase 3, whereas TNFAIP1 overexpression enhanced Aβ25-35-induced cleaved caspase 3, suggesting that TNFAIP1 plays an important role in Aβ25-35-induced neuronal apoptosis. Moreover, we observed that TNFAIP1 was capable of inhibiting the levels of phosphorylated Akt and CREB, and also anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2. TNFAIP1 overexpression enhanced the inhibitory effect of Aβ25-35 on the levels of p-CREB and Bcl-2, while TNFAIP1 knockdown reversed Aβ25-35-induced attenuation in the levels of p-CREB and Bcl-2.

CONCLUSION

These results suggested that TNFAIP1 contributes to Aβ25-35-induced neurotoxicity by attenuating Akt/CREB signaling pathway, and Bcl-2 expression.

Transcription factor cyclic adenosine monophosphate responsive element binding protein negatively regulates tumor necrosis factor alpha-induced protein 1 expression

Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα)-induced protein 1 (TNFAIP1) was originally identified as a protein involved in DNA replication, DNA damage repair, apoptosis and the progression of certain diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease. In the present study, forskolin, a stimulant of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), was found to significantly reduce human TNFAIP1 mRNA levels and TNFAIP1 promoter activity in the SKNSH human neuroblastoma cell line as indicated by polymerase chain reaction analysis and a luciferase reporter assay. The association between transcription factor cAMP response element‑binding protein (CREB) and TNFAIP1 was further investigated using loss- and gain of function-studies with western blot analysis and luciferase reporter assays. The CREB-specific inhibitor KG‑501 significantly increased TNFAIP1 protein levels, while overexpression of wild‑type CREB, but not CREB mutated at ser133a or its DNA-binding site, significantly decreased human TNFAIP1 protein levels and TNFAIP1 promoter activity in SKNSH cells. Furthermore, two CRE sites located at ‑285 and ‑425 bp of the human TNFAIP1 promoter were identified to be responsible for CREB‑induced inhibition of human TNFAIP1 promoter activity. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays confirmed that CREB bound to the TNFAIP1 promoter region harboring these two CRE sites. A further luciferase reporter assay demonstrated that CREB phosphorylation on ser133 was responsible for forskolin‑induced inhibition of TNFAIP1 expression. In conclusion, the present study suggested that CREB is a negative regulator of the TNFAIP1 gene.

Increased levels of IL-21 responses are associated with the severity of liver injury in patients with chronic active hepatitis B

Interleukin-21 (IL-21) participates in tissue damage in various immune-mediated diseases. Its role in the pathogenesis of chronic active hepatitis B (CAHB) has not been clarified. The frequency of circulating IL-21(+) T cells and the levels of serum and intrahepatic IL-21 have been characterized in 70 CAHB patients, 32 inactive carrier (IC), 18 chronic hepatitis C (CHC) and 20 healthy controls (HC). Their potential association with liver injury was analysed. The percentages of IL-21(+) CD3(+) CD8(-) and IL-21(+) CD3(+) CD8(+) T cells and the levels of serum IL-21 in CAHB patients were significantly higher than that in the IC, CHC patients and HC (P < 0.001) and were correlated positively with the levels of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT, r = 0.424, P < 0.001; r = 0.392, P = 0.001) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST, r = 0.388, P = 0.001; r = 0.329, P = 0.005) in CAHB patients, respectively. The levels of IL-21 expression in the liver tissues were associated significantly with increased degrees of inflammation and fibrosis in CAHB patients (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05). Our findings suggest that aberrant IL-21 responses may be associated with the progression of CHB.

Effect of sperminated pullulans on drug permeation through isolated rabbit cornea and determination of ocular irritation

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of two sperminated pullulans (SP) with a different number of amino groups (SP-L, amino group content 0.124 mmol/g polymer; and SP-H, amino group content 0.578 mmol/g polymer) on the permeation of drugs through isolated rabbit corneas. Determination of corneal hydration levels and Draize eye tests were performed to assess the safety of SP both in vitro and in vivo. For 0.2% (w/v) SP-L and 0.2% (w/v) SP-H, the enhancement ratios (ERs) with dexamethasone of 1.34 and 1.42, respectively, were not statistically significant. For ofloxacin, tobramycin and sodium fluorescein, the ERs with 0.2% SP-L were 1.37, 2.02 and 2.12, respectively, and with 0.2% SP-H the ERs were 1.84, 4.69 and 6.87, respectively; these ERs were all statistically significant. Enhancement increased with increasing amino group content of the SP. The improved transcorneal drug absorption via the paracellular route indicated opening of the tight junctions in the corneal epithelium. Irritation tests indicated that 0.2% SP-L and 0.2% SP-H did not damage the corneal tissues.

Influence of Borneol on In Vitro Corneal Permeability and on In Vivo and In Vitro Corneal Toxicity

This study examined whether borneol could enhance corneal drug permeability. Model drugs containing either synthetic or natural borneol were co-administered to isolated intact or de-epithelialized rabbit corneas and the apparent permeability coefficients were measured. Draize tests in rabbits and levels of isolated intact rabbit corneal hydration were used to measure in vivo and in vitro toxicity, respectively. Synthetic borneol (0.1%) increased corneal penetration of the lipophilic agents, indomethacin and dexamethasone, by 1.23 and 2.40, respectively, and of the hydrophilic agents, ofloxacin, ribavirin and tobramycin, by 1.87, 2.80 and 3.89, respectively. For natural borneol, the corresponding fold increases were 1.67, 2.00, 2.15, 2.18 and 3.39, respectively. Removing the epithelium attenuated the penetration-enhancing effects of borneol. Borneol (0.1%) did not damage corneal tissue. The ability of borneol to enhance drug penetration through the outer corneal layer, particularly for highly-hydrophilic drugs, suggests that further clinical investigation may be warranted.

[An algorithm for real-time quantitative analysis of remote detection spectrum of chemical vapor with passive Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy]

The algorithm for quantitative analysis of passive Fourier-transform infrared spectum (FTIR) of a chemical vapor is given. It can be applied to both real-time processing for chemical vapor and quantitative measurements of chemical vapor column density. The algorithm simultaneously achieves quantitation of the vapor spectral transmission, background removal, real-time calibration for FTIR. Finally, we discuss in detail an example of the use of the algorithm to a simulant DMMP.

[Real-time remote detection of weak-spectra of chemical vapors using subtractive spectroscopy techniques]

Infrared spectra from the several typical chemical vapors were observed remotely using the RFX-40 passive Fourier transform infrared spectrometer. In this paper, we discuss mainly the characteristics of infrared radiance transfer of chemical vapors. Subtractive spectroscopy was used to reduce the effect of atmosphere radiance on weak spectrum and enhance the spectral features of the chemical vapors.