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Medicine Jun 2024Previous observational studies revealed controversy about the effect of circulating antioxidants on risk of alopecia. In the present study, we investigated the causal...
Previous observational studies revealed controversy about the effect of circulating antioxidants on risk of alopecia. In the present study, we investigated the causal relationships between diet-derived circulating antioxidants and 2 non-scarring alopecia using Mendelian randomization (MR). Instrumental variables for antioxidants (lycopene, retinol, ascorbate, β-carotene, α-tocopherol, and γ-tocopherol) were selected from published studies. Data for alopecia areata (AA) and androgenetic alopecia (AGA) was obtained from the FinnGen study project (R9 released in 2023), including 195 cases and 201,019 controls for AGA and 682 cases and 361,140 controls for AA. We used the inverse variance weighted method as the primary MR method. Three additional methods were used as sensitivity analysis to validate the robustness of the results. We found a causal relationship between absolute β-carotene levels and AGA risk (P = .039), but not with AA (P = .283). The results of Wald ratio showed a protective effect of absolute β-carotene levels against AGA, with per 0.1 ln-transformed β-carotene being associated with a 76% lower risk of AGA (OR: 0.24, 95% CI: 0.06-0.93). Based on the fixed effects inverse variance weighting results, we found that α-tocopherol was protective against both AGA (P = .026) and AA (P = .018). For each unit increase in α-tocopherol, the effects of change in AGA and AA were 0.02 (95% CI: 0.00-0.61) and 0.10 (95% CI: 0.01-0.67), respectively. The results did not reveal any other causal relationships. Our study identified 3 causal associations of antioxidants with the risk of non-scarring alopecia. These results provide new insights into the prevention of non-scarring alopecia through diet.
Topics: Humans; Mendelian Randomization Analysis; Antioxidants; beta Carotene; Alopecia; Diet; alpha-Tocopherol; Female; Male; Alopecia Areata; Risk Factors
PubMed: 38875426
DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000038426 -
BMC Plant Biology Jun 2024Hydrogen gas (H), a novel and beneficial gaseous molecule, plays a significant role in plant growth and development processes. Hydrogen-rich water (HRW) is regarded as a...
BACKGROUND
Hydrogen gas (H), a novel and beneficial gaseous molecule, plays a significant role in plant growth and development processes. Hydrogen-rich water (HRW) is regarded as a safe and easily available way to study the physiological effects of H on plants. Several recent research has shown that HRW attenuates stress-induced seed germination inhibition; however, the underlying modes of HRW on seed germination remain obscure under non-stress condition.
RESULTS
In this current study, we investigated the possible roles of gibberellin (GA) and abscisic acid (ABA) in HRW-regulated seed germination in wax gourd (Benincasa hispida) through pharmacological, physiological, and transcriptome approaches. The results showed that HRW application at an optimal dose (50% HRW) significantly promoted seed germination and shortened the average germination time (AGT). Subsequent results suggested that 50% HRW treatment stimulated GA production by regulating GA biosynthesis genes (BhiGA3ox, BhiGA2ox, and BhiKAO), whereas it had no effect on the content of ABA and the expression of its biosynthesis (BhiNCED6) and catabolism genes (BhiCYP707A2) but decreased the expression of ABA receptor gene (BhiPYL). In addition, inhibition of GA production by paclobutrazol (PAC) could block the HRW-mediated germination. Treatment with ABA could hinder HRW-mediated seed germination and the ABA biosynthesis inhibitor sodium tungstate (ST) could recover the function of HRW. Furthermore, RNA-seq analysis revealed that, in the presence of GA or ABA, an abundance of genes involved in GA, ABA, and ethylene signal sensing and transduction might involve in HRW-regulated germination.
CONCLUSIONS
This study portrays insights into the mechanism of HRW-mediated seed germination, suggesting that HRW can regulate the balance between GA and ABA to mediate seed germination through ethylene signals in wax gourd.
Topics: Gibberellins; Germination; Abscisic Acid; Signal Transduction; Seeds; Plant Growth Regulators; Hydrogen; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant
PubMed: 38872107
DOI: 10.1186/s12870-024-05193-3 -
BMC Plant Biology Jun 2024Boron (B) is a micronutrient, but excessive levels can cause phytotoxicity, impaired growth, and reduced photosynthesis. B toxicity arises from over-fertilization, high...
BACKGROUND
Boron (B) is a micronutrient, but excessive levels can cause phytotoxicity, impaired growth, and reduced photosynthesis. B toxicity arises from over-fertilization, high soil B levels, or irrigation with B-rich water. Conversely, silicon (Si) is recognized as an element that mitigates stress and alleviates the toxic effects of certain nutrients. In this study, to evaluate the effect of different concentrations of Si on maize under boron stress conditions, a factorial experiment based on a randomized complete block design was conducted with three replications in a hydroponic system. The experiment utilized a nutrient solution for maize var. Merit that contained three different boron (B) concentrations (0.5, 2, and 4 mg L) and three Si concentrations (0, 28, and 56 mg L).
RESULTS
Our findings unveiled that exogenous application of B resulted in a substantial escalation of B concentration in maize leaves. Furthermore, B exposure elicited a significant diminution in fresh and dry plant biomass, chlorophyll index, chlorophyll a (Chl a), chlorophyll b (Chl b), carotenoids, and membrane stability index (MSI). As the B concentration augmented, malondialdehyde (MDA) content and catalase (CAT) enzyme activity exhibited a concomitant increment. Conversely, the supplementation of Si facilitated an amelioration in plant fresh and dry weight, total carbohydrate, and total soluble protein. Moreover, the elevated activity of antioxidant enzymes culminated in a decrement in hydrogen peroxide (HO) and MDA content. In addition, the combined influence of Si and B had a statistically significant impact on the leaf chlorophyll index, total chlorophyll (a + b) content, Si and B accumulation levels, as well as the enzymatic activities of guaiacol peroxidase (GPX), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and HO levels. These unique findings indicated the detrimental impact of B toxicity on various physiological and biochemical attributes of maize, while highlighting the potential of Si supplementation in mitigating the deleterious effects through modulation of antioxidant machinery and biomolecule synthesis.
CONCLUSIONS
This study highlights the potential of Si supplementation in alleviating the deleterious effects of B toxicity in maize. Increased Si consumption mitigated chlorophyll degradation under B toxicity, but it also caused a significant reduction in the concentrations of essential micronutrients iron (Fe), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn). While Si supplementation shows promise in counteracting B toxicity, the observed decrease in Fe, Cu, and Zn concentrations warrants further investigation to optimize this approach and maintain overall plant nutritional status.
Topics: Zea mays; Boron; Silicon; Hydroponics; Chlorophyll; Plant Leaves; Malondialdehyde; Carotenoids; Antioxidants; Catalase
PubMed: 38872083
DOI: 10.1186/s12870-024-05275-2 -
Scientific Reports Jun 2024This work aimed to design a synthetic salt-inducible promoter using a cis-engineering approach. The designed promoter (PS) comprises a minimal promoter sequence for...
This work aimed to design a synthetic salt-inducible promoter using a cis-engineering approach. The designed promoter (PS) comprises a minimal promoter sequence for basal-level expression and upstream cis-regulatory elements (CREs) from promoters of salinity-stress-induced genes. The copy number, spacer lengths, and locations of CREs were manually determined based on their occurrence within native promoters. The initial activity profile of the synthesized PS promoter in transiently transformed N. tabacum leaves shows a seven-fold, five-fold, and four-fold increase in reporter GUS activity under salt, drought, and abscisic acid stress, respectively, at the 24-h interval, compared to the constitutive CaMV35S promoter. Analysis of gus expression in stable Arabidopsis transformants showed that the PS promoter induces over a two-fold increase in expression under drought or abscisic acid stress and a five-fold increase under salt stress at 24- and 48-h intervals, compared to the CaMV35S promoter. The promoter PS exhibits higher and more sustained activity under salt, drought, and abscisic acid stress compared to the constitutive CaMV35S.
Topics: Promoter Regions, Genetic; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; Arabidopsis; Abscisic Acid; Plants, Genetically Modified; Droughts; Nicotiana; Stress, Physiological; Sodium Chloride; Genetic Engineering; Salt Stress
PubMed: 38871942
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-64537-z -
Synthetic and Systems Biotechnology Dec 2024Digitoxose, a significant 2,6-dideoxyhexose found in nature, exists in many small-molecule natural products. These digitoxose-containing natural products can be divided... (Review)
Review
Digitoxose, a significant 2,6-dideoxyhexose found in nature, exists in many small-molecule natural products. These digitoxose-containing natural products can be divided into steroids, macrolides, macrolactams, anthracyclines, quinones, enediynes, acyclic polyene, indoles and oligosaccharides, that exhibit antibacterial, anti-viral, antiarrhythmic, and antitumor activities respectively. As most of digitoxose-containing natural products for clinical application or preclinical tests, this review also summarizes the biosynthesis of digitoxose, and application of compound diversification by introducing sugar plasmids. It may provide a practical approach to expanding the diversity of digitoxose-containing products.
PubMed: 38868608
DOI: 10.1016/j.synbio.2024.05.012 -
Scientific Reports Jun 2024Current study is the first ever storage cum market trial of radiation processed (28 tons) of potato conducted in India at a commercial scale. The objective was to affirm...
Current study is the first ever storage cum market trial of radiation processed (28 tons) of potato conducted in India at a commercial scale. The objective was to affirm the efficacy of very low dose of gamma radiation processing of potato for extended storage with retained quality and to understand the plausible mechanism at the gene modulation level for suppression of potato sprouting. Genes pertaining to abscisic acid (ABA) biosynthesis were upregulated whereas its catabolism was downregulated in irradiated potatoes. Additionally, genes related to auxin buildup were downregulated in irradiated potatoes. The change in the endogenous phytohormone contents in irradiated potato with respect to the control were found to be correlated well with the differential expression level of certain related genes. Irradiated potatoes showed retention of processing attributes including cooking and chip-making qualities, which could be attributed to the elevated expression of invertase inhibitor in these tubers. Further, quality retention in radiation treated potatoes may also be related to inhibition in the physiological changes due to sprout inhibition. Ecological and economical analysis of national and global data showed that successful adoption of radiation processing may gradually replace sprout suppressants like isopropyl N-(3-chlorophenyl) carbamate (CIPC), known to leave residue in the commodity, stabilize the wholesale annual market price, and provide a boost to the industries involved in product manufacturing.
Topics: Solanum tuberosum; Plant Tubers; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; Food Storage; Gamma Rays; Plant Growth Regulators; Food Irradiation; Abscisic Acid; Indoleacetic Acids; Plant Proteins
PubMed: 38866836
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-58949-0 -
Anais Da Academia Brasileira de Ciencias 2024The blend of butadiene and acrylonitrile copolymer (NBR) with natural poly-cis-isoprene (NR) shows increased resistance to swelling in solvents in comparison to the... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
The blend of butadiene and acrylonitrile copolymer (NBR) with natural poly-cis-isoprene (NR) shows increased resistance to swelling in solvents in comparison to the individual components. In aerospace, NBR rubber is used as thermal protection for rockets and shall not contain other polymers, even in low contents, otherwise, it can affect the protection performance and rocket safety by causing detachment of the elastomer/propellant interface; therefore, this investigation presents methodologies to determine the NR/NBR contents. This study explores different analytical techniques, such as Raman spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, in the mid-infrared (MIR) by reflection and in the near-infrared by reflectance (NIRA) modes, Furthermore, quantification strategies by univariate, bivariate and multivariate (chemometric) models are evaluated and compared. A proposed methodology, based on multivariate Raman microscopy with partial least squares regression (PLS), showed high linearity (R2 > 0.99) and low error (< 0.82 %). The validation of FT-MIR data for the CH3, which presented lower error (1.3%) than vinylidene band (6%), showed that both methodologies (reflection and NIRA reflectance) can be used for the quantification of NR in NR/NBR. These results constitute a contribution to the state of the art in researching industrial and aerospace elastomeric applications.
Topics: Spectrum Analysis, Raman; Rubber; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; Butadienes
PubMed: 38865508
DOI: 10.1590/0001-3765202420230387 -
Journal of Cellular and Molecular... Jun 2024Chemotherapy resistance remains a significant challenge in treating ovarian cancer effectively. This study addresses this issue by utilizing a dual drug-loaded...
Chemotherapy resistance remains a significant challenge in treating ovarian cancer effectively. This study addresses this issue by utilizing a dual drug-loaded nanomicelle system comprising albendazole (ABZ) and paclitaxel (PTX), encapsulated in a novel carrier matrix of D-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate vitamin E (TPGS), soluplus and folic acid. Our objective was to develop and optimize this nanoparticulate delivery system using solvent evaporation techniques to enhance the therapeutic efficacy against ovarian cancer. The formulation process involved pre-formulation, formulation, optimization, and comprehensive characterization of the micelles. Optimization was conducted through a 32 factorial design, focusing on the effects of polymer ratios on particle size, zeta potential, polydispersity index (PDI) and entrapment efficiency (%EE). The optimal formulation demonstrated improved dilution stability, as indicated by a critical micelle concentration (CMC) of 0.0015 mg/mL for the TPGS-folic acid conjugate (TPGS-FOL). Extensive characterization included differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The release profile exhibited an initial burst followed by sustained release over 90 h. The cytotoxic potential of the formulated micelles was superior to that of the drugs alone, as assessed by MTT assays on SKOV3 ovarian cell lines. Additionally, in vivo studies confirmed the presence of both drugs in plasma and tumour tissues, suggesting effective targeting and penetration. In conclusion, the developed TPGS-Fol-based nanomicelles for co-delivering ABZ and PTX show promising results in overcoming drug resistance, enhancing solubility, sustaining drug release, and improving therapeutic outcomes in ovarian cancer treatment.
Topics: Female; Paclitaxel; Micelles; Albendazole; Ovarian Neoplasms; Humans; Animals; Cell Line, Tumor; Drug Carriers; Polyethylene Glycols; Vitamin E; Folic Acid; Mice; Drug Liberation; Particle Size; Polyvinyls; Polymers; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
PubMed: 38864691
DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.18389 -
PloS One 2024All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA), recognized as the principal and most biologically potent metabolite of vitamin A, has been identified for its inhibitory effects on...
All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA), recognized as the principal and most biologically potent metabolite of vitamin A, has been identified for its inhibitory effects on hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication. Nevertheless, the underlying mechanism remains elusive. The present study reveals that ATRA induces E6-associated protein (E6AP)-mediated proteasomal degradation of HBx to suppress HBV replication in human hepatoma cells in a p53-dependent pathway. For this effect, ATRA induced promoter hypomethylation of E6AP in the presence of HBx, which resulted in the upregulation of E6AP levels in HepG2 but not in Hep3B cells, emphasizing the p53-dependent nature of this effect. As a consequence, ATRA augmented the interaction between E6AP and HBx, resulting in substantial ubiquitination of HBx and consequent reduction in HBx protein levels in both the HBx overexpression system and the in vitro HBV replication model. Additionally, the knockdown of E6AP under ATRA treatment reduced the interaction between HBx and E6AP and decreased the ubiquitin-dependent proteasomal degradation of HBx, which prompted a recovery of HBV replication in the presence of ATRA, as confirmed by increased levels of intracellular HBV proteins and secreted HBV levels. This study not only contributes to the understanding of the complex interactions between ATRA, p53, E6AP, and HBx but also provides an academic basis for the clinical employment of ATRA in the treatment of HBV infection.
Topics: Humans; Viral Regulatory and Accessory Proteins; Trans-Activators; Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex; Virus Replication; Hepatitis B virus; Tretinoin; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53; Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases; Hep G2 Cells; Down-Regulation; Ubiquitination; Proteolysis; Promoter Regions, Genetic; DNA Methylation; Cell Line, Tumor
PubMed: 38861553
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0305350 -
Acta Dermato-venereologica Jun 2024The MDHHgermany registry was initiated to characterize the "real-life" situation of affected individuals with Darier's disease (DD; Morbus Darier, MD) and Hailey-Hailey...
The MDHHgermany registry was initiated to characterize the "real-life" situation of affected individuals with Darier's disease (DD; Morbus Darier, MD) and Hailey-Hailey disease (HH), including their treatment and healthcare. To gain deeper insights into medical care of patients with DD, various aspects such as demographics, subjective symptoms, patient satisfaction with medical care, past and current therapies were explored. Patients with diagnosed DD were included. Subjective symptoms such as itch, pain and burning sensation were assessed. Individual therapy goals were recorded and patients assessed previous/current therapies along with satisfaction of medical care and treatment. A total of 55 patients were recruited; 47 patients were eligible for the analysis. Pruritus was rated the most bothersome symptom. Some 42.6% had not received systemic treatment so far or systemic therapies were rated ineffective (32.6%). Most commonly oral retinoids were prescribed, followed by corticosteroids. Patient satisfaction with medical care and treatment proved to be mediocre. This "real-life" data show an alarming unmet need regarding patients' satisfaction with medical care and treatment, evidenced by the reported lack of disease control. Further studies and interventions are needed to improve the spectrum of available therapies. MDHHgermany provides a foundational platform for future clinical trials, epidemiological studies, and pathophysiological analyses.
Topics: Humans; Registries; Darier Disease; Male; Female; Germany; Patient Satisfaction; Middle Aged; Aged; Adult; Treatment Outcome; Health Services Needs and Demand; Pemphigus, Benign Familial; Pruritus; Needs Assessment; Adrenal Cortex Hormones; Retinoids
PubMed: 38860622
DOI: 10.2340/actadv.v104.19663