NEAT1 siRNA Packed with Chitosan Nanoparticles Regulates the Development of Colon Cancer Cells via lncRNA NEAT1/miR-377-3p Axis

This study was for verifying that transfecting colon cancer cells (CCCs) with lncRNA NEAT1 packed with siRNA chitosan nanoparticles (CNPs) can suppress lncRNA NEAT1 and biological behaviors of the cells. siRNA targeting lncRNA NEAT1 expression vector was constructed and then transfected into CCCs after being packed with CNPs. Subsequently, the impact of the transfection on biological behaviors of the cells was evaluated. As a result, with high expression in CCCs, NEAT1 was negatively bound up with miR-377-3p in cases with colon cancer (CC), and dual luciferase reporter assay confirmed the potential binding region. Additionally, after downregulating NEAT1 in CCCs, transfection of NEAT1 siRNA packed with CNPs brought a great inhibition on cell proliferation and a promotion on apoptosis, and inhibiting miR-377-3p was able to offset the role of silencing NEAT1 in CCCs. Therefore, in our opinion, NEAT1 siRNA packed with CNPs can hinder the growth and metastasis of CCCs by knocking down NEAT1 in CC, and its mechanism may be achieved by targeting miR-377-3p, which offers a novel direction for treating CC.

Development of Antibacterial, Antioxidant, and UV-Barrier Chitosan Film Incorporated with Piper betle Linn Oil as Active Biodegradable Packaging Material

This study aims to introduce the antibacterial and antioxidant activities of the Piper betle Linn oil (PBLO) into chitosan film (pCS), named as pCS-PBLO film. The morphology, structure, and properties of the pCS-PBLO film, along with the PBLO concentration between 0.4% and 1.2% (v/v), were determined. The film surface became rough and heterogeneous with the addition of PBLO, which directly influenced on mechanical strength of the resultant film. The addition of the PBLO did not affect thermal stability but significant effect on flexibility and mobility of the film. Importantly, the film enhanced the UV-protective property and antioxidant activity as incorporated-PBLO. Moreover, the resulting film revealed the great inhibition efficiency against the negative-gram (E. coli, P. aeruginosa, and S. typhi) and positive-gram (S. aureus) bacteria based on phenolic compounds, such as the acetyleugenol, eugenol, 4-allyl-1,2-diacetoxybenzen, and chavicol acetate in PBLO components. In particular, the pCS-PBLO film may extend the shelf life of king oranges up to two weeks at 25 °C that is longer as compared to the uncoated sample and coated with chitosan alone. These results suggest that the pCS-PBLO film can be used as environmental-friendly and effective food packaging material in the future.

The Search for Quorum Sensing in Botrytis cinerea: Regulatory Activity of Its Extracts on Its Development

Botrytis cinerea is a phytopathogenic fungus that causes large crop and post-harvest losses. Therefore, new and effective strategies are needed to control the disease and to reduce resistance to fungicides. Modulating pathogenicity and virulence by manipulating microbial communication is a promising strategy. This communication mechanism, called Quorum Sensing (QS), has already been reported in bacteria and yeasts; however, it has not yet been studied in B. cinerea. To establish the existence of this biochemical process in B. cinerea, we prepared extracts at different growth times (D1-D12), which were applied to fresh cultures of the same fungi. The chemical analysis of the extracts obtained from several fermentations showed different compositions and biological activities. We confirmed the presence of several phytotoxins, as well as compounds 1-phenylethanol and 3-phenylpropanol. Day five extract (0.1%) inhibited conidia germination and elongation of germ tubes, day seven extract (1%) produced the greatest phytotoxic effect in tomato leaves, and day nine extract (0.1%) was a sporulation inhibitor. In contrast, the extracts from days 7, 9, and 12 of fermentation (0.1% and 0.01%) promoted pellet and biofilm formation. Sporulation was slightly induced at 0.01%, while at 0.1% there was a great inhibition. At the highest extract concentrations, a biocidal effect was detected, but at the lowest, we observed a QS-like effect, regulating processes such as filamentation, morphogenesis, and pathogenesis. These results of the biological activity and composition of extracts suggest the existence of a QS-like mechanism in B. cinerea, which could lead to new non-biocidal alternatives for its control through interference in the pathogenicity and virulence mechanisms of the fungi.

Anti-breast cancer activity of resveratrol encapsulated in liposomes

RES encapsulated in tri-peptide liposome led to obvious apoptosis of tumor cells and great inhibition of tumors at low doses, and significantly decreased the toxicity of RES to mice.

Topical antifungal bigels: Formulation, characterization and evaluation

Bigels with antifungal substances, ciclopirox olamine and terbinafine hydrochloride, were made of hydrogel (poloxamer 407 gel) and oleogel (polyethylene and liquid paraffin mixture). Prepared bigels were found physically stable at room temperature for six months and at least four months at 40 °C. Released amount of drug decreased when oleogel concentration in the formulation increased. Release test results depended on the insertion place of active substances. The amount of released substance was highest when ciclopirox olamine was incorporated in both phases in an equal quantity, and terbinafine hydrochloride in oleogel or in hydrogel. All formulations showed great inhibition of Microsporum canis. Thus, bigels with ciclopirox olamine and terbinafine hydrochloride are a promising dosage form for topical use.

Effect of Different Solvent Extractants on the Activity and Community Structure of Acidophilic Microorganisms

The effect of solvent extractants, such as M5774, Cyanex 272, P204, P507 and N235, on the activity and community structure of acidophilic microorganisms were tested. Cobalt extractant Cyanex 272 did not show much inhibition effect on the growth of acidophiles, while iron extractant N235 had great inhibition effect. When the culture solution contacted with iron extractant P204, nickel extractant P507 and copper extractant M5774, the inhibition effect increased gradually. 16S rRNA gene clone library were used to analyze the initial and extractant contacted final microbial community structure. The initial inoculation microbial populations were mainly composed by Leptospirillum ferriphilum and Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans. After cultivated in solution containing extractant M5774, Cyanex 272, P204 and P507, the number of the two species decreased, while heterophilic Acidiphilium cryptum became the dominant population. When cultured by M5774 and Cyanex 272, the proportion of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans was higher than Leptospirillum ferriphilum, while when cultivated by P204 and P507, the number of Leptospirillum ferriphilum was higher.

Erythropoietin's inhibiting impact on hepcidin expression occurs indirectly

Under conditions of accelerated erythropoiesis, elevated erythropoietin (Epo) levels are associated with inhibition of hepcidin synthesis, a response that ultimately increases iron availability to meet the enhanced iron needs of erythropoietic cells. In the search for erythroid regulators of hepcidin, many candidates have been proposed, including Epo itself. We aimed to test whether direct interaction between Epo and the liver is required to regulate hepcidin. We found that prolonged administration of high doses of Epo in mice leads to great inhibition of liver hepcidin mRNA levels, and concomitant induction of the hepcidin inhibitor erythroferrone (ERFE). Epo treatment also resulted in liver iron mobilization, mediated by increased ferroportin activity and accompanied by reduced ferritin levels and increased TfR1 expression. The same inhibitory effect was observed in mice that do not express the homodimeric Epo receptor (EpoR) in liver cells because EpoR expression is restricted to erythroid cells. Similarly, liver signaling pathways involved in hepcidin regulation were not influenced by the presence or absence of hepatic EpoR. Moreover, Epo analogs, possibly interacting with the postulated heterodimeric β common EpoR, did not affect hepcidin expression. These findings were supported by the lack of inhibition on hepcidin found in hepatoma cells exposed to various concentrations of Epo for different periods of times. Our results demonstrate that hepcidin suppression does not require the direct binding of Epo to its liver receptors and rather suggest that the role of Epo is to stimulate the synthesis of the erythroid regulator ERFE in erythroblasts, which ultimately downregulates hepcidin.

The Response of Adenanthera Pavonina L. and Parkinsonia Aculeata L. to Household Detergent Solution

Rizvi A., Iqbal M.Z., Khursheed S.: The response of Adenanthera pavonina L. and Parkinsonia aculeata L. to household detergent solution. Ekológia (Bratislava), Vol. 33, No. 2, p. 171-177, 2014.The growth of Adenanthera pavonina L. and Parkinsonia aculeata L. was studied in soil irrigated with household detergent solution of different concentrations (0, 0.25 and 0.5%) under natural environmental conditions. Detergent solutions exhibited great inhibition of all the observed growth parameter of Adenanthera pavonina and Parkinsonia aculeata. Growth of plants extremely declined when irrigated with 0.75 and 1% treatments and died after two weeks of experiment. Analysis of soil showed that detergent solution has resulted in significant increase of pH, soluble sodium and chlorides. Soluble potassium and total phosphate were significantly decreased in soil irrigated with detergent solutions as compared to control.

BIOLOGY OF BACTERIUM LEPISEPTICUM

1. Bacterium lepisepticum, Type D, inoculated in small amounts into meat extract broth, pH 7.4, under aerobic conditions failed to grow. Larger inoculations underwent a period of lag before the logarithmic growth phase began. 2. In this medium, dissociation of Microbe D to the variant G occurred readily. 3. A lowered oxygen tension in this broth resulted in growth of small numbers of Type D with no lag and great inhibition of the type dissociation process. 4. Similar optimum growth conditions were obtained by adding to extract broth, under aerobic conditions, autoclaved or unautoclaved rabbit blood in very small amounts, 0.0003 per cent, just sufficient to give a positive benzidine test.