Background:
There are close links between chemotherapy-induced intestinal mucositis and microbiota dysbiosis. Previous studies indicated that D-methionine was an excellent candidate for a ...chemopreventive agent. Here, we investigated the effects of D-methionine on cisplatin-induced mucositis.
Materials and methods:
Male Wistar rats (176–200 g, 6 weeks old) were given cisplatin (5 mg/kg) and treated with D-methionine (300 mg/kg). Histopathological, digestive enzymes activity, oxidative/antioxidant status, proinflammatory/anti-inflammatory cytokines in intestinal tissues were measured. Next-generation sequencing technologies were also performed to investigate the gut microbial ecology.
Results:
D-methionine administration increased villus length and crypt depth and improved digestive enzyme (leucine aminopeptidase, sucrose and alkaline phosphatase) activities in the brush-border membrane of cisplatin-treated rats (p < 0.05). Furthermore, D-methionine significantly attenuated oxidative stress and inflammatory reaction and increased interleukin-10 levels in cisplatin-induced intestinal mucositis (p < 0.05). Cisplatin administration resulted in high relative abundances of Deferribacteres and Proteobacteria and a low diversity of the microbiota when compared with control groups, D-methionine only and cisplatin plus D-methionine. Cisplatin markedly increased comparative abundances of Bacteroides caccae, Escherichia coli, Mucispirillum schaedleri, Bacteroides uniformis and Desulfovibrio C21-c20, while Lactobacillus was almost completely depleted, compared with the control group. There were higher abundances of Lactobacillus, Lachnospiraceae, and Clostridium butyrium in cisplatin plus D-methionine rats than in cisplatin rats. D-methionine treatment alone significantly increased the number of Lactobacillus reuteri.
Conclusion:
D-methionine protects against cisplatin-induced intestinal damage through antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects. By enhancing growth of beneficial bacteria (Lachnospiraceae and Lactobacillus), D-methionine attenuates gut microbiome imbalance caused by cisplatin and maintains gut homeostasis.
Reniform nematode (Rotylenchulus reniformis) is a parasite of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) and crop rotation is commonly used for its management. One specific rotation system is a sod-based rotation, ...which uses two years of bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum) followed by one year each of peanut (Arachis hypogaea) and cotton, versus a conventional peanut-cotton-cotton rotation. High population densities of reniform nematode are found below plow depth in the soil profile, yet conventional chemical management is often not able to manage these deeper populations, nor is much known about other plant parasites such as ring nematode (Mesocriconema ornatum) and spiral nematode (Helicotylenchus dihystera) at these deeper depths. Our study aimed to investigate how long-term cropping history (since 2000) affects the vertical spatial distribution of plant-parasitic (reniform, ring, and spiral) nematodes under different irrigation regimes. Between March 2017 and January 2019, soil samples were collected to a depth of 120 cm before planting, after harvest, and in the winter using a hydraulic probe. Nematode abundances (including enumeration of all reniform nematode life stages) were analyzed in 30 cm-sections. There were no significant effects of irrigation on nematode abundances (P > 0.05). In each sampling date, all reniform nematode abundances decreased stepwise as soil depth increased, but spiral and ring nematodes were nearly absent below 30 cm. Sod-based rotation generally reduced reniform nematode abundances at all depths compared with conventional rotation, although differences were more pronounced in the shallower depths (0–30 and 30–60 cm). Conversely, at 0–30 cm soil depth, ring nematode abundances were generally greatest in the peanut phase of sod-based rotation. Similarly, spiral nematode abundances, at 0–30 cm soil depth, were generally significantly greater in bahiagrass phases than other phases and variously greater in first-year cotton (sod-based or conventional). Overall, sod-based rotation helped manage reniform nematodes up to 120 cm deep in the soil profile. Sod-based rotation was detrimental for managing minor plant-parasitic nematodes spiral and ring nematodes, and those nematodes were scarce below 30 cm deep in the soil profile.
Background. Chinese herbal medicine Dingji Fumai Decoction (DFD) is widely clinically used for ventricular premature contraction (VPC). This real-word trial was designed to assess the safety and ...effectiveness of DFD for VPC. Methods. This was a double-blinded, randomized placebo-controlled trial. Patients with VPC were randomized (1 : 1) to treatment with DFD combined with metoprolol (DFD arm) or metoprolol combined with placebo (MET arm). A primary end point was a composite of clinical symptoms and signs determined by the traditionalChinese medicine syndrome score and the number of VPC determined by the Holter examination. Second outcomes were adverse events, medication compliance, and laboratory examination. Results. 144 patients were randomized to DFD arm (76 patients) or MET arm (68 patients), and 136 cases (71 in DFD arm and 65 in MET arm) finally completed this trial. After a 12-week follow-up, DFD arm significantly decreased traditional Chinese medicine syndrome score and the number of VPC compared with MET arm (P=0.003 and 0.034, respectively). There was no adverse drug effect and patient medication compliance was good. Conclusions. Superiority with DFD arm for VPC was demonstrated over MET arm for both the safety and effectiveness end points.
Rice (Oryza sativa L.) planted in cadmium (Cd)- and arsenic (As)-contaminated soil is considered the main source of dietary Cd and As intake for humans in Southeast Asia and thereby poses a threat to ...human health. Minimizing the transfer of these pollutants to rice grain is an urgent task for environmental researchers. The main objective of this study was to investigate the effects and the mechanisms of a combined amendment (hydroxyapatite + zeolite + biochar, HZB) on decreasing Cd and As accumulation in rice. In situ remediation and aqueous solution adsorption experiments were conducted. The results showed that after application of HZB, Cd and As concentrations of the exchangeable fraction and TCLP extraction in soil decreased with the growth of rice plants. Cd concentrations in rice tissues were decreased at the tillering, filling and maturing stages after in situ remediation, while As concentrations in rice tissues were decreased only at the maturing stage. When 8 kg·plot−1 (9000 kg ha−1) HZB was applied, concentrations of Cd and inorganic As in brown rice were decreased to 0.18 and 0.16 mg kg−1, respectively, lower than the levels permissible for grain in China, i.e., 0.2 mg kg−1. Application of HZB reduced Cd accumulation in rice tissues, and the suppression of Cd accumulation was significantly greater than that of As. Furthermore, HZB significantly increased rice grain yield. An aqueous solution adsorption experiment demonstrated that HZB could adsorb and covalently bind Cd and As (V) via -OH, -COOH, -Si-O-Si and CO32- groups to produce carboxylates, silicates and carbonates, thereby promoting in situ immobilization of Cd and As in soil solution.
•The soil amendment addition significantly decreased the bioavailabilities of Cd and As in soil.•The soil amendment in situ immobilization of Cd and As in soil by producing carboxylates, silicates and carbonates.•The soil amendment decreased Cd and inorganic As concentrations in brown rice at the same time.•The soil amendment addition significantly increased rice grain yield.
Cotton root microbiomes were investigated in two long-term rotation systems established in 2000, a bahiagrass (
Paspalum notatum
Flugge)-bahiagrass-peanut (
Arachis hypogaea
L.)-cotton (
Gossypium ...hirsutum
L
.
) rotation (sod-based rotation, SBR) and a peanut-cotton-cotton rotation (conventional rotation, ConR), from 2017 to 2019. Our results demonstrate that bacterial communities were primarily structured by interannual variability, while fungal alpha and beta diversity were significantly affected by both rotation and interannual variability, with greater fungal diversity and distinct fungal communities in SBR compared to ConR across three sampling years. Cotton roots in SBR also harbored more complex and stable microbial networks. These increased resistance to environmental changes driven by interannual variability, such as temperature and precipitation. Beneficial microbial communities (e.g., Opitutaceae, Pseudonocardiaceae, Rhizobiaceae, Bacillaceae, Comamonadaceae, Serendipitaceae, and Glomeraceae) that may promote plant growth, improve tolerance to abiotic stress, and enhance pathogen defense were associated with cotton roots in SBR, along with fewer pathogenic microbes. These beneficial microbial communities (core microbiomes) together with complex and stable microbial networks were significantly and positively correlated with cotton yield across three sampling years, suggesting that long-term conversion to SBR shaped root microbiomes in a way that increased cotton productivity. This study improves our understanding of the microbial mechanisms that underlie the agronomic and economic benefits observed when integrating perennial grasses to diversify the conventional peanut-cotton rotation.
and
genera include common species of soil fungi that are frequently detected as root endophytes in many plants, including
spp. However, the ecological roles of these and other endophytic fungi with ...respect to plant growth and function are still not well understood. The functional ecology of two key taxa from the
rhizobiome,
PMI93 and
PMI82, was studied by coupling forest soil bioassays with environmental metatranscriptomics. Using soil bioassay experiments amended with fungal inoculants,
was observed to promote the growth of
. This response was cultivar independent. In contrast,
had no visible effect on
growth. Metatranscriptomic studies revealed that these fungi impacted rhizophytic and endophytic activities in
and induced shifts in soil and root microbial communities. Differential expression of core genes in
roots was observed in response to both fungal species. Expression of
genes for lipid signaling and nutrient uptake were upregulated, and expression of genes associated with gibberellin signaling were altered in plants inoculated with
, but not
. Upregulation of genes for growth promotion, downregulation of genes for several leucine-rich repeat receptor kinases, and alteration of expression of genes associated with plant defense responses (e.g., jasmonic acid, salicylic acid, and ethylene signal pathways) also suggest that
manipulates plant defenses while promoting plant growth.
Heart failure (HF) is a highly frequent disorder with considerable morbidity, hospitalization, and mortality; thus, it invariably places pressure on clinical and public health systems in the modern ...world. There have been notable advances in the definition, diagnosis, and treatment of HF, and newly developed agents and devices have been widely adopted in clinical practice. Here, this review first summarizes the current emerging therapeutic agents, including pharmacotherapy, device-based therapy, and the treatment of some common comorbidities, to improve the prognosis of HF patients. Then, we discuss and point out the commonalities and areas for improvement in current clinical studies of HF. Finally, we highlight the gaps in HF research. We are looking forward to a bright future with reduced morbidity and mortality from HF.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Litter decomposition is a fundamental process underpinning multiple ecosystem services. Despite a long history of research on decomposition, direct and indirect effects of multiple interactive land ...management on wetland decomposition yet remain less well understood. Here, we used a long-term whole-ecosystem wetland experiment in south-central Florida to investigate interactive effects of land-use intensification, cattle grazing and prescribed fire on in situ wetland plant litter decomposition. We further examined the direct and indirect pathways of land management effects on litter decomposition through changes in associated litter traits, soil properties, and soil microbial attributes using structural equation models. We used the litterbag technique that quantifies decomposition rates (k-values) and recalcitrant fractions (A-values). Our results showed that land-use intensification increased k-values in ungrazed wetlands and decreased k-values in grazed wetlands, but consistently reduced A-values regardless of other treatments. Prescribed fire individually suppressed litter decomposition by reducing k and increasing A. Further, these effects occurred through altering litter, soil, and microbial properties. Our results revealed that litter traits and soil properties were the first two strongest factors in determining wetland decomposition processes. Particularly, litter P and Mg contents and soil P and K contents were the best predictors for k, while litter Ca and lignin contents and soil pH, N and water content best predicted A. Moreover, microbial traits exhibited interactive effects with litter and soil properties to affect wetland litter decomposition. Our research suggests that cattle grazing could buffer against stimulating effect of land-use intensification on decomposition rates and thus avoid nutrient releases pulses. Our study further indicates that land-use intensification and fire suppression in subtropical wetlands could promote organic matter depletion and thus nutrient loss, highlighting the need to reduce anthropogenic disturbances to natural wetlands to maintain their capacity for providing associated regulating and supporting services.
Display omitted
•Upland agricultural intensification stimulated wetland litter decomposition by increasing rates and completeness.•Prescribed fire showed inhibitory effects on wetland litter decomposition.•Cattle grazing affected decomposition depended on land-use intensity, and its impacts were weaker than intensification or fire.•Land management affected decomposition through altering litter and soil and microbial attributes, and their interactions.•Litter and soil variables strongly predicted decomposition, but specific best predictors for the rates and completeness varied.
β‐Mangostin is a natural mangostin with potent anticancer activity against various cancers. In this study, we further explored the anticancer activity of β‐mangostin on cervical cancer cells. ...β‐Mangostin did not affect cell viability and cell cycle distribution in HeLa and SiHa cells; however, it dose‐dependently inhibited the migration and invasion of both the human cervical cancer cell lines. In addition, we observed that β‐mangostin suppressed the expression of integrin αV and β3 and the downstream focal adhesion kinase/Src signaling. We also found that Snail was involved in the β‐mangostin inhibited cell migration and invasion of HeLa cell. Then, our findings showed that β‐mangostin reduced both nuclear translocation and messenger RNA expression of AP‐1 and demonstrated that AP‐1 could target to the Snail promoter and induce Snail expression. Kinase cascade analysis and reporter assay showed that JNK2 was involved in the inhibition of AP‐1/Snail axis by β‐mangostin in HeLa cells. These results indicate that β‐mangostin can inhibit the mobility and invasiveness of cervical cancer cells, which may attribute to the suppression of both integrin/Src signaling and JNK2‐mediated AP‐1/Snail axis. This suggests that β‐mangostin has potential antimetastatic potential against cervical cancer cells.
β‐Mangostin inhibits the expression of integrin aV and β3, leading to the suppression of focal adhesion kinase (FAK)/Src signaling and the subsequent inhibition of JNK/AP‐1/Snail axis, and thereby reduces the metastatic power of human cervical cancer cells.
PurposeAn omni-channel is a retailing strategy that the behavior of companies adopts many retail channel types to combine and integrate cross-channel sales to meet the comprehensive needs of ...customers in shopping, entertainment and social networking both online and offline. This leads to several research questions of retailing omni-channel in this study. First, do channel brand trust (CBT) and store image (SI) affect re-patronage intentions through customer satisfaction (CS)? Second, regarding online rating (OR) and online involvement (OI), will CS be determined by consumer perception as well as the relevance of those attributes to the customer's re-patronage intentions? Third, do OR and OI have a role in exploring the moderating effect in the research model? Fourth, if there are positive effects from this relationship, it can generate a positive power return online. In addition, online-to-offline moves on a path for case firm omni-channel with customers' OR and OI with a reciprocal positive influence.Design/methodology/approachThis study aims to investigate the relationship between CBT, SI, CS and re-patronize intention in an omni-channel. By using structural equation models (SEMs), this study aims to investigate offline-to-online and online-to-offline re-patronizing in the Taiwan Chunghwa Telecom (CHT) omni-channel (N = 1,642). Two moderated mediation models are investigated in this study.FindingsThis study first found that CBT and CS use SI to influence re-patronize intention in the omni-channel. SI plays a mediating role in this process; OR and OI influence the relationships of CBT, CS and re-patronize intention with two moderating roles.Originality/valueThis study first found that there is a reciprocal way with two paths in an omni-channel, starting with offline-to-online, in terms of confirming the relationship of CBT, CS and re-patronize intention in an omni-channel. There are positive effects from this relationship, and it can generate a positive power return online. In addition, we found that online-to-offline moves on a path that has a stronger influence of re-patronize intention for omni-channel with customers' OR and OI.
PDF
