Protective effects of microalgal macular pigment on diabetic retinopathy upon blue light irradiation induced oxidative stress, inflammation, and MAPK pathways.

Microalgae and their rich nutrient content are increasingly recognized as a sustainable food source. Microalgal macular pigment (MP), composed of zeaxanthin and lutein, is densely concentrated in the retinal macula of eyes and is frequently utilized in eye health maintenance. However, as a sustainable food ingredient, the food safety and functionality of MP need further investigated.

Anti-cancer Effects of a Novel Curcumin Derivative, 4,4-Diallyl Curcumin Bis(2,2-Hydroxymethyl)Propanoate (35e), on Radio-resistant Colorectal Cancer Cells.

Background/aim: Failure of radiotherapy is a major factor leading to poor prognosis in colorectal cancer. This study investigated the anticancer effects of a novel curcumin derivative, 4,4-diallyl curcumin bis(2,2-hydroxymethyl)propanoate (35e), on radio-resistant colorectal cancer cells (HT29/RR).

Materials And Methods: HT29/RR cells were established by exposing parental HT29 cells to repeated irradiation cycles.

Using Nano-Luciferase Binary (NanoBiT) Technology to Assess the Interaction Between Viral Spike Protein and Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme II by Aptamers.

Nano-luciferase binary technology (NanoBiT)-based pseudoviral sensors are innovative tools for monitoring viral infection dynamics. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infects host cells via its trimeric surface spike protein, which binds to the human angiotensin-converting enzyme II (hACE2) receptor. This interaction is crucial for viral entry and serves as a key target for therapeutic interventions against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

PPIA enhances cell growth and metastasis through CD147 in oral cancer.

Oral cancer is a malignant tumor, and the associated death rate has significantly increased over the past few decades. Secreted fractions are involved in various physiological processes, and their analysis has become a promising approach for discovering diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for cancer detection and monitoring metastasis. Therefore, the discovery of potential prognostic, diagnostic, and therapeutic biomarkers for oral cancer metastasis is beneficial for developing effective strategies in oral cancer therapy.

The influence of PM2.5 exposure on SARS-CoV-2 infection via modulating the expression of angiotensin converting enzyme II.

Particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) pollution and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic are the greatest environmental health issues worldwide.

Engineering a NanoBiT biosensor for detecting angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (hACE2) interaction with SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and screening the inhibitors to block hACE2 and spike interaction.

Infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is facilitated by its trimeric surface spike protein, which binds to the human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (hACE2) receptor. This critical interaction facilitates viral entry and is a primary target for therapeutic intervention against COVID-19. However, it is difficult to fully optimize viral infection using existing protein-protein interaction methods.

Genotoxicity and cytotoxicity in male reproductive cells caused by sediment pollutants.

In recent years, mounting evidence has highlighted a global decline in male semen quality, paralleling an increase in male infertility problems. Such developments in the male reproductive system are likely due to a range of environmental factors, which could negatively affect the outcomes of pregnancy, reproductive health, and the well-being of fetuses. Different environmental contaminants ultimately accumulate in riverbed sediments due to gravity, so these sediments are frequently considered hotspots for pollutants.

Continuous microalgal culture module and method of culturing microalgae containing macular pigment.

This study established and investigated continuous macular pigment (MP) production with a lutein (L):zeaxanthin (Z) ratio of 4-5:1 by an MP-rich Chlorella sp. CN6 mutant strain in a continuous microalgal culture module. Chlorella sp.

Constructing the Polymer Molecules to Regulate the Electrode/Electrolyte Interface to Enhance Lithium-Metal Battery Performance.

Lithium-ion batteries, with high energy density and long cycle life, have become the battery of choice for most vehicles and portable electronic devices; however, energy density, safety and cycle life require further improvements. Single-functional group electrolyte additives are very limited in practical applications, a ternary polymer bifunctional electrolyte additive copolymer (acrylonitrile-butyl hexafluoro methacrylate- poly (ethylene glycol) methacrylate- methyl ether) (PMANHF) was synthesized by free radical polymerization of acrylonitrile, 2, 2, 3, 4, 4, 4-hexafluorobutyl methacrylate and poly (ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate. A series of characterizations show that in Li metal anodes, the preferential reduction of PMANHF is conducive to the formation of a uniform and stable solid electrolyte interphase layer, and Li deposition is uniform and dense.

Fabrication and application of glutathione biosensing SPCE strips with gold nanoparticle modification.

Glutathione (GSH) is a major antioxidant in organisms. An alteration in GSH concentration has been implicated in a number of pathological conditions. Therefore, GSH sensing has become a critical issue.

Studying the Roles of the Renin-Angiotensin System in Accelerating the Disease of High-Fat-Diet-Induced Diabetic Nephropathy in a db/db and ACE2 Double-Gene-Knockout Mouse Model.

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a crucial metabolic health problem. The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is well known to play an important role in DN. Abnormal RAS activity can cause the over-accumulation of angiotensin II (Ang II).

A Low-Cost Fertilizer Medium Supplemented with Urea for the Lutein Production of sp. and the Ability of the Lutein to Protect Cells against Blue Light Irradiation.

This study aimed to investigate the use of organic fertilizers instead of modified f/2 medium for sp. cultivation, and the extracted lutein of the microalga to protect mammal cells against blue-light irradiation. The biomass productivity and lutein content of sp.

Sediment pollutant exposures caused hepatotoxicity and disturbed glycogenesis.

Liver metabolic syndrome, which involves impaired hepatic glycogen synthesis, is persistently increased by exposure to environmental pollutants. Most studies have investigated the pathogenesis of liver damage caused by single metal species or pure organics. However, under normal circumstances, the pollutants that we are exposed to are usually chemical mixtures that accumulate over time.

Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic Crisis After Burn Injury in a Patient With Advanced Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Case Report.

Metabolic disturbance in patients of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a rare presentation that might be related to disease progression and outcomes. Hypermetabolic status after major burn injury remains a critical issue in the modern medical care. Here, we present a rare case of a patient sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis who suffered from minor burn injury (8% total body surface area), developing critical hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state during early hospitalization.

Urban sediment pollutants alternate human cell essential behaviour through promoting oxidative damage.

The main objective of this study was to establish a human cell-based platform to assess the effects of sediment toxicity on oxidative damage and cell essential behaviour. Since sediment pollution has increased as a consequence of including but not limited to industrialisation, the contaminants accumulated in sediments have already led to human health concerns. The Hsinchu Science Park is one of the most prominent semiconductor manufacturing centres in the world, and the Ke-Ya River flows through Hsinchu Science Park and the Hsinchu urban district.

Proteomic and microbial assessments on the effect of Antrodia cinnamomea in C57BL/6 mice.

Antrodia cinnamomea (AC) is a nutraceutical fungus and studies have suggested that AC has the potential to prevent or alleviate diseases. However, little is known about the AC-induced phenotypes on the intestine-liver axis and gut microbial alterations. Here, we performed two-dimensional difference gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE) and MALDI-Biotyper to elaborate the AC-induced phenotypes on the intestine-liver axis and gut microbial distribution of C57BL/6 mice.

Biomarker discovery in highly invasive lung cancer cell through proteomics approaches.

Lung cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related death worldwide. The most common type of lung cancer is non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). When NSCLC is detected, patients are typically already in a metastatic stage.

TGF-β1 signaling protects retinal ganglion cells from oxidative stress via modulation of the HO-1/Nrf2 pathway.

Oxidative stress provides a major contribution to the pathogenesis of glaucoma and may induce retinal ganglion cell (RGC) damage. Transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) has appeared as a neuroprotective protein in various indignities. However, the TGF-β mechanism of protective effects against oxidative stress damage in RGCs still undetermined.

The Role of Transforming Growth Factor-Beta in Retinal Ganglion Cells with Hyperglycemia and Oxidative Stress.

A characteristic of diabetes mellitus is hyperglycemia, which is considered with an emphasis on the diabetic retinopathy of progressive neurodegenerative disease. Retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) are believed to be important cells affected in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy. Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) is a neuroprotective protein that helps to withstand various neuronal injuries.

Targeting UDP-glucose dehydrogenase inhibits ovarian cancer growth and metastasis.

More than 70% of patients with ovarian cancer are diagnosed in advanced stages. Therefore, it is urgent to identify a promising prognostic marker and understand the mechanism of ovarian cancer metastasis development. By using proteomics approaches, we found that UDP-glucose dehydrogenase (UGDH) was up-regulated in highly metastatic ovarian cancer TOV21G cells, characterized by high invasiveness (TOV21G ), in comparison to its parental control.

Progesterone receptor membrane component 1 is involved in oral cancer cell metastasis.

Cancer metastasis is a common cause of failure in cancer therapy. However, over 60% of oral cancer patients present with advanced stage disease, and the five-year survival rates of these patients decrease from 72.6% to 20% as the stage becomes more advanced.