Alleviation Effect Research Articles

Alleviation effect of Deinococcus sp. Y35 together with autoinducer 2 on the physiological stress caused by Microcystis aeruginosa to zebrafish intestines

Microcystis aeruginosa, the dominant species causing cyanobacterial blooms, poses a serious threat to water environment security and development of aquaculture. The physiological stress in aquatic animals after exposure to M. aeruginosa has been extensively studied, however, the impacts on the physiological stress of aquatic animals in the process of controlling M. aeruginosa blooms remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the effect of quorum sensing autoinducer 2 (AI-2) on the algicidal activity of Deinococcus sp. Y35, and determined the effect of strain Y35 together with AI-2 on the physiological stress caused by M. aeruginosa to zebrafish. The results demonstrated that the synthesized AI-2 in vitro based on proteins MtnN and LuxS of strain Y35 could significantly promote the synthesis of algicidal pigment and improve the algicidal activity of strain Y35. The M. aeruginosa exposure could seriously damage the intestinal structure integrity of zebrafish, inducing oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation, as well as significant up-regulation of pro-inflammatory genes expression level. The separate application of strain Y35 could alleviate the physiological stress caused by M. aeruginosa including the protection of intestinal tissue, reducing oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation, as well as inhibition of pro-inflammatory genes expression. Meanwhile, the addition of synthesized AI-2 could significantly increase the alleviation effect of strain Y35 on the physiological stress. These results indicate that algicidal bacteria like Deinococcus sp. Y35 can play an important role in alleviating physiological stress of aquatic organisms and can be regarded as a potential resource for controlling cyanobacterial blooms and protecting aquatic organisms.

Protective Effects of Different Molecular Weights of Purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) Aqueous Extract on DSS-Induced Ulcerative Colitis in Mice.

Purslane, a common wild vegetable, contains active substances with various biological functions. However, its effects have been under-investigated in ulcerative colitis (UC). Therefore, this study investigated the therapeutic effects of purslane macromolecular (POEM) and small molecular extracts (POES) on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced UC in mice. Membrane separation was used to obtain extracts of different molecular weights, and their compositional differences were compared using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC/MS). POEM contained more proteins and polysaccharides, whereas POES contained more organic acids and alkaloids. These differences in composition were directly responsible for the different degrees of remission of the alleviated UC in model mice. POEM may alleviate UC by regulating the antioxidant capacity and the gut microbiota, whereas the major alleviatory effect of POES was primarily related to the regulation of antioxidant capacity. The POEM and POES effects identified in this study provide a theoretical basis for the development of purslane as a functional food.

The impact of labor mobility with fellow townsmen on the wages of rural migrants: evidence from China

Labor mobility is an inherent component of economic development and labor market changes. With globalization and urbanization, labor mobility is on the rise in many developing countries, and it is of great significance to study the economic outcomes and poverty alleviation effects of this phenomenon. This paper explores the impact of labor mobility on the wages of rural migrants when they move out with their fellow townsmen (folks from the same county). The study uses the China Migrants Dynamic Survey (CMDS) data and applies the Propensity Score Matching (PSM) method for empirical analysis. Our results suggest that labor mobility with fellow townsmen significantly increases the wages of rural migrants. The paper shows two promotion mechanisms: mobility with fellow townsmen affects the wages of rural migrants by improving their ability to search for information and negotiate wages. Heterogeneity analysis indicates that mobility with fellow townsmen significantly increases the wages of rural migrants engaged in producer service, consumer service, blue-collar occupations, and working in state-owned and private enterprises. Furthermore, it has a more positive impact on the wages of older rural migrants from an intergenerational perspective. Interestingly, rural migrants may “give up” part of their wages to care for their families when they move with their spouses, parents, or children. Therefore, the government needs to take effective policy measures to promote the employment service system and improve the labor rights and interests protection mechanism for rural migrants.

Spinal displacement during thoracic manipulative therapy in mechanical neck pain patients: an observational study

ABSTRACT Introduction Thoracic manipulative therapy (TMT) is recommended for treating patients with mechanical neck pain (MNP). However, there are multiple proposed recommendations for the mechanism for neck pain reduction. Objective To investigate displacement of the cervicothoracic spine during the application of TMT in patients with MNP. Methods Thirty-five male patients with MNP were recruited. Displacements of C3, C5, C7, T2, T4 and T6 were measured using a motion capture system while a therapist applied a grade III central posteroanterior TMT (cpa-TMT) to T6. Results Mean (SD) displacement ranged from 2.2 (0.62) to 5.5 (1.1) mm. A significant decrease in neck pain intensity at rest was found after the application of the cpa-TMT (mean difference 17 mm, p < 0.001). A downward trend in spinal displacement was noted, with the largest and smallest displacement occurring at T6 and C3, respectively. Correlations between the displacement of T6 and adjacent spinal levels were moderate to high (Pearson’s r range 0.70–0.90, p < 0.001). It was showed that cpa-TMT applied to T6 produced the PA displacement toward the upper cervical spine. Conclusion TMT produces spinal segmental displacements toward the upper cervical spine in MNP patients. These segmental displacements would activate the alleviation effect at both the spinal and supraspinal levels resulting in neck pain reduction. These findings would provide supporting evidence for the use of TMT in neck pain reduction.

Potassium alleviates over-reduction of the photosynthetic electron transport chain and helps to maintain photosynthetic function under salt-stress.

Potassium ions enhance photosynthetic tolerance to salt stress. We hypothesized that potassium ions, by minimizing the trans-thylakoid proton diffusion potential difference, can alleviate over-reduction of the photosynthetic electron transport chain and maintain the functionality of the photosynthetic apparatus. This study investigated the effects of exogenous potassium on the transcription level and activity of proteins related to the photosynthetic electron-transport chain of tobacco seedlings under salt stress. Salt stress retarded the growth of seedlings and caused an outflow of potassium ions from the chloroplast. It also lowered qP (indicator of the oxidation state of QA , the primary quinone electron acceptor in Photosystem II (PSII) and YPSII (average photochemical yield of PSII in the light-adapted state) while increasing YNO+NF (nonregulatory energy dissipation in functional and nonfunctional PSII), accompanied by decreased expression of most light-harvesting, energy-transduction, and electron-transport genes. However, exogenous potassium prevented these effects due to NaCl. Interestingly, lincomycin (an inhibitor of the synthesis of chloroplast-encoded proteins in PSII) significantly diminished the alleviation effect of exogenous potassium on salt stress. We attribute the comprehensive NaCl-induced downregulation of transcription and photosynthetic activities to retrograde signaling induced by reactive oxygen species. There probably exist at least two types of retrograde signaling induced by reactive oxygen species, distinguished by their sensitivity to lincomycin. Exogenous potassium appears to exert its primary effect by ameliorating the trans-thylakoid proton diffusion potential difference via a potassium channel, thereby accelerating ATP synthesis and carbon assimilation, alleviating over-reduction of the photosynthetic electron transport chain, and maintaining the functionality of photosynthetic proteins.

Alleviative effects of chitooligosaccharides on the quality deterioration of frozen dough subjected to freeze–thaw cycles

Chitooligosaccharides (COS), a group of cationic derivatives, have a number of potential applications in the food industry. However, their alleviative effects on frozen dough products have not previously been well explored. In this work, the effects of adding COS to frozen steamed bread dough later subjected to freeze–thaw (FT) treatment were systematically investigated. The results revealed that COS significantly improved the quality of frozen dough, the specific volume of the steamed bread with the addition of COS increased by 25.4% and the hardness was reduced by 5.9% compared to the control group. In addition, COS also significantly restrained the water migration and retarded the increase in the freezable water content of the dough during FT treatment (P < 0.05). After FT-4, the freezable water content of COS group was decreased by 12.5% in comparison with the control group. In addition, the COS facilitated the prevention of disulfide bond cleavage. The free sulfhydryl content of 4.46 μmol/g in the control group was significantly higher than that of other groups after FT treatment (P < 0.05), which enabled the dough to maintain its rheological properties. Moreover, dough with higher concentrations (0.15% and 0.25%) of COS exhibited better gas-holding capacity. These results revealed that COS can effectively maintain the characteristics of frozen dough, improve the quality of frozen steamed bread, and also provide new insights concerning the cationic polysaccharides used in the preparation of frozen dough.

Melatonin Mitigated Salinity Stress on Alfalfa by Improving Antioxidant Defense and Osmoregulation

Melatonin (MT) is a growth regulator and antioxidant that can resist peroxidation damage on plants caused by environmental stresses. In this study, the alleviation effects of melatonin on alfalfa under salt stress were investigated in terms of photosynthesis, antioxidant enzymes, and osmoregulation. The alfalfa seedlings were cultured in 200 mM NaCl Hoagland solution. Five levels of MT (0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, and 0.4 mM) were applied as a foliar spray. Generally, the foliar spray of MT increased root length, root surface area, height, leaf length and width, aerial and root biomass, SPAD readings, the content of proline and soluble protein, and the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT). Malonaldehyde (MDA) content was decreased by MT foliar spray. The beneficial effects of MT on alfalfa under salt stress were dosage-dependent, and excessive MT levels inhibited alfalfa growth. The alleviating effects of MT on salt stress were more pronounced at 0.3 mM MT. This study suggested that exogenous MT foliar spray at appropriate levels can ameliorate the adverse effects of salt stress on alfalfa seedlings.

Alleviative effects of Faradarmani Consciousness Field on Triticum aestivum L. under salinity stress.

Background: The Faradarmani Consciousness Field was founded by Mohammad Ali Taheri. It is a novel field and is described similarly to the field of gravity, or the electromagnetic field. This field is neither matter nor energy, and therefore does not possess a quantity. Even though there is no direct scientific evidence for the Consciousness Field, it is possible to investigate its effects on objects through controlled experiments. The aim of the present work was to study the alleviative effects of the Faradarmani Consciousness Field on common wheat Triticum aestivum L. var Star under salt stress. Methods: Plants were grown under 0 mM NaCl (control) and 150 mM NaCl with or without the influence of Faradarmani Consciousness Field for 3 weeks. Chlorophyll, hydrogen peroxide (H 2O 2), malondialdehyde (MDA) content and activity of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD),polyphenol oxidase (PPO), and peroxidase (POX) were measured in all groups of plants. Results: In the salt-treated plants under the influence of the Faradarmani Consciousness Field, the contents of total chlorophyll, as well as a and b chlorophyll forms, were elevated compared with the salt-treated plants without Faradarmani CF (34.8%, 17.8%, and 169% respectively). Additionally, Faradarmani increased H 2O 2 (57%) and the activity of SOD and PPO by 220% and 168%, respectively, under salinity compared with the salt-treated plants without Faradarmani CF. MDA content and activity of peroxidase were decreased by 12.5% and 34%, respectively. Conclusion: These results suggest the Faradarmani Consciousness Field as a qualitative intervention strategy to withstand salt stress in plants, by increasing the contents of chlorophyll, antioxidant enzyme activities, and decreasing MDA content under salinity.

Homogalacturonan enriched pectin based hydrogel enhances 6-gingerol's colitis alleviation effect via NF-κB/NLRP3 axis

A nanolipidcarrier (NLC) loaded homogalacturonan enriched pectin (citrus modified pectin, MCP4) hydrogel was designed as a novel colon inflammation site-specific oral delivery system for 6-gingerol (6G) (6G-NLC/MCP4 hydrogel) administration, and its colitis alleviation effect were investigated. 6G-NLC/MCP4 exhibited typical “cage-like” ultrastructure with 6G-NLC embedded in the hydrogel matrix as observed by cryoscanning electron microscope. And due to the homogalacturonan (HG) domain in MCP4 specifically combined with Galectin-3, which is overexpressed in the inflammatory region, the 6G-NLC/MCP4 hydrogel targeted to severe inflammatory region. Meanwhile, the prolonged-release characteristics of 6G-NLC provided sustained release of 6G in severe inflammatory regions. The matrix of hydrogel MCP4 and 6G achieved synergistic alleviation effects for colitis through NF-κB/NLRP3 axis. Specifically, 6G mainly regulated the NF-κB inflammatory pathway and inhibited the activity of NLRP3 protein, while MCP4 regulated the expression of Galectin-3 and peripheral clock gene Rev-Erbα/β to prevent the activation of inflammasome NLRP3.

Alleviative Effect of Probiotic Ferment on Lawsonia intracellularis Infection in Piglets.

(1) Background: Lawsonia intracellularis (LI) is an obligate intracellular Gram-negative bacterium that causes porcine ileitis. Pigs infected with LI have severe ileal lesions and show symptoms of diarrhea, indigestion, and growth retardation. Previous studies found that probiotic ferment (FAM) improved the growth performance, gut barrier, and function in piglets. Therefore, we aimed to reveal the mechanism that FAM alleviates negative performance in LI-challenged piglets by characterizing the changes in intestinal integrity, function, and gut microbiota following FAM supplementation. (2) Methods: Twenty-four healthy piglets were randomly allotted to four treatments. Three groups were challenged with LI; both FAM addition and vaccination were performed to explore their positive effects on LI-infected piglets. (3) Results: Piglets infected with LI showed lower growth performance and typical pathological symptoms. Moreover, microscopic images showed that observed intestinal morphological damage could be repaired by FAM and vaccine. To explore the digestion of nutrients in piglets, both digestive enzyme activity and ileal transporter expression were performed to reveal the promoting effect of additives. Reduction of LI colonization intervention by FAM could also ameliorate abnormal differentiation and function of intestinal epithelial cells and alleviate severe inflammatory responses in piglets. Regarding the gut microbiota, both the structure and function of the ileal and colonic microbiota were altered following FAM supplementation. (4) Conclusions: In conclusion, probiotic ferment can reduce the colonization of LI in the ileum, improve intestinal damage, barrier function and microbiota structure, and enhance digestive enzyme activity and nutrient transport proteins expression, thereby improving piglet growth performance, which has the effect of preventing ileitis in pigs.

Sodium Humate-Derived Gut Microbiota Ameliorates Intestinal Dysfunction Induced by Salmonella Typhimurium in Mice.

Salmonella is a foodborne pathogen that is one of the main causes of gastroenteric disease in humans and animals. As a natural organic substance, sodium humate (HNa) possesses antibacterial, antidiarrheal, and anti-inflammatory properties. However, it is unclear whether the HNa and HNa-derived microbiota exert alleviative effects on Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium-induced enteritis. We found that treatment with HNa disrupted the cell wall of S. Typhimurium and decreased the virulence gene expression. Next, we explored the effect of HNa presupplementation on S. Typhimurium-induced murine enteritis. The results revealed that HNa ameliorated intestinal pathological damage. In addition, we observed that presupplementation with HNa enhanced intestinal barrier function via modulating gut microbiota, downregulating toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) and NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) signaling pathways, regulating intestinal mucosal immunity, and enhancing tight junction protein expression. To further validate the effect of HNa-derived microbiota on S. Typhimurium-induced enteritis, we performed fecal microbiota transplantation and found that HNa-derived microbiota also alleviated S. Typhimurium-induced intestinal damage. It is noteworthy that both HNa and HNa-derived microbiota improved the liver injury caused by S. Typhimurium infection. Collectively, this is the first study to confirm that HNa could alleviate S. Typhimurium-induced enteritis in a gut microbiota-dependent manner. This study provides a new perspective on HNa as a potential drug to prevent and treat salmonellosis. IMPORTANCE Salmonella Typhimurium is an important zoonotic pathogen, widely distributed in nature. S. Typhimurium is one of the leading causes of foodborne illnesses worldwide, and more than 350,000 people died from Salmonella infection each year, which poses a substantial risk to public health and causes a considerable economic loss. Here, we found that the S. Typhimurium infection caused severe intestinal and liver damage. In addition, we first found that sodium humate (HNa) and HNa-derived gut microbiota can alleviate S. Typhimurium infection-induced intestinal damage. These findings extend the knowledge about the public health risk and pathogenic mechanisms of S. Typhimurium.

Hepatoprotective effect of Typhaneoside on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease via farnesoid X receptor in vivo and in vitro

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most frequent health issues. The improvement of NAFLD is related to the activation of the farnesoid X receptor (FXR). Typhaneoside (TYP) is the main component of Typha orientalis Presl, which plays a positive role in the resistance of glucose and lipid metabolism disorders. This study aims to investigate the alleviative effect and the underlying mechanism of TYP on OAPA-induced cells and high-fat-diet (HFD)-induced mice with disorders of glucose and lipid metabolism, inflammation, oxidative stress and lower thermogenesis through FXR signaling. All the serum lipid, body weight, oxidative stress and inflammatory levels of WT mice were significantly increased after HFD administration. These mice were presented with pathological injury, liver tissue attenuation, energy expenditure, insulin resistance, and impaired glucose tolerance. These above-mentioned changes in HFD-induced mice were remarkably reversed by TYP, which improved HFD-induced energy expenditure, oxidative stress, inflammation, insulin resistance, and lipid accumulation in a dose-dependent manner by activating the expression of FXR. Furthermore, using a high throughput drug screening strategy based on fluorescent reporter genes, we found that TYP functions as a natural agonist of FXR.TYP-mediated FXR activation also significantly repressed TG hyperaccumulation in mouse primary Hepatocytes (MPHs). However, these beneficial effects of TYP were not observed in FXR-/- MPHs. Overall, activation of the FXR pathway by TYP is related to the improvement of metabolic parameters, such as blood glucose, lipid accumulation, insulin resistance, inflammation, oxidative stress and energy expenditure in vitro and in vivo.

Bacillus strains exhibit various plant growth promoting traits and their biofilm-forming capability correlates to their salt stress alleviation effect on maize seedlings.

Soil salinity interferes with plant growth and development. Bacillus genus has been used to increase the growth and productivity of a wide variety of crops by alleviating the effects of salt stress. A total of thirty two Bacillus isolates were obtained from maize rhizosphere, and their plant growth-promoting (PGP) traits and biocontrol activities were tested. Bacillus isolates displayed varying degrees of PGP properties-the production of extracellular enzymes, indole acetic acid, hydrogen cyanide, phosphate solubilization, biofilm formation, and antifungal potential against several fungal pathogens. The phosphate-solubilizing isolates belong to B. safensis, B. thuringiensis, B. cereus, and B. megaterium species. Each Bacillus isolate demonstrated different levels of antifungal activity against the fungal pathogens tested. Biofilm production by some salt-tolerant isolates significantly increased at elevated levels of NaCl (p<0.05). The strains B. safensis B24, B. halotolerans B7/B18, B. subtilis B26, and B. thuringiensis B10 significantly increased the length of root (by 32.7-38.2%) and shoot (by 19.5-29.8%) of maize (p<0.05). Maize plants treated with some Bacillus strains displayed significantly greater chlorophyll content with an increase of 26.7-32.1% (p<0.05). Among PGP properties, enhanced biofilm formation played a more important role in maize growth under higher salinity. These salt-tolerant biofilm-forming strains could be efficiently used as bio-inoculant for maize under salinity stress.

In vitro and in vivo scolicidal action of pumpkin seed oil alone or combined with nitazoxanide and their alleviative effects on clinicopathological changes in experimentally infected rats with hydatid cyst protoscolices

In vitro and in vivo scolicidal action of pumpkin seed oil alone or combined with nitazoxanide and their alleviative effects on clinicopathological changes in experimentally infected rats with hydatid cyst protoscolices

Alleviation effect of GR24, a strigolactone analogue, on low-nitrogen stress in Malus baccata seedlings.

To investigate the efficacy of foliar application of GR24, a strigolactone analogue, in alleviating low-nitrogen stress in Malus baccata, we applied GR24 with different concentrations (0, 1, 5, 10, and 20 μmol·L-1) to leaves of plants under low nitrogen stress. We evaluated the changes in photosynthetic characteristics of leaves, reactive oxygen metabolism, and nitrogen assimilation in roots. The results showed that shoot biomass of seedling significantly decreased and root-shoot ratio increased under low-nitrogen stress. The chlorophyll contents decreased, the carotenoid content increased, and the photosynthetic activity decreased. The activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase enzymes in roots changed little, while the activities of peroxidase and ascorbic acid peroxidase enzymes, along with the levels of soluble sugar, free proline, and reactive oxygen species showed a significant increase, and the soluble protein content decreased. The NO3- content in roots decreased, the NH4+ content increased, while activities of nitrate reductase and glutamine synthase decreased. Compared to the control group without GR24 application, foliar sprays of 10 and 20 μmol·L-1 GR24 under both normal and low-nitrogen increased biomass and root-shoot ratio to varying degrees. Additionally, GR24 application increased chlorophyll content, photosynthesis indices (net photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate and stomatal conductance), and fluorescence (maximum photochemical efficiency of PSⅡ and quantum yield of electron transfer per unit area) performance parameters, as well as the contents of osmotic regulation substances (soluble protein, soluble sugar, and free proline) and glutamine synthase activity. Application of 10 and 20 μmol·L-1 GR24 under low-nitrogen stress decreased carotenoid, reactive oxygen species, and NH4+ contents, while increased the activities of antioxidases and key enzymes in nitrogen metabolism (nitrate reductase and glutamine synthase) and NO3- content. The 10 μmol·L-1 GR24 treatment was the most effective in alleviating low nitrogen stress, which has potential for application in apple orchards with low nitrogen soil.

Growth Retardation, Oxidative Stress, Immunosuppression, and Inflammatory Disturbances Induced by Herbicide Exposure of Catfish, Clarias gariepinus, and the Alleviation Effect of Dietary Wormwood, Artemisia cina

The present study evaluated the impact of chronic herbicide (oxyfluorfen; OXY) exposure on catfish, Clarias gariepinus, in terms of growth, hematobiochemical parameters, immune response, antioxidant- and immune-related gene expression, and resistance to monogenean parasites, Quadriacanthus aegypticus. In addition, the protective role of Wormwood, Artemisia cina (AC) against OXY exposure through diet inclusion was also analyzed. The catfish fingerlings were exposed to OXY (1.16 mg/L) for 60 days and fed diets without AC supplementation (control) and with 5% AC supplementation. The results demonstrated that exposure to OXY stunted growth; decreased survival, erythrograms and leukograms, serum protein, and acetylcholinesterase; and negatively altered the antioxidant status. On the contrary, AC supplementation significantly reduced OXY’s negative impacts on growth and hematological, biochemical, and antioxidant balance. In addition, exposure to OXY markedly increased levels of biomarkers of hepatorenal damage, stress indicators, and DNA damage, which were alleviated with AC supplementation. OXY exposure induced immunosuppression manifested by a decrease in lysozyme activities, complement c3, nitric oxide levels, and phagocytic activity. Furthermore, exposure to OXY negatively regulated the expression of immune-antioxidant genes (CAT, GPX1, SOD1, GST, and TGF-Β1). However, it upregulated the expression of CYP1a, IL-1β, and TNF-α in the liver, anterior kidney, and intestine of C. gariepinus. Meanwhile, the addition of AC to the OXY-exposed fish diets notably restored immune components and remedied the altered immune-related gene expressions. Likewise, the AC supplementation significantly alleviated the OXY-induced reduction in the fish survival rate after Q. aegypticus challenge. Accordingly, AC dietary supplementation in catfish diets could alleviate the negative impact of exposure to OXY on growth performance, physiological status, and some immune-antioxidant-related gene expression.

Dihydroartemisinin ameliorates innate inflammatory response induced by Streptococcussuis-derived muramidase-released protein via inactivation of TLR4-dependent NF-κB signaling

Muramidase-released protein (MRP) is now being recognized as a critical indicator of the virulence and pathogenicity of Streptococcus suis (S. suis). However, the identification of viable therapeutics for S. suis infection was hindered by the absence of an explicit mechanism for MRP-actuated inflammation. Dihydroartemisinin (DhA) is an artemisinin derivative with potential anti-inflammatory activity. The modulatory effect of DhA on the inflammatory response mediated by the virulence factor MRP remains obscure. This research aimed to identify the signaling mechanism by which MRP triggers the innate immune response in mouse spleen and cultured macrophages. With the candidate mechanism in mind, we investigated DhA for its ability to dampen the pro-inflammatory response induced by MRP. The innate immune response in mice was drastically triggered by MRP, manifesting as splenic and systemic inflammation with splenomegaly, immune cell infiltration, and an elevation in pro-inflammatory cytokines. A crucial role for Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) in coordinating the MRP-mediated inflammatory response via nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) activation was revealed by TLR4 blockade. In addition, NF-κB-dependent transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) activation was required for the inflammatory signal transduction engendered by MRP. Intriguingly, we observed an alleviation effect of DhA on the MRP-induced immune response, which referred to the suppression of TLR4-mediated actuation of NF-κB-STAT3/MAPK cascades. The inflammatory response elicited by MRP is relevant to TLR4-dependent NF-κB activation, followed by an increase in the activity of STAT3 or MAPKs. DhA mitigates the inflammation process induced by MRP via blocking the TLR4 cascade, highlighting the therapeutic potential of DhA in targeting S. suis infection diseases.

Ideas and perspectives: Alleviation of functional limitations by soil organisms is key to climate feedbacks from arctic soils

Abstract. Arctic soils play an important role in Earth's climate system, as they store large amounts of carbon that, if released, could strongly increase greenhouse gas levels in our atmosphere. Most research to date has focused on how the turnover of organic matter in these soils is regulated by abiotic factors, and few studies have considered the potential role of biotic regulation. However, arctic soils are currently missing important groups of soil organisms, and here, we highlight recent empirical evidence that soil organisms' presence or absence is key to understanding and predicting future climate feedbacks from arctic soils. We propose that the arrival of soil organisms into arctic soils may introduce “novel functions”, resulting in increased rates of, for example, nitrification, methanogenesis, litter fragmentation, or bioturbation, and thereby alleviate functional limitations of the current community. This alleviation can greatly enhance decomposition rates, in parity with effects predicted due to increasing temperatures. We base this argument on a series of emerging experimental evidence suggesting that the dispersal of until-then absent micro-, meso-, and macroorganisms (i.e. from bacteria to earthworms) into new regions and newly thawed soil layers can drastically affect soil functioning. These new observations make us question the current view that neglects organism-driven “alleviation effects” when predicting future feedbacks between arctic ecosystems and our planet's climate. We therefore advocate for an updated framework in which soil biota and the functions by which they influence ecosystem processes become essential when predicting the fate of soil functions in warming arctic ecosystems.

The alleviation effects of n-butylidenephthalide on apoptosis, senescence, and tight junction impairment of retinal pigment epithelium by activating Nrf-2/HO-1 signaling pathway in early diabetic retinopathy

AimsDiabetic retinopathy (DR) is a common complication of diabetes that causes visual impairment and blindness in adults. This study aimed to explore the protective effects of n-Butylidenephthalide (BP) on hyperglycemia-treated RPE in vitro and in vivo. Main methodsC57BL/6 mice were injected with STZ by intraperitoneal to induce early DR and orally administrated with 2 mg/kg BP every day for twelve weeks. Body weight and blood glucose were measured once a week. The level of retina damage was determined by TUNEL assay and H&E staining. The outer blood-retinal barrier integrity and RPE65 expression of retina were evaluated by immunofluorescence. In in vitro study, ARPE-19 cells were long-term cultured with high glucose and BP for 8 days and studied for cell survival, tight junction integrity, RPE65 expression, angiogenic factors, mitochondria membrane potential (MMP), and ROS by MTT assay, Western blot, β-galactosidase staining, immunofluorescence, JC-1, or DCFH-DA. Key findingsThe results indicate that BP suppressed the hyperglycemic effect and maintained retina anatomy normalization, as well as protected RPE cell survival, tight junction integrity, and RPE65 expression in vitro and in vivo. In vitro results showed BP stimulated high glucose-treated ARPE-19 cell proliferation and suppressed senescence via ERK pathway. Numerous ROS production and MMP imbalance were prevented by BP through Nrf-2/HO-1 pathway. BP inhibited high glucose-induced RPE neovascularization by VEGF dysregulation. SignificanceBP significantly protected tight junction integrity and RPE cellular physiology through ERK/Nrf-2/HO-1 pathway to prevent DR progression. Thus, BP has great potential to be developed therapeutic agents or adjuvants for DR.

A Legal Mechanism to Alleviate the Dilemma of Financing Constraints Based on the Quasi-Natural Experiment of the Promulgation of the Real Right Law

This paper takes the promulgation of the Real Right Law as a quasi-natural experiment and uses the Differences-in-Differences (DID) Method to explore the influence of security interest reform on Financing Constraints. It is found that the promulgation of the Real Right Law has a significant alleviation effect on Financing Constraints, especially for those enterprises previously caught in financing constraints due to the lack of fixed asset for mortgage. The heterogeneity analysis indicates that the financing constraint of the Real Right Law is less significant on technology-intensive enterprises, and that SOEs benefit more from the promulgation of the Real Right Law than non-SOEs.