NP Treatment Research Articles

Effects of titanium dioxide nanoparticles on soil microbial communities and wheat biomass

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) are the most produced NPs worldwide and have great potential to be utilized in agriculture as additives for plant protection products. However, concerns have been raised that some NPs may negatively affect crops and soil microbial communities, including beneficial microbes such as arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. Here we tested two different TiO2 NPs (P25, E171) and a bulk TiO2 (particle size >100 nm) for their effects on the diversity and community composition of soil microorganisms. In addition we tested whether increasing concentrations of TiO2 NPs had effects on wheat growth and yield. Microbial diversity was analyzed using Illumina Miseq paired-end sequencing of ribosomal markers (prokaryotic 16SV3V4 and fungal ITS2 of the ribosomal RNA operon). Application of TiO2 NPs altered the detected prokaryotic but not fungal community structure. Prokaryotic community structure differed significantly between the three NP treatments and the control treatment without NP, although differences were smaller compared to those between the positive and the negative control. Specific microbial taxa responded positively or negatively to particular TiO2 NP treatments and, thus, may be used as bio-indicators for TiO2 NPs. No negative effects on wheat growth and on arbuscular mycorrhizal root colonization were detected, and no evidence for a dose-response relationship between wheat performance and TiO2 NP concentration was found. Overall, these results reveal that prokaryotes are more sensitive than fungi to the TiO2 NP treatments.

MINERAL FERTLIZER AS AN ALTERNATIVE FERTILIZER IN INCREASING RICE YIELD IN TABANAN REGENCY

Production can be increased through improved harvest index genetic engineering, and the availability of nutrients in the soil. Ciherang rice production tests conducted over two years by toposekuen in Tabanan. First in five Subak, (Jangga, Bulung Daya, Andal Dewa, Lanyah1, and Perean) with 10 fertilizer treatments. The second year, five fertilization treatments in the two Subak (Petung dan Babahan). The study was conducted in randomized complete block design with three replications. Parameters observed included vegetative and generative growth, and yield of paddy field farming. Duncan`s test, with a confidence level of 5% using the Costat program, and input output fertilization. Fertilization is very significant effect on rice production. The first year results, the highest rice production (9.33 tons ha-1) was achieved in a combination of fertilizer treatment (organic + NPK + mineral), can increase production 43.98%. The second year of the highest rice production (11.878 tons ha-1) were achieved on the fertilization of NPM (100 kg urea + 100 kg Phonska ha-1) + organic fertilizer (2.5 tons ha-1) + mineral fertilizer (2.5 tons ha-1), production increased 50.4%. Organic fertilization received the lowest rice production (5,420 to 8,940 tons ha-1), and the highest percentage of empty grain (9.29%). Mineral fertilizers can reduce the use of chemical fertilizers and high-dose organic fertilizers. The increase in yield of paddy field farming compared to control for the treatment of organic fertilizer (Rp 1.011 million ha-1), NP (Rp 6.416 million ha-1), NPK (Rp7.636 million ha-1), and NPM (Rp12.576 million ha -1).

Effect of sugar industry spentwash (diluted) on the characteristics of soil and sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) growth in the subtropical environment of Sindh, Pakistan.

Spentwash is a rich source of organic matter and essential plant nutrients in addition to excess salts. Sugar mills in Pakistan discharge about 3.48 million tons of spentwash annually, with no proper procedures for its disposal or utilization. To test the effect of diluted spentwash on soil and the soil's ability to support plant growth, sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) variety CPF-237 was planted. The experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design involving factorial combination of four concentrations of each spentwash (0, 10, 20, and 30%) and mineral fertilizers (0, 1/3, 2/3, and the full recommended rate of NP). The 10% spentwash plus 2/3 mineral fertilizer treatment substituted 33% each of N and P and 100% of K, saving mineral fertilizer cost (Rs. 48600∼US$458) in addition to 29.54% increase in yield over full NP fertilizer. The same treatment also improved the soil organic matter (65%), N (20%), P (25%), and K (230%) over full NP treatment alone. An increase in the salt content of the soil was detected within the prescribed limits, with the exception of HCO3.

The influence of straw returning on N2O emissions from a maize-wheat field in the North China Plain.

Crop straw returning has become a prevailing cultivation practice in the vast area of the North China Plain (NCP), while few investigations about its influence on nitrous oxide (N2O) emission have been conducted. In this study, N2O emissions from an agricultural field in the NCP with and without straw returning were comparably investigated by using static chambers in two consecutive maize-wheat growing seasons from June 2010 to June 2012. Compared with the NP treatment (compound nitrogen fertilizer only), the cumulative N2O emission from the SP treatment (compound nitrogen fertilizer plus straw) increased about 150% during the maize season in 2010, but decreased by about 35% during the maize season in 2011. The inconsistent influence of straw returning on N2O emission from the maize field was ascribed to the evidently different soil moisture between the two years, which was further confirmed by laboratory simulation experiments. About 40% reduction of N2O emission from the SP treatment during the two winter wheat seasons, which was mainly attributed to anoxic condition induced by rotting the maize straw.

The embryotoxicity of ZnO nanoparticles to marine medaka, Oryzias melastigma

The negative effects of metal oxide nanoparticles on aquatic environment and organisms have caused much concern. In this study, the embryotoxicity of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NP) to marine medaka, Oryzias melastigma, was explored and compared with that of aqueous Zn (ZnSO4·7H2O). The Zn2+ released from ZnO NP in artificial seawater at exposure concentrations was also measured. Results showed that zinc ion release percentage (%) decreased with increasing concentration, which was 44%, 41% and 25% at 0.1, 1 and 10mg/L of ZnO NP suspension, respectively. After 20 d exposure of medaka embryos to ZnO NP, we observed increased mortality and heart rate, reduced percent total hatching success, delayed hatching of embryos and increased malformation% of newly-hatched larvae in ZnO NP treatment compared to the control group. Furthermore, ZnO NPs have significantly greater effects than the aqueous Zn for mortality and heart rate, indicating that ZnO NPs themselves, in particulate or aggregate form, contribute to the observed toxicity. Edema was the most commonly found malformation in newly-hatched larvae after ZnO NP exposure. Overall, our findings suggest that the embryonic stage of marine medaka is sensitive to ZnO NP exposure. Studies of the toxic mechanism of ZnO NPs should not ignore the impact of NPs since the greater effects of ZnO NPs than of aqueous Zn ions observed in this study cannot be explained by the ZnO NP dissolution. The ion release profile of ZnO NPs in marine environment is related to both NP and seawater characteristics, which should be analyzed on a case-by-case basis. The ZnO NP-related Zn speciation may play an important role in the dissolution and toxicity processes of ZnO NPs in marine environment, and further speciation study may contribute to the interpretation of ZnO NP toxicity.

Oxidative Stress and Genotoxicity of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles to Pseudomonas Species, Human Promyelocytic Leukemic (HL-60), and Blood Cells

In the present study, toxicity of commercial zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) was studied on the bacterium Pseudomonas sp., human promyelocytic leukemia (HL-60) cells, and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). The toxicity was assessed by measuring growth, cell viability, and protein expression in bacterial cell. The bacterial growth and viability decreased with increasing concentrations of ZnO NP. Three major proteins, ribosomal protein L1 and L9 along with alkyl hydroperoxides reductase, were upregulated by 1.5-, 1.7-, and 2.0-fold, respectively, after ZnO NP exposure. The results indicated oxidative stress as the leading cause of toxic effect in bacteria. In HL-60 cells, cytotoxic and genotoxic effects along with antioxidant enzyme activity and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation were studied upon ZnO NP treatment. ZnO NP exhibited dose-dependent increase in cell death after 24-h exposure. The DNA-damaging potential of ZnO NP in HL-60 cells was maximum at 0.05mg/L concentration. Comet assay showed 70-80% increase in tail DNA at 0.025 to 0.05mg/L ZnO NP concentration. A significant increase of 1.6-, 1.4-, and 2.0-fold in ROS level was observed after 12h. Genotoxic potential of ZnO NPs was also demonstrated in PBMC through DNA fragmentation. Thus, ZnO NP, besides being an essential element having antibacterial activity, also showed toxicity towards human cells (HL-60 and PBMC).

Weathering in soil increases nanoparticle CuO bioaccumulation within a terrestrial food chain

This study evaluates the bioaccumulation of unweathered (U) and weathered (W) CuO in NP, bulk and ionic form (0–400 mg/kg) by lettuce exposed for 70 d in soil co-contaminated with field incurred chlordane. To evaluate CuO trophic transfer, leaves were fed to crickets (Acheta domestica) for 15 d, followed by insect feeding to lizards (Anolis carolinensis). Upon weathering, the root Cu content of the NP treatment increased 214% (327 ± 59.1 mg/kg) over unaged treatment. Cu root content decreased in bulk and ionic treatments from 70–130 mg/kg to 13–26 mg/kg upon aging in soil. Micro X-ray fluorescence (μ-XRF) analysis of W-NP-exposed roots showed a homogenous distribution of Cu (and Ca) in the tissues. Additionally, micro X-ray absorption near-edge (μ-XANES) analysis of W-NP-exposed roots showed near complete transformation of CuO to Cu (I)-sulfur and oxide complexes in the tissues, whereas in unweathered treatment, most root Cu remained as CuO. The expression level of nine genes involved in Cu transport shows that the mechanisms of CuO NPs (and bulk) response/accumulation are different than ionic Cu. The chlordane accumulation by lettuce upon co-exposure to CuO NPs significantly increased upon weathering. Conversely, bulk and ionic exposures decreased pesticide accumulation by plant upon weathering. The Cu cricket fecal content from U-NP-exposed insects was significantly greater than the bulk or ion treatments, suggesting a higher initial NP accumulation followed by significantly greater elimination during depuration. In the lizard, Cu content in the intestine, body and head did not differ as a function of weathering. This study demonstrates that CuO NPs may undergo transformation processes in soil upon weathering that subsequently impact NPs availability in terrestrial food chains.

Utilization of Phosphate Alternatives to Produce Chunked and Formed Deli Ham

ObjectivesThe objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of replacing phosphate with a natural alternative in chunked and formed deli ham.Materials and MethodsBoneless biceps femoris muscles were chunked into 2.54-cm cubes. Each treatment formulation (6 kg) consisted of approximately 77% pork (85% cubed meat and 15% finely chopped trim to improve protein binding), 20% water, 1.8% salt, 0.9% dextrose, 120 ppm sodium nitrite, 450 ppm sodium erythorbate and the following treatment effects: positive control (0.4% sodium tripolyphosphate, STP), negative control (no phosphate, NP), a 1.3% Fiber Dry Vinegar (FDV) blend, and a 1.1% whey protein concentrate blend (WPC). The ham formulations were vacuum tumbled (25 mm/hg of mercury) for four 20 min intervals with 10 min rest periods in-between. After the rest period of the third interval, the trim was added and the formulation was vacuum tumbled for the final 20 min. The contents of the tumbler were then stuffed into cellulose casings, tipper tied, heat processed in a smokehouse to an internal temperature of 74 C, and sliced into 1.27 cm slices for color and protein bind analysis Consumer acceptability testing (n = 60 panelists) was also conducted using a 9-point hedonic scale. A completely randomized design with 2 replications was utilized to evaluate treatment effects. When significant differences occurred (P < 0.05) among treatments, Fisher’s Protected Least Significance Test was utilized to separate treatment meansResultsThe STP treatment had less cooking loss than all other treatments (P < 0.05) at 9.3%. The cooking loss for the WPC treatment was less (P < 0.05) than that of the NP treatment % but was not different (P > 0.05) from the FDV treatment. The STP treatment had greater protein bind (P < 0.05) than all other treatments. In addition, the FDV treatment had greater protein bind than the WPC and NP treatments. On average, no differences (P < 0.05) existed between treatments with respect to consumer acceptability. Cluster analysis was conducted to determine if any variability could be determined among treatments since all hams were liked. Results indicated that 88% of consumers rated the STP treatment like moderately or greater, 73% of the panelists liked the NP treatment moderately or greater, and 85% of panelists liked the WPC and fiber treatments at least like moderately.ConclusionApplication of WPC or FDV may help meat processors meet current clean label trends if the decrease in cooking yields and firmness of texture was acceptable to processors and or consumers.

Effects of Dietary Protein Content on Milk Composition of Mixed Parity Lactating Sows in a Tropical Humid Climate

Eighteen multiparous Large White sows were used to determine the effects of dietary protein content and lactation stage on milk composition during a 28-d lactation under humid tropical climatic conditions. This study was conducted at the INRA facilities in Guadeloupe, French West Indies (latitude 16°N, longitude 61°W). The average minimum and maximum ambient temperatures and average daily relative humidity during the trial were 22.7 and 29.4°C, and 93.7%, respectively. The dietary experimental treatments were a normal protein (NP, 17.3%) diet and a low protein (LP, 14.1%) diet supplemented with essential amino acids. The ADFI tended to be higher for the sows fed the LP diets when compared with the NP treatment (i.e., +9%, P 0.10). The treatments did not influence (P>0.10) sow body weight loss during lactation. The sows fed LP diets tended to show lower backfat thickness losses when compared to the sows fed NP diets (2.4 vs. 6.3 mm, respectively; P 0.10). Milk dry matter and ash contents linearly increased according to lactation stage (17.6 to 19.9%, and 0.72 vs. 97%, respectively from d 7 to d 27; P 0.10) by lactation stage. Maternal BW loss during lactation was negatively correlated with the average daily feed intake (r=-0.76; P<0.05) and positively correlated with backfat thickness loss (r=0.55; P<0.05). A positive correlation between milk production and body reserves mobilisation (r=0.82; P<0.05) was also observed. Polyunsaturated fatty acid content in milk fat was positively correlated with ADFI and negatively correlated to maternal BW loss (r=0.62 and r=-0.60; P<0.05). In conclusion, reducing dietary protein content can be an alternative to attenuate the negative effects of heat stress by increasing ADFI. Milk composition changes significantly according to lactation stage and the ability of sows to produce milk will depend on their capacity to mobilize body reserve for providing milk precursors.

Intranasal Diprospan Injection for Chronic Rhinosinusitis Treatment-Two Case Reports

Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP) affects 0.5–4% of the world population and is present in ∼20% of patients with CRS. There are no definitive guidelines for the treatment of CRS largely due to the lack of consensus on the etiology of the disease. The management of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps, aimed at improving clinical symptoms, includes both surgical and medical treatments, but there is no universally accepted management protocol. Two case reports of CRSw NP treatment by intranasal Diprospan injection are presents. In both cases significant clinical and radiological improvement was observed without any side effects.

Efficacy of Gold Nanoparticles against Nephrotoxicity Induced by Schistosoma mansoni Infection in Mice

ObjectiveIn this study, the ameliorative effects of gold nanoparticles (gold NP) on the renal tissue damage in Schistosoma mansoni (S. mansoni)-infected mice was investigated. MethodsHigh-resolution transmission electron microscopy was used for the characterization of NP. The gold NP at concentrations of 250, 500, and 1000 µg/kg body weight were inoculated into S. mansoni-infected mice. ResultsThe parasite caused alterations in the histological architecture. Furthermore, it induced a significant reduction in the renal glutathione levels; however, the levels of nitric oxide and malondialdehyde were significantly elevated. The parasite also managed to downregulate KIM-1, NGAL, MCP-1, and TGF-β mRNA expression in infected animals. Notably, gold NP treatment in mice reduced the extent of histological impairment and renal oxidative damage. Gold NP were able to regulate gene expression impaired by S. Mansoni infection. ConclusionThe curative effect of gold NP against renal toxicity in S. mansoni-infected mice is associated with their role as free radical scavengers.

Health economic evidence gaps and methodological constraints in low back pain and neck pain: Results of the Research Agenda for Health Economic Evaluation (RAHEE) project.

Despite the increased interest in economic evaluations, there are difficulties in applying the results of such studies in practice. Therefore, the "Research Agenda for Health Economic Evaluation" (RAHEE) project was initiated, which aimed to improve the use of health economic evidence in practice for the 10 highest burden conditions in the European Union (including low back pain [LBP] and neck pain [NP]). This was done by undertaking literature mapping and convening an Expert Panel meeting, during which the literature mapping results were discussed and evidence gaps and methodological constraints were identified. The current paper is a part of the RAHEE project and aimed to identify economic evidence gaps and methodological constraints in the LBP and NP literature, in particular. The literature mapping revealed that economic evidence was unavailable for various commonly used LBP and NP treatments (e.g., injections, traction, and discography). Even if economic evidence was available, many treatments were only evaluated in a single study or studies for the same intervention were highly heterogeneous in terms of their patient population, control condition, follow-up duration, setting, and/or economic perspective. Up until now, this has prevented economic evaluation results from being statistically pooled in the LBP and NP literature, and strong conclusions about the cost-effectiveness of LBP and NP treatments can therefore not be made. The Expert Panel identified the need for further high-quality economic evaluations, especially on surgery versus conservative care and competing treatment options for chronic LBP. Handling of uncertainty and reporting quality were considered the most important methodological challenges.

Biofabricated zinc oxide nanoparticles coated with phycomolecules as novel micronutrient catalysts for stimulating plant growth of cotton

This study describes the bioengineering of phycomolecule-coated zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) as a novel type of plant-growth-enhancing micronutrient catalyst aimed at increasing crop productivity. The impact of natural engineered phycomolecule-loaded ZnO NPs on plant growth characteristics and biochemical changes in Gossypium hirsutum L. plants was investigated after 21 days of exposure to a wide range of concentrations (0, 25, 50, 75, 100, and 200 mg l−l). ZnO NP exposure significantly enhanced growth and biomass by 125.4% and 132.8%, respectively, in the treated plants compared to the untreated control. Interestingly, photosynthetic pigments, namely, chlorophyll a (134.7%), chlorophyll b (132.6%), carotenoids (160.1%), and total soluble protein contents (165.4%) increased significantly, but the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) content (73.8%) decreased in the ZnO-NP-exposed plants compared to the control. The results showed that there were significant increases in superoxide dismutase (SOD, 267.8%) and peroxidase (POX, 174.5%) enzyme activity, whereas decreased catalase (CAT, 83.2%) activity was recorded in the NP-treated plants compared to the control. ZnO NP treatment did not show distinct alterations (the presence or absence of DNA) in a random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) banding pattern. These results suggest that bioengineered ZnO NPs coated with natural phycochemicals display different biochemical effects associated with enhanced growth and biomass in G. hirsutum. Our results imply that ZnO NPs have tremendous potential in their use as an effective plant-growth-promoting micronutrient catalyst in agriculture.

Treatment of Neuropathic Pain Using Pulsed Radiofrequency: A Meta-analysis

Background: Neuropathic pain (NP) is a major public health problem worldwide. Because of the unclear mechanism of NP, its treatment is one of the most difficult medical problems. As a targeted, noninvasive, safe therapy, pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) provides a new method for the treatment of NP; however, its effect on this treatment still lacks support from evidence-based medicine. Objective: To conduct a meta-analysis of available randomized controlled trials and to evaluate the effectiveness and clinical utility of PRF for the treatment of NP. Study Design: Meta-analysis. Setting: All selected studies were randomized controlled trials. Method: A systematic and comprehensive database search was performed of the PubMed, CENTRAL, EMBASE.com, Cochrane Library, Chinese Biomedical Literature, and Wanfang databases for literature published from the establishment of the databases to December 19, 2015. According to inclusion and exclusion criteria, the results of randomized controlled trials supporting PRF for NP treatment were collected. The risk of bias tool described in the Cochrane Handbook version 5.1.0 was used to assess the quality of each trial. Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.3 software. Results: A total of 12 randomized controlled trials involving 592 patients met the inclusion criteria. Overall, the results of the meta-analysis showed that, compared with the control group, PRF had a better effect on postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) in terms of pain score (one week, one month, and 3 months), excellent and good rate (one day, one month), and efficiency rate (one day). But PRF did not have a better effect on radicular pain in pain score (3 months). Side effects were less frequently found with the PRF treatment. Limitations: Although we repeatedly tested the key words and used a manual method to prevent the loss of studies, due to the limitation of the included studies, some of the data were insufficient to complete the meta-analysis, and we were unable to obtain the original data from some studies. Some studies did not report the blind design, which decreased the quality of the current study. Conclusion: PRF did not have a better effect on radicular pain, and PRF is an effective and safe therapeutic alternative for the analgesia of PHN. However, for a high recurrence rate over a long period, repeated PRF treatment has limitations. Key words: Neuropathic pain, pulsed radiofrequency, analgesia, meta-analysis

Nutrient-specific foraging by Glossosoma intermedium larvae leads to conspecific case grazing

Nutrient-specific foraging, or selection of resources based on nutritional quality, is a strategy homeostatic consumers use to meet their dietary nutritional needs. Glossosoma intermedium is a homeostatic caddisfly that often grazes nutrient-rich periphyton colonizing the cases of conspecific larvae. We hypothesized that case grazing may be the result of nutrient-specific foraging under conditions where streambed periphyton is nutrient deficient. To test this hypothesis, we monitored larvae in experimental streams. We measured case-grazing frequency and duration under 4 treatments of streambed periphyton: ambient (control), +N, +P, and +NP. Case-grazing frequency was significantly lower in the +NP treatment than in the other treatments, suggesting that nutritional quality influences resource selection by G. intermedium. However, duration of case-grazing bouts was not influenced by treatment. In addition, grazing by G. intermedium increased streambed periphyton C∶P and N∶P more in the +P treatment than in the other treatments, whereas grazing did not affect streambed periphyton C∶N or algal biomass differently among treatments. This result suggests that Glossosoma was P limited, and that it either differentially ingested P-rich periphyton or differentially retained P. Our study suggests that nutrient imbalances between streambed periphyton and grazer nutrient demand lead to case grazing by G. intermedium larvae and that the different strategies (case grazing, selective foraging, differential nutrient excretion/retention) that P-limited grazers use to meet their nutritional needs lead to P depletion of the surrounding periphyton mat.

Evaluation of genotoxicity and oxidative stress of aluminium oxide nanoparticles and its bulk form in Allium cepa

In the present study, we examined the effects of aluminium oxide nanoparticles (Al2O3 NPs) and bulk aluminium oxide (Al2O3) on Allium cepa in terms of genotoxicity and oxidative stress responses under in planta conditions. The concentrations ranged from 1.25 to 5 µM for NP and its bulk form. Results from this investigation indicated steady rise in chromosome aberrations, micronuclei and DNA strand breaks with increase in concentration of the NPs, effects of Al2O3 NPs being significantly higher than those treated with bulk Al2O3. The divisional frequency was affected by the NP treatment. Oxidative damage such as lipid peroxidation and cell death to Allium under Al2O3 NPs treatments was greater than that observed in bulk Al2O3. A significant increase in activity of guiacol peroxidase was observed in accordance with the depletion in catalase activity in both Al2O3 NPs and bulk Al2O3 treated plants as compared to control. In conclusion, the present study indicated that Al2O3 NPs treatment exerted higher genotoxicity and oxidative stress responses on A. cepa than bulk Al2O3 under in planta conditions.

Arsenite-loaded nanoparticles inhibit PARP-1 to overcome multidrug resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma cells.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the highest incidences in cancers; however, traditional chemotherapy often suffers from low efficiency caused by drug resistance. Herein, we report an arsenite-loaded dual-drug (doxorubicin and arsenic trioxide, i.e., DOX and ATO) nanomedicine system (FeAsOx@SiO2-DOX, Combo NP) with significant drug synergy and pH-triggered drug release for effective treatment of DOX resistant HCC cells (HuH-7/ADM). This nano-formulation Combo NP exhibits the synergistic effect of DNA damage by DOX along with DNA repair interference by ATO, which results in unprecedented killing efficiency on DOX resistant cancer cells. More importantly, we explored the possible mechanism is that the activity of PARP-1 is inhibited by ATO during the treatment of Combo NP, which finally induces apoptosis of HuH-7/ADM cells by poly (ADP-ribosyl) ation suppression and DNA lesions accumulation. This study provides a smart drug delivery strategy to develop a novel synergistic combination therapy for effectively overcome drug- resistant cancer cells.

The advances in mitochondrial-targeted antioxidants on the treatment of neuropathic pain

Background Neuropathic pain (NP) is a kind of pain syndrome induced by injuries or diseases in central or peripheral nervous system. The pathomechanism and symptoms of NP are complicated and variform. NP is the one of the most challenging syndrome to treat in clinical pain management. Objective This article aims to review the current research findings concerning the use of mitochondrial-targeted antioxidant in the management of NP. Content The article reviews studies on the correlation of mitochondrial dysfunctions, mitochondrial oxidative stresses and NP, as well as studies on the treatments of NP with mitochondrial-targeted antioxidant. Trend Mitochondrial-targeted antioxidants are promising candidates for treating NP patients. Key words: Neuropathic pain; Mitochondrial dysfunction; Mitochondrial-targeted antioxidant

Different Growth Responses of an Invasive Weed and a Native Crop to Nitrogen Pulse and Competition

Resource pulses are a common event in agro-ecosystems. A pot experiment was conducted to assess the effects of nitrogen (N) pulses and competition on the growth of an invasive weed, Amaranthus retroflexus, and a native crop, Glycine max. A. retroflexus and G. max were planted in pure culture with two individuals of one species in each pot and in mixed culture with one A. retroflexus and one G. max individual and subjected to three N pulse treatments. The N treatments included a no-peak treatment (NP) with N applied stably across the growing period, a single-peak treatment (SP) with only one N addition on the planting date, and a double-peak treatment (DP) with two N additions, one on the planting date and the other on the flowering date. N pulse significantly impacted biomass and height of the two species across the whole growing season. However, only the relative growth rate (RGR) of A. retroflexus was significantly affected by N pulse. A. retroflexus had the greatest biomass and height in the SP treatment at the first harvest, and in the DP treatment at the last three harvests. Pure culture G. max produced the greatest biomass in the DP treatment. In mixed culture, G. max produced the greatest biomass in the NP treatment. Biomass production of both species was significantly influenced by species combination, with higher biomass in mixed culture than in pure culture at most growth stages. Relative yield total (RYT) values were all greater than 1.0 at the last three harvests across the three N treatments, suggesting partial resource complementarity occurred when A. retroflexus is grown with G. max. These results indicate that A. retroflexus has a strong adaptive capacity to reduce interspecific competition, likely leading to its invasion of G. max cropland in China.

Negative pressure induces p120-catenin–dependent adherens junction disassembly in keratinocytes during wound healing

A negative-pressure of 125mmHg (NP) has been widely used to treat chronic wounds in modern medicine. Keratinocytes under NP treatment have shown accelerated cell movement and decreased E-cadherin expression. However, the molecular mechanism of E-cadherin regulation under NP remains incompletely understood. Therefore, we investigated the E-cadherin regulation in keratinocytes (HaCaT cells) under NP. HaCaT cells were treated at ambient pressure (AP) and NP for 12h. Cell movement was measured by traditional and electric wound healing assays at the 2 different pressures. Mutants with overexpression of p120-catenin (p120ctn) were used to observe the effect of NP on p120ctn and E-cadherin expression during wound healing. Cell fractionation and immunoblotting data showed that NP increased Y228-phosphorylated p120ctn level and resulted in the translocation of p120ctn from the plasma membrane to cytoplasm. Immunofluorescence images revealed that NP decreased the co-localization of p120ctn and E-cadherin on the plasma membrane. Knockdown of p120ctn reduced E-cadherin expression and accelerated cell movement under AP. Overexpression of the Y228-phosphorylation-mimic p120ctn decreased E-cadherin membrane expression under both AP and NP. Phosphorylation-deficient mutants conferred restored adherens junctions (AJs) under NP. The Src inhibitor blocked the phosphorylation of p120ctn and impeded cell migration under NP. In conclusion, Src-dependent phosphorylation of p120ctn can respond rapidly to NP and contribute to E-cadherin downregulation. The NP-induced disassembly of the AJ further accelerates wound healing.