Interactive Responses of Enkephalin, δ-opioid Receptor and Dopamine Receptor D1/D2 to Hypoxia and/or MPP+ Stress in PC12 Cells

Hypoxic/ischemic brain injury is a potential etiology of Parkinson’s disease (PD). There is evidence suggesting that the up-regulation of enkephalin, an endogenous opioid, in the midbrain may have a compensatory effect against Parkinson’s disease (PD) related motor symptoms. To explore the potential mechanism underlying this action, we investigated the effects of hypoxia and MPP+, a pathological inducer PD, on enkephalin, δ-opioid receptor (DOR, an enkephalin receptor), and prohormone convertases 1 and 2 (PC1/PC2) on in- vitro PD model of PC12 cells. We found that (1) short-term hypoxia could inducing cell protection by up-regulating the level of enkephalin, accompanied by the synergistic up-regulation of δ-opioid receptor (DOR) ; (2) a longer period of hypoxia or MPP+ insult accelerated the proteolysis of proenkephalin by up-regulating PC1/PC2 which might produce more active enkephalin and thus activating DOR for cell protection; (3) The levels of enkephalin and DOR decreased significantly after a prolonged hypoxia or MPP+ insult; and (4) a certain degree of hypoxia improved cell viability and enhance the transcription of dopamine D1/D2 receptorby increasing their mRNA level. Our findings suggest that hypoxia may induce an interactive reaction of enkephalin, DOR and dopamine receptor D1/D2, which is potentially beneficial for cell surviving to severe/prolonged hypoxia and PD condition.

Endogenous DAF-16 Spatiotemporal Activity Quantitatively Predicts Lifespan Extension Induced by Dietary Restriction

In many organisms, dietary restriction (DR) leads to lifespan extension through the activation of cell protection and pro-longevity gene expression programs. In the nematode C. elegans, the DAF-16 transcription factor is a key aging regulator that governs the Insulin/IGF-1 signaling pathway and undergoes translocation from the cytoplasm to the nucleus of cells when animals are exposed to food limitation. In this work, we assess the endogenous activity of DAF-16 under various DR regimes by coupling CRISPR/Cas9-enabled fluorescent tagging of DAF-16 with quantitative image analysis and machine learning. Our results indicate that lifelong DAF-16 endogenous activity is a robust predictor of mean lifespan in C. elegans, and it accounts for 78% of the lifespan variability induced by DR. We found that this lifespan-extending mechanism occurs mainly in the intestine and neurons, and that DR drives DAF-16 activity in unexpected locations such as the germline and intestinal nucleoli.

Description and control of solar cell protection material for quality assurance of a photovoltaic panel

Global warming and climate change coincide in their main causes, the massive emission of greenhouse gases, which retain heat in the atmosphere and on the earth's surface through the so-called greenhouse effect. The generation of electricity by means of fossil fuels is an important emitter of greenhouse gases (CO2, CH4, N2O), and halogenated compounds containing F, Cl, and Br. With the purpose of contributing to the construction of viable solutions to the current energy situation of the country and in the foundation of a sustainable future, the use of solar energy for the generation of electricity by means of solar panels represents an option. The purpose of this study is to describe and control the solar cell protection material Ethylene-Vinyl-Acetate (EVA), as a contribution to the Quality Assurance of solar panels, since the function of this material is essential for the protection of solar cells, which are a vital part of the solar panel. The tests performed were: Gel content, adhesion test, and durability tests. The results obtained were within specification according to IEC 61215. From this work it is concluded that it is important to continue testing the whole process and components of the solar panels in order to guarantee the useful life of the finished product, as well as to contribute to sustainable development.

Handbooks Engineering Science and Technology TIX

Global warming and climate change coincide in their main causes, the massive emission of greenhouse gases, which retain heat in the atmosphere and on the earth's surface through the so-called greenhouse effect. The generation of electricity by means of fossil fuels is an important emitter of greenhouse gases (CO2, CH4, N2O), and halogenated compounds containing F, Cl, and Br. With the purpose of contributing to the construction of viable solutions to the current energy situation of the country and in the foundation of a sustainable future, the use of solar energy for the generation of electricity by means of solar panels represents an option. The purpose of this study is to describe and control the solar cell protection material Ethylene-Vinyl-Acetate (EVA), as a contribution to the Quality Assurance of solar panels, since the function of this material is essential for the protection of solar cells, which are a vital part of the solar panel. The tests performed were: Gel content, adhesion test, and durability tests. The results obtained were within specification according to IEC 61215. From this work it is concluded that it is important to continue testing the whole process and components of the solar panels in order to guarantee the useful life of the finished product, as well as to contribute to sustainable development.

Delphinidin and Its Glycosides’ War on Cancer: Preclinical Perspectives

Until now, several studies have looked at the issue of anthocyanin and cancer, namely the preventive and inhibitory effects of anthocyanins, as well as the underlying molecular processes. However, no targeted review is available regarding the anticarcinogenic effects of delphinidin and its glycosides on various cancers and their plausible molecular mechanisms. Considerable evidence shows significant anticancer properties of delphinidin-rich preparations and delphinidin alone both in vitro and in vivo. This review covers the in vitro and preclinical implications of delphinidin-mediated cell protection and cancer prevention; thus, we strongly recommend that delphinidin-rich preparations be further investigated as potential functional food, dietary antioxidant supplements, and natural health products targeting specific chronic diseases, including cancer. In addition to in vitro investigations, future research should focus on more animal and human studies to determine the true potential of delphinidin.

Physicochemical and Toxicity Investigation of Chitosan-based dsRNA Nanocarrier Formation

Technologies involving the use of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) to elicit RNA interference (RNAi) in pest control have emerged as an alternative to traditional pesticides. RNAi can mediate natural cell protection being a promising tool to provide prompt responses in plant defense against pathogens. The present study is focused on the physicochemical characterization of formed dsRNA-loaded nanoparticles as a result of chitosan-dsRNA ionic interactions. Additionally, a preliminary investigation was conducted of the in-vitro toxicity of loaded nanoparticles in lettuce and human red blood cells. dsRNA molecules, homologous to partial phytopathogenic tomato mosaic virus (ToMV) sequence, were used as a model. The main groups involved in the chitosan-dsRNA ionic coupling were identified by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and the stability of formed nanoparticles was accessed by dynamic light scattering, electrophoresis, and thermal analyses. The chitosan showed a higher ability to bind to dsRNA at low charge ratios (N/P = 1), ruled by positively charged chitosan methyl groups and negatively charged phosphate groups from the RNA backbone, resulting in small nanoparticles (73.25 nm size) at low polydispersity (0.25). The toxic assays of these particles, on lettuce seeds and in human erythrocytes, revealed very low toxicity demonstrating their safety as a platform, thereby holding potential use as biodefensive for crop protection.

Biological and Cytoprotective Effect of Piper kadsura Ohwi against Hydrogen-Peroxide-Induced Oxidative Stress in Human SW1353 Cells

Oxidative stress plays a role in regulating a variety of physiological functions in living organisms and in the pathogenesis of articular cartilage diseases. Piper kadsura Ohwi is a traditional Chinese medicine that is used as a treatment for rheumatic pain, and the extracts have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. However, there is still no study related to cell protection by P. kadsura. The P. kadsura extracts (PKE) were obtained by microwave-assisted extraction, liquid-liquid extraction, and column chromatography separation. The extracts could effectively scavenge free radicals in the antioxidant test, the EC50 of extracts is approximately the same as vitamin C. PKE decreased the apoptosis of SW1353 cells treated with H2O2 and could upregulate the gene expression of antioxidant enzymes (SOD-2, GPx, and CAT) and the Bcl-2/Bax ratio, as well as regulate PARP, thus conferring resistance to H2O2 attack. PKE protects cells against apoptosis caused by free radicals through the three pathways of JNK, MEK/ERK, and p38 by treatment with MAPK inhibitor. The identified components of PKE were bicyclo [2.2.1] heptan-2-ol-1,7,7-trimethyl-,(1S-endo)-, alpha-humulene, and hydroxychavicol by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry.