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Nutrition-gut cross-talk holds a vital position in sustaining intestinal function, and micronutrient metabolism has emerged as the foremost metabolic pathway to preserve gut homeostasis. Among micronutrients, B vitamins have evolved prior to DNA/RNA and are known for their vital roles for major evolutionary transitions in extant organisms. Despite their universal requirement and critical role, not all the three domains of life are endowed with a natural ability for de novo B vitamins synthesis. The human gut microbiome constitutes prototrophs and auxotroph which are entirely dependent on dietary intake and gut microbial production of B vitamins. The syntrophic metabolism involving cross-feeding of B vitamins and community-wide exchange between commensal bacteria elicit important changes in the diversity and composition of the human gut microbiome. Hereto, we discuss the B-vitamins sharing among prototrophic and auxotrophic gut bacteria, their absorption in small intestine and transport in distal gut, functional role in relation to the gut homeostasis and symptoms linked to their deficiency. We also briefly explore their potential involvement as psychobiotics in brain energetic metabolism (kynurenines/tryptophan pathway) for neurological functions and highlight their deficiency related malfunctioning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dihydroartemisinin (DHA) has anticancer effects on multiple tumors, including those associated with breast cancer. This study aimed to investigate the mechanism causing DHA-reversing cisplatin (DDP) resistance in breast cancer. Relative mRNA and protein levels were tested using a qRT-PCR and western blot assay. Cell proliferation, viability, and apoptosis were evaluated using colony formation, MTT, and flow cytometry assays, respectively. Interaction of STAT3 and DDA1 was measured via a dual-luciferase reporter assay. The results showed that DDA1 and p-STAT3 levels were dramatically elevated in DDP-resistant cells. DHA treatment repressed proliferation and induced apoptosis of DDP-resistant cells by suppressing STAT3 phosphorylation; the inhibition ability was positively proportional to the DHA concentration. DDA1 knockdown inhibited cyclin expression, promoted G0/G1 phase arrest, restrained cell proliferation, and induced apoptosis of DDP-resistant cells. Furthermore, knockdown of STAT3 restrained proliferation and induced apoptosis and G0/G1 cell cycle arrest of DDP-resistant cells by targeting DDA1. DHA could restrain tumor proliferation of breast cancer via enhancing drug sensitivity of DDP-resistant cells through the STAT3/DDA1 signaling pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Nanoparticle-mediated gene therapy has found substantial clinical impact, primarily focused on lipid-based nanoparticles. In comparison with lipid nanoparticles, polymeric particles may have certain advantages such as increased biocompatibility and controlled release. Our prior studies have found that polymeric mesoscale nanoparticles exhibited specific targeting to the renal proximal tubules. Thus, in this study, we sought to identify formulation parameters that allow for development of polymeric mesoscale nanoparticles encapsulating functional mRNA for delivery into tubular epithelial cells. Methods: We evaluated particle uptake in vitro prior to exploring formulation parameters related to introduction of a primary mixture of polymer in acetonitrile and hydrophilic mRNA in water. Finally, we evaluated their functionality in a renal tubular epithelial cell line. Results: We found that MNPs are endocytosed within 15 min and that the mesoscale nanoparticle formulation procedure was generally robust to introduction of a primary mixture and encapsulation of mRNA. These particles exhibited substantial uptake in renal cells in vitro and rapid (< 1 h) expression of a model mCherry fluorescent protein. Conclusion: We anticipate these findings having potential in the delivery of specific gene therapies for renal disorders and cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influence of riboflavin (B2)–overproducing lactobacilli on the antioxidant status, isoflavone conversion, off-flavor reduction, amino acid profile, and viscosity of B2-bio-enriched fermented soymilk was investigated. Results showed that B2 in fermented soymilk was notably increased from 0.2 to 3.8 μg/mL for Lactobacillus fermentum UFG169 and to 1.9 μg/mL for Lactobacillus plantarum UFG10. The apparent viscosity significantly changed with rising acidity and agglutination of protein. The off-flavor volatile substances (hexanal and nonanal) were significantly reduced in fermented soymilk. Furthermore, a large amount of glucoside form isoflavones was deglycosylated into bioactive aglycones after 4 h up to 32 h. B2 content and isoflavones significantly improved the antioxidant status of soymilk. Partial least squares regression analysis correlated the strain activity and fermentation time with the improved nutritional and functional soymilk qualities. This study demonstrated the strategy for strain development for B2-bio-enriched fermentation to extend the health-promoting benefits of soymilk and soy-related foods. Key points: • B2-enriched fermentation enhanced the nutrition and functional status of soymilk. • Fermentation time significantly affected the apparent viscosity of fermented soymilk. • Off-flavor volatile substances were significantly reduced or even diminished. • Increased B2and bioactive isoflavones contributed to improved antioxidant potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hard decision fusion algorithms have been widely used to improve the accuracy of cooperative spectrum sensing. However, the traditional hard decision fusion algorithms receive all sensing data without filtering, which provide an opportunity to malicious users. To defense malicious users' spectrum sensing data falsification (SSDF) attack, this paper proposes a double thresholds of reputation-based hard decision fusion algorithm (RHDF). In the RHDF algorithm, the fusion center merely receives sensing reports from trusted secondary users. Meanwhile, this algorithm can improve the efficiency of fusion decision by introducing the priority-half fusion method based on double thresholds and thus avoiding the impact of malicious users. The simulation results show that RHDF algorithm can more effectively defense SSDF attacks compared with traditional hard decision fusion algorithms and ensure better cooperation spectrum sensing performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]