A hallmark of astrocytic tumors is their infiltrative nature. Although their aggressive and typically widespread dispersal in the adult brain differs fundamentally from that of other brain tumors, little is known about their cellular basis. Astrocytic tumors express the gap junction protein connexin 43 (Cx43), and we show here that Cx43 expression induced the morphological transformation of glioma cells into an epithelial phenotype. In a short-term aggregation assay, Cx43 expression was associated with a several-fold increase in the competence of glioma cells to aggregate. Antibodies directed against the extracellular domain of Cx43 restored the connexin-deficient phenotype, as manifested by a dose-dependent reduction in aggregation. Apart from their role in gap junction formation, connexins may therefore be considered a distinct class of membrane proteins with adhesive properties. Moreover, implanted Cx43-expressing glioma cells established functional gap junction channels with host astrocytes and dispersed through a substantially greater volume of brain parenchyma than mock- and mutant Cx43-transfected sister cells. Cx43 expression therefore may modulate not only the adhesion of astrocytes to one another, but the spread of glial tumor cells throughout astrocytic syncytia. These observations widen our concept of the potential interactions between tumor cells and their surroundings and suggest that both connexin proteins and their derived gap junctions are critical determinants of the invasiveness of central gliomas.

Water‐soluble carboxymethyl starch (CMS) derivatives with both hydrophobic and hydrophilic characteristics were synthesized by reacting CMS with cetyl bromide (CB) using an extrusion process in an alkaline etherification reaction. A series of hexadecyl carboxymethyl starch ethers (HCSE‐ex) with degrees of substitution ranging from 0.0257 to 0.0701 were characterized under different reaction conditions based on their physical (morphology and viscosity) and thermal properties. FTIR, SEM, TGA, and X‐ray results confirmed that etherification produced high reaction efficiencies, and the derivatives exhibited excellent emulsification efficiency. The application of extrusion as an energy source resulted in a much reduced etherification time compared with traditional methods, down from several hours to several seconds, indicating the high potential of extrusion to improve and increase the efficiency of technological polysaccharide etherification.

: This study investigated the protective effect of Curcumin on renal ischemia-reperfusion injury (RIRI) as well as the mechanisms underlying the role of Curcumin. Selectivity of Curcumin in kidney in different doses and routes of administration was measured. In addition, the serum levels of β2-MG, UAER, BUN and creatinine were compared among the Sham, the RIRI model and the Curcumin + RIRI model groups. The expression of miR-146a iNOS, eNOS and nNOS, PKG, and caspase-3 among various groups was measured using real-time PCR and Western-blot analysis, while the levels of NO and cGMP in the samples were measured by ELISA. Finally, the effect of Curcumin on the transcriptional efficiencies of miR-146a, nNOS, eNOS and iNOS was studied using luciferase assay. The presence of mesoscale nanoparticles (MNPs) in the kidneys was safe. In addition, the accumulation of MNPs was in a dose-dependent manner and peaked at a dose of 25 mg/kg. The administration of Curcumin reduced the levels of serum β2-MG, UAER, BUN, creatinine as well as the score of renal tubule damage, therefore alleviating the symptoms induced by RIRI. Furthermore, the RIRI model group showed serious congestion and edema in the renal cortex and medulla, whereas the Curcumin + RIRI model group exhibited less renal tissue damage compared with that in the RIRI model group. Moreover, Curcumin enhanced miR-146a expression, while reducing the expression of nNOS, iNOS, cGPM, caspase-3 and PKG as well as the synthesis of NO. Curcumin may exert its effect by reducing the transcriptional efficiency of iNOS promoter, while increasing the transcriptional efficiency of miR-146a promoter. Furthermore, nNOS expression was negatively regulated by miR-146a. The protective effect of Curcumin against RIRI may be mediated by its regulation of cell apoptosis through the miR-146a/nNOS/NO/cGMP/PKG signaling pathway.

Background and objectives Corn germ is a by‐product of corn starch processing, which is rich in nutrients but easy to rancidity. In order to improve the storage stability of corn germ and prevent the metamorphism, raw germ was treated with twin‐screw extruder. Lipase (LA) and lipoxygenase (LOX) activities, free fatty acid (FFA), nutrient composition, microbiology, and microstructure of germ were investigated and the shelf lives were calculated. Findings Extruding doubled the content of SDF, LA activity reduced to 19.42% and LOX activity reduced to 0% at 120°C and 25 Hz. The total bacteria count and mold count of raw germ decreased significantly. FFA of extruded germ increased slower than that of raw germ during storage and the shelf lives were predicted by a mathematical model experiment and it was 13.5 times as raw corn germ while extruded in 25 Hz and 120°C. Conclusions Extrusion stabilization technology did not only keep the nutrients of corn germ, but improve the quality and prolonged the shelf life. Significance and novelty This study could provide an important reference for further research and industrial production of corn germ.

In early corneal examinations, the relationships between the morphological and biomechanical features of the cornea were unclear. Although consistent links have been demonstrated between the two in certain cases, these are not valid in many diseased states. An accurate assessment of the corneal biomechanical properties is essential for understanding the condition of the cornea. Studies on corneal biomechanics in vivo suggest that clinical problems such as refractive surgery and ectatic corneal disease are closely related to changes in biomechanical parameters. Current techniques are available to assess the mechanical characteristics of the cornea in vivo. Accordingly, various attempts have been expended to obtain the relevant mechanical parameters from different perspectives, using the air-puff method, ultrasound, optical techniques, and finite element analyses. However, a measurement technique that can comprehensively reflect the full mechanical characteristics of the cornea (gold standard) has not yet been developed. We review herein the in vivo measurement techniques used to assess corneal biomechanics, and discuss their advantages and limitations to provide a comprehensive introduction to the current state of technical development to support more accurate clinical decisions.