The CYP2D subfamily catalyses the metabolism of about 25% of prescribed drugs, including the majority of antidepressants and antipsychotics. At present, the mechanism of hepatic CYP2D regulation remains largely unknown. This study investigated the role of sex steroid hormones in CYP2D regulation. For this purpose, Cyp2d22 expression was assessed in the distinct phases of the estrous cycle of normocyclic C57BL/6J (WT) female mice. Cyp2d22 was also evaluated in ovariectomised WT and CYP2D6-humanized (hCYP2D6) mice that received hormonal supplementation with either 17β-estradiol (E2) and/or progesterone. Comparisons were also made to male mice. The data revealed that hepatic Cyp2d22 mRNA, protein and activity levels were higher at estrous compared to the other phases of the estrous cycle, and ovariectomy repressed Cyp2d22 expression in WT mice. Tamoxifen, an antiestrogenic compound, also repressed hepatic Cyp2d22 via activation of GH/STAT5b and PI3k/AKT signalling pathways. Both hormones prevented the ovariectomy-mediated Cyp2d22 repression. In case of progesterone, this may be mediated by inhibition of the PI3k/AKT/FOX01 pathway. Notably, Cyp2d22 mRNA levels in WT males were similar to those in ovariectomised mice, and were markedly lower compared to females at estrous, a differentiation potentially regulated by the GH/STAT5b pathway. Sex steroid hormone-related alterations in Cyp2d22 mRNA expression were highly correlated with Hnf1a mRNA. Interestingly, fluctuations in Cyp2d22 in hippocampus and cerebellum followed those in liver. In contrast to WT mice, ovariectomy induced hepatic CYP2D6 expression in hCYP2D6 mice, whereas E2 and/or P prevented this induction. Apparently, sex steroid hormones display a significant gender- and species-specific role in the regulation of CYP2D.Gestational diabetes mellitus increases the risk of dysglycemia postpartum in part due to pancreatic β-cell dysfunction. However, no histological evidence exists comparing endocrine pancreas after healthy and glucose intolerant pregnancies. This study sought to address this knowledge gap, in addition to exploring the contribution of an inflammatory environment to changes in endocrine pancreas after parturition. We used a previously established mouse model of gestational glucose intolerance induced by dietary low protein insult from conception until weaning. Pancreas and adipose samples were collected at 7, 30 and 90 days postpartum for histomorphometric and cytokine analyses, respectively. Glucose tolerance tests were performed prior to euthanasia and blood was collected via cardiac puncture. Pregnant female mice born to dams fed a low-protein diet previously shown to develop glucose intolerance at late gestation relative to controls continued to be glucose intolerant until 1 month postpartum. However, glucose tolerance normalized by 3 months postpartum. Glucose intolerance at 7 days postpartum was associated with lower beta- and alpha-cell fractional areas and higher adipose levels of proinflammatory cytokine, interleukin-6.  https://www.selleckchem.com/products/cnqx.html  By 3 months postpartum, a compensatory increase in the number of small islets and a higher insulin to glucagon ratio likely enabled euglycemia to be attained in the previously glucose intolerant mice. The results show that impairments in endocrine pancreas compensation in hyperglycemic pregnancy persist after parturition and contribute to prolonged glucose intolerance. These impairments may increase the susceptibility to development of future type 2 diabetes.Biochar is increasingly considered in addressing bioprocess issues due to its strong adsorbability and excellent compatibility to microbes. Here, biochar was first applied in aerobic solid-state fermentation (SSF) for erythritol production. Biochars derived from different agricultural wastes under various pyrolysis temperatures were evaluated, and wheat straw pyrolyzed at 300 °C (WSc) performed the best in enhancing fermentative erythritol production, with a dosage of 4% (w/w). In this procedure, cell-biochar-substrate "microzones" were formed, which was conductive to cell growth and attachment, and hence contributed enhanced enzyme activities, oil consumption, and erythritol production. The resultant erythritol productions of batch and fed-batch fermentations were 207.3 and 222.5 mg/gds, respectively. In repeated-batch fermentation, high cell viability and robust erythritol synthesis were maintained throughout seven cycles. This study demonstrates that SSF can be remarkably facilitated by biochar addition, suggesting a new perspective of biochar application in microbiological processes. Biofouling frequently causes catalyst deterioration at the cathode of microbial fuel cells (MFCs). A biofilm-covered Pt/C cathode (BPC) was fabricated via in situ cultivation of a biofilm on a Pt/C cathode (PC) in a dual-chambered MFC, which enables effective removal of NH4+-N and copious generation of electricity. Experimental results show 99% NH4+-N removal by the nitrifying bacteria that constitute 35.7% of all microorganisms on the BPC and a maximum BPC-MFC power density of 0.97 W/m2, which is comparable to that of PC-MFCs (0.99 W/m2). BPC biofilm size is restricted by the limited amount of organic material in the cathode chamber, which constrains the biomass to less than 0.3 g protein /m2. The bifunctional-cathode equipped MFC shows great promise as an energy-saving technology for wastewater treatment in the future. This study analyzed the feasibility and effects of exogenous epiphytic microbiota on the fermentation quality and microbial community of whole crop corn. Gamma irradiated whole crop corn was ensiled with distilled water (STR), extracted microbiota of whole crop corn (WCC), Napier grass (NAP), forage sorghum (FS) or Sudan grass (SUD). WCC significantly increased LA concentration and decreased the pH during early ensiling. FS had significantly higher LA and lower pH during terminal ensiling. NAP caused higher pH and AA followed by the SUD silage. During 3 d of ensiling WCC and FS silage was dominated by Lactobacillus and Lactococcus while Weissella dominated NAP and SUD silage. Terminal silage was dominated by Lactobacillus in FS and Acinetobacter in NAP while Lactobacillus, Acetobacter, Acinetobacter and Sphingobium dominated WCC and SUD silage. The study demonstrated that FS microbiota transplantation positively influenced the microbial community and fermentation quality of whole crop corn silage as compared to other microbiota.