Protection against Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Endotoxemia by Terrein Is Mediated by Blocking Interleukin-1β and Interleukin-6 Production.

Terrein is a fungal metabolite and has been known to exert anti-melanogenesis, anti-cancer, and anti-bacterial activities. However, its role in endotoxemia has never been investigated until now. In the present study, we examined the effect of terrein on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced endotoxemia in mice and characterized the potential mechanisms of action.

Targeted Induction of Endogenous VDUP1 by Small Activating RNA Inhibits the Growth of Lung Cancer Cells.

Recent studies have reported that small double-strand RNAs (dsRNAs) can activate endogenous genes via an RNA-based promoter targeting mechanism termed RNA activation (RNAa). In the present study, we showed that dsVDUP1-834, a novel small activating RNA (saRNA) targeting promoter of vitamin D up-regulated protein 1 (VDUP1) gene, up-regulated expression of VDUP1 at both mRNA and protein levels in A549 lung cancer cells. We also demonstrated that dsVDUP1-834 inhibited cell proliferation in A549 lung cancer cells.

subsp. YB0411 Inhibits Adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 Pre-adipocytes and Reduces High-Fat-Diet-Induced Obesity in Mice.

Although the health benefits of probiotics have been widely known for decades, there has still been limited use of probiotic bacteria in anti-obesity therapy. Herein, we demonstrated the role of subsp. YB0411 (YB, which was selected by an adipogenesis assay) in adipogenic differentiation in 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes.

Discovery of 5-Phenoxy-2-aminopyridine Derivatives as Potent and Selective Irreversible Inhibitors of Bruton's Tyrosine Kinase.

As a member of the tyrosine protein kinase Tec (TEC) family, Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) is considered a promising therapeutic target due to its crucial roles in the B cell receptor (BCR) signaling pathway. Although many types of BTK inhibitors have been reported, there is an unmet need to achieve selective BTK inhibitors to reduce side effects. To obtain BTK selectivity and efficacy, we designed a novel series of type II BTK inhibitors which can occupy the allosteric pocket induced by the DFG-out conformation and introduced an electrophilic warhead for targeting Cys481.

Two-port cholecystectomy maintains safety and feasibility in benign gallbladder diseases: a comparative study.

Purpose: In an effort to overcome the limitations of single-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) while preserving the cosmetic benefits of reduced ports cholecystectomy, we have developed a 2-port LC that allows for the full, unrestricted use of 4 laparoscopic instruments.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed data of patients who had undergone either 4-port LC or 2-port LC for benign gallbladder diseases between March 2007 and March 2013. Two incisions of 2-port LC were composed of an umbilical incision as the manner of single-port laparoscopic surgery and a 5-mm epigastric incision.