Natural products with anti-tumorigenesis potential targeting macrophage.

Background: Inflammation is a risk factor for tumorigenesis. Macrophage, a subset of immune cells with high plasticity, plays a multifaceted role in this process. Natural products, which are bioactive compounds derived from traditional herbs or foods, have exhibited diverse effects on macrophages and tumorigenesis making them a valuable resource of drug discovery or optimization in tumor prevention.

Effects of Anthraquinones on Immune Responses and Inflammatory Diseases.

The anthraquinones (AQs) and derivatives are widely distributed in nature, including plants, fungi, and insects, with effects of anti-inflammation and anti-oxidation, antibacterial and antiviral, anti-osteoporosis, anti-tumor, etc. Inflammation, including acute and chronic, is a comprehensive response to foreign pathogens under a variety of physiological and pathological processes. AQs could attenuate symptoms and tissue damages through anti-inflammatory or immuno-modulatory effects.

miR-146a-5p-mediated suppression on trophoblast cell progression and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in preeclampsia.

Objective: This study aims to identify the effect of miR-146a-5p on trophoblast cell invasion as well as the mechanism in preeclampsia (PE).

Methods: Expression levels of miR-146a-5p and Wnt2 in preeclamptic and normal placentae were quantified. Trophoblast cells (HTR-8) were separately transfected with miR-146a-5p mimic, miR-146a-5p inhibitor, pcDNA3.

Association of the Polymorphism of rs1799822 on Carnitine Palmitoyltransferase II Gene with Severe Enterovirus 71 Encephalitis in Chinese Children.

Mutations of the CPT2 gene cause CPT2 deficiency and affect the β-oxidation of fatty acids. This study examined the consequence of a polymorphism of rs1799822 in the CPT2 gene with respect to EV71 encephalitis in Chinese children. The study included 406 cases of both mild and severe EV71 infection diagnosed by RT-PCR, together with controls (n = 348).

A case of Pitt-hopkins Syndrome with de novo mutation in TCF4: Clinical features and treatment for epilepsy.

Pitt-Hopkins syndrome (PTHS), belonging to the group of 18q-syndromes, is a rare genetic disorder caused by mutations in TCF4. PTHS is characterized by distinctive facial appearance, intermittent hyperventilation, intellectual disability and developmental delay. Although patients with PTHS generally have various systemic symptoms, most of them with a TCF4 mutation manifest the central nervous system (CNS) disorders.

[The expression and antibody preparation of S100A10 protein].

Objective: To prepare S100A10 protein and its specific polyclonal antibody.

Methods: The full-length gene fragment of S100A10 was amplified by PCR, and then cloned into pET28a(+) prokaryotic expression vector. After transformation, the vector was induced to express the recombinant (S100A10)(2) protein by IPTG in E.

Association of CPT II gene with risk of acute encephalitis in Chinese children.

Background: Mutations of the CPT II gene cause CPT II deficiency, an inborn metabolic error affecting mitochondrial fatty acid β-oxidation. Associations and mechanisms of CPT II gene with acute encephalitis need to be elucidated. We aimed to investigate the associations of CPT II gene variants and CPT II activity with development of acute encephalitis.