From Random Perturbation to Precise Targeting: A Comprehensive Review of Methods for Studying Gene Function in Species.

, a genus of fungi known for its fermentation capability and production of bioactive compounds, such as azaphilone pigments and Monacolin K, have received considerable attention because of their potential in biotechnological applications. Understanding the genetic basis of these metabolic pathways is crucial for optimizing the fermentation and enhancing the yield and quality of these products. However, spp.

Effective enhancement of the ability of Monascus pilosus to produce lipid-lowering compound Monacolin K via perturbation of metabolic flux and histone acetylation modification.

Monacolin K (MK), also known as lovastatin, is a polyketide compound with the ability to reduce plasma cholesterol levels and many other bio-activities. Red yeast rice (also named Hongqu) rich in MK derived from Monascus fermentation has attracted widespread attention due to its excellent performance in reducing blood lipids. However, industrial Monascus fermentation suffers from the limitations such as low yield of MK, long fermentation period, and susceptibility to contamination.

Breviscapine alleviates myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury in diabetes rats.

Purpose: To investigate the protective effect of breviscapine on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI) in diabetes rats.

Methods: Forty rats were divided into control, diabetes, MIRI of diabetes, and treatment groups. The MIRI of diabetes model was established in the latter two groups.

Two types of coumarins-specific enzymes complete the last missing steps in pyran- and furanocoumarins biosynthesis.

Pyran- and furanocoumarins are key representatives of tetrahydropyrans and tetrahydrofurans, respectively, exhibiting diverse physiological and medical bioactivities. However, the biosynthetic mechanisms for their core structures remain poorly understood. Here we combined multiomics analyses of biosynthetic enzymes in and functional verification and identified two types of key enzymes critical for pyran and furan ring biosynthesis in plants.

Study on the Distribution of Low Molecular Weight Metabolites in Mango Fruit by Air Flow-Assisted Ionization Mass Spectrometry Imaging.

Mass spectrometry imaging is a novel molecular imaging technique that has been developing rapidly in recent years. Air flow-assisted ionization mass spectrometry imaging (AFAI-MSI) has received wide attention in the biomedical field because of its features such as not needing a pretreatment sample, having high sensitivity, and wide coverage of metabolite detection. In this study, we set up a mass spectrometry imaging method for analyzing low molecular metabolites in mango fruits by the AFAI-MSI method.

Cellulose Hollow Annular Nanoparticles Prepared from High-Intensity Ultrasonic Treatment.

Cellulose nanomaterials, such as cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs), have received enormous attention in various material research fields due to their unique properties and green/sustainable nature, among other qualities. Herein, we report hollow-type annular cellulose nanocrystals (HTA-CNCs), which are generated by following a high-intensity ultrasonic treatment. The advanced aberration-corrected transmission electron microscopy results reveal that HTA-CNCs exhibit ring structures with a typical diameter of 10.

Effects of S100 calcium-binding protein A8 (S100A8) and S100 calcium-binding protein A9 (S100A9) on matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) expression in nasopharyngeal carcinoma CNE-2 cells.

Background: Studies have shown that S100A8 and S100A9 are highly expressed in a variety of tumors, including NPC, and are associated with tumor invasion and migration. MMPs are associated with the invasion and migration of tumor cells. To further investigate the mechanism by which S100A8 and S100A9 affect the invasion and migration of NPC cells, the present study examined the effects of S100A8 and S100A9 on MMPs in NPC CNE-2 cells.

Exploring structural variations of hydrogen-bonding patterns in cellulose during mechanical pulp refining of tobacco stems.

Hydrogen bonding and mechanical refining are closely correlated. In this work, structural variations of hydrogen bonding patterns in cellulose during mechanical pulp refining, including the hydrogen bonding energy and distance as well as the content of hydrogen bonds, have been explored by using the second derivative FTIR spectra and deconvolving spectra in the OH stretching vibrational region. Results show that except for the bond distance, both the hydrogen bonding energy and the content of hydrogen bonds exhibit a significant variation at an increasing beating degree.

Exploring crystalline structural variations of cellulose during pulp beating of tobacco stems.

In this work, crystalline structural variations of cellulose during pulp beating of tobacco stems were characterized through X-ray diffraction (XRD) and FT-IR spectroscopy. The results showed that the correlation between the cellulose crystallinity index and the degree of beating was not a linear but an initially upward and then downward trend followed by a repeating fluctuation as a result of the beating action on amorphous regions first and then on crystalline cellulose. It was proposed that the whole beating process might be presumably divided into two phases in the case of the evolution of the crystallinity index.

Measuring the Gap: A Health Assessment of Rural Chinese Children Compared to Urban Children.

China is a large country where rapid development is accompanied by growing inequalities. How economic inequalities translate to health inequalities is unknown. Baseline health assessment is lacking among rural Chinese children.

Recombinant human neuregulin-1β is protective against radiation-induced myocardial cell injury.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of recombinant human neuregulin-1β (rhNRG-1β) in the repair of the radiation-induced damage of myocardial cells and the underlying mechanism. Rats were divided into the radiotherapy alone group, the rhNRG-1β group (radiotherapy with rhNRG‑1β treatment) and the Herceptin group (radiotherapy with Herceptin treatment), and their myocardial cells were analyzed. The morphology of the myocardial cells was observed under an optical microscope, and the expression of γ‑H2AX and p53 was analyzed using immunohistochemistry and western blot analysis.

Releasing nitrogen from ammoniated lignin by white rot fungus cometabolizes environmental pollutants.

The nitrogen-modified lignocelluloses(NML) produced under oxic ammoniation was metabolized by white rot fungus, NH4(+) -N was released, NO3(-) -N concentration was decreased and total nitrogen loss was blocked within incubation period. During releasing nitrogen from the metabolism of NML, white rot fungus cometabolized recalcitrant environmental pollutants and showed higher degradation capability. Results indicated that this NML complex colonized by white rot fungus might be effective with economic feasibility when they are applied into the vast field ecosystem, it might stabilize NH4+ nitrogen flux and bioremediate the polluted environmental sites.