Aptamer proximal enzyme cascade reactions for ultrafast detection of glucose in human blood serum.

An innovative colorimetric sensing strategy was developed for the detection of glucose by the integration of glucose aptamer, glucose oxidase (GOx), and horseradish peroxidase (HRP), termed aptamer proximal enzyme cascade reactions (APECR). In the presence of glucose, aptamer binding enables GOx to catalyze glucose oxidation into HO efficiently. Subsequently, the adjacent HRP catalyzes the oxidation of the peroxidase substrate, 2,2'-biazobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), utilizing the generated HO, resulting in a distinct color change.

Genome-wide identification of the WD40 protein family and functional characterization of AaTTG1 in Artemisia annua.

Sweet wormwood (Artemisia annua), an annual herb belonging to the Compositae family, is the main source of the potent anti-malarial drug artemisinin, which is mainly produced in glandular trichomes of A. annua leaves. The WD40 protein family is one of the largest protein families in eukaryotes and plays crucial roles in regulating plant growth and development, stress responses, and secondary metabolite biosynthesis.

Ren-Shen-Bu-Qi decoction alleviates exercise fatigue through activating PI3K/AKT/Nrf2 pathway in mice.

Background: Fatigue is a prevalent issue that can lead individuals to a sub-health condition, impacting their work efficiency and quality of life. There are limited effective treatment options available for fatigue. Ren-Shen-Bu-Qi decoction (RSBQD) is a proprietary herbal remedy that is designed to address fatigue.

Integrating 2D NMR-based metabolomics and in vitro assays to explore the potential viability of cultivated Ophiocordyceps sinensis as an alternative to the wild counterpart.

Ophiocordyceps sinensis is widely used to treat various diseases and as a health supplement. The present study comprehensively compared the metabolic differences between wild and cultivated O. sinensis through 2D H-C HSQC-based metabolomics, and assessed their anti-lung cancer activity on A549 cells.

Z-ligustilide alleviates atherosclerosis by reconstructing gut microbiota and sustaining gut barrier integrity through activation of cannabinoid receptor 2.

Background: Z-Ligustilide (ZL) is an essential phthalide found in Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort, a commonly used traditional Chinese medicine for treating atherosclerosis (AS) clinically. ZL has been shown to be effective in treating AS. However, the underlying mechanism of ZL against AS and its potential targets remain elusive.

Strategies for developing self-assembled nanoparticle vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 infection.

In the recent history of the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak, vaccines have been a crucial public health tool, playing a significant role in effectively preventing infections. However, improving the efficacy while minimizing side effects remains a major challenge. In recent years, there has been growing interest in nanoparticle-based delivery systems aimed at improving antigen delivery efficiency and immunogenicity.

Ge-Zhi-Jie-Jiu decoction alleviates alcoholic liver disease through multiple signaling pathways.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is a growing public health concern caused by excessive alcohol consumption, but effective treatments are limited. Ge-Zhi-Jie-Jiu decoction (JJY) is a modified traditional Chinese herbal remedy that aims to alleviate ALD. This formula contains various components such as Ge Hua, Ge Gen, Zhi Ju Zi, and other medicinal-food herbs.

Visual analysis on ferroptosis and its cross-talk to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Background: Ferroptosis is a new type of programmed cell death. Although ferroptosis has been studied in various aspects, there has been no visual analysis of ferroptosis in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) to date. It is still a global health concern of the COVID-19 pandemic worldwide, three years after its outbreak.

The role of RRS1 in breast cancer cells metastasis and AEG-1/AKT/c-Myc signaling pathway.

Breast cancer is the most common malignant tumor in women. Recurrence, metastasis, and chemotherapy resistance are the main causes of death in breast cancer patients. The inhibition of breast cancer metastasis is of great significance for prolonging its survival.

Relevance and regulation of alternative splicing in plant secondary metabolism: current understanding and future directions.

The secondary metabolism of plants is an essential life process enabling organisms to navigate various stages of plant development and cope with ever-changing environmental stresses. Secondary metabolites, abundantly found in nature, possess significant medicinal value. Among the regulatory mechanisms governing these metabolic processes, alternative splicing stands out as a widely observed post-transcriptional mechanism present in multicellular organisms.

Identification of novel biomarkers for lupus nephritis.

Lupus nephritis (LN) is an autoimmune disease that rapidly progresses as a secondary consequence of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and has a very poor prognosis. Therefore, this study aimed to identify characteristics of immune cell infiltration and investigate potential therapeutic targets using bioinformatics methods and the Murphy Roths Large/lymphoproliferation (MRL/lpr) mouse model. In this study, a total of 2,810 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, which were primarily enriched in inflammatory and immune regulation pathways.

Advances in biosynthesis and metabolic engineering strategies of cordycepin.

, also called as bei-chong-cao, is an insect-pathogenic fungus from the Ascomycota phylum and the Clavicipitaceae family. It is a valuable filamentous fungus with medicinal and edible properties that has been utilized in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and as a nutritious food. Cordycepin is the bioactive compound firstly isolated from and has a variety of nutraceutical and health-promoting properties, making it widely employed in nutraceutical and pharmaceutical fields.

Cordyceps: Alleviating ischemic cardiovascular and cerebrovascular injury - A comprehensive review.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Cordyceps has a long medicinal history as a nourishing herb in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Ischemic cardio-cerebrovascular diseases (CCVDs), including cerebral ischemic/reperfusion injury (CI/RI) and myocardial ischemic/reperfusion injury (MI/RI), are major contributors to mortality and disability in humans. Numerous studies have indicated that Cordyceps or its artificial substitutes have significant bioactivity on ischemic CCVDs, however, there is a lack of relevant reviews.

The Cd resistant mechanism of Proteus mirabilis Ch8 through immobilizing and detoxifying.

Cadmium (Cd) pollution is a serious global environmental problem, which requires a global concern and practical solutions. Microbial remediation has received widespread attention owing to advantages, such as environmental friendliness and soil amelioration. However, Cd toxicity also severely deteriorates the remediation performance of functional microorganisms.

Soft interface confined DNA walker for sensitive and specific detection of SARS-CoV-2 variants.

Nucleic acid detection is conducive to preventing the spread of COVID-19 pandemic. In this work, we successfully designed a soft interface confined DNA walker by anchoring hairpin reporter probes on cell membranes for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 variants. In the presence of target RNA, the cyclic self-assembly reaction occurred between hairpin probes H1 and H2, and the continuous walking of target RNA on cell membranes led to the gradual amplification of fluorescence signal.

Wild Cordyceps proteins reinforce intestinal epithelial barrier through MAPK/NF-κB pathway in MRL/lpr mice.

Objectives: The effects of wild Cordyceps proteins (WCPs) on the gut microbiota and the immune system of MRL/lpr mice were studied.

Methods: The effects of WCP on serum metabolic indexes (total triglyceride, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol) content was measured by a biochemical analyzer. CD4+, CD8+ cells, intestinal inflammation, and intestinal barrier function in MRL/lpr mice were measured by flow cytometry, 16S ribosomal RNA, western blot, and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction RT-PCR.

The Complete Mitochondrial Genome of Pall. (Saxifragales: Paeoniaceae): Evidence of Gene Transfer from Chloroplast to Mitochondrial Genome.

(), a perennial plant renowned for its medicinal roots, provides a unique case for studying the phylogenetic relationships of species based on organelle genomes, as well as the transference of DNA across organelle genomes. In order to investigate this matter, we sequenced and characterized the mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of . Similar to the chloroplast genome (cpgenome), the mitogenome of extends across 181,688 base pairs (bp).

: a review on its botany, phytochemistry, pharmacology, clinical application, toxicology and pharmacokinetics.

-seeds of L. (Rosaceae) (ASA), also known as Kuxingren in Chinese, is a traditional Chinese herbal drug commonly used for lung disease and intestinal disorders. It has long been used to treat coughs and asthma, as well as to lubricate the colon and reduce constipation.

Drugs targeting structural and nonstructural proteins of the chikungunya virus: A review.

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a single positive-stranded RNA virus of the Togaviridae family and Alphavirus genus, with a typical lipid bilayer envelope structure, and is the causative agent of human chikungunya fever (CHIKF). The U.S.

Transcriptome and proteomics conjoint analysis reveal anti-alcoholic liver injury effect of Dianhong Black Tea volatile substances.

Dianhong Black Tea, a fermented tea containing various bioactive ingredients, has been found to have a significant role in alleviating alcoholic liver injury (ALI). One of its main unique components, Dianhong Black Tea volatile substances (DBTVS), may have potential anti-ALI effects. However, its effects and underlying molecular mechanisms are still unknown.

Qinhuo Shanggan oral solution resolves acute lung injury by down-regulating TLR4/NF-B signaling cascade and inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation.

Acute lung injury (ALI) is a common condition, particularly in the COVID-19 pandemic, which is distinguished by sudden onset of respiratory insufficiency with tachypnea, oxygen-refractory cyanosis, reduced lung compliance and diffuse infiltration of pulmonary alveoli. It is well-established that increasing activity of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-B) signaling axis and the NOD-, LRR- and pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome activation are associated with the pathogenesis of ALI. Since ALI poses a huge challenge to human health, it is urgent to tackle this affliction with therapeutic intervention.