Hotspots of genetic change in Yersinia pestis.

The relative contributions of mutation rate variation, selection, and recombination in shaping genomic variation in bacterial populations remain poorly understood. Here we analyze 3318 Yersinia pestis genomes, spanning nearly a century and including 2336 newly sequenced strains, to shed light on the patterns of genetic diversity and variation distribution at the population level. We identify 45 genomic regions ("hot regions", HRs) that, although comprising a minor fraction of the genome, are hotbeds of genetic variation.

Jianwei Xiaoshi oral liquid attenuates high-calorie diet-induced dyspepsia in immature rats via regulating the pancreatic secretion pathway and maintaining the homeostasis of intestinal microbiota.

Background: Jianwei Xiaoshi oral liquid (JWXS), a classical traditional prescription comprising various edible medicinal plants, has demonstrated significant efficacy in treating paediatric indigestion. It originates from Jianpi Pill, which is developed in the Ming Dynasty and nourishes the spleen and regulates gastrointestinal function. However, the specific molecular mechanisms involved remain unclear.

Covalently crosslinked carboxymethyl chitosan beads containing SiO and ionic polymer for efficient adsorptive removal of methylene blue.

The carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS)-based porous beads are still criticized for their limited number of binding sites, which impairs their efficacy in removing aqueous pollutants. To overcome this challenge, this work introduces the production of covalently crosslinked CMCS-based beads containing SiO and poly(2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid) (PAMPS). The porous composite beads not only possess remarkable stability under acidic conditions, but also have abundant active binding sites for adsorption.

Elevating VAPB-PTPIP51 integration repairs damaged mitochondria-associated endoplasmic reticulum membranes and inhibits lung fibroblasts activation.

Long-term silica exposure to silica dust leads to irreversible pulmonary fibrosis, during which lung fibroblast activation plays an essential role. Mitochondria-associated endoplasmic reticulum membranes (MAMs) is a structural interface for communication between the outer mitochondrial membrane and the endoplasmic reticulum. VAPB-PTPIP51 is a key complex on MAMs.

Cucurbitacin IIb mitigates concanavalin A-induced acute liver injury by suppressing M1 macrophage polarization.

Cucurbitacins are a class of triterpenoid compounds extracted from plants and possess various pharmacological applications. Cucurbitacin IIb (CuIIb), extracted from the medicinal plant Hemsleya amabilis (Cucurbitaceae), has served as a traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of bacterial dysentery and intestinal inflammation. CuIIb has been shown to exhibit anti-inflammatory activity; however, the protective effect of CuIIb against concanavalin A (Con A)-induced acute liver injury (ALI) and the fundamental mechanism remain unelucidated.