Curcuminoids Target Decreasing Serum Adipocyte-fatty Acid Binding Protein Levels in Their Glucose-lowering Effect in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes.

Whether supplementation of curcuminoids decreases serum adipocyte-fatty acid binding protein (A-FABP) level and whether this decrease benefits glucose control is unclear. One-hundred participants (n=50 administered curcuminoids, n=50 administered placebo) from our previous report on the effect of curcuminoids on type 2 diabetes in a 3-month intervention were assessed for levels of serum A-FABP, oxidative stress, and inflammatory biomarkers. Curcuminoids supplementation led to significant decreases in serum A-FABP, C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukin-6 levels.

Halorubrum laminariae sp. nov., isolated from the brine of salted brown alga Laminaria.

Two halophilic archaeal strains, R60(T) and R61, were isolated from the brine of salted brown alga Laminaria. Cells of the two strains were observed to be rod-shaped, stain Gram-negative and to lyse in distilled water. Strain R60(T) was found to contain gas vacuoles and to produce pink-pigmented colonies, while strain R61 lacked gas vacuoles and produces red-pigmented colonies.

MicroRNA-223 coordinates cholesterol homeostasis.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate a wide variety of biological processes and contribute to metabolic homeostasis. Here, we demonstrate that microRNA-223 (miR-223), an miRNA previously associated with inflammation, also controls multiple mechanisms associated with cholesterol metabolism. miR-223 promoter activity and mature levels were found to be linked to cellular cholesterol states in hepatoma cells.

Halodurantibacterium flavum gen. nov., sp. nov., a non-phototrophic bacterium isolated from an oil production mixture.

Three Gram-negative bacterial strains, DQW12E6-69-1(T), DQW12E61-22-1, and DQW12E6-22-1-1, were isolated from an oil production mixture from Daqing Oilfield, northeastern China. The phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that the three strains formed a stable cluster different from the known genus in Rhodobacteraceae of Alphaproteobacteria. In addition, they were most closely related to species in genera Pararhodobacter, Rhodobacter ,and Rhodobaca with the 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities being 95.

Halovenus rubra sp. nov., isolated from salted brown alga Laminaria.

Halophilic archaeal strain R28(T) was isolated from the brown alga Laminaria produced at Dalian, Liaoning Province, China. The cells of the strain were pleomorphic and lysed in distilled water, stained Gram-negative, and formed red-pigmented colonies. Strain R28(T) was able to grow at 25-50 °C (optimum 42 °C), in the presence of 3.

Halobacterium rubrum sp. nov., isolated from a marine solar saltern.

Halophilic archaeal strain TGN-42-S1(T) was isolated from the Tanggu marine solar saltern, China. Cells from strain TGN-42-S1(T) were observed to be pleomorphic rods, stained Gram-negative, and formed red-pigmented colonies on solid media. Strain TGN-42-S1(T) was found to be able to grow at 20-50 °C (optimum 35-37 °C), at 1.

Halopenitus salinus sp. nov., isolated from the brine of salted brown alga Laminaria.

A halophilic archaeal strain, SKJ47(T), was isolated from a commercial preparation of the brown alga Laminaria produced at Dalian, Liaoning Province, China. Cells of the strain were observed to be short rods, stain Gram-negative, and to form red-pigmented colonies on solid media. Strain SKJ47(T) was found to be able to grow at 20-50 °C (optimum 37 °C), at 0.

Seohaeicola nanhaiensis sp. nov., a moderately halophilic bacterium isolated from the benthic sediment of South China Sea.

An aerobic, Gram-staining negative, non-motile, and rod-shaped bacterial strain, SS011A0-7#2-2(T), was isolated from the sediment of South China Sea with the depth of 1,500 m. Optimum growth occurred at pH 8.0, 30 °C, and 6 % (w/v) NaCl.

One-pot synthesis of polysubstituted 3-acylpyrroles by cooperative catalysis.

One-pot syntheses of polysubstituted 3-acylpyrroles from readily available unsaturated ketones and N-substituted propargylated amines have been developed. An aza-Michael/alkyne carbocyclization cascade, by cooperative catalysis using pyrrolidine and a copper salt, followed by oxidation in situ gave 3-acylpyrroles, which were also transformed further to functionalized, highly substituted 3-acylpyrroles.

Glycocaulis albus sp. nov., a moderately halophilic dimorphic prosthecate bacterium isolated from petroleum-contaminated saline soil.

Two novel bacterial strains, SLG210-30A1(T) and SLG210-19A2, which shared 99.9 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with each other, were isolated from petroleum-contaminated saline soil in Shengli Oilfield, eastern China. Cells were Gram-stain-negative, motile, aerobic, mesophilic and moderately halophilic.

Pulmonary endoderm, second heart field and the morphogenesis of distal outflow tract in mouse embryonic heart.

The second heart field (SHF), foregut endoderm and sonic hedgehog (SHH) signaling pathway are all reported to associate with normal morphogenesis and septation of outflow tract (OFT). However, the morphological relationships of the development of foregut endoderm and expression of SHH signaling pathway members with the development of surrounding SHF and OFT are seldom described. In this study, serial sections of mouse embryos from ED9 to ED13 (midgestation) were stained with a series of marker antibodies for specifically highlighting SHF (Isl-1), endoderm (Foxa2), basement membrane (Laminin), myocardium (MHC) and smooth muscle (α-SMA) respectively, or SHH receptors antibodies including patched1 (Ptc1), patched2 (Ptc2) and smoothened, to observe the spatiotemporal relationship between them and their contributions to OFT morphogenesis.

Haloarchaeobius litoreus sp. nov., isolated from a marine solar saltern.

Two extremely halophilic archaeal strains GX1(T) and GX60 were isolated from the Gangxi marine solar saltern, China. Cells from the two strains were observed to be rod-shaped and stained Gram-negative, with red-pigmented colonies. Strains GX1(T) and GX60 were found to be able to grow at 25-50 °C (optimum 37 °C), at 1.

Salinigranum rubrum gen. nov., sp. nov., a member of the family Halobacteriaceae isolated from a marine solar saltern.

Halophilic archaeal strain GX10(T) was isolated from the Gangxi marine solar saltern in China. Strain GX10(T) was observed to have pleomorphic cells that lysed in distilled water, stained Gram-negative and produced red-pigmented colonies. Strain GX10(T) was able to grow at 20-50 °C (optimum 37 °C), with 1.

Halorubrum salinum sp. nov., isolated from a marine solar saltern.

The halophilic archaeal strain GX71(T) was isolated from the Gangxi marine solar saltern near the Weihai city of Shandong Province, China. Cells of the strain were pleomorphic and lysed in distilled water, stained Gram-negative and formed red-pigmented colonies. Strain GX71(T) was able to grow at 25-45 °C (optimum 30 °C), in the presence of 1.

HIV protein Nef causes dyslipidemia and formation of foam cells in mouse models of atherosclerosis.

Patients with HIV are at an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. In this study we investigated the effect of Nef, a secreted HIV protein responsible for the impairment of cholesterol efflux, on the development of atherosclerosis in two animal models. ApoE(-/-) mice fed a high-fat diet and C57BL/6 mice fed a high-fat, high-cholesterol diet were injected with recombinant Nef (40 ng/injection) or vehicle, and the effects of Nef on development of atherosclerosis, inflammation, and dyslipidemia were assessed.

Natronoarchaeum rubrum sp. nov., isolated from a marine solar saltern, and emended description of the genus Natronoarchaeum.

A halophilic archaeal strain, GX48(T), was isolated from the Gangxi marine solar saltern near Weihai city in Shandong Province, China. Cells of the strain were rod-shaped, stained Gram-negative and formed red-pigmented colonies. Strain GX48(T) was able to grow at 25-50 °C (optimum 37 °C), in the presence of 1.

Halomicroarcula limicola sp. nov., isolated from a marine solar saltern, and emended description of the genus Halomicroarcula.

Halophilic archaeal strain YGHS32T was isolated from the Yinggehai marine solar saltern near Shanya city of Hainan Province, China. Cells of the strain were pleomorphic and lysed in distilled water, stained Gram-negative and formed red-pigmented colonies. Strain YGHS32T was able to grow at 20-50 °C (optimum 37 °C), in the presence of 0.

Haloplanus litoreus sp. nov. and Haloplanus ruber sp. nov., from a marine solar saltern and an aquaculture farm, respectively.

Two halophilic archaea, strains GX21(T) and R35(T), were isolated from a marine solar saltern and an aquaculture farm in China, respectively. Cells of the two strains were observed to be pleomorphic, flat, to contain gas vesicles, stain Gram-negative and produce red-pigmented colonies. Strain GX21(T) was found to be able to grow at 25-50 °C (optimum 37 °C), at 2.

Molecular cloning and characterization of 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase gene from Convolvulus arvensis L.

5-Enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS), the target enzyme for glyphosate inhibition, catalyzes an essential step in the shikimate pathway for aromatic amino acid biosynthesis. The full-length cDNA of 1,751 nucleotides (CaEPSPS, Genbank accession number: EU698030) from Convolvulus arvensis was cloned and characterized. The CaEPSPS encodes a polypeptide of 520 amino acids with a calculated molecular weight of 55.

Prion infection impairs cholesterol metabolism in neuronal cells.

Conversion of prion protein (PrP(C)) into a pathological isoform (PrP(Sc)) during prion infection occurs in lipid rafts and is dependent on cholesterol. Here, we show that prion infection increases the abundance of cholesterol transporter, ATP-binding cassette transporter type A1 (ATP-binding cassette transporter type A1), but reduces cholesterol efflux from neuronal cells leading to the accumulation of cellular cholesterol. Increased abundance of ABCA1 in prion disease was confirmed in prion-infected mice.

Expression of the proto-oncogene Pokemon in colorectal cancer--inhibitory effects of an siRNA.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate expression of the proto-oncogene POK erythroid myeloid ontogenic factor (Pokemon) in colorectal cancer (CRC), and assess inhibitory effects of a small interference RNA (siRNA) expression vector in SW480 and SW620 cells.

Methods: Semi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and immunohistochemistry were performed to determine mRNA and protein expression levels of Pokemon in CRC tissues. Indirect immunofluorescence staining was applied to investigate the location of Pokemon in SW480 and SW620 cells.

Salinarubrum litoreum gen. nov., sp. nov.: a new member of the family Halobacteriaceae isolated from Chinese marine solar salterns.

Three halophilic archaeal strains, XD46(T), YJ-63-S1 and ZS-1-H, were isolated from three Chinese marine solar salterns. All were observed to have pleomorphic cells that lysed in distilled water, stained Gram-negative and formed red-pigmented colonies. They were found to grow optimally at 37 °C, at pH 7.

Haloplanus salinus sp. nov., an extremely halophilic archaeon from a Chinese marine solar saltern.

Halophilic archaeal strain YGH66(T) was isolated from the Yinggehai marine solar saltern near the Sanya city of Hainan Province, China. Cells were pleomorphic, flat, stained Gram-negative, and produced pink-pigmented colonies. Strain YGH66(T) was able to grow at 20-50 °C (optimum 37 °C), at 0.

Taxonomic study of the genera Halogeometricum and Halosarcina: transfer of Halosarcina limi and Halosarcina pallida to the genus Halogeometricum as Halogeometricum limi comb. nov. and Halogeometricum pallidum comb. nov., respectively.

Members of the haloarchaeal genera Halosarcina and Halogeometricum (family Halobacteriaceae) are closely related to each other and show 96.6-98 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity. This is higher than the accepted threshold value (95 %) to separate two genera, and a taxonomic study using a polyphasic approach of all four members of the two genera was conducted to clarify their relationships.