Synthesis and antifungal activity of novel amide derivatives from quinic acid against the sweet potato pathogen Ceratocystis fimbriata.

Background: Ceratocystis fimbriata is a fungal pathogen that infects sweet potato roots, producing enormous economic losses. Cyclic polyhydroxy compound quinic acid is a common metabolite synthesized in plant tissues, including sweet potato tubers, showing weak antifungal properties. Although several O-acylated quinic acid derivatives have been synthesized and found in nature and their antifungal properties have been explored, derivatives based on modification of the carboxylic acid have never been evaluated.

Production of recombinant human type I collagen homotrimers in CHO cells and their physicochemical and functional properties.

Collagen is the most abundant protein in human and mammalian structures and is a component of the mammalian extracellular matrix (ECM). Recombinant collagen is a suitable alternative to native collagen extracted from animal tissue for various biomaterials. However, due to the limitations of the expression system, most recombinant collagens are collagen fragments and lack triple helix structures.

Xylan acetate ester ameliorates ulcerative colitis through intestinal barrier repair and inflammation inhibition via regulation of macrophage M1 polarization.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory disease resulting from abnormal immune response to gut microflora translocating through damaged intestinal barrier. Xylan acetate ester (XylA) can increase colon short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) levels and alleviate kidney disease by inhibiting inflammation through the G protein-coupled receptor pathway. Here, we synthesized and purified XylA, and then the effects and mechanisms of XylA on dextran sodium sulfate-induced UC in mice were investigated.

Possible Role of Cellular Polyamine Metabolism in Neuronal Apoptosis.

Recent studies have shown that cellular levels of polyamines (PAs) are significantly altered in neurodegenerative diseases. Evidence from in vivo animal and in vitro cell experiments suggests that the cellular levels of various PAs may play important roles in the central nervous system through the regulation of oxidative stress, mitochondrial metabolism, cellular immunity, and ion channel functions. Dysfunction of PA metabolism related enzymes also contributes to neuronal injury and cognitive impairment in many neurodegenerative diseases.

Status and developmental trends in recombinant collagen preparation technology.

Recombinant collagen is a pivotal topic in foundational biological research and epitomizes the application of critical bioengineering technologies. These technological advancements have profound implications across diverse areas such as regenerative medicine, organ replacement, tissue engineering, cosmetics and more. Thus, recombinant collagen and its preparation methodologies rooted in genetically engineered cells mark pivotal milestones in medical product research.

Treating solid tumors with TCR-based chimeric antigen receptor targeting extra domain B-containing fibronectin.

Background: The suppression of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells by the tumor microenvironment (TME) is a crucial obstacle in the T-cell-based treatment of solid tumors. Extra domain B (EDB)-fibronectin is an oncofetal antigen expressed on the endothelium layer of the neovasculature and cancer cells. Though recognized as a T cell therapy target, engineered CAR T cells thus far have failed to demonstrate satisfactory in vivo efficacy.

Extraction and characterization of polysaccharide from fermented mycelia of Coriolus versicolor and its efficacy for treating nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Coriolus versicolor, a popular traditional Chinese medicinal herb, is widely used in China to treat spleen and liver diseases; however, the beneficial effects of C. versicolor polysaccharides (CVPs) on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) remain elusive. Herein we isolated and purified a novel CVP (molecular weight, 17,478 Da) from fermented mycelium powder.

Synthesis and structural characterization of xylan acetate ester and its antinephritic effects in rats with experimental chronic kidney disease.

Acetic acid has been shown to be effective in chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, it is a low-molecular-weight compound that allows it to be absorbed in the upper digestive tract so that it cannot function in colon. To overcome these deficiencies, an acetate-releasing xylan derivative, xylan acetate ester (XylA), was synthesized and selected in this study for its potential in the treatment of CKD.

Astragalus polysaccharide ameliorates vascular endothelial dysfunction by stimulating macrophage M2 polarization via potentiating Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway.

Background: Oxidative stress and chronic non-infectious inflammation caused vascular endothelial dysfunction (VED) is a critical and initiating factor in Type 2 diabetes induced vascular complications, while macrophage polarization plays a regulatory role in VED. Astragalus polysaccharide (APS) has been widely used for treating diabetic vascular diseases, but its mechanisms of action have not been fully elucidated.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the modulatory effects of APS on macrophage polarization and to reveal the potential mechanisms of APS in LPS and HG stimulated macrophages and diabetic model rats.

Efficacy and Safety of Wuling Powder in the Treatment of Patients with Diabetic Nephropathy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Wuling powder is a classical formula of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), which is extensively applied to treat diabetic nephropathy (DN). However, there are no related reports on systematically evaluating the efficacy of Wuling powder in the treatment of DN. Targeted at this, this study was developed.

CAR-T-Cell Therapy for Solid Tumors Positive for Fibronectin Extra Domain B.

(1) Background: The lack of specific targets has slowed the progress of CAR-T in treating solid tumors. Recent studies have revealed that EDB-FN (fibronectin extra domain B) may be an effective target for CAR-T treatment of solid tumors; EDB-FN is expressed in tumor and embryonic tissues, and antibody-cytokine fusion proteins targeting EDB-FN have been developed. However, the therapeutic effects of BBz CAR-engineered T-cells targeting EDB-FN in solid tumors have not been evaluated.

Heparosan-based self-assembled nanocarrier for zinc(II) phthalocyanine for use in photodynamic cancer therapy.

Zinc(II) phthalocyanine (ZnPc) is a promising photosensitizer in photodynamic therapy (PDT) for melanoma treatment. However, the poor solubility of ZnPc limits its application. To overcome this limitation, heparosan (HP)-based nanoparticles were prepared by anchoring the l-lysine-linked α-linolenic acid branch to the carboxylic acid group to produce amphiphilic conjugates named heparosan with an l-lysine-linked α-linolenic acid branch (HLA).

Mucin-fused myeloid-derived growth factor (MYDGF164) exhibits a prolonged serum half-life and alleviates fibrosis in chronic kidney disease.

Background And Purpose: Although no effective therapy is available to stop or reverse CKD progression targeting its key feature, the loss of peritubular capillaries (PTCs) leading to interstitial fibrosis, myeloid-derived growth factor (MYDGF) with tissue-repairing activities enlightens its therapeutic potential for CKD. However, the extremely short circulatory lifetime (15 min) restricts its application.

Experimental Approach: We selected a tandem repeated (TR) region of human CD164 as a carrier to fuse with MYDGF and then investigated for biophysical and pharmacokinetic changes.

Preparation and characterization of 2-deacetyl-3-O-sulfo-heparosan and its antitumor effects via the fibroblast growth factor receptor pathway.

Heparosan, with a linear chain of disaccharide repeating units of → 4) β-D-glucuronic acid (GlcA) (1 → 4)-α-D-N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) (1→, is a potential starting chemical for heparin synthesis. However, the chemoenzymatic synthesis of single-site sulfated heparosan and its antitumor activity have not been studied. In this study, 2-deacetyl-3-O-sulfo-heparosan (DSH) was prepared successively by the N-deacetylation chemical reaction and enzymatic modification of human 3-O-sulfotransferase-1 (3-OST-1).

Toll-like receptor 3 ablation prevented high-fat diet-induced obesity and metabolic disorder.

Inflammation in insulin-sensitive tissues (e.g., liver, visceral adipose tissue [VAT]) plays a major role in obesity and insulin resistance.

A visible and near-infrared dual-fluorescent probe for discrimination between Cys/Hcy and GSH and its application in bioimaging.

Biothiols such as cysteine (Cys), homocysteine (Hcy) and glutathione (GSH) play important roles in various physiological and pathological processes, and due to their similar structures and reaction activities, it is still challenging to simultaneously discriminate between GSH and Cys/Hcy in vivo. Hence, a novel fluorescent probe for simultaneously discriminating GSH and Cys/Hcy in biological samples is highly desirable. Herein, we presented two enhanced fluorescent probes (Cy1 and Cy2) with doubly-activated dual emission for sensitive and discriminative detection of Cys/Hcy and GSH.

Ambient PM chronic exposure leads to cognitive decline in mice: From pulmonary to neuronal inflammation.

Fine particulate matter 2.5 (PM), one of the main components of air pollutants, seriously threatens human health. Possible neuronal dysfunction induced by PM has received extensive attention.

Isolation, structural characterization of polysaccharide from Cephalosporium sinensis mycelia and its anti-nephritic effects in adenine-induced CKD rats.

In this study, a new polysaccharide (CSMP, Mw = 16,685 Da) was isolated and purified from Cephalosporium sinensis mycelia. Monosaccharide composition analysis indicated that CSMP consists of mannose, glucose and galactose. A detailed structural analysis revealed that CSMP has a backbone consisting of →2,6)-β-D-Manp-(1→ and →3,6)-β-D-Manp-(1→, as well as two branched chains including of α-D-Manp-(1→6)-α-D-Glcp-(1→ and α-D-Glcp-(1→4)-α-D-Glcp-(1→3)-β-D-Galp-(1→2)-β-D-Manp-(1→ attached to C6 of →2,6)-β-D-Manp-(1→ and →3,6)-β-D-Manp-(1→.

IL-1R alleviates cognitive deficits through microglial M2 polarization in AD mice.

The neuroinflammatory response is considered a crucial event in the pathology of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Neurotoxic amyloid β (Aβ) oligomers activate neuronal glial cells, leading to the elevated generation of a large variety of inflammatory factors. Therefore, the regulation of interleukin-1 receptor (IL-1R) activity is believed to be a potential target for AD therapy.

An orally administered butyrate-releasing xylan derivative reduces inflammation in dextran sulphate sodium-induced murine colitis.

Butyrate has been shown to be effective in ulcerative colitis (UC). However, its oral administration is rare due to its rancid odour and unpleasant taste. In this study, the effect of a butyrate-releasing polysaccharide derivative, xylan butyrate ester (XylB), was evaluated in a dextran sodium sulphate (DSS)-induced UC model in C57BL/6 mice.

[Role of Hippo signaling pathway in mice hypospadias induced by vinclozolin].

Objective: To observe the role of Hippo signaling pathway in mice hypospadias induced by vinclozolin.

Methods: After 8 weeks of ICR mice were conceived, they were divided randomly into the treatment and the control groups(10 for each group). Vinclozolin was orally administraed to the pregnant mice in the treatment group with 400 mg/(kg·d) during gestation days 12-18, while those of the control group were treated with equal volume of soybean oil.

Structural characterization and anti-inflammatory effect in hepatocytes of a galactoglucan from mycelium.

The galactoglucan ACP2 was isolated from cultured mycelium through anion-exchange column chromatography and Sephadex G-100 chromatography and shown to exhibit hepatoprotective function in L02 cells. Based on monosaccharide composition analysis, ACP2 was mainly composed of glucose, galactose, and 6-deoxyglucose in a molar ratio of 5 : 2 : 1. The average molecular weight of ACP2 was 1.

(+)-JQ1 attenuated LPS-induced microglial inflammation via MAPK/NFκB signaling.

Background: Microglia activation is a crucial event in neurodegenerative disease. The depression of microglial inflammatory response is considered a promising therapeutic strategy. NFκB signaling, including IKK/IκB phosphotylation, p65 nucelus relocalization and NFκB-related genes transcription are prevalent accepted to play important role in microglial activation.

Immunohistochemical quantification of expression of a tight junction protein, claudin-7, in human lung cancer samples using digital image analysis method.

Background And Objectives: Tight junction proteins are correlated with cancer development. As the pivotal proteins in epithelial cells, altered expression and distribution of different claudins have been reported in a wide variety of human malignancies. We have previously reported that claudin-7 was strongly expressed in benign bronchial epithelial cells at the cell-cell junction while expression of claudin-7 was either altered with discontinued weak expression or completely absent in lung cancers.