Effects of Site-Directed Mutagenesis of Cysteine on the Structure of Sip Proteins.

, a gram-positive bacteria, has three insecticidal proteins: Vip (vegetative insecticidal protein), Cry (crystal), and Sip (secreted insecticidal protein). Of the three, Sip proteins have insecticidal activity against larvae of Coleoptera. However, the Sip1Aa protein has little solubility in the supernatant because of inclusion bodies.

The Combination Analysis Between Sip1Ab Protein and Brush Border Membrane Vesicles in Midgut of Baly.

The secretory insecticidal protein Sip1Ab and crystal protein Cry8Ca from (Bt) are widely recognized for their coleopteran insecticidal activities. It is worthwhile to investigate the insecticidal mechanisms of these two proteins against Baly, which is a serious pest of cruciferous vegetables in China and other Asian countries. To that end, the genes encoding the Sip1Ab and Cry8Ca proteins were amplified from the strain QZL38 genome, then expressed in , after which bioassays were conducted in larvae.

Vip3Aa domain IV and V mutants confer higher insecticidal activity against Spodoptera frugiperda and Helicoverpa armigera.

Background: The fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda and cotton bollworm Helicoverpa armigera are major insect pests of corn and cotton worldwide. Genetically engineered crops producing Vip3Aa, a potent endotoxin, from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) are effective in controlling these two harmful pests. However, Vip3Aa efficacy is relatively weak compared to that of other Bt proteins such as Cry1A and Cry1F.

Cloning and characterization of the Cry79Aa1 gene from a lepidopteran active strain of Bacillus thuringiensis.

Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) has been used globally as a biopesticide for effective and environmentally friendly pest control. Research has intensified following the development of resistance by lepidopteran species to Bt insecticidal crystal proteins. Discovering new Bt strains with novel toxin properties which can overcome resistance is one of the strategies to improve pesticide sustainability.

Higher levels of C-reactive protein in the acute phase of stroke indicate an increased risk for post-stroke depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Investigations have revealed the association between inflammation and post-stroke depression (PSD). However, whether the C-reactive protein (CRP) level, a biomarker of inflammation, would affect the development of PSD is still controversial.

Methods: A systematic search of databases was performed for eligible studies.

Microbiota-gut-brain axis and Alzheimer's disease: Implications of the blood-brain barrier as an intervention target.

The microbiota-gut-brain axis has emerged as a focal point of biomedical research. Alterations of gut microbiota are involved in not only various immune/inflammatory disorders but also neurological disorders including Alzheimer's disease (AD). The initial stage of the involvement of gut microbiota in the pathogenesis of AD may be the dysfunction of the blood-brain barrier (BBB).

Complete Genome Sequence and Function Gene Identify of Prometryne-Degrading Strain sp. DY-1.

The genus is widely recognized for its potential for environmental remediation and plant growth promotion. sp. DY-1 was isolated from the agricultural soil contaminated five years by prometryne, it manifested an outstanding prometryne degradation efficiency and an untapped potential for plant resistance improvement.

Isolation and Identification of Pseudomonas sp. Strain DY-1 from Agricultural Soil and Its Degradation Effect on Prometryne.

Prometryne is a widely used herbicide in China to control annual grasses and broadleaf weeds. However, the stability of prometryne makes it difficult to be degraded, which poses a threat to human health. This study presents a bacterial strain isolated from soil samples with a prometryne application history, designated strain DY-1.

Gut Microbial Metabolites in Parkinson's Disease: Implications of Mitochondrial Dysfunction in the Pathogenesis and Treatment.

The search for therapeutic targets for Parkinson's disease (PD) is hindered by the incomplete understanding of the pathophysiology of the disease. Mitochondrial dysfunction is an area with high potential. The neurobiological signaling connections between the gut microbiome and the central nervous system are incompletely understood.

Gut Microbiota and Dysbiosis in Alzheimer's Disease: Implications for Pathogenesis and Treatment.

Understanding how gut flora influences gut-brain communications has been the subject of significant research over the past decade. The broadening of the term "microbiota-gut-brain axis" from "gut-brain axis" underscores a bidirectional communication system between the gut and the brain. The microbiota-gut-brain axis involves metabolic, endocrine, neural, and immune pathways which are crucial for the maintenance of brain homeostasis.

A Case With IgG4-Related Spinal Pachymeningitis Causing Spinal Cord Compression.

Immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4)-related disease is a systemic disease characterized by sclerosing lesions and an increased serum IgG4 level. This condition can involve any organ, but IgG4-related spinal pachymeningitis is relatively rare. In the current study, we report a case of spinal cord compression caused by IgG4-related spinal pachymeningitis.

Structure-Based Investigation of Key Residues of Insecticidal Activity of Sip1Aa Protein.

Baly mainly damages cruciferous vegetables, leading to huge economic losses. The secretory insecticidal protein (Sip) of (Bt) has high insecticidal activity against Baly. The tertiary structure of Sip1Aa protein was analyzed by homologous modeling and other bioinformatics methods to predict the conserved domain of Sip1Aa protein.

Association of cognitive impairment and mood disorder with event-related potential P300 in patients with cerebral small vessel diseases.

Objective: Cerebral small vessel diseases (CSVDs) are common causes of cognitive impairments and mood disorders. In recent years, event-related potential P300 has received increasing attention as a biomarker of cognitive impairments or mood disorders. Previous studies on P300 mainly focused on anxiety, depression or cognitive impairments, and few results have been reported on P300 in CSVD patients.

Short-Term Efficacy and Tolerability of Paroxetine Versus Placebo for Panic Disorder: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Objective: To explore the short-term efficacy and tolerability of paroxetine in the treatment of panic disorder in adults.

Methods: Multiple electronic databases were searched to find randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on paroxetine and panic disorder. The primary efficacy outcomes were: the mean change compared to the baseline in the total number of full panic attacks, Clinical Global Impression-Severity of Illness (CGI-S) score, and the proportion of participants with zero full panic attacks and with a 50% or greater reduction in the number of full panic attacks.

Transcriptome profiling analysis of the intoxication response in midgut tissue of Agrotis ipsilon larvae to Bacillus thuringiensis Vip3Aa protoxin.

Vip insecticidal proteins are produced by Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) during its vegetative growth phase. In the present study, Vip3Aa11 and Vip3Aa39 proteins were investigated. These two proteins present 39 amino acid differential sites and they shared 95.

Correction to: In Silico Structure-Based Identification and Validation of Key Residues of Vip3Aa Involving in Lepidopteran Brush Border Receptor Binding.

The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake. The missing acknowledgement is provided below.

In Silico Structure-Based Identification and Validation of Key Residues of Vip3Aa Involving in Lepidopteran Brush Border Receptor Binding.

The vegetative insecticidal proteins (VIPs) of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) have a broad-spectrum insecticidal activity against Lepidopteran pests and no cross-resistance with the insecticidal crystal protein Cry protein. So there are great potentials for the control of agricultural pests and the resolution of resistance problems. The structural information of Vip3Aa protein and the predicted key amino acid sites on the C-terminal domain of Vip3Aa were analyzed with the methods of bioinformatics such as homology modeling and molecular docking.

Limbic encephalitis associated with antibodies against the α-Amino-3-Hydroxy-5-Methyl-4-Isoxazolepropionic acid receptor: a case report.

We report a case of a 51-year-old man with limbic encephalitis (LE) associated with antibodies against the α-Amino-3-Hydroxy-5-Methyl-4-Isoxazolepropionic acid receptor (AMPAR). The patient presented with anterograde memory loss for 2 months. Cranial magnetic resonance and electroencephalogram were normal.

Cry78Aa, a novel Bacillus thuringiensis insecticidal protein with activity against Laodelphax striatellus and Nilaparvata lugens.

Transgenic plants expressing insecticidal proteins originating from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) have successfully been used to control lepidopteran and coleopteran pests with chewing mouthparts. However, only a handful of Bt proteins have been identified that have bioactivity against sap sucking pests (Hemiptera), including aphids, whiteflies, plant bugs and planthoppers. A novel Bt insecticidal protein with significant toxicity against a hemipteran insect pest is described here.

Effects of Site-Mutations Within the 22 kDa No-Core Fragment of the Vip3Aa11 Insecticidal Toxin of Bacillus thuringiensis.

Bacillus thuringiensis vegetative insecticidal proteins (VIPs) are not homologous to other known Cry proteins, and they act against lepidopteran larvae via a unique process. All reported studies on the mode of action of Vip3 proteins have been performed on the Vip3A family, mostly on the Vip3Aa subfamily. Vip3Aa proteins are activated by midgut proteases, and they cross the peritrophic membrane and bind specific proteins in apical membrane epithelial midgut cells, which results in pore formation and, eventually, death to the insects.

Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Anti-Epileptic Medications for Partial Seizures of Epilepsy: A Network Meta-Analysis.

Epilepsy is a brain and neurological disorder with high prevalence. It was reported that more than 70% of epileptic seizures were controlled by anti-epileptic medications, whereas the lack of evidence with respect to head-to-head comparisons motivated researchers to seek alternative approaches that are able to provide deep insights into the profile of anti-epileptic medications. In this study, we performed a network meta-analysis (NMA) to evaluate the efficacy and safety of anti-epileptic medications for partial seizures of epilepsy.

A rare case of oligoastrocytoma with atypical symptoms initially diagnosed as multiple sclerosis: A case report.

Oligoastrocytoma (OA) is an extremely rare tumor that may be difficult to diagnose, as it mimics multiple sclerosis (MS) clinically and radiologically. OA and MS are both space-occupying lesions. The symptoms of OA are complex and depend on tumor location and size.

[Transcriptional regulation of aco gene cluster in Bacillus thuringiensis].

Objective: We analyzed the transcriptional regulation of aco gene cluster and the phenotype of acoR mutant, to determine the effect of acoR deletion on sporulation efficiency and Cry protein production.

Methods: Sequence of aco gene cluster in Bacillus thuringiensis was analyzed by sequence alignment. RT-PCR was carried out to reveal the transcriptional units of the aco gene cluster.