A novel directed enzymolysis strategy for the preparation of umami peptides in Stropharia rugosoannulata and its mechanism of taste perception.

This study aimed to explore the effect of directed enzymolysis on the umami characteristics of S. rugosoannulata, clarify the flavour formation mechanism of umami peptides. We expressed a new aminopeptidase (DNPEP) and obtained the umami peptides of S.

A novel mitochondrial function-associated programmed cell death-related prognostic signature for predicting the prognosis of early breast cancer.

To screen mitochondrial function-associated PCD-related biomarkers and construct a risk model for predicting the prognosis of early breast cancer. Data on gene expression levels and clinical information were obtained from the TCGA database, and GSE42568 and GSE58812 datasets were obtained from GEO database. The mitochondrial function-associated programmed cell death (PCD) related genes in early breast cancer were identified, then LASSO logistic regression, SVM-RFE, random forest (RF), and multiple Cox logistic regression analysis were employed to construct a prognostic risk model.

Preclinical evaluation of the SARS-CoV-2 M inhibitor RAY1216 shows improved pharmacokinetics compared with nirmatrelvir.

Although vaccines are available for SARS-CoV-2, antiviral drugs such as nirmatrelvir are still needed, particularly for individuals in whom vaccines are less effective, such as the immunocompromised, to prevent severe COVID-19. Here we report an α-ketoamide-based peptidomimetic inhibitor of the SARS-CoV-2 main protease (M), designated RAY1216. Enzyme inhibition kinetic analysis shows that RAY1216 has an inhibition constant of 8.

A Small Highly Sensitive Glucose Sensor Based on a Glucose Oxidase-Modified U-Shaped Microfiber.

Diabetes patients need to monitor blood glucose all year round. In this article, a novel scheme is proposed for blood glucose detection. The proposed sensor is based on a U-shaped microfiber prepared using hydrogen-oxygen flame-heating technology, and then 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) and glucose oxidase (GOD) are successively coated on the surface of the U-shaped microfiber via a coating technique.

Myricetin possesses the potency against SARS-CoV-2 infection through blocking viral-entry facilitators and suppressing inflammation in rats and mice.

Background: Myricetin (3,5,7-trihydroxy-2-(3,4,5-tri hydroxyphenyl)-4-benzopyrone) is a common flavonol extracted from many natural plants and Chinese herb medicines and has been demonstrated to have multiple pharmacological activities, such as anti-microbial, anti-thrombotic, neuroprotective, and anti-inflammatory effects. Previously, myricetin was reported to target Mpro and 3CL-Pro-enzymatic activity to SARS-CoV-2. However, the protective value of myricetin on SARS-Cov-2 infection through viral-entry facilitators has not yet been comprehensively understood.

Coinfection with influenza virus and non-typeable aggregates inflammatory lung injury and alters gut microbiota in COPD mice.

Background: Acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) is associated with high mortality rates. Viral and bacterial coinfection is the primary cause of AECOPD. How coinfection with these microbes influences host inflammatory response and the gut microbiota composition is not entirely understood.

Integrated network pharmacology analysis, molecular docking, LC-MS analysis and bioassays revealed the potential active ingredients and underlying mechanism of for COVID-19.

("Huang-Qin" in Chinese) is a well-known traditional herbal medicine and popular dietary supplement in the world, extensively used in prescriptions of TCMs as adjuvant treatments for coronavirus pneumonia 2019 (COVID-19) patients in China. According to the differences in its appearance, can be classified into two kinds: ZiQin (1∼3 year-old with hard roots) and KuQin (more than 3 year-old with withered pithy roots). In accordance with the clinical theory of TCM, KuQin is superior to ZiQin in cooling down the heat in the lung.

Characteristics of top management team and Chinese tax planning nexus: Findings from a fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis.

A top management team (TMT) has been identified as one of the key factors driving changes in tax planning strategy. Based on upper echelons theory, this study investigates whether configurations of TMT characteristics influence enterprise tax planning strategy by using the fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA). Using a panel data of China public companies, we found three configurations conducive to aggressive tax planning and two combinations conducive to low tax planning.

Culturing Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) for Diagnosis and Genome Sequencing.

Objective: The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) nucleic acid detection "re-positive" phenomenon is encountered clinically. The accuracy of a viral nucleic acid test is crucial to prevent reintroduction of the virus into the community. This study evaluated the effect of virus culturing on increasing the sensitivity and specificity of real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) detection and viral genomic sequencing.

Liushen Capsules, a promising clinical candidate for COVID-19, alleviates SARS-CoV-2-induced pulmonary in vivo and inhibits the proliferation of the variant virus strains in vitro.

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) causes a global pandemic and has devastating effects around the world, however, there are no specific antiviral drugs and vaccines for the constant mutation of SARS-CoV-2.

Purpose: In this study, we evaluted the antiviral and anti-inflammatory activities of Liushen Capsules (LS) on different novel coronavirus in vitro, studied its therapeutic effects on novel SARS-CoV-2 infected mice and observed the LS's clinical efficacy and safety in COVID-19.

Methods: The antiviral and aiti-inflammatory effects of LS on the 501Y.

The Clinical Effect of High-Flow Oxygen Therapy through the Nose on Patients with Acute Left Heart Failure and Hypoxemia.

Objective: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of nasal high-flow oxygen therapy in patients with acute left heart failure and hypoxemia.

Methods: From July 2016 to November 2018, patients with acute left heart failure complicated with hypoxemia treated in the Department of Critical Medicine of Yantai Affiliated Hospital of Binzhou Medical University were retrospectively observed (a total of 140 cases met the inclusion criteria). They were randomly divided into two groups, with 70 cases in each group.

Proliferation and differentiation study of melatonin functionalized polycaprolactone/gelatin electrospun fibrous scaffolds for nerve tissue engineering.

Melatonin (MLT), a pineal neurohormone with multiple neuroprotective, is often used for peripheral nerve recovery and regenerated nerve proliferation. In this study, Polycaprolactone/Gelatin (PG) fibrous electrospun scaffolds with various percentages of MLT (0, 1, 2, and 4%wt) were fabricated for nerve cell growth, the effects of different concentrations of MLT within PG fibers (PG, PGMLT1, PGMLT2, and PGMLT4) on the proliferation and differentiation for PC12 cells were quantitatively evaluated. The microstructures and morphologies of these scaffolds were analyzed by FE-SEM and digital camera.

Effect of Jinzhen granule on two coronaviruses: The novel SARS-CoV-2 and the HCoV-229E and the evidences for their mechanisms of action.

Background: Although severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and human coronavirus 229E (HCoV-229E) pose a huge threat to human public health, no specific treatment is available. Jinzhen granule (JZ) is a traditional eight ingredients-Chinese medicine with prominent efficacy for treating viral-induced diseases. However, little is known about the antiviral effect and mechanism of JZ against SARS-CoV-2 and HCoV-229E.

Identification of natural compounds as SARS-CoV-2 entry inhibitors by molecular docking-based virtual screening with bio-layer interferometry.

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which enter the host cells through the interaction between its receptor binding domain (RBD) of spike glycoprotein with angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor on the plasma membrane of host cell. Neutralizing antibodies and peptide binders of RBD can block viral infection, however, the concern of accessibility and affordability of viral infection inhibitors has been raised. Here, we report the identification of natural compounds as potential SARS-CoV-2 entry inhibitors using the molecular docking-based virtual screening coupled with bilayer interferometry (BLI).

Postpartum extracorporeal membrane oxygenation of a woman with COVID-19-related acute respiratory distress syndrome: A case report.

Introduction: Patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) may develop acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). There have been few reports of postpartum woman with ARDS secondary to COVID-19 who required respiratory support using veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). We present the case of a 31-year-old woman who was admitted to hospital at 35 weeks gestation with ARDS secondary to COVID-19 and required ECMO during the postpartum period.

Isoforskolin Alleviates AECOPD by Improving Pulmonary Function and Attenuating Inflammation Which Involves Downregulation of Th17/IL-17A and NF-κB/NLRP3.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, is widely considered to be related to cigarette smoke (CS), and viral infections trigger acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD). Isoforskolin (ISOF) is a bioactive component from the plant , native to Yunnan in China. It has been demonstrated that ISOF has anti-inflammatory effect on acute lung injury animal models.

Efficacy and safety of ReDuNing injection as a treatment for COVID-19 and its inhibitory effect against SARS-CoV-2.

Background: Although the rapid emergence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) poses a considerable threat to global public health, no specific treatment is available for COVID-19. ReDuNing injection (RDN) is a traditional Chinese medicine known to exert antibacterial, antiviral, antipyretic, and anti-inflammatory effects. In addition, RDN has been recommended in the diagnosis and treatment of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-associated pneumonia by the National Health Council and the National Administration of Chinese Medicine.

Correlation of adhesion molecules and non-typeable haemophilus influenzae growth in a mice coinfected model of acute inflammation.

Primary influenza virus (IV) infection can predispose hosts to secondary infection with Haemophilus influenzae (H. influenzae), which further increases the severity and mortality of the disease. While adhesion molecules play a key role in the host inflammatory response and H.

Highly Ordered 3D Tissue Engineering Scaffolds as a Versatile Culture Platform for Nerve Cells Growth.

Tissue engineering scaffolds provide an encouraging alternative for nerve injuries due to their biological support for nerve cell growth, which can be used for neuronal repair. Nerve cells have been reported to be mostly cultured on 2D scaffolds that cannot mimic the native extracellular matrix. Herein, highly ordered 3D scaffolds are fabricated for nerve cell culture by melt electrospinning writing, the microstructures and geometries of the scaffolds could be well modulated.

Lianhuaqingwen capsule inhibits influenza-induced bacterial adhesion to respiratory epithelial cells through down-regulation of cell adhesion molecules.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Influenza virus infection is widely believed to cause mild symptoms, but can lead to high mortality and severe disease complicated by secondary bacterial pneumonia. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been proposed as a promising agent to treat respiratory viral infections. A herbal formula Lianhuaqingwen capsule (LHQW) comprising two prescriptions: Maxing Shigan decoction and Yinqiao San, has been used clinically to treat respiratory infection with immune regulatory effects.

Hypoxia enhances the production and antitumor effect of exosomes derived from natural killer cells.

Background: Exosomes are a subgroup of extracellular vesicles that are naturally released by almost all types of cells. However, the factors that promote the capacity of natural killer (NK) cells to release exosomes are unclear. In this study, we investigated whether hypoxia can enhance the yield of NK cell-derived exosomes and improve the immunotherapeutic effects of these cells.

Relationship between changes in the course of COVID-19 and ratio of neutrophils-to-lymphocytes and related parameters in patients with severe . common disease.

To assess the relationship between the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and related parameters to the severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) symptoms. Clinical data from 38 COVID-19 patients who were diagnosed, treated and discharged from the Qishan Hospital in Yantai over the period from January to February 2020 were analysed. NLR and procalcitonin (PCT) were determined in the first and fourth weeks after their admission, along with the clinical characteristics and laboratory test results of these patients.