The efficient green bio-manufacturing of Vitamin K: design, production and applications.

Vitamin K, also known as methylnaphthoquinone, is a crucial fat-soluble nutrient necessary for the human body. The biological production of Vitamin K has received widespread attention due to its environmental friendliness and maneuverability in recent years. This review provides insights into the modular metabolic pathways of Vitamin K, lays the foundation for microbial metabolic flow balancing, cofactor engineering and dynamic regulation, and realizes the production of Vitamin K by synthesizing artificial cells from scratch.

A new mountain pitviper of the genus Burger in Hoge & Romano-Hoge, 1981 (Serpentes, Viperidae) from Yunnan, China.

Based on a molecular phylogenetic analysis and morphological comparison, a new species of mountain pitviper, , is described. The new species was collected in Yingjiang County, Yunnan Province, China. It can be distinguished from congeneric species by the following characters: (1) internasals in contact or separated by one small scale; (2) second supralabial entire and bordering the loreal pit; (3) dorsal scales in 23 (25)-21 (23, 25)-19 (17, 21) rows; (4) 134-142 ventrals; (5) 40-52 pairs of subcaudals; (6) third supralabial larger than fourth in all examined specimens of ; (7) deep orange-brown or dark brownish-grey markings on dorsal head surface; (8) background color of dorsal surface deep orange-brown or dark brownish-grey; (9) both sides of dorsum display dark brown trapezoidal patches; (10) scattered small white spots on dorsal surface of tail.

Identity of the holotype and type locality of (Wall, 1923) (Colubridae: Natricinae), with notes on the morphology and natural history of the species in southwestern China.

The original description of (currently ) by Frank Wall in 1923, based on a specimen from the "Upper Burma Hills," lacked important morphological details that have complicated the assignment of recently collected material. Furthermore, although the holotype was never lost, its location has been misreported in one important taxonomic reference, leading to further confusion. We report the correct repository of the holotype (Natural History Museum, London), together with its current catalog number.

Exploring cryptic biodiversity in a world heritage site: a new pitviper (Squamata, Viperidae, Crotalinae) from Jiuzhaigou, Aba, Sichuan, China.

This study presents a comprehensive morphological comparison along with molecular phylogeny of the genus based on five mitochondrial genes (12S, 16S, COI, cytb, and ND4). The specimens collected from Jiuzhaigou National Nature Reserve are shown to be a new species, Zhang, Shi, Jiang & Shi based on a combination of morphological and molecular accounts. differs from other congeneric species by a series of diagnostic morphological characteristics and forms a strongly supported monophyletic group.

An equation to estimate 24-hour total urine protein excretion rate in patients who underwent urine protein testing.

Background: The urine protein-creatinine ratio (UPCR) in a spot first-morning urine sample is used to estimate 24-h urine proteinuria (24hUP) in patients who underwent urine protein testing. UPCR cannot be directly compared with 24-h proteinuria. Thus, an equation to estimate 24-h total protein excretion rate, using age, gender, and the UPCR may improve its bias and accuracy in patients who underwent urine protein testing.

Molecular phylogenetic analysis of the genus (Squamata, Viperidae, Crotalinae), with description of two new alpine species from Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, China.

We provide a molecular phylogeny of Asian pit vipers (the genus ) based on four mitochondrial genes (12S, 16S, ND4, and cytb). Sequences of , the only member of the genus that occurs south of the Himalayan range, are included for the first time. In addition, two new species of the genus are described based on specimens collected from Zayu, Tibet, west of the Nujiang River and Heishui, Sichuan, east of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.

A sheep in wolf's clothing: sp. nov. (Squamata, Colubridae) and its possible mimicry to .

Based on combined morphological and osteological characters and molecular phylogenetics, we describe a new species of the genus that was discovered from the south slope of the Qinling Mountains, Shaanxi, China, namely It is distinguished from the other congeners by a combination of the following characters: dorsal scales in 21-21-17 rows, the medial 11 rows keeled; 202-204 ventral scales, 67-68 subcaudals; two preoculars (including one subpreocular); two postoculars; two anterior temporals, three posterior temporals; reduced numbers of maxillary teeth (9+2) and dentary teeth (12); sharp cutting edges on the posterior or posterolateral surface of the rear maxillary teeth and dentary teeth; dorsal head yellow, three distinct markings on the head and neck; a distinct black labial spot present in supralabials; dorsum yellow, 46-49 complete (or incomplete) large black-edged reddish brown blotches on the body and 12-19 on the tail, two rows of smaller blotches on each ventrolateral side; ventral scales yellow with mottled irregular black blotches, a few irregular small red spots dispersed on the middle of the ventral. Based on molecular phylogenetic analyses, the new species forms the sister taxon to . The discovery of this new species increases the number of the recognized species in the genus to 17.

HLA Alleles and Prognosis of PLA2R-Related Membranous Nephropathy.

Background And Objectives: Associations between HLA alleles and susceptibility to M-type phospholipase A2 receptor (PLA2R)-related membranous nephropathy have been well defined previously in Chinese patients. However, the relationships between HLA alleles and kidney outcome remain unclear.

Design, Setting, Participants, & Measurements: Five HLA genes (DRB1, DQA1, DQB1, DRB3, and DRB5) were genotyped in a prospective cohort of 392 patients with PLA2R-related membranous nephropathy.

Multiple lines of evidence reveal a new species of Krait (Squamata, Elapidae, ) from Southwestern China and Northern Myanmar.

Kraits of the genus Daudin 1803 are widely known venomous snakes distributed from Iran to China and Indonesia. Here, we use a combination of mitochondrial DNA sequence data and morphological data to describe a new species from Yingjiang County, Yunnan Province, China: . Phylogenetically, this species forms a monophyletic lineage sister to the // complex based on cyt and ND4 genes but forms a sister species pair with the species Wall & Evans, 1901 based on COI gene fragments.

Renoprotection Provided by Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 Inhibitors in Combination with Angiotensin Receptor Blockers in Patients with Type 2 Diabetic Nephropathy.

Background: Treatment with the dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP4i) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) in patients with type 2 diabetic nephropathy (DN) has not been well characterized. This study aimed to assess the renoprotection of this combined treatment in DN patients.

Methods: A total of 159 type 2 DN patients from 2013 to 2015 were enrolled retrospectively from a prospective DN cohort at the National Clinical Research Center of Kidney Diseases, Jinling Hospital (China).

Evaluating tacrolimus treatment in idiopathic membranous nephropathy in a cohort of 408 patients.

Background: The KDIGO Clinical Practice Guidelines for Glomerulonephritis recommended tacrolimus as an alternative regimen for the initial therapy for Idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN), however, large observational studies evaluating tacrolimus treatment in IMN remains rare.

Methods: A total of 408 consecutive IMN patients with nephrotic syndrome who were treated with tacrolimus in Jinling Hospital were included. The effectiveness and safety of tacrolimus treatment in IMN were analyzed in this study.

HLA-DRB1*15:01 and HLA-DRB3*02:02 in PLA2R-Related Membranous Nephropathy.

Idiopathic membranous nephropathy (MN) is associated with HLA; however, the HLA allele involved remains unknown. To identify the HLA risk alleles associated with phospholipase A2 receptor (PLA2R)-related MN in the Chinese population, we sequenced the entire MHC region in DNA samples from 99 patients with PLA2R-related MN, 50 patients with PLA2R-unrelated MN, and 100 healthy subjects. Two HLA risk alleles, HLA-DRB1*15:01 and HLA-DRB3*02:02, independently and strongly associated with an increased risk of PLA2R-related MN.

Cystatin C is a moderate predictor of acute kidney injury in the early stage of traumatic hemorrhagic shock.

Patients with traumatic hemorrhagic shock are highly susceptible to the development of acute kidney injury (AKI), but little data are available regarding the changes in cystatin C (CysC) in patients with traumatic hemorrhagic shock. The aim of the present study, therefore, was to investigate whether CysC has a higher value than serum creatinine (SCr) and urea for use in monitoring glomerular function in traumatic hemorrhagic shock. Data from a cohort of patients with traumatic hemorrhagic shock, who had been admitted to a trauma center, were collected.

Isolation and characterization of Gibberella intermedia CA3-1, a novel and versatile nitrilase-producing fungus.

Nitrilase-mediated biocatalysis has attracted substantial attention for its application in carboxylic acid production in recent years. In the present study, the fungus CA3-1 was isolated and identified as Gibberella intermedia based on its morphology, its 18S ribosomal DNA (rDNA), and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences. The enzymatic properties of G.

Fungal His-tagged nitrilase from Gibberella intermedia: gene cloning, heterologous expression and biochemical properties.

Background: Nitrilase is an important member of the nitrilase superfamiliy. It has attracted substantial interest from academia and industry for its function of converting nitriles directly into the corresponding carboxylic acids in recent years. Thus nitrilase has played a crucial role in production of commercial carboxylic acids in chemical industry and detoxification of nitrile-contaminated wastes.

Effects of Salusin-β on action potential and ionic currents in ventricular myocytes of rats.

Aim: Salusin-β is a regulatory peptide that exerts negative inotropic effect on ventricular muscle, but its electrophysiological effects on ventricular myocytes are still unknown.

Methods: Action potential and channel currents such as sodium current (I(N) (a) ), transient outward potassium current (I(to) ), steady-state potassium current (I(sus) ), sodium-calcium exchange current (I(N) (aCa) ) and inward rectifier potassium current (I(K) (1) ) were measured in ventricular myocytes isolated from 12 to 16 weeks rats by whole-cell voltage-clamp techniques.

Results: Salusin-β dose-dependently shortened the duration of action potential in rat ventricular myocytes.

[Analyze on volatile compounds of Antrodia camphorata using HS-SPME-GC-MS].

Objective: To analyze the volatile compounds of Antrodia camphorata in solid-state and submerged cultures.

Methods: A headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(GC-MS) were used to evaluate the profile of the volatile compounds.

Results: 49 volatile compounds were identified in A.

Optimization of fermentation medium for triterpenoid production from Antrodia camphorata ATCC 200183 using artificial intelligence-based techniques.

In this study, alteration in morphology of submergedly cultured Antrodia camphorata ATCC 200183 including arthroconidia, mycelia, external and internal structures of pellets was investigated. Two optimization models namely response surface methodology (RSM) and artificial neural network (ANN) were built to optimize the inoculum size and medium components for intracellular triterpenoid production from A. camphorata.

Isolation, identification, and culture optimization of a novel glycinonitrile-hydrolyzing fungus-Fusarium oxysporum H3.

Microbial transformation of glycinonitrile into glycine by nitrile hydrolase is of considerable interest to green chemistry. A novel fungus with high nitrile hydrolase was newly isolated from soil samples and identified as Fusarium oxysporum H3 through 18S ribosomal DNA, 28S ribosomal DNA, and the internal transcribed spacer sequence analysis, together with morphology characteristics. After primary optimization of culture conditions including pH, temperature, carbon/nitrogen sources, inducers, and metal ions, the enzyme activity was greatly increased from 326 to 4,313 U/L.

Inhibition of L-type calcium currents by salusin-beta in rat cardiac ventricular myocytes.

Salusin-beta is a new regulatory peptide relevant to the cardiovascular system and exerts negative inotropic effect on ventricular muscle. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether salusin-beta can inhibit cardiac L-type calcium channel current (I(Ca,L)). Using whole-cell voltage-clamp techniques, I(Ca,L) was measured in ventricular myocytes isolated from 12 to 16 weeks rats.

Association of obestatin with blood pressure in the third trimesters of pregnancy.

Obestatin is a recently discovered 23-amino acid peptide encoded by the same gene that encodes ghrelin. It has been reported that there is a significant negative correlation between the plasma ghrelin concentration and systemic blood pressure in patients with pregnancy-induced hypertension. We investigated the plasma concentration of obestatin in 18 non-pregnant women, 18 normal pregnant women, and 15 patients with pregnancy-induced hypertension.