Cucurbitacin B suppresses hepatocellular carcinoma progression through inducing DNA damage-dependent cell cycle arrest.

Background: The mortality rate of liver cancer ranks third in the world, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a malignant tumor of the digestive tract. Cucurbitacin B (CuB), a natural compound extracted from Cucurbitaceae spp., is the main active component of Chinese patent medicine the Cucurbitacin Tablet, which has been widely used in the treatment of various malignant tumors in clinics, especially HCC.

Mouse Models of Orofacial Clefts: SHH and TGF-β Pathways.

Birth defects have always been one of the most important diseases in medical research as they affect the quality of the birth population. Orofacial clefts (OFCs) are common birth defects that place a huge burden on families and society. Early screening and prevention of OFCs can promote better natal and prenatal care and help to solve the problem of birth defects.

Compound-composed Chinese medicine of Huachansu triggers apoptosis of gastric cancer cells through increase of reactive oxygen species levels and suppression of proteasome activities.

Background: Huachansu (HCS), a known Chinese patent drug extracted from the Chinese toad skin, is frequently used for the treatment of various advanced cancers, especially gastric cancer, due to the good therapeutic effect. However, it is rather difficult to clarify the active substances and molecular mechanisms involved owing to the lack of appropriate research strategies. We recently proposed the concept and research ideas of compound-composed Chinese medicine formula.

Recent advances of bioactive proteins/polypeptides in the treatment of breast cancer.

Proteins do not only serve as nutrients to fulfill the demand for food, but also are used as a source of bioactive proteins/polypeptides for regulating physical functions and promoting physical health. Female breast cancer has the highest incidence in the world and is a serious threat to women's health. Bioactive proteins/polypeptides exert strong anti-tumor effects and exhibit inhibition of multiple breast cancer cells.

Recent status of sesaminol and its glucosides: Synthesis, metabolism, and biological activities.

is a major and important oilseed crop that is believed to promote human health in many countries, especially in China. Sesame seeds contain two types of lignans: lipid-soluble lignans and water-soluble glucosylated lignans. The major glucosylated lignans are sesaminol glucosides (SGs).

Polyamine homeostasis-based strategies for cancer: The role of combination regimens.

Spermine, spermidine and putrescine polyamines are naturally occurring ubiquitous positively charged amines and are essential metabolites for biological functions in our life. These compounds play a crucial role in many cell processes, including cellular proliferation, growth, and differentiation. Intracellular levels of polyamines depend on their biosynthesis, transport and degradation.

Implications of Virtual CBCT-Based Immediate Implant Planning for Maxillary and Mandibular First Molars.

The purpose of his study was to investigate the projected ridge-implant dimensions derived from virtual superimposition of implants on intact first molars mimicking immediate implantation in the mandible (Md1) and maxilla (Mx1) using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). The CBCT records of 41 patients (19 males and 22 females) with Md1 or Mx1 were collected. Ten-millimeter-long cylindrical implants with different diameters were virtually positioned at prosthetically ideal angles into interradicular septum using CBCT software.

Morphologic analysis of alveolar bone in maxillary and mandibular incisors on sagittal views.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to analyze the morphologic features of alveolus in relatively healthy maxillary and mandibular incisors using cone-beam-computed tomography (CBCT).

Methods: CBCT images of 318 patients were retrospectively acquired. Alveolar bone in incisive area was divided into: type 1 (thick), type 2 (relatively thick with mono-plate concavity), type 3 (thin with double-plate concavities), and type 4 (vulnerably thin).

-Glycosylated immunomodulatory protein improved anti-inflammatory activity inhibition of the p38 MAPK pathway.

The global health emergency generated by coronavirus disease-2019 has prompted the search for immunomodulatory agents. There are many potential natural products for drug discovery and development to tackle this disease. One of these candidates is the Ganoderma lucidum fungal immunomodulatory protein (FIP-glu).

Immunostimulatory effects of the intracellular polysaccharides isolated from liquid culture of Ophiocordyceps sinensis (Ascomycetes) on RAW264.7 cells via the MAPK and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Chinese Cordyceps (DongChong XiaCao), a parasitic complex of a fungus Ophiocordyceps sinensis and a caterpillar, is a traditional Chinese medicine. Polysaccharides extracted from O. sinensis have immunomodulatory effects on macrophages.

Allergy-Related Sialodochitis: A Preliminary Cohort Study.

Objectives/hypothesis: To explore the clinically feasible diagnosis criteria and treatment outcomes of allergy-related sialodochitis (ARS).

Study Design: Prospective Cohort Study.

Methods: Ninety-six consecutive patients were enrolled by the following criteria: 1) recurrent swelling of ≥2 large salivary glands that lasted for ≥3 months; 2) with mucus plug exudations; 3) with atopic diseases; 4) ductal stenosis and/or ectasia.

Treatment strategy of hilar and intraglandular stones in wharton's duct: A 12-year experience.

Objectives/hypothesis: To suggest a strategy for transoral removal of hilar and intraparenchymal submandibular stones.

Study Design: Retrospective case series.

Methods: Retrospective evaluation was performed for 514 consecutive patients with hilar and intraparenchymal submandibular stones treated via endoscopy-assisted surgery from January 2006 to June 2018.

Immunomodulatory activity of Ganoderma lucidum immunomodulatory protein via PI3K/Akt and MAPK signaling pathways in RAW264.7 cells.

Ganoderma lucidum immunomodulatory protein (FIP-glu) is an active ingredient with potential immunoregulatory functions. The study was conducted to explore the immunomodulatory activities of recombinant FIP-glu (rFIP-glu) and its possible mechanism in macrophage RAW264.7 cells.

Cloning and Characterization of Promoters of the Fungal Immunomodulatory Protein Genes from Ganoderma spp. (Agaricomycetes) and Their Response to Methyl Jasmonate and Salicylic Acid.

Ganoderma mushrooms for medicinal use contain various bioactive compounds, but the genetic elements available for these medicinal mushrooms are still limited. In this study we cloned and analyzed the promoters of fungal immunomodulatory protein (FIP) genes from G. lucidum and G.

Production and functional characterization of a novel fungal immunomodulatory protein FIP-SN15 shuffled from two genes of Ganoderma species.

Fungal immunomodulatory protein (FIP), extracted from higher basidiomycetes, is a kind of small molecule protein with extensive biological functions, including anti-tumor and anti-allergy, stimulating immune cells to produce a variety of cytokines, etc. Compared with FIP-glu, FIP-SN15, a novel gene shuffled from the genes of Ganoderma sinensis and Ganoderma lucidum FIP, was used as the object in this study. Based on the construction of prokaryotic expression vectors, both pET30a-FIP-glu and pET30a-FIP-SN15 were expressed in Escherichia coli.

Cloning and analysis of a functional promoter of fungal immunomodulatory protein from Flammulina velutipes.

Fugal immunomodulatory protein from Flammulina velutipes (FIP-fve) belongs to FIPs family, which has precious pharmaceutical value. To understand the regulatory mechanism of FIP-fve expression, we have cloned a 900 bp genomic DNA fragment from the transcriptional start site of the FIP-fve gene using genomic walker technology. Sequence analysis showed the presence of several eukaryotic transcription factor binding motifs in the 900 bp of upstream region of the FIP-fve gene, which contains one putative TATA-boxes, four possible CAAT-boxes, one ABRE, one ARE, three CGTCA-motifs, two TGA-elements and four Skn-1 motifs.

Expression and characteristic of the Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase gene from the insect parasitizing fungus Cordyceps militaris.

A Cu/Zn-superoxide dismutase (SOD) gene was characterized from Cordycepes militaris by gene cloning, heterogeneous expression and function analysis. This 154-aa SOD (CmSOD) was deduced from a 465-bp gene cloned, showing 72-95 % sequence identity to Cu/Zn-SODs from other fungi. The deduced amino acid sequence of the cDNA is highly similar to Beauveria bassiana (95 %), Isaria tenuipes (94 %) and Claviceps purpurea (88 %), respectively.

In vitro rapid evolution of fungal immunomodulatory proteins by DNA family shuffling.

Fungal immunomodulatory proteins (FIPs) found in a wide variety of mushrooms hold significant therapeutic potential. Despite much research, the structural determinants for their immunomodulatory functions remain unknown. In this study, a DNA shuffling technique was used to create two shuffled FIP protein libraries: an intrageneric group containing products of shuffling between FIP-glu (FIP gene isolated from Ganoderma lucidum) and FIP-gsi (FIP gene isolated from Ganoderma sinense) genes and an intergeneric group containing the products of shuffling between FIP-glu, FIP-fve (FIP gene isolated from Flammulina velutipes), and FIP-vvo (FIP gene isolated from Volvariella volvacea) genes.

Recent status and prospects of the fungal immunomodulatory protein family.

With the exception of polysaccharides and triterpenes/triterpenoids compounds, fungal immunomodulatory protein (FIP), a small molecule protein, is also an important bioactive component with immune regulating activity. It plays a significant role in immunomodulating. The objective of this paper was to review the latest advances in various aspects of research on FIPs, including their basic components and structural character, characters of diversity, gene cloning and expression, and their biological function, etc.