Function Analysis of the ERF and DREB Subfamilies in Tomato Fruit Development and Ripening.

APETALA2/ethylene responsive factors (AP2/ERF) are unique regulators in the plant kingdom and are involved in the whole life activity processes such as development, ripening, and biotic and abiotic stresses. In tomato (), there are 140 AP2/ERF genes; however, their functionality remains poorly understood. In this work, the 14th and 19th amino acid differences in the AP2 domain were used to distinguish DREB and ERF subfamily members.

Synaptotagmin-11 inhibits spontaneous neurotransmission through vti1a.

Recent work has revealed that spontaneous release plays critical roles in the central nervous system, but how it is regulated remains elusive. Here, we report that synaptotagmin-11 (Syt11), a Ca -independent Syt isoform associated with schizophrenia and Parkinson's disease, suppressed spontaneous release. Syt11-knockout hippocampal neurons showed an increased frequency of miniature excitatory post-synaptic currents while over-expression of Syt11 inversely decreased the frequency.

Mechanoresponsive Smad5 Enhances MiR-487a Processing to Promote Vascular Endothelial Proliferation in Response to Disturbed Flow.

MicroRNAs (miRs) and bone morphogenetic protein receptor-specific Smads are mechano-responsive molecules that play vital roles in modulating endothelial cell (EC) functions in response to blood flow. However, the roles of interplay between these molecules in modulating EC functions under flows remain unclear. We elucidated the regulatory roles of the interplay between miR-487a and Smad5 in EC proliferation in response to different flow patterns.

Comparison of infection rate with tunneled vs standard external ventricular drainage: A prospective, randomized controlled trial.

Objectives: A prospective, blinded, randomized trial was performed to evaluate the incidence rates of external ventricular drainage (EVD)-related infection (ERI) after tunneled EVD (T-EVD) and standard EVD (S-EVD).

Patients And Methods: From February 2018 to February 2019, all adult patients admitted to the Union Hospital Neurosurgery Center for EVD placement were eligible for inclusion. After the application of strict exclusion criteria, all enrolled patients were randomly divided into two groups.

Recombinant Expression and Bioactivity Comparison of Four Typical Fungal Immunomodulatory Proteins from Three Main Ganoderma Species.

Background: More than a dozen of fungal immunomodulatory proteins (FIPs) have been identified to date, most of which are from Ganoderma species. However, little is known about the similarities and differences between different Ganoderma FIPs' bioactivities. In the current study, two FIP genes termed FIP-gap1 and FIP-gap2 from G.

Exosomal miR-214-5p Released from Glioblastoma Cells Modulates Inflammatory Response of Microglia after Lipopolysaccharide Stimulation through Targeting CXCR5.

Background And Objective: Exosomes communicate inter-cellularly and miRNAs play critical roles in this scenario. MiR-214-5p was implicated in multiple tumors with diverse functions uncovered. However, whether miR-214-5p is mechanistically involved in glioblastoma, especially via exosomal pathway, is still elusive.

Induction of microRNA-10a using retinoic acid receptor-α and retinoid x receptor-α agonists inhibits atherosclerotic lesion formation.

Background And Aims: MicroRNA (miR)-10a is a shear-regulated miR with the lowest expression in vascular endothelial cells (ECs) in athero-susceptible regions with oscillatory shear stress (OS). The aim of this study is to elucidate the relationship between EC miR-10a and atherosclerosis and develop a hemodynamics-based strategy for atherosclerosis treatment.

Methods: A combination of in vitro flow system and in vivo experimental animals was used to examine the functional roles of EC miR-10a and its clinical applications in atherosclerosis.

Structural characterisation and ACE-inhibitory activities of polysaccharide from Blume.

The structural properties and Angiotensin-I converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition activities of a polysaccharide (PGE) extracted from Blume were investigated. PGE was extracted using hot water and purified by Sephadex G-200 followed by ultra-filtration. The structural characterisation of PGE was analysed by FT-IR, NMR spectroscopy, specific rotation determination, periodate oxidation-smith degradation, methylation analysis, GC-MS and Congo red test.

Structural properties and antioxidant activities of polysaccharide from fruit bodies of .

A polysaccharide named PNP was extracted and purified from The total sugar content of PNP was 95.29% and the molecular weight was 1.89 × 10 kDa.

Structural characterization and inhibition on α-glucosidase activity of acidic polysaccharide from Annona squamosa.

The crude polysaccharide (TASP3) was extracted from the fruit pulp of Annona squamosa and then isolated and purified by the combination of grading-alcoholic precipitation and Sephadex G-200. The structure of purified polysaccharide (GASP3-3-I) was determined based on the physicochemical and instrumental analyses. The results indicated that GASP3-3-I was an acidic heteropolysaccharide and its average molecular weight was 2.

Characterization and lymphocyte proliferation activity of an oligosaccharide degraded from Astragalus polysaccharide.

An Astragalus oligosaccharide (AOS) degraded from Astragalus polysaccharide (APS) and purified by membrane dialysis and silicon gel chromatography is studied in this paper. The structural features of AOS were investigated by a combination of chemical and instrumental analysis, such as monosaccharide analysis, periodate oxidation-Smith degradation, methylation analysis, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The results indicated that AOS is an octasaccharide that consists of (3→)-linked-Rha, (1→3)-linked-Rha, (1→3,4)-linked-Araf, (1→3)-linked-Gal, terminal-linked-Gal and terminal-linked-Glc.

Integrin-YAP/TAZ-JNK cascade mediates atheroprotective effect of unidirectional shear flow.

The Yorkie homologues YAP (Yes-associated protein) and TAZ (transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif, also known as WWTR1), effectors of the Hippo pathway, have been identified as mediators for mechanical stimuli. However, the role of YAP/TAZ in haemodynamics-induced mechanotransduction and pathogenesis of atherosclerosis remains unclear. Here we show that endothelial YAP/TAZ activity is regulated by different patterns of blood flow, and YAP/TAZ inhibition suppresses inflammation and retards atherogenesis.

Molecular cloning and expression of an encoding galactinol synthase gene (AnGolS1) in seedling of Ammopiptanthus nanus.

Based on the galactinol synthase (AnGolS1) fragment sequence from a cold-induced Suppression Subtractive Hybridization (SSH) library derived from Ammopiptanthus nanus (A. nanus) seedlings, AnGolS1 mRNA (including the 5' UTR and 3' UTR) (GenBank accession number: GU942748) was isolated and characterized by rapid amplification of cDNA ends polymerase chain reaction (RACE-PCR). A substrate reaction test revealed that AnGolS1 possessed galactinol synthase activity in vitro and could potentially be an early-responsive gene.

Preparation and activity evaluation of chrysin-β-D-galactopyranoside.

Chrysin-β-D-galactopyranoside was efficiently synthesized, evaluated for its inhibitory activities against H22 cell lines compared with chrysin, the scavenging of hydroxyl radical, DPPH radical and superoxide anion, inhibitory effect against bacteria and fungi. The structures of all compounds were fully characterized by spectroscopic data (NMR, MS). The anti-tumor, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of chrysin-β-D-galactopyranoside were proved to be enhanced significantly compared with chrysin.

Epigenetic Suppression of GADs Expression is Involved in Temporal Lobe Epilepsy and Pilocarpine-Induced Mice Epilepsy.

Recent studies have shown that histone acetylation is involved with the regulation of enzyme glutamate decarboxylases (GADs), including GAD67 and GAD65. Here, we investigated the histone acetylation modifications of GADs in the pathogenesis of epilepsy and explored the therapeutic effect of a novel second-generation histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi) JNJ-26481585 in epilepsy animals. We revealed the suppression of GADs protein and mRNA level, and histone hypoacetylation in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy and pilocarpine-induced epilepsy mice model.

Effects of the ultra-high pressure on structure and α-glucosidase inhibition of polysaccharide from Astragalus.

A novel homogeneous polysaccharide fraction (APS) was extracted from Astragalus by hot water and purified by Sephadex G-100 and G-75 column. Its molecular weight was 693kDa. APS and APS with ultra-high pressure treatment exhibited significant inhibitory abilities on a-glucosidase, inhibition rate from high to low in order was 400MPa-APS, 300MPa-APS, 500MPa-APS and APS.

Characterization of LpGPAT gene in Lilium pensylvanicum and response to cold stress.

LpGPAT was obtained from L. pensylvanicum using RT-PCR and rapid amplification of cDNA ends. The cloned full-length cDNA was 1544 bp; it encoded 410 amino acids and had a molecular size of 46 KDa.

MicroRNA mediation of endothelial inflammatory response to smooth muscle cells and its inhibition by atheroprotective shear stress.

Rationale: In atherosclerotic lesions, synthetic smooth muscle cells (sSMCs) induce aberrant microRNA (miR) profiles in endothelial cells (ECs) under flow stagnation. Increase in shear stress induces favorable miR modulation to mitigate sSMC-induced inflammation.

Objective: To address the role of miRs in sSMC-induced EC inflammation and its inhibition by shear stress.

Effect of ultrasonic treatment on structure and antitumor activity of mycelial polysaccharides from Cordyceps gunnii.

Taking mycelial polysaccharides from Cordyceps gunnii (C. gunnii) as the study subject, the effect of ultrasonic power, time and concentration of polysaccharides on antitumor activity of the polysaccharides was investigated. The ultrasonic processing condition of the polysaccharides was optimized by using orthogonal test design, and determined to be 400 W, 15 min and 1g/L.

Comparative evaluation of polysaccharides isolated from Astragalus, oyster mushroom, and yacon as inhibitors of α-glucosidase.

The incidence of diabetes has increased considerably, and become the third serious chronic disease following cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Though acarbose, metformin, and 1-deoxynojirimycin have good efficacy for clinical application as hypoglycemic drugs, their expensive costs and some degree of side effects have limited their clinical application. Recently, increasing attention has concentrated on the polysaccharides from natural plant and animal sources for diabetes.

Synthesis and antitumor activity evaluation of chrysin derivatives.

A series of 5,7-disubstituted chrysin, 7-monosubstituted chrysin, 5-monosubstituted chrysin derivatives were synthesized by alkylation, acetylation, benzoylation, carboxymethylation, and evaluated on their antitumor activity of H22 cells in the search for potential antitumor agents. Among them, compound 3 (5,7-diacetyl chrysin) displayed the most potent antitumor activity with IC50 value of 141 μM. Moreover, there is significant up-regulation of G2 in cell cycle of H22.

Regulation of fibrillar collagen-mediated smooth muscle cell proliferation in response to chemical stimuli by telomere reverse transcriptase through c-Myc.

Human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) and oncogene c-Myc have been shown to regulate cell proliferation. Our previous studies demonstrated that fibrillar collagen mediates vascular smooth muscle cell (SMC) cycle progression and proliferation in response to platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB and interleukin (IL)-1β. However, whether hTERT and c-Myc are involved in these fibrillar collagen-mediated SMC responses remain unclear.