Publications by authors named "Li-jun Xu"

Eggshell translucency is a widespread issue in the field of egg quality. Previous research has established that the heritability of eggshell translucency is relatively low or moderate. Scientists have also successfully identified SNP loci related to eggshell translucency on different chromosomes by using gene chips and single-variant GWAS.

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In recent years, gut microbiota has become a hot topic in the fields of medicine and life sciences. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), the main metabolites of gut microbiota produced by microbial fermentation of dietary fiber, play a vital role in healthy and ill hosts. SCFAs regulate the process of metabolism, immune, and inflammation and have therapeutic effects on gastrointestinal and neurological disorders, as well as antitumor properties.

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Recent studies suggest that among the gamma-aminobutyric acid type A (GABA)receptor subtype heterogeneity, 2/3 subunits of GABA receptors mediate pain processing. Therefore, 2/3 subtype-selective GABA receptor-positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) may be candidate analgesics. Antinociceptive effects of 2/3 subtype-selective GABA receptor PAMs have been reported, but the behavioral effects of these compounds have not been systematically evaluated.

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Trace amine-associated receptor 1 (TAAR1) negatively modulates monoaminergic transmission in the mammalian brain and participates in many psychiatric disorders. Preclinical evidence indicate that selective TAAR1 agonists have anxiolytic effects and anti-stress properties. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder triggered by experiencing or witnessing traumatic stressors.

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Objectives: The current meta-analysis was performed to gather available evidence regarding the incidence and risk factors of cement leakage (CL) in patients undergoing surgical procedures for spinal metastasis.

Methods: Two authors independently searched the PubMed, Embase, and CENTRAL databases. Clinical studies reporting the incidence or risk factors of CL were included for analysis.

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Rationale: Increasing evidence shows that imidazoline I receptor agonists enhance opioid-induced analgesia, suggesting that the combination of I receptor agonists with opioids could be a favorable strategy for pain control. However, the effect of I receptor agonists on the abuse liability of opioids is unknown. This study examined the impact of the I receptor agonist 2-BFI on some abuse-related behavioral effects of the opioid morphine in rats.

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Trace amines, a group of amines expressed at the nanomolar level in the mammalian brain, can modulate monoamine transmission. The discovery of and the functional research on the trace amine-associated receptors (TAARs), especially the most well-characterized TAAR1, have largely facilitated our understanding of the function of the trace amine system in the brain. TAAR1 is expressed in the mammalian brain at a low level and widely distributed in the monoaminergic system, including the ventral tegmental area and substantial nigra, where the dopamine neurons reside in the mammalian brain.

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Article Synopsis
  • - A new nickel-catalyzed method was developed to create the final two rings of the complex molecule linoxepin using a β-bromo acetal and dibenzoxepin.
  • - This process produced intermediates that could be transformed into both enantiomers of linoxepin, showcasing the versatility of the method.
  • - The research achieved the first total synthesis of linoxepin with an enantiodivergent approach, allowing easy access to both forms of the compound.
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Four undescribed sesquiterpene-shikimates (1-4), eight undescribed monoterpene-shikimates (5-12), together with two known ones were isolated and identified from the 95% ethanol extract of the plant endophytic fungus Phyllosticta capitalensis cultured in rice medium. Capitalensis A (1) was identified as the first sesquiterpene-shikimate-conjugated spirocyclic meroterpenoid degradation product, while capitalensis B (2) is a sesquiterpene-shikimate-conjugated spirocyclic meroterpenoid with a unique D-ring formed by a C-2-O-C-9' connection. The structures of these previously undescribed compounds were elucidated by multiple techniques, including IR, HR-ESI-MS, and NMR analysis.

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Article Synopsis
  • - Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a key amino acid in the nervous system, synthesized from glutamate, and serves as the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in mammals, especially in the brain and spinal cord.
  • - GABA is vital for regulating synaptic transmission, promoting neuronal development, and helping with relaxation and mental health issues like insomnia and depression.
  • - The different types of GABA receptors play distinct roles in regulating pain sensation and understanding these can lead to new treatments for pain management targeting specific receptors and pathways.
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Objective: To investigate the effects of methionine restriction on proliferation, cell cycle and apoptosis of human acute leukemia cells.

Methods: Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was used to detect the effect of methionine restriction on HL-60 and Jurkat cells proliferation. The effect of methionine restriction on cell cycle of HL-60 and Jurkat cells was examined by PI staining.

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  • Demethylsinomenine (NDSM) shows promise as a new pain management drug due to its effectiveness in reducing pain, but its pharmacokinetic properties and accurate quantification methods are not yet established.* -
  • A new UPLC-MS/MS method was developed to measure NDSM levels in rat plasma, utilizing liquid-liquid extraction and a specific mobile phase for efficient separation and detection.* -
  • The method successfully validated parameters like precision and accuracy, and revealed that NDSM has linear pharmacokinetics after different administration routes in rats, paving the way for further research.*
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Background And Purpose: White matter lesions (WMLs) are thought to cause damage to the blood-brain barrier, thereby aggravating bleeding after intravenous thrombolysis. However, the risk factors for symptomatic cerebral haemorrhage after thrombolysis are still unclear. This study explored the risk factors for bleeding in patients with severe WMLs after intravenous thrombolysis to prevent bleeding as soon as possible.

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Methamphetamine (METH) is a psychostimulant that primarily exerts its effects on the catecholamine (dopamine (DA) and norepinephrine (NE)) systems, which are implicated in drug addiction. METH exists as two distinct enantiomers, dextrorotatory (d) and levorotatory (l). In contrast to d-METH, the major component of illicit METH used to induce states of euphoria and alertness, l-METH is available without prescription as a nasal decongestant and has been highlighted as a potential agonist replacement therapy to treat stimulant use disorder.

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Objective: JieZe-1 (JZ-1), a Chinese herbal prescription, has an obvious effect on genital herpes, which is mainly caused by herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). Our study aimed to address whether HSV-2 induces pyroptosis of VK2/E6E7 cells and to investigate the anti-HSV-2 activity of JZ-1 and the effect of JZ-1 on caspase-1-dependent pyroptosis.

Methods: HSV-2-infected VK2/E6E7 cells and culture supernate were harvested at different time points after the infection.

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Benzyl bromides have been widely used for fullerene functionalization. However, the use of benzyl chlorides, a more affordable but less reactive counterpart of benzyl bromides, has been rarely reported. Herein, a new metal-mediated benzylation of C with benzyl chlorides is presented.

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Blockade of lysophosphatidic acid receptor 5 (LPA5) by a recently reported antagonist AS2717638 (2) attenuated inflammatory and neuropathic pains, although it showed moderate in vivo efficacy and its structure-activity relationships and the ADME properties are little studied. We therefore designed and synthesized a series of isoquinolone derivatives and evaluated their potency in LPA5 calcium mobilization and cAMP assays. Our results show that substituted phenyl groups or bicyclic aromatic rings such as benzothiophenes or benzofurans are tolerated at the 2-position, 4-substituted piperidines are favored at the 4-position, and methoxy groups at the 6- and 7-positions are essential for activity.

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Chronic pain can be a debilitating condition, leading to profound changes in nearly every aspect of life. However, the reliance on opioids such as oxycodone for pain management is thought to initiate dependence and addiction liability. The neurobiological intersection at which opioids relieve pain and possibly transition to addiction is poorly understood.

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Rationale: Trace amine-associated receptor 1 (TAAR1) is the best-studied receptor of trace amines, a group of biogenic amines expressed at a relatively low level in the mammalian brain. Growing evidence suggests that TAAR1 plays a critical role in various neuropsychiatric disorders. Given that selective TAAR1 agonists were shown to produce pro-cognition and antipsychotic-like effects as well as to suppress drug use and relapse, they have been proposed to be novel treatments for mental disorders such as schizophrenia and addiction.

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Depression is a high-incidence mental illness that seriously affects human health. AQP4 has been reported to be closely associated with depression, while the underlying mechanism is still unclear. This work aimed to investigate the functional role of AQP4 in depression.

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Background: Ban-xia-xie-xin-tang (BXXXT) has been applied in treating metabolic diseases, such as nonalcohol fatty liver disease, diabetes mellitus, and obesity. However, the underlying molecular mechanism of BXXXT in treating diabetes mellitus is unknown.

Purpose: To clarify the underlying molecular mechanism of BXXXT in alleviating hepatic steatosis in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice.

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Oxypeucedanin, a furanocoumarin extracted from many traditional Chinese herbal medicines, has a variety of pharmacological effects. However, the independent pharmacokinetic characteristics and bioavailability of this compound remains elusive. In this study, a rapid, sensitive, and selective method using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC/MS/MS) was developed for evaluating the intravenous and oral pharmacokinetics of oxypeucedanin.

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Article Synopsis
  • Gastric cancer is a serious disease, especially in China, where it's a leading cause of death from cancer, and more people are getting diagnosed each year.
  • Researchers are looking for ways to better understand and treat gastric cancer, focusing on certain proteins and genes that could help in finding new treatments.
  • One particular study is testing a substance called berberine to see how it affects tumor growth in special mice models and to understand the mechanisms behind its effects.
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Aim: Older adults living alone is becoming the main family structure in rural China. This study aimed to explore the mediating effect of coping style on the relationship between perceived stress and mental health in rural older adults living alone in China.

Methods: 356 rural older adults living alone were recruited in Huzhou, China.

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Drug addiction is a chronic brain disease characterized by compulsive drug-seeking and drug-taking behaviors despite the major negative consequences. Current well-established neuronal underpinnings of drug addiction have promoted the substantial progress in understanding this disorder. However, non-neuronal mechanisms of drug addiction have long been underestimated.

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