Identification of a new myotropic decapeptide from the skin secretion of the red-eyed leaf frog, Agalychnis callidryas.

Bradykinin-related peptides (BRPs) family is one of the most significant myotropic peptide families derived from frog skin secretions. Here, a novel BRP callitide was isolated and identified from the red-eyed leaf frog, Agalychnis callidryas, with atypical primary structure FRPAILVRPK-NH2. The mature peptide was cleaved N-terminally at a classic propeptide convertase cleavage site (-KR-) and at the C-terminus an unusual -GKGKGK sequence was removed using the first G residue as an amide donor for the C-terminally-located K residue.

Bionic Silk Fibroin Film Promotes Tenogenic Differentiation of Tendon Stem/Progenitor Cells by Activating Focal Adhesion Kinase.

Background: Tendon injuries are common musculoskeletal disorders in clinic. Due to the limited regeneration ability of tendons, tissue engineering technology is often used as an effective approach to treat tendon injuries. Silk fibroin (SF) films have excellent biological activities and physical properties, which is suitable for tendon regeneration.

PKCβ increases ROS levels leading to vascular endothelial injury in diabetic foot ulcers.

Objective: To explore the role and mechanism of oxidative stress injury in the diabetic foot.

Methods: Immunohistochemistry and staining were used to detect changes in diabetic foot tissue, and the CCK-8 method was used to measure high glucose effect on cell viability. The DCFH-DA assay was used to detect the intracellular ROS content, and colorimetric methods were used to detect the activities of the CAT and SOD enzymes and the NO and MDA content in tissues and cells.

A Novel Amphibian Antimicrobial Peptide, Phylloseptin-PV1, Exhibits Effective Anti- Activity Without Inducing Either Hepatic or Renal Toxicity in Mice.

In order to part address the problem of drug-resistant pathogens, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have been proposed as alternatives to traditional antibiotics. Herein, a novel phylloseptin peptide, named phylloseptin-PV1 (PPV1), is described from the defensive skin secretion of the Neotropical white-lined leaf frog, . The peptide was synthesized by solid phase peptide synthesis (SPPS) and purified by RP-HPLC, prior to assessment of its biological activities.

Identification of Signatures of Selection by Whole-Genome Resequencing of a Chinese Native Pig.

Identification of genomic signatures of selection that help reveal genetic mechanisms underlying traits in domesticated pigs is of importance. Anqing six-end-white pig (ASP), a representative of the native breeds in China, has many distinguishing phenotypic characteristics. To identify the genomic signatures of selection of the ASP, whole-genome sequencing of 20 ASPs produced 469.

KDM1A inhibition is effective in reducing stemness and treating triple negative breast cancer.

Purpose: Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are highly tumorigenic, spared by chemotherapy, sustain tumor growth, and are implicated in tumor recurrence after conventional therapies in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). Lysine-specific histone demethylase 1A (KDM1A) is highly expressed in several human malignancies and CSCs including TNBC. However, the precise mechanistic role of KDM1A in CSC functions and therapeutic utility of KDM1A inhibitor for treating TNBC is poorly understood.

Stress-induced premature senescence activated by the SENEX gene mediates apoptosis resistance of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma via promoting immunosuppressive cells and cytokines.

Background: The underlying cause of relapsed and refractory (r/r) diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is usually related to apoptosis resistance to antitumor drugs. The recent years have provided lots of evidence that tumor cells may undergo stress-induced premature senescence (SIPS) in response to chemotherapy, but how SIPS affects lymphoma cells remains inconclusive.

Methods: Fifty-two DLBCL patients, including 6 newly diagnosed (ND), 17 complete remissions (CR), and 29 (r/r), were enrolled in this study.

Immunoregulatory Roles of Extracellular Vesicles and Associated Therapeutic Applications in Lung Cancer.

Lung cancer represents a fatal condition that has the highest morbidity and mortality among malignancies. The currently available treatments fall short of improving the survival and quality of life of late-stage lung cancer patients. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) secreted by tumors or immune cells transport proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids to other cells, thereby mediating immune regulation in the tumor microenvironment.

Broad-Spectrum Antimicrobial Activity and Improved Stability of a D-Amino Acid Enantiomer of DMPC-10A, the Designed Derivative of Dermaseptin Truncates.

DMPC-10A (ALWKKLLKK-Cha-NH) is a 10-mer peptide derivative from the N-terminal domain of Dermaseptin-PC which has shown broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity as well as a considerable hemolytic effect. In order to reduce hemolytic activity and improve stability to endogenous enzymes, a D-amino acid enantiomer (DMPC-10B) was designed by substituting all L-Lys and L-Leu with their respective D-form amino acid residues, while the Ala and Trp remained unchanged. The D-amino acid enantiomer exhibited similar antimicrobial potency to the parent peptide but exerted lower cytotoxicity and hemolytic activity.

Identification of Melanoma From Hyperspectral Pathology Image Using 3D Convolutional Networks.

Skin biopsy histopathological analysis is one of the primary methods used for pathologists to assess the presence and deterioration of melanoma in clinical. A comprehensive and reliable pathological analysis is the result of correctly segmented melanoma and its interaction with benign tissues, and therefore providing accurate therapy. In this study, we applied the deep convolution network on the hyperspectral pathology images to perform the segmentation of melanoma.

apolipoprotein E-enriched corona guides dihydroartemisinin-decorating nanoparticles towards LDLr-mediated tumor-homing chemotherapy.

The therapeutic efficiency of active targeting nanoparticulate drug delivery systems (nano-DDS) is highly compromised by the plasma proteins adsorption on nanoparticles (NPs) surface, which significantly hinders cell membrane receptors to recognize the designed ligands, and provokes the off-target toxicity and rapid clearance of NPs . Herein, we report a novel dihydroartemisinin (DHA)-decorating nano-DDS that specifically recruits endogenous apolipoprotein E (apoE) on the NPs surface. The apoE-anchored corona is able to prolong PLGA-PEG2000-DHA (PPD) NPs circulation capability in blood, facilitate NPs accumulating in tumor cells by the passive enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect and low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLr)-mediated target transport, and ultimately improve the antitumor activity.

Lipophilic Extract and Tanshinone IIA Derived from Attenuate Uric Acid Nephropathy through Suppressing Oxidative Stress-Activated MAPK Pathways.

Uric acid nephropathy (UAN) is caused by excessive uric acid, which results in the damage of renal tissue urate crystals deposition in the kidneys. The roots and rhizomes of Bunge () have been clinically used in many prescriptions to treat uric acid-induced renal damage. This study investigates the uricosuric and nephroprotective effects of the ethyl acetate extract of (EASM) and tanshinone IIA (a major component of , Tan-IIA) on UAN and explores the underlying molecular mechanism.

Identification and Target-Modification of SL-BBI: A Novel Bowman-Birk Type Trypsin Inhibitor from .

The peptides from the ranacyclin family share similar active disulphide loop with plant-derived Bowman-Birk type inhibitors, some of which have the dual activities of trypsin inhibition and antimicrobial. Herein, a novel Bowman-Birk type trypsin inhibitor of the ranacyclin family was identified from the skin secretion of broad-folded frog () by molecular cloning method and named as SL-BBI. After chemical synthesis, it was proved to be a potent inhibitor of trypsin with a Ki value of 230.

Characterisation of a novel peptide, Brevinin-1H, from the skin secretion of Amolops hainanensis and rational design of several analogues.

As drug-resistant bacteria have become a serious health problem and have caused thousands of deaths, finding new antibiotics has become an urgent research priority. A novel antimicrobial peptide, named Brevinin-1H, was identified in the skin secretion of Amolops hainanensis through 'shotgun' cloning. It has broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against tested micro-organisms and has anticancer cell activity.

Modification and Targeted Design of N-Terminal Truncates Derived from Brevinin with Improved Therapeutic Efficacy.

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are a class of molecules that play an essential role in innate immune regulation. The Brevinin-1 family are AMPs that show strong pharmacological and antimicrobial potential. A novel peptide, B1A, was designed based on the primary structure of brevinin-1PLb and brevinin-1PLc.

The absence of oestrogen receptor beta disturbs collagen I type deposition during Achilles tendon healing by regulating the IRF5-CCL3 axis.

Achilles tendon healing (ATH) remains an unanswered question in the field of sports medicine because it does not produce tissue with homology to the previously uninjured tissue. Oestrogen receptor β (ERβ) is involved in the injury and repair processes of tendons. Our previous study confirmed that ERβ plays a role in the early stage of ATH by affecting adipogenesis, but its role in extracellular matrix (ECM) remodelling is unknown.

Retrograde Labeling of Different Distribution Features of DRG P2X2 and P2X3 Receptors in a Neuropathic Pain Rat Model.

The distributions of P2X subtypes during peripheral neuropathic pain conditions and their differential roles are not fully understood. To explore these characteristics, the lumbosacral dorsal root ganglion (DRG) in the chronic constriction injury (CCI) sciatic nerve rat model was studied. Retrograde trace labeling combined with immunofluorescence technology was applied to analyze the distribution of neuropathic nociceptive P2X1-6 receptors.

Enhanced Antimicrobial Activity of N-Terminal Derivatives of a Novel Brevinin-1 Peptide from The Skin Secretion of .

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are promising therapeutic alternatives compared to conventional antibiotics for the treatment of drug-resistant bacterial infections. However, the application of the overwhelming majority of AMPs is limited because of the high toxicity and high manufacturing costs. Amphibian skin secretion has been proven to be a promising source for the discovery and development of novel AMPs.

Pharmacological Effects of a Novel Bradykinin-Related Peptide (RR-18) from the Skin Secretion of the Hejiang Frog () on Smooth Muscle.

Bradykinin (BK) and bradykinin-related peptides (BRPs), which were identified from a diversity of amphibian skin secretions, exerted contractile and relaxing effects on non-vascular and vascular smooth muscle, respectively. Here, we report a novel bradykinin-related peptide with a molecular mass of 1890.2 Da, RVAGPDKPARISGLSPLR, which was isolated and identified from skin secretions, followed by a C-terminal extension sequence VAPQIV.

Ranacyclin-NF, a Novel Bowman-Birk Type Protease Inhibitor from the Skin Secretion of the East Asian Frog, .

Serine protease inhibitors are found in plants, animals and microorganisms, where they play important roles in many physiological and pathological processes. Inhibitor scaffolds based on natural proteins and peptides have gradually become the focus of current research as they tend to bind to their targets with greater specificity than small molecules. In this report, a novel Bowman-Birk type inhibitor, named ranacyclin-NF (RNF), is described and was identified in the skin secretion of the East Asian frog, .

A Novel Antimicrobial Peptide (Kassinatuerin-3) Isolated from the Skin Secretion of the African Frog, .

Amphibian skin secretions are remarkable sources of novel bioactive peptides. Among these, antimicrobial peptides have demonstrated an outstanding efficacy in killing microorganisms via a general membranolytic mechanism, which may offer the prospect of solving specific target-driven antibiotic resistance. Here, the discovery of a novel defensive peptide is described from the skin secretion of the African frog, Named kassinatuerin-3, it was identified through a combination of "shot-gun" cloning and MS/MS fragmentation sequencing.

Novel Frog Skin-Derived Peptide Dermaseptin-PP for Lung Cancer Treatment: Evaluation and Anti-tumor Mechanisms Study.

Lung cancer is the major cause of cancer deaths worldwide, and it has the highest incidence and mortality rate of any cancer among men and women in China. The first-line therapy for lung cancer treatment is platinum-based chemotherapy drugs such as cisplatin. However, the application of present chemotherapies is limited by severe side effects, which stimulates the discovery of new drugs with new anti-tumor mechanisms and fewer side effects.

Tubulointerstitial Nephritis and Uveitis Syndrome: Characterization of Clinical Features.

: To describe clinical manifestations of patients with tubulointerstitial nephritis and uveitis syndrome (TINU) with a focus on posterior segment findings.: Retrospective chart review.: 17 patients were diagnosed with TINU.