Ultrasonication-Assisted Green Synthesis and Physicochemical and Cytotoxic Activity Characterization of Protein-Based Nanoparticles from Seeds.

() is globally recognized for its medicinal properties and offers high-quality, protein-rich seeds. This study aimed to explore the potential of seeds as a significant source of protein-based nanoparticles (PBNPs) using the ultrasonication technique after desolvation and to evaluate their cytotoxicity in the human leukemia cell line (THP-1) for the first time. The properties of the PBNPs were confirmed by dynamic light scattering (DLS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR).

Diurnal oscillations of epigenetic modifications are associated with variation in rhythmic expression of homoeologous genes in Brassica napus.

Background: Epigenetic modifications that exhibit circadian oscillations also promote circadian oscillations of gene expression. Brassica napus is a heterozygous polyploid species that has undergone distant hybridization and genome doubling events and has a young and distinct species origin. Studies incorporating circadian rhythm analysis of epigenetic modifications can offer new insights into differences in diurnal oscillation behavior among subgenomes and the regulation of diverse expressions of homologous gene rhythms in biological clocks.

Platelet-Covered Nanocarriers for Targeted Delivery of Hirudin to Eliminate Thrombotic Complication in Tumor Therapy.

Most patients are at high risk of thrombosis during cancer treatment. However, the major discrepancy in the therapeutic mechanisms and microenvironment between tumors and thrombosis makes it challenging for a panacea to treat cancer while being able to eliminate the risk of thrombosis. Herein, we developed a biomimetic MnOx/AgS nanoflower platform with platelet membrane modification (MnOx@AgS@hirudin@platelet membrane: MAHP) for the long-term release of anticoagulant drugs to treat thrombosis together with tumor therapy.

Polarization of Tumor-Associated Macrophages Promoted by Vitamin C-Loaded Liposomes for Cancer Immunotherapy.

While checkpoint blockade immunotherapy as a promising clinical modality has revolutionized cancer treatment, it is of benefit to only a subset of patients because of the tumor immunosuppressive microenvironment. Herein, we report that the specified delivery of vitamin C at the tumor site by responsive lipid nanoparticles can efficiently induce oxidative toxicity and the polarization of M1 macrophages, promoting the infiltration of activating cytotoxic T lymphocytes in the tumor microenvironment for intensive immune checkpoint blocking therapy. Both and assays demonstrate successful vitamin C-induced polarization of M2 macrophages to M1 macrophages.

Robust and facile label-free colorimetric aptasensor for ochratoxin A detection using aptamer-enhanced oxidase-like activity of MnO nanoflowers.

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a powerful mycotoxin that can cause severe damage to human health, and its detection has attracted considerable attention in the field of food science. We present a robust and facile label-free colorimetric aptasensor for OTA detection using the aptamer-enhanced oxidase-like activity of MnO nanoflowers. The catalytic activities of the nanozymes could be improved by adsorption of the aptamers onto the MnO nanoflowers due to the increased affinity of the nanoflowers for the chromogenic substrate.

Activation of TRPV1 by capsaicin-loaded CaCO nanoparticle for tumor-specific therapy.

Capsaicin is a natural non-toxic small molecular organic substance, which is often used clinically to reduce inflammation and pain. Here, we report an acid-responsive CaCO nanoparticle loaded with capsaicin that can specifically activate TRPV1 channels and trigger tumor calcium ion therapy. The excellent acid responsiveness of calcium carbonate enables it to precisely target the tumor sites.

Precise Chemodynamic Therapy of Cancer by Trifunctional Bacterium-Based Nanozymes.

Chemodynamic therapy (CDT) destroys cancer cells by converting HO or O into reactive oxygen species (ROS), but its therapeutic efficacy is restricted by the antioxidant capacity of tumor. Previous solutions focused on strengthening the nanodrugs with the ability to increase ROS production or weaken the antioxidant capacity of cancer cells. Conversely, we here develop a mild nanodrug with negligible side effects.

Viruses Infecting the Plant Pathogenic Fungus .

The cosmopolitan fungus has a wide host range and is the causal agent of numerous crop diseases, leading to significant economic losses. To date, no cultivars showing complete resistance to have been identified and it is imperative to develop a strategy to control the spread of the disease. Fungal viruses, or mycoviruses, are widespread in all major groups of fungi and next-generation sequencing (NGS) is currently the most efficient approach for their identification.

Functional characterization of duck LSm14A in IFN-β induction.

Human LSm14A is a key component of processing body (P-body) assembly that mediates interferon-β (IFN-β) production by sensing viral RNA or DNA. To the best of our knowledge, we are the first to report duck LSm14A (duLSm14A) cloning from duck embryo fibroblasts (DEFs). Full-length duLSm14A encoded 461 amino acids and was highly homologous with chicken and swan goose sequences.

The nucleocapsid proteins of mouse hepatitis virus and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus share the same IFN-β antagonizing mechanism: attenuation of PACT-mediated RIG-I/ MDA5 activation.

Coronaviruses (CoVs) are a huge threat to both humans and animals and have evolved elaborate mechanisms to antagonize interferons (IFNs). Nucleocapsid (N) protein is the most abundant viral protein in CoV-infected cells, and has been identified as an innate immunity antagonist in several CoVs, including mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-CoV. However, the underlying molecular mechanism(s) remain unclear.

Molecular cloning and functional characterization of duck nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain 1 (NOD1).

Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain 1 (NOD1) is an imperative cytoplasmic pattern recognition receptor (PRR) and considered as a key member of the NOD-like receptor (NLR) family which plays a critical role in innate immunity through sensing microbial components derived from bacterial peptidoglycan. In the current study, the full-length of duck NOD1 (duNOD1) cDNA from duck embryo fibroblasts (DEFs) was cloned. Multiple sequence alignment and phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that duNOD1 exhibited a strong evolutionary relationship with chicken and rock pigeon NOD1.

Porcine deltacoronavirus nsp5 inhibits interferon-β production through the cleavage of NEMO.

Porcine deltacoronavirus (PDCoV) causes acute enteric disease and mortality in seronegative neonatal piglets. Previously we have demonstrated that PDCoV infection suppresses the production of interferon-beta (IFN-β), while the detailed mechanisms are poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that nonstructural protein 5 (nsp5) of PDCoV, the 3C-like protease, significantly inhibits Sendai virus (SEV)-induced IFN-β production by targeting the NF-κB essential modulator (NEMO), confirmed by the diminished function of NEMO cleaved by PDCoV.

Carbon-Dot and Quantum-Dot-Coated Dual-Emission Core-Satellite Silica Nanoparticles for Ratiometric Intracellular Cu(2+) Imaging.

Copper (Cu(2+)) is physiologically essential, but excessive Cu(2+) may cause potential risk to plants and animals due to the bioaccumulative properties. Hence, sensitive recognition is crucial to avoid overintake of Cu(2+), and visual recognition is more favored for practical application. In this work, a dual-emission ratiometric fluorescent nanoprobe was developed possessing the required intensity ratio, which can facilitate the sensitive identification of Cu(2+) by the naked eye.