Anti-influenza activity of CPAVM1 protease secreted by Bacillus subtilis LjM2.

Bacillus spp. has been considered a promising source for identifying new antimicrobial substances, including anti-viral candidates. Here, we successfully isolated a number of bacteria strains from aged dry citrus peel (Chenpi).

Study on chemical constituents and fingerprints of Phellodendron amurense Rupr. based on ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight-mass spectrometry.

The chemical constituents from Phellodendron amurense Rupr. were characterized systematically by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight-mass spectrometry method for collecting mass spectrometry data, and the fingerprints method was established, providing reference for its quality control. The chromatographic column was ACQUITY UPLC BEH-C (100 mm×2.

Shengxian decoction protects against chronic heart failure in a rat model via energy regulation mechanisms.

Background: Chronic heart failure (CHF) is actually a disease caused by an imbalanced energy metabolism between myocardial energy demand and supply, ultimately resulting in abnormal myocardial cell structure and function. Energy metabolism imbalance plays an important role in the pathological process of chronic heart failure (CHF). Improving myocardial energy metabolism is a new strategy for the treatment of CHF.

Microbiota-derived acetate enhances host antiviral response via NLRP3.

Pathogenic viral infections represent a major challenge to human health. Host immune responses to respiratory viruses are closely associated with microbiome and metabolism via the gut-lung axis. It has been known that host defense against influenza A virus (IAV) involves activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome, however, mechanisms behind the protective function of NLRP3 are not fully known.

Three new species of the genus Sulcolotis Miyatake (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae, Sticholotidini) from the Philippines.

The genus Sulcolotis Miyatake, 1994 is reviewed. Three new species (S. threadis sp.

Preparation, characterization and study of bellidifolin nano-micelles.

Bellidifolin (BEL), a xanthone compound, has significant therapeutic effectiveness in cardiac diseases such as arrhythmias. However, BEL is limited in clinical applications by its hydrophobicity. In this work, we used BEL as the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API), and polyethylene glycol 15-hydroxy stearate (Kolliphor HS15) as the carrier to prepare BEL nano-micelles by a solvent-volatilization method.

Gentianella acuta improves TAC-induced cardiac remodelling by regulating the Notch and PI3K/Akt/FOXO1/3 pathways.

Cardiac remodelling mainly manifests as excessive myocardial hypertrophy and fibrosis, which are associated with heart failure. Gentianella acuta (G. acuta) is reportedly effective in cardiac protection; however, the mechanism by which it protects against cardiac remodelling is not fully understood.

First complete mitochondrial genome from the genus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) and its phylogenetic implications.

The complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of was determined, which represents the first sequenced mitogenome from . This mitogenome is 15,959 bp in size and comprises 36 typical coding genes and a control region, the was not detected in this mitogenome, as observed in other species of Curculionidae. The monophyly of the family Scolytinae and the sister relationship between and is supported by maximum likelihood analysis derived from the protein-coding gene sequences.

Structural modification and antihypertensive activity study of formononetin derivatives.

A series of formononetin derivatives with substituted benzyloxy groups on the 4' position of isoflavone were designed and synthesized. Their vasodilative activities were evaluated by wire myograph system on isolated rat mesenteric arterial ring. The preliminary SAR of target compounds was thus discussed.

Shashen-Maidong Decoction improved chronic intermittent hypoxia-induced cognitive impairment through regulating glutamatergic signaling pathway.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is characterized by chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH), which is associated with cognitive impairment. Previous study suggested CIH exposure could induce similar symptoms and signs to the clinical features of Deficiency of both Qi and Yin Syndrome (DQYS) in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Shashen-Maidong Decoction (SMD) has been applied clinically for DQYS for hundred years.

SMYD3 promotes colon adenocarcinoma (COAD) progression by mediating cell proliferation and apoptosis.

Colon adenocarcinoma (COAD) is a type of common malignant tumor originating in the digestive tract. Recently, targeted therapy has had significant effects on the treatment of COAD. However, more effective molecular targets need to be developed.

Gasdermin D Drives the Nonexosomal Secretion of Galectin-3, an Insulin Signal Antagonist.

The inflammasomes play critical roles in numerous pathological conditions largely through IL-1β and/or IL-18. However, additional effectors have been implied from multiple studies. In this study, through two independent mass spectrometry-based secretome screening approaches, we identified galectin-3 as an effector protein of the NLRP3 inflammasome.

Hyperactivation of the NLRP3 inflammasome protects mice against influenza A virus infection via IL-1β mediated neutrophil recruitment.

Host innate immune system is critical for combating invading microbes including Influenza A virus (IAV). As an important arm of the innate immunity, the NLRP3 inflammasome has been found essential for protecting host against IAV challenge, while the mechanism remained elusive. Here we found that mice carrying a gain-of-function mutation in the Nlrp3 gene (Nlrp3) are strongly resistant to IAV infection.

Remodelling of the gut microbiota by hyperactive NLRP3 induces regulatory T cells to maintain homeostasis.

Inflammasomes are involved in gut homeostasis and inflammatory pathologies, but the role of NLRP3 inflammasome in these processes is not well understood. Cryopyrin-associated periodic syndrome (CAPS) patients with NLRP3 mutations have autoinflammation in skin, joints, and eyes, but not in the intestine. Here we show that the intestines of CAPS model mice carrying an Nlrp3 mutation maintain homeostasis in the gut.

Tanshinone IIA ameliorated endothelial dysfunction in rats with chronic intermittent hypoxia.

Chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH) during repetitive airflow cessations may cause endothelial dysfunction. Tanshinone IIA (Tan IIA) has been used to treat various circulatory disturbance-related diseases because of its pharmacological actions, including vasodilation. However, the mechanism of the effect of its vasodilation is not well established.

Tanshinone IIA protects against chronic intermittent hypoxia-induced myocardial injury via activating the endothelin 1 pathway.

Tanshinone IIA (Tan IIA) may exert significant protective effects against heart oxidative stress damage in obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) syndrome. Chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH)-triggered left ventricular dysfunction is used in a rat model to mimic CIH in OSA patients. 48 rats were randomly divided into three groups: normal control (NC) group, CIH group and CIH+Tan IIA group with 16 rats in each group.

Cutting Edge: TRAF6 Mediates TLR/IL-1R Signaling-Induced Nontranscriptional Priming of the NLRP3 Inflammasome.

NLRP3 inflammasome activiation requires two sequential signals. The priming signal 1 from TLRs or cytokine receptors induces the transcription of NLRP3 and IL-1β, and concomitantly promotes transcription-independent activation of caspase-1. The activating signal 2 can be provided by microbial products or danger signals.

Interleukin-18 protects mice from Enterovirus 71 infection.

Previous study has demonstrated that the NLRP3 inflammasome is essential for protecting murine host against Enterovirus 71 (EV71) infection. However, the underlying mechanism remained unknown. Here we discovered that the pleiotropic cytokine interleukin-18 (IL-18), an NLRP3 inflammasome-dependent effector protein, exhibits a protective capability against EV71 challenge.

Endothelin-1 and ET receptors impair left ventricular function by mediated coronary arteries dysfunction in chronic intermittent hypoxia rats.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) results in cardiac dysfunction and vascular endothelium injury. Chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH), the main characteristic of OSAS, is considered to be mainly responsible for cardiovascular system impairment. This study is aimed to evaluate the role of endothelin-1(ET-1) system in coronary injury and cardiac dysfunction in CIH rats.

Hyperactivation of the NLRP3 Inflammasome in Myeloid Cells Leads to Severe Organ Damage in Experimental Lupus.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune syndrome associated with severe organ damage resulting from the activation of immune cells. Recently, a role for caspase-1 in murine lupus was described, indicating an involvement of inflammasomes in the development of SLE. Among multiple inflammasomes identified, the NLRP3 inflammasome was connected to diverse diseases, including autoimmune encephalomyelitis.

Comparative methylomics between domesticated and wild silkworms implies possible epigenetic influences on silkworm domestication.

Background: In contrast to wild species, which have typically evolved phenotypes over long periods of natural selection, domesticates rapidly gained human-preferred agronomic traits in a relatively short-time frame via artificial selection. Under domesticated conditions, many traits can be observed that cannot only be due to environmental alteration. In the case of silkworms, aside from genetic divergence, whether epigenetic divergence played a role in domestication is an unanswered question.

HIRA is essential for the development of gibel carp.

HIRA is one of the chaperones of histone H3.3. Mutation of Hira results in embryonic lethality in mice, suggesting a critical role in embryogenesis.

Endothelin receptors in augmented vasoconstrictor responses to endothelin-1 in chronic intermittent hypoxia.

Chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH) contributes to the development of cardiovascular diseases in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea. Many studies have shown an association between increased circulating endothelin (ET)-1 levels and CIH. The aim of the present study was to determine the role of ET receptors in altered aortic function in an animal model of CIH.

Transgene-based, female-specific lethality system for genetic sexing of the silkworm, Bombyx mori.

Transgene-based genetic sexing methods are being developed for insects of agricultural and public health importance. Male-only rearing has long been sought in sericulture because males show superior economic characteristics, such as better fitness, lower food consumption, and higher silk yield. Here we report the establishment of a transgene-based genetic sexing system for the silkworm, Bombyx mori.

Effects of cyclic intermittent hypoxia on ET-1 responsiveness and endothelial dysfunction of pulmonary arteries in rats.

Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a risk factor for cardiovascular disorders and in some cases is complication of pulmonary hypertension. We simulated OSA by exposing rats to cyclic intermittent hypoxia (CIH) to investigate its effect on pulmonary vascular endothelial dysfunction. Sprague-Dawley Rats were exposed to CIH (FiO2 9% for 1 min, repeated every 2 min for 8 h/day, 7 days/wk for 3 wk), and the pulmonary arteries of normoxia and CIH treated rats were analyzed for expression of endothelin-1 (ET-1) and ET receptors by histological, immunohistochemical, RT-PCR and Western Blot analyses, as well as for contractility in response to ET-1.