Icariin ameliorates Coxsackievirus B3-induced viral myocarditis by modulating the S100 calcium binding protein A6/β-catenin/c-Myc signaling pathway.

Background: Coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) is a leading cause of viral myocarditis and is currently lacking specific pharmacological treatments, highlighting the critical need for therapeutic development. Icariin (ICA), a prenylated flavonol glycoside, was previously found to exhibit several pharmacological effects, but its potential to combat CVB3 remains uninvestigated.

Purpose: This study aimed to elucidate the anti-CVB3 efficacy of ICA and elucidate its molecular mechanisms.

Engineering Neuroglobin for Synthesis of Chiral Organoborons via Carbene B-H Insertion.

Organoborons have recently received much attention, while a biocatalytic platform for the synthesis of chiral organoborons is limited only to cytochrome . In this study, we exploited the other heme protein, neuroglobin (Ngb), and engineered a quadruple mutant, A15C/H64G/V68F/F28M Ngb, by redesigning the heme active site using the structural information on A15C Ngb and molecular docking studies. The enzyme was shown to be efficient in catalyzing carbene transfer B-H insertion reactions between pyridine/quinoline boranes and benzyl 2-diazopropanoates and their derivatives (29 examples).

Rational Design of an Artificial Metalloenzyme by Constructing a Metal-Binding Site Close to the Heme Cofactor in Myoglobin.

In this study, we constructed a metal-binding site close to the heme cofactor in myoglobin (Mb) by covalently attaching a nonnative metal-binding ligand of bipyridine to Cys46 through the F46C mutation in the heme distal site. The X-ray structure of the designed enzyme, termed F46C-mBpy Mb, was solved in the Cu(II)-bound form, which revealed the formation of a heterodinuclear center of Cu-His-HO-heme. Cu(II)-F46C-mBpy Mb exhibits not only nitrite reductase reactivity but also cascade reaction activity involving both hydrolysis and oxidation.

[Response of branch attributes of to climate variables].

We established a mixed-effects model incorporating climatic factors for the base diameter and length of the primary branches of using stepwise regression, based on climatic data from a total of 40 standard plots located in Xiaolongshan, Gansu Province, Changlinggang Forest Farm in Jianshi County, Hubei Province, and Dagujia Forest Farm in Qingyuan County, Liaoning Province, as well as the data from 120 sample trees. Additionally, we created prediction charts for the fixed effects portion of the optimal mixed model to determine the relationship between climatic factors and base diameter and branch length, to explore the differential response of branches to climatic variables. The results showed that the base diameter mixing model with annual mean temperature and water vapor deficit and the branch length mixing model with annual mean temperature had the best fitting effect, with of 0.

Pyroptotic macrophages induce disruption of glutamate metabolism in periodontal ligament stem cells contributing to their compromised osteogenic potential.

Macrophage pyroptosis is of key importance to host defence against pathogen infections and may participate in the progression and recovery of periodontitis. However, the role of pyroptotic macrophages in regulating periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs), the main cell source for periodontium renewal, remains unclear. First, we found that macrophage pyroptosis were enriched in gingiva tissues from periodontitis patients compared with those of healthy people through immunofluorescence.

Swieteliacates S-U, phragmalin limonoids, from the leaves of .

Three novel phragmalin-type limonoids, swieteliacates S-U (1-3), were isolated from leaves, alongside four previously identified limonoids (4-7). The structures, encompassing absolute configurations, were delineated through 1D and 2D NMR analyses, high-resolution mass spectrometry (HR-MS), and NMR and ECD calculations. Swieteliacate S (1) is a distinctive cryptate comprising a tricyclo[4.

Regulating the Heme Active Site by Covalent Modifications: Two Case Studies of Myoglobin.

Using myoglobin (Mb) as a model protein, we herein developed a facial approach to modifying the heme active site. A cavity was first generated in the heme distal site by F46 C mutation, and the thiol group of Cys46 was then used for covalently linked to exogenous ligands, 1H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thiol and 1-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione. The engineered proteins, termed F46C-triazole Mb and F46C-phenol Mb, respectively, were characterized by X-ray crystallography, spectroscopic and stopped-flow kinetic studies.

Application of engineered myoglobins for biosynthesis of clofazimine by integration with chemical synthesis.

Significant efforts have been made in the design of artificial metalloenzymes. Myoglobin (Mb), an O carrier, has been engineered to exhibit different functions. Herein, we applied a series of engineered Mb mutants with peroxidase activity for biosynthesis of clofazimine (CFZ), a potential drug with a broad-spectrum antiviral activity, by integration with chemical synthesis.

[Characterization and Source Apportionment of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in PM in Lanzhou].

To study the pollution characteristics and sources of 16 PAHs in PM in Lanzhou, PM samples were collected in four seasons. GC-MS was employed to analyze the concentration of PAHs. Positive matrix factorization(PMF), trajectory cluster, and potential source contribution function(PSCF) were used to identify the sources of PAHs.

Exploiting and Engineering Neuroglobin for Catalyzing Carbene N-H Insertions and the Formation of Quinoxalinones.

It is desired to design and construct more efficient enzymes with better performance to catalyze carbene N-H insertions for the synthesis of bioactive molecules. To this end, we exploited and designed a series of human neuroglobin (Ngb) mutants. As shown in this study, a double mutant, A15C/H64G Ngb, with an additional disulfide bond and a modified heme active site, exhibited yields up to >99% and total turnover numbers up to 33000 in catalyzing the carbene N-H insertions for aromatic amine derivatives, including those with a large size such as 1-aminopyrene.

First principles insights into the interaction mechanism of iron doped thermally activated kaolinite with Cd and Pb pollutants in organic solid waste incineration flue gas.

Incineration of organic solid wastes is accompanied by the heavy metal emission through flue gas. As an inexpensive and efficient heavy metal adsorbent, the improvement of kaolinite adsorption performance for heavy metals has drawn widespread interests. In this work, the interaction mechanisms between various kaolinite surfaces and Cd/Pb species are explored through first principles calculations.

Early cumulus cell removal increases cumulative live birth rate while having no negative effect on the malformation rate in in vitro fertilization: a propensity score-matched cohort study.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of early cumulus cell removal (ECCR) during human in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed between January 2011 and December 2019. The study enrolled 1131 couples who underwent IVF treatment with ECCR.

Association between epicardial adipose tissue and myocardial work by non-invasive left ventricular pressure-strain loop in people with suspected metabolic syndrome.

Given the inconsistent results on the prognostic significance of epicardial adipose tissue (EAT), the purpose of the present study was to investigate the association of EAT thickness and myocardial work by non-invasive left ventricular pressure-strain loop in people with suspected metabolic syndrome (MS). A total of 194 participants imaged with echocardiography were evaluated. In accordance with the median EAT thickness, MS patients fell into thin EAT group and thick EAT group.

NADPH-dependent ROS accumulation contributes to the impaired osteogenic differentiation of periodontal ligament stem cells under high glucose conditions.

Diabetes mellitus is an established risk factor for periodontal disease that can aggravate the severity of periodontal inflammation and accelerate periodontal destruction. The chronic high glucose condition is a hallmark of diabetes-related pathogenesis, and has been demonstrated to impair the osteogenic differentiation of periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs), leading to delayed recovery of periodontal defects in diabetic patients. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are small molecules that can influence cell fate determination and the direction of cell differentiation.

Long non-coding RNA AC018926.2 regulates palmitic acid exposure-compromised osteogenic potential of periodontal ligament stem cells via the ITGA2/FAK/AKT pathway.

Although obesity has been proposed as a risk factor for periodontitis, the influence of excessive fat accumulation on the development of periodontitis and periodontal recovery from disease remains largely unknown. This study investigated the cellular response of periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) to elevated levels of a specific fatty acid, namely, palmitic acid (PA). The mechanism by which PA exposure compromises the osteogenic potential of cells was also explored.

Valproate reduces retinal ganglion cell apoptosis in rats after optic nerve crush.

The retinal ganglion cells of the optic nerve have a limited capacity for self-repair after injury. Valproate is a histone deacetylase inhibitor and multitarget drug, which has been demonstrated to protect retinal neurons. In this study, we established rat models of optic nerve-crush injury and injected valproate into the vitreous cavity immediately after modeling.

Efficient Degradation of Tetracycline Antibiotics by Engineered Myoglobin with High Peroxidase Activity.

Tetracyclines are one class of widely used antibiotics. Meanwhile, due to abuse and improper disposal, they are often detected in wastewater, which causes a series of environmental problems and poses a threat to human health and safety. As an efficient and environmentally friendly method, enzymatic catalysis has attracted much attention.

How the Loss of Second Molars Corresponds with the Presence of Adjacent Third Molars in Chinese Adults: A Retrospective Study.

Third molars (M3s) can increase the pathological risks of neighboring second molars (M2s). However, whether the M3 presence affects M2 loss remains unknown. This retrospective study aimed to reveal the reasons for M2 loss and how M2 loss relates to neighboring M3s.

The impact of Anatomic Features of Asymptomatic Third Molars on the Pathologies of Adjacent Second Molars: A Cross-sectional Analysis.

Background: We aimed to comprehensively examine how the anatomic characteristics of asymptomatic third molars (As-M3s) affect distal pathologies of adjacent second molars (Ad-M2s).

Materials And Methods: Patients with at least 1 quadrant having intact As-M3s and first and second molars were enrolled. Distal pathologies of Ad-M2s, including caries, pocket depth of 4 mm or more (PD4+), and alveolar bone loss of 3 mm or more (ABL3+), were analysed based on As-M3 status (absent/impacted/nonimpacted).

Pregnancy and fetal outcomes of chronic hepatitis C mothers with viremia in China.

Background: Data that assess maternal and infant outcomes in hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected mothers are limited.

Aim: To investigate the frequency of complications and the associated risk factors.

Methods: We performed a cohort study to compare pregnancy and fetal outcomes of HCV-viremic mothers with those of healthy mothers.

Phosphine-Catalyzed Atroposelective Formal [3 + 2] Cycloaddition Desymmetrization of -Arylmaleimides.

Herein, a new strategy for the enantioselective synthesis of axially chiral -aryl succinimides was devised by [3 + 2] annulation of MBH carbonates and -aryl maleimides under chiral phosphine. This desymmetrization process allows for quick construction of both two stereogenic carbon centers and a remote C-N atropisomeric chirality. A series of structurally diverse -aryl succinimides were obtained with good to excellent yields, diastereoselectivities, and enantioselectivities.

Gold nanoparticles targeting the autophagy-lysosome system to combat the inflammation-compromised osteogenic potential of periodontal ligament stem cells: From mechanism to therapy.

Although substantial data indicate that the osteogenic potential of periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) is compromised under inflammatory conditions, the underlying mechanism remains largely unexplored. In this study, we found that both the autophagy levels and autophagic flux levels were decreased in PDLSCs incubated under inflammatory conditions (I-PDLSCs). Based on the increased expression of LC3 II (at an autophagy level) and decreased accumulation of LC3 II (at an autophagic flux level) in I-PDLSCs, we speculated that the disruption of I-PDLSC autophagy arose from dysfunction of the cellular autophagy-lysosome system.

[Adsorption Capacity and Mechanism of Biochar Derived from Typical Agricultural Wastes for Cadmium in Aqueous Solutions].

Twelve biochar types were derived from animal manure (cow manure, chicken manure, and pig manure) and crop straw (wheat straw, rice straw, and corn straw) at different temperatures (300℃/700℃ and 300℃/500℃) for Cd in a solution system in the present study. A scanning electron microscope, Fourier infrared spectrometer, X-ray diffraction, and CHN analyzer were applied to analyze the physical and chemical properties, surface structure, and elemental composition of the biochar. The adsorption capacity and related mechanism of biochar for Cd in an aqueous solution was studied.