Chlorogenic acid suppresses the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-7 and cell invasiveness to almost the same extent as isofraxidin in human colorectal cancer cells.

The expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-7 is reported to be correlated with invasion and metastasis of colorectal cancer (CRC). Therefore, the inhibition of MMP-7 would be beneficial for the suppression or prevention of CRC cell invasion and metastasis. The stem bark of Acanthopanax senticosus, a widely used medicinal herb, contains isofraxidin (IF) and chlorogenic acid (CGA) as major components.

Disseminated proliferative mesocestoidosis caused by Mesocestoides vogae (Cestoda: Cyclophyllidae) in a French bulldog in Japan.

This report describes a case of disseminated proliferative mesocestoidosis in a French bulldog from Aichi, Japan. In July 2023, the dog presented with chronic enteritis, and histological examination of the endoscopic biopsy specimen revealed parasites with suckers. Three months later, numerous tetrathyridia were detected in the inguinal mass.

Gnathostoma doloresi in domestic pigs in the Republic of Palau, 2020-2022.

Gnathostoma adult worms were found in the stomachs of domestic pigs in the Republic of Palau, with a prevalence of 0.7% (2/277) in the meat inspections conducted between 2020 and 2022. Based on morphological characteristics and nucleotide sequence analysis, the worms were identified as the adult stage of Gnathostoma doloresi Tubangui, 1925 (Rhabditida: Gnathostomatidae).

The isolation of sclerotinin A as an anti-malarial compound by utilization of a global secondary metabolism regulator, laeA gene.

Previously, we successfully introduced laeA gene into a fungal strain in order to significantly increase the production of a bioactive compound, allowing use to discover novel biological activity. To demonstrate the universal applicability of the laeA gene introduction strategy for taping the potential of fungal secondary metabolism, in this present study, we created a library of microorganisms which we had the laeA gene inserted, and from that library we aimed to isolate compounds which are produced at significantly greater quantities compared to the respective wild type strains. From this investigation, we were able to isolate sclerotinin A (1) from Pochonia sp.

Suppressive effect of isofraxidin on the overexpression of IL-6 and its molecular mechanism in a TPA-treated human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line, HuH-7.

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a pleiotropic cytokine that has many biological activities, including inflammation, hematopoiesis, bone metabolism, embryonic development, and other fundamental processes. Recently, IL-6 has been widely recognized as an important pro-inflammatory cytokine involved in cytokine storm pathogenesis during severe inflammatory diseases, such as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Therefore, IL-6 is considered to be a therapeutic target for inhibiting cytokine storm.

Re-discovery of MS-347a as a fungicide candidate through a new drug discovery platform with a multidrug-sensitive Saccharomyces cerevisiae screening system and the introduction of a global secondary metabolism regulator, laeA gene.

We found that the culture broth of fungi showed anti-fungal activity against multidrug-sensitive budding yeast. However, we could not identify the anti-fungal compound due to the small quantity. Therefore, we attempted to increase the productivity of the target compound by the introduction of a global secondary metabolism regulator, laeA to the strain, which led to the successful isolation of 10-folds greater amount of MS-347a (1) than Aspergillus sp.

Aberrant sparganosis in cat caused by Spirometra mansoni (Cestoda: Diphyllobothriidae): a case report.

Background: Sparganosis is a rare zoonotic disease caused by plerocercoid larvae of the genera Spirometra or Sparganum (Cestoda: Diphyllobothriidae). The larvae of Spirometra generally do not undergo asexual reproduction, whereas those of Sparganum can induce proliferative lesions in infected tissues. This paper presents an unusual case of proliferative sparganosis due to infection with Spirometra mansoni in a cat, normally considered a definitive host of the species.

A new species of (Acari: Demodecidae) from the skin of golden-handed tamarins, (Primates: Cebidae).

Two captive-bred golden-handed tamarins, L., 1758 (Primates: Cebidae), kept in households in Japan, presented with psoriasis-like plaques on their faces, along with scale, alopecia, and itching. Histopathological examination revealed numerous mites in the hair follicles, and the clinical symptoms in both cases improved after treatment with fluralaner.

Virgaricins C and D, new pramanicin analogs produced by Apiospora sp. FKI-8058.

Two new pramanicin analogs, named virgaricins C (1) and D (2), were discovered by physicochemical screening from a static cultured material of Apiospora sp. FKI-8058. Their structures were elucidated by MS and NMR analyses and chemical derivatization.

Antifungal profile against Candida auris clinical isolates of tyroscherin and its new analog produced by the deep-sea-derived fungal strain Scedosporium apiospermum FKJ-0499.

A new antifungal compound, named N-demethyltyroscherin (1), was discovered from the static fungal cultured material of Scedosporium apiospermum FKJ-0499 isolated from a deep-sea sediment sample together with a known compound, tyroscherin (2). The structure of 1 was elucidated as a new analog of 2 by MS and NMR analyses. The absolute configuration of 1 was determined by chemical derivatization.

Total Synthesis of Fusaramin, Enabling Stereochemical Elucidation, Structure-Activity Relationship, and Uncovering the Hidden Antimicrobial Activity against Plant Pathogenic Fungi.

Fusaramin () was isolated as a mitochondrial inhibitor. However, the fungal producer stops producing , which necessitates us to supply by total synthesis. We proposed the complete stereochemical structure based on the biosynthetic pathway of sambutoxin.

T9 in wild bears in Japan: Prevalence, species/genotype identification, and public health implications.

In Japan, the recent series of sporadic outbreaks of human trichinellosis caused by (Nematoda: Trichocephalida) has occurred owing to the consumption of raw or insufficiently cooked meat from wild bears. However, the infection status and molecular characteristics of larvae in Japanese wild bears remain poorly understood. This study investigated the prevalence of spp.

Molecular characterization of oriental eyeworm (Thelazia callipaeda) detected from raccoon (Procyon lotor) and Japanese raccoon dog (Nyctereutes viverrinus) in Kanto region, Japan.

Background: The oriental eyeworm Thelazia callipaeda (Spirurida: Thelaziidae) is an emerging parasitic ocular nematode of carnivores and humans. In domestic animals and humans, the infection causes varying degrees of inflammation and lacrimation, and wild carnivores represent an important reservoir. In this study we examined the infection status and molecular characterization of T.

Hakuhybotrol, a polyketide produced by , characterized with the assistance of 3D ED/MicroED.

A new polyketide, named hakuhybotrol (1), was isolated from a cultured broth of the mycoparasitic fungus FKA-73, together with six known analogs, cladobotric acids F (2), E (5), H (6), and A (7), pyrenulic acid A (3), and F2928-1 (4), in the course of our antifungal screening program. The structure of compound 1 was established through a comprehensive analysis using high-resolution mass spectrometry and 1D and 2D NMR, and its absolute configuration was determined by the combination of chemical derivatization, single crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD), and 3D electron diffraction/micro electron diffraction (3D ED/MicroED). The relative configuration of compound 4 was revised, and its absolute configuration was determined by the conversion to compound 1.

A Combination Strategy of Multidrug-Sensitive Budding Yeast and Chemical Modifications Enabling to Find a New Overlooked Antifungal Compound, Sakurafusariene, from In-House Fractionated Library.

In this report, we disclose our discovery of a new antifungal natural product, sakurafusariene (), from an in-house fractionated library of the culture broth of sp. FKI-7550 strain by using a combination strategy of multidrug-sensitive yeast and chemical modification. Throughout our investigation, we encountered challenges in the isolation of natural product .

Detection and characterization of Hyaloklossia kasumiensis (Apicomplexa: Sarcocystidae) from Nagoya Daruma pond frog, Pelophylax porosus brevipodus.

The Nagoya Daruma pond frog (Pelophylax porosus brevipodus) is an endangered anuran species endemic to the semi-aquatic environment of Japan. On June 11, 2021, four of the six Nagoya Daruma pond frogs captured from the wild and kept in an aquarium died in rapid succession. Pathological and/or parasitological examinations of two of the four carcasses revealed protozoan infection in their kidneys.

Three new species of (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from the Amami rabbit, (Mammalia: Leporidae).

The Amami rabbit, (Mammalia: Lagomorpha: Leporidae), is a relict and endangered species endemic to the Amami-Oshima and Tokunoshima Islands, located in southwestern Japan. Here, we described three new species of (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) parasites detected from fecal samples of wild Amami rabbits. n.

Hakuhybotric acid, a new antifungal polyketide produced by a mycoparasitic fungus Hypomyces pseudocorticiicola FKI-9008.

A new antifungal polyketide, named hakuhybotric acid (1), was isolated from a cultured broth of a mycoparasitic fungus Hypomyces pseudocorticiicola FKI-9008, together with two known analogs, F2928-1 (2) and Cladobotric acid E (3). Their structures were elucidated by MS and NMR analyses. Hakuhybotric acid was a new analog of Cladobotric acid where two epoxy groups in F2928-1 were replaced with olefins.

Black-spotted pond frog as a new host for the renal coccidian genus (Alveolata: Apicomplexa).

Labbé, 1896 (Apicomplexa: Sarcocystidae) is a renal coccidium that infects anuran species. The genus consists of two species: , recorded from kl. and in Europe; and , recorded from in Japan.

Subcutaneous cysticercosis due to Taenia crassiceps (Cestoda: Taeniidae) in an imported steppe lemming in Japan.

This study describes a subcutaneous proliferative cysticercosis in a pet steppe lemming, Lagurus lagurus (Rodentia: Cricetidae), bred and imported from Czech Republic into Japan. Numerous metacestodes were collected from the subcutaneous cystic lesion of the left medial thigh. Four surgical removals were coupled with anthelmintic treatment but ended with recurrence.

Haemoproteus columbae infection in a straggler racing pigeon sheltered in Japan.

A racing pigeon (Columba livia var. domestica), a straggler from Taiwan, was sheltered in Nara Prefecture, Japan in 2020. This pigeon showed hemolysis and elevated levels of hepatobiliary and muscle enzymes.