Advances on the Role of Lung Macrophages in the Pathogenesis of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in the Era of Single-Cell Genomics.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a heterogeneous respiratory disorder characterized by persistent airflow limitation. The diverse pathogenic mechanisms underlying COPD progression remain incompletely understood. Macrophages, serving as the most representative immune cells in the respiratory tract, constitute the first line of innate immune defense and maintain pulmonary immunological homeostasis.

Entomopathogenic Nematodes-Killed Insect Cadavers in the Rhizosphere Activate Plant Direct and Indirect Defences Aboveground.

Plants can perceive and respond to external stimuli by activating both direct and indirect defences against herbivores. Soil-dwelling entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs), natural enemies of root-feeding herbivores, carry symbiotic bacteria that grow and reproduce once inside arthropod hosts. We hypothesized that the metabolites produced by EPN-infected insect cadavers could be perceived by plants, thereby activating plant defences systemically.

Toxicological impacts of microplastics on virulence, reproduction and physiological process of entomopathogenic nematodes.

Microplastics have emerged as significant and concerning pollutants within soil ecosystems. Among the soil biota, entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) are lethal parasites of arthropods, and are considered among the most effective biological agents against pests. Infective juveniles (IJs) of EPNs, as they navigate the soil matrix scavenging for arthropod hosts to infect, they could potentially encounter microplastics.

Simultaneous Promotion of Salt Tolerance and Phenolic Acid Biosynthesis in via Overexpression of .

Transcription factors play crucial roles in regulating plant abiotic stress responses and physiological metabolic processes, which can be used for plant molecular breeding. In this study, an R2R3-MYB transcription factor gene, , was isolated from and introduced into under the regulation of the CaMV35S promoter. The ectopic expression of resulted in improved salt tolerance in ; transgenic plants showed a more resistant phenotype under high-salinity conditions.

The effects of different biochars on Caenorhabditis elegans and the underlying transcriptomic mechanisms.

Different biochars have diverse properties, with ambiguous effects on soil nematodes. This study investigated how aspen sawdust (ABC), bamboo powder (BBC), maize straw (MBC) and peanut-shell biochars (PBC) affected Caenorhabditis elegans via culture assays and RNA-seq analysis. The results showed that biochars derived from different agricultural materials varied significantly in physicochemical properties, and PBC produced more volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to attract C.

Toxicity of fungal-derived volatile organic compounds against root-knot nematodes.

Background: Root-knot nematodes (RKNs), including Meloidogyne species, are among the most destructive plant-parasites worldwide. Recent evidence suggests that entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) can antagonize RKNs. Such antagonistic effects are likely mediated by toxic metabolites, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs), produced by the fungi.

Antifungal Substances Produced by and Its Inhibition Mechanism against .

Fungal colonization can severely damage artifacts. Nematode endosymbiotic bacteria exhibit good prospects in protecting artifacts from fungal damage. We previously found that supernatant from the fermentation of nematode endosymbiotic bacterium, , is effective in inhibiting the growth of NK-NH1, the major disease fungus in the Nanhai No.

Antiamyloid β toxicity effect of genistein via activation of DAF-16 and HSP-16.2 signal pathways in Caenorhabditis elegans.

β-Amyloid toxicity (Aβ) is an important pathological factor of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Studies have shown that genistein can reduce the toxicity of Aβ to a certain extent; however, the specific mechanism is still uncertain. In the study, we applied Caenorhabditis elegans strains expressing Aβ peptides to evaluate the role of genistein inhibiting Aβ toxicity and the undying mechanism.

Protective Effect of Qiliqiangxin against Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiomyopathy by Suppressing Excessive Autophagy and Apoptosis.

Background: Doxorubicin (DOX) is one of the most potent and widely prescribed antitumor agents; however, its clinical use is limited by cardiac side effects. In this study, we aimed to clarify the protective effects of Qiliqiangxin (QL), a traditional Chinese medicine formulation, on DOX-induced cardiotoxicity and to explore the underlying mechanisms in a rat model.

Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to three groups with different interventions (control, DOX, and DOX plus QL) for 31 days.

Harmine Alleviated Sepsis-Induced Cardiac Dysfunction by Modulating Macrophage Polarization the STAT/MAPK/NF-κB Pathway.

Sepsis is a dysregulated systemic inflammatory response that often leads to cardiac dysfunction, which is termed sepsis-induced cardiomyopathy (SIC). Harmine, a natural -carboline alkaloid compound, has been shown to exert pharmacological effects on several diseases. Here, we investigated whether harmine protected against SIC development and the underlying mechanisms.

Neuraminidase1 Inhibitor Protects Against Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiotoxicity Suppressing Drp1-Dependent Mitophagy.

Anthracyclines, such as doxorubicin (DOX), are among the effective chemotherapeutic drugs for various malignancies. However, their clinical use is limited by irreversible cardiotoxicity. This study sought to determine the role of neuraminidase 1 (NEU1) in DOX-induced cardiomyopathy and the potential cardio-protective effects of NEU1 inhibitor oseltamivir (OSE).

Evaluation of indigenous entomopathogenic nematodes in Southwest China as potential biocontrol agents against (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).

is a notorious leaf feeding insect pest in the Asia-Pacific region and leads to a significant economic loss in vegetable and field crop production. Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs), lethal parasites of insects, are used as biocontrol agents. Yunnan Province in China is a well-known region due to its rich biodiversity.

A new Mfn-2 related synthetic peptide promotes vascular smooth muscle cell apoptosis via regulating the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway by inhibiting Akt signaling.

Background: Restenosis after angioplasty is a major challenge for the treatment of coronary artery diseases. Facilitation of vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) apoptosis may be an attractive approach to decrease the incidence of restenosis. We synthesized a 16-amino acid mitofusin-2 (Mfn-2) gene related peptide (MRSP) based on the sequence of the p21 signature motif, the smallest functional sequence of the Mfn-2 gene with proapoptotic properties in VSMC.

Targeting inflammation-associated AMPK//Mfn-2/MAPKs signaling pathways by baicalein exerts anti-atherosclerotic action.

Inflammatory responses in macrophages, endothelial cells, and vascular smooth muscle cells play crucial roles in the development of atherosclerosis. Baicalein, a flavonoid phytochemical, possesses anti-inflammatory properties, but the underlying mechanisms of its action are not fully understood. The aim of this study was to explore whether baicalein inhibited inflammatory activities in RAW264.

Current Knowledge and Perspectives of Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids in Pharmacological Applications: A Mini-Review.

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) are a widespread group of secondary metabolites in plants. PAs are notorious for their acute hepatotoxicity, genotoxicity and neurological damage to humans and animals. In recent decades, the application of PAs for beneficial biological activities to cure disease has drawn greater attention.

Immune-related genes of the larval Holotrichia parallela in response to entomopathogenic nematodes Heterorhabditis beicherriana LF.

Background: Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) emerge as compatible alternatives to conventional insecticides in controlling Holotrichia parallela larvae (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae). However, the immune responses of H. parallela against EPNs infection remain unclear.

Rosuvastatin exerts anti-atherosclerotic effects by improving macrophage-related foam cell formation and polarization conversion via mediating autophagic activities.

Background: Atherosclerosis is a chronic vascular disease posing a great threat to public health. We investigated whether rosuvastatin (RVS) enhanced autophagic activities to inhibit lipid accumulation and polarization conversion of macrophages and then attenuate atherosclerotic lesions.

Methods: All male Apolipoprotein E-deficient (ApoE) mice were fed high-fat diet supplemented with RVS (10 mg/kg/day) or the same volume of normal saline gavage for 20 weeks.

Hydroxytyrosol Plays Antiatherosclerotic Effects through Regulating Lipid Metabolism via Inhibiting the p38 Signal Pathway.

Purpose: Hydroxytyrosol (HT) processes multiaspect pharmacological properties such as antithrombosis and antidiabetes. The aim of this study was to explore the antistherosclerotic roles and relevant mechanisms of HT.

Methods: Male apoE mice were randomly divided into 2 groups: the control group and the HT group (10 mg/kg/day orally).

An innovative strategy for control of fungus gnats using entomopathogenic nematodes alone or in combination with waterlogging.

Chive gnat () is a soil-borne pest of Chinese chives, which causes millions of dollars in yield losses per year. Traditional methods, such as chemical pesticides leave detrimental chemical residues on plants, which potentially threaten human health. To find a sustainable method of reducing the chive gnat, the authors evaluated the effects of waterlogging and the addition of entomopathogenic nematode (EPN) on reducing chive gnat in Chinese chives via three pot experiments and one field demonstration.

First report of (Nematoda: Mermithidae) parasitizing fall armyworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in China.

invaded China in the end of 2018 and has caused severe damage to maize and other crops. Several naturally parasitized by nematodes were observed in Hainan Province, China. The morphological characteristics based on the results of scanning electron microscopy indicated that the nematode belongs to the family Mermithidae.

Epiphytic fungi induced pathogen resistance of invasive plant against .

Background: (L.) Sweet is a destructive invasive weed in South China but rarely infected with pathogens in nature. Its pathogen resistance mechanism is largely unknown at present.

The atheroprotective roles of heart-protecting musk pills against atherosclerosis development in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice.

Background: Heart-protecting musk pill (HMP), derived from Chinese herbal medicines, has been found to possess protective roles against atherosclerosis-related cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), however, the anti-atherosclerotic mechanisms of HMP are still unclear. Here, we investigated the effects of HMP on alleviating atherosclerotic lesion severity in mice and explored the molecular mechanisms.

Methods: Apolipoprotein E-deficient mice were fed western-type diet supplemented with HMP (25 mg/kg/day) or normal saline gavage for 20 weeks.

Integration of behavioural tests and transcriptome sequencing of C. elegans reveals how the nematode responds to peanut shell biochar amendment.

Biochars have drawn wide attention as adsorbents, carbon sequesters and soil re-mediators. However, these substances are ambiguous regarding their effects on the motility, phenotypic changes and potential adaptative mechanisms of soil organisms. This study investigated how peanut shell biochar (PBC) affects the C.