Establishment and evaluation of a qPCR method for the detection of pfmdr1 mutations in Plasmodium falciparum, the causal agent of fatal malaria.

Drug resistance surveillance is a major integral part of malaria control programs. Molecular methods play a pivotal role in drug resistance detection and related molecular research. This study aimed to develop a rapid and accurate detection method for drug resistance of Plasmodium falciparum (P.

Complete pathway elucidation and heterologous reconstitution of (+)-nootkatone biosynthesis from Alpinia oxyphylla.

(+)-Nootkatone is a natural sesquiterpene ketone widely used in food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and agriculture. It is also regarded as one of the most valuable terpenes used commercially. However, plants contain trace amounts of (+)-nootkatone, and extraction from plants is insufficient to meet market demand.

Functional characterization and structural basis of a reversible glycosyltransferase involves in plant chemical defence.

Plants experience numerous biotic stresses throughout their lifespan, such as pathogens and pests, which can substantially affect crop production. In response, plants have evolved various metabolites that help them withstand these stresses. Here, we show that two specialized metabolites in the herbaceous perennial Belamcanda chinensis, tectorigenin and its glycoside tectoridin, have diverse defensive effects against phytopathogenic microorganisms and antifeeding effects against insect pest.

Rapid and Ultrasensitive Detection of spp. Parasites via the RPA-CRISPR/Cas12a Platform.

Microscopic examination of thick and thin blood smears stained with Giemsa dye is considered the primary diagnostic tool for the confirmation and management of suspected clinical malaria. However, detecting gametocytes is relatively insensitive, particularly in asymptomatic individuals with low-density infections. To complement existing diagnostic methods, a rapid and ultrasensitive point-of-care testing (POCT) platform for malaria detection is urgently needed and necessary.

Pneumonia During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Hubei Province, China: a Case Report of Mucormycosis.

Background: Mucor infection cannot be ignored in patients with pulmonary shadowing with cavitation. This paper reports a case of mucormycosis during the COVID-19 pandemic in Hubei Province, China.

Methods: An anesthesiology doctor was initially diagnosed as COVID-19 due to changes in lung imaging.

Additive Therapy of Plasmodium berghei-Induced Experimental Cerebral Malaria via Dihydroartemisinin Combined with Rapamycin and Atorvastatin.

Cerebral malaria (CM), caused by Plasmodium falciparum, is the primary cause of death from severe malaria. Even after immediate parenteral therapy with antimalarial drugs, the mortality rate remains 15 to 25%. Currently, no effective therapeutic agents are available for the radical treatment of CM.

Detection of Antimalarial Resistance-Associated Mutations in Plasmodium falciparum via a Platform of Allele-Specific PCR Combined with a Gold Nanoparticle-Based Lateral Flow Assay.

Since single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have attracted attention, there have been many explorations and improvements in screening and detection methods for SNPs. Traditional methods are complex and time-consuming and rely on expensive instruments. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a low-cost, simple, and accurate method that is convenient for use in resource-poor areas.

Bromodomain-containing factor GTE4 regulates Arabidopsis immune response.

Background: Plants are continuously challenged with biotic stress from environmental pathogens, and precise regulation of defense responses is critical for plant survival. Defense systems require considerable amounts of energy and resources, impairing plant growth, and plant hormones controlling transcriptional regulation play essential roles in establishing the appropriate balance between defense response to pathogens and growth. Chromatin regulators modulating gene transcription are broadly involved in regulating stress-responsive genes.

Characterization of benzylisoquinoline alkaloid methyltransferases in Liriodendron chinense provides insights into the phylogenic basis of angiosperm alkaloid diversity.

Benzylisoquinoline alkaloids (BIAs) are a class of plant secondary metabolites with great pharmacological value. Their biosynthetic pathways have been extensively elucidated in the species from the Ranunculales order, such as poppy and Coptis japonica, in which methylation events play central roles and are directly responsible for BIA chemodiversity. Here, we combined BIA quantitative profiling and transcriptomic analyses to identify novel BIA methyltransferases (MTs) from Liriodendron chinense, a basal angiosperm plant.

Cerebral malaria induced by : clinical features, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment.

Cerebral malaria (CM) caused by is a fatal neurological complication of malaria, resulting in coma and death, and even survivors may suffer long-term neurological sequelae. In sub-Saharan Africa, CM occurs mainly in children under five years of age. Although intravenous artesunate is considered the preferred treatment for CM, the clinical efficacy is still far from satisfactory.

NF-κB, A Potential Therapeutic Target in Cardiovascular Diseases.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death globally. Atherosclerosis is the basis of major CVDs - myocardial ischemia, heart failure, and stroke. Among numerous functional molecules, the transcription factor nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) has been linked to downstream target genes involved in atherosclerosis.

NLRP3-Mediated Inflammation in Atherosclerosis and Associated Therapeutics.

The NLRP3 inflammasome is a crucial constituent of the body's innate immune system, and a multiprotein platform which is initiated by pattern recognition receptors (PRRs). Its activation leads to caspase-1 maturation and release of inflammatory cytokines, interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and IL-18, and subsequently causes pyroptosis. Recently, the excess activation of NLRP3 inflammasome has been confirmed to mediate inflammatory responses and to participate in genesis and development of atherosclerosis.

Single-nucleotide polymorphisms of artemisinin resistance-related pfubp1 and pfap2mu genes in imported Plasmodium falciparum to Wuhan, China.

Background: Molecular markers for monitoring resistance could help improve malaria treatment policies. Delayed clearance of Plasmodium falciparum by artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) has been reported in several countries. In addition to PfKelch13 (pfk13), new drug resistance genes, P.

A Rapid and Specific Genotyping Platform for Plasmodium falciparum Chloroquine Resistance via Allele-Specific PCR with a Lateral Flow Assay.

Single-nucleotide polymorphisms and genotyping related to genetic detection are several of the focuses of contemporary biotechnology development. Traditional methods are complex, take a long time, and rely on expensive instruments. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a rapid, simple, and accurate method convenient for use in resource-poor areas.

A Nanodrug Coated with Membrane from Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cells Protects against Experimental Cerebral Malaria.

Human malaria is a global life-threatening infectious disease. Cerebral malaria (CM) induced by parasites accounts for 90% of malaria deaths. Treating CM is challenging due to inadequate treatment options and the development of drug resistance.

Attenuation of the cytoprotection induced by hypoxic preconditioning upon transfection with BNIP3-siRNA in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the functional role of hypoxic preconditioning (HPC) in human neuroblastoma cells.

Methods: BNIP3 small-interfering RNA (BNIP3-siRNA) sequence was synthesized and used to transfect human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cell lines. Thereafter, BNIP3 expression at mRNA and protein levels and its effects on the cell proliferation were analyzed.

Observation of the Gut Microbiota Profile in C57BL/6 Mice Induced by ANKA Infection.

The genus of parasites can cause malaria, which is a prevalent infectious disease worldwide, especially in tropical and subtropical regions. C57BL/6 mice infected with ANKA (PbA) will suffer from experimental cerebral malaria (ECM). However, the gut microbiota in C57BL/6 mice has rarely been investigated, especially regarding changes in the intestinal environment caused by infectious parasites.

Molecular surveillance of anti-malarial resistance pfcrt, pfmdr1, and pfk13 polymorphisms in African Plasmodium falciparum imported parasites to Wuhan, China.

Background: Imported malaria parasites with anti-malarial drug resistance (ADR) from Africa is a serious public health challenge in non-malarial regions, including Wuhan, China. It is crucial to assess the ADR status in African Plasmodium falciparum isolates from imported malaria cases, as this will provide valuable information for rational medication and malaria control.

Methods: During 2017-2019, a cross-sectional study was carried out in Wuhan, China.

Reverse Transcription Recombinase-Aided Amplification Assay With Lateral Flow Dipstick Assay for Rapid Detection of 2019 Novel Coronavirus.

Background: The emerging Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) has challenged the public health globally. With the increasing requirement of detection for SARS-CoV-2 outside of the laboratory setting, a rapid and precise Point of Care Test (POCT) is urgently needed.

Methods: Targeting the nucleocapsid (N) gene of SARS-CoV-2, specific primers, and probes for reverse transcription recombinase-aided amplification coupled with lateral flow dipstick (RT-RAA/LFD) platform were designed.

Multiple Single-Nucleotide Polymorphism Detection for Antimalarial Pyrimethamine Resistance via Allele-Specific PCR Coupled with Gold Nanoparticle-Based Lateral Flow Biosensor.

Molecular genotyping holds tremendous potential to detect antimalarial drug resistance (ADR) related to single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). However, it relies on the use of complicated procedures and expensive instruments. Thus, rapid point-of-care testing (POCT) molecular tools are urgently needed for field survey and clinical use.

Molecular surveillance of anti-malarial resistance Pfdhfr and Pfdhps polymorphisms in African and Southeast Asia Plasmodium falciparum imported parasites to Wuhan, China.

Background: Anti-malarial drug resistance is a severe challenge for eventual control and global elimination of malaria. Resistance to sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) increases as mutations accumulate in the Pfdhfr and Pfdhps genes. This study aimed to assess the polymorphisms and prevalence of mutation in these genes in the Plasmodium falciparum infecting migrant workers returning to Wuhan, China.

Molecular epidemiological surveillance of Africa and Asia imported malaria in Wuhan, Central China: comparison of diagnostic tools during 2011-2018.

Background: Malaria remains a serious public health problem globally. As the elimination of indigenous malaria continues in China, imported malaria has gradually become a major health hazard. Well-timed and accurate diagnoses could support the timely implementation of therapeutic schedules, reveal the prevalence of imported malaria and avoid transmission of the disease.

Endothelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition: Role in Cardiac Fibrosis.

Endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) is a complex biological process by which endothelial cells lose their endothelial cell characteristics and acquire mesenchymal cell properties under certain physiological or pathological conditions. Recently, it has been found that EndMT plays an important role in the occurrence and development of fibrotic cardiovascular diseases. In this review, we first summarize the main induction pathways involved in EndMT process.

Quorum sensing inhibition and tobramycin acceleration in Chromobacterium violaceum by two natural cinnamic acid derivatives.

Chromobacterium violaceum, one free-living Gram-negative bacterium, is abundantly presented in tropics and sub-tropics soil and aquatic environment; it is also an opportunistic human pathogen. Here, two cinnamic acid derivatives, i.e.