LIGHT (TNFSF14) inhibits glucose uptake of adipocytes by downregulating GLUT4 expression via AKT signaling pathway.

Glucose homeostasis of adipocytes could be regulated by immune-adipose crosstalk. In order to investigate the effects of Lymphotoxin-like inducible protein that competes with glycoprotein D for herpesvirus entry on T cells (LIGHT) on glucose metabolism, we performed the present study. Our results showed that LIGHT deficiency improved glucose tolerance and enhanced glucose consumption of inguinal white adipose tissue (iWAT) under high fat diet.

Gut microbiota-derived metabolites as key mucosal barrier modulators in obesity.

A significant breakthrough in the field of obesity research was the demonstration that an obese phenotype could be manipulated by modulating the gut microbiota. An important next step is to elucidate a human-relevant "map'' of microbiota-host interactions that regulate the metabolic health of the host. An improved understanding of this crosstalk is a prerequisite for optimizing therapeutic strategies to combat obesity.

Sphallerocarpus gracilis polysaccharide protects pancreatic β-cells via regulation of the bax/bcl-2, caspase-3, pdx-1 and insulin signalling pathways.

In this study, the structural characterization of Sphallerocarpus gracilis polysaccharide (SGP) and its hypoglycaemic activities are reported for the first time. SGP, which has a weight average molar mass (M) of 7.413×10, was isolated from Sphallerocarpus gracilis and purified by ion-exchange chromatography.

Synergistic effect of moxibustion and rehabilitation training in functional recovery of post-stroke spastic hemiplegia.

Objective: To evaluate the therapeutic benefit of combining moxibustion and rehabilitation training for functional recovery in post-stroke spastic hemiplegic patients.

Methods: We randomly divided 84 cases subjecting to inclusion criteria into moxibustion plus rehabilitation training group (MRT group, n=44) and rehabilitation training group (RT group, n=40). Evaluation of therapeutic effect was observed before treatment, 2 weeks during treatment and 6 months after treatment.

Activation of the chromosomally encoded mazEF(Bif) locus of Bifidobacterium longum under acid stress.

Toxin-antitoxin (TA) systems are distributed within the genomes of almost all free-living bacteria. Although the roles of chromosomally encoded TA systems are still under debate, they are suspected to be involved in various stress responses. Here, we provide the first report of a type II TA system in the probiotic bacterium Bifidobacterium longum.

[Comparative study of Hedysari Radix and Astragali Radix alternative classic tonification prescriptions on humoral immunity in immunosuppressed mice].

Objective: To compare the regulating effects of Hedysari Radix and Astragali Radix alternative classic tonification prescriptions on humoral immunity in immunosuppressed mice.

Methods: The immunosuppressed mouse model was induced by cyclophosphamide. The mice were administered intragastically with same dose of Hedysari Radix and Astragali Radix alternative Buzhong Yiqi Yiqi Yangxue,Yupingfeng oral liquid and Fuqi Zhihan granules for antagonistic experiments in vivo.

[Proteomics analysis of the synergy effect of Radix Hedysari polysaccharides combined with chemotherapy on S180 tumor cells].

Objective: To analyze the differentially expressed proteins of the synergy effect of Radix Hedysari polysaccharides (HPS)combined with chemotherapy (Cy) on S180 tumor cells.

Methods: The total proteins extracted from the HPS combined with Cy treated S180 cells in tumor-bearing mice were separated by two dimentional gel electrophoresis (2-DE)and compared with those from Cy treated S180 cells using PDQuest 8.0 software.

Proteomic analysis of the effect of triterpenes from Patrinia heterophylla on leukemia K562 cells.

For centuries, Patrinia heterophylla had been used in China to treat many diseases including tumor. Triterpenes has been identified as the major active constituents in Patrinia heterophylla. To elucidate the antitumor mechanism of triterpenes from Patrinia heterophylla1 (TPH), a proteomic analysis is carried out with TPH treatment in K562 cells.

Safety assessment of Bifidobacterium longum JDM301 based on complete genome sequences.

Aim: To assess the safety of Bifidobacterium longum (B. longum) JDM301 based on complete genome sequences.

Methods: The complete genome sequences of JDM301 were determined using the GS 20 system.

Safety assessment of Lactobacillus plantarum JDM1 based on the complete genome.

We performed a comprehensive safety assessment of a probiotic based on the whole genome sequence and corresponding phenotypes. This was performed on Lactobacillus plantarum JDM1, a widely used commercial probiotic strain in China. The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of sixteen antibiotics and the biogenic amine production of JDM1 were tested to supplement a traditional oral toxicity test.

Complete genome sequence of Bifidobacterium longum JDM301.

Bifidobacteria, known as probiotic bacteria, are high-G+C Gram-positive bacteria which naturally inhabit the human gastrointestinal tract and vagina. Recently, we completely sequenced Bifidobacterium longum JDM301, which is a widely used Chinese commercial strain with several probiotic properties.

[The effects of human 21.5 kDa MBP gene on HepG-2 proliferation and apoptosis].

Objective: To test the effects of the 21.5 kDa human brain myelin basic protein (MBP) on the proliferation and apoptosis of HepG-2.

Methods: pSVCEP-MBP-CAT plasmid containing the full-length 21.

Preparation and characterization of a novel nonviral gene transfer system: procationic-liposome-protamine-DNA complexes.

Procationic-liposome-protamine-DNA (PLPD) vector, a novel nonviral gene delivery system, that may further adsorb transferrin (Tf) at its surface via electrostatic interactions to form Tf-PLPD, was prepared from soybean phosphatidylcholine (PC), cholesterol (Chol), and a kind of cholesterol derivative, CHETA(cholest-5-en-3-ol(3beta)-[2-[[4-[(carboxymethyl)dithio]-1-iminobutyl] amino] ethyl] carba- mate) containing disulfide bond by film dispersion-filteration method. Central composite design was used to optimize the formulation. The presence of serum did not affect the transfection activity of PLPD or Tf-PLPD and the cell viability was not affected significantly when the cells were incubated with the complexes for 4 hr at 37 degrees C.