Computational Simulation Study of Potential Inhibition of c-Met Kinase Receptor by Phenoxy pyridine Derivatives: Based on QSAR, Molecular Docking, Molecular Dynamics.

The mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor (c-Met) is a tyrosine kinase receptor protein, and excessive cell transformation can lead to cancer. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop novel receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors by inhibiting the activity of c-Met protein. In this study, 41 compounds are selected from the reported literature, and the interactions between phenoxy pyridine derivatives and tumor-associated proteins are systematically investigated using a series of computer-assisted drug design (CADD) methods, aiming to predict potential c-Met inhibitors with high activity.

Biochemical and protein nutritional potential of mulberry (Morus alba L.) leaf: partial substitution improves the nutrition of conventional protein.

Background: With the requirements of environmental, cost and economic sustainability, new sources of alternative proteins in the livestock industry are receiving increasing attention. Mulberry (Morus alba L.) leaves are a unique feed resource because of their high protein content and large availability.

The Transcription Factor CsgD Contributes to Engineered Resistance by Regulating Biofilm Formation and Stress Responses.

The high cell density, immobilization and stability of biofilms are ideal characteristics for bacteria in resisting antibiotic therapy. CsgD is a transcription activating factor that regulates the synthesis of curly fimbriae and cellulose in , thereby enhancing bacterial adhesion and promoting biofilm formation. To investigate the role of CsgD in biofilm formation and stress resistance in bacteria, the D deletion mutant ΔD was successfully constructed from the engineered strain BL21(DE3) using the CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing system.

Plasma-Membrane-Localized Transporter NREET1 is Responsible for Rare Earth Element Uptake in Hyperaccumulator .

Rare earth elements (REEs) are critical for numerous modern technologies, and demand is increasing globally; however, production steps are resource-intensive and environmentally damaging. Some plant species are able to hyperaccumulate REEs, and understanding the biology behind this phenomenon could play a pivotal role in developing more environmentally friendly REE recovery technologies. Here, we identified a REE transporter NRAMP REE Transporter 1 (NREET1) from the REE hyperaccumulator fern .

Rare earth elements detoxification mechanism in the hyperaccumulator Dicranopteris linearis: [silicon-pectin] matrix fixation.

Dicranopteris linearis is the best-known hyperaccumulator species of rare earth elements (REEs) and silicon (Si), capable of dealing with toxic level of REEs. Hence, this study aimed to clarify how D. linearis leaves cope with excessive REE stress, and whether Si plays a role in REE detoxification.

Matrix-Directed Mineralization for Bulk Structural Materials.

Mineral-based bulk structural materials (MBSMs) are known for their long history and extensive range of usage. The inherent brittleness of minerals poses a major problem to the performance of MBSMs. To overcome this problem, design principles have been extracted from natural biominerals, in which the extraordinary mechanical performance is achieved via the hierarchical organization of minerals and organics.

Frequency-specific age-related changes in the amplitude of spontaneous fluctuations in autism.

Background: Autism spectrum disorder is characterized by atypical developmental changes during brain maturation, but regional brain functional changes that occur with age and across different frequency bands are unknown. Therefore, the current study aimed to explore potential age and frequency band-related changes in the regional brain activities in autism.

Methods: A total of 65 participants who met the DSM-IV criteria for autistic disorder and 55 typically developed (TD) participants (both age 6-30 years) were recruited in the current study.

Artificial Nacre with High Toughness Amplification Factor: Residual Stress-Engineering Sparks Enhanced Extrinsic Toughening Mechanisms.

The high fracture toughness of mollusk nacre is predominantly attributed to the structure-associated extrinsic mechanisms such as platelet sliding and crack deflection. While the nacre-mimetic structures are widely adopted in artificial ceramics, the extrinsic mechanisms are often weakened by the relatively low tensile strength of the platelets with a large aspect ratio, which makes the fracture toughness of these materials much lower than expected. Here, it is demonstrated that the fracture toughness of artificial nacre materials with high inorganic contents can be improved by residual stress-induced platelet strengthening, which can catalyze more effective extrinsic toughening mechanisms that are specific to the nacre-mimetic structures.

Atypicalities in the developmental trajectory of cortico-striatal functional connectivity in autism spectrum disorder.

Autism spectrum disorder has long been conceptualized as a disorder of "atypical development of functional brain connectivity (which refers to correlations in activity levels of distant brain regions)." However, most of the research has focused on the connectivity between cortical regions, and much remains unknown about the developmental changes of functional connectivity between subcortical and cortical areas in autism spectrum disorder. We used the technique of resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging to explore the developmental characteristics of intrinsic functional connectivity (functional brain connectivity when people are asked not to do anything) between subcortical and cortical regions in individuals with and without autism spectrum disorder aged 6-30 years.

Health-related risky behaviors and their risk factors in adolescents with high-functioning autism.

Background: Health-related risky behaviors generally refer to behaviors that have a negative impact on health and quality of life. Health-related risky behaviors in adolescents with high-functioning autism (HFA) have not been well understood so far. Adolescents with HFA may have more health-related risky behaviors than neurotypical adolescents.

Biological characterization of human amniotic epithelial cells in a serum-free system and their safety evaluation.

Human amniotic epithelial cells (hAECs), derived from the innermost layer of the term placenta closest to the fetus, have been shown to be potential seed cells for allogeneic cell therapy. Previous studies have shown a certain therapeutic effect of hAECs. However, no appropriate isolation and culture system for hAECs has been developed for clinical applications.

A20 overexpression under control of mouse osteocalcin promoter in MC3T3-E1 cells inhibited tumor necrosis factor-alpha-induced apoptosis.

Aim: To construct an A20 expression vector under the control of mouse osteocalcin promoter (OC-A20), and investigate osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cell line, which stably overexpresses A20 protein prevented tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha-induced apoptosis.

Methods: OC-A20 vector was constructed by fusing a fragment of the mouse osteocalcin gene-2 promoter with human A20 complementary DNA. Then the mouse MC3T3-E1 cell line, stably transfected by A20, was established.

CMV-hFasL transgenic mice prevent from experimental autoimmune thyroiditis.

Background: Previous studies showed that the role of Fas ligand (FasL) is not consistent in the pathogenesis of autoimmune thyroiditis. This study was designed to investigate the effects of FasL on the pathogenesis of experimental autoimmune thyroiditis (EAT) using CMV-human FasL (hFasL) transgenic mice.

Methods: Transgenic mice ubiquitously expressing hFasL were used as an animal model of EAT by injection of porcine thyroglobulin (pTg).

Antiapoptotic effect both in vivo and in vitro of A20 gene when transfected into rat hippocampal neurons.

Aim: To evaluate the antiapoptotic effect of the A20 gene in primary hippocampal neurons both in vivo and in vitro.

Methods: Primary hippocampal neurons in embryonic day 18 (E18) rats were transfected with the A20 gene by using the new Nucleofector electroporation transfection method. We then examined, whether A20-neurons possessed anti-apoptotic abilities after TNF-alpha stimulation in vitro.

Direct transfer of A20 gene into pancreas protected mice from streptozotocin-induced diabetes.

Aim: To investigate the efficiency of transfer of A20 gene into pancreas against STZ-induced diabetes.

Methods: PVP-plasmid mixture was directly transferred into the pancreatic parenchyma 2 d before STZ injection. The uptake of plasmid pcDNA3-LacZ or pcDNA3-A20 was detected by PCR and the expression of LacZ was confirmed by histological analysis with X-gal.

CMV-hFasL transgenic mice are sensitive to low doses of streptozotocin-induced type I diabetes mellitus.

Aim: To investigate the role of Fas-FasL pathway in the pathogenesis of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced type I diabetes mellitus.

Methods: Low dose injections of STZ were used to induce type I diabetes mellitus in the CMV-hFasL transgenic mice. Blood glucose concentration was measured with Glucotrand Plus blood glucose test strips.

Expression of human alpha-galactosidase leads to reduction of major xenoepitope Galalpha(1,3) Gal in NIH 3T3 cell.

Aim: To examine the effects of the expression of alpha-galactosidase on the expression of the major xenoepitope Galalpha(1,3) Gal (G antigen) in NIH 3T3 cell.

Methods: The expression levels of G antigen and H antigen and binding of human natural antibodies (IgG and IgM) and complement (C3c) to NIH 3T3 cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. Western blot was employed to further determine the expression of glycoproteins of G antigen.

Gene therapy of experimental autoimmune thyroiditis mice by in vivo administration of plasmid DNA coding for human interleukin-10.

Aim: To investigate the effect of interleukin-10 (IL-10) gene on experimental autoimmune thyroiditis mice.

Methods: Mice were immunized to induce autoimmune thyroiditis with porcine thyroglobulin (pTg), and thyroids of mice were injected with IL-10 DNA. On d 28 after immunization with pTg, mRNA expression of IL-10 in thyroid glands was detected and thyroid specimens were histopathological studied.

Human alpha galactosidase and alpha 1,2 fucosyltransferase concordantly inhibit xenoreactivity of NIH 3T3 cells with human serum.

Aim: To study the influence of the expression of human alpha galactosidase and alpha1,2 fucosyltransferase on Gal alpha 1,3 Gal and consequent xenoreactivity in NIH3T3 cells.

Methods: The expression levels of G antigen and H antigen and binding of human natural antibodies (IgG and IgM) and complement (C3c) to NIH3T3 cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. Western blot was employed to further determine the expression of glycoproteins of G antigen.

Intramuscular injection of interleukin-10 plasmid DNA prevented autoimmune diabetes in mice.

Aim: To investigate the effect of plasmid coding interleukin-10 (IL-10) DNA on the development of autoimmune diabetes induced by multiple low doses of streptozotocin (STZ) in mice.

Methods: Injection of STZ (40 mg/kg, i.p.