Assessment of the Potential Suitable Habitat of Chevrolat, 1852 (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) Under Climate Change and Human Activities Based on the Biomod2 Ensemble Model.

Effective use of species distribution models can assess the risk of spreading forest pests. In this study, based on 434 occurrence records and eight environmental variables, an ensemble model was applied to identify key environmental factors affecting the distribution of Chevrolat, 1852 and predict its potential habitat and its relative areas of change under current and future climatic conditions. The results indicate that humidity, solar radiation, topography, and human activities were the main factors influencing the distribution of .

Mesenchymal Stem Cell Extract Promotes Skin Wound Healing.

Recently, it has been reported that mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-derived humoral factors promote skin wound healing. As these humoral factors are transiently stored in cytoplasm, we collected them as part of the cell extracts from MSCs (MSC-ext). This study aimed to investigate the effects of MSC-ext on skin wound healing.

, a Retrovirus-Derived Gene Implicated in Autism Spectrum Disorder, Is a Microglial Gene That Responds to Noradrenaline in the Postnatal Brain.

Retrotransposon Gag-like 4 (), a gene acquired from a retrovirus, is a causative gene in autism spectrum disorder. Its knockout mice exhibit increased impulsivity, impaired short-term spatial memory, failure to adapt to novel environments, and delayed noradrenaline (NA) recovery in the frontal cortex. However, due to its very low expression in the brain, it remains unknown which brain cells express RTL4 and its dynamics in relation to NA.

Cytotoxic Natural Products from (Thunb. ex L.) D.Don.

is a commercially important tree native to Japan. The tree belongs to the ancient genus and has found important uses as a medicinal plant, as well as a main source of timber in Japan. In recent years, there has been an increased interest in discovering extended uses of as a source of novel bioactive natural products with potential applications as lead compounds for active principles of future drugs.

The Prevalence and the Underlying Mechanisms of Fosfomycin Resistance of and spp. Among Cattle in Japan.

To investigate fosfomycin resistance rates in cattle across Japan, we carried out susceptibility tests. To identify the genes contributing to fosfomycin resistance, we performed whole-genome sequencing on the fosfomycin-resistant strains. were sampled from healthy cattle ( = 292, combined total from 2017, 2020, 2021, and 2022) and diseased cattle ( = 73, from 2021 to 2022).

Untargeted Mutation Triggered by Ribonucleoside Embedded in DNA.

DNA polymerases frequently misincorporate ribonucleoside 5'-triphosphates into nascent DNA strands. This study examined the effects of an incorporated ribonucleoside on untargeted mutations in human cells. Riboguanosine (rG) was introduced into the downstream region of the gene to preferentially detect the untargeted mutations.

Inflammatory Stimulation Upregulates the Receptor Transporter Protein 4 (RTP4) in SIM-A9 Microglial Cells.

The receptor transporter protein 4 (RTP4) is a receptor chaperone protein that targets class A G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR)s. Recently, it has been found to play a role in peripheral inflammatory regulation, as one of the interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs). However, the detailed role of RTP4 in response to inflammatory stress in the central nervous system has not yet been fully understood.

Evaluating Apelin as a Potential Biomarker in Major Depressive Disorder: Its Correlation with Clinical Symptomatology.

To date, only a limited number of studies have investigated the potential effects of apelin on mood regulation and emotional behavior. Therefore, this study investigated apelin's role in major depressive disorder (MDD) by comparing the serum and plasma apelin concentrations between 30 patients with MDD and 30 healthy controls (HCs), and the correlated serum and plasma apelin levels and the severity of depressive symptoms using the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS). Blood samples were collected following 12 h of fasting, and the apelin levels were measured using an ELISA kit.

A Novel Glycoengineered Humanized Antibody Targeting DLK1 Exhibits Potent Anti-Tumor Activity in DLK1-Expressing Liver Cancer Cell Xenograft Models.

Delta-like 1 homolog (DLK1), a non-canonical Notch ligand, is highly expressed in various malignant tumors, especially in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). CBA-1205 is an afucosylated humanized antibody against DLK1 with enhanced antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). The binding characteristics of CBA-1205 were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and fluorescence-activated cell sorting assay.

Tumorigenesis Caused by Aberrant Expression of GANP, a Central Component in the Mammalian TREX-2 Complex-Lessons from Transcription-Coupled DNA Damages.

DNA is frequently damaged by genotoxic stresses such as ionizing radiation, reactive oxygen species, and nitrogen species. DNA damage is a key contributor to cancer initiation and progression, and thus the precise and timely repair of these harmful lesions is required. Recent studies revealed transcription as a source of genome instability, and transcription-coupled DNA damage has been a focus in cancer research.

Immune Microenvironment and the Effect of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Inhibition in Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Systemic therapy for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has progressed with the development of multiple kinases, such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling, targeting cancer growth and angiogenesis. Additionally, the efficacy of sorafenib, regorafenib, lenvatinib, ramucirumab, and cabozantinib has been demonstrated in various clinical trials, and they are now widely used in clinical practice. Furthermore, the development of effective immune checkpoint inhibitors has progressed in systemic therapy for unresectable HCC, and atezolizumab + bevacizumab (atezo/bev) therapy and durvalumab + tremelimumab therapy are now recommended as first-line treatment.

Immortalization of Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Application in Regenerative Medicine and Their Potential Risks of Tumorigenesis.

Regenerative medicine utilizes stem cells to repair damaged tissues by replacing them with their differentiated cells and activating the body's inherent regenerative abilities. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are adult stem cells that possess tissue repair and regenerative capabilities and immunomodulatory properties with a much lower risk of tumorigenicity, making them a focus of numerous clinical trials worldwide. MSCs primarily exert their therapeutic effects through paracrine effects via secreted factors, such as cytokines and exosomes.

Signal Peptides and Their Fragments in Post-Translation: Novel Insights of Signal Peptides.

Signal peptides (SPs), peptide sequences located at the N-terminus of newly synthesized proteins, are primarily known for their role in targeting proteins to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). It has traditionally been assumed that cleaved SPs are rapidly degraded and digested near the ER. However, recent evidence has demonstrated that cleaved SP fragments can be detected in extracellular fluids such as blood flow, where they exhibit bioactivity.

Plasma microRNAs Associate Positive, Negative, and Cognitive Symptoms with Inflammation in Schizophrenia.

Schizophrenia is a complex and heterogenous psychiatric disorder characterized by positive, negative, and cognitive symptoms. Our previous study identified three subgroups of schizophrenia patients based on plasma microRNA (miRNA) profiles. The present study aims to (1) verify the reproducibility of the miRNA-based patient stratification and (2) explore the pathophysiological pathways linked to the symptoms using plasma miRNAs.

KOnezumi-AID: Automation Software for Efficient Multiplex Gene Knockout Using Target-AID.

With the groundbreaking advancements in genome editing technologies, particularly CRISPR-Cas9, creating knockout mutants has become highly efficient. However, the CRISPR-Cas9 system introduces DNA double-strand breaks, increasing the risk of chromosomal rearrangements and posing a major obstacle to simultaneous multiple gene knockout. Base-editing systems, such as Target-AID, are safe alternatives for precise base modifications without requiring DNA double-strand breaks, serving as promising solutions for existing challenges.

Intradomain Allosteric Regulation of Soluble Epoxide Hydrolase by Its Substrates.

Soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) is a bifunctional enzyme with epoxide hydrolase activity in the C-terminal domain (C-EH) and lipid phosphate phosphatase activity in the N-terminal domain (N-phos). The C-EH hydrolyzes bioactive epoxy fatty acids such as epoxyeicosatrienoic acid (EET). The N-phos hydrolyzes lipid phosphomonesters, including the signaling molecules of lysophosphatidic acid (LPA).

Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Their Extracellular Vesicles: Therapeutic Mechanisms for Blood-Spinal Cord Barrier Repair Following Spinal Cord Injury.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) disrupts the blood-spinal cord barrier (BSCB) exacerbating damage by allowing harmful substances and immune cells to infiltrate spinal neural tissues from the vasculature. This leads to inflammation, oxidative stress, and impaired axonal regeneration. The BSCB, essential for maintaining spinal cord homeostasis, is structurally similar to the blood-brain barrier.

Treatment with Ascorbyl Glucoside-Arginine Complex Ameliorates Solar Lentigos.

Little is known about the anti-pigmenting effects of skin-whitening agents on solar lentigos (SLs). To characterize the anti-pigmenting effects of a newly designed derivative ascorbyl glucoside-arginine complex (AGAC) on SLs, lotions with or without 28% AGAC were applied twice daily for 24 weeks in a double-blind half-face study of 27 Japanese females with SLs. The pigmentation scores and skin colors of previously selected SLs on the right and left sides of the faces of the subjects were evaluated using a photo-scale, a color difference meter and a Mexameter.

Bovine Lactoferrin Enhances Toll-like Receptor 7 Response in Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells and Modulates Cellular Immunity.

Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) express Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7) in the endosomes, recognize viral single-stranded RNA (ssRNA), and produce significant amounts of interferon (IFN)-α. Bovine lactoferrin (LF) enhances the response of IFN regulatory factors followed by the activation of IFN-sensitive response elements located in the promoter regions of the gene and IFN-stimulated genes in the TLR7 reporter THP-1 cells in the presence of R-848, a TLR7 agonist. In ex vivo experiments using human peripheral blood mononuclear cells, LF enhances IFN-α levels in the supernatant in the presence of R-848.

Effect of High-Dose Vitamin C on Tendon Cell Degeneration-An In Vitro Study.

Tendinopathy is an aging-related disease, often caused by micro-scarring and degeneration due to overuse or trauma. Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) supplementation is reported to be a useful treatment for tendinopathy recovery. We compared the inhibitory effects of various ascorbic acid doses on tendon cell damage.

An Advanced Sensing Approach to Biological Toxins with Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance Spectroscopy Based on Their Unique Protein Quaternary Structures.

Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs), ricin, and many other biological toxins are called AB toxins possessing heterogeneous A and B subunits. We propose herein a quick and safe sensing approach to AB toxins based on their unique quaternary structures. The proposed approach utilizes IgG antibodies against their A-subunits in combination with those human cell-membrane glycolipids that act as the natural ligands of B-subunits.

DEAD/H Box 5 (DDX5) Augments E2F1-Induced Cell Death Independent of the Tumor Suppressor p53.

In almost all cancers, the p53 pathway is disabled and cancer cells survive. Hence, it is crucially important to induce cell death independent of p53 in the treatment of cancers. The transcription factor E2F1 is controlled by binding of the tumor suppressor pRB, and induces apoptosis by activating the gene, an upstream activator of p53, when deregulated from pRB by loss of pRB function.

Cardiac Arrhythmia: Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Strategies.

Arrhythmias are divided into supraventricular and ventricular, depending on where they originate [...

Challenges and Future Directions in Lipoprotein Measurement for Atherosclerosis Prevention and Treatment.

Atherosclerosis can cause severe damage to the heart, brain, and other vital organs [...

Sequence-Specific Free Energy Changes in DNA/RNA Induced by a Single LNA-T Modification in Antisense Oligonucleotides.

2',4'-methylene bridged nucleic acid/locked nucleic acid (2',4'-BNA/LNA; LNA) is a modified nucleic acid that improves the function of antisense oligonucleotide therapeutics. In particular, LNA in the DNA strand increases its binding affinity for the target RNA. Predicting the binding affinities of LNA-containing antisense oligonucleotides and RNA duplexes is useful for designing antisense oligonucleotides.