NPF activates a specific NPF receptor and regulates food intake in Pacific abalone Haliotis discus hannai.

Neuropeptides function through G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) with high specificity, implying a significant degree of neuropeptide-GPCR coevolution. However, potential neuropeptide signaling systems in non-chordates are relatively elusive. We determined the specificity of the neuropeptide F (Hdh-NPF) signaling system with a cognate receptor (Hdh-NPFR) in the Pacific abalone, Haliotis discus hannai.

Phytochemical Investigation of Bioactive Compounds from White Kidney Beans (Fruits of var. ): Identification of Denatonium with Osteogenesis-Inducing Effect.

var. (Leguminosae), commonly known as "white kidney bean", is a twining perennial vine whose fruit has been used as a popular food worldwide owing to its high nutritional content, in terms of proteins, carbohydrates, fats, and vitamins. As part of our ongoing study to investigate novel bioactive components from various natural resources, a phytochemical investigation of the extract of var.

Chemical Constituents of the Leaves of (Persimmon).

(persimmon) leaves have long been utilized as traditional medicine for the treatment of ischemic stroke, angina, and hypertension and as a healthy beverage and cosmetic for anti-aging. This study aimed to isolate as many compounds as possible from an ethanol extract of the persimmon leaves to identify the biologically active compounds. The antioxidative effect of the ethyl acetate layer from the ethanol extract of the persimmon leaves was demonstrated by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay and online high-performance liquid chromatography-2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (HPLC-ABTS) analysis.

Withasomniferol D, a New Anti-Adipogenic Withanolide from the Roots of Ashwagandha ().

(Solanaceae), well-known as 'Indian ginseng' or 'Ashwagandha', is a medicinal plant that is used in Ayurvedic practice to promote good health and longevity. As part of an ongoing investigation for bioactive natural products with novel structures, we performed a phytochemical examination of the roots of employed with liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC/MS)-based analysis. The chemical analysis of the methanol extract of roots using repeated column chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography under the guidance of an LC/MS-based analysis resulted in a new withanolide, withasomniferol D ().

Ethnobotany, Ethnopharmacology, and Phytochemistry of Medicinal Plants Used for Treating Human Diarrheal Cases in Rwanda: A Review.

Diarrhea, often caused by microorganisms, has been associated with high morbidity and mortality in Africa. Increased rates of antimicrobial-resistant pathogens have reignited the quest for alternative therapies. This review aimed at identifying medicinal plants used in the treatment of human diarrheal cases in Rwanda and analyzing their ethnobotany, ethnopharmacology, and phytochemistry.

Genomic Characterization of Fluoroquinolone-Resistant Thermophilic Strains Isolated from Layer Chicken Feces in Gangneung, South Korea by Whole-Genome Sequencing.

Thermophilic species of poultry origin have been associated with up to 80% of human campylobacteriosis cases. Layer chickens have received less attention as possible reservoirs of species. Initially, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of two archived isolates ( strain 200605 and strain 200606) from layer chickens to five antimicrobials (ciprofloxacin, nalidixic acid, erythromycin, tetracycline, and gentamicin) were determined using broth microdilution while the presence of selected antimicrobial resistance genes was performed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using specific primers.

Configurational Assignment of a Flexible Benzo[]isochromene Stereodiad from and Inhibition of Soluble Epoxide Hydrolase Activity.

A new benzo[]isochromene possessing a conformationally mobile moiety was identified from . The 2D structure was established utilizing spectrometric and spectroscopic techniques with variable temperatures. The configurational investigation of the flexible moiety was investigated utilizing contemporary NMR-combined computational tools such as DP4, direct -DP4, and DP4 Plus.

Ginkgonitroside, a new nitrophenyl glycoside and bioactive compounds from Ginkgo biloba leaves controlling adipocyte and osteoblast differentiation.

Eight compounds (1-8) including one novel nitrophenyl glycoside, ginkgonitroside (1) were isolated from the leaves of Ginkgo biloba, a popular medicinal plant. The structure of the new compound was characterized using extensive spectroscopic analyses via 1D and 2D NMR data interpretations, HR-ESIMS, and chemical transformation. To the best of our knowledge, the present study is the first to report the presence of nitrophenyl glycosides, which are relatively unique phytochemicals in natural products, in G.

Tropolone-Bearing Sesquiterpenes from : Structures, Photochemistry and Bioactivity.

The tropolone-bearing sesquiterpenes juniperone A () and norjuniperone A () were isolated from the folk medicinal plant , and their structures were determined by a combination of spectroscopic and crystallographic methods. Photojuniperones A1 () and A2 (), bearing bicyclo[3,2,0]heptadienones derived from tropolone, were photochemically produced and structurally identified by spectroscopic methods. Predicted by the machine learning-based assay, significantly inhibited the action of tyrosinase.

Phenolic constituents isolated from Senna tora sprouts and their neuroprotective effects against glutamate-induced oxidative stress in HT22 and R28 cells.

The consumption of sprouts has been steadily increasing due to their being an excellent source of nutrition. It is known that the bioactive constituents of legumes can be increased after germination. In this study, the extract from Senna tora sprouts is shown to exhibit improved radical scavenging activities and better neuroprotective effects in HT22 hippocampal neuronal (HT22) and R28 retina precursor (R28) cells than those from seeds due to an increased content of phenolic constituents, especially compounds 1 and 3-6.

Pulveraven A from the fruiting bodies of Pulveroboletus ravenelii induces apoptosis in breast cancer cell via extrinsic apoptotic signaling pathway.

Pulveroboletus ravenelii (Beck. et Curt.) Murr.

Metabolic mechanisms of a drug revealed by distortion-free C tracer analysis.

Metabolomic isotopic tracing can provide flux information useful for understanding drug mechanisms. For that, NMR has the unique advantage of giving positional isotope enrichment information, but the current C 1D NMR approach suffers from low sensitivity and high overlaps. We developed a new 2D heteronuclear NMR experiment incorporating -scaling and distortion-free elements that allows for quantitative analysis of multiplets with high sensitivity and resolution.

Theoretical and Experimental Analyses of Nutrient Control in Electrical Conductivity-Based Nutrient Recycling Soilless Culture System.

An electrical conductivity (EC)-based closed-loop soilless culture system is practical for in-field deployment. Literature on the closed-loop soilless culture nutrient management premise the limitations in managing recycled nutrients under dynamic changes in individual nutrient uptake concentrations. However, recent systems analysis studies predicting solutions for nutrient fluctuation stabilization in EC-based closed-loop soilless culture systems suggest that the system may have a deterministic side in nutrient variation.

Anti-inflammatory spiroditerpenoids from Penicillium bialowiezense.

Inflammation is a vital process that maintains tissue homeostasis. However, it is widely known that uncontrolled inflammation can contribute to the development of various diseases. This study aimed to discover anti-inflammatory metabolites from Penicillium bialowiezense.

The role of active metabolites isolated from flowers against hepatitis C virus infection and related hepatocellular carcinoma.

Jasminum Burm. f. ( is an ornamental plant with traditional medicinal importance.

Ginkwanghols A and B, osteogenic coumaric acid-aliphatic alcohol hybrids from the leaves of Ginkgo biloba.

Ginkgo biloba (Ginkgoaceae), commonly known as "ginkgo", is called a living fossil, and it has been cultivated early in human history for various uses in traditional medicine and as a source of food. As part of ongoing research to explore the chemical diversity and biologically active compounds from natural resources, two new coumaric acid-aliphatic alcohol hybrids, ginkwanghols A (1) and B (2) were isolated from the leaves of G. biloba.

Phytochemical Analysis of the Fruits of Sea Buckthorn (): Identification of Organic Acid Derivatives.

L. (Elaeagnaceae), commonly known as "Sea buckthorn" and "Vitamin tree", is a spiny deciduous shrub whose fruit is known for its nutritional composition, such as vitamin C, and is consumed as a dietary supplement worldwide. As part of our ongoing efforts to identify structurally new and bioactive constituents from natural resources, the phytochemical investigation of the extract of fruits led to the isolation of one malate derivative (), five citrate derivatives (), and one quinate derivative ().

Antimicrobial Resistance Profiles, Virulence Genes, and Genetic Diversity of Thermophilic Species Isolated From a Layer Poultry Farm in Korea.

Thermophilic species are among the major etiologies of bacterial enteritis globally. This study aimed at assessing the antimicrobial resistance (AMR) profiles, virulence genes, and genetic diversity of thermophilic species isolated from a layer poultry farm in South Korea. One hundred fifty-three chicken feces were collected from two layer poultry farms in Gangneung, South Korea.

Hexane Extract of Increases Adipocyte Differentiation by Acting on Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway.

has been heavily investigated for the treatment of various diseases. This paper attempts to show that can modulate adipocyte differentiation of preadipocytes. To establish this, we investigated the effects of extract in peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) expression, adipogenesis, and the underlying molecular mechanisms in C3H10T1/2 and 3T3-L1 cells.

Janus Nanosheets with Face-Selective Molecular Recognition Properties from DNA-Peptide Conjugates.

Chemical and functional anisotropy in Janus materials offer intriguing possibilities for constructing complex nanostructures and regulating chemical and biological reactions. Here, the authors report the fabrication of Janus nanosheets from molecular building blocks composed of two information-carrying biopolymers, DNA and peptides. Experimental and structural modeling studies reveal that DNA-peptide diblock conjugates assemble into Janus nanosheets with distinct DNA and peptide faces.

Cancer-preventive effect of phenethyl isothiocyanate through tumor microenvironment regulation in a colorectal cancer stem cell xenograft model.

Background: Phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC) is a glucosinolate derived from cruciferous vegetables and is a cancer-chemopreventive reagent. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) have roles in cancer chemoresistance, invasion, metastasis, and recurrence. Here, we investigated whether PEITC can suppress the properties of CSCs using NCCIT cells and HCT116-derived cancer stem-like cells.

Ulmusakidian, a new coumarin glycoside and antifungal phenolic compounds from the root bark of Ulmus davidiana var. japonica.

Bioactivity-driven LC/MS-based phytochemical analysis of the root bark extract of Ulmus davidiana var. japonica led to the isolation of 10 compounds including a new coumarin glycoside derivative, ulmusakidian (1). The structure of the new compound was elucidated using extensive spectroscopic analyses via 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic data interpretations, HR-ESIMS, and chemical transformation.

Identification of Tyrosinase Inhibitors and Their Structure-Activity Relationships via Evolutionary Chemical Binding Similarity and Structure-Based Methods.

Tyrosinase is an enzyme that plays a crucial role in the melanogenesis of humans and the browning of food products. Thus, tyrosinase inhibitors that are useful to the cosmetic and food industries are required. In this study, we have used evolutionary chemical binding similarity (ECBS) to screen a virtual chemical database for human tyrosinase, which resulted in seven potential tyrosinase inhibitors confirmed through the tyrosinase inhibition assay.

Synthetic gut microbiome: Advances and challenges.

An exponential rise in studies regarding the association among human gut microbial communities, human health, and diseases is currently attracting the attention of researchers to focus on human gut microbiome research. However, even with the ever-growing number of studies on the human gut microbiome, translation into improved health is progressing slowly. This hampering is due to the complexities of the human gut microbiome, which is composed of >1,000 species of microorganisms, such as bacteria, archaea, viruses, and fungi.