Phytol and bilimbi phytocompounds induce thermogenic adipocyte differentiation: An in vitro study on potential anti-obesity effects.

Obesity is a major health concern associated to diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. Brown adipocytes, which specialise in thermogenesis, offer a potential therapeutic target for obesity prevention and related conditions. This study builds on previous findings of the browning activity of Averrhoa bilimbi hexane fractions and aims to elucidate the underlying mechanisms in vitro.

Mapping proteomic response to salinity stress tolerance in oil crops: Towards enhanced plant resilience.

Exposure to saline environments significantly hampers the growth and productivity of oil crops, harmfully affecting their nutritional quality and suitability for biofuel production. This presents a critical challenge, as understanding salt tolerance mechanisms in crops is key to improving their performance in coastal and high-salinity regions. Our content might be read more properly: This review assembles current knowledge on protein-level changes related to salinity resistance in oil crops.

Harnessing bacterial antimicrobial peptides: a comprehensive review on properties, mechanisms, applications, and challenges in combating antimicrobial resistance.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a significant global health concern, due to the persistence of pathogens and the emergence of resistance in bacterial infections. Bacterial-derived antimicrobial peptides (BAMPs) have emerged as a promising strategy to combat these challenges. Known for their diversity and multifaceted nature, BAMPs are notable bioactive agents which exhibit potent antimicrobial activities against various pathogens.

Exploring natural products potential: A similarity-based target prediction tool for natural products.

Natural products are invaluable resources in drug discovery due to their substantial structural diversity. However, predicting their interactions with druggable protein targets remains a challenge, primarily due to the limited availability of bioactivity data. This study introduces CTAPred (Compound-Target Activity Prediction), an open-source command-line tool designed to predict potential protein targets for natural products.

Comparable and sustained levels of S1-RBD-IgG and S1-RBD-IgA in BNT162b2 homologous and CoronaVac-BNT162b2 heterologous booster vaccination: A 22-month prospective study in Malaysia.

This prospective cohort study examines the long-term humoral immune responses post-COVID-19 vaccination in 146 individuals who received either a homologous three-dose BNT162b2 vaccine regimen (PPP) or two primary doses of CoronaVac followed by BNT162b2 booster (SSP) in Malaysia. The study focuses on serum anti-S1-RBD-IgG, -IgA, and -IgM, using the ELISA method. The results show that BNT162b2 outperformed CoronaVac in the two dose primary vaccination series.

Insights into genomic sequence diversity of the SAG surface antigen superfamily in geographically diverse Eimeria tenella isolates.

Eimeria tenella is among the protozoan parasites that cause the infectious disease coccidiosis in chickens, incurring huge economic losses to the global poultry industry. Surface antigens (EtSAGs) involved in host-parasite interaction are potential targets for control strategies. However, the occurrence of genetic diversity for EtSAGs in field populations is unknown, as is the risk of such diversity to the efficacy of EtSAG-based control approaches.

Unravelling the Significance of Seed Proteomics: Insights into Seed Development, Function, and Agricultural Applications.

Seeds are essential for plant reproduction, ensuring species survival and dispersal while adapting to diverse environments throughout a plant's life. Proteomics has emerged as a powerful tool for deciphering the complexities of seed growth, germination, and stress responses. Advanced proteomic technologies enable the analysis of protein changes during germination, dormancy, and ageing, enhancing our understanding of seed lifespan and vitality.

Engineered Mesenchymal Stem Cells as Treatment for Cancers: Opportunities, Clinical Applications and Challenges.

The insufficient and unspecific target of classical chemotherapies often leads to therapy resistance and cancer recurrence. Over the past decades, discoveries about mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) biology have provided new potential approaches to improve cancer therapy. Researchers have utilised the multipotent, regenerative and immunosuppressive qualities of MSCs and tropisms towards inflammatory, hypoxic and malignant sites in various therapeutic applications.

Protein expression, purification, crystallization and crystallographic studies of BPSL0741 from Burkholderia pseudomallei.

Burkholderia pseudomallei is the causative agent of the lethal disease melioidosis. This bacterium infects animals and humans and is increasingly resistant to multiple antibiotics. Recently, genes associated with survival of the bacterium in the infected host have been identified.

selection of aptamers against SARS-CoV-2.

Aptamers are molecular recognition elements that have been extensively deployed in a wide array of applications ranging from diagnostics to therapeutics. Due to their unique properties as compared to antibodies, aptamers were also largely isolated during the COVID-19 pandemic for multiple purposes. Typically generated by conventional SELEX, the inherent drawbacks of the process including the time-consuming, cumbersome and resource-intensive nature catalysed the move to adopt approaches to isolate aptamers.

Current development of Fc gamma receptors (FcγRs) in diagnostics: a review.

The ability of the immune system to fight against pathogens relies on the intricate collaboration between antibodies and Fc gamma receptors (FcγRs). These receptors are a group of transmembrane glycoprotein molecules, which can specifically detect and bind to the Fc portion of immunoglobulin G (IgG) molecules. They are distributed on a diverse array of immune cells, forming a strong defence system to eliminate invading threats.

Effect of Domain Manipulation in the Staphylococcal Phage Endolysin, Endo88, on Lytic Efficiency and Host Range.

The bacteriophage endolysin Endo88 targeting Staphylococcus aureus PS88 consists of the CHAP and Amidase-2 enzymatic domains and one SH3b targeting domain. In this study, the effects of domain manipulations on Endo88 functionality were determined. Three truncated mutants of Endo88 (CHAP, CHAPAmidase and CHAPSH3) and two chimeras (CHAPAmidase-Cpl7Cpl7 and Endo88-Cpl7Cpl7) containing the Cpl7Cpl7 targeting domains of the streptococcal LambdaSa2-ECC endolysin were cloned in E.

Revealing the potential role of hsa-miR-663a in modulating the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway via miRNA microarray in spinal muscular atrophy patient fibroblast-derived iPSCs.

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is an autosomal recessive neuromuscular disorder due to deletion or mutation of survival motor neuron 1 (SMN1) gene. Although survival motor neuron 2 (SMN2) gene is still present in SMA patients, the production of full-length survival motor neuron (SMN) protein is insufficient owing to missing or mutated SMN1. No current disease-modifying therapies can cure SMA.

Discovery of azaleatin as a potential allosteric inhibitor for dengue NS2B-NS3 protease using and studies.

The rise in dengue cases in tropical and sub-tropical areas has become a significant health concern. At present, there is no definitive cure for dengue fever, which underscores the importance of identifying potent inhibitors. Dengue NS2B-NS3 protease is the prime drug target due to its vital function for replication.

Exploring a novel GH13_5 α-amylase from Jeotgalibacillus malaysiensis D5 for raw starch hydrolysis.

α-Amylase plays a crucial role in the industrial degradation of starch. The genus Jeotgalibacillus of the underexplored marine bacteria family Caryophanaceae has not been investigated in terms of α-amylase production. Herein, we report the comprehensive analysis of an α-amylase (AmyJM) from Jeotgalibacillus malaysiensis D5 (= DSM28777 = KCTC33550).

Draft genome sequence of sp. PBL-C16, isolated from Batu Laut Beach in Selangor, Malaysia.

sp. PBL-C16 is a bacterium that was isolated from Batu Laut Beach in Selangor, Malaysia. Here, we present a high-quality annotated draft genome of strain PBL-C16 and suggest its potential glycoside hydrolase enzymes for polysaccharide degradation.

Mushroom oils: A review of their production, composition, and potential applications.

This review delves into the world of mushroom oils, highlighting their production, composition, and versatile applications. Despite mushrooms' overall low lipid content, their fatty acid composition, rich in essential fatty acids like linoleic acid and oleic acid, proves nutritionally significant. Variations in fatty acid profiles across mushroom species and the prevalence of unsaturated fats contribute to their cardiovascular health benefits.

Genome mining of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum PA21: insights into its antimicrobial potential.

Background: The dramatic increase of antimicrobial resistance in the healthcare realm has become inexorably linked to the abuse of antibiotics over the years. Therefore, this study seeks to identify potential postbiotic metabolites derived from lactic acid bacteria such as Lactiplantibacillus plantarum that could exhibit antimicrobial properties against multi-drug resistant pathogens.

Results: In the present work, the genome sequence of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum PA21 consisting of three contigs was assembled to a size of 3,218,706 bp.

Impact of harvesting seasons on physicochemical properties and volatile compound profiles of Malaysian stingless bee honey analysed using chemometrics and support vector machine.

Stingless bee honey's nutritional value is gaining attention, but the impact of harvesting seasons, specifically the rainy (September 2018) and dry (February 2019) seasons in Malaysia on the honey's physicochemical properties and volatile compounds remains insufficiently explored. This research revealed marginal differences in the physicochemical properties between seasons. However, through individual bee species and cumulative data analysis, honey samples were effectively differentiated based on harvesting seasons.

Synthesis and biological activity of imidazole phenazine derivatives as potential inhibitors for NS2B-NS3 dengue protease.

A series of new imidazole-phenazine derivatives were synthesized via a two-step process. The condensation of 2,3-diaminophenazine and benzaldehyde derivatives proceeds with intermediate formation of an aniline Schiff base, which undergoes subsequent cyclodehydrogenation . The structures of the synthesized compounds were characterized by 1D and 2D NMR, FTIR and HRMS.

DNA Profiling in Human Identification: From Past to Present.

Forensic DNA typing has been widely accepted in the courts all over the world. This is because DNA profiling is a very powerful tool to identify individuals on the basis of their unique genetic makeup. DNA evidence is capable of not only identifying the presence of specific biospecimens in a crime scene, but it is also used to exonerate suspects who are innocent of a crime.

Evaluation on microalgae for the production of bio-chemicals and electricity.

Recent advancement in biophotovoltaic systems using microalgae, coupled with biorefinery approach, would improve economy-feasibility in production. The major concern is its commercial strength in terms of scalability, strain selection and extraction procedure cost. It must compete with conventional feedstocks such as fossil fuels.

Autophagy inhibition suppresses Newcastle disease virus-induced cell death by inhibiting viral replication in human breast cancer cells.

Newcastle disease virus (NDV) is an oncolytic virus which selectively replicates in cancer cells without harming normal cells. Autophagy is a cellular mechanism that breaks down unused cytoplasmic constituents into nutrients. In previous studies, autophagy enhanced NDV-induced oncolysis in lung cancer and glioma cells.

Performance of Malaysian kenaf callus biomass and exopolysaccharide production in a novel liquid culture.

The versatility of a well-known fibrous crop, (kenaf) is still relatively new to many. Kenaf's potential applications, which can be extended even into critical industries such as pharmaceutical and food industries, have always been overshadowed by its traditionally grown fiber. Therefore, this study aimed to venture into the biotechnological approach in reaping the benefits of kenaf through plant cell suspension culture to maximize the production of kenaf callus biomass (KCB) and exopolysaccharide (EPS), which is deemed to be more sustainable.