Author Report for: Hu XNo contact information in database for Hu X
Hu X, Gu H, Sun X, Wang Y, Liu J, Yu Z, Li Y, Jin J, Wang G Ref: Chemosphere, 348:140762, 2023 : PubMed ESTHER: Hu_2023_Chemosphere_348_140762 PubMedSearch: Hu 2023 Chemosphere 348 140762 PubMedID: 38006912 Abstract Agricultural mulch films are frequently applied to achieve high yield, resulting in large quantities of microplastic (MP) pollution in agroecosystem. However, studies focusing specifically on the diversity of MP-degrading enzymes and related microbial communities have yet to be conducted. Here, we established a soil microcosmic incubation with addition of 5% (w/w) conventional (low-density polyethylene (LDPE)) and biodegradable (blend of polylactic acid (PLA) and polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT)) MPs for incubation 90 days. The DNA samples extracted from soils and plastisphere of MPs were examined by metagenomics and genome binning methods, specifically targeting carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes) and plastic-degrading enzymes (PDZymes). The results revealed that plastisphere of MPs exhibited significantly distinct patterns of CAZymes and PDZymes from soils, and abundances of all examined exoenzymes were higher in plastisphere than those in soils. Plastisphere of LDPE-MPs selectively enriched proteases and alkane monooxygenase (alkB), and required families of carbohydrate-binding module (CBM) to increase the binding of CAZymes with MPs. Dissimilarly, diverse CAZymes with high abundances were observed in the plastisphere of PBAT-PLA MPs and esterases were important indicative PDZymes for PBAT-PLA degradation. The enriched exoenzymes in plastisphere of LDPE-MPs were mainly assigned to Actinobacteria while Proteobacteria with higher abundance in plastisphere of PBAT-PLA MPs containing most indicative exoenzymes. Moreover, a high-quality genome classified as Amycolatopsis japonica was reconstructed and found to contain one or more gene copies of indicative exoenzymes for polyethylene. Two novel genomes classified as Sphingomonas were selectively enriched in plastisphere of PBAT-PLA MPs and contained diverse genes encoding degrading exoenzymes. Taken together, our study highlighted the CAZymes and PDZymes can be exploited as potent microbial strategies for solving MPs pollution in croplands. Title: Effects of Lipid Metabolism-Related Genes PTGIS and HRASLS on Phenotype, Prognosis, and Tumor Immunity in Lung Squamous Cell Carcinoma Lei K, Liang R, Tan B, Li L, Lyu Y, Wang K, Wang W, Hu X, Wu D and Wang M <1 more author(s)> Lei K, Liang R, Tan B, Li L, Lyu Y, Wang K, Wang W, Hu X, Wu D, Lin H, Wang M (- 1) Ref: Oxid Med Cell Longev, 2023:6811625, 2023 : PubMed ESTHER: Lei_2023_Oxid.Med.Cell.Longev_2023_6811625 PubMedSearch: Lei 2023 Oxid.Med.Cell.Longev 2023 6811625 PubMedID: 36703911 Abstract BACKGROUND: Lipid metabolism reprogramming played an important role in cancer occurrence, development, and immune regulation. The aim of this study was to identify and validate lipid metabolism-related genes (LMRGs) associated with the phenotype, prognosis, and immunological characteristics of lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC). METHODS: In the TCGA cohort, bioinformatics and survival analysis were used to identify lipid metabolism-related differentially expressed genes (DEGs) associated with the prognosis of LUSC. PTGIS/HRASLS knockdown and overexpression effects on the LUSC phenotype were analyzed in vitro experiments. Based on the expression distribution of PTGIS/HRASLS, LUSC patients were divided into two clusters by consensus clustering. Clinical information, prognosis, immune infiltration, expression of immune checkpoints, and tumor mutation burden (TMB) level were compared between the TCGA and GSE4573 cohorts. The genes related to clustering and tumor immunity were screened by weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA), and the target module genes were analyzed by functional enrichment analysis, protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis, and immune correlation analysis. RESULTS: 191 lipid metabolism-related DEGs were identified, of which 5 genes were independent prognostic genes of LUSC. PTGIS/HRASLS were most closely related to LUSC prognosis and immunity. RT-qPCR, western blot (WB) analysis, and immunohistochemistry (IHC) showed that the expression of PTGIS was low in LUSC, while HRASLS was high. Functionally, PTGIS promoted LUSC proliferation, migration, and invasion, while HRASLS inhibited LUSC proliferation, migration, and invasion. The two clusters' expression and distribution of PTGIS/HRASLS had the opposite trend. Cluster 1 was associated with lower pathological staging (pT, pN, and pTNM stages), better prognosis, stronger immune infiltration, higher expression of immune checkpoints, and higher TMB level than cluster 2. WGCNA found that 28 genes including CD4 and IL10RA were related to the expression of PTGIS/HRASLS and tumor immune infiltration. PTGIS/HRASLS in the GSE4573 cohort had the same effect on LUSC prognosis and tumor immunity as the TCGA cohort. CONCLUSIONS: PTGIS and HRASLS can be used as new therapeutic targets for LUSC as well as biomarkers for prognosis and tumor immunity, which has positive significance for guiding the immunotherapy of LUSC. Title: The screening for marine fungal strains with high potential in alkaloids production by in situ colony assay and LC-MS/MS based secondary metabolic profiling Lu T, Liu Y, Zhou L, Liao Q, Nie Y, Wang X, Lei X, Hong P, Feng Y and Zhang Y <1 more author(s)> Lu T, Liu Y, Zhou L, Liao Q, Nie Y, Wang X, Lei X, Hong P, Feng Y, Hu X, Zhang Y (- 1) Ref: Front Microbiol, 14:1144328, 2023 : PubMed ESTHER: Lu_2023_Front.Microbiol_14_1144328 PubMedSearch: Lu 2023 Front.Microbiol 14 1144328 PubMedID: 37206330 Abstract BACKGROUND: Alkaloids are the second primary class of secondary metabolites (SMs) from marine organisms, most of which have antioxidant, antitumor, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and other activities. However, the SMs obtained by traditional isolation strategies have drawbacks such as highly reduplication and weak bioactivity. Therefore, it is significantly important to establish an efficient strategy for screening strains and mining novel compounds. METHODS: In this study, we utilized in situ colony assay combined with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to identify the strain with high potential in alkaloids production. The strain was identified by genetic marker genes and morphological analysis. The secondary metabolites from the strain were isolated by the combine use of vacuum liquid chromatography (VLC), ODS column chromatography, and Sephadex LH-20. Their structures were elucidated by 1D/2D NMR, HR-ESI-MS, and other spectroscopic technologies. Finally, these compounds bioactivity were assay, including anti-inflammatory and anti-beta aggregation. RESULTS: Eighteen marine fungi were preliminarily screened for alkaloids production by in situ colony assay using Dragendorff reagent as dye, and nine of them turned orange, which indicated abundant alkaloids. By thin-layer chromatography (TLC), LC-MS/MS, and multiple approaches assisted Feature-Based Molecular Networking (FBMN) analysis of fermentation extracts, a strain ACD-5 (Penicillium mallochii with GenBank accession number OM368350) from sea cucumber gut was selected for its diverse alkaloids profiles especially azaphilones. In bioassays, the crude extracts of ACD-5 in Czapek-dox broth and brown rice medium showed moderate antioxidant, acetylcholinesterase inhibitory, anti-neuroinflammatory, and anti-beta aggregation activities. Three chlorinated azaphilone alkaloids, compounds 1-3 (sclerotioramine, isochromophilone VI, and isochromophilone IX, respectively), were isolated from the fermentation products of ACD-5 in brown rice medium guided by bioactivities and mass spectrometry analysis. Compound 1 had shown remarkable anti-neuroinflammatory activity in liposaccharide induced BV-2 cells. CONCLUSION: In summary, in situ colony screening together with LC-MS/MS, multi-approach assisted FBMN can act as an efficient screening method for strains with potential in alkaloids production. Title: Effects and mechanism of extracts rich in phenylpropanoids-polyacetylenes and polysaccharides from Codonopsis Radix on improving scopolamine-induced memory impairment of mice Xie Q, Hu X, Zhao X, Xiang Z, Chen Q, Xie Z, Wang H, Zhao Y, Cheng X, Wang C Ref: J Ethnopharmacol, :117106, 2023 : PubMed ESTHER: Xie_2023_J.Ethnopharmacol__117106 PubMedSearch: Xie 2023 J.Ethnopharmacol 117106 PubMedID: 37652198 Abstract ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive developmental neurodegenerative disease that primarily develops in old age. Memory impairment is an important manifestation of AD. It has been demonstrated that inflammation and oxidative stress are important mediators in the development and progression of AD. Codonopsis Radix (CR) has a long history of consumption, exhibiting lots of beneficial health effects, including anti-ageing, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. However, studies on the effects of CR on scopolamine-induced amnesia have rarely been reported. AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of this study was to investigate the ameliorative effect of macromolecular portion (polysaccharides, POL) and small molecule portion (fine extract rich in phenylpropanoids-polyacetylenes, EPP) from CR on improving scopolamine-induced memory impairment and to elucidate the potential mechanism of action. MATERIALS AND METHODS: C57BL/6 mice were pretreated with EPP (0.2, 0.4, and 0.6 g/kg), POL (0.3, 0.6, and 0.9 g/kg), and donepezil (5 mg/kg) by gavage for 7 days, followed by intraperitoneal injection of scopolamine (1 mg/kg) to induce memory impairment. The 16S rRNA gene sequencing, histopathological, western blotting, and biochemical analysis (various biochemical markers and protein expressions related to cholinergic system, oxidative stress, and neuroinflammation) were performed to further elucidate the mechanism of action. Moreover, the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activities of POL, EPP, and its main compounds tangshenoside I, lobetyol, lobetyolin, and lobetyolinin were evaluated. RESULTS: Experiments have confirmed that both POL and EPP from CR could improve scopolamine-induced spatial learning memory deficits. Both of them could regulate cholinergic function by inhibiting AChE and activating choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) activities. They also could enhance antioxidant defense via increasing the activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase, and anti-inflammatory function through suppressing inflammatory factors (nitric oxide, TNF-alpha, and IL-6) and regulating gut flora. Besides, in vitro experiments demonstrated that four monomeric compounds and EPP, except POL, exhibited inhibition of AChE activity. CONCLUSION: EPP and POL from CR exert a beneficial effect on learning and memory processes in mice with scopolamine-induced memory impairment. CR may be a promising medicine for preventing and improving learning memory. Title: Exploring the binding effects and inhibiting mechanism of hyperoside to lipase using multi-spectroscopic approaches, isothermal titration calorimetry, inhibition kinetics and molecular dynamics Zeng Z, Wu D, Tang L, Hu X, Zhang J, Geng F Ref: RSC Adv, 13:6507, 2023 : PubMed ESTHER: Zeng_2023_RSC.Adv_13_6507 PubMedSearch: Zeng 2023 RSC.Adv 13 6507 PubMedID: 36845588 Abstract Hyperoside (HYP) is a flavonoid with various physiological activities. The present study examined the interaction mechanism between HYP and lipase using multi-spectrum and computer-aided techniques. Results demonstrated that the force type of HYP on lipase was mainly hydrogen bond, hydrophobic interaction force, and van der Waals force, and HYP had an excellent binding affinity with lipase at 1.576 x 10(5) M(-1). HYP dose-dependently inhibited lipase in the inhibition experiment, and its IC(50) value was 1.92 x 10(-3) M. Moreover, the results suggested that HYP could inhibit the activity by binding to essential groups. Conformational studies indicated that the conformation and microenvironment of lipase were slightly changed after the addition of HYP. Computational simulations further confirmed the structural relationships of HYP to lipase. The interaction between HYP and lipase can provide ideas for the development of functional foods related to weight loss. The results of this study help comprehend the pathological significance of HYP in biological systems, as well as its mechanism. Title: The advantages of penehyclidine hydrochloride over atropine in acute organophosphorus pesticide poisoning: A meta-analysis Zeng S, Ma L, Yang L, Hu X, Wang C, Guo X, Li Y, Gou Y, Zhang Y and Luo Q <7 more author(s)> Zeng S, Ma L, Yang L, Hu X, Wang C, Guo X, Li Y, Gou Y, Zhang Y, Li S, Zhang S, Wu X, Li M, Lei J, Li B, Bi C, Luo Q (- 7) Ref: J Intensive Med, 3:171, 2023 : PubMed ESTHER: Zeng_2023_J.Intensive.Med_3_171 PubMedSearch: Zeng 2023 J.Intensive.Med 3 171 PubMedID: 37188113 Abstract BACKGROUND: Penehyclidine hydrochloride (PHC) has been used for many years as an anticholinergic drug for the treatment of acute organophosphorus pesticide poisoning (AOPP). The purpose of this meta-analysis was to explore whether PHC has advantages over atropine in the use of anticholinergic drugs in AOPP. METHODS: We searched Scopus, Embase, Cochrane, PubMed, ProQuest, Ovid, Web of Science, China Science and Technology Journal Database (VIP), Duxiu, Chinese Biomedical literature (CBM), WanFang, and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), from inception to March 2022. After all qualified randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included, we conducted quality evaluation, data extraction, and statistical analysis. Statistics using risk ratios (RR), weighted mean difference (WMD), and standard mean difference (SMD). RESULTS: Our meta-analysis included 20,797 subjects from 240 studies across 242 different hospitals in China. Compared with the atropine group, the PHC group showed decreased mortality rate (RR=0.20, 95% confidence intervals [CI]: 0.16-0.25, P <0.001), hospitalization time (WMD=-3.89, 95% CI: -4.37 to -3.41, P <0.001), overall incidence rate of complications (RR=0.35, 95% CI: 0.28-0.43, P <0.001), overall incidence of adverse reactions (RR=0.19, 95% CI: 0.17-0.22, P <0.001), total symptom disappearance time (SMD=-2.13, 95% CI: -2.35 to -1.90, P <0.001), time for cholinesterase activity to return to normal value 50-60% (SMD=-1.87, 95% CI: -2.03 to -1.70, P <0.001), coma time (WMD=-5.57, 95% CI: -7.20 to -3.95, P <0.001), and mechanical ventilation time (WMD=-2.16, 95% CI: -2.79 to -1.53, P <0.001). CONCLUSION: PHC has several advantages over atropine as an anticholinergic drug in AOPP. Title: Ameliorative effect of scopolamine-induced cognitive dysfunction by Fufangmuniziqi formula: The roles of alkaloids, saponins, and flavonoids Zhao X, Hu X, Xie Q, Qi S, Xiang Z, Sun X, Xie Z, Dang R, Zhou L and Wang C <2 more author(s)> Zhao X, Hu X, Xie Q, Qi S, Xiang Z, Sun X, Xie Z, Dang R, Zhou L, Liu W, Cheng X, Wang C (- 2) Ref: J Ethnopharmacol, :116792, 2023 : PubMed ESTHER: Zhao_2023_J.Ethnopharmacol__116792 PubMedSearch: Zhao 2023 J.Ethnopharmacol 116792 PubMedID: 37356745 Abstract ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Fufangmuniziqi formula (FFMN), a traditional Uyghur medicine used in China, is derived from an ancient Uyghur medical book and consists of 13 herbs. The herbs of FFMN, such as Peganum harmala L., Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch., and Nigella glandulifera, have been demonstrated to have acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory, anti-neuroinflammatory, or antioxidant effects. Therefore, FFMN may have a good anti-Alzheimer's disease (AD) effect, but its specific action and mechanism need to be further proven. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study aims to investigate the anti-AD effects of FFMN and the role played by alkaloids, flavonoids, and saponins in anti-AD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The alkaloids, flavonoids, and saponins fractions of FFMN were prepared by macroporous resin chromatography. The absorbed ingredients in the drug-containing serum were identified by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS. An AD mouse model was established by intraperitoneal injection of scopolamine (SCO). The role of different fractions of FFMN in the anti-AD process was examined by Morris water maze (MWM), in-vitro cell, and AChE inhibition assay. RESULTS: A total of 20 ingredients were identified in the serum samples collected after oral administration of FFMN, and seven compounds were selected as candidate active compounds. MWM experiments showed that different fractions of FFMN could significantly improve SCO-induced learning memory impairment in mice. The alkaloids fraction (ALK) regulated cholinergic function by inhibiting AChE activity, activating choline acetyltransferase activity, and protein expression. Flavonoids and saponins were more potent than the ALK in downregulating pro-inflammatory factors or inflammatory mediators, such as TNF-alpha, MPO, and nitric oxide. Western blot results further confirmed that flavonoids and saponins attenuated neuroinflammation by inhibiting the phosphorylation of IkappaB and NF-kappaB p65. This result was also verified by in-vitro cellular assays. FFMN enhanced antioxidant defense by increasing the activity of superoxide dismutase and reducing the production of MDA. Combined with cellular experiments, flavonoids and saponins were proven more protective against oxidative damage. CONCLUSION: FFMN improved cognitive and memory impairment in the SCO-induced AD mouse model. ALK mainly enhanced the function of the cholinergic system. Flavonoid and saponin fractions mainly attenuated neuroinflammation and oxidative stress by modulating the NF-kappaB pathway. All these findings strongly suggested that the combination of alkaloid, flavonoid, and saponin fractions derived from FFMN is a promising anti-AD agent that deserves further development. Title: Immobilization for Lipase: Enhanced Activity and Stability by Flexible Combination and Solid Support Hu R, Niu Z, Lu Y, Zhu H, Mao Z, Yan K, Hu X, Chen H Ref: Appl Biochem Biotechnol, :, 2022 : PubMed ESTHER: Hu_2022_Appl.Biochem.Biotechnol__ PubMedSearch: Hu 2022 Appl.Biochem.Biotechnol PubMedID: 35852759 Abstract In this study, an enhanced activity and stability method for immobilizing porcine pancreatic lipase (PPL) was developed based on ZIF-8 encapsulated supramolecular-modified gold nanoparticle complexes (pSC(4)-AuNPs@ZIF-8). Supramolecular calix[4]arene (pSC(4)) can recognize the amino group of PPL through non-covalent force, and this flexible binding method protected the structure of PPL during the immobilization process. Due to the hydrophilic of pSC(4)-AuNPs and hydrophobic of ZIF-8, PPL can maintain a "lid open" conformation, which can enhance the stability of PPL structure and reduce PPL activity loss. ZIF-8 was used to immobilize PPL to avoid the difficult recovery of free PPL. Compared with the native form of PPL, it exhibited 70.6% maintained activity with terrific pH and temperature stability, and had good performance in thermal stability, time stability, and reusability. In addition, three immobilized PPL methods were designed to further clarify the influence of synthetic methods and additives on the activity and stability of PPL. Importantly, the loading rate of pSC(4)-AuNPs@ZIF-8@PPL was up to 51.2% among these immobilized PPL systems. Therefore, pSC(4)-AuNPs@ZIF-8 may serve as a versatile and promising immobilization system for enzymes. Title: Inhibitory Mechanism of Baicalein on Acetylcholinesterase: Inhibitory Interaction, Conformational Change, and Computational Simulation Liao Y, Hu X, Pan J, Zhang G Ref: Foods, 11:, 2022 : PubMed ESTHER: Liao_2022_Foods_11_ PubMedSearch: Liao 2022 Foods 11 PubMedID: 35053900 Inhibitor(s) related to this paper: Baicalein Abstract Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most prevalent chronic neurodegenerative disease in elderly individuals, causing dementia. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) is regarded as one of the most popular drug targets for AD. Herbal secondary metabolites are frequently cited as a major source of AChE inhibitors. In the current study, baicalein, a typical bioactive flavonoid, was found to inhibit AChE competitively, with an associated IC(50) value of 6.42 +/- 0.07 microM, through a monophasic kinetic process. The AChE fluorescence quenching by baicalein was a static process. The binding constant between baicalein and AChE was an order of magnitude of 10(4) L mol(-1), and hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interaction were the major forces for forming the baicalein-AChE complex. Circular dichroism analysis revealed that baicalein caused the AChE structure to shrink and increased its surface hydrophobicity by increasing the alpha-helix and beta-turn contents and decreasing the beta-sheet and random coil structure content. Molecular docking revealed that baicalein predominated at the active site of AChE, likely tightening the gorge entrance and preventing the substrate from entering and binding with the enzyme, resulting in AChE inhibition. The preceding findings were confirmed by molecular dynamics simulation. The current study provides an insight into the molecular-level mechanism of baicalein interaction with AChE, which may offer new ideas for the research and development of anti-AD functional foods and drugs. Title: Exploring the Inhibition of Quercetin on Acetylcholinesterase by Multispectroscopic and In Silico Approaches and Evaluation of Its Neuroprotective Effects on PC12 Cells Liao Y, Mai X, Wu X, Hu X, Luo X, Zhang G Ref: Molecules, 27:, 2022 : PubMed ESTHER: Liao_2022_Molecules_27_ PubMedSearch: Liao 2022 Molecules 27 PubMedID: 36432070 Abstract This study investigated the inhibitory mechanism of quercetin in acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and its neuroprotective effects on beta-amyloid(25-35)-induced oxidative stress injury in PC12 cells. Quercetin inhibited AChE in a reversible mixed manner with an IC(50) of 4.59 +/- 0.27 microM. The binding constant of quercetin with AChE at 25 degreesC was (5.52 +/- 0.05) x 10(4) L mol(-1). Hydrogen bonding and van der Waals forces were the main interactions in forming the stable quercetin-AChE complex. Computational docking revealed that quercetin was dominant at the peripheral aromatic site in AChE and induced enzymatic allosterism; meanwhile, it extended deep into the active center of AChE and destabilized the hydrogen bond network, which caused the constriction of the gorge entrance and prevented the substrate from entering the enzyme, thus resulting in the inhibition of AChE. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulation emphasized the stability of the quercetin-AChE complex and corroborated the previous findings. Interestingly, a combination of galantamine hydrobromide and quercetin exhibited the synergistic inhibition effect by binding to different active sites of AChE. In a beta-amyloid(25-35)-induced oxidative stress injury model in PC12 cells, quercetin exerted neuroprotective effects by increasing the glutathione level and reducing the malondialdehyde content and reactive oxygen species levels. These findings may provide novel insights into the development and application of quercetin in the dietary treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Title: The benefit of exercise rehabilitation guided by 6-minute walk test on lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 in patients with coronary heart disease undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention: a prospective randomized controlled study Liu X, Zhou W, Fan W, Li A, Pang J, Chen Z, Li X, Hu X, Zeng Y, Tang L Ref: BMC Cardiovasc Disord, 22:177, 2022 : PubMed ESTHER: Liu_2022_BMC.Cardiovasc.Disord_22_177 PubMedSearch: Liu 2022 BMC.Cardiovasc.Disord 22 177 PubMedID: 35430800 Abstract BACKGROUND: Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) has been taken as a biomarker of inflammation in patients with acute coronary diseases. Regular exercise rehabilitation could attenuate inflammation and promote the rehabilitation of coronary heart disease (CHD). The level of Lp-PLA2 is negatively correlated with 6-min walk test (6-MWT). The exercise prescription of appropriate intensity is the basis of exercise rehabilitation. 6-MWT is associated with maximal oxygen consumption, and can be used to determine the intensity of exercise prescription guiding patients how to do exercise rehabilitation. The aim of this study was to observe the benefit of 6-MWT guided exercise rehabilitation on the level of Lp-PLA2 in patients with CHD undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS: We prospectively, consecutively enrolled 100 patients between Dec 2018 and Dec 2020 in the fourth ward of the Department of Cardiology, Yuebei People's Hospital Affiliated to Shantou University. Eligible patients were 1:1 divided into Group A, with no exercise rehabilitation, and Group B, with regular exercise rehabilitation, using random number table method of simple randomization allocation. Clinical data such as general information, the profile of lipids and the level of Lp-PLA2 were collected at baseline and at 12-week follow-up. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences of the percentages of gender, hypertension, type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), the profile of lipids and level of Lp-PLA2 between the groups at baseline (P > 0.05). The level of Lp-PLA2 decreased at 12-week follow-up, moreover, the decline of the Lp-PLA2 level in Group B was more significant than that in Group A (t = 2.875, P = 0.005). Multivariate linear regression analysis indicated that exercise rehabilitation was independently correlated with the level of Lp-PLA2 (beta' = - 0.258, t = - 2.542, P = 0.013). CONCLUSION: Exercise rehabilitation for 12 weeks guided by 6-MWT can further reduce the level of LP-PLA2 in patients with CHD undergoing PCI. Trial registration This trial was registered on the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry: ChiCTR2100048124, registered 3 July 2021- Retrospectively registered. The study protocol adheres to the CONSORT guidelines. Title: Discovery of novel tacrine derivatives as potent antiproliferative agents with CDKs inhibitory property Liu W, Wu L, Li D, Huang Y, Liu M, Tian C, Liu X, Jiang X, Hu X and Zhao Q <3 more author(s)> Liu W, Wu L, Li D, Huang Y, Liu M, Tian C, Liu X, Jiang X, Hu X, Gao X, Xu Z, Lu H, Zhao Q (- 3) Ref: Bioorg Chem, 126:105875, 2022 : PubMed ESTHER: Liu_2022_Bioorg.Chem_126_105875 PubMedSearch: Liu 2022 Bioorg.Chem 126 105875 PubMedID: 35623141 Abstract Tacrine was the first approved drug by the FDA for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD) but was withdrawn from the market due to its dose-dependent hepatotoxicity. Herein, we describe our efforts toward the discovery of a novel series of tacrine derivatives for cancer therapeutics. Intensive structural modifications of tacrine led to the identification of N-(4-{9-[(3S)-3-aminopyrrolidin-1-yl]-5,6,7,8-tetrahydroacridin-2-yl}pyridin-2-yl)cyclopropanecarboxamide hydrochloride ((S)-45, ZLWT-37) as a potent antiproliferative agent (GI(50) = 0.029 microM for HCT116). In addition, ZLWT-37 exhibited lower inhibitory activity against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) compared to tacrine. The in vitro studies demonstrated that ZLWT-37 could significantly induce apoptosis and arrest the cell cycle in the G2/M phase in HCT116 cells. The in vivo studies revealed that compound ZLWT-37 showed excellent antitumor efficacy in HCT116 xenograft tumor model and favorable pharmacokinetics profiles (F% = 28.70%) as well as low toxicity in the acute toxicity test with a median lethal dose (LD(50)) of 380.3 mg/kg. Encouragingly, ZLWT-37 had no obvious hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, and hematologic toxicity. Kinase assay suggested that ZLWT-37 possessed potent cyclin-dependent kinase 9 (CDK9) inhibitory activity (IC(50) = 0.002 microM) and good selectivity over CDK2 (IC(50) = 0.054 microM). Collectively, these findings indicate that compound ZLWT-37 is a promising anti-cancer agent that deserves further preclinical evaluation. Title: Dual-mode colorimetric-photothermal sensing platform of acetylcholinesterase activity based on the peroxidase-like activity of Fe-N-C nanozyme Lu L, Hu X, Zeng R, Lin Q, Huang X, Li M, Tang D Ref: Anal Chim Acta, 1229:340383, 2022 : PubMed ESTHER: Lu_2022_Anal.Chim.Acta_1229_340383 PubMedSearch: Lu 2022 Anal.Chim.Acta 1229 340383 PubMedID: 36156227 Abstract Sensors based on colorimetry, fluorescence, and electrochemistry have been widely employed to detect acetylcholinesterase and its inhibitors, however, there are only a minority of strategies for AChE detection based on photothermal method. This work reports a versatile dual-mode colorimetric and photothermal biosensing platform for acetylcholinesterase (AChE) detection and its inhibitor (paraoxon-ethyl, a model of AChE inhibitors) monitor based on Fe-N-C/H(2)O(2)/3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) system. The Fe-N-C with abundant active Fe-Nx sites shows outstanding peroxidase-mimicking activity and can be used to promote the generation of OH by H(2)O(2) to oxidize TMB. However, the introduction of mercapto molecules tending to coordinate with metal atoms result in the block of action site in Fe-N-C, thereby decrease its peroxidase-mimetic activity. The designed biosensor principle is based on the block of active sites of Fe-N-C by thiocholine (TCh, one kind of mercapto molecules) that can be produced by acetylthiocholine (ATCh) in the presence of AChE. Under optimum conditions, the limit of detection (LOD) for AChE activity is 1.9 mU mL(-1) (colorimetric) and 2.2 mU mL(-1) (photothermal), while for paraoxon-ethyl is 0.012 microg mL(-1) (colorimetric) and 0.013 microg mL(-1) (photothermal), respectively. The assay we proposed not only can be designed to monitor AChE detection and its inhibitors, but also can be easily extended for the detection of other biomolecules relate to the generation or consumption of H(2)O(2). Title: Structural basis of NLR activation and innate immune signalling in plants Maruta N, Burdett H, Lim BYJ, Hu X, Desa S, Manik MK, Kobe B Ref: Immunogenetics, :, 2022 : PubMed ESTHER: Maruta_2022_Immunogenetics__ PubMedSearch: Maruta 2022 Immunogenetics PubMedID: 34981187 Abstract Animals and plants have NLRs (nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat receptors) that recognize the presence of pathogens and initiate innate immune responses. In plants, there are three types of NLRs distinguished by their N-terminal domain: the CC (coiled-coil) domain NLRs, the TIR (Toll/interleukin-1 receptor) domain NLRs and the RPW8 (resistance to powdery mildew 8)-like coiled-coil domain NLRs. CC-NLRs (CNLs) and TIR-NLRs (TNLs) generally act as sensors of effectors secreted by pathogens, while RPW8-NLRs (RNLs) signal downstream of many sensor NLRs and are called helper NLRs. Recent studies have revealed three dimensional structures of a CNL (ZAR1) including its inactive, intermediate and active oligomeric state, as well as TNLs (RPP1 and ROQ1) in their active oligomeric states. Furthermore, accumulating evidence suggests that members of the family of lipase-like EDS1 (enhanced disease susceptibility 1) proteins, which are uniquely found in seed plants, play a key role in providing a link between sensor NLRs and helper NLRs during innate immune responses. Here, we summarize the implications of the plant NLR structures that provide insights into distinct mechanisms of action by the different sensor NLRs and discuss plant NLR-mediated innate immune signalling pathways involving the EDS1 family proteins and RNLs. Title: Encapsulating gold nanoclusters into metal-organic frameworks to boost luminescence for sensitive detection of copper ions and organophosphorus pesticides Wei D, Li M, Wang Y, Zhu N, Hu X, Zhao B, Zhang Z, Yin D Ref: J Hazard Mater, 441:129890, 2022 : PubMed ESTHER: Wei_2022_J.Hazard.Mater_441_129890 PubMedSearch: Wei 2022 J.Hazard.Mater 441 129890 PubMedID: 36084467 Abstract Gold nanoclusters (Au NCs) with luminescence property are emerging as promising candidates in fluorescent methods for monitoring contaminants, but low luminescence efficiency hampers their extensive applications. Herein, GSH-Au NCs@ZIF-8 was designed by encapsulating GSH-Au NCs with AIE effect into metal-organic frameworks, achieving high luminescence efficiency and good stability through the confinement effect of ZIF-8. Accordingly, a fluorescent sensing platform was constructed for the sensitive detection of copper ions (Cu(2+)) and organophosphorus pesticides (OPs). Firstly, the as-prepared GSH-Au NCs@ZIF-8 could strongly accumulate Cu(2+) due to the adsorption property of MOFs, accompanied by a significant fluorescence quenching effect with a low detection limit of 0.016 microM for Cu(2+). Besides, thiocholine (Tch), the hydrolysis product of acetylthiocholine (ATch) by acetylcholinesterase (AchE), could coordinate with Cu(2+) by sulfhydryl groups (-SH), leading to a significant fluorescence recovery, which was further used for the quantification of OPs owing to its inhibition to AChE activity. Furthermore, a hydrogel sensor was explored to accomplish equipment-free, visual, and quantitative monitoring of Cu(2+) and OPs by a smartphone sensing platform. Overall, this work provides an effective and universal strategy for enhancing the luminescence efficiency and stability of Au NCs, which would greatly promote their applications in contaminants monitoring. Title: Analysis of transcript-wide profile regulated by microsatellite instability of colorectal cancer Xu Y, Wang X, Chu Y, Li J, Wang W, Hu X, Zhou F, Zhang H, Zhou L and Peng H <3 more author(s)> Xu Y, Wang X, Chu Y, Li J, Wang W, Hu X, Zhou F, Zhang H, Zhou L, Kuai R, Jin Y, Yang D, Peng H (- 3) Ref: Ann Transl Med, 10:169, 2022 : PubMed ESTHER: Xu_2022_Ann.Transl.Med_10_169 PubMedSearch: Xu 2022 Ann.Transl.Med 10 169 PubMedID: 35280417 Abstract BACKGROUND: Microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) is a form of genomic instability present in 15% of colorectal cancer (CRC) cases. Several differential gene analyses have been conducted on CRC; however, none have specifically explored the differentially expressed genes in MSI-H CRC. Research on the different gene expressions between MSI-H CRC and microsatellite stable (MSS) CRC, and their different patterns of metastasis will provide invaluable insights for diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment. METHODS: In this study, the differential expression of 46,602 genes were analyzed across 613 different tissue samples from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA)-colon adenocarcinoma (COAD) and TCGA-rectum adenocarcinoma (READ) as part of a gene association analysis. R package TCGAbiolinks (version 2.18.0) was used to download the data set, and DESeq2 (version 1.30.1) was used for the differential gene analysis. The resulting genes were then analyzed for shared pathways with R package clusterProfiler (version 3.0.4). RESULTS: A total of 237 significantly differentially expressed genes (P(adj)<0.05) were found between MSI-H and MSS CRC. Differentially expressed genes include insulin like growth factor 2 (IGF2) and fibroblast growth factor 3 (FGF3), and the enriched pathways mostly involve hearing, digestive regulation, and neurogenesis.463 differentially expressed genes were found between metastatic and non-metastatic CRC. Notably differentially expressed genes in metastatic CRC include DEAD-box helicase 53 (DDX53) and adiponectin, C1Q and collagen domain containing (ADIPOQ), and enriched pathways include the immune system, cell adhesion, and cell signaling. For MSI-H CRC, a total of 34 genes were significantly differently expressed between metastatic and non-metastatic CRC. These include notum, palmitoleoyl-protein carboxylesterase (NOTUM), serpin family B member 2 (SERPINB2), and several keratin (KRT) genes, and the pathway analysis showed the major enrichment of the hormonal and secretion and regulation pathways. Of the differentially expressed genes in metastatic CRC, 25 were immunity related and include fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4), and the pathway analysis showed the enrichment of humoral immunity and lymphocyte regulation. CONCLUSIONS: Of the biologically plausible differentially expressed genes, the most notable were NOTUM, KRT6A, KRT14, SERPINB2, and serum amyloid A1 (SAA1). NOTUM, KRT6A, and KRT14 are active in the Wnt pathway. All five are also involved in various inflammation pathways. Title: Phytophthora infestans Ago1-associated miRNA promotes potato late blight disease Hu X, Persson Hoden K, Liao Z, sman A, Dixelius C Ref: New Phytol, :, 2021 : PubMed ESTHER: Hu_2021_New.Phytol__ PubMedSearch: Hu 2021 New.Phytol PubMedID: 34605025 Gene_locus related to this paper: soltu-m1acp5, arath-At1g10740 Abstract Phytophthora spp. incite serious plant damages by exploiting a large number of effector proteins and small RNAs (sRNAs). Several reports are describing modulation of host RNA biogenesis and defence gene expression. Here, we analysed Phytophthora infestans Argonaute (Ago) 1 associated small RNAs during potato leaf infection. sRNAs were co-immunoprecipitated, deep sequenced and analysed against the P. infestans and potato genomes, followed by transcript analyses and transgenic assays on a predicted target. Extensive targeting of potato and pathogen-derived sRNAs to a range of mRNAs was observed, including 638 sequences coding for resistance (R) proteins in the host genome. The single miRNA encoded by P. infestans (miR8788) was found to target a potato alpha/beta hydrolase-type encoding gene (StABH1), a protein localized to the plasma membrane. Analyses of stable transgenic potato lines harbouring overexpressed StABH1 or artificial miRNA gene constructs demonstrated the importance of StABH1 during infection by P. infestans. miR8788 knock-down strains showed reduced growth on potato. In analogy, elevated StABH1 expression levels were observed when inoculated with the two knock-down strains compared to the wild-type strain 88069. The data suggest that sRNA encoded by P. infestans can affect potato mRNA, and thereby expand its already known multifaceted strategies to facilitate infection. Title: A Lab-in-a-Syringe Device Integrated with a Smartphone Platform: Colorimetric and Fluorescent Dual-Mode Signals for On-Site Detection of Organophosphorus Pesticides Wei D, Wang Y, Zhu N, Xiao J, Li X, Xu T, Hu X, Zhang Z, Yin D Ref: ACS Appl Mater Interfaces, :, 2021 : PubMed ESTHER: Wei_2021_ACS.Appl.Mater.Interfaces__ PubMedSearch: Wei 2021 ACS.Appl.Mater.Interfaces PubMedID: 34623807 Abstract Herein, a portable lab-in-a-syringe device integrated with a smartphone sensing platform was designed for rapid, visual quantitative determination of organophosphorus pesticides (OPs) via colorimetric and fluorescent signals. The device was chiefly made up of a conjugate pad labeled with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide-coated gold nanoparticles (CTAB-Au NPs) and a sensing pad modified by ratiometric probes (red-emission quantum dots@SiO(2) nanoparticles@green-emission quantum dots, rQDs@SiO(2)@gQDs probe), which was assembled through a disposable syringe and reusable plastic filter. In the detection system, thiocholine (Tch), the hydrolysis product of thioacetylcholine (ATch) by acetylcholinesterase (AchE), could trigger the aggregation of CTAB-Au NPs, resulting in a significant color change from red to purple. Then, CTAB-Au NPs flowed vertically upward and bound to the rQDs@SiO(2)@gQDs probe on the sensing pad, reducing the fluorescence resonance energy transfer effect between CTAB-Au NPs and gQDs. Meanwhile, rQDs embedded in SiO(2) NPs remained stable as internal reference fluorescence, achieving a color transition from red to green. Thus, based on the inhibition of AChE activity by OPs, a colorimetric and fluorescent dual-mode platform was constructed for on-site detection of OPs. Using glyphosate as a model, with the support of a color recognizer application (APP) on a smartphone, the ratio of red and green channel values could be utilized for accurate OP quantitative analysis ranging from 0 to 10 microM with a detection limit of 2.81 nM (recoveries, 90.8-122.4%; CV, 1.2-3.4%). Overall, the portable lab-in-a-syringe device based on a smartphone sensing platform integrated sample monitoring and result analysis in the field, implying great potential for on-site detection of OPs. Title: Binding mechanism and functional evaluation of quercetin 3-rhamnoside on lipase Wu D, Duan R, Tang L, Hu X, Geng F, Sun Q, Zhang Y, Li H Ref: Food Chem, 359:129960, 2021 : PubMed ESTHER: Wu_2021_Food.Chem_359_129960 PubMedSearch: Wu 2021 Food.Chem 359 129960 PubMedID: 33945987 Abstract The interaction between lipase and quercetin 3-rhamnoside was studied by fluorescence spectroscopy, enzyme kinetics, and molecular dynamics simulation. The results showed that quercetin 3-rhamnoside had a strong quenching effect on the intrinsic fluorescence of lipase. The binding constant decreased with increasing temperature, and the number of binding sites approached 1. Thermodynamic parameters indicated that hydrogen bonding and van der Waals forces are the dominant forces when the interaction occurs. Circular dichroism spectroscopy and infrared spectroscopy proved that the ligand perturbed the structure of lipase. Enzyme kinetics results showed that quercetin 3-rhamnoside inhibited lipase, and the inhibitory effect was dose-dependent. Molecular dynamics simulation further explained the interaction mechanism and inhibitory effect. This study confirmed the inhibitory effect of quercetin 3-rhamnoside on lipase explained their binding mechanism, which will contribute to guiding the development of fat-reducing functional foods. Title: Association analysis between FASN genotype and milk traits in Mediterranean buffalo and its expression among different buffalo tissues Ye T, Deng T, Hosseini SM, Raza SHA, Du C, Chen C, Zhang X, Hu X, Yang L Ref: Trop Anim Health Prod, 53:366, 2021 : PubMed ESTHER: Ye_2021_Trop.Anim.Health.Prod_53_366 PubMedSearch: Ye 2021 Trop.Anim.Health.Prod 53 366 PubMedID: 34156604 Abstract Fatty acid synthase (FASN) is a multifunctional protein that catalyzes the synthesis of long-chain saturated fatty acid. In this study, we identified the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), and their association with milk traits in Mediterranean buffalo, and the expression of FASN gene in different tissues was measured. Nine SNPs (g.-1640G > A, g.-1099C > T, g.1095C > A, g.3221G > A, g.4762G > A, g.5299G > A, g.7164G > A, g.7272 T > C, and g.8927 T > C) were identified by DNA pooled sequencing and then genotyped. Seven identified SNPs except g.3221G > A and g.8927 T > C were found significantly associated with both fat and protein percentage, and also the g.7164G > A and g.8927 T > C had significant association with peak milk yield and protein percentage, respectively. One haplotype block was successfully constructed by linkage disequilibrium (LD) analysis and it showed a significant association with both fat percentage and protein percentage. Expression of FASN gene was found in almost all the buffalo tissues including mammary gland, heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney, uterus, and ovary, and to be highest in lung and mammary gland. Our findings suggest that polymorphisms in the buffalo FASN gene are associated with milk production traits and can be used as a candidate gene for milk traits and marker-assisted selection in buffalo breeding program. Title: Subcellular localization of chlorophyllase2 reveals it is not involved in chlorophyll degradation during senescence in Arabidopsis thaliana Hu X, Jia T, Hortensteiner S, Tanaka A, Tanaka R Ref: Plant Sci, 290:110314, 2020 : PubMed ESTHER: Hu_2020_Plant.Sci_290_110314 PubMedSearch: Hu 2020 Plant.Sci 290 110314 PubMedID: 31779896 Abstract Chlorophyllase (CLH), which catalyzes the release of the phytol chain from chlorophyll (Chl), has been long considered to catalyze the first step of Chl degradation. Arabidopsis contains two isoforms of CLH (CLH1 and CLH2), and CLH1 was previously demonstrated to be localized in tonoplast and endoplasmic reticulum, and not be involved in Chl degradation. In contrast, CLH2 possesses a predicted signal-peptide for chloroplast localization, and phylogenetic analysis of CLHs in Arabidopsis and other species also indicate that CLH2 forms a different clade than CLH1. Therefore, the possibility remains that CLH2 is involved in the breakdown of Chl. In the current study, clh mutants lacking CLH2 or both CLH isoforms were analyzed after the induction of senescence. Results indicated that the clh knockout lines were still able to degrade Chl at the same rate as wild-type plants. Transgenic Arabidopsis plants were generated that constitutively expressed either CLH2 or CLH2 fused to a yellow fluorescent protein (YFP). Observations made using confocal microscopy indicated that CLH2-YFP was located external to chloroplasts. Additionally, in overexpression plants, CLH2 was enriched in tonoplast and endoplasmic reticulum fractions following membrane fractionation. Based on the collective data, we conclude that CLH2 is not involved in Chl breakdown during senescence in Arabidopsis. Title: In silico exploration of bioactive phytochemicals against neurodegenerative diseases via inhibition of cholinesterases Mahomoodally F, Abdallah HH, Suroowan S, Zhang Y, Hu X, Jugreet S Ref: Curr Pharm Des, :, 2020 : PubMed ESTHER: Mahomoodally_2020_Curr.Pharm.Des__ PubMedSearch: Mahomoodally 2020 Curr.Pharm.Des PubMedID: 32178608 Abstract Neurodegenerative disorders are estimated to become the second leading cause of death worldwide by 2040. Despite the usage of several allopathic drugs, these brain associated disorders can only be partially addressed and long termed treatment is often linked with dependency and other unwanted side effects. Nature, believed to be an arsenal of remedies for any illness, presents an interesting avenue for the development of novel neuroprotective agents. Interestingly, inhibition of cholinesterases, involved in the breakdown of acetylcholine in the synaptic cleft, has been proposed to be neuroprotective. This study therefore aims to provide additional insight via docking studies of previously studied compounds that have shown potent activity against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) in vitro. Indeed, the determination of potent plant-based ligands for this purpose through in silico methods enables the elimination of lengthy and costly traditional methods of drug discovery. Herein, a literature search was conducted to identify active phytochemicals cholinesterase inhibitors. Following which in silico docking methods were applied to obtain docking scores. Compounds structures' were extracted from online ZINC database and optimized using AM1 implemented in gaussian09 software. (+)-thalictricavine, (+)-canadine, Catecholamine-O-methyltransferase inhibitors from common herbal products such as Ginkgo biloba L., Curcuma longa L. and ayurvedic formulations, as well as plant-derived 19, 20-dihydroervahanine A and 8-C-lavandurylkaempferol have been revealed as potent cholinesterase inhibitors. Thus, ligand optimization between such phytochemicals and cholinesterases together with in vitro, in vivo studies and randomized clinical trials can lead to the development of novel drugs against neurodegenerative disorders. Title: Effects of cadmium on fecundity and defence ability of Drosophila melanogaster Hu X, Fu W, Yang X, Mu Y, Gu W, Zhang M Ref: Ecotoxicology & Environmental Safety, 171:871, 2019 : PubMed ESTHER: Hu_2019_Ecotoxicol.Environ.Saf_171_871 PubMedSearch: Hu 2019 Ecotoxicol.Environ.Saf 171 871 PubMedID: 30665104 Abstract Cadmium (chemical symbol, Cd) is an extremely common pollutant that poses a toxicity threat to organisms. Therefore, we tested Drosophila melanogaster fecundity, Cd accumulation, and activity of two enzymes following Cd stress and used quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) to quantify the mRNA expression levels of several genes involved in fecundity and defence. D. melanogaster was placed in a medium containing different concentrations of Cd (13, 26, and 52mgL(-1)), following which, inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy showed that Cd accumulation in Drosophila increased with the increase in its dietary intake. We also observed that Cd at these concentrations significantly prolonged the mating latency in females and reduced the number of eggs laid. However, the same Cd concentrations did not affect male fecundity. Acetylcholinesterase activity was only detected at 52mgL(-1) Cd in both sexes, whereas glutathione S-transferase activity was inhibited at 26 and 52mgL(-1) Cd in females. The results of qPCR indicated that exposure to 13-52mgL(-1) Cd affected the expression of reproduction-related genes, including downregulation of enok and upregulation of dally and dpp. The same level of exposure also induced transcriptional responses from three defence-related genes (hsp70, gstd2, and gstd6). Taken together, the results revealed that Cd exposure might negatively affect the expression of genes associated with D. melanogaster reproduction and trigger the transcription of defence-related genes. We suggest that further analyses of fecundity and defence responses may help develop indicators of Cd toxicity and improve our understanding of antitoxin defences. Title: Nanoporous gold electrode for ultrasensitive detection of neurotoxin fasciculin Hu X, Dinu CZ Ref: Anal Chim Acta, 1085:91, 2019 : PubMed ESTHER: Hu_2019_Anal.Chim.Acta_1085_91 PubMedSearch: Hu 2019 Anal.Chim.Acta 1085 91 PubMedID: 31522735 Abstract Acetylcholinesterase (AChE), an efficient biocatalyst known to hydrolyze the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, could be inactivated in the presence of insecticides, nerve agents or other drug inhibitors to thus result in disrupted neurotransmission. Improvement in the peripheral cholinergic function, as well as overall cognition and neuronal functions of an exposed system could be achieved if the mechanisms of inhibitions are deactivated in a controlled fashion and with rapid response time. Herein, we proposed to develop a simple AChE biosensor capable to realize the rapid detection of neurotoxins. Our approach uses a nanoporous gold film (NPGF) and reduced graphene oxide-tin dioxide nanoparticle (RGO-SnO2) nanocomposite to define the highly active electrode interface where the electrochemical monitoring of the interaction between AChE and its target molecule, fasciculin, could take place. Our results demonstrate that the established biosensor had the ability to monitor fasciculin concentrations at the ultra-low limit of detection of 8 pM, an inhibition rate of 8% and within only 30min of electrochemical exposure. Our study provides a convenient technology for the rapid and ultrasensitive detection of neurotoxins and has the potential for large applicability to other drugs or toxins screening. Title: GPIHBP1 expression in gliomas promotes utilization of lipoprotein-derived nutrients Hu X, Matsumoto K, Jung RS, Weston TA, Heizer PJ, He C, Sandoval NP, Allan CM, Tu Y and Jiang H <13 more author(s)> Hu X, Matsumoto K, Jung RS, Weston TA, Heizer PJ, He C, Sandoval NP, Allan CM, Tu Y, Vinters HV, Liau LM, Ellison RM, Morales JE, Baufeld LJ, Bayley NA, He L, Betsholtz C, Beigneux AP, Nathanson DA, Gerhardt H, Young SG, Fong LG, Jiang H (- 13) Ref: Elife, 8:, 2019 : PubMed ESTHER: Hu_2019_Elife_8_e47178 PubMedSearch: Hu 2019 Elife 8 e47178 PubMedID: 31169500 Abstract GPIHBP1, a GPI-anchored protein of capillary endothelial cells, binds lipoprotein lipase (LPL) within the subendothelial spaces and shuttles it to the capillary lumen. GPIHBP1-bound LPL is essential for the margination of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins (TRLs) along capillaries, allowing the lipolytic processing of TRLs to proceed. In peripheral tissues, the intravascular processing of TRLs by the GPIHBP1-LPL complex is crucial for the generation of lipid nutrients for adjacent parenchymal cells. GPIHBP1 is absent from the capillaries of the brain, which uses glucose for fuel; however, GPIHBP1 is expressed in the capillaries of mouse and human gliomas. Importantly, the GPIHBP1 in glioma capillaries captures locally produced LPL. We use NanoSIMS imaging to show that TRLs marginate along glioma capillaries and that there is uptake of TRL-derived lipid nutrients by surrounding glioma cells. Thus, GPIHBP1 expression in gliomas facilitates TRL processing and provides a source of lipid nutrients for glioma cells. Title: Integration of lipidomic and transcriptomic profiles reveals novel genes and regulatory mechanisms of Schizochytrium sp. in response to salt stress Jiang JY, Zhu S, Zhang Y, Sun X, Hu X, Huang H, Ren LJ Ref: Bioresour Technol, 294:122231, 2019 : PubMed ESTHER: Jiang_2019_Bioresour.Technol_294_122231 PubMedSearch: Jiang 2019 Bioresour.Technol 294 122231 PubMedID: 31606596 Abstract In this study, the effects of salt stress on the physiological, lipidomic and transcriptomic profiles of halophilic microalga Schizochytrium sp. were investigated. In general, Schizochytrium sp. could survive under high osmotic fermentation medium containing 30g/L NaCl, and showed a significant increase in C14:0 percentage in total fatty acids. In lipidomic analysis, C14:0 was specifically enriched in phosphatidylcholine (PC), and membrane phospholipids participated in the salt stress response mostly. Specially, one novel signal lipid N-acylphosphatidylethanolamine (NAPE) (18:0/20:3/14:0) was upregulated significantly. Transcriptomic analysis revealed glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase (GPAT) and phospholipase ABHD3 (PLABDH3) were involved in C14:0 metabolism and NAPE biosynthesis. Signalling pathways they mediated were activated as evident by high expression level of Myristoyl-CoA: protein N-myristoyltransferase (NMT) and NAPE-hydrolyzing PLD (NAPE-PLD). This study gives us an insight in specific responses to salt stress in Schizochytrium sp. and provides a considerable proportion of novel genes that could commendably be used for engineering modification. Title: Epigenetic mechanisms underlying the effects of triptolide and tripchlorolide on the expression of neuroligin-1 in the hippocampus of APP/PS1 transgenic mice Lu X, Yang B, Yu H, Hu X, Nie J, Wan B, Zhang M, Lu C Ref: Pharm Biol, 57:453, 2019 : PubMed ESTHER: Lu_2019_Pharm.Biol_57_453 PubMedSearch: Lu 2019 Pharm.Biol 57 453 PubMedID: 31311385 Abstract Context: Neuroligin-1 (NLGN1) is a cell adhesion protein located on the excitatory postsynaptic membrane. beta-Amyloid (Abeta)-induced neuroinflammation decreases NLGN1 expression through epigenetic mechanisms. Triptolide (T10) and tripchlorolide (T4) exert protective effects on synapses in Alzheimer's disease (AD) mice, but the mechanisms remain unclear. Objective: The effects of T10 and T4 on hippocampal NLGN1 expression in AD mice and the epigenetic mechanisms were assessed using chromatin immunoprecipitation and methylated DNA immunoprecipitation. Materials and methods: Sixty APP/PS1 transgenic mice were randomly divided into an AD model group, a T10-treated group and a T4-treated group (n = 20); 20 wild-type littermates served as the control group. APP/PS1 transgenic mice were intraperitoneally injected with T10 (0.1 mg/kg) and T4 (25 mug/kg) once per day for 60 days. NLGN1 expression was examined using western blotting and quantitative PCR. Results: T10 and T4 increased the levels of the NLGN1 protein and mRNA in hippocampus of AD mice. T10 and T4 inhibited the binding of HDAC2 (p< 0.01) and MeCP2 (p< 0.01 and p< 0.05, respectively) to the NLGN1 promoter, and cytosine methylation (1.2305 +/- 0.1482/1.2554 +/- 0.3570 vs. 1.6578 +/- 0.1818, p< 0.01) at the NLGN1 promoter in the hippocampus of AD mice. T10 and T4 increased the level of acetylated histone H3 (0.7733 +/- 0.1611/0.8241 +/- 0.0964 vs. 0.5587 +/- 0.0925, p< 0.01) at the NLGN1 promoter in the hippocampus of AD mice. Conclusions: T10 and T4 may increase hippocampal NLGN1 expression in AD mice through epigenetic mechanisms, providing a new explanation for the mechanism underlying the protective effects of T10 and T4 on synapses. Title: Acetylcholinesterase-functionalized two-dimensional photonic crystal for the sensing of G-series nerve agents Qi F, Yan C, Meng Z, Li S, Xu J, Hu X, Xue M Ref: Anal Bioanal Chem, 411:2577, 2019 : PubMed ESTHER: Qi_2019_Anal.Bioanal.Chem_411_2577 PubMedSearch: Qi 2019 Anal.Bioanal.Chem 411 2577 PubMedID: 30847569 Abstract G-series nerve agents, such as sarin, tabun, and soman, would cause tremendous harm in military and terrorist attacks, so it is necessary to develop a simple method for the rapid and efficient detection of these hazardous substances. We have developed a tunable acetylcholinesterase (AChE)-functionalized two-dimensional photonic crystal (2D PhC) for the detection of a real nerve agent, sarin. In accordance with the 2D PhC previously prepared by our group, the AChE-functionalized 2D PhC was optimized by adjustment of the amount of monomer in the hydrogel, which not only increased the sensitivity of the 2D PhC, with the detection limit decreasing by two orders of magnitude, but also ensured the structural color spanned the whole visible region in the detection range. A linear relationship between the logarithm of the sarin concentration and the particle spacing of the AChE-functionalized 2D PhC was observed from 7.1 x 10(-17) to 7.1 x 10(-4) mol/L. The AChE-functionalized 2D PhC also responded to mimics of G-series nerve agents, including dimethyl methylphosphonate, diisopropyl methylphosphonate, and isodipropyl methylphosphonate, to various degrees. The proposed 2D-PhC hydrogel has potential for low-cost, trace-level, and on-site monitoring of other G-series nerve agents. Graphical abstract. Title: CesH Represses Cereulide Synthesis as an Alpha/Beta Fold Hydrolase in Bacillus cereus Tian S, Xiong H, Geng P, Yuan Z, Hu X Ref: Toxins (Basel), 11:, 2019 : PubMed ESTHER: Tian_2019_Toxins.(Basel)_11_ PubMedSearch: Tian 2019 Toxins.(Basel) 11 PubMedID: 31010094 Gene_locus related to this paper: bacce-q20cj2 Abstract Cereulide is notorious as a heat-stable emetic toxin produced by Bacillus cereus and glucose is supposed to be an ingredient supporting its formation. This study showed that glucose addition benefited on cell growth and the early transcription of genes involved in substrate accumulation and toxin synthesis, but it played a negative role in the final production of cereulide. Meanwhile, a lasting enhancement of cesH transcription was observed with the addition of glucose. Moreover, the cereulide production in DeltacesH was obviously higher than that in the wild type. This indicates that CesH has a repression effect on cereulide production. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that CesH was an alpha/beta hydrolase that probably associated with the cell membrane, which was verified by subcellular localization. The esterase activity against para-nitrophenyl acetate (PNPC2) of the recombinant CesH was confirmed. Although no sign of ester bond cleavage in cereulide or valinomycin was demonstrated in in vitro assays, CesH could reverse the cereulide analogue sensitivity of Bacillus subtilis in vivo, by which toxin degradation was facilitated. Moreover, site directed mutations identified that the conserved catalytic triad of CesH might consist of Serine 86, Glutamate 199, and Histidine 227. These results help us to understand the regulation of cereulide production and provide clues for developing control measurements. Title: Converting solution viscosity to distance-readout on paper substrates based on enzyme-mediated alginate hydrogelation: Quantitative determination of organophosphorus pesticides Xu J, Hu X, Khan H, Tian M, Yang L Ref: Anal Chim Acta, 1071:1, 2019 : PubMed ESTHER: Xu_2019_Anal.Chim.Acta_1071_1 PubMedSearch: Xu 2019 Anal.Chim.Acta 1071 1 PubMedID: 31128750 Abstract Quantitatively paper-based senor is performed with simple distance-readout on mixed cellulose ester (MCE) filter paper based on acetylcholinesterase (AChE)-mediated alginate hydrogel. The method is accomplished with the aid of the inhibition effect of target samples on the AChE enzyme-catalyzed hydrolysis of acetylcholine, which changes the pH value of the solution to release Ca(2+) and trigger alginate hydrogelation. The viscosity of the solution is thus regulated with the presence of target samples in the reaction mixture, leading to a significant change in the diffusion diameter of the solution spotted on the filter paper. The concentration in the sample is quantitatively determined by ruler-measureable diffusion diameter of the spot on the paper. With successfully application for quantitatively sensing of organophosphorus pesticides (OPs), we show that the method exhibits excellent reproducibility with RSD (n=5) as low as 0.09% and good selectivity for detection of OPs. The dynamic range of the method is up to 66.7ng/mL with the limit-of-detection (LOD) of 3.3ng/mL. The present study provides a new approach for developing paper-based sensors with quantitative distance-readout, by utilizing enzymatic inhibition to modulate liquid viscosity, which would be of value for target detection in complex samples. Title: Single-Step In Situ Acetylcholinesterase-Mediated Alginate Hydrogelation for Enzyme Encapsulation in CE Yang J, Hu X, Xu J, Liu X, Yang L Ref: Analytical Chemistry, 90:4071, 2018 : PubMed ESTHER: Yang_2018_Anal.Chem_90_4071 PubMedSearch: Yang 2018 Anal.Chem 90 4071 PubMedID: 29469571 Abstract A novel capillary electrophoresis-integrated immobilized enzyme reactor (CE-integrated IMER) is developed using single-step in situ acetylcholinesterase (AChE)-mediated alginate hydrogelation and enzyme encapsulation. Alginate hydrogelation with "egg-box" structure is triggered inside a capillary with releasing of Ca(2+) by changing the pH of the sol solution, which is accomplished in situ by AChE-catalyzed hydrolysis reaction of acetylthiocholine to produce acetic acid. AChE and any other enzyme initially contained in the sol solution [e.g., xanthine oxidase (XO)] are efficiently encapsulated as the hydrogel network grows, forming CE-integrated IMERs without any additional manipulation process. The proposed method facilitates the analysis of different kinds of enzymes using the same IMER depending on the substrate injected for CE analysis. Approximately 68% of the original enzyme in the sol mixture can be encapsulated, indicating high loading capacity for the CE-integrated IMERs. The IMERs exhibit excellent intraday and interday stability and batch-to-batch reproducibility, and these characteristics imply the reliability of the proposed IMERs for accurate online enzyme assays. Enzymatic activities and inhibition of immobilized AChE and XO are analyzed, and the results are compared with those using free enzymes. The feasibility of the proposed method for potential application in real sample analysis is demonstrated by the successful application of the IMERs in detecting organophosphorus pesticides in apple juice samples using AChE-catalyzed reactions. The proposed method is a simple, efficient, and universal approach for online CE assays with immobilized enzymes, which can be widely applied in bioanalysis. Title: Autoantibodies against GPIHBP1 as a Cause of Hypertriglyceridemia Beigneux AP, Miyashita K, Ploug M, Blom DJ, Ai M, Linton MF, Khovidhunkit W, Dufour R, Garg A and Young SG <15 more author(s)> Beigneux AP, Miyashita K, Ploug M, Blom DJ, Ai M, Linton MF, Khovidhunkit W, Dufour R, Garg A, McMahon MA, Pullinger CR, Sandoval NP, Hu X, Allan CM, Larsson M, Machida T, Murakami M, Reue K, Tontonoz P, Goldberg IJ, Moulin P, Charriere S, Fong LG, Nakajima K, Young SG (- 15) Ref: N Engl J Med, 376:1647, 2017 : PubMed ESTHER: Beigneux_2017_N.Engl.J.Med_376_1647 PubMedSearch: Beigneux 2017 N.Engl.J.Med 376 1647 PubMedID: 28402248 Abstract BACKGROUND: A protein that is expressed on capillary endothelial cells, called GPIHBP1 (glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored high-density lipoprotein binding protein 1), binds lipoprotein lipase and shuttles it to its site of action in the capillary lumen. A deficiency in GPIHBP1 prevents lipoprotein lipase from reaching the capillary lumen. Patients with GPIHBP1 deficiency have low plasma levels of lipoprotein lipase, impaired intravascular hydrolysis of triglycerides, and severe hypertriglyceridemia (chylomicronemia). During the characterization of a monoclonal antibody-based immunoassay for GPIHBP1, we encountered two plasma samples (both from patients with chylomicronemia) that contained an interfering substance that made it impossible to measure GPIHBP1. That finding raised the possibility that those samples might contain GPIHBP1 autoantibodies. Title: GPIHBP1 autoantibodies in a patient with unexplained chylomicronemia Hu X, Dallinga-Thie GM, Hovingh GK, Chang SY, Sandoval NP, Dang TLP, Fukamachi I, Miyashita K, Nakajima K and Beigneux AP <4 more author(s)> Hu X, Dallinga-Thie GM, Hovingh GK, Chang SY, Sandoval NP, Dang TLP, Fukamachi I, Miyashita K, Nakajima K, Murakami M, Fong LG, Ploug M, Young SG, Beigneux AP (- 4) Ref: J Clin Lipidol, 11:964, 2017 : PubMed ESTHER: Hu_2017_J.Clin.Lipidol_11_964 PubMedSearch: Hu 2017 J.Clin.Lipidol 11 964 PubMedID: 28666713 Abstract BACKGROUND: GPIHBP1, a glycolipid-anchored protein of capillary endothelial cells, binds lipoprotein lipase (LPL) in the interstitial spaces and transports it to the capillary lumen. GPIHBP1 deficiency prevents LPL from reaching the capillary lumen, resulting in low intravascular LPL levels, impaired intravascular triglyceride processing, and severe hypertriglyceridemia (chylomicronemia). A recent study showed that some cases of hypertriglyceridemia are caused by autoantibodies against GPIHBP1 ("GPIHBP1 autoantibody syndrome"). OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to gain additional insights into the frequency of the GPIHBP1 autoantibody syndrome in patients with unexplained chylomicronemia. METHODS: We used enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays to screen for GPIHBP1 autoantibodies in 33 patients with unexplained chylomicronemia and then used Western blots and immunocytochemistry studies to characterize the GPIHBP1 autoantibodies. RESULTS: The plasma of 1 patient, a 36-year-old man with severe hypertriglyceridemia, contained GPIHBP1 autoantibodies. The autoantibodies, which were easily detectable by Western blot, blocked the ability of GPIHBP1 to bind LPL. The plasma levels of LPL mass and activity were low. The patient had no history of autoimmune disease, but his plasma was positive for antinuclear antibodies. CONCLUSIONS: One of 33 patients with unexplained chylomicronemia had the GPIHBP1 autoantibody syndrome. Additional studies in large lipid clinics will be helpful for better defining the frequency of this syndrome and for exploring the best strategies for treatment. Title: Characterization and crystal structure of a novel zearalenone hydrolase from Cladophialophora bantiana Hui R, Hu X, Liu W, Zheng Y, Chen Y, Guo RT, Jin J, Chen CC Ref: Acta Crystallographica F Struct Biol Commun, 73:515, 2017 : PubMed ESTHER: Hui_2017_Acta.Crystallogr.F.Struct.Biol.Commun_73_515 PubMedSearch: Hui 2017 Acta.Crystallogr.F.Struct.Biol.Commun 73 515 PubMedID: 28876230 Gene_locus related to this paper: xylba-a0a0d2h023 Abstract Zearalenone (ZEN) is a mycotoxin which causes huge economic losses in the food and animal feed industries. The lactonase ZHD101 from Clonostachys rosea, which catalyzes the hydrolytic degradation of ZEN, is the only known ZEN-detoxifying enzyme. Here, a protein homologous to ZHD101, denoted CbZHD, from Cladophialophora batiana was expressed and characterized. Sequence alignment indicates that CbZHD possesses the same catalytic triad and ZEN-interacting residues as found in ZHD101. CbZHD exhibits optimal enzyme activity at 35 degrees C and pH 8, and is sensitive to heat treatment. The crystal structure of apo CbZHD was determined to 1.75 A resolution. The active-site compositions of CbZHD and ZHD101 were analyzed. Title: Scallop genome provides insights into evolution of bilaterian karyotype and development Wang S, Zhang J, Jiao W, Li J, Xun X, Sun Y, Guo X, Huan P, Dong B and Bao Z <42 more author(s)> Wang S, Zhang J, Jiao W, Li J, Xun X, Sun Y, Guo X, Huan P, Dong B, Zhang L, Hu X, Sun X, Wang J, Zhao C, Wang Y, Wang D, Huang X, Wang R, Lv J, Li Y, Zhang Z, Liu B, Lu W, Hui Y, Liang J, Zhou Z, Hou R, Li X, Liu Y, Li H, Ning X, Lin Y, Zhao L, Xing Q, Dou J, Mao J, Guo H, Dou H, Li T, Mu C, Jiang W, Fu Q, Fu X, Miao Y, Liu J, Yu Q, Li R, Liao H, Kong Y, Jiang Z, Chourrout D, Bao Z (- 42) Ref: Nat Ecol Evol, 1:120, 2017 : PubMed ESTHER: Wang_2017_Nat.Ecol.Evol_1_120 PubMedSearch: Wang 2017 Nat.Ecol.Evol 1 120 PubMedID: 28812685 Gene_locus related to this paper: mizye-a0a210qls6, mizye-a0a210qis3, mizye-a0a210qg00, mizye-a0a210ped6, mizye-a0a210q4h5, mizye-a0a210q4h9, mizye-a0a210q4j1, mizye-a0a210qf86, mizye-a0a210q332, mizye-a0a210pqn0, mizye-a0a210q7t5, mizye-a0a210pij5, mizye-a0a210qyk8, mizye-a0a210pwl7, mizye-a0a210q8u5, mizye-a0a210r5n9, mizye-a0a210qbv2, mizye-a0a210pu25, mizye-a0a210pek1, mizye-a0a210pul3, mizye-a0a210pum3, mizye-a0a210ptr6, mizye-a0a210ptq5, mizye-a0a210ptc4.1, mizye-a0a210ptc4.2, mizye-a0a210ptv1, mizye-a0a210ptv7, mizye-a0a210qgl6, mizye-a0a210qg90, mizye-a0a210ptq0, mizye-a0a210qg72, mizye-a0a210ptb1, mizye-a0a210pjd3, mizye-a0a210qg92, mizye-a0a210q8v2, mizye-a0a210qg93, mizye-a0a210q160.1, mizye-a0a210q160.2, mizye-a0a210qes4, mizye-a0a210pk25, mizye-a0a210q1b8, mizye-a0a210q110, mizye-a0a210r503, mizye-P021348901.1, mizye-P021348901.2 Abstract Reconstructing the genomes of bilaterian ancestors is central to our understanding of animal evolution, where knowledge from ancient and/or slow-evolving bilaterian lineages is critical. Here we report a high-quality, chromosome-anchored reference genome for the scallop Patinopecten yessoensis, a bivalve mollusc that has a slow-evolving genome with many ancestral features. Chromosome-based macrosynteny analysis reveals a striking correspondence between the 19 scallop chromosomes and the 17 presumed ancestral bilaterian linkage groups at a level of conservation previously unseen, suggesting that the scallop may have a karyotype close to that of the bilaterian ancestor. Scallop Hox gene expression follows a new mode of subcluster temporal co-linearity that is possibly ancestral and may provide great potential in supporting diverse bilaterian body plans. Transcriptome analysis of scallop mantle eyes finds unexpected diversity in phototransduction cascades and a potentially ancient Pax2/5/8-dependent pathway for noncephalic eyes. The outstanding preservation of ancestral karyotype and developmental control makes the scallop genome a valuable resource for understanding early bilaterian evolution and biology. Title: Association of plasma dipeptidyl peptidase-4 activity with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in nondiabetic Chinese population Zheng T, Chen B, Yang L, Hu X, Zhang X, Liu H, Qin L Ref: Metabolism, 73:125, 2017 : PubMed ESTHER: Zheng_2017_Metabolism_73_125 PubMedSearch: Zheng 2017 Metabolism 73 125 PubMedID: 28637594 Abstract OBJECTIVE: The pathogenesis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is attributed to a "multi-hits hypothesis" involving insulin resistance, oxidative stress and inflammation. Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP4) was identified as a novel adipokine capable of enhancing the"multi-hits". Hence, we investigated the association between plasma DPP4 activity and NAFLD in nondiabetic Chinese population. DESIGN AND METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional study using data from 1105 subjects (36-79years) in Guilin between 2015 and 2016. Plasma DPP4 activity, homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), oxidative stress parameters, and inflammatory markers were measured in all participants. NAFLD and its severity were diagnosed by ultrasound after the exclusion of alcohol abuse and other liver diseases. RESULTS: Participants in the highest quartile of DPP4 activity had higher HOMA-IR, nitrotyrosine, 8-iso-PGF2a, interleukin-6, CRP, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and gamma-glutamyltransferase compared with those in the lowest quartile (all P<0.05). Plasma DPP4 activity gradually increased across the groups according to the ultrasonographic severity of steatosis (P<0.001 for the trend). In the highest DPP4 quartile, NAFLD risk was higher (odds ratio 1.88; 95% CI 1.04-3.37) than in the lowest quartile after adjustment for confounders. The risk for NAFLD increased more with higher levels of DPP4 activity, HOMA-IR, nitrotyrosine, 8-iso-PGF2a, interleukin-6 and CRP. CONCLUSIONS: Plasma DPP4 activity is significantly associated with NAFLD. The underlying mechanisms may be partly attributed to the interactions between insulin resistance, oxidative stress, inflammation, and DPP4. Title: Postconditioning with sevoflurane ameliorates spatial learning and memory deficit after hemorrhage shock and resuscitation in rats Hu X, Wang J, Zhang Q, Duan X, Chen Z, Zhang Y Ref: J Surg Res, 206:307, 2016 : PubMed ESTHER: Hu_2016_J.Surg.Res_206_307 PubMedSearch: Hu 2016 J.Surg.Res 206 307 PubMedID: 27884324 Abstract BACKGROUND: Severe hemorrhage shock and resuscitation are a systemic ischemia-reperfusion phenomenon which can induce learning and memory deficit in human and rats. Sevoflurane postconditioning has been proved to offer neuroprotection under different setting of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion in rats. The aim of this study was to investigate whether sevoflurane postconditioning could improve spatial learning and memory ability after hemorrhage shock and resuscitation in rats. Title: Thyroglobulin gene mutations in Chinese patients with congenital hypothyroidism Hu X, Chen R, Fu C, Fan X, Wang J, Qian J, Yi S, Li C, Luo J and Shen Y <9 more author(s)> Hu X, Chen R, Fu C, Fan X, Wang J, Qian J, Yi S, Li C, Luo J, Su J, Zhang S, Xie B, Zheng H, Lai Y, Chen Y, Li H, Gu X, Chen S, Shen Y (- 9) Ref: Mol Cell Endocrinol, 423:60, 2016 : PubMed ESTHER: Hu_2016_Mol.Cell.Endocrinol_423_60 PubMedSearch: Hu 2016 Mol.Cell.Endocrinol 423 60 PubMedID: 26777470 Gene_locus related to this paper: human-TG Abstract Mutations in Thyroglobulin (TG) are common genetic causes of congenital hypothyroidism (CH). But the TG mutation spectrum and its frequency in Chinese CH patients have not been investigated. Here we conducted a genetic screening of TG gene in a cohort of 382 Chinese CH patients. We identified 22 rare non-polymorphic variants including six truncating variants and 16 missense variants of unknown significance (VUS). Seven patients carried homozygous pathogenic variants, and three patients carried homozygous or compound heterozygous VUS. 48 out of 382 patients carried one of 18 heterozygous VUS which is significantly more often than their occurrences in control cohort (P < 0.0001). Unique to Asian population, the c.274+2T>G variant is the most common pathogenic variant with an allele frequency of 0.021. The prevalence of CH due to TG gene defect in Chinese population was estimated to be approximately 1/101,000. Our study uncovered ethnicity specific TG mutation spectrum and frequency. Title: Enzymatic degradation of poly(butylene succinate) by cutinase cloned from Fusarium solani Hu X, Gao Z, Wang Z, Su T, Yang L, Li P Ref: Polymer Degradation and Stability, 134:211, 2016 : PubMed ESTHER: Hu_2016_Polym.Degrad.Stab_134_211 PubMedSearch: Hu 2016 Polym.Degrad.Stab 134 211 Gene_locus related to this paper: fusso-cutas Abstract A gene encoding cutinase from Fusarium solani was cloned and overexpressed in Pichia pastoris. The recombinant cutinase with a molecular weight of 24 kDa was then purified to homogeneity. The enzyme presents degradation capacity for poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) and exhibits the optimum pH and temperature of 8.0 and 50 C, respectively. Enzyme activity is enhanced by K+ and Na+ and inhibited by Zn2+,Fe2+ ,Mn2+, and Co2+. The inhibitions of different chemicals on recombinant enzyme activity were examined. EDTA and b-mercaptoethanol exert significant inhibitory effect. The degradation of PBS films in the presence of the recombinant enzyme was further studied. Results showed that enzymatic degradation is a rapid process, and the PBS fi lms were degraded completely after approximately 6 h. The characteristics of PBS films after degradation were analyzed. With the extension of degradation time, the surfaces of PBS films became rougher and holes appeared with a gradually increasing trend. Differential scanning calorimetry and scanning electron microscopy analyses revealed that both amorphous and crystalline regions of PBS were degraded by the recombinant enzyme. Wide-angle X-ray diffractometer also indicated the crystallinity of PBS has a gradual downward trend with the extension of degradation time. Gel permeation chromatography showed the molecular weight of PBS has no obvious change before and after degradation. Title: Treatment effects of tanshinone IIA against intracerebroventricular streptozotocin induced memory deficits in mice Liu C, Wu Y, Zha S, Liu M, Wang Y, Yang G, Ma K, Fei Y, Zhang Y and Qian Y <2 more author(s)> Liu C, Wu Y, Zha S, Liu M, Wang Y, Yang G, Ma K, Fei Y, Zhang Y, Hu X, Yang W, Qian Y (- 2) Ref: Brain Research, 1631:137, 2016 : PubMed ESTHER: Liu_2016_Brain.Res_1631_137 PubMedSearch: Liu 2016 Brain.Res 1631 137 PubMedID: 26656068 Inhibitor(s) related to this paper: Tanshinone-IIA Abstract Our previous studies demonstrated that tanshinone IIA (tan IIA) has significant protective effects against the neurotoxicity induced by beta-amyloid protein (Abeta) in cultured cortical neurons and PC12 cells. This study was designed to investigate the protective effects of tan IIA against memory deficits induced by streptozotocin (STZ) in a model of sporadic Alzheimer's disease (AD). STZ was injected twice intracerebroventrically (3mg/kg ICV) on alternate days (day 1 and day 3) in mice. Daily treatment with tan IIA (20, 40, and 80mg/kg, i.g.) starting from the first dose of STZ for 28 days showed a dose dependent improvement in STZ induced memory deficits as assessed by Morris water maze (MWM) test. Nissl staining results confirmed the protective effects of tan IIA on cerebral cortical and hippocampal neurons damage induced by STZ. In addition, tan IIA markedly reduced STZ induced elevation in acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) level, and significantly inhibited STZ induced reduction in superoxide dismutases (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities in the parietal cortex and hippocampus. Moreover, tan IIA attenuated p38 mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylation in the parietal cortex and hippocampus. These findings demonstrate that tan IIA prevents STZ induced memory deficits may be attributed to ameliorating neuronal damage, restoring cholinergic function, attenuating oxidative stress and blocking p38 MAPK signal pathway activation. Based on our previous studies, the present study provides further support for the potential use of tan IIA in the treatment of AD. Title: Genome analysis of three Pneumocystis species reveals adaptation mechanisms to life exclusively in mammalian hosts Ma L, Chen Z, Huang da W, Kutty G, Ishihara M, Wang H, Abouelleil A, Bishop L, Davey E and Kovacs JA <34 more author(s)> Ma L, Chen Z, Huang da W, Kutty G, Ishihara M, Wang H, Abouelleil A, Bishop L, Davey E, Deng R, Deng X, Fan L, Fantoni G, FitzGerald M, Gogineni E, Goldberg JM, Handley G, Hu X, Huber C, Jiao X, Jones K, Levin JZ, Liu Y, Macdonald P, Melnikov A, Raley C, Sassi M, Sherman BT, Song X, Sykes S, Tran B, Walsh L, Xia Y, Yang J, Young S, Zeng Q, Zheng X, Stephens R, Nusbaum C, Birren BW, Azadi P, Lempicki RA, Cuomo CA, Kovacs JA (- 34) Ref: Nat Commun, 7:10740, 2016 : PubMed ESTHER: Ma_2016_Nat.Commun_7_10740 PubMedSearch: Ma 2016 Nat.Commun 7 10740 PubMedID: 26899007 Gene_locus related to this paper: pnec8-a0a0w4zi95, pnemu-m7nra0, pnej8-l0pgn2, pnemu-m7nsb0 Abstract Pneumocystis jirovecii is a major cause of life-threatening pneumonia in immunosuppressed patients including transplant recipients and those with HIV/AIDS, yet surprisingly little is known about the biology of this fungal pathogen. Here we report near complete genome assemblies for three Pneumocystis species that infect humans, rats and mice. Pneumocystis genomes are highly compact relative to other fungi, with substantial reductions of ribosomal RNA genes, transporters, transcription factors and many metabolic pathways, but contain expansions of surface proteins, especially a unique and complex surface glycoprotein superfamily, as well as proteases and RNA processing proteins. Unexpectedly, the key fungal cell wall components chitin and outer chain N-mannans are absent, based on genome content and experimental validation. Our findings suggest that Pneumocystis has developed unique mechanisms of adaptation to life exclusively in mammalian hosts, including dependence on the lungs for gas and nutrients and highly efficient strategies to escape both host innate and acquired immune defenses. Title: alpha/beta-Hydrolase domain-containing 6 (ABHD6) negatively regulates the surface delivery and synaptic function of AMPA receptors Wei M, Zhang J, Jia M, Yang C, Pan Y, Li S, Luo Y, Zheng J, Ji J and Zhang C <4 more author(s)> Wei M, Zhang J, Jia M, Yang C, Pan Y, Li S, Luo Y, Zheng J, Ji J, Chen J, Hu X, Xiong J, Shi Y, Zhang C (- 4) Ref: Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 113:E2695, 2016 : PubMed ESTHER: Wei_2016_Proc.Natl.Acad.Sci.U.S.A_113_E2695 PubMedSearch: Wei 2016 Proc.Natl.Acad.Sci.U.S.A 113 E2695 PubMedID: 27114538 Gene_locus related to this paper: human-ABHD6 Abstract In the brain, AMPA-type glutamate receptors are major postsynaptic receptors at excitatory synapses that mediate fast neurotransmission and synaptic plasticity. alpha/beta-Hydrolase domain-containing 6 (ABHD6), a monoacylglycerol lipase, was previously found to be a component of AMPA receptor macromolecular complexes, but its physiological significance in the function of AMPA receptors (AMPARs) has remained unclear. The present study shows that overexpression of ABHD6 in neurons drastically reduced excitatory neurotransmission mediated by AMPA but not by NMDA receptors at excitatory synapses. Inactivation of ABHD6 expression in neurons by either CRISPR/Cas9 or shRNA knockdown methods significantly increased excitatory neurotransmission at excitatory synapses. Interestingly, overexpression of ABHD6 reduced glutamate-induced currents and the surface expression of GluA1 in HEK293T cells expressing GluA1 and stargazin, suggesting a direct functional interaction between these two proteins. The C-terminal tail of GluA1 was required for the binding between of ABHD6 and GluA1. Mutagenesis analysis revealed a GFCLIPQ sequence in the GluA1 C terminus that was essential for the inhibitory effect of ABHD6. The hydrolase activity of ABHD6 was not required for the effects of ABHD6 on AMPAR function in either neurons or transfected HEK293T cells. Thus, these findings reveal a novel and unexpected mechanism governing AMPAR trafficking at synapses through ABHD6. Title: Rannasangpei Is a Therapeutic Agent in the Treatment of Vascular Dementia Wu P, Luo Y, Zhen L, Hu X, Shang Y, Liao Y, Xue H, Huang F, Xiao W Ref: Evid Based Complement Alternat Med, 2016:2530105, 2016 : PubMed ESTHER: Wu_2016_Evid.Based.Complement.Alternat.Med_2016_2530105 PubMedSearch: Wu 2016 Evid.Based.Complement.Alternat.Med 2016 2530105 PubMedID: 27293454 Abstract Rannasangpei (RSNP) is used as a therapeutic agent in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, neurological disorders, and neurodegeneration in China; however, its potential use in the treatment of vascular dementia (VD) was unclear. In this study, our aim was to examine the neuroprotective effect of RSNP in a VD rat model, which was induced by permanent bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (2VO). Four-week administration with two doses of RSNP was investigated in our study. Severe cognitive deficit in the VD model, which was confirmed in Morris water maze (MWM) test, was significantly restored by the administration of RSNP. ELISA revealed that the treatments with both doses of RSNP could reinstate the cholinergic activity in the VD animals by elevating the production of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and reducing the acetylcholinesterase (AChE); the treatment of RSNP could also reboot the level of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and decrease malondialdehyde (MDA). Moreover, Western blot and quantitative PCR (Q-PCR) results indicated that the RSNP could suppress the apoptosis in the hippocampus of the VD animals by increasing the expression ratio of B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) to Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax). These results suggested that RSNP might be a therapeutic agent in the treatment of vascular dementia in the future. Title: The Interplay between Synaptic Activity and Neuroligin Function in the CNS Hu X, Luo JH, Xu J Ref: Biomed Res Int, 2015:498957, 2015 : PubMed ESTHER: Hu_2015_Biomed.Res.Int_2015_498957 PubMedSearch: Hu 2015 Biomed.Res.Int 2015 498957 PubMedID: 25839034 Abstract Neuroligins (NLs) are postsynaptic transmembrane cell-adhesion proteins that play a key role in the regulation of excitatory and inhibitory synapses. Previous in vitro and in vivo studies have suggested that NLs contribute to synapse formation and synaptic transmission. Consistent with their localization, NL1 and NL3 selectively affect excitatory synapses, whereas NL2 specifically affects inhibitory synapses. Deletions or mutations in NL genes have been found in patients with autism spectrum disorders or mental retardations, and mice harboring the reported NL deletions or mutations exhibit autism-related behaviors and synapse dysfunction. Conversely, synaptic activity can regulate the phosphorylation, expression, and cleavage of NLs, which, in turn, can influence synaptic activity. Thus, in clinical research, identifying the relationship between NLs and synapse function is critical. In this review, we primarily discuss how NLs and synaptic activity influence each other. Title: Reexamination of chlorophyllase function implies its involvement in defense against chewing herbivores Hu X, Makita S, Schelbert S, Sano S, Ochiai M, Tsuchiya T, Hasegawa SF, Hortensteiner S, Tanaka A, Tanaka R Ref: Plant Physiol, 167:660, 2015 : PubMed ESTHER: Hu_2015_Plant.Physiol_167_660 PubMedSearch: Hu 2015 Plant.Physiol 167 660 PubMedID: 25583926 Abstract Chlorophyllase (CLH) is a common plant enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of chlorophyll to form chlorophyllide, a more hydrophilic derivative. For more than a century, the biological role of CLH has been controversial, although this enzyme has been often considered to catalyze chlorophyll catabolism during stress-induced chlorophyll breakdown. In this study, we found that the absence of CLH does not affect chlorophyll breakdown in intact leaf tissue in the absence or the presence of methyl-jasmonate, which is known to enhance stress-induced chlorophyll breakdown. Fractionation of cellular membranes shows that Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) CLH is located in the endoplasmic reticulum and the tonoplast of intact plant cells. These results indicate that CLH is not involved in endogenous chlorophyll catabolism. Instead, we found that CLH promotes chlorophyllide formation upon disruption of leaf cells, or when it is artificially mistargeted to the chloroplast. These results indicate that CLH is responsible for chlorophyllide formation after the collapse of cells, which led us to hypothesize that chlorophyllide formation might be a process of defense against chewing herbivores. We found that Arabidopsis leaves with genetically enhanced CLH activity exhibit toxicity when fed to Spodoptera litura larvae, an insect herbivore. In addition, purified chlorophyllide partially suppresses the growth of the larvae. Taken together, these results support the presence of a unique binary defense system against insect herbivores involving chlorophyll and CLH. Potential mechanisms of chlorophyllide action for defense are discussed. Title: Comparison of Candidate Pairs of Hydrolytic Enzymes for Spectrophotometric-dual-enzyme-simultaneous-assay Liu H, Yuan M, Yang X, Hu X, Liao J, Dang J, Xie Y, Pu J, Li Y and Liao F <1 more author(s)> Liu H, Yuan M, Yang X, Hu X, Liao J, Dang J, Xie Y, Pu J, Li Y, Zhan CG, Liao F (- 1) Ref: Anal Sci, 31:421, 2015 : PubMed ESTHER: Liu_2015_Anal.Sci_31_421 PubMedSearch: Liu 2015 Anal.Sci 31 421 PubMedID: 25958872 Abstract Spectrophotometric-dual-enzyme-simultaneous-assay (SDESA) for enzyme-linked-immunosorbent-assay (ELISA) of two components in one well is a patented platform when a special pair of labels is accessible. With microplate readers, alkaline phosphatase on 4-nitro-1-naphthylphosphate (4NNPP) served as label A; Pseudomonas aeruginosa arylsulfatase (PAAS) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) on their substrates derived from 4-nitrophenol/analogue served as candidate label B, and were compared for SDESA with an engineered alkaline phosphatase of Eschrichia coli (ECAP). For SDESA, the interference from overlapped absorbance was corrected based on linear additivity of absorbance to derive initial rates reflected by absorbance change at 450 nm for ECAP and at 405 nm for PAAS or AChE, after the correction of spontaneous hydrolysis. For SDESA with ECAP, AChE already had sufficient activity in an optimized buffer; PAAS was more favorable for substrate stability and product absorbance except for lower activity. Therefore, PAAS engineered for sufficient activity plus alkaline phosphatase is absorbing for ELISA via SDESA. Title: Synthesis of New DPP-4 Inhibitors Based on a Novel Tricyclic Scaffold Schwehm C, Li J, Song H, Hu X, Kellam B, Stocks MJ Ref: ACS Med Chem Lett, 6:324, 2015 : PubMed ESTHER: Schwehm_2015_ACS.Med.Chem.Lett_6_324 PubMedSearch: Schwehm 2015 ACS.Med.Chem.Lett 6 324 PubMedID: 25815154 Abstract A novel molecular scaffold has been synthesized, and its synthesis and incorporation into new analogues of biologically active molecules will be discussed. A comparison of the inhibitory activity of these compounds to the known type-2 diabetes compound (sitagliptin) against dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) will be shown. Title: Trajectory and genomic determinants of fungal-pathogen speciation and host adaptation Hu X, Xiao G, Zheng P, Shang Y, Su Y, Zhang X, Liu X, Zhan S, St Leger RJ, Wang C Ref: Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 111:16796, 2014 : PubMed ESTHER: Hu_2014_Proc.Natl.Acad.Sci.U.S.A_111_16796 PubMedSearch: Hu 2014 Proc.Natl.Acad.Sci.U.S.A 111 16796 PubMedID: 25368161 Gene_locus related to this paper: metan-a0a086npb7, 9hypo-a0a0b2wj22, 9hypo-a0a0b2wjv9, 9hypo-a0a0b2wph9, 9hypo-a0a0b2wpk8, 9hypo-a0a0b2wpu7, 9hypo-a0a0b2wwt8, 9hypo-a0a0b2wyt3, 9hypo-a0a0b2x1p9, metan-a0a0b4es34, 9hypo-a0a0b4g6h7, 9hypo-a0a0b4gae9, 9hypo-a0a0b4gyw4, 9hypo-a0a0b4gzy5, 9hypo-a0a0b4hfr4, 9hypo-a0a0b4hi37, 9hypo-a0a0b4hin0, 9hypo-a0a0b4fk47, 9hypo-a0a0b4g7m5, 9hypo-a0a0b4i0i8, 9hypo-a0a0b4ie69, 9hypo-a0a0b4if28, 9hypo-a0a0b4h1h6, 9hypo-a0a0b4hlm2, metan-a0a0d9pev7, metas-a0a0b2wy97, metas-a0a0b2wk60, metra-e9ewg3, metaq-pks1, metra-pks2, metmf-pks2, metaf-pks1, metbs-pks2, metas-pks1 Abstract Much remains unknown regarding speciation. Host-pathogen interactions are a major driving force for diversification, but the genomic basis for speciation and host shifting remains unclear. The fungal genus Metarhizium contains species ranging from specialists with very narrow host ranges to generalists that attack a wide range of insects. By genomic analyses of seven species, we demonstrated that generalists evolved from specialists via transitional species with intermediate host ranges and that this shift paralleled insect evolution. We found that specialization was associated with retention of sexuality and rapid evolution of existing protein sequences whereas generalization was associated with protein-family expansion, loss of genome-defense mechanisms, genome restructuring, horizontal gene transfer, and positive selection that accelerated after reinforcement of reproductive isolation. These results advance understanding of speciation and genomic signatures that underlie pathogen adaptation to hosts. Title: Complete Genome Sequence of the p-Nitrophenol-Degrading Bacterium Pseudomonas putida DLL-E4 Hu X, Wang J, Wang F, Chen Q, Huang Y, Cui Z Ref: Genome Announc, 2:, 2014 : PubMed ESTHER: Hu_2014_Genome.Announc_2_e00596 PubMedSearch: Hu 2014 Genome.Announc 2 e00596 PubMedID: 24948765 Gene_locus related to this paper: psepu-q9wwz4, psepu-a0a059uyg1 Abstract The first complete genome sequence of a p-nitrophenol (PNP)-degrading bacterium is reported here. Pseudomonas putida DLL-E4, a Gram-negative bacterium isolated from methyl-parathion-polluted soil, can utilize PNP as the sole carbon and nitrogen source. P. putida DLL-E4 has a 6,484,062 bp circular chromosome that contains 5,894 genes, with a G+C content of 62.46%. Title: The neurovascular protective effects of huperzine a on d-galactose-induced inflammatory damage in the rat hippocampus Ruan Q, Hu X, Ao H, Ma H, Gao Z, Liu F, Kong D, Bao Z, Yu Z Ref: Gerontology, 60:424, 2014 : PubMed ESTHER: Ruan_2014_Gerontology_60_424 PubMedSearch: Ruan 2014 Gerontology 60 424 PubMedID: 24969491 Abstract BACKGROUND: Chronic administration of D-galactose (D-gal) results in oxidative stress and chronic inflammatory aging. Age-related changes in the brain result in neurovascular damage and blood-brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction. However, little is known regarding D-gal-induced neurovascular damage, as well as the protective effects of huperzine A. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to utilize a D-gal-induced rat model to investigate the activation of neurovascular inflammatory damage and apoptosis in the rat hippocampus and to understand whether huperzine A alleviates D-gal-induced neuronal and vascular inflammatory injury. Title: Enantioselective Interaction of Acid alpha-Naphthyl Acetate Esterase with Chiral Organophosphorus Insecticides Zhang A, Sun J, Lin C, Hu X, Liu W Ref: Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 62:1477, 2014 : PubMed ESTHER: Zhang_2014_J.Agric.Food.Chem_62_1477 PubMedSearch: Zhang 2014 J.Agric.Food.Chem 62 1477 PubMedID: 24475784 Abstract Many previous works have demonstrated that acetylcholinesterase (AChE) was enantioselectively inhibited by chiral organophosphorus insecticides (OPs) and that a significant difference in reactivation existed for AChE inactivated by (1R)- versus (1S,3S)-stereoisomers of isomalathion. It had been known that alpha-naphthyl acetate esterase (ANAE), an enzyme which might play an essential role in the growth of plants and the defense of plants against environmental stress by regulating the concentration of hormones in plants, can be inhibited by OPs. However, it was unknown whether interaction of ANAE with chiral OPs was enantioselective. The present work investigated the inhibition kinetics and spontaneous reactivation of ANAE inactivated by enantiomers of malaoxon, isomalathion, and methamidophos. The order of inhibition potency is (R) > (S) for malaoxon, (1R,3R) > (1R,3S) > (1S,3R) > (1S,3S) for isomalathion, and (S) > (R) for methamidophos according to bimolecular rate constants of inhibition (ki), which is consistent with the order observed in the enantioselective inhibition of AChE by malaoxon, isomalathion, and methamidophos. The difference in spontaneous reactivation of AChE inactivated between (1R)- and (1S,3S)-isomers of isomalathion is conserved for ANAE. The observations indicated ANAE and AChE have similar selective inhibition kinetics and postinhibitory reactions in reaction with chiral OPs. Title: Complete Genome Sequence of Staphylococcus aureus XN108, an ST239-MRSA-SCCmec III Strain with Intermediate Vancomycin Resistance Isolated in Mainland China Zhang X, Xu X, Yuan W, Hu Q, Shang W, Hu X, Tong Y, Rao X Ref: Genome Announc, 2:, 2014 : PubMed ESTHER: Zhang_2014_Genome.Announc_2_e00449 PubMedSearch: Zhang 2014 Genome.Announc 2 e00449 PubMedID: 25059856 Abstract ST239-MRSA-SCCmec III (ST239, sequence type 239; MRSA, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus; SCCmec III, staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec type III) is the most predominant clone of hospital-acquired methicillin-resistant S. aureus in mainland China. We report here the complete genome sequence of XN108, the first vancomycin-intermediate S. aureus strain isolated from a steam-burned patient with a wound infection. Title: Genome survey uncovers the secrets of sex and lifestyle in caterpillar fungus. Hu X, Zhang Y, Xiao G, Zheng P, Xia Y, Zhang X, St Leger R.J, Liu X, Wang C Ref: Chin Sci Bull, 58:2846, 2013 : PubMed ESTHER: Hu_2013_Chin.Sci.Bull_58_2846 PubMedSearch: Hu 2013 Chin.Sci.Bull 58 2846 Gene_locus related to this paper: ophsc-t5ap86, ophsc-t5abc7, ophsc-t5acw5, ophsc-t5ajn1, ophsc-t5aqy1 Abstract The caterpillar fungus Ophiocordyceps sinensis (best known as Cordyceps sinensis) mummifies ghost moth larvae exclusively in Tibetan Plateau alpine ecosystems. Touted as -YHimalayan Viagra, the fungus is highly prized due to its medical benefits and dwindling supplies. Attempts to culture the sexual fruiting-body have failed and the huge market demand has led to severe devastation of local ecosystems and to the fungus heading towards extinction. By genome sequencing, we establish that unlike related insect pathogens O. sinensis contains two compatible mating-type genes in its genome and is self-fertile, i.e. homothallic. However, sexual processes are only initiated under native environmental conditions. O. sinensis resembles biotrophic plant pathogens in having a genome shaped by retrotransposon-driven expansions. The resulting changes in gene content suggest that O. sinensis has a biphasic pathogenic mechanism beginning with stealth pathogenesis in early host instars. O. sinensis is the first psychrophilic fungus sequenced and is adapted to extreme cold with putative antifreeze proteins and mechanisms for increasing lipid accumulation and fatty acid unsaturation. We hypothesize that for the inbreeding O. sinensis the massive proliferation of retrotransposons provides a tradeoff between the advantages of increased genetic variation independent of sexual recombination and deletion of genes dispensable for its specialized pathogenic lifestyle. Title: The duck genome and transcriptome provide insight into an avian influenza virus reservoir species Huang Y, Li Y, Burt DW, Chen H, Zhang Y, Qian W, Kim H, Gan S, Zhao Y and Li N <40 more author(s)> Huang Y, Li Y, Burt DW, Chen H, Zhang Y, Qian W, Kim H, Gan S, Zhao Y, Li J, Yi K, Feng H, Zhu P, Li B, Liu Q, Fairley S, Magor KE, Du Z, Hu X, Goodman L, Tafer H, Vignal A, Lee T, Kim KW, Sheng Z, An Y, Searle S, Herrero J, Groenen MA, Crooijmans RP, Faraut T, Cai Q, Webster RG, Aldridge JR, Warren WC, Bartschat S, Kehr S, Marz M, Stadler PF, Smith J, Kraus RH, Ren L, Fei J, Morisson M, Kaiser P, Griffin DK, Rao M, Pitel F, Wang J, Li N (- 40) Ref: Nat Genet, 45:776, 2013 : PubMed ESTHER: Huang_2013_Nat.Genet_45_776 PubMedSearch: Huang 2013 Nat.Genet 45 776 PubMedID: 23749191 Gene_locus related to this paper: anapl-BCHE, anapl-r0lw36, anapl-r0m5n4, anapl-thioe, anapl-u3iqr9, anapl-r0l4n7, anapl-u3j4v8, anapl-u3icy5, anapl-u3ivv9, anapl-u3j4g1, anapl-u3j4i2, anapl-u3j4v5, anapl-r0kv25, anapl-u3ild2, anapl-u3imh5, anapl-b6dzk9, anapl-u3imp7, anapl-u3i5h5, anapl-u3id17, anapl-r0m1y3, anapl-r0lhc4, anapl-r0ktn0, anapl-r0l8l1, anapl-r0lin6, anapl-r0jhf3 Abstract The duck (Anas platyrhynchos) is one of the principal natural hosts of influenza A viruses. We present the duck genome sequence and perform deep transcriptome analyses to investigate immune-related genes. Our data indicate that the duck possesses a contractive immune gene repertoire, as in chicken and zebra finch, and this repertoire has been shaped through lineage-specific duplications. We identify genes that are responsive to influenza A viruses using the lung transcriptomes of control ducks and ones that were infected with either a highly pathogenic (A/duck/Hubei/49/05) or a weakly pathogenic (A/goose/Hubei/65/05) H5N1 virus. Further, we show how the duck's defense mechanisms against influenza infection have been optimized through the diversification of its beta-defensin and butyrophilin-like repertoires. These analyses, in combination with the genomic and transcriptomic data, provide a resource for characterizing the interaction between host and influenza viruses. Title: The anti-inflamm-aging and hepatoprotective effects of huperzine A in D-galactose-treated rats Ruan Q, Liu F, Gao Z, Kong D, Hu X, Shi D, Bao Z, Yu Z Ref: Mech Ageing Dev, 134:89, 2013 : PubMed ESTHER: Ruan_2013_Mech.Ageing.Dev_134_89 PubMedSearch: Ruan 2013 Mech.Ageing.Dev 134 89 PubMedID: 23313706 Abstract Oxidative stress contributes to a chronic inflammatory process referred to as "inflamm-aging". Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEI) can enhance cholinergic transmission and act as anti-inflammatory agents via immunocompetent cells expressing alpha-7 acetylcholine receptors (AChR). The present study explores the possible role of huperzine A, a reversible and selective AChEI, against D-gal-induced oxidative damage, cell toxicity and inflamm-aging in rat livers. In two-month-old rats with normal liver function, an 8-week administration of D-gal (300 mg/kg subcutaneously (s.c.) injected), significantly increased hepatic impairment, ROS generation and oxidative damage, hepatic senescence, nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB) activation and inflammatory responses. An 8-week co-administration of both D-gal (300 mg/kg s.c.) and huperzine A (0.1 mg/kg s.c.) not only significantly decreased hepatic function impairment, ROS generation, oxidative damage, but also suppressed inflamm-aging by inhibiting hepatic replicative senescence, AChE activity, IkappaBalpha degradation, NF-kappaB p65 nuclear translocation and inflammatory responses. The expression levels of pro-inflammatory cytokine mRNA and proteins, such as TNFalpha, IL-1beta and IL-6 decrease significantly, and the protein levels of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 display an obvious increase. These findings indicated that D-gal-induced hepatic injury and inflamm-aging in the rat liver was associated with the development of a pro-inflammatory phenotype in this organ. D-gal induced damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) because oxidative damages might play an important role in D-gal-induced hepatic sterile inflammation. Huperzine A exhibited protective effects against D-gal-induced hepatotoxicity and inflamm-aging by inhibiting AChE activity and via the activation of the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway. The huperzine A mechanism might be involved in the inhibition of DAMPs-mediated NF-kappaB nuclear localization and activation. Title: First report of a sequence type 239 vancomycin-intermediate Staphylococcus aureus isolate in Mainland China Zhang X, Hu Q, Yuan W, Shang W, Cheng H, Yuan J, Zhu J, Hu Z, Li S and Rao X <2 more author(s)> Zhang X, Hu Q, Yuan W, Shang W, Cheng H, Yuan J, Zhu J, Hu Z, Li S, Chen W, Hu X, Rao X (- 2) Ref: Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis, 77:64, 2013 : PubMed ESTHER: Zhang_2013_Diagn.Microbiol.Infect.Dis_77_64 PubMedSearch: Zhang 2013 Diagn.Microbiol.Infect.Dis 77 64 PubMedID: 23876353 Abstract Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is an important pathogen that causes a wide range of both hospital- and community-acquired infections. The high prevalence of MRSA and the extensive use of vancomycin in Mainland China may lead to the emergence of vancomycin-intermediate S. aureus (VISA) isolates. In this case, we report a VISA isolate from a 34-year-old male patient with steam burn. The isolate was determined to be sequence type 239 staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec type III, the most prevalent MRSA clone in Mainland China. Title: Classification of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and decoys by a support vector machine Wang K, Hu X, Wang Z, Yan A Ref: Comb Chem High Throughput Screen, 15:492, 2012 : PubMed ESTHER: Wang_2012_Comb.Chem.High.Throughput.Screen_15_492 PubMedSearch: Wang 2012 Comb.Chem.High.Throughput.Screen 15 492 PubMedID: 22263859 Abstract Acetylcholinesterase has long been considered as a target for Alzheimer disease therapy. In this work, several classification models were built for the purpose of distinguishing acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEIs) and decoys. Each molecule was initially represented by 211 ADRIANA.Code and 334 MOE descriptors. Correlation analysis, F-score and attribute selection methods in Weka were used to find the best reduced set of descriptors, respectively. Additionally, models were built using a Support Vector Machine and evaluated by 5-, 10-fold and leave-one-out cross-validation. The best model gave a Matthews Correlation Coefficient (MCC) of 0.99 and a prediction accuracy (Q) of 99.66% for the test set. The best model also gave good result on an external test set of 86 compounds (Q=96.51%, MCC=0.93). The descriptors selected by our models suggest that H-bond and hydrophobicity interactions are important for the classification of AChEIs and decoys. Title: Genome sequencing and comparative transcriptomics of the model entomopathogenic fungi Metarhizium anisopliae and M. acridum Gao Q, Jin K, Ying SH, Zhang Y, Xiao G, Shang Y, Duan Z, Hu X, Xie XQ and Wang C <14 more author(s)> Gao Q, Jin K, Ying SH, Zhang Y, Xiao G, Shang Y, Duan Z, Hu X, Xie XQ, Zhou G, Peng G, Luo Z, Huang W, Wang B, Fang W, Wang S, Zhong Y, Ma LJ, St Leger RJ, Zhao GP, Pei Y, Feng MG, Xia Y, Wang C (- 14) Ref: PLoS Genet, 7:e1001264, 2011 : PubMed ESTHER: Gao_2011_PLoS.Genet_7_E1001264 PubMedSearch: Gao 2011 PLoS.Genet 7 E1001264 PubMedID: 21253567 Gene_locus related to this paper: metaq-dapb, metaq-e9dr02, metaq-e9dr46, metaq-e9dx32, metaq-e9dy00, metaq-e9e6i5, metaq-e9e332, metaq-e9e873, metaq-e9eaq4, metaq-e9ebs3, metaq-e9ebt3, metaq-e9edi2, metaq-e9edr0, metaq-e9ee29, metaq-e9eej3, metaq-e9ef60, metaq-e9ef98, metaq-e9efc1, metaq-e9eg97, metaq-e9egz7, metaq-kex1, metar-dapb, metar-e9ej81, metar-e9ejw6, metar-e9ek06, metar-e9eka7, metar-e9eku9, metar-e9em68, metar-e9emd0, metar-e9enf9, metar-e9eny8, metar-e9ep20, metar-e9ep60, metar-e9eqh0, metar-e9etb2, metar-e9etp6, metar-e9euh9, metar-e9ey62, metar-e9eyx6, metar-e9ezk2, metar-e9f3f2, metar-e9f3j3, metar-e9f3l3, metar-e9f3z5, metar-e9f6q5, metar-e9f6t6, metar-e9f7y7, metar-e9f9h2, metar-e9f029, metar-e9f205, metar-e9f721, metar-e9fa63, metar-e9fab1, metar-e9fas3, metar-e9fbn5, metar-e9fbt1, metar-e9fd34, metaq-e9eej8, metaq-e9dx35, metar-e9f3e9, metar-e9f0w8, metan-a0a086npb7, 9hypo-a0a014p983, metan-a0a086nhe0, 9hypo-a0a0a1v7e9, metaq-e9e0y0, metan-a0a0d9pev7, metaq-e9edt7, metra-e9ewg3, metra-pks2, metaf-pks1, metaq-pks2, metaq-e9e9z0 Abstract Metarhizium spp. are being used as environmentally friendly alternatives to chemical insecticides, as model systems for studying insect-fungus interactions, and as a resource of genes for biotechnology. We present a comparative analysis of the genome sequences of the broad-spectrum insect pathogen Metarhizium anisopliae and the acridid-specific M. acridum. Whole-genome analyses indicate that the genome structures of these two species are highly syntenic and suggest that the genus Metarhizium evolved from plant endophytes or pathogens. Both M. anisopliae and M. acridum have a strikingly larger proportion of genes encoding secreted proteins than other fungi, while ~30% of these have no functionally characterized homologs, suggesting hitherto unsuspected interactions between fungal pathogens and insects. The analysis of transposase genes provided evidence of repeat-induced point mutations occurring in M. acridum but not in M. anisopliae. With the help of pathogen-host interaction gene database, ~16% of Metarhizium genes were identified that are similar to experimentally verified genes involved in pathogenicity in other fungi, particularly plant pathogens. However, relative to M. acridum, M. anisopliae has evolved with many expanded gene families of proteases, chitinases, cytochrome P450s, polyketide synthases, and nonribosomal peptide synthetases for cuticle-degradation, detoxification, and toxin biosynthesis that may facilitate its ability to adapt to heterogeneous environments. Transcriptional analysis of both fungi during early infection processes provided further insights into the genes and pathways involved in infectivity and specificity. Of particular note, M. acridum transcribed distinct G-protein coupled receptors on cuticles from locusts (the natural hosts) and cockroaches, whereas M. anisopliae transcribed the same receptor on both hosts. This study will facilitate the identification of virulence genes and the development of improved biocontrol strains with customized properties. Title: The draft genome of the carcinogenic human liver fluke Clonorchis sinensis Wang X, Chen W, Huang Y, Sun J, Men J, Liu H, Luo F, Guo L, Lv X and Yu X <9 more author(s)> Wang X, Chen W, Huang Y, Sun J, Men J, Liu H, Luo F, Guo L, Lv X, Deng C, Zhou C, Fan Y, Li X, Huang L, Hu Y, Liang C, Hu X, Xu J, Yu X (- 9) Ref: Genome Biol, 12:R107, 2011 : PubMed ESTHER: Wang_2011_Genome.Biol_12_R107 PubMedSearch: Wang 2011 Genome.Biol 12 R107 PubMedID: 22023798 Gene_locus related to this paper: closi-h2krw6 Abstract BACKGROUND: Clonorchis sinensis is a carcinogenic human liver fluke that is widespread in Asian countries. Increasing infection rates of this neglected tropical disease are leading to negative economic and public health consequences in affected regions. Experimental and epidemiological studies have shown a strong association between the incidence of cholangiocarcinoma and the infection rate of C. sinensis. To aid research into this organism, we have sequenced its genome. RESULTS: We combined de novo sequencing with computational techniques to provide new information about the biology of this liver fluke. The assembled genome has a total size of 516 Mb with a scaffold N50 length of 42 kb. Approximately 16,000 reliable protein-coding gene models were predicted. Genes for the complete pathways for glycolysis, the Krebs cycle and fatty acid metabolism were found, but key genes involved in fatty acid biosynthesis are missing from the genome, reflecting the parasitic lifestyle of a liver fluke that receives lipids from the bile of its host. We also identified pathogenic molecules that may contribute to liver fluke-induced hepatobiliary diseases. Large proteins such as multifunctional secreted proteases and tegumental proteins were identified as potential targets for the development of drugs and vaccines. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides valuable genomic information about the human liver fluke C. sinensis and adds to our knowledge on the biology of the parasite. The draft genome will serve as a platform to develop new strategies for parasite control. Title: Acetylcholinesterase, a key prognostic predictor for hepatocellular carcinoma, suppresses cell growth and induces chemosensitization Zhao Y, Wang X, Wang T, Hu X, Hui X, Yan M, Gao Q, Chen T, Li J and He X <4 more author(s)> Zhao Y, Wang X, Wang T, Hu X, Hui X, Yan M, Gao Q, Chen T, Li J, Yao M, Wan D, Gu J, Fan J, He X (- 4) Ref: Hepatology, 53:493, 2011 : PubMed ESTHER: Zhao_2011_Hepatology_53_493 PubMedSearch: Zhao 2011 Hepatology 53 493 PubMedID: 21274871 Abstract UNLABELLED: Acetylcholinesterase (ACHE) plays important roles in the cholinergic system, and its dysregulation is involved in a variety of human diseases. However, the roles and implications of ACHE in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain elusive. Here we demonstrate that ACHE was significantly down-regulated in the cancerous tissues of 69.2% of HCC patients, and the low ACHE expression in HCC was correlated with tumor aggressiveness, an elevated risk of postoperative recurrence, and a low survival rate. Both the recombinant ACHE protein and the enhanced expression of ACHE significantly inhibited HCC cell growth in vitro and tumorigenicity in vivo. Further study showed that ACHE suppressed cell proliferation via its enzymatic activity of acetylcholine catalysis and degradation. Moreover, ACHE could inactivate mitogen-activated protein kinase and phosphatidyl inositol-3'-phosphate kinase/protein kinase B pathways in HCC cells and thereby increase the activation of glycogen synthase kinase 3beta and lead to beta-catenin degradation and cyclin D1 suppression. In addition, increased ACHE expression could remarkably sensitize HCC cells to chemotherapeutic drugs (i.e., adriamycin and etoposide). CONCLUSION: For the first time, we describe the function of ACHE as a tumor growth suppressor in regulating cell proliferation, the relevant signaling pathways, and the drug sensitivity of HCC cells. ACHE is a promising independent prognostic predictor for HCC recurrence and the survival of HCC patients. These findings provide new insights into potential strategies for drug discovery and improved HCC treatment. Title: Genome sequence of the insect pathogenic fungus Cordyceps militaris, a valued traditional Chinese medicine Zheng P, Xia Y, Xiao G, Xiong C, Hu X, Zhang S, Zheng H, Huang Y, Zhou Y and Wang C <4 more author(s)> Zheng P, Xia Y, Xiao G, Xiong C, Hu X, Zhang S, Zheng H, Huang Y, Zhou Y, Wang S, Zhao GP, Liu X, St Leger RJ, Wang C (- 4) Ref: Genome Biol, 12:R116, 2011 : PubMed ESTHER: Zheng_2011_Genome.Biol_12_R116 PubMedSearch: Zheng 2011 Genome.Biol 12 R116 PubMedID: 22112802 Gene_locus related to this paper: cormm-g3jhe4, cormm-g3j5w5, cormm-g3jjs8, cormm-g3jj84, cormm-g3j580, cormm-g3jkl0, cormi-a0a2h4sj63, cormm-g3jpf2 Abstract BACKGROUND: Species in the ascomycete fungal genus Cordyceps have been proposed to be the teleomorphs of Metarhizium species. The latter have been widely used as insect biocontrol agents. Cordyceps species are highly prized for use in traditional Chinese medicines, but the genes responsible for biosynthesis of bioactive components, insect pathogenicity and the control of sexuality and fruiting have not been determined. Title: Diversity of polyester-degrading bacteria in compost and molecular analysis of a thermoactive esterase from Thermobifida alba AHK119 Hu X, Thumarat U, Zhang X, Tang M, Kawai F Ref: Applied Microbiology & Biotechnology, 87:771, 2010 : PubMed ESTHER: Hu_2010_Appl.Microbiol.Biotechnol_87_771 PubMedSearch: Hu 2010 Appl.Microbiol.Biotechnol 87 771 PubMedID: 20393707 Gene_locus related to this paper: 9acto-d4q9n1, 9acto-f7ix06 Abstract More than 100 bacterial strains were isolated from composted polyester films and categorized into two groups, Actinomycetes (four genera) and Bacillus (three genera). Of these isolates, Thermobifida alba strain AHK119 (AB298783) was shown to possess the ability to significantly degrade aliphatic-aromatic copolyester film as well as decreasing the polymer particle sizes when grown at 50 degrees C on LB medium supplemented with polymer particles, yielding terephthalic acid. The esterase gene (est119, 903 bp, encoding a signal peptide and a mature protein of 34 and 266 amino acids, respectively) was cloned from AHK119. The Est119 sequence contains a conserved lipase box (-G-X-S-X-G-) and a catalytic triad (Ser129, His207, and Asp175). Furthermore, Tyr59 and Met130 likely form an oxyanion hole. The recombinant enzyme was purified from cell-free extracts of Escherichia coli Rosetta-gami B (DE3) harboring pQE80L-est119. The enzyme is a monomeric protein of ca. 30 kDa, which is active from 20 degrees C to 75 degrees C (with an optimal range of 45 to 55 degrees C) and in a pH range of 5.5 to 7.0 (with an optimal pH of 6.0). Its preferred substrate among the p-nitrophenyl acyl esters (C2 to C8) is p-nitrophenyl hexanoate (C6), indicating that the enzyme is an esterase rather than a lipase. Title: Synthesis and bioactivity evaluation of dipeptidyl peptidase IV resistant glucagon-like peptide-1 analogues Zhou J, Ni S, Zhang H, Qian H, Chi Y, Huang W, Yu L, Hu X, Chen W Ref: Protein Pept Lett, 17:1290, 2010 : PubMed ESTHER: Zhou_2010_Protein.Pept.Lett_17_1290 PubMedSearch: Zhou 2010 Protein.Pept.Lett 17 1290 PubMedID: 20594158 Abstract Glucagon-like peptide -1 (GLP-1) is an incretin hormone displaying glucose-dependent stimulation of insulin secretion and trophic effects on the pancreatic beta-cells. However, GLP-1 is rapidly degraded to GLP-1(9-36) by dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-IV), which removes the N-terminal dipeptide His(7)-Ala(8). The rapid inactivation of GLP-1 in the blood circulation limits its clinical application. Hence, we replaced the enzymatic hydrolyzation position Ala(8) with other natural amino acids. The GLP-1 analogues were synthesized rapidly and efficiently under microwave irradiation, using Fmoc/tBu orthogonal protection strategy. Studies on blood-glucose-lowering effect of GLP-1 analogues in vivo were undertaken using 10-week-old male Kunming mice. The metabolic stability was tested by incubation with dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-IV). Generally, Xaa(8)-GLP-1 analogues exhibit resistance to DPP-IV degradation in vitro and stronger hypoglycemic effect than GLP-1. This may help to understand the structure-activity relationship of GLP-1 analogues. Title: In silico analyses of substrate interactions with human serum paraoxonase 1 Hu X, Jiang X, Lenz DE, Cerasoli DM, Wallqvist A Ref: Proteins, 75:486, 2009 : PubMed ESTHER: Hu_2009_Proteins_75_486 PubMedSearch: Hu 2009 Proteins 75 486 PubMedID: 18951406 Abstract Human paraoxonase (HuPON1) is a serum enzyme that exhibits a broad spectrum of hydrolytic activities, including the hydrolysis of various organophosphates, esters, and recently identified lactone substrates. Despite intensive site-directed mutagenesis and other biological studies, the structural basis for the specificity of substrate interactions of HuPON1 remains elusive. In this study, we apply homology modeling, docking, and molecular dynamic (MD) simulations to probe the binding interactions of HuPON1 with representative substrates. The results suggest that the active site of HuPON1 is characterized by two distinct binding regions: the hydrophobic binding site for arylesters/lactones, and the paraoxon binding site for phosphotriesters. The unique binding modes proposed for each type of substrate reveal a number of key residues governing substrate specificity. The polymorphic residue R/Q192 interacts with the leaving group of paraoxon, suggesting it plays an important role in the proper positioning of this substrate in the active site. MD simulations of the optimal binding complexes show that residue Y71 undergoes an "open-closed" conformational change upon ligand binding, and forms strong interactions with substrates. Further binding free energy calculations and residual decomposition give a more refined molecular view of the energetics and origin of HuPON1/substrate interactions. These studies provide a theoretical model of substrate binding and specificity associated with wild type and mutant forms of HuPON1, which can be applied in the rational design of HuPON1 variants as bioscavengers with enhanced catalytic activity. Title: Preparation and application of monoclonal antibody against hNDRG2 Liu X, Hu X, Zhang J, Wang L, Zhang W, Li F, Zhang Y, Yao L Ref: Appl Biochem Biotechnol, 152:306, 2009 : PubMed ESTHER: Liu_2009_Appl.Biochem.Biotechnol_152_306 PubMedSearch: Liu 2009 Appl.Biochem.Biotechnol 152 306 PubMedID: 18758694 Abstract The full-length hNdrg2 cDNA-coded 357 amino acids was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli strain DH5alpha as a 6x His-tagged protein. The purified 6x His-fusion protein was used to immunize mice for preparing monoclonal antibodies (mAb) against N-myc downstream-regulated gene 2 (Ndrg2). A hybridoma secreting a monoclonal antibody against Ndrg2 was obtained and named FMU-Ndrg2.3. Western blot analysis confirmed that this mAb is specific only to Ndrg2 but not to Ndrg1, Ndrg3, and Ndrg4-B. Some tissue distribution features of Ndrg2 proteins, such as thyroid, kidney, testis, prostate, and pancreas islets, were present by immunohistochemistry. Title: Stabilization of enzymes in silk films Lu S, Wang X, Lu Q, Hu X, Uppal N, Omenetto FG, Kaplan DL Ref: Biomacromolecules, 10:1032, 2009 : PubMed ESTHER: Lu_2009_Biomacromolecules_10_1032 PubMedSearch: Lu 2009 Biomacromolecules 10 1032 PubMedID: 19323497 Abstract Material systems are needed that promote stabilization of entrained molecules, such as enzymes or therapeutic proteins, without destroying their activity. We demonstrate that the unique structure of silk fibroin protein, when assembled into the solid state, establishes an environment that is conducive to the stabilization of entrained proteins. Enzymes (glucose oxidase, lipase, and horseradish peroxidase) entrapped in these films over 10 months retained significant activity, even when stored at 37 degrees C, and in the case of glucose oxidase did not lose any activity. Further, the mode of processing of the silk protein into the films could be correlated to the stability of the enzymes. The relationship between processing and stability offers a large suite of conditions within which to optimize such stabilization processes. Overall, the techniques reported here result in materials that stabilize enzymes to an extent, without the need for cryoprotectants, emulsifiers, covalent immobilization, or other treatments. Further, these systems are amenable to optical applications and characterization, environmental distribution without refrigeration, are ingestible, and offer potential use in vivo, because silk materials are biocompatible and FDA approved, degradable with proteases, and currently used in biomedical devices. Title: Comparing the relative toxicity of malathion and malaoxon in blue catfish Ictalurus furcatus Aker WG, Hu X, Wang P, Hwang HM Ref: Environ Toxicol, 23:548, 2008 : PubMed ESTHER: Aker_2008_Environ.Toxicol_23_548 PubMedSearch: Aker 2008 Environ.Toxicol 23 548 PubMedID: 18247417 Abstract Malathion inhibits the critical body enzyme, acetylcholinesterase (AChE). This capability requires that malathion should first be converted to malaoxon to become an active anticholinesterase agent. Conversion can be caused by oxidation in mammals, insects, plants, and in sunlight. In this study, the effects of malathion and malaoxon on catfish Ictalurus furcatus were evaluated. After 96-h exposures, the LC(50) (concentration that causes 50% mortality) and IC(50) (concentration that causes 50% enzyme inhibition) for malaoxon were lower than corresponding values for malathion. The overall mean 96-h LC(50) is 17.0 ppm for malathion and 3.1 ppm for malaoxon. IC(50) values for malathion are 8.5 ppm for brain, 10.3 ppm for liver, and 16.6 ppm for muscle. Corresponding values for malaoxon are 2.3, 3.7, and 6.8 ppm, respectively. All the AChE activities in malathion- and malaoxon-exposed catfish brain showed significant inhibition. The oxidation product malaoxon demonstrated higher inhibition on AChE activity than did malathion. Moreover, malaoxon showed significant inhibition on butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) in the liver if the concentrations were increased to more than 1 ppm. Malathion showed no difference between treatment group and control group. Compared with malathion, malaoxon showed higher inhibition on monoamine activity than that of malathion. The results indicated that the oxidative product malaoxon is more toxic than the parent compound malathion. AChE, BChE, and monoamine activities are confirmed as bioindicators of malathion exposure in blue catfish, I. furcatus. Title: Complete genome sequence of the mosquitocidal bacterium Bacillus sphaericus C3-41 and comparison with those of closely related Bacillus species Hu X, Fan W, Han B, Liu H, Zheng D, Li Q, Dong W, Yan J, Gao M and Yuan Z <1 more author(s)> Hu X, Fan W, Han B, Liu H, Zheng D, Li Q, Dong W, Yan J, Gao M, Berry C, Yuan Z (- 1) Ref: Journal of Bacteriology, 190:2892, 2008 : PubMed ESTHER: Hu_2008_J.Bacteriol_190_2892 PubMedSearch: Hu 2008 J.Bacteriol 190 2892 PubMedID: 18296527 Gene_locus related to this paper: 9baci-d7ws01, bacan-BA0954, lyssc-b1hnz8, lyssc-b1hrh2, lyssc-b1hwa6, lyssc-b1hxp5, lyssc-b1hxz3, lyssc-b1hy20, lyssc-b1hy58, lyssc-b1hyp7, lyssc-b1hzg4, lyssc-b1hzn7, lyssc-b1hnt8 Abstract Bacillus sphaericus strain C3-41 is an aerobic, mesophilic, spore-forming bacterium that has been used with great success in mosquito control programs worldwide. Genome sequencing revealed that the complete genome of this entomopathogenic bacterium is composed of a chromosomal replicon of 4,639,821 bp and a plasmid replicon of 177,642 bp, containing 4,786 and 186 potential protein-coding sequences, respectively. Comparison of the genome with other published sequences indicated that the B. sphaericus C3-41 chromosome is most similar to that of Bacillus sp. strain NRRL B-14905, a marine species that, like B. sphaericus, is unable to metabolize polysaccharides. The lack of key enzymes and sugar transport systems in the two bacteria appears to be the main reason for this inability, and the abundance of proteolytic enzymes and transport systems may endow these bacteria with exclusive metabolic pathways for a wide variety of organic compounds and amino acids. The genes shared between B. sphaericus C3-41 and Bacillus sp. strain NRRL B-14905, including mobile genetic elements, membrane-associated proteins, and transport systems, demonstrated that these two species are a biologically and phylogenetically divergent group. Knowledge of the genome sequence of B. sphaericus C3-41 thus increases our understanding of the bacilli and may also offer prospects for future genetic improvement of this important biological control agent. Title: Complete genome of Phenylobacterium zucineum--a novel facultative intracellular bacterium isolated from human erythroleukemia cell line K562 Luo Y, Xu X, Ding Z, Liu Z, Zhang B, Yan Z, Sun J, Hu S, Hu X Ref: BMC Genomics, 9:386, 2008 : PubMed ESTHER: Luo_2008_BMC.Genomics_9_386 PubMedSearch: Luo 2008 BMC.Genomics 9 386 PubMedID: 18700039 Gene_locus related to this paper: phezh-b4r8z3, phezh-b4r801, phezh-b4r876, phezh-b4ras1, phezh-b4ras4, phezh-b4ray3, phezh-b4rb44, phezh-b4rd51, phezh-b4re02, phezh-b4rfb7, phezh-b4rfk3, phezh-b4rfq9, phezh-b4rfw5, phezh-b4rgf2, phezh-b4rh78, phezh-b4rh88, phezh-b4rhb1, phezh-b4rhb2, phezh-dhma, phezh-b4r875, phezh-b4rfb8, phezh-b4rbt7 Abstract BACKGROUND: Phenylobacterium zucineum is a recently identified facultative intracellular species isolated from the human leukemia cell line K562. Unlike the known intracellular pathogens, P. zucineum maintains a stable association with its host cell without affecting the growth and morphology of the latter. RESULTS: Here, we report the whole genome sequence of the type strain HLK1T. The genome consists of a circular chromosome (3,996,255 bp) and a circular plasmid (382,976 bp). It encodes 3,861 putative proteins, 42 tRNAs, and a 16S-23S-5S rRNA operon. Comparative genomic analysis revealed that it is phylogenetically closest to Caulobacter crescentus, a model species for cell cycle research. Notably, P. zucineum has a gene that is strikingly similar, both structurally and functionally, to the cell cycle master regulator CtrA of C. crescentus, and most of the genes directly regulated by CtrA in the latter have orthologs in the former. CONCLUSION: This work presents the first complete bacterial genome in the genus Phenylobacterium. Comparative genomic analysis indicated that the CtrA regulon is well conserved between C. crescentus and P. zucineum. Title: Synthesis and pharmacological characterization of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor properties of (+)- and (-)-pyrido-[3,4-b]homotropanes Carroll FI, Hu X, Navarro HA, Deschamps J, Abdrakhmanova GR, Damaj MI, Martin BR Ref: Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 49:3244, 2006 : PubMed ESTHER: Carroll_2006_J.Med.Chem_49_3244 PubMedSearch: Carroll 2006 J.Med.Chem 49 3244 PubMedID: 16722642 Abstract (+/-)-Pyrido[3,4-b]homotropane [(+/-)-1] is a conformationally rigid analogue of nicotine (2) or nornicotine (3) that showed high affinity for nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. Even though the synthesis and potent activity of this highly interesting compound was originally reported in 1986 (Kanne, D. B.; Ashworth, D. J.; Cheng, M. T.; Mutter, L. C.; Abood, L. G. Synthesis of the first highly potent bridged nicotinoid. 9-Azabicylo[4.2.l]nona[2,3-c]pyridine (pyrido[3,4-b]homotropane). J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1986, 108, 7864-7865), the individual optical isomers have not been prepared and studied. In this study, we report the synthesis of (+)- and (-)-1 and show that (+)-1 has Ki = 1.29 nM at the alpha4beta2* nAChR and has over 260 times higher affinity than (-)-1. Single-crystal X-ray analysis of an intermediate used to prepare the isomers established the absolute stereochemistry as (1S,6S)-(+)-1 and (1R,6R)-(-)-1. Surprisingly, both isomers failed to produce antinociception in the mouse tail-flick and hot-plate assays, engender nicotine-like responding in rat drug discrimination, or alter current amplitude in alpha4beta2- and alpha3beta4-containing cells. However, (-)-1 antagonized nicotine-induced antinociception with an ED50 of 0.07 microg/kg in the tail-flick assay. The reason for this unusual pharmacology is unknown, but it is possible that (-)-1 is acting at a non-epibatidine-sensitive receptor subtype to antagonize nicotine's effects in the tail-flick assay. Title: Determination of multiclass pesticide residues in apple juice by gas chromatography-mass selective detection after extraction by matrix solid-phase dispersion Hu X, Jianxin Y, Zhigang Y, Lansun N, Yanfei L, Peng W, Jing L, Xin H, Xiaogang C, Yibin Z Ref: Journal of AOAC International, 87:972, 2004 : PubMed ESTHER: Hu_2004_J.AOAC.Int_87_972 PubMedSearch: Hu 2004 J.AOAC.Int 87 972 PubMedID: 15295893 Abstract A multiresidue method is described for the analysis of 106 multiclass pesticides (organochlorine, organophosphate, carbamate, pyrethroid, and triazine classes) in apple juice in a single injection. The determination procedure was based on matrix solid-phase dispersion of juice on diatomaceous earth in a glass column and subsequent extraction with a mixture of hexane-dichloromethane (1 + 1) at a flow rate of 5 mL/min. The analytes were determined by capillary gas chromatography with mass spectrometric detection and confirmed by their retention times and ion ratios. The coefficients of variation for analysis of samples fortified over the range of 0.01-0.2 mg/kg were 1.62 to 18.4%, and the recoveries for all analytes were between 70 and 110%. Title: Sequence and analysis of rice chromosome 4 Feng Q, Zhang Y, Hao P, Wang S, Fu G, Huang Y, Li Y, Zhu J, Liu Y and Han B <61 more author(s)> Feng Q, Zhang Y, Hao P, Wang S, Fu G, Huang Y, Li Y, Zhu J, Liu Y, Hu X, Jia P, Zhao Q, Ying K, Yu S, Tang Y, Weng Q, Zhang L, Lu Y, Mu J, Zhang LS, Yu Z, Fan D, Liu X, Lu T, Li C, Wu Y, Sun T, Lei H, Li T, Hu H, Guan J, Wu M, Zhang R, Zhou B, Chen Z, Chen L, Jin Z, Wang R, Yin H, Cai Z, Ren S, Lv G, Gu W, Zhu G, Tu Y, Jia J, Chen J, Kang H, Chen X, Shao C, Sun Y, Hu Q, Zhang X, Zhang W, Wang L, Ding C, Sheng H, Gu J, Chen S, Ni L, Zhu F, Chen W, Lan L, Lai Y, Cheng Z, Gu M, Jiang J, Li J, Hong G, Xue Y, Han B (- 61) Ref: Nature, 420:316, 2002 : PubMed ESTHER: Feng_2002_Nature_420_316 PubMedSearch: Feng 2002 Nature 420 316 PubMedID: 12447439 Gene_locus related to this paper: orysa-Q7XTC5, orysa-Q7F959, orysa-q7f9i3, orysa-q7x7y5, orysa-q7xkj9, orysa-q7xr62, orysa-q7xr63, orysa-q7xr64, orysa-q7xsg1, orysa-q7xsq2, orysa-Q7XTM8, orysa-q7xts6, orysa-q7xue7, orysa-q7xv53, orysa-Q7XVB5, orysa-Q7XVG5, orysj-q0jaf0, orysj-q7f8x1 Abstract Rice is the principal food for over half of the population of the world. With its genome size of 430 megabase pairs (Mb), the cultivated rice species Oryza sativa is a model plant for genome research. Here we report the sequence analysis of chromosome 4 of O. sativa, one of the first two rice chromosomes to be sequenced completely. The finished sequence spans 34.6 Mb and represents 97.3% of the chromosome. In addition, we report the longest known sequence for a plant centromere, a completely sequenced contig of 1.16 Mb corresponding to the centromeric region of chromosome 4. We predict 4,658 protein coding genes and 70 transfer RNA genes. A total of 1,681 predicted genes match available unique rice expressed sequence tags. Transposable elements have a pronounced bias towards the euchromatic regions, indicating a close correlation of their distributions to genes along the chromosome. Comparative genome analysis between cultivated rice subspecies shows that there is an overall syntenic relationship between the chromosomes and divergence at the level of single-nucleotide polymorphisms and insertions and deletions. By contrast, there is little conservation in gene order between rice and Arabidopsis. | |||||||
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