APN derived from PVAT protects mice from atherosclerosis.

<p>A, HE staining of arteria carotis sections from mice after perivascular collar placement for 12 weeks. B, Quantitative analysis of intimal surface area in arteria carotis of each groups (n = 6 per group). *P<0.05 versus sham. C, Analysis of intima/media ratio in arteriacarotis with each groups (n = 6 per group). D, Bar graph shows quantification of lumen stenosis in arteria carotis with each groups (n = 6 per group). *P<0.05 versus sham. E, HE staining of arteria carotis sections from ApoE-/- mice transplanted with WT or APN-/- PVAT 12 weeks after atherosclerosis established. F, Quantitative analysis of intimal surface area in arteria carotis with WT or APN-/- PVAT (n = 6 per group). *P<0.05 versus (WT) PVAT. G, Bar graph shows quantification of lumen stenosis in arteria carotis with WT or APN-/- PVAT (n = 6 per group). *P<0.05 versus (WT) PVAT. H, HE staining of atherosclerotic plaques from the indicated mice. I, plaque disruption rate of he indicated mice (n = 6 per group). *P<0.05 versus surgery control.</p

Figure A1

FIGURE A1 The reconstructed acetoin metabolic pathway in the strain FBKL4.010 based on the KEGG PATHWAY database. EMP represent Embden-Meyerhof pathway. Red marked genes represent genes related with tetramethylpyrazine synthesis on FBKL4.010 genome. The locus tags of marked genes and the ANI value with the most similar genes were shown next to the marked genes

APN exacerbates macrophage autophagy in vitro.

<p>A and B respectively show the representative western blot and quantitative analysis of LC3 protein level in VSMC and macrophage stimulated with or without APN (5 μg/ml). n = 6 per group. *P<0.05 versus macrophage without APN. C and D respectively show the western blot and quantitative analysis of P62 and Beclin 1 protein level in macrophage treated with or without APN (5 μg/ml). n = 6 per group. *P<0.05 versus macrophage without APN.</p

Three pure inorganic materials based on Strandberg-type phosphomolybdate and different transition metal linkers

Three inorganic materials based on Strandberg polyoxoanion, Na10[Ag(P2Mo5O23)]2·8H2O (1), Na8[{Cu(H2O)4}(HP2Mo5O23)2]·8H2O (2), and Na8[{Co(H2O)4}(HP2Mo5O23)2]·6H2O (3), were hydrothermally synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, IR, TG, and single crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. The compounds are based on the [P2Mo5O23]6− cluster and transition metal linkers. Compound 1 is a 1-D wave-like chain connected by Ag+ bridges. Compounds 2 and 3 are isostructural dimers bonded by {Cu(H2O)4} or {Co(H2O)4} linkers. The 1-D chain and dimeric clusters of 1-3 are further extended to 3-D supramolecular networks via hydrogen bonds and supramolecular interactions. Channels with different sizes are observed in 1-3, in which isolated Na+ and lattice water molecule fill the channels via intermolecular interactions. Weak interactions play important roles in stabilizing the three 3-D networks. Electrochemical and electrocatalytic properties of 1-3 have been investigated.</p

APN secreted by PVAT aggravates autophagy in plaque.

<p>A, Representative western blot of LC3 expression in arteria carotis transplanted with WT or APN^-/- PVAT 4 weeks after atherosclerosis (n = 6 per group). B, Quantitative analysis of LC3 protein expression in various groups. *P<0.05 versus (WT) PVAT. C, Immunofluorescence of p62, another marker of autophagy, in the arteria carotis with WT or APN^-/- PVAT (n = 6 per group). D, Histogram shows p62 positive cells per 100 cells. *P<0.05 versus (WT) PVAT.</p

APN induces autophagy in macrophage through Akt-FOXO3a pathway.

<p>A, Western blot shows the protein level of p-Akt, Akt, p-FOXO3a, FOXO3a in macrophages stimulated with phosphate buffered saline, APN, Akt agonist (740Y-P) or with APN in combination with 740Y-P. B, Western blot shows the protein level of PTEN, p-mTOR, mTOR in macrophages stimulated with phosphate buffered saline, APN, Akt agonist (740Y-P) or with APN in combination with 740Y-P. C, Quantitative analysis of p-Akt/Akt ratio, p-FOXO3a/FOXO3a ratio and p-mTOR/mTOR ratio in macrophages stimulated with phosphate buffered saline, APN, and APN in combination with 740Y-P, respectively. n = 6 per group. *P<0.05 versus macrophage treated with saline. D, Quantification of the optical density of PTEN in each groups. n = 6 per group. *P<0.05 versus macrophage treated with saline.</p

Aloin decelerates the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma through circ_0011385/miR-149-5p/WT1 axis

CircRNA/miRNA/mRNA axis has been reported to play crucial regulatory roles in multiple cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In addition, recent investigations revealed that aloin exerted anti-tumor functions in HCC. However, the underlying mechanism of aloin on anti-tumor functions in HCC remained elusive. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate whether circRNA/miRNA/mRNA axis medicated the anti-tumor effect of aloin in HCC. Cell viability, invasion, apoptosis and autophagy were accessed by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), transwell invasion assay, flow cytometry, Western blot and immunofluorescence analysis, respectively. Expression levels of circ_0011385, miR-149-5p and WT1 mRNA were determined using qRT-PCR assay. Binding sites between miR-149-5p and circ_0011385 or WT1 were predicted in starBase database. The binding relationship among circ_0011385, miR-149-5p and WT1 were verified by dual-luciferase reporter assay and RNA immunoprecipitation. Besides, the rescue experiments were performed by co-transfection with cric_0011385 overexpression plasmid, si-cric_0011385, miR-149-5p mimic and inhibitor, WT1 pDNA and si-WT1 in HCC cells. Furthermore, tumor growth was also investigated in the xenograft mouse model. Aloin inhibited HCC proliferation and invasion as well as promoted apoptosis and autophagy both in vitro and in vivo. Besides, aloin suppressed circ_0011385 expression. Overexpressed circ_0011385 partially reversed the anti-tumor effect of aloin on HCC. In addition, it was revealed that the circ_0011385, miR-149-5p and WT1 genes were abnormally expressed in HCC. Furthermore, the binding interactions between circ_0011385, miR-149-5p and WT1 were predicted and confirmed. Moreover, the effect of circ_0011385 on the anti-tumor role of aloin in HCC was rescued by miR-149-5p mimics. MiR-149-5p regulated HCC progression via modulating WT1. Aloin suppressed cell proliferation, invasion and tumor growth and promoted apoptosis and autophagy in HCC through regulating circ_0011385/miR-149-5p/WT1 axis. Aloin may be a potential candidate drug for HCC treatment.Abbrevations: HCC: Hepatocellular carcinoma; ceRNA: competing endogenous RNA; miRNA: microRNA; MREs: miRNA response elements; WT1: Wilms’ tumor 1; MMP-2: Matrix metalloproteinase; EMT: epithelial-mesenchymal transition; GADPH: glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase; WT: wild type; MUT: mutant type; DMEM: dulbecco’s modified eagle medium.</p

A 2-D organic–inorganic supramolecular layer based on a {P₂Mo₅} cluster bridged by Mn(II) and pentanuclear fragment linker

<div><p>An organic–inorganic hybrid based on {P₂Mo₅} clusters, (H₂bim)₃[{Na_0.5(H₂O)_0.5}₂{Mn(OH)₄(H₂O)₂}{Na_0.5(H₂bim)}₂{Mn(H₂O)₄(P₂Mo₅O₂₃)₂}]·4H₂O (<b>1</b>) (bim = 2,2′-biimidazole), was hydrothermally synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, IR, TG, UV, and single crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. In <b>1</b>, four Na ions, one Mn, and two bim ligands are linked by four μ–O bridges to form unusual pentanuclear fragments [{Na_0.5(H₂O)_0.5}₂{Mn(OH)₄(H₂O)₂}{Na_0.5(H₂bim)}₂]. Each pentanuclear segment links adjacent to four Standberg units to form supramolecular dimer chains, which are further connected by Mn(H₂O)₄ linkers to yield infinite 2-D layer. Two kinds of cage-like pores are observed in alternating type along the crystallographic <i>b</i> axis in which protonated H₂bim ligands fill one sort of pores. Electrochemical and fluorescent properties of <b>1</b> have been investigated.</p></div

Table_1_The formation of higher alcohols in rice wine fermentation using different rice cultivars.DOCX

Higher alcohols are closely related to the flavor and safety of rice wine. The formation of n-propanol, isobutanol, isoamyl alcohol, and phenylethanol during rice wine fermentations was for the first time investigated in this study among 10 rice cultivars from two main production regions. Rice wine made from Yashui rice, the long-grain non-glutinous rice from Guizhou, produced the highest yields of higher alcohols (487.45 mg/L), and rice wine made from five glutinous rice cultivars produced the lowest yields of higher alcohols (327.45–344.16 mg/L). An extremely strong correlation was found between the starch in rice and higher alcohols in rice wine. Further analysis first showed that the former fermentation period was key for the nutrient consumption and higher alcohol formation, with more than 55% of glucose being consumed and more than 75% of higher alcohols being synthesized in 48 h. Correlation analysis confirmed the strong correlation between nutrient consumption and higher alcohol formation including valine–isobutanol (coefficient higher than 0.8 in seven rice cultivars and higher than 0.6 in three rice cultivars), glucose–isoamyl alcohol (coefficient higher than 0.8 in five rice cultivars and higher than 0.6 in the other five rice cultivars), and glucose–phenylethanol (coefficient higher than 0.8). The correlation of threonine–n-propanol, leucine–isoamyl alcohol, phenylalanine–phenylethanol, glucose–n-propanol, and glucose–isobutanol varied among the rice wines made from 10 rice cultivars. RT-qPCR analysis on five target genes verified the variation caused by different rice cultivars. this study for the first time reported the special formation pattern of higher alcohols during rice wine fermentation, emphasizing the early contribution of glucose metabolism on the formation of isobutanol. This study highlighted the significance of rice selection for making rice wine with good quality and provided theoretical references for the control of higher alcohols, especially in the former period of rice wine fermentation.</p

Assembly of three supramolecular compounds based on [P₂Mo₅O₂₃]⁶⁻ and Ni(II) complexes

<div><p>Three supramolecular compounds based on [P₂Mo₅O₂₃]⁶⁻ and Ni(II)–bim, [Ni(bim)₃]₃[P₂Mo₅O₂₃]·2H₂O (<b>1</b>), [Ni(Hbim)(bim)₂]₄[P₂Mo₅O₂₃]₂·3H₂O (<b>2</b>), and [Ni(bim)(Hbim)(phen)]₂[P₂Mo₅O₂₃]·7H₂O (<b>3</b>) (bim = 2,2′-biimidazole, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline), have been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions and characterized by elemental analysis, single-crystal X-ray diffraction, IR, and TG. All the compounds show 3-D supramolecular networks constructed from weak interactions among free Ni(II) complex, water, and oxygens of [P₂Mo₅O₂₃]⁶⁻. Compound <b>3</b> represents the first supramolecular example integrating {Ni(bim)(Hbim)(phen)} with Strandberg-type phosphomolybdate. The compounds display good electrocatalytic activity to reduce hydrogen peroxide and intense fluorescence properties in solution at room temperature.</p></div