Antifungal activities and active ingredients of <i>Melodinus suaveolens</i> Champ. ex Benth.

<p>Four <i>Melodinus</i> species with antifungal activity were found in survey of the floral resources, in Shiwan Mountain Natural Reserve, Guangxi Province, China. Crude methanolic extracts of the twigs and leaves of <i>Melodinus suaveolens</i> exhibited potent antifungal activities against the plant pathogenic fungi <i>Colletotrichum musae</i>, <i>Colletotrichum graminicola</i>, <i>Colletotrichum gloeosporioides</i> and <i>Alternaria musae</i>, and the ethyl acetate fraction inhibited these pathogens at rates of 85.37, 91.47, 72.77 and 89.87%, respectively (5 mg/mL). A new compound, (2<i>R</i>, 3<i>S</i>, 5<i>S</i>, 6<i>R</i>)-1-<i>O</i>-methyl- <i>chiro</i>-inositol was isolated from the ethyl acetate fraction, along with 15 known compounds. The antifungal activities of compounds (<b>1</b>–<b>16</b>) were evaluated for the first time. Compound (<b>4</b>) had potent antifungal activity against <i>C. gloeosporioides</i>, <i>C. graminicola</i> and <i>A. musae.</i></p

In Situ Preparation of 1D Co@C Composite Nanorods as Negative Materials for Alkaline Secondary Batteries

Cobalt-based coordination compounds were successfully prepared via employing nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) as a complexing agent through a mild surfactant-free solvothermal process. Cobalt ions are linked with the amino group or carboxyl groups of NTA to become one-dimensional nanorods that can be proved by Fourier transform infrared measurement findings. The morphologies of the precursor Co–NTA highly depend on the solvent composition, the reaction time and temperature. The probable growth mechanism has been proposed. After heat treatment, the Co–NTA precursor can be completely converted into Co@C nanorods assembled by numerous core–shell-like Co@C nanoparticles, which preserved the rodlike morphology. The as-prepared Co@C composites display a rodlike morphology with 4 μm length and 100 nm diameter. The electrochemical performances of this novel Co@C material as the alkaline secondary Ni/Co battery negative electrode have been systematically researched. The discharge capacity of the Co@C-1 composite electrode can attain 609 mAh g^–1 and retains about 383.3 mAh g^–1 after 120 cycles (the discharge current density of 500 mA g^–1). The novel material exhibits a high discharge capacity of 610 and 470 mAh g^–1 at discharge currents of 100 and 1000 mA g^–1, respectively. This suggests that approximately 77% of the discharge capacity is kept when the discharge current density is increased to 1000 mA g^–1 (10 times the initial current density of 100 mA g^–1). The excellent electrochemical properties could be ascribed to the porous channels of the novel Co@C materials, which is beneficial to electrolyte diffusion and electrons and ions transportation

Distinct Metabolomic Profiles of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma and Benign Thyroid Adenoma

Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and benign thyroid adenoma (BTA) are the most common head and neck tumors. However, the metabolic differences between PTC and BTA have not been characterized. The aim of this study was to identify the metabolic profiles of these two types of tumors using a metabolomics approach. Tumors and adjacent nontumor specimens collected from 57 patients with PTC and 48 patients with BTA were profiled using gas chromatography–time-of-flight mass spectrometry and ultraperformance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. A panel of 46 and 44 differentially expressed metabolites were identified in the PTC and BTA specimens, respetively, and compared with nontumor tissues. Common metabolic signatures, as characterized by increased glycolysis, amino acid metabolism, one carbon metabolism and tryptophan metabolism, were found in both types of tumors. Purine and pyrimidine metabolism was significantly elevated in the PTC specimens, and taurine and hypotaurine levels were also higher in the PTC tissues. Increased fatty acid and bile acid levels were found, especially in the BTA tissues. The metabolic profiles of the PTC and BTA tissues include both similar and remarkably different metabolites, suggesting the presence of common and unique mechanistic pathways in these types of tumors during tumorigenesis

Protective Effect of RA on Myocardial Infarction-Induced Cardiac Fibrosis via AT1R/p38 MAPK Pathway Signaling and Modulation of the ACE2/ACE Ratio

Rosmarinic acid (α-<i>o</i>-caffeoyl-3,4-dihydroxyphenyllactic acid, RA) is a major active constituent of Rosmarinus officinalis Linn. (rosemary) having significant anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and antioxidant effects. However, the cardioprotection of RA is still not understood. The present study was designed, for the first time, to investigate the cardioprotection of RA on myocardial infarction (MI)-induced cardiac fibrosis and to clarify the possible mechanisms. MI was induced in adult rats by left anterior descending coronary artery ligation, and animals were then administered RA (50, 100, or 200 mg/kg) by gavage. Compared with the model group, RA treatment ameliorated changes in the left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP), +d<i>p</i>/d<i>t</i>_max, and −d<i>p</i>/d<i>t</i>_max after 4 weeks. This was associated with attenuation of infarct size, collagen volume fraction (CVF), expression of collagen I, collagen III, alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and hydroxyproline (Hyp) concentrations. RA treatment was also associated with decreased angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) expression and increased ACE2 expression, as well as decreased expression of angiotensin type 1 receptor (AT1R) and phospho-p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK). Thus, RA can protect against cardiac dysfunction and fibrosis following MI, likely due to decreasing ACE expression and increasing ACE2 expression via the AT1R/p38 MAPK pathway

Characterization of Tetratricopeptide Repeat-Containing Proteins Critical for Cilia Formation and Function

<div><p>Cilia formation and function require a special set of trafficking machinery termed intraflagellar transport (IFT), consisting mainly of protein complexes IFT-A, IFT-B, BBSome, and microtubule-dependent molecular motors. <u>T</u>etra<u>t</u>ri<u>c</u>opeptide repeat-containing (TTC) proteins are widely involved in protein complex formation. Nine of them are known to serve as components of the IFT or BBSome complexes. How many TTC proteins are cilia-related and how they function, however, remain unclear. Here we show that twenty TTC genes were upregulated by at least 2-fold during the differentiation of cultured mouse tracheal epithelial cells (MTECs) into multiciliated cells. Our systematic screen in zebrafish identified four novel TTC genes, <i>ttc4</i>, <i>-9c</i>, <i>-36</i>, and <i>-39c</i>, that are critical for cilia formation and motility. Accordingly, their zebrafish morphants displayed typical ciliopathy-related phenotypes, including curved body, abnormal otolith, hydrocephalus, and defective left-right patterning. The morphants of <i>ttc4</i> and <i>ttc25</i>, a known cilia-related gene, additionally showed pronephric cyst formation. Immunoprecipitation indicated associations of TTC4, -9c, -25, -36, and -39c with components or entire complexes of IFT-A, IFT-B, or BBSome, implying their participations in IFT or IFT-related activities. Our results provide a global view for the relationship between TTC proteins and cilia.</p></div

In Operando Probing of Sodium-Incorporation in NASICON Nanomaterial: Asymmetric Reaction and Electrochemical Phase Diagram

NASICON-type materials are one of the most promising cathodes for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) due to their stable structure and the three-dimensional framework for the migration of Na⁺. During the usage of SIBs, they should hold the ability to endure sudden changes in temperature and current density, which have a profound impact on battery life. However, little research focused on the reaction mechanism under the above situations. Here, the phase transformation processes of NASICON-type material, Na₃V₂(PO₄)₃, are investigated by applying high-resolution in situ X-ray diffraction and Raman coupled with electrochemical tests under different temperatures (273 and 293 K) and scan rates (0.5, 2, and 5 mV s^–1). The results demonstrate that the phase evolution process is one-phase solid solution during the desodiation process rather than the traditionally two-phase reaction at a high scan rate or low temperature. An electrochemical phase diagram is also drawn based on thein situ results, which can be used to explain the asymmetric result. This work can help with understanding the phase evolution process of NASICON-type cathodes, as well as guiding the application of SIBs in various working conditions

Large-Scale Silver Sulfide Nanomesh Membranes with Ultrahigh Flexibility

The growth of flexible semiconductor thin films and membranes is highly desirable for the fabrication of next-generation wearable devices. In this work, we have developed a one-step, surface tension-driven method for facile and scalable growth of silver sulfide (Ag2S) membranes with a nanomesh structure. The nanomesh membrane can in principle reach infinite size but only limited by the reactor size, while the thickness is self-limited to ca. 50 nm. In particular, the membrane can be continuously regenerated at the water surface after being transferred for mechanical and electronic tests. The free-standing membrane demonstrates exceptional flexibility and strength, resulting from the nanomesh structure and the intrinsic plasticity of the Ag2S ligaments, as revealed by robust manipulation, nanoindentation tests and a pseudo-in situ tensile test under scanning electron microscope. Bendable electronic resistance-switching devices are fabricated based on the nanomesh membrane

Screen for cilia-related TTC genes in zebrafish.

<p>(A) The morphologies of zebrafish morphants at 72 hpf. Note that the morphants of <i>ttc4</i>, <i>-9c</i>, <i>-25</i>, <i>-36</i>, and <i>-39c</i> displayed severe body curving. (B) Quantification results for the curved body phenotype. Three independent experiments were performed. (C) and (D) Rescue experiments for the <i>ttc</i> morphants. The indicated MO was coinjected with either the corresponding MO-resistant mRNA or GFP mRNA into zebrafish embryos. The body curvature phenotype was assayed at 72 hpf. The numbers of embryos counted are listed over the histograms. Statistical results are from three independent experiments. Student’s <i>t</i>-test, ***P < 0.001. Error bars represent s.d.</p

Associations of the indicated TTC proteins with IFT complexes and BBSome.

<p>HEK293T cell lysates containing the indicated FLAG-tagged TTC proteins were mixed respectively with mouse testis lysates and subjected to co-immunoprecipitation with anti-FLAG M2 resin. Flag-luciferase was used as negative control. Immunoblotting was then performed to detect the FLAG-tagged proteins and representative components of the IFT complexes (A) or BBSome (B).</p

HPV GenoArray and genotyping assay.

<p>(<b>A</b>) The genotyping results were evaluated by means of a colorimetric change on the chip under direct visualization. Spots of “Biotin” indicate the hybridization-positive control gene, and “IC” indicates the inner control gene. (<b>B</b>) HPV-16 positive.</p