Abstract Titanbicus (TB), a hybrid of Hibiscus moscheutos × H. coccineus (Medic.) Walt., has potential to be used as an edible flower. In this study, proximate nutritional content, anthocyanin content, total polyphenol content (TPC), and antioxidant activities in vitro and in vivo were investigated. Three cultivars of TB, namely Artemis (AR), Rhea (R), and Adonis (AD), were used as materials. Protein

Abstract This report presents some new methodological opportunities that biophysics can offer for solving the fundamental problem of planetary ecology—deciphering the mechanism that maintains the equilibrium state of the biosphere. The Institute of Biophysics, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, where the author of this report works, is developing two complementary directions in ecological

Aims To identify the target of an adipose specific aptamer adipo-8, predict the potential interaction between adipo-8 and its target, and investigate lipid-lowering effect of adipo-8 in vitro and in vivo. Main methods Distinct membranous protein of 3T3-L1 adipocyte pulled-down by adipo-8 was mass-spectrometry analyzed as target candidate(s), and affinity of adipo-8 to target protein-silent adipocyte

Aims The aim of this study was investigate the effects of 8 weeks of high intensity interval training (HIIT, up&downward running) with BCAA/nano chitosan on Foxo3 and SMAD soleus muscles of aging rats. Main methods In this experimental study thirty male rats were randomly divided into six groups of control, BCAA with Nano chitosan (Supplement, (Sup)), upslope running, downslope running, upslope running+Sup

Aims Electronic cigarette (ECIG) has been used as an alternative to tobacco smoking as it lacks the majority of toxicants found in tobacco smoke. However, the effect of ECIG aerosol inhalation on cardiac health are not well studied. The present study aimed to compare the effects of ECIGs with that of combustible tobacco cigarette (T-Cigs) and waterpipe (WP) smoke on cardiac biomarkers of oxidative

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a noninfectious inflammatory disease with high morbidity and mortality, which is characterized by severe inflammation and tissue necrosis. Cordycepin (CRD), derived from Cordyceps militaris, possesses anti-inflammatory effects and immunomodulation properties. Here, we investigated the protective effects of CRD on pancreatic injury and clarified potential mechanisms in AP

Hyperammonemia is a serious metabolic disorder associating with hepatic encephalopathy (HE) which occurs secondary to several forms of liver injury ranging from simple acute liver failure (ALF) to its most serious form; cirrhosis. The resent study highlights the possible ameliorative effect of oral nifuroxazide (25 mg/kg) against experimentally induced ALF and the subsequent HE in a well-standardized

Aims Cardiac hypertrophy is one of most important risk factors for cardiovascular mortality. Activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is acknowledged to be an important mechanism for pathogenesis of cardiac hypertrophy. Polyphyllin I (PPI), a component in the traditional Chinese medicinal herb, has shown anticancer effect partially via interruption of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Our aim was

Aim To evaluate the effects of P2X7 receptor blockade on renin-angiotensin system (RAS) in rats with diabetic nephropathy (DN). Main methods Wistar rats were unilaterally nephrectomized and received streptozotocin for diabetes mellitus (DM) induction; control animals (CTL) received the drug vehicle. The animals were submitted to P2X7 receptor silencing, forming the group (DM + siRNA). The animals were

Aims To determine whether ginsenoside Rg1 is involved in scratch wound healing through altered expression of related molecules in astrocytes and improved functional recovery after spinal cord injury (SCI). Materials and methods Astrocytes were isolated from rats, followed by Rg1 treatment. The wound healing test was performed to observe the scratch wound healing in different groups. The expression

Aims Brain edema is a common threat to life in ischaemic brain injury. The NLRP3 inflammasome promotes the inflammatory injury after ischaemic stroke. Previous studies have shown that aquaporin-4 (AQP4) modulates brain water transport and endothelin-1 (ET-1) induces cerebral edema. However, the contribution of the NLRP3 inflammasome to regulation of brain edema and blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption

Neuregulin-1β (NRG-1) is a membrane-bound or secreted growth and differentiation factor that mediates its action by binding to ErbB receptors. Circulating levels of NRG-1 are characterized by large inter-individual variability with the range of absolute values covering two orders of magnitude, from hundreds to tens of thousands of picograms per milliliter of blood. NRG-1 signaling via ErbB receptors

Aims In December 2019, the Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) virus has emerged in Wuhan, China. In this research, the first resolved COVID-19 crystal structure (main protease) was targeted in a virtual screening study by of FDA approved drugs dataset. In addition, a knowledge gap in relations of COVID-19 with the previously known fatal Coronaviruses (CoVs) epidemics, SARS and MERS CoVs, was covered

Background Berberine plays a neuroprotective role in neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD). Circular RNAs (circRNAs) function as crucial players in AD pathogenesis. In the current work, we aimed to investigate whether circRNA histone deacetylase 9 (circHDAC9) was involved in the regulation of berberine in AD. Methods Cell viability and apoptosis were determined by the Cell

Neuronal activity is the main contributor to the high‐energy demand of the human brain. ATP is needed for the maintenance of ionic gradients, neurotransmitter transport, and release, as well as the signaling pathways that follow activation of post‐synaptic receptors. The inability to maintain a high supply of ATP through tight regulatory mechanisms can, therefore, have severe consequences for brain

N6 -methyladenosine (m6 A) has emerged as a crucial molecular code to influence pluripotency and differentiation of diverse stem cells. A study in this issue now shows that, in intestinal stem cells, the m6 A reader protein YTHDF1 directs translational control of stemness in both m6 A- and Wnt-dependent manner [1].

Efficient antibody production is a crucial step during immune responses leading to pathogen clearance and neutralization. Immune synapses, contact points between T and B lymphocytes in the presence of an antigen, are necessary to initiate the proliferation and differentiation of B cells in the germinal center. In this issue of EMBO Reports, Fernández‐Messina et al [1] present evidence of microRNA transfer

Mitochondria are cellular organelles that orchestrate a vast range of biological processes, from energy production and metabolism to cell death and inflammation. Despite this seemingly symbiotic relationship, mitochondria harbour within them a potent agonist of innate immunity: their own genome. Release of mitochondrial DNA into the cytoplasm and out into the extracellular milieu activates a plethora

Intercellular communication orchestrates effective immune responses against disease-causing agents. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are potent mediators of cell-cell communication. EVs carry bioactive molecules, including microRNAs, which modulate gene expression and function in the recipient cell. Here, we show that formation of cognate primary T-B lymphocyte immune contacts promotes transfer of a very

KCC2, encoded in humans by the SLC12A5 gene, is a multifunctional neuron-specific protein initially identified as the chloride (Cl- ) extruder critical for hyperpolarizing GABAA receptor currents. Independently of its canonical function as a K-Cl cotransporter, KCC2 regulates the actin cytoskeleton via molecular interactions mediated through its large intracellular C-terminal domain (CTD). Contrary

Defects in the proteasome can result in pathological proteinopathies. However, the pathogenic role of sex- and tissue-specific sensitivity to proteotoxic stress remains elusive. Here, we map the proteasome activity across nine tissues, in male and female mice, and demonstrate strong sexual dimorphism in proteasome activity, where females have significantly higher activity in several tissues. Further

Repressor/activator protein 1 (RAP1) is a highly evolutionarily conserved protein found at telomeres. Although yeast Rap1 is a key telomere capping protein preventing non‐homologous end joining (NHEJ) and consequently telomere fusions, its role at mammalian telomeres in vivo is still controversial. Here, we demonstrate that RAP1 is required to protect telomeres in replicative senescent human cells

Mitochondrial respiration generates an electrochemical proton gradient across the mitochondrial inner membrane called protonmotive force (PMF) to drive diverse functions and synthesize ATP. Current techniques to manipulate the PMF are limited to its dissipation; yet, there is no precise and reversible method to increase the PMF. To address this issue, we aimed to use an optogenetic approach and engineered

Intestinal stem cells (ISCs) fuel the lifelong self-renewal of the intestinal tract and are paramount for epithelial repair. In this context, the Wnt pathway component LGR5 is the most consensual ISC marker to date. Still, the effort to better understand ISC identity and regulation remains a challenge. We have generated a Mex3a knockout mouse model and show that this RNA-binding protein is crucial

Emerging evidence implicates that low levels of ATP in the extracellular space may contribute to the pathophysiology of major depressive disorder (MDD). The concentration of extracellular ATP is regulated by its hydrolase ectonucleotide tri(di)phosphohydrolase (ENTPD). However, the role of ENTPD in depression remains poorly understood. Here we examine the role of CD39 (known as ENTPD1) in mouse depression‐like

N6-methyladenosine (m6 A) mRNA methylation has emerged as an important player in many biological processes by regulating gene expression. However, its roles in intestinal stem cell (ISC) homeostasis remain largely unknown. Here, we report that YTHDF1, an m6 A reader, is highly expressed in ISCs and its expression is upregulated by Wnt signaling at the translational level. Whereas YTHDF1 is dispensable

Chemokines and galectins are simultaneously upregulated and mediate leukocyte recruitment during inflammation. Until now, these effector molecules have been considered to function independently. Here, we tested the hypothesis that they form molecular hybrids. By systematically screening chemokines for their ability to bind galectin-1 and galectin-3, we identified several interacting pairs, such as

Protein lysine acetylation affects colorectal cancer (CRC) distant metastasis through multiple pathways. In a previous proteomics screen, we found that isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) is hyperacetylated in CRC primary tumors and liver metastases. Here, we further investigate the function of IDH1 hyperacetylation at lysine 224 in CRC progression. We find that IDH1 K224 deacetylation promotes its enzymatic

The Hippo signaling pathway is involved in the pathophysiology of various cardiovascular diseases. Yes‐associated protein (YAP) and transcriptional enhancer activator domain (TEAD) transcriptional factors, the main transcriptional complex of the Hippo pathway, were recently identified as modulators of phenotypic switching of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). However, the intrinsic regulator of

The androgen receptor (AR) has been linked to bladder cancer (BCa) progression, but if this involves circular RNAs (circRNAs) remains unclear. Here, we find that AR alters the levels of circRNA-FNTA (circFNTA) to increase BCa cell invasion and chemo-resistance. Mechanistically, AR represses the RNA editing gene ADAR2 via direct binding to its 5' promoter region to increase circFNTA levels, which then

PI3K‐Akt‐FoxO‐mTOR signaling is the central pathway controlling growth and metabolism in all cells. Ubiquitination of the protein kinase Akt prior to its phosphorylation is required for PI3K‐Akt activity. Here, we found that the deubiquitinating (DUB) enzyme USP1 removes K63‐linked polyubiquitin chains on Akt to restrict PI3K‐Akt‐FoxO signaling in mouse muscle during prolonged starvation. DUB screening

The long noncoding RNA GUARDIN functions to protect genome stability. Inhibiting GUARDIN expression can alter cell fate decisions toward senescence or apoptosis, but the underlying molecular signals are unknown. Here, we show that GUARDIN is an essential component of a transcriptional repressor complex involving LRP130 and PGC1α. GUARDIN acts as a scaffold to stabilize LRP130/PGC1α heterodimers and

Macrophages are characterized by a high plasticity in response to changes in tissue microenvironment, which allows them to acquire different phenotypes and to exert essential functions in complex processes, such as tissue regeneration. Here, we report that the membrane protein Cripto plays a key role in shaping macrophage plasticity in skeletal muscle during regeneration and disease. Conditional deletion

Mutations in the CD18 gene encoding the common β-chain of β2 integrins result in impaired wound healing in humans and mice suffering from leukocyte adhesion deficiency syndrome type 1 (LAD1). Transplantation of adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) restores normal healing of CD18-/- wounds by restoring the decreased TGF-β1 concentrations. TGF-β1 released from MSCs leads to enhanced myofibroblast

Accumulating evidence suggests that p53 plays a suppressive role in cancer metastasis, yet the underlying mechanism remains largely unclear. Regulation of actin dynamics is essential for the control of cell migration, which is an important step in metastasis. The Arp2/3 complex is a major nucleation factor to initiate branched actin polymerization that drives cell migration. However, it is unknown

RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) transcription is crucial for gene expression. RNAPII density peaks at gene boundaries, associating these key regions for gene expression control with limited RNAPII movement. The connections between RNAPII transcription speed and gene regulation in multicellular organisms are poorly understood. Here, we directly modulate RNAPII transcription speed by point mutations in the

Epithelial cells undergo cortical rounding at the onset of mitosis to enable spindle orientation in the plane of the epithelium. In cuboidal epithelia in culture, the adherens junction protein E-cadherin recruits Pins/LGN/GPSM2 and Mud/NuMA to orient the mitotic spindle. In the pseudostratified columnar epithelial cells of Drosophila, septate junctions recruit Mud/NuMA to orient the spindle, while

Potassium (K) is essential for plant growth and development. Here, we show that the KUP/HAK/KT K+ transporter KUP9 controls primary root growth in Arabidopsis thaliana. Under low‐K+ conditions, kup9 mutants displayed a short‐root phenotype that resulted from reduced numbers of root cells. KUP9 was highly expressed in roots and specifically expressed in quiescent center (QC) cells in root tips. The

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) mutations in β-cardiac myosin and myosin binding protein-C (MyBP-C) lead to hypercontractility of the heart, an early hallmark of HCM. We show that hypercontractility caused by the HCM-causing mutation R663H cannot be explained by changes in fundamental myosin contractile parameters, much like the HCM-causing mutation R403Q. Using enzymatic assays with purified human

“Fake news,” broadly defined as false or misleading information masquerading as legitimate news, is frequently asserted to be pervasive online with serious consequences for democracy. Using a unique multimode dataset that comprises a nationally representative sample of mobile, desktop, and television consumption, we refute this conventional wisdom on three levels. First, news consumption of any sort

The high-lying vibrational states of the magnesium dimer (Mg2), which has been recognized as an important system in studies of ultracold and collisional phenomena, have eluded experimental characterization for half a century. Until now, only the first 14 vibrational states of Mg2 have been experimentally resolved, although it has been suggested that the ground-state potential may support five additional

Stacking two-dimensional (2D) van der Waals materials with different interlayer atomic registry in a heterobilayer causes the formation of a long-range periodic superlattice that may bestow the heterostructure with properties such as new quantum fractal states or superconductivity. Recent optical measurements of transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) heterobilayers have revealed the presence of hybridized

Metal oxide semiconductor junctions are central to most electronic and optoelectronic devices, but ultrafast measurements of carrier transport have been limited to device-average measurements. Here, charge transport and recombination kinetics in each layer of a Ni-TiO2-Si junction is measured using the element specificity of broadband extreme ultraviolet (XUV) ultrafast pulses. After silicon photoexcitation

Transient tunnels that assemble and disassemble to facilitate passage of unstable intermediates in enzymes containing multiple reaction centers are controlled by allosteric cues. Using the 140-kDa purine biosynthetic enzyme PurL as a model system and a combination of biochemical and x-ray crystallographic studies, we show that long-distance communication between ~25-Å distal active sites is initiated

Deep-sea cold seeps are dynamic sources of methane release and unique habitats supporting ocean biodiversity and productivity. Here, we describe newly discovered animal-bacterial symbioses fueled by methane, between two species of annelid (a serpulid Laminatubus and sabellid Bispira) and distinct aerobic methane-oxidizing bacteria belonging to the Methylococcales, localized to the host respiratory

Here, we describe a tripartite circular single-stranded (ss) DNA mycovirus, named Fusarium graminearum gemytripvirus 1 (FgGMTV1). The genome of FgGMTV1 comprises three circular ssDNA segments (DNA-A, DNA-B, and DNA-C). Sequence alignments and phylogenetic analyses showed that FgGMTV1 is nested within the family Genomoviridae. We also constructed the first infectious DNA clones of a DNA mycovirus. Our

Personal moisture management fabrics that facilitate sweat transport away from the skin are highly desirable for wearer’s comfort and performance. Here, we demonstrate a “skin-like” directional liquid transport fabric, which enables continuous one-way liquid flow through spatially distributed channels acting like “sweating glands” yet repels external liquid contaminants. The water transmission rate

Nanobubbles (NBs) are nanoscopic gaseous domains than can exist on solid surfaces or in bulk liquids. They have attracted substantial attention due to their long-time (meta)stability and a high potential for real-world applications. Using an approach not previously investigated, we exploit surface-electrostatic NB formation and stabilization via application of external electric fields in gas-liquid

Blue natural pigments are rare, especially among plants. However, flowering species that evolved to attract Hymenoptera pollinators are colored by blue anthocyanin-metal complexes. Plants lacking anthocyanins are pigmented by betalains but are unable to produce blue hues. By extending the π-system of betalains, we designed a photostable and metal-free blue dye named BeetBlue that did not show toxicity

We study the effect of rotational state–dependent alignment in the scattering of molecules by optical fields. CS2 molecules in their lowest few rotational states are adiabatically aligned and transversely accelerated by a nonresonant optical standing wave. The width of the measured transverse velocity distribution increases to 160 m/s with the field intensity, while its central peak position moves

Oxygen activation is a critical step in ubiquitous heterogeneous oxidative processes, most prominently in catalysis, electrolysis, and pharmaceutical applications. We present here our findings on metal-free O2 activation on covalent triazine frameworks (CTFs) as an important class of N-rich materials. The O2 activation process was studied for the formation of aldehydes, ketones and imines. A detailed

The lubrication properties of nanoconfined liquids underpin countless natural and industrial processes. However, our current understanding of lubricated friction is still limited, especially for nonideal interfaces exhibiting nanoscale chemical and topographical defects. Here, we use atomic force microscopy to explore the equilibrium and dynamical behavior of a model lubricant, squalane, confined between

Photosynthesis is a highly optimized process from which valuable lessons can be learned about the operating principles in nature. Its primary steps involve energy transport operating near theoretical quantum limits in efficiency. Recently, extensive research was motivated by the hypothesis that nature used quantum coherences to direct energy transfer. This body of work, a cornerstone for the field

Patterned cell divisions require a precisely oriented spindle that segregates chromosomes and determines the cytokinetic plane. In this study, we investigated how the meiotic spindle orients through an obligatory rotation during meiotic division in mouse oocytes. We show that spindle rotation occurs at the completion of chromosome segregation, whereby the separated chromosome clusters each define a

Observations indicate a strong correlation between the occurrence of volcanic eruptions and earthquakes. While increased volcanic activity has been observed following both local and distal earthquakes, some of the largest recorded earthquakes aren’t known to have triggered an eruption. Here we investigate whether an eruption and associated dike intrusion at Ambrym volcano was triggered by an Mw 6.4