Article
Microbiology
Ahmad-Kamal Ghazali, Mohd Firdaus-Raih, Asqwin Uthaya Kumar, Wei-Kang Lee, Chee-Choong Hoh, Sheila Nathan
Summary: This study investigated the transcriptome-level adaptations of B. pseudomallei when growing in soil and during infection. The results showed that the bacterium induced the expression of metabolism and transporter proteins in soil, while virulence factors, metabolism, and bacterial defense mechanisms were upregulated during infection. Additionally, the capsular polysaccharide and quorum-sensing pathways were inhibited during infection. These findings provide crucial insights into the adaptation mechanisms of B. pseudomallei in soil and during infection.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Larissa Vivan Cestonaro, Ricieli Pacheco Crestani, Fernanda Mocelin Conte, Yasmin Vendruscolo Piton, Felipe Schmitz, Fernanda Silva Ferreira, Angela T. S. Wyse, Solange Cristina Garcia, Marcelo Dutra Arbo
Summary: This study evaluated the immunomodulatory effect of imidacloprid on macrophages. The results showed that imidacloprid has a concentration-dependent cytotoxic effect on macrophages and affects the cells' inflammatory response and mitochondrial depolarization. These findings suggest that imidacloprid has immunomodulatory effects and mitochondria may regulate innate immune responses in imidacloprid-induced cytotoxicity.
ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Durga Reddi, Lydia Durant, David Bernardo, Alistair Noble, Nicholas R. English, Philip Hendy, Graeme C. Clark, Joann L. Prior, Ethel Diane Williamson, Stella C. Knight
Summary: The study demonstrated the in vitro priming of naïve human T cells against heat-killed B. pseudomallei by co-culturing with syngeneic, pulsed dendritic cells. Myeloid DCs showed a major response to B. pseudomallei, contributing significantly to the expression of migration marker CCR7 and secretion of proinflammatory cytokines TNF alpha and IL1 beta. The study suggests that this approach could be used to screen for human cellular response to candidate vaccines and enhance cell-mediated immunity against intracellular pathogens.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Su-Jung Hwang, Ye-Seul Song, Hyo-Jong Lee
Summary: Phaseolin, a component of Kushen, has been found to exhibit beneficial effects against inflammation by inhibiting the production of NO and reducing the expression of pro-inflammatory mediators. It also regulates MMP activity, cell adhesion, and leukocyte recruitment, along with inhibiting the nuclear translocation of NF-κB. These findings suggest that phaseolin could be a potential therapeutic candidate for managing inflammation.
Article
Immunology
Yee-Chin Wong, Raeece Naeem, Moataz Abd El Ghany, Chee-Choong Hoh, Arnab Pain, Sheila Nathan
Summary: This study identified essential genes of B. pseudomallei and genes required for growth under nutrient-depleted conditions using TraDIS. The study also identified genes associated with B. pseudomallei survival and adaptation in the C. elegans intestinal lumen using a C. elegans infection model.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Andreia Pimenta, Nuno Bernardes, Marta M. Alves, Dalila Mil-Homens, Arsenio M. Fialho
Summary: In this study, Giant Plasma Membrane Vesicles (GPMVs) from a bronchial epithelial cell line were used as a cell-like alternative to investigate the adhesion process of B. cenocepacia. RNA-sequencing revealed changes in gene expression related to bacterial adaptation and virulence-associated functions after the bacteria made first contact with the host cell surface. Understanding these early changes can lead to the discovery of new proteins involved in B. cenocepacia-host cell adhesion.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Siqi Yuan, Yao Fang, Mengling Tang, Zhiqiang Hu, Chenglong Rao, Jiangao Chen, Yupei Xia, Meijuan Zhang, Jingmin Yan, Bin Tang, Xiaoyi He, Jianping Xie, Xuhu Mao, Qian Li
Summary: Infection with Burkholderia pseudomallei induces apoptosis through ER stress, and TUDCA enhances bacterial clearance by inhibiting ER stress-induced apoptosis, suggesting its potential use as an alternative treatment for melioidosis.
Article
Biology
Amporn Rungruengkitkun, Niramol Jitprasutwit, Watcharamat Muangkaew, Chantira Suttikornchai, Sarunporn Tandhavanant, Nitaya Indrawattana, Sumate Ampawong, Passanesh Sukphopetch, Narisara Chantratita, Pornpan Pumirat
Summary: Neurological melioidosis caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei can lead to severe symptoms associated with the nervous system. This study demonstrated that B. pseudomallei can infect human neuronal cells and the virulence factor Cif is associated with the invasion of neuronal cells. Further research on the function of Cif in neurological melioidosis may lead to the discovery of novel treatment targets.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Shuxin Jiang, Huanan Yin, Xiaohui Qi, Weiguo Song, Weiwei Shi, Jiaojiao Mou, Jie Yang
Summary: Fucosylated chondroitin sulfate from Stichopus chloronotus has immune activation effects on RAW 264.7 macrophages, promoting cell activity and cytokine production. This potentially promising immunomodulator may improve macrophage function through NF-kappa B pathway.
CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Carina Ade, Xiaomin Qian, Edit Brodszkij, Paula De Dios Andres, Jarvi Spanjers, Isabella N. Westensee, Brigitte Stadler
Summary: This study compared the interaction ability of two structural scaffolds for artificial organelles with macrophage-like cells. It was found that assemblies containing DOPE lipids or GALA could escape lysosomes, providing a fundamental understanding for the development of intracellular nanoreactors.
Article
Plant Sciences
Yuanru Zheng, Chunyang Tian, Chunlin Fan, Nishan Xu, Junjie Xiao, Xiaoyang Zhao, Zibin Lu, Huihui Cao, Junshan Liu, Linzhong Yu
Summary: This study found that Sheng-Mai Yin has significant anti-inflammatory effects, potentially achieved through inhibiting the NF-kappa B and STAT3 signal pathways.
JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Weiyang Kuang, Jiajia Yang, Zhiyuan Liu, Jinzi Zeng, Xuewei Xia, Xiaodan Chen, Saiyi Zhong, Riming Huang
Summary: Catechin may exert an anti-inflammatory effect through mediating cellular ferroptosis. It appears to influence ferroptosis by activating cysteine and methionine metabolism and glutathione metabolism, while inhibiting the ferroptosis pathway. Several proteins in these metabolic pathways, as well as GPX4 and SLC7A11, which are related to ferroptosis, may be relevant to catechin through molecular docking.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Chiara De Stefani, Marzia Vasarri, Maria Cristina Salvatici, Lucia Grifoni, Jose Carlos Quintela, Anna Rita Bilia, Donatella Degl'Innocenti, Maria Camilla Bergonzi
Summary: The study formulated oleanolic acid (OA) into two different microemulsions (ME-1 and ME-2) to enhance its solubility and intestinal permeability, leading to a significant increase in bioavailability. Both MEs showed enhanced intestinal permeability compared to free OA according to PAMPA assay results. The study suggests that MEs could be a promising formulation to improve the oral bioavailability of OA with potential clinical applications.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Xian Zhou, Gerald Muench, Hans Wohlmuth, Sualiha Afzal, Ming-Hui (Tim) Kao, Ahmad Al-Khazaleh, Mitchell Low, David Leach, Chun Guang Li
Summary: This study aims to investigate the synergistic mechanism of a combination of ginger and turmeric extracts in anti-inflammatory pathways. The results show that this combination can significantly reduce the levels of various inflammatory mediators and has a stronger modulatory effect on key protein targets compared to individual components.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Suwatjanee Naephrai, Supakit Khacha-ananda, Pornsiri Pitchakarn, Churdsak Jaikang
Summary: The venom of Tetraponera rufonigra induces pain, inflammation, and anaphylaxis in people and is mainly composed of proteins like 5' nucleotidase, prolyl endopeptidase-like, and aminopeptidase N. The venom's toxicity is correlated with the induction of the COX-2/mPGEs-1 pathway.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Yao Xiao, Kailin Li, Ji Bian, Hang Liu, Xiaotong Zhai, Emad El-Omar, Lin Han, Lan Gong, Min Wang
Summary: This study investigates the effect of Urolithin A (UA) on diabetes-associated cognitive impairment in a mouse model of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) induced by a high-fat diet (HFD) and streptozotocin (STZ). The results show that UA treatment can attenuate cognitive impairment and reduce levels of metabolic endotoxemia and proinflammatory cytokines in serum. UA also suppresses gut/brain inflammation, improves gut barrier function, and restores the dysregulation of genes involved in N-glycan biosynthesis. Unlike metformin, the beneficial effects of UA are independent of the gut microbiome and short-chain fatty acids. These findings suggest that UA has the potential to be a novel pharmacological target for diabetes therapy by manipulating the gut-brain axis and N-glycan metabolism.
MOLECULAR NUTRITION & FOOD RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Meabh Cullinane, Lauren Scofield, Gerald L. Murray, Matthew S. Payne, Catherine M. Bennett, Suzanne M. Garland, Lisa H. Amir
Summary: This case-control study examined the role of CoNS in mastitis and found that the majority of CoNS isolates were Staphylococcus epidermidis, with no specific profile associated with mastitis cases.
AUSTRALIAN & NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS & GYNAECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Emily L. Gulliver, Brandon M. Sy, Julia L. Wong, Deanna S. Deveson Lucas, David R. Powell, Marina Harper, Jai J. Tree, John D. Boyce
Summary: Regulation in P. multocida involving the RNA-binding protein Hfq is required for hyaluronic acid capsule production and virulence. This study further expands our understanding of riboregulation by examining the role of a second RNA-binding protein, ProQ, in transcript regulation and abundance in P. multocida. The analyses demonstrated that ProQ binds to specific RNA targets and stabilizes sRNAs and transfer RNAs in P. multocida.
JOURNAL OF BACTERIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Meabh Cullinane, Stefanie A. Zugna, Helen L. McLachlan, Michelle S. Newton, Della A. Forster
Summary: The paper evaluates the effectiveness of a training program called Maternity and Newborn Emergencies (MANE) in supporting clinicians in rural and regional maternity services in Victoria, Australia. The study finds that MANE leads to improvements in knowledge and confidence in handling maternity emergencies, both in the short-term and sustained periods.
Article
Microbiology
Thomas R. Smallman, Galain C. Williams, Marina Harper, John D. Boyce
Summary: This study identified essential genes for in vitro growth of P. multocida and genes required for hyaluronic acid capsule production and regulation using transposon-directed insertion site sequencing (TraDIS) and TraDISort. It found that many capsule-associated genes were involved in the stringent response, and disruption of the autoregulatory domains in SpoT resulted in reduced capsule biosynthesis and an acapsular phenotype.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Ningning Zhang, Zeyu Wang, Jiayu Lv, Shuwen Zhang, Yang Liu, Tian Liu, Wang Li, Lan Gong, Xiaodong Zhang, Emad M. El-Omar, Wei Lu
Summary: This study investigated the gut microbiota characteristics in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with microvascular invasion (MVI) and established a microbial prediction model of HCC-MVI. The results showed significant differences in gut microbiota composition between the HCC-MVI group and those without vascular invasion. The established prediction model had a high diagnostic accuracy. The gut microbiome characteristics of HCC-MVI patients were associated with tumor microenvironment.
FRONTIERS IN MEDICINE
(2022)
Review
Nutrition & Dietetics
Yonghui Dong, Xue Wu, Lin Han, Ji Bian, Caian He, Emad El-Omar, Lan Gong, Min Wang
Summary: Cardiovascular disease is a leading global health issue, and anthocyanins have been shown to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-aging effects, providing protection against cardiovascular diseases.
Review
Nutrition & Dietetics
Kailin Li, Yao Xiao, Ji Bian, Lin Han, Caian He, Emad El-Omar, Lan Gong, Min Wang
Summary: Urolithin A (Uro A) is a dietary metabolite with potential health benefits in various diseases. It has been found to improve pancreatic diseases by activating autophagy and inhibiting endoplasmic reticulum stress, resulting in reduced oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis.
Article
Virology
Fan Zhang, Andrew Gia, Guowei Chen, Lan Gong, Jason Behary, Georgina L. Hold, Amany Zekry, Xubo Tang, Yanni Sun, Emad El-Omar, Xiao-Tao Jiang
Summary: Viruses are abundant and important in ecosystems, and the two methods of whole genome shotgun metagenome and viral-like particle enriched metagenome sequencing are commonly used for comparing viruses in different environments. In this study, both methods were applied to investigate the stool virome in HCC patients and healthy controls, and they both successfully identified altered viral profiles in HCC patients. Ultra-deep sequencing recovered more viruses, and VLPM method can detect RNA viruses. Using both methods would capture different parts of the total virome and identify shared and specific viral signatures.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kailin Li, Ji Bian, Yao Xiao, Da Wang, Lin Han, Caian He, Lan Gong, Min Wang
Summary: In recent years, there has been a significant increase in age-related diseases worldwide due to longer life expectancy. The aging pancreas undergoes various morphological and pathological changes, which can predispose individuals to diseases such as diabetes, dyspepsia, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, and pancreatitis. Pancreatic senescence is associated with underlying factors including genetic damage, DNA methylation, endoplasmic reticulum stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and inflammation. This review article discusses the alterations in morphologies and functions of the aging pancreas, particularly beta-cells, and summarizes the mechanisms of pancreatic senescence to identify potential targets for treating aging-related diseases.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mingsheng Cai, Bin Xiao, Yuanfang Wang, Kezhen Wang, Wenqi Luo, Jiangqin Fu, Shuai Wang, Shenyu Deng, Bolin Li, Lan Gong, Jiayi Zhong, Li Hu, Lingxia Pan, Liding Wang, Yintao Liu, Chen Huang, Xiaoqing Li, Qiyuan Zeng, Haoran Kang, Linhai Li, Jie Zan, Tao Peng, Haidi Yang, Meili Li
Summary: In this study, it was found that the surface protein gp110 of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) plays an important role in regulating the host's innate immunity. Gp110 inhibits NF-KB promoter activity and the production of NF-KB-regulated cytokines. It interacts with the transcription factor p65, limiting its activation and nuclear translocation. These findings suggest that gp110 is a vital component for EBV to antagonize the host's innate immune response and contribute to the understanding of EBV infectivity and pathogenesis.
JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Yao Xiao, Kailin Li, Ji Bian, Yao Zhang, Jia Li, Hang Liu, Yingzhi Ye, Lin Han, Lan Gong, Min Wang
Summary: This study investigates the effects and mechanisms of Urolithin A (UA) on cognitive impairment in a mouse model of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) induced by high-fat diet and streptozotocin. The results show that UA can attenuate cognitive impairment by suppressing endoplasmic reticulum stress and Tau hyperphosphorylation in the brain. UA also reduces oxidative stress, abnormal energy metabolism, and apoptosis in damaged neuronal cells. Atp2a3 is identified as a potential target gene of UA that plays a role in intracellular calcium homeostasis, ER stress, and apoptosis. UA's protective effects against ER stress and apoptosis are abolished by over-expression of Atp2a3. Overall, this study suggests that UA could be a potential therapeutic target for neurodegeneration and stress damage by regulating Atp2a3 expression.
MOLECULAR NUTRITION & FOOD RESEARCH
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Oncology
Wenwen Zhu, Ningning Zhang, Zeyu Wang, Shuwen Zhang, Xiaofen Yue, Linlin Sun, Jiao Sun, Lan Gong, Emad M. El-Omar, Wei Lu
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ONCOLOGY
(2022)
Meeting Abstract
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Ningning Zhang, Zeyu Wang, Jiayu Lv, Yang Liu, Tian Liu, Shuwen Zhang, Wang Li, Lan Gong, Xiaodong Zhang, Emad El-Omar, Wei Lu
JOURNAL OF HEPATOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Lan Gong, Xiaowen Ou, Li Hu, Jiayi Zhong, Jingjing Li, Shenyu Deng, Bolin Li, Lingxia Pan, Liding Wang, Xuejun Hong, Wenqi Luo, Qiyuan Zeng, Jie Zan, Tao Peng, Mingsheng Cai, Meili Li
Summary: This study reveals that the HSV-1-encoded UL31 protein can suppress the production of IFN-beta by blocking the dimerization and nuclear translocation of IRF3, as well as promoting the K48-linked polyubiquitination and degradation of both IKKi and IRF3.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2022)