Displaying publications 1681 - 1700 of 9214 in total

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  1. Wei J, Ren W, Wang L, Liu M, Tian X, Ding G, et al.
    J Sci Food Agric, 2020 Dec;100(15):5627-5636.
    PMID: 32712996 DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.10690
    BACKGROUND: Serofluid dish, a traditional Chinese fermented food, possesses unique flavors and health beneficial effects. These properties are likely due to the sophisticated metabolic networks during fermentation, which are mainly driven by microbiota. However, the exact roles of metabolic pathways and the microbial community during this process remain equivocal.

    RESULTS: Here, we investigated the microbial dynamics by next-generation sequencing, and outlined a differential non-targeted metabolite profiling in the process of serofluid dish fermentation using the method of hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography column with ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-quadruple time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Lactobacillus was the leading genus of bacteria, while Pichia and Issatchenkia were the dominant fungi. They all accumulated during fermentation. In total, 218 differential metabolites were identified, of which organic acids, amino acids, sugar and sugar alcohols, fatty acids, and esters comprised the majority. The constructed metabolic network showed that tricarboxylic acid cycle, urea cycle, sugar metabolism, amino acids metabolism, choline metabolism, and flavonoid metabolism were regulated by the fermentation. Furthermore, correlation analysis revealed that the leading fungi, Pichia and Issatchenkia, were linked to organic acids, amino acid and sugar metabolism, flavonoids, and several other flavor and functional components. Antibacterial tests indicated the antibacterial effect of serofluid soup against Salmonella and Staphylococcus.

    CONCLUSION: This work provides new insights into the complex microbial and metabolic networks during serofluid dish fermentation, and a theoretical basis for the optimization of its industrial production. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

    Matched MeSH terms: Amino Acids/metabolism; Bacteria/metabolism; Fatty Acids/metabolism; Fungi/metabolism; Vegetables/metabolism
  2. Külheim C, Yeoh SH, Wallis IR, Laffan S, Moran GF, Foley WJ
    New Phytol, 2011 Sep;191(4):1041-1053.
    PMID: 21609332 DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-8137.2011.03769.x
    Eucalyptus is characterized by high foliar concentrations of plant secondary metabolites with marked qualitative and quantitative variation within a single species. Secondary metabolites in eucalypts are important mediators of a diverse community of herbivores. We used a candidate gene approach to investigate genetic associations between 195 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from 24 candidate genes and 33 traits related to secondary metabolites in the Tasmanian Blue Gum (Eucalyptus globulus). We discovered 37 significant associations (false discovery rate (FDR) Q < 0.05) across 11 candidate genes and 19 traits. The effects of SNPs on phenotypic variation were within the expected range (0.018 < r(2) < 0.061) for forest trees. Whereas most marker effects were nonadditive, two alleles from two consecutive genes in the methylerythritol phosphate pathway (MEP) showed additive effects. This study successfully links allelic variants to ecologically important phenotypes which can have a large impact on the entire community. It is one of very few studies to identify the genetic variants of a foundation tree that influences ecosystem function.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cyclohexanols/metabolism; Eucalyptus/metabolism; Plant Leaves/metabolism; Alkyl and Aryl Transferases/metabolism; Monoterpenes/metabolism
  3. Leong YQ, Ng KY, Chye SM, Ling APK, Koh RY
    Metab Brain Dis, 2020 01;35(1):11-30.
    PMID: 31811496 DOI: 10.1007/s11011-019-00516-y
    Extracellular senile plaques and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles are the neuropathological findings of the Alzheimer's disease (AD). Based on the amyloid cascade hypothesis, the main component of senile plaques, the amyloid-beta (Aβ) peptide, and its derivative called amyloid precursor protein (APP) both have been found to place their central roles in AD development for years. However, the recent therapeutics have yet to reverse or halt this disease. Previous evidence demonstrates that the accumulation of Aβ peptides and APP can exert neurotoxicity and ultimately neuronal cell death. Hence, we discuss the mechanisms of excessive production of Aβ peptides and APP serving as pathophysiologic stimuli for the initiation of various cell signalling pathways including apoptosis, necrosis, necroptosis and autophagy which lead to neuronal cell death. Conversely, the activation of such pathways could also result in the abnormal generation of APP and Aβ peptides. An elucidation of actions of APP and its metabolite, Aβ, could be vital in suggesting novel therapeutic opportunities.
    Matched MeSH terms: Alzheimer Disease/metabolism*; Neurons/metabolism*; Amyloid beta-Peptides/metabolism*; Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor/metabolism*; Neurofibrillary Tangles/metabolism*
  4. Jong BC, Liew PW, Lebai Juri M, Kim BH, Mohd Dzomir AZ, Leo KW, et al.
    Lett Appl Microbiol, 2011 Dec;53(6):660-7.
    PMID: 21967346 DOI: 10.1111/j.1472-765X.2011.03159.x
    To evaluate the bioenergy generation and the microbial community structure from palm oil mill effluent using microbial fuel cell.
    Matched MeSH terms: Acetates/metabolism; Plant Oils/metabolism*; Betaproteobacteria/metabolism; Gammaproteobacteria/metabolism; Deltaproteobacteria/metabolism
  5. Chin GS, Todo H, Kadhum WR, Hamid MA, Sugibayashi K
    Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo), 2016;64(12):1666-1673.
    PMID: 27904075
    The current investigation evaluated the potential of proniosome as a carrier to enhance skin permeation and skin retention of a highly lipophilic compound, α-mangostin. α-Mangostin proniosomes were prepared using the coacervation phase seperation method. Upon hydration, α-mangostin loaded niosomes were characterized for size, polydispersity index (PDI), entrapment efficiency (EE) and ζ-potential. The in vitro permeation experiments with dermis-split Yucatan Micropig (YMP) skin revealed that proniosomes composed of Spans, soya lecithin and cholesterol were able to enhance the skin permeation of α-mangostin with a factor range from 1.8- to 8.0-fold as compared to the control suspension. Furthermore, incorporation of soya lecithin in the proniosomal formulation significantly enhanced the viable epidermis/dermis (VED) concentration of α-mangostin. All the proniosomal formulations (except for S20L) had significantly (p<0.05) enhanced deposition of α-mangostin in the VED layer with a factor range from 2.5- to 2.9-fold as compared to the control suspension. Since addition of Spans and soya lecithin in water improved the solubility of α-mangostin, this would be related to the enhancement of skin permeation and skin concentration of α-mangostin. The choice of non-ionic surfactant in proniosomes is an important factor governing the skin permeation and skin retention of α-mangostin. These results suggested that proniosomes can be utilized as a carrier for highly lipophilic compound like α-mangostin for topical application.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cholesterol/metabolism; Liposomes/metabolism; Surface-Active Agents/metabolism; Xanthones/metabolism; Lecithins/metabolism
  6. Asi AM, Rahman NA, Merican AF
    J Mol Graph Model, 2004 Mar;22(4):249-62.
    PMID: 15177077
    Protein-ligand binding free energy values of wild-type and mutant C-terminal domain of Escherichia coli arginine repressor (ArgRc) protein systems bound to L-arginine or L-citrulline molecules were calculated using the linear interaction energy (LIE) method by molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. The binding behaviour predicted by the dissociation constant (K(d)) calculations from the binding free energy values showed preferences for binding of L-arginine to the wild-type ArgRc but not to the mutant ArgRc(D128N). On the other hand, L-citrulline do not favour binding to wild-type ArgRc but prefer binding to mutant ArgRc(D128N). The dissociation constant for the wild-type ArgRc-L-arginine complex obtained in this study is in agreement with reported experimental results. Our results also support the experimental data for the binding of L-citrulline to the mutant ArgRc(D128N). These showed that LIE method for protein-ligand binding free energy calculation could be applied to the wild-type and the mutant E. coli ArgRc-L-arginine and ArgRc-L-citrulline protein-ligand complexes and possibly to other transcriptional repressor-co-repressor systems as well.
    Matched MeSH terms: Arginine/metabolism*; Citrulline/metabolism*; Escherichia coli/metabolism; Repressor Proteins/metabolism*; Escherichia coli Proteins/metabolism*
  7. Haque MA, Jantan I, Harikrishnan H, Ahmad W
    BMC Complement Med Ther, 2020 Aug 06;20(1):245.
    PMID: 32762741 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-020-03039-7
    BACKGROUND: Immunomodulatory effects of Tinospora crispa have been investigated due to its traditional use to treat several inflammatory disorders associated to the immune system. The present study reports the underlying mechanisms involved in the stimulation of 80% ethanol extract of T. crispa stems on pro-inflammatory mediators release in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-primed U937 human macrophages via MyD88-dependent pathways.

    METHODS: Release of interleukin (IL)-1β and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and production of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) were determined by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Immunoblot technique was executed to determine the activation of MAPKs molecules, NF-κB, PI3K-Akt and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) protein. Determination of pro-inflammatory cytokines and COX-2 relative gene expression levels was by performing the real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). A reversed-phase HPLC method was developed and validated to standardize the T. crispa extract and chemical profiling of its secondary metabolites was performed by LC-MS/MS.

    RESULTS: Qualitative and quantitative analyses of chromatographic data indicated that syringin and magnoflorine were found as the major components of the extract. T. crispa-treatment prompted activation of NF-κB by enhancing IKKα/β and NF-κB (p65) phosphorylation, and degradation of IκBα. The extract upregulated COX-2 protein expression, release of pro-inflammatory mediators and MAPKs (ERK, p38 and JNK) phosphorylation as well as Akt dose-dependently. T. crispa extract also upregulated the upstream signaling adaptor molecules, toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and MyD88. T. crispa-treatment also upregulated the pro-inflammatory markers mRNA expression.

    CONCLUSION: The results suggested that T. crispa extract stimulated the MyD88-dependent signaling pathways by upregulating the various immune inflammatory related parameters.

    Matched MeSH terms: NF-kappa B/metabolism*; Inflammation Mediators/metabolism*; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism*; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases/metabolism*; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism*
  8. Yap LF, Ahmad M, Zabidi MM, Chu TL, Chai SJ, Lee HM, et al.
    Int J Oncol, 2014 May;44(5):1774-80.
    PMID: 24626628 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2014.2342
    The molecular events that drive the progression of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) are still to be elucidated. Here, we report for the first time the pathogenic significance of an NPC-associated gene, wingless-type MMTV integration site family, member 5A (WNT5A) and the contribution of EBV to its expression. WNT5A is a representative Wnt protein that activates non-canonical Wnt signalling. With regard to its role in carcinogenesis, there is conflicting evidence as to whether WNT5A has a tumour-promoting or tumour-suppressive role. We show that WNT5A is upregulated in primary NPC tissue samples. We also demonstrate that WNT5A expression was dramatically increased in NPC cell lines expressing the EBV-encoded LMP2A gene, suggesting that this EBV-encoded latent gene is responsible for upregulating WNT5A in NPC. In addition, in vitro WNT5A overexpression promotes the proliferation, migration and invasion of NPC cells. Our results not only reveal pro-tumorigenic effects of WNT5A in NPC but also suggest that WNT5A could be an important therapeutic target in patients with EBV-associated disease.
    Matched MeSH terms: Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms/metabolism*; Proto-Oncogene Proteins/metabolism*; Viral Matrix Proteins/metabolism*; Epstein-Barr Virus Infections/metabolism*; Wnt Proteins/metabolism*
  9. Arif NM, Ahmad SA, Syed MA, Shukor MY
    J Basic Microbiol, 2013 Jan;53(1):9-19.
    PMID: 22581645 DOI: 10.1002/jobm.201100120
    In this work, we report on the isolation of a phenol-degrading Rhodococcus sp. with a high tolerance towards phenol. The isolate was identified as Rhodococcus sp. strain AQ5NOL 2, based on 16S rDNA analysis. The strain degraded phenol using the meta pathway, a trait shared by many phenol-degraders. In addition to phenol biodegradation, the strain was also capable of degrading diesel. Strain AQ5NOL 2 exhibited a broad optimum temperature for growth on phenol at between 20 °C and 35 °C. The best nitrogen sources were ammonium sulphate, glycine or phenylalanine, followed by proline, nitrate, leucine, and alanine (in decreasing efficiency). Strain AQ5NOL 2 showed a high tolerance and degradation capacity of phenol, for it was able to register growth in the presence of 2000 mg l(-1) phenol. The growth of this strain on phenol as sole carbon and energy source were modeled using Haldane kinetics with a maximal specific growth rate (μ(max)) of 0.1102 hr(-1), a half-saturation constant (K(s) ) of 99.03 mg l(-1) or 1.05 mmol l(-1), and a substrate inhibition constant (K(i)) of 354 mg l(-1) or 3.76 mmol l(-1). Aside from phenol, the strain could utilize diesel, 2,4-dinitrophenol and ρ-cresol as carbon sources for growth. Strain AQ5NOL 2 exhibited inhibition of phenol degradation by Zn(2+), Cu(2+), Cr(6+), Ag(+) and Hg(2+) at 1 mg l(-1).
    Matched MeSH terms: Carbon/metabolism; Nitrogen/metabolism; Phenols/metabolism*; Rhodococcus/metabolism*; Metals, Heavy/metabolism
  10. Yanagisawa D, Ibrahim NF, Taguchi H, Morikawa S, Tomiyama T, Tooyama I
    Molecules, 2021 Mar 04;26(5).
    PMID: 33806326 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26051362
    Recent evidence suggests that the formation of soluble amyloid β (Aβ) aggregates with high toxicity, such as oligomers and protofibrils, is a key event that causes Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, understanding the pathophysiological role of such soluble Aβ aggregates in the brain in vivo could be difficult due to the lack of a clinically available method to detect, visualize, and quantify soluble Aβ aggregates in the brain. We had synthesized a novel fluorinated curcumin derivative with a fixed keto form, named as Shiga-Y51, which exhibited high selectivity to Aβ oligomers in vitro. In this study, we investigated the in vivo detection of Aβ oligomers by fluorine-19 (19F) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using Shiga-Y51 in an APP/PS1 double transgenic mouse model of AD. Significantly high levels of 19F signals were detected in the upper forebrain region of APP/PS1 mice compared with wild-type mice. Moreover, the highest levels of Aβ oligomers were detected in the upper forebrain region of APP/PS1 mice in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. These findings suggested that 19F-MRI using Shiga-Y51 detected Aβ oligomers in the in vivo brain. Therefore, 19F-MRI using Shiga-Y51 with a 7 T MR scanner could be a powerful tool for imaging Aβ oligomers in the brain.
    Matched MeSH terms: Alzheimer Disease/metabolism; Brain/metabolism; Curcumin/metabolism*; Amyloid beta-Peptides/metabolism*; Plaque, Amyloid/metabolism
  11. Lian W, Li D, Zhang L, Wang W, Faiza M, Tan CP, et al.
    Enzyme Microb Technol, 2018 Oct;117:56-63.
    PMID: 30037552 DOI: 10.1016/j.enzmictec.2018.06.007
    Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)-rich triacylglycerols (TAG) have received significant attention owing to their health promoting properties. In this study, CLA-rich TAG were successfully synthesized by an immobilized mutant lipase (MAS1-H108A)-catalyzed esterification of CLA-rich fatty acids and glycerol under vacuum. MAS1-H108A was first immobilized onto ECR1030 resin. Results showed that the lipase/support ratio of 41 mg/g was suitable for the immobilization and the thermostability of immobilized MAS1-H108A was greatly enhanced. Subsequently, the immobilized MAS1-H108A was employed for the synthesis of CLA-rich TAG and 95.21% TAG with 69.19% CLA was obtained under the optimized conditions. The TAG content (95.21%) obtained by immobilized MAS1-H108A is the reported highest value thus far, which was significantly higher than that (9.26%) obtained by Novozym 435 under the same conditions. Although the TAG content comparable to the results obtained in this study could also be obtained by Novozym 435, the used enzyme amount is approximately 5-fold of the immobilized MAS1-H108A. Additionally, the immobilized MAS1-H108A exhibited excellent recyclability during esterification retaining 95.11% of its initial activity after 10 batches. Overall, such immobilized mutant lipase with superior esterification activity and recyclability has the potential to be used in oils and fats industry.
    Matched MeSH terms: Enzymes, Immobilized/metabolism*; Fungal Proteins/metabolism*; Lipase/metabolism*; Triglycerides/metabolism*; Linoleic Acids, Conjugated/metabolism*
  12. Ma XR, Edmund Sim UH, Pauline B, Patricia L, Rahman J
    Trop Biomed, 2008 Apr;25(1):46-57.
    PMID: 18600204 MyJurnal
    Colorectal carcinoma (CRC) arises as a result of mutational activation of oncogenes coupled with inactivation of tumour suppressor genes. Mutations in APC, K-ras and p53 have been commonly reported. In a previous study by our group, the tumour susceptibility gene 101 (TSG101) were found to be persistently upregulated in CRC cases. TSG101 was reported to be closely related to cancers of the breast, brain and colon, and its overexpression in human papillary thyroid carcinomas and ovarian carcinomas had previously been reported. The wingless-type MMTV integration site family member 2 (WNT2) is potentially important in the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway and upregulation of WNT2 is not uncommon in human cancers. In this study, we report the investigation for mutation(s) and expression pattern(s) of WNT2 and TSG101, in an effort to further understand their role(s) in CRC tumourigenesis. Our results revealed no mutation in these genes, despite their persistent upregulation in CRC cases studied.
    Matched MeSH terms: Colon/metabolism; DNA-Binding Proteins/metabolism; Transcription Factors/metabolism; Colorectal Neoplasms/metabolism; Wnt2 Protein/metabolism
  13. Bhattamisra SK, Shin LY, Saad HIBM, Rao V, Candasamy M, Pandey M, et al.
    CNS Neurol Disord Drug Targets, 2020;19(3):174-183.
    PMID: 32418534 DOI: 10.2174/1871527319666200518102130
    The interlink between diabetes mellitus and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and Parkinson's Disease (PD) has been identified by several researchers. Patients with Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) are found to be affected with cognitive impairments leading to learning and memory deficit, while patients with Type-1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) showed less severe levels of these impairments in the brain. This review aimed to discuss the connection between insulin with the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative diseases (AD and PD) and the current therapeutic approached mediated through insulin for management of neurodegenerative diseases. An extensive literature search was conducted using keywords "insulin"; "insulin resistance"; "Alzheimer's disease"; "Parkinson's disease" in public domains of Google scholar, PubMed, and ScienceDirect. Selected articles were used to construct this review. Studies have shown that impaired insulin signaling contributes to the accumulation of amyloid-β, neurofibrillary tangles, tau proteins and α-synuclein in the brain. Whereas, improvement in insulin signaling slows down the progression of cognitive decline. Various therapeutic approaches for altering the insulin function in the brain have been researched. Besides intranasal insulin, other therapeutics like PPAR-γ agonists, neurotrophins, stem cell therapy and insulin-like growth factor-1 are under investigation. Research has shown that insulin insensitivity in T2DM leads to neurodegeneration through mechanisms involving a variety of extracellular, membrane receptor, and intracellular signaling pathway disruptions. Some therapeutics, such as intranasal administration of insulin and neuroactive substances have shown promise but face problems related to genetic background, accessibility to the brain, and invasiveness of the procedures.
    Matched MeSH terms: Alzheimer Disease/metabolism*; Brain/metabolism; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/metabolism; Parkinson Disease/metabolism*; Mild Cognitive Impairment/metabolism
  14. Asis A, Shahriar SA, Naher L, Saallah S, Fatihah HNN, Kumar V, et al.
    Mol Biol Rep, 2021 Apr;48(4):3285-3301.
    PMID: 33880673 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-021-06321-0
    Trichoderma is a genus of soil-borne fungus with an abundance of reports of its economic importance in the agriculture industry. Thus, the correct identification of Trichoderma species is necessary for its commercial purposes. Globally, Trichoderma species are routinely identified from micro-morphological descriptions which can be tedious and prone to errors. Thus, we emphasize that the accurate identification of Trichoderma strains requires a three-pronged approach i.e. based on its morphological characteristics, multilocus gene sequences of the rDNA [internal transcribed spacer (ITS) 1 and 2 regions], translation elongation factor 1-α (TEF-1α), Calmodulin (CAL) and its lignocellulolytic activities. We used this approach to identify a total of 53 Trichoderma strains which were isolated from a wet paddy field located at Tuaran, Sabah, Malaysia. The 53 strains were positively identified as belonging to three Trichoderma species, namely T. asperellum (43 strains), T. harzianum (9 strains), and T. reesei (one strain) on the basis of its morphological characteristics and multilocus gene sequences. Phylogenetic trees constructed based on the UPGMA method of the ITS 1 and 2 regions of the rDNA, TEF-1α and CAL revealed three distinct groups with the T. asperellum, T. harzianum and T. reesei strains placed under the section of Trichoderma, Pachybasium and Longibrachiatum, respectively. In addition, the lignocellulolytic activities of the isolates were measured based on the diameters of the halo zones produced when degrading cellulose, lignin, and starch, respectively. This diagnostic assay can be used to identify Trichoderma as it produces polyphenol oxidase when Tannic Acid Media is used for the lignin test, endoglucanases when Jensen media is used for cellulose, and it hydrolyzes starch to glucose when the modified Melin-Nokrans media is used for the starch test. Accurate identification of Trichoderma species is needed as these strains can potentially be used as a biocontrol agent to prevent diseases and to increase yield in agriculture crops.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cellulase/metabolism*; Cellulose/metabolism; Catechol Oxidase/metabolism*; Lignin/metabolism*; Starch/metabolism
  15. Foong LC, Chai JY, Ho ASH, Yeo BPH, Lim YM, Tam SM
    Sci Rep, 2020 09 30;10(1):16123.
    PMID: 32999341 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-72997-2
    Impatiens balsamina L. is a tropical ornamental and traditional medicinal herb rich in natural compounds, especially 2-methoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (MNQ) which is a bioactive compound with tested anticancer activities. Characterization of key genes involved in the shikimate and 1,4-dihydroxy-2-naphthoate (DHNA) pathways responsible for MNQ biosynthesis and their expression profiles in I. balsamina will facilitate adoption of genetic/metabolic engineering or synthetic biology approaches to further increase production for pre-commercialization. In this study, HPLC analysis showed that MNQ was present in significantly higher quantities in the capsule pericarps throughout three developmental stages (early-, mature- and postbreaker stages) whilst its immediate precursor, 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (lawsone) was mainly detected in mature leaves. Transcriptomes of I. balsamina derived from leaf, flower, and three capsule developmental stages were generated, totalling 59.643 Gb of raw reads that were assembled into 94,659 unigenes (595,828 transcripts). A total of 73.96% of unigenes were functionally annotated against seven public databases and 50,786 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified. Expression profiles of 20 selected genes from four major secondary metabolism pathways were studied and validated using qRT-PCR method. Majority of the DHNA pathway genes were found to be significantly upregulated in early stage capsule compared to flower and leaf, suggesting tissue-specific synthesis of MNQ. Correlation analysis identified 11 candidate unigenes related to three enzymes (NADH-quinone oxidoreductase, UDP-glycosyltransferases and S-adenosylmethionine-dependent O-methyltransferase) important in the final steps of MNQ biosynthesis based on genes expression profiles consistent with MNQ content. This study provides the first molecular insight into the dynamics of MNQ biosynthesis and accumulation across different tissues of I. balsamina and serves as a valuable resource to facilitate further manipulation to increase production of MNQ.
    Matched MeSH terms: Naphthoquinones/metabolism*; Plants, Medicinal/metabolism; Plant Leaves/metabolism; Impatiens/metabolism; Flowers/metabolism
  16. Fathy SA, Mohamed MR, Emam MA, Mohamed SS, Ghareeb DA, Elgohary SA, et al.
    Trop Biomed, 2019 Dec 01;36(4):972-986.
    PMID: 33597467
    Candida is the most frequent common causes of invasive fungal infections and associated with high morbidity and mortality. Most of available antifungal agents have side effects. This opened up new avenues to investigate the antifungal efficacy of active extracts from marine algae. So the aim of this study was to evaluate the protective and the curative effect of Ulva fasciata extract against an invasive candidiasis in mice and to study its underlying mechanism. The active ingredients of Ulva fasciata extract were evaluated using HPLC and GC/MS. Fifty mice were included in current work, and the level of inflammatory markers; Interleukin (IL)-4, IL-12, Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) were determined using ELISA kits. Hematological, biochemical and oxidative stress parameters were determined using commercial kits. Moreover, the histopathological examinations were carried on liver, kidney and spleen for all groups. The results obtained showed that treatment with U. fasciata either before or after Candida infection significantly improved the hematological, biochemical alterations and antioxidant status caused by this infection. Furthermore, the U. fasciata reduced histopathological changes induced by Candida as well as it could increase the expression of IL-12 and IFN-γ while minimized the expression of TNF-α and IL-4 in all infected mice compared to infected untreated mice. These data propose that U. fasciata can ameliorate inflammatory reactions related to Candida albicans cytotoxicity via its ability to augment cellular antioxidant defenses by its active compounds.
    Matched MeSH terms: Antioxidants/metabolism; Interferon-gamma/metabolism; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism; Interleukin-4/metabolism; Interleukin-12/metabolism
  17. Kabir TD, Leigh RJ, Tasena H, Mellone M, Coletta RD, Parkinson EK, et al.
    Aging (Albany NY), 2016 08;8(8):1608-35.
    PMID: 27385366 DOI: 10.18632/aging.100987
    Senescent cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF) develop a senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) that is believed to contribute to cancer progression. The mechanisms underlying SASP development are, however, poorly understood. Here we examined the functional role of microRNA in the development of the SASP in normal fibroblasts and CAF. We identified a microRNA, miR-335, up-regulated in the senescent normal fibroblasts and CAF and able to modulate the secretion of SASP factors and induce cancer cell motility in co-cultures, at least in part by suppressing the expression of phosphatase and tensin homologue (PTEN). Additionally, elevated levels of cyclo-oxygenase 2 (PTGS2; COX-2) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) secretion were observed in senescent fibroblasts, and inhibition of COX-2 by celecoxib reduced the expression of miR-335, restored PTEN expression and decreased the pro-tumourigenic effects of the SASP. Collectively these data demonstrate the existence of a novel miRNA/PTEN-regulated pathway modulating the inflammasome in senescent fibroblasts.
    Matched MeSH terms: Dinoprostone/metabolism; MicroRNAs/metabolism*; PTEN Phosphohydrolase/metabolism*; Cyclooxygenase 2/metabolism*; Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts/metabolism*
  18. Garba L, Ali MS, Oslan SN, Rahman RN
    Mol Biotechnol, 2016 Nov;58(11):718-728.
    PMID: 27629791
    Fatty acid desaturase enzymes are capable of inserting double bonds between carbon atoms of saturated fatty acyl-chains to produce unsaturated fatty acids. A gene coding for a putative Δ9-fatty acid desaturase-like protein was isolated from a cold-tolerant Pseudomonas sp. A8, cloned and heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli. The gene named as PA8FAD9 has an open reading frame of 1185 bp and codes for 394 amino acids with a predicted molecular weight of 45 kDa. The enzyme showed high Δ9-fatty acid desaturase-like protein activity and increased overall levels of cellular unsaturated fatty acids in the recombinant E. coli cells upon expression at different temperatures. The results showed that the ratio of palmitoleic to palmitic acid in the recombinant E. coli cells increased by more than twice the amount observed in the control cells at 20 °C using 0.4 mM IPTG. GCMS analysis confirmed the ability of this enzyme to convert exogenous stearic acid to oleic acid incorporated into the recombinant E. coli membrane phospholipids. It may be concluded that the PA8FAD9 gene from Pseudomonas sp. A8 codes for a putative Δ9-fatty acid desaturase protein actively expressed in E. coli under the influence of temperature and an inducer.
    Matched MeSH terms: Bacterial Proteins/metabolism; Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated/metabolism; Stearic Acids/metabolism*; Palmitic Acid/metabolism; Fatty Acid Desaturases/metabolism*
  19. Mellone M, Hanley CJ, Thirdborough S, Mellows T, Garcia E, Woo J, et al.
    Aging (Albany NY), 2016 12 15;9(1):114-132.
    PMID: 27992856 DOI: 10.18632/aging.101127
    Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF) remain a poorly characterized, heterogeneous cell population. Here we characterized two previously described tumor-promoting CAF sub-types, smooth muscle actin (SMA)-positive myofibroblasts and senescent fibroblasts, identifying a novel link between the two. Analysis of CAF cultured ex vivo, showed that senescent CAF are predominantly SMA-positive; this was confirmed by immunochemistry in head & neck (HNSCC) and esophageal (EAC) cancers. In vitro, we found that fibroblasts induced to senesce develop molecular, ultrastructural and contractile features typical of myofibroblasts and this is dependent on canonical TGF-β signaling. Similar to TGF-β1-generated myofibroblasts, these cells secrete soluble factors that promote tumor cell motility. However, RNA-sequencing revealed significant transcriptomic differences between the two SMA-positive CAF groups, particularly in genes associated with extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition and organization, which differentially promote tumor cell invasion. Notably, second harmonic generation imaging and bioinformatic analysis of SMA-positive human HNSCC and EAC showed that collagen fiber organization correlates with poor prognosis, indicating that heterogeneity within the SMA-positive CAF population differentially impacts on survival. These results show that non-fibrogenic, SMA-positive myofibroblasts can be directly generated through induction of fibroblast senescence and suggest that senescence and myofibroblast differentiation are closely linked processes.
    Matched MeSH terms: Extracellular Matrix/metabolism; Fibroblasts/metabolism; Neoplasms/metabolism; Transforming Growth Factor beta1/metabolism; Myofibroblasts/metabolism
  20. Mirshekari A, Madani B, Golding JB
    J Sci Food Agric, 2017 Aug;97(11):3706-3711.
    PMID: 28111769 DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.8231
    BACKGROUND: The marketability of fresh-cut banana slices is limited by the rapid rate of fruit softening and browning. However, there is no scientific literature available about the role of postharvest calcium propionate and chitosan treatment on the quality attributes of fresh-cut banana. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate these effects.

    RESULTS: The application of calcium propionate plus chitosan (CaP+Chit) retained higher firmness, higher ascorbic acid content, higher total antioxidant activity and higher total phenolic compounds, along with lower browning, lower polyphenol oxidase, lower peroxidase, lower polygalacturonase and lower pectin methyl esterase activities and microbial growth, compared to control banana slices after 5 days of cold storage.

    CONCLUSION: The results of the present study show that CaP+Chit could be used to slow the loss of quality at the same time as maintaining quality and inhibiting microbial loads. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

    Matched MeSH terms: Antioxidants/metabolism; Ascorbic Acid/metabolism; Fruit/metabolism; Phenols/metabolism; Musa/metabolism
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