To enhance the specific activity and catalytic efficiency (
k
cat
/
K
m
) of an NADH-dependent
Lp
PPR, its directed modification was performed based on the computer-aided design using molecular ...docking simulation and multiple sequence alignment. Firstly, five single-site variants of an
Lp
PPR-encoding gene (
lpppr
) were amplified and expressed in
E. coli
BL21 (DE3). The asymmetric reduction of 20 mM phenylpyruvic acid (PPA) was carried out using 50 mg/mL
E. coli
/
lpppr
R53Q
or /
lpppr
A79V
whole wet cells at 37 °C for 20 min, giving
d
-phenyllactic acid (PLA) with 41.1 or 44.3% yield, being 1.17- or 1.26-fold that by
E. coli
/
lpppr
. Secondly, double-site variants were obtained by saturation mutagenesis of Ala79 in
Lp
PPR
R53Q
. Among all tested
E. coli
transformants,
E. coli
/
lpppr
R53Q/A79V
exhibited the highest
d
-PLA yield of 85.3%. The specific activity and
k
cat
/
K
m
of the purified
Lp
PPR
R53Q/A79V
increased to 67.5 U/mg and 169.8 mM
−1
s
−1
, which were 3.0- and 13.2-fold those of
Lp
PPR, respectively. Finally, the catalytic mechanism analysis of
Lp
PPR
R53Q/A79V
by molecular docking simulation indicated that the replacement of Arg53 in
Lp
PPR with Gln expanded its substrate-binding pocket, while that Ala79 with Val formed an additional π-sigma interaction with phenyl group of PPA.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disease whose main symptom is a heightened inflammatory response in synovial tissues. To verify the anti-arthritic activities of Achyranthes aspera ...and its possible therapy-related factors on the pathogenesis of RA, the saponins in A. aspera root were isolated and identified to treat the collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) rats. Phytochemical analysis isolated and identified methyl caffeate, 25-S-inokosterone, 25-S-inokosterone β-d-glucopyranosyl 3-(O-β-d-glucopyranosyloxy)-oleanolate, and β-d-glucopyranosyl 3-(O-β-d-galactopyranosyl (1→2)(O-β-d-glucopyranosyloxy)-oleanolate as main compounds in the root of A. aspera. Proteomics was performed to determine the differentially expressed proteins in either inflamed or drug-treated synovium of CIA rats. Treatment resulted in dramatically decreased paw swelling, proliferation of inflammatory cells, and bone degradation. Fibrinogen, procollagen, protein disulfide-isomerase A3, and apolipoprotein A-I were all increased in inflamed synovial tissues and were found to decrease when administered drug therapy. Furthermore, Alpha-1-antiproteinase and manganese superoxide dismutase were both increased in drug-treated synovial tissues. The inhibition of RA progression shows that A. aspera is a promising candidate for future treatment of human arthritis. Importantly, the total saponins found within A. aspera are the active component. Finally, autoantigens such as fibrinogen and collagen could act as inducers of RA due to their aggravation of inflammation. Given this, it is possible that the vimentin and PDIA3 could be the candidate biomarkers specific to Achyranthes saponin therapy for rheumatoid arthritis in synovial membrane.
•Four main compounds in Achyranthes were isolated and structures were identified.•Achyranthes saponin is a potential candidate for rheumatoid arthritis therapy.•Some biomarkers were found associated with RA-induced inflammation.
Lignin and lignin derivatives have a wide range of properties, such as high thermal stability, oxidation resistance, biodegradability, antibacterial activity and adhesion, which enable them to be ...widely used in the production of a variety of functional materials. However, producing biodegradable plastics that are recyclable, water-resistant, and with excellent mechanical strength, remains a significant challenge. Herein, we report a novel strategy to fabricate supramolecular polymers based on polyvinyl alcohol chains grafted with the lignin derivative syringaldehyde and then coordinated with the metal Cu2+. Experimental results reveal that the fabricated plastics are dynamically cross-linked with a high density of hydrogen bonds and hydrogen-bond-cross-linked hydrophobic domains. Notably, the resultant plastics exhibit a soft-hard adjustable capacity and the yield strength is increased from 59.6 MPa to 133.8 MPa after soaking and drying. Moreover, desired antibacterial properties, UV protection and degradability in the soil are demonstrated, providing a sustainable and green pathway for lignin derivatives.
Display omitted
•High-strength bioplastics were fabricated with syringaldehyde and PVA.•The resultant plastics reveal excellent mechanical properties and water resistance.•This lignin-based bioplastic is biodegraded in the soil by natural microorganisms.•The syringaldehyde's inhibitory effect on E. coli is comparable to antibiotics.
The apicomplexan protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii is a widely distributed etiological agent of foodborne illness. This parasite can cause production losses in livestock and serious disease in ...humans through consumption of contaminated meat. Pig meat is the most likely source of human infection, and wild boars may play a role in the transmission of T. gondii by serving as a reservoir host. This study aimed to investigate the seroprevalence of antibodies to T. gondii among farmed wild boars in China. In an 11-month survey, a total of 882 serum samples were obtained from farmed wild boars from three cities (Jilin City, Siping City, and Baishan City) in Jilin province, Northeast China and were tested for antibodies specific for T. gondii. Using modified agglutination test and a cutoff titer of 1:25, the prevalence of T. gondii infection in the examined samples was 10.0% (88 of 882). The highest seroprevalence was observed in animals from Jilin city (15.3%, 43/281) and followed by Siping (11.4%, 30/263) and Baishan (4.4%, 15/338). Logistic regression analysis revealed a significant correlation between the investigated geographic region and T. gondii infection. In addition, prevalence was higher in females compared to males, and the highest prevalence was detected in piglets. These findings indicate that farmed wild boars may become a source of foodborne toxoplasmosis, posing a food safety threat to the public health in the investigated areas. Implementation of effective measures to control T. gondii infection in farmed wild boars in China may be warranted.
Background: During the Omicron variant outbreak of COVID-19 (2022-2023), Chinese healthcare institutions combined traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) with Western medical practices to treat COVID-19 ...patients, especially the elderly. The efficacy and safety of this approach, especially for individuals aged over 85, need further investigation. Methods: In this retrospective study, a cohort of 62 patients aged over 85 years, diagnosed with COVID-19 infection, was examined. Among them, 34 patients were administered Shashen-Maidong decoction in conjunction with Western medicine (SMD+WM group), while the remaining 28 patients received only Western medicine (WM group). Comparative analysis was conducted between the two groups, encompassing parameters such as the duration for the nucleic acid test to turn negative, length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay, mortality rate, utilization of high-flow nasal cannula oxygen (HFNC), occurrence of endo-tracheal intubation, frequency of recurrent respiratory infections within three months, and various laboratory indicators. Results: There were no significant differences observed between the two groups in terms of the duration for the nucleic acid test to turn negative, the length of ICU stay, mortality rate, utilization of HFNC, performance of endo-tracheal intubation, or the frequency of recurrent respiratory infections within three months (P > 0.05). However, in comparison to the WM group, the SMD+WM group exhibited notably lower growth rates in white blood cell (WBC) and neutrophil (NEUT) values. Additionally, the SMD+WM group demonstrated superior improvement in cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) values. Conclusion: In contrast to the administration of Western medicine alone, the combined use of Shashen-Maidong decoction with Western medicine significantly suppresses the increase in WBC count, particularly in NEUT levels, in elderly patients diagnosed with COVID-19. Moreover, this combined treatment exhibits a protective effect on cardiac function and demonstrates a relatively safe profile. Keywords: COVID-19, traditional Chinese medicine, Shashen-Maidong decoction
Quasiparticles, especially the ones near the Josephson junctions in the superconducting qubits, are known as an important source of decoherence. By injecting quasiparticles into a quantum chip, we ...characterized the diffusion feature by measuring the energy relaxation time and the residual excited-state population of a transmon qubit. From the extracted transition rates, we phenomenologically modeled the quasiparticle diffusion in a superconducting circuit that contained “hot” nonequilibrium quasiparticles in addition to low-energy ones.
Two novel coordination polymers based on Zn(II) ions, 1-((1
H
-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)methyl)-3-(4-pyridyl)-5-(3-pyridyl)-1,2,4-triazole (3,4′-tmbpt), and two aromatic polycarboxylate anions, namely ...Zn(3,4′-tmbpt)(
m
-bdc)(H
2
O)·H
2
O (
1
) and Zn
2
(3,4′-tmbpt)(btc)(OH) (
2
) (
m
-H
2
bdc = 1,3-benzenedicarboxylic acid and H
3
btc = 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid), have been synthesized. The structures of
1
and
2
have been characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses, elemental analyses, infrared spectra, powder X-ray diffraction analyses and thermogravimetric analyses. Compound
1
shows a 2D layered structure, which is extended by the hydrogen bonding interactions to form a 3D supramolecular architecture. Compound
2
exhibits a 3D twofold interpenetrating framework with a Schläfli symbol of (6
3
)(6
9
·8). Diffuse reflection spectra of
1
and
2
indicate that the band gaps of
1
and
2
are 3.42 and 3.63 eV, respectively. The results indicate that compounds
1
and
2
may be potential semiconductive materials with wide band gaps. Moreover,
1
and
2
display intense blue-green emission and appear to be potential photoactive materials.
Graphic Abstract
Two new coordination polymers based on a multidentate N-donor ligand, Zn(II) ions, and two aromatic polycarboxylate anions have been synthesized and characterized. The optical band gaps and photoluminescent spectra of the compounds have been investigated.
Minimally invasive lumbar fusion techniques have been developed in recent 20 years. The goals of these procedures are to reduce approach-related soft tissue injury, postoperative pain, and disability ...while allowing the surgery to be conducted in an effective manner. There have been no prospective clinical reports published on the comparison of minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion as revision surgery for patients previously treated by open discectomy and decompression or a traditional open approach. A prospective clinical study was performed by evaluating the clinical and radiographic results of minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion as an alternative new technique in the revision surgery for patients previously treated by open procedure. 52 patients (28 M, 24 F) with an average age of 55.7 (31–76) were prospectively evaluated. All patients who had previous discectomy (
n
= 13), hemilaminectomy (
n
= 16), laminectomy (
n
= 12) and facetectomy (
n
= 11) underwent monosegmental and bisegmental minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MiTLIF) (
n
= 25) or open transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (OTLIF) (
n
= 27) by two experienced surgeons at one hospital, from March 2006 to October 2008 (minimum 12-month follow-up). The following data were compared between the two groups: the clinical and radiographic results, operative time, blood loss, X-ray exposure time, postoperative back pain, and complications. Clinical outcome was assessed using the visual analogue scale and the Oswestry disability index (ODI). The operative time and clinical and radiographic results were basically identical in both groups. Comparing with the OTLIF group, the MiTLIF group had significantly less blood loss and less postoperative back pain at the second day postoperatively. The radiation time was significantly longer in the MiTLIF group. Complications included three cases of small dural tear in the MiTLIF group. There were five cases of dural tear and two cases of superficial wound infection in the OTLIF group. One case of nonunion was observed from each group. Minimally invasive TLIF is a safe and effective procedure for treatment of selected revision patients previously treated by open surgery with some potential advantages. However, this technique needs longer X-ray exposure time.
Node Name Routing in Information-Centric Ad-Hoc Network WEN, Zheng; ZHANG, Di; YU, Keping ...
IEICE Transactions on Fundamentals of Electronics, Communications and Computer Sciences,
01/2017, Letnik:
E100.A, Številka:
2
Journal Article
Recenzirano
We propose the node name routing (NNR) strategy for information-centric ad-hoc networks based on the named-node networking (3N). This strategy is especially valuable for use in disaster areas ...because, when the Internet is out of service during a disaster, our strategy can be used to set up a self-organizing network via cell phones or other terminal devices that have a sharing ability, and it does not rely on a base station (BS) or similar providers. Our proposed strategy can solve the multiple-name problem that has arisen in prior 3N proposals, as well as the dead loop problems in both 3N ad-hoc networks and TCP/IP ad-hoc networks. To evaluate the NNR strategy, it is compared with the optimized link state routing protocol (OLSR) and the dynamic source routing (DSR) strategy. Computer-based comprehensive simulations showed that our NNR proposal exhibits a better performance in this environment when all of the users are moving randomly. We further observed that with a growing number of users, our NNR protocol performs better in terms of packet delivery, routing cost, etc.
Ethanamizuril (EZL) is a novel triazine anticoccidial compound that has high anticoccidial activity in chickens. In order to treat coccidiosis rationally in poultry, a detection method was developed ...for ethanamizuril in broiler plasma, and then the pharmacokinetics studies were performed in broilers after oral administration of different dose levels. Ethanamizuril was administered as single oral doses at low (0.67 mg kg–1BW), medium (1.33 mg kg–1BW) and high (6.67 mg kg–1BW) levels in which the medium dose was that recommended in clinics. Plasma concentrations of ethanamizuril were determined using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography and the data were analyzed with a non-compartmental model. Peak plasma concentrations of ethanamizuril were (2.16±0.57), (3.91±0.71), and (23.71±5.02) mg L–1at (5.17±1.80), (4.60±2.12), and (4.60±2.12) h, respectively. The terminal elimination half-lives (t1/2λz) for ethanamizuril were (10.84±2.59), (10.66±2.47), and (13.34±3.10) h after oral administration at low, medium and high doses, respectively. The areas under the concentration-time curve (AUC0–t) were (37.68±6.87), (73.19±9.18), and (485.76±125.10) mg L–1h with mean residence times (MRT0–t) of (14.79±3.03), (15.57±3.69), and (20.22±4.01) h at the 3 dosages, respectively. Ethanamizuril was absorbed rapidly and eliminated slowly. A comparison across the dose range indicated that the time to reach peak plasma concentration (Tmax) values were similar while peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and AUC0–twere positively correlated with increasing dosages. This study of the pharmacokinetics of an ethanamizuril solution in chickens provides a theoretical basis for the rational use in the clinic.
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