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Food has three main properties: nutritional, sensory, and health-related functions. Nutrients, which provide components of the body and energy to maintain basic life activity, are very important. At present and in the future, the sensory function of food, especially its effects on health, will be given increasing attention. Moreover, miRNAs, small noncoding single-stranded RNA molecules first identified in 1993, play essential roles in post-transcriptional regulation. This review summarizes the regulation of the biological function of nutrients, including carbohydrates, protein, fat, vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber. We further elucidated the effects of nutrients on modulating the physiological function of the body via altering miRNA profiles. Increasing evidence has revealed that dietary nutritional regulation plays an important role in embryonic development, postnatal growth and development, and senescence. Deficiency or excess of certain nutrients is closely correlated with disease occurrence and development. Current studies have indicated that nutrient treatments exert variable biological effects by modulating miRNA expression. In summary, nutrient-regulated miRNAs might be novel mediators of nutrient-modulating biological functions and play irreplaceable roles in regulating physiological functions, suggesting a new approach for revealing the molecular mechanism of nutritional regulation. [Display omitted] • Nutrients exert crucial roles in regulating physiological functions. • Nutrients including carbohydrate, protein, fat, vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber alter miRNA profile. • miRNA is the novel mediator of nutrients modulating biological functions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The geographical origin and radiation of holarctica -type tularemia, which has spread across the northern hemisphere, is open to scientific debate. Here, through phylogenetics, we show that five Tibetan Francisella tularensis isolates subsp. holarctica cluster between basal-positioned Japanese isolates and all other subspecies strains in the world, providing evidence for a previously unknown intermediate lineage next to the Japanese isolates. Importantly, identification of this new intermediate lineage complements current knowledge of tularemia epidemiology, supporting a geographical origin and radiation of the subsp. holarctica in Asia. In addition, thirteen Tibetan isolates belonging to a clade previously found only in North America and Scandinavia, further increases the diversity of holarctica strains in Asia. In summary, this study provides evidence for an Asian origin and radiation of holarctica -type tularemia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the Chinese herb Gnetum cleistostachyum has been used as a remedy for cancers for hundred years, the active compounds and molecular mechanisms underlying its anti-cancer activity have not been explored. Recently a new derivative of stilbene compound, isorhapontigenin (ISO), was isolated from this Chinese herb. In the present study, we examined the potential of ISO in anti-cancer activity and the mechanisms involved in human cancer cell lines. We found that ISO exhibited significant inhibitory effects on human bladder cancer cell growth that was accompanied by marked apoptotic induction as well as down-regulation of the X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP). Further studies have shown that ISO down-regulation of XIAP protein expression was only observed in endogenous XIAP, but not in constitutionally exogenously expressed XIAP in the same cells, excluding the possibility of ISO regulating XIAP expression at the level of protein degradation. We also identified that ISO down-regulated XIAP gene transcription via inhibition of Sp1 transactivation. There was no significant effect of ISO on apoptosis and colony formation of cells transfected with exogenous HA-tagged XIAP. Collectively, current studies, for the first time to the best of our knowledge, identify ISO as a major active compound for the anti-cancer activity of G. cleistostachyum by down-regulation of XIAP expression and induction of apoptosis through specific targeting of a SP1 pathway, and cast new light on the treatment of the cancer patients with XIAP overexpression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A new two-dimensional, time-dependent and fully nonlinear model is developed to numerically simulate plane wave motions for internal gravity waves in a non-isothermal and windy atmosphere that accounts for the dissipation due to eddy and molecular processes. The atmosphere has been treated as a well mixed total gas with a constant mean molecular weight. The effects of Rayleigh friction and Newtonian cooling are applied near the upper boundary of the model to simulate the radiation conditions as well as to act as a sponge layer; lateral boundaries are periodic over a horizontal wavelength to simulate a horizontally infinite domain. The thermal excitation to initiate upward propagating waves is spatially localized in the troposphere and is a Gaussian function of time. A time-splitting technique is applied to the finite difference equations that are derived from the Navier–Stokes equations. The time integration for these highly coupled equations is performed using an explicit second order Lax–Wendroff scheme and an implicit Newton–Raphson scheme. The wave solutions derived from the model are found to be broadly agreeable with those derived from a Wentzel–Kramers–Brillouin theory. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

[Display omitted] • Yueju antidepressant is significantly superior in clinical efficiency and reduction of HAMD scores to conventional antidepressants alone. • Yueju antidepressant ameliorated SCL-90 scores and showed slight adverse reactions that could relatively safer than SSRIs. • Genipin, tetramethylpyrazine and ferulic acid may be the pivotal pharmacological ingredients of Yueju antidepressant. An increasing number of studies have reported that some Complementary and Alternative Medicines (CAM) such as the Chinese formula Yueju antidepressant can help patients suffering from primary depression. Several clinical studies have reported the clinical efficiency of Yueju antidepressant, with fewer reported side effects than commonly used pharmaceuticals, indicating a more effective and user-friendly medication for patients with depression. To review the available literature and systematically investigate the clinical evidence of Yueju antidepressant for the treatment of primary depression. This study was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO), number CRD42017078860. PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library; and the Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Vip information database, Wanfang data and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (SINOMED), with no language restrictions, were searched from commencement of the study to September 2017. Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) with patients suffering from primary depression, who were given Yueju antidepressant alone or Yueju combined with a selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor (SSRI) were compared with the results from patients who were only given an SSRI. The studies were independently reviewed by two reviewers and then analyzed by Cochrane Revman 5.3 software. The outcomes included clinical efficiency, Hamilton Depression scale (HAMD) score, Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS) scores, Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90) scores, 5-Hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) concentrations, and occurrence of adverse reactions. A total of 12 RCT studies, including 770 patients, were identified. Compared with conventional antidepressants, Yueju antidepressant exhibited an increase in clinical efficiency (RR = 1.09, 95 % CI: 1.02 to 1.17, P = 0.01) and an obvious reduction in HAMD scores after several weeks of treatment (4 weeks: MD = –1.25, 95 % CI: –1.90 to –0.59, P = 0.0002; 6 weeks: MD = –1.31, 95 % CI: –2.49 to –0.14, P = 0.03; 8 weeks: MD = –1.42, 95 % CI: –2.61 to –0.24, P = 0.02), and in SCL-90 scores (MD = –0.85, 95 % CI: –1.24 to –0.45, P <0.0001), but SDS scores and 5-HT concentrations showed no difference. Fewer side effects and no serious events were reported according to these inclusive studies. The present review suggests that Yueju antidepressant, or Yueju combined with conventional antidepressants, is significantly superior in clinical efficiency, reduction of HAMD scores from the fourth week, amelioration of SCL-90 scores, and decrease of adverse events compared to conventional antidepressants alone. More precisely designed, randomized controlled trials with larger samples are required before Yueju antidepressant can be recommended to treat patients with primary depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the Xinjiang region of China, transmission tower coatings undergo consistent wear from wind gravel flow (WGF), which jeopardizes their durability. This study assesses the effect of wind speed, attack angle, and gravel size on the durability and wear patterns of graphite/epoxy coatings by experiment and simulation. The results show that these coatings exhibit characteristics that bridge the gap between elasticity and plasticity, and larger gravel particles cause more damage than their smaller counterparts. From our experiments, a graphite/epoxy coatings abrasion model was formulated. Additionally, numerical simulations provided insights into the pressure variations on the abrasion surface and the dynamics of the neighboring flow field. This study provides guidance for the protection of electrical systems in the Gobi's windy areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • In situ stability analysis of blueberry anthocyanins (BAs) by Raman spectroscopy. • Multivariate analysis explained BA degradation in aqueous solutions in bottles. • High temperature, high pH, and ultraviolet irradiation caused BA degradation. • Multi-factor perturbations exacerbated BA degradation. Blueberry anthocyanin (BA) is a functional ingredient to enhance the biological activity of food, and the stability of BA is of great interest. BA stability in aqueous solutions stored in polypropylene and glass bottles was analyzed in-situ using confocal Raman spectroscopy, and the acceptable depth of focus was optimized. The Raman characteristics of BA degradation were explained by multivariate analysis. The degradation rate of BA was significantly accelerated by heating above 65 °C for 2 h or ultraviolet irradiation (10 W) for 96 h. The first order kinetic reaction rate was accelerated with the increase of pH value and temperature and the prolongation of ultraviolet irradiation time. The synergistic effect of multiple factors promoted BA degradation. This study provides an in-situ, nondestructive method for the analysis of anthocyanin stability, which has great utility in the food industry to optimize processing, storage, and transportation measures to reduce the degradation of BA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Influenza A virus (IAV) is a deadly zoonotic pathogen that remains a burden to global health systems despite continuous vaccinations, indicating the need for an improved vaccine strategy. In this work, we constructed a new recombinant influenza vaccine using Bacillus subtilis spores expressing M2e-FP protein (RSM2eFP) and assessed its potency and efficacy in BALB/c mouse immunized via aerosolized intratracheal inoculation (i.t.) or intragastric (i.g.) administration. Immunization via i.t. route conferred 100 % protection against 20 × LD 50 A/PR/8/34 (H1N1) virus compared with only 50 % via the i.g. route. Even when challenged with 40 × LD 50 virus, the RSM2eFP vaccine immunized via i.t. provided 80 % protection. Consistently, i.t. inoculation of RSM2eFP spore vaccine induced a stronger lung mucosal immune response and a greater cellular immune response than i.g. administration, as indicated by the high production of IgG and SIgA. In addition, the RSM2eFP spore vaccine diminished the yield of infectious virus in the lung of mice immunized via i.t. These results suggest that i.t. immunization of the RSM2eFP spore vaccine may be a promising strategy for the development of mucosal vaccines against IAV infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The WW and C2 domain containing (WWC) protein family functions as scaffolds regulating cell proliferation and organ growth control through the Hippo signaling pathway. However, their pan-cancer dysregulation and mechanistic roles in signaling transduction have remained unclear. We performed integrated pan-cancer analyses of WWC family gene expression using data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) across 33 different cancer types. Prognostic relevance was evaluated by survival analyses. WWC genetic alterations, DNA methylation, pathway activities, drug response, and tumor immunology were analyzed using online databases. Furthermore, we examined the functional roles of WWCs in lung cancer cells. We observed aberrant WWC expression in various cancers, which associated with patient prognosis. WWC hypermethylation occurred in many cancers and exhibited negative correlation with expression, alongside mutations linked to poor outcomes. Pathway analysis implicated WWCs as Hippo pathway scaffolds, while drug sensitivity analysis suggested associations with diverse chemotherapies. Additionally, pan-cancer analyses elucidated vital immunomodulatory roles for WWC through heterogeneous correlations with immune cell infiltrates, checkpoint molecules, tumor mutation burden, microsatellite instability, and chemokine pathways across cancers. Experimentally, WWCs suppressed lung cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion while enhancing apoptosis and paclitaxel chemosensitivity. Mechanistically, WWCs bound large tumor suppressor 1 and 2 (LATS1/2) kinases to stimulate phosphorylation cascades, thereby inhibiting nuclear translocation of the Yes-associated protein (YAP) oncoprotein. Taken together, our multi-omics characterization provides comprehensive evidence for WWCs as putative tumor suppressors across cancers via Hippo pathway modulation. WWCs may serve as prognostic markers and therapeutic targets in lung cancer. • WWC genes exhibit abnormal expression patterns across cancers and correlate with prognosis. • WWC mutations link to poor prognosis; WWC methylation elevated and negatively correlates with WWC expression. • WWC overexpression in lung cancer reduces proliferation, migration, invasion, and promotes chemotherapy drug sensitivity. • WWC genes bind LATS1/2 kinases to stimulate phosphorylation cascades, inhibiting YAP oncoprotein nuclear translocation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Uterine leiomyoma (UM) is the most common benign gynecological tumor and the leading indication for hysterectomy. Our study explored the roles of TRIM9 in leiomyoma formation and investigated the underlying molecular mechanisms. The relationship between TRIM9 expression and fibroids formation was deciphered from the GEO database after bioinformatics analysis and identified by qPCR in human leiomyoma tissues. Both TRIM9 mRNA and protein expression were further detected in primary cultured uterine leiomyoma cells (UMC). The tumorigenesis potentials of TRIM9 in cell proliferation, cell cycle, cell apoptosis; cyclin D1, survivin and cleaved-caspase 3 protein expressions in primary UMC with TRIM9 overexpression (UMC-oeTRIM9); and uterine smooth muscle cells (SMC) with TRIM9 knockdown (SMC-siTRIM9) were evaluated in vitro. NF-κB p65 and its phosphorylation were further examined by western blotting, and rescue experiments on cell proliferation, cell cycle and cell apoptosis were conducted. TRIM9 showed higher expression in UM tissue and UMC compared with normal myometrium. The overexpression of TRIM9 in UMC notably promoted UM growth via enhancement of cell proliferation, reduction of cell apoptosis, and regulation of cyclin D1, survivin, cleaved-caspase 3, and nuclear NF-κB expression, which were reversed in SMC-siTRIM9 and PDTC (an NF-κB inhibitor) intervention in UMC-oeTRIM9. To our knowledge, this was the first study demonstrating the roles of TRIM9 in cell growth progression of UM development. TRIM9 may be a potential therapeutic target for UM, by promoting leiomyoma cell proliferation and reducing cell apoptosis via activation of the NF-κB pathway. • Human uterine leiomyoma tissue has high TRIM9 compared with adjacent tissues. • TRIM9 overexpression promotes cell growth and reduces apoptotic protein expression. • NF-κB inhibition reverses the effects of TRIM9 overexpression. • The TRIM9/NF-κB axis may be a potential therapeutic target for uterine leiomyoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human Q fever is recognized as a worldwide public health problem. It often occurs by inhalation of airborne aerosols contaminated with Coxiella burnetii , a gram-negative intracellular bacterium, mainly from domestic livestock. In this study, we analyzed the possibility to establish mucosal and systemic immunity against C. burnetii infection using a pulmonary delivery of chloroform-methanol residue of C. burnetii (CMR) vaccine. Mice were immunized by the intratracheal inoculation of CMR (IT-CMR) or the subcutaneous injection of CMR (SC-CMR), and the immunized mice were challenged with C. burnetii by the intratracheal route. The levels of IFN-γ, IL-12p70, IL-5, and IL-4 in the IT-CMR group in splenic T cells stimulated ex vivo were significantly higher than in the SC-CMR group. Significantly elevated sIgA to C. burnetii was detected in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of mice immunized by IT-CMR but not by SC-CMR, which might have contributed to the significant reduction in C. burnetii load and pathological lesions in the lungs of the mice after the challenge of C. burnetii. These results suggest that compared with SC-CMR in mice, IT-CMR was more efficient to elicit cellular and lung mucosal immune responses against aerosol infection of C. burnetii. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Catalytic wet peroxide oxidation (CWPO) enhanced by swirl flow (SF-CWPO) was developed for the first time to explore the degradation of m-cresol in 3%iron/activated carbon catalysed Fenton reaction. Under the conditions of catalyst dosage of 0.6 g/L, H 2 O 2 dosage of 1.5 mL/L, pH = 6 and reaction time of 20 min, the degradation rate of m-cresol and total organic carbon in 100 mg/L m-cresol solution reaches 81.5% and 82%, respectively. The reaction speed in the SF-CWPO system with an independently designed cyclone reactor was two times faster than the traditional CWPO systems. In addition, via liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of the degradation product, the possible degradation pathway for m-cresol was proposed. The proposed SF-CWPO can potentially be an efficient and economical method to treat organic pollutants in wastewaters. [Display omitted] • Swirl flow were introduced into catalytic wet peroxide oxidation system to improve the catalytic performance. • The SF-CWPO reactor was designed independently and can be scaled up step by step. • Centrifugal force and interfacial turbulence in SF-CWPO can improve reaction efficiency and reduce catalyst loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vitamin B 6 (VB 6 ) comprises six interconvertible pyridine compounds (vitamers), among which pyridoxal 5′-phosphate (PLP) is a coenzyme involved in a high diversity of biochemical reactions. In plants, PLP is de novo synthesized, and pyridoxine (PN) is usually maintained as the predominant B 6 vitamer. Although the conversion from pyridoxal (PL) to PN catalyzed by PL reductase in plants has been confirmed, the enzyme itself remains largely unknown. We previously found pre-incubation at 35 °C dramatically enhanced PL reductase activity in tobacco leaf homogenate. In this study, we demonstrated that the increase in the reductase activity was a consequence of phyllosphere microbial proliferation. VB 6 was detected from tobacco phyllosphere, and PL level was the highest among three non-phosphorylated B 6 vitamers. When the sterile tobacco rich in PL were kept in an open, warm and humid environment to promote microorganism proliferation, a significant change from PL to PN was observed. Our results suggest that there may be a plant–microbe interaction in the conversion from PL to PN within tobacco phyllosphere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]