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Structural variants of α-galactosylceramide (α-GalCer) that stimulate invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells constitute an emerging class of immunomodulatory agents in development for numerous biological applications. Variations in lipid chain length and/or fatty acids in these glycoceramides selectively trigger specific pro-inflammatory responses. Studies that would link a specific function to a structurally distinct α-GalCer rely heavily on the availability of homogeneous and pure materials. To address this need, we report herein a general route to the diversification of the ceramide portion of α-GalCer glycolipids. Our convergent synthesis commences from common building blocks and relies on the Julia-Kocienski olefination as a key step. A cleavable fluorous tag is introduced at the non-reducing end of the sugar that facilitates quick purification of products by standard fluorous solid-phase extraction. The strategy enabled the rapid generation of a focused library of 61 α-GalCer analogs by efficiently assembling various lipids and fatty acids. Furthermore, when compared against parent α-GalCer in murine cells, many of these glycolipid variants were found to have iNKT cell stimulating activity similar to or greater than KRN7000. ELISA assaying indicated that glycolipids carrying short fatty N-acyl chains (1fc and 1ga), an unsubstituted (1fh and 1fi) or CF3-substituted phenyl ring at the lipid tail, and a flexible, shorter fatty acyl chain with an aromatic ring (1ge, 1gf, and 1gg) strongly affected the activation of iNKT cells by the glycolipid-loaded antigen-presenting molecule, CD1d. This indicates that the method may benefit the design of structural modifications to potent iNKT cell-binding glycolipids.

Background: MiR-484, implicated in various carcinomas, holds promise as a prognostic marker, yet its relevance to cervical cancer (CC) remains unclear. Our prior study demonstrated the Polyalthia longifolia downregulation of miR-484, inhibiting HeLa cells. This study investigates miR-484's potential as a biomarker and therapeutic target in CC through integrated bioinformatics and an in vitro analysis. Methods: MiR-484 levels were analyzed across cancers, including CC, from The Cancer Genome Atlas. The limma R package identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between high- and low-miR-484 CC cohorts. We assessed biological functions, tumor microenvironment (TME), immunotherapy, stemness, hypoxia, RNA methylation, and chemosensitivity differences. Prognostic genes relevant to miR-484 were identified through Cox regression and Kaplan–Meier analyses, and a prognostic model was captured via multivariate Cox regression. Single-cell RNA sequencing determined cell populations related to prognostic genes. qRT-PCR validated key genes, and the miR-484 effect on CC proliferation was assessed via an MTT assay. Results: MiR-484 was upregulated in most tumors, including CC, with DEGs enriched in skin development, PI3K signaling, and immune processes. High miR-484 expression correlated with specific immune cell infiltration, hypoxia, and drug sensitivity. Prognostic genes identified were predominantly epidermal and stratified patients with CC into risk groups, with the low-risk group showing enhanced survival and immunotherapeutic responses. qRT-PCR confirmed FGFR3 upregulation in CC cells, and an miR-484 mimic reversed the P. longifolia inhibitory effect on HeLa proliferation. Conclusion: MiR-484 plays a crucial role in the CC progression and prognosis, suggesting its potential as a biomarker for targeted therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the CoZrTaB thin films are fabricated using sputtering on different substrates and characterized comprehensively. The CoZrTaB thin films have been fabricated in the single-layer and multi-layer structures with SiO2 as the insulator layer, of which the vibrating sample magnetometer results suggest that the saturation field and the coercivity change of the multi-layer structure can be minimized while the lamination structure can suppress the eddy current at high working frequency. Compared with the continuously sputtered 400 nm CoZrTaB thin film, the multi-layer thin film shows a hysteresis loop with a single domain and small coercivity. The surface roughness of each CoZrTaB thin film and two kinds of polyimide substrates is extracted by the atomic force microscope instrument. Besides, material characterization such as X-ray powder diffraction and Rutherford backscattering spectrometry have been conducted to acquire the information of phase and element ratio of the CoZrTaB thin film. Also, the different process conditions that could affect the magnetic properties are investigated and verified. A comparison is made with the previously reported results, sustaining the improvement of the CoZrTaB thin film on different substrates.

The potential genotoxic effects of methanolic extracts of Euphorbia hirta which is commonly used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of diseased conditions including asthma, coughs, diarrhea and dysentery was investigated using Allium cepa assay. The extracts of 125, 250, 500 and 1,000 µg/mL were tested on root meristems of A. cepa. Ethylmethanesulfonate was used as positive control and distilled water was used as negative control. The result showed that mitotic index decreased as the concentrations of E. hirta extract increased. A dose-dependent increase of chromosome aberrations was also observed. Abnormalities scored were stickiness, c-mitosis, bridges and vagrant chromosomes. Micronucleated cells were also observed at interphase. Result of this study confirmed that the methanol extracts of E. hirta exerted significant genotoxic and mitodepressive effects at 1,000 µg/mL.

Quality control standardizations of the various medicinal plants used in traditional medicine is becoming more important today in view of the commercialization of formulations based on these plants. An attempt at standardization of Cassia spectabilis leaf has been carried out with respect to authenticity, assay and chemical constituent analysis. The authentication involved many parameters, including gross morphology, microscopy of the leaves and functional group analysis by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The assay part of standardization involved determination of the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the extract which could help assess the chemical effects and establish curative values. The MIC of the C. spectabilis leaf extracts was investigated using the Broth Dilution Method. The extracts showed a MIC value of 6.25 mg/mL, independent of the extraction time. The chemical constituent aspect of standardization involves quantification of the main chemical components in C. spectabilis. The GCMS method used for quantification of 2,4-(1H,3H)-pyrimidinedione in the extract was rapid, accurate, precise, linear (R2 = 0.8685), rugged and robust. Hence this method was suitable for quantification of this component in C. spectabilis. The standardization of C. spectabilis is needed to facilitate marketing of medicinal plants, with a view to promoting the export of valuable Malaysian Traditional Medicinal plants such as C. spectabilis.

Abstract Background The emergence of Plasmodium knowlesi in humans, which is in many cases misdiagnosed by microscopy as Plasmodium malariae due to the morphological similarity has contributed to the needs of detection and differentiation of malaria parasites. At present, nested PCR targeted on Plasmodium ssrRNA genes has been described as the most sensitive and specific method for Plasmodium detection. However, this method is costly and requires trained personnel for its implementation. Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), a novel nucleic acid amplification method was developed for the clinical detection of P. knowlesi. The sensitivity and specificity of LAMP was evaluated in comparison to the results obtained via microscopic examination and nested PCR. Methods LAMP assay was developed based on P. knowlesi genetic material targeting the apical membrane antigen-1 (AMA-1) gene. The method uses six primers that recognize eight regions of the target DNA and it amplifies DNA within an hour under isothermal conditions (65°C) in a water-bath. Results LAMP is highly sensitive with the detection limit as low as ten copies for AMA-1. LAMP detected malaria parasites in all confirm cases (n = 13) of P. knowlesi infection (sensitivity, 100%) and none of the negative samples (specificity, 100%) within an hour. LAMP demonstrated higher sensitivity compared to nested PCR by successfully detecting a sample with very low parasitaemia (< 0.01%). Conclusion With continuous efforts in the optimization of this assay, LAMP may provide a simple and reliable test for detecting P. knowlesi malaria parasites in areas where malaria is prevalent.

Abstract Background The general enhanced expression of α1-antichymotrypsin (ACT), clusterin (CLU), α1-antitrypsin (AAT), haptoglobin β-chain (HAP), and leucine rich glycoprotein (LRG) in the sera of patients with epithelial ovarian carcinoma (EOCa) was recently reported. In the present study, we compared the expression of the serum acute-phase proteins (APPs) in the patients according to their stages of cancer. Results Different altered stage correlative expression of the high abundance serum APPs was demonstrated in sera of the patients studied. While the expression of ACT, HAP and AAT appeared to demonstrate positive correlation with the three initial stages of the cancer, inverse correlation was apparently detected in the expression of LRG and CLU. For patients who were diagnosed with stage IV of the cancer, expression of the serum APPs did not conform to the altered progression changes. Conclusion Our results highlight the potential prognostic significance of selective high abundance serum APPs in patients with EOCa.

Abstract Background Acute-phase response involves the simultaneous altered expression of serum proteins in association to inflammation, infection, injury or malignancy. Studies of the acute-phase response usually involve determination of the levels of individual acute-phase serum proteins. In the present study, the acute-phase response of patients with epithelial (EOCa) and germ-line (GOCa) ovarian carcinoma was investigated using the gel-based proteomic approach, a technique which allowed the simultaneous assessment of the levels of the acute-phase serum high abundance proteins. Data obtained were validated using ELISA and immunostaining of biopsy samples. Results Enhanced expression of clusterin (CLU), α1-antitrypsin, haptoglobin and leucine rich glycoprotein was detected in all patients. However, the levels of α1-antichymotrypsin (ACT) was only enhanced in EOCa patients, while patients with GOCa were typically characterized by elevated levels of ceruloplasmin but lower levels of α2-HS glycoprotein. The enhanced expression of CLU in EOCa and GOCa patients and up-regulated expression of ACT specifically in EOCa patients were confirmed by ELISA. Immunohistochemical staining of biopsy samples of EOCa and GOCa patients demonstrated correlation of the acute-phase protein expression. Conclusion Patients with EOCa and GOCa demonstrated distinctive aberrant expression of serum and tissue high abundance acute-phase proteins compared to negative control women.

Tea, a culturally significant beverage, originated around 2700 B.C. in ancient Chinese civilization, with a profound understanding of its therapeutic properties. Herbal medicines from diverse plant sources have been esteemed for their phytochemical content. Today, tea's appeal spans the globe, with various processing techniques creating distinct tea varieties. This review article comprehensively explores tea and herbal teas, encompassing their origins, types, trade history, health benefits, chemical composition, and market and future dynamics. This review examines tea's evolution from ancient China to its global significance and analyzes the impact of tea trade routes on cultural exchanges and trade dynamics. The review covers conventional teas (black, green, and oolong), blended teas, and herbal teas. It primarily focuses on herbal beverages' chemical composition and active components derived from diverse plants and botanicals, highlighting their traditional uses and health‐promoting applications. The review provides valuable insights into the dynamic herbal tea market, growth, consumer preferences, industry trends, and future aspects of the herbal beverage. Additionally, it explores the proper classification and preparation of herbal drinks for maximum benefits, shedding light on tea manufacturing and preparation processes. This review is a valuable resource for tea enthusiasts, health‐conscious individuals, and industry stakeholders, offering profound insights into teas and their multifaceted allure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]