Distribution of glutathione transferases in Gram-positive bacteria and Archaea

Glutathione transferases (GSTs) have been widely studied in Gram-negative bacteria and the structure and function of several representatives have been elucidated. Conversely, limited information is available about the occurrence, classification and functional features of GSTs both in Gram-positive bacteria and in Archaea. An analysis of 305 fully-sequenced Gram-positive genomes highlights the presence of 49 putative GST genes in the genera of both Firmicutes and Actinobacteria phyla. We also performed an analysis on 81 complete genomes of the Archaea domain. Eleven hits were found in the Halobacteriaceae family of the Euryarchaeota phylum and only one in the Crenarchaeota phylum. A comparison of the identified sequences with well-characterized GSTs belonging to both Gram-negative and eukaryotic GSTs sheds light on their putative function and the evolutionary relationships within the large GST superfamily. This analysis suggests that the identified sequences mainly cluster in the new Xi class, while Beta class GSTs, widely distributed in Gram-negative bacteria, are under-represented in Gram-positive bacteria and absent in Archaea.     

Design, synthesis and biological activity of 6-substituted carbamoyl benzimidazoles as new nonpeptidic angiotensin II AT₁ receptor antagonists

A series of 6-substituted carbamoyl benzimidazoles were designed and synthesised as new nonpeptidic angiotensin II AT(1) receptor antagonists. The preliminary pharmacological evaluation revealed a nanomolar AT(1) receptor binding affinity for all compounds in the series, and a potent antagonistic activity in an isolated rabbit aortic strip functional assay for compounds 6f, 6g, 6h and 6k was also demonstrated. Furthermore, evaluation in spontaneous hypertensive rats and a preliminary toxicity evaluation showed that compound 6g is an orally active AT(1) receptor antagonist with low toxicity.     

Turning regenerative technologies into treatment to repair myocardial injuries

Regenerative therapies including stem cell treatments hold promise to allow curing patients affected by severe cardiac muscle diseases. However, the clinical efficacy of stem cell therapy remains elusive, so far. The two key roadblocks that still need to be overcome are the poor cell engraftment into the injured myocardium and the limited knowledge of the ideal mixture of bioactive factors to be locally delivered for restoring heart function. Thus, therapeutic strategies for cardiac repair are directed to increase the retention and functional integration of transplanted cells in the damaged myocardium or to enhance the endogenous repair mechanisms through cell-free therapies. In this context, biomaterial-based technologies and tissue engineering approaches have the potential to dramatically impact cardiac translational medicine. This review intends to offer some consideration on the cell-based and cell-free cardiac therapies, their limitations and the possible future developments.     

Behavioral,Ultrastructural and Chemical Studies on the Honeydew and Waxy Secretions by Nymphs and Adults of the Asian Citrus Psyllid Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Psyllidae)

The Asian citrus psyllid (ACP), Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) is the primary vector of the bacterium causing citrus huanglongbing (citrus greening), the most serious disease of citrus worldwide. Psyllids and other hemipterans produce large amounts of honeydew, which has been used previously as an indicator of phloem sap composition and insect feeding or metabolism. Behavioral, ultrastructural and chemical studies on ACP, its honeydew and waxy secretions showed important differences between nymphs, males and females, and suggested some mechanisms by which the psyllids, especially nymphs and adult females, can minimize their contamination with honeydew excretions. The anal opening in ACP, near the posterior end of the abdomen, is on the ventral side in nymphs and on the dorsal side in adult males and females. Video recordings showed that adult males produce clear sticky droplets of honeydew gently deposited behind their body on the leaf surface, whereas adult females produce whitish honeydew pellets powerfully propelled away from the female body, probably to get their excretions away from eggs and newly hatched nymphs. ACP nymphs produce long ribbons or tubes of honeydew that frequently stay attached to the exuviae after molting, or drop when feeding on the lower side of citrus leaves. Furthermore, honeydew excretions of both nymphs and adult females are covered with a thin layer of whitish waxy material ultrastructurally composed of a convoluted network of long fine filaments or ribbons. This material is extruded from intricate arrays of wax pores in the circumanal ring (around the anus) that is found in nymphs and females but not in males of ACP or other psyllid species. Infrared microscopy and mass spectroscopy revealed that, in addition to various sugars, honeydew excretions of ACP nymphs and females are covered with a thin layer of wax similar in profile to ester waxes.     

一株产酶真菌Phaeophlebiopsis sp.转录组分析

对从药渣中分离的真菌ZYJHYZ254进行鉴定及产酶活性研究,从转录组分析菌株不同生长时期差异表达基因对其生长发育及产酶调控的影响,以筛选高产木质纤维素水解酶真菌,寻找调控关键基因。鉴定ZYJHYZ254为拟暗射脉菌Phaeophlebiopsis sp.,产酶在第5-7天最高。从生长3 d与7 d的菌丝中共检测到1 232个差异基因,以3 d的菌丝为对照,显著上调、下调基因分别有826及406个,基因注释和GO、KEGG功能富集分析结果表明差异表达基因主要与蛋白质合成、代谢及酶合成相关。此外,共有387个CAZymes基因表达,GH数量最多,约占49.61%,其次为AA (97)与GT (62),约占25.06%与16.02%。GH16 (24个)占GH的12.50%,含量最多,主要编码葡萄糖苷酶、木聚糖酶等,AA中AA3 (37个)占比38.14%,编码氧化酶、脱氢酶等。结果表明ZYJHYZ254中生长3 d与7 d的菌丝经功能富集分析发现差异表达基因主要与蛋白质合成、代谢,以及酶合成相关。进一步研究发现在两个生长时期中CAZymes基因表达最多的是GH16与AA3,预示了该菌葡萄糖苷酶、木聚糖酶、β-半乳糖苷酶、氧化酶与脱氢酶含量最丰富,对降解特殊生物质中的木质纤维素具有重要意义。     

Terpenoids from Euphorbia helioscopia and Their Cytotoxic Activities against H1975 Cells

Three previously undescribed diterpenoids, helioscopnoids A–C, and eight known compounds were isolated from the whole plants of Euphorbia helioscopia. Their structures were established by extensive analysis of spectra and data comparison with previous literatures. Among them, compound 4 was identified as 24,24-dimethoxy-25,26,27-trinoreuphan-3β-ol with revised configurations of C-13, C-14, and C-17 (13R*, 14R*, 17R*). Cytotoxicity assays revealed that all compounds exhibited varying levels of cytotoxicity against H1975 cells, with compound 9 displaying the most potent activity, as indicated by cell viability rates of 18.13 % and 20.76 % at concentrations of 20 μM and 5 μM, respectively. This study expands the understanding of E. helioscopia terpenoids’ structural diversity and biological activities, contributing to the exploration of potential therapeutic applications.     

幽门螺杆菌根除治疗对慢性胃炎患者肠道菌群的影响及其与血清hsCRP水平的相关性

目的 探究幽门螺杆菌(H.pylori)根除治疗对慢性胃炎患者肠道菌群的影响及其与血清超敏C反应蛋白(hsCRP)水平的相关性。 方法 选择2018年5月至2019年5月我院收治的87例慢性胃炎患者为研究对象,所有患者均采用枸橼酸铋钾胶囊+雷贝拉唑钠肠溶胶囊+克拉霉素片+阿莫西林克拉维酸钾片进行幽门螺杆菌根除治疗,评价所有患者治疗后临床疗效、H.pylori根除率,比较所有患者治疗前后临床症状积分,肠道肠球菌、葡萄球菌、肠杆菌、乳杆菌、双歧杆菌数量及血清hsCRP水平,采用Pearson相关分析所有患者治疗后肠道菌群数量与血清hsCRP水平的相关性。 结果 入选患者临床治疗有效率为95.40%,H.pylori根除率为90.80%。患者治疗后腹胀、嗳气、腹痛、纳差评分显著低于治疗前(均P0.05)。 结论 H.pylori根除治疗能有效改善慢性胃炎患者临床症状,提高H.pylori根除率,降低血清hsCRP水平,但会造成患者肠道菌群失调,且肠道菌群数量与血清hsCRP水平无显著相关性。