Publications by authors named "Fuming Zhang"

A naturally derived library of glycomimetic mimicking the structure-function of heparan sulfate (HS) remains an untapped reservoir for drug discovery against viral infections. In this work we screened a library of marine-derived sulfated glycans from seaweeds and sea cucumbers to investigate if they can compete for the ligand/receptor binding sites to prevent virus entry. Multiple promising candidates were identified, such as RPI-27 (IC: 1.

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Stabilin-2 is the primary scavenger for hyaluronan (HA) and binds to over two dozen other ligands including chondroitin sulfates, heparin, oxidized/acetylated LDL, etc. Although rat liver sinusoidal endothelial cells are the preferred primary cell lines and animal for physiological studies of Stab2/HARE, the rat recombinant protein has never been characterized. Since the rat Stab2/HARE has a high degree homology to mouse Stab2/HARE which has been cloned, our hypothesis is that the rat receptor is identical to mouse and very similar to the human receptor.

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Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) is a powerful tool for analyzing biomolecular interactions and is widely used in basic biomedical research and drug discovery. Heparan sulfate (HS) is a linear complex polysaccharide and a key component of the extracellular matrix and cell surfaces. HS plays a pivotal role in maintaining cellular functions and tissue homeostasis by interacting with numerous proteins, making it essential for normal physiological processes and disease states.

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Previous experiments in the syngeneic, murine, and subcutaneous model of malignant melanoma and human melanoma cells showed that treatment by recombinant human (rh) Arylsulfatase B (ARSB; N-acetylgalactosamine-4-sulfatase) markedly reduced the volume of tumors, improved survival, and inhibited invasiveness. In this report, the impact of ARSB on the progression of metastatic, pulmonary B16F10 melanomas in C57BL/6J mice is addressed, and the underlying apoptotic mechanism by which ARSB inhibits melanoma growth is identified. Exogenous ARSB, which has mannose 6-phosphate attachments, acts through insulin-like growth factor 2 receptor (IGF2R), a cation-independent mannose-6-phosphate receptor, and increases expression of constitutive photomorphogenic protein (COP)1.

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This study investigates the anti-lung cancer activities of polysaccharides extracted from Laminaria japonica, focusing on their bioactive components and molecular mechanisms. Using a network pharmacology approach, key bioactive compounds were identified, and their associated therapeutic targets were predicted. Experimental validation through in vitro assays on human adenocarcinoma (A549) and Lewis Lung Cancer (LLC) cell lines demonstrated that specific polysaccharide fractions, particularly the S-C fraction, exhibited significant inhibitory effects on cancer cell viability, migration, and invasion.

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Dr. Robert Linhardt was a prolific scientist who paved the way for understanding the key aspects of structure, function, synthesis, mechanisms of action, and potential therapeutic use of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). His contribution to the field of Glycobiology for over 40 years led to an incredible legacy in terms of mentorship, publication, and research accomplishment.

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The goal of this study is to develop an optimized poly(acrylic acid-co-acrylamide) cation exchanger (ACX) for protein purification. Cation exchange chromatography is a widely used technique in protein purification. ACX was synthesized and tailored to purify positively charged proteins using batch chromatography.

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Major developmental events occurring in the hippocampus during the third trimester of human gestation and neonatally in altricial rodents include rapid and synchronized dendritic arborization and astrocyte proliferation and maturation. We tested the hypothesis that signals sent by developing astrocytes to developing neurons modulate dendritic development in vivo. First, we altered neuronal development by exposing neonatal (third trimester-equivalent) mice to ethanol, which increased dendritic arborization in hippocampal pyramidal neurons.

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Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile) infection (CDI) is a life-threatening healthcare-associated infection occurring worldwide. C.

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Heparan sulfate (HS) is an anionic polysaccharide generated by all animal cells, but our understanding of its roles in human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC) self-renewal and differentiation is limited. We derived HS-deficient hPSCs by disrupting the EXT1 glycosyltransferase. These EXT1 hPSCs maintain self-renewal and pluripotency under standard culture conditions that contain high levels of basic fibroblast growth factor(bFGF), a requirement for sufficient bFGF signaling in the engineered cells.

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In order to calibrate the ductile fracture criterion in SUS304 stainless steel, four tensile samples were designed, their finite element models were established, and uniaxial tensile tests were carried out. The simulation results were compared with the tests. Due to the limitations of finite element software, only a few criteria can be solved in MENTAT of MSC.

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Dengue viruses (DENV) are transmitted to humans through mosquito bites and infect millions globally. DENV uses heparan sulfate (HS) for attachment and cell entry by binding the envelope protein to highly sulfated HS on target cells. Therefore, inhibiting the binding between DENV and HS could be a promising strategy for preventing DENV infection.

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Article Synopsis
  • Lipase activity from Aspergillus fumigatus (AFL) was enhanced by an effector called HMD, which was found to bind to an allosteric site on the enzyme, boosting its activity by about 46% through increased lid mobility.
  • * Experimental and computational analysis showed that while HMD enhances AFL activity in solution, coupling AFL with HMD-modified microspheres led to a decrease in hydrolysis activity by 14.3% due to reduced lid mobility.
  • * The study highlights how HMD affects AFL's conformational dynamics, underlining the importance of understanding allosteric regulation in exoenzymes, which is often overlooked.*
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As a promising approach for breast cancer treatment, photothermal therapy (PTT) features high spatial selectivity, noninvasiveness, and minimal drug resistance. IR780 (a near-infrared fluorescent dye) serves as an effective photosensitizer in PTT cancer therapy. However, the clinical application of IR780 in PTT has been hindered by its poor water solubility and unstable photostability.

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Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a chronic liver disease characterized by the accumulation of fat in the liver, is highly prevalent on a global scale. In this study, we investigated the effects of total glucosides of Picrorhizae Rhizome (TGPR), the primary active ingredients in traditional Chinese herbal medicine derived from Pennell. TGPR is known for its efficiency in attenuating NASH, in mouse models induced by methionine-choline deficient (MCD) diet or high-fat diet (HFD).

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Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a major health threat with limited treatment options. One of various new antiviral strategies is based on a fusion of nuclease (SN) with the capsid-forming HBV core protein (HBc), termed coreSN. Through co-assembly with wild-type HBc-subunits, the fusion protein is incorporated into HBV nucleocapsids, targeting the nuclease to the encapsidated viral genome.

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  • Candidalysin, produced by Candida albicans, is a virulence factor that damages host cells, and this study identified specific genes related to glycosaminoglycan (GAG) biosynthesis that, when disrupted, confer resistance to this damage.
  • Researchers found that candidalysin binds to sulfated GAGs on the host cell surface, which helps it to cause damage, but adding exogenous sulfated GAGs like dextran sulfate can protect cells and inhibit candidalysin's effects.
  • In a mouse model of vulvovaginal candidiasis, applying dextran sulfate reduced tissue damage and inflammation, suggesting sulfated GAGs are potential therapeutic targets to counteract candidalysin-related damage.
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Lithium metal batteries paired with high-voltage LiNiMnO (LNMO) cathodes are a promising energy storage source for achieving enhanced high energy density. Forming durable and robust solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) and cathode-electrolyte interface (CEI) and the ability to withstand oxidation at high potentials are essential for long-lasting performance. Herein, advanced electrolytes are designed via trio-functional additives to carbonate-based electrolytes for 5 V Li||LNMO and graphite||LNMO cells achieving 88.

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Article Synopsis
  • Major developmental changes in the hippocampus during the third trimester and neonatal phase include rapid dendritic growth and astrocyte development.
  • The study hypothesized that signals from developing astrocytes influence dendritic development in neurons, and found that neonatal ethanol exposure in mice led to increased dendritic growth.
  • The research revealed that certain gene translations in astrocytes, inhibited by ethanol, regulate chondroitin sulfate glycosaminoglycan (CS-GAG) levels, which in turn affect neuronal dendritic arborization.
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Article Synopsis
  • TREM2 is an important receptor in the immune system that plays roles in inflammation, cell survival, and neuroprotection, with variations linked to Alzheimer's disease.
  • The study investigates how TREM2 interacts with heparan sulfate (HS) on microglial cells, revealing that TREM2 forms complexes with HS and requires specific structural features of HS for effective binding.
  • Findings suggest that this interaction is crucial for TREM2's role in microglial function, particularly in facilitating the uptake of ApoE3, potentially offering targets for interventions in Alzheimer's disease.
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Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Yunnan Baiyao (YB), a traditional herbal formulation, has been used for over a century to manage bleeding and enhance blood circulation. Its ingredients are widely recognized for their anti-cancer properties. However, its impact on glioma, the most common primary malignant tumor of the central nervous system, remains unexplored.

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Objective: Colorectal cancer (CRC), a prevalent malignancy worldwide, has prompted extensive research into anticancer drugs. Traditional Chinese medicinal materials offer promising avenues for cancer management due to their diverse pharmacological activities. This study investigated the effects of Notopterygium incisum, a traditional Chinese medicine named Qianghuo (QH), on CRC cells and the underlying mechanism.

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A large number of bacterial pathogens bind to host extracellular matrix (ECM) components. For example, many Gram-negative and Gram-positive pathogens express binding proteins for fibronectin (FN) on their cell surface. Mutagenesis studies of bacterial FN-binding proteins have demonstrated their importance in pathogenesis in preclinical animal models.

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Glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) anchor bolts are a new type of high-performance nonmetallic anchor with significantly higher tensile strength, a lighter weight, better corrosion resistance, and a lower cost than steel bars. Therefore, exploring the durability and bonding performance of GFRP anchor systems is of great importance for the structural design of protective engineering, especially in coastal environments. However, insufficient research has been conducted on the durability of GFRP resin bolts in seawater conditions, with no universal standard on the pullout testing of GFRP bolts.

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Statins are 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme-A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors widely used in the treatment of hyperlipidemia. The inhibition of HMG-CoA reductase in the mevalonate pathway leads to the suppression of cell proliferation and induction of apoptosis. The cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS) stimulator of the interferon genes (STING) signaling pathway has been suggested to not only facilitate inflammatory responses and the production of type I interferons (IFN), but also activate other cellular processes, such as apoptosis.

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