Dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis is alleviated in mice after administration of flavone-derived NRF2-activating molecules.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is a chronic and relapsing inflammatory condition characterized by severe symptoms such as diarrhea, fatigue, and weight loss. Growing evidence underscores the direct involvement of the nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) in the development and progression of IBD, along with its associated complications, including colorectal cancer. The NRF2 pathway plays a crucial role in cellular responses to oxidative stress, and dysregulation of this pathway has been implicated in IBD.

Inhibition of microfold cells ameliorates early pathological phenotypes by modulating microglial functions in Alzheimer's disease mouse model.

Background: The gut microbiota has recently attracted attention as a pathogenic factor in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Microfold (M) cells, which play a crucial role in the gut immune response against external antigens, are also exploited for the entry of pathogenic bacteria and proteins into the body. However, whether changes in M cells can affect the gut environments and consequently change brain pathologies in AD remains unknown.

Hesperidin Improves Memory Function by Enhancing Neurogenesis in a Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an irreversible neurodegenerative disease characterized by memory and cognitive impairments. Neurogenesis, which is related to memory and cognitive function, is reduced in the brains of patients with AD. Therefore, enhancing neurogenesis is a potential therapeutic strategy for neurodegenerative diseases, including AD.

SKI-G-801, an AXL kinase inhibitor, blocks metastasis through inducing anti-tumor immune responses and potentiates anti-PD-1 therapy in mouse cancer models.

Objectives: AXL-mediated activation of aberrant tyrosine kinase drives various oncogenic processes and facilitates an immunosuppressive microenvironment. We evaluated the anti-tumor and anti-metastatic activities of SKI-G-801, a small-molecule inhibitor of AXL, alone and in combination with anti-PD-1 therapy.

Methods: pAXL inhibition by SKI-G-801 was performed in both human and mouse cancer cell lines.

Caudatin suppresses adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and reduces body weight gain in high-fat diet-fed mice through activation of hedgehog signaling.

Background: The regulative effects of caudatin, a C-21 steroid that is identified from Cynanchum bungee roots, on adipogenesis and obesity have not been studied. Many studies have demonstrated that the activation of hedgehog (Hh) signaling can help prevent obesity. Therefore, we hypothesized that caudatin can inhibit adipogenesis and obesity via activating the Hh signaling pathway.

Garcinone C suppresses colon tumorigenesis through the Gli1-dependent hedgehog signaling pathway.

Background: Although garcinone C, a natural xanthone derivative identified in the pericarp of Garcinia mangostana, has been demonstrated to exert different health beneficial activities in oxidative stress and β-amyloid aggregation, the role of garcinone C in colon tumorigenesis has not been investigated. In addition, aberrant Hedgehog (Hh) signaling activation is associated with tumorigenesis including colon cancer. Here, we hypothesized that garcinone C can prevent colon tumorigenesis through regulating the Hh signaling pathway.

β-Thujaplicin inhibits basal-like mammary tumor growth by regulating glycogen synthase kinase-3β/β-catenin signaling.

β-Thujaplicin, a natural monoterpenoid, has been demonstrated to exert health beneficial activities in chronic diseases. However, it has not been studied in regulating estrogen receptor (ER) negative breast cancer. Here, we investigated the effect of β-thujaplicin on inhibiting ER-negative basal-like breast cancer and the underlying mechanism of action using an in vitro and in vivo xenograft animal model.

Promising preclinical platform for evaluation of immuno-oncology drugs using Hu-PBL-NSG lung cancer models.

Background: With the advance of immunotherapy, treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has revolutionized by having anti-PD-1 therapy in front-line setting. In this era of cancer immunotherapy, humanized mouse models which recapitulate human immune system, are needed for predicting immunotherapy response in patients. We established a Hu-PBL-NSG mouse model which can be used as a preclinical testing platform for assessing efficacy of different immunotherapeutic agents.

Sulforaphene Inhibition of Adipogenesis via Hedgehog Signaling in 3T3-L1 Adipocytes.

Obesity is a risk factor for numerous metabolic disorders. In this study, we investigated the effects of the isothiocyanates sulforaphane (SA) and sulforaphene (SE) on adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. SE, a compound that is abundant in radish, inhibited adipogenesis by suppressing the adipogenic transcription factors peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ, 69.

Full-scale simulation of seawater reverse osmosis desalination processes for boron removal: Effect of membrane fouling.

The objective of this study is to further develop previously reported mechanistic predictive model that simulates boron removal in full-scale seawater reverse osmosis (RO) desalination processes to take into account the effect of membrane fouling. Decrease of boron removal and reduction in water production rate by membrane fouling due to enhanced concentration polarization were simulated as a decrease in solute mass transfer coefficient in boundary layer on membrane surface. Various design and operating options under fouling condition were examined including single- versus double-pass configurations, different number of RO elements per vessel, use of RO membranes with enhanced boron rejection, and pH adjustment.