The Semisynthesis of 27-Deoxywithaferin A and 4--5,6-Deoxywithaferin A from Withaferin A as Potential Antitumor Agents.

We describe two concise, three-step routes for the individual synthesis of 27-deoxywithaferin A () and 4--5,6-deoxywithaferin A () from withaferin A (). The protection strategy for the double bond of enone with thiophenol and the conjugate reduction of the epoxy group are important in generating these products, with an overall yield of 40%. The absolute configuration of 4--5,6-deoxywithaferin A () has been confirmed by X-ray crystallography.

Achieving Highly Roust Polymeric Microspheres with Efficient and Full-Color Organic Afterglow for 3D Printing and Anti-Counterfeiting.

In this work, highly robust polymer-based luminescent microspheres with efficient and full-color organic afterglow are developed for the first time. N-phenylnaphthalen-1-amine, N-phenylphenanthren-9-amine, and N-phenyltriphenylen-2-amine are employed as guest luminogens and embedded into melamine-formaldehyde polymer matrices with compact and permanent three-dimensional (3D) covalent networks via host-guest doping and emulsion polymerization. The resulting polymeric microspheres, with a diameter of ≈2 µm, show blue to yellow-green organic afterglow at room temperature.

Discovery of Highly Potent, Selective, and Liver-Targeting HSD17B13 Inhibitor with Robust In Vivo Anti-MASH Activity.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) is one of the most common chronic liver diseases, driven by diverse genetic and environmental factors. Extensive human genetics' studies have indicated that HSD17B13 is emerging as a promising therapeutic target for MASH. However, no efficacy of a HSD17B13 inhibitor has been reported.

Poor Abilities of Noninvasive Biomarkers to Assess Esophagogastric Varices and Portal Hypertensive Gastropathy.

Background: Noninvasive and cost-effective markers are needed to replace esophagogastroduodenoscopy in the screening for severe esophagogastric varices (EGVs) and portal hypertensive gastropathy (PHG).

Objective: This study evaluated the performances of several commonly used fibrosis markers in assessing EGVs and PHG in cirrhosis patients.

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Discovery of P11-2: A Potent First-in-Class MNK1-Targeting PROTAC Degrader for the Treatment of Cancer.

MAPK-interacting kinases (MNKs) are the only known kinases that phosphorylate eIF4E at Ser209, playing a critical role in tumor progression. However, the current MNK inhibitors have been limited due to the deficiency of effectiveness. Herein, we reported the design of the first-in-class MNK1-targeting PROTACs based on the MNK1 inhibitor .

Mitochondrial DNA-targeted triphenylamine-thiophene (TPATP)-derived ligands boost type-I/II photodynamic therapy for triple-negative breast cancer.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is aggressive with poor prognosis. Current strategies include chemotherapy, surgery, and radiotherapy, but face challenges like suboptimal outcomes, low survival, and drug resistance. Thus, novel TNBC therapies are crucial.

A Bifunctional Nuclease Promotes the Infection of Zucchini Yellow Mosaic Virus in Watermelon by Targeting P3.

Potyviral P3 is involved in viral replication, movement, and pathogenicity; however, its biochemical function is unknown. In this study, the P3 of the zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV) interacted with ClBBD, a protein with high ortholog bifunctional nuclease activity, in watermelon. The binding site was shown via yeast two-hybrid screening and BiFC assay to be located at the N-terminus of P3 rather than P3N-PIPO.

The underappreciated role of fugitive VOCs in ozone formation and health risk assessment emitted from seven typical industries in China.

Fugitive emission from industrial sources may result in ozone formation and health risk, while the exact contribution of this source remains incompletely understood. In this study, emission characteristics, ozone formation potential (OFP) and health risk of fugitive VOCs in 7 representative industries were investigated. Chemical material industry was the dominant contributor to VOCs of fugitive emission in comparison with other industries.

Characterization of a novel brain cell line from Jian carp (Cyprinus carpio var. Jian).

Jian carp (Cyprinus carpio var. Jian) is an economically important cultured fish in China. Currently, it is facing threats from infectious diseases including koi herpesvirus (KHV).

Characterization of novel antigenic vaccine candidates for nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) against Streptococcus agalactiae infection.

Streptococcus agalactiae is one of the important pathogens responsible for high mortality and economic losses of the tilapia industry worldwide. Based on ten serovars of S. agalactiae infection, subunit vaccine with conserved antigens is promising strategy corresponding stimulated long-term immunity and provides protection for animals against different serotypes of S.

Oral vaccination using Artemia coated with recombinant Saccharomyces cerevisiae expressing cyprinid herpesvirus-3 envelope antigen induces protective immunity in common carp (Cyprinus carpio var. Jian) larvae.

Cyprinid herpesvirus 3 (CyHV-3) is the etiological agent of koi herpersvirus disease (KHVD), which causes serious economic losses in global common carp and ornamental koi carp production of larvae as well as adult type fish. To control KHVD, vaccines against CyHV-3 utilizing different immunization routes have been developed, among them, oral vaccination is the most desirable method to prevent fish diseases occurring at the early larval stage. Here, we developed an oral subunit vaccine through the Saccharomyces cerevisiae cell surface display of CyHV-3 envelope protein pORF65, then, the recombinant yeast fed to Artemia which served as bio-encapsulation vector by subsequently feeding the common carp (Cyprinus carpio var.

A cucumber green mottle mosaic virus vector for virus-induced gene silencing in cucurbit plants.

Background: Cucurbits produce fruits or vegetables that have great dietary importance and economic significance worldwide. The published genomes of at least 11 cucurbit species are boosting gene mining and novel breeding strategies, however genetic transformation in cucurbits is impractical as a tool for gene function validation due to low transformation efficiency. Virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) is a potential alternative tool.

Protective immunity against CyHV-3 infection via different prime-boost vaccination regimens using CyHV-3 ORF131-based DNA/protein subunit vaccines in carp Cyprinus carpio var. Jian.

Cyprinid Herpesvirus 3 (CyHV-3), also known as Koi Herpesvirus (KHV), causes Koi Herpesvirus Disease (KHVD) which leads to serious economic losses worldwide. To exploit DNA/subunit vaccine candidates, CyHV-3 ORF131 gene and cDNA was cloned and analyzed in the present study. Major B cell epitopes of deduced CyHV-3 pORF131 was also predicted.

Drug-release system of microchannel transport used in minimally invasive surgery for hemostasis.

Background: Sucrose allyl ether (SAE) containing hemostatic drugs and a photoinitiator was established to treat mild postpartum hemorrhage or long-term continuous abnormal uterine bleeding in minimally invasive surgery (MIS) using a photopolymerization method.

Methods And Results: Real-time infrared spectroscopy and rheological experiments showed that the SAE monomer with shear-thinning characteristics could polymerize rapidly into a transparent membrane. Cytotoxicity experiments in vitro showed that this system could elicit a long-term hemostatic effect.

A Modified Empirical Wavelet Transform for Acoustic Emission Signal Decomposition in Structural Health Monitoring.

The acoustic emission (AE) method is useful for structural health monitoring (SHM) of composite structures due to its high sensitivity and real-time capability. The main challenge, however, is how to classify the AE data into different failure mechanisms because the detected signals are affected by various factors. Empirical wavelet transform (EWT) is a solution for analyzing the multi-component signals and has been used to process the AE data.

Minimally Invasive Hemostatic Materials: Tackling a Dilemma of Fluidity and Adhesion by Photopolymerization in situ.

Hemostasis in vivo is a key to success in minimally invasive surgery (MIS). However, solid hemostatic materials cannot pass through the sheath tube of the MIS apparatus, while liquid ones are restricted by their low adhesion, which leads to them peeling off of tissue. To tackle the dilemma of fluidity and adhesion, a formulation containing a multifunctional sucrose allyl ether (SAE) monomer and an alpha-hydroxyketone liquid photoinitiator (HMPP) was applied as a lead hemostatic material for MIS.

LuxS/AI-2 in Streptococcus agalactiae reveals a key role in acid tolerance and virulence.

LuxS-mediated autoinducer-2 (AI-2) directly or indirectly regulates important physiologic function in a variety of bacteria. We found a luxS homologue in the genome of Streptococcus agalactiae, an important pathogen of tilapia. To investigate the relationship between luxS/AI-2 and pathogenicity for tilapia, its bioluminescent activity, acid resistance, cell adherence, virulence, and regulation of virulence gene were evaluated.

Protective efficacy of cationic-PLGA microspheres loaded with DNA vaccine encoding the sip gene of Streptococcus agalactiae in tilapia.

Streptococcus agalactiae (S. agalactiae) is an important fish pathogen, which has received more attention in the past decade due to the increasing economic losses in the tilapia industry worldwide. As existing effective vaccines of S.

Microscopic progression in the free radical addition reaction: modeling, geometry, energy, and kinetics.

The free radical addition reaction is very important in UV curing. The benzoyl radical is the most commonly observed radical. In the addition process, the benzoyl radical adds to an acrylate monomer, forming a primary radical that has great value for subsequent research.

Thiol peroxiredoxin, a novel allergen from , modulates functions of macrophages and dendritic cells.

(, also known as silkworm) plays a role in the pathogenesis of allergic diseases. However, its allergens are to be characterized. The aim of this paper is to identify new silkworm allergens.

Multiple Evolutionary Selections Involved in Synonymous Codon Usages in the Streptococcus agalactiae Genome.

Streptococcus agalactiae is an important human and animal pathogen. To better understand the genetic features and evolution of S. agalactiae, multiple factors influencing synonymous codon usage patterns in S.