Neutrophils that are overactivated can cause inflammatory diseases. Neutrophils possess various surface receptors, including G-protein-coupled chemoattractant receptors, which assist in recognizing pathogen attacks and the inflammatory environment. Therefore, targeting G-protein-coupled chemoattractant receptors and their downstream molecules is important for preventing abnormal neutrophil activation. This study examines the effects and underlying mechanism of myriscagayanone C, a new compound obtained from the fruit of myristica cagayanensis, on neutrophil respiratory burst induced by fMLP. The immunoblotting assay was conducted to assess the mechanisms by which myriscagayanone C inhibits fMLP-induced respiratory burst by disrupting the translocation of Akt to the cellular membrane. Briefly, myriscagayanone C suppressed the production of superoxide anions induced by fMLP on human neutrophils in a concentration-dependent manner (IC 50 : 4.73 ± 0.68 μM). Myriscagayanone C blocked fMLP-induced Akt translocation to the cell membrane, inhibiting Akt T308 and Akt S473 phosphorylation by PDK1 Y373/376 and mTOR S2481 , respectively. Myriscagayanone C inhibited fMLP-induced p47 phox phosphorylation and translocation. Myriscagayanone C did not inhibit the activity of PI3K, the amount of phosphatidylinositol (3, 4, 5)-trisphosphate, or the translocation of phosphorylated-PDK1 Y373/376 and -mTOR S2481 to the membrane. Myriscagayanone C did not inhibit fMLP-induced PKC, Src, ERK1/2, p38 phosphorylation, and intracellular calcium mobilization. Myriscagayanone C did not inhibit the chemotaxis and CD11b expression induced by fMLP. Myriscagayanone C did not inhibit PMA-induced superoxide anion production and neutrophil extracellular trap formation. According to this data, myriscagayanone C inhibits fMLP-induced neutrophil superoxide anion production by interrupting the translocation of Akt to the plasma membrane, which affects the NADPH oxidase activity by preventing p47 phox phosphorylation and translocation.

Makaleyi görüntüle

The European Commission requested the EFSA Panel on Plant Health to conduct a pest categorisation of Ceroplastes rubens Maskell (Hemiptera: Coccidae), following the commodity risk assessments of Acer palmatum plants grafted on A. davidii and Pinus parviflora bonsai plants grafted on P. thunbergii from China, in which C. rubens was identified as a pest of possible concern to the European Union (EU). The pest, which is commonly known as the pink, red or ruby wax scale, originates in Africa and is highly polyphagous attacking plants from more than 193 genera in 84 families. It has been present in Germany since 2010 in a single tropical glasshouse. It is known to attack primarily tropical and subtropical plants, but also other host plants commonly found in the EU, such as Malus sylvestris , Prunus spp., Pyrus spp. and ornamentals. It is considered an important pest of Citrus spp. The pink wax scale reproduces mainly parthenogenetically, and it has one or two generations per year. Fecundity ranges from 5 to 1178 eggs. Crawlers settle usually on young twigs and later stages are sessile. All life stages of C. rubens egest honeydew on which sooty mould grows. Host availability and climate suitability suggest that parts of the EU would be suitable for establishment. Plants for planting and cut branches provide the main pathways for entry. Crawlers could spread over short distances naturally through wind, animals, humans or machinery. C. rubens could be dispersed more rapidly and over long distances via infested plants for planting for trade. The introduction of C. rubens into the EU could lead to outbreaks causing damage to orchards, amenity ornamental trees and shrubs. Phytosanitary measures are available to inhibit the entry and spread of this species. C. rubens satisfies the criteria that are within the remit of EFSA to assess for it to be regarded as a potential Union quarantine pest.

Makaleyi görüntüle

Background Myristicaceae was widly distributed from tropical Asia to Oceania, Africa, and tropical America. There are 3 genera and 10 species of Myristicaceae present in China, mainly distributed in the south of Yunnan Province. Most research on this family focuses on fatty acids, medicine, and morphology. Based on the morphology, fatty acid chemotaxonomy, and a few of molecular data, the phylogenetic position of Horsfieldia pandurifolia Hu was controversial. Results In this study, the chloroplast genomes of two Knema species, Knema globularia (Lam.) Warb. and Knema cinerea (Poir.) Warb., were characterized. Comparing the genome structure of these two species with those of other eight published species, including three Horsfieldia species, four Knema species, and one Myristica species, it was found that the chloroplast genomes of these species were relatively conserved, retaining the same gene order. Through sequence divergence analysis, there were 11 genes and 18 intergenic spacers were subject to positive selection, which can be used to analyze the population genetic structure of this family. Phylogenetic analysis showed that all Knema species were clustered in the same group and formed a sister clade with Myristica species support by both high maximum likelihood bootstrap values and Bayesian posterior probabilities; among Horsfieldia species, Horsfieldia amygdalina (Wall.) Warb., Horsfieldia kingii (Hook.f.) Warb., Horsfieldia hainanensis Merr. and Horsfieldia tetratepala C.Y.Wu. were grouped together, but H. pandurifolia formed a single group and formed a sister clade with genus Myristica and Knema. Through the phylogenetic analysis, we support de Wilde' view that the H. pandurifolia should be separated from Horsfieldia and placed in the genus Endocomia, namely Endocomia macrocoma subsp. prainii (King) W.J.de Wilde. Conclusion The findings of this study provide a novel genetic resources for future research in Myristicaceae and provide a molecular evidence for the taxonomic classification of Myristicaceae.

Makaleyi görüntüle

Jitai tablet (JTT) is a traditional Chinese medicine used to treat neuropsychiatric disorders. We previously demonstrated that JTT treatment led to increased level of dopamine transporter (DAT) in the striatum, thus indicating that JTT might have therapeutic potential for Parkinson's disease (PD), which is characterized by dysregulated dopamine (DA) transmission and decreased striatal DAT expression. The aim of this study was to investigate the neuroprotective effect of JTT on MPTP-induced PD mice. Using locomotor activity test and rotarod test, we evaluated the effects of JTT (0.50, 0.15, or 0.05 g/kg) on MPTP-induced behavioral impairments. Tyrosine hydroxylase TH-positive neurons in the substantia nigra and DAT and dopamine D2 receptor (D2R) levels in the striatum were detected by immunohistochemical staining and/or autoradiography. Levels of DA and its metabolites were determined by HPLC. In MPTP-treated mice, behavioral impairments were alleviated by JTT treatment. Moreover, JTT protected against impairment of TH-positive neurons and attenuated the MPTP-induced decreases in DAT and D2R. Finally, high dose of JTT (0.50 g/kg) inhibited the MPTP-induced increase in DA metabolism rate. Taken together, results from our present study provide evidence that JTT offers neuroprotective effects against the neurotoxicity of MPTP and thus might be a potential treatment for PD.

Makaleyi görüntüle

Form the bark of Taiwania cryptomerioides, the flower buds of Magnolia fargesii, the wood of Juniperus formosana, and the nutmeg of Myristica fragrans and Myristica cagayanensis, eleven new kinds of lignans and neoli gnans were isolated. The structures of these compounds were elucidated by physical and chemical methods.

Makaleyi görüntüle