Search Results (11,288)

Background: The C-X-C chemokine receptor type 7 (CXCR7), also known as atypical chemokine receptor 3 (ACKR3), primarily signals through β-arrestin and plays a pivotal role in tumor progression, inflammation, and neurodegenerative diseases. CXCR7 antagonists block chemokine binding and dampen β-arrestin signaling. Accordingly, identification of such antagonists is highly desirable for therapeutic development against CXCR7 driven pathologies. Methods: Through microscale thermophoresis (MST) screening of a Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drug library, entacapone was identified as a CXCR7 binder. The NanoBit complementation assay was employed to evaluate the effect of entacapone on CXCR7 mediated β-arrestin 1/2 recruitment. Molecular docking was performed to predict the binding pocket and binding sites. Results: Entacapone specifically bound to CXCR7 with a Kd value of 6.04 µM. Although entacapone did not directly activate CXCR7, it selectively inhibited CXCL12 and VUF11207 induced β-arrestin 1 recruitment with no significant effect on β-arrestin 2 recruitment. Molecular docking suggested that entacapone interacted with key residues via hydrophobic contacts, including Trp100, Phe124, Gln301, and Leu305, and formed hydrogen bonds with Ser103, Asn108, and Tyr51 in the transmembrane core, collectively suggesting a possible binding mode compatible with stabilizing the receptor in an inactive conformation. Conclusions: Entacapone, a clinically well established COMT inhibitor, is reported for the first time as a novel biased antagonist of CXCR7, providing a new candidate molecule for drug repurposing. Full article

The transition toward reusable food packaging driven by European circular economy regulations introduces new food safety challenges related to microbial persistence and cross-contamination. GS-2 is a novel, food-safe antimicrobial formulation developed for use as a coating on reusable packaging materials. In the present study, the intrinsic antimicrobial activity of GS-2 was evaluated in liquid suspension against foodborne bacterial (Escherichia coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes, and Salmonella enterica Agona) and fungal pathogens (Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus niger), and the transcriptomic response of L. monocytogenes following sublethal GS-2 exposure was investigated. GS-2 exhibited concentration-dependent microbicidal activity, with strong reductions observed at ≥2.8–3.0% against bacterial strains and A. flavus, while A. niger demonstrated resistance. Among bacteria, L. monocytogenes showed the greatest sensitivity, with populations reduced below detection limits at 3% GS-2. To elucidate mechanistic responses, RNA sequencing was performed on L. monocytogenes exposed to sublethal GS-2 concentrations (0.1–1.0%). Transcriptomic analyses using discrete and continuous models revealed a pronounced adaptive stress response at 0.5% GS-2, characterized by coordinated upregulation of pathways involved in carbon, nitrogen, and nucleotide metabolism. At higher sublethal concentrations (1%), transcriptional profiles shifted toward growth arrest and cellular damage management. These findings support GS-2 as a promising antimicrobial for enhancing the microbial safety of reusable food packaging systems. Full article

Soybean (Glycine max) is a key crop in China grown as a source of edible oil and plant-derived protein, and its production is closely linked to national food security. Insufficient nitrogen availability remains a key constraint on soybean yield. In legumes, symbiotic nitrogen fixation (SNF) enables the conversion of atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms, thereby reducing reliance on synthetic fertilizers and improving soil quality. Nitrogenase activity is a central determinant of SNF efficiency; however, its regulatory mechanisms in soybean nodules are not yet fully understood. In this study, transcriptomic data from two soybean accessions with contrasting SNF performance (Suinong 14 and ZYD00006) were analyzed, leading to the identification of Glyma.04G013500 as a member of the GmRD22 gene family. This study verified that this gene is potentially associated with nitrogenase activity. Functional characterization revealed that this gene acts as a negative regulator of nodulation by influencing the expression of genes associated with nodule development. Haplotype analysis further uncovered a pattern consistent with domestication, as the elite haplotype (HapI) with enhanced nitrogen fixation capacity, exhibited a progressive increase in frequency from wild soybean populations to landraces and modern cultivars. These findings suggest that GmRD22 has undergone directional selection during soybean domestication and improvement. Overall, these results offer new insights into the genetic control of SNF and establish promising targets for breeding soybean varieties with improved nitrogen fixation efficiency. Full article

Taiwanofungus camphoratus, an edible and medicinal fungus endemic to Taiwan, produces a distinctive and complex fragrance during mycelial growth, indicating its potential as a source of natural flavor compounds for food and cosmetic applications. However, few research efforts have focused on changes in its flavor-related metabolites and the related underlying molecular mechanisms remain largely unexplored. In this study, we found that the water extract of Cinnamomum camphora leaves (CC water extract) markedly stimulated T. camphoratus mycelial growth, increasing biomass by 29.7% in liquid fermentation. Integrated transcriptomics, UPLC-based metabolomics and HS-SPME-GC-MS analyses revealed that CC water extract could enhance metabolic fluxes through glycolysis, the pentose phosphate pathway, and galactose metabolism, thereby supporting mycelial growth and the accumulation of flavor-related metabolites. Specifically, CC water extract promoted the abundance of metabolites associated with mushroom-like, floral, and fruity aroma profiles, together with sweet taste-related metabolites. These findings provide new insights into optimizing the liquid fermentation processes and flavor profiles of T. camphoratus mycelia, providing a reference for better utilizing this valuable fungal resource. Full article

Ellagic acid (EA) is a food-derived polyphenol with multiple biological activities, but its poor water solubility and aggregation in aqueous systems limit its accessibility to gut microorganisms. In this study, Fucus vesiculosus polysaccharide (FVP) was used as a natural carrier to prepare EA/FVP solid dispersions (SDs) with different mass ratios by solvent-assisted evaporation. Compared with pure EA, the SDs markedly improved the apparent solubility and aqueous dispersion stability of EA. The highest apparent solubility was observed for the EA/FVP 3/1 formulation (0.75 ± 0.03 mg/mL), which was approximately 6.25-fold higher than that of pure EA (0.12 ± 0.01 mg/mL). The improved dispersion behavior was associated with increased apparent viscosity, reduced aggregation, decreased crystallinity and possible non-covalent interactions between EA and the polysaccharide matrix. In vitro fecal fermentation showed that SDs enhanced the production of urolithins, including urolithin M5, urolithin M6, urolithin C, iso-urolithin A and urolithin B, without generating new metabolite types. The EA/FVP 1/3 formulation showed the strongest promotion of urolithin production, with iso-urolithin A reaching 2.36 ± 0.28 μM. 16S rRNA sequencing showed that the enhanced urolithin production was accompanied by shifts in the fecal microbial community. Several bacterial genera positively correlated with urolithin biosynthesis, including Bacteroides_H, Negativicoccus, Parabacteroides_B, Unclassified_Eggerthellaceae and Lactococcus_A, were significantly enriched in the SDs groups. These findings suggest that FVP-based SDs may serve as a potential strategy for improving the apparent solubility, aqueous dispersion and microbial biotransformation of EA. Full article

Clitocybaceae is a family of predominantly saprotrophic fungi with important edible and medicinal value. However, the edibility and toxicity of many species within this family remain unknown, posing a poisoning risk. In this study, 24 Chinese specimens, most of which were collected from poisoning sites, were identified. Phylogenetic analyses based on ITS and six loci (ITS, LSU, TEF1, RPB1, RPB2, and ATP6) and a phylogenomic analysis based on 485 single-copy genes were conducted to determine their placement within Clitocybaceae. Their morphological features were observed, particularly the spore surface. Based on the obtained results, a new genus with distinctly verrucose spores, Allolepista, is proposed to accommodate the clade that exhibits a very large genetic distance from its sister clade, Lepista s.str. A new species, Clitocybe sinensis, is described. Three new combinations, A. crenata (≡L. crenata), A. benekei (≡Cli. benekei), and A. rhodotoides (≡L. rhodotoides), are made. Clitocybe violaceifolia, originally described from the Pacific coast of the USA, is reported for the first time in China. Collybia sinoborealis and Pseudolyophyllum liwanense are found to be junior synonyms of Col. violea and A. benekei, respectively, while Cli. lamoureae and Col. urbana turn out to be synonymous with Cli. truncicola. Based on the symptoms observed in poisoning cases, A. benekei is found to cause gastroenteritis, while Cli. sinensis, Cli. truncicola, Col. bisterigmata, Col. brunneoumbilicata, and Col. subtropica lead to muscarinic syndrome. These results expand our understanding of the toxicity and species diversity of Clitocybaceae, providing a reference for public food safety. Full article

Rutin is a flavonoid glycoside with well-documented antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities in preclinical models, but its oral bioavailability is poor due to extensive presystemic metabolism. Following oral administration, intact rutin reaches the colon largely unabsorbed, where gut microbiota convert it to quercetin aglycone, which is further metabolized to circulating conjugated metabolites and local phenolic acid derivatives. Accumulating evidence, derived predominantly from preclinical studies, suggests this metabolic activation can be usefully conceptualized as a microbiota-activated prodrug system. This challenges conventional formulation strategies that only increase parent compound exposure. In this review, we propose a metabolism-oriented conceptual framework for oral rutin delivery design. We compare nano-delivery systems and structural modifications strategies across pharmacokinetics, metabolic regulation, safety, manufacturability, and translational feasibility. Nano-delivery systems are functionally reclassified into four absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion (ADME) -oriented categories based on their primary pharmacokinetic objectives. While numerous preclinical studies report improved bioavailability and efficacy, human metabolite-resolved pharmacokinetic data remain extremely limited, and no European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) -authorized health claims exist for rutin. This review provides a new conceptual framework for selecting oral rutin delivery strategies based on metabolic objectives rather than solely on improving solubility or systemic exposure. Full article

High-altitude animals rely on vertical spatial adaptation to cope with harsh environments, yet the underlying drivers of their seasonal altitudinal distribution remain poorly understood. This study investigated how solar radiation, seasonal high-quality food resources and stable foods shape the altitudinal distribution of the highest-altitude primate Rhinopithecus bieti, to uncover its survival strategies. Through systematic environmental data collection and three-year field tracking of a wild group in the Lasha Mountains, northwest Yunnan, China, we identified consistent seasonal patterns: spring in low-altitude habitats, summer at highest elevations, and intermediate ranges during autumn/winter. Statistical modeling revealed seasonally shifting environmental dependencies. Summer showed no resource limitations, while autumn introduced solar exposure and mature leaves as positive synergistic factors (50% model explanatory power). Winter exhibited peak environmental pressure (80%), with solar and buds becoming critical, though revealing a trade-off between foraging and thermoregulation. Spring demonstrated the strongest environmental coupling (86%), where solar and high-quality food showed significant positive synergy, enabling physical recovery. The species displays remarkable ecological plasticity, with solar being the core cold-season driver. The winter-to-spring transition from resource trade-off to synergy reflects dynamic behavioral adaptations to seasonal climate and nutritional bottlenecks, offering new insights into primate survival strategies in extreme environments. Full article

Rural development strategies in the Andes face persistent tensions between income generation, food provision, and the conservation of ecological functions. In Patapallpa Alta (Cusco, Peru), the expansion of pine plantations associated with mushroom production has created new economic opportunities but also tensions involving water availability, land-use, and labor organization. This study applies the Multi-Scale Integrated Analysis of Societal and Ecosystem Metabolism (MuSIASEM) approach to develop a model for evaluating these trade-offs in terms of viability, feasibility, and desirability. The analysis includes territorial, productive, nutritional, and biophysical dimensions to represent interdependencies among dietary needs, food provision, labor, land-use, and biophysical pressures. The results show that the community functions as an open metabolic system where social reproduction depends on both local production and external flows. Although the pine–mushroom subsystem generates income and is socially valued, it also reshapes relationships among land, water, and labor in ecosystems where grasslands perform essential hydrological functions. This model brings the underlying structural tensions that shape sustainability to the surface and provides a useful framework for supporting decision-making in complex rural territories. Full article

Low temperature is an abiotic stress factor that affects plant development and geographic expansion, resulting in significant economic losses in worldwide food production each year. Through evolution, plants have developed intricate adaptation systems, with epigenetic regulation—modifying gene expression without altering DNA sequences—being pivotal in the cold stress response and memory formation. This review provides a systematic overview of the role of the main epigenetic mechanisms, including histone modifications, DNA methylation, non-coding RNA regulation, and chromatin remodeling, in plant cold stress responses. The article summarized research on plants, including model species Arabidopsis thaliana and rice, examined epigenetically mediated cold-stress memory and transgenerational epigenetic inheritance, and analyzed synergistic interactions among regulatory pathways. Finally, by integrating recent advances, the study identifies scientific challenges and research bottlenecks in this field and outlines future research directions and application prospects in cold-resistant crop breeding. Finally, by integrating recent advances, the study identifies scientific challenges and research bottlenecks in this field, outlines future research directions and application prospects for cold-resistant crop breeding, and provides references for further elucidating the molecular mechanisms of plant cold adaptation and for developing new cold-resistant crop varieties. These outcomes offer references for further elucidating the molecular mechanisms of plant cold adaptation and developing new cold-resistant crop varieties. Full article

Vibrio spp., known as typical marine pathogens, pose serious threats to human health worldwide due to their high incidence and prevalence. In this study, a quantitative detection method was developed for Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Vibrio vulnificus, Vibrio cholerae and Vibrio alginolyticus in aquatic products. A set of multiplex chamber-based digital PCR (cdPCR) primers and probes was designed based on new molecular targets of Vibrio species. The conditions of multiplex cdPCR were optimized and compared with those of multiplex qPCR. Under optimal conditions, the performance indicators, including the specificity, linear range, and detection limit, were systematically evaluated. The results indicate that the established method had 100% specificity among all tested strains and did not cross-react with other foodborne pathogens tested in parallel. The linear dynamic range was 10²–10⁶ CFU/mL, and the limits of detection (LODs) for V. parahaemolyticus, V. vulnificus, V. cholerae and V. alginolyticus were 5.40 × 10² CFU/mL, 3.05 × 10² CFU/mL, 4.55 × 10² CFU/mL and 1.32 × 10² CFU/mL, respectively. Furthermore, the feasibility of the proposed method was assessed in contaminated food samples, with a 10-fold improvement in detection sensitivity over that of the qPCR method under the conditions of this study. The entire detection process could be completed within 2 h. Taken together, the results of this study offer a readily adaptable diagnostic method, allowing for the simultaneous and quantitative detection of four pathogenic Vibrio species, which is promising for food safety and environmental monitoring. Full article

Tetrodotoxin (TTX, 1) is a potent neurotoxin that occurs in a wide range of marine and terrestrial organisms. 6-DeoxyTTX (2) was isolated from pufferfish as a low-abundance TTX analogue. Although the toxicities of major TTX analogues have been investigated, the acute toxicity and biological distribution of 6-deoxyTTX remain poorly understood because of limited availability of purified or synthetic 6-deoxyTTX. In this study, acute toxicity of 6-deoxyTTX was evaluated based on mouse bioassay. The toxicity of 6-deoxyTTX was estimated to be 1 MU = 570 ng, with an LD₉₉ value of 28 μg/kg. Based on comparison with the LD₉₉ value of TTX (10 μg/kg), the relative potency of 6-deoxyTTX was estimated to be 0.36, indicating higher toxicity than other deoxy analogues. In addition, high-resolution LC–MS analysis revealed the occurrence of 6-deoxyTTX in toxic pufferfish species in the genera Takifugu, Arothron, and Lagocephalus. Although 6-deoxyTTX was generally present at much lower concentrations than TTX, 6-deoxyTTX should be considered a toxicologically relevant analogue because of its relatively high acute toxicity. These results demonstrate that 6-deoxyTTX is a low-abundance TTX analogue with relatively high toxicity, providing new information relevant to food safety assessment and the distribution of TTX analogues in pufferfish. Full article

Mung bean sprouts are widely consumed for their nutritional value; however, the temporal dynamics of their key nutrients and bioactive compounds during germination remain underexplored, limiting evidence-based strategies for optimizing harvest time and cultivar selection. This study investigated the accumulation patterns of crude protein, crude starch, vitamin C, total polyphenols, total flavonoids, D-chiro-inositol, vitexin, and isovitexin in two new cultivars (Zhonglv 26 and Zhonglv 27) over a 168 h germination period. Our results revealed that germination consistently enhances protein, vitamin C, polyphenols, flavonoids, and D-chiro-inositol, while reducing starch, vitexin, and isovitexin. Notably, each nutrient reached its maximum at distinct time points—polyphenols at 132–144 h, flavonoids and D-chiro-inositol at 156 h, and protein and vitamin C at 168 h—enabling tailored harvest schedules for specific nutritional goals. Among the cultivars, Zhonglv 27 exhibited higher levels of most measured components, suggesting it may be a more suitable candidate for sprout production aimed at bioactive compound enrichment. These findings establish a time-resolved nutritional framework and may offer useful guidance for producing sprouts with enhanced bioactive content, potentially contributing to the development of value-added sprout products. Full article