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Two novel nortriterpenoids, cyclopalitins A and B (1 and 2), were isolated from aerial parts of Cyclocarya paliurus. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analyses including high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HR-ESI-MS), 1D NMR and 2D NMR. Compounds 1 and 2 were tested for their cytotoxicity towards B16F10. The results revealed that they didn’t show cytotoxic activity against B16F10 with 10 ug/mL treatment for 48 h.

The present study describes the preparation of a dodecapeptide YHWYGYTPQNVI (GE11)‑conjugated liposome bound with polyethylene glycol to enhance the therapeutic effect of resveratrol (RSV) in head and neck cancer cells. The results indicated that (RSV)‑loaded GE11‑conjugated liposomes (RSV‑GL) exhibited a high entrapment efficiency of >95%, with an active drug loading level of 19.5% w/w. Release kinetics revealed that RSV was released in a slow and sustained manner from the RSV‑GL and RSV‑loaded liposome (RSV‑L) nanoparticulate systems. The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)‑overexpressing squamous cell carcinoma HN cells specifically internalized GE11 surface‑conjugated liposome in a manner that was markedly increased compared with that of the non‑targeted carrier. Consistently, RSV‑GL exhibited a significantly increased cytotoxic effect compared with that of the non‑targeted nanoparticles. Notably, RSV‑GL induced significantly increased proportions of early (~60%) and late (~10%) apoptotic cells in head and neck cancer cell populations. To the best of our knowledge, the application and development of EGFR‑targeted peptide‑conjugated liposome system for RSV delivery has not been studied previously in the treatment of head and neck cancer. In addition, RSV‑GL exhibited the greatest antitumor efficacy compared with any other group. RSV‑GL exhibited a 2‑fold decrease in tumor volume compared with the free RSV and a 3‑fold decrease in volume compared with the control. Overall, the nanomedicine strategy described in the present study may potentially advance the chemotherapy‑based treatment of head and neck cancer, with promising applications in other EGFR‑overexpressing tumors.

Prophylactic vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 have been extensively developed globally to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic. However, recently emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants B.1.1.7 and B.1.351 limit the vaccine protection effects and successfully escape antibody cocktail treatment. Herein, based on our previously engineered adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector, AAV-ie, and systematic immunogen screening, we developed an AAV-ie-S1 vaccine with thermostability, high efficiency, safety, and single-dose vaccination advantage. Importantly, the AAV-ie-S1 immune sera efficiently neutralize B.1.1.7 and B.1.351, indicating a potential to circumvent the spreading of SARS-CoV-2.

Peanut varieties have their own distinct characteristics, which also affect the properties of the processed-products. Knowledge on these effects can assist peanut processors to select certain varieties for specific products. Therefore, the multivariate relationships between the quality traits of peanut kernels and their peanut butters were explored in this study. Peanut butters were manufactured from forty peanut varieties with detailed component analysis. The volatile compounds, colour, texture, rheology, and particle size distributions of peanut butters and their relationships with peanut varieties were comprehensively analysed. The results showed that peanut butters prepared from varieties with lower fat, higher protein, and higher sucrose contents have higher firmness, yield stress, and G ′ values. It was also suggested that amino acids likely play a major role in the formation of the distinct peanut butter aroma and colour. This research study provided a detailed analysis approach that can be used by processing enterprises to select the most suitable varieties to produce peanut butters that address different commercial needs.

Human adipose-derived stem cells (hADSCs) are increasingly presumed to be a prospective stem cell source for cell replacement therapy in various degenerative and/or traumatic diseases. The potential of trans-differentiating hADSCs into motor neuron cells indisputably provides an alternative way for spinal cord injury (SCI) treatment. In the present study, a stepwise and efficient hADSC trans-differentiation protocol with retinoic acid (RA), sonic hedgehog (SHH), and neurotrophic factors were developed. With this protocol hADSCs could be converted into electrophysiologically active motoneuron-like cells (hADSC-MNs), which expressed both a cohort of pan neuronal markers and motor neuron specific markers. Moreover, after being primed for neuronal differentiation with RA/SHH, hADSCs were transplanted into SCI mouse model and they survived, migrated, and integrated into injured site and led to partial functional recovery of SCI mice. When ablating the transplanted hADSC-MNs harboring HSV-TK-mCherry overexpression system with antivirial Ganciclovir (GCV), functional relapse was detected by motor-evoked potential (MEP) and BMS assays, implying that transplanted hADSC-MNs participated in rebuilding the neural circuits, which was further confirmed by retrograde neuronal tracing system (WGA). GFP-labeled hADSC-MNs were subjected to whole-cell patch-clamp recording in acute spinal cord slice preparation and both action potentials and synaptic activities were recorded, which further confirmed that those pre-conditioned hADSCs indeed became functionally active neurons in vivo. As well, transplanted hADSC-MNs largely prevented the formation of injury-induced cavities and exerted obvious immune-suppression effect as revealed by preventing astrocyte reactivation and favoring the secretion of a spectrum of anti-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Our work suggests that hADSCs can be readily transformed into MNs in vitro, and stay viable in spinal cord of the SCI mouse and exert multi-therapeutic effects by rebuilding the broken circuitry and optimizing the microenvironment through immunosuppression.