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Magnesium phosphate bone cements (MPC) have been recognized as a viable alternative for bone defect repair due to their high mechanical strength and biodegradability. However, their poor porosity and permeability limit osteogenic cell ingrowth and vascularization, which is critical for bone regeneration. In the current study, we constructed a novel hierarchically-porous magnesium phosphate bone cement by incorporating extracellular matrix (ECM)-mimicking electrospun silk fibroin (SF) nanofibers. The SF-embedded MPC (SM) exhibited a heterogeneous and hierarchical structure, which effectively facilitated the rapid infiltration of oxygen and nutrients as well as cell ingrowth. Besides, the SF fibers improved the mechanical properties of MPC and neutralized the highly alkaline environment caused by excess magnesium oxide. Bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs) adhered excellently on SM, as illustrated by formation of more pseudopodia. CCK8 assay showed that SM promoted early proliferation of BMSCs. Our study also verified that SM increased the expression of OPN, RUNX2 and BMP2, suggesting enhanced osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs. We screened for osteogenesis-related pathways, including FAK signaing, Wnt signaling and Notch signaling, and found that SM aided in the process of bone regeneration by suppressing the Notch signaling pathway, proved by the downregulation of NICD1, Hes1 and Hey2. In addition, using a bone defect model of rat calvaria, the study revealed that SM exhibited enhanced osteogenesis, bone ingrowth and vascularization compared with MPC alone. No adverse effect was found after implantation of SM in vivo. Overall, our novel SM exhibited promising prospects for the treatment of critical-sized bone defects.

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The aim of this study was to investigate the prebiotic properties of the almond polysaccharide AP-1 on intestinal microorganisms by using an in vitro fecal fermentation method and its anti-inflammatory effect on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW264.7 cells. The results showed that during the in vitro fermentation of AP-1, the pH value of the fermentation broth decreased obviously, while the concentration of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) increased significantly, especially acetic acid and butyric acid. In genus level, the number of Clostridium and Megamonas increased markedly in the AP-1 group after 24 h of fermentation. After 48 h of fermentation, there was a noticeable increase in the number of beneficial genera Lactobacillaceae and Bifidobacteriaceae, and a considerable decrease in the number of pro-inflammatory genera. In addition, we found that AP-1 had no toxic effect on RAW264.7 cells. In the LPS-induced inflammation model of RAW264.7 cells, AP-1 could effectively inhibit the release of NO, regulate the level of reactive oxides (ROS), and effectively down-regulate the mRNA expression of TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-6 and iNOS. In conclusion, the almond polysaccharide AP-1 may be a functional active substance aimed at promoting intestinal health and exerting anti-inflammatory effects.

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Eurya rubiginosa var. attenuata is a valuable multiuse tree with a long history of use in China. It has great economic and ecological importance and is used for landscape and urban planting, soil improvement, and raw materials for food production. However, genomic studies of E. rubiginosa var. attenuata are limited. Meanwhile, the classification of this taxon is controversial. In this study, the complete plastome of E. rubiginosa var. attenuata was successfully sequenced and assembled. The chloroplast genome is 157,215 bp in length with a 37.3% GC content. The chloroplast genome structure includes a quadripartite structure comprising a pair of inverted repeat (IR) sequences of 25,872 bp, a small single-copy (SSC) region of 18,216 bp, and a large single-copy (LSC) region of 87,255 bp. The genome contains 128 genes, including 83 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA genes, and 8 rRNA genes. Phylogenetic inference based on complete plastome analysis showed that E. rubiginosa var. attenuata is closely related to E. alata and belongs to the family Pentaphylacaceae, which differs from the results of the traditional Engler system. The chloroplast genome sequence assembly and phylogenetic analysis enrich the genetic resources of Pentaphylacaceae and provide a molecular basis for further studies on the phylogeny of the family.

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The extract of Dioscorea zingiberensis C.H. Wright rhizomes is found to be effective in the therapy of cardiovascular disease. Steroidal saponins make substantial contribution. Previous study has proposed that methylprotodioscin (MP) may promote cholesterol efflux by increasing ABCA1 expression. But the other main saponins ingredients are not referred to. The aim of the present work was to reveal the effect and mechanism of protodioscin (PD), MP and pseudoprotodioscin (PPD) on the synthesis-related gene expression of cholesterol and triglycerides. MTT assay apoptosis assay with annexin AV-APC and 7-AAD double staining were performed. MicroRNA assay and qRT-PCR were used to analyze the gene expression which regulates synthesis of cholesterol and triglycerides. Western blot was to demonstrate the levels of target proteins. Cholesterol efflux assay was executed to study the stimulative effect of saponins on cholesterol efflux. In Hep G2 cells, PPD increased ABCA1 protein and mRNA levels, and promoted the effluxion of ApoA-1-mediated cholesterol. The underlying mechanisms involved that PPD inhibited SREBP1c and SREBP2 transcription by decreasing microRNA 33a/b levels. This procedure reciprocally led to the increase of ABCA1 levels. In THP-1 macrophages, PPD showed the similar effect, which reduced HMGCR, FAS and ACC mRNA levels and promoted low density lipoprotein receptor by decreasing the PCSK9 levels. These studies demonstrated that PPD is a potential agent for cholesterol efflux, SREBPs and microRNA 33a/b inhibition, which related to the gene expression for the synthesis of cholesterol and triglycerides.

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Peucedanum praeruptorum is an important traditional herbal medicine unique to China. The complete chloroplast genome of P. praeruptorum was generated here using high-throughput sequencing. The plastome was 147,197 bp in size, which consisted of a pair of inverted repeats (IRs; 18,713 bp), a large single copy (LSC; 92,161 bp) and a small single copy (SSC; 17,610 bp). The GC content of the plastome was 37.6%, with 44.5%, 36.0%, and 31.1% in IRs, LSC, and SSC, respectively. A total of 128 genes were annotated, including 84 protein-coding genes, 35 tRNAs, eight rRNAs, and one pseudogene (Ψycf1). The phylogenomic analysis indicated that P. praeruptorum formed a monophyletic clade with Peucedanum japonicum.