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Two structurally novel meroterpenoids, ganodermaones A (1) and B (2), were isolated from Ganoderma fungi (G. cochlear and G. lucidum). The structures of 1 and 2 were assigned by spectroscopic, computational, and X-ray diffraction methods. Compounds 1 and 2 represent the first examples of meroterpenoids in Ganoderma fungal species featuring with carbon migration. The plausible biosynthetic pathway for 1 was proposed. Biological evaluation showed that both 1 and 2 could inhibit renal fibrosis in TGF-β1-induced kidney proximal tubular cells.Background and objective During cyclosporine-induced gingival overgrowth, the homeostatic balance of gingival connective tissue is disrupted leading to fibrosis. Galectins are glycan-binding proteins that can modulate a variety of cellular processes including fibrosis in several organs. Here, we study the role of galectin-8 (Gal-8) in the response of gingival connective tissue cells to cyclosporine. 2-bromopalmitate Methods We used human gingival fibroblasts and mouse NIH3T3 cells treated with recombinant Gal-8 and/or cyclosporine for analyzing specific mRNA and protein levels through immunoblot, real-time polymerase chain reaction, ELISA and immunofluorescence, pull-down with Gal-8-Sepharose for Gal-8-to-cell surface glycoprotein interactions, short hairpin RNA for Gal-8 silencing and Student’s t test and ANOVA for statistical analysis. Results Galectin-8 stimulated type I collagen and fibronectin protein levels and potentiated CTGF protein levels in TGF-β1-stimulated human gingival fibroblasts. Gal-8 interacted with α5β1-integrin and type II TGF-β receptor. Gal-8 stimulated fibronectin protein and mRNA levels, and this response was dependent on FAK activity but not Smad2/3 signaling. Cyclosporine and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) increased Gal-8 protein levels. Finally, silencing of galectin-8 in NIH3T3 cells abolished cyclosporine-induced fibronectin protein levels. Conclusion Taken together, these results reveal for the first time Gal-8 as a fibrogenic stimulus exerted through β1-integrin/FAK pathways in human gingival fibroblasts, which can be triggered by cyclosporine. Further studies should explore the involvement of Gal-8 in human gingival tissues and its role in drug-induced gingival overgrowth.Either central or peripheral baroreceptor reflex abnormalities and/or alterations in neurohumoral mechanisms play a pivotal role in the genesis of neurally mediated syncope. Thus, improving our knowledge of the biochemical mechanisms underlying specific forms of neurally mediated syncope (more properly termed ‘neurohumoral syncope’) might allow the development of new therapies that are effective in this specific subgroup. A low-adenosine phenotype of neurohumoral syncope has recently been identified. Patients who suffer syncope without prodromes and have a normal heart display a purinergic profile which is the opposite of that observed in vasovagal syncope patients and is characterized by very low-adenosine plasma level values, low expression of A2A receptors and the predominance of the TC variant in the single nucleotide c.1364 C>T polymorphism of the A2A receptor gene. The typical mechanism of syncope is an idiopathic paroxysmal atrioventricular block or sinus bradycardia, most often followed by sinus arrest. Since patients with low plasma adenosine levels are highly susceptible to endogenous adenosine, chronic treatment of these patients with theophylline, a non-selective adenosine receptor antagonist, is expected to prevent syncopal recurrences. This hypothesis is supported by results from series of cases and from observational controlled studies.Introduction Infections caused by hypervirulent and/or hypermucoviscous Klebsiella pneumoniae strains are frequently reported worldwide. Since convergence of hypervirulence and drug-resistance emerged as a serious clinical problem, novel therapeutic strategies are worthy of investigation. In this regard, antimicrobial photodynamic therapy and blue light have proven to be effective against a broad-spectrum of clinically relevant pathogens but were never tested for hypervirulent/hypermucoviscous strains. Thus, we investigated the influence of hypermucoviscosity and hypervirulence over the photoinactivation efficacy of blue light alone or antimicrobial photodynamic therapy mediated by methylene blue and red light. Methods Five clinical isolates of K. pneumoniae were screened for hypermucoviscosity by string test and for hypervirulence by Galleria mellonella model of systemic infection. Strains were then challenged by both photoinactivation methods performed in vitro. All tests also included a non-hypervirulent/hypermucoviscous control strain for comparisons. Results All K. pneumoniae strains were effectively inactivated by both light-based antimicrobial strategies. Hypervirulent/hypermucoviscous strains exposed to photodynamic therapy presented rapid and consistent inactivation kinetics, while blue light led to slower and more variable inactivation kinetics. Conclusion Hypermucoviscosity and hypervirulence does not confer tolerance in K. pneumoniae against photoinactivation. Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy represents an interesting alternative to treat localized infections because it is a fast procedure with high effectiveness. On the other hand, antimicrobial blue light could be used to decontaminate hospital environments since no photosensitizer administration is required and harmful effects of ultraviolet light are avoided. Therefore, visible light-based strategies present great potential for development of safe and effective antimicrobial technologies against such aggressive pathogens.Background and aims Routine screening for colorectal cancer is typically recommended until age 74 years. Although it has been proposed that screening stop age could be determined based on sex and comorbidity, less is known about the impact of screening history. We investigated the effects of screening history on selection of optimal age to stop screening. Methods We used the microsimulation model MISCAN-Colon to estimate harms and benefits of screening with biennial faecal immunochemical tests by sex, comorbidity status, and screening history. The optimal screening stop age was determined based on incremental number needed for 1 additional life-year per 1000 screened individuals compared to threshold provided by stopping screening at 76 years in the average-health population with perfect screening history (attended all required screening, diagnostic and follow-up tests) to biennial faecal immunochemical testing from age 50 years. Results For persons of age 76 years, 157 women and 108 men with perfect screening history would need to be screened to gain 1 life-year per 1000 screened individuals.