Autophagy is a conserved catabolic process that degrades proteins and damaged organelles to maintain cellular homeostasis, and its role in cancer depends on stage and context. Farnesyl-diphosphate farnesyltransferase 1 (FDFT1) is an essential enzyme in the sterol branch of the mevalonate pathway, but its functions in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and in the regulation of autophagy remain poorly understood. In this study, we show that FDFT1 acts as a negative regulator of autophagy in HCC cells. Loss of FDFT1 led to increased autophagosome formation and fusion with lysosomes, whereas its overexpression suppressed both basal and induced autophagy. These changes were associated with AMPK–ULK1 signaling, suggesting that FDFT1 influences a central pathway controlling autophagy. Our findings connect cholesterol metabolism with autophagy regulation and tumor growth, highlighting FDFT1 as a potential prognostic marker and therapeutic target in liver cancer.

Purpose: Cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is recommended to identify intracranial lesions in girls with central precocious puberty (CPP). Yet, the use of routine MRI scans in girls with CPP is still debatable, as pathological findings in girls 6 years of age or older with CPP are limited. Therefore, we aimed to identify the prevalence of brain lessons in CPP patients stratified by age group (0–2, 2–6, and 6–8 years). Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study recruited 257 girls diagnosed with CPP for 6 years (2010–2016). MRI was used to detect brain abnormalities. Levels of luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and sex hormones in blood samples were measured. Results: Most girls had no brain lesions (82.9%, n=213), and of the minor proportion of girls with CPP that exhibited brain lesions (17.1%, n=44), 32 girls had organic CPP. Pathological findings were detected in 33.3% (2 of 6) of girls aged 0–2 years, 15.6% (5 of 32) of girls aged 2–6 years, and 3.6% (8 of 219) of girls aged 6–8 years. Hypothalamic hamartoma and tumors in the pituitary stalk were the most common pathological findings. The likelihood of brain lesions decreased with age. Girls with organic CPP were more likely to be younger (6.1±2.4 vs. 7.3±1.3 years, p<0.01) than girls with idiopathic CPP. Conclusion Older girls appeared to have a lower prevalence of organic CPP. Clinicians should cautiously use cranial MRI for girls aged 6–8 years with CPP.

Aims: Biocontrol of fungal plant pathogens using beneficial microorganisms is a safer alternative over synthetic fungicides. PHP12 is a bacterial strain isolated from healthy oil palm rhizosphere and is closely related to the recently described Burkholderia stagnalis, a member of the Burkholderia cepacia complex. This study aimed to characterize the antifungal activity spectrum of PHP12 and identify the antifungal compounds produced by the strain. Methodology and results: The antifungal activity of PHP12 was characterized by growing fungal strains in the presence and absence of PHP12 and measuring the radius of the antifungal zone. PHP12 inhibited the growth of fungal pathogens including Ganoderma boninense, Curvularia oryzae, Phellinus noxius and Colletotrichum capsici. However, PHP12 did not inhibit the growth of Trichoderma asperellum, a known fungal biocontrol agent. The antifungal compounds of PHP12 were precipitated using ammonium sulfate and further purified with HPLC followed by identification using Liquid Chromatography Electrospray Ionization Tandem Mass Spectrometric (LC/ESI-MS). The LC/ESI-MS analysis showed the presence of an oligopeptide with a molecular weight of 1210.63 Da. The peptide consists of heavily modified amino acids that are linked by a hexose residue. Conclusion, significance and impact of study Although characteristics of the antifungal compounds are similar to other antifungal peptides from Burkholderia such as occidiofungin, there have been no reports of antifungal peptides from B. stagnalis with the corresponding molecular weight or fragmentation profile. The novelty of the compound, as well as its antifungal spectrum, makes PHP12 an interesting strain to be investigated further as a biocontrol agent.
Fungicides, Industrial ; Burkholderia cepacia complex--pathogenicity

Background: To improve the physical fitness of athletes is one of the essential requirements of the Vietnam Sports associations. Research to discover the functional foods to improve the physical fitness of athletes in general, in particular athletic athletes is an interest to scientists. Objective: Evaluation of effect of Phunamine on some of the male, female athlete\u2019s biomedicine and physical fitness standards. Subject and methods: A controlled, double-blind, randomized, clinical experiment was conducted on 30 athletes of the Hanoi Athletic Group. They were then divided into 2 groups: research group: 20 athletes (10 men, 10 women) were administered with 4 phunamine pills per day; control group: 10 athletes (5 men, 5 women) were each administered with 4 placebo pills per day. The 2 groups had tests performed and followed up 30 days pre and post administration. Results: Max-min blood pressure change between the two groups was not significant (t(\u03b1)>0.5). Testosterone concentration change and physical fitness test (run 100m, 400m) of Phunamine dosed group were higher than the placebo group (t(\u03b1)<0.5). Conclusion: Phunamine has the effects of increasing testosterone concentration and improving physical fitness of athletes however the drug has no effect on blood pressure index of athletic athletes.
Phunamine ; functional foods ; athletes