Correction: Bo et al. Atg5 Regulates Selective Autophagy of the Parental Macronucleus during Tetrahymena Sexual Reproduction. Cells 2021, 10, 3071.

In the original publication [...].

Genomic profiling of biosynthetic potentials of medicinal secondary metabolites for 'Aliisedimentitalea scapharcae' KCTC 42119T, isolated from ark shell.

Microorganisms living with higher organisms are valuable sources of bioactive substances like antibiotics, which could assist them competing for more and better nutrients or space. Here, we focused on a marine animal-associated bacterium, 'Aliisedimentitalea scapharcae' KCTC 42119T, which was isolated from ark shell collected from Gang-Jin bay of South Korea. We evaluated its biosynthetic potentials of medicinal secondary metabolites by de novo genome sequencing. The complete genome of strain KCTC 42119T sequenced is 5,083,900 bp and is comprised of one circular chromosome and four circular plasmids. Functional genome analysis by antiSMASH v7.1.0 showed that there are nine biosynthetic gene clusters encoded on the chromosome. The annotated secondary metabolites include antibiotic corynecin, cytoprotective ectoine and antineoplastic ET-743 (Yondelis), which suggested strain KCTC 42119T possesses potentials to synthesize a series of secondary metabolites of pharmaceutical utility. Genome analysis of 'A. scapharcae' also provides more insights into mining bioactive substances from animal-associated microorganisms.

Quantitative response of the spatial distribution of diesel oil to freezing and thawing temperatures in groundwater.

The mobilization and redistribution of organic contaminants in groundwater is the basis and key to explore its dynamic evolution and appropriate remediation. The naturally occurring diametrical temperature gradient during freezing and thawing cycle leads to distinct behaviors of organic contaminants in groundwater. In this study, the pore-scale distribution of diesel oil in the porous media was quantitatively divided into capillary fluid state (CFS) and free fluid state (FFS) based on multiphase flow dynamics, employing low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF-NMR) technology. The pore-scale distribution of diesel oil depends not only on the freezing and thawing cycle but also on the temperature gradient according to LF-NMR results. The content of diesel oil in the CFS generally increases with a positive temperature gradient (e.g. freezing) compared to a negative temperature gradient (e.g. thawing), while the content of diesel oil in the FFS generally decreases. This dependence of the temperature gradient on pore-scale distribution of the diesel oil is positively correlated with the particle size of the porous medium. Furthermore, the pore-scale distribution of the diesel oil during the freezing and thawing cycle is influenced by the kinematic viscosity of the diesel oil. There is an exponential relationship between the diesel oil content and the kinematic viscosity, independent of the freezing or thawing process. During the freezing process, the diesel oil migrates from FFS to CFS, while this migration is reversed during the thawing process. The reverse migration of the diesel oil between the freezing and thawing processes leads to a spatial redistribution of the diesel oil, which is controlled by both the fluid energy and the capillary force. The present work provide meaningful guidance for the remediation of groundwater contamination in cold regions.

Limited effects of xylem anatomy on embolism resistance in cycad leaves.

Drought-induced xylem embolism is a primary cause of plant mortality. Although c. 70% of cycads are threatened by extinction and extant cycads diversified during a period of increasing aridification, the vulnerability of cycads to embolism spread has been overlooked. We quantified the vulnerability to drought-induced embolism, pressure-volume curves, in situ water potentials, and a suite of xylem anatomical traits of leaf pinnae and rachises for 20 cycad species. We tested whether anatomical traits were linked to hydraulic safety in cycads. Compared with other major vascular plant clades, cycads exhibited similar embolism resistance to angiosperms and pteridophytes but were more vulnerable to embolism than noncycad gymnosperms. All 20 cycads had both tracheids and vessels, the proportions of which were unrelated to embolism resistance. Only vessel pit membrane fraction was positively correlated to embolism resistance, contrary to angiosperms. Water potential at turgor loss was significantly correlated to embolism resistance among cycads. Our results show that cycads exhibit low resistance to xylem embolism and that xylem anatomical traits - particularly vessels - may influence embolism resistance together with tracheids. This study highlights the importance of understanding the mechanisms of drought resistance in evolutionarily unique and threatened lineages like the cycads.

Selective Elucidation of Living Microbial Communities in Fermented Grains of Chinese Baijiu: Development of a Technique Integrating Propidium Monoazide Probe Pretreatment and Amplicon Sequencing.

The fermentation process of Chinese Baijiu's fermented grains involves the intricate succession and metabolism of microbial communities, collectively shaping the Baijiu's quality. Understanding the composition and succession of these living microbial communities within fermented grains is crucial for comprehending fermentation and flavor formation mechanisms. However, conducting high-throughput analysis of living microbial communities within the complex microbial system of fermented grains poses significant challenges. Thus, this study addressed this challenge by devising a high-throughput analysis framework using light-flavor Baijiu as a model. This framework combined propidium monoazide (PMA) pretreatment technology with amplicon sequencing techniques. Optimal PMA treatment parameters, including a concentration of 50 µM and incubation in darkness for 5 min followed by an exposure incubation period of 5 min, were identified. Utilizing this protocol, viable microorganism biomass ranging from 8.71 × 106 to 1.47 × 108 copies/µL was successfully detected in fermented grain samples. Subsequent amplicon sequencing analysis revealed distinct microbial community structures between untreated and PMA-treated groups, with notable differences in relative abundance compositions, particularly in dominant species such as Lactobacillus, Bacillus, Pediococcus, Saccharomycopsis, Issatchenkia and Pichia, as identified by LEfSe analysis. The results of this study confirmed the efficacy of PMA-amplicon sequencing technology for analyzing living microbial communities in fermented grains and furnished a methodological framework for investigating living microbial communities in diverse traditional fermented foods. This technical framework holds considerable significance for advancing our understanding of the fermentation mechanisms intrinsic to traditional fermented foods.

CsPbBrxCl3-x Solid Solutions: Understanding the Relationship between Lattice Expansion and Optical Properties.

All-inorganic halide perovskite semiconductors have received extensive attention due to their excellent photoelectronic conversion efficiency. Prior studies have reported on compounds CsPbBr3 and CsPbCl3. However, the transition phases between them have not been systematically studied. Here, a series of large-size single crystals of CsPbBrxCl3-x (x = 0-3) were successfully grown by the Bridgman method, which proves that the Br and Cl atoms can be miscible in any proportion in the solid solution system, and the change of lattice parameters conforms to Vegard's law. Also, the bandgap and light emission were studied. It is found that the band gap (2.90-2.29 eV) and photoluminescence characteristics (from blue light to green light) can be effectively tuned by adjusting the content of the Br atom. These results provide valuable guidance for the development and optimization of photoelectronic semiconductors that can meet different practical demands.

RebL1 is required for macronuclear structure stability and gametogenesis in Tetrahymena thermophila.

Histone modification and nucleosome assembly play important roles in chromatin-related processes. Histone chaperones form different complexes and coordinate histone transportation and assembly. Various histone chaperone complexes have been identified in different organisms. The ciliate protozoa (ciliates) have various chromatin structures and different nuclear morphology. However, histone chaperone components and functions of different subunits remain unclear in ciliates. Tetrahymema thermophila contains a transcriptionally active macronucleus (MAC) and a transcriptionally inactive micronucleus (MIC) which exhibit multiple replication and various chromatin remodeling progresses during vegetative growth and sexual developmental stages. Here, we found histone chaperone RebL1 not only localized evenly in the transcriptionally active MAC but also dynamically changed in the MIC during vegetative growth and sexual developmental stages. REBL1 knockdown inhibited cellular proliferation. The macronuclear morphology became bigger in growing mutants. The abnormal macronuclear structure also occurred in the starvation stage. Furthermore, micronuclear meiosis was disturbed during sexual development, leading to a failure to generate new gametic nuclei. RebL1 potentially interacted with various factors involved in histone-modifying complexes and chromatin remodeling complexes in different developmental stages. REBL1 knockdown affected expression levels of the genes involved in chromatin organization and transcription. Taken together, RebL1 plays a vital role in maintaining macronuclear structure stability and gametogenesis in T. thermophila. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s42995-024-00219-z.

U and Co Dual Single-Atom Doped MXene for Accelerating Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution Activity.

A large amount of radioactive waste is accumulated in the process of nuclear fuel preparation, causing serious pollution to the environment and abundant depleted uranium resources to be abandoned. One of the key issues affecting the development of nuclear energy is how to make full use of depleted uranium resources efficiently. Here, U element with unique coordination mode of 5f electron is spacer bonded to transition metal with 3d orbit through the adsorption and anchoring effect of MXene, thus U and Co dual doped MXene catalyst is constructed along with the comprehensive utilization of depleted uranium resources. The as-prepared U-Co/MXene catalyst demonstrates excellent overpotential of only 184 mV at -10 mA cm-2 and excellent stability up to 150 h, significantly surpassing the bare MXene substrate. Theoretical calculations indicate that the U and Co dual doping optimizes the electronic structure of MXene catalyst by forming the U-O-Co network, thereby improving the thermodynamics of H* adsorption during the catalytic transition state. This research opens up a new path for the recovery of depleted uranium resources and the development of functional actinide catalysts.

Hepatic selective insulin resistance at the intersection of insulin signaling and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease.

Insulin resistance (IR) is a major pathogenic factor in the progression of MASLD. In the liver, insulin suppresses gluconeogenesis and enhances de novo lipogenesis (DNL). During IR, there is a defect in insulin-mediated suppression of gluconeogenesis, but an unrestrained increase in hepatic lipogenesis persists. The mechanism of increased hepatic steatosis in IR is unclear and remains controversial. The key discrepancy is whether insulin retains its ability to directly regulate hepatic lipogenesis. Blocking insulin/IRS/AKT signaling reduces liver lipid deposition in IR, suggesting insulin can still regulate lipid metabolism; hepatic glucose metabolism that bypasses insulin's action may contribute to lipogenesis; and due to peripheral IR, other tissues are likely to impact liver lipid deposition. We here review the current understanding of insulin's action in governing different aspects of hepatic lipid metabolism under normal and IR states, with the purpose of highlighting the essential issues that remain unsettled.

Novel Sesquiterpenoids with Renoprotective Activities from the Fruits of Alpinae oxyphylla as Potent TGF-ß1/Smads Phosphorylation Inhibitors.

The fruit of Alpinia oxyphylla Miq is an important food spice in southern China and has been used in the treatment of kidney disorders for centuries. In order to discover the natural products with potent renoprotective activities in A. oxyphylla and provide some references for its usage, systematic phytochemical studies were carried out and 24 new diverse sesquiterpenoids, including seven guaiane sesquiterpenoids (1-7), 10 eudesmane sesquiterpenoids (9-13, 18, 19, and 21-23), six cadinane sesquiterpenoids (31-35 and 38), and an eremophilane sesquiterpenoid (40), along with 24 known analogues were isolated and elucidated by analysis of spectroscopic data and quantum-chemical calculations. Biological evaluation showed that 6 sesquiterpenoids could significantly inhibit the expression of extracellular matrix components, α-SMA in TGF-ß1 induced kidney proximal tubular cells (NRK-52e) at low concentrations, and 9 sesquiterpenoids could also downregulate fibronectin and collagen I in a concentration-dependent manner, showing their potential in renal fibrosis. Further action mechanism study displayed that TGF-ß1/Smads pathway might be involved in the antifibrotic effects of active sesquiterpenoids 15 and 43. These studies suggest that A. oxyphylla may have a potential to serve as a functional food in preventing renal fibrosis-associated diseases.

Separation and Detection of Catechins and Epicatechins in Shanxi Aged Vinegar Using Solid-Phase Extraction and Hydrophobic Deep Eutectic Solvents Combined with HPLC.

This research presents a new, eco-friendly, and swift method combining solid-phase extraction and hydrophobic deep eutectic solvents (DES) with high-performance liquid chromatography (SPE-DES-HPLC) for extracting and quantifying catechin and epicatechin in Shanxi aged vinegar (SAV). The parameters, such as the elution solvent type, the XAD-2 macroporous resin dosage, the DES ratio, the DES volume, the adsorption time, and the desorption time, were optimized via a one-way experiment. A central composite design using the Box-Behnken methodology was employed to investigate the effects of various factors, including 17 experimental runs and the construction of three-dimensional response surface plots to identify the optimal conditions. The results show that the optimal conditions were an HDES (tetraethylammonium chloride and octanoic acid) ratio of 1:3, an XAD-2 macroporous resin dosage of 188 mg, and an adsorption time of 11 min. Under these optimal conditions, the coefficients of determination of the method were greater than or equal to 0.9917, the precision was less than 5%, and the recoveries ranged from 98.8% to 118.8%. The environmentally friendly nature of the analytical process and sample preparation was assessed via the Analytical Eco-Scale and AGREE, demonstrating that this method is a practical and eco-friendly alternative to conventional determination techniques. In summary, this innovative approach offers a solid foundation for the assessment of flavanol compounds present in SAV samples.

A highly selective and sensitive rhodamine B-based chemosensor for Sn4+ in water-bearing and biomaging and biosensing in zebrafish.

A novel colorimetric-fluorescent dual-mode chemosensor (JT5) based on rhodamine B has been produced for monitoring Sn4+ in the DMSO/H2O (4:1, v/v) medium. It has high sensitivity, a low detection limit, a short response time (1 s) and high stability, and can still be maintained after two weeks with the red dual fluorescence/ colorimetric response. Enhancement of red fluorescence (591 nm) and red colorimetric (567 nm) response of JT5 by Sn4+ addition. The electrostatic potential of the sensor JT5 molecule was simulated to speculate on the sensing mechanism, and the IR, mass spectrometry and 1H NMR titration were utilized to further demonstrate that JT5 was coordinated to Sn4+ with a 1:1 type, the rhodamine spironolactam ring of JT5 opens up to form a penta-membered ring with Sn4+, meanwhile, its system may have chelation enhanced fluorescence (CHEF) effect. In addition, theoretical calculations were carried out to give the energy gaps of JT5 and [JT5 + Sn4+] as well as to simulate the electronic properties of the maximal absorption peaks. Notably, the sensor JT5 was successfully applied to monitoring Sn4+ in zebrafish, and the JT5-loaded filter paper provided a solid-state platform for detecting Sn4+ by both naked eye and fluorescent methods. In summary, this work contributes to monitoring Sn4+ in organisms and solid-state materials and promotes understanding of Sn4+ functions in biological systems, environments, and solid-state materials.

Determination of insecticide residues in beverages based on MIL-100(Fe) dispersive solid-phase microextraction in combination with dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction followed by HPLC-MS/MS.

A novel dispersive solid-phase microextraction method based on a metal-organic framework (MIL-100(Fe)) combined with a dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction technique was proposed for the extraction and enrichment of four insecticides in beverages. The qualitative and quantitative analysis of these insecticides was conducted using HPLC-MS/MS. To optimize the extraction process, several parameters were investigated, and the main variables were optimized using CCD-based RSM. The developed method displayed a wide linear range of 1.000-1000 ng/L and R2 values >0.993 for all four calibration curves. The method demonstrated high sensitivity, with LODs and LOQs of 0.3-0.6 ng/L and 0.8-1.0 ng/L, respectively. In addition, the greenness of the proposed method was assessed using the Complex GAPI tool, and the results showed that the proposed method exhibits benefits, such as minimal usage of organic solvents and negligible matrix influence, making it a suitable method for the detection of insecticide residues in beverages.

Superior COL7A1 and TGM1 gene expression in difficult-to-transfect skin cell mediated by highly branched poly(ß-amino esters) through stepwise fractionation.

Delivering functional gene into targeted skin cells or tissues to modulate the genes expression, has the potential to treat various hereditary cutaneous disorders. Nevertheless, the lack of safe and effective gene delivery vehicles greatly limits the clinical translation of gene therapy for inherited skin diseases. Herein, we developed a facile elution fractionation strategy to isolate eight HPAEs with Mw ranging from 7.6 to 131.8 kg/mol and D < 2.0 from the one crude HPAE23.7k, and investigated the expression efficiency for TGM1 and COL7A1 plasmids. Gene transfection results revealed that the intermediate MW HPAEs, HPAE20.6k, exhibited the highest gene transfection efficiency (46.4%) and the strongest mean fluorescence intensity (143,032 RLU), compared to other isolated components and the crude product. Importantly, best-performing isolated HPAE effectively delivered COL7A1 (15,974 bp) and TGM1 (7181 bp) plasmids, promoting the efficient expression of type VII collagen (C7) and transglutaminase-1 proteins in cutaneous cells. Our study establishes a straightforward step-by-step elution fractionation strategy for the development of HPAEs gene delivery vectors, expediting their clinical translation in inherited skin diseases.

Pollution control performance of solidified nickel-cobalt tailings on site: Bioavailability of heavy metals and microbial response.

There has been increasing attention given to nickel-cobalt tailings (NCT), which pose a risk of heavy metal pollution in the field. In this study, on site tests and sampling analysis were conducted to assess the physical and chemical characteristics, heavy metal toxicity, and microbial diversity of the original NCT, solidified NCT, and the surrounding soil. The research results show that the potential heavy metal pollution species in NCT are mainly Ni, Co, Mn, and Cu. Simultaneous solidification and passivation of heavy metals in NCT were achieved, resulting in a reduction in biological toxicity and a fivefold increase in seed germination rate. The compressive strength of the original tailings was increased by 20 times after solidification. The microbial diversity test showed that the abundance of microbial community in the original NCT was low and the population was monotonous. This study demonstrates, for the first time, that the use of NCT for solidification in ponds can effectively solidification of heavy metals, reduce biological toxicity, and promote microorganism diversity in mining areas (tended to the microbial ecosystem in the surrounding soil). Indeed, this study provides a new perspective for the environmental remediation of metal tailings.

Ratiometric emission of Tb(III)-functionalized Cd-based layered MOFs for portable visual detection of trace amounts of diquat in apples, potatoes and corn.

Diquat (DQ) is a typical bipyridine herbicide widely used to control weeds in fields and orchards. The severe toxicity of diquat poses a serious threat to the environment and human health. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have received widespread attention due to their unique physical and chemical properties and applications in the detection of toxic and harmful substances. In this work, a two-dimensional (2D) Tb(III) functionalized MOF Tb(III)@1 (1 = [Cd(HTATB)(bimb)]n·H2O (Cd-MOF), H3TATB = 4,4',4″-triazine-2,4,6-tribenzoicacid, bimb = 1,4-bis((1H-imidazol-1-yl)methyl)benzene) has been prepared and characterized. Tb(III)@1 has excellent optical properties and high water and chemical stability. After the Tb(III) is fixed by the uncoordinated -COO- in the 1 framework, Tb(III)@1 emits the typical green fluorescence of the lanthanide ion Tb(III) through the "antenna effect". It is worth noting that Tb(III)@1 can be used as a dual emission fluorescence chemical sensor for the ratio fluorescence detection of pesticide DQ, exhibiting a relatively low detection limit of 0.06 nM and a wide detection range of 0-50 nM. After the addition of DQ, a rapid color change of Tb(III)@1 fluorescence from green to blue was observed due to the combined effects of IFE, FRET and dynamic quenching. Therefore, a simple test paper box has been designed for direct on-site determination of pesticide DQ. In addition, the developed sensor has been successfully applied to the detection of DQ in real samples (fruits a Yin-Xia Sun and Bo-Tao Ji contributed equally to this work and should be considered co-first authors.nd vegetables) with satisfactory results. The results indicate that the probe developed in this study has broad application prospects in both real sample detection and actual on-site testing.

Construction and validation of somatic mutation-derived long non-coding RNAs signatures of genomic instability to predict prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Long non-coding RNAs (LncRNAs) have been found to be a potential prognostic factor for cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Some LncRNAs have been confirmed as potential indicators to quantify genomic instability (GI). Nevertheless, GI-LncRNAs remain largely unexplored. This study established a GI-derived LncRNA signature (GILncSig) that can predict the prognosis of HCC patients. AIM: To establish a GILncSig that can predict the prognosis of HCC patients. METHODS: Identification of GI-LncRNAs was conducted by combining LncRNA expression and somatic mutation profiles. The GI-LncRNAs were then analyzed for functional enrichment. The GILncSig was established in the training set by Cox regression analysis, and its predictive ability was verified in the testing set and TCGA set. In addition, we explored the effects of the GILncSig and TP53 on prognosis. RESULTS: A total of 88 GI-LncRNAs were found, and functional enrichment analysis showed that their functions were mainly involved in small molecule metabolism and GI. The GILncSig was constructed by 5 LncRNAs (miR210HG, AC016735.1, AC116351.1, AC010643.1, LUCAT1). In the training set, the prognosis of high-risk patients was significantly worse than that of low-risk patients, and similar results were verified in the testing set and TCGA set. Multivariate Cox regression analysis and stratified analysis confirmed that the GILncSig could be used as an independent prognostic factor. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis of the GILncSig showed that the area under the curve (0.773) was higher than the two LncRNA signatures published recently. Furthermore, the GILncSig may have a better predictive performance than TP53 mutation status alone. CONCLUSION: We established a GILncSig that can predict the prognosis of HCC patients, which will help to guide prognostic evaluation and treatment decisions.

Enhanced Uranium Extraction via Charge Dynamics and Interfacial Polarization in MoS2/GO Heterojunction Electrodes.

The removal of uranyl ions (UO2 2+) from water is challenging due to their chemical stability, low concentrations, complex water matrix, and technical limitations in extraction and separation. Herein, a novel molybdenum disulfide/graphene oxide heterojunction (MoS2/GO-H) is developed, serving as an effective electrode for capacitive deionization (CDI). By combining the inherent advantages of electroadsorption and electrocatalysis, an innovative electroadsorption-electrocatalysis system (EES) strategy is introduced. This system utilizes interface polarization at the MoS2 and GO interface, creating an additional electric field that significantly influences carrier behavior. The MoS2/GO-H electrode, with its extraordinary adsorption capacity of 805.57 mg g-1 under optimal conditions, effectively treated uranium-laden wastewater from a mine, achieving over 90% removal efficiency despite the presence of numerous competing ions at concentrations significantly higher than UO2 2+. Employing density functional theory (DFT) and ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) simulations, it is found that the MoS2/GO-H total charge density at the Fermi level, enhanced by interfacial polarization, surpasses that of separate MoS2 and GO, markedly boosting conductivity and electrocatalytic effectiveness.

Lumbar and neck injuries of occupants in different reclining postures.

PURPOSE: With the increasing level of automation in automobiles, the advent of autonomous vehicles has reduced the tendency of drivers and passengers to focus on the task of driving. The increasing automation in automobiles reduced the drivers' and passengers' focus on driving, which allowed occupants to choose a more relaxed and comfortable sitting position. Meanwhile, the occupant's sitting position went from a frontal, upright position to a more relaxed and reclined one, which resulted in the existing restraint systems cannot to keep occupants safe and secure. This study aimed to determine the effects of different reclining states on occupants' lumbar and neck injuries. METHODS: This is an original research on the field of automotive safety engineering. Occupants in different initial sitting positions (25°, 35°, 45°, and 55°) were adapted to changes in seat back angle and restraint systems and placed in the same frontal impact environment. Neck injury indexes, lumbar axial compression force and acceleration, as well as occupant dynamic response during the impact, were compared in different sitting positions. The injury response and kinematic characteristics of occupants in different reclining positions were analyzed by the control variable method. RESULTS: As the sitting angle increased, the occupant's head acceleration decreased, and the forward-lean angle decreased. Occupants in the standard sitting position had the greatest neck injury, with an Nij of 0.95, and were susceptible to abbreviated injury scale 2+ cervical medullary injuries. As the seatback angle increased, the geometric position of the lumbar spine tended to be horizontal, and the impact load transmitted greater forces to the lumbar spine. The occupant's lumbar injury was greatest in the lying position, with a peak axial compression force on the lumbar region of 5.5 KN, which was 2.3 KN greater than in the standard sitting position. CONCLUSION: The study of occupant lumbar and neck injuries based on different recline states can provide a theoretical basis for optimizing lumbar evaluation indexes, which is conducive to the understanding of the lumbar injury mechanism and the comprehensive consideration of occupant safety protection.

Regulatory effects of mangiferin on LPS-induced inflammatory responses and intestinal flora imbalance during sepsis.

Studies suggest that mangiferin (MAF) has good therapeutic effects on chronic bronchitis and hepatitis. Also, it is one of the antiviral ingredients in Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bunge. However, its effect on the LPS-induced inflammation and intestinal flora during sepsis remains unclear yet. In the present study, LPS-stimulated inflammation RAW264.7 cells and LPS-induced sepsis mice were used to evaluate the efficacy of MAF in vitro and in vivo. 16S rDNA sequencing was performed to analyze the characteristics of intestinal flora of the sepsis mice. It has been demonstrated that MAF (12.5 and 25 µg/mL) significantly inhibited protein expressions of TLR4, MyD88, NF-κB, and TNF-α in the LPS-treated cells and reduced the supernatant TNF-α and IL-6 levels. In vivo, MAF (20 mg/kg) markedly protected the sepsis mice and reduced the serum TNF-α and IL-6 levels. Also, MAF significantly downregulated the protein expressions of TLR4, NF-κB, and MyD88 in the livers. Importantly, MAF significantly attenuated the pathological injuries of the livers and small intestines. Further, MAF significantly increased proportion of Bacteroidota and decreased the proportions of Firmicutes, Desulfobacterota, Actinobacteriota, and Proteobacteria at phylum level, and it markedly reduced the proportions of Escherichia-Shigella, Pseudoalteromonas, Staphylococcus at genus level. Moreover, MAF affects some metabolism-related pathways such as citrate cycle (TCA cycle), lipoic acid metabolism, oxidative phosphorylation, bacterial chemotaxis, fatty acid biosynthesis, and peptidoglycan biosynthesis of the intestinal flora. Thus, it can be concluded that MAF as a treatment reduces the inflammatory responses in vitro and in vivo by inhibiting the TLR4/ MyD88/NF-κB pathway, and corrects intestinal flora imbalance during sepsis to some degree.