Comparison Study of Bone Defect Healing Effect of Raw and Processed Pyritum in Rats

To evaluate and compare the effect of raw and processed pyritum on tibial defect healing, 32 male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups. After tibial defect, animals were produced and grouped: sham and control group were orally administrated with distilled water (1 mL/100 g), while treatment groups were given aqueous extracts of raw and processed pyritum (1.5 g/kg) for successive 42 days. Radiographic examination showed that bone defect healing effect of the treatment groups was obviously superior compared to that of the control group. Bone mineral density of whole tibia was increased significantly after treating with pyritum. Inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry showed that the contents of Ca, P, and Mg in callus significantly increased in the treatment groups comparing with the control. Moreover, serological analysis showed that the concentration of serum phosphorus of the treatment groups significantly increased compared with that of the control group. By in vitro study, we have evaluated the effects of drug-containing serum of raw and processed pyritum on osteoblasts. It was manifested that both the drug-containing sera of raw and processed pyritum significantly increased the mRNA levels of alkaline phosphatase and collagen type I. Protein levels of phosphorylated Smad2/3 also increased. The mRNA levels of osteocalcin and transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) type I and II receptors, as well as the protein levels of TGF-β1 in the processed groups, were higher than those in the control. In summary, both raw and processed pyritum-containing sera exhibited positive effects on osteoblasts, which maybe via the TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway. Notably, the tibia defect healing effect of pyritum was significantly enhanced after processing.     

Antennal sensilla and their nerve innervation in first‐instar nymphs of Porphyrophora sophorae Arch. (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Margarodidae)

ABSTRACT Porphyrophora (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Margarodidae) is a genus of soil‐inhabiting scale insects. The antennal sensilla and their innervation in the first‐instar nymphs of Porphyrophora sophorae were studied using light microscopy and scanning and transmission electron microscopy to understand the function of these sensilla and determine the sensillar innervation feature on these small antennae. The results show that the six‐segmented antennae of these nymphs have 20–23 sensilla which can be morphologically classified into seven types, for example, one Böhm's bristle (Bb), one campaniform sensillum (Ca), one Johnston's organ (Jo), 13–16 aporous sensilla trichodea (St), two coeloconic sensilla (Co), one straight multiporous peg (Mp1), and one curvy multiporous peg (Mp2). According to their function, these sensilla can be categorized into three categories: mechanoreceptors, that is, Bb, Ca, Jo, and St; thermo/hygroreceptors, that is, Co only; and chemoreceptors, that is, Mp1 and Mp2. The dendrites that innervate the Mp1, Mp2, and Co sensilla combine to form a large nerve tract (NT1) in the antennal lumen. Because NT1 extends through and out of the antenna, the somata of these neurons are present in the lymph cavity of the insect's head. The dendrites that innervate the mechanoreceptors form another nerve tract (NT2). The somata of these neurons are located inside the scape and pedicel. J. Morphol. 277:1631–1647, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Complementary Aluminum Nanopatch/Nanohole Arrays for Broad Palettes of Colors

Plasmonics - We investigate aluminum nanopatch/nanohole arrays surrounded by a dielectric material on plastic substrates for large area color printing. In this specific arrangement, metallic...     

The last duplex base-pair of the phage lambda chromosome. Involvement in packaging, ejection and routing of lambda DNA.

cosN is the site at which the bacteriophage lambda DNA packaging enzyme, terminase, introduces staggered nicks to generate the cohesive ends of mature lambda chromosomes. Genetic and molecular studies show that cosN is recognized specifically by terminase and that effects of cosN mutations on lambda DNA packaging and cosN cleavage are well correlated. Mutations affecting a particular base-pair of cosN are unusual in being lethal in spite of causing only a moderate defect in cosN cleavage and DNA packaging. The particular base-pair is the rightmost duplex base-pair in mature chromosomes, at position 48,502 in the numbering system of Daniels et al; herein called position - 1. A G.C to T.A transversion mutation at position - 1, called cosN - 1T, reduces the particle yield of lambda fivefold, and the particles formed are not infectious. lambda cosN - 1T particles have wild-type morphology, and contain chromosomes that have normal cohesive ends. The chromosomes of lambda cosN - 1T particles, like the chromosomes of lambda + particles, are associated with the tail. lambda cosN - 1T particles, in spite of being normal structurally, are defective in injection of DNA into a host cell. Only approximately 25% of lambda cosN - 1T particles are able to eject DNA from the capsid in contrast to 100% for lambda +. Furthermore, for the 25% that do eject, there is a further injection defect because the ejected lambda cosN - 1T chromosomes fail to cyclize, in contrast to the efficient cyclization found for wild-type chromosomes following injection. The cosN - 1T mutation has no effect on Ca2+ mediated transformation by lambda DNA, indicating that the effect of the mutation on DNA fate is specific to the process of DNA injection. Models in which specific DNA : protein interactions necessary for DNA injection, and involving the rightmost base-pair of the lambda chromosome, are considered.     

Unique subcellular distribution of phosphorylated Plk1 (Ser137 and Thr210) in mouse oocytes during meiotic division and pPlk1Ser137 involvement in spindle formation and REC8 cleavage

Polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1) is pivotal for proper mitotic progression, its targeting activity is regulated by precise subcellular positioning and phosphorylation. Here we assessed the protein expression, subcellular localization and possible functions of phosphorylated Plk1 (pPlk1^Ser137 and pPlk1^Thr210) in mouse oocytes during meiotic division. Western blot analysis revealed a peptide of pPlk1^Ser137 with high and stable expression from germinal vesicle (GV) until metaphase II (MII), while pPlk1^Thr210 was detected as one large single band at GV stage and 2 small bands after germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD), which maintained stable up to MII. Immunofluorescence analysis showed pPlk1^Ser137 was colocalized with microtubule organizing center (MTOC) proteins, γ-tubulin and pericentrin, on spindle poles, concomitantly with persistent concentration at centromeres and dynamic aggregation between chromosome arms. Differently, pPlk1^Thr210 was persistently distributed across the whole body of chromosomes after meiotic resumption. The specific Plk1 inhibitor, BI2536, repressed pPlk1^Ser137 accumulation at MTOCs and between chromosome arms, consequently disturbed γ-tubulin and pericentrin recruiting to MTOCs, destroyed meiotic spindle formation, and delayed REC8 cleavage, therefore arresting oocytes at metaphase I (MI) with chromosome misalignment. BI2536 completely reversed the premature degradation of REC8 and precocious segregation of chromosomes induced with okadaic acid (OA), an inhibitor to protein phosphatase 2A. Additionally, the protein levels of pPlk1^Ser137 and pPlk1^Thr210, as well as the subcellular distribution of pPlk1^Thr210, were not affected by BI2536. Taken together, our results demonstrate that Plk1 activity is required for meiotic spindle assembly and REC8 cleavage, with pPlk1^Ser137 is the action executor, in mouse oocytes during meiotic division.     

Genome‐wide detection of CNVs associated with beak deformity in chickens using high‐density 600K SNP arrays

Beak deformity (crossed beaks) is found in several indigenous chicken breeds including Beijing‐You studied here. Birds with deformed beaks have reduced feed intake and poor production performance. Recently, copy number variation (CNV) has been examined in many species and is recognized as a source of genetic variation, especially for disease phenotypes. In this study, to unravel the genetic mechanisms underlying beak deformity, we performed genome‐wide CNV detection using Affymetrix chicken high‐density 600K data on 48 deformed‐beak and 48 normal birds using penncnv . As a result, two and eight CNV regions (CNVRs) covering 0.32 and 2.45 Mb respectively on autosomes were identified in deformed‐beak and normal birds respectively. Further RT‐qPCR studies validated nine of the 10 CNVRs. The ratios of six CNVRs were significantly different between deformed‐beak and normal birds (P < 0.01). Within these six regions, three and 21 known genes were identified in deformed‐beak and normal birds respectively. Bioinformatics analysis showed that these genes were enriched in six GO terms and one KEGG pathway. Five candidate genes in the CNVRs were further validated using RT‐qPCR. The expression of LRIG2 (leucine rich repeats and immunoglobulin like domains 2) was lower in birds with deformed beaks (P < 0.01). Therefore, the LRIG2 gene could be considered a key factor in view of its known functions and its potential roles in beak deformity. Overall, our results will be helpful for future investigations of the genomic structural variations underlying beak deformity in chickens.