α‐ketoglutarate delays age‐related fertility decline in mammals

The fecundity reduction with aging is referred as the reproductive aging which comes earlier than that of chronological aging. Since humans have postponed their childbearing age, to prolong the reproductive age becomes urgent agenda for reproductive biologists. In the current study, we examined the potential associations of α‐ketoglutarate (α‐KG) and reproductive aging in mammals including mice, swine, and humans. There is a clear tendency of reduced α‐KG level with aging in the follicle fluids of human. To explore the mechanisms, mice were selected as the convenient animal model. It is observed that a long term of α‐KG administration preserves the ovarian function, the quality and quantity of oocytes as well as the telomere maintaining system in mice. α‐KG suppresses ATP synthase and alterations of the energy metabolism trigger the nutritional sensors to down‐regulate mTOR pathway. These events not only benefit the general aging process but also maintain ovarian function and delay the reproductive decline. Considering the safety of the α‐KG as a naturally occurring molecule in energy metabolism, its utility in reproduction of large mammals including humans deserves further investigation.     

Genomic insights into selection for heterozygous alleles and woody traits in Populus tomentosa

Heterozygous alleles are widespread in outcrossing and clonally propagated woody plants. The variation in heterozygosity that underlies population adaptive evolution and phenotypic variation, however, remains largely unknown. Here, we describe a de novo chromosome-level genome assembly of Populus tomentosa, an economic and ecologically important native tree in northern China. By resequencing 302 natural accessions, we determined that the South subpopulation (Pop_S) encompasses the ancestral strains of P. tomentosa, while the Northwest subpopulation (Pop_NW) and Northeast subpopulation (Pop_NE) experienced different selection pressures during population evolution, resulting in significant population differentiation and a decrease in the extent of heterozygosity. Analysis of heterozygous selective sweep regions (HSSR) suggested that selection for lower heterozygosity contributed to the local adaptation of P. tomentosa by dwindling gene expression and genetic load in the Pop_NW and Pop_NE subpopulations. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) revealed that 88 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within 63 genes are associated with nine wood composition traits. Among them, the selection for the homozygous AA allele in PtoARF8 is associated with reductions in cellulose and hemicellulose contents by attenuating PtoARF8 expression, and the increase in lignin content is attributable to the selection for decreases in exon heterozygosity in PtoLOX3 during adaptive evolution of natural populations. This study provides novel insights into allelic variations in heterozygosity associated with adaptive evolution of P. tomentosa in response to the local environment and identifies a series of key genes for wood component traits, thereby facilitating genomic-based breeding of important traits in perennial woody plants.     

晋北典型针叶人工林叶功能性状特征及其与土壤因子的关系

为了解释植物叶片的资源分配特征及其与土壤因子间的适应策略,该研究以黄土高原东北缘山西省大同市新荣区油松、樟子松人工纯林及其柠条混交林为对象,采用样方法采集样木树冠中部生长良好的轮生枝中东西南北4个方向的枝条,并在每个枝条上选择里、中、外3处有代表性的当年生叶和多年生叶;采用 “S”形采样法在每个样方内选取9个取样点,用土钻采集各样点0～20 cm土壤样品;测定分析不同造林模式下油松、樟子松异龄叶功能性状特征、土壤理化性质以及二者的关系,为人工林培育及经营提供理论支撑。结果表明：(1)不同造林模式下油松及樟子松叶功能性状的差异集中在化学计量之间;随着叶龄增长,油松、樟子松均表现出干物质含量上升,氮磷含量下降的特征。(2)土壤全磷、全氮含量分别是油松当年及多年生叶的主要解释因子,土壤全磷与当年生叶碳氮比、有机碳、碳磷比均呈显著正相关关系,与全氮、叶面积及叶干物质含量呈显著负相关关系,土壤全氮与多年生叶全磷含量呈正相关关系,与叶有机碳、碳磷比、碳氮比则呈显著负相关关系。(3)樟子松当年生叶功能性状的关键土壤因子是土壤容重、全磷含量,其与叶碳氮磷的比值、干物质含量、碳含量呈正相关关系,而与氮磷含量呈负相关关系;多年生叶功能性状的关键土壤因子是土壤容重、含水量、pH,其与叶氮磷含量呈正相关关系,与碳含量、干物质含量、比叶面积等呈负相关关系。(4)油松及樟子松纯林的叶功能性状更易向关键土壤因子含量更高的方向偏移,说明与柠条混交可有效分异叶片生长对主要土壤因子的集中需求,但混交造林模式下林木长势有所衰弱;结合研究区资源匮乏现状,林木种植密度较大,竞争加剧了生存压力导致林木生长受限。     

Cardiac telocytes exist in the adult Xenopus tropicalis heart

Recent research has revealed that cardiac telocytes (CTs) play an important role in cardiac physiopathology and the regeneration of injured myocardium. Recently, we reported that the adult Xenopus tropicalis heart can regenerate perfectly in a nearly scar‐free manner after injury via apical resection. However, whether telocytes exist in the X tropicalis heart and are affected in the regeneration of injured X tropicalis myocardium is still unknown. The present ultrastructural and immunofluorescent double staining results clearly showed that CTs exist in the X tropicalis myocardium. CTs in the X tropicalis myocardium were mainly twined around the surface of cardiomyocyte trabeculae and linked via nanocontacts between the ends of the telopodes, forming a three‐dimensional network. CTs might play a role in the regeneration of injured myocardium.     

Seasonal variation and correlation analysis of vitamin D and parathyroid hormone in Hangzhou,Southeast China

This study aimed to describe the 25‐hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) and parathyroid hormone (PTH) status of Southeast Chinese individuals influenced by season. The secondary aim was to determine the cutoff for sufficient 25(OH)D in a four‐season region. From January 2011 to June 2014, a total of 17 646 individuals were evaluated in our study. The serum levels of PTH were detected simultaneously in 5579 cases. A total of 25(OH)D and intact PTH were measured by the electrochemiluminescent immunoassay. The distribution of the concentration, prevalence and seasonal variability of 25(OH)D and PTH were studied. The mean 25(OH)D concentration in our study was 43.00(30.40) nmol/L. The prevalence of insufficiency (25(OH)D < 50 nmol/L) was 62.87% and that of deficiency (<30 nmol/L) was 28.54%. Mean serum 25(OH)D levels revealed a limited sinusoidal profile throughout the year and were significantly higher in Autumn. On the other hand, PTH levels showed an opposite response to seasonal effects relative to 25(OH)D. Age, BMI and daylight were not significantly correlated with 25(OH)D and serum PTH reached a plateau at higher values of serum 25(OH)D of 42.86 nmol/L. This study demonstrated that Vitamin D insufficiency is highly prevalent in Southeast China. The concentration of 25(OH)D in the male group was generally higher than that in the female group. Seasonal variation was an important aspect of 25(OH)D and PTH concentration. This study revealed that the optimal serum threshold of 25(OH)D for bone health should be between 40 and 50 nmol/L for Southeast Chinese individuals.     

Exogenous neuritin treatment improves survivability and functions of Schwann cells with improved outgrowth of neurons in rat diabetic neuropathy

Pathogenesis and treatment for diabetic neuropathy are still complex. A deficit of neurotrophic factors affecting Schwann cells is a very important cause of diabetic neuropathy. Neuritin is a newly discovered potential neurotrophic factor. In this study, we explored the effect of exogenous neuritin on survivability and functions of diabetic Schwann cells of rats with experimental diabetic neuropathy. Diabetic neuropathy was induced in rats. 12‐week diabetic rats contrasted with non‐diabetic normal rats had decreased levels of serum neuritin and slowed nerve conduction velocities (NCVs). Schwann cells isolated from these diabetic rats and cultured in high glucose showed reduced cell neuritin mRNA and protein and supernatant neuritin protein, increased apoptosis rates, increased caspase‐3 activities and progressively reduced viability. In contrast, exogenous neuritin treatment reduced apoptosis and improved viability, with elevated Bcl‐2 levels (not Bax) and decreased caspase‐3 activities. Co‐cultured with diabetic Schwann cells pre‐treated with exogenous neuritin in high glucose media, and diabetic DRG neurons showed lessened decreased neurite outgrowth and supernatant NGF concentration occurring in co‐culture of diabetic cells. Exogenous neuritin treatment ameliorated survivability and functions of diabetic Schwann cells of rats with diabetic neuropathy. Our study may provide a new mechanism and potential treatment for diabetic neuropathy.