Synthesis,Stability and Direct Antiproliferative Effect of New Cysteine Modified GnRH Analogs

International Journal of Peptide Research and Therapeutics - It is demonstrated that gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogs can directly inhibit the proliferation of reproductive tissue...     

高茶氨酸茶树新品系‘福黄2号’黄化变异机理

为了探讨茶树黄化变异和高茶氨酸形成机理,文中选用‘福云6号’和高茶氨酸茶树新品系‘福黄2号’为试验材料,利用超微电镜、广泛靶向代谢组学、靶向代谢组学和转录组学联合分析了茶树黄化变异的相关色素、代谢组及转录组数据。结果表明,通过靶向测定主要生化成分,共鉴定到5种儿茶素、可可碱和咖啡碱,以及20种游离氨基酸,包括茶氨酸、谷氨酰胺、精氨酸和谷氨酸等,其中,‘福黄2号’的氨基酸含量显著高于‘福云6号’,茶氨酸含量高达57.37 mg/g。叶片的超微结构显示,‘福黄2号’叶绿体细胞结构模糊,基粒片层大部分排列散乱、间隙大,类囊体呈丝状。色素测定显示,叶绿素a和叶绿素b、类胡萝卜素、类黄酮等色素含量显著下降,叶绿素酶（chlorophyllase,CLH）、9-顺式-环氧类胡萝卜素双加氧酶（9-cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase,NCED）、类黄酮3β-羟化酶（flavonoid 3β-hydroxylase,F3H）和类黄酮3'',5''-羟化酶（flavonoid 3'',5''-hydroxylase,F3''5''H）等相关关键调控基因发生显著变化。与‘福云6号’相比,‘福黄2号’中共鉴定出138个差异代谢物（significantly changed metabolites,SCMs）和658个差异表达基因（differentially expressed genes,DEGs）,KEGG富集分析表明,SCMs和DEGs显著富集到与氨基酸生物合成、谷胱甘肽代谢以及三羧酸循环等途径。‘福黄2号’黄化表型可能是光合作用蛋白、叶绿素代谢基因和叶绿素含量的缺乏所致。高茶氨酸的积累可能由于黄化叶中低氮消耗,以及碳骨架的缺乏,氨基和氮资源被更有效地储存,使得氨基酸合成通路中的代谢物及相关基因表达上调,茶氨酸成为黄化叶中显著积累的含氮化合物。     

Label-free optical detection of single-base mismatches by the combination of nuclease and gold nanoparticles

We report here an optical approach that enables highly selective and colorimetric single-base mismatch detection without the need of target modification, precise temperature control or stringent washes. The method is based on the finding that nucleoside monophosphates (dNMPs), which are digested elements of DNA, can better stabilize unmodified gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) than single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) and double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) with the same base-composition and concentration. The method combines the exceptional mismatch discrimination capability of the structure-selective nucleases with the attractive optical property of AuNPs. Taking S1 nuclease as one example, the perfectly matched 16-base synthetic DNA target was distinctively differentiated from those with single-base mutation located at any position of the 16-base synthetic target. Single-base mutations present in targets with varied length up to 80-base, located either in the middle or near to the end of the targets, were all effectively detected. In order to prove that the method can be potentially used for real clinic samples, the single-base mismatch detections with two HBV genomic DNA samples were conducted. To further prove the generality of this method and potentially overcome the limitation on the detectable lengths of the targets of the S1 nuclease-based method, we also demonstrated the use of a duplex-specific nuclease (DSN) for color reversed single-base mismatch detection. The main limitation of the demonstrated methods is that it is limited to detect mutations in purified ssDNA targets. However, the method coupled with various convenient ssDNA generation and purification techniques, has the potential to be used for the future development of detector-free testing kits in single nucleotide polymorphism screenings for disease diagnostics and treatments.     

Triglyceride Levels Are Closely Associated with Mild Declines in Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rates in Middle-Aged and Elderly Chinese with Normal Serum Lipid Levels

Objective

To investigate the relationship between lipid profiles [including total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C)] and a mild decline in the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in subjects with normal serum lipid levels.

Design and Methods

In this study, we included 2647 participants who were ≥40 years old and had normal serum lipid levels. The Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) equation was used to estimate the GFR. A mildly reduced eGFR was defined as 60–90 mL/min/1.73 m². First, multiple linear regression analysis was used to estimate the association of lipid profiles with the eGFR. Then, the levels of each lipid component were divided into four groups, using the 25th, 50th and 75th percentiles as cut-off points. Finally, multiple logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the association of different lipid components with the risk of mildly reduced eGFR.

Results

In the group with a mildly reduced eGFR, TG and LDL-C levels were significantly increased, but HDL-C levels were significantly decreased. After adjusting for age, gender, body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure (SBP), glycated hemoglobin (HbA_1c), smoking and drinking, only TC and TG were independently related to the eGFR. Additionally, only TG showed a linear relationship with an increased risk of a mildly reduced eGFR, with the highest quartile group (TG: 108–150 mg/dl [1.22–1.70 mmol/L]) having a significantly increased risk after adjusting for the above factors.

Conclusions

Triglyceride levels are closely associated with a mildly reduced eGFR in subjects with normal serum lipid levels. Dyslipidemia with lower TG levels could be used as new diagnostic criteria for subjects with mildly reduced renal function.     

Fluctuation between Fasting and 2-H Postload Glucose State Is Associated with Chronic Kidney Disease in Previously Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes Patients with HbA1c ≥ 7%

Objective

To investigate how the glucose variability between fasting and a 2-h postload glucose state (2-h postload plasma glucose [2hPG]-fasting plasma glucose [FPG]) is associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD) in middle-aged and elderly Chinese patients previously diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.

Design and Methods

This cross-sectional study included 1054 previously diagnosed type 2 diabetes patients who were 40 years of age and older. First, the subjects were divided into two groups based on a glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) value of 7%. Each group was divided into two subgroups, with or without CKD. The Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) equation was used to estimate the glomerular filtration rate (GFR). CKD was defined as eGFR<60 mL/min/1.73 m². Multiple linear regression analysis was used to estimate the association between the 2hPG-FPG and eGFR. The 2hPG-FPG value was divided into four groups increasing in increments of 36 mg/dl (2.0 mmol/L): 0–72, 72–108, 108–144 and ≥144 mg/dl, based on the quartiles of patients with HbA1c levels ≥7%; then, binary logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the association between 2hPG-FPG and the risk of CKD.

Results

In the patients with HbA1c levels ≥7%, the 2hPG-FPG was significantly associated with decreased eGFR and an increased risk of CKD independent of age, gender, body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure (BP), diastolic BP, smoking, and drinking, as well as fasting insulin, cholesterol, triglyceride, and HbA1c levels. The patients with 2hPG-FPG values ≥144 mg/dl showed an increased odds ratio (OR) of 2.640 (P = 0.033). Additionally, HbA1c was associated with an increased risk of CKD in patients with HbA1c values ≥7%.

Conclusions

The short-term glucose variability expressed by 2hPG-FPG is closely associated with decreased eGFR and an increased risk of CKD in patients with poor glycemic control (HbA1c≥7%).     

Fluctuation between Fasting and 2-H Postload Glucose State Is Associated with Glomerular Hyperfiltration in Newly Diagnosed Diabetes Patients with HbA1c < 7%

Objective

To investigate whether fluctuations between the fasting and 2-h postload glucose ([2-hPBG]-fasting blood glucose [FBG]) states are associated with glomerular hyperfiltration (GHF) in middle-aged and elderly Chinese patients with newly diagnosed diabetes.

Design and Methods

In this study, we included 679 newly diagnosed diabetes patients who were ≥40 years old. All the subjects were divided into two groups; those with HbA1c<7% and ≥7%. The Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) equation was used to estimate the glomerular filtration rate (GFR). GHF was defined as an eGFR ≥ the 90th percentile. First, a multiple linear regression analysis was used to estimate the association of 2-hPBG-FBG with eGFR. Then, a generalized additive model was used to explore the possible nonlinear relationship between 2-hPBG-FBG and eGFR. Next, the 2-hPBG-FBG values were divided into four groups as follows: 0–36, 36–72, 72–108 and ≥108 mg/dl. Finally, a multiple logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the association of 2-hPBG-FBG with the risk of GHF.

Results

For the group with HbA1c<7%, the eGFR and the percentage of GHF were significantly higher compared with the group with HbA1c≥7%. After adjusting for age, gender, body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure (BP), diastolic BP, fasting insulin, cholesterol, triglycerides, smoking, drinking and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), 2-hPBG-FBG was significantly associated with increased eGFR and an increased risk of GHF (the GHF risk increased by 64.9% for every 36.0 mg/dl [2.0 mmol/L] 2-hPBG-FBG increase) only in those patients with HbA1c<7%. Additionally, 2-hPBG-FBG and eGFR showed a nonlinear association (P<0.001).

Conclusions

Increased fluctuations between the fasting and 2-h postload glucose states are closely associated with increased eGFR and an increased risk of GHF in newly diagnosed diabetes patients with HbA1c<7%.     

茶树CPP转录因子家族的全基因组鉴定及分析

CPP(cysteine-rich polycomb-like protein)转录因子广泛存在于动植物中,是一类成员数目较少的转录因子家族,在调控植物生长发育和响应非生物胁迫中起重要作用。该研究通过对茶树基因组系统的鉴定,获得10个CsCPP转录因子均具有典型的CXC结构域。系统发育分析将CsCPP家族成员分为4类(A^D),且大部分成员与葡萄在进化关系上更为接近。A类和C类成员的CXC结构域分布在蛋白序列的N端,而B类和D类成员分布在C端。茶树组织表达分析表明,CsCPP转录因子在生长活跃的顶芽和嫩叶中普遍高表达,不同组织的表达水平排序为:顶芽和嫩叶>根和茎>成熟叶和果>老叶和花。启动子分析发现了CsCPP家族成员的启动子区域存在大量的ABA和干旱响应元件;干旱处理下,6个CsCPP成员的表达水平均有不同程度上调,其中4个成员在ABA处理后表达迅速上调,表明CsCPP转录因子可能在ABA介导的干旱胁迫响应中起正调控作用;低温处理下,大部分CsCPP成员的表达均有轻微下调,而CsCPP 2和CsCPP 6的表达水平在6 h达到顶峰,表达量均超过2倍。研究结果为进一步发掘茶树CPP转录因子家族的功能奠定了基础。     

Elevated Peripheral Frequencies of Th22 Cells: A Novel Potent Participant in Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes

Objective

Chronic low-grade inflammation has long been recognized as the central link between obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D). The novel subset of T helper (Th) cells, Th22, plays an emerging role in chronic inflammation. We investigated the potential association between Th22 and the pathogenesis of obesity and T2D.

Methods

Ninety T2D inpatients (T2D group), 30 healthy participants with BMI ranged from 19 to 23.9 kg/m2 (CTL group) and 30 metabolically healthy obese controls with BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 (MHO group) were employed in our study. Peripheral frequencies of Th22 and Th1 and Th17 cells were determined by flow cytometry based on their specific cytokine patterns. Cytokine levels in fresh plasma were quantified by ELISA.

Results

Compared to that in CTL group (1.18±0.06%, n = 28), peripheral frequency of Th22 cells was significantly increased in MHO group (1.88±0.10%, n = 30) and in T2D group (2.247±0.10%, n = 89). There was a consistent notable increase in plasma interleukin (IL)-22 of T2D patients [47.56 (30.55–76.89) pg/mL] as compared with that of MHO group [36.65 (29.52–55.70) pg/ml; *P<0.0001] and CTLs [36.33 (31.93–40.62) pg/mL; *P<0.0001]. Furthermore, other than Th1/Th17, previously frequently described participants in obesity and T2D, there was a strong correlation between Th22 frequency and the homeostasis model of assessment for insulin resistance index (r = 0.6771, *P<0.0001) and HOMA for β-cell function (r = −0.7264, *P<0.0001).

Conclusions

There were increased Th22 frequencies and IL-22 levels in obesity and T2D. Elevated Th22 and IL-22 also aided in the differentiation of MHO from T2D patients. The notable correlation implied that Th22 might play a more determinant role in both insulin resistance and β-cell impairment.