Deleterious cardiovascular effect of exosome in digitalis‐treated decompensated congestive heart failure

Heart failure (HF) is a medical condition inability of the heart to pump sufficient blood to meet the metabolic demand of the body to take place. The number of hospitalized patients with cardiovascular diseases is estimated to be more than 1 million each year, of which 80% to 90% of patients ultimately progress to decompensated HF. Digitalis glycosides exert modest inotropic actions when administered to patients with decompensated HF. Although its efficacy in patients with HF and atrial fibrillation is clear, its value in patients with HF and sinus rhythm has often been questioned. A series of recent studies have cast serious doubt on the benefit of digoxin when added to contemporary HF treatment. We are hypothesizing the role and mechanism of exosome and its biological constituents responsible for worsening the disease state and mortality in decompensated HF patients on digitalis.     

The protective effects of grape seed procyanidin B2 against asporin mediates glycated low‐density lipoprotein induced‐cardiomyocyte apoptosis and fibrosis

The progression of diabetic cardiomyopathy is related to cardiomyocyte dysfunction and apoptosis. Our previous studies showed that asporin (ASPN) was significantly increased in the myocardium of db/db mice through proteomics, and grape seed procyanidin B2 (GSPB2) significantly inhibited the expression of ASPN in the heart of db/db mice. We report here that ASPN played a critical role in glycated low‐density lipoproteins (gly‐LDL) induced‐cardiomyocyte apoptosis. We found that gly‐LDL upregulated ASPN expression. ASPN increased H9C2 cardiomyocyte apoptosis with down‐regulation of Bcl‐2, upregulation of transforming growth factor‐β1, Bax, collagen III, fibronectin, and phosphorylation of smad2 and smad3. However, GSPB2 treatment reversed ASPN‐induced impairments in H9C2 cardiomyocytes. These results provide evidence for the cardioprotective action of GSPB2 against ASPN injury, and thus suggest a new target for fighting against diabetic cardiomyopathy.     

Permeabilized Escherichia coli Whole Cells Containing Co‐Expressed Two Thermophilic Enzymes Facilitate the Synthesis of scyllo‐Inositol from myo‐Inositol

Scyllo‐inositol (SI), a stereoisomer of inositol, is regarded as a promising therapeutic agent for Alzheimer's disease. Here, an in vitro cofactor‐balance biotransformation for the production of SI from myo‐inositol (MI) by thermophilic myo‐inositol 2‐dehydrogenase (IDH) and scyllo‐inositol 2‐dehydrogenase (SIDH) is presented. These two enzymes (i.e., IDH and SIDH from Geobacillus kaustophilus) are co‐expressed in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3), and E. coli cells containing the two enzymes are permeabilized by heat treatment as whole‐cell catalysts to convert MI to SI. After condition optimizations about permeabilized temperature, reaction temperature, and initial MI concentration, about 82 g L^?1 of SI is produced from 250 g L^?1 of MI within 24 h without any cofactor supplementation. This final titer of SI produced is the highest to the authors’ limited knowledge. This study provides a promising method for the large‐scale industrial production of SI.     

Nanobiohybrid Material‐Based Bioelectronic Devices

Biomolecules, especially proteins and nucleic acids, have been widely studied to develop biochips for various applications in scientific fields ranging from bioelectronics to stem cell research. However, restrictions exist due to the inherent characteristics of biomolecules, such as instability and the constraint of granting the functionality to the biochip. Introduction of functional nanomaterials, recently being researched and developed, to biomolecules have been widely researched to develop the nanobiohybrid materials because such materials have the potential to enhance and extend the function of biomolecules on a biochip. The potential for applying nanobiohybrid materials is especially high in the field of bioelectronics. Research in bioelectronics is aimed at realizing electronic functions using the inherent properties of biomolecules. To achieve this, various biomolecules possessing unique properties have been combined with novel nanomaterials to develop bioelectronic devices such as highly sensitive electrochemical‐based bioelectronic sensing platforms, logic gates, and biocomputing systems. In this review, recently reported bioelectronic devices based on nanobiohybrid materials are discussed. The authors believe that this review will suggest innovative and creative directions to develop the next generation of multifunctional bioelectronic devices.     

Land-cover changes and distribution of wetland species in small valley habitats that developed in a Late Pleistocene middle terrace region

Wetlands Ecology and Management - Small valley topology on terraced uplands is a unique groundwater-dependent ecosystem in East Asia. Traditionally, this characteristic valley topology has been...     

江西双季稻氮素监测诊断模型的建立与应用

建立基于光谱仪的江西双季稻氮素监测诊断模型,可指导氮肥精确施用,达到双季稻丰产、提质、增效的目的。本研究开展了不同早、晚稻品种与氮素水平的小区试验,采用GreenSeeker光谱仪和作物生长监测诊断仪(CGMD)于分蘖期和拔节期测定了早、晚稻冠层光谱植被指数和植株氮积累量,建立了双季稻植株氮积累量光谱监测模型,并采用独立的田间试验数据对模型进行检验。利用双季稻丰产栽培经验及建立的氮素光谱诊断模型,对双季稻分蘖肥和穗肥施氮量进行定量推荐。结果表明: 双季稻氮肥施用关键期(分蘖期和拔节期)基于两种光谱仪的光谱植被指数与植株氮积累量均呈显著正相关,分蘖期和拔节期的模型预测效果比生长前期模型好。基于GreenSeeker光谱仪的归一化差值植被指数(NDVI_(780,660))的指数方程可较好地预测植株氮积累量,模型决定系数(R²)为0.92～0.94,模型检验的均方根误差(RMSE)、相对均方根误差(RRMSE)和相关系数(r)分别为3.09～5.96 kg·hm^-2、5.8%～18.5%和0.92～0.98;基于CGMD光谱仪的差值植被指数(DVI_(810,720))的线性方程可较好地预测植株氮积累量,R²为0.90～0.93,模型检验的RMSE、RRMSE和r分别为3.71～6.33 kg·hm^-2、11.7%～14.3%和0.93～0.96。基于CGMD光谱仪的模型推荐的施氮量高于基于GreenSeeker光谱仪的模型推荐的施氮量;模型生成的精确施氮方案较传统农户方案减少施氮量5.5 kg·hm^-2,氮肥农学利用率提高0.8%,纯收益提高128元·hm^-2。用双季稻氮素光谱诊断方法指导施肥能在增产的同时,降低成本,增加纯收益,对科学指导双季稻生产具有重要意义。     

B para-Bombay phenotype in China caused by homozygous mutation for site 328 G > A of FUT1 gene: a case report

The aim of this paper is to accurately identify a case of B para-Bombay and to analyze the genetic mutation. ABO and Lewis blood groups were identified by standard serological methods, and trace antigens on RBCs were detected by adsorption-elution test, while blood group substances in the saliva were detected by agglutination inhibition test. The ABO gene exons 6-7, FUT1 gene exon 4 and FUT2 gene exon 2 were directly sequenced. Serological results showed that there were B antigens on RBCs without H antigens, anti-A and anti-HI antibodies in serum, and B and H blood group substances in the saliva. The Lewis phenotype was Le (a-b+). According to gene sequencing analysis, ABO, FUT1 and FUT2 genotypes were B101/O02, h^328G/Ah3^28G/A and Se^357C/TSe^357C/T, respectively. This rare phenotype can be mislabeled as "O" if any of the detailed investigations are not performed. Therefore, in order to ensure the safety of blood transfusion, genetic and serological tests are necessary for the correct identification of difficult blood groups.