EXPRESSION AND EFFECTS OF MUTANT Bombyx mori ACETYLCHOLINESTRASE1 IN BmN CELLS

The main mechanism of toxicity of organophosphate (OP) and carbamate (CB) insecticides is their irreversible binding and inhibition of acetylcholinestrase (AChE), encoded by ace1 (acetylcholinestrase gene 1), leading to eventual death of insects. Mutations in AChE may significantly reduce insects susceptibility to these pesticides. Bombyx mori is an important beneficial insect, and no OP‐ or CB‐resistant strains have been generated. In this study, wild‐type ace1 (wace1) and mutant ace1 (mace1) were introduced into BmN cells, confirmed by screening and identification. The expression of wace1 and mace1 in the cells was confirmed by Western blot and their expression levels were about 21‐fold higher than the endogenous ace1 level. The activities of AChE in wace1 and mace1 transgenic cells were 10.6 and 20.2% higher compared to control cells, respectively. mace1 transgenic cells had higher remaining activity than wace1 transgenic cells under the treatment of physostigmine (a reversible cholinesterase inhibitor) and phoxim (an OP acaricide). The results showed that ace1 transgene can significantly improve ace1 expression, and ace1 mutation at a specific site can reduce the sensitivity to AChE inhibitors. Our study provides a new direction for the exploration of the relationship between AChE mutations and drug resistance.     

小花草玉梅正常和自然变异植株的AP3-3基因研究

野生小花草玉梅(Anemone rivularis var.flore-minore)正常植株和花被片自然变异植株的外观形态差异很大,该研究以二者为材料,利用常规PCR和高效热不对称PCR(Hi-Tail PCR)技术从其正常和变异植株的基因组中各分离得到1个B类基因。序列分析证明,二者隶属于B类MADS-box基因AP3家族的旁系同源基因AP3-3分枝,分别命名为NArAP3-3(正常植株)和VArAP3-3(变异植株)。NArAP3-3基因全长3 795bp,VArAP3-3基因全长3 898bp,二者均含有1个666bp的开放阅读框(ORF),可编码221个氨基酸,具有典型的植物MADS-box基因结构,其编码肽链包含了MADS区、K区、Ⅰ区和C区。对比NArAP3-3和VArAP3-3基因的全长序列,发现VArAP3-3基因比NArAP3-3多了1段49bp的插入,且在ORF序列与NArAP3-3基因相比有4个碱基突变。对二者的全长序列、所编码的221个氨基酸及插入序列的生物信息学分析显示,二者在基因启动子、蛋白质基本性质、结构功能域、二级三级预测结构等方面均有差异,推测这些差异可能是花被片变异产生的原因之一。该研究结果为进一步探索其变异机制奠定了基础。     

胎盘特异性基因4 mRNA基因在孕妇外周血中的检测及临床价值

目的:应用实时荧光定量PCR(RT-PCR)技术对不同孕周孕妇外周血浆胎盘特异性基因4(PLAC4)m RNA基因进行检测,寻找唐氏综合征产前诊断的可靠生物学标志物,为无创性产前诊断提供新的突破口。方法:按入组标准随机选取健康育龄未妊娠女性5例,正常健康妊娠孕妇60例(早期妊娠20例、中期妊娠20例、晚期妊娠20例),唐氏筛查高危孕妇8例,正常分娩24 h女性5例。共收集外周血浆样本78例。应用RT-PCR技术,检测样本中的PLAC4 m RNA基因含量,并进行相对定量分析。结果:健康育龄未妊娠女性及正常分娩后24 h女性外周血浆中均无游离胎儿PLAC4 m RNA基因的存在;正常健康妊娠孕妇不同孕周标本均检测到PLAC4 m RNA基因,以早期妊娠作为对照,中期妊娠是早期妊娠的1.99倍,晚期妊娠是早期妊娠的3.73倍;唐氏筛查高危孕妇均检出PLAC4 m RNA基因,含量是早期妊娠的6.36倍。结论:PLAC4 m RNA基因有望成为唐氏综合征产前诊断的可靠性生物学标志物。     

小鼠超数排卵优化试验方案研究

探讨建立一种适合贵州地区、高效、稳定的小鼠超数排卵优化方案。在饲养环境相同的基础上,对激素(PMSG, hCG)不同的剂量组合、注射间隔时间、小鼠周龄等影响因素进行了相关研究。试验结果表明:(1)平均采胚数量组间、平均异常胚组间与平均可用胚组间差异显著(p<0.05),注射10 IU的激素剂量组合获得受精卵最多,且异常胚最少,效果最佳。(2)第1、第2、第3组平均采胚数量组间差异显著(p<0.05),第1组与第2组平均可用胚组间差异不显著(p>0.05),但第1、2组与第3组差异显著(p<0.05),异常胚组间差异不显著(p>0.05),选择4周龄超排效果最佳。(3)第1、第2、第3组平均采胚数量、平均可用胚组间差异显著(p<0.05),平均异常胚组间差异不显著(p>0.05),PMSG,hCG间隔注射时间为48 h为最佳。     

Cigarette smoke extract alters genome‐wide profiles of circular RNAs and mRNAs in primary human small airway epithelial cells

As a novel kind of non‐coding RNA, circular RNAs (circRNAs) were involved in various biological processes. However, the role of circRNAs in the developmental process of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is still unclear. In the present study, by using a cell model of COPD in primary human small airway epithelial cells (HSAECs) treated with or without cigarette smoke extract (CSE), we uncovered 4,379 previously unknown circRNAs in human cells and 903 smoke‐specific circRNAs, with the help of RNA‐sequencing and bioinformatic analysis. Moreover, 3,872 up‐ and 4,425 down‐regulated mRNAs were also identified under CSE stimulation. Furthermore, a putative circRNA‐microRNA‐mRNA network was constructed for in‐depth mechanism exploration, which indicated that differentially expressed circRNAs could influence expression of some key genes that participate in response to pentose phosphate pathway, ATP‐binding cassette (ABC) transporters, glycosaminoglycan biosynthesis pathway and cancer‐related pathways. Our research indicated that cigarette smoke had an influence on the biogenesis of circRNAs and mRNAs. CircRNAs might be involved in the response to CSE in COPD through the circRNA‐mediated ceRNA networks.     

Vanadate‐Based Materials for Li‐Ion Batteries: The Search for Anodes for Practical Applications

While the practical application of electrode materials depends intensively on the Li⁺ ion storage mechanisms correlating ultimately with the coulombic efficiency, reversible capacity, and morphology variation of electrode material upon cycling, only intercalation‐type electrode materials have proven viable for commercialization up to now. This paper reviews the promising anode materials of metal vanadates (M_xV_yO_z, M = Co, Cu, Mn, Fe, Zn, Ni, Li) that have high capacity, low cost, and abundant resource, and also discusses the related Li⁺ ion storage mechanism. It is concluded that most of these (M_xV_yO_z, M = Co, Cu, Mn, Fe, Zn, Ni) exhibit irreversible redox reactions upon lithiation/delithiation accompanied by large volume expansion, which is not favorable for industrial applications. In particular, Li₃VO₄ with specific intercalation Li⁺ ion storage mechanism and compatible merits of safety and energy density exhibits great potential for practical application. This review systematically summarizes the latest progress in Li₃VO₄ research, including the representative fabrication approaches for advanced morphology and state‐of‐the‐art technologies to boost performance and the morphology variation associated with Li⁺ ion storage mechanisms. Furthermore, an outlook on where breakthroughs for Li₃VO₄ may be most likely achieved will be provided.     

Associations of plasma high-sensitivity C-reactive protein concentrations with all-cause and cause-specific mortality among middle-aged and elderly individuals

Background

The plasma level of the inflammatory biomarker soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) is a strong predictor of disease development and premature mortality in the general population. Unhealthy lifestyle habits such as smoking or unhealthy eating is known to elevate the suPAR level. We aimed to investigate whether change in lifestyle habits impact on the suPAR level, and whether the resultant levels are associated with mortality.

Results

Paired suPAR measurements from baseline- and the 5-year visit of the population-based Inter99 study were compared with the habits of diet, smoking, alcohol consumption, and physical activity. Paired suPAR measurements for 3225 individuals were analyzed by linear regression, adjusted for demographics and lifestyle habits. Compared to individuals with a healthy lifestyle, an unhealthy diet, low physical activity, and daily smoking were associated with a 5.9, 12.8, and 17.6% higher 5-year suPAR, respectively. During 6.1 years of follow-up after the 5-year visit, 1.6% of those with a low suPAR (mean 2.93 ng/ml) died compared with 3.8% of individuals with a high suPAR (mean 4.73 ng/ml), P <  0.001. In Cox regression analysis, adjusted for demographics and lifestyle, the hazard ratio for mortality per 5-year suPAR doubling was 2.03 (95% CI: 1.22–3.37).

Conclusion

Lifestyle has a considerable impact on suPAR levels; the combination of unhealthy habits was associated with 44% higher 5-year suPAR values and the 5-year suPAR was a strong predictor of mortality. We propose suPAR as a candidate biomarker for lifestyle changes as well as the subsequent risk of mortality.

     

Hydrologic balance,net primary productivity and water use efficiency of the introduced exotic Eucalyptus grandis × Eucalyptus urophylla plantation in south-western China

Aims Land cover changes can disrupt water balance and alter the partitioning of precipitation into surface runoff, evapotranspiration and groundwater recharge. The widely plantedEucalyptustrees in south-western China have the potential to bring about hydrologic impacts. Our research aims to elucidate the hydrologic balance characteristics of the introduced exoticEucalyptus grandis×Eucalyptus urophyllaplantation and to assess whether its high productivity results from high water use efficiency (WUE) or large water consumption.     

Cellophane surface-induced gene,VdCSIN1, regulates hyphopodium formation and pathogenesis via cAMP-mediated signalling in Verticillium dahliae

The soil-borne vascular pathogen Verticillium dahliae infects many dicotyledonous plants to cause devastating wilt diseases. During colonization, V. dahliae spores develop hyphae surrounding the roots. Only a few hyphae that adhere tightly to the root surface form hyphopodia at the infection site, which further differentiate into penetration pegs to facilitate infection. The molecular mechanisms controlling hyphopodium formation in V. dahliae remain unclear. Here, we uncovered a cellophane surface-induced gene (VdCSIN1) as a regulator of V. dahliae hyphopodium formation and pathogenesis. Deletion of VdCSIN1 compromises hyphopodium formation, hyphal development and pathogenesis. Exogenous application of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) degradation inhibitor or disruption of the cAMP phosphodiesterase gene (VdPDEH) partially restores hyphopodium formation in the VdΔcsin1 mutant. Moreover, deletion of VdPDEH partially restores the pathogenesis of the VdΔcsin1 mutant. These findings indicate that VdCSIN1 regulates hyphopodium formation via cAMP-mediated signalling to promote host colonization by V. dahliae.     

CONTAMINATED LEVEL AND RISK ASSESSMENT OF PAES IN THE UPPER REACHES OF THE YANGTZE RIVER北大核心CSCD

PAEs have been proved to be one of the major organic pollutants. The present study determined the level of PAEs using surface water samples from the upper reaches of the Yangtze River. The results showed that DEHP contributed the most to PAEs pollution, followed by DBP. Risk Quotients of PAEs were used for preliminary screening, and DEHP and BBP were identified as potential risk factors with RQ of 310 and 70.7. The MOS10 of DEHP and BBP were 1.40 and 1.32×105, respectively, indicating that BBP may pose little risk to aquatic organisms. The potential risk of DEHP was further analyzed with joint probabilistic curves. Among different biological groups, fish and zoobenthos were two major groups sensitive to DEHP-induced damage under current concentrations with 99.4% and 98.3% for 5% species of each group. While among the toxicity endpoints, reproduction may be more sensitive than others. The 5% and 10% aquatic species were suffered from reproductive damages by 100% and 97.8%, respectively. Overall, our results indicated that DEHP in the surface water of the upper Yangtze River may pose potential risk to aquatic organisms, especially on their reproduction. Therefore, more concerns should be paid in species protection and environmental management. © 2019, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.