Tangshenosides from Codonopsis lanceolata roots

A new symmetrical phenylpropanoid glycoside, tangshenoside VIII (1), together with six known tangshenosides (2–7) were isolated from the roots of Codonopsis lanceolata (Campanulaceae). Their structures were established on the basis of spectroscopic data, including two-dimensional NMR analyses. Tangshenosides have chemotaxonomic significance.     

Prevalence of HIV Infection and Associated Risk Factors among Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM) in Harbin,P. R. China

Objective

To assess the prevalence of HIV infection and characteristically risk of factors which associated with HIV infection among MSM in Harbin, China.

Methods

A face-to-face questionnaire interview was conducted among 463 Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM) who were recruited by the snowball sampling in Harbin from April, 2011 to July, 2011. The questionnaire mainly included demographics, AIDS knowledge, homosexual behavior and the status of intervention in MSM. Blood specimens were obtained and tested for the diagnoses of HIV, syphilis and hepatitis C virus (HCV). Associations between above exposed factors and HIV infection were analyzed using a univariate analysis and forward stepwise logistic regression.

Results

The prevalence of HIV and syphilis was 9.5 and 14.3%. The awareness rate of AIDS was 86.8%. The rate of unprotected sexual behavior was 57.6% of MSM during the past 6 months. The univariate analysis identified that the age (age≥35 years old), cohabitation, more than 10 years of homosexual behavior and more than 10 homosexual partners were risk factors which associated with the HIV infection, and that protected sex during the past 6 months was a protective factor for the HIV infection. The multivariate analysis identified that the duration of homosexual behavior and commercial sexual behavior were independent risk factors which associated with the HIV infection, and the protected sex during the past 6 months was a protective factor for the HIV infection.

Conclusion

The prevalence of HIV among MSM in Harbin has been rapidly increasing in the past few years. Targeted, tailored, and comprehensive interventions are urgently needed to prevent the HIV infection from MSM.     

GPS2 Is Required for the Association of NS5A with VAP-A and Hepatitis C Virus Replication

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) nonstructural protein 5A (NS5A) is a component of the replication complex associated with various cellular proteins. It has been reported that G protein pathway suppressor 2 (GPS2) is a potential NS5A-binding factor, as identified in a yeast two-hybrid screens of human cDNA library using viral proteins as baits [1]. In this study, we demonstrated the interaction between GPS2 and NS5A in mammalian cells by coimmunoprecipitation analysis and found that both exogenously and endogenously expressed GPS2 interacted with NS5A of genotype 1b and 2a. Mutagenesis study demonstrated that Domain I of NS5A and coiled-coil domain of GPS2 are responsible for the interaction. Knockdown of GPS2 in hepatoma cell lines suppressed the replication of HCV RNA, which can be rescued by the expression of an RNAi-resistant GPS2. Furthermore, overexpression of GPS2 enhanced the association of NS5A with a proviral cellular factor, human vesicle-associated membrane protein-associated protein A (VAP-A), while knockdown of GPS2 disrupted interaction between VAP-A and NS5A. Taken together, our results suggest that GPS2 acts as a bridge between NS5A and VAP-A and is required for efficient HCV replication.     

What causes the differences in cavitation resistance of two shrubs? Wood anatomical explanations and reliability testing of vulnerability curves

Relationships between xylem anatomical traits and cavitation resistance have always been a major content of plant hydraulics. To know how plants cope with drought, it is extremely important to acquire detailed knowledge about xylem anatomical traits and assess the cavitation resistance accurately. This study aims to increase our knowledge in the methods determining cavitation resistance and xylem anatomical traits. We selected a semi-ring-porous species, Hippophae rhamnoides L., and a diffuse-porous species, Corylus heterophylla F., to clarify the reasons for the difference in cavitation resistance based on detailed xylem anatomical traits and reliable vulnerability curves (VCs). Both Cavitron and bench dehydration (BD) were used to construct VCs. Xylem anatomical traits, including pit membrane ultrastructure of these two species, were determined. The VCs obtained by the two different techniques were of different types for H. rhamnoides, its Cavitron VCs might be unreliable because of open-vessel artifacts. On the basis of BD VCs, H. rhamnoides showed higher cavitation resistance than C. heterophylla, and this is attributed to its low vessel connectivity as well as non-porous and thicker pit membranes.     

Integrated Meta-QTL and Genome-Wide Association Study Analyses Reveal Candidate Genes for Maize Yield

Journal of Plant Growth Regulation - Crop yield is of a quantitative nature. Two complementary approaches linkage mapping and genome-wide association study (GWAS) have been employed for the...     

circRNA_0058097 promotes tension-induced degeneration of endplate chondrocytes by regulating HDAC4 expression through sponge adsorption of miR-365a-5p

Excessive mechanical tension can lead to the degeneration of endplate chondrocytes. The presence of tension-sensitive circRNA_0058097 molecules has been detected in human endplate chondrocytes, where it was found to be a potential competing endogenous RNA. Indeed, inhibiting the expression of circRNA_0058097 effectively enhanced the stress resistance of endplate chondrocytes, suggesting that it may be an important trigger point for the degeneration of endplate cartilage. Through a series of experiments, we reveal that circRNA_0058097 can upregulate the expression of downstream target gene histone deacetylase 4 by sponge adsorption of miR-365a-5p, which promoted morphological changes of endplate chondrocytes, and increased extracellular matrix degradation and degeneration of endplate cartilage. Therefore, circRNA_0058097 may provide a new way to prevent and treat endplate cartilage degeneration.     

Effect of Fonsecaea monophora on the Polarization of THP-1 Cells to Macrophages

Background

Chromoblastomycosis is a chronic, progressive fungal disease of the skin and subcutaneous tissue caused by a unique group of dematiaceous fungi. Fonsecaea monophora, a new species distinct from Fonsecaea pedrosoi strains, is the main pathogen responsible for chromoblastomycosis in south China. Macrophages can be polarized into two categories: classically activated and alternatively activated.

Objectives

Little is known about the relationship between F. monophora and macrophage polarization. This study aimed to study the effect of F. monophora on the polarization of THP-1 cells to macrophages.

Methods

We established coculture systems of F. monophora and THP-1-derived macrophages in different activation states.

Results

F. monophora enhanced the phagocytosis by macrophages in the initially activated state and weakened the phagocytosis by classically activated macrophages without affecting that by alternatively activated macrophages. Classically activated macrophages had the strongest killing effect on F. monophora, while the initially activated macrophages had the weakest. The pathogen could not be rapidly cleared by any type of macrophage. F. monophora promoted the expression of proinflammatory cytokines and inhibited that of anti-inflammatory cytokines.

Conclusions

F. monophora promoted the polarization of THP-1 cells to classically activated macrophages and inhibited that of THP-1 cells to alternatively activated macrophages.

     

The Downregulation of Truncated TrkB Receptors Modulated by MicroRNA-185 Activates Full-Length TrkB Signaling and Suppresses the Epileptiform Discharges in Cultured Hippocampal Neurons

Neurochemical Research - Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder characterised by occurrence of spontaneous recurrent epileptiform discharges (SREDs) in neurons. The cellular mechanisms that...