Congestive heart failure in COX2 deficient rats

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) inhibit prostaglandin (PG) formation by targeting cyclooxygenase (COX) 1 and 2.Long-term use of NSAIDs that selectively inhibit COX2 increases the risk for thrombotic events,cardiac failure,and hypertension.However,the underlying mechanisms remain unclear.In this study,COX1- and COX2-deficient rats were created via Cas9/RNA-mediated gene targeting.DNA genotyping and Western blot analysis confirmed successful generation of COX1~(-/-)and COX2~(-/-)rats.Adult COX1~(-/-)rats grew normally,while more than 70%of COX2~(-/-)rats after wean died within 2 months.Echocardiography showed markedly reduced left ventricular ejection fraction and fractional shortening in adult COX2~(-/-)rats compared to those in wildtype (WT) controls.Histological analysis revealed accumulation of inflammatory cells and severe interstitial and perivascular fibrosis in COX2~(-/-)cardiac tissues.Moreover,cardiac ATP and acetyl-Co A production was dramatically decreased in COX2~(-/-)rats.Consistently,the expression of genes related to mitochondrial oxidation,such as those that encode for subunits of pyruvate dehydrogenase complex and acyl Co A dehydrogenases,were downregulated,while glycolytic hexokinase 1 (HK1) was upregulated in COX2~(-/-)heart tissues.These observations indicate that COX2-deficient rats developed spontaneously heart failure,likely as a result of dysregulated cardiac energy metabolism.     

Extensive profiling of the expressions of tRNAs and tRNA-derived fragments (tRFs) reveals the complexities of tRNA and tRF populations in plants

Evidence is emerging that t RNA-derived fragments(t RFs) are regulatory molecules. Studies of t RFs in plants have been based on conventional small RNA sequencing, and focused on profiling of t RF-5 and t RF-3 species. A more comprehensive and quantitative analysis of the entire t RF population is highly necessary. Here, we employ t RNA-seq and YAMAT-seq, and develop a bioinformatics tool to comprehensively profile the expressions of t RNAs and t RFs in plants. We show that in Arabidopsis,approximately half of t RNA genes are extremely weakly expressed, accounting for only 1% of total t RNA abundance, while～12% of t RNA genes contribute to ～80% of t RNA abundance. Our t RNA sequencings in various plants reveal that t RNA expression profiles exhibit a cross-species conserved pattern. By characterizing the composition of a highly heterogeneous t RF population, we show that t RNA halves and previously unnoticed 10–16-nt tiny t RFs represent substantial portions. The highly accumulated 13-nt and 16-nt tiny t RFs in Arabidopsis indicate that tiny t RFs are not random t RNA degradation products. Finally,we provide a user-friendly database for displaying the dynamic spatiotemporal expressions of t RNAs and t RFs in the model plants Arabidopsis and rice.     

Molecular mechanisms for the photoperiodic regulation of flowering in soybean

Photoperiodic flowering is one of the most important factors affecting regional adaptation and yield in soybean (Glycine max). Plant adaptation to long-day conditions at higher latitudes requires early flowering and a reduction or loss of photoperiod sensitivity; adaptation to short-day conditions at lower latitudes involves delayed flowering, which prolongs vegetative growth for maximum yield potential. Due to the influence of numerous major loci and quantitative trait loci (QTLs), soybean has broad adaptability across latitudes. Forward genetic approaches have uncovered the molecular basis for several of these major maturity genes and QTLs. Moreover, the molecular characterization of orthologs of Arabidopsis thaliana flowering genes has enriched our understanding of the photoperiodic flowering pathway in soybean. Building on early insights into the importance of the photoreceptor phytochrome A, several circadian clock components have been integrated into the genetic network controlling flowering in soybean: E1, a repressor of FLOWERING LOCUS T orthologs, plays a central role in this network. Here, we provide an overview of recent progress in elucidating photoperiodic flowering in soybean, how it contributes to our fundamental understanding of flowering time control, and how this information could be used for molecular design and breeding of high-yielding soybean cultivars.     

An inducible model for specific neutrophil depletion by diphtheria toxin in mice

Science China Life Sciences - Neutrophils are crucial for immunity and play important roles in inflammatory diseases; however, mouse models selectively deficient in neutrophils are limited, and...     

IL-37 overexpression enhances the therapeutic effect of endometrial regenerative cells in concanavalin A-induced hepatitis

Background aimsMesenchymal stromal cells and immunosuppressive factor IL-37 can both suppress concanavalin A (Con A)-induced hepatitis in mice. Endometrial regenerative cells (ERCs), novel types of mesenchymal-like stromal cells, possess powerful immunomodulatory effects and are effective in treating various diseases. The aim of this study was to explore the effects of ERCs in suppressing Con A-induced hepatitis and determine whether IL-37 overexpression could enhance the therapeutic effect of ERCs in this process.MethodsERCs were extracted from the menstrual blood of healthy female volunteer donors. The IL-37 gene was transferred into ERCs, and the expression of IL-37 in cells was detected by western blot and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Hepatitis was induced by Con A in C57BL/6 mice that were randomly divided into groups treated with phosphate-buffered saline, ERCs, IL-37 or ERCs transfected with the IL-37 gene (IL-37-ERCs). Cell tracking, liver function, histopathological and immunohistological changes, immune cell proportions and levels of cytokines were measured 24 h after Con A administration.ResultsCompared with ERC or IL-37 treatment, IL-37-ERCs further reduced levels of liver enzymes (alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase) and improved histopathological changes in the liver. In addition, IL-37-ERC treatment further reduced the proportions of M1 macrophages and CD4⁺ T cells and increased the proportion of regulatory T cells. Moreover, IL-37-ERC treatment resulted in lower levels of IL-12 and interferon gamma, and higher level of transforming growth factor beta.ConclusionsThe results of this study suggest that ERCs can effectively alleviate Con A-induced hepatitis. Furthermore, IL-37 overexpression can significantly enhance the therapeutic efficacy of ERCs by augmenting the immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties of ERCs. This study may provide a promising strategy for treatment of T-cell-dependent hepatitis.     

Shell Biosynthesis and Pigmentation as Revealed by the Expression of Tyrosinase and Tyrosinase-like Protein Genes in Pacific Oyster (Crassostrea gigas) with Different Shell Colors

Marine Biotechnology - The widely recognized color polymorphisms of molluscan shell have been appreciated for hundreds of years by collectors and scientists, while molecular mechanisms underlying...     

2010-2020年中华穿山甲在中国的发现记录及保护现状

中国是中华穿山甲(Manis pentadactyla)历史分布区面积和野生种群数量最大的国家。中华穿山甲曾广泛见于我国长江以南各省, 但20世纪中期以来, 由于其甲片被作为贵重的中药材原料, 加之地下野味市场的需求, 大量非法捕猎使得我国野生穿山甲经历了剧烈的分布区缩减和种群下降。目前, 中华穿山甲已被列为我国一级重点保护野生动物, 在IUCN红色名录中被评估为极危(CR)等级。中华穿山甲分布范围广、种群密度低、活动隐秘、调查难度大, 摸清其野外分布现状是当前穿山甲研究与保护中的首要任务。为此, 本研究通过检索2010-2020年间全国范围内中华穿山甲的发现记录, 统计中华穿山甲的目击数量、空间分布以及后续状态, 制作物种分布地图, 并与历史分布情况进行对比, 以评估其野生种群的分布现状与分布区变化。2010-2020年共在11个省级行政区收集到中华穿山甲确认记录142条, 主要集中于大陆华东地区及台湾岛, 台湾、浙江、广东三省记录位点数占全部位点数的67.6%; 相较其历史分布区, 西南、华南地区近年来野外确认较为匮乏。近10年来我国的中华穿山甲记录呈逐渐增多趋势, 86%被发现的实体穿山甲得到救助、放归或未被干扰。本研究结果表明, 目前中华穿山甲在我国, 尤其是华东及台湾地区, 仍具有一定数量的野生种群分布, 且近年来民众对于穿山甲的认知和保护意识有了较大提高。 然而, 现有调查和资料仍不足以对该物种进行全面的现状评估, 亟需加强对我国野生穿山甲种群的调查、监测和保护。     

Disturbance and predation risk influence vigilance synchrony of black‐necked cranes Grus nigricollis,but not as strongly as expected

Animals monitor surrounding dangers independently or cooperatively (synchronized and coordinated vigilance), with independent and synchronized scanning being prevalent. Coordinated vigilance, including unique sentinel behavior, is rare in nature, since it is time‐consuming and limited in terms of benefits. No evidence showed animals adopt alternative vigilance strategies during antipredation scanning yet. Considering the nonindependent nature of both synchronization and coordination, we assessed whether group members could keep alert synchronously or in a coordinated fashion under different circumstance. We studied how human behavior and species‐specific variables impacted individual and collective vigilance of globally threatened black‐necked cranes (Grus nigricollis) and explored behavior‐based wildlife management. We tested both predation risk (number of juveniles in group) and human disturbance (level and distance) effects on individual and collective antipredation vigilance of black‐necked crane families. Adults spent significantly more time (proportion and duration) on scanning than juveniles, and parents with juveniles behaved more vigilant. Both adults and juveniles increased time allocation and duration on vigilance with observer proximity. Deviation between observed and expected collective vigilance varied with disturbance and predation risk from zero, but not significantly so, indicating that an independent vigilance strategy was adopted by black‐necked crane couples. The birds showed synchronized vigilance in low disturbance areas, with fewer juveniles and far from observers; otherwise, they scanned in coordinated fashion. The collective vigilance, from synchronized to coordinated pattern, varied as a function of observer distance that helped us determine a safe distance of 403.75 m for the most vulnerable family groups with two juveniles. We argue that vigilance could constitute a prime indicator in behavior‐based species conservation, and we suggesting a safe distance of at least 400 m should be considered in future tourist management.