血栓通注射液对暂时性和永久性大鼠脑缺血模型的神经保护作用

血栓通注射液(冻干)(XST)是一种从三七中提取的中草药标准化产品,广泛用于临床治疗急性脑梗塞等脑血管疾病。本研究评估了XST在不同大鼠脑缺血模型中的急性和延长保护作用,并探讨了其对过氧化物酶(Prx) 6-toll样受体(TLR) 4信号通路的影响。用XST处理抑制过氧化物酶(Prx) 6-toll样受体(TLR) 4的蛋白质表达和p38的磷酸化水平,并且上调STAT3的磷酸化水平。XST治疗3 d可显著降低暂时性大脑中动脉阻塞(MCAO)诱导的梗死体积和肿胀百分比,并调节白细胞介素-1β(IL-1β)、IL-17、IL-23p19、肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNFα)和诱导型一氧化氮合酶(iNOS)。在永久MCAO大鼠中,XST可以减少梗死体积和肿胀百分比。XST治疗还可以增加大鼠的体重并改善一批功能结果。XST可以保护暂时性和永久性MCAO大鼠的缺血性损伤可能与Prx6-TLR4途径有关。     

A cost–benefit analysis of the environmental taxation policy in China: A frontier analysis‐based environmentally extended input–output optimization method

China's high‐speed economic development and reliance on overconsumption of natural resources have led to serious environmental pollution. Environmental taxation is seen as an effective economic tool to help mitigate air pollution. In order to assess the effects of different scenarios of environmental taxation policies, we propose a frontier‐based environmentally extended input–output optimization model with explicit emission abatement sectors to reflect the inputs and benefits of abatement. Frontier analysis ensures policy scenarios are assessed under the same technical efficiency benchmark, while input–output analysis depicts the wide range of economic transactions among sectors of an economy. Four scenarios are considered in this study, which are increasing specific tax rates of SO₂, NO_x, and soot and dust separately and increasing all three tax rates simultaneously. Our estimation results show that: raising tax rates of SO₂, NO_x, and soot and dust simultaneously would have the highest emission reduction effects, with the SO₂ tax rate making the greatest contribution to emission reduction. Raising the soot and dust tax rate is the most environmentally friendly strategy due to its highest abatement to welfare through avoided health costs. The combination of frontier analysis and input–output analysis provides policy makers a comprehensive and sectoral approach to assess costs and benefits of environmental taxation.     

Peroxiredoxin 2 deficiency reduces white adipogenesis due to the excessive ROS generation

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) act as signaling molecules to regulate various cell functions. Numerous studies have demonstrated ROS to be essential for the differentiation of adipocytes. Peroxiredoxins (Prxs) are a ubiquitous family of antioxidant enzymes in mammalian cells. Prx2 is present in the cytoplasm and cell membranes and demonstrates ROS scavenging activity. We focused on Prx2 involvement in regulating adipogenesis and lipid accumulation and demonstrated that Prx2 expression was upregulated during adipocyte differentiation. In addition, the silencing of Prx2 (shPrx2) inhibited adipogenesis by modulating adipogenic gene expression, and cell death was enhanced via increased ROS production in shPrx2‐3T3‐L1 cells. These results demonstrate that shPrx2 triggers adipocyte cell death and weakens adipocyte function via ROS production. Taken together, our data suggest the participation of Prx2 in adipocyte function and differentiation. Our results also imply that the downregulation of Prx2 activity could help prevent obesity. Overall, findings support the development of ROS‐based therapeutic solutions for the treatment of obesity and obesity‐related metabolic disorders.     

Compositional turnover and variation in Eemian pollen sequences in Europe

Vegetation History and Archaeobotany - The Eemian interglacial represents a natural experiment on how past vegetation with negligible human impact responded to amplified temperature changes...     

Plant apocarotenoids: from retrograde signaling to interspecific communication

Carotenoids are isoprenoid compounds synthesized by all photosynthetic and some non-photosynthetic organisms. They are essential for photosynthesis and contribute to many other aspects of a plant's life. The oxidative breakdown of carotenoids gives rise to the formation of a diverse family of essential metabolites called apocarotenoids. This metabolic process either takes place spontaneously through reactive oxygen species or is catalyzed by enzymes generally belonging to the CAROTENOID CLEAVAGE DIOXYGENASE family. Apocarotenoids include the phytohormones abscisic acid and strigolactones (SLs), signaling molecules and growth regulators. Abscisic acid and SLs are vital in regulating plant growth, development and stress response. SLs are also an essential component in plants’ rhizospheric communication with symbionts and parasites. Other apocarotenoid small molecules, such as blumenols, mycorradicins, zaxinone, anchorene, β-cyclocitral, β-cyclogeranic acid, β-ionone and loliolide, are involved in plant growth and development, and/or contribute to different processes, including arbuscular mycorrhiza symbiosis, abiotic stress response, plant–plant and plant–herbivore interactions and plastid retrograde signaling. There are also indications for the presence of structurally unidentified linear cis-carotene-derived apocarotenoids, which are presumed to modulate plastid biogenesis and leaf morphology, among other developmental processes. Here, we provide an overview on the biology of old, recently discovered and supposed plant apocarotenoid signaling molecules, describing their biosynthesis, developmental and physiological functions, and role as a messenger in plant communication.     

Current standards and pitfalls associated with the transfection of primary fibroblast cells

Cultured fibroblast cells, especially dermal cells, are used for various types of scientific research, particularly within the medical field. Desirable features of the cells include their ease of isolation, rapid cellular growth, and high degree of robustness. Currently, fibroblasts are mainly used to obtain pluripotent cells via a reprogramming process. Dermal fibroblasts, are particularly useful for gene therapies used for promoting wound healing or minimizing skin aging. In recent years, fibroblast transfection efficiencies have significantly improved. In order to introduce molecules (most often DNA or RNA) into cells, viral-based systems (transduction) or non-viral methods (transfection) that include physical/mechanical processes or lipid reagents may be used. In this article, we describe critical points that should be considered when selecting a method for transfecting fibroblasts. The most effective methods used for the transfection of fibroblasts include both viral-based and non-viral nucleofection systems. These methods result in a high level of transgene expression and are superior in terms of transfection efficacy and viability.     

农业科技投入对蜜蜂产业发展的影响——以江西省蜂产业技术体系为例

[目的]系统评价江西省蜂产业技术体系专项投入对江西省蜜蜂产业发展的影响.[方法]基于2018-2020年江西省蜂产业技术体系的面板数据,以经费投入作为农业科技投入指标,并选取蜂群饲养量、蜂蜜产量、科技奖励、科技论文、科技专利、科技标准、人才培养、研究平台等作为衡量产业发展指标.[结果]江西省蜂产业技术体系连续3年(2018-2020年)投入经费合计达420万元,年均投入经费140万元;江西省蜂产业技术体系稳定经费投入,对江西省蜂业生产、蜂业科技产出、蜂业人才培养及平台建设等方面都有显著正向影响.[结论]农业科技投入极大推动了江西省蜂产业健康稳定发展,并提出了加大科技成果示范与推广、加强蜂产品深加工技术研发、推行中华蜜蜂科学饲养技术、蜜蜂授粉关键技术研发与推广、继续做好养蜂产业扶贫与乡村振兴建设先进五点研究建议.     

SMURF1 Plays a role in EGF-induced breast cancer cell migration and invasion

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) is a well-known growth factor that induces cancer cell migration and invasion. Previous studies have shown that SMAD ubiquitination regulatory factor 1 (SMURF1), an E3 ubiquitin ligase, regulates cell motility by inducing RhoA degradation. Therefore, we examined the role of SMURF1 in EGF-induced cell migration and invasion using MDA-MB-231 cells, a human breast cancer cell line. EGF increased SMURF1 expression at both the mRNA and protein levels. All ErbB family members were expressed in MDA-MB-231 cells and receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors specific for the EGF receptor (EGFR) or ErbB2 blocked the EGF-mediated induction of SMURF1 expression. Within the signaling pathways examined, ERK1/2 and protein kinase C activity were required for EGF-induced SMURF1 expression. The overexpression of constitutively active MEK1 increased the SMURF1 to levels similar to those induced by EGF. SMURF1 induction by EGF treatment or by the overexpression of MEK1 or SMURF1 resulted in enhanced cell migration and invasion, whereas SMURF1 knockdown suppressed EGF- or MEK1-induced cell migration and invasion. EGF treatment or SMURF1 overexpression decreased the endogenous RhoA protein levels. The overexpression of constitutively active RhoA prevented EGF- or SMURF1-induced cell migration and invasion. These results suggest that EGFinduced SMURF1 plays a role in breast cancer cell migration and invasion through the downregulation of RhoA.