增温、光照时间和氮添加对蒙古栎主要物候期的影响

利用大型人工气候室模拟研究增温(对照、增温1.5 ℃、增温2.0 ℃)、光照时间(10、14、18 h)和氮添加(0、5、10、20 g N·m^-2·a^-1)对东北地区蒙古栎主要物候期的影响。结果表明: 增温1.5和2.0 ℃使芽膨大期显著提前,完全变色期显著推迟,生长期延长,且延长天数随增温幅度的增大而增加。光照时间显著影响秋季物候(叶黄始期、叶黄普期、完全变色期),与光照14 h相比,短光照(10 h)使叶黄始期显著推迟7.0 d,生长盛期相对延长。氮添加使芽膨大期、芽开放期、展叶始期、展叶盛期均显著提前,完全变色期仅在高氮水平(20 g N·m^-2·a^-1)下显著推迟9.5 d,表明高氮添加使蒙古栎生长期延长。增温和高氮添加(20 g N·m^-2·a^-1)协同作用显著推迟完全变色期,导致叶黄期延长。增温和短光照协同作用、氮添加和短光照协同作用以及增温、氮添加和短光照协同作用均使叶黄始期显著推迟,生长盛期相对延长。     

Identification of TAF1, HNF4A,and CALM2 as potential therapeutic target genes for liver fibrosis

The molecular mechanism of liver fibrosis caused by hepatitis C virus (HCV) is not clear. The aim of this study is to understand the molecular mechanism of liver fibrosis induced by HCV and to identify potential therapeutic targets for hepatic fibrosis. We analyzed gene expression patterns between high liver fibrosis and low liver fibrosis samples, and identified genes related to liver fibrosis. We identified TAF1, HNF4A, and CALM2 were related to the development of liver fibrosis. HNF4A is important for hepatic fibrogenesis, and upregulation of HNF4A is an ideal choice for treating liver fibrosis. The gene expression of CALM2 is significantly lower in liver fibrosis samples than nonfibrotic samples. TAF1 may serve as a biomarker for liver fibrosis. The results were further validated by an independent data set GSE84044. In summary, our study described changes in the gene expression during the occurrence and development of liver fibrosis. The TAF1, HNF4A, and CALM2 may serve as novel targets for the treatment of liver fibrosis.     

The pathogenesis of thyroid autoimmune diseases: New T lymphocytes – Cytokines circuits beyond the Th1−Th2 paradigm

Autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) is one of the most common organ-specific autoimmune disorders. It mainly manifests as Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) and Graves’ disease (GD). HT is characteristic of hypothyroidism resulting from the destruction of the thyroid while GD is characteristic of hyperthyroidism due to excessive production of thyroid hormone induced by thyrotropin receptor-specific stimulatory autoantibodies. T lymphocytes and their secretory cytokines play indispensable roles in modulating immune responses, but their roles are often complex and full of interactions among distinct components of the immune system. Dysfunction of these T cells or aberrant expressions of these cytokines can cause the breakdown of immune tolerance and result in aberrant immune responses during the development of AITDs. This review summarizes recently identified T subsets and related cytokines and their roles in the pathogenesis of AITDs with the hope to provide a better understanding of the precise roles of notably identified T subsets in AITDs and facilitate the discovery of functional molecules or novel immune therapeutic targets for AITDs.     

滇金丝猴粪便微生物来源的β-半乳糖苷酶基因的表达及酶学性质

【目的】对滇金丝猴粪便微生物来源的β-半乳糖苷酶进行异源表达和纯化,并研究其酶学性质。【方法】从滇金丝猴粪便微生物的宏基因组中克隆出一个β-半乳糖苷酶基因galRBM20_1,对该基因进行异源表达和酶学性质分析。构建含有T7强启动子的pEASY-E2-galRBM20_1质粒,转化至大肠杆菌BL21(DE3),经IPTG诱导表达后进行酶学性质研究。【结果】滇金丝猴粪便来源的β-半乳糖苷酶(galRBM20_1)最适pH为5.0,在pH 4–7之间能保留70%及其以上的活性。最适温度为45°C,在37°C和45°C下耐受1 h,酶活不变。特别的是,该酶具有良好的Na Cl稳定性,经1–5 mol/L的Na Cl作用1 h后,相对酶活均能超过初始酶活:当NaCl的作用浓度为4 mol/L时,β-半乳糖苷酶相对酶活最高(146%);当NaCl的作用浓度为5mol/L时,β-半乳糖苷酶的相对酶活仍达到135%。【结论】本研究从滇金丝猴粪便微生物的宏基因库中克隆得到β-半乳糖苷酶基因galRBM20_1,并成功在大肠杆菌BL21(DE3)表达,首次从动物胃肠道宏基因组中获得具有耐盐和转糖基产Galactooligosaccharides(GOS)性能的β-半乳糖苷酶。该酶具有良好的耐盐性,和较广的pH作用范围,使其在食品、生物技术领域和环保方面的发展具有良好的应用价值。     

Benzo(a)pyrene inhibits endometrial cell apoptosis in early pregnant mice via the WNT5A pathway

Benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) is an endocrine-disrupting pollutant present in various aspects of daily life, and studies have demonstrated that BaP exerts reproductive toxicity. We previously showed that BaP damages endometrial morphology and decreases the number of implantation sites in early pregnant mice, but the mechanisms underlying these effects remain unclear. The endometrial function is crucial for implantation, which is associated with endometrial cell apoptosis. In this study, we focused on the effect of BaP on endometrial cell apoptosis and the role of WNT signaling during this process. Pregnant mice were gavaged with corn oil (control group) or 0.2 mg·kg⁻¹·day ⁻¹ BaP (treatment group) from Days 1 to 6 of pregnancy. BaP impaired endometrial function by decreasing the expression of HOXA10 and BMP2, two markers of receptivity and decidualization. WNT5A and β-catenin were activated in the BaP group. BaP affected the expression of apoptosis-related proteins and inhibited the apoptosis of endometrial stromal cells. In vitro, human endometrial stromal cells (HESCs) were treated with different concentrations of BaP (dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO); 5, 10 µM). WNT5A and β-catenin were also upregulated in the BaP treatment group. HESC apoptosis was restrained by BaP. Inhibiting WNT5A by SFRP5 partially restored the effect of BaP on apoptosis. In summary, these results suggested that BaP exposure during early pregnancy activates WNT5A/β-catenin signaling pathway, which inhibits the endometrial cell apoptosis and potentially destroys endometrial function.     

Hydrogen-induced tolerance against osmotic stress in alfalfa seedlings involves ABA signaling

Plant and Soil - Cadmium (Cd) is a toxic metal in soils and its accumulation in plants poses severe problems to agricultural production and human health. Most of research has focused on the Cd...     

Calculation of an Adequate Intake (AI) Value and Safe Range of Selenium (Se) for Chinese Infants 0–3 Months Old Based on Se Concentration in the Milk of Lactating Chinese Women with Optimal Se Intake

Biological Trace Element Research - The required selenium intake for optimal health in Chinese residents was published in 2014. However, the adequate intake (AI) value for Chinese infants...     

First proposal of quality indicators and standards and recommendations to improve the healthcare in the Spanish National Registry of Hip Fracture

BackgroundThe Spanish National Hip Fracture Registry (or Registro Nacional de Fractura de Cadera, RNFC) is a database of hip fracture patients admitted to Spanish hospitals. Its goals include assessment and continuous improvement of the care process.ObjectivesTo (1) establish a series of indicators, (2) evaluate their initial fulfillment, (3) propose quality standards, (4) suggest recommendations to facilitate standards compliance, and (5) monitor the indicators.MethodThe indicators fulfilled the criteria of (1) evaluating the process or outcome, (2) being clinically relevant for patients, (3) being modifiable through changes in healthcare practice, and (4) being considered important by the RNFC participants. The first quartile obtained by the group of hospitals in each of the respective variables was proposed as the standard. The Indicators Advisory Committee (IAC) elaborated a list of recommendations for each indicator, based on the available evidence.ResultsSeven indicators were chosen. These indicators (its baseline compliance vs. the standard to be reached, respectively) were: the proportion of patients receiving surgery within 48 h (44% vs. 63%), mobilized the first postoperative day (56% vs. 86%), with antiosteoporotic medication at discharge (32% vs. 61%), with calcium supplements at discharge (46% vs. 77%), with vitamin D supplements at discharge (67% vs. 92%), who developed pressure ulcers during hospitalization (7.2% vs. 2.1%) and with independent mobility at 30 days (58% vs. 70%). The IAC has established 25 recommendations for improving care.ConclusionThe indicators and standards chosen are presented, as well as the list of recommendations. This process completes the first step to improve quality of care. The results will be evaluated 6 months after implementing the recommendations.     

Expression Changes of NMDA and AMPA Receptor Subunits in the Hippocampus in rats with Diabetes Induced by Streptozotocin Coupled with Memory Impairment

Neurochemical Research - Cognitive impairment in diabetes (CID) is a severe chronic complication of diabetes mellitus (DM). It has been hypothesized that diabetes can lead to cognitive dysfunction...     

RhoC/ROCK2 promotes vasculogenic mimicry formation primarily through ERK/MMPs in hepatocellular carcinoma

Vasculogenic mimicry (VM) results in the formation of an alternative circulatory system that can improve the blood supply to multiple malignant tumors, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the potential mechanisms of RhoC/ROCK in VM have not yet been investigated in HCC. Here, RhoC expression was upregulated in HCC tissues, especially the VM-positive (VM+) group, compared to noncancerous tissues (P < 0.01), and patients with high expression of RhoC had shorter survival times (P < 0.001). The knockdown of RhoC via short hairpin RNA (shRNA) in SK-Hep-1 cells significantly decreased VM formation and cell motility. In contrast, cell motility and VM formation were remarkably enhanced when RhoC was overexpressed in HepG2 cells. To further assess the potential role of ROCK1 and ROCK2 on VM, we stably knocked down ROCK1 or ROCK2 in MHCC97H cells. Compared to ROCK1 shRNA, ROCK2 shRNA could largely affect VM formation, cell motility and the key VM factors, as well as the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, p-ERK, p-MEK, p-FAK, p-paxillin, MT1-MMP and MMP2 levels were clearly altered following the overexpression of RhoC, but ROCK2 shRNA had little effect on the expression of p-FAK, which indicated that RhoC regulates FAK/paxillin signaling, but not through ROCK2. In conclusion, our results show that RhoC/ROCK2 may have a major effect on VM in HCC via ERK/MMPs signaling and might be a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of HCC.