Protective Effect of Levilactobacillus brevis Against Yersinia enterocolitica Infection in Mouse Model via Regulating MAPK and NF-κB Pathway

Probiotics and Antimicrobial Proteins - Although the use of the probiotic bacterium Lactobacillus for the treatment and prevention of diseases caused by various pathogenic bacteria has received...     

Development and characterization of 33 polymorphic microsatellite markers in Trachurus japonicus by SLAF-seq technology

Trachurus japonicus is an economically important fish in the northwestern Pacific Ocean. However, its resources have declined seriously and there is an urgent need for a wide-range of investigations of the existing genetic resources. This requires a large number of diverse molecular markers with high discriminating power. In this study, we identified 43,264 perfect SSRs in T. japonicus genome using SLAF-seq technology. Of these, we randomly selected 106 SSRs (tri-nucleotide to hexa-nucleotide) to test for polymorphism. Eventually, we successfully developed a total of 33 loci including 8 tri-nucleotide and 25 long repeat motifs (tetra-nucleotide to hexa-nucleotide). The number of alleles (Na) of these loci ranged from 4 to 24 (mean 12.6). The observed heterozygosity (Ho) and expected heterozygosity (He) varied from 0.258 to 0.969 (mean 0.723) and from 0.452 to 0.962 (mean 0.827), respectively. All loci except TJ6-7 were highly informative (PIC > 0.5). These results showed that the shortlisted 33 loci exhibited moderate to relatively high genetic diversity, of which 18 were regarded as highly polymorphic and well-resolved. In summary, these diverse and potential microsatellites detected in our study provide substantial genetic basis for the screening of polymorphic SSR markers of T. japonicus and also provide a powerful tool to perform further studies on the genetic resource assessment and conservation of T. japonicus.     

Repression of SIRT1 Promotes the Differentiation of Mouse Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells into Neural Stem Cells

The use of transplanting functional neural stem cells (NSCs) derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) has increased for the treatment of brain diseases. As such, it is important to understand the molecular mechanisms that promote NSCs differentiation of iPSCs for future NSC-based therapies. Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), a NAD⁺-dependent protein deacetylase, has attracted significant attention over the past decade due to its prominent role in processes including organ development, longevity, and cancer. However, it remains unclear whether SIRT1 plays a role in the differentiation of mouse iPSCs toward NSCs. In this study, we produced NSCs from mouse iPSCs using serum-free medium supplemented with retinoic acid. We then assessed changes in the expression of SIRT1 and microRNA-34a, which regulates SIRT1 expression. Moreover, we used a SIRT1 inhibitor to investigate the role of SIRT1 in NSCs differentiation of iPSCs. Data revealed that the expression of SIRT1 decreased, whereas miRNAs-34a increased, during this process. In addition, the inhibition of SIRT1 enhanced the generation of NSCs and mature neurocytes. This suggests that SIRT1 negatively regulated the differentiation of mouse iPSCs into NSCs, and that this process may be regulated by miRNA-34a.     

牡丹江鱼类单殖吸虫一新记录

近年来,三代虫在黑龙江省各虹鳟鱼场普遍发生,为害程度与日俱增。       

阿米洛利抑制NHE-1减轻低氧性肺动脉平滑肌细胞增殖

目的：研究Na^＋／H^＋交换抑制剂阿米洛利对低氧刺激的大鼠肺动脉平滑肌细胞（PASMCs）增殖的影响,以及Na^＋／H^＋交挟体-l（NHE-1）活性和表达的变化.方法：常氧（21％O2）或低氧（2％O2）条件下培养PASMCs,并分别给予浓度为1．653、3．125、6．25、12．5、25和50μmol／L．等不同浓度的阿米洛利,培养24h,采用MTT比色实验和免疫组化检测PCNA阳性细胞率的方法反映细胞增殖情况,同时采用激光共聚焦检测细胞内pH以反映Na^＋／H^＋交换体-1活性,RT—PCR法检测Na^＋／H^＋交换体-1mRNA的表达量.结果：低氧培养的PASMCs细胞内pH升高,NHE—1mRNA的表达增多,而阿米洛利可以降低细胞内pH,减少NHE—1mRNA的表达量。同时低氧较常氧培养MTT光吸收值较常氧培养明显升高。PCNA阳性细胞率明显增高,而给予阿米洛利时上述两个指标随药物浓度增加而逐渐下降。结论：低氧可以激活PASMCs细胞膜上的E—1,增加其mRNA水平表达量,使细胞内碱化,促进细胞增殖,而Na^＋／H^＋交换抑制剂阿米洛利可以抑制其活性,减少mRNA水平的表达,导致细胞内酸化,从而抑制细胞增殖,并且此抑制作用在3．125～50μmol／L．浓度范围内呈现明显的浓度依赖性。     

Protective effects of pre-germinated brown rice diet on low levels of Pb-induced learning and memory deficits in developing rat

Lead (Pb) is a known neurotoxicant in humans and experimental animals. Numerous studies have provided evidence that humans, especially young children, and animals chronically intoxicated with low levels of Pb show learning and memory impairments. Unfortunately, Pb-poisoning cases continue to occur in many countries. Because the current treatment options are very limited, there is a need for alternative methods to attenuate Pb toxicity. In this study, the weaning (postnatal day 21, PND21) rats were randomly divided into five groups: the control group (AIN-93G diet, de-ionized water), the lead acetate (PbAC) group (AIN-93G diet, 2 g/L PbAC in de-ionized water), the lead acetate + WR group (white rice diet, 2 g/L PbAC in de-ionized water; PbAC + WR), the lead acetate + BR group (brown rice diet, 2 g/L PbAC in de-ionized water; PbAC + BR) and the lead acetate + PR group (pre-germinated brown rice diet, 2 g/L PbAC in de-ionized water; PbAC + PR). The animals received the different diets until PND60, and then the experiments were terminated. The protective effects of pre-germinated brown rice (PR) on Pb-induced learning and memory impairment in weaning rats were assessed by the Morris water maze and one-trial-learning passive avoidance test. The anti-oxidative effects of feeding a PR diet to Pb-exposed rats were evaluated. The levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were determined by flow cytometry. The levels of 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate were determined by HPLC. Our data showed that feeding a PR diet decreased the accumulation of lead and decreased Pb-induced learning and memory deficits in developing rats. The mechanisms might be related to the anti-oxidative effects and large amount of GABA in PR. Our study provides a regimen to reduce Pb-induced toxicity, especially future learning and memory deficits in the developing brain.     

Positive Effects of Biochar on the Degraded Forest Soil and Tree Growth in China: A Systematic Review

Soil degradation threatens the forest sustainable productivity, particularly in afforestation system. Biochar derived from agroforestry waste or biomass can potentially improve the degraded forest soil and promote the tree growth. To expand the application of biochar for forestry productivity improvement, we here reviewed the effects and the underlying mechanisms of biochar on the degraded forest soil and tree growth. Totally 96 studies that conducted from pot to field investigations in China were summarized. The result suggested that biochar generally exerted positive effects on restoration of degraded forest soil such as that with compaction, acidification or soil erosion, which are mainly manifested by improving soil porosity, increasing pH, enhancing erosion resistance and mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. Furthermore, biochar incorporation promoted the growth of tested trees in most cases, which effect was mainly attributing to directly supplying nutrients, improving soil physio-chemical properties, enhancing the root’s nutrient absorption capacity, and enlarging the living space. In summary, current studies demonstrate that biochar has a unique potential for improving degraded forest soils and promoting tree growth. However, investigations on the underlying mechanisms and the long-term effects should be strengthened.