Effect of mechanical stretch on the expressions of elastin,LOX and Fibulin-5 in rat BMSCs with ligament fibroblasts co-culture

The occurrence of PFD is closely related with elasticity, toughness, and functional changes of the connective tissue of the pelvic support tissue. This study aims to evaluate the effect of mechanical stretch on the differentiation of BMSCs with a co-culture with pelvic ligament fibroblasts. BMSCs was isolated and identified from 7 day SPF SD rats. Rat pelvic ligament fibroblasts were obtained from rat pelvic ligament. The fourth passage of fibroblasts was subjected to 10% deformation with 1 Hz, 12 h periodic one-way mechanical stretch stimulation, and the cells were then co-cultured with BMSCs. The longer co-culture and co-culture with mechanical stretch (i.e. 6 and 12 days) induced more expression of elastin, LOX, and Fibulin-5, compared to the groups without stimulation. Compared to co-culture group each, Co-culture with mechanical stretch stimulation group induced significant expression of elastin, LOX, and Fibulin-5, both in 3, 6 and 12 days co-culture groups (P < 0.05). However, there were no significant differences among 3, 6, and 12 days control groups. These results suggest that in an indirect co-culture system, pelvic ligament fibroblasts with mechanical stretch stimulation can promote BMSCs differentiation, reflecting in the increased expression of elastin, LOX, and Fibulin-5.     

Modular TRAPP complexes regulate intracellular protein trafficking through multiple Ypt/Rab GTPases in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Ypt/Rab are key regulators of intracellular trafficking in all eukaryotic cells. In yeast, Ypt1 is essential for endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-to-Golgi transport, whereas Ypt31/32 regulate Golgi-to-plasma membrane and endosome-to-Golgi transport. TRAPP is a multisubunit complex that acts as an activator of Ypt/Rab GTPases. Trs85 and Trs130 are two subunits specific for TRAPP III and TRAPP II, respectively. Whereas TRAPP III was shown to acts as a Ypt1 activator, it is still controversial whether TRAPP II acts as a Ypt1 or Ypt31/32 activator. Here, we use GFP-Snc1 as a tool to study transport in Ypt and TRAPP mutant cells. First, we show that expression of GFP-Snc1 in trs85Δ mutant cells results in temperature sensitivity. Second, we suggest that in ypt1ts and trs85Δ, but not in ypt31Δ/32ts and trs130ts mutant cells, GFP-Snc1 accumulates in the ER. Third, we show that overexpression of Ypt1, but not Ypt31/32, can suppress both the growth and GFP-Snc1 accumulation phenotypes of trs85Δ mutant cells. In contrast, overexpression of Ypt31, but not Ypt1, suppresses the growth and GFP-Snc1 transport phenotypes of trs130ts mutant cells. These results provide genetic support for functional grouping of Ypt1 with Trs85-containing TRAPP III and Ypt31/32 with Trs130-containing TRAPP II.     

Using a Low-Sodium,High-Potassium Salt Substitute to Reduce Blood Pressure among Tibetans with High Blood Pressure: A Patient-Blinded Randomized Controlled Trial

Objectives

To evaluate the effects of a low-sodium and high-potassium salt-substitute on lowering blood pressure (BP) among Tibetans living at high altitude (4300 meters).

Method

The study was a patient-blinded randomized controlled trial conducted between February and May 2009 in Dangxiong County, Tibetan Autonomous Region, China. A total of 282 Tibetans aged 40 or older with known hypertension (systolic BP≥140 mmHg) were recruited and randomized to intervention (salt-substitute, 65% sodium chloride, 25% potassium chloride and 10% magnesium sulfate) or control (100% sodium chloride) in a 1: 1 allocation ratio with three months’ supply. Primary outcome was defined as the change in BP levels measured from baseline to followed-up with an automated sphygmomanometer. Per protocol (PP) and intention to treat (ITT) analyses were conducted.

Results

After the three months’ intervention period, the net reduction in SBP/DBP in the intervention group in comparison to the control group was −8.2/−3.4 mmHg (all p<0.05) in PP analysis, after adjusting for baseline BP and other variables. ITT analysis showed the net reduction in SBP/DBP at −7.6/−3.5 mmHg with multiple imputations (all p<0.05). Furthermore, the whole distribution of blood pressure showed an overall decline in SBP/DBP and the proportion of patients with BP under control (SBP/DBP<140 mmHg) was significantly higher in salt-substitute group in comparison to the regular salt group (19.2% vs. 8.8%, p = 0.027).

Conclusion

Low sodium high potassium salt-substitute is effective in lowering both systolic and diastolic blood pressure and offers a simple, low-cost approach for hypertension control among Tibetans in China.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov {"type":"clinical-trial","attrs":{"text":"NCT01429246","term_id":"NCT01429246"}}NCT01429246     

A CRM1-dependent nuclear export signal controls nucleocytoplasmic translocation of HSCARG, which regulates NF-κB activity

HSCARG is a newly identified nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) inhibitor that plays important roles in cell growth. Our previous study found that HSCARG could shuttle between the nucleus and cytoplasm by sensing the change in cellular redox states. To further investigate the mechanism of HSCARG translocation and its effect on the regulation of NF-κB activity, we identified a previously uncharacterized nuclear export signal (NES) at residues 272-278 of HSCARG that is required for its cytoplasmic translocation. This leucine-rich NES was found to be mediated by chromosome region maintenance 1. More importantly, accumulation of HSCARG in the nucleus occurred following a mutation in the NES or oxidative stress, which attenuated the inhibition of NF-κB by HSCARG. These results indicate that nucleocytoplasmic translocation of HSCARG plays an important role in fine-tuning NF-κB signaling.     

安徽大别山区种子植物区系的初步研究

通过对安徽大别山区种子植物资料收集和实地勘察,在此基础上得到了安徽大别山区种子植物区系的特征和珍稀濒危保护种子植物的分布,并与周边山区进行了对比分析。结果表明:(1)安徽大别山区种子植物种类繁多、类型丰富,区域内种子植物共计145科,731属,1 648种(不含种以下分类)。(2)通过统计和PCA方法分析,表明安徽大别山区植物区系整体上呈现亚热带向温带过渡的性质。(3)安徽大别山区与岳西古井园种相似性系数最高(64.52%),与清凉峰次之(40.22%),与舒城万佛山最低(24.65%)。(4)安徽大别山区内含21种珍稀濒危保护种子植物,包括5种濒危植物、2种国家一级保护植物和14种国家二级保护植物。     

‘云香’水仙ACC氧化酶基因的克隆表达分析及其遗传转化与鉴定

利用RT-PCR技术,从‘云香’水仙中克隆了1个新的ACO(ACC氧化酶)基因(NtACOY2)。NtACOY2基因全长975bp,开放阅读框(ORF)936bp,编码311个氨基酸残基,蛋白分子量为35.83kD。蛋白结构预测发现,该蛋白含有典型的ACO家族保守的DIOX_N和20G-FeⅡ_Oxy结构域。进化分析表明,NtACOY2编码的氨基酸序列高度保守。实时荧光定量PCR表明,NtACOY2在花瓣和副冠中的表达均随着‘云香’水仙花的衰老而逐渐上升,并且各个时期花瓣中的表达量均高于副冠,在花蕾期的花瓣中表达量达到最高,表明NtACOY2基因可能参与‘云香’水仙花的发育,并且与其花衰老密切相关。通过PCR和酶切反应鉴定,成功构建了NtACOY2基因的正反义植物表达载体,将正义载体经农杆菌介导转化烟草,PCR检测显示共有15株转化植株扩增出了与阳性对照大小相同的片段,进一步用RT-PCR鉴定阳性转化植株,最终获得了12株转基因烟草。随机选取2株转基因植株(Z1、Z2)与野生型(WT)完全相同条件下移栽温室培养,结果 Z1、Z2分别比WT提前8和7d开花,且转基因烟草花朵开放数量均多于野生型,表明NtACOY2在转录水平能够正常表达。实验结果为进一步研究NtACOY2基因的功能奠定了基础。     

刚毛盆距兰, 中国兰科一新记录种

报道了中国兰科盆距兰属一新记录种: 刚毛盆距兰(Gastrochilus setosus Aver. & Vuong),并提供彩色照片及详细特征描述。该种形态上与红松盆距兰(G. raraensis Fukuuama)近似,但前者植株小,唇瓣具短刚毛,距为圆筒状等特征极易与红松盆距兰区分开。该种原仅分布于越南,现首次在中国西藏发现其分布。凭证标本保存于西藏农牧学院标本馆。     

The Impact of Winter Heating on Air Pollution in China

Fossil-fuel combustion related winter heating has become a major air quality and public health concern in northern China recently. We analyzed the impact of winter heating on aerosol loadings over China using the MODIS-Aqua Collection 6 aerosol product from 2004–2012. Absolute humidity (AH) and planetary boundary layer height (PBL) -adjusted aerosol optical depth (AOD^*) was constructed to reflect ground-level PM_2.5 concentrations. GIS analysis, standard statistical tests, and statistical modeling indicate that winter heating is an important factor causing increased PM_2.5 levels in more than three-quarters of central and eastern China. The heating season AOD^* was more than five times higher as the non-heating season AOD^*, and the increase in AOD^* in the heating areas was greater than in the non-heating areas. Finally, central heating tend to contribute less to air pollution relative to other means of household heating.     

Development of a sequence-tagged site for the centromere of chromosome 10: its use in cytogenetic and physical mapping

We sequenced the alphoid centromere probe p10RP8 (D10Z1), aligned it to three published consensus sequences, and developed a sequence-tagged site (STS), sJRH-2, based upon oligonucleotide primers having two 3 mismatches with these consensus sequences. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification using genomic DNA from a somatic cell hybrid panel representing all human chromosomes demonstrated amplification from only those cell lines containing chromosome 10. Fluorescence in situ hybridization of the amplified product demonstrated intense and specific hybridization of the PCR product to 10p11.1-q11.1. A human genomic yeast artificial chromosome (YAC) library was screened using the sJRH-2 PCR assay, and five clones were identified. Sequence analysis of one chimeric clone (consisting of DNA segments derived from chromosomes 5p and 10cen) confirmed specificity of the STS for the centromere of chromosome 10. sJRH-2 provides a convenient cytogenetic marker for chromosome 10, which will also be useful for physical mapping of the pericentromeric region of chromosome 10, a region that harbors the gene(s) for three forms of multiple endocrine neoplasia (types 2A, 2B, and familial medullary thyroid carcinoma). The GenBank accession number for the p10RP8 sequence is X63622.