The differential distribution of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide in the normal human female genital tract

Summary VIP-like immunoreactive material is present in the female reproductive tract, with a distinct pattern of distribution. The highest concentrations of extractable material and immunoreactive nerve fibres were found in the cervix and vagina. In the cervix these fibres were seen below the surface epithelium and around cervical glands as well as in association with blood vessels and smooth muscle bundles. In the vagina the nerve fibres were most abundant in the superficial regions of the lamina propria. Scattered fibres were also present in the rest of the uterus and in the fallopian tubes. Chromatographic evidence indicates that this VIP-like material is of a similar molecular size to that extracted from other organs. Possible roles for VIP in the regulation of myometrial activity and of cervical and vaginal dilation and secretion are proposed.     

Seed Vigour in Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L. cv. Apollo) as Influenced by Temperature and Water Regime during Development and Maturation

Bean plants grown in a controlled temperature glasshouse athigh temperatures (33/28, 30/25, or 27/22 °C) during theperiod of seed development and maturation matured early andproduced small seeds. The seeds were of lower vigour than thosegrown at 21/16 or 18/13 °C. The detrimental effect of highmaturation temperatures was observed even on plants bearingwell-developed seeds (yellow, fleshy-pod stage). Seeds maturedat high temperatures were also more susceptible to deteriorationwith delay in harvest, and to mechanical damage. Heavy wateringof plants with seed ready to harvest caused a reduction in seedvigour. For optimum quality bean seed, it appears essentialthat the seed develops and matures at cool temperatures, ina dry environment.     

Fluorescence-microscopical demonstration of a population of gastro-intestinal nerve fibres with a selective affinity for Quinacrine

Summary A population of nerve fibres in the gastro-intestinal tract of mice showing a high affinity for quinacrine was revealed by fluorescence microscopy. Similar results were obtained in rats and guinea pigs. Whole-mounts of sheets of the smooth muscle layer following incubation in 10^-6-10^-7 M quinacrine for 15–60 min revealed fine fluorescent varicose nerve fibers in the myenteric plexus of Auerbach both around nerve cell bodies and in the interconnecting strands. Many fibers were also present between the strands of the plexus, especially running parallel to the circular muscle layer. Such fibers were not seen in similarly quinacrine-incubated irides. A proportion of the cell bodies in Auerbach's plexus also showed quinacrine accumulation. These cells were apparently smaller neurons, sometimes with fluorescent processes. Intraperitoneal injections of quinacrine failed to demonstrate nerve fibers, but some cell bodies in Auerbach's plexus were positive. Subsequent paraformaldehyde treatment for monoamine visualization showed persistent adrenergic nerve terminals in the intestine and iris. These nerves seemed to be fewer and had a more yellow fluorescence than normally. The identity of the quinacrine-positive fibers is discussed with respect to recent suggestions that purinergic, substance P, enkephalin, and somatosin-containing nerves, in addition to adrenergic and cholinergic nerves, are present in the gut wall.Supported by the Swedish Medical Research Council (04X-03185). Magnus Bergvalls Stiftelse and Karolinska Institutets Fonder. For generous gifts of Mepacrine we thank Winthrop, Skärholmen, Stockholm, Sweden. The skilful technical assistance of Miss Gerd Boetius and Miss Maud Eriksson is gratefully acknowledged     

Polysaccharides derived from Balanophora polyandra significantly suppressed the proliferation of ovarian cancer cells through P53‐mediated pathway

Ovarian cancer (OC) is ranked the first among the cancers threatening women's health. It attracts tremendous attention of cancer researchers because of its extremely high mortality rate. Recent studies have indicated that traditional herbal medicines (THMs) can play a pivotal role in cancer prevention and treatment. THMs are gaining popularity as a source of anti‐cancer agents. The plant of Balanophora polyandra, which has been used as a traditional herbal medicine, has been known for exhibiting potential haemostatic, analgesic, anti‐inflammatory and anti‐cancer properties. However, few studies on inhibitory effect of B. polyandra on OC have been performed. In the present study, we found that B. polyandra polysaccharides (BPP) induced cell cycle arrest at S phase, triggered apoptosis and inhibited migration and invasion of OC cells. Furthermore, we also found that there was a potential and close relationship between BPP and P53‐mediated pathway. Overall, these findings suggest that BPP can be a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of OC.     

Glucosamine protects against radiation‐induced lung injury via inhibition of epithelial‐mesenchymal transition

Radiotherapy is one of the most important treatments for chest tumours. Although there are plenty of strategies to prevent damage to normal lung tissues, it cannot be avoided with the emergence of radiation‐induced lung injury. The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential radioprotective effects of glucosamine, which exerted anti‐inflammatory activity in joint inflammation. In this study, we found glucosamine relieved inflammatory response and structural damages in lung tissues after radiation via HE staining. Then, we detected the level of epithelial‐mesenchymal transition marker in vitro and in vivo, which we could clearly observe that glucosamine treatment inhibited epithelial‐mesenchymal transition. Besides, we found glucosamine could inhibit apoptosis and promote proliferation of normal lung epithelial cells in vitro caused by radiation. In conclusion, our data showed that glucosamine alleviated radiation‐induced lung injury via inhibiting epithelial‐mesenchymal transition, which indicated glucosamine could be a novel potential radioprotector for radiation‐induced lung injury.     

Circulating exosome‐derived bona fide long non‐coding RNAs predicting the occurrence and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma

Although the diagnosis and therapy approach developed, techniques for the early diagnosis of HCC remain insufficient which results in poor prognosis of patients. The traditional biomarker AFP, however, has been proved with low specificity. Circulating exosomal ncRNAs revealed different profiles reflecting the characteristics of tumour. In this study, we mainly focused on circulating exosomal ncRNAs which might be the fingerprint for HCC, especially for the diagnosis or metastasis prediction. A high throughput lncRNA microarray in exosomes extracted from cell‐free plasma was applied. The risk score analysis was employed to screen the potential exosome‐derived lncRNAs in two independent sets based on different clinical parameters in 200 paired HCC patients. After a multi‐stage validation, we finally revealed three lncRNAs, ENSG00000248932.1, ENST00000440688.1 and ENST00000457302.2, increased in HCC comparing with the both chronic hepatitis (CH) patients and cancer‐free controls. ROC curve revealed a higher sensitivity and specificity in predicting the occurrence of HCC from cancer‐free controls and CH patients with the area under curve (AUC) of 0.905 and 0.879 by combining AFP. The three lncRNA panel combined with AFP also indicted a fingerprint function in predicting the metastasis of HCC with the AUC of 0.870. In conclusion, ENSG00000248932.1, ENST00000440688.1 and ENST00000457302.2 might be the potential biomarker for the tumorigenesis prediction from CH patients or healthy controls and may also be applied for dynamic monitoring the metastasis of HCC.     

陕北白绒山羊DRB1基因外显子2遗传变异分析

本研究通过对123只陕北白绒山羊DRB1基因外显子2的遗传变异分析,旨在获得陕北白绒山羊DRB1基因的多态性及变异信息,为山羊抗病基因的挖掘研究提供基础资料。本研究共获得6条陕北白绒山羊DRB1基因外显子2序列,其中4条为首次发现。生物信息学分析表明DRB1位点具有较高的多态性,6条等位基因可能起源于2个祖先基因。在长期的进化过程中,DRB1位点受到了明显的选择压力作用,这种选择作用有助于陕北白绒山羊对当地气候的适应。蛋白质结构的预测证实了DRB1*1与其它等位基因间的差异性,说明核苷酸变异可能会引起蛋白质结构的改变,最终可能影响宿主对病原体的免疫应答。本次对陕北白绒山羊DRB1基因多态性的调查与分析有助于筛选疾病抗性和易感性MHC (Major histocompatibility complex)候选基因,进而可加速绒山羊抗病品系的改良与培育进程。     

From signaling to function: how strigolactones regulate plant development

Science China Life Sciences -