Fluorescent and bimolecular-fluorescent protein tagging of genes at their native loci in Neurospora crassa using specialized double-joint PCR plasmids

The double-joint polymerase chain reaction (DJ-PCR) is a technique that can be used to construct vectors for targeted genome integration without laborious subcloning steps. Here we report the availability of plasmids that facilitate DJ-PCR-based construction of Neurospora crassa tagging vectors. These plasmids allow the creation of green or red fluorescent protein (GFP or RFP) tagging vectors for protein localization studies, as well as split-yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) tagging vectors for bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) analyses. We have demonstrated the utility of each plasmid with the tagging of known meiotic silencing proteins. Microscopic analysis of the tagged strains indicates that SMS-2 and QIP form macromolecular complexes in the perinuclear region during meiosis.     

Long COVID and its Management

The pandemic of COVID-19 is the biggest public health crisis in 21^st Century. Besides the acute symptoms after infection, patients and society are also being challenged by the long-term health complications associated with COVID-19, commonly known as long COVID. While health professionals work hard to find proper treatments, large amount of knowledge has been accumulated in recent years. In order to deal with long COVID efficiently, it is important for people to keep up with current progresses and take proactive actions on long COVID. For this purpose, this review will first introduce the general background of long COVID, and then discuss its risk factors, diagnostic indicators and management strategies. This review will serve as a useful resource for people to understand and prepare for long COVID that will be with us in the foreseeable future.     

Inhibition of miR146b-5p suppresses CT-guided renal cell carcinoma by targeting TRAF6

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is one of the most common malignancies in the urinary system. Due to the lack of early symptoms, diagnosis of RCC usually occurs at late stages or after cancer metastasis leading to poor prognosis. Therefore, it is crucial to study early molecular mechanisms and biomarkers. Previous studies have suggested that microRNAs are involved in RCC initiation and development, making them a good candidate for early diagnosis and therapy. MiR146b-5P plays important roles in the progression of multiple cancers including thyroid cancer, pancreatic cancer, cervical cancer. However, it is not clear whether and how miR146b-5P is involved in RCC. In this study, we aimed to investigate the function of miR146b-5P in RCC. We examined the expression levels of miR146b-5p in renal cancer tissue and cell lines. We also explored the effects of blocking miR146b-5p in renal tumor growth and inflammatory signaling. Finally, we determined if miR146b-5p regulates tumorigenesis through TRAF6. We found that miR146b-5p levels were significantly increased in renal cancer tissue and renal cancer cells. Blocking miR146b-5p suppressed renal tumor growth and enhanced inflammatory response through increased TRAF6 expression. These effects were eliminated in TRAF6 knockout mice. Our results suggest that enhanced miR146b-5p expression may be a biomarker for RCC and modulating miR146b-5p and TRAF6 levels represent a potential therapeutic strategy for RCC.     

Sodium (±)‐5‐bromo‐2‐(α‐hydroxypentyl) benzoate ameliorates pressure overload‐induced cardiac hypertrophy and dysfunction through inhibiting autophagy

Sodium (±)‐5‐bromo‐2‐(a‐hydroxypentyl) benzoate (generic name: brozopine, BZP) has been reported to protect against stroke‐induced brain injury and was approved for Phase II clinical trials for treatment of stroke‐related brain damage by the China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA). However, the role of BZP in cardiac diseases, especially in pressure overload‐induced cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure, remains to be investigated. In the present study, angiotensin II stimulation and transverse aortic constriction were employed to induce cardiomyocyte hypertrophy in vitro and in vivo, respectively, prior to the assessment of myocardial cell autophagy. We observed that BZP administration ameliorated cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and excessive autophagic activity. Further results indicated that AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK)‐mediated activation of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway likely played a role in regulation of autophagy by BZP after Ang II stimulation. The activation of AMPK with metformin reversed the BZP‐induced suppression of autophagy. Finally, for the first time, we demonstrated that BZP could protect the heart from pressure overload‐induced hypertrophy and dysfunction, and this effect is associated with its inhibition of maladaptive cardiomyocyte autophagy through the AMPK‐mTOR signalling pathway. These findings indicated that BZP may serve as a promising compound for treatment of pressure overload‐induced cardiac remodelling and heart failure.     

中国近海牡蛎系统分类研究的现状和对策

探讨了中国近海沿岸牡蛎分类的诸多疑难和热点问题,回顾了国内外包括贝类等动物的分子系统发生学研究的主要进展,分析了中国近海牡蛎系统分类目前存在的问题,重点阐述了利用分子标记等手段解决形态相似种的鉴定和种系发生关系等问题的巨大潜力,报道了利用分子标记进行牡蛎分类研究所取得的最新进展。预期经典分类学和分子系统发生学研究的交叉综合,将大力推动中国近海牡蛎的系统分类和系统发生研究的发展。     

粪便类固醇激素检测准确性的影响因素

近年来,采用非损伤性取样方法监测野生动物的生理状况越来越受到重视。本文对检测过程中影响动物粪便类固醇激素检测准确性的因素进行了分析总结,包括样品的新鲜程度、样品量和保存方法;激素代谢的日节律和季节性变化;动物的年龄、性别和繁殖状态等,以期为粪便类固醇激素检测技术在野生动物中的准确应用提供借鉴。     

陕南茶树栽培区域生态与地方品种分布

陕南秦巴山区是亚热带北缘地区。由于生态环境复杂,地区差异性大,茶树栽培与引种受到一定限制。大致以汉江谷地粮作区为界,南部大巴山北麓低山丘陵区为适栽区;北部秦岭南麓低山丘陵区则为次适栽区。地方茶树群体品种有7个,约由28个地方品种组成,呈斑、块状分布。     

Insights into the fluoride-resistant regulation mechanism of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans</Emphasis> ATCC 23270 based on whole genome microarrays

Acidophilic microorganisms involved in uranium bioleaching are usually suppressed by dissolved fluoride ions, eventually leading to reduced leaching efficiency. However, little is known about the regulation mechanisms of microbial resistance to fluoride. In this study, the resistance of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans ATCC 23270 to fluoride was investigated by detecting bacterial growth fluctuations and ferrous or sulfur oxidation. To explore the regulation mechanism, a whole genome microarray was used to profile the genome-wide expression. The fluoride tolerance of A. ferrooxidans cultured in the presence of FeSO₄ was better than that cultured with the S⁰ substrate. The differentially expressed gene categories closely related to fluoride tolerance included those involved in energy metabolism, cellular processes, protein synthesis, transport, the cell envelope, and binding proteins. This study highlights that the cellular ferrous oxidation ability was enhanced at the lower fluoride concentrations. An overview of the cellular regulation mechanisms of extremophiles to fluoride resistance is discussed.