FIT2 organizes lipid droplet biogenesis with ER tubule-forming proteins and septins

Lipid droplets (LDs) are critical for lipid storage and energy metabolism. LDs form in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). However, the molecular basis for LD biogenesis remains elusive. Here, we show that fat storage–inducing transmembrane protein 2 (FIT2) interacts with ER tubule-forming proteins Rtn4 and REEP5. The association is mainly transmembrane domain based and stimulated by oleic acid. Depletion of ER tubule-forming proteins decreases the number and size of LDs in cells and Caenorhabditis elegans, mimicking loss of FIT2. Through cytosolic loops, FIT2 binds to cytoskeletal protein septin 7, an interaction that is also required for normal LD biogenesis. Depletion of ER tubule-forming proteins or septins delays nascent LD formation. In addition, FIT2-interacting proteins are up-regulated during adipocyte differentiation, and ER tubule-forming proteins, septin 7, and FIT2 are transiently enriched at LD formation sites. Thus, FIT2-mediated nascent LD biogenesis is facilitated by ER tubule-forming proteins and septins.     

Exploring the role of microRNAs in axolotl regeneration

The axolotl, Ambystoma mexicanum, is used extensively for research in developmental biology, particularly for its ability to regenerate and restore lost organs, including in the nervous system, to full functionality. Regeneration in mammals typically depends on the healing process and scar formation with limited replacement of lost tissue. Other organisms, such as spiny mice (Acomys cahirinus), salamanders, and zebrafish, are able to regenerate some damaged body components. Blastema is a tissue that is formed after tissue injury in such organisms and is composed of progenitor cells or dedifferentiated cells that differentiate into various cell types during regeneration. Thus, identifying the molecules responsible for initiation of blastema formation is an important aspect for understanding regeneration. Introns, a major source of noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), have characteristic sizes in the axolotl, particularly in genes associated with development. These ncRNAs, particularly microRNAs (miRNAs), exhibit dynamic regulation during regeneration. These miRNAs play an essential role in timing and control of gene expression to order and organize processes necessary for blastema creation. Master keys or molecules that underlie the remarkable regenerative abilities of the axolotl remain to be fully explored and exploited. Further and ongoing research on regeneration promises new knowledge that may allow improved repair and renewal of human tissues.     

Cyclic environmental changes during the Early Toarcian at the Mochras Farm Borehole (Wales): a variable response of the foraminiferal community

Cyclostratigraphical analysis of the foraminiferal assemblages from the Early Toarcian at the Mochras Farm Borehole (Wales) was conducted in order to evaluate the incidence of cyclic palaeoenvironmental changes on the foraminiferal community. Different variables such as type of morphogroup, evolutionary strategy, habitat, particular taxa, diversity and abundance were studied using the Lomb–Scargle periodogram implemented in the computer program SLOMBS. A well‐developed cyclostratigraphical pattern is recognized, with the presence of several cycles (in metres) at 3.4–4/7.2–7.5/10.1–10.6/32.1–33.3/104.2–111.2/128.2/166.7, belonging to the high‐, middle‐, middle‐/low‐, and low‐frequency bands. The incidence and relevance of the cycles is found to be related to particular variables marking the global and local character of the involved processes. Cyclic changes in the organic matter input are found to be the most relevant palaeoenvironmental factor, oxygenation being secondary. A correspondence with specific Milankovitch cycles is, at present, difficult to determine.     

A Permian nurse log and evidence for facilitation in high‐latitude Glossopteris forests

The biology of trees that grew in high‐latitude forests during warmer geological periods is of major interest in understanding past and future ecosystem dynamics. As we study the different plants that composed these forests, it becomes possible to make comparisons with ecosystem processes that occur today. Here we describe a silicified late Permian (Lopingian) glossopterid (seed fern) trunk from Skaar Ridge, central Transantarctic Mountains, Antarctica, with evidence of glossopterid rootlets growing into its wood. The specimen is interpreted as a nurse log similar to those seen in some extant forests. Together with evidence of glossopterid roots growing within the lacunae of older roots, this new specimen suggests the existence of facilitative interactions among the glossopterid trees that dominated the high‐latitude forests of Gondwana during the late Permian. More generally, the existence of self‐facilitation might have favoured the expansion of glossopterids within various environments, especially those at high palaeolatitudes, during the Permian icehouse to greenhouse transition.     

非结构蛋白在非洲猪瘟病毒感染中作用

非洲猪瘟(African swine fever,ASF)是由非洲猪瘟病毒(African swine fever virus,ASFV)感染引起的一种急性、出血性猪传染病,给疫情发生国家(地区)的养猪业造成重大经济损失.ASFV为双股DNA病毒,基因组含有150～167个开放阅读框(ORFs),可编码150～200种蛋白质,其中非结构蛋白有100余种.ASFV编码的酶、转录因子、调节宿主细胞功能蛋白和病毒免疫逃逸相关蛋白等作为重要的非结构蛋白,在病毒核苷酸代谢、DNA复制、修复、转录、蛋白修饰以及病毒与宿主细胞相互作用等过程中发挥重要作用,但仍有许多非结构蛋白的功能尚不明晰.因此,本文综述了 ASFV非结构蛋白在病毒感染中的作用,以期为ASFV非结构蛋白的进一步研究提供参考.     

LPS诱导脓毒症小鼠脾组织microRNA表达的筛选研究

目的采用Small RNA测序技术检测脓毒症小鼠24 h脾组织microRNA(miRNA)的表达变化,并从非编码基因层面分析脓毒症脾功能损伤的可能机制。方法将30只SPF级健康BALB/C小鼠随机分为对照组和脓毒症组,每组15只。脓毒症组采用LPS 10 mg/kg腹腔注射进行建模,对照组仅予等量生理盐水腹腔注射。两组术毕均行肌肉注射平衡液5 ml/kg,并于术后24 h各组随机取5只小鼠的脾组织提取RNA,采用Small RNA测序技术进行miRNA检测,然后应用生物信息学软件分析脓毒症小鼠脾组织的miRNA表达差异及靶基因预测。结果小鼠建模后24 h,与对照组相比,脓毒症小鼠脾脏组织已知及未知miRNA表达上调数分别为39个、3个,下调数分别为16个、3个。其中已知miRNA表达上、下调倍数最大的前5个基因分别为Rno-miR-217-5p,rno-mir-216a-5p,rnomiR-216b-5p,rno-miR-375-3p,rno-mir-216b-3p。下调倍数前5的miRNA:Rno-miR-138-5p,rno-miR-451a-3p,rno-miR-138-1-3p,rno-miR-202-5p,rno-miR-592。结论LPS诱导脓毒症小鼠可出现miRNA表达量的改变,其上、下调倍数最显著的miRNA可能对预测LPS诱导的脓毒症脾功能损伤有一定指导意义。     

基于多尺度标记优化分水岭方法的油茶冠幅提取

针对尺度对地物空间结构的限制以及传统分水岭分割易产生树冠过分割等问题,选择长沙县明月村油茶基地为研究区,提出一种基于多尺度标记优化分水岭分割油茶树冠的方法。首先使用高分辨率无人机影像采集图像,分析影像特征,构建油茶分类体系,提取油茶林分布区域。其次,运用多尺度区域迭代增长方法提取树冠标记,将标记应用于多阈值尺度的分水岭变换,并结合Johnson指数选取树冠标记增长和分水岭阈值的最优尺度,实现油茶单木的准确识别。结果表明:多尺度标记优化分水岭方法在分离油茶单木时,树冠面积提取值与目视解译参考值的相对误差为9.4%;单木总体识别精度为89.4%,相对于传统的分水岭分割方法精度提高了34.8%;通过Johnson指数确定的最优迭代增长尺度为20,分水岭分割阈值尺度为85,对比不同尺度组合下的油茶冠幅提取结果,最优尺度下的油茶冠幅提取精度最高(R²=0.75)。多尺度标记优化分水岭方法能较准确地分离油茶树冠,将该方法应用于无人机影像树冠分割,可有效提高经济林调查的效率。     

肥厚型心肌病患者运动血压反应异常的两类表现及其相关因素分析*

目的: 运动血压反应不足及运动后恢复期血压降低是肥厚型心肌病（HCM）患者常见的异常表现,本研究的目的是分析HCM患者这两类异常血压反应表现的相关因素及其与心肺运动功能的关系。方法: 回顾性研究2018年4月至2020年1月期间在阜外医院功能检测中心行心肺运动试验（CPET）的HCM患者219例。111例行CPET的性别、年龄匹配的正常体检者作为正常对照组。比较正常对照组与HCM组的CPET运动血压反应。将HCM患者分为运动血压反应正常组及运动血压反应不足组,以及运动后血压正常组及运动后恢复期血压降低组,分别比较上述两类运动血压反应异常者的临床情况及CPET功能指标。结果: 与正常对照组相比,HCM患者运动血压反应不足（8.7%比1.8%,P=0.016）及运动后恢复期血压降低（6.8%比0.0%,P=0.003）的发生率显著升高。在HCM患者中,与运动血压反应正常者相比,运动血压反应不足的HCM患者更多合并冠心病（P=0.029）、肺动脉高压（P=0.002）及房颤/房扑（P=0.036）;与运动后血压正常者相比,运动后恢复期血压下降的HCM患者静息流出道压差（P=0.017）更高,合并流出道梗阻比例（P=0.015）、合并收缩期二尖瓣前移现象（P=0.022）及左室射血分数（P=0.043）更高。经过Logistic多元回归分析,运动血压反应不足的独立相关因素为冠心病（β=1.519,P=0.013）、肺动脉高压（β=2.292, P=0.000）。而运动后恢复期血压下降仅与左室流出道压差有独立的相关性（β=0.018, P=0.005）。运动血压反应不足的HCM患者峰值摄氧量（P=0.003）、峰值心率（P=0.014）及心率储备（P=0.003）更低,NT末端B型脑钠肽前体（P=0.019）及二氧化碳通气当量斜率（P=0.000）更高。运动后恢复期血压下降与各种心肺功能指标均无相关性。结论: HCM运动血压反应不足及运动后恢复期血压降低的发生率均较正常人群显著升高。HCM患者运动血压反应不足与合并冠心病和肺动脉高压有显著的独立相关性,而运动后血压下降仅与左室流出道压差独立相关。运动血压反应不足的HCM患者心肺运动功能降低,而运动后恢复期血压降低与心肺运动功能无显著相关性。     

薏苡叶和淫羊藿配伍对小鼠抗疲劳及耐缺氧的作用*

目的: 探讨薏苡叶和淫羊藿及其配伍的耐缺氧抗疲劳作用。方法: 按体重随机将小鼠平均分为6组:空白对照组、薏苡叶组、淫羊藿组、薏苡叶淫羊藿1∶1配比低中高3个剂量实验组。3个剂量实验组分别给予1.5,4.5,7.5 g·kg^-1·d^-1的对应浓度提液,空白对照组灌以生理盐水,薏苡叶组和淫羊藿组分别给予1.5 g·kg^-1·d^-1浓度的对应提取液,连续灌胃21 d后,观察不同剂量的实验组对小鼠游泳时间,常压耐缺氧时间、爬杆时间、断头后呼吸维持时间及肝重系数的影响。结果: 与对照组比较,实验组抗缺氧耐疲劳作用较好(P＜0.05),其中中剂量组差异均极显著(P＜0.01)。在抗疲劳实验、肝重系数及断头后呼吸方面体现出两味药配伍具有复合作用(P＜0.05),而在常压耐缺氧方面并未表现出复合作用。结论: 薏苡叶和淫羊藿及其配伍对抗疲劳有显著的复合作用,中剂量组耐缺氧抗疲劳效果最好。在耐缺氧方面仅对肝重系数与断头呼吸时间上体现出复合作用。