ClC‐c regulates the proliferation of intestinal stem cells via the EGFR signalling pathway in Drosophila

ObjectivesAdult stem cells uphold a delicate balance between quiescent and active states, which is crucial for tissue homeostasis. Whereas many signalling pathways that regulate epithelial stem cells have been reported, many regulators remain unidentified.Materials and MethodsFlies were used to generate tissue‐specific gene knockdown and gene knockout. qRT‐PCR was used to assess the relative mRNA levels. Immunofluorescence was used to determine protein localization and expression patterns. Clonal analyses were used to observe the phenotype. RNA‐seq was used to screen downstream mechanisms.ResultsHere, we report a member of the chloride channel family, ClC‐c, which is specifically expressed in Drosophila intestinal stem/progenitor cells and regulates intestinal stem cell (ISC) proliferation under physiological conditions and upon tissue damage. Mechanistically, we found that the ISC loss induced by the depletion of ClC‐c in intestinal stem/progenitor cells is due to inhibition of the EGFR signalling pathway.ConclusionOur findings reveal an ISC‐specific function of ClC‐c in regulating stem cell maintenance and proliferation, thereby providing new insights into the functional links among the chloride channel family, ISC proliferation and tissue homeostasis.     

Highly variable social organisation of colonies in the ant Formica cinerea

Social organisation of colonies was examined in the ant Formica cinerea by estimating the coefficient of genetic relatedness among worker nest mates. The estimates based on microsatellite genotypes at three loci ranged from values close to zero to 0.61 across the populations studied in Finland. These results showed that a fundamental feature of colonies, the number of reproductive queens, varied greatly among the populations. Colonies in some populations had a single queen, whereas the nests could have a high number number of queens in other populations. There was a weak but non-significant correlation between the genetic and metric distance of nests within two populations with intermediate level of relatedness. Differentiation among nearby populations (within the dispersal distance of individuals) in one locality indicated limited dispersal or founder effects. This could occur when females are philopatric and stay in the natal polygynous colony which expands by building a network of nest galleries within a single habitat patch.     

Integrated Analysis Reveals together miR-182, miR-200c and miR-221 Can Help in the Diagnosis of Prostate Cancer

Research has shown that microRNAs are promising biomarkers that can be used to promote a more accurate diagnosis of cancer. In this study, we developed an integrated multi-step selection process to analyze available high-throughput datasets to obtain information on microRNAs as cancer biomarkers. Applying this approach to the microRNA expression profiles of prostate cancer and the datasets in The Cancer Genome Atlas Data Portal, we identified miRNA-182, miRNA-200c and miRNA-221 as possible biomarkers for prostate cancer. The associations between the expressions of these three microRNAs with clinical parameters as well as their diagnostic capability were studied. Several online databases were used to predict the target genes of these three microRNAs, and the results were confirmed by significant statistical correlations. Comparing with the other 18 types of cancers listed in The Cancer Genome Atlas Data Portal, we found that the combination of both miRNA-182 and miRNA-200c being up-regulated and miRNA-221 being down-regulated only happens in prostate cancer. This provides a unique biological characteristic for prostate cancer that can potentially be used for diagnosis based on tissue testing. In addition, our study also revealed that these three microRNAs are associated with the pathological status of prostate cancer.     

Techniques for the regeneration and genetic transformation of Arabidopsis pumila: an ephemeral plant suitable for investigating the mechanisms for adaptation to desert environments

Arabidopsis pumila is a type of cruciferous ephemeral plant, which in China mainly grows in the desert environments of northern Xinjiang. A. pumila not only has a short growth duration, but also has high photosynthetic efficiency, seed yield, salt tolerance, and drought resistance. It is an ideal species for the study of environmental adaptations in ephemeral plants. We induced callus tissue formation on the roots and hypocotyls of 8-day-old seedlings, and on the leaves and petioles of 4-week-old seedlings, and obtained multiple adventitious shoots on these tissues grown on Murashige and Skoog induction medium supplemented with 0.5 mg/L 6-Benzylaminopurine and 0.1 mg/L α-Naphthalene acetic acid. Young roots, hypocotyls, leaves, and petioles could all induce calluses, but the induction rate was highest on young roots. In addition, the leaves and petioles of 4-week-old seedlings were used as explants, the Δ1-pyrroline-5-carboxylic acid synthase gene 1 of A. pumila controlled by 35S promoter of cauliflower mosaic virus was used as target gene, and hygromycin B was used as screening antibiotic to explore Agrobacterium tumefaciens GV3101 mediated transformation. The results showed that the callus induction rate of petiole explants was the highest when they were treated with Agrobacterium suspension (OD₆₀₀?=?0.6) for 10 min and thenco-cultured in dark for 2 days. The qRT-PCR results showed that the ApP5CS1.1 gene was overexpressed in the transgenic plants. These protocols provide working research methods for exploring the cellular level adaptative mechanisms of this species to desert environments.

     

Overexpression of angiotensin II type 2 receptor promotes apoptosis and impairs insulin secretion in rat insulinoma cells

Proper follicular development is crucial for cumulus-oocyte complex (COC) maturation, ovulation and luteinisation. All these ovarian processes are regulated by finely tuned rapid tissue remodeling that involves hyaluronan and interconnecting hyaladherins-rich extracellular matrix synthesis and its breakdown by various proteinase systems like matrix metalloproteinase (MMP). Disrupted tissue remodeling machinery can result into pathophysiologies like atretic follicular cysts formation in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). In present study, we employ superovulated (SO) and polycystic ovary (PCO) rat models and demonstrate that on contrary to SO, PCO rat ovary illustrates abnormal follicular morphology with differential levels of various ovarian factors [like HA (hyaluronan), TSG-6 (TNF-α-stimulated gene/protein 6), PTX-3 (pentraxin-3), HABP1 (hyaluronan binding protein 1), MMP2 (matrix metalloproteinase), MT1-MMP (membrane type 1-matrix metalloproteinase) and COX2 (Cyclooxygenase-2)] along with hyperactivities of gelatinases (like MMP9 and -2). Besides cultured COC expansion is blocked by anti-HABP1 antibody treatment showing reduced HABP1 expression. Overall, as MT1-MMP has inverse relation with HABP1 level and direct effect on MMP2 activity, the observations from current in vivo and in vitro studies indicate that disrupted ovarian HABP1 along with concurrent altered expression and hyperactivation of related MMPs can lead to abnormal follicular maturation resulting into ovarian dysfunction in PCO rat.     

Genetic dissection of vasculitis, myeloperoxidase-specific antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody production, and related traits in spontaneous crescentic glomerulonephritis-forming/Kinjoh mice

The spontaneous crescentic glomerulonephritis-forming/Kinjoh (SCG/Kj) mouse is a model of human crescentic glomerulonephritis and vasculitis associated with the production of the myeloperoxidase (MPO)-specific antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody (MPO-ANCA). Although the disease is mediated initially by mutation of the Fas gene (lpr), SCG/Kj mice also have non-Fas predisposing genetic factors. To define these factors, genome-wide quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping was performed on female (B(6)x SCG/Kj) F(2) intercross mice. Fourteen non-Fas QTLs were identified. QTLs of glomerulonephritis were located on chromosomes 1, 10, 13, 16, and 17, vasculitis on chromosomes 1 and 17, splenomegaly on chromosome 1, hypergammaglobulinemia on chromosomes 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 11, 13, and 17, antinuclear Ab on chromosomes 1, 8, 10, and 12, and MPO-ANCA production on chromosomes 1 and 10. Significant QTLs derived from SCG/Kj on chromosomes 1, 2, 7, and 13 were designated Scg-1 to Scg-5, respectively, and those derived from B(6) on chromosomes 4, 6, 17, and 10 were designated Sxb-1 to Sxb-4, respectively. Two loci linked to MPO-ANCA production on chromosomes 1 and 10 were designated Man-1 and Man-2 (for MPO-ANCA), respectively. Although both Scg-1 and Scg-2 were on chromosome 1 and shared several functions, it was of interest that aberrant MPO-ANCA production was exclusively controlled by Man-1, the centromeric half region of the Scg-2 chromosomal segment. We also examined the epistatic effects between the lpr mutation and non-Fas susceptibility genes. QTLs are discussed in relation to previously described loci, with emphasis on their candidate genes.     

超声辅助低水比提取无患子皂素工艺过程研究

无患子皂素是一种天然的表面活性剂,具有良好的乳化、分散、发泡、湿润等功效。采用超声波辅助法低水比无患子皂素提取优化工艺为:超声频率20 kHz,超声时间20 min,料液比1∶6,超声功率800 W,提取温度60℃,皂素提取得率为37.27%。超声波辅助法提取无患子皂素可以减少过程用水量,降低能耗,提高皂素得率。     

Natural Conception May Be an Acceptable Option in HIV-Serodiscordant Couples in Resource Limited Settings

Many HIV serodiscordant couples have a strong desire to have their own biological children. Natural conception may be the only choice in some resource limited settings but data about natural conception is limited. Here, we reported our findings of natural conception in HIV serodiscordant couples. Between January 2008 and June 2014, we retrospectively collected data on 91 HIV serodiscordant couples presenting to Beijing Youan Hospital with childbearing desires. HIV counseling, effective ART on HIV infected partners, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) in negative female partners and timed intercourse were used to maximally reduce the risk of HIV transmission. Of the 91 HIV serodiscordant couples, 43 were positive in male partners and 48 were positive in female partners. There were 196 unprotected vaginal intercourses, 100 natural conception and 97 newborns. There were no cases of HIV seroconversion in uninfected sexual partners. Natural conception may be an acceptable option in HIV-serodiscordant couples in resource limited settings if HIV-positive individuals have undetectable viremia on HAART, combined with HIV counseling, PrEP, PEP and timed intercourse.     

Serum Macroelement and Microelement Concentrations in Patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: a Cross-Sectional Study

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrine diseases. However, its pathogenesis is unclear. We aim to explore the potential relationships between serum macroelements/microelements and PCOS. A total of 1137 women were involved in the current study. PCOS was defined according to ESHRE/ASRM, and complete blood samples were collected. Serum macroelements (calcium and magnesium) and microelements (copper, zinc, and iron) were assayed through atomic absorption spectrophotometry. PCOS patients had significantly higher copper concentrations than patients without PCOS (P < 0.001). By contrast, PCOS patients had lower serum calcium levels than patients without PCOS (P < 0.001). No significant differences were observed in the levels of serum zinc, magnesium, and iron between PCOS and non-PCOS patients. PCOS patients with acne had higher magnesium levels than those without acne (P = 0.020), and PCOS patients with hirsutism had lower magnesium levels than those without hirsutism (P = 0.037). High serum copper and low calcium levels may be correlated with PCOS. Magnesium concentrations are correlated with acne and hirsutism in PCOS patients. These results provide clues to explore the mechanism of PCOS and guidance for element treatments in PCOS patients.