Rapidly Destructive Hip Osteoarthritis: A Diagnosis Not To Miss.

This review illustrates the imaging features of rapidly destructive hip osteoarthritis (RDHO) across different imaging modalities. RDHO is a rare joint disease of unknown etiology resulting in rapid deterioration of the hip joints. Patients often present with severe hip pain and can progress to complete joint destruction in 6 months to 3 years causing disability. Since its clinical and imaging features often overlap with other conditions, the diagnosis is easily missed in daily practice. The purpose of this paper is to outline the characteristic imaging features of RDHO, aiming to enhance awareness of this disease entity and promote timely treatment for patients. Sequential radiographs are particularly important in demonstrating the rapid progression of radiographic findings and with the early recognition of characteristic features, diagnosis can be made to avoid treatment delay. Although computed tomography (CT) scan is not necessary for diagnosis, it is useful in evaluating the extent of joint destruction and guiding surgical planning. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging can provide additional information and rule out other pathologies with similar symptoms. Overall, radiographs, CT and MR imaging are common modalities used in the evaluation of RDHO.

Overexpression of oilseed rape trehalose-6-phosphate synthesis gene BnaC02.TPS8 confers sensitivity to low nitrogen and high sucrose-induced anthocyanin accumulation in Arabidopsis.

MAIN CONCLUSION: Overexpression of BnaC02.TPS8 increased low N and high sucrose-induced anthocyanin accumulation. Anthocyanin plays a crucial role in safeguarding photosynthetic tissues against high light, UV radiation, and oxidative stress. Their accumulation is triggered by low nitrogen (N) stress and elevated sucrose levels in Arabidopsis. Trehalose-6-phosphate (T6P) serves as a pivotal signaling molecule, sensing sucrose availability, and carbon (C) metabolism. However, the mechanisms governing the regulation of T6P synthase (TPS) genes responsible for anthocyanin accumulation under conditions of low N and high sucrose remain elusive. In a previous study, we demonstrated the positive impact of a cytoplasm-localized class II TPS protein 'BnaC02.TPS8' on photosynthesis and seed yield improvement in Brassica napus. The present research delves into the biological role of BnaC02.TPS8 in response to low N and high sucrose. Ectopic overexpression of BnaC02.TPS8 in Arabidopsis seedlings resulted in elevated shoot T6P levels under N-sufficient conditions, as well as an increased carbon-to-nitrogen (C/N) ratio, sucrose accumulation, and starch storage under low N conditions. Overexpression of BnaC02.TPS8 in Arabidopsis heightened sensitivity to low N stress and high sucrose levels, accompanied by increased anthocyanin accumulation and upregulation of genes involved in flavonoid biosynthesis and regulation. Metabolic profiling revealed increased levels of intermediate products of carbon metabolism, as well as anthocyanin and flavonoid derivatives in BnaC02.TPS8-overexpressing Arabidopsis plants under low N conditions. Furthermore, yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) and bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) analyses demonstrated that BnaC02.TPS8 interacts with both BnaC08.TPS9 and BnaA01.TPS10. These findings contribute to our understanding of how TPS8-mediated anthocyanin accumulation is modulated under low N and high sucrose conditions.

Asp-tRNAAsn/Glu-tRNAGln amidotransferase A subunit-like amidase mediates the degradation of insecticide flonicamid by Variovorax boronicumulans CGMCC 4969.

The main metabolic product of the pyridinecarboxamide insecticide flonicamid, N-(4-trifluoromethylnicotinyl)glycinamide (TFNG-AM), has been shown to have very high mobility in soil, leading to its accumulation in the environment. Catabolic pathways of flonicamid have been widely reported, but few studies have focused on the metabolism of TFNG-AM. Here, the rapid transformation of TFNG-AM and production of the corresponding acid product N-(4-trifluoromethylnicotinoyl) glycine (TFNG) by the plant growth-promoting bacterium Variovorax boronicumulans CGMCC 4969 were investigated. With TFNG-AM at an initial concentration of 0.86 mmol/L, 90.70 % was transformed by V. boronicumulans CGMCC 4969 resting cells within 20 d, with a degradation half-life of 4.82 d. A novel amidase that potentially mediated this transformation process, called AmiD, was identified by bioinformatic analyses. The gene encoding amiD was cloned and expressed recombinantly in Escherichia coli, and the enzyme AmiD was characterized. Key amino acid residue Val154, which is associated with the catalytic activity and substrate specificity of signature family amidases, was identified for the first time by homology modeling, structural alignment, and site-directed mutagenesis analyses. When compared to wild-type recombinant AmiD, the mutant AmiD V154G demonstrated a 3.08-fold increase in activity toward TFNG-AM. The activity of AmiD V154G was greatly increased toward aromatic L-phenylalanine amides, heterocyclic TFNG-AM and IAM, and aliphatic asparagine, whereas it was dramatically lowered toward benzamide, phenylacetamide, nicotinamide, acetamide, acrylamide, and hexanamid. Quantitative PCR analysis revealed that AmiD may be a substrate-inducible enzyme in V. boronicumulans CGMCC 4969. The mechanism of transcriptional regulation of AmiD by a member of the AraC family of regulators encoded upstream of the amiD gene was preliminarily investigated. This study deepens our understanding of the mechanisms of metabolism of toxic amides in the environment, providing new ideas for microbial bioremediation.

Regioselective Dearomative Amidoximation of Nonactivated Arenes Enabled by Photohomolytic Cleavage of N-nitrosamides.

Dearomative spirocyclization reactions represent a promising means to convert arenes into three-dimensional architectures; however, controlling the regioselectivity of radical dearomatization with nonactivated arenes to afford the spirocyclizative 1,2-difunctionalization other than its kinetically preferred 1,4-difunctionalization is exceptionally challenging. Here we disclose a novel strategy for dearomative 1,2- or 1,4-amidoximation of (hetero)arenes enabled by direct visible-light-induced homolysis of N-NO bonds of nitrosamides, giving rise to various highly regioselective amidoximated spirocycles that previously have been inaccessible or required elaborate synthetic efforts. The mechanism and origins of the observed regioselectivities were investigated by control experiments and density functional theory calculations.

Trehalose-6-phosphate synthase 8 increases photosynthesis and seed yield in Brassica napus.

Trehalose-6-phosphate (T6P) functions as a vital proxy for assessing carbohydrate status in plants. While class II T6P synthases (TPS) do not exhibit TPS activity, they are believed to play pivotal regulatory roles in trehalose metabolism. However, their precise functions in carbon metabolism and crop yield have remained largely unknown. Here, BnaC02.TPS8, a class II TPS gene, is shown to be specifically expressed in mature leaves and the developing pod walls of Brassica napus. Overexpression of BnaC02.TPS8 increased photosynthesis and the accumulation of sugars, starch, and biomass compared to wild type. Metabolomic analysis of BnaC02.TPS8 overexpressing lines and CRISPR/Cas9 mutants indicated that BnaC02.TPS8 enhanced the partitioning of photoassimilate into starch and sucrose, as opposed to glycolytic intermediates and organic acids, which might be associated with TPS activity. Furthermore, the overexpression of BnaC02.TPS8 not only increased seed yield but also enhanced seed oil accumulation and improved the oil fatty acid composition in B. napus under both high nitrogen (N) and low N conditions in the field. These results highlight the role of class II TPS in impacting photosynthesis and seed yield of B. napus, and BnaC02.TPS8 emerges as a promising target for improving B. napus seed yield.

Deconstructive Carboxylation of Activated Alkenes with Carbon Dioxide.

Carboxylation with carbon dioxide (CO2 ) represents one notable methodology to produce carboxylic acids. In contrast to carbon-heteroatom bonds, carbon-carbon bond cleavage for carboxylation with CO2 is far more challenging due to their inherent and less favorable orbital directionality for interacting with transition metals. Here we report a photocatalytic protocol for the deconstructive carboxylation of alkenes with CO2 to generate carboxylic acids in the absence of transition metals. It is emphasized that our protocol provides carboxylic acids with obviously unchanged carbon numbers when terminal alkenes were used. To show the power of this strategy, a variety of pharmaceutically relevant applications including the modular synthesis of propionate nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and the late-stage carboxylation of bioactive molecule derivatives are demonstrated.

[A comparative study of raw Aurantii Fructus Immaturus and bran-fried products on dryness of rats with slow-transit constipation].

The differences in dryness between raw Aurantii Fructus Immaturus(AFI) and bran-fried products were investigated based on a slow-transit constipation(STC) model. Seventy healthy SPF-grade rats were randomly divided into a blank group(K), a positive drug group(Y), a model group(M), low-and high-dose raw AFI groups(SD and SG), and low-and high-dose bran-fried AFI groups(FD and FG). During the experiment, it was found that compared with the K group, the groups with drug treatment had little effect on the daily body weight of the STC rats. The first defecation time of black stool in the M group was significantly higher than that in the K group, and the 24-hour fecal output significantly decreased starting from the 13th day, indicating successful modeling. The SG group showed a significant increase in the first defecation time, fecal water content, urine output, and water intake than other groups with drug treatment. The FG group had the highest fecal output than other groups with drug treatment. The FD group had the highest salivary secretion than other groups with drug treatment. The levels of cAMP/cGMP, VIP, 5-HT, AQP1, and AQP5 were measured in each group with drug treatment, and the expression of c-Kit and SCF mRNA in gastric antrum tissue and AQP3 mRNA in the kidney and colon were detected by RT-PCR. The results showed that the SD and SG groups had a more significant impact on AQP1, AQP5, and other water channel indexes in STC rats than the FD and FG groups. The FD and FG groups had a more significant impact on c-Kit, SCF, VIP, 5-HT, and other gastrointestinal motility indicators than the SD and SG groups. This study, through in vitro biological observations, immunological detection, and gene expression analysis, found that raw AFI had strong dryness property, while bran-fried AFI could alleviate its dryness property.

Exercise preconditioning promotes myocardial GLUT4 translocation and induces autophagy to alleviate exhaustive exercise-induced myocardial injury in rats.

Exercise preconditioning (EP) is a line of scientific inquiry into the short-term biochemical mediators of cardioprotection in the heart. This study examined the involvement of autophagy induced by energy metabolism in myocardial remodelling by EP and myocardial protection. A total of 120 healthy male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into six groups. Plasma cTnI, HBFP staining and electrocardiographic indicators were examined in the context of myocardial ischemic/hypoxic injury and protection. Western blotting and fluorescence double labelling were used to investigate the relationship between energy metabolism and autophagy in EP-resistant myocardial injury caused by exhaustive exercise. Compared with those in the C group, the levels of myocardial ischemic/hypoxic injury were significantly increased in the EE group. Compared with those in the EE group, the levels of myocardial ischemic/hypoxic injury were significantly decreased in the EEP + EE and LEP + EE groups. Compared with that in the EE group, the level of GLUT4 in the sarcolemma was significantly increased, and the colocalization of GLUT4 with the sarcolemma was significantly increased in the EEP + EE and LEP + EE groups (P < 0.05). LC3-II and LC3-II/LC3-I levels of the EEP + EE group were significantly elevated compared with those in the EE group (P < 0.05). The levels of p62 were significantly decreased in the EEP + EE and LEP + EE groups compared with the EE group (P < 0.05). EP promotes GLUT4 translocation and induced autophagy to alleviate exhaustive exercise-induced myocardial ischemic/hypoxic injury.

Genome-wide association study reveals candidate genes controlling root system architecture under low phosphorus supply at seedling stage in Brassica napus.

Optimal root system architecture (RSA) is essential for vigorous growth and yield in crops. Plants have evolved adaptive mechanisms in response to low phosphorus (LP) stress, and one of those is changes in RSA. Here, more than five million single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) obtained from whole-genome re-sequencing data (WGR) of an association panel of 370 oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) were used to conduct a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of RSA traits of the panel at LP in "pouch and wick" system. Fifty-two SNPs were forcefully associated with lateral root length (LRL), total root length (TRL), lateral root density (LRD), lateral root number (LRN), mean lateral root length (MLRL), and root dry weight (RDW) at LP. There were significant correlations between phenotypic variation and the number of favorable alleles of the associated loci on chromosomes A06 (chrA06_20030601), C03 (chrC03_3535483), and C07 (chrC07_42348561), respectively. Three candidate genes (BnaA06g29270D, BnaC03g07130D, and BnaC07g43230D) were detected by combining transcriptome, candidate gene association analysis, and haplotype analysis. Cultivar carrying "CCGC" at BnaA06g29270DHap1, "CAAT" at BnaC03g07130DHap1, and "ATC" at BnaC07g43230DHap1 had greater LRL, LRN, and RDW than lines carrying other haplotypes at LP supply. The RSA of a cultivar harboring the three favorable haplotypes was further confirmed by solution culture experiments. These findings define exquisite insights into genetic architectures underlying B. napus RSA at LP and provide valuable gene resources for root breeding. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11032-023-01411-2.

Optimal phosphorus management strategies to enhance crop productivity and soil phosphorus fertility in rapeseed-rice rotation.

Optimal phosphorus (P) managements can improve the crop yield without reducing soil P supply capacity over the long term. In this study, the rapeseed-rice rotation experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of five optimal P fertilizer managements, including the addition of RA (rooting agents), PSB (phosphate solubilizing bacteria), CMP (calcium and magnesium phosphate fertilizer), DP1 (starter P) and DP2 (foliar fertilizer) with the reduction of 40% (in the 1st rapeseed season) and 75% (in the 2nd rapeseed season) P fertilizers of farmers' fertilizer practice (FFP) on crop productivity and soil P fertility in low and high P fertility soils. Seed yield, P partial factor productivity, and P recovery efficiency of both cultivars, Shengguang168 (SG168) and Zhongshuang 11 (ZS11), were significantly improved under optimal P managements, and the increase of them in low P fertility soil was more than that in high P fertility soil. Total P surplus was lower under optimal P managements than under FFP in both P fertility soils. The increasing amount of crop yields under optimal P managements for both cultivars was equivalent to that of 16.0-38.3 kg P2O5 hm-2 of P fertilizer application, and the order of the optimal P managements was as follows: RA > PSB > CMP > DP1 > DP2. In addition, the grain yield of rotated rice cultivar Longliangyou1212 (LLY1212) without P supply was not reduced in both fertility soils. Compared with low P fertility soil, yields of SG168, ZS11 and LLY1212 in high P fertility soil increased by 28.1%-71.7%, 28.3%-78.9% and 26.2%-47.2% at the same treatment, respectively. In summary, optimal P managements in the rapeseed season could stabilize the crop yield, promote P use efficiency and the capacity of soil P supply in the rapeseed-rice rotation, especially in low P fertility soil.

Biodegradation of sulfoxaflor and photolysis of sulfoxaflor by ultraviolet radiation.

Sulfoxaflor (SUL, [N-[methyloxido[1-[6-(trifluoromethyl)-3-pyridinyl] ethyl]-λ4-sulfanylidene] cyanamide]) is a widely used systemic insecticide, and its residue has frequently been detected in the environment, posing a potential threat to the environment. In this study, Pseudaminobacter salicylatoxidans CGMCC 1.17248 rapidly converted SUL into X11719474 via a hydration pathway mediated by two nitrile hydratases (AnhA and AnhB). Extensive (96.4%) degradation of 0.83 mmol/L SUL was achieved by P. salicylatoxidans CGMCC 1.17248 resting cells within 30 min (half-life of SUL 6.4 min). Cell immobilization by entrapment into calcium alginate remediated 82.8% of the SUL in 90 min, and almost no SUL was observed in surface water after incubation for 3 h. P. salicylatoxidans NHases AnhA and AnhB both hydrolyzed SUL to X11719474, although AnhA exhibited much better catalytic performance. The genome sequence of P. salicylatoxidans CGMCC 1.17248 revealed that this strain could efficiently eliminate nitrile-containing insecticides and adapt to harsh environments. We firstly found that UV irradiation transforms SUL to the derivatives X11719474 and X11721061, and the potential reaction pathways were proposed. These results further deepen our understanding of the mechanisms of SUL degradation as well as the environmental fate of SUL.

Exercise preconditioning improves electrocardiographic signs of myocardial ischemic/hypoxic injury and malignant arrhythmias occurring after exhaustive exercise in rats.

Exercise preconditioning (EP) has a good myocardial protective effect. This study explored whether EP improves electrocardiographic (ECG) signs of myocardial ischemic/hypoxic injury and the occurrence of malignant arrhythmia after exhaustive exercise. A total of 120 male SD rats were randomly divided into the control group (group C), early exercise preconditioning group (group EEP), late exercise preconditioning group (group LEP), exhaustive exercise group (group EE), early exercise preconditioning + exhaustive exercise group (group EEP + EE) and late exercise preconditioning + exhaustive exercise group (group LEP + EE). Changes in heart rate (HR), ST segment, T wave and QT corrected (QTc) intervals on ECG; hematoxylin-basic fuchsin-picric acid (HBFP) staining; and cTnI levels were used to study myocardial injury and the protective effect of EP. Compared with those in group C, the levels of plasma markers of myocardial injury, HBFP staining and ECG in group EE were significantly increased (P < 0.05). Compared with those in group EE, the levels of plasma markers of myocardial injury, HBFP staining and ECG in group EEP + EE and group LEP + EE were significantly decreased (P < 0.05). The results suggested that EP improved ECG signs of myocardial ischemic/hypoxic injury and malignant arrhythmias that occur after exhaustive exercise. The ST segment and T wave could also serve as indexes for evaluating exhaustive exercise-induced myocardial ischemia/hypoxia.

Genome-wide association study identifies candidate genes and favorable haplotypes for seed yield in Brassica napus.

Oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) is one of the most essential oil crops. Genetic improvement of seed yield (SY) is a major aim of B. napus breeding. Several studies have been reported on the genetic mechanisms of SY of B. napus. Here, a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of SY was conducted using a panel of 403 natural accessions of B. napus, with more than five million high-quality single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). A total of 1773 significant SNPs were detected associated with SY, and 783 significant SNPs were co-located with previously reported QTLs. The lead SNPs chrA01__8920351 and chrA02__4555979 were jointly detected in Trial 2_2 and Trial 2_mean value, and in Trial 1_2 and Trial 1_mean value, respectively. Subsequently, two candidate genes of BnaA01g17200D and BnaA02g08680D were identified through combining transcriptome, candidate gene association analysis, and haplotype analysis. BnaA09g10430D detected through lead SNP chrA09__5160639 was associated with SY of B. napus. Our results provide valuable information for studying the genetic control of seed yield in B. napus and valuable genes, haplotypes, and cultivars resources for the breeding of high seed yield B. napus cultivars. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11032-022-01332-6.

[Effects of long-term moderate-small intensity aerobic exercise on differential expression of proteome in left ventricular muscle of rats].

Objective: To investigate the effects of long-term moderate-small intensity aerobic exercise on the differential expression of proteome in left ventricular muscle of rats, and to screen the target proteins sensitive to moderate-small intensity aerobic exercise stimulation. This study will enrich the basic theory of exercise and fitness and provide new ideas and experimental basis for the rehabilitation treatment of chronic cardiovascular disease. Methods: Twenty male SD rats were randomly divided into exercise group and control group (n=10). The treadmill training model of long-term moderate-small intensity aerobic exercise was established, and the whole protein samples of left ventricular muscle were extracted and separated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE). The two-dimensional gel electrophoresis map was analyzed by Bio PD quest image analysis software. The protein spots with differential expression more than 5 times or down-regulated over 80% after exercise were identified by tandem time-of-flight mass spectrometry (ULGRAFL-FLEX-TOF/TOF). Results: Compared with the group C, the heart weight index of the group E was increased by 32.0%, and the difference was significant (P＜0.05). Compared with the group C, there were 71 protein spots expression were up-regulated≥2 times or down-regulated≥50% in the group E. 4 protein spots expression were up-regulated≥5 times or down-regulated≥80% were identified by mass spectrometry, 3 proteins and 1 unknown protein were identified. Conclusion: After long-term moderate-small intensity aerobic exercise, the rats heart had a good adaptive change, and the proteome of left ventricular muscle changed significantly. Long-term moderate-small intensity aerobic exercise can effective enhance the ability of myocardial antioxidation.

Integrating a genome-wide association study with transcriptomic data to predict candidate genes and favourable haplotypes influencing Brassica napus seed phytate.

Phytate is the storage form of phosphorus in angiosperm seeds and plays vitally important roles during seed development. However, in crop plants phytate decreases bioavailability of seed-sourced mineral elements for humans, livestock and poultry, and contributes to phosphate-related water pollution. However, there is little knowledge about this trait in oilseed rape (Brassica napus). Here, a panel of 505 diverse B. napus accessions was screened in a genome-wide association study (GWAS) using 3.28 × 106 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). This identified 119 SNPs significantly associated with phytate concentration (PA_Conc) and phytate content (PA_Cont) and six candidate genes were identified. Of these, BnaA9.MRP5 represented the candidate gene for the significant SNP chrA09_5198034 (27 kb) for both PA_Cont and PA_Conc. Transcription of BnaA9.MRP5 in a low-phytate variety (LPA20) was significantly elevated compared with a high-phytate variety (HPA972). Association and haplotype analysis indicated that inbred lines carrying specific SNP haplotypes within BnaA9.MRP5 were associated with high- and low-phytate phenotypes. No significant differences in seed germination and seed yield were detected between low and high phytate cultivars examined. Candidate genes, favourable haplotypes and the low phytate varieties identified in this study will be useful for low-phytate breeding of B. napus.

Exercise Preconditioning Increases Beclin1 and Induces Autophagy to Promote Early Myocardial Protection via Intermittent Myocardial Ischemia-Hypoxia.

Exercise preconditioning (EP) provides protective effects for acute cardiovascular stress; however, its mechanisms need to be further investigated. Autophagy is a degradation pathway essential for myocardium health. Therefore, we investigated whether intermittent myocardial ischemia-hypoxia affected Beclin1 and whether the changes in autophagy levels contribute to EP-induced early myocardial protective effects. Rats were trained on a treadmill using an EP model (four cycles of 10 minutes of running/10 minutes of rest). Exhaustive exercise (EE) was performed to induce myocardial injury. Cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and ischemia-hypoxia staining were used to evaluate myocardial injury and protection. Double-labeled immunofluorescence staining and western blot analysis were employed to examine related markers. EP attenuated the myocardial ischemic-hypoxic injury induced by EE. Compared with the control (C) group, the dissociations of Beclin1/Bcl-2 ratio and Beclin1 expression were both higher in all other groups. Compared with the C group, PI3KC3 and the LC3-II/LC3-I ratio were higher in all other groups, whereas LC3-II was higher in the EE and EEP + EE groups. p62 was higher in the EE group than in the C group but lower in the EEP + EE group than in the EE group. We concluded that EP increases Beclin1 via intermittent myocardial ischemia-hypoxia and induces autophagy, which exerts early myocardial protective effects and reduces the myocardial ischemic-hypoxic injury induced by exhaustive exercise.

Comparison of myocardial ischemic/hypoxic staining techniques for evaluating the alleviation of exhaustive exercise-induced myocardial injury by exercise preconditioning.

Exercise preconditioning (EP) can alleviate myocardial ischemic/hypoxic injury by inducing endogenous cardioprotection. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE), hematoxylin-basic fuchsin-picric acid (HBFP), and chromotrope-2R brilliant green (C-2R BG) staining have been used to visualize myocardial ischemic/hypoxic changes in previous EP studies, but comprehensive evaluation and comparisons of these methods are lacking. This study evaluated ischemic/hypoxic changes in adjacent myocardial sections by HE, HBFP, and C-2R BG and compared the characteristics of sections stained by these three methods to show changes associated with exercise-induced myocardial ischemic/hypoxic injury. Rats were randomly divided into four groups: control (C), exercise preconditioning (EP), exhaustive exercise (EE), and exercise preconditioning + exhaustive exercise (EP + EE). Adjacent myocardial sections were stained as described above and compared to evaluate the effects of exercise-induced myocardial ischemic/hypoxic injury. The three staining methods revealed consistent localization patterns of myocardial ischemic/hypoxic injury in all groups. Results suggest that EP can alleviate exhaustive exercise-induced myocardial ischemic/hypoxic injury, and the three staining methods are suitable for the histological study of exercise-induced myocardial ischemic/hypoxic injury and protection. HE staining is a simple procedure but is not specific for myocardial ischemic/hypoxic injury. HBFP and C-2R BG staining can be used to specifically visualize myocardial ischemic/hypoxic injury.

[Comparative transcriptomics analysis of Citrus medica var. sarcodactylis at different developmental stages].

In order to study the transcriptional differences of Citrus medica var. sarcodactylis at different developmental stages, we explored the genes regulating the biosynthesis of the effective components. In this study, Illumina Hiseq 4 000 high-throughput sequencing technology was used to sequence the transcriptome of C. medica var. sarcodactylis at different developmental stages, 121 235 unigenes were obtained with an average length of 2 434 bp, 3 379 different genes were obtained using DESeq screening, which mainly connected to biological processes such as signal transmission, biological regulation, and metabolic processes, and enriched in metabolic pathways such as starch, sucrose metabolism, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, and flavonoid biosynthesis. Further dynamic comparison of biosynthesis related genes of active ingredients: the expression levels of PAL, CHI, CYP75B1, ZDS, 4CL and FLS gradually increased as the fruit turned from green to yellow; the expressions of COMT, F3H and CYP73A increased at first and then decreased; CCR, HCT and HRP were down-regulated whereas up-regulated. This study provides references for further excavation of key genes in the biosynthesis of active components, as well as biopathway analysis of active components for C. medica var. sarcodactylis.

UCH-L1 inhibitor LDN-57444 hampers mouse oocyte maturation by regulating oxidative stress and mitochondrial function and reducing ERK1/2 expression.

Oocyte maturation is a prerequisite for successful fertilization and embryo development. Incomplete oocyte maturation can result in infertility. Ubiquitin carboxy-terminal hydrolase L1 (UCH-L1) has been found to be implicated in oocyte maturation and embryo development. However, the cellular and molecular mechanisms of UCH-L1 underlying oocyte maturation have not been fully elucidated. In the present study, we observed that the introduction of UCH-L1 inhibitor LDN-57444 suppressed first polar body extrusion during mouse oocyte maturation. The inhibition of UCH-L1 by LDN-57444 led to the notable increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) level, conspicuous reduction in glutathione (GSH) content and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and blockade of spindle body formation. As a conclusion, UCH-L1 inhibitor LDN-57444 suppressed mouse oocyte maturation by improving oxidative stress, attenuating mitochondrial function, curbing spindle body formation and down-regulating extracellular signal-related kinases (ERK1/2) expression, providing a deep insight into the cellular and molecular basis of UCH-L1 during mouse oocyte maturation.

Tetraphenylporphine-Modified Polymeric Nanoparticles Containing NIR Photosensitizer for Mitochondria-Targeting and Imaging-Guided Photodynamic Therapy.

Near-infrared (NIR) photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a promising antitumor strategy under NIR light irradiation to kill cancer cells. Mitochondria has a critical function in sustaining cellular viability and death, which is the ideal organelle for PDT. Here, we reported a tetraphenylporphine (TPP)-conjugated amphiphilic copolymer and an iodinated boron dipyrromethene photosensitizer (BDPI) with high singlet oxygen yield to form nanoparticles (PBDPI-TPP), which could realize mitochondria-targeting and improve the NIR imaging-guided PDT. The as-prepared mitochondria-targeting nanoplatform could show effective subcellular localization and bring about significant irreversible mitochondrial injury for enhanced PDT. Both in vitro and in vivo experiments revealed that the mitochondria-targeting PDT system could achieve a remarkable therapeutic effect, indicating that it is a promising nanoplatform for NIR imaging-guided PDT in cancer therapeutics.