Colletotrichum truncatum-A New Etiological Anthracnose Agent of Sword Bean (Canavalia gladiata) in Southwestern China.

Anthracnose is a disease caused by Colletotrichum species. They are well known as major plant pathogens, and a black stem disease, specifically caused by Colletotrichum truncatum and primarily infecting sword bean (Canavalia gladiata), was observed in the Yunnan province, China. To aid disease management and to determine pathogenic characteristics, the species causing the leaf spot disease of hairy vetch was verified as C. truncatum. A sequence analysis of the ITS, ACT, GAPDH, and HIS3 genes was conducted, as well as morphological and cultural characteristics, to identify this Colletotrichum species, which has curved conidia. C. truncatum isolates from sword bean formed a distinctive group among Colletotrichum species, including those that infect other forage and field crops. Artificially inoculated sword bean seedlings showed typical symptoms of anthracnose, which were similar to field observations. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of C. truncatum causing black stem disease on sword beans in China.

[Role and mechanism of histone deacetylases in mouse neuronal development].

OBJECTIVE: To study the role and mechanism of histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) and histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2) in mouse neuronal development. METHODS: The mice with Synapsin1-Cre recombinase were bred with HDAC1&2flox/flox mice to obtain the mice with neuron-specific HDAC1&2 conditional knockout (knockout group), and their littermates without HDAC1&2 knockout were used as the control group. The general status of the mice was observed and survival curves were plotted. Brain tissue samples were collected from the knockout group and the control group. Western blot and immunohistochemistry were used to measure the protein expression of related neuronal and axonal markers, neuronal nuclear antigen (NeuN), non-phosphorylated neurofilament heavy chain (np-NF200), and phosphorylated neurofilament heavy chain (p-NF200), as well as the downstream effector of the mTOR signaling pathway, phosphorylated S6 ribosomal protein (p-S6). RESULTS: The mice with HDAC1&2 conditional knockout usually died within one month after birth and were significantly smaller than those in the control group, with motor function abnormalities such as tremor and clasping of hindlimbs. Compared with the control group, the knockout group had significant reductions in the protein expression levels of NeuN, np-NF200, p-NF200, and p-S6 (P < 0.05; n=3). CONCLUSIONS: Deletion of HDAC1 and HDAC2 in mouse neurons results in reduced neuronal maturation and axonal dysplasia, which may be associated with the mTOR signaling pathway.

[Effect of irisin on hypoxic-ischemic brain damage in neonatal rats].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect and mechanism of action of irisin on hypoxic-ischemic brain damage in neonatal rats. METHODS: A total of 248 7-day-old Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a sham-operation group, a model group, and low- and high-dose irisin intervention groups (n=62 each). The rats in the model and irisin intervention groups were given hypoxic treatment after right common carotid artery ligation to establish a model of hypoxic-ischemic brain damage. Those in the sham-operation group were given the separation of the right common carotid artery without ligation or hypoxic treatment. The rats in the high- and low-dose irisin intervention groups were given intracerebroventricular injection of recombinant irisin polypeptide at a dose of 0.30 µg and 0.15 µg respectively. Those in the model and sham-operation groups were given the injection of an equal volume of PBS. The water maze test was used to compare neurological behaviors between groups. TTC staining, hematoxylin-eosin staining and TUNEL staining were used to observe histopathological changes of the brain. Western blot was used to measure the expression of the apoptosis-related molecules cleaved-caspase-3 (CC3), BCL-2 and BAX. RESULTS: Compared with the sham-operation group, the model group had a significant increase in latency time and a significant reduction in the number of platform crossings (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the high-dose irisin intervention group had a significant reduction in latency time and a significant increase in the number of platform crossings (P<0.05). Compared with the sham-operation group, the model group had massive infarction in the right hemisphere, with significant increases in karyopyknosis and karyorrhexis. Compared with the model group, the high-dose irisin intervention group had a smaller infarct area of the right hemisphere, with reductions in karyopyknosis and karyorrhexis. The model group had a significantly higher apoptosis rate of cells in the right cerebral cortex and the hippocampus than the sham-operation group. The high-dose irisin intervention group had a significantly lower apoptosis rate than the model group (P<0.05). At 24 and 48 hours after modeling, the sham-operation group had a significantly lower level of CC3 than the model group (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the high-dose irisin intervention group had a significantly lower level of CC3 and a significantly higher BCL-2/BAX ratio (P<0.05). The low-dose irisin intervention group had similar laboratory markers and histopathological changes of the brain to the model group. CONCLUSIONS: Irisin can alleviate hypoxic-ischemic brain damage in neonatal rats in a dose-dependent manner, possibly by reducing cell apoptosis in the cerebral cortex and the hippocampus.

Development and Validation of a Simple-to-Use Nomogram for Predicting the Upgrade of Atypical Ductal Hyperplasia on Core Needle Biopsy in Ultrasound-Detected Breast Lesions.

BACKGROUND: The rate of carcinoma upgrade for atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH) diagnosed on core needle biopsy (CNB) is variable on open excision. The purpose of the present study was to develop and validate a simple-to-use nomogram for predicting the upgrade of ADH diagnosed with ultrasound (US)-guided core needle biopsy in patients with US-detected breast lesions. METHODS: Two retrospective sets, the training set (n = 401) and the validation set (n = 186), from Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center between January 2014 and December 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Clinicopathological and US features were selected using univariate and multivariable logistic regression, and the significant features were incorporated to build a nomogram model. Model discrimination and calibration were assessed in the training set and validation set. RESULTS: Of the 587 ADH biopsies, 67.7% (training set: 267/401, 66.6%; validation set: 128/186, 68.8%) were upgraded to cancers. In the multivariable analysis, the risk factors were age [odds ratio (OR) 2.739, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.525-5.672], mass palpation (OR 3.008, 95% CI: 1.624-5.672), calcifications on US (OR 4.752, 95% CI: 2.569-9.276), ADH extent (OR 3.150, 95% CI: 1.951-5.155), and suspected malignancy (OR 4.162, CI: 2.289-7.980). The model showed good discrimination, with an area under curve (AUC) of 0.783 (95% CI: 0.736-0.831), and good calibration (p = 0.543). The application of the nomogram in the validation set still had good discrimination (AUC = 0.753, 95% CI: 0.666-0.841) and calibration (p = 0.565). Instead of surgical excision of all ADHs, if those categorized with the model to be at low risk for upgrade were surveillanced and the remainder were excised, then 63.7% (37/58) of surgeries of benign lesions could have been avoided and 78.1% (100/128) malignant lesions could be treated in time. CONCLUSIONS: This study developed a simple-to-use nomogram by incorporating clinicopathological and US features with the overarching goal of predicting the probability of upgrade in women with ADH. The nomogram could be expected to decrease unnecessary surgery by nearly two-third and to identify most of the malignant lesions, helping guide clinical decision making with regard to surveillance versus surgical excision of ADH lesions.

RIP3/MLKL-mediated neuronal necroptosis induced by methamphetamine at 39°C.

Methamphetamine is one of the most prevalent drugs abused in the world. Methamphetamine abusers usually present with hyperpyrexia (39°C), hallucination and other psychiatric symptoms. However, the detailed mechanism underlying its neurotoxic action remains elusive. This study investigated the effects of methamphetamine + 39°C on primary cortical neurons from the cortex of embryonic Sprague-Dawley rats. Primary cortex neurons were exposed to 1 mM methamphetamine + 39°C. Propidium iodide staining and lactate dehydrogenase release detection showed that methamphetamine + 39°C triggered obvious necrosis-like death in cultured primary cortical neurons, which could be partially inhibited by receptor-interacting protein-1 (RIP1) inhibitor Necrostatin-1 partially. Western blot assay results showed that there were increases in the expressions of receptor-interacting protein-3 (RIP3) and mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein (MLKL) in the primary cortical neurons treated with 1 mM methamphetamine + 39°C for 3 hours. After pre-treatment with RIP3 inhibitor GSK'872, propidium iodide staining and lactate dehydrogenase release detection showed that neuronal necrosis rate was significantly decreased; RIP3 and MLKL protein expression significantly decreased. Immunohistochemistry staining results also showed that the expressions of RIP3 and MLKL were up-regulated in brain specimens from humans who had died of methamphetamine abuse. Taken together, the above results suggest that methamphetamine + 39°C can induce RIP3/MLKL regulated necroptosis, thereby resulting in neurotoxicity. The study protocol was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, China (approval numbers: 2017-S026 and 2017-S033) on March 7, 2017.

[Role of p38 Mitogen-activated Protein Kinase Signaling Pathway in the Hippocampal Neurons Autophagy of Rats with Sepsis].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway in autophagy of neurons in hippocampus of sepsis rats. METHODS: A sepsis model was established by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). SD rats were randomly divided into sham-operated group (sham group), model group (CLP group), vehicle-treated group (CLP+Veh group) and inhibitor-treated group (CLP+SB203580 group), and each group was divided into 3, 6, 12, 24 and 48 h subgroups. CLP+Veh group and CLP+SB203580 group were injected with 1% DMSO 5 µL and 0.1 mmol/L SB203580 5 µL respectively in the lateral ventricle, and CLP was established 30 min after injection. The sham group only turned over the cecum and closed the abdomen without other treatments. The vital signs of rats were monitored, including mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR). Neurobehavioral score was used to investigate the brain injury in rats. Histopathological changes in hippocampus of rats were observed by HE staining. The process of neuronal autophagy in hippocampal of rats was observed under transmission electron microscope (TEM). Western blot assay was performed to detect the expression of microtubule associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3)Ⅱ, LC3Ⅰ, selective autophagy adaptor protein p62/sequestosome-1 (p62/SQSTM1), MAPK-activated protein kinase 2 (MK-2) and phosphorylation MK-2 (p-MK-2) in the hippocampus. The expressions of LC3 and p62/SQSTM1 in hippocampal neurons of rats were observed by immunofluorescence. RESULTS: At different time points, MAP of CLP group was lower than sham group, while HR was higher than sham group, the change was most obvious at 12 h after molding; the neurobehavioral score of CLP group was the lowest; the histopathological changes in the hippocampus were obvious; and many autophagy vacuoles were observed under transmission electron microscope; compared with CLP group, the neurobehavioral score of CLP+SB203580 group increased; the pathological changes in the hippocampus improved; the inclusions in autophagy vacuoles were degraded under transmission electron microscopy; Western blot results showed:compared with sham group, expression of-LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ, p-MK-2/MK-2 increased, and p62/SQSTM1 decreased in hippocampal tissue of CLP group in rat, the former reaches its peak at 12 h, the latter bottomed out at 12 h. Compared with the other groups, at 12 h of modeling, the expression of LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ, p-MK-2/MK-2 was further increased, the expression of p62/SQSTM1 decreased further in hippocampal tissue of CLP+SB203580 group in rat (P < 0.05); immunofluorescence observation showed that localization and expression of LC3 and p62/SQSTM1 in NeuN were consistent with Western blot. CONCLUSION: Inhibition of p38 MAPK signaling pathway in sepsis rats can further activate autophagy and protect neurons in the hippocampus.

[Pollution Characteristics of OPEs in the Surface Water and Sediment of the Jinjiang River in Chengdu City].

New GC-MS methods were developed for seven typical organophosphate esters (OPEs) including tri-n-butyl phosphate (TnBP), tris (2-ethylhexyl) phosphate (TEHP), tributoxyethyl phosphate (TBEP), triphenyl phosphate (TPhP), tri (2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP), trichloropropyl phosphate (TCPP) and tridichloropropyl phosphate (TDCPP). These methods were used to quantify their concentrations in the surface water and sediment from the Jinjiang River, Chengdu. The recoveries of the target substances were 76%-119% (surface water)and 83%-126% (sediments). Total OPEs (Σ7OPEs) ranged from 689.09 to 10623.94 ng·L-1, with the mean of 3747.58 ng·L-1 in the surface water. The pollution level of each monomer was in the order TBEP > TCEP > TPhP > TEHP > TCPP > TnBP. TBEP was the predominant pollutant, accounting for 36.50%-95.90% of the Σ7OPEs concentrations. The contents (dw) of the Σ7OPEs ranged from 25.52 to 296.00 ng·g-1 in sediments, and TBEP was also the main pollutant in these samples. No significant correlation existed between the concentrations of OPEs in the surface water and sediments. Alkyl OPEs were the main pollutants in the surface water and sediments. The distribution of OPEs was influenced by the source of emissions and environmental attributes. The pairs TCPP and TnBP, TBEP and TEHP, and TCEP and TPhP might have common sources in the surface water.

[Protective effect of astrocyte exosomes on hypoxic-ischemic neurons].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of astrocyte exosomes on hypoxic-ischemic neurons. METHODS: Rat astrocytes were cultured in vitro, and differential centrifugation was used to obtain the exosomes from the cell supernatant. Transmission electron microscopy, Nanosight, and Western blot were used for the identification of exosomes. BCA method was used to measure the concentration of exosomes. Rat neurons were cultured in vitro and then divided into control group, exosome group, oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD) group, and OGD+exosome group (n=3 each). The OGD and OGD+exosome groups were cultured in glucose-free medium under the hypoxic condition. The exosome and OGD+exosome groups were treated with exosomes at a final concentration of 22 μg/mL. The control and OGD groups were given an equal volume of phosphate-buffered saline. ELISA was used to measure the level of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in neurons. The terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling was used to measure the apoptotic index of neurons. RESULTS: The identification of exosomes showed that the exosomes extracted by differential centrifugation had the features of exosomes. Compared with the control and exosome groups, the OGD group had significant increases in LDH level and apoptotic index (P<0.05). Compared with the OGD group, the OGD+exosome group had significant reductions in LDH level and apoptotic index (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The exosomes from astrocytes have a protective effect on neurons with hypoxic-ischemic injury.

[Expression rhythm of autophagic gene in neurons of neonatal rats with hypoxia/ischemia and its regulatory mechanism].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of autophagic gene and circadian gene in the neurons of neonatal rats after hypoxic-ischemic brain damage and the mechanism of nerve injury induced by hypoxia/ischemia. METHODS: Twelve Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into hypoxic-ischemic (HI) group and sham-operation group, with 6 rats in each group. Ligation of the right common carotid artery and hypoxic treatment were performed to establish a model of hypoxic-ischemic brain damage. Western blot was used to measure the expression of the circadian protein Clock in the cortex and hippocampus. The neurons of the rats were cultured in vitro and randomly divided into oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD) group and control group. The neurons in the OGD group were treated with DMEM medium without glucose or serum to simulate ischemic state, and hypoxic treatment was performed to establish an in vitro model of hypoxic-ischemic brain damage. Western blot was used to measure the expression of autophagy-related proteins Beclin1 and LC3 and Clock protein at different time points. The changes in the expression of Beclin1 and LC3 were measured after the expression of Clock protein in neurons was inhibited by small interfering RNA technique. RESULTS: The expression of autophagy-related proteins Beclin1 and LC3Ⅱ in neurons cultured in vitro displayed a rhythmic fluctuation; after OGD treatment, the expression of Beclin1 and LC3Ⅱ gradually increased over the time of treatment and no longer had a rhythmic fluctuation. Compared with the sham-operation group, the HI group had a significant reduction in the expression of Clock protein in the cortex and hippocampus (P<0.05). After OGD treatment, the neurons cultured in vitro had a significant reduction in the expression of Clock protein (P<0.05). Compared with the negative control group, the Clock gene inhibition group had significant reductions in the expression of Beclin1 and LC3Ⅱ (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Hypoxia/ischemia induces the disorder in the expression rhythm of autophagy-related proteins Beclin1 and LC3, and the mechanism may be associated with the fact that the circadian protein Clock participates in the regulation of the expression of Beclin1 and LC3.

Safety and tolerability of the ketogenic diet used for the treatment of refractory childhood epilepsy: a systematic review of published prospective studies.

BACKGROUND: To review the available evidence from prospective studies on the safety and tolerability of the ketogenic diet (KD) for the treatment of refractory childhood epilepsy. METHODS: A comprehensive bibliographic search was performed with the aim of retrieving prospective studies that monitored adverse effects (AEs) in children after receiving the classic or medium-chain triglyceride KD therapy for refractory epilepsy. RESULTS: A total of 45 studies were retrieved, including 7 randomized controlled trials. More than 40 categories of AEs were reported. The most common AEs included gastrointestinal disturbances (40.6%), hyperlipidemia (12.8%), hyperuricemia (4.4%), lethargy (4.1%), infectious diseases (3.8%) and hypoproteinemia (3.8%). Severe AEs, such as respiratory failure and pancreatitis, occurred in no more than 0.5% of children. Specifically, patients receiving KD therapy should be monitored for osteopenia, urological stones, right ventricular diastolic dysfunction, and growth disturbance. The total retention rates of the diet for 1 year and 2 years were 45.7% and 29.2%, respectively. Nearly half of the patients discontinued the diet because of lack of efficacy. AEs were not the main reason for the KD discontinuation. None of the 24 deaths reported after initiation of the diet was attributed to the KD. CONCLUSIONS: KD is a relatively safe dietary therapy. However, because the KD can cause various AEs, it should be implemented under careful medical supervision. Continuous follow-up is needed to address the long-term impact of the diet on the overall health of children.

[Effect of telomerase activation on biological behaviors of neural stem cells in rats with hypoxic-ischemic insults].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of telomerase activation on biological behaviors of neural stem cells after hypoxic-ischemic insults. METHODS: The neural stem cells passaged in vitro were divided into four groups: control, oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD), OGD+cycloastragenol (CAG) high concentration (final concentration of 25 µM), and OGD+CAG low concentration (final concentration of 10 µM). The latter three groups were subjected to OGD. Telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) expression level was evaluated by Western blot. Telomerase activity was detected by telomerase repeat amplification protocol (TRAP). Cell number and neural sphere diameter were measured under a microscope. The activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was examined by chemiluminescence. Cell proliferation rate and apoptosis were detected by flow cytometry. RESULTS: After OGD insults, obvious injury of neural stem cells was observed, including less cell number, smaller neural sphere, more dead cells, lower proliferation rate and decreased survival rate. In CAG-treated groups, there were higher TERT expression level and telomerase activity compared with the control group (P<0.05). In comparison with the OGD group, CAG treatment attenuated cell loss (P<0.05) and neural sphere diameter decrease (P<0.05), promoted cell proliferation (P<0.05), and increased cell survival rate (P<0.05). Low and high concentrations of CAG had similar effects on proliferation and survival of neural stem cells (P>0.05). In the normal cultural condition, CAG treatment also enhanced TERT expression (P<0.05) and increased cell numbers (P<0.05) and neural sphere diameter (P<0.05) compared with the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Telomerase activation can promote the proliferation and improve survival of neural stem cells under the state of hypoxic-ischemic insults, suggesting telomerase activators might be potential agents for the therapy of hypoxic-ischemic brain injury.

Resveratrol defends blood-brain barrier integrity in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis mice.

The mouse autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an experimental model of multiple sclerosis (MS), is primarily characterized as dysfunction of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Resveratrol exhibits anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, and neuroprotective activities. We investigated the beneficial effects of resveratrol in protecting the integrity of the BBB in EAE mice and observed improved clinical outcome in the EAE mice after resveratrol treatment. Evans blue (EB) extravasation was used to detect the disruption of BBB. Western blot were used to detected the tight junction proteins and adhesion molecules zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), occludin, ICAM-1, and VCAM-1. Inflammatory factors inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), IL-1ß, and arginase 1 were evaluated by quantitative RT-PCR (qPCR) and IL-10 by ELISA. NADPH oxidase (NOX) levels were evaluated by qPCR, and its activity was analyzed by lucigenin-derived chemiluminescence. Resveratrol at doses of 25 and 50 mg/kg produced a dose-dependent decrease in EAE paralysis and EB leakage, ameliorated EAE-induced loss of tight junction proteins ZO-1, occludin, and claudin-5, as well as repressed the EAE-induced increase in adhesion proteins ICAM-1 and VCAM-1. In addition, resveratrol suppressed the EAE-induced overexpression of proinflammatory transcripts iNOS and IL-1ß and upregulated the expression of anti-inflammatory transcripts arginase 1 and IL-10 cytokine in the brain. Furthermore, resveratrol downregulated the overexpressed NOX2 and NOX4 in the brain and suppressed NADPH activity. Resveratrol ameliorates the clinical severity of MS through maintaining the BBB integrity in EAE mice.

Resveratrol augments therapeutic efficiency of mouse bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell-based therapy in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.

Experimental autoimmune encephalitis (EAE) is an inflammatory demyelinating disease, which served as a useful model providing considerable insights into the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS). Mouse bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (mBM-MSC) were shown to have neuroprotection capabilities in EAE. Resveratrol is a small polyphenolic compound and possess therapeutic activity in various immune-mediated diseases. The sensitivity of mBM-MSCs to resveratrol was determined by an established cell-viability assay. Resveratrol-treated mBM-MSCs were also characterized with flow cytometry using MSC-specific surface markers and analyzed for their multiple differentiation capacities. EAE was induced in C57BL/6 mice by immunization with MOG35-55. Interferon gamma (IFN-γ)/tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-4 (IL-4)/interleukin-10 (IL-10), the hallmark cytokines that direct T helper type 1 (Th1) and Th2 development, were detected with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In vivo efficacy experiments showed that mBM-MSCs or resveratrol alone led to a significant reduction in clinical scores, and combined treatment resulted in even more prominent reduction. The combined treatment with mBM-MSCs and resveratrol enhanced the immunomodulatory effects, showing suppressed proinflammatory cytokines (IFN-γ, TNF-α) and increased anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4, IL-10). The combination of mBM-MSCs and resveratrol provides a novel potential experimental protocol for alleviating EAE symptoms.

[Role of long non-coding RNA BC088414 in hypoxic-ischemic injury of neural cells].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) BC088414 in hypoxic-ischemic injury of neural cells. METHODS: Rat adrenal pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells were divided into four groups: normoxic, oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD), siRNA-normoxic (siRNA group) and siRNA-OGD (n=3 each). Cells were incubated in glucose-free and serum-free DMEM medium under the conditions of 37℃ and 1% O2+99% N2/CO2 for 6 hours to establish an in vitro hypoxic-ischemic model. Quantitative real-time PCR was used to measure mRNA expression of lncRNA BC088414, ß2-adrenoceptor (Adrb2), and caspase-6 (CASP6). siRNAs were used to inhibit BC088414 expression in PC12 cells. The TUNEL method was used to measure cell apoptosis. RESULTS: The OGD group had a significantly higher cell apoptotic index than the normoxic group (P<0.01). After inhibition of BC088414 expression, the OGD group had a significantly reduced apoptotic index (P<0.05). The OGD group had significantly higher mRNA expression levels of lncRNA BC088414, Adrb2, and CASP6 compared with the normoxic group (P<0.05). The siRNA -normoxic group had significantly lower mRNA expression levels of Adrb2 and CASP6 than the normoxic group (P<0.05), and the siRNA-OGD group also had significantly lower mRNA expression levels of Adrb2 and CASP6 than the OGD group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: LncRNA BC088414 may promote apoptosis through Adrb2 and CASP6 and aggravate neural cell injury induced by hypoxia-ischemia.

[Advance in research on chemical constituents from Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix].

This paper summarized the recent 30 years research progress of the chemical constituents from Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix. The chemical constituents from Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix mainly consist of coumarins, polyene-polyacetylenes, sesquiterpenes, phenolic acids, while steroids and flavonoids were less reported. All constituents were confirmed and corrected through SciFinder. We also checked the Chinese name and English name and listed the CAS number of each compound. It can provide some guidelines for the research, development and utilization of Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix in the future. Whether there is columbianin in the Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix need to be further researched.

[Simultaneously preparation of grams of high purity tyrosol, crenulatin and salidroside from Rhodiola crenulata].

Tyrosol, crenulatin and salidroside are the main active constituents of Rhodiola crenulata, with extensive pharmacological activities. In the study, grams of high purity tyrosol, crenulatin and salidroside were simultaneously separated from R. crenulata by the first time. Firstly, R. crenulata was extracted by 70% alcohol. Then, with the yields of three compounds as the index, the macroporous resin was optimized. At last, grams of high purity tyrosol, crenulatin and salidroside were isolated by D-101 macroporousresin, purified by column chromatography. Detected by HPLC, the purity of three compounds were higher than 98%. This method has the advantages of simple process and operation, less dosage of organic solvent, highly yield and reproducibility, suitable for the simultaneously preparation of tyrosol, crenulatin and salidroside.

A fluorescent tool set for yeast Atg proteins.

Fluorescence microscopy of live cells is instrumental in deciphering the molecular details of autophagy. To facilitate the routine examination of yeast Atg proteins under diverse conditions, here we provide a comprehensive tool set, including (1) plasmids for the expression of GFP chimeras at endogenous levels for most Atg proteins, (2) RFP-Atg8 constructs with improved properties as a PAS marker, and (3) plasmids for the complementation of common yeast auxotrophic markers. We hope that the availability of this tool set will further accelerate yeast autophagy research.

[Preparation of baicalein using thermophilic and sugar-tolerant beta-glucosidase].

The reaction conditions of baicalin hydrolyzed into baicalein by a kind of thermophilic and sugar-tolerant beta-glucosidase were studied in this paper. The beta-glucosidase could catalyze baicalin into baicalein well in the acetic acid-sodium acetate buffer. The optimal enzyme activity was at 85 degrees C and pH 5.5. The enzyme was stable at the temperature less than 85 degrees C and pH range of 5-7.5. The maximum reaction rate V. and michaelis constant K. were 0.41 mmol x L(-1) x min(-1) and 3.31 mmol x L(-1) respectively. Different metal ions had different effects on the activity of enzyme. Na+ existing in acetic acid-sodium acetate buffer had an activation effect on enzyme. The enzyme activity was enhanced by the concentrations of glucose below 0.6 mol x L(-1), and was gradually inhibited when monosaccharide concentration was over 0.6 mol x L(-1). When the monosaccharide concentration reached 1.2 mol x L(-1), the inhibition rate of enzyme activity was about 50%, which showed good glucose tolerance. The good reaction conditions through the experiment have been determined as follows, the substrate: enzyme dose was 1 g: 0.2 mL, acetic acid-sodium acetate buffer pH 5.5, reaction temperature 85 degrees C, reaction time 10 h, and the enzymatic hydrolyzation ratio could reach 97%.

[Pollution Level and Sources of Organic Phosphorus Esters in Airborne PM2.5 in Chengdu City].

Organic phosphorus esters ( OPEs ) in atmospheric PM2.5 in Chengdu city was quantitatively determined by using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The distribution characteristic was discussed, back trajectory model and correlation analysis were used to study the sources of OPEs in PM2.5 in Chengdu city. The results showed that the annual average concentration of Σ7OPEs in atmospheric PM2.5 in Chengdu city was 6.46 ng x m(-3) for the urban site and was 9.38 ng x m(-3) for the suburb site. Due to the waste material recycling industries in the suburb area and the perennial dominant wind direction in Chengdu, the concentration of Σ7OPEs at suburb site was higher than that at urban site (P = 0.013). The atmospheric mixed degree influenced the distribution of OPEs in rural and urban area. The source of Σ7OPEs in atmospheric PM2.5 in Chengdu city was mainly from endogenous pollution which was mainly affected by the local sources around the samoling sites. while the contribution of the exogenous pollution was small.

Hydrogen sulfide alleviates postharvest senescence of broccoli by modulating antioxidant defense and senescence-related gene expression.

Accumulating evidence has shown that hydrogen sulfide (H2S) acts as a signaling regulator in plants. Here we show that H2S delays the postharvest senescence of broccoli in a dose-dependent manner. H2S maintains higher levels of metabolites, such as carotenoids, anthocyanin, and ascorbate, and reduces the accumulation of malondialdehyde, H2O2, and the superoxide anion. Further investigations showed that H2S sustained higher activities of guaiacol peroxidase, ascorbate peroxidase, catalase, and glutathione reductase and lower activities of lipoxygenase, polyphenol oxidase, phenylalanine ammonia lyase, and protease than those of water control. Moreover, the expression of the chlorophyll degradation related genes BoSGR, BoCLH2, BoPaO, BoRCCR, as well as cysteine protease BoCP1 and lipoxygenase gene BoLOX1, was down-regulated in postharvest broccoli treated with H2S. The functions of H2S on the senescence of other vegetables and fruits suggest its universal role acting as a senescence regulator.