Assembly and comparative genome analysis of four mitochondrial genomes from Saccharum complex species.

Saccharum complex includes genera Saccharum, Miscanthus, Erianthus, Narenga, and Tripidium. Since the Saccharum complex/Saccharinae constitutes the gene pool used by sugarcane breeders to introduce useful traits into sugarcane, studying the genomic characterization of the Saccharum complex has become particularly important. Here, we assembled graph-based mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes) of four Saccharinae species (T. arundinaceum, E. rockii, M. sinensis, and N. porphyrocoma) using Illumina and PacBio sequencing data. The total lengths of the mitogenomes of T. arundinaceum, M. sinensis, E. rockii and N. porphyrocoma were 549,593 bp, 514,248 bp, 481,576 bp and 513,095 bp, respectively. Then, we performed a comparative mitogenomes analysis of Saccharinae species, including characterization, organelles transfer sequence, collinear sequence, phylogenetics analysis, and gene duplicated/loss. Our results provided the mitogenomes of four species closely related to sugarcane breeding, enriching the mitochondrial genomic resources of the Saccharinae. Additionally, our study offered new insights into the evolution of mitogenomes at the family and genus levels and enhanced our understanding of organelle evolution in the highly polyploid Saccharum genus.

Burdock (Arctium lappa L.) leaf flavonoids rich in morin and quercetin 3-O-rhamnoside ameliorate lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation and oxidative stress in RAW264.7 cells.

In this study, the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities and mechanism of burdock leaf flavonoids (BLF) on LPS-stimulated inflammation in RAW264.7 macrophage cells were explored. We have observed that BLF and main effective components morin and quercetin 3-O-rhamnoside pretreatment significantly inhibited LPS-stimulated inflammatory activation of RAW264.7 cells by lowering the levels of NO, PGE2, TNF-α, and IL-6 production (p < .05). At the same time, BLF not only had potent free radical scavenging ability in vitro (DPPH: 2025.33 ± 84.15 µmol Trolox/g, ABTS: 159.14 ± 5.28 µmol Trolox/g, and ORAC: 248.72 ± 9.74 µmol Trolox/g) but also effectively ameliorated cellular oxidative stress status by restoring the decreased activity of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, and GSH-Px) and decreasing the elevated levels of ROS and TBARS in LPS-stimulated macrophages (p < .05). The western blot analysis indicated that BLF and main components morin and quercetin 3-O-rhamnoside mainly inhibited LPS-stimulated inflammation by reducing the iNOS and COX-2 protein expression, decreasing cellular ROS, and blocking the activation of NF-κB signaling pathway in macrophages. Our results collectively imply that BLF could be used as a new type of functional factor for the development of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory foods.

Improved biphasic calcium phosphate combined with periodontal ligament stem cells may serve as a promising method for periodontal regeneration.

The study aimed to investigate if a construct of porous improved biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) combined with osteogenically induced periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) could repair periodontal defect. Human PDLSCs were cultured, identified, and osteogenically induced, and then seeded on the improved BCP, assessed by scanning electron microscopy and MTT method. Afterwards, PDLSC-seeded scaffolds were used in six Beagle dogs' alveolar bone dehiscence model, and new bone formation was assessed by three-dimensional micro-computed tomographic imaging, fluorescence, and light microscopy at 4th, 8th and 12th week postoperatively. Results showed that PDLSCs were positive for STRO-1 and vimention, while negative for cytokeratin. They had the capacity to undergo osteogenic differentiation in vitro. When seeded on the improved BCP, PDLSCs exhibited significantly great viability. The use of PDLSC-seeded improved BCP promoted effective periodontal regeneration. In conclusion, this study demonstrates the potential of improved BCP combined with PDLSCs as a promising method for periodontal regeneration.

[Safety of metformin in the treatment of elderly type 2 diabetes mellitus].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety of metformin in the treatment of elderly type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). METHODS: Two hundred and forty-three cases of elderly T2DM hospitalized from Jan. 1996 to Dec. 2006 were reviewed; the changes of fasting blood glucose(FBG), postprandial blood glucose (PBG), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), liver and renal function and blood lactic acid were evaluate before and after treatment. RESULTS: The mean time of treatment with metformin was (6.6 +/- 3.9) years (3 months - 21 years) in these 243 cases. The levels of FBG, PBG and HbA1c significantly reduced after treatment with metformin only in 43 cases (17.7%), metformin combined with other oral hypoglycemic drugs in 124 cases (51.0%) and metformin combined with insulin in 76 cases (31.3%). There was only 18.1% of the cases with normal range (> 80 ml/min) of creatinine clearance rate (Ccr), and 25.8% of the cases with Ccr

[A preliminary survey of primary hyperparathyroidism in middle-aged and elderly Beijing Chinese].

OBJECTIVE: To study the prevalence of hypercalcemia and primary hyperparathyroidism in middle-aged and elderly Chinese people who live in Beijing. METHODS: This research was performed in a large elderly population group who came to our hospital for health checkup. The medical histories and relevant data of all the subjects were collected. Serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) concentration was determined in the 83 subjects whose blood calcium level was >or= 2.6 mmol/L. Meanwhile, another 83 of the subjects whose calcium level was < 2.6 mmol/L were chosen randomly as controls. RESULTS: 2451 subjects underwent the investigation. 83 (3.39%) out of the total 2451 subjects were found to have calcium level >or= 2.6 mmol/L, and 5 of them had PTH > 65 ng/L but no causative factors for the elevation. These subjects were thought to have primary hyperparathyroidism and its prevalence was 0.204%. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of primary hyperparathyroidism was 0.204% in the investigated elderly subjects.