Molecular mechanisms underpinning the multiallelic inheritance of MS5 in Brassica napus.

The Brassica-specific gene MS5 mediates early meiotic progression, and its allelic variants contribute to a valuable genic male sterility three-line hybrid production system in rapeseed (Brassica napus L.). However, the underlying mechanisms of its triallelic inheritance are poorly understood. Herein, we show that the restorer allele MS5a and the maintainer allele MS5c are both necessary for male fertility in B. napus. The functional divergence of MS5a and MS5c is strongly related to sequence variations in their coding regions and less strongly to their promoter regions. The male-sterile allele MS5b encodes a chimeric protein containing only the complete MS5 coiled-coil (CC) domain, having lost the MS5 superfamily domain. Both MS5a and MS5c can form homodimers in the nucleus via the CC domain. MS5b can interact competitively with MS5a or MS5c to form non-functional heterodimers. Owing to the close transcript levels of MS5b and MS5c in MS5b MS5c , these heterodimers induced a dominant-negative effect of MS5b on MS5c , resulting in a male-sterile phenotype. The extremely high transcript abundance of MS5a maintains sufficient MS5a homodimers in MS5a MS5b , causing the recovery of male sterility. These findings provide substantial genetic and molecular evidence to improve our understanding of the mechanisms underlying the multiallelic inheritance of MS5, and enable the construction of a solid foundation for improved use of the MS5-controlled GMS system in Brassica species.

Identification of miRNAs and their target genes in genic male sterility lines in Brassica napus by small RNA sequencing.

BACKGROUND: Brassica napus is the third leading source of edible oil in the world. Genic male sterility (GMS) lines provide crucial material for harnessing heterosis for rapeseed. GMS lines have been used successfully for rapeseed hybrid production in China. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play crucial regulatory roles in various plant growth, development, and stress response processes. However, reports on miRNAs that regulate the pollen development of GMS lines in B. napus are few. RESULTS: In this study, 12 small RNA and transcriptome libraries were constructed and sequenced for the flower buds from the fertile and sterile lines of two recessive GMS (RGMS) lines, namely, "6251AB" and "6284AB". At the same time, 12 small RNA and transcriptome libraries were also constructed and sequenced for the flower buds from the fertile and sterile lines of two dominant GMS (DGMS) lines, namely, "4001AB" and "4006AB". Based on the results, 46 known miRNAs, 27 novel miRNAs on the other arm of known pre-miRNAs, and 44 new conserved miRNAs were identified. Thirty-five pairs of novel miRNA-3p/miRNA-5p were found. Among all the identified miRNAs, fifteen differentially expressed miRNAs with over 1.5-fold change between flower buds of sterile and fertile lines were identified, including six differentially expressed miRNAs between "4001A" and "4001B", two differentially expressed miRNAs between "4006A" and "4006B", four differentially expressed miRNAs between "6251A" and "6251B", and ten differentially expressed miRNAs between "6284A" and "6284B". The correlation analysis of small RNA and transcriptome sequencing was conducted. And 257 candidate target genes were predicted for the 15 differentially expressed miRNAs. The results of 5' modified RACE indicated that BnaA09g48720D, BnaA09g11120D, and BnaCnng51960D were cleaved by bna-miR398a-3p, bna-miR158-3p and bna-miR159a, respectively. Among the differentially expressed miRNAs, miR159 was chosen to analyze its function. Overexpression of bna-miR159 in Arabidopsis resulted in decreased seed setting rate, and shortened siliques, illustrating that miR159 may regulate the fertility and silique development in rapeseed. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings provide an overview of miRNAs that are potentially involved in GMS and pollen development. New information on miRNAs and their related target genes are provided to exploit the GMS mechanism and reveal the miRNA networks in B. napus.

Fine mapping and candidate gene analysis of a seed glucosinolate content QTL, qGSL-C2, in rapeseed (Brassica napus L.).

KEY MESSAGE: QTL mapping and candidate gene analysis indicate that allelic variations in BnaC2.MYB28 resulted from homeologous exchange and determine difference in seed glucosinolate content. A low seed glucosinolate content has long been an important breeding objective in rapeseed improvement. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying seed GSL content variations remain to be elucidated in allotetraploid Brassica napus. Here, we developed a double haploid population from a cross between two B. napus accessions that possess relatively low, but significantly different seed GSL contents and identified a major QTL, qGSL-C2, on chromosome C02 that explains 30.88-72.87% of the phenotypic variation observed in five environments. Using near-isogenic lines, we further delimited qGSL-C2 to a physical region of 49 kb on the B. rapa chromosome A02 which is highly homologous to the target C02 interval. Among five candidate genes, BnaC2.MYB28, a homologue of the Arabidopsis MYB28 encoding a putative R2R3-MYB-type transcription factor functioning in aliphatic methionine-derived GSL synthesis, was most likely to be the target gene underlying the QTL. Sequence analysis revealed multiple insertion/deletion and SNP variations in the genomic region between the alleles of the NILs. Furthermore, the allelic variations in BnaC2.MYB28 in the natural B. napus population were significantly associated with seed GSL content. Remarkably, the phylogenetic analysis and sequence comparison suggested that while the BnaC2.MYB28 allele from the parental line G120 was inherited from B. oleracea BolC2.MYB28, its counterpart from the other parent, 9172, most likely evolved from B. rapa BraA2.MYB28 via possible homeologous exchange. Our study promotes greater understanding of the molecular regulation of seed GSL content and provides useful molecular markers for seed GSL improvement in B. napus.

Different expression profile of mRNA and long noncoding RNA in autoimmune thyroid diseases patients.

Increasing evidence has found that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) and message RNAs (mRNAs) play an important role in the progress of autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITD). So, in this study, the different expressed of lncRNA and mRNA was screened by microarray analysis and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). To further investigate the relationship among the differentially expressed genes, the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis and Gene ontology (GO) were used for biofunctions and signaling pathways analysis, respectively. Finally, the interaction relationship between lncRNA and mRNAs was analysis with lncRNA-mRNA coexpression network. The result found that the abnormal expression of lncRNAs and mRNAs were 1615 and 1913, respectively. The altered genes included CD40LG, IFNG, CTLA4, FAS, STAT1, STAT3, and STAT4. These were enriched in presentation and antigen processing, Th1 and Th2 cell differentiation, natural killer cell-mediated cytotoxicity, B cell receptor signaling pathway, Th17 cell differentiation, and cell adhesion molecules (CAMs), all of which had been suggested to be associated with immunopathogenic mechanisms and AITD-induced pathophysiologic changes. A coexpression network profile was contained with 126 network nodes and 477 connections which were based on seven mRNAs and 119 interacted lncRNAs. The outcomes of differentially expressed lncRNAs and their coreralated mRNAs in our study revealed that lncRNAs involved in immunopathogenic mechanisms may play a crital role in the pathogenesis of AITD.

Standards of medical care for type 2 diabetes in China 2019.

The prevalence of diabetes in China has increased rapidly from 0.67% in 1980 to 10.4% in 2013, with the aging of the population and westernization of lifestyle. Since its foundation in 1991, the Chinese Diabetes Society (CDS) has been dedicated to improving academic exchange and the academic level of diabetes research in China. From 2003 to 2014, four versions of Chinese diabetes care guidelines have been published. The guidelines have played an important role in standardizing clinical practice and improving the status quo of diabetes prevention and control in China. Since September 2016, the CDS has invited experts in cardiovascular diseases, psychiatric diseases, nutrition, and traditional Chinese medicine to work with endocrinologists from the CDS to review the new clinical research evidence related to diabetes over the previous 4 years. Over a year of careful revision, this has resulted in the present, new version of guidelines for prevention and care of type 2 diabetes in China. The main contents include epidemiology of type 2 diabetes in China; diagnosis and classification of diabetes; primary, secondary, and tertiary diabetes prevention; diabetes education and management support; blood glucose monitoring; integrated control targets for type 2 diabetes and treatments for hyperglycaemia; medical nutrition therapy; exercise therapy for type 2 diabetes; smoking cessation; pharmacologic therapy for hyperglycaemia; metabolic surgery for type 2 diabetes; prevention and treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases in patients with type 2 diabetes; hypoglycaemia; chronic diabetic complications; special types of diabetes; metabolic syndrome; and diabetes and traditional Chinese medicine.

Chinese clinical guidelines for continuous glucose monitoring (2018 edition).

Blood glucose monitoring is an important part of diabetes management. Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) technology has become an effective complement to conventional blood glucose monitoring methods and has been widely applied in clinical practice. The indications for its use, the accuracy of the generated data, the interpretation of the CGM results, and the application of the results must be standardized. In December 2009, the Chinese Diabetes Society (CDS) drafted and published the first Chinese Clinical Guideline for Continuous Glucose Monitoring (2009 edition), providing a basis for the standardization of CGM in clinical application. Based on the updates of international guidelines and the increasing evidence of domestic studies, it is necessary to revise the latest CGM guidelines in China so that the recent clinical evidence can be effectively translated into clinical benefit for diabetic patients. To this end, the CDS revised the Chinese Clinical Guideline for Continuous Glucose Monitoring (2012 Edition) based on the most recent evidence from international and domestic studies.

HTT2 promotes plant thermotolerance in Brassica rapa.

BACKGROUND: Numerous regulatory genes participate in plant thermotolerance. In Arabidopsis, HEAT-INDUCED TAS1 TARGET2 (HTT2) is an important thermotolerance gene that is silenced by ta-siR255, a trans-acting siRNA. ta-siR255 is absent from heading Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa ssp. pekinensis). Our previous attempt to overexpress the endogenous BrpHTT2 gene of heading Chinese cabbage (B. rapa ssp. pekinensis) failed because of cosuppression. In theory, heading Chinese cabbage can overexpress Arabidopsis HTT2 to improve thermotolerance in the absence of ta-siR255-mediated gene silencing and the weak potential of coexpression. RESULTS: To test the potential application of HTT2 in improving crop thermotolerance, we transferred p35S::HTT2 to heading Chinese cabbage. We tested the leaf electrical conductivity, hypocotyl elongation, and survival percentage of p35S::HTT2 plants subjected to high-temperature (38 °C) and heat-shock (46 °C) treatment. The leaf electrical conductivity of p35S::HTT2 seedlings under high temperature decreased but did negligibly change under heat shock. The hypocotyl length of p35S::HTT2 seedlings increased under high temperature and heat shock. The survival rate of p35S::HTT2 seedlings increased under heat shock. BrpHsfs, a subset of heat-shock factor genes, were upregulated in p35S::HTT2 plants under high-temperature and heat shock conditions. In the field, transgenic plants with HTT2 appeared greener and formed leafy heads earlier than wild-type plants. CONCLUSIONS: Exogenous HTT2 increased the survival rates of heat-shocked heading Chinese cabbage by promoting thermotolerance through decreasing electrical conductivity and extending hypocotyl length. Our work provides a new approach to the genetic manipulation of thermotolerance in crops through the introduction of exogenous thermotolerance genes.

A randomized, open-label, multicentre, parallel-controlled study comparing the efficacy and safety of biphasic insulin aspart 30 plus metformin with biphasic insulin aspart 30 monotherapy for type 2 diabetes patients inadequately controlled with oral antidiabetic drugs: The merit study.

AIM: To confirm non-inferiority of biphasic insulin aspart 30 (BIAsp 30) plus metformin to BIAsp 30 in lowering glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) in Chinese patients with inadequately controlled type 2 diabetes using oral antidiabetic drugs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this 16-week, prospective, randomized, open-label, multicentre, parallel-controlled study, patients aged 18-79 years with HbA1c ≥7% were randomized to BIAsp 30 plus metformin (n = 130) or BIAsp 30 (n = 127). Initially, 500 mg metformin was administered twice daily and BIAsp 30 was administered at 0.2-0.3 U/kg/d. Changes in HbA1c % from baseline to week 16 as well as secondary and safety endpoints were assessed. RESULTS: In total, 83.66% of patients in the BIAsp 30 plus metformin (n = 110) and the BIAsp 30 (n = 105) groups completed the study. Mean (±standard deviation) change in HbA1c from baseline to endpoint was -1.74 ± 1.64% and -1.32 ± 2.05% with BIAsp 30 plus metformin and BIAsp 30, respectively. Least squares mean treatment difference was -0.67% (95% CI, -1.06; -0.28). The upper limit of the 95% CI was <0.4 (non-inferiority margin). A significantly higher proportion of individuals reached HbA1c <7% with BIAsp 30 plus metformin than with BIAsp 30 (53.15% vs 35.19%; P = 0.0074). At endpoint, daily BIAsp 30 dose (P < 0.001) and weight gain were significantly lower (P < 0.05) in the BIAsp 30 plus metformin group compared with the BIAsp 30 group. No between-group differences in number of hypoglycaemic events were observed. CONCLUSION: BIAsp 30 plus metformin was non-inferior to BIAsp 30 in safely reducing HbA1c in this study.

Low-grade albuminuria is associated with poor memory performance in the nondemented Chinese elderly with type 2 diabetes.

Recent studies have correlated cognitive function with albuminuria. We investigated the association between low-grade albuminuria and cognitive performance in nondemented elderly with type 2 diabetes in Fuzhou, China. Between January, 2013 and December, 2014, a retrospective study was performed in 815 patients with type 2 diabetes (398 female and 417 male patients), ages ≥60 years, with normal urinary albumin to creatinine ratios (UACR <30 mg/g). Patients were stratified into tertiles based on UACR levels (lowest tertile, UACR <5.8 mg/g; highest tertile, UACR ≥18.1 mg/g). Cognitive function was measured using the Mini Mental State Examination. UACR tertiles correlated directly (p < 0.05) with age, duration of diabetes, systolic blood pressure (SBP), and pulse wave velocity (PWV). Patients in the second and highest tertiles performed significantly worse on memory and language than those in the lowest UACR tertile (p < 0.05). The association between UACR and memory loss was stronger in patients younger than 70 years of age and in those with a history of diabetes for less than 10 years. Low-grade albuminuria is associated with poor memory performance, especially in the youngest old (60-69 years) and in those with shorter duration of diabetes (< 10 years). Type 2 diabetics with urinary albumin excretion in the upper normal range were also at risk for declining memory performance.

The effect of n-3/n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids on acute reflux esophagitis in rats.

BACKGROUND: Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) play various roles in inflammation. However, the effect of PUFAs in the development of reflux esophagitis (RE) is unclear. This study is to investigate the potential effect of n-3/n-6 PUFAs on acute RE in rats along with the underlying protective mechanisms. METHODS: Forty Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups (n = 10 in each group). RE model was established by pyloric clip and section ligation. Fish oil- and soybean oil-based fatty emulsion (n-3 and n-6 groups), or normal saline (control and sham operation groups) was injected intraperitoneally 2 h prior to surgery and 24 h postoperatively (2 mL/kg, respectively). The expressions of interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-8, IL-6 and myeloid differentiation primary response gene 88 (MyD88) in esophageal tissues were evaluated by Western blot and immunohistochemistry after 72 h. The malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) expression in the esophageal tissues were determined to assess the oxidative stress. RESULTS: The mildest macroscopic/microscopic esophagitis was found in the n-3 group (P < 0.05). The expression of IL-1ß, IL-8, IL-6 and MyD88 were increased in all RE groups, while the lowest and highest expression were found in n-3 and n-6 group, respectively (P < 0.05). The MDA levels were increased in all groups (P < 0.05), in an ascending trend from n-3, n-6 groups to control group. The lowest and highest SOD levels were found in the control and n-3 group, respectively (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: n-3 PUFAs may reduce acute RE in rats, which may be due to inhibition of the MyD88-NF-kB pathway and limit oxidative damage.

Relationship between glycated hemoglobin A1c and cognitive function in nondemented elderly patients with type 2 diabetes.

Elderly patients with type 2 diabetes are at a greater risk for cognitive decline. The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between the degree of hyperglycemia and cognitive status in nondemented, elderly diabetics. Between Jan 2013 and Dec 2014, 1174 geriatric patients with type 2 diabetes were enrolled in the study (579 males; age ≥ 60 years; from Fuzhou, Fujian, China). Cognitive function was measured with the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). A statistically significant, age-adjusted association was observed between the A1C levels and the scores on two cognitive tests (MMSE and MoCA). Specifically, a 1% higher A1C value was associated with a 0.21-point lower MMSE score (95% CI; compare -0.11 to -0.28; P < 0.0001), as well as a 0.11-point lower MoCA score (95% CI; compare -0.10 to -0.38; P < 0.0001). Higher A1C levels were not significantly associated with lower MMSE and MoCA test scores after adjusting for all variables. No significant correlation was found between the two variables in patients older than 80 years of age (n = 215; OR = 1.019; 95% CI = 0.968 - 1.099; p = 0.251). Evidence strongly suggests that chronic hyperglycemia is associated with a decline in cognitive function in nondemented elderly patients with type 2 diabetes. When cognitive assessments are made, comprehensive factors such as advanced age, education level, duration of diabetes, hypertension and other vascular risks should be taken into account. For older geriatric patients (age ≥ 80 years), there is no significant correlation between A1c levels and cognitive function.

The effectiveness of age on HbA1c as a criterion for the diagnosis of diabetes in Chinese different age subjects.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the effectiveness of age on HbA1c as a criterion for the diagnosis of diabetes in Chinese different age subjects. METHODS: This retrospective study enrolled a total of 1147 outpatients with untreated newly diagnosed diabetes (aged 18-80 years, 42·55% women) from the Fujian Province, China, and 427 age and gender-matched (control) subjects without diabetes. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was plotted to determine the performance of HbA1c against results of oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) performed at the same time according to specific age groups. The ORs and 95%CIs between diabetes and other metabolic disorders were analysed. RESULTS: (i) HbA1c provided an age-specific diagnosis for diabetes: there was a high diagnostic titter of HbA1c in the 18- to 39-year age group; conversely, there was a low diagnostic titter of HbA1c in the ≥70-year-old age groups. (ii) After adjusted for age, individuals with diabetes by OGTT criteria but not by WHO HbA1c criteria had an increased chance of having abnormal weight, hypertriglyceridaemia, HDL hypocholesterolaemia and insulin resistance. (iii) The diagnostic cut-off points of HbA1c for diabetes in different age groups (18-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69 and ≥70 years) were 6·1, 6·3, 6·4, 6·5 and 6·4, respectively. The age-specific HbA1c criteria exhibited the higher positive rate, sensitivity and lower false-negative rate when compared with WHO HbA1c criteria. CONCLUSIONS: This provided evidence indicating that there may be drawbacks in the use of HbA1c in the diagnosis of diabetes. Thus, we proposed that the impact of introducing HbA1c for diabetes diagnosis should be considered in terms of age. Cohort studies are needed to further confirm the suitability of age-specific HbA1c criteria for the diagnosis of diabetes.

Low-grade albuminuria associated with brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity in young adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus in China.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease is prevalent in type 2 diabetics, and microalbuminuria is associated with cardiovascular disease morbidity. We aimed to investigate the potential association between low-grade albuminuria and arterial stiffness in patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: Between 2009 and 2013, a retrospective study was performed in 578 patients with type 2 diabetes (339 male patients and 239 female patients) with normal urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratios (ACRs; <30 mg/g) from Fuzhou, China. Patients were stratified into tertiles based on urinary ACR levels (lowest tertile, urinary ACR < 4.8 mg/g; highest tertile, urinary ACR ≥ 20.1 mg/g). Arterial stiffness was measured via brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity. RESULTS: Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity, age, duration of diabetes, systolic blood pressure and pulse wave velocity progressively increased across all urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio tertiles (p < 0.05). Patients in the second and the highest tertiles had significantly elevated pulse wave velocity [114.6 mm/s (95% CI = 36.8-192.4) and 209.4 mm/s (95% CI = 131.8-286.9)], p = 0.004 and 0.000] compared with those in the lowest ACR tertile. The association between ACR and elevated pulse wave velocity still persisted in patients younger than 65 years of age and those with diabetes <10 years, conferring 45 or 51% greater risk of elevated pulse wave velocity (OR = 1.451; 95% CI = 1.119-1.881; p = 0.005 or OR = 1.515; 95% CI = 1.167-1.966; p = 0.0018) with each ACR tertile increment. Each ACR tertile increment conferred 31.7% higher risk of increased pulse wave velocity (OR = 1.317; 95% CI = 1.004-1.729; p = 0.0468). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with type 2 diabetes with urinary albumin excretion in the upper normal range were still at risk for target organ damage. Low-grade albuminuria might be an early marker for the detection of arterial stiffness in patients with type 2 diabetes, especially in younger patients with type 2 diabetes with shorter durations of disease.

Glycemic control rate of T2DM outpatients in China: a multi-center survey.

BACKGROUND: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM)-associated mortality and morbidity are strongly dependent on glycemic control. With T2DM prevalence increasing in China, we aimed to assess glycemic control rates in Chinese T2DM outpatients. MATERIAL/METHODS: A total of 9065 adult T2DM outpatients (5035 men) were assessed in 26 Chinese medical centers between August 2010 and April 2012. Patients were stratified according to BMI (kg/m2): <24, 24-28, and >28. Successful glycemic control was defined as glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) ≤7% or fasting plasma glucose (FPG) <7.0 mmol/L. RESULTS: Among the participants included in this study, 2939 had BMI <24, 3361 had BMI of 24-28, and 2764 had BMI >28. The glycemic control rate was only 32.6%, and the triple control rate for glycemia, blood pressure, and lipidemia was only 11.2%. Glycemic control rates by BMI group were 33.7% (<24), 33.8% (24-28), and 30.2% (>28) (p=0.005), and corresponding incidences of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) were 12.2%, 15.7%, and 15.9% (p<0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that older age (p<0.001), higher BMI (p=0.026), larger waist circumference (p<0.001), less education (p<0.001), and recent diagnosis (p<0.001) were independent risk factors for poor glycemic control. CONCLUSIONS: The T2DM glycemic control rate in China is currently low, especially in older obese patients with poor education and recent diagnosis.

The 5-HT4 receptor agonist mosapride attenuates inflammation of reflux esophagitis.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Chronic inflammatory processes and gastric contents related esophageal mucosal injury are two major characteristics of reflux esophagitis RE). This study was aimed to establish a rat model fitting RE major characteristics and to investigate the effects of mosapride, one of the 5-hydroxy tryptamine (5-HT)4 receptor agonists, on mucosal inflammation in RE. METHODOLOGY: Rat RE model was established by pyloric clip and section ligation-induced chronic acid reflux esophagitis. Animal body weight and survival was monitored. Animals were treated with 0.1 mg/kg/d, 0.5 mg/kg/d, or 2.5 mg/kg/d mosapride by gavage. Gastric emptying was examined. After two weeks, pathological changes of the esophagus were determined and endothelin-1 (ED-1) expression in esophageal tissues was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: No significant differences were observed in the gastric emptying of RE rats after different doses of mosapride treatment (P > 0.05). Gross examination and pathological evaluation revealed that either 0.5 mg/kg/d or 2.5 mg/kg/d mosapride treatment attenuated the mucosal inflammation of RE, but a lower mosapride dose (0.1 mg/kg/d) had limited esophagoprotective effects (P > 0.05). Mosapride treatment greatly decreased the number of ED-1 positive monocytes in the esophagus compared with sham-operated controls (P < 0.05). 5-HT4 receptor and acetylcholine (Ach) receptor antagonists effectively reversed the protective effects of mosapride (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrated that mosapride attenuated the mucosal inflammation of RE, suggesting that mosapride might provide esophagoprotective effects in addition to its well-known prokinetic actions.

Modeling the potential distribution of the energy tree species Triadica sebifera in response to climate change in China.

As an important woody oilseed species in China, Triadica sebifera is not only concerned with the substitution of traditional energy sources, but also plays a considerable role in coping with energy shortages. Accurately predicting the potential geographic distribution of Triadica sebifera in China and understanding its ecological needs are crucial for alleviating the energy crisis and effectively implementing energy substitution strategies. In this study, the potential geographic distribution of Triadica sebifera in China at contemporary and future periods was predicted based on the distribution data of Triadica sebifera in China and the environmental factor variables by Maxent model and ArcGIS software. The combination of important factors governing the potential geographic distribution of Triadica sebifera was assessed by the contribution of environmental factor variables. The accuracy of Maxent model's predictions was assessed by AUC values, TSS values and Kappa statistics. The results show that: High AUC and TSS values indicate high accuracy and performance of the model. The crucial environmental factors limiting the potential geographic distribution of Triadica sebifera are the temperature factor (mean air temperature of the driest quarter), precipitation factor (precipitation of the coldest quarter, precipitation of the wettest month), and the intensity of human activities (hf). The total suitable area for Triadica sebifera is 233.64 × 104 km2, primarily located in Yunnan, Sichuan, Hubei, Guizhou, Jiangxi, Guangdong province and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region; its high suitability area is 30.89 × 104 km2, accounting for 13.22% of the total suitable area, mainly distributed in Jiangxi, Sichuan and Hunan provinces in the shape of a cake. Under the four typical greenhouse gas emission concentration patterns in the 2050s and 2070s, the areas of high and medium suitable areas for Triadica sebifera will increase, while the area of its low suitable area will decrease. However, the total suitable area will remain relatively unchanged. Its potential suitable habitats show a trend of shifting towards lower latitudes and southeast regions. The study predicted the pattern of Triadica sebifera under different climate change conditions, which can provide guidance for future cultivation of Triadica sebifera as well as for biofuel development and utilization.

Glycemic control among patients in China with type 2 diabetes mellitus receiving oral drugs or injectables.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is increasing rapidly among Chinese adults, and limited data are available on T2DM management and the status of glycemic control in China. We assessed the efficacy of oral antidiabetes drugs (OADs), glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, and insulin for treatment of T2DM across multiple regions in China. METHODS: This was a multicenter, cross-sectional survey of outpatients conducted in 606 hospitals across China. Data from all the patients were collected between April and June, 2011. RESULTS: A total of 238,639 patients were included in the survey. Eligible patients were treated with either OADs alone (n=157,212 [65.88%]), OADs plus insulin (n=80,973 [33.93%]), or OADs plus GLP-1 receptor agonists (n=454 [0.19%]). The OAD monotherapy, OAD + insulin, and OAD + GLP-1 receptor agonist groups had mean glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels (±SD) of 7.67% (±1.58%), 8.21% (±1.91%), and 7.80% (±1.76%), respectively. Among those three groups, 34.63%, 26.21%, and 36.12% met the goal of HbA1c <7.0%, respectively. Mean HbA1c and achievement of A1c <7.0% was related to the duration of T2DM. CONCLUSIONS: Less than one third of the patients had achieved the goal of HbA1c <7.0%. Glycemic control decreased and insulin use increased with the duration of diabetes.

Abnormal regional body fat distribution also exists in non-obese subjects with high blood pressure.

A cross-sectional analysis was performed to explore the relationship between regional body fat distribution and blood pressure in non-obese subjects with different status of blood pressure. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was performed to measure fat mass. Obesity was defined as present body fat ≥25% in males and ≥35% in females. The ratio of leg fat mass to total fat mass (L/T) decreased gradually while the ratio of trunk fat mass to total fat mass (Tr/T) increased gradually with the increasing blood pressure for both genders in non-obese subjects (P < .01), which was consistent with the change in obese ones; and the blood pressure status in the low Tr/T + high L/T group was better than that in the high Tr/T + low L/T group, obviously. After adjustment for confounding factors, blood pressure was still positively related with Tr/T but negatively associated with L/T in non-obese groups. A multiple linear regression analysis showed that L/T was the major negative factors of blood pressure in the non-obese population. Abnormal fat distribution also exists in non-obese subjects with high blood pressure; compared to trunk fat, leg fat may be a more important factor against blood pressure.

Role of ERp46 in ß-cell lipoapoptosis through endoplasmic reticulum stress pathway as well as the protective effect of exendin-4.

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is considered as a key factor in free fatty acid (FFA)-induced apoptosis. ERp46, a new member of the thioredoxin family, is highly expressed in pancreatic ß-cells and plays an important role in glucose toxicity. In this study we examined the potential role of ERp46 in palmitic acid (PA)-induced cell apoptosis and the protective role of exendin-4, a long-acting agonist of the hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor. The glucose-sensitive mouse ß-pancreatic cell line, ßTC6, was used to investigate the mechanisms of PA-induced apoptosis. Our results showed that ERp46 expression was reduced in a dose- and time-dependent manner after PA treatment. Furthermore, inhibition of ERp46 expression by small interfering (si)RNA-mediated silencing enhanced the ER stress response via three separate pathways and increased ßTC6 cell apoptosis rates. Moreover, exendin-4 reduced the ER stress response and levels of apoptosis in NC transfected cells after PA treatment, but not in cells transfected with ERp46siRNA. In conclusion, ERp46 plays a protective role in PA-induced cell apoptosis by decreasing the ER stress response and might be a novel target for anti-diabetic drugs. Exendin-4 might protect against ßTC6 cell lipoapoptosis in part by activating ERp46 signaling pathway.