[Variation of polysaccharides and alcohol-soluble extracts content of Dendrobium officinale].

To reveal the variation of polysaccharides and alcohol-soluble extract contents of Dendrobium officinale, the polysaccharides and alcohol-soluble extracts contents of three D. officinale strains were determined by phenol-sulfuric acid method and hot-dip method, respectively. The results showed that the contents of polysaccharides and alcohol-soluble extracts and their total content were significantly different among D. officinale samples collected in different periods, and the variations were closely related to the phenology of D. officinale. Additionally, the quality variation of polysaccharides was closely related to the flowering of D. officinale, while the alcohol-soluble extracts was closely associated to the formation and germination of buds. According to the dynamic variation of these two compounds, it is more reasonable to harvest D. officinale at biennials pre-bloom than at specific harvesting month considering polysaccharides content. It is better to harvest before the germination of buds considering alcohol-soluble extracts. While with regards to both polysaccharides and alcohol-soluble extract, it is better to harvest this plant at the period from the sprouting to pre-bloom next year.

[Special culture mediums of breeding clones of Dendrobium officinale].

The explants were obtained from stem segments of hybrid combination of Dendrobium officinale germplasms (Zhejiang Yandang Mountain x Yunnan Guangnan). The screened culture mediums for buds induction and multiplication, which were 1/2MS + IBA 1.0 mg x L(-1) +6-BA 1.0 mg x L(-1) and 1/2MS + IBA 1.5 mg x L(-1) +6-BA 0.5 mg x L(-1) respectively, were applied to 159 germplasms of D. officinale from Zhejiang, Yunnan, Guangxi, Hunan, etc. The medium for axillary buds induction had universality with 94.3% induction rate. During buds multiplication, there were significant differences in proliferation effect among germplasms, and three proliferation forms i.e. single bud, multiple buds and protocorm were differentiated from different germplasms. The results showed that different germplasms of D. officinale had specific requirements for culture medium. Therefore, developing special culture medium for breeding clones of D. officinale is urgent and has important application values.

[Field experiment of F1 generation and superior families selection of Dendrobium officinale].

Based on randomized block design of experiment, agronomic traits and yields of 14 F1 generations of Dendrobium officinale were determined. The results showed that the differences in agronomic traits and yields among families were significant, and the hybrid vigor was obvious. Families of 6b x 2a, 9 x 66 and 78 x 69 were selected with the remarkable superiority of yields, agronomic traits and product customization. Correlation analysis between agronomic traits and yields showed that plant height, stem diameter, leaf number, blade length and blade width were all significantly correlated with biological yields and economic yields. Among which, stem diameter, leaf number and blade length were the most significant, and an optimal linear regression model could be established. When the number of shoots was fewer than 4.5, both biological yields and economic yields increased with the increasing number of shoots, but it could not much affect yields when the number of shoots was larger than 4.5. Shoots number, stem diameter and leaf index were basic stability when compared biennial traits to annual, which could be used for early selection.

[Quantitive variation of polysaccharides and alcohol-soluble extracts in F1 generation of Dendrobium officinale].

Using phenol-sulfuric acid method and hot-dip method of alcohol-soluble extracts, the contents of polysaccharides and alcohol-soluble extracts in 11 F1 generations of Dendrobium officinale were determined. The results showed that the polysaccharides contents in samples collected in May and February were 32.89%-43.07% and 25.77%-35.25%, respectively, while the extracts contents were 2.81%-4.85% and 7.90%-17.40%, respectively. They were significantly different among families. The content of polysaccharides in offspring could be significantly improved by hybridization between parents with low and high polysaccharides contents, and the hybrid vigor was obvious. Cross breeding was an effective way for breeding new varieties with higher polysaccharides contents. Harvest time would significantly affect the contents of polysaccharides and alcohol-soluble extracts. The contents of polysaccharides in families collected in May were higher than those of polysaccharides in families collected in February, but the extracts content had the opposite variation. The extents of quantitative variation of polysaccharides and alcohol-soluble extracts were different among families, and each family had its own rules. It would be significant in giving full play to their role as the excellent varieties and increasing effectiveness by studying on the quantitative accumulation regularity of polysaccharides and alcohol-soluble extracts in superior families (varieties) of D. officinale to determine the best harvesting time.

From Diabetes to Diabetic Complications: Role of Autophagy.

Diabetes and its complications reduce quality of life and are life-limiting. At present, diabetes treatment consists of hypoglycemic agents to control blood glucose and the use of insulin-sensitizing drugs to overcome insulin resistance. In diabetes, autophagy is impaired and thus there is poor intracellular environment homeostasis. Pancreatic ß-cells and insulin target tissues are protected by enhancing autophagy. Autophagy decreases ß-cell apoptosis, promotes ß-cell proliferation, and alleviates insulin resistance. Autophagy in diabetes is regulated by the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)/adenosine 5'-monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathway and others. Autophagy enhancers can likely be used as a treatment for diabetes and its complications. This review examines the evidence linking autophagy to diabetes.

Swine models of cystic fibrosis reveal male reproductive tract phenotype at birth.

Nearly all male cystic fibrosis (CF) patients exhibit tissue abnormalities in the reproductive tract, a condition that renders them azoospermic and infertile. Two swine CF models have been reported recently that include respiratory and digestive manifestations that are comparable to human CF. The goal of this study was to determine the phenotypic changes that may be present in the vas deferens of these swine CF models. Tracts from CFTR(-/-) and CFTR(ΔF508/ΔF508) neonates revealed partial or total vas deferens and/or epididymis atresia at birth, while wild-type littermates were normal. Histopathological analysis revealed a range of tissue abnormalities and disruptions in tubular organization. Vas deferens epithelial cells were isolated and electrophysiological results support that CFTR(-/-) monolayers can exhibit Na(+) reabsorption but reveal no anion secretion following exposure to cAMP-generating compounds, suggesting that CFTR-dependent Cl(-) and/or HCO(3)(-) transport is completely impaired. SLC26A3 and SLC26A6 immunoreactivities were detected in all experimental groups, indicating that these two chloride-bicarbonate exchangers were present, but were either unable to function or their activity is electroneutral. In addition, no signs of increased mucus synthesis and/or secretion were present in the male excurrent ducts of these CF models. Results demonstrate a causal link between CFTR mutations and duct abnormalities that are manifested at birth.

Clinical and prognostic significance of CC chemokine receptor type 8 protein expression in gastrointestinal stromal tumors.

BACKGROUND: Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are the most common mesenchymal neoplasms of the gastrointestinal tract. Surgical resection and tyrosine kinase inhibitors are defined as the main treatments but cannot cure patients with advanced GIST, which eventually develops into recurrence and acquired drug resistance. Therefore, it is necessary to identify prognostic biomarkers and new therapeutic targets for GISTs. CC chemokine receptor type 8 (CCR8) protein participates in regulation of immune responses. Recent studies on CCR8 in non-small cell lung cancer and colorectal cancer showed that it was highly expressed in tumor-infiltrating regulatory T cells and correlated with a poor prognosis. AIM: To detect CCR8 expression in GIST tissues and analyze its relationships with clinicopathological features and prognosis in patients with GISTs. METHODS: Tissue samples were used for the tissue microarrays construction. The microarrays were then subjected to immunohistochemical analyses to detect CCR8 expression. Next, Kaplan-Meier analysis was utilized to calculate the survival rate of patients with complete follow-up data, and the potential prognostic value of CCR8 was evaluated by Cox regression analysis. Finally, a Gene Ontology/Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes single-gene enrichment chart of CCR8 was constructed using the STRING database. RESULTS: CCR8-positive signals were detected as brown or brown-yellow particles by immunohistochemistry located in the cytoplasm. Among 125 tissue samples, 74 had CCR8 high expression and 51 had low or negative expression. Statistical analyses suggested CCR8 was significantly correlated with tumor size, mitotic index, AFIP-Miettinen risk classification and tumor location. Kaplan-Meier and multivariate analyses showed that patients with low or negative CCR8 expression, mitotic index < 5/high-power fields (HPF) and tumor diameter < 5 cm had a better prognosis. Based on the STRING database, CCR8 was significantly enriched in biological processes such as tumor immunity, T lymphocyte chemotaxis, migration and pathways like the nuclear factor-κB and tumor necrosis factor pathways as well as intestinal immune regulation networks. CONCLUSION: CCR8 is a prognostic biomarker for malignant potential of GISTs, with high expression correlated with malignancy and poor prognosis.

[Effects of applying biogas liquid manure on the key source-sink metabolism enzymes and grain yield of summer maize].

15000, 22500, and 30000 kg x hm(-2) of biogas liquid manure were applied to maize hybrid Zhengdan 958 to study their effects on the key source-sink metabolism enzymes and yield components of the summer maize. Compared with CK and applying nitrogen fertilizer, the application of biogas liquid manure not only increased the aboveground biomass, leaf area index (LAI) and chlorophyll content, but also enhanced the activities of nitrate reductase (NR), glutamine synthetase (GS), and sucrose phosphate synthetase (SPS) in leaves and the sucrose synthetase (SS) in grains. The yield parameters such as ear diameter, ear length, grain rows per ear, grains per row, kernels per ear, 1000-kernel mass, and grain yield per unit area were also increased significantly. Of the three test application rates, 22500 kg x hm(-2) (7500 kg x hm(-2) applied at jointing, big trumpet, and tasseling stages, respectively) had the best effects on enhancing the above mentioned enzyme activities and grain yield, with the yield reached 14006.7 kg x hm(-2) and being 40.7% higher than the control.