Effect of turbulence-induced sediment resuspension and sedimentation on underwater wireless optical communication.

In real-life marine environments, the composition and grain size of suspended sediments and the resuspension and sedimentation of sediments caused by turbulence may have a significant impact on underwater wireless optical communication (UWOC). However, to date, researchers have not conducted quantitative research on this issue. To this end, we innovatively study the effects of different compositions and grain sizes of suspended sediments on UWOC and the effects of turbulence-induced sediment resuspension and sedimentation on UWOC in this paper. Quartz and kaolin with different grain sizes are used to simulate sediments in seawater. An oscillating grid that can vary frequency and stroke is used to generate turbulence of different intensities. By comparing the turbidity and optical power density of different simulated sediments with different grain sizes, we find that the smaller the grain size of the simulated sediments, the higher the bit error rate (BER) under the same turbidity. But different simulated sediments with different grain sizes have similar effects on BER performance under the same optical power density. Therefore, turbidity can be used to characterize the changes of underwater channels, and optical power density can be used to evaluate the attenuation of light at the receiving end after transmission through the underwater channel. By continuously changing the frequency of the grid to cause the sediments to resuspend and sink, we prove that the process of turbulence-induced sediment resuspension and sedimentation can seriously affect the BER performance. The larger the frequency of the grid, the greater the turbulence intensity and the worse the BER performance. This study lays a foundation for the practical application of UWOC in mobile ocean observation networks.

Combined untargeted and targeted lipidomics approaches reveal potential biomarkers in type 2 diabetes mellitus cynomolgus monkeys.

BACKGROUND: The significantly increasing incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) over the last few decades triggers the demands of T2DM animal models to explore the pathogenesis, prevention, and therapy of the disease. The altered lipid metabolism may play an important role in the pathogenesis and progression of T2DM. However, the characterization of molecular lipid species in fasting serum related to T2DM cynomolgus monkeys is still underrecognized. METHODS: Untargeted and targeted LC-mass spectrometry (MS)/MS-based lipidomics approaches were applied to characterize and compare the fasting serum lipidomic profiles of T2DM cynomolgus monkeys and the healthy controls. RESULTS: Multivariate analysis revealed that 196 and 64 lipid molecules differentially expressed in serum samples using untargeted and targeted lipidomics as the comparison between the disease group and healthy group, respectively. Furthermore, the comparative analysis of differential serum lipid metabolites obtained by untargeted and targeted lipidomics approaches, four common serum lipid species (phosphatidylcholine [18:0_22:4], lysophosphatidylcholine [14:0], phosphatidylethanolamine [PE] [16:1_18:2], and PE [18:0_22:4]) were identified as potential biomarkers and all of which were found to be downregulated. By analyzing the metabolic pathway, glycerophospholipid metabolism was associated with the pathogenesis of T2DM cynomolgus monkeys. CONCLUSION: The study found that four downregulated serum lipid species could serve as novel potential biomarkers of T2DM cynomolgus monkeys. Glycerophospholipid metabolism was filtered out as the potential therapeutic target pathway of T2DM progression. Our results showed that the identified biomarkers may offer a novel tool for tracking disease progression and response to therapeutic interventions.

TaVQ22 Interacts with TaWRKY19-2B to Negatively Regulate Wheat Resistance to Sheath Blight.

Wheat sheath blight caused by the necrotic fungal pathogen Rhizoctonia cerealis is responsible for severe damage to bread wheat. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are vital for stress resistance by plants and their homeostasis plays an important role in wheat resistance to sheath blight. Valine-glutamine (VQ) proteins play important roles in plant growth and development, and responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. However, the functional mechanism mediated by wheat VQ protein in response to sheath blight via ROS homeostasis regulation is unclear. In this study, we identified TaVQ22 protein containing the VQ motif and clarified the functional mechanisms involved in the defense of wheat against R. cerealis. TaVQ22 silencing reduced the accumulation of ROS and enhanced the resistance of wheat to R. cerealis. In addition, we showed that TaVQ22 regulated ROS generation by interacting with the WRKY transcription factor TaWRKY19-2B, thereby indicating that TaVQ22 and TaWRKY19-2B formed complexes in the plant cell nucleus. Yeast two-hybrid analysis showed that the VQ motif in TaVQ22 is crucial for the interaction, where it inhibits the transcriptional activation function of TaWRKY19-2B. In summary, TaVQ22 interacts with TaWRKY19-2B to regulate ROS homeostasis and negatively regulate the defense response to R. cerealis infection. This study provides novel insights into the mechanism that allows VQ protein to mediate the immune response in plants.

Comparative transcriptome analysis of resistant and susceptible wheat in response to Rhizoctonia cerealis.

BACKGROUND: Sheath blight is an important disease caused by Rhizoctonia cerealis that affects wheat yields worldwide. No wheat varieties have been identified with high resistance or immunity to sheath blight. Understanding the sheath blight resistance mechanism is essential for controlling this disease. In this study, we investigated the response of wheat to Rhizoctonia cerealis infection by analyzing the cytological changes and transcriptomes of common wheat 7182 with moderate sensitivity to sheath blight and H83 with moderate resistance. RESULTS: The cytological observation showed that the growth of Rhizoctonia cerealis on the surface and its expansion inside the leaf sheath tissue were more rapid in the susceptible material. According to the transcriptome sequencing results, a total of 88685 genes were identified in both materials, including 20156 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of which 12087 was upregulated genes and 8069 was downregulated genes. At 36 h post-inoculation, compared with the uninfected control, 11498 DEGs were identified in resistant materials, with 5064 downregulated genes and 6434 upregulated genes, and 13058 genes were detected in susceptible materials, with 6759 downregulated genes and 6299 upregulated genes. At 72 h post-inoculation, compared with the uninfected control, 6578 DEGs were detected in resistant materials, with 2991 downregulated genes and 3587 upregulated genes, and 7324 genes were detected in susceptible materials, with 4119 downregulated genes and 3205 upregulated genes. Functional annotation and enrichment analysis showed that the main pathways enriched for the DEGs included biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, carbon metabolism, plant hormone signal transduction, and plant-pathogen interaction. In particular, phenylpropane biosynthesis pathway is specifically activated in resistant variety H83 after infection. Many DEGs also belonged to the MYB, AP2, NAC, and WRKY transcription factor families. CONCLUSIONS: Thus, we suggest that the normal functioning of plant signaling pathways and differences in the expression of key genes and transcription factors in some important metabolic pathways may be important for defending wheat against sheath blight. These findings may facilitate further exploration of the sheath blight resistance mechanism in wheat and the cloning of related genes.

Taurine Prevents Liver Injury by Reducing Oxidative Stress and Cytochrome C-Mediated Apoptosis in Broilers Under Low Temperature.

Hypoxia caused by low ambient temperature leads to hypoxemia in broilers, which aggravates the metabolic burden of the liver. Liver damage is closely related to oxidative stress and apoptosis. It has been proved that taurine can reduce oxygen free radicals, exert antioxidant properties, and inhibit mitochondria-dependent apoptosis. This experiment aimed to determine whether taurine could prevent liver damage by inhibiting oxidative stress and the cytochrome c-mediated apoptotic pathway in broilers under low ambient temperature. Broilers were given 1% taurine in drinking water, and the temperature was raised at 10 °C ~ 12 °C from 21 to 42 days. At 28 and 42 days, the hepatic tissues were collected. The antioxidant capacity of liver tissues and mRNA expression levels of the factors related with cytochrome c-medicated apoptosis pathway were measured. The results showed taurine significantly increased the total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) at 28 days. Furthermore, taurine also increased the activities of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) while reducing malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration at 28 days and 42 days. Our results also revealed that taurine significantly increased the mRNA expression levels of Hsp 27 and Hsp 90 while decreasing caspase-3 mRNA expression in broiler hepatocytes at 28 days. In addition, taurine also upregulated the expression level of Bcl-2 at 42 days. In summary, the present study found that taurine enhances the antioxidant ability and alleviates cytochrome c-mediated apoptosis in hepatic tissue of broilers under low temperature.

Effects of Taurine on Serum Indexes of Broilers with Chronic Heat Stress.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of taurine on tissue injury, protein metabolism, and basal metabolism of broilers after chronic heat stress by detecting serum physiological and biochemical indices. In the test, 240 AA + broilers at 7 days of age were randomly divided into five groups: the normal temperature control group (24 ± 2 °C) in group C, the heat stress control group (34 ± 2 °C) in HS group, and the LTau, MTau, and HTau groups in heat under stress conditions, 0.5, 2, and 8 g/L taurine were added to the drinking water, and each group was repeated three times. After 2 weeks of feeding at normal temperature, heat stress began. The test period was 4 weeks. Blood was collected at 6 h, 12 h, 7 d, 14 d, 21 d, and 28 d after heat stress, and serum was separated. The results showed that compared with the HS group, the MTau group had significantly higher total serum protein content (P < 0.05), while the other groups were not significantly different (P > 0.05). The MTau and HTau groups had significantly lower serum uric acid levels than the HS group (P < 0.05). At 7d and 14d, the LTau, MTau, and HTau groups all showed significantly increased T3 and T4 concentrations (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between the groups thereafter (P > 0.05). Compared with HS group, the MTau group contained significantly reduced serum CK activity, LDH activity, AST activity, and ALT activity (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the effects of taurine on tissue damage, protein metabolism, and basal metabolism of broilers after chronic heat stress were studied by measuring serum physiological and biochemical indices. To provide a theoretical basis for the application of taurine in acute heat-stressed broilers.

Identification of resistance to Fusarium head blight and molecular cytogenetics of interspecific derivatives between wheat and Psathyrostachys huashanica.

Psathyrostachys huashanica is a relative of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) with many disease resistance genes that can be used to improve wheat disease resistance. In order to enrich the germplasm resources available in wheat genetics and breeding, we assessed Fusarium head blight (FHB) resistance in 45 interspecific derivatives between wheat and Psathyrostachys huashanica during two years from 2017-2018. Two interspecific derivatives comprising, H-34-8-2-6-1 and H-24-3-1-5-19-1 were identified as FHB resistant lines. These two lines were examined based on their morphology and cytogenetics, as well as by genomic in situ hybridization (GISH), fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), molecular markers, and 660K genotyping array to determine their genetic construction. The results confirmed H-34-8-2-6-1 as a wheat-P. huashanica 1Ns long arm ditelosomic addition line and H-24-3-1-5-19-1 as a wheat-P. huashanica 2Ns substitution line. Assessments of the agronomic traits showed that H-34-8-2-6 had significantly higher kernel number per spike and self-fertility rate than parent 7182. In addition, compared with 7182, H-24-3-1-5-19-1 had a much lower plant height while the other agronomic traits were relatively similar. The two new lines are valuable germplasm materials for breeding FHB resistance in wheat.

Genome-Wide Analysis of Type-III Polyketide Synthases in Wheat and Possible Roles in Wheat Sheath-Blight Resistance.

The enzymes in the chalcone synthase family, also known as type-III polyketide synthases (PKSs), play important roles in the biosynthesis of various plant secondary metabolites and plant adaptation to environmental stresses. There have been few detailed reports regarding the gene and tissue expression profiles of the PKS (TaPKS) family members in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). In this study, 81 candidate TaPKS genes were identified in the wheat genome, which were designated as TaPKS1-81. Phylogenetic analysis divided the TaPKS genes into two groups. TaPKS gene family expansion mainly occurred via tandem duplication and fragment duplication. In addition, we analyzed the physical and chemical properties, gene structures, and cis-acting elements of TaPKS gene family members. RNA-seq analysis showed that the expression of TaPKS genes was tissue-specific, and their expression levels differed before and after infection with Rhizoctonia cerealis. The expression levels of four TaPKS genes were also analyzed via qRT-PCR after treatment with methyl jasmonate, salicylic acid, abscisic acid, and ethylene. In the present study, we systematically identified and analyzed TaPKS gene family members in wheat, and our findings may facilitate the cloning of candidate genes associated with resistance to sheath blight in wheat.

Molecular cytogenetic characterization of a novel wheat-Psathyrostachys huashanica Keng T3DS-5NsL•5NsS and T5DL-3DS•3DL dual translocation line with powdery mildew resistance.

BACKGROUND: Psathyrostachys huashanica Keng (2n = 2x = 14, NsNs) carries many outstanding agronomic traits, therefore is a valuable resource for wheat genetic improvement. Wheat-P. huashanica translocation lines are important intermediate materials for wheat breeding and studying the functions of alien chromosomes. However, powdery mildew resistance in these translocation lines has not been reported previously. RESULTS: This study developed a novel wheat-P. huashanica translocation line TR77 by selecting a F7 progeny from the cross between heptaploid hybrid H8911 (2n = 7x = 49, AABBDDNs) and durum wheat line Trs-372. Chromosome karyotype of 2n = 42 = 21II was observed in both mitotic and meiotic stages of TR77. Genomic in situ hybridization analysis identified two translocated chromosomes that paired normally at meiosis stage in TR77. Molecular marker analysis showed that part of chromosome 5D was replaced by part of alien chromosome fragment 5Ns. It meant replacement made part 5DL and part 5NsL·5NsS existed in wheat background, and then translocation happened between these chromosomes and wheat 3D chromosome. Fluorescence in situ hybridization demonstrated that TR77 carries dual translocations: T3DS-5NsL·5NsS and T5DL-3DS·3DL. Analysis using a 15 K-wheat-SNP chip confirmed that SNP genotypes on the 5D chromosome of TR77 matched well with these of P. huashanica, but poorly with common wheat line 7182. The translocation was physically located between 202.3 and 213.1 Mb in 5D. TR77 showed longer spikes, more kernels per spike, and much better powdery mildew resistance than its wheat parents: common wheat line 7182 and durum wheat line Trs-372. CONCLUSIONS: TR77 is a novel stable wheat-P. huashanica T3DS-5NsL·5NsS and T5DL-3DS·3DL dual translocation line and showed significant improved spike traits and resistance to powdery mildew compared to its parents, thus, it can be an useful germplasm for breeding disease resistance and studying the genetic mechanism of dual translocations.

Taurine prevents cardiomyocyte apoptosis by inhibiting the calpain-1/cytochrome c pathway during RVH in broilers.

The calpain-1-activated apoptotic pathway plays a key role in right ventricular hypertrophy (RVH). Taurine has been shown to attenuate apoptosis by inhibiting calpain activity. This experiment aimed to determine whether taurine could prevent RVH by inhibiting the calpain-1/cytochrome c apoptotic pathway. The broilers were given 1% taurine dissolved in drinking water and were raised at 10 °C ~ 12 °C from day 21 to day 42. At 21 d, 28 d, 35 d and 42 d, the right ventricular (RV) tissues were collected. Increased RVH index, angiotensin II, norepinephrine and atrial natriuretic peptide mRNA expression were reduced by taurine in the broiler RVs. Taurine obviously inhibited cardiomyocyte apoptosis via maintaining the mitochondrial membrane potential and decreased the activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3 in the broiler RVs. The antioxidant assay demonstrated that taurine enhanced the activities of superoxide dismutase, total antioxidant capacity and glutathione peroxidase and the glutathione/glutathione disulfide ratio. Western blot results revealed that taurine also downregulated the expression of calpain-1 and cytosolic cytochrome c while upregulating the expression of Bcl-2/Bax and mitochondrial cytochrome c in broiler cardiomyocytes during RVH. In summary, we found that taurine could enhance cardiomyocyte antioxidant ability and further prevented cardiomyocyte apoptosis by inhibiting the calpain-1/cytochrome c pathway during RVH in broilers.

Taurine attenuates isoproterenol-induced H9c2 cardiomyocytes hypertrophy by improving antioxidative ability and inhibiting calpain-1-mediated apoptosis.

Pathological cardiac hypertrophy is ultimately accompanied by cardiomyocyte apoptosis. Apoptosis mainly related to calpain-1-mediated apoptotic pathways. Studies had proved that taurine can maintain heart health through antioxidation and antiapoptotic functions, but the effect of taurine on cardiac hypertrophy is still unclear. This study aimed to determine whether taurine could inhibit calpain-1-mediated mitochondria-dependent apoptotic pathways in isoproterenol (ISO)-induced hypertrophic cardiomyocytes. We found that taurine could inhibit the increase in cell surface area and reduce the protein expression levels of the hypertrophic markers atrial natriuretic peptide, brain natriuretic polypeptide, and ß-myosin heavy chain. Taurine also reduced ROS, intracellular Ca2+ overload and mitochondrial membrane potential. Moreover, taurine inhibited cardiomyocyte apoptosis by decreasing the protein expression of calpain-1, Bax, t-Bid, cytosolic cytochrome c, Apaf-1, cleaved caspase-9 and cleaved caspase-3 and by enhancing calpastatin and Bcl-2 protein expression. Calpain-1 small interfering RNA transfection results showed similar antiapoptotic effects as the taurine prevention group. However, compared with the two treatments, taurine inhibited the expression of cleaved caspase-9 more significantly. Therefore, we believe that taurine prevents ISO-induced H9c2 cardiomyocyte hypertrophy by inhibiting oxidative stress, intracellular Ca2+ overload, the calpain-1-mediated mitochondria-dependent apoptotic pathway and cleaved caspase-9 levels.

The essential role of phospho-T38 CPI-17 in the maintenance of physiological blood pressure using genetically modified mice.

PKC-potentiated phosphorylation-dependent inhibitory protein of protein phosphatase 1 (CPI-17), an endogenous myosin phosphatase inhibitory protein, is considered a key molecule for Ca2+ sensitization of the contractile apparatus. Here, we have used clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 9 to generate CPI-17-deficient [knockout (KO)] and threonine 38 (T38)-phospho-resistant mice [threonine mutant into alanine (TA)], and then effects of CPI-17 on vascular contractility in vitro and mean blood pressure (MBP) in vivo were investigated. In isolated thoracic aorta, phorbol 12, 13-dibutyrate induced a sustained contraction of wild-type (WT) mice, whereas no contraction showed from TA or KO mice. A high concentration of KCl solution-induced contraction was not different between transgenic and WT mice. In contrast, phenylephrine (PE)-induced contractions in both mutant strains were significantly smaller than those of WT mice in association with a low level of myosin phosphorylation, suggesting that at least part of PE-induced contraction is regulated by phosphorylation of CPI-17 at T38. Finally, the physiologic role of CPI-17 in the regulation of blood pressure was investigated using radio telemetry. MBP was decreased significantly in both transgenic mice, even with a compensatory increase in heart rate. In summary, we generated KO and constitutively phospho-resistant mouse models of CPI-17 for the first time. p-CPI-17 at T38, possibly by PKC, could be important to maintain vascular contractility and blood pressure in vivo. -Yang, Q., Fujii, W., Kaji, N., Kakuta, S., Kada, K., Kuwahara, M., Tsubone, H., Ozaki, H., Hori, M. The essential role of phospho-T38 CPI-17 in the maintenance of physiological blood pressure using genetically modified mice.

Taurine Promotes In-vitro Follicle Development, Oocyte Maturation, Fertilization and Cleavage of rats.

It is well known that a large quantity of taurine is present in mammalian ovaries. Taurine reportedly promotes the secretion of female reproductive hormones by stimulating hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis function. Therefore, we speculated that taurine may have beneficial effects on follicle growth, oocyte maturation, fertilization and cleavage. Here, we cultured rat follicles, immature oocytes and sperms in vitro and treated with taurine to observe the changes in follicle diameter, estradiol concentration as well as the rate of oocytes maturation, fertilization and cleavage using an inverted microscope. The results showed that taurine can elevate ovarian follicles growth and oocyte maturation, fertilization, and cleavage rates in vitro, which may be attributed to its osmoregulation and stimulation on the estradiol secretion. Our results provide important insights into taurine application in female production, although the underlying mechanism need to be further addressed.

Preventive or Curative Administration of Taurine Regulates Lipid Metabolism in the Liver of Rats with Alcoholic Liver Disease.

Excessive consumption causes alcoholic liver disease (ALD), which injures hepatocytes and induces imbalance of lipid metabolism. Taurine is known to protect the liver from various liver injuries, and relieve lipid profile. Our previous studies also found that taurine can prevent or cure ALD, reduce fat deposition, but the mechanism remains unclear. In the present study, ALD rat model was established by administration of alcohol, pyrazole and high fat diet. Two percent taurine was administered at the same time or after ALD model establishment. Serum activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), serum and hepatic TC, TG, HDL-C and LDL-C were analyzed. Real-Time RT-PCR was conducted to detect the mRNA expressions of fatty acid synthetase (FAS), acetyl-CoA catboxylase (ACC), carnitine palmitoyl transferase 1 (CPT-1), 3-Hydroxy-3-methyl glutaric acid acyl Coenzyme A reductase (HMGCR), peroxisome proliferators activated receptor α (PPARα) and sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c (SREBP-1c). The results showed that serum ALT, AST, serum and hepatic TC, TG and LDL-C were higher, while HDL-C in ALD model rats was lower than normal rats, the changes of which can be significantly relieved by taurine administration. mRNA expressions of ACC, FAS, CPT-1, HMGCR, PPARα and SREBP-1c which were significantly changed by ethanol can also be regulated by taurine. The results indicated that taurine can prevent and repair hepatic injury of ALD rats and balance lipid metabolism indexes in the liver, the mechanisms may involves in the regulation of related enzymes and transcriptional regulators participated in lipid metabolism.

Taurine Improves Lipid Metabolism and Skeletal Muscle Sensitivity to Insulin in Rats Fed with High Sugar and High Fat Diet.

Metabolic syndrome is a lifestyle-related disease caused by high nutrient condition and lack of exercise. The insulin resistance due to obesity has attracted attention as an underlying mechanism of metabolic syndrome. Insulin resistance refers to reduced insulin sensitivity in insulin target tissues. In this case, in order to maintain normal blood glucose levels, a compensatory large amount of insulin is released, leading to the occurrence of hyperinsulinemia. Taurine is widely distributed in animal tissues. Although it is not involved in protein synthesis, taurine plays an important role in maintaining the body's physiological function. In this experiment, insulin resistance model was induced by high fat and high sugar diet. Two percent taurine was added in drinking water to explore the mechanism of taurine in insulin resistance and to provide theoretical basis for using taurine to improve insulin resistance. The result showed that high-fat and high-sugar diet could decrease insulin sensitivity, and taurine could improve it by oral glucose tolerance test. Moreover, serum TG, TC were higher, while HDL-C in rats fed with high sugar and high fat diet was lower than normal rats, the changes of which can be significantly relieved by 2% taurine administration. mRNA and protein expressions of IRS1, and GLUT4 which were significantly changed by high sugar and high fat diet can also be regulated by 2% taurine. The results indicated that taurine can improve insulin sensitivity through remediating lipid metabolism disorder and regulating the expressions of IRS and GLUT4.

Taurine Inhibited Uric Acid Uptake in HK-2 Renal Tubular Epithelial Cells.

It has been confirmed by our laboratory that taurine could decrease uric acid levels in hyperuricemic rats and regulate the expressions of some urate transporters. The present study aims to investigate the effects of taurine on uric acid uptake in human renal proximal tubular epithelial cells (HK-2). The cell growth inhibition rate was measured by MTS assay, which was up to 50% after treatment with 1.5 mmol/L uric acid. After administration of 15 mmol/L taurine, the inhibition rate and uric acid uptake were both significantly decreased. Then the HK-2 cells were grouped as follows: control group (C); model group (M), in which 1.5 mmol/L uric acid was added to the medium; taurine group (MT), in which 1.5 mmol/L uric acid and 15 mmol/L taurine were added to the medium; and taurine control group (T), in which 15 mmol/L taurine was added to the medium. The mRNA and protein expression levels of URAT1 and GLUT9 were measured by real-time PCR and western-blot. The results showed that URAT1 and GLUT9 mRNA/protein expression levels in group M were significantly increased compared with group C, and they were both down-regulated in MT group. In addition, the expression levels of these two transporters in group T were significantly lower than group C. The results indicated that taurine could inhibit uric acid uptake and down-regulate the expressions of URAT1 and GLUT9 in HK-2 cells.

Taurine Prevented Hypoxia Induced Chicken Cardiomyocyte Apoptosis Through the Inhibition of Mitochondrial Pathway Activated by Calpain-1.

Objective To determine whether taurine has protective effects on chicken myocardial apoptosis induced by hypoxic condition through inhibiting calpain-1 derived mitochondrial apoptotic pathway. Methods Chicken primary embryonic myocardial cells were isolated and cultured at 37 °C under a 5% CO2 atmosphere. Firstly the optimum concentration of taurine or PD150606 was chosen by detecting the cell viability. Chicken cardiomyocytes were cultured in 95% N2-5% CO2 atmosphere for 12 h to produce hypoxic conditions. Before hypoxic treatment, 10 mM taurine and 10 uM PD150606 (a specific calpains inhibitor) were added separately or together. The cell apoptosis was detected by acridine orange/ethidium bromide (AO/EB) double staining. Western blotting was used to determine the protein expressions of calpain-1, cytochrome c, Bcl-2, procaspase-9 and procaspase-3 in the cardiomyocytes. Results Taurine administration effectively attenuated the myocardial apoptosis under hypoxic condition, reduced the calpain-1 protein level. In addition, pre-treated taurine could up-regulate the protein expressions of Bcl-2 and procaspase-3 in hypoxic myocardial cells, down-regulate protein expression levels of cytochrome c and procaspase-9. Moreover, taurine exhibited same inhibition effect as PD150606 on the cell apoptosis and proteins express under hypoxic condition. Conclusions Taurine could attenuate the chicken cardiomyocyte apoptosis impaired by hypoxia through inhibiting calpian-1-derived mitochondrial apoptotic pathway in vitro.

Effects of Taurine on Bowel Inflammatory Factor of Small Intestinal Mucosa Impaired by Heat Stress in Broilers.

This study investigated the effects of taurine on bowel inflammation resulting from heat stress in broilers, with the intent of providing insight into potential improvement of the condition of broilers. A total of 300 healthy 1 day AA broilers were selected, fed normally until day 7, and allocated randomly to 5 treatment groups, namely, the control group(C), the heat stress group(HS), the low Tau (LTau) group, the middle Tau (MTau) group and the high Tau (HTau) group, which represent low, medium and high concentrations of taurine respectively. In the study, various concentrations of taurine were added to the drinking water. The Heat Stress model was produced by maintaining Broilers in a room at 34 °C.Heat stress persisted for 6 h, 12 h, 7 days, and 14 days. The results showed that the expression levels of TNF-α, IFN-γ, and IL-1ß of the HTau group were significantly lower than that of the HS group at all time points examined (6 h, 12 h, 7 days, and 14 days) (P < 0.05). Compared with the HS group subjected to 6 h, 12 h and 14 days of heat stress, the MTau group exhibited significantly lower degrees of TNF-α and IL-1ß expression. Moreover, the expression of IFN-γ was higher in the HS group after 6 h, 12 h and 7 days of heat stress than that of the MTau group subjected to similar times of heat stress (P < 0.05).There were no significant difference among the groups at other periods of heat stress (P > 0.05).

6-SFT, a Protein from Leymus mollis, Positively Regulates Salinity Tolerance and Enhances Fructan Levels in Arabidopsis thaliana.

Fructans play vital roles in abiotic stress tolerance in plants. In this study, we isolated the sucrose:6-fructosyltransferase gene, which is involved in the synthesis of fructans, from Leymus mollis by rapid amplification of cDNA ends. The Lm-6-SFT gene was introduced into Arabidopsis thaliana cv. Columbia by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. The transgenic plants were evaluated under salt stress conditions. The results showed that the expression of Lm-6-SFT was significantly induced by light, abscisic acid (ABA), salicylic acid (SA), and salt treatment in L. mollis plants. Overexpression of Lm-6-SFT in Arabidopsis promoted seed germination and primary root growth during the early vegetative growth stage under salt stress. We also found that the transgenic plants expressing Lm-6-SFT had increased proline and fructan levels. ß-Glucuronidase staining and promoter analysis indicated that the promoter of Lm-6-SFT was regulated by light, ABA, and salt stress. Quantitative PCR suggested that overexpression of Lm-6-SFT could improve salt tolerance by interacting with the expression of some salt stress tolerance genes. Thus, we demonstrated that the Lm-6-SFT gene is a candidate gene that potentially confers salt stress tolerance to plants. Our study will aid the elucidation of the regulatory mechanism of 6-SFT genes in herb plants.

Taurine prevents ethanol-induced apoptosis mediated by mitochondrial or death receptor pathways in liver cells.

One pathogenic mechanism of ethanol-induced liver injury is the excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which may result in alcoholic liver disease (ALD) characterized by cell death due to necrosis and apoptosis. Taurine was proved to protect against liver damage. However, whether taurine attenuates ethanol-induced hepatic apoptosis remains unknown. The present study aims to elucidate this effect and its underlying mechanism. Taurine was administered to ALD rats and an in vitro experiment in which taurine was added to primary rat hepatocytes cultured with ethanol was conducted. Mitochondrial function and anti-oxidative capacity of the liver were tested. TUNEL and AO-EB double staining were conducted to detect apoptosis of liver cells. Expressions of factors and proteins involved in mitochondrial and death receptor pathways were detected by RT-PCR and Western-blot. The results showed that taurine inhibited the decline of cell functions and apoptosis in hepatocytes cultured with ethanol. Furthermore, increased malondialdehyde (MDA) and reduced superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), cytochrome c oxidase (COX) and NADH dehydrogenase (ND) in ALD rats were mediated by taurine. RT-PCR and western-blot results revealed that taurine down-regulated expression of Bax, Fas, Fas ligand (FasL), caspase 3 and caspase 9 while up-regulating the expression of Bcl-2 in ethanol-cultured hepatocytes. In summary, taurine inhibit ethanol-induced hepatic apoptosis by regulating mitochondrial or death receptor pathways.